http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3157/3061245896_557b27d6be.jpg?v=0

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3177/3060408443_542b538aec.jpg?v=0

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3240/3060405711_b7edce6aa1.jpg?v=0

yay...sobrang liit na ba ang budget for UP? sana naman mabigyan ng malaking chunk from National Budget. di niyo lang alam gano tayo ka behind sa science. :cry:

anyone can stay in a motel. pero syempre kung mas madami kayo, dapat mas malaking room din kukuhanin niyo. They usually have rooms naman for groups/barkada/families. Pwede din stag parties/bridal showers..

thanks for the info man. naisip ko lang. keysa mag 5-star hotel ang family ko, eh di sa Eurotel na lang para mura. :D

^^
Yup, maliit talaga budget ng UP, ang isang naging sagot ay ang pagkakaroon ng Tuition Fee Increase for about 300%...

True..., kahit sa Asia pa lang, huling-huli na ang Pilipinas sa science, karamihan ng scientific publications, researches and collaboration to other countries are contributed by University of the Philippines, but they are still few compared to them:ohno:

Problema kasi third world country tayo, kaya kakaunti lang ang kumukuha ng mga course sa science, iniisip nila walang magandang trabaho na may malaking sahod ang naghihintay sa kanila...
Praktikal na ang kabataang pinoy sa pagkuha ng kurso sa kolehiyo lalo pa ngayong may global financial crisis...

Well, sana maangat kahit papano ng National Science Complex ng UP Diliman ang bansa in terms of economy in science:)

yes, Filipino's are very practical and very envious of other things. That is why everyone is taking nursing but come on how many quality nurses do we really produce?. Why not make our own destiny, get the course that we really like and excel on it, there is money if you have passion for something. Success does not come over night. I think we need to change the minds set of Filipino's to always aim high.

"sana naman mabigyan ng malaking chunk from National Budget."

I thought the reason UP charter was changed was to enable the university to be more independent, more innovative and not too overly dependent upon the national government for sustainance. One immediate result of this charter change is the burgeoning partnership among UP and other business interests like Ayala and other potential comers.

if that's the case then students should be somehow eased out of the tuition fee burden. we used to pay only 15% of what we are supposed to pay. the other 85% being subsidized by the government. (now it's the other way around) and when i started working in the industry, my bosses would always tease me of going to the streets instead of studying...such a waste of their taxes. now, being a member of the working class filipino, i also keep wondering where does my tax go. to corrupt government officials? did i unwillingly spent for the US vacation of one of the congressmen?

^^ kung alam nyo lang kung magkano ang budget sa UP..:) Thanks mostly for the donations of UP alumni.


ung ibang state universities din mababa ang budget, kawawa naman mga iskolar ng bayan

OT... May alam ba kayong website ng old pics ng QC, probably during the commonwealth period o nung capital pa sya ng Pinas, or blueprint man lang of what QC should look like. Naalala ko kc in one of Manolo Quezon's The Explainer episodes, sobrang grandiose pala ng plan for QC dati. Foreign embassies along Commonwealth Av, a central park, to a triumphal arch, national stadium, relocation of Malacanang and PMA, and reflecting pool, etc. It's so nice to think about it, parang Brasilia na sana sya kung natupad. Oh well, crying over spilt milk. :)

About UP rin pala, magkano na pala budget ng UP for 2009? WIth the new charter, will the UP employees receive salary increases now that it's emancipated from SSL?

Can anyone create another forum for UP?

^^ We already have one. It's in the Samahan subforum. :)

^^Cool and thanks :)

Everyone who wants to discuss anything specific with UP please proceed to the UP Forum.

^^ I dunno but I think discussing UP here is OK since its flagship campus is in Diliman. Maybe don't just overdo it. :D

I thought that is what the UP Forum for. I guess I was wrong. :)

Guys from UP I am not condemning your post here, I just thought it would be way okay to stick with basic UP related post in this Forum and not too specific like the budget for 2009. No offense meant.

^^Correct :lol: ... Not all people are interested with UP anyway. Go to UP thread instead:nocrook:

For UP issues (which does not just the flagship campus at Diliman), you may visit or post in this thread link below:

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=394282

Thanks! :)

^^Correct :lol: ... Not all people are interested with UP anyway. Go to UP thread instead:nocrook:

Though I agree deeper discussions about UP should be done at the UP thread instead, this isn't sound reasoning on why we shouldn't post at the Quezon City thread, newbie. :)

It's like saying we shouldn't post about Clark at the Pampanga thread because not all people are interested in Clark, anyway.

^^ imho, general discussions only for UP. the budget and specific details maybe talked about in its designated forum. let's free the clutter..

in other news, i am quite depressed to see that there are no further reports of the qc-cbd developments. i hope they do not suspend this very important project...

^^Correct :lol: ... Not all people are interested with UP anyway. Go to UP thread instead:nocrook:

Let me be clear about my post: My post do not in anyway forbid anyone to post anything related to UP in this Thread. I am encouraging them though to go to the designated forum with respect to any specific UP matters, otherwise they are free to post anything related to UP.

Practice utmost prudence in posting any topic in any forum. It is our responsibility to know the difference between on topic or off topic.

Posting specific topic in the designated forum minimizes clutter. Let us exercise our posting power wisely.

Going back to the topic: what happened to the QC-CBD

Araneta Center fast-tracks redevelopment (http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?ArticleId=421094&publicationSubCategoryId=76)
December 05, 2008 12:00 AM
Source: Philstar.com (http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?ArticleId=421094&publicationSubCategoryId=76)

Araneta Center, known as the country’s premiere shopping and entertainment hub, is currently fast-tracking the fulfillment of its 20-year Redevelopment Master Plan aiming to secure its status as the total lifestyle destination at the heart of the metro. Among the projects on the rise include a hotel development; the renovation of Ali Mall, the country’s first shopping mall; the expansion of the upscale Gateway Mall; the construction of additional Cyber Park buildings along with the first transit-oriented residential development in the Philippines. One of Araneta Center’s anchor tenants, SM Department Store, is also giving their outlet a major facelift, with a project cost of P1 B, to complement all the major developments in the busy vicinity.

Garden inspired, transit-oriented

The Araneta Group forges a partnership with Megaworld Properties—developers of the country’s most successful techno-residential centers like Eastwood City and the IBM Plaza—to create a mixed-use complex that’s set to give a whole new meaning to the concept of a lifestyle center. Manhattan Garden City is the first of its kind in Philippine real estate as the transit-oriented project will be the first to offer the convenience of getting the best out of the shopping and dining experience as well as proximity to all the major destinations of the metro via the two major light rail transit systems—the MRT 3 and LRT2—directly connected to the Araneta Center.

