PARAÑAQUE | Entertainment City Manila [gov|mix] [Archive] - Page 3

pinas4real

February 6th, 2008, 07:49 AM

http://www.manilastandardtoday.com/?page=emilJurado_feb6_2008

Two lasting legacies

In earlier columns, I predicted that President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, when she steps down in 2010, can be proud of two legacies she would be leaving the country.

One is the biggest yet: The $3.3 billion MRT-7 infrastructure project, whose concession award will be signed by the President this coming April. The project has finally passed the bureaucratic wringer, something it has been working on for the last six years.

The MRT-7 was conceptualized by Israeli businessman Eli Levin of the Hong Kong-based EL Enterprises. Levin also made possible LRT-1 and MRT-3 along Edsa.

This newest venture would be a coach-railway project (worth $1.3 billion) with a $2 billion real estate component, with Henry Sy’s SM Development and Andrew Tan’s Megaworld. The line will connect Bulacan to Edsa.

The Cabinet-level Neda Investment Coordinating Council, headed by no less than the President, has imposed stiff conditions. And yet, the consortium that’s behind the project has met all these.

The second-biggest legacy of the Arroyo administration is Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp’s Nayong Pilipino-Manila Bay Integrated Entertainment City, which initially will cover about 85 hectares of prime reclaimed land in the Bay City area along Roxas Boulevard. Over the next 10 years, the Entertainment City will be developed in various stages.

Pagcor’s chairman and chief executive, Efraim Genuino, envisions the $10-15 billion project to be a complex of luxury hotels, convention centers, state-of-the-art theaters, sports stadium, restaurants, shopping centers, cultural museums, amusement parks and an observation tower that would be among the tallest structures of its kind in the world.

While the Pagcor project will have gaming, most of the complexes will be geared toward entertainment, similar to Las Vegas, which has ceased to be called “the gaming center of America.” Now it is known as “the entertainment center of the US.”

Only a small part of the project will house casinos.

***

Late last year, the terms of reference for the international bidding, set for the middle of this year, were approved. Gaming and entertainment giants from the United States, Europe, Great Britain and Asia were in attendance.

Note that the gaming and entertainment industry in Asia is about $100 billion, and most Asian countries, including Shanghai, Vietnam. Singapore,

Indonesia, Brunei and Thailand want a slice of the pie. It’s for this reason why Pagcor is upbeat this year in the Entertainment City concept if only to get a slice of the pie.

I’m not exaggerating when I say that the Pagcor project will be the biggest tourism development endeavor the country has even seen. It has the potential to become the “economic miracle” that the nation has been waiting for.

***

Genuino was actually inspired to go for broke for an Entertainment City after a convention last year. Gaming and entertainment industry giants met in Manila and they all affirmed the possibility of Manila become like Macau, the gaming and entertainment center of for Southeast Asia.

The project has the potential of generating 250,000 jobs and boosting business opportunities for those involved in construction, hospitality, entertainment, communications, security, food and beverage, among others.

I’ve always believed that entertainment is the additive to fuel tourism growth. Tourism, in turn, is the engine of growth in the economy.

With foreign tourism broaching the three-million mark last year, there’s no reason why the country cannot hit nine to 10 million within the next 10 years. This especially when the Pagcor project gets going.

***

I must credit Genuino for his vision.

Aside from becoming the third-biggest revenue earner for government, Pagcor pegged its income for 2007 at a phenomenal P27.77 billion.

With the upcoming Pagcor’s Entertainment City, the state-run gaming agency could only double or even treble that revenue income for government.

It’s a project that could very well place Manila in the entertainment map and open its doors to world tourism.

lochinvar

February 6th, 2008, 07:58 AM

Ginoong Genuino has genuine ingenuity.

mambo

February 6th, 2008, 08:30 AM

i hope walang kokontra

ruralvillage

February 7th, 2008, 06:46 AM

Exciting to. Kaso wala pang residential component.

Jude12

February 7th, 2008, 01:57 PM

Philippine Daily Inquirer, Febuary 4, 2008

The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) enters 2008 on a high note, following an exceptionally strong performance and surfeit of accomplishments in the past year.

http://img210.imageshack.us/img210/5333/scanqr3.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

The Landmark Bill
In June, PAGCOR experienced its most significant event for 2007 the passage of the Republic Act 9487 otherwise known as the PAGCOR Bill. Signed into law by no less than the President, this important piece of legislation grants the state run gaming firm a 25-Year extension to its franchise, renewable for another 25 years.

This in itsdelf is a breakthrough for the country as it signifies the growing recognition bt the government of the benefits of a legalized gaming industry.
With this, PAGCOR can now go full gear with the implementation of its multi-billion dollar tourism development project, the Bagong Nayong Philippino- Manila Bay Integrated City

People have been hearing about the entertainment cityproject invisioned by Genuino as early as 2001. However, its implementation was hampered by pending expiration of the PAGCOR franchise. But thanks to the timely approval of RA 9487, this ambitious dream is now fast becoming a reality.

The Bagong Nayon Pilipino-Manila Bay integrated City will initially cover about 85 hectares of reclaimed land in Bay City area and will be developed in various stages over the next 10 years.

It will be a fully integrated tourism zone featuring a wide array of iternational grade facilities amenities such as posh luxury hotels, convention stores, state of the art theaters, sports stadiums, restaurants, shopping centers, cultural complexes and museums, amusment parks and an Observation Tower that will be among the tallest structures of its kind in the world.
Meanwhile, the second and third phases of the project include the development of other tourism hubs in the country such as Clark in Pampanga and Cebu in the Visayas.

- - - -

filcan

February 7th, 2008, 03:57 PM

Meanwhile, the second and third phases of the project include the development of other tourism hubs in the country such as Clark in Pampanga and Cebu in the Visayas.
oooohh...i wonder what their planning to build...more E-cities??...:yes:

leechtat

February 7th, 2008, 05:32 PM

Exciting to. Kaso wala pang residential component.

okay lang yun may mga hotel naman.. but if you want a condo, the manila bay city area has many to choose from..

flesh_is_weak

February 7th, 2008, 07:18 PM

oooohh...i wonder what their planning to build...more E-cities??...:yes:

sana para may Cebu Tower din kami :banana:

filcan

February 7th, 2008, 09:45 PM

^^i dont see y not...;)

ruralvillage

February 8th, 2008, 03:29 AM

okay lang yun may mga hotel naman.. but if you want a condo, the manila bay city area has many to choose from..

Like?

RonnieR

February 8th, 2008, 10:50 AM

magnificent plan!!!! the tower is so imposing....

leechtat

February 8th, 2008, 04:57 PM

Like?

smic developments.. ung mactan towers.. etc..

diz

February 9th, 2008, 08:10 PM

Guys, I love how everyone is hating on the tower without providing constructive criticism. And when they do, it's usually countered.

pinas4real

February 10th, 2008, 03:36 AM

I think we should focus on more on the potential casino investors more than the tower.

guest8888

February 14th, 2008, 04:10 PM

http://img212.imageshack.us/img212/1338/masterplangq3.jpg

TheRick

February 14th, 2008, 04:15 PM

where is Mall of Asia complex is it to the right of lot 3?
Magkadikit ba sila dalawa?

richard24

February 14th, 2008, 05:05 PM

where did you get the masterplan? it looks pretty new., cool! :)

flymordecai

February 14th, 2008, 10:41 PM

Nice! This puts away some doubt that this project will ever go up soon. Lot 5 and especially 6 are huge! We need some announcements about concrete plans and investments!

tyronne

February 14th, 2008, 11:05 PM

OMG! Awesome! There's even a tunnel, look at Bay Blvd! :banana:

diz

February 15th, 2008, 01:49 AM

Wow.. Nice! I can't find the monorail! They took it out?

IslandSon.PH

February 17th, 2008, 08:36 AM

nice find ah.. a river canal, lotsa pools and lakes.. maybe some plans of gondola rides and a river cruise to the bay and back? damn exciting!!

pau_p1

February 18th, 2008, 06:12 AM

OMG! Awesome! There's even a tunnel, look at Bay Blvd! :banana:

first I thought may tunnel.. but looking at the previous renders... it's a bridge...

came out in the newspaper today! :banana: it's so Dubaish imo hehehe

http://img27.picoodle.com/img/img27/4/2/3/f_1002690m_429e057.jpg (http://www.picoodle.com/view.php?img=/4/2/3/f_1002690m_429e057.jpg&srv=img27)

http://img212.imageshack.us/img212/1338/masterplangq3.jpg

TheRick

February 18th, 2008, 06:43 AM

Pictures from earlier posts...

posted by cokelitro
http://i68.photobucket.com/albums/i30/wynngd/DSC_0042copy.jpg

posted by basti
http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q179/asph80/ecity.jpg

posted by a00556425
http://img250.imageshack.us/img250/7996/84302191mf3.jpg

posted by tcchua
http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g227/tcc_0888/Image004_edited.jpg

posted by guest8888
http://www.image-upload.net/files/8243/Image_441.jpg

posted by nayki
http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g268/nayki_22/pagcorcity.jpg?t=1191041169

TheRick

February 18th, 2008, 06:50 AM

I finally found the answer to my question on how close E-City is to Mall of Asia Complex...

OMG... This is really going to be really, really BIG! :)

Asia World...
Is that where Sentosia project is located?
That might be great spot for some big development in the future once E-City and Mall of Asia Complex are fully developed...

Then, Manila Bay City or Bay City Manila is in full force... :banana:

posted by pau_p1
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v162/pau_p1/NAIA-1.jpg

posted by a00556425
http://img265.imageshack.us/img265/8222/33704893xt7.jpg

lochinvar

February 18th, 2008, 11:31 PM

I could see that the proposed tower is almost a stone's throw away from NAIA. Can they co-exist?

wynngd

February 19th, 2008, 03:55 AM

^^If you can throw a stone like superman. :lol: If you place the tower in between the runways' direction then I think that is not a problem.

tigidig14

February 19th, 2008, 04:05 AM

ganda :)

nayki

February 19th, 2008, 05:27 AM

I could see that the proposed tower is almost a stone's throw away from NAIA. Can they co-exist?

Wala naman siya sa takeoff/landing line of sight ng NAIA. Pero ewan lang..:)

leechtat

February 19th, 2008, 03:12 PM

^^ ang naisip ko naman regarding diyan is if there will be high-rise buildings in the sm bay central, then i guess that would be a problem for the naia flight path, i think...

venntro

February 20th, 2008, 04:02 AM

If PAGCOR is really serious in pushing through with this gargantuan project then they should already start building the PAGCOR tower. I assume that PAGCOR is in charge of the tower and will not rely on the foreign investors. If they build the PAGCOR tower then it will be a magnet for other developers to jumpstart the Entertainment city. It will also be an assurance to foreign investors that PAGCOR is keen on implementing the masterplan for the area.

filcan

February 20th, 2008, 04:28 AM

i think it would be more logical to start constructing the other projects first and when there are enough projects in the area then they should construct the tower...
it would be weird to have a supertall observation tower surrounded by nothing if the entertainment city doesnt push through...

venntro

February 20th, 2008, 05:08 AM

^^I don't think it's more logical to build the other structures ahead. First and foremost, the other developments will be mostly locators and they will be built by foreign investors. The PAGCOR tower is a project of PAGCOR itself so it basically has control over its development compared to the locators. Secondly, the PAGCOR tower is going to be built not just for aesthetic purposes but more importantly, it is envisioned to be the communications tower in Manila. Locators would want the tower to be built first in order for the locators to design their communication system to suit that of the PAGCOR tower. Build it and they will come. Third, the earlier it gets built, the better for Manila's communication system in order to remove those unsightly satellite towers on top of buildings.

filcan

February 20th, 2008, 05:23 AM

^^either way hopefully as the tower gets built...the other developments wont be too far behind...lets just hope PAGCOR doesnt back out of their plans since the tower will be the main anchor of the area and will be key to the success of not only the entertainment city but to Manila as well.

venntro

February 20th, 2008, 07:34 AM

^^Right. Among all the real estate projects under development, I think this project will be the most economically beneficial to the Filipinos. Job creation, tourism revenues and increase in PAGCOR income. Let's hope for the best.

leechtat

February 20th, 2008, 04:40 PM

johnmizer

February 21st, 2008, 12:44 PM

anybody here who has been to the real nayong pilipino? bakit alang replica ng mayon, terraces, taal, etc itong rendering na ito? kasama pa ba yung mga yun sa desgin?

TheRick

February 21st, 2008, 02:46 PM

Same sentiment with the name...

I wonder if they are really planning to keep the name "Bagong Nayong Pilipino" for this area.
I remember the original 'Nayong Pilipino" was like a theme park that displayed various sites in the Philippines.
Pretty much a display of our culture.

Although, (Mall of Asia complex and E-City) Manila Bay City is really awesome i wish the name "Bagong Nayong Pilipino" would be used when they actually revive "Nayong Pilipino".

anonymous_filipino

February 21st, 2008, 03:27 PM

^^ it's called bagong nayong pilipino because the new nayong pilipino is one of the major tenants of this project.. just look at the master plan on post #541. it is adjacent to Lot 1...

richard24

February 21st, 2008, 03:40 PM

kelan kaya ilalabas ang names ng first 2 investors., antagal., :)

TheRick

February 21st, 2008, 04:06 PM

^^ it's called bagong nayong pilipino because the new nayong pilipino is one of the major tenants of this project.. just look at the master plan on post #541. it is adjacent to Lot 1...

That is great they are bringing it back "the new nayong pilipino"... ^^

I guess what they are saying is that the "Bagong Nayong Pilipino" comprises of the modern and the traditional Philippines... :banana:

I wonder what name will stick to people's mind
Bagong Nayong Pilipino
Manila Bay Intergrated City
E-City
Entertainment City

just like BGC
Bonifacio Global City
Fort Bonifacio Global City
The Fort
Fort Bonifacio
Fort Boni

:lol:

Ph Man

February 21st, 2008, 05:03 PM

or build the tower and structures at the same time. but the tower, being the centrepiece should be a sure thing, and i prefer it to be build ahead than behind, just like the Burj Dubai. others will just follow. it's like a reassuring tower imo.

richard24

February 21st, 2008, 05:12 PM

sino ba magfifinance ng infrastructure jan? and the tower? investors din ba?

flymordecai

February 22nd, 2008, 04:27 AM

^^ Infrastructure shouldn't be done by the investors. That's something PAGCOR should lay down first for the possible investors.

guest8888

February 24th, 2008, 09:06 PM

pagcor will fund the tower since it will be their headquarters and house their casinos.

there will be both a tunnel and a bridge.

regarding investors, lets just wait for the press release but i heard one foreign investor proposed to develop the entire project. it was rejected and then offered with a big parcel of land (outside phase 1). one of their plans is to build an observation wheel (giant ferris wheel). ambitious enough, they want it to dip into a man-made lake(imagine an ancient watermill)

given the location, its logical that most developments inside the complex will have water features or even more an oceanarium. in this light, i feel that manila ocean park will soon be mothballed. hopefully not!

filcan

February 25th, 2008, 12:43 AM

:eek2:A ferris wheel that dips into the sea??.....would that be the first of its kind in the world?

flymordecai

February 25th, 2008, 02:00 AM

That would be pretty cool! But, whoever builds that must work to make the underwater scene beautiful as well! Perhaps they can introduce a mini coral reef? They would probably have to be quite a bit away from the shore for the observation wheel to have a good height, otherwise the water would be too shallow. Interesting news, if true.

leechtat

February 25th, 2008, 04:55 AM

^^ i must agree... re: artificial reef installation

but i gather that the reclaimed land's shore would have sufficient depth (much like that of a cliff) to allow that ferris wheel to be built. however, it could be too hard to construct and maintain more so in typhoon seasons.

i guess they are planning to make the ferris wheel dip into a man-made lake inside the development rather than in the manila bay.

amras

February 25th, 2008, 11:46 AM

i think that's a more logical way of doing it @leechtat.

anyways, nakaka-excite naman itong mga rumors na 'to! I just hope that they wont just remain rumors. ^^

guest8888

February 25th, 2008, 02:37 PM

yeah, if it pushes thru, it will be the first in the world. i searched for a "submersible observation wheel" and got nothing. even if we dont join the race for the tallest, im sure it will be one of the most noted.

benchjade

February 26th, 2008, 12:06 AM

bat nireject nila ang isang investor na willing gawin ang whole project para matapos na sana.

Bosnyboy

February 26th, 2008, 01:31 PM

Perhaps may other motive yung investor. Perhaps they will lease out the parcels of land to other casino operators for a higher fee. Talo ang pagcor nyan. Coz pagcor will lose control of the development plans ng project.

filcan

February 26th, 2008, 11:34 PM

bat nireject nila ang isang investor na willing gawin ang whole project para matapos na sana.

Maybe its better to have different investors because if it was just one the designs of the buildings may look too uniform and won't have too much character. Multiple investors can build its own projects, each with its own ideas and in the end a more themed looking area (similar to Las Vegas) can emerge. Plus multiple investors creates competition...they will all try to outdo the other so in the end, a more exciting E-City can emerge.

3cr

April 1st, 2008, 11:28 PM

Plans for biggest RP tourism dev’t project bared today
Manila Bulletin
http://www.mb.com.ph/MAIN20080402120806.html

Four concepts for the Bagong Nayong Pilipino-Manila Bay Integrated City – the Philippines’ biggest tourism development project ever – will be unveiled during the Gaming and Investment Conference for the 2008 Asia’s Gaming and Entertainment plus Leisure Expo (Asia’s GEM) today, Wednesday, April 2.

