NALÉ is a set of residential enclaves in Nasugbu, Batangas. It forms part of Sandari Batulao, the 800-hectare residential resort and township Citystate Properties and Management Corp. (CPMC) is currently developing.

This new community is named after the Tagalog goddess of good actions and cultivated lands. Its 41 hectares of residential lots set against a lush mountainside make up Sandari Batulao’s initial offering to property buyers.

Though it was just launched recently, Nalé has already attracted several lot owners, a band of pioneers who, on June 19, took part in establishing a tradition of tree-planting in the Sandari development area. They planted Golden Shower (casia fistula) trees in an area designated as common to all in Nalé’s Bamboo Enclave. 

The Golden Shower trees are a fast-growing species native to South and Southeast Asia. They have exceedingly beautiful yellow blooms that are, in fact, Thailand’s national flower. Their golden leaves, stately and majestic, also stand as symbols of Thai royalty.

Planting seeds for the future

Rosa Barcelon, the wife of Nasugbu town Mayor Antonio Barcelon, planted the first sapling. Nalé’s lot owners followed suit, each of them planting a sapling of their own. 

Each sapling was tagged to indicate who planted it, as well as show the tree’s scientific name and the date these trees were planted. Similar activities will also be undertaken by succeeding batches of lot owners in the near future. 

CPMC vice president for sales network Maria Melanie Foz said this tradition is meant to strengthen the bonds of fellowship and community among the new township’s residents. 

Foz told lot owners and prospective buyers during the rites that they were planting the seeds of Sandari Batulao’s future. For many there that cool day, their tomorrows in that residential mountain township promise to be as beautiful as the lushness of the surrounding countryside.

Various tree species will be planted in Nalé, Foz added, as well as different varieties of bamboo. These plantings express Sandari Batulao’s intent of nurturing the environment, as well as its architectural concept of contemporary Southeast Asian and tropical in design.

Nalé is envisioned to be a tropical garden sanctuary at the foot of Mt. Batulao. These new plantings mark the first step toward making that vision a reality.

Bamboo, fern and anahaw enclaves

Nalé is designed to be a low-density community. The houses that will be built here will rise to two stories to ensure that all residents will always enjoy a cool climate and breath-taking views.

There are three self-contained enclaves in Nalé. Each one is conceptualized to carry meaningful symbolism in their motifs.

First is the Bamboo Garden Enclave, named after the tall grass that is a symbol of longevity, resilience and grace. 

This scenic garden enclave offers modest lot sizes starting at 250 square meters per cut. The community motif of bamboo shoots will cover its walls, pavement and tile.

The central hub of the Bamboo Enclave is a garden where several species of bamboo will highlight a sculpture of the mythical Malakas at Maganda (Strong and Beautiful), the first man and woman, who emerged from a split bamboo to populate the islands now known as the Philippines.

Next up is the Fern Court Enclave, which offers the rainforest-native fern as a symbol of magic, protection of eternal youth and shelter. Various types of ferns will be planted in this segment of Nalé amid cascading water gardens and homes built along the lines of Thai pavilions and Balinese villas. 

The third segment, the Anahaw Palm Alcove, is named after the Philippines’ national leaf. The anahaw’s fan-like leaves symbolize high achievement, strength and beauty and like the natural setting for the anahaw, this enclave will feature wide-open spaces. (To be concluded)