Alphaland- a new marina club in Manila Bay

by Guy Nowell, Sail-World Asia on 17 Jun 2013 'A new complex in Manila Bay, Alphaland Marina, plans to acquire 20 yachts to lease to members of its newly formed yacht club. Alphaland Marina President Roberto Oreta is reported to be in negotiations with yacht brokers in Singapore and Hong Kong about the purchase.

'The boats will be between 40 feet and 60 feet,' said Oreta. The 300-slip marina is part of the Alphaland Marina complex, which includes a 34-story residential tower, already open. Oreta believes that a yacht club with a leasing programme will do well in the Manila market. He believes that the Philippines is ready for a luxury complex like Alphaland. 'It is aspirational. People want the lifestyle. They want to experience taking their whole family to Boracay, on their own yacht,' he said. Oreta says his development will be the first marina in Asia to offer such a large yacht-leasing programme

Piling for the Club House is under way in the middle of the marina, and construction of an 800m breakwater should start soon. The Marina will be a commercial marina – not a yacht club as such. Chairman of Alphaland is Bobby Ongpin, who is reported to have a ‘fearsome’ reputation for getting major construction project completed, which means that this is a Manila project that will, indeed, happen.

The Alphaland Marina Club is scheduled to open in 2014. It down at the southern end of the Manila waterfront, near the airport in Parañaque, and promises to provide some fresh competition for the exceptionally jaded Manila Yacht Club. According to the brochure, 'Alphaland will aim to offer a new and unique nautical lifestyle based on nature, specifically, the grandeur of the sea. Manila Bay serves as a fabulous setting for the Club, offering views and fresh air not available in the inner city. Boat owners, and would-be boat owners will finally have a clean, secure, and efficient facility for their vessels. Members who don’t want to own boats may also enjoy time out on the water, using the club’s boats.'

The 3,000 sq m Clubhouse has been designed by Carmelo Casas and Partners to present a 'a dynamic appearance, suggesting sails and wind. A complex, swooping canopy protects the interior from the sun, and provides an arresting focal point for the development. The clubhouse is built on piles in the centre of the marina, surrounded by water, and accessed from land via a carriageway. It will be at a height where the ground floor looks over the breakwater to the majestic vista of Manila Bay, directly facing the sunset.'

For those who already own a boat, The Marina Club will provide the 'nearest, safest, most secure, most convenient, cleanest, and most comfortable place to keep a yacht in Manila.' For the have-nots, there will of course be the fleet of Club-owned boats.

10 berths are planned for boats over 30m, and two more up to 70m. All berths will be supplied with electricity, water, and wireless broadband services.There will be a boat ramp for trailerable boats, up to 9.5m, and a service barge will supply fuel, potable water, sewage pumpout, washing, and other services. The club will also provide emergency services such as rescue towing, crash pumping and firefighting. A fast rescue boat will be on standby for boats that encounter problems within Manila Bay.

Alphaland plans to partner with different dealerships, brokerages and suppliers to make available both
brand new and pre-owned boats. So when you’ve had enough of leasing a Club boat, just buy one – 'We will create a one-stop shop that provides all items and services necessary for boat ownership, including after-sales support. Soon, buying a boat will be as easy as buying a mobile phone—and could be no more expensive than a second car.'

Make mine a Bentley.