The mixed-use development, composed of 20 residential towers, will also be the first to incorporate garden-style landscaping in its three-story elevated walkways directly connected to Gateway Mall. It is one of the project’s unique features that is designed to make walking to the transit lines and around the Araneta Center as leisurely as a stroll through a park, further enhancing the new urban experience. Occupying 5.7 hectares within the Araneta Center, Manhattan Garden City’s first phase has already begun with the construction of Manhattan Parkway, composed of three towers of executive studios as well as residential suites. Apart from offering a majestic view overlooking Manila Bay, Manhattan Parkway will also offer leisure amenities such as a fitness station, a spa, a gym, and jogging trails. It will also serve as the gateway to a myriad of different lifestyle and traffic-free travel options.

BPO building offers flexibility, efficiency (http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?ArticleId=421095&publicationSubCategoryId=76)
December 05, 2008 12:00 AM
Source: Philstar.com (http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?ArticleId=421095&publicationSubCategoryId=76)

The completion of 1880 Eastwood Ave. this year signifies another excellent structure in Eastwood City Cyberpark.

This latest building from #1 business process outsourcing (BPO) office buildings developer Megaworld Corporation is guaranteed to offer the best location in Metro Manila when it comes to prestige, expenditure and overall client satisfaction. 1880 Eastwood Ave. is tailor-made to suit all kinds of BPO firms. It is operational 24 hours a day, seven days a week, has full back-up power, and the latest telecommunications services, guaranteeing consistent high-bandwidth and fiber optic cables.

The building has six elevators, and service facilities set up on both ends of the office floors. This means that all operations are conducted at the heart of the building, maximizing space and increasing efficiency. “We are offering the best real estate solutions for BPO companies,” Megaworld FVP for business development Jericho Go stated. 1880 Eastwood Ave.’s adaptable design can accommodate the shifting schedule specifications of various BPO clients.

BPOs have the option to lease the amount of space best suited to their needs and once they decide to expand, they have the option to lease adjacent spaces or floors as they see fit, creating wide and easy to manage spaces. Also, the building is adjacent to 1800 Eastwood Ave, and locators have the option to combine office space in both buildings.

Financial requirements are also taken into consideration. According to Go, “Megaworld allows for maximum flexibility in the negotiations of the terms of the lease that will allow BPO companies to remain competitive in the global marketplace.” Ultimately, the lease costs in Eastwood City over a span of 5-10 years will still offer significant savings, as opposed to lease costs in Makati or Ortigas given the same length of time.

Found in the center of a bustling and modern 24/7 community, the advantageous position of 1880 Eastwood Ave. offers modern amenities and entertainment along with a natural and relaxing environment.

For more information on 1880 Eastwood Ave., BPO firms may call 912-0708 or visit www.megaworldcorp.com.

UP-Ayala Technohub
Commonwealth Avenue
Taken 12/6/2008

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_EudYIdSGMuU/STtqH6UxnlI/AAAAAAAAFq0/nUenZ-32Avw/s640/IMGP4603.JPG

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_EudYIdSGMuU/STtqFJjHPiI/AAAAAAAAFqs/fPuJc2aQa5s/s640/IMGP4623.JPG

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_EudYIdSGMuU/STtqKDQJqpI/AAAAAAAAFq8/T-CTSXP65zg/s640/IMGP4604.JPG

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_EudYIdSGMuU/STtqMV_NasI/AAAAAAAAFrE/4oV7jy3YPGI/s640/IMGP4605.JPG

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_EudYIdSGMuU/STtqQPVHwGI/AAAAAAAAFrM/_TMCfgaWnKU/s640/IMGP4606.JPG

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_EudYIdSGMuU/STtqSyeOe9I/AAAAAAAAFrU/6zWhdOm2i2Y/s640/IMGP4607.JPG

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_EudYIdSGMuU/STtqYMZzveI/AAAAAAAAFrk/N_n6aDWEDlQ/s640/IMGP4609.JPG

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_EudYIdSGMuU/STtqaTpT1sI/AAAAAAAAFrs/PVrXhuk28Lw/s640/IMGP4610.JPG

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_EudYIdSGMuU/STtqcsUh4mI/AAAAAAAAFr0/s72c5O1HIFE/s640/IMGP4611.JPG

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_EudYIdSGMuU/STtqe5GGr1I/AAAAAAAAFr8/-ztXJtbRbZw/s640/IMGP4612.JPG

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_EudYIdSGMuU/STtqg8l0KDI/AAAAAAAAFsE/GG1gLGLJ7gc/s640/IMGP4613.JPG

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_EudYIdSGMuU/STtqnLFZjbI/AAAAAAAAFsY/zDoiYd9PFaA/s512/IMGP4615.JPG

^^It's pleasant to see pics like these.A welcome respite to the pics on informal settlers and metro traffic.Galing!:banana:

^^
Ganda ng mga pics!:okay:
Sana magbukas na asap lahat ng tenants ng UP-Ayala Technohub:)

WOW! they did a very good job in developing the UP-ayala techno hub.hope to see it soon.

Kalayaan Avenue
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3133/3093023591_474e7a6faa_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3028/3093023729_2b22cb3cdd_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3216/3093023893_f03dd52a88_b.jpg


http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3004/3093024005_c2cf993f8e_b.jpg
Kuha mula sa PHILCOA.


http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3262/3093024093_4a4983cf7a_b.jpg
Papuntang Litex, paglagpas ng COA.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3240/3093865870_91a2e1d24b_b.jpg
Ganito madalas ang eksena sa Commonwealth Fairview between two Regalado. laging traffic dyan.
Minsan pa ang mga bata o mga estudyante dyan sa kalapit na school basta basta na lang tumatawid at hindi ginagamit ang overpass sa di kalayuan.

Kalayaan Avenue
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3028/3093023729_2b22cb3cdd_b.jpg

What's the name of this building? Sayang. I hope there'll be plans to continue its construction.

Kalayaan Avenue
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3240/3093865870_91a2e1d24b_b.jpg
Ganito madalas ang eksena sa Commonwealth Fairview between two Regalado. laging traffic dyan.
Minsan pa ang mga bata o mga estudyante dyan sa kalapit na school basta basta na lang tumatawid at hindi ginagamit ang overpass sa di kalayuan.

