Landco Pacific’s premium beachfront development enriches Calatagan history

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CaSoBe has become a staple choice for upmarket weekenders, tourists, and city dwellers.

Nestled on the white sands of Calatagan, Batangas in the Philippines is the 15-hectare Calatagan South Beach (CaSoBe), one of Landco’s latest BeachTowns in Batangas along with 23-hectare Club Laiya in Laiya, San Juan, Batangas. 

Upscale real estate developer Landco Pacific Corporation, which is known for pioneering premium developments for more than 30 years –created CaSoBe as a world-class and master-planned leisure and tourist community with mix use spaces for luxury homes and commercial establishments, and an upcoming resort-inspired condominium. Investors have the option to build their dream beach house that can also double as a bed and breakfast or a place to launch a business.

“Having a property in these BeachTowns is something that homeowners and property investors can enjoy now as their dream beach house, second home, or an exciting new business venture. It’s also a legacy that can be passed onto the next generations, ensuring the well-being and financial security of many generations down the line,” Landco Pacific CEO Erickson Manzano said.

CaSoBe features a laidback resort lifestyle in an intimate setting with hospitality and leisure amenities complemented by the rich heritage of Calatagan. CaSoBe’s fully operational amenities are managed by Landco Pacific’s hospitality arm Millennial Resorts, providing the best service for those who are staying temporarily or permanently. These include cosy rooms at the Cocoons and the EDGE-certified Crusoe Cabins, the Captain Barbozza restaurant and bar, the events venue called the Canopy, and the Aquaria Water Park.

The verdant locale’s arresting beaches, tourist spots, and local fare are irresistible reasons for upmarket weekenders, tourists, digital nomads, and city dwellers to spend their vacation or opt for a work-from-the￾beach set-up in CaSoBe. Amongst the popular nearby tourist spots are Calatagan’s Little Boracay known for its fine white sand; Starfish Island, which is a sanctuary for starfishes; and Cape Santiago, one of the oldest lighthouses in the Philippines. With Calatagan’s reputation as the “proverbial” playground for the old rich, there are nearby golf courses and polo facilities for an elevated leisure experience.

CaSoBe ultimately encapsulates what Calatagan has always been even before the coming of all these developments: a place of unrivalled leisure and luxury that is accessible to all those who seek it. Further augmented by Landco Pacific’s innovative vision, this destination promotes a contemporary lifestyle without losing a sense of balance and connection with nature.

Solons and public urged to support for positive parenting bill

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Dahlia, a 16-year-old student from Parañaque would scream each time her mother burns her arm with mosquito coil for household chores left undone. Whenever she passes by her mother’s stall in the market, she would overhear her mother’s gossiping, calling her “prostitute” for coming home late. She ran away from home when her stepfather strangled her just because her radio was playing loudly. 

In a 2022 Report of the Council of the Welfare of Children (CWC), about 9,000 children suffered from all forms of abuses, including physical and humiliating punishments. Dahlia, and many more children who suffered terribly at the hands of parents or guardians remained unaccounted for. The Philippines is one of the134 countries that’s bereft of a legislation to curb physical and humiliating punishment against children.

Save the Children Philippines, in partnership with Child Rights Network, Child Fund Philippines, Consuelo Zobel Alger Foundation, and parent and child rights advocates, strongly urge the government, legislators, and all Filipino families to unite behind the Positive Parenting Bill.

Rep. Natasha Co, Chairperson of the House Committee on the Welfare of Children and BHW Party list stressed that Positive Parenting will address the needs of parents on how to shift away from methods that use physical and humiliating punishments in disciplining their children. 

“The State will support Filipino parents in practicing a more effective method of discipline, which is, Positive Parenting,” Rep. Co added.

Rabiya, 38, mother to three children from Zamboanga City said that she used to hit her children each time they make mistakes. She wasn’t aware that what she was doing was hurtful until she attended the Positive Parenting seminar conducted by Save the Children in their area. “I no longer hit them, instead I talk to them now. My children and I have better relationship when we talk about the problem.”

