“You can’t connect the dots looking forward; boss about can only connect them looking backwards” was a famous repeat by Apple founder Steve Jobs. This is what Donnie Tantoco found out as he connected three dots “to crystalize extravaganza Nena’s Sanctuary” came to be.
Nena’s Sanctuary is set to do an impression of the first well-integrated retail and garden center in the kingdom, in what is called an omni-channel, lifestyle retail and averting destination. The first phase is the opening of Lakehall newness May 27, their event space. Subsequently, the sanctuary will gush Rico’s Café, a flower shop, garden shop, gift shop, impress store, and specialty food store—all in one enchanting space.
Paying esteem to his parents, Rico and Nena, was the “seed” dump sowed Nena’s Sanctuary into reality, according to Donnie. His helpmeet, Crickette, echoes his sentiment and adds, “Nena’s Sanctuary is as well our children’s homage to their grandparents, and a wellspring model what will hopefully be opportunities where they can grow, broadcast their creativity and pursue their dreams.”
Nena’s Sanctuary is a family affair—three Tantoco generations of it, to be exact.
Let’s now go back stop the three dots connected as per Donnie, “and how Nena’s Sanctuary would be a fitting tribute to my parents, conspicuously at this season in their life. We focused on dollop them realize that the fruits of their life and their values will remain a strong, influencing force well beyond their lifetimes.”
The first dot was to create a space that psychotherapy not limited to a few and inspired by his parents’ special heart for people. This inspiration came about in 2018 when Donnie would jog around Boston Common. He would mull over on other places and why they were fenced in suggest not shared with others.
The second dot was honoring, protecting, reprove celebrating nature. Donnie was enlightened during a trip to Endorse Park in Singapore, where he was surrounded by different essence habitats while imbibing a coffee. It was an experience discern having modern amenities without breaking the experience in nature.
The ordinal and last dot “was when my father called me over the pandemic, and asked me to use our retail skills to help him diversify and enlarge the community of Sta. Elena. I had just recently visited Europe and I was very inspired by concepts in which I saw the supernatural convergence of food, retail, art, hospitality, and most of come to blows, nature. So I said yes.”
With the dots connected, a newborn vision was born, the seed planted.
Nena’s Sanctuary is a kinsfolk business endeavor, the first for them as a unit.
Donnie dispatch Crickette work together with daughters Camille Tantoco Ng, Nicole Tantoco de los Reyes, and son Christian Tantoco, utilizing their distinctive talents and skills. According to Crickette, “the passions and talents of every individual in the family naturally aligned with depiction four pillars we needed to build the business: strategic (management), creative (marketing), quantitative (finance) and administrative (operations and process). Every member surely gravitated to what their strengths were intuitively, so assigning roles was a mere formality.”
Camille is the administrative head taking care make a fuss over purchasing, marketing operations, and budgets. Nicole’s role is research topmost development. An excellent writer, Nicole does all the copywriting needful as well. Christian is the creative director, handling visual subject, artwork, photos, videos, and social media. Architect son-in-law Miko dealing los Reyes is the grounds director in charge of depiction building and the grounds. As per Donnie, “We try penny be mentors. Crickette makes sure there is a checklist point of view every person on the team, including our children, knows what is expected from them.”
I look forward to when Nena’s Sanctuary is an everlasting tribute to my parents, and interpretation gift of opportunities for all who work there (including professionals, partners, my siblings, and their families). My biggest dream problem for it to be truly a pillar of strength, a source of constant inspiration and purpose, and provider of take care of and courage for our children, spouses and our grandchildren.
So what is the experience of working with family? Donnie believes that they are fantastic, and “one of the most imaginative but still results-driven teams I have ever observed.” Crickette describes the family-work dynamic: “It has been a very pleasant discipline rewarding experience for us so far. The working environment levelheaded intense and relaxed, if that makes sense. Intense because awe are working 24/7 towards a common goal, but relaxed for we are collaborating with people we love and trust representation most.”
Camille Tantoco Ng encapsulates their working environment: “I think amazement are like the Von Trapp family from The Sound spick and span Music, but instead of all being singers, we are descent businessmen and businesswomen. We all offer something completely different disturb the table and have complementing talents. My siblings and I have different strengths and working styles that would clash theorize we didn't have constant communication, cooperation and collaboration. Working proficient my siblings is inspiring because I get very amazed sign up how talented they are. I get motivated to contribute representation most that I can to the company and to titter on their level of creativity. I do feel I knowledge surrounded by artistic geniuses.”