^^ Ganito lagi ang dinadanas kong hirap at pasakit! Lemai! Kaya ako laging nalalate. :rant: :bleep: :soapbox:

^^ what's really causing the traffic???.. commonwealth is already as wide as it could get so why there is traffic??

^^ what's really causing the traffic???.. commonwealth is already as wide as it could get so why there is traffic??

Kasi ang problema hindi naman all the way malapad yung Commonwealth Avenue, yung part nito bandang Litex, Regalado, Fairview area, hindi ganun kalapad, kaya nagkakaroon ng bottleneck effect sa traffic...:ohno:

World's third largest mall to open in Philippines (http://ph.news.yahoo.com/afp/20081211/tap-philippines-property-retail-5cc1ef8.html?printer=1)

AFP - Thursday, December 11

MANILA (AFP) - - The world's third biggest shopping mall is to open in the Philippines capital this week, a vote of confidence on the country's economic prospects amid a global slowdown, its owners said Thursday.
ADVERTISEMENT

The launch on Friday of a 90,000-square-metre (22-acre) annex will make the SM City North Edsa mall the third biggest in the world with a gross floor area of 425,000 square metres (105 acres), SM Prime Holdings Inc. said in a statement.

The company, a holding firm of the country's richest man Henry Sy, also owns the world's fourth, seventh, and 11th biggest malls, it added.

SM Prime President Hans Sy said launching the project amid the global crisis "speaks of how we view the longer-term prospects of the country."

The Asian Development Bank forecast Thursday that Philippine economic growth would slow to 4.5 percent this year and further down to 3.5 percent next year after growth of 7.2 percent in 2007.

Hundreds of Filipinos employed abroad, part of a huge number that remits the equivalent of 10 percent of the country's gross domestic product to their families back home every year, have lost their jobs, the government said.

SM Prime said tenants have signed up for 70 percent of the leasable space in the six-storey extension to the mall.

SM Prime has recently opened two other malls with a third also set to open on Friday.

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y128/betaku/P1010169.jpg
^^
Philippines' Largest Mall!

What's the name of this building? Sayang. I hope there'll be plans to continue its construction.

Capitol Plaza by Fil-Estate

Toyota breaks ground for UP Asian Center facilities (http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?ArticleId=423679&publicationSubCategoryId=66)
Updated December 14, 2008 12:00 AM
Source: Philstar.com (http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?ArticleId=423679&publicationSubCategoryId=66)

The University of the Philippines (UP) and leading car manufacturer Toyota Motor Philippines Corp. (TMP) kicked-off yesterday the construction of new facilities that shall house the UP Asian Center’s research institute, library, museum, and auditorium.

Funded by a P100 million donation by Toyota, the facilities will be composed of a main building and a 500-seat auditorium for international conferences and other events. The facilities will be named the GT-Toyota Asian Heritage House and the GT-Toyota Asian Center Auditorium, respectively.

The project was announced by TMP chairman Dr. George S.K. Ty during the company’s twentieth anniversary celebration in August this year with President Arroyo present as guest-of-honor.

UP president Emerlinda Roman and Ty led the morning rites by breaking ground and planting the time capsule at the project site. They were joined by UP Centennial Committee chairman Sen. Edgardo Angara, former Philippine President Fidel Ramos, TMP president Hiroshi Ito, and UP chancellor Dr. Sergio Cao.

“Today, we mark an important milestone,” said Ty during the groundbreaking ceremony. “The facilities that we will build here shall showcase the rich heritage of Asia and provide perspective on the global role that it plays in the 21st century. These structures will become landmarks in the university, and more importantly, a melting pot of cultures.”

“The GT-Toyota Asian Heritage House shall be a venue for cultural exchange, giving life to new ideas, research and advanced studies, while learning will be further enhanced through international conferences that will be held at the 500-seat GT-Toyota Asian Center Auditorium,” explained Ty. “I look forward to the greater understanding among people of various nations that these facilities will make possible.”

The proposed facilities will be constructed within a one-hectare property in the university’s campus in Diliman, Quezon City. The lot is beside the Romulo Hall and will be exclusively devoted for the new structures. Noted architect Jose Pedro Recio, lead architect of the firm Rchitects, Inc., has been tapped to design the new building and auditorium.

“The University is now in the process of establishing a research institute for the study of relevant national and regional issues,” said Roman. “Toyota’s donation will help us attain our vision to be a cultural and policy hub of intellectual and cultural exchanges in the Philippines and Asia.”

UP, through the Asian Center, offers a degree program in Asian Studies and Philippines Studies, and engages in research and extension services related to these fields of expertise. It is mandated to develop closer and broader contact with Asian peoples in the field of scholarship and learning, and to train country and area specialists in the Philippines, Japan, China, Korea, Southeast Asia, and other countries and regions of Asia.

The GT-Toyota Asian Heritage House will be the home of the Asia Library and Resource Center and the Asia Museum. It will contain the existing Asia Library collection of the UP Asian center and will consolidate and provide exhibit spaces for the center’s existing collection of Philippine ethnographic materials. The complex will also provide offices and meeting rooms for research, extension, and conference activities.

The project is a significant addition to UP as it remains the country’s premier educational institution and it kicks-off as UP celebrates its centennial this year. The groundbreaking ceremony also coincides with Toyota’s celebration of its twentieth year in the Philippines. In these two decades, the company has established itself not only as a manufacturer of high-quality vehicles, but also as a catalyst of social progress through its various civic projects intended to raise the quality of education, health, and environment in the country.

The donation is the latest major contribution of Toyota in these efforts to help in nation-building and the country’s social development. “We derive our resources from society. So, we should accordingly give back to society,” explained Ty. “As we look forward to further strengthen our partnership with the Philippine government, we will continue to strive to contribute to the country’s development, to the economy as well as to society.”

Kasi ang problema hindi naman all the way malapad yung Commonwealth Avenue, yung part nito bandang Litex, Regalado, Fairview area, hindi ganun kalapad, kaya nagkakaroon ng bottleneck effect sa traffic...:ohno:

Actually, it's the jaywalkers. And we're talking about thousands of them. That's why I hate passing by Litex. Puro walang disiplina.

^^
Tsk tsk tsk..., jaywalkers nga naman...:ohno::bash::ohno:

Buti hindi ako umaabot ng Litex area, hanggang Sandiganbayan lang tapos kanan na ng IBP Road:colgate:

^^ hindi ba hinuhuli ng MMDA ang mga jaywalkers dyan.