The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (Pagcor), through Board Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Efraim C. Genuino, will announce details of the approved concepts for the project in the conference at the Hyatt Hotel and Casino in Malate, Manila.

When completed, the $ 15-billion project is expected to boost tourist arrivals in the country by over a million to three million annually, generate over 250,000 new jobs, and dramatically increase government earnings.

A big local firm and conglomerates from Australia, Japan, and Malaysia submitted the approved concepts for the Bagong Nayong Pilipino, which also formally breaks ground during Asia’s Gem 2008.

All concepts for the project underscore the Philippines as a major tourist destination and an ideal site for "integrated resort" developments – that is, an entertainment and leisure complex that features a complete range of world-class amenities for people of all ages.

The proponents see the Bagong Nayong Pilipino having six-star hotels, gaming facilities, malls, museums, cultural centers, sports arenas, residential villages, and theme parks, with slight variations in each of the four proposals.

One proponent sees the Bagong Nayong Pilipino-Manila Bay Integrated City, which will initially be built in 90 hectares of prime reclaimed land, as a "live, work, and play" complex 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The concept includes hotels and a popular theme park.

Another sees a resort with symbolic landmarks and amenities that represent "the very best of their type in Asia," including one of the largest Ferris wheels in the world.

Another foreign proponent sees the Bagong Nayong Pilipino built around three hotels facing Manila Bay, positioned to create "an unmistakable skyline address" for its resort complex.

A fourth sees the project having an "iconic structure" while seamlessly integrating with the existing amenities in the area.

Pagcor Chairman Genuino, who sees the project as the state-run firm’s ultimate legacy and contribution to the recovery of the country’s economy, said that the Bagong Nayong Pilipino will, "without cost to the government, create endless opportunities for local businessmen and generate jobs for our people."

Besides billions of dollars worth of revenues for the government in terms of direct foreign investments, lease payments, taxes, and tourism receipts, the Manila Bay Integrated City is expected to induce growth in locally based industries such as construction, information technology, food and beverage, hospitality, entertainment, and transportation.

Genuino has proposed that locators in the Bagong Nayong Pilipino pay salaries to their workers in US dollars, so Filipinos can earn as much as their counterparts in the gaming and entertainment industry abroad without leaving their families behind.

Pagcor co-presents Asia’s GEM 2008 with the EuroAsian Cooperation on Gaming Association (ECG), which Genuino heads as interim chairman. The expo is organized by the Asian GEM and Tourism Foundation, Inc.

The full name of Pagcor City is Bagong Nayong Pilipino - Manila Bay Integrated City. Quite a mouthful. :D

A draft of the masterplan:

http://i31.************/2dkess1.jpg

A render of the Pagcor Tower and the development:

http://img27.picoodle.com/img/img27/4/2/3/f_1002690m_429e057.jpg

flymordecai

April 1st, 2008, 11:46 PM

I can't even express how excited I am about this news. Finally we will see concrete plans and proposals instead of vague numbers about $$$ and foreign interest in the project. All four concepts sound very exciting, but there's no official word on the PAGCOR Tower except maybe in the fourth proposal.

A fourth sees the project having an "iconic structure" while seamlessly integrating with the existing amenities in the area.

-TC-

April 2nd, 2008, 02:06 AM

c0kelitr0

April 2nd, 2008, 03:53 AM

^^ if i'm a worker there, i wouldn't want to be paid in US$, it's kinda weak right now.

RonnieR

April 2nd, 2008, 07:38 AM

great, great news

NOVO ECIJANO

April 2nd, 2008, 09:18 AM

:cheers:Alliance Global to invest in Pagcor leisure and gaming project
04/02/2008 | 02:41 PM

MANILA, Philippines- Alliance Global Group Inc., the holding firm of businessman Andrew Tan, on Wednesday said one of its units will be participating in the Philippine Amusement Gaming Corp. project Bagong Nayong Pilipino Manila Bay International City Project.

In a disclosure to the Philippine Stock Exchange, Alliance Global said Pagcor has confirmed that its unit Travellers International Hotel Group Inc. is qualified to participate in the project.

The Pagcor project is an integrated leisure and resort development situated on reclaimed area off Manila Bay.

Alliance Global said it has reached an understanding with Star Cruises Ltd., an affiliate of the Genting Group, for Star Cruises to invest in Travellers pending the issuance of the provisional gaming license for the project. - GMANews.TV

flymordecai

April 2nd, 2008, 09:59 AM

AGI's subsidiary, Travellers International Hotel Group Inc. ("Travellers") has filed an application for a provisional gaming license with the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation ("Pagcor", the government owned corporation with authority to regulate gaming activities in the Philippines), to participate in the development of a portion of the Newport City ("Newport City") and a portion of the Bagong Nayong Pilipino Manila Bay Integrated City Project ("Pagcor City), which forms part of an integrated tourism zone on a 40 hectares in the reclamation area of Manila Bay, into a gaming, hotel, entertainment and integrated resort development.

This is from the PDF release by Star Cruises and Alliance Global. So it seems they are one of the groups investing in Pagcor City.

-TC-

April 2nd, 2008, 10:11 AM

NOVO ECIJANO

April 2nd, 2008, 10:24 AM

http://http://www.gmanews.tv/story/87353/Star-Cruises-to-build-1-B-leisure-complex-in-RP
UPDATE...
Star Cruises to build $1-B leisure complex in RP
04/02/2008 | 02:41 PM

MANILA, Philippines- Star Cruises Ltd. an affiliate of the Malaysian conglomerate the Genting Group, is finalizing a venture with local holding firm Alliance Global Group Inc. for the development of a $1-billion integrated leisure and resort complex which would be part of the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp.'s Bagong Nayong Pilipino Manila Bay Integrated City Project.

In a statement, Alliance Global, which is the listed holding firm of businessman Andrew Tan said Star Cruises is partnering with its unit Travellers International Hotel Group. for the project.

Alliance Global said Pagcor hopes that the development will attract at least $4 billion in investments from both foreign and local investors and generate about 100,000 jobs.

Star Cruises and Travellers, Alliance Global said, are planning to build hotels with a minimum of 1,000 rooms spread out over several phases of development.

“Our proposal comes at an opportune time when there is increasing awareness of the Philippines as a tourist destination, with the country achieving a milestone in 2007 with a record three million tourist arrivals for the first time in its history," Tan said in the statement.

Star Cruises is a publicly listed company in Hong Kong with total assets $6.4 billion in 2007. Together with its affiliate, the Genting Group, it is involved in a diversified range of businesses including, leisure, hospitality, gaming, entertainment, cruise and cruise-related, power and oil and gas exploration.

The Genting Group, with total assets of $10 billion, is the largest Asian-based leisure, entertainment and hospitality conglomerate. - GMANews.TV

venntro

April 2nd, 2008, 11:03 AM

Another similar headline but with some additional info

Star Cruises to invest in Philippine casino project
Reuters
http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/storypage.aspx?StoryId=113801

HONG KONG - Star Cruises said it has agreed to join forces with Alliance Global Group Inc. to develop and operate hotel and casino complexes in the Philippines.

Star Cruises will pay $335 million for half of the equity interest in Alliance Global's Travellers International Hotel Group Inc, which has applied for a provisional gaming licence to participate in a Philippine hotel and entertainment resort development.

RonnieR

April 2nd, 2008, 11:11 AM

I am overwhelmed with the positive developments in the Philippines.

--SuperB0y--

April 2nd, 2008, 11:16 AM

me too! really ecstatic! that area would really be something to look forward to!

taga-bayan

April 2nd, 2008, 02:50 PM

ilang taon kaya ang lalagpas bago maitayo ang mga istrakturang ito?

leechtat

April 2nd, 2008, 03:33 PM

Bagong Nayong Pilipino-Manila Bay Integrated City

^^ ang haba talaga ng pangalan.. nakaka-bulol after ten reps! :lol:

i guess its time to buy AGI shares...

Bosnyboy

April 2nd, 2008, 03:51 PM

My gosh so many positive news coming out of late. Its almost surreal. And to top it off local stock market is once again alive!!!. Yes its true the bear has now gone back to hibernation and bull is charging really fast!! So watch out!!

-TC-

April 2nd, 2008, 04:07 PM

Bagong Nayong Pilipino-Manila Bay Integrated City

^^ ang haba talaga ng pangalan.. nakaka-bulol after ten reps! :lol:

i guess its time to buy AGI shares...

You can buy if trading of AGI (close: P4.00) doesn't get suspended via voluntary suspension or market players don't chase up its price to the ceiling at the open tomorrow.

On the other hand, maybe the price of AGI won't move at all since there has been no reaction since I posted this news in a popular stock market forum this afternoon.

jcb

April 2nd, 2008, 05:43 PM

guys meron nanaman sagabal sa project na ito! si Bishop Cruz dahil daw kahit 10% lang daw ang casino dito eh center of attraction ito ng boung project hay dahil daw may sugalan!mukhang hindi ko gusto ang mangyayari if ever. Gagawa daw sila ng sulat sa malakanyang tungkol ata dito at gusto pa-audit ang Pagcor at PCSO!

I dont like this thing!!!

-TC-

April 2nd, 2008, 06:07 PM

http://www.malaya.com.ph/apr03/busi2.htm

Pagcor unveils $15B gaming project
By Genivi Factao
Malaya
April 2, 2008

The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (Pagcor) yesterday unveiled four gaming and tourism projects near the Manila Bay and the international airport that will reach $15 billion.

Pagcor chairman and CEO Efraim Genuino said the companies are Aruze Corp. of Japan, Genting Berhad Group from Malaysia, SM Investments Corp. and Bloombery of Australia and Alliance Global with Star Cruises.

Each group will invest up to $3 billion and create 250,000 new jobs for the giant entertainment complex off Manila Bay and adjacent to the SM Mall of Asia.

Initially their investment would amount to $7 billion to $10 billion in 3 to 5 years.

Construction is expected to start on the third quarter. The groundbreaking ceremony is set today.

Aruze Corp in a tie-up with Wynn Resorts, operator of Las Vegas and Macau casinos will build the Okada Resort Manila Bay including a casino with 2,000 room hotel, an oceanarium, and a giant Ferris wheel that will be known as the Manila Eye, after the London Eye.

Genting Berhad and Star Cruises will partner with Alliance Global, owner of McDonald’s Philippine franchise and Megaworld Properties will develop the Bagong Nayong Pilipino theme park.

SM will be building near the Mall of Asia a world class gaming facility in partnership with Asia Pacific Gaming from Australia. It also plans to construct a major luxury hotel to be managed by Radisson Hotels and Resorts.

Bloombery on the other hand, will be building 3 luxury hotels with a total capacity of 1,500 rooms with high end retail shopping, celebrity themed dining and a major entertainment and sports center.

Kazuo Okada, chairman of Aruze said "the most important thing in this investment is to attract all the people in the world and make them feel the fun and have pleasant experience We are pleased to have the opportunity to be involved in this area," Okada said.

Andrew MacDonald, executive vice president said the most important thing is to identify the market, plans, analyze, conduct research, test and modify the plans when needed.

"We recognize the partnership. We worked with the government to make sure that the operations are good for the community so the government may be proud of the development that we bring forward," MacDonald said adding that "it takes a strong and powerful regulatory body to move these things forward."

Genuino said the signing of the contract is expected to commence as early as second quarter of the year, after the proponents have submitted all the requirements.

The gaming and entertainment complex will be initially built across the 90- hectares of prime reclaimed land on the world-renowned Manila Bay.

The Star-Global partnership will see the cruise and gaming operator paying $335 million for half of an Alliance unit.

Star Cruises will buy half of Travellers International Hotel Group Inc, which has applied for a provisional gaming licence, with an eye to developing hotel and gambling resorts at the Philippines’ Newport City, adjacent to Manila’s airport.

In addition, Star Cruises plans to form a joint venture with Travellers — of which Star plans to own 40 percent — to develop another project in Pagcor City, which is nestled up against Manila Bay.

-TC-

April 2nd, 2008, 06:18 PM

http://www.philstar.com/index.php?Business&p=49&type=2&sec=27&aid=200804022

Alliance Global, Star Cruises to build $1-B leisure resort
By Zinnia B. Dela Peña
Philippine Star
Thursday, April 3, 2008

Alliance Global Group Inc. (AGI) has entered into a memorandum of understanding with Star Cruises Ltd., an affiliate of Malaysian conglomerate Genting Group, to put up a $1-billion integrated leisure and resort as part of the multi-billion dollar Bagong Nayong Pilipino Manila Bay Integrated City Project in the Manila Bay reclamation area.

AGI, the listed holding firm of property tycoon Andrew Tan, will undertake the proposed project through subsidiary Travellers International Hotel Group Inc.

The project will entail the development of leisure and entertainment facilities including a theme park, theaters, amusement and cultural centers, a retail and gaming center and hotels. It forms part of the Philippine Amusement & Gaming Corp.’s vision to build an integrated tourism zone on a 40-hectare property in the Manila Bay reclamation area.

Pagcor said it hopes that the massive development will attract at least $4 billion in investments from both foreign and local investors and expects to generate about 100,000 jobs once the entire development is fully completed.

Under the plan, Travellers International will build hotels with a minimum of 1,000 rooms spread out over several phases of development.

“Our proposal comes at an opportune time when there is increasing awareness of the Philippines as a tourist destination, with the country achieving a milestone in 2007 with a record three million tourist arrivals for the first time in its history,” said AGI Chairman Andrew Tan.

“With the continued surge in tourist arrivals, we expect existing stock of hotel rooms to fall short of demand,” Tan added.

AGI’s joint venture with Star Cruises brings together a partnership of two reputable and respected conglomerates. AGI is focused on property development, food and beverage and quick-service restaurants while the Star Cruises Group is the third largest cruise operator in the world.

Star Cruises, which has total assets of almost $7 billion in 2007, together with its affiliate, the Genting Group, is involved in a diversified range of businesses including, leisure, hospitality, gaming, entertainment, cruise and cruise-related, power and oil and gas exploration. The Genting Group, with total assets of $10 billion, is the largest Asian-based leisure, entertainment and hospitality conglomerate with close to 40 years of experience. Its flagship Genting Highlands Resort is one of Asia’s leading integrated leisure and entertainment resort with the largest stock of hotel rooms numbering 10,000 in a single development.

The Genting Group is also spending $3.6 billion), for a 49-hectare integrated resort at Singapore’s Sentosa Island, called Resorts World at Sentosa. To be opened in 2010, the project is envisioned to be a large-scale iconic development focused on attracting families and holiday vacationers. The project will include the first Universal Studios in Southeast Asia, the world’s largest Oceanarium Marine Life Park, an arts and science museum and a number of hotels with 1,800 rooms, retail and gaming center.

Pagcor is starting 2008 on the back of a landmark year in 2007, having achieved its highest total annual income ever of P27.8 billion.

“Pagcor’s plan to team up with Travellers for the 40-hectare resort project in the Bagong Nayong Pilipino Manila Bay Integrated City will help mak Philippines become a premier tourist destination,” Tan said.

“Star Cruises’ interest in the project is a strong testament of foreign investment interest in the underlying attraction of Philippines as the hub for leisure and entertainment and a vote of confidence in the country’s economy and tourism industry,” he said.

-TC-

April 2nd, 2008, 06:57 PM

http://www.bworld.com.ph/BW040308/content.php?id=043

Alliance Global, Star Cruises team up for Manila Bay hotel and casino complex

Ruby Anne M. Rubio
BusinessWorld
April 3, 2008

STAR CRUISES Ltd., the world’s third largest cruise operator, and Andrew Tan-led Alliance Global Group, Inc. have agreed to develop hotel and casino complexes at the Philippine Amusement Gaming Corp.’s (Pagcor) Bagong Nayong Pilipino Manila Bay Integrated City Project in the Manila Bay reclamation area.

In a letter to the Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Ltd., Star Cruises company secretary Louisa Tam Suet Lin said Mr. Tan’s Travellers International Hotel Group, Inc. and Star Cruises would form a joint venture to develop the project formerly called Entertainment City Manila, with 60% equity owned by Travellers.

The deal includes an option for Star Cruises to increase its shareholding in the Pagcor joint venture to 75% when laws permit.

In a disclosure to the Philippine Stock Exchange, Alliance Global first vice president for finance Dina Inting said state-run Pagcor has confirmed that Travellers, a subsidiary of the listed firm, is qualified to participate in the integrated leisure and resort development.

"[Alliance Global] has reached an understanding with Star Cruises, an affiliate of the Genting Group, for Star Cruises to invest in Travellers pending the issuance of the provisional gaming license for the project," she said.

Mr. Tan, who is the chairman of Alliance Global, said Travellers had proposed to build hotels with a minimum of 1,000 rooms.

"Our proposal comes at an opportune time when there is increasing awareness of the Philippines as a tourist destination, with the country achieving a milestone in 2007 with a record three million tourist arrivals for the first time in its history," he said in a separate statement.

"Pagcor’s plan to team up with Travellers for the 40-hectare resort project in the Bagong Nayong Pilipino Manila Bay Integrated City will help make Philippines become a premier tourist destination," Mr. Tan said.

In a telephone interview, Alliance Global President and Chief Operating Officer Kingson U. Sian said the company is entering the tourism industry since it is a "growth area" for the Philippines.

"There is a lot of opportunity for that industry to develop. We are coming from a low base compared to our neighbors. We can generate investments and employment and spur growth of the economy," he told BusinessWorld.

Under the terms of reference for the Bagong Nayong Pilipino development issued last year by Pagcor, firms wishing to apply for licenses to run integrated casino-entertainment complexes must submit proposals with a minimum project cost of $1 billion, consisting of both equity and debt.

