Calatagan, Batangas is an upscale and laidback beach destination known as the haven of the elite. It features Landco BeachTowns – Playa Calatagan (78 hectares) and CaSoBe (15 hectares), the latest additions to this nature and beach paradise.
Just three hours from Metro Manila, Calatagan provides a peaceful escape for city dwellers. The beach community offers tranquility and a sense of seclusion.
In the special Calatagan episode of Metro Channel’s EIC on the Move, Atty. Rene Puno and his wife Ann, along with neighbor Basti Lacson, welcomed back Metro Society EIC and EIC on the Move host Raul Manzano – a former Calatagan resident himself – to their lovely abode over a hearty potluck of sumptuous meals and colorful conversations on why Calatagan is such a beautiful place to stay in.
Art Hyndman, a resident of Playa Calatagan for more than two years, shared with Raul how he experiences quiet luxury at the Landco BeachTowns.
“After more than 20 years in the liquor industry, handling events in bars and restaurants, I realized that I can’t do this for the rest of my life. I chose Playa Calatagan as the best place to slow down. I retired from corporate life but I am actively doing things on the side,’ Art said.
“I opted to relocate to Playa Calatagan for its proximity to Metro Manila. It’s an easy drive and you can stop by Tagaytay before heading to the beach. I return to Manila about once or twice a month,” he added.
To explore the beauty and charm of Calatagan, Art appreciates that there is no traffic jam and it’s safe to go on a motorbike around town and visit places nearby.
He shared that for those who love marine life, there is plenty to discover. Calatagan Peninsula faces the Verde Passage, declared by a team of marine conservationists as a “Center of Marine Biodiversity” in the world, and Verde Island Passage as the “Center of Marine Shorefish Biodiversity.”
“Living at Playa Caltagan is very relaxing. There is no certain time to wake up. It’s also like living inside a resort. It’s not just a hotel room, your whole house is inside a resort,” he observed.
He added that there are two clubhouses: Hilltop View offers a scenic sea perspective, while Oasis is a pool illuminated by hundreds of underwater LED lights, creating a starry experience. The beachfront offers ample space for watersports like kayaking, swimming, and snorkeling. It’s a hub for various outdoor recreational activities.
Art highlighted Landco Beachtowns’ sustainability focus with a water recycling facility and a bamboo park for residents to connect with nature. It is an ideal place during the pandemic, offering outdoor spaces and a strong internet connection.
In contrast, Playa Calatagan is a private beachfront community offering privacy and exclusivity. Resort Estate CaSoBe is a mixed-use development for tourism, providing a vibrant tourist hotspot for residents to enjoy their dream beach house, second home, or business venture.
Playa Calatagan residents can access CaSoBe’s leisure and hospitality amenities managed by Millennial Resorts. Accommodations include Cocoons and Crusoe Cabins, EDGE-certified rustic container vans with modern interiors. Additional facilities include Aquaria Water Park, Captain Barbozza restaurant and bar, and Canopy for corporate events and weddings.
“You don’t even have to cook at home, simply head to the restaurants to partake of your meals or entertain visitors and guests,” Art noted.
Since it’s a connected community, Raul was also able to bump into one of his good friends, journalist Stephanie Zubiri who spent most of her childhood here on beach holidays. Calatagan gave them the chance to catch up on their lives over barbecue and cocktails amid the majestic Calatagan sunset by the beach.
“From its gorgeous scenery to the affluent community, and down to the priceless beachside lifestyle, Calatagan is truly an understated paradise that you can come home to, a quiet luxury worth rewarding yourself with,” Raul concludes.