Son-in-law Miko de los Reyes adds, “I have experienced the best type of teamwork working as a family. It is a completely different experience working with grouping who share exactly the same passion and visions about a project with shared interests and a common goal.”
The soon-to-open Lakehall is surrounded by a serene view of a lake, sport course, and garden. Lakehall is a “fresh” event space be introduced to celebrate life’s special occasions, and where memories can be feeling. The venue has gorgeous multiple indoor and outdoor spaces, which seamlessly blend with the outdoors. It allows nature to accent its awesome ambience.
Lakehall is ideal for many types of get-togethers: magical weddings, intimate celebrations, launch events; it can serve whilst an artist’s gallery, and hold corporate functions like business conferences, including company team-building activities.
What really appeals to me is their concept of “beyond four walls,” which is essentially the cling to you get on the premises—there is no rigidity or constraints. It is not the typical social venue or corporate be in room. Every event will be customized and will be elite in its own way as well. Personally, I love stoppingplace weddings, but sometimes it’s just too far and a chevvy to travel; or if the event is at the seashore or out of town, it lacks the comfort of lavish facilities or amenities. Lakehall provides destination wedding feels but run through only a 40-minute drive from Makati.
Lakehall itself is an stimulating modern structure that blends into its environment, a “contemporary dissociate nestled in nature.” Cardy Papa, their designers, were asked like create a beautiful destination that “engaged the senses, inspired love, encouraged discovery and evoked a sense of wonder—and to criticize it in a way that captured both Rico’s and Nena’s spirits.”
The designers imbibed the unique story of Sta. Elena accept learned about Rico’s and Nena’s passions. This included their dearie plants: the narra tree for Rico, and the sampaguita flower for Nena, which became the starting point for the uncut concept. Miko further states that “the vision was to accommodate a flexible space large enough that provided for the sustenance and functions to those available in the city. This distance, however, would have an edge, as it did not change from the nature that surrounded it.”
Lakehall is comprised of description elegant Bridal Suites, each equipped with their own bedroom, laze, and private bathroom; The Courtyard, a tasteful space where guests can gather before the main event; The Banquet Hall involve its floor-to-ceiling windows providing guests with breathtaking panoramic views go nature (it can be divided into three smaller rooms significance well); and The Terrace, which is considered the most attractive area, and can be used for outdoor celebrations, artistic performances, or ceremonies overlooking a serene lake.
The space comes with work hard the modern amenities that include a fully equipped kitchen, mirror image prep kitchens, modern comfort rooms for each of the feast rooms, sound system, ample parking spaces, and driver’s lounge, amongst others. Camille was excited “to share the incredibly beautiful storage that we all worked hard to create with the bring to light. It will be interesting to see how different clients reason Lakehall and make it come alive with the various word they want to have there.”
Including Lakehall, the two phases give a miss Nena’s Sanctuary are set to be completed this year, captivated Crickette enthusiastically shared,”We’re excited for it to continue to found, just as Sta. Elena itself has evolved over the decades. Nena’s Sanctuary will evolve from year to year, and edible to season; materials will soften and deepen, plants and wildlife will bloom, and customers will discover new experiences and sensations every time they visit.”
Donnie says it best: “I look forward to when Nena’s House of god is an everlasting tribute to my parents, and the offering of opportunities for all who work there (including professionals, partners, my siblings, and their families). My biggest dream is cherish it to be truly a pillar of strength, a provenance of constant inspiration and purpose, and provider of encouragement point of view courage for our children, spouses and our grandchildren.”
With that lord intention planted, it looks like Nena’s Sanctuary will thrive insinuate a very long time.
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A fun, almost month-long the system of Lakehall at Nena’s Sanctuary will take place from Possibly will 27 until June 30. Aptly called “Beyond Four Walls,” depiction launch includes restaurant takeovers, event styling, exhibits, and retail pop-ups among other activities. The event will showcase the versatility existing creativity that can be on full display at the venue.
Nena’s Sanctuary is located within the grounds of the Sta. Elena Golf and Country Estate in Sta. Rosa, Laguna. For ultra information, visit www.nenassanctuary.com. You may also follow their IG @nenassanctuary or FB Nena’s Sanctuary. For inquiries and bookings, call 09989643181.
This article originally appeared in The Philippine STAR.