The initial phase of the project involves approximately 40 hectares of reclaimed land along Manila Bay in Parañaque. Other locations in the vicinity could also qualify with Pagcor approval.

The terms state that full implementation could boost Pagcor’s income to $1.5 billion annually from $500 million, which in turn would add to the national government’s coffers.

Applicants who propose to own the land should meet the constitutional cap on ownership — that the firm should be 60% Filipino-owned. Firms which opt to lease Pagcor-owned land may be 100% foreign-owned.

Ms. Lin said Star Cruises will acquire 50% direct and indirect interests in the share capital of Travellers through the purchase of existing and new shares for $335 million.

Travellers will also participate in the development of a portion of the 25-hectare Newport City at Villamor Air Base in Pasay City.

"[Alliance Global] undertakes to Star Cruises to complete the development of the unfinished portion of the Newport City Project based on existing plans; and to utilize part of the above-mentioned consideration paid by Star Cruises to Travellers to fund the completion of the development of the Newport City project," she said.

Star Cruises will have the exclusive right to manage the casino, hotel, entertainment and integrated resort development in the Newport City project.

Property firm Megaworld Corp. is putting up a 350-room Marriott Hotel as an anchor project for Newport City. Alliance Global is Megaworld’s parent company.

flymordecai

April 2nd, 2008, 08:01 PM

Aruze Corp in a tie-up with Wynn Resorts, operator of Las Vegas and Macau casinos will build the Okada Resort Manila Bay including a casino with 2,000 room hotel, an oceanarium, and a giant Ferris wheel that will be known as the Manila Eye, after the London Eye.

:eek2: :eek2: It's actually true! That person who posted this information was actually right! :D

Genting Berhad and Star Cruises will partner with Alliance Global, owner of McDonald’s Philippine franchise and Megaworld Properties will develop the Bagong Nayong Pilipino theme park.

:eek2: Will this Bagong Nayong Pilipino resort be the site of the Pagcor Tower?

SM will be building near the Mall of Asia a world class gaming facility in partnership with Asia Pacific Gaming from Australia. It also plans to construct a major luxury hotel to be managed by Radisson Hotels and Resorts.

:eek2:

Bloombery on the other hand, will be building 3 luxury hotels with a total capacity of 1,500 rooms with high end retail shopping, celebrity themed dining and a major entertainment and sports center.

:eek2:

This all sounds too good to be true, but when will see pictures of the models or renders?

leechtat

April 2nd, 2008, 08:11 PM

^^ i do not want to say that as well (too good to be true).. but i hope all these will be realized. let us wait for the renders now..

ruralvillage

April 2nd, 2008, 09:08 PM

^^ :banana: :banana: Amazing! Wow! Wow again! :banana::cucumber::cheers1:

ruralvillage

April 2nd, 2008, 09:30 PM

pinas4real

April 3rd, 2008, 12:24 AM

Nasaan na kaya ang Greek Gaming company na Loutraki at sana meron ding
MGM and Venetian...

-TC-

April 3rd, 2008, 02:08 AM

http://businessmirror.com.ph/04032008/headlines01.html
4 players join RP’s $10-B ‘Vegas’
by Max V. de Leon and Honey Reyes
Business Mirror
April 3, 2008

THE envisioned Las Vegas-like Bagong Nayong Pilipino-Manila Bay Integrated City has moved another step closer to reality after Japan’s Aruze Corp., Genting Berhad of Malaysia, SM Investments Corp. and Australia’s Bloombery Investments Ltd. were given the go-ahead to put up their respective multibillion-dollar projects at the 90-hectare resort complex.

The project proposals of the four groups, with total investments of about $10 billion spread over three to five years, have been approved by the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (Pagcor).

Efraim C. Genuino, Pagcor chairman and CEO, said the four firms will hold their ceremonial groundbreaking ceremonies Thursday in conjunction with the ongoing 2008 Asia’s Gaming and Entertainment plus Leisure Expo (Asia’s Gem).

Genuino said they expect actual development to start in the third quarter of the year.

"But they [investors] would still need to comply with all our stringent requirements, including the capital that they have to infuse. We must make sure that their money will come in,” Genuino told reporters at the sidelines of the Asia’s Gem events at the Hyatt Hotel and Casino Manila Wednesday.

Under the terms of reference released by Pagcor, companies with approved proposals must invest at least $1 billion for their projects, with the initial $400 million coming in the first two years.

Genuino said seven groups originally submitted their project proposals, but only the four firms qualified.

Azure Corp., a major stockholder of Wynn Resorts and reputed manufacturer of gaming machines, proposed the development of the Okada Resort Manila Bay.

It will be an integrated casino resort with 2,000 standard rooms and 300 VIP suites. Its main features would be an oceanarium targeted to be the world’s largest, theaters and a giant Ferris wheel similar to the London Eye and to be called the “Manila Eye.”

Genting Berhard, with its partners Star Cruises and Alliance Global Group Inc., (AGI) plans to build several hotels with a minimum room capacity of 2,000 rooms and a world-class theme park. The company owns and operates the Genting Highlands Resort in Malaysia.

Publicly traded Alliance Global is in talks with Star Cruises Ltd. for a joint venture to develop a $1-billion integrated leisure and resort within the Bagong Nayong Pilipino Manila Bay Integrated City Project.

Star Cruises, the world’s third-largest cruise operator and an affiliate of the Malaysian conglomerate Genting Group, is interested to acquire up to 40 percent of Travellers International Hotel Group Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of AGI.

Travellers International will serve as the vehicle for participating in the government’s ambitious plan to put up the multibillion-dollar integrated tourism zone.

The negotiations between AGI and Star Cruises are expected to be finalized in three months.

“Our proposal comes at an opportune time when there is increasing awareness of the Philippines as a tourist destination, with the country achieving a milestone in 2007 with a record 3 million tourist arrivals for the first time in its history,” said AGI chairman Andrew Tan.

Part of the plan is to build hotels with a minimum of 1,000 rooms spread out over several phases of development.

“Star Cruises’ interest in the project is a strong testament of foreign-investment interest in the underlying attraction of the Philippines as the hub for leisure and entertainment and a vote of confidence in the country’s economy and tourism industry,” Tan said.

Meanwhile, SM Investments Corp. proposed to put up a gaming facility in partnership with Asia- Pacific Gaming of Australia, and a major luxury hotel to be managed by Radisson Hotels & Resorts at the Mall of Asia Complex side of the Manila Bay Integrated City.

Bloombery Investments Ltd., on the other hand, is planning to build three luxury hotels with a total capacity of 1,500 rooms, with high-end retail shops, celebrity-themed dining, and a major entertainment and sports center.

Genuino said the proposed projects of the four companies, with average cost of $2 billion to $3 billion, are enough to fill up the entire 90-hectare area.

Once fully operational—the earliest by 2010—the integrated resort facility is seen to increase the country’s gaming revenues by at least 30 percent.

It is also expected to boost foreign tourist arrivals by up to 3 million individuals annually, and generate over 250,000 fresh jobs.

Pagcor aims to use the Bagong Nayong Pilipino as a catalyst to sustain the growth of the country’s tourism industry. It hopes to attract at least $4 billion in investments.

pau_p1

April 3rd, 2008, 02:25 AM

wow...Star Cruises has joined the Nayong Pilipino project... nice.... so we'd soon probably see Star Cruises ships docking by Manila Bay soon... and we'll be part of their cruising destination in South East Asia... cool! So I guess their property would be along the shoreline huh!

-TC-

April 3rd, 2008, 03:34 AM

You can buy if trading of AGI (close: P4.00) doesn't get suspended via voluntary suspension or market players don't chase up its price to the ceiling at the open tomorrow.

On the other hand, maybe the price of AGI won't move at all since there has been no reaction since I posted this news in a popular stock market forum this afternoon.

OT: AGI is now P4.25 just 3 mins into trading! :banana:

venntro

April 3rd, 2008, 03:37 AM

http://www.malaya.com.ph/apr03/busi2.htm

Pagcor unveils $15B gaming project
By Genivi Factao
Malaya
April 2, 2008

Aruze Corp in a tie-up with Wynn Resorts, operator of Las Vegas and Macau casinos will build the Okada Resort Manila Bay including a casino with 2,000 room hotel, an oceanarium, and a giant Ferris wheel that will be known as the Manila Eye, after the London Eye.

^^Another oceanarium????

ryanr

April 3rd, 2008, 03:47 AM

Sweet...very good news. Hope nothing bad happens.:|

flymordecai

April 3rd, 2008, 03:50 AM

^^Another oceanarium????

They saw the facade of the Manila Ocean Park and decided to build another correctly. :D

Also if they're planning on making it the world's largest oceanarium, it will have to be larger than the one Sentosa is planning for Singapore which will be the largest in the world after it's built.

taga-bayan

April 3rd, 2008, 04:05 AM

at least 4,300 new hotel rooms! wow.

pau_p1

April 3rd, 2008, 04:41 AM

^^Another oceanarium????

it doesn't hurt to have another one... well.. it's going to be good for the country but a threat to Manila Ocean Park.... at least with good competition between the two.. the country will still benefit....

diz

April 3rd, 2008, 04:41 AM

Sweet...very good news. Hope nothing bad happens.:|

if it does, someone's really gonne get shot.

-TC-

April 3rd, 2008, 04:42 AM

They saw the facade of the Manila Ocean Park and decided to build another correctly. :D

Also if they're planning on making it the world's largest oceanarium, it will have to be larger than the one Sentosa is planning for Singapore which will be the largest in the world after it's built.

Yup it has to be larger than the one Genting Bhd is building in Sentosa (Resorts World @ Sentosa). "To be opened in 2010, the project is envisioned to be a large-scale iconic development focused on attracting families and holiday vacationers. The project will include the first Universal Studios in Southeast Asia, the world’s largest Oceanarium Marine Life Park, an arts and science museum and a number of hotels with 1,800 rooms, retail and gaming center."

Jarvijarv

April 3rd, 2008, 06:24 AM

DDDDAMMMNNN!! THESE PROJECTS LOOK ALMOST SURREAL!!!!-six star hotels, casinos, another oceanarium, new and improved Nayong Pilipino.....i'm glad were past April 1st, so the Fool's joke is over, hahaha! :lol: but serious, there wasn't mention of the Pagcor Tower!?!? of all these wonderful developments, it just wouldn't be right w/out it. we just want concrete assurance/evidence (from the chosen developer) of the Pagcor Tower will be built and if so, stay close to the proposed MEGA height it's envisioned to be!!
once this is established, this MEGA $BILLION project will surely bring the WORLD to Manila...and the whole Philippines!! :banana::cheers1::rock:

-TC-

April 3rd, 2008, 06:27 AM

pau_p1

April 3rd, 2008, 07:15 AM

well.. it seemed that the Tower will be developed by PAGCOR and not by the locators...

I hope they document this project very well.. I hope to see this go to the MEGA projects program in National Geographic one day.. heheheh

taga-bayan

April 3rd, 2008, 07:41 AM

question: paano kikita ang pagcor with the tower? observation deck and restaurants? won't they be in the losing side here?

TheRick

April 3rd, 2008, 07:45 AM

Having the world’s largest Oceanarium Marine Life Park - is cool.

But do we really need another Ocean Park?
Is Manila Ocean Park complete yet? I wonder if they will follow through with the rest of the plans. If they do that then having another Ocean Park might not be the best use for the space. specially the 2 parks are so close together and the Manila Ocean Park is so new.

But if they go for it - Its really good.
As long as they build something cool - i'm all for it...

bustero

April 3rd, 2008, 07:51 AM

this thread is amazing 30+ pages of nothing but good cheer! anyway for me to see is to believe, i'd like this done but reserve judgement till they actually get something done!

sloanesquare

April 3rd, 2008, 11:21 AM

but i have 3 points:

1) hope trillanes does not think he has to "visit" all of these new 5/6 star hotels;

2) hope the politicians do not spoil the party by all wanting to be the next President, in time for this project's grand opening;

3)hope the people in charge remember we need better feeder roads along Buendia, Edsa so we can actually get to these places and not take 2 hours because of traffic.

RonnieR

April 3rd, 2008, 12:02 PM

red_jasper

April 3rd, 2008, 02:19 PM

Palace defends casino in Manila Bay
04/03/2008 | 07:38 PM

MANILA, Philippines - Malacañang on Thursday defended the $10-billion casino and resort complex at the Manila Bay reclamation area, saying the benefits far outweigh the disadvantages as many poor Filipinos stand to benefit from the proceeds.

Press Secretary Ignacio Bunye also said the Catholic Church's objections over the establishment of the casino is “not new."

“This is not new. We have heard those objections before but we know the operations have helped a lot of people. As a matter of fact, there are many people going to my office seeking help for their families and we have helped a lot of people using this fund," Bunye said.

He said people must look at the “total picture" and at how the funds are being utilized.

“For as long as they are being utilized properly, for as long as they are able to help the Filipinos, then we believe we can justify the operations," he said.

On the Church's criticism that the project would turn Manila into the Las Vegas of Asia, he said: “I'm not the guardian of morals."

“We would like to see the total picture, we would like to weigh the benefits against the disadvantages. The way we see it, the benefits far outweigh the social costs," he said.

He said the operations of the casino and resort can “help sustain the social programs of the govt and deliver basic services to the Filipino."

The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (Pagcor) has approved the project proposals for the Las Vegas-like Bagong Nayong Pilipino-Manila Bay Integrated City of Japan’s Aruze Corp., Genting Berhad of Malaysia, SM Investments Corp. and Australia’s Bloombery Investments Ltd.

Actual development of the 90-hectare resort complex is expected to start in the third quarter of the year.

Under Pagcor's terms, companies with approved proposals must invest at least $1 billion for their projects, with the initial $400 million coming in the first two years.

Azure Corp. proposed the development of the Okada Resort Manila Bay, an integrated casino resort with 2,000 standard rooms and 300 VIP suites. Its main features would be the world's biggest oceanarium, theaters and a giant Ferris wheel similar to the London Eye and to be called the “Manila Eye."

Genting Berhard, with its partners Star Cruises and Alliance Global Group Inc., (AGI), plans to build several hotels with a minimum room capacity of 2,000 rooms and a world-class theme park. The company owns and operates the Genting Highlands Resort in Malaysia.

Publicly traded Alliance Global is in talks with Star Cruises Ltd. for a joint venture to develop a $1-billion integrated leisure and resort within the Bagong Nayong Pilipino Manila Bay Integrated City Project.

Star Cruises, the world’s third-largest cruise operator and an affiliate of the Malaysian conglomerate Genting Group, is interested to acquire up to 40 percent of Travellers International Hotel Group Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of AGI.

Travellers International will serve as the vehicle for participating in the government’s ambitious plan to put up the multibillion-dollar integrated tourism zone.

SM Investments Corp. proposed to put up a gaming facility in partnership with Asia- Pacific Gaming of Australia, and a major luxury hotel to be managed by Radisson Hotels & Resorts at the Mall of Asia Complex side of the Manila Bay Integrated City.

Bloombery Investments Ltd. is planning to build three luxury hotels with a total capacity of 1,500 rooms, with high-end retail shops, celebrity-themed dining, and a major entertainment and sports center.

The resort facility is expected to raise the country's gaming revenues by at least 30 percent once it becomes fully operational in 2010. It is also expected to boost foreign tourist arrivals by up to 3 million individuals annually, and generate over 250,000 fresh jobs. - GMANews.TV (http://www.gmanews.tv/story/87575/Palace-defends-casino-in-Manila-Bay)

c0kelitr0

April 3rd, 2008, 02:41 PM

^^ O M G! unbelievable!

and another oceanarium to rival Manila Ocean Park? and a Giant Ferris Wheel? :runaway:

sloanesquare

April 3rd, 2008, 03:12 PM

b'z2;19423862"]Palace defends casino in Manila Bay
04/03/2008 | 07:38 PM

MANILA, Philippines - Malacañang on Thursday defended the $10-billion casino and resort complex at the Manila Bay reclamation area, saying the benefits far outweigh the disadvantages as many poor Filipinos stand to benefit from the proceeds.

Press Secretary Ignacio Bunye also said the Catholic Church's objections over the establishment of the casino is “not new."

“This is not new. We have heard those objections before but we know the operations have helped a lot of people. As a matter of fact, there are many people going to my office seeking help for their families and we have helped a lot of people using this fund," Bunye said.

[/URL]

These earth bound spokespersons of Jesus are so STUPID.

Dont you realise how many decent building jobs and hospitality jobs emanates from $15billion?

You the spokespersons seeking land redistribution for the poor but do not criticise Hacienda Luisita because your favourite girl owns it.

Leave the fate of the poor (who you do nothing for except encourage to have bigger families) to people who provide jobs and profits and go back to doing what you do best..whatever that is.

This project has so much potential to diminish real poverty in this country.

filcan

April 3rd, 2008, 04:02 PM

These projects truly shows the confidence that the world has on the Philippines these days:okay:

jcb

April 3rd, 2008, 04:15 PM

Go Go Go Go Go Bagong Nayong Pilipino

hehehehe

Im go for the Bagong Nayong Pilipino i hope lalo mag-materialize ang project na irto para no need na sa amin na nag-wowork sa Hotel and restaurant na mag-abroad.

Im confident within this year mag-sstart na ang contruction ng mga ilang bahagi ng project na ito.

mag-sama sama tayo at manalangi para sa sa succesful ng project na ito.