Kasi ang problema hindi naman all the way malapad yung Commonwealth Avenue, yung part nito bandang Litex, Regalado, Fairview area, hindi ganun kalapad, kaya nagkakaroon ng bottleneck effect sa traffic...:ohno:

Di ba niluwagan na yung sa may bandang litex?

Di ba niluwagan na yung sa may bandang litex?

Nung nagkaroon ng rally sa tapat ng Batasan Complex, about 2-3 weeks ago, kailangang mag-detour ng jeep papuntang San Mateo sa Litex area, paikot sa kabilang side ng IBP Road, at nung dumaan kami ng Litex area ng Commonwealth, yup, nakita kong napaluwagan na nga pero andami pa ring vendors ang sumasakop sa malaking bahagi ng kalsada plus yung mga jaywalkers nga...:ohno:

Yung sa part ng Regalado/Fairview area ng Commonwealth Avenue, hindi pa ata napapaluwagan eh...

I remember years ago, my brother gave us a tour of North Expressway. Yeah, it was fast. Problem arose when we got to Balintawak. Lots of vendors were hugging EDSA that made it into a one lane highway. The time we saved in the expressway was eaten up by the Balintawak traffic jam.

From Philcoa overpass...

http://images.icarusrising.multiply.com/image/2/photos/116/1200x1200/30/IMGP4705.JPG?et=JvVKKxmbOS0xS2bOq9n2JA&nmid=115885306

http://images.icarusrising.multiply.com/image/2/photos/116/1200x1200/31/IMGP4706.JPG?et=UbQUqDxiU9Mn42q9SIJDSQ&nmid=115885306

From Quezon Avenue-EDSA overpass...

http://images.icarusrising.multiply.com/image/2/photos/116/1200x1200/32/IMGP4707.JPG?et=VsmrMTvvhiNOqnV0J4Zc8Q&nmid=115885306

From Quezon Avenue-Delta...

http://images.icarusrising.multiply.com/image/2/photos/116/1200x1200/34/IMGP4703.JPG?et=Pn75X8gOiGIXCvOqn5o50A&nmid=115885306

http://images.icarusrising.multiply.com/image/2/photos/116/1200x1200/35/IMGP4704.JPG?et=%2CVZEQ9qmhXD6maflxZe5NA&nmid=115885306

^^ Anong names ng mga condos na yan? <-Left and Right->?

Wala bang nakapapansin sa mala regalong hitsura ng Diliman Preparatory School?

hehehehehe.... joke lang.....

Nung nagkaroon ng rally sa tapat ng Batasan Complex, about 2-3 weeks ago, kailangang mag-detour ng jeep papuntang San Mateo sa Litex area, paikot sa kabilang side ng IBP Road, at nung dumaan kami ng Litex area ng Commonwealth, yup, nakita kong napaluwagan na nga pero andami pa ring vendors ang sumasakop sa malaking bahagi ng kalsada plus yung mga jaywalkers nga...:ohno:

Yung sa part ng Regalado/Fairview area ng Commonwealth Avenue, hindi pa ata napapaluwagan eh...

Dapat luwagan nila up to Fairview Market since ito na lang ang may pinakamalaking space for road expansion sa buong Fairview.

Siguro nga bottleneck effect nga siguro. Tapos sa may NCBA, daming tigil-baba. Tapos yung mga galing ng FEU bago mag NCBA, hindi man lang nagbibigay minsan ng right of way. Talagang hell ang traffic dito unless gagawa sila ng flyover katabi ng proposed MRT3.

Dapat luwagan nila up to Fairview Market since ito na lang ang may pinakamalaking space for road expansion sa buong Fairview.

Siguro nga bottleneck effect nga siguro. Tapos sa may NCBA, daming tigil-baba. Tapos yung mga galing ng FEU bago mag NCBA, hindi man lang nagbibigay minsan ng right of way. Talagang hell ang traffic dito unless gagawa sila ng flyover katabi ng proposed MRT3.

Yup, dapat umabot ang road widening hanggang diyan lalo na bago simulan ang construction ng MRT-7 dahil medyo mababawasan ang lapad ng Commonwealth Avenue dahil sa MRT-7...

^^ Anong names ng mga condos na yan? <-Left and Right->?

Wala bang nakapapansin sa mala regalong hitsura ng Diliman Preparatory School?

hehehehehe.... joke lang.....

On the left corner: Torre Venezia

On the right corner: Victoria Towers

Merong threads ng mga iyan sa "under construction".

^^ Anong names ng mga condos na yan? <-Left and Right->?

Wala bang nakapapansin sa mala regalong hitsura ng Diliman Preparatory School?

hehehehehe.... joke lang.....

Ako..., napansin ko ang inyong school na parang isang malaking regalo, hehehe:lol:
Sa halos araw-araw ko ba namang pagtahak sa Commonwealth Avenue:colgate:
Ibang klase nga eh, pero maganda:okay:

A baranggay hall for one of the country's most populous baranggays...

http://images.icarusrising.multiply.com/image/2/photos/116/1200x1200/36/IMGP4712.JPG?et=oYl6wmY%2C34KsKqEbWjIRkg&nmid=115885306

^^
Yup, actually, the most populous Barangay in Quezon City with 172,834 residents as of 2007 Census followed by Barangay Batasan Hills with 148,624:eek:

Kaya yung Barangay Hall ng Commonwealth, parang City Hall na rin sa dami ng sinasakupang mamamayan, hehehe:lol:

^^ The population of barangays in QC is already enough to form a big municipality. :nuts:

Commonwealth Avenue...

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_EudYIdSGMuU/SUsEEVQztrI/AAAAAAAAF8o/2S01F4imwV0/s640/IMGP4708.JPG

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_EudYIdSGMuU/SUsEJuT5n3I/AAAAAAAAF84/7x3qFvRLF9s/s640/IMGP4711.JPG

A new overpass an some new school buildings on Batasan Road...

http://img380.imageshack.us/img380/1937/imgp4752dd2.jpg

http://img72.imageshack.us/img72/2641/imgp4753kc9.jpg

http://img383.imageshack.us/img383/319/imgp4754yd2.jpg

Batasan Road and Commonwealth Avenue Intersection...

http://images.icarusrising.multiply.com/image/3/photos/144/1200x1200/4/IMGP4755.JPG?et=RNjBKwQtau%2CbBmtTQGCm%2Bg&nmid=150297699

http://images.icarusrising.multiply.com/image/3/photos/144/1200x1200/5/IMGP4756.JPG?et=WYlo9uqfmssLkLR%2CBdnuXg&nmid=150297699

http://images.icarusrising.multiply.com/image/5/photos/144/1200x1200/6/IMGP4757.JPG?et=z7kOlJYQJaoBhdKJh8Te4A&nmid=150297699