During the presentation, Save the Children Philippines pledged full support to the Positive Parenting in All 

Settings Act (HBN 8306) and An Act Providing for Non-Violent Discipline of Children and Appropriating Funds 

(HBN 1269) because these bills recognized that children have rights and these rights must be respected. The 

bills also emphasized the use of physical and humiliating punishments do more harm than good to children. 

Parents have the responsibility to bring up their children in an environment that encourages positive and healthy development for children. 

Tatay Darino, 45 years old from Bukidnon had difficulty providing for his family, including his two girls. “My guilt over not having enough food, enough money, and enough resources to provide for my children has made me a cruel and unreasonable parent. Save the Children Philippines helped me see the errors of my ways as a parent with the series of seminars I participated in. My children are my life. I learned that my relationship with them is better when I raise them in love.”

Moreover, Save the Children believes that positive and non-violent parenting approaches are much more effective and have optimal advantage of bringing out the best in children. In fact, the findings of a recent global report said that the use of corporal punishment as a discipline method contributes to lower academic achievement and school dropout. This also carries the risk of long-term harm to mental and physical health and future prospects of individuals, families and societies.

“My Nanay thought that beating me up is loving me,” Carlito (not his real name) said during a conversation with Save the Children Philippines. “My Nanay Aileen attended the Positive Parenting seminar and became one of the beneficiaries of Save the 

Children Philippines’ livelihood project.”Carlito noticed the change in her mother’s way of correcting him and his siblings whenever they are in the wrong. Nanay Aileen used to hurl expletives at them whenever he and his siblings asked for money to buy school stuff or whenever they spent too much time playing outdoors. But now, she would encourage them to reason together as a family. Carlito now performs better in school and has become more aware of his rights as a child.

Above all, Save the Children Philippines applauds the emphasis of the bills on the aspect that physical and humiliating punishments of children violate their fundamental rights. The World Report on Violence recommended the legal ban on all forms of physical and humiliating punishments particularly in the home. 

However, only 65 states have adopted the law that prohibits the use of physical and humiliating punishment of children in all settings.

Benilde student film vies at CCP’s Gawad Alternatibo after US victory

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A thesis film about a boy who slugs it out in a neighborhood thumb wrestling tournament against another kid, whom he cannot defeat, will compete with other short film finalists at the Gawad CCP Para sa Alternatibong Pelikula at Video or Gawad Alternatibo. This after it bagged first place in the 2023 Student World Impact Film Festival.

“Arena,” the capstone project of recent De La Salle-College of Benilde film graduate Nicole Yvonne Lee, topped the SWIFF comedy (18 years old or older) category.

The 20-minute coming-of-age film stars Matthew Stanley, Shawn Niño Gabriel, and Miaka Mon, among an ensemble of other child actors.

SWIFF director Mark Leschinsky shared that the week-long New Jersey-based event, which got more than 13,000 submissions from 120 countries, “focuses on elevating the voices of young storytellers from historically marginalized races, backgrounds, and cultures to give them the opportunity to share their stories with the world.”

Before winning the SWIFF award, “Arena” became the first recipient of the Benilde Best Thesis Film trophy at the Cinematheque Centre Manila last April.

“As a filmmaker, I just really want to make people laugh and be happy using the films I made. Since I was a student, my school projects have been in the comedy genre. Arena was made from my playful imagination,” Lee, who wrote, edited, scored, directed, and co-produced the film, revealed.

Lee got the support of production manager Krissel Bernabe, director of photography Iezer Yap Magallon, production designer Grant Frondozo, assistant director Ivan Balmaceda, script continuity Giulia Saavedra, sound supervisor Paul Van Guzman, wardrobe master Clarisse Llaguno, colorist Tyrone James Luanzon, hair and makeup artist Rose Go, and production assistants Sheina Bensurto and Rodora Bagapuro.

“Arena” will try to continue its winning streak at Gawad Alternatibo, the longest-running independent film competition of its kind in Asia.

Gawad Alternatibo, which was established in 1987, will feature some of the best works of Filipino alternative storytelling and filmmaking from August 5 to 7 at the Tanghalang Ignacio Gimenez (Cultural Center of the Philippines Blackbox Theatre).