D'Transporter
Mar 17, 2005, 11:19 PM
An article from Sunstar Newspaper
A club to call your own
Private membership clubs play an integral role in the forces that shape modern society. A look at the history of these clubs would reveal its evolution from a symbol of power and prestige, to a mark of progress and finally a testament to achievement.
A gathering of a select group of individuals in a defined place for any social or recreational activity, the first clubs can be traced back to ancient Greece and the Roman empire, in communal baths, where leaders met to discuss politics among other things while being pampered in privacy and style. The Greek armies also had a hand in propagating club culture, with the Greek army general gathering men of the same rank to dine in a common pot, establishing the idea of membership based on merit.
Clubs gained further recognition in the 19th and 20th centuries, when it became the exclusive preserves of the rich and membership became the social “in-thing”. The lavish balls of the decadent Victorian era served as a venue for British nobility to mingle with their kind, celebrate victories, and talk about business. In America, the “country club set” became popular in the roaring ‘20s and early ‘30s, the period between two world wars, and was again reserved for the more affluent in society. Clubs then stayed very low-key with rigidly controlled public relations and powerful membership committees who carefully screened every application, keeping clubs highly exclusive.
However, this air of prestige and high brow system gradually changed in the late ‘30s, when business, stimulated by the wars in Europe and Asia, overflowed from the boardrooms to the clubs and it then became necessary to open membership to so-called new and working money, so as to provide a continuity of business meetings. Along with this development, membership to clubs then became synonymous to success, a privilege extended to those who have rightfully earned their place in society.
Nowadays, to cope with an increasingly dynamic lifestyle, private clubs have grown into functional venues where luxury meets necessity and where business mixes seamlessly with leisure. People are finding out that they have a need to get away from their exclusive homes to an office environment, and mix with a homogenous group in a recreational setting. In the light of progress, today’s corporate set are finding themselves with more leisure money yet less and less leisure time to spend, thus redefining the whole nature of private clubs.
There are several types of clubs where one can seek membership, from city clubs, to sports clubs, to country cubs, to hotel clubs and other specialty clubs catering to a range of interests.
As a premiere venue for business and social gatherings, these clubs allow numerous opportunities for networking. Business clubs organize special events for people in the various industries, where members enjoy the camaraderie of business leaders and good friends. These opportunities do much to improve business connections especially since knowing the right people will open doors for one’s corporate affiliations. Sporting events, including golf or tennis tournaments, are often organized by clubs to further strengthen the bond among the membership and a real sense of friendship among them.
A sense of belonging, a feeling of privileged exclusivity, an aura of welcome, a full range of amenities ... all this and more are the hallmarks of today’s affluent private clubs. Whether it’s to close a business deal, to mingle with society’s A-list, to see and be seen, or simply take a breather, private clubs offer the best setting, boasting of an impressive membership roster, which includes the movers and shakers in the business world, government and society.
More than anything, the private clubs of today continue to be an enduring legacy of high society, opening its doors to those on their way up the ladder of success and serving as a haven for those who have truly arrived. Others look upon club membership as a good investment, buying in during the construction period, expecting the club share to fetch a better value once the club is completed.
A number of good Clubs are found in Metro Manila – Manila Polo Club, Manila Golf Club, Club Filipino and Makati Sports Club. Among the newest are The Palms in Alabang, The Rockwell Club at the Power Plant Mall in Makati and the Tower Club at the top floors of the Philamlife Building along Paseo de Roxas.
Club Ultima is the newest concept in high-rise clubs that strike a perfect balance between work and play among its members and offer state-of-the art leisure, business and health facilities meant to define a new lifestyle for the upwardly mobile generation
events, including golf or tennis tournaments, are often organized by clubs to further strengthen the bond among the membership and a real sense of friendship among them.
A sense of belonging, a feeling of privileged exclusivity, an aura of welcome, a full range of amenities ... all this and more are the hallmarks of today’s affluent private clubs. Whether it’s to close a business deal, to mingle with society’s A-list, to see and be seen, or simply take a breather, private clubs offer the best setting, boasting of an impressive membership roster, which includes the movers and shakers in the business world, government and society.
More than anything, the private clubs of today continue to be an enduring legacy of high society, opening its doors to those on their way up the ladder of success and serving as a haven for those who have truly arrived. Others look upon club membership as a good investment, buying in during the construction period, expecting the club share to fetch a better value once the club is completed.
A number of good clubs are found in Metro Cebu– Cebu Country Club, Alta Vista Golf and Country Club, Club Filipino and City Sports Club Cebu, among them.
Club Ultima is the newest concept in high-rise clubs that strike a perfect balance between work and play among its members and offer state-of-the art leisure, business and health facilities meant to define a new lifestyle for the upwardly mobile generation. It will open its doors in Cebu upon the completion of Fuente Tower where it will be located.
Are you a member of any of these clubs? How do you like it? Is it worth it? How much is the membership fee? Are there any special qualifications needed to be able to join? Which club is the best one for you? Please share your experiences. Thanks!!
