Lakeshore: Passion and A Vision

2/16/2006

Water gives life.  Amid the most arid desert sands, a trickle of water flows to sustain its flora and fauna.  Even when searching for signs of life in other planets, scientists seek out water as proof of life.  It's as simple as that.  If this is so, then in the midst of the devastation that was lahar in Pampanga, there has risen further proof of life, a beautiful crystal clear lake.  And around this lake, there is growing a community development called Lakeshore. 

Speaking with Brian Mangio, who together with his father, Architect Nestor Mangio, are the principals of the Lakeshore development in Pampanga, we found out how they were inspired to use the lake as the centerpiece of their project.  He admits that it all started with their passion for water and the activities they love such as fishing and boating.  They knew there were many others who felt the same and wanted to bring their passion right to their doorstep.  Now this idea is a reality and it has transformed the area into an oasis. 

The area was originally a sugar cane plantation and was never swampy.  It was not really affected by the lahar flows of Mt. Pinatubo since it lies several meters above the city of San Fernando.  Seasoned developers would have raised their eyebrows if any planner had recommended that 12 hectares of saleable real estate be converted to a water feature. But with Architect Mangio, passion and vision came first.  Certain of his dream, he decided to develop it on his own.

Today, prime lots are nestled along the lake shore while commercial lots are located on another side.  A lighthouse serves as a quaint landmark with an island greenbelt that is ideal for parties and functions.  The proponents very proudly claim that the project was completely designed by Filipinos with no foreign consultants involved, a testament to Filipino creativity and skill. 

As usual with water features, maintenance is a pervading concern.  A lot of developers and their property managers think of it as a huge burden in care and cost.  On the contrary, the Mangios say that it is easier to maintain the lake and its biome than it is to tend the landscaped areas.  After all, Mother Nature is the best groundskeeper of all. 

With a bold move such as this, the Mangios have begun to rewrite development formulas in the country.  Prime land does not solely mean concrete and towers.  They have shown that it is very possible to create and much easier to preserve more ecologically balanced communities.  It is no longer improbable to carve out and sustain comfortable communities within natural terrain.  It is even rewarding to bring our homes closer to nature. 

Pampangga suffered tremendously when Pinatubo erupted and, to some extent, at the dismantling of the US bases.  But the Mangios and their "cabalens" never lost focus.  Their hopes and aspirations remained strong.  They not only overcame the challenges but turned their area into a metropolitan hub, soon comparable to Alabang and Sta. Rosa. 

This is just a story of a man and his vision and how the pursuit of his passion caused a refreshing ripple in the staid field of real estate development.   Even before hard work and perseverance, it is passion combined with vision that will propel a project to success.  In Lakeshore, all the ingredients are in place.  Even Mother Nature has been invoked.  Only wonderful things can come of these.