SM North EDSA New Annex

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3191/3119679813_8a8921c9dd_o.jpg

Balara 1

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_EudYIdSGMuU/SUzGGBnIMiI/AAAAAAAAGKo/vu9KXmKKWwY/s512/IMGP4759.JPG

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_EudYIdSGMuU/SUzGJMok89I/AAAAAAAAGKw/llSbZ_Kh7-s/s512/IMGP4760.JPG

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_EudYIdSGMuU/SUzGLSR15mI/AAAAAAAAGK4/zmSjSnQLCXw/s512/IMGP4761.JPG

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_EudYIdSGMuU/SUy6jAA5irI/AAAAAAAAGIM/5x0Mwxvs4j0/s512/IMGP4802.JPG

Balara 2

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Balara 3

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Balara 4

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Balara 5

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Balara 6

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Balara 7

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Balara 8

Construction fronting MWSS 12/20/08...

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Balara 9

Houses at Pansol...

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Where we love is home,
Home that our feet may leave, but not our hearts.
~Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr., Homesick in Heaven

Seeing such wonderful surroundings blessed with greens with children playing , full of fun and laughter…. There’s no place like home!.

Q.C. has it all, our place in Sta. Lucia is much like a remote Barangay misplaced at the heart of the city, in terms of greens and way of life. It is not a gated enclave but you will feel the real Filipino culture. That could be one reason why akyat-bahay will have a hard time since neighbors knew each other well.

I thought Balara is more of an exclusive subdivision having with those shown amenities which is part of the Balara Filtration I guess. You will also find many similar places like what @Icarus: has posted above, those along the vicinity of Fairview/La Mesa Dam area.

Good to see improvements of infrastructure, I lost my side mirror before on those narrow streets of Commonwealth and Tandang Sora due to tricycle crowding the streets.

I really miss our beautiful country since we are blessed with nature what more in the countryside like our place in Liliw, Laguna.

Thanks for your dedication to this forum @ ICARUS;

********* MERRY CHRISTMAS ************

^^ Thanks Dessertfox. The pleasure's mine. Balara deserves a second chance. Those children in the pictures aren't from the gated communities but they were polite and their smiles genuine. There is something about water and Balara that makes one a child again.

Most of Metro Manilans know that water at the La Mesa watershed goes through filtration at Balara before it is distributed to each home. Aside from water for drinking and sanitary purposes, recreation is another important aspect of water that the MWSS offered the Filipino. In the '50s and '60s, Balara was the summer place of 60 hectares within the city. Its pools, gardens, playgrounds and fountains lured the heat-exasperated. It was a time when the giant malls were yet to be invented. Balara had an amphitheater where people from all walks of life went to watch a concert. It was there with Taal Vista Lodge, Hinulugang Taktak and Matabungkay. Of course at that time, a trip to Balara might have well been a trip to the countryside.

The water goddesses, the art deco buildings, and the cherubs send you back to an era of civic graciousness. The ancient trees and creeping ivy renew the feeling that we are connected. The fountains are coming back to life. The pools may be just as inviting as they were in the olden days. Balara is trully a heritage that we can swim in.

Balara-Loyola has enclaves of the rich with Ayala Heights; Xavierville; and La Vista, where no less than the the President herself has a home. It is also home to many informal settlers. One will notice those as one traverses the Tandang Sora Road from Commonwealth Avenue.

Are you referring to Santa Lucia in Fairview-Novaliches? Yeah, I've been there too. Nice community. :cheers:

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This is a new condominium complex by Ortigas and Company to be built in 2012

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^^
Wow! Bagong project na naman for Quezon City!:banana::cheers::banana:

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This one is by SM development near Miriam and Ateneo with on-going construction already... Any comments?http://www.realestatephilippinesblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/11/smberkeley1.jpg

^^
Yep, akala namin nung una dito ay SM City Katipunan, hehehe:lol:
Nung nakasilip ako minsan dito, ang lalim nung excavation nila:eek:
Malapit din ito sa amin sa UP Diliman:colgate:
Tingin ko medyo matatagalan pa ito:)

^^
Yep, akala namin nung una dito ay SM City Katipunan, hehehe:lol:
Nung nakasilip ako minsan dito, ang lalim nung excavation nila:eek:
Malapit din ito sa amin sa UP Diliman:colgate:
Tingin ko medyo matatagalan pa ito:)

They say mga 3 years which is the norm for pre-selling... we'll see. Hopefully, SM can build this as fast as they do with their malls

Guys, ano ung mall na sabing itatayo sa UP-Ayala TechnoHub?

Guys, ano ung mall na sabing itatayo sa UP-Ayala TechnoHub?

May mall pa bang itatayo...?:colgate:
Hindi ba yun na yung semicircular building (may Timezone, National Bookstore, Tokyo Tokyo, Yellow Cab, some banks, at iba pang tenants) at may fountain sa gitna?:)

May mall pa bang itatayo...?:colgate:
Hindi ba yun na yung semicircular building (may Timezone, National Bookstore, Tokyo Tokyo, Yellow Cab, some banks, at iba pang tenants) at may fountain sa gitna?:)

Yeah, I think hirolionheart is right. May Trinoma na ksi, so sapaw kung may mall pa dun. A small commercial retail building will do :-)

In fact, Lucio Tan's ETON Properties will build call centers, condominiums and small shops at the corner of Quezon Ave and EDSA, the former site of the old driving range!
That should be exciting... :) I saw some of the preliminary plans myself.. Il post it here soon

Yeah, I think hirolionheart is right. May Trinoma na ksi, so sapaw kung may mall pa dun. A small commercial retail building will do :-)

In fact, Lucio Tan's ETON Properties will build call centers, condominiums and small shops at the corner of Quezon Ave and EDSA, the former site of the old driving range!
That should be exciting... :) I saw some of the preliminary plans myself.. Il post it here soon

Yep, kaya makukumpleto na ang QC Triangle para tatlong pinakamayayaman ng Pilipinas (Sy, Ayala, at dagdag ngayon si Tan):banana::cheers::banana:

^^ but with recent news, eton's pr advised that they will push back some projects. i do hope the reschedule will not actually affect the eton centris development, it is by far one of the first township development in the qc-cbd.

also, when shall we see the relocation of the informal settlers near trinoma? any news? sadly, i can't seem to find any updates on the net..

