Filinvest upbeat about living in eco-friendly communities

Better face it: You may not be able to reduce global warming, end pollution, and save endangered species single-handedly, but by choosing to live in an eco-friendly community, you can do a lot every day to help save the planet.
This is the rationale behind the “Eco-Friendly Community” thrust of Filinvest, one of the country’s largest and most diverse developers. The company has made “Eco-Friendly” more than just a mantra, but a corporate commitment from blueprint to actual development. Examples of these Filinvest developments are Timberland Heights, Laeuna de Taal, and The Linear.
Mountain suburban living
As you travel up the hills of San Mateo in Rizal, Timberland stands out as it nestles in a green bowl – a patchwork of a mini-nature reserve, city farms, winding and wooded trails, swimming ponds, camping sites, and sprawling landscapes. This 677-hectare development is located just a 15-minute drive from Batasang Pambansa in Quezon City.
True to Filinvest’s advocacy,  Timberland Heights was created without disturbing the natural greenways of the San Mateo mountains. Its naturally lush greenery, rolling terrain, and panoramic views of Laguna de Bay and the Sierra Madre mountain range make it an oasis of calm, especially for tired and weary city souls.
“Upon entering Timberland Heights, you can already feel that the air gets cooler because of the trees and vegetation in the area that improve air quality,” said garments distributor Jose Winston Dichupa, one of the homeowners in Timberland Heights.
Close to nature yet designed for everyday living, Timberland Heights has themed communities with a tropical Asian flavor to suit different lifestyles. Mandala Residential Farm Estates is designed for hobby farmers who enjoy cultivating their very own farm lots. There are also the exclusive hideaways of Banyan Ridge, The Ranch, and Banyan Crest for those who go for luxury and freedom.
Mountain retreat
In the south of Manila, Filinvest also built a lakeside called Laeuna de Taal. The 60-hectare development lies along the Tagaytay Mountain Ridge and is located just 15 minutes from the Tagaytay rotunda.
Conceptualized as a lakeside residential community, Laeuna de Taal was planned and designed around the natural setting of Taal Lake and various flora and fauna in Taal, Batangas. Roads and othe infrastructure were built following the natural topography of the topography of the property to ensure minimum and avoid soil erosion.
The project’s design theme is Asian Tropical, which combines various Oriental elements planned with green architecture that is outdoor-oriented. This means less use of materials that can potentially harm the ecosystem and at the same time ensuring simplicity that exudes a sense of peace.
Promoting healthier lifestyles
Filinvest also promotes its “Eco-Friendly Community” advocacy by offering recreational activities in its developments that nurture the environment and promote environmental stewardship among residents.
In Laeuna de Taal, homeowners can indulge in water sports activities such as sailing, windsurfing, fishing and kayaking, all of which take advantage of the lake. At The Linear Makati, a master-planned residential commercial hub in the country’s financial and business district, unit owners could find peace at the eco-rooftop” that has a garden and areas of aerobics, yoga, meditation, and Tai-Chi exercises. Plus, this eco-roof system minimizes UV and temperature impact, decreases energy bills and improves air quality by filtering pollutants, absorbing carbon dioxide and producing oxygen.
Within Timberland Heights is the Timberland Sports  and Nature Club (TNSC), an exclusive, family-oriented club that offers sports and outdoor adventurers for all  ages.
Located at the township’s highest point, the sprawling, five-level curvilinear structure derives its design from the mountain terrain, affording sweeping views of the surrounding environment, as far  as Laguna de Bay. US-based concept architect Wimberly Allison tong and Goo (WATG), the designer of such esteemed projects as Ayana Resort & Spa in Bali, Indonesia; Pan Pacific Singapore Pacific Club suites; Four Seasons Hotel in Tokyo and California, The Ritz-Carlton in Guangzhou and California; and Atlantis, The Palm in Dubai, went to great lengths to maintain the natural topography of the land to ensure that the structure and design of TSNC enhance the beauty of its surroundings.
Positioning Laeuna de Taal an eco-tourism project, Filinvest also encourages residents to join efforts in preserving Taal Lake and its environs. Meanwhile, Timberland Heights promotes organic farming, not just among its residents, but to nearby farming communities in San Mateo.
“In Filinvest, we believe that building environmentally friendly homes and communities is an investment in our planet,” said Joseph M. Yap, president of Filinvest Land, Inc.