Landco Pacific Corp. celebrates its 25th year of being at the forefront of resort living and a pioneer of lifestyle products that has resulted in the conceptualization of residential resorts, leisure farms and leisure tourism estates to the local real estate industry.
The Xerez-Burgos family founded it in 1990, with Landco's flagship development beinf the 88-hectare Peninsula de Punta Fuego in Nasugbu, Batangas, touted the country’s first exclusive and world-class seaside residential resort.
Alfred Xerex-Burgos Jr., the president and CEO then described the property as "a diamond in the rough,” remembering when access was only through rough roads and one even had to go the rest of the way by foot from the barrio.
“It wasn’t easy. We had to carve out a system where we could connect Metro Manila to this place”, he said.
On the other hand, the Roxas family, Landco’s land partner for Punta Fuego, represented by Pedro Roxas, had been wanting to develop their property, but couldn't quite find the right partner who shared the same vision, until Landco came into the picture 25 years ago.
“It was very rough then, but that was part of the beauty of the place, it was very natural,” Roxas recalls. “It took a lot of guts, a leap of faith,” Roxas said of initiating the project.
Now, Peninsula de Punta Fuego caters to the elite who want a quick getaway from manic work days during the week. The homeowners and members of the leisure community enjoy the peninsula’s long coastline speckled with lovely coves, plus a lifestyle accentuated by gastronomical feats prepared by chef Mikel Arriet Arruiz and full amenities provided by Club Punta Fuego.
Following the success of Club Punta Fuego are upscale beach resort Terrazas de Punta Fuego and luxury oceanfront condominium Amara en Terrazas soon followed.
Other Landco properties that sprouted are Playa Calatagan with the Aquaria beach resort and Playa Laiya, both in Batangas, and Playa Azlea in Samal, Davao. Aside from these, they also got into developing luxury home communities in the provinces, including WoodGrove Park in San Fernando, Pampanga; Waterwood Park in Baliuag, Bulacan; MonteLago Nature Estates in San Pablo, Laguna; The Courtyard at Lakewood Golf Estates in Cabanatuan, Nueva Ecija; and Woodridge Garden Village in Zamboanga City.
Xerez-Burgos then retired and was succeeded by his son Alfred III. And it seems the elder Xerez-Burgos could not hide his pride in the way his legacy was carried on, saying, “He did a beautiful concept called Leisure Farms in Tagaytay, where lot buyers can become weekend farmers.”
This weekend farming concept – at Leisure Farms in Lemery, Batangas and Ponderosa Leisure Farms in Silang, Cavite – has proven to be an attractive concept, especially with the organic, healthy, farm-to-table trend gaining popularity. Current Landco president and CEO Alfred Xerez-Burgos III said, “For the last 25 years, Landco has made leisure its business, so that families may have the opportunity to spend quality time together. As we look ahead to the next 25 years, the company will continue to explore new concepts in leisure development that are relevant to the changing needs of the Filipino family.” On moving forward, he said, “We will be building on the brand that we have established and continue to fulfill the brand promise, life at your leisure,” keeping in mind what Landco values most: family time and bonding, enjoying God’s gifts and nature, taking care of nature, making memories that are priceless. “Moving forward, we would like to introduce leisure tourism estates that offer the experience to a bigger market,” said the CEO. Plans are in the works for hotels and a more dynamic boardwalk with commercial spaces, restaurants, shops and aqua sports.
* Published in print version (Voice of the South, Volume 12, No. 8)