^^ but with recent news, eton's pr advised that they will push back some projects. i do hope the reschedule will not actually affect the eton centris development, it is by far one of the first township development in the qc-cbd.

also, when shall we see the relocation of the informal settlers near trinoma? any news? sadly, i can't seem to find any updates on the net..

Yup, sana hindi nito mapatagal ang development ng Eton Centris:)

Ouch..., dapat talaga ma-relocate na ang mga yun, bukod sa eye-sore, sagabal din sila sa QC-CBD...

May mall pa bang itatayo...?:colgate:
Hindi ba yun na yung semicircular building (may Timezone, National Bookstore, Tokyo Tokyo, Yellow Cab, some banks, at iba pang tenants) at may fountain sa gitna?:)

Aah. Baka un na nga ung semi-circular na keme sa gitna. :lol: I think I'm expecting more. :lol:

^^ Technohub po siya eh hindi shopping hub... :nocrook:

QC to install 30 CCTV cameras on major roads


The Quezon City government plans to install 30 closed circuit television (CCTV) surveillance system cameras next year at 12 major intersections to deter crimes in the city.

Mayor Feliciano Belmonte, Jr. announced the plan during the 69th founding anniversary of the Quezon City Police District (QCPD) recently.

The city government gave the QCPD 100 brand new long firearms, ammunition and communication equipment.

The city government allocated P2.38 million for the purchase of the additional weapons, which are expected to improve the crime-fighting capabilities of the city police. “I am proud of our police force that serves as a source of personal pride,” Belmonte said. “There is now a greater degree of peace and order in Quezon City.”

He said the City government has always given priority to funding a stronger effort against criminality.

QCPD chief Senior Superintendent Magtanggol Gatdula said the city’s police force will continue to build and expand its peacekeeping effort to help move the Philippine National Police forward.

Among the highlights of the anniversary celebration was the annual awards to outstanding personnel, units and offices, as well as government and non-government organizations that contributed to the success of the QCPD.

QCPD traces its beginnings back no November 25, 1939, when then Mayor Tomas Morato organized the Quezon City Police Department and served concurrently as its chief. It was simply a department in name since the task of maintaining peace and order was then the sole responsibility of the Philippine Constabulary.



By Perseus Echeminada
The Philippine Star
November 29, 2008

QC launches urban aquaculture project


Quezon City has been declares the pilot area for the country’s urban agriculture project, dubbed as “Pangisdaan sa Bakuran.”

The project involves the culturing of the fast-growing Pangasius catfish in the backyards of urban poor homes to enable the participating families to raise a total of 180 fishes in 90 days.

The Pangasius can be cultures in six plastic drums arranged like a three-tiered pyramid, which can be placed in a backyard as small as five meters long and four meters wide.

Mayor Feliciano Belmonte Jr. has launched the project at the Barangay Paligsahan Hall in District 4 by awarding Pangasius fingerlings to families from depressed areas in the city.

“This is now a part of the city’s poverty reduction effort, specifically aimed at mitigating the impact of rising prices of commodities,” said Dr. La Rainne Abad-Sarmiento, chair of the city’s Anti-poverty Integration Task Force (APITF) and head of the city’s Sikap Buhay Entrepreneurship and Cooperatives Office (SB ECO).

The project is a partnership between the Quezon City government, through the APITF, and the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, the Angel Club Multi-purpose Cooperative, Vitarich Corp. and the A & L Fish hatcheries, Inc., according to Sarmiento.

Pangasius, which is known in restaurants as the dory fish, is also called silver striped catfish, Siameseshark, sutchi catfish, Bocourti, and swai catfish. It is native to the Mekong River delta shared by Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos and Thailand.

Due to global demand, this type of catfish is cultured not only in the Mekong Delta countries, but also in nearby nations like Myanmar and Indonesia. It can be cultured in fishponds, fish cages and pens, drums and concrete tanks.

Beneficiaries of the “Pangisdaan sa Bakuran,” who will take par in the pilot project for three months, were given hands-on training during a seminar conducted by the SB ECO.

Vitarich and Angel Club MPC will provide the feeds for the Pangasius fingerlings during the 90-day nurturing period.



The Philippine Star
November 3, 2008

QC declared country’s 2nd most competitive city


After being declared by the Commission on Audit as the richest city for the past six years, Quezon City ranked second in the competitiveness survey conducted by the Asian Institute of Management (AIM).

In the survey, titled the Philippine Cities Competitiveness Ranking Project (PPCRP) of 2007, Quezon City received a total score of 6.61, placing second to Davao City, which garnered a total of 7.0.

Makati was third with 6.58, followed by Manila with 6.43 and Marikina with 6.37.

The survey, which covered an average of 40 respondents per city, judged the cities on “drivers of competitiveness” such as the cost of doing business, dynamism of local economy, human resources and training infrastructure, and responsiveness of local government units to needs and quality of life.

Quezon City recorded the highest score among Metro Manila cities in term of dynamism of local economy with 5.53; human resources and training, 7.62; responsiveness of LGUs to business needs, 6.87; and quality of life, 6.95; particularly in terms of peace and order to total crime solution efficiency in 2006 with a perfect score of 10.



By Perseus Echeminada
The Philippine Star
November 15, 2008

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I only see a red "x". What is it?

christmas greeting.

OIC... It's :redx:mas! :)

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Photo by when milko shoots (http://flickr.com/photos/when_milko_shoots/)

Quezon Avenue

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From SSC-Zamboanga Family

Happy Christmas!!!

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Photo by tyronne :D
11.13.2008

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Photo by tyronne :D
11.13.2008

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This skyline would be fantastic once Nuvo City and Circulo Verde becomes a reality.

GLORIA IN EXCELSIS DEO!



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Shopping at the Northern Fringes of the City: SM-Fairview and Robinson's Novaliches...

SM Fairview Main Mall...

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Annex 1...
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Annex 2 Under Construction...

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SM Fairview and a view of Robinson's Novaliches...

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Robinson's Novaliches...

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Yearender: Quezon City still richest, most business-friendly in RP (http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?ArticleId=427183&publicationSubCategoryId=65)
By Perseus Echeminada December 27, 2008 12:00 AM
Philstar.com (http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?ArticleId=427183&publicationSubCategoryId=65)

Mayor Feliciano Belmonte Jr. led Quezon City in 2008 in attaining a budget surplus of over P1 billion from a P 10-million budget deficit in 2001, despite an economic storm currently raging across the globe.

Treasurer Victor Endriga said the city’s tax collection has already reached P 9.8 billion.

