10 Reasons to Believe that Tagaytay Highlands is a Modern Day Countryside Dreamland

Enjoying my time at the viewing deck with Taal Volcano behind me

I was very privileged to be taken by one of my ex-bosses and a good friend, Rick Manzano, in one of the most highly-esteemed real estate property in the whole archipelago, Tagaytay Highlands. It was a great place to catch up with a friend and to be in awe with the beauty of nature and man's craftsmanship all at the same time. Saying that I had a great time is an understatement and to help me preserve the experience, I am blogging about it now.

Here are 10 reasons to believe that Tagaytay Highlands is a modern day countryside dreamland.

1. It’s just an hour ride from Manila.

It only takes 60 minutes from Manila to Tagaytay Highlands taking the Sta. Rosa/Eton exit. You can even cut this 60-minute ride to lesser period of time if you take the Batino exit, which is exclusive for the club members of the Highlands.

2. All year round Tagaytay cool weather.

Being in Tagaytay, people in the Highlands enjoy this all year round cool weather which is one of the major reasons why people (mostly from Manila) visit Tagaytay often.

3. Perfect view of Taal volcano.

The Highlands is a perfect spot to look at Taal Volcano. From the viewing deck, I was amazed to see the whole lake as well as the mountains surrounding it. I never had this kind of amazing view yet even as a child who used to visit his relatives in Batangas, which is actually very near the volcano and also has a good view of it.

4. The life of exclusivity.

While we are at the viewing deck, Rick told me that one has to become a member of Tagaytay Highlands first before one can buy a property in it. To become a member of the club, one has to undergo a strenuous screening process that involves background checks, interviews, paper works and referral from people who are already members of the club.


At first I did not understand all the hassles one has to undergo just to buy a property in the Highlands. But then it dawned upon me. Exclusivity is a commodity. What people buy is the exclusivity that the club membership offers. And yes, it has a price.

Overlooking The Highlands from the penthouse in Woodridge Place

Thinking about brands such as Hermes and Louis Vuitton helped me in this thought process. Just when we were taught in business school to eliminate as many barriers to entry as we can to help the customers easily get our products, the Highlands is just one of those that went against this concept.

5. Themed communities.

After passing all the requirements needed to become a member, one cannot just build a house that he/she wants in the Highlands. There are blueprints/themes that needed to be followed in every community within the Highlands.

Pinecrest is a Swiss-Alpine themed village. The Villas follows a Southern Californian blueprint. Lakeview Heights is a contemporary Asian community. Terrazzas de Alava was inspired by the Basque region of Northern Spain. Tivoli Place takes its cue from the famous historic hill in Italy’s Lazio region.

Take your pick.

6. Authentic Red Cedar woods from North America.

The Woodlands, a North American themed community in the Highlands, as well as The Spa and Lodge used a special kind of wood that gave these structures a distinct scent of pine which truly made them stand out. These woods are called Red Cedar and they were imported from the States. Rick told me that this is one of the crown jewels of the Highlands.

7. Imported pine trees.

I was in awe when Rick told me that some pine trees from the States were actually imported to be placed at the Highlands. All 40,000 of them! These are called Norfolk Pine Trees which can be seen at The Woodlands community. Rick also told me that these pine trees are very thick and are the ones that are being used as Christmas trees abroad. It’s amazing.

The Woodlands log cabins built using Red Cedar woods as well as
the Norfolk Pine trees surrounding them 

8. The country’s first diagonal glass bubble elevator.

The Belle View uses a special kind of elevator that is customized for its built that gives all its occupants a breathtaking view of the infamous Taal Volcano.

9. The country’s only Swiss Funicular Tram.

Want to experience a quick trip from one golf club to another inside a single real estate property? Tagaytay Highlands is home of the country’s first and only Swiss Funicular Tram that connects the Highlands International Golf Club to the Midlands Golf Club.

10. Open cinema.

One of the things that excited me about the Highlands is the open cinema that is yet to be constructed. Rick said that nothing is official yet as of now but the people in the Highlands are working very hard to continuously improve the amenities in the place every year. I am very excited at how the open cinema will turn out.

Awesome view from the high-ceiling penthouse at Woodridge Place 

Before we left, Rick showed me a penthouse unit within the Woodridge Place inside the Highlands. It’s fully-furnished, loft-type with high ceiling, has 4 bedrooms and 3 balconies and has a great view of the Highlands International Golf Course. In fact, it’s being sold at a very reasonable price right now. Shall you know anyone who might be interested, please don’t hesitate to drop me a message at markjosephdelgado@ymail.com or at 0917-838-7545.

It was an amazing experience to be in the Tagaytay Highlands. I have always been a huge fan of Tagaytay as a leisure place and I never expected that there’s still more to discover about it. It was a huge treat for me. I am very thankful that Rick took me to this modern day countryside dreamland.