ONE of the most classic cultural expressions so ingrained into Filipino life is the barong Tagalog, an embroidered garment commonly worn during weddings and other formal events.  Its elegance, while simple, is admired even by foreigners so much that they make it a point to have one for their use and collection.

Such appreciation for the finer things in life, as well as an admiration for foreign cultures, is equally ingrained in South Forbes Golf City, the country’s largest fully integrated and all-themed golf resort city at the forefront of the Metro Santa Rosa-Tagaytay corridor.

Weaving. Even with the introduction of machine-made embroidery, the majority of the modista or seamstresses, fashion designers and tailors still prefer to do embroideries by hand. Elaborate, dainty, colorful, intricate, imaginative, playful, provocative, original—the embroideries, which can fetch huge sums, are works of art. A work of art, after all, is priceless.

In a place like South Forbes, the intricate weaving of its five Clusters of Excellence, where an internationally themed Residential Cluster works in synergy with the Education, Business, Wellness and Leisure Clusters, becomes the city’s priceless feature which earned it the Best Golf Community Development by the 2007 CNBC International Property Awards, the world’s most prestigious property awards program, and, recently, the Highly Commended Award for Best Development by the 2010 Bloomberg Asia-Pacific Residential Award.

“Our Residential Cluster in itself reflects an elaborate weave since each of our enclaves is themed with a featured foreign culture, which is then infused with our own Filipino sensibilities,” said Cathay Land president Jeffrey Ng.  “Our intention is to come up with unique architecture which pays tribute to the original yet suited to our own climate and preferences.”

Part of the master plan is the adherence to New Urbanist principles, which promote compact and walkable districts.  The barong, when brought up against the light, reveals its translucency. 

Versatility. Over the centuries, the barong material has evolved to suit the contemporary way of life.  Today, Filipinos don their barong in a variety of fabrics: silk, piña, jusi, linen or gusot mayaman, and ramie or cotton for the informal polo barong or shirt-jack.

Whatever the lifestyle choice of South Forbes residents, there are certainly many options for them to choose from in the other Clusters:

Learning is an ongoing process which is why the Education Cluster houses from preschool to tertiary levels, including a postgraduate curriculum. Youngsters begin their journey into learning at the Learning Links Academy of Santa Rosa from early education to secondary levels.  The South Forbes City Colleges will immerse students young and old in global tertiary education.  Other schools at the borders of South Forbes are the DLSU-Canlubang, St. Scholastica’s College, Don Bosco, the Ateneo Post-Graduate School, Xavier School and Brent International, to name a few.

Making a living can never come more convenient than the Business Cluster, its main showcase, the Cyberpark which features world-class, built-to-specification buildings suited for BPOs and call centers, as well as an established business and technology node in Metro Santa Rosa region.

There is nothing better after a hectic day than a well-deserved spa treatment at the Astoria Plaza-South Forbes Business Hotel and Conference Center, the heart of the Wellness Cluster, which houses the spa and specialist clinics to serve the wellness requirements of the young, adult and even the retirees from here and abroad.  Hospitals like the Southern Luzon Hospital and Medical Center will offer nothing but the best medical facilities and treatment.

The prime amenity of the Leisure Cluster is the world-class 18-hole South Forbes Golf Club designed by Asia’s leading golf course designer, the International Management Group (IMG).  Membership to the club comes free with every lot or condominium unit purchase. And with the affiliation to the IMG Sports Club, jetsetter members can play in all other IMG-affiliate golf courses worldwide.

Visit www.southforbes.com for more information.