Fine feathered friends

Philippine Star
December 18, 2009

MANILA, Philippines - Well, here’s one for the birds. Who would have thought that South Forbes Golf City, the country’s largest fully-integrated and all-themed golf resort city at the forefront of the Metro Sta. Rosa - Tagaytay corridor, and recipient of the Best Golf Community Development title by the CNBC International Property Awards, the world’s most prestigious property awards programme, is home not only to people, but also to a myriad species of birds? Then again, with the city’s concern for a sustainable way of life and the preservation of the natural environment, it is no surprise at all.

“In the pursuit of building green, South Forbes is earnest in maintaining its green zones and determined to integrate the same wherever necessary,” said Cathay Land president Jeffrey Ng.

Birds of a Feather. Bird watching has been a growing hobby among Filipinos these past years. With what started as an internet-based community of bird enthusiasts, the Wild Bird Club of the Philippines (WBCP) was launched in 2003, now a nationwide club of bird watchers dedicated to providing a forum for individuals to share their interest in watching wild birds in the Philippines and to providing support and information about wild birds and protecting their habitats in the country.

The Early Bird. In the morning of December 4, 2009, a small contingent from the WBCP visited the environs of South Forbes’ golf course where lush flora and some watering holes still dominate the site — the perfect habitat for wild birds. The result of their morning “birding” revealed at least 23 migrant and resident species of birds, much more than their previous afternoon visit.

“The highlight of the trip for me was a calling Siberian Rubythroat which responded very clearly to (one of the watchers’) tape,” said Leni Sutcliffe of WBCP. “We had a single Striated Swallow, too, a species not seen in the previous visit.”

The Siberian Rubythroat is a migratory insectivorous species breeding in mixed coniferous forests with undergrowth in Siberia and winters usually in India and Indonesia. The Striated Swallow, on the other hand, is endemic to Southeast Asia.

Free as a Bird. How great it is to have a golf course for a backyard where the view is as far as the eye can see, the air is crisp and clean, and the hills are alive with the sound of bird music. South Forbes presents two unique enclaves where life is not just closer to the green, but closer to the birds as well.

Akin to Singapore’s most popular island resort, Sentosa Heights is South Forbes’ prestigious island enclave with only 29 lots available — all offering coveted views of the golf course. With its exclusive nature of having limited lots and its location surrounded by nothing but the fairway, it realizes the Malay definition of sentosa, which means peace and tranquility.

The setting of the Golf View Terraces takes advantage of natural elevation changes. It is perched high on the ridge of the hill while the golf course is nestled in the valley below and atop the opposite ridge. Mature vegetation and forests, along with a linear lake that winds throughout the course complement the scenic, rolling topography.

For the avid golfer or the moderate environmentalist, the call of the green is too strong for him to just appreciate only from his home. With his free golf membership that comes along with every unit purchase, he can run the course of the world-class 18-hole South Forbes Golf and Leisure Club any day he chooses.

“In fact, with our fleet of electric golf carts, our resident and migrant birds, as well as our residents, are assured of a noise-free environment,” Mr. Ng said.




Philippine Star
December 18, 2009


Developer: Cathy Land


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