BALESIN ISLAND CLUB It’s easy to say nice things about yourself, but what matters is what others say about you. Here is what others have said about Balesin. July/August 2010 Balesin beckons oberto Ongpin waxes lyrical when Balesin presents that interesting involves initially the development of R he talks about Balesin, a 500- hectare opportunity and he is determined to six themed villages based on Ongpin’s white-sand island off the coast of make it a stand-out. Ongpin reckons own travels – Mykonos (Greece), Quezon province on the Philippines’ that if he did not enter the world of Sardinia (Italy), St. Tropez (France), Pacific coast. Alphaland, the listed company business, he would probably have been Phuket (Thailand), Bali (Indonesia) Ongpin runs with investment from UK- an architect. “There were 11 architects and a still unnamed Philippine island based Ashmore group, had acquired the involved in the development of the initial theme. Each village will have 20 to property recently from the family of phase of Tagaytay Highlands; one of 30 units. Work has started on a new the late Edgardo Tordesillas, who was them is unlicensed,” he chuckles. He runway. Alphaland will be acquiring Ongpin’s deputy at the trade and industry says that some of the greatest battles small aircrafts for the 25-minute hop ministry when both of them were in he had then was often over design – the to ferry vacationers to the island. By government in the 1980s. Part of Ongpin’s look and feel. He believes in building to the end of the year, Ongpin hopes excitement is explained by the fact that cater to the high end of the market – to to have the clubhouse up and running. he has never lost his passion for developing create the snob appeal. With Balesin, he But it will be a multi-year project and high-end luxury resorts meant for the is back to where he started 12 years ago. Alphaland has budgeted to spend at rich and famous much like what he And he is raring to transform the idyllic least 2 billion pesos. For Ongpin, of had envisioned for Tagaytay Highlands island into his very own creation – course, it will be like no other and originally – that was before he was ousted his masterplan for what will be one of the turning what became a nightmare 12 from Belle Corporation 12 years ago. country’s most exclusive resorts. The plan years ago into a dream come true. 1 Reprinted from The Asset (Vol. 12 No. 7) with permission from Asset Publishing and Research Ltd. 2 Weekly Business Newsmagazine November 2010 Balesin: The ultimate in resort living lphaland’s investment in the tourism centrepiece, Alphaland Balesin Island Club outdoor bathing, relaxation lounges, and a yoga its themed beach clusters, spa, leisure areas, resort market is Alphaland Balesin will be subdivided into six areas, each with 40 studio that will cater to the health, body and any sport facilities, entertainment venues and A Island Club on Balesin Island, located hospitality villas. and all relaxation needs. scenic viewpoints. about 33 kilometers off the eastern coast of The clusters take inspiration from six of Alphaland Balesin Island Club The island development will make Luzon and only 25 minutes by plane from the most luxurious beachside destinations membership model appeals to weekend use of ecologically sensitive alternatives Manila’s domestic airport. around the world: St. Tropez (Cote d’azur), travelers who seek more privacy with their for power generation, water desalination friends and families. Membership means Alphaland Balesin Island Club Phuket (Thailand), Costa Smeralda and water harvesting and recycling. free yearly flights to Balesin Island as well as covers 424 hectares. The availability (Sardinia), Bali (Indonesia), Mykonos The construction of the clubhouse and multiple complimentary nights in the themed of the 1.5-kilometer airfield that can (Greece) and Philippine Tropical. its core engineering systems will have hospitality rooms and villas. accommodate regional aircraft makes Members and their guests can choose to utilities management and utility saving Members and their guests can reach Balesin Island the ideal spot for an spend their stay in any of the six hospitality measures as key elements of the design the island via land or sea, with flights from environmentally sustainable beach haven resorts within the clusters where the themes development. a dedicated member’s lounge in Manila’s development near the city. are carefully carried out – from landscaping, As location and ambience are keys to structural and interior design – as well as their domestic airport or the ferry service from the success of The Alphaland Balesin Island Alphaland Balesin Island Club offers culinary and beverage offerings. Real Port in Quezon Province. Club, its architectural design will ensure that uniquely designed accommodations and Close to the clubhouse is the Destination On the island, the club electric carts, the entire site remains in harmony with the amenities in each of the major sites of the bicycles and horses will take guests around island. With the clubhouse as the island’s Spa which will offer specialty treatment suites, tropical island setting. 