-TC-

April 3rd, 2008, 04:24 PM

http://business.inquirer.net/money/breakingnews/view/20080403-128081/SM-joins-1B-casino-project

Alliance gains on Star Cruises tie-up
Philippine Daily Inquirer
Thomson Financial
04/03/2008

MANILA, Philippines -- SM Investments Corp., the country’s second-largest conglomerate by market value, said on Thursday it would participate in a $1-billion casino project in Manila.

SM Investments made the disclosure to the Manila stock exchange but did not give other details about its participation in the project. The company has interests in shopping mall, banking and property development businesses.

The 40-hectare Bagong Nayong Pilipino-Manila Bay Integrated tourism project consists of a casino, hotels, shopping malls and other entertainment facilities.

Another local conglomerate, property and food company Alliance Global Group Inc., said in a separate statement it had bought 2.4 billion shares in a Philippine gaming company, Travellers International Hotel Group Inc., for P2.38 billion ($57.2 million). Travellers has a pending application to participate in the PAGCOR-led project.

"PAGCOR has recently confirmed that Travellers is qualified to participate in the project," Alliance Global said.

Alliance Global, which holds the business interests of local tycoon Andrew Tan, has a controlling stake in Megaworld Corp., the Philippines' second-biggest property developer by market value.

Alliance also has a substantial stake in the local franchise holder of the McDonald's food chain and owns brandy maker Emperador Distillers Inc.
On Wednesday, Malaysian cruise liner Star Cruises said it would invest $335 million in the casino project in Manila by buying a 50-percent stake in Travellers.

The deal between Star Cruises and Alliance will be conditional on the license being issued.

Star Cruises is listed in Singapore and Hong Kong. It is a unit of Malaysian gaming company Resorts World Bhd. Star Cruises has also invested in a casino and hotel project in Macau.

At 10:22 a.m. (0222 GMT), Alliance shares were up 8.8 percent at P4.35.
SM Investments rose 0.9 percent to P285.00 following a brief trading suspension ahead of its announcement regarding its participation in the casino project. (By Enrico dela Cruz)

Bosnyboy

April 3rd, 2008, 04:26 PM

Hope the opportunists opposition and the negative thinking media as well as the left leaning pro-masa (daw) groups dont spoil this plan. They owe it to the people. They owe for derailing progress in this country many times over. I pray God would be kind enough to take them all now. Amen hehehe

-TC-

April 3rd, 2008, 09:32 PM

http://www.philstar.com/index.php?Headlines&p=49&type=2&sec=24&aid=2008040398
Vegas-style casino, tourism complex project underway
Philippine Star
Friday, April 4, 2008

The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (Pagcor) is reinventing itself.

The groundbreaking of the Bagong Nayong Pilipino-Manila Bay Integrated City or Tourism City shows that Pagcor is no longer into just gambling but is now offering full-scale entertainment.

Pagcor chairman and chief executive officer Efraim Genuino led the groundbreaking ceremony at 4 p.m. yesterday of the Tourism City at the Reclamation Area in Parañaque City. They buried a capsule that contained the plans for the construction.

The first phase of the construction of Tourism City would cover 90 hectares of the Reclamation Area. Pagcor hopes to complete the project and make it operational within two years.

Pagcor is usually associated with gambling but under the leadership of Genuino, it hopes to show a different and more family-oriented side of the company.

“This project represents Pagcor’s shift from mere gaming into wholesome, family-oriented recreation and entertainment. With this, we aim to make Pagcor the catalyst for economic progress and national development,” Genuino said.

With the help of the investors and the support of government officials and agencies, they hope to “transform this barren land into one of the most exciting tourism destinations in the world.”

Father Artemio Fabros, vicar of the Nueva Señora de Guia Church (more popularly known as the Ermita Church), took part in the blessing ceremony along with some Roman Catholic bishops.

He explained that he was present because the Pagcor office in Ermita is under their jurisdiction and that he does not fear being reprimanded by his superiors.

“It never crossed my mind that I would be sanctioned. Besides, this project is more of tourism than gambling. Its aim is to promote the common good and we need to bless it,” he said.

Fr. Fabros’ views were supported by Dr. John Florentine Teruel P.P., who is the patriarch and founding bishop of the Apostolic Catholic Church.

“If we would only look at it in a positive way, why should we stop the plans of building an entertainment city which would bring in money from all over the world and the government would not even spend a single cent. It would also bring in employment,” he said.

He added that Pagcor would be implementing security measures that would safeguard the interest of its players. They would not allow financially deprived people from playing in their casinos.

Genuino said that the presence of the religious leaders in the groundbreaking ceremony shows that they have gained the support and understanding of Church officials. He assured them that only five percent of the property would be used for gambling.

Parañaque Mayor Jun Bernabe said the entertainment city will generate around 250,000 jobs, and the city government stands to earn about P1 billion from business permits, license fees and building permits when it starts operations.

Edward “Dodi” King, Pagcor-Corporate Communications and Services Department senior managing head, said Genuino started planning for the Tourism City since 2001, but they had difficulty in getting the project off the ground because their franchise was due to expire in July 2008.

He said it would be difficult to invite investors to come in if the franchise will expire. It was a good thing that Congress decided to grant them an extension.

The Tourism City hopes to boost tourism arrivals in the country by over three million annually.

As the country’s sole gaming regulator and main tourism supporter, Pagcor will oversee the development of the estimated $15-billion project.

Genuino said the hotels to be erected in the area would have a total of between 6,000 to 8,000 rooms.

There would be six-star hotels, gaming facilities, shopping malls, museums, cultural centers, sports arenas, residential villages, and theme parks.

So far, Pagcor has approved four project concepts from Aruze Corp., Genting Berhad Group, Bloombury Investments Limited and locally-based SM Investments Corp.

-TC-

April 3rd, 2008, 09:43 PM

http://www.businessmirror.com.ph/0404&052008/economy02.html

Pagcor looking for new site for project’s phase 2
By Max V. de Leon
BusinessMirror
April 4, 2008

JUST fresh from approving four proposals for the envisioned $10-billion Bagong Nayong Pilipino-Manila Bay Integrated City, the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (Pagcor) announced that it is now shopping around for another site that will house the second phase of the project.

Efraim Genuino, Pagcor chairman and CEO, said Phase 2 of the project will be located outside Metro Manila, with Cebu as one of the prime candidates.
“We are already discussing the second phase and we have identified possible areas,” Genuino said.

He said as much as Pagcor wants to entertain more proposals from prospective investors for the Manila Bay Integrated City, the 90-hectare reclaimed area dedicated for this gaming-cum-entertainment resort will already be used up by the initial four project proponents.

“We are studying the market if there is a need to accept more proposals.

But the problem is, there is no more space available there, so we are now discussing the second phase,” Genuino told reporters at the sidelines of the ongoing 2008 Asia’s Gaming and Entertainment plus Leisure Expo (Asia’s Gem) at the Hyatt Hotel and Casino Manila.

Pagcor announced it has accepted the project proposals of Japan’s Aruze Corp., Genting Berhad of Malaysia, SM Investments Corp. and Australia’s Bloombery Investments Ltd. with average investments of $2 billion to $3 billion each.

Azure Corp., a major stockholder of Wynn Resorts and a renowned manufacturer of gaming machines, proposed the development of the Okada Resort Manila Bay.

It will be an integrated casino resort with 2,000 standard rooms and 300 VIP suites. Its main features would be an oceanarium targeted to be the world’s largest, theaters and a giant Ferris wheel similar to the London Eye and will be called the “Manila Eye.”

Genting Berhard, with its partners Star Cruises and Alliance Global Group Inc., is planning to build several hotels with a minimum capacity of 2,000 rooms and a world-class theme park. The company owns and operates the Genting Highlands Resort in Malaysia.

SM Investments Corp. proposed to put up a gaming facility in partnership with Asia-Pacific Gaming of Australia, and a major luxury hotel to be managed by Radisson Hotels & Resorts at the Mall of Asia Complex side of the Manila Bay Integrated City.

Bloombery Investments Ltd., on the other hand, is planning to build three luxury hotels with a total capacity of 1,500 rooms, with high-end retail shops, celebrity-themed dining, and a major entertainment and sports center.

The four groups had the ceremonial groundbreaking Thursday, and they are set to begin actual development by the third quarter of the year, Genuino said.

Meanwhile, Genuino said Pagcor is poised to increase its revenues this year by at least 11 percent to P30 billion from P27 billion last year.

Gaming consultant Dean Macomber, president of Macomber International, said in his presentation at the Asia’s Gem that the Philippines’ gaming industry can achieve revenues of up to $1.08 billion in 2010 and $1.8 billion by 2013.

Macomber said these numbers will increase further once the effects of the Manila Bay Integrated City kick in.

Currently, Macomber said the country’s gaming revenue is estimated at only $800 million, with the big majority coming from local players at $613 million.

He said although the Philippines is attracting up to 3 million foreign tourists per year, most are coming in not only to gamble but also to do business or just relax in the resorts.

“That is one good reason why Pagcor wants this integrated resort to create that interest,” Macomber said.

Once the country has offered a higher quality of gaming and entertainment experience to foreigners, the deeper it can penetrate the market, he said.

Once fully operational—the earliest by 2010—the integrated resort facility is seen to increase the country’s gaming revenues by at least 30 percent.

It is also expected to boost foreign tourist arrivals by up to 3 million individuals annually and generate over 250,000 fresh jobs.

-TC-

April 3rd, 2008, 09:50 PM

http://www.businessmirror.com.ph/0404&052008/opinion01.html

Rising soon: Manila Bay Strip

BusinessMirror Editorial - April 4, 2008

Some 60 kilometers southwest of Hong Kong is the former Portuguese colony of Macau. With a total land area of 28.6 sq km, it is smaller than Mayor Alfredo Lim’s City of Manila, which covers 38.55 sq km. Macau has a population of a little over half a million, less than a third of the Philippine capital city’s official count of 1.5 million people.

So how could such a tiny spit of land have generated over $17 billion as gross domestic product (GDP) in 2006? That kind of GDP makes for a per-capita income of $28,853—again in 2006 American dollars. Macau’s economy has been growing at over 13 percent annually—tracking and sometimes leading the consistently robust growth rates of the entire Chinese economy.

If he were still alive, paramount leader Deng Xiaoping—who almost single-handedly modernized his country by adopting “socialism with Chinese characteristics”—would probably be overjoyed that Macau has been living up to his dictum, “To be rich is glorious.”

What made such impressive economic figures possible is gambling—or, its more polite variant, “gaming.” Casinos are what have made this special administration region a Chinese cash cow since Lisbon formally returned it to Beijing in 1999.

To be sure, Macau has other sources of income, such as some light industries that include garment and textile factories. Its history as the oldest—and last—European colony on Chinese soil has produced a culture that appeals to millions of sightseers, both Chinese and foreign. There is little doubt, however, that the bulk of 25 million tourists who went to Macau last year alone made a beeline to its casinos. And projections are tourist traffic—both from the mainland, where illegal gambling can earn an offender three years in prison, and overseas—is bound to keep growing. Of course, it has not always been that way.

The history of the gaming industry in Macau can be traced to 1962, when the Portuguese colonial authorities issued a monopoly license to the Sociedade de Turismo e Diversões de Macau (STDM), headed by the legendary Stanley Ho. His classic Hotel Lisboa and its opulent extension across the street, the lotus-shaped Grand Lisboa, still dominate the skyline of Macau’s old section. However, Macau—and China as a whole—hit the jackpot when the Chinese authorities decided to give Ho some competition.

The Macau government ended the monopoly system in 2002. Six casino concessions and subconcessions were granted to STDM, Wynn Resorts, Las Vegas Sands, Galaxy Entertainment Group, the partnership of MGM Mirage and Pansy Ho Chiu-king and the partnership of Melco and PBL.

Stanley Ho’s STDM continues to operate 16 casinos, which are still considered crucial to Macau’s casino industry. In 2004, however, the opening of the Sands Macau ushered in a new, more profitable era.

At its opening the Sands Macau was hailed as the largest casino in the world, as measured by total number of table games. After the Wynn Macau threw its doors open in 2006, gambling revenue from Macau’s casinos surpassed for the first time that of the Las Vegas Strip’s $6 billion or so. Since then, Macau has become the highest-volume gambling center in the world.

Success breeds success, and keeps on doing so. In 2007 the Venetian Macau—the second-largest building in the world—opened its doors to the public, followed by MGM Grand Macau. Many other hotel casinos, including Galaxy Cotai Megaresort and Ponte 16, are similarly set to open in the very near future—going by the relentless pace of construction at Macau’s reclamation areas.

Officially, Filipinos make up 2 percent of Macau’s population. They are employed not just in the casinos, but also in hotels, restaurants, transport companies, retail outlets and wherever there is a need for amiable, hard-working and English-speaking staff. However, there are probably even more Filipinos in Macau working “informally.”

That Filipinos make up a significant portion of Macau’s casino work force—and, for that matter, in the US gaming centers of Atlantic City, Reno and Las Vegas—has its parallels in, say, our merchant marine. The Philippines deploys the largest number of seamen across the globe—mainly because it does not have a big enough maritime industry to employ them.

Some of our expatriate manpower and talent in the gaming establishments of Macau—and even Nevada and New Jersey—may finally be able to come home and still earn a decent living in the not-too-distant future.

After making investors—along with thousands of job-hungry Filipinos—wait for what must have felt like an eternity, the state-owned Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (Pagcor) finally gave the go-signal to four investors ready, willing and able to put up a world-class gaming center in Manila.

As this paper reported yesterday, what has been envisioned as a Las Vegas-like Bagong Nayong Pilipino-Manila Bay Integrated City took another step closer to reality. Japan’s Aruze Corp., Genting Berhad of Malaysia, SM Investments Corp. and Australia’s Bloombery Investments Ltd. were given the go-ahead to put up their respective multibillion-dollar projects at the 90-hectare resort complex.

Pagcor has approved the project proposals of the four groups, with total investments of about $10 billion spread over three to five years.

When fully operational—the earliest by 2010—the integrated resort facility is projected to raise the country’s gaming revenue by at least 30 percent. It is also expected to boost foreign tourist arrivals by up to three million travelers annually, and generate over 250,000 new jobs.

Pagcor aims to use the Bagong Nayong Pilipino as a catalyst to sustain the growth of the country’s tourism industry. It hopes to attract at least $4 billion in investments.

Fears that the envisioned gambling center would further erode Filipinos’ public morals seem to be unfounded. Similar—but not as grand—gaming operations have actually been operating for several years now in Ilocos Norte, Cagayan, La Union, Rizal and the old US military bases at Clark and Subic Bay. The bulk of their clientele is foreign—including spillovers from Macau.

Besides, the potential of the Manila Bay Strip for boosting tourist traffic is enormous. There are certainly more attractions for sightseers in this country than the ex-Portuguese colony’s
church ruins.

ruralvillage

April 4th, 2008, 01:08 AM

^^ Love all these great news! :banana::cucumber::okay:

Risha

April 4th, 2008, 02:49 AM

This is great! I just hope everything will go as planned. Can't wait! :)

--SuperB0y--

April 4th, 2008, 04:33 AM

yeah, i'm hyperventilating hahaha. this is indeed great news! wish all goes well as planned. we need this! suddenly, the future is bright here! hehe. just hoping the church stop whining!

RonnieR

April 4th, 2008, 04:38 AM

Great news! positive news for the Philippines!

_zner_

April 4th, 2008, 05:02 AM

i will never get tired reading those long articles!!! :banana: what a great news! this brightens up my outlook for our country! 1st world status here we come!!!!

pinas4real

April 4th, 2008, 06:24 AM

I am just curious what are the track records of the 4 investors when it comes to gaming? I would probably have no doubts with Aruze Corp since it owns stocks on the Wynn Resorts in Macau but what about SM (shopping malls), Genting Berhad (theme parks and resorts) and Bloombery Investments Inc (investment company?? couldn't google it). What I'm pointing at where are the big guns that Macau has like Sands, MGM, Harrahs etc... or even the European Loutraki that has good track record of putting up casino. Will it look like Macau or Sentosa will be the Vegas and Manila be the Reno or Atlantic City of ASIA? Just questioning the capability of these investors to maintain a gaming resort if we really would like to be another Vegas.

3cr

April 4th, 2008, 07:21 AM

SM joins $1B casino project
April 03, 2008 11:38:00
Thomson Financial
Inquirer
http://www.inquirer.net/propertyguide/buildingblocks/view.php?db=1&article=20080403-128081

MANILA, Philippines -- SM Investments Corp., the country’s second-largest conglomerate by market value, said on Thursday it would participate in a $1-billion casino project in Manila.

SM Investments made the disclosure to the Manila stock exchange but did not give other details about its participation in the project. The company has interests in shopping mall, banking and property development businesses.

The 40-hectare Bagong Nayong Pilipino-Manila Bay Integrated tourism project consists of a casino, hotels, shopping malls and other entertainment facilities.

Another local conglomerate, property and food company Alliance Global Group Inc., said in a separate statement it had bought 2.4 billion shares in a Philippine gaming company, Travellers International Hotel Group Inc., for P2.38 billion ($57.2 million). Travellers has a pending application to participate in the PAGCOR-led project.

"PAGCOR has recently confirmed that Travellers is qualified to participate in the project," Alliance Global said.

Alliance Global, which holds the business interests of local tycoon Andrew Tan, has a controlling stake in Megaworld Corp., the Philippines' second-biggest property developer by market value.

Alliance also has a substantial stake in the local franchise holder of the McDonald's food chain and owns brandy maker Emperador Distillers Inc.

On Wednesday, Malaysian cruise liner Star Cruises said it would invest $335 million in the casino project in Manila by buying a 50-percent stake in Travellers.

