It was a cool afternoon and the township was stirring once again with the brisk footsteps of an eager crowd raring to explore what the day had to offer. There were the purposeful strides of the executives, the meandering strolls of the mallgoers and the excited steps of the dogs as residents went about their business with their furry friends.
Save for a few vehicles winding through the roads, everyone was on foot. Why not? At the Eastwood City Township, everything is just a few steps away. And we mean everything.
“Megaworld townships, just like Eastwood City, are designed to promote utmost convenience for any kind of lifestyle,” said Kevin Tan, senior vice president and head of Megaworld Lifestyle Malls. “With its highly integrated design, townships naturally promote physical activity and walkable convenience.”
This makes Eastwood City perfect for retirees and fitness buffs. Business, commercial and residential spaces are interconnected. With pedestrians given priority over vehicles, walking to different sectors of the township is safe. There are bike lanes and racks for the biking community as well and wide outdoor spaces for running and other physical activities.
“This minimizes noise and air pollution and in turn improves the overall health of the community,” Tan said.
Health and wellness
Eastwood City is home to a host of health and wellness establishments—from gyms, spas, clinics and pharmacies to restaurants that offer healthy dining options. It has fitness centers offering boxing, circuit training, weight loss, physical therapy, dance exercise, yoga and more, including Anytime Fitness, Fitness First, Crossfit MNL, Elite Boxing, Curves and Yoga Tree.
Anytime Fitness, open 24/7, is ideal for those who work out at any given time of the day; CrossFit MNL and Elite Boxing are great for those looking for a new experience in their fitness routine; Curves is a circuit workout facility designed by women for women, and Yoga Tree specializes in hot yoga.
There are also clinics, spas and wellness centers such as Mabuhay Chiropractic Clinic, Medical City, The Borough Medical Clinic, Karada and Blue Water Day Spa that’s perfect for retirees. Even better, most of the fitness and wellness facilities are located in just one zone, saving you from walking from one center to another.
Another place that packs in the crowd on weekends is Paeng’s Eastwood Bowl and Billiard Room. Bowling, after all, is one of Filipinos’ favorite pastimes, where the entire family bonds over jokes and drinks.
“For a healthy and thriving population, we also recognize the importance of having a sense of community,” Tan said. “That is why we have devoted a lot to open spaces and al fresco areas where our residents can interact with each other. These open spaces allow for socialization, especially between families and children who play at the plaza. Community events like festivals, food fairs and playgrounds are hosted here.”
Inclined ramps with handrails, textured walkways and automated doors are incorporated into the design of building entryways, along with drop-off points for the elderly and the people with disabilities.
“To deter smoking, Eastwood City designates limited smoking areas away from the major pedestrian areas and implements sanctions on violators of our no-smoking policies,” Tan said.
Body and spirit
Eastwood is also home to restaurants for the health-conscious, such as Gourmet Farms, Faburrito, Go Salads, Green Pastures and Annam Noodle Bar. Gourmet Farms serves salads freshly picked from its farms in Silang, Cavite province, while Annam Noodle Bar offers Vietnamese food as they are served in the northern part of Vietnam, meaning fewer herbs compared to the south and with more balanced flavors.
The township’s developer believes in nourishing both the body and the spirit, such that it built the St. John Paul II Church on Orchard Road, located just a few steps from the malls. The church being the heartbeat of every Filipino community, having one within reach is the clincher for the faithful when choosing a place to live.
Eastwood City won the 2016 Urban Land Institute’s (ULI) Health Places Award for Healthiest Mixed-Use Community—it stands for the most outstanding and innovative neighborhood development that prioritizes health and safety in its design and execution. ULI is a global authority that advocates awareness and strategies that emphasize the link between land development and the world’s major health issues.
“We have always practiced diversity in our offerings and services to keep up with the lifestyle, needs and interest of our diverse community,” said Tan. “It is the township’s objective to provide options for young and old and above all to safeguard the health and security of all who reside in, work in or visit the township.”
Eastwood City is located at Brgy. Bagumbayan, Quezon City. Visit www.megaworldcorp.com.
