FAR from the madding crowd, Montecito encourages a return to the good old-fashioned way of living that values family and friends.

THE Canlubang of my childhood days was a quaint, if difficult, place to reach. Traveling down south in the late ’70s was not as convenient as it is today, as one had to suffer through the bumps and huge potholes that pockmarked the roads back then. But I never complained. I would always look forward to these trips because, apart from having made friends with the children of the family whom we visited every weekend, I also got that most special treat: chewing on sugar cane (tubo), which was what the place was known for at the time.

In my young mind, I did often wonder, as we passed by farmers cutting down sugar cane, what lay beyond those tall, incredibly dense sugarcane plantations. I never really got to find out what. We just suddenly stopped going to Canlubang, and I lost all contact with the friends I had made there. 

A few days ago, I finally was able to visit Canlubang again upon the invitation of Ayala Land Premiere, which hosted a celebration of past intermingling with the present as it talked up the fine qualities of its decidedly upscale development called Montecito (“little mountain”).

What greeted me upon entering the exclusive enclave were well-paved roads, lush greeneries that rolled out far into the horizon, the mountain breeze that tickled my nostrils, and the vista of distant mountains. Topping this natural splendor was the calm and clear waters of a man-made lake that is fed by the Matang Matubig, an artesian spring emanating from the ridges of the nearby Tagaytay. 

“This lake powers a minihydro-electric plant that is able to provide electricity to a few lampposts in Montecito,” explained Mayi Platero, Ayala Land Premiere project development manager. This was in accordance to former Canlubang Sugar Estate president Jose Yulo Jr.’s vision of a self-sustaining community when he built his abode in the family’s Laguna property back in 1983. It was a turbulent year for the country at the time and the Yulos wanted to leave the madness of city life. With the encouragement of relatives and friends, Yulo developed the 60-hectare coconut-grove property into a distinctive neighborhood.

It is this vision of a nurturing community that Ayala Land Premiere shares with the Yulos which consolidated their partnership to fully develop Montecito into a first-class community. Their relationship goes a long way back with Ayala Land developing properties surrounding Montecito prior to this engagement. Giggio Jugo, head of Ayala Land Premiere Land and Houses, explained, “We felt that it was natural to extend the relationship through additional projects, like Montecito, which addresses another niche in our market.”

Indeed, Montecito is distinct not only due to the aforementioned features being offered to prospective residents, but also in the ideal of a community built to foster the good old-fashioned values of family and friendship. With close to only 300 lots stretched over 60 hectares, the developers are committed to devoting half of the property to open space. “The unifying theme is greenery, which Montecito will have an abundance of,” enthused Giggio. And considering that there will only be a very few lots available, Montecito is deemed to be a small, intimate community where its homeowners “will go back to the good old-fashioned way of living,” Ayala Land Inc. president Jimmy Ayala added. 

The development prospects for this part of the south are bright, considering the influx of large companies and businesses like Ayala, which will undertake other commercial and residential developments in the area. “More people are moving into the suburbs and settling around this locale, so we envision Canlubang to be the next regional center,” Ayala said, noting that one of the reasons why growth in the south is more dynamic is because “it has a consolidated, huge tract of land that property developers find easier to build on. This is its main attraction and, of course, the fact that the infrastructure is much more developed around this area.”

Because of Yulo’s commitment to make Montecito a truly special place, he has donated his former home and allowed it to be converted into a clubhouse, now to be called the Pasa Tiempo. Renowned architect Andy Locsin has been tasked to renovate the Yulos’ old address and a chapel designed by Locsin’s company will be completed in the near future. By the way, it was the Pasa Tiempo that played host to the event. The hall was adorned with flowers, lace table tops and oil lamps, enveloped by a vibrant colorful striped wall. Ayala Land’s Fernando Zobel and Maia Yulo-La O’ greeted the guests as they arrived. Yulo sons, daughters, spouses and grandchildren filled the room with exuberant laughter and a warm welcome. Family friends Mia Borromeo, Frannie Jacinto, Maricris Brias, Cesar and Bambina Buenaventura, Dr. George Garcia, Karen Santos, Marit Yuchengco, Anna Maria Saguil, Tinette Puyat, Mr. and Mrs. Peter Ng, Missy Ayala, Mr. and Mrs. Raul Concepcion, Jojo Zabarte, Arch. Pablo Antonio, Evelyn Lim Forbes, Mandi Els, among others, were all there to grace the special occasion.

Once the private getaway hacienda of the Yulos, now others—well, at least those who can afford it—will have a chance to own a pocket of this lush paradise and savor the psychic rewards such idyll brings. In the face of all megastructures that have been built and continue to rise all over the metropolis, I can only regard with fondness this special parcel of land called Montecito that seems dedicated to preserving the old charm of the Canlubang of my childhood.

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