The deal between Star Cruises and Alliance will be conditional on the license being issued.

Star Cruises is listed in Singapore and Hong Kong. It is a unit of Malaysian gaming company Resorts World Bhd. Star Cruises has also invested in a casino and hotel project in Macau.

At 10:22 a.m. (0222 GMT), Alliance shares were up 8.8 percent at P4.35.

SM Investments rose 0.9 percent to P285.00 following a brief trading suspension ahead of its announcement regarding its participation in the casino project.

3cr

April 4th, 2008, 08:36 AM

Vegas-style casino, tourism complex project underway
PhilStar
http://www.philstar.com/index.php?Headlines&p=49&type=2&sec=24&aid=2008040398

The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (Pagcor) is reinventing itself.

The groundbreaking of the Bagong Nayong Pilipino-Manila Bay Integrated City or Tourism City shows that Pagcor is no longer into just gambling but is now offering full-scale entertainment.

Pagcor chairman and chief executive officer Efraim Genuino led the groundbreaking ceremony at 4 p.m. yesterday of the Tourism City at the Reclamation Area in Parañaque City. They buried a capsule that contained the plans for the construction.

The first phase of the construction of Tourism City would cover 90 hectares of the Reclamation Area. Pagcor hopes to complete the project and make it operational within two years.

Pagcor is usually associated with gambling but under the leadership of Genuino, it hopes to show a different and more family-oriented side of the company.

“This project represents Pagcor’s shift from mere gaming into wholesome, family-oriented recreation and entertainment. With this, we aim to make Pagcor the catalyst for economic progress and national development,” Genuino said.

With the help of the investors and the support of government officials and agencies, they hope to “transform this barren land into one of the most exciting tourism destinations in the world.”

Father Artemio Fabros, vicar of the Nueva Señora de Guia Church (more popularly known as the Ermita Church), took part in the blessing ceremony along with some Roman Catholic bishops.

He explained that he was present because the Pagcor office in Ermita is under their jurisdiction and that he does not fear being reprimanded by his superiors.

“It never crossed my mind that I would be sanctioned. Besides, this project is more of tourism than gambling. Its aim is to promote the common good and we need to bless it,” he said.

Fr. Fabros’ views were supported by Dr. John Florentine Teruel P.P., who is the patriarch and founding bishop of the Apostolic Catholic Church.

“If we would only look at it in a positive way, why should we stop the plans of building an entertainment city which would bring in money from all over the world and the government would not even spend a single cent. It would also bring in employment,” he said.

He added that Pagcor would be implementing security measures that would safeguard the interest of its players. They would not allow financially deprived people from playing in their casinos.

Genuino said that the presence of the religious leaders in the groundbreaking ceremony shows that they have gained the support and understanding of Church officials. He assured them that only five percent of the property would be used for gambling.

Parañaque Mayor Jun Bernabe said the entertainment city will generate around 250,000 jobs, and the city government stands to earn about P1 billion from business permits, license fees and building permits when it starts operations.

Edward “Dodi” King, Pagcor-Corporate Communications and Services Department senior managing head, said Genuino started planning for the Tourism City since 2001, but they had difficulty in getting the project off the ground because their franchise was due to expire in July 2008.

He said it would be difficult to invite investors to come in if the franchise will expire. It was a good thing that Congress decided to grant them an extension.

The Tourism City hopes to boost tourism arrivals in the country by over three million annually.

As the country’s sole gaming regulator and main tourism supporter, Pagcor will oversee the development of the estimated $15-billion project.

Genuino said the hotels to be erected in the area would have a total of between 6,000 to 8,000 rooms.

There would be six-star hotels, gaming facilities, shopping malls, museums, cultural centers, sports arenas, residential villages, and theme parks.

So far, Pagcor has approved four project concepts from Aruze Corp., Genting Berhad Group, Bloombury Investments Limited and locally-based SM Investments Corp.

_zner_

April 4th, 2008, 08:50 AM

im more excited with the theme parks.. :D so long EK! :D

NOVO ECIJANO

April 4th, 2008, 09:44 AM

http://<a href="http://s167.photobucket.com/albums/u136/CATOR_bucket/?action=view&current=pic-040402294808951.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u136/CATOR_bucket/pic-040402294808951.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

http://http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view/20080404-128255/15-B-Pagcor-casino-complex-gets-off-the-ground
:banana::banana::banana:$15-B Pagcor casino complex gets off the ground

By Daxim Lucas
Philippine Daily Inquirer

MANILA, Philippines—The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (Pagcor) has resurrected a plan hatched in the 1990s to put up a Las Vegas-style casino and tourism complex by Manila Bay.

When it was originally unveiled last year as the $20-billion “Pagcor Entertainment City,” it was met by considerable opposition from various values-driven organizations. The Catholic Church was a perennial critic.

For the ground-breaking rites Thursday, Pagcor invited three retired Catholic bishops and the founder of an “interfaith” group to grace the occasion.

Bishop Emeritus of Calbayog Maximiano Cruz led the prayer, assisted by former Malolos Bishop Cirilo Almario and former Imus Bishop Manuel Sobreviñas.

Last year, Pagcor chair Efraim Genuino expressed confidence the Pagcor City project would not encounter opposition, even from the influential Catholic Church.

“For us to hurdle opposition to gaming, we will follow Las Vegas,” he had said. “I think the Church will understand. We are the biggest income generator for the government and I think the Church will be mature enough to understand that.”

The value of the project launched Thursday was scaled down to $15 billion, according to the state gaming firm. Renamed “Bagong Nayong Pilipino-Manila Bay Integrated City,” the project brings together investors from Japan, Malaysia, the British Virgin Islands and local firms.

“Once built, the project will create over 250,000 jobs, becoming the biggest job-generating program of the government,” Genuino said during the ceremonies on a 90-hectare lot adjacent to the SM Mall of Asia in the reclamation area off Manila Bay in Parañaque City.

Asked about the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines’ well-established opposition to the gaming industry, Cruz said the role of the Church should be “to shepherd its flock” and “not to compete with the state in governing.”

Blessing of the Lord

“The Church will not oppose any new project as long as it has the blessing of the Lord,” Cruz said.

Also conspicuous at the event was the founder of the interfaith Apostolic Catholic Church, Patriarch John Florentine Teruel, along with about 50 of his followers dressed in white robes.

In an interview, Teruel said the project would be beneficial to the people, especially if a portion of what the government earned would be donated to the poor.

He also denied that his presence was because of any financial support provided by Pagcor to his church.

“Not even a cent,” Teruel said.

Others present during the occasion were Speaker Prospero Nograles, Sen. Juan Ponce Enrile, Rep. Ed Zialcita, Parañaque Mayor Jun Bernabe, Public Estates Authority chair Andrea Domingo, SM Investments head Tessie Sy, Andrew Tan of Alliance Global and former first lady Imelda Marcos.6-star hotels, parks

Pagcor said that Japan-based Aruze Corp., Malaysia’s Genting Berhad Group, Bloombury Investments Ltd. of the British Virgin Islands and SM Investments Corp. had gotten its approval to join the project.

As the country’s sole gaming regulator, Pagcor will oversee development of the project.

“When completed, it is expected to boost tourist arrivals in the country to over three million annually, generate over 250,000 new jobs and dramatically increase government earnings,” Pagcor said in a statement.

The complex will have six-star hotels, gaming facilities, malls, museums, cultural centers, sports arenas, residential villages and theme parks.

guest8888

April 4th, 2008, 03:56 PM

-TC-

April 4th, 2008, 04:04 PM

In today's full page newspaper ad in the Philippine Daily Inquirer titled “RP’s $15B Tourism Project Attracts Major Investors”, it said that…

“Genting’s subsidiary, Star Cruises and AGI’s subsidiary, Travellers International are teaming up to build several hotels with a minimum room capacity of 2,000 rooms, a world-class theme park and a museum. They will also build a tower that will be the tallest in the world.”

P A L

April 4th, 2008, 05:15 PM

^wow!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

ruralvillage

April 4th, 2008, 09:54 PM

http://img297.imageshack.us/img297/327/okadavu2.jpg

Pagcor published a half page press release today with a picture of the complex that will have a semi submersible observation wheel. heres the same picture. look at the bottom of the observation wheel. notice how it dips into a man made lake? what did i say earlier!!!

The pagcor tower will be built by pagcor and will serve as their headquarters. The architect is local firm called JT Cruz and Partners. If they truly want to make this world class, they should hire an international firm known for making iconic landmarks and design a symbol not just for the complex but for the "new" philippines. they should learn from landmarks like the petronas twin towers (used muslim motifs, symbolic gateway to malaysia), burj dubai (billowing sail, a symbol of new dubai) or the beijing national stadium (birds nest, green olympics)

Amazing! Look at the greenish water, ala-Canadian Rockies! :banana:

I really like the jogging/bike/walking path that slowly crawls amidst green trees. Wow! :banana: :cheers1:

nakoi28

April 4th, 2008, 09:58 PM

wow!

wow!

wow!

yun lang! :lol:

leechtat

April 4th, 2008, 10:12 PM

^^ now i want the ASEANA business district built.. along with this projetct, manila bay city will be spectacular...

filcan

April 4th, 2008, 10:15 PM

“Genting’s subsidiary, Star Cruises and AGI’s subsidiary, Travellers International are teaming up to build several hotels with a minimum room capacity of 2,000 rooms, a world-class theme park and a museum. They will also build a tower that will be the tallest in the world.”

Ah...so PAGCOR won't be building the tower but three Investors instead...imagine a tower taller than the Burj Dubai in the Philippines:banana::cheers::banana:

flymordecai

April 5th, 2008, 12:07 AM

http://img297.imageshack.us/img297/327/okadavu2.jpg

Pagcor published a half page press release today with a picture of the complex that will have a semi submersible observation wheel. heres the same picture. look at the bottom of the observation wheel. notice how it dips into a man made lake? what did i say earlier!!!

The pagcor tower will be built by pagcor and will serve as their headquarters. The architect is local firm called JT Cruz and Partners. If they truly want to make this world class, they should hire an international firm known for making iconic landmarks and design a symbol not just for the complex but for the "new" philippines. they should learn from landmarks like the petronas twin towers (used muslim motifs, symbolic gateway to malaysia), burj dubai (billowing sail, a symbol of new dubai) or the beijing national stadium (birds nest, green olympics)

Wow, it's all coming together! I'm most excited about Azure's Okada Resort Manila Bay and Travellers/Star Cruises' Bagong Nayon Pilipino (with their supertall tower!).

Something disappointing though is that it seems Pagcor City is limited to only the 90 hectares of Phase 1. I thought they had over 800 hectares? Why not expand over to the business park? If Phase 1 and Phase 2 are in different spots, even cities, then I doubt it will become an integrated tourist spot quite like Macau and Las Vegas.

Other than that, this project is so exciting! :D

c0kelitr0

April 5th, 2008, 12:16 AM

whoa!! i sooo love the monorail!!

diz

April 5th, 2008, 12:57 AM

^ Me toO!!

Eriq

April 5th, 2008, 06:03 AM

Monorail! Monorail! Mono... do'h!

MakatiBoy

April 5th, 2008, 06:41 AM

-TC-

April 5th, 2008, 04:35 PM

We need a thread title change to "Bagong Nayong Pilipino-Manila Bay Integrated City".

Thanks.:)

leechtat

April 5th, 2008, 04:55 PM

:eek2:A ferris wheel that dips into the sea??.....would that be the first of its kind in the world?

That would be pretty cool! But, whoever builds that must work to make the underwater scene beautiful as well! Perhaps they can introduce a mini coral reef? They would probably have to be quite a bit away from the shore for the observation wheel to have a good height, otherwise the water would be too shallow. Interesting news, if true.

^^ i must agree... re: artificial reef installation

but i gather that the reclaimed land's shore would have sufficient depth (much like that of a cliff) to allow that ferris wheel to be built. however, it could be too hard to construct and maintain more so in typhoon seasons.

i guess they are planning to make the ferris wheel dip into a man-made lake inside the development rather than in the manila bay.

i think that's a more logical way of doing it @leechtat.

anyways, nakaka-excite naman itong mga rumors na 'to! I just hope that they wont just remain rumors. ^^

yeah, if it pushes thru, it will be the first in the world. i searched for a "submersible observation wheel" and got nothing. even if we dont join the race for the tallest, im sure it will be one of the most noted.

^^ congratulations.. our discussion last february is coming closer to reality. :applause:

pinas4real

April 5th, 2008, 07:25 PM

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/metro/view/20080405-128646/CBCP-head-against-proposed-Manila-Bay-gambling-complex

CBCP head against proposed Manila Bay gambling complex

By Jeannette Andrade
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 23:27:00 04/05/2008

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Close this MANILA, Philippines -- The head of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines, Iloilo Archbishop Angel Lagdameo, reiterated on Saturday his fellow bishops’ stand against gambling and challenged the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (Pagcor) to find other alternatives to directly help the poor.

“We stand against all forms of gambling, legal or illegal,” Lagdameo told the Philippine Daily Inquirer in a phone interview, pointing out that the CBCP has been consistent in its stand and advocacy for a more altruistic and socialized alternative to spending which they first voiced out in 2003.

“The Pagcor and the rich should directly channel the money to the needy instead of giving it through gambling if they really want to help,” Lagdameo said, adding, “If they want, they can just give the money to enable the poor to buy rice which is expensive now.”

He said it did not make sense for Pagcor to encourage gambling to raise moneyu to help the poor, pointing out that he was sure the agency could come up with other means of earning aside from gambling.

Lagdameo said the CBCP was not completely opposed to the Pagcor’s Bagong Nayong Pilipino-Manila Bay Integrated City project, billed by the agency as a tourism center, but it certainly “will object to the element of gambling” in the supposedly Las Vegas-style complex.

In an earlier interview aired Saturday on the church-run Radio Veritas, Lagdameo said the project was both “good and not so good.”

He said the project was impressive in that it will house hotels, residential villages, a cultural center, a museum, a sports arena, and a park and is expected to create “a thousand jobs.” But still there is the casino and other gaming facilities which make it “not so good.”

Lagdameo said the Pagcor project underwent several “presentation” changes, evolving from simply a “gambling city,” to an “entertainment city,” and now to a tourism city “in order to gain acceptability in the Catholic culture.”

“Definitely with so much money at the disposal, it will be all three: gambling, entertainment and tourism. And only the future will tell which will be the dominant one,” Lagdameo added.

He said this might have been the same thing that three retired bishops -- Bishop Emeritus of Calbayog Maximiano Cruz; former Malolos Bishop Cirilo Almario and former Imus Bishop Manuel Sobreviñas -- took into consideration when they agreed to participate in the project’s groundbreaking rites on Thursday.

“I believe they blessed (the project) and hoped and prayed that everything will turn out for the good of the people,” he said.

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/metro/view/20080405-128620/Fishermens-group-blasts-planned-bayfront-gambling-city

Fishermen’s group blasts planned bayfront gambling city

By Jerome Aning
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 21:37:00 04/05/2008

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Close this MANILA, Philippines -- Saying that the few remaining small fishing villages from Pasay City to Cavite would be displaced, a militant fisherfolk group on Saturday joined the growing opposition to the Philippine Amusements and Gaming Corp.'s plan to establish a huge gambling facility on a reclaimed area facing Manila Bay.

The Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (Pamalakaya) said the Catholic Church should not think twice about opposing Pagcor's Bagong Nayong Pilipino-Manila Bay Integrated City project, which will be the country's answer to the Las Vegas gambling haven.

“The Filipino people and the Church community should not allow the Office of the President to use Manila Bay, a certified communal fishing ground, as an international gateway for gambling addicts all over the world. This is not only illegal, it is also super immoral," said Pamalakaya chairman Fernando Hicap.

Three retired Catholic bishops, Maximiano Cruz of Calbayog, Cirilo Almario of Malolos and Manuel Sobreviñas of Imus attended the groundbreaking rites for the project.

Bishop Leonardo Medroso of Borongan said the retired bishops’ participation was their choice and that their actions were beyond church authorities’ control. He added, however, that he was sure the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines would oppose the project.

Hicap recalled that the US$15-billion Manila Bay casino project, when it was first initiated in the 1990s, led to the summary demolition of the homes of 3,500 fisherfolk families in the Pasay City reclamation area and along coastal areas in Parañaque City.

“Our fisherfolk members and their urban poor neighbors were brutally uprooted from their main source of livelihood and communities. The Public Estates Authority was the principal government agency behind the sell-out of these reclaimed lands," Hicap recalled.

Pagcor said the Japan-based Aruze Corp., Malaysia’s Genting Berhad Group, Bloombury Investments Ltd. of the British Virgin Islands and SM Investments Corp. have gotten its approval to finance the project, with Pagcor as the lead agency to supervise the development of the project.

Pagcor chairman Efraim Eugenio said that the project, adjacent to SM Mall of Asia, will create over 250,000 jobs, becoming the biggest job-generating program of the government.

The casino project had its roots in the controversial PEA-Amari deal in the 1990s. He said the 90-hectare reclaimed land which is the site of the casino project was part of the controversial PEA-Amari deal that was annulled by the Supreme Court.

Defnitely in a country like ours there would always be someone who would oppose! I am sure we are going to see a lot of senate hearings for this since its turning out as an administration project even though it is not funded by the government!

ruralvillage

April 5th, 2008, 08:09 PM

^^ Great dreams create big headaches for those who want to maintain status quo. This archaic thinking should never interfere with progress however.

