Camp John Hay A retirement paradise

Retirement is a critical stage in a person’s life. People who retire usually do so take a permanent break from the hectic pace of the working world. They spend some much-needed time with their families, and start enjoying the fruits of their hard work. An ideal place for retirement is Camp John Hay in Baguio City.

Maria Luisa Vergara and Asuncion Pasetes are Filipina nurses based in California, USA. Although the two ladies come from different parts of the Golden State, they share three things in common: Both grew up in Baguio City, attended St. Louis University in Baguio, and enjoy reading and fishing. At 57 and 55 years of age, they are contemplating on retiring soon.

Fortunately for them, they passed by Camp John Hay while vacationing in the country. The two friends enjoyed every single moment of their stay there – the cool mountain breezes, the lush pine forest, and the peaceful community were what they were looking for in a retirement place.

For their dream retirement homes, they selected two units at the Camp John Hay Suites Condotel. The Camp John Hay Suites is the second Condotel being built to keep up with the residential demand inside Camp John Hay.

The 287-room Suites Condotel is a four-story facility located on the site of the famed 19th Tee Restaurant, and offers a splendid view of the CJH’s Jack Nicklaus – designed championship golf course. Designed by Recio + Casas Architects, the Suites blend colonial American and native Cordilleran influences. The Suites are part of CJH’s mission of providing a healthy and stress-free lifestyle close to the natural beauty of the Cordillera.

"When we saw the projects in Camp John Hay, we felt like we were still in America. The climate and surroundings remind us of our home,’’ Vergara said. Indeed, foreign tourists and tenants feel at home inside CJH, primarily because of its similarity to their lifestyle abroad.

Pasete’s husband, Emmanuel, did not want her to retire in the Philippines because life in the country is supposedly "dangerous and difficult.’’ What she saw in Camp John Hay proved otherwise – life there was simple, relaxing, and perfectly safe.

Indeed, Camp John Hay is a marvelous choice for the future retirees. It is like living in a paradise where one can enjoy the good life with close kin in a natural and stress-free environment.