Eastwood City Central Park - Mark Albert Manalo

Eastwood City Central Park
by Mark Albert B. Manalo

Eastwood City is a residential and commercial complex developed by Megaworld Corporation. Their latest build project is the Eastwood City mall, together with the central park. The Eastwood City Park is located inside Eastwood City in E. Rodriguez Ave. (C-5), Quezon City, Philippines. The central park is the first interactive and educational park situated within a mall to certainly redefine the shopping experience. Also, the Eastwood central park has covered walkways providing access throughout the entire park. The sights and sounds of nature is truly nice while strolling around the main lagoon, and with the many shops and cafes that surrounds this one of a kind park. What’s nice is that you may also dine alfresco and enjoy the greenery and grand ambiance.

The Eastwood city mall along with Eastwood central park was built and finished in 2007, making it a 21^st century park. The park is in a symmetrical pattern of trees aligned in the eastern and western part. The middle part of the park is a multi-purpose area which can host shows and concerts. Looking from aerial view, the lagoon acts as the focal point of the park. Bridges along the water feature connects from one place to another that adds distinct feature of the park. The park is a modern type of park that complements the city mall and the buildings around it. There is a special feature in this park which can be seen at night. The lagoon has a fountain that dances to the sound of the music during the night, much like the fountain of Las Vegas’ Bellagio hotel and casino. Making it one of a kind and a nice place to unwind and stroll.

pocket gardens - Katigbak, John Michael N.

POCKET GARDEN – Katigbak, John Michael N.

What does it mean to have a modern or a contemporary garden? Is it the innovations used? From normal pools to infinity pools, from candles to LED lights, from having a big garden to none at all?

People always complain about their houses having not enough space for gardens or open areas. If compared to the past, if a house has a big garden, it is considered modern or contemporary. But what about now? How can we distinguish if a house has a contemporary garden?

           When I was scouting for a contemporary garden, I always ask myself, “what is a contemporary garden for me?” I was looking and searching until the day I visited my relatives house in Phoenix subdivision, Pasig city. At first I didn’t pay too much attention to her house because my mind was too occupied by the right garden until she explained how she came up

She had her garden designed to look Mediterranean because it was a perfect look for her house. It consisted of plants that did not need too much water. The water features comprised of small fountains that gave a relaxing feeling to the house. She had also made an open balcony with potted plants and also empty pots that captured the wind to distribute inside the house.

She believes that “a garden is nothing without something it compliments.” So then I asked her what it meant to have a contemporary garden. She told me that, it was not about the innovations but the present functionality of the garden regardless the limits. She showed me an indoor garden and said, “People nowadays don’t have the luxury to have a big outdoor garden because of the construction of masses in available lots.” And that was why she renovated a room in her house to be an indoor garden and called it “pocket garden.” It was simple, effective, yet an elegant idea that was feasibly doable in our present condition.  For me, it was a perfect example of a contemporary garden. It was not contemporary physically, but ideally and systematically modern. It compensates for the lack of outdoor lot availability, a perfect fit for our ever closing environment.

Eastwood City Park - Nela Leyva

          Eastwood City is a 17 hectares (42 acres) commercial and residential development located in the Libis area of Quezon City in the Philippines. It is developed by Megaworld Corporation. It currently hosts 12 luxury residential condominium towers, with several more being developed. Eastwood developed two buildings, one is the city walk which was developed in 1997 and the Eastwood Mall that was developed maybe less than 10 years ago. Eastwood Mall features two distinct sections, the Central Park-a wide open area with botanical garden and lagoon, and the main mall section- a fine collection of upscale brands, huge atrium, a row of al fresco restaurants and more.

           Eastwood City has been the hangout place for me and friends ever since high school and until now. I find Eastwood City a mall wherein we can still feel at home. This place for me is the most convenient mall and hangout place from where i live. This has been our 'second home' for whenever we have free time and when we feel stressed and we need a place to release that stress out, we go to this place. 

          Every time I go to this mall, this Central Park catches my eyes for the dancing fountain, the landscaping and the lagoon is very much interesting to look at. Eastwood City created a mall and a park that catches the attention of the people. The landscaping is pleasing and is well maintained. People enjoys to just sit down in the benches and watch the dancing fountain and take pictures with the landscaping of the whole Central Park. Eastwood created a very refreshing environment with the help of the materials that makes them a 21st century park. They created a unified community, a calm and eco-friendly environment that ensures the mall and park a secured, healthy and a fun place to go to. 

One Gateway Place

ONE GATEWAY PLACE
 - Gatdula, Jonathan P.

A grand scale landscape can be one of the most engaging place to relax

The Robinson Residences is in Bonifacio Avenue near MRT Boni station, Located along Pioneer Street near the corner of Edsa in Mandaluyong City the site of the Gateway Residences is one of the most centrally located spots you can find in the metropolis,. It has a landscape of approx. sq.m linking 3 condominium building. The landscape designed by Gardenia Landscape Incorporated under Robinsons Land Corporation.

The garden designed to have a relaxing place to unwind.  The vista it gives is something special that could give you chill and comfortable.  

The colours and ambiance can give different emotional reaction to the viewer. The garden is exclusive for condominium owner because it is away from the main road it serves as there relaxing place.

    It has simple types of plants since the organization was pretty good, the outcome of the arrangement become very special and good place to loosen up.










Features:

Gazebo -















Trellis walkway –













Curvy walkway along garden

 

Caleruega - Ella, Emilio

Caleruega- Ella, Emilio

In my 1^st visit in Caleruga for our school retreat, it gives a breath taking experience for me to the point that I don’t want to leave the place anymore, with an area of 47Km² the place gives a very relaxing environment full of trees and panoramic view of hills, mountains and its famous Transfiguration Chapel. It made me think that there’s still a place like this in the Philippines despite of the major pollution in the city. 

Caleruega is actually a place of prayer and renewal. It is an ideal place for retreats, recollections, youth camps, team buildings, workshops and other activities. But for lovers who have been there, it is a perfect place for their sweetest day. Because of the marvelous parks, promoting religious type of environment it gives a very peaceful place to refresh your mind with its wonderful layout of its contemporary design of landscape that resembles the Filipino style within its structure; the sloping area with a native form of station of the cross gives a nice experience to explore the park.

There’s also what they call Koi garden that serves as its water feature, and on the right you will arrive on Caleruega’s picnic grounds. The hanging bridge is at the end of a stone path going a little to the left of the Koi Garden. The hanging bridge spans a deep ravine. At the bottom, a brook flows. When it’s raining, I guess the brook swells and water flows with more energy. 

Due to the steep sides, the lush vegetation, and overhead cover, the bottom is in perpetual shadow. Past the hanging bridge, if you go to the right, there are picnic tables until the end of open area beneath a line of trees. And on the top of the hill after the picnic tables you will see The Chapel on the Hill. It’s basically a huge tent with concrete and metal struts, steel cables, and three stained-glass panels: each depicting one of the main characters in that extraordinary event called the Transfiguration.