In the past 12 months, Quezon City has maintained its status as the richest and most business-friendly city in the country. It has become the new information and communication technology destination not only in the country but in Southeast Asia, with the opening of the University of the Philippines Techo park, the Philippine version of Silicon Valley in the US.

Quezon City is now home to 24 PEZA (Philippine Economic Zone Authority) information technology parks and zones with more than 70 business process outsourcing locators. Leading the list is Eastwood City in Libis, the country’s first IT park, with more than 50 locators and with more than $200 million in export revenue last year.

The year 2008 saw the continuing rise of the Quezon City Central Business District, a major transformation effort undertaken by the city government, comprising the East and North Triangle areas along North Edsa and the Veterans Memorial Medical Center, which is still being developed as an integrated and environmentally balanced mixed-use development model.

Six major streets in Quezon City are undergoing massive upgrading to become models of modern, efficient and pleasurable boulevards. These include Quezon Avenue, Timog Avenue between SM North Edsa and Trinoma along Edsa, and from Landbank in Philcoa to the Commission on Audit, along Commonwealth Avenue.

A flyover linking the South and North Expressways is also undergoing construction on Katipunan and Mindanao Avenues.

The year also saw the rise of a methane power plant, the first garbage-to-power facility in Southeast Asia, at the Payatas dumpsite.

Quezon City is the first local government to implement a clean development mechanism required of countries globally under the Kyoto Protocol. The city’s clean development mechanism activity will be first of its kind to be registered with the United Nation project.

It was in 2008 also saw the approval of a landmark ordinance on reproductive health management. It is expected to boost the anti-poverty program of the city government.

In his 7th State of the City Address last September, Belmonte said the landmark ordinance would give families the freedom to choice ways to nurture their health and fertility, and the overall quality of their lives.

“This ordinance gives us a holistic approach to reproductive health services like ligation and vasectomy for indigent patients and free contraceptives in health centers,” he said.

Belmonte said poverty alleviation is one of his adminitration’s priorities in the next two years in response to the number one need of the poor for help in basic needs.

Apart from the reproductive health program, which is now being implemented the city, Belmonte’s administration also seeks to empower the city’s 2.8 million residents to make them productive members of the community, not dependent on dole-outs.

“We must make our people our wealth, our source of productivity,” he said. “Our guidepost for governance is that all must win-all must benefit from development gains. Our 2.68 million people must feel the progress and positive development of the city.”

Belmonte said the Sikap Livelihood program has ballooned into a P 500-million collateral-free loan program benefiting more than 30,000 entrepreneurs, mostly housewives in 80 barangays.

Richest with the biggest squatter.

That's not surprising since Quezon City obviously has the largest land area in MM. Makati has squatters too right? That's why a Binay always gets voted. :P

Richest with the biggest squatter.

^^ true. large population = larger groups of poor families. (since many are poor in the RP)

but i think belmonte is doing a great job. he must jumpstart the qc-cbd projects asap though. this will really bring on the city's progress and it will certainly employ many qc residents...

I thought if Q.C. by implementing productivity programs for the urban poor could be a good barometer of how government help alleviate livelihood specially those squatters. I saw some of those productive endeavors among our poor, like being at the forefront of cleaning the city, and glad that our sorroundings are well kept. I've seen how they became productive by joining coops doing handicrafts project like rags, kapis making, vegatables production on vacant lots that you will notice along Fairview areas and now this urban aqua-culture.

Mostly, those squatters are the forefront of recycling from almost every aspect of waste and now they are having those "Pera sa Basura".

As an OFW with this ongoing crisis worldwide, I've been preparing myself for this type of consequences. That's why I have this Kambingan outlet tied up with our agricultural base in the province. Which I do believe that if only a portion of 10 million Ofw that could have a good productivity project not necessarily a complicated one could help employ millions. Any venture is not walk-in the park, but at least having such livelihood projects could lead us for the better economically.

Being an agricultural country should not let our people get hungry. Even in the city having those project like being implemented by the Q.C. government is a worthwhile undertaking.

Below is such one good project not necessarily only pangasius fish but as much as we could. Kahit drum-drum lang pag-pinag-sama-sama nating lahat yan malaking bagay din yan para maiwasan ang pagkalam nang sikmura.

More power to our City Government!




QC launches urban aquaculture project

Quezon City has been declares the pilot area for the country’s urban agriculture project, dubbed as “Pangisdaan sa Bakuran.”

The project involves the culturing of the fast-growing Pangasius catfish in the backyards of urban poor homes to enable the participating families to raise a total of 180 fishes in 90 days.

The Pangasius can be cultures in six plastic drums arranged like a three-tiered pyramid, which can be placed in a backyard as small as five meters long and four meters wide.

Mayor Feliciano Belmonte Jr. has launched the project at the Barangay Paligsahan Hall in District 4 by awarding Pangasius fingerlings to families from depressed areas in the city.

“This is now a part of the city’s poverty reduction effort, specifically aimed at mitigating the impact of rising prices of commodities,” said Dr. La Rainne Abad-Sarmiento, chair of the city’s Anti-poverty Integration Task Force (APITF) and head of the city’s Sikap Buhay Entrepreneurship and Cooperatives Office (SB ECO).

The project is a partnership between the Quezon City government, through the APITF, and the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, the Angel Club Multi-purpose Cooperative, Vitarich Corp. and the A & L Fish hatcheries, Inc., according to Sarmiento.

Pangasius, which is known in restaurants as the dory fish, is also called silver striped catfish, Siameseshark, sutchi catfish, Bocourti, and swai catfish. It is native to the Mekong River delta shared by Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos and Thailand.

Due to global demand, this type of catfish is cultured not only in the Mekong Delta countries, but also in nearby nations like Myanmar and Indonesia. It can be cultured in fishponds, fish cages and pens, drums and concrete tanks.

Beneficiaries of the “Pangisdaan sa Bakuran,” who will take par in the pilot project for three months, were given hands-on training during a seminar conducted by the SB ECO.

Vitarich and Angel Club MPC will provide the feeds for the Pangasius fingerlings during the 90-day nurturing period.