I'm glad that majority of Filipinos remain positive and proactive to change things around for the better.:)

jefflacs

April 5th, 2008, 09:27 PM

regarding the scale model, just being realistic, parang impossible yung ferris wheel, I'm just being literal kasi parang hinde ko maimagine kung saan ung entrance sa ferris wheel xD :bash: saka walang "axle" to support the wheel it looks like it's just standing on its own.... I hope they will soon release a render for the pagcor tower(revised/new design) and the manila eye :)

P A L

April 6th, 2008, 03:47 AM

Ayang CBCP na yan ay Ep@L!!! Hindi na nga sila nagbabayad nang TAX at ito na naman sila para pigilan itong project. Kaya Hindi umuunlad ang bansa dahil sa mga grupong yan. tsk tsk tsk.

xavierdude

April 6th, 2008, 04:17 AM

i hope they entrust the design to a more experienced architect.... i googled on JT Cruz and the only high profile project he designed was the Trace aquatic center in Laguna that was used for the SEA Games. otherwise, i suspect that everything is just a press release:bash:

Anyone here old enough to remember Tan Yu's Asiaworld City?

sloanesquare

April 6th, 2008, 04:58 AM

the more the CBCP talks the more people will see how stupid they are and the more people will leave the catholic church...most of them have never experienced poverty because they are patrons of the the rich and only eat first class food and have the occasional photo shoot with the poor.

when the CBCP starts criticising their favourite daughter CORY AQUINO and the none land reformed Luisita then we can talk seriously about their misgivings about the PAGCOR project and its $15 billion investment and 250k jobs.

nayki

April 6th, 2008, 05:08 AM

I dont want to judge CPCB because they really have moral obligation to oppose any type of gambling. On the legal side I condemn the Pamalakaya for being so ignorant of the benefits that the project will bring not only to the fishermen but to the country as a whole. I bet once this Pagcor city get build the fishermen's family will earn way better once employed in the project. Pagcor need to ensure that the sectors that wil be affected by the project should be the first to benefit from it. They may ask the investor to prioritize the fishermen's family and the Muslim community displaced in the project site to be employed in the project. A win win solution for all.

RonnieR

April 6th, 2008, 06:59 AM

The militant fish folk organization is against in all forms of progress. They still have this old mentality, brainwashed by the commies.

sloanesquare

April 6th, 2008, 08:27 AM

the fish folk do not matter like the squatters..they just repeat the last thing that someone says to them...offer them a free house and P250k and a job in mindanao and they still wont accept it....so just ignore them.

as for the CBCP, i will say it again...when La Salle and Ateneo start offering up to 10% of their admissions as indigent scholarships and they start siding with the farmers of Cory's Luisita then we can talk.

in the meantime the Catholics fed up with corruption in the Philippines are still waiting for the results of the Vatican and the Banco Ambrossiano and the murder of Pope John Paul 1 and CBCP = Father Damaso.

jcb

April 6th, 2008, 01:56 PM

Mas gusto ko ang paliwanag ng Head ng CBCP sa side niya tama siya na this project "good and not so good"good dahil more investment,employment,tourism,economic groeth etc. isa lang naman ang point niya yung lang gambling i think acceptable sa akin yung objection niya kumpara sa mga activista iyan hay naku mas pinapahalagaan nila ang kapakanan ng iilan para sa milion miliong makikinabang.

Think guys hindi lang 250,000 ang maeemployed exclusively or directly sa buong project lets see the indirect employment. Yung sa mga supplier, sa mga security agency, sa mga bangko, transportation, sa mga restaurant, hotel and other establishment outside the bagong nayong pilipino, mga Basurero, mga side walk vendor not inside this project but sa labas ng project na ito,farmers, fisherman, commisary, at marami pang iba.

More investment outside this project magiging advantage point ang bagong nayong pilipino ng mga condo project outside of this project.

Even the church ay makikinabang rin lalo na yung nasa SM MOA and Baclaran why dahil yung 250,000 na empleyado at yung mga visitors and even tourist ilan ang Catholic dyan and im sure majority of them is looking for their spiritual needs saan sila pupunta simbahan di ba? I hope magpatayo rin ng simbahan sa loob ng Bagong Nayong Pilipino just to accomodate this huge no. of people.

Bakit ko na sabi ito dahil even me im looking for a church kung saan pwd ako magsimba. im sure ganun din yung ibang mga pilipino.

Tama ba?

jefflacs

April 6th, 2008, 02:37 PM

The manila eye reminds me of a dream catcher xD, kulang na lang ung mga beads

xoelts

April 6th, 2008, 03:30 PM

nice one

wynngd

April 6th, 2008, 03:45 PM

PAGCOR: Entertainment City is all about entertainment and tourism

Butch Francisco, president of Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (PAGCOR), talked about the ambitious entertainment complex, Entertainment City, with Ricky Carandang in Mornings@ANC Friday, April 4.

Francisco said Entertainment City is not just gambling, it’s all about entertainment and tourism.

These are pretty impressive numbers. how many billion dollars are we talking about here?
Easily if investors would invest an average of $2 billion to $3 billion, and there are right now four investors assured of investing $24 billion each. So easily we can raise about $12 billion to $15 billion in investments.

These people, when you say they are putting in three to four, that's committed. They've pledged to put that in into this project?
Yes. In accordance with our terms of reference, which we published last year, the minimum participating amount for a participant in the project will be $1 billion.

Okay. So we're looking, at the very least, at $4 billion and perhaps as much $15 billion?
That's correct.

its too long just continue reading it in http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/storypage.aspx?StoryID=114161

thomasian

April 6th, 2008, 04:28 PM

The scale model of the wheel makes the whole thing look like a joke.

jefflacs

April 6th, 2008, 05:18 PM

The scale model of the wheel makes the whole thing look like a joke.

it's nice if it's implemented, kaya nga lang hinde siya realistic :bash: without the "axle" i mean. It looks like a giant dream catcher :nuts:

Juan Pilgrim

April 6th, 2008, 07:07 PM

I am aesthetically disappointed by the scale model. It isn't awe inspiring at all. Where is the tower? Kala ko pa naman this whole project will completely set up a new iconic skyline for the Philippines. But then again the finish product may just totally blow me away. So I am still hopeful.

Waldenstrom

April 7th, 2008, 12:18 AM

We need a thread title change to "Bagong Nayong Pilipino-Manila Bay Integrated City".

Thanks.:)

I read in the news: Bagong Nayong Pilipino-Manila Bay Integrated Tourism City

pwede pa bang habaan? :lol:

pinas4real

April 7th, 2008, 12:48 AM

Again this news is misleading....

http://www.philstar.com/index.php?Headlines&p=49&type=2&sec=24&aid=20080406102

Universal Studios theme park soon to rise in RP
By Zinnia De La Peña
Monday, April 7, 2008
The arrival of a Universal Studios theme park in the Philippines is creating a huge buzz after the Genting Berhad Group secured the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp.(Pagcor)’s nod for its proposed project within the Las Vegas-like Bagong Nayong Pilipino-Manila Bay Integrated Tourism City.

Pagcor chairman and chief executive officer Efraim Genuino said the Genting Group has committed to develop 35 hectares of the 90-hectare prime reclaimed land facing Manila Bay into a world-class tourist destination.

Genuino said the Genting Berhad Group is planning to invest $3 billion in the Manila Bay Integrated City, the Philippines’ biggest tourism development project.

The Genting Berhad Group owns the Genting Highlands Resort in Malaysia and holds the exclusive development rights of film giant Universal Studios in Asia. It has teamed up with its subsidiary Star Cruises and Alliance Global Inc., the listed investment holding firm of retail tycoon Andrew Tan, for its proposed project in the $15-20 billion casino resort complex along Manila Bay.

Genuino said the Genting Berhard Group’s proposal includes the development of leisure and entertainment facilities including a theme park, state-of-the-art theaters, amusement and cultural centers, retail and gaming center and hotels.

Universal Studio’s movie-theme Hollywood park has 13 attractions based on movies including Shrek, Jurassic Park and The Terminator. Excluding its restaurants and theaters, the theme park alone draws about four million visitors a year.

Besides Hollywood, Universal Studios has other parks in Orlando, Barcelona and Osaka, Japan.

Another investor group, Aruze Corp. of Japan is planning to put up an integrated resort featuring a hotel with 2,000 standard rooms and 300 VIP suites; a major oceanarium targeted to be the world’s largest; theaters, a sports arena, a Holy museum and a giant ferris wheel similar to the London Eye to be known as the Manila Eye.

The Aruze Group is likewise infusing $3 billion in capital for the development of 40 hectares of land in the Manila Bay Integrated City.

Genuino said Aruze, a leading gaming machine maker known for its ties with the popular Wynn Resorts in Las Vegas and Macau, may start development of its project in the second quarter this year which may take two years to complete.

Other groups whose project concepts have been approved by Pagcor include Bloomburry Investments Ltd. of Australia which will develop 15 hectares of the reclaimed prime land, and the SM Investments Corp. (SMIC).

Bloomburry plans to build a hotel, sports arena and other tourist attractions.

Genuino said SMIC has yet to hatch a plan for the Manila Bay Integrated City but said this would be a unique concept.

Tessie Sy, SMIC vice-chair, said that aside from developments within the Mall of Asia complex along Roxas Boulevard, the company may work on something in the future to further promote the tourism estate.

SMIC, together with international hotel firms Carlson Hotels Asia Pacific and Accor will develop and manage a 350-room hotel in SM Bay City, which will be located near the SMX Convention Center.

Meantime, two administration congressmen supported yesterday the Integrated Tourism City, saying the nation should rake in billions in potential income from the project instead of growing grass on reclaimed land.

“We also need jobs. We have 430,000 new college graduates a year, but not all can be absorbed by existing companies,” Palawan Rep. Antonio Alvarez, House trade and industry committee chairman, said in the midst of reports that Catholic bishops are opposing the plan.

Manila Rep. Amado Bagatsing said he would prefer “that we grow money instead of grass on reclaimed land in Manila Bay.”

Alvarez said the Pagcor project would put the country in a position to catch a portion of China’s increasing spending on gambling.

“Due to China’s growing affluence, its 1.3 billion people are spending $70 billion in gambling bets a year, according to one estimate,” he said.

He said the gambling revenues of Macau, a Chinese territory, increased by 47 percent to $10.34 billion last year and have exceeded those of Las Vegas.

He said the Pagcor project could also prevent rich Filipinos from going to Macau or Las Vegas and would allow them to “just spend their money here.” - With Jess Diaz

----
Genting Berhad is building the Universal Studios in Singapore not in the Philippines. They had a contract with Singapore that they are only going to build a Universal Studios only in Singapore for SouthEast Asia.

flymordecai

April 7th, 2008, 02:19 AM

^^ Ugh, such inaccurate information in Philippine journalism. While it's good that they are reporting about this project, they should at least be accurate so that people won't have false hopes.

a00556425

April 7th, 2008, 03:57 AM

http://img404.imageshack.us/img404/4163/23830451702d1fedf2ccbac3.jpg
http://img176.imageshack.us/img176/9421/39703695yg5.jpg

Based on the master plan they are going to extend MRT 3 to Mall of Asia then to E-City Manila and LRT-1 extention from Baclaran to Roxas Blvd up to Asia World city :banana:

Are there any Condo's up for sale here? Who cares about Fort Bonifaico/Rockwell/EastWood I want to live here:)

ruralvillage

April 7th, 2008, 05:11 AM

^^ Nobody can blame you. This is an awesome place! :banana:

anonymous_filipino

April 7th, 2008, 05:21 AM

Jarvijarv

April 7th, 2008, 05:46 AM

WOW!! once development is in full swing, this THREAD IS GOING TO BE MAD CRAZY!!!!:nuts: we'll probably break records....i can see it now, going on THREAD 10..12...i'm sure we'll have to break it down to particular developments per thread once this MEGA PROJECT matures!! :banana::cheers1:

tyronne

April 7th, 2008, 06:19 AM

The nice thing about this is that we don't have to wait that long to see activities in that area. It's all systems go for this development. :banana:

ryanr

April 7th, 2008, 06:36 AM

slightly OT: is MOA in Pasay or Paranaque? How about PAGCOR E-City? The reason I'm asking its because the diagram above shows a new Pasay City Hall nearby.

wynngd

April 7th, 2008, 07:41 AM

it is really misleading, they should not say Universal Studios because Genting Berhad has not yet announced what theme park they will construct in PAGCOR City. but i'm still raising hopes that hopefully it will be a Universal Studios theme park, if not, it can still be a world-class theme park. i've been to Genting Highlands before, and the theme park there is really world-class.

btw, i also read in the full page ad of the Philippine Star last friday that Genting Berhad is the investor who will construct PAGCOR Tower, and Mr. Genuino described it as the highest/tallest tower in the world!

Maybe they will build six flags/great america here. I love their rollercoasters. :lol:

leechtat

April 7th, 2008, 10:10 AM

^^ Ugh, such inaccurate information in Philippine journalism. While it's good that they are reporting about this project, they should at least be accurate so that people won't have false hopes.

it is really misleading, they should not say Universal Studios because Genting Berhad has not yet announced what theme park they will construct in PAGCOR City..[/B]

^^ i cannot agree more. my eyes just bulged upon reading the headline. such false hopes... :bash:

great news for the tower. :applause:

Waldenstrom

April 7th, 2008, 10:16 AM

so there will be both pagcor tower & the observation wheel?

dattebayo

April 7th, 2008, 10:19 AM

sinong mag iinvest sa Pagcor tower?

c0kelitr0

April 7th, 2008, 11:10 AM

^^ Genting daw

benchjade

April 7th, 2008, 11:39 AM

Maybe they will build six flags/great america here. I love their rollercoasters. :lol:

or Enchanted Kingdom 2 :lol:

barukdok

April 7th, 2008, 12:02 PM

the RP economy is heading for a bust :)

jefflacs

April 7th, 2008, 12:33 PM

[

Based on the master plan they are going to extend MRT 3 to Mall of Asia then to E-City Manila and LRT-1 extention from Baclaran to Roxas Blvd up to Asia World city :banana:

Are there any Condo's up for sale here? Who cares about Fort Bonifaico/Rockwell/EastWood I want to live here:)

err. I think the train line you see in the render is the planned monorail, just like on the render of genting showing the manila eye (you know the one who looks like a giant dream catcher) xD :lol:

P A L

April 7th, 2008, 01:22 PM

^yes, monorail yun. Kadire naman kung MRT :)

-TC-

April 7th, 2008, 07:07 PM

Now everyone wants to join in on the action....

http://www.philstar.com/index.php?Business&p=49&type=2&sec=27&aid=200804074

Gatchalian, Macau group to build hotel-casino in RP
By Zinnia B. Dela Peña
Tuesday, April 8, 2008 Gatchalian-owned Waterfront Philippines Inc. is in talks with a Macau-based company to jointly build a hotel-casino within the Manila Bay Integrated Tourism City estimated to cost between P500 million and P1 billion.

On the sidelines of Asia’s Gaming & Enterntainment and Leisure Expo last week, plastics king William Gatchalian whose family controls Waterfront, said the casino-hotel will be a 60-40 joint venture in favor of the Macau-based firm.

The 2,500-room hotel will rise on a five-hectare property to be developed over a four-year period beginning next year.

Gatchalian said the property will be leased to the Philippine Amusement & Gaming Corp.

Waterfront is setting aside around P5 billion for the acquisition of up to four hotels within the next two years as it aims to develop its own brand of the first class business hotel and casino segment. It is eyeing hotels in Iloilo, Ortigas, and Cagayan de Oro.

Waterfront, the only hotel chain in the country that has a presence in the key cities of the country, has a 2,000-square meter lot in Ortigas and another 3,000-sq.m. property in Buendia, Makati.

The company is developing a resort in Uson Island in Palawan, which is slated for completion in 2009. It would also build hotels, residential homes and a convention area in the resort.

Waterfront owns and operates the Manila Pavilion Hotel and G Hotel in Manila, the Waterfront Cebu City hotel and Casino, the Waterfront Airport hotel and Casino in Mactan, and Waterfront Insular hotel in Davao.

Its marketing network stretches across 2,000 local and international travel agencies and 5,000 active corporate clients.

pinas4real

April 7th, 2008, 07:21 PM

-TC-

April 7th, 2008, 07:30 PM

Hope they still keep the requirement of $1 Billion cap for investors. In this way we will be competetive with Macau and Singapore

Based on the TOR released by PAGCOR, it's a $1Bln floor and not a cap so I dunno where Gatchalian's belated proposal would fit in especially after the 4 proponents were already announced last week.

benchjade

April 7th, 2008, 10:35 PM

sana japanese themed ang Okada Resort.

^^Another oceanarium????
mandalay casino may oceanarium din.

flymordecai

April 8th, 2008, 12:12 AM

ruralvillage

April 8th, 2008, 02:52 AM

pau_p1

April 8th, 2008, 04:56 AM

well whether the bay is clean or not.. this is a very welcome development.. and might probably push the local governments on extending extra effort on cleaning the bay with the extra cash coming in to their city's coffers...

leechtat

April 8th, 2008, 05:26 AM

sloanesquare

April 8th, 2008, 05:48 AM

^^ Is the Manila Bay clean enough (free of massive pollution) to merit this grand project? Just wondering.

I really hope that the city government will pave the way for a cleaner and greener E-City. :)
Its a shame because we cannot afford a full time coast guard but the biggest polluters of waste that you see on the shoreline come from cargo ships entering manila bay for the port. These are dumped outside the sheltered area of the bay but enter with the tide and waves. As for the smell, thats our fault.

filcan

April 8th, 2008, 10:57 PM

^^ it is quite clean enough... unlike then, the manila bay now does not emit the usual pungent odor..

