Making leisure an advocacy

It’s hard to believe 25 years have passed since the Philippine real estate industry was introduced to Alfred Xerez-Burgos Jr.’s vision of what leisure living should be. As founder of Landco Pacific Corp., Xerez-Burgos has changed the way Filipinos spend their weekends and leisure time.

They have become familiar with such concepts as “residential resorts,” “leisure farms” or  “leisure tourism estates” in Punta Fuego, Leisure Farms and Playa Calatagan. 

More than just offering real estate, Landco’s business became an advocacy. It wanted to fulfill a longing to escape to a vacation home. Elusive as leisure was to most, spending quality time with family and friends began to emerge as an aspiration.

People began to think that, perhaps, it is through the pursuit of leisure that they can achieve balance and happiness.

‘Feast of Leisure’

To celebrate its 25th anniversary, Landco pampered clients and guests in “A Feast of Leisure”—a weekend escape of laissez-faire, fashion and gastronomy at Club Punta Fuego in Nasugbu, Batangas.

The day began with leisure activities like yoga, spa treatments and water sports. The highlight was “Summer Luxe,” a resort wear fashion show directed by Luis Espiritu featuring models from Mercator.

The show opened with Jasmine Maierhofer and other models stepping out to Club Punta Fuego’s poolside in black-and-white swimwear by Seek the Uniq. S.C. Vizcarra provided them with summer hats and beautiful bags, and Ray-Ban with its new collection featuring leather and denim Wayfarers.

This was followed by Seek the Uniq’s summer casuals and lounge wear with bags by Fino Leatherware and jewelry by Joanique.

The show’s highlight was the luxe resort wear and accessories by Mia Arcenas paired with gorgeous South Sea pearls by Jewelmer, with a finale enhanced by the amazing orange and light-blue hues of the Nasugbu sunset.

An after-party delight was the surprise saxophone performance by Jewelmer’s Jacques Brannelec, who jammed with Katsy Lee on the acrylic pool stage. 

Club Punta Fuego’s Mikel Arriet prepared a feast with cocktails like grilled foie gras with sweet and sour apple purée, oysters gratin with Chardonnay hollandaise and the signature black shrimp tempura with aioli.

Dinner showcased a gourmet station with chorizo, jamon, an array of cheeses, assorted pate, smoked tangigue and salmon, roasted prime rib eye, leg of lamb, lechon and more.

Dessert was a wonderful spread of French macarons, croquembouche, chocolate mille-feuille, matcha cheesecake, strawberry chiboust, chocolate fountain and more. The organic corner included healthy options like the Waldorf salad, tabbouleh with quinoa, hummus and babaganoush.

The next day there was an epic farewell breakfast with pintxos and montaditos typically served in the pintxos bars of the Basque Country. 

Arriet recreated the setting of San Sebastian, Spain, in Club Punta Fuego down to the custom-made bar. The glass of bubbly was a natural and wonderful ending to this leisure escape.

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