The Philippine Star
November 3, 2008

oo nga imagine makati has a small land area....pero dami iskwater..terible...kung wala ang ayala cbd.....tae ang city ng makati..baka mas pangit pa sa pasay....

sa qc....laking pagbabago meron parin mga iskwater pero ang laki ng iginanda ng qc...sa commonwealth na lang.....talagang yung word na commonwealth apt ipangalan sa avenue na yun.....maraming nakikinabang na mga taga kalookan at bulakan....naaangihan ng biyaya ng pagunlad sa qc....

http://dl3.glitter-graphics.net/pub/1870/1870093pr60nnmdlx.gif

oo nga imagine makati has a small land area....pero dami iskwater..terible...kung wala ang ayala cbd.....tae ang city ng makati..baka mas pangit pa sa pasay....

sa qc....laking pagbabago meron parin mga iskwater pero ang laki ng iginanda ng qc...sa commonwealth na lang.....talagang yung word na commonwealth apt ipangalan sa avenue na yun.....maraming nakikinabang na mga taga kalookan at bulakan....naaangihan ng biyaya ng pagunlad sa qc....

^^ so true...

but what will excite me, will be the clearing and relocation of the informal settlers beside trinoma and the ones near the post office.. if we see this happening, then developers will flock the qc-cbd area..

ARANETA CENTER, CUBAO, QUEZON CITY

http://i297.photobucket.com/albums/mm209/waldenstrom/qc4.jpg

http://i297.photobucket.com/albums/mm209/waldenstrom/qc1.jpg

http://i297.photobucket.com/albums/mm209/waldenstrom/qc2.jpg

http://i297.photobucket.com/albums/mm209/waldenstrom/qc3.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3076/3150592470_2e4fd21564_b.jpg

http://img75.imageshack.us/img75/7844/newyearsscdumaguetefq7.jpg

http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n250/bobtaz08/SSC.jpg?t=1230790298

Photo by tyronne :D
11.13.2008

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3205/3134572984_8c371cc94e_o.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3228/3134573328_0002f5d4f3_o.jpg

Nice shot! Especially at night since the buildings have an outline now.

Great job! :okay:

Happy New Year SSC - QC

Guys, how to post photos ba? kc after ko i click ung insert image, after that type ung URL.. and then save or submit... after that no images/photos parin...

^^ here's how its done...

blah blah blah whether you upload it via imageshack, flickr, etc.. url must be here

Happy New Year SSC - QC

Guys, how to post photos ba? kc after ko i click ung insert image, after that type ung URL.. and then save or submit... after that no images/photos parin...


Or try reading the details on how's in posting images @ SSC Forum Rules.


SEE....http://www.skyscrapercity.com/faq.php?faq=vb3_reading_posting#faq_vb3_attachments

Two of the condominiums there look exactly like Kingswood Makati Condo. :nuts:

Quezon Avenue
http://img181.imageshack.us/img181/8204/imgp4860kx6.jpg

This will be more beautiful with high rises stretched along it.

reminds me of Korea or Japan.. or even Jakarta.

Eastwood and Ortigas from SM-City Marikina...

http://images.icarusrising.multiply.com/image/1/photos/162/1200x1200/27/IMGP5242.JPG?et=2hUDlNvW3A5AWEGSaIXdvQ&nmid=160676701

This time with the LRT 2 passing by...

http://images.icarusrising.multiply.com/image/1/photos/162/1200x1200/23/IMGP5246.JPG?et=MX7IZeg697h6D5gIIpKqVQ&nmid=160676701

AMAZING SHOTS @ Icarus! grabe talaga! thanks for posting and happy shooting....

...what camera did you use...i'm planning on investing on a new camera, just curious what everyone is using

Salamat. Point and shoot digicam lang gamit ko.

Some reality check... C-5 going to Katipunan.

http://images.icarusrising.multiply.com/image/3/photos/163/1200x1200/10/IMGP5237.JPG?et=%2BFYZWEybBwPL3xnonDKdIQ&nmid=160691833

^^
Sa likod ng billboard na yan ng One Oasis sa Ortigas ay billboard naman ng Timberland Heights sa San Mateo:banana:
Wala lang, siningit ko lang:colgate:

Dapat nakunan din yung C-5 bandang Escopa, Proj. 4 QC, nakukulitan ako dun sa "Urban Face-lift" ng MMDA sa squatters' area dun, pink at blue pa rin kasi ang mga kulay na ginamit, hehehe:lol:

^^ Uu nga pareho kasi ng developer yun- Filinvest. Partly visible nga yung mga bahay na yun from SM- Marikina... Ganda sana ng location. Overlooking the Marikina valley...

http://images.icarusrising.multiply.com/image/2/photos/162/1200x1200/18/IMGP5251.JPG?et=t9xHpU8xVV2vXDswGtDaBQ&nmid=160676701

A vision for Diliman (http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?ArticleId=71005&publicationSubCategoryId=85)
CITY SENSE By Paulo Alcazaren Updated July 05, 2008 12:00 AM

http://www.philstar.com/newphilstar/www/image/20080705/lif4.jpg


The University of the Philippines (UP) marked its first hundred years as the country’s premier educational institution earlier this month. Although celebrations have been ongoing since the start of the year, the main shindig was held at the Diliman campus and Araneta Coliseum a few weeks ago.

I missed most of the events (and a couple of deadlines) because of an extended hospital stay. I developed an acute sinus problem and some stress-related ailments which, along with several overseas trips and a bad case of the stomach flu, shut me down for close to a month. I spent a week of that in the hospital to get “fixed,” and I finished a book, got some thinking done and lost 15 pounds. With my new, lighter self I’m looking forward to a fashion makeover and more importantly a life makeover to make sure I can be as productive as ever and still find time for the most important thing — family.

UP itself could stand a makeover. News of its new charter being ratified should augur well for a long-deserved fixup. I have written several times about the Diliman campus where I went to school. Diliman of the ‘70s and early ‘80s was already straining in terms of its deteriorating buildings and grounds, toilets were toxic zones, water came in trickles, chairs were remnants of the first quarter storm (FQS) and hepatitis was a regular fare on the university food system’s menu.

I leafed through a copy of my parents’ Philippenesian recently to look at images of the campus in the ‘50s. The UP had just moved to Diliman in ’49 and major buildings were completed the decade after. What strikes anyone looking at these images is the lack of greenery that most people associate today with Diliman. The gracious and giant acacias (Samanea saman) were just saplings then and the most visible element in the natural landscape was the lagoon.

I found out years later, while doing research on the original 1940 plans for the university, that a large man-made lake was intended to cover most of the area between Quezon Hall and the University Library. Our rowing team would have been able to practice there and the campus would have had a source of irrigation and fire-fighting water, aside from the fact that water always adds to the aesthetics of any university landscape.

The architecture in these images also looks good. The major buildings in the ‘40s to the ‘50s were designed by noted Filipino architects Cesar Concio, Juan Arellano and Juan Nakpil. The buildