(CBJM Development Corp. represented by managing directors Clarita Lazatin-Magat and Marco Lazatin are joined by their family at the unveiling of the project. Contributed Photo)
CITY OF SAN FERNANDO – An alternative to malling has arrived!
Now rising on a two-hectare lot in Barangay Telabastagan here is The Orchard.
“The Orchard is the next phase of what we really want to do here in Telabastagan because we want to put Telabastagan on the map,” said Marco Lazatin, managing director of The Orchard.
“Phase one will be one big commercial building with restaurants and shops. We will have a minimum of 16 stalls or as many as 30 stalls,” he said.
“There will be basically four buildings,” he added. “We are planning to open by November.”
Lazatin, whose family owns Essel Supermarket, said The Orchard is the opposite of malling because it will cater to the outdoors.
“We want to build something different in Pampanga. We want to build something for the outdoors so that kids won’t waste their time sitting down playing with video games,” he said. “We want them to stay outdoors so we give them activities to do outdoors and this is what The Orchard is all about. It’s not a mall, it’s a fun place, it’s a family center.” he explained.
“There will be basketball courts, there will be activities all over. It has things that we have not yet done here in Pampanga,” he added. “You don’t have to park far away, once you get out of your vehicle you’re here already. This is what sets us apart from malling.”
“We still have to coin the right word that is the opposite of malling because malling is just staying indoors and walking around, but here we want you to enjoy the outdoors,” he said.
Lazatin said The Orchard will have fast food restaurants but “it’s not just about the food. People can come here and do shopping, relax, take their time and enjoy.”
Lazatin said there will be a BPO later on but the buildings will have sub-basement parking, “so we will have enough parking, adequate parking. That is very important for us because if you see most of the developments around, they have very very little parking.”
“We want people to be comfortable in driving in and one of the advantages of The Orchard is within a five-minute driving radius there are 5,000 families within the vicinity. It gives you an idea of what convenience is all about,” he said.
The Orchard is a mixed-use property that lies on the boundary of the cities of San Fernando and Angeles.
According to its website, The Orchard will feature beautifully landscaped areas with a cozy and friendly atmosphere for retail and office. It will be seen as a second home – a place for the people for Pampanga to cultivate lasting relationships and memories not just with their family, but with the entire community.