A club to call your own
Private membership clubs play an integral role in the forces that shape modern society. A look at the history of these clubs would reveal its evolution from a symbol of power and prestige, to a mark of progress and finally a testament to achievement.
A gathering of a select group of individuals in a defined place for any social or recreational activity, the first clubs can be traced back to ancient Greece and the Roman empire, in communal baths, where leaders met to discuss politics among other things while being pampered in privacy and style. The Greek armies also had a hand in propagating club culture, with the Greek army general gathering men of the same rank to dine in a common pot, establishing the idea of membership based on merit.
Clubs gained further recognition in the 19th and 20th centuries, when it became the exclusive preserves of the rich and membership became the social “in-thing”. The lavish balls of the decadent Victorian era served as a venue for British nobility to mingle with their kind, celebrate victories, and talk about business. In America, the “country club set” became popular in the roaring ‘20s and early ‘30s, the period between two world wars, and was again reserved for the more affluent in society. Clubs then stayed very low-key with rigidly controlled public relations and powerful membership committees who carefully screened every application, keeping clubs highly exclusive.
However, this air of prestige and high brow system gradually changed in the late ‘30s, when business, stimulated by the wars in Europe and Asia, overflowed from the boardrooms to the clubs and it then became necessary to open membership to so-called new and working money, so as to provide a continuity of business meetings. Along with this development, membership to clubs then became synonymous to success, a privilege extended to those who have rightfully earned their place in society.
Nowadays, to cope with an increasingly dynamic lifestyle, private clubs have grown into functional venues where luxury meets necessity and where business mixes seamlessly with leisure. People are finding out that they have a need to get away from their exclusive homes to an office environment, and mix with a homogenous group in a recreational setting. In the light of progress, today’s corporate set are finding themselves with more leisure money yet less and less leisure time to spend, thus redefining the whole nature of private clubs.
There are several types of clubs where one can seek membership, from city clubs, to sports clubs, to country cubs, to hotel clubs and other specialty clubs catering to a range of interests.
As a premiere venue for business and social gatherings, these clubs allow numerous opportunities for networking. Business clubs organize special events for people in the various industries, where members enjoy the camaraderie of business leaders and good friends. These opportunities do much to improve business connections especially since knowing the right people will open doors for one’s corporate affiliations. Sporting events, including golf or tennis tournaments, are often organized by clubs to further strengthen the bond among the membership and a real sense of friendship among them.
A sense of belonging, a feeling of privileged exclusivity, an aura of welcome, a full range of amenities ... all this and more are the hallmarks of today’s affluent private clubs. Whether it’s to close a business deal, to mingle with society’s A-list, to see and be seen, or simply take a breather, private clubs offer the best setting, boasting of an impressive membership roster, which includes the movers and shakers in the business world, government and society.
More than anything, the private clubs of today continue to be an enduring legacy of high society, opening its doors to those on their way up the ladder of success and serving as a haven for those who have truly arrived. Others look upon club membership as a good investment, buying in during the construction period, expecting the club share to fetch a better value once the club is completed.
A number of good Clubs are found in Metro Manila – Manila Polo Club, Manila Golf Club, Club Filipino and Makati Sports Club. Among the newest are The Palms in Alabang, The Rockwell Club at the Power Plant Mall in Makati and the Tower Club at the top floors of the Philamlife Building along Paseo de Roxas.
Club Ultima is the newest concept in high-rise clubs that strike a perfect balance between work and play among its members and offer state-of-the art leisure, business and health facilities meant to define a new lifestyle for the upwardly mobile generation
events, including golf or tennis tournaments, are often organized by clubs to further strengthen the bond among the membership and a real sense of friendship among them.
A sense of belonging, a feeling of privileged exclusivity, an aura of welcome, a full range of amenities ... all this and more are the hallmarks of today’s affluent private clubs. Whether it’s to close a business deal, to mingle with society’s A-list, to see and be seen, or simply take a breather, private clubs offer the best setting, boasting of an impressive membership roster, which includes the movers and shakers in the business world, government and society.
More than anything, the private clubs of today continue to be an enduring legacy of high society, opening its doors to those on their way up the ladder of success and serving as a haven for those who have truly arrived. Others look upon club membership as a good investment, buying in during the construction period, expecting the club share to fetch a better value once the club is completed.
A number of good clubs are found in Metro Cebu– Cebu Country Club, Alta Vista Golf and Country Club, Club Filipino and City Sports Club Cebu, among them.
Club Ultima is the newest concept in high-rise clubs that strike a perfect balance between work and play among its members and offer state-of-the art leisure, business and health facilities meant to define a new lifestyle for the upwardly mobile generation. It will open its doors in Cebu upon the completion of Fuente Tower where it will be located.
Are you a member of any of these clubs? How do you like it? Is it worth it? How much is the membership fee? Are there any special qualifications needed to be able to join? Which club is the best one for you? Please share your experiences. Thanks!!