Like in any big city thats near water there's always unpleasant smells coming from the water, even Lake Ontario you'll see all kinds of things floating near the shores of Toronto.

xavierdude

April 9th, 2008, 06:20 PM

matuloy man ito.. its useless if we don't have a better airport!

3cr

April 10th, 2008, 06:05 AM

Palace defends casino in Manila Bay reclamation area
GMA News
http://www.gmanews.tv/story/87575/Palace-defends-casino-in-Manila-Bay-reclamation-area

MANILA, Philippines - Malacañang on Thursday defended the $10-billion casino and resort complex at the Manila Bay reclamation area, saying the benefits far outweigh the disadvantages as many poor Filipinos stand to benefit from the proceeds.

Press Secretary Ignacio Bunye also said the Catholic Church's objections over the establishment of the casino is “not new."

“This is not new. We have heard those objections before but we know the operations have helped a lot of people. As a matter of fact, there are many people going to my office seeking help for their families and we have helped a lot of people using this fund," Bunye said.

He said people must look at the “total picture" and at how the funds are being utilized.

“For as long as they are being utilized properly, for as long as they are able to help the Filipinos, then we believe we can justify the operations," he said.

On the Church's criticism that the project would turn Manila into the Las Vegas of Asia, he said: “I'm not the guardian of morals."

“We would like to see the total picture, we would like to weigh the benefits against the disadvantages. The way we see it, the benefits far outweigh the social costs," he said.

He said the operations of the casino and resort can “help sustain the social programs of the govt and deliver basic services to the Filipino."

The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (Pagcor) has approved the project proposals for the Las Vegas-like Bagong Nayong Pilipino-Manila Bay Integrated City of Japan’s Aruze Corp., Genting Berhad of Malaysia, SM Investments Corp. and Australia’s Bloombery Investments Ltd.

Actual development of the 90-hectare resort complex is expected to start in the third quarter of the year.

Under Pagcor's terms, companies with approved proposals must invest at least $1 billion for their projects, with the initial $400 million coming in the first two years.

Azure Corp. proposed the development of the Okada Resort Manila Bay, an integrated casino resort with 2,000 standard rooms and 300 VIP suites. Its main features would be the world's biggest oceanarium, theaters and a giant Ferris wheel similar to the London Eye and to be called the “Manila Eye."

Genting Berhard, with its partners Star Cruises and Alliance Global Group Inc., (AGI), plans to build several hotels with a minimum room capacity of 2,000 rooms and a world-class theme park. The company owns and operates the Genting Highlands Resort in Malaysia.

Publicly traded Alliance Global is in talks with Star Cruises Ltd. for a joint venture to develop a
$1-billion integrated leisure and resort within the Bagong Nayong Pilipino Manila Bay Integrated City Project.

Star Cruises, the world’s third-largest cruise operator and an affiliate of the Malaysian conglomerate Genting Group, is interested to acquire up to 40 percent of Travellers International Hotel Group Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of AGI.

Travellers International will serve as the vehicle for participating in the government’s ambitious plan to put up the multibillion-dollar integrated tourism zone.

SM Investments Corp. proposed to put up a gaming facility in partnership with Asia- Pacific Gaming of Australia, and a major luxury hotel to be managed by Radisson Hotels & Resorts at the Mall of Asia Complex side of the Manila Bay Integrated City.

Bloombery Investments Ltd. is planning to build three luxury hotels with a total capacity of 1,500 rooms, with high-end retail shops, celebrity-themed dining, and a major entertainment and sports center.

The resort facility is expected to raise the country's gaming revenues by at least 30 percent once it becomes fully operational in 2010. It is also expected to boost foreign tourist arrivals by up to 3 million individuals annually, and generate over 250,000 fresh jobs.

pau_p1

April 10th, 2008, 06:15 AM

you know.. these articles usually mispelled Aruze Corp as Azure Corp....

ryanr

April 10th, 2008, 06:21 AM

^no wonder i couldnt find it on google.

benchjade

April 10th, 2008, 10:58 AM

Manila to build multibillion-dollar casino resort

MANILA - THREE foreign companies and a local conglomerate have been approved to take part in a multibillion-dollar Las Vegas-style casino and tourism complex in the Philippine capital, the country's first integrated casino resort.

The Bagong Nayong Pilipino-Manila Bay Integrated City will incorporate casinos, luxury hotels and a golf course covering 90ha of reclaimed land on Manila Bay.

The foreign companies jointly developing it with SM Investments Corp of the Philippines are Aruze Corp of Japan, Genting Group of Malaysia and Bloombery Investments of Australia.

The project will form part of the new Manila Bay City development being launched by the state-owned Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (Pagcor).

Mr Efraim Genuino, Pagcor's chairman and chief executive, said the four companies are committed to investing between US$2 billion (S$2.8 billion) and US$3 billion each in the project.

'We found the project concepts of the four groups most acceptable. We require a certain level of development as well as a minimum investment of US$1 billion for each project,' he told local media.

He said the four groups combined could initially invest between US$7 billion and US$10 billion over the next three to five years. Each group would be required to spend at least US$400 million in the first 21/2 years of development.

Mr Genuino told the Manila Standard Today newspaper that the multibillion-dollar investments would create huge opportunities in terms of employment, taxes and additional business to allied industries such as construction, information technology, food and beverage, hospitality, entertainment and transportation.

One of the project's foreign partners, Aruze, is known worldwide for manufacturing some of the most innovative and technologically advanced gaming machines in the market. It is also known for its well-established ties with Wynn Resorts, a major stockholder of the company in the United States and Macau.

Its concept for the integrated casino resort features a hotel with 2,000 standard rooms and 300 VIP suites, a major oceanarium planned to be the world's largest, theatres and a giant Ferris wheel similar to the London Eye.

The Philippine Daily Inquirer reported that the casino resort is expected to boost foreign tourist arrivals by up to three million annually and generate over 250,000 jobs.

Construction work on the project is expected to start in the third quarter of this year.

Several Asian countries have in recent years announced plans to build integrated resorts in a bid to draw more tourists , including Singapore.

One of the companies investing in the Philippines, Genting Group, is the parent company of Star Cruises, whose subsidiary Resorts World at Sentosa is building one of Singapore's two planned integrated resorts.

mygz14

April 10th, 2008, 02:47 PM

http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c3/mygz14/Manila_Bay_City_02.jpg

Source: Bagong Nayong Pilipino (http://www.bagongnayongpilipino.com/)

Waldenstrom

April 10th, 2008, 03:03 PM

Sinjin P.

April 10th, 2008, 03:10 PM

^ Pang-spillover nalang siguro 'pag nagbukas na 'yan. :lol:

Waldenstrom

April 10th, 2008, 03:14 PM

yeah, pero feeling ko uber mahal yung gagawin na bago.

anyway, sino sa inyo may map/plan ng developments sa reclamation area? just want to know if tuloy pa yung centennial city sa Bacoor. thanks.

bustero

April 10th, 2008, 03:15 PM

Good luck to those macau investors, waterfront and the gatchalian group don't have the best reputation!

jefflacs

April 10th, 2008, 06:12 PM

While having fun with the searching for philippine trademarks(the ipophil website), I stumbled upon this: :nuts:
http://www.ipophil.gov.ph/tmsearch/images/42004009349.jpg

http://www.ipophil.gov.ph/tmsearch/TM_detail.asp?CSERNO=42004009349

http://www.ipophil.gov.ph/tmsearch/TM_detail.asp?CSERNO=42005007122

little off-topic si donald trump nagregister na din for trump tower: http://www.ipophil.gov.ph/tmsearch/TM_detail.asp?CSERNO=42008001033

flymordecai

April 11th, 2008, 01:33 AM

little off-topic si donald trump nagregister na din for trump tower: http://www.ipophil.gov.ph/tmsearch/TM_detail.asp?CSERNO=42008001033

http://www.ipophil.gov.ph/tmsearch/images/42008001033.jpg

:eek: Bombshell news if it goes through! It's known that the Trump group is interested in a lot in BGC, but it's actually going to be a Trump Tower?

3cr

April 11th, 2008, 02:54 AM

Pagcor’s Tourism City to create ripples in economy
Friday, April 11, 2008
PhilStar
http://www.philstar.com/index.php?Business&p=49&type=2&sec=27&aid=2008041012

The ripple effect created by the government’s biggest tourism development project, the Bagong Nayong Pilipino-Manila Bay Tourism City, would extend beyond the local hospitality industry and long after the year 2010, when locators in the project are expected to become fully operational.

Spearheaded by the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (Pagcor), Tourism City is expected to generate as many as 250,000 new jobs in the first phase alone, besides boosting foreign tourist arrivals by over one million visitors annually and increasing revenues for the National Government through lease payments and tax revenues.

Efraim C. Genuino, Pagcor chairman and chief executive officer, underscored the project as the state-run firm’s ultimate legacy and contribution to the country’s economic recovery when he joined top government officials, lawmakers and personalities in the Tourism City’s recent formal groundbreaking.

ARUZE Corp. of Japan, the Genting Berhad Group of Malaysia, Bloombury Investments Ltd. and local mall giant SM Investments are poised to invest at least $1 billion each in the venture after gaining Pagcor’s approval for their proposed concepts in the Tourism City.

Although the primary beneficiaries would be workers in the hotel and restaurant sector, the enormity of the estimated $15-billion (approximately P600 billion) venture will create employment opportunities for Filipinos in a whole range of industries as well.

Located on prime reclaimed land fronting Manila Bay, the Tourism City would stimulate growth in the construction industry as well as produce jobs in the services sector, such as transportation, information technology, food and beverage, entertainment, medical and health. It would also boost the banking sector and the financial market.

“The Bagong Nayong Pilipino will, without cost to the government, create endless opportunities for local businessmen and generate jobs for our people,” said Genuino, the visionary behind the 90-hectare-plus project in Parañaque City.

According to statistics from the Department of Labor as of October 2007, the country employs about 907,000 workers in the hotel and restaurant sector alone. That number could rise to over a million once proponents in the Tourism City build their planned six-star hotels, malls, and theme parks.

Other planned facilities in the Tourism City, envisioned as a fully integrated entertainment and leisure complex for people of all ages, are museums, cultural centers, sports arenas and residential villages.

Another huge benefit which the project will bring to local workers is the opportunity to earn in US dollars without having to leave the country. In the project’s terms of reference, which can be viewed on Pagcor website www.pagcor.ph, locators are urged to pay salaries competitive with those in hotels and integrated resorts in other countries.

Meanwhile, to squelch speculations that the employment opportunities generated by the project only stand to benefit those living in the Metro Manila area, Genuino assured that all Filipinos from around the country are to be given equal opportunity.

“Since most establishments in the Tourism City shall be operational 24/7, residential villages for workers shall be built within the complex itself. This will also make it more convenient for employees coming from the provinces,” he said.

Furthermore, Genuino said that the next phases of this project will not exclusively take place at the Manila Bay reclamation site.

“We also have plans of replicating this integrated leisure and entertainment complex, but on a smaller scale, in other parts of the country such as Subic and Cebu to spur growth in those locations as well. Our ultimate goal is to make the Philippines the premier tourist destination in Asia, if not the world,” he disclosed.

More foreign and local companies have also expressed interest in joining as the first of concepts were unveiled during the recently-concluded Asia’s Gaming and Entertainment plus Leisure Expo Manila (Asia’s GEM).

pau_p1

April 11th, 2008, 04:12 AM

I updated the name of this project as I've been seeing articles calling this as Tourism City and changed the location to Paranaque..

ruralvillage

April 11th, 2008, 04:15 AM

^^ Nice move pau_p1. Tourism city sounds appropriate. :okay:

-TC-

April 11th, 2008, 07:39 AM

I updated the name of this project as I've been seeing articles calling this as Tourism City and changed the location to Paranaque..

Change is good. :) Thanks.

TheRick

April 11th, 2008, 07:43 AM

Bagong Nayong Pilipino-Manila Bay Integrated City to Bagong Nayong Pilipino-Manila Bay Tourism City...

Tourism City... I'm not feeling it...
but whatever, as long as they build it they can call it whatever they want... :lol:

Sinjin P.

April 11th, 2008, 08:20 AM

Build now, Name later! :rant: :lol:

wynngd

April 11th, 2008, 10:08 AM

http://www.ipophil.gov.ph/tmsearch/images/42008001033.jpg

:eek: Bombshell news if it goes through! It's known that the Trump group is interested in a lot in BGC, but it's actually going to be a Trump Tower?

It is 90% possible because TRUMP group file a complaint against The Trumps building which is now One Central tower of Megaworld.

ruralvillage

April 13th, 2008, 03:53 AM

http://www.ipophil.gov.ph/tmsearch/images/42008001033.jpg

:eek: Bombshell news if it goes through! It's known that the Trump group is interested in a lot in BGC, but it's actually going to be a Trump Tower?

If "Trump tower" is a registered trademark, it's quite understandable that the Trump org. will protect its intellectual property by registering its trademark in all countries, not just here.

It doesn't mean that Trump Tower will be built here although I'd welcome it in a flash.

benchjade

April 13th, 2008, 09:30 AM

barukdok

April 13th, 2008, 09:31 AM

Good luck to those macau investors, waterfront and the gatchalian group don't have the best reputation!

what do you mean?

jefflacs

April 13th, 2008, 03:11 PM

ano yang website na yan, tungkol saan?

Sa site na yan pwede kang magsearch ng mga trade marks/name na naregister sa pilipinas, whether registered, pending for approval etc.

OT: makikita mo rin diyan ung mga niregister na trademarks sa mga TV shows, me probability na kukunin ng ABS-CBN yung fear factor kasi niregister ng endemol ung Fear Factor na trademark hehehe :nuts:

-TC-

April 13th, 2008, 05:15 PM

http://www.philstar.com/index.php?Business&p=49&type=2&sec=27&aid=2008041221

Travellers Int’l Hotel hikes capital to P10B in line with Star Cruises joint venture
By Zinnia B. Dela Peña
April 13, 2008

Travellers International Hotel Group, a subsidiary of tycoon Andrew Tan’s Alliance Global Group Inc., has secured the green light from the Securities and Exchange Commission to raise its authorized capital stock to P10 billion from only P500 million.

Travellers International owns and operates casino hotels.

Out of the P9.5 billion capital hike, P2.875 billion has been subscribed and P1.09 billion paid for in cash.

Travellers International earlier forged an agreement with Hong Kong-based Star Cruises Ltd. to develop hotel and casino complexes at the Philippine Amusement Gaming Corp.’s Bagong Nayong Pilipino Manila Bay Tourism City.

Under the proposed deal, Singapore-listed Star Cruises will pump $335 million into Travellers International for a 50-percent shareholding interest.

Travellers International has filed an application for a provisional gaming license with Pagcor for developing hotel and gambling facilities in a 40-hectare reclaimed land in Manila Bay and in the 25-hectare Newport City at Villamor Air Base in Pasay City.

The proposed project of Travellers International and Star Cruises, a member of Malaysian conglomerate Genting Group, is worth around $1 billion and is in line with the group’s bid to expand into a relatively untapped Asian gaming market.

The agreement forged by the two parties also call for the formation of a joint venture that will serve as the corporate vehicle for the Manila Bay project. The deal also includes an option for Star Cruises to increase its shareholding in the Pagcor joint venture to 75 percent when laws permit.

Travellers International has proposed to build hotels with a minimum of 1,000 rooms. Star Cruises operates a total of 19 ships under the brand names Star Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line and Orient Lines.

It operates nine ships offering various cruise itineraries and calls destinations primarily in the Asia Pacific region. Norwegian Cruise Line and Orient Lines operate 10 cruise ships in the Caribbean, Bermuda, Alaska, Europe, Hawaii, New England, Central and South America.

3cr

April 13th, 2008, 11:35 PM

SM Investments eyes Belle as partner for casino-hotel project
By Zinnia B. Dela Peña
PhilStar
http://www.philstar.com/index.php?Business&p=49&type=2&sec=27&aid=200804136

SM Investments Corp., the listed holding firm of the family of retail tycoon Henry Sy, may likely team up with leisure property developer and gaming firm Belle Corp. to build a casino-hotel within the 40-hectare reclaimed land along Manila Bay, sources said.

SMIC is one of the four entities whose project proposal for the Manila Bay Tourism City was recently approved by the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (Pagcor).

Sources said SMIC would build the hotel within the reclaimed prime land while Belle would put up the casino facilities. The project will cost at least $1 billion.

Under the terms of reference for the development of Pagcor’s Tourism City, companies intending to apply for licenses to run casino-entertainment complexes must submit proposals with a minimum project cost of $1 billion, consisting of both equity and debt.

Applicants who wish to own the land must be 60 percent Filipino-owned.

Belle is controlled by the Sy family of the SM Group of Companies.

SMIC has signed a management agreement with Singapore-based Carlson Hotels Worldwide Asia-Pacific for the construction of two hotels within the SM Mall of Asia complex on Roxas Boulevard. The two hotels will be under the brand names Radisson and Regent.

The Radisson hotel will offer 500 rooms while the Regent will have 80 large suites, including a 400-square-meter presidential suite. The two hotels will have first-rate amenities, such as business centers, swimming pools, fine-dining restaurants and extensive function facilities.

The SM group is expected to spend P2.4 billion for the project, with an expected completion date in late 2009.

Also to be built within Mall of Asia is a 150-room Microtel Inns and Suites.

The three others that will take part in the development of the multi-billion dollar Las-Vegas-style casino and tourism complex are Malaysian conglomerate Genting Group, Aruze Corp. of Japan, and Bloombery Investment Ltd. of Australia. They will be investing between $1 billion and $3 billion each in their respective projects, spread over a period of three to five years.