3 Reprinted from BizNews Asia (Vol. 8 No. 32) with permission from BizNews Asia Philippines, Inc. 4 March 2012 5 6 here is a gravitas to Michelle Ongpin that She herself could speak “a funny mix” of German, English, and Tagalog by belies her youth, milky skin, clear, bright age 3, but when Michelle and her mother moved back to Austria, she spoke eyes, and ultra-feminine demeanor. The mostly German from then on. weight and wisdom that seemingly comes After a brief childhood in the Philippines surrounded by nannies, cooks, from having lived and seen it all appears maids and other staff, moving to Austria was a bit of a shock to Michelle, incongruent with the youthful woman where she grew up solely in the care of her mother. “The years in Austria who has recently returned to join her brought me very close to her, as it was just the two of us. Until today she is father’s firm in the Philippines. A child of the person that I go to for advice and whose opinion I value very much. All the East and the West, her challenge lies in all I had a very happy childhood. I grew up in this tiny, very picturesque in successfully blending the two cultures she has inherited, as well as the Austrian village. I could play outside, learned how to play the piano and the dualitiesT she has found within. She is mostly Western in appearance, in a flute (music lessons are free in Austria), went to ballet classes, and took up 1920s Hollywood Greta Garbo meets Mona Lisa way. However, the genes acting. I think it was a very ‘healthy’ childhood; very ‘down to earth.’” of her father, Roberto, are plainly evident in the round curve of her jaw and Michelle lived there with her mother until she was 18, then she moved to the capacious forehead that geomancers consider as extremely lucky and a Italy for half a year, before entering university in Vienna, where she stayed for sign of great intelligence. six years. She went back to Perugia, Italy, for She has returned to the islands of her another six months to study Italian, before childhood to work at her father’s firm, moving to London and then to Beijing for renew ties with those she left behind, work. Now, she finds herself in Manila. forge new bonds, and grow a new Today, she has taken her European upbringing tribe. She takes it in stride, with the to Asia and reconnected with childhood wisdom and long-term view of one friends here. “Friends would describe me much older. She remains, in the face as driven. I like to travel and to eat. I’m of it all, thoughtful, philosophical, interested in art and read a lot. Work is not fiercely independent, and refreshingly my entire life. Then there is my European humble, working hard to fit back in, side, where opinions are heard.” She enjoys yet still marching to her own tune. healthy debates and discussions and was Though born in Cologne, Germany, always encouraged to express her views Michelle lived in the Philippines un- with support from a liberal education and til she was three. “I don’t remember an open social structure. anything of that time but I do think Back in the land of her childhood, she is also that I owe a lot to those three years. I enjoying exploring the island home she has was always surrounded by people and so recently reclaimed. “Weekends I try to I think a lot of my staying quite calm get out to Baguio, Balesin, Tagaytay.” Bales- comes from that period. From what I in is the island that occupies a huge amount hear, I was a happy child, loved, and of her time with Alphaland, whose other protected. I always felt safe to discover developments include the Bay City Club the world.” development out by Manila Bay, Makati Her family is as global as her upbringing Place, an upcoming residential and mixed and is very closely knit, even though it might be considered unconventional use development in the Makati central business district, and the City Club, by local standards. “My mother, Annelie, is German. I have a half-brother, a members-only, all-encompassing enclave in the same location. Julian, who is half-Australian. Another brother Steven, whose mother is A 30-minute flight from the city and a favorite weekend destination of hers, Chilean, is an art dealer in London.