Once completed, the Manilay Bay Tourism City is expected to boost foreign tourist arrivals by up to three million individuals annually, and generate over 250,000 jobs.

diz

April 13th, 2008, 11:41 PM

very good news

benchjade

April 14th, 2008, 12:42 AM

Sa site na yan pwede kang magsearch ng mga trade marks/name na naregister sa pilipinas, whether registered, pending for approval etc.

OT: makikita mo rin diyan ung mga niregister na trademarks sa mga TV shows, me probability na kukunin ng ABS-CBN yung fear factor kasi niregister ng endemol ung Fear Factor na trademark hehehe :nuts:

try ko disneylnad, meron.

c0kelitr0

April 14th, 2008, 04:50 AM

wow SM na yan ha, mukhang tuloy na tuloy na talaga!

drayq2002

April 14th, 2008, 06:02 AM

Genuino pursues dream sans politics
BIZLINKS By Rey Gamboa
Monday, April 14, 2008

During the 2008 Asia’s Gaming and Entertainment plus Leisure Expo (Asia’s GEM) events held at Hyatt Hotel, Efraim Genuino, board chairman and chief executive officer of the Philippine Amusement & Gaming Corp., announced that he was able to clinch several contracts which would put to flesh a dream to build an entertainment city that could rival Singapore’s — perhaps even Macau’s — ongoing efforts to grab more tourists to their respective shores.

Conceptualized a couple of years ago, Genuino realized that the project would have to be personally shepherded by him given the government’s fiscal predicament. To rise on some 90 hectares of reclaimed land facing Manila Bay, a blueprint of the planned tourism, gaming and entertainment hub was commissioned. That was the easy part.

The bigger challenge came in the form of competition - largely by Macau, followed by Singapore and Malaysia. These countries, supported by their respective governments, were bent on luring visitors to their mega-casinos ala Las Vegas.

It did not help that Pagcor’s charter was due for renewal at that time. The big names in gaming, mostly coming from the US, were reluctant to invest in Genuino’s project, which is partly the reason why Macau got the lion’s share of investors then.

Fresh lease

But when Pagcor got a fresh lease on life after having had its charter renewed for another 25 years and getting other perks, Genuino went full blast with his campaign to get only the best for the planned Bagong Nayong Pilipino-Manila Bay Integrated City, now touted as the country’s biggest tourism development project.

By Pagcor’s estimate, the whole project would cost at least $15 billion, to be built in three stages over the next decade, with the first phase expected to be completed by 2010.

The vision was to build a series of individual though interconnected projects offering gaming, leisure, sport and cultural facilities, shopping malls, hotels and housing — all to be accommodated on 85 hectares of reclaimed Manila Bay land.

Four pioneers

In his talk with media, Genuino said that Pagcor had signed up four investors based on their approved project concepts for the integrated city. “They will have to put up $400 million each before they can start to show that they are financially committed to these projects,” added Genuino. The money will be held by Pagcor in escrow.

Three of the approved investors are foreign-based with extensive interests in the gaming, leisure and tourism industry. The fourth is SM Investment Corp. headed by Teresita Sy-Coson, which plans to construct a world-class gaming facility in partnership with Asia Pacific Gaming from Australia, and a major luxury hotel to be managed by Radisson Hotels & Resorts, and a museum and sports arena.

Leading in the list of foreign investors is Aruze Corp. of Japan, headed by slot machine kingpin Kazuo Okada. Aruze plans to construct an integrated resort featuring 2,000 standard rooms and 300 VIP suites, a major oceanarium targeted to be the world’s largest, theaters, a sports arena and a special museum, and a giant Ferris wheel similar to the London Eye, to be called as the Manila Eye. Okada is also a major owner of Wynn Resorts in Macau.

The second investor to sign up for the integrated project is Genting Berhad of Malaysia, a veritable giant in the world tourism industry. As had been announced in various media throughout the world, Genting is partnering with its subsidiary Star Cruises and Philippine property giant Alliance Global.

The Malaysian group will be building several hotels with a minimum capacity of 2,000 rooms, a world-class theme park carrying the Universal Studios brand, a museum, plus a tower that will be the tallest in the world.

Star Cruises, which is listed in the Hong Kong bourse, has an agreement with Travelers International, a subsidiary of Allied Global, for 40 percent of its stake in Newport City, a mixed use residential development near the Manila Bay site. Star Cruises has reportedly committed to pay Travelers $335 million.

The third firm is Bloombury Investments, based in the British Virgin Islands. They have pledged to build three luxury hotels with a total capacity of 1,500 rooms, a high-end retail shopping, celebrity-themed dining, a showroom and museum, and a major entertainment and sports center.

Construction frenzy

Under the terms of reference signed by all four parties, the casinos should be up and running within 2-1/2 years, and phase one of the approved project must be completed within five years. Genuino certainly is not leaving anything to chance.

All the bustle within the very near future is expected to generate some 250,000 new jobs, mainly workers for the forthcoming construction of planned amenities.

The influx of tourists to the country is seen to triple once the casinos and resorts are operational, contributing substantially to Pagcor’s collection efforts. This should significantly ramp up its contributions to the public purse, a much-welcome boost especially during these times when the global economy’s problems pose so much uncertainty.

Keep politics out

I believe that there are hard-working people in government, those who can lead and deliver, but whose initiative to come out and do something is held back for fear of being tainted by dirty politics. As a result, a lot still has to be done so that the wheel of commerce will turn at a faster pace and uplift most of our countrymen from the pits of poverty.

Genuino is often cited in political intrigues considering his closeness with the group of the First Gentleman. But despite all these, he has moved on to achieve his dreams and goals at Pagcor.

As he remarked recently, “I can face anybody and show them that large projects such as these can and will be done without any whiff of controversy. Basta huwag lang mapolitika (as long as politics is kept out).”

For the sake of the country, we hope so, Chairman.

Should you wish to share any insights, write me at Link Edge, 25th Floor, 139 Corporate Center, Valero Street, Salcedo Village, 1227 Makati City. Or e-mail me at reydgamboa@yahoo.com.

P A L

April 14th, 2008, 03:04 PM

^ Universal Studios na talaga haha

The Malaysian group will be building several hotels with a minimum capacity of 2,000 rooms, a world-class theme park carrying the Universal Studios brand, a museum, plus a tower that will be the tallest in the world.

yay

Nagback out na ata ang Singapore hehe. maliit kasi bansa nila hehe

P A L

April 14th, 2008, 03:20 PM

imposibleng magtayo sila dito ng universal studios., ang agreement ng genting berhad with resorts world sentosa is that BAWAL MAGTAYO NG UNIVERSAL STUDIOS anywhere in south-east asia in the next 20 or so years.

probably universal studio concept lang., not exactly universal studios talaga.

nasan ba yung Agreement na yan? baka yan yung mali. Anyway, sulutan lang yan :lol:

richard24

April 14th, 2008, 03:50 PM

this one., :)

Dec 9, 2006
Genting wins Sentosa IR bid

TRUMP CARDS:
Family-oriented theme with Universal Studios
Oceanarium, maritime museum, water park
Promise of 30,000 jobs, $2.7b boost to economy

By Krist Boo

GENTING International and partner Star Cruises have sailed smoothly to the finishing line, taking home the Sentosa Integrated Resort as its prize.

The consortium's family-oriented proposal, especially the much-touted Universal Studios theme park, was what powered it to victory, leaving in its wake rivals Kerzner-Capitaland and Eighth Wonder.

While famed architect Frank Gehry's glass sculpture design for the Kerzner team captured the imagination of the public, it was not enough to convince the judges.

Neither was Eighth Wonder's line-up of stars, such as soccer legend Pele, celebrity chef Alain Ducasse and fashion designer Vera Wang.

Deputy Prime Minister S. Jayakumar, announcing the winner with five other ministers yesterday, said Genting's Resorts World at Sentosa was 'the most compelling proposal overall that best meets our economic and tourism objectives'.

The Government did the maths and found Genting's $5.2 billion proposal would generate 30,000 jobs, and add $2.7 billion, or 0.8 per cent, to the economy a year - on par with the projections for Marina Bay Sands.

The bonus: Genting has tied in Universal Studios to an exclusive deal, in which the theme park has agreed not to open in any other South-east Asian country for the next 30 years.

The judges also liked the other attractions: The world's largest oceanarium, a water-theme park, and a maritime museum.

The contest for Sentosa differed from that for Marina Bay. More emphasis was placed on the bidders' ability to woo family holidaymakers, not business visitors.

But while Sands and Genting are likely to vie with each other to attract highrollers to their casinos, Trade and Industry Minister Lim Hng Kiang sees the pair as complementary in Singapore's larger tourism game plan to double visitor numbers to 17 million by 2015.

Genting's win ends a two-year journey which has seen Cabinet and public opinion split over Singapore's decision to overturn a 40-year ban on casinos in order to win more tourism dollars.

While Sands was the dark horse at Marina Bay, Genting's win drew hardly a gasp.

It is the only contender with experience in Asia, with its Genting Highlands resort and Asia's largest cruise company Star Cruises.

While some architects said Michael Graves' architecture was outclassed by Frank Gehry's, National Development Minister Mah Bow Tan said it was well laid out and true to the resort theme with its use of wood and stone.

Sentosa Leisure Group chief executive Darrell Metgzer, who will be Genting's new landlord, was especially pleased with its commitment to keep 70 per cent of its resort 'green', a tacit standard the island manager applies to Sentosa.

Mr Metgzer said Genting's design went well with the Harbourfront precinct.

With Genting's investment, the precinct, consisting of VivoCity, Mount Faber and St James Power Station, will now be a new $12 billion tourism destination.

Genting executives were 'ecstatic' at the win. Chairman Lim Kok Thay said it was confident of attracting 15 million visitors to its resort by 2015.

Genting's quest for the prize was fraught with criticism that it was a three-star operator and its Universal park was outdated. But minister Mr Lim said the Genting proposal included 'premium, quality attractions', many helmed by 'very strong partners'.

He pointed out that Universal was bringing in 16 new rides to Singapore. It has the chance to 'refresh' itself whenever there is a new blockbuster. Besides, tourists in Singapore's key markets - China, India and Indonesia - do not see it that way. 'The fact that Universal is a tried and tested brand does not mean it's stale.'

Asked if Singapore and Malaysia bilateral relations played a role in Genting's win, Professor Jayakumar said no, but added that with Genting's victory, 'this will bolster the strong economic ties between the two countries.'

krist@sph.com.sg
Copyright © 2006 Singapore Press Holdings. All rights reserved.

P A L

April 14th, 2008, 03:54 PM

this one., :)

Katakot naman :lol: Meron pa bang ibang Theme Park na pwedeng gawin ang pinas. OA itong Singapore :lol:

Tapos meron din tayong itatayong Worlds Largest Oceanarium, sila din meron LOL! pero sana nasulot natin:cheers:

P A L

April 14th, 2008, 05:36 PM

:nuts:

Not wanting to sound crazy :weird:, but, as a country and as a people, the Philippines and the Filipinos should be extra careful (vigilant and pro active) when it comes to our neighbors near and far. There are some countries and some people who would go at any length to keep the Philippines and the Filipinos poor.:ohno:

My first hand experience with this, was while I was living in S*ngapore. The dailies in S*ngapore and even in neighboring Malays*a were very critical about any developments in the Philippines. It was plain black propaganda and totally below the belt attacks.:omg:

We shouldn't let anyone or any country do this to our beloved PHILIPPINES.

Sugod mga kapatid,:horse:

J.P.

LOL, i don't care about them. i only care for my Philippines and United States. :lol:

GelloX

April 14th, 2008, 06:51 PM

I wish they can build a Six Flags Themepark here in Manila! Love it so much! Intense and euphoric roller coasters with a hint of Warner Bros. brand.

P A L

April 15th, 2008, 12:36 AM

^oh yeah!! six flags is freakin awesome :))

pau_p1

April 15th, 2008, 02:16 AM

wow.. so the Genting group will be building the tower then... nice!... about the Universal Studio park... it may not really be a Universal Studio theme park per se... they might rebuild the old Nayong Pilipino concept but will just have the Universal Studio type of theme park with rides and tours..

venntro

April 15th, 2008, 05:48 AM

Because of PAGCOR's Tourism City, investors are likewise planning to develop adjacent properties to complement the PAGCOR development.

PHILWEB eyes CASINO Complex in Reclaimed Lot

http://www.pse.org.ph/html/disclosure/pdf/2008/pdf/dc2008-2527_WEB.pdf

PHILWEB is in talks with several foreign companies for the development of
its six-hectare property along Roxas Boulevard into a hotel and casino
complex. Philweb president Eric Recto told Standard Today that the
company wanted to build the property in line with the 35-hectare
entertainment and casino complex being developed by Philippine
Amusement and Gaming Corp... A source said Bloomburry Investment Ltd.
of Australia was one of the foreign companies Philweb was in talks with as
possible partner in the project...

Philweb confirms the veracity of the news article with the following exceptions:

1. The property consists of 6.4 Hectares, not 6 hectares;
2. The property is located along D.M. Macapagal Avenue, not Roxas Boulevard;
3. The President of PhilWeb is Dennis O. Valdes, not Eric Recto. Eric O. Recto is Vice Chairman of PhilWeb.
4. PhilWeb is in discussions with a number of prospective international partners but Bloomburry Investment Ltd. of Australia is not one of them.

Waldenstrom

April 15th, 2008, 11:26 AM

coolness, i hope this ripple effect with last and spread more. :D

nakoi28

April 15th, 2008, 12:20 PM

ano po ibig sabihin ng six flags themepark??

P A L

April 15th, 2008, 12:24 PM

Theme Park sa America. Yung mga nagtataasan at nakaka-thrill na ride ay sa Six Flags matatagpuan. Warner Bros. ata ang may-ari nito hehe.

nakoi28

April 15th, 2008, 12:26 PM

ahh okay

kala ko para siyang hotel, may 3,4,5 star... haha

NOVO ECIJANO

April 15th, 2008, 02:27 PM

sana naman ay palitan ang design ng tower,i dont mind if they hire local designer like Lor Calma.sayang naman,ito na sana ang magiging simbolo ng pilipinas.

taga-bayan

April 16th, 2008, 06:26 AM

OffTopic:
nakoi28,
ano po iyang avatar ninyo?

diz

April 16th, 2008, 06:59 AM

^ Manila 2020 or 2024 Olympic logo.

Waldenstrom

April 16th, 2008, 09:33 AM

sana naman ay palitan ang design ng tower,i dont mind if they hire local designer like Lor Calma.sayang naman,ito na sana ang magiging simbolo ng pilipinas.

i agree! sana pagandahin pa lalo yung design.

filcan

April 16th, 2008, 04:11 PM

Las Vegas sa Pinas? - Reporters Notebook (part 1)
wFNLDVxMDSM

Las Vegas sa Pinas? - Reporters Notebook (part 2)
cNJ-wsZtjS0

P A L

April 16th, 2008, 04:17 PM

^Nakakatawa yung mga anti-Manila Bay Integrated City :lol: lalo na itong Reporters Notebook. Binababoy nila ang imahe ng Project nang Pagcor hehe.

a00556425

April 16th, 2008, 05:27 PM

I was so excited when I saw the title of that Reporters Notebook episode...... then I saw the episode:ohno: WHAT A DISSAPOINTMENT:bash:
(This happens with every Filipino show I've seen:lol:)

It was suppose to be about the project, but it barely touched on the topic and it looks like they stole the photos of Bagong Nayong Pilipino from Skyscrapercity:nuts:

Why are Filipino reporters so lazy? Their analysis of topics are so superficial and never in depth!!!

filcan

April 16th, 2008, 08:35 PM

Ya the video is not really about the project but more about gambling but i thought i'd share it because it briefly talked about the project (just briefly...). I guess there is not a lot for them to talk about yet (new renderings, updated site map, etc.) but its nice to know that they're starting to get the area ready...

barukdok

April 17th, 2008, 01:46 AM

I heard on cable TV that Disneyland is looking at Southeast Asia for a new Disneyland site. Any news on this?

flymordecai

April 17th, 2008, 01:52 AM

^^ SE Asia may be next stop for Japan Disney operator (http://www.reuters.com/article/industryNews/idUST24507720080415)

TOKYO (Reuters) - For some lucky Disney fans in Southeast Asia the days of flying long distances between countries to get a whiff of the magic kingdom might soon be over.

The operator of Tokyo Disney Resort, which opened the first Walt Disney Co theme park outside of the United States 25 years ago, said it may expand into Southeast Asia as it seeks new markets for growth.

Oriental Land Co operates Tokyo Disney Resort, comprising Tokyo Disneyland, water theme park DisneySea, two hotels and a shopping mall. Of the resort's 25.8 million annual visitors, around 4 percent come from overseas.

The number of guests is expected to dwindle as Japan's population declines unless the resort can win over a new customer base or persuade regulars to visit more often.

Oriental Land Chief Executive Toshio Kagami told reporters following a ceremony to mark the 25th anniversary of Tokyo Disneyland on Tuesday that Southeast Asia would likely be key to the company's overseas strategy in the future.

Oriental Land may also look into creating a ski resort or some other recreational facility in Japan, he said.

In Asia, Walt Disney also has a Disneyland in Hong Kong, while it is pondering setting up a park in mainland China.

(Reporting by Sachi Izumi; Editing by Brent Kininmont)

---

At this point I think Singapore would be the frontrunner, although if this new Tourism City hits it big then there's a chance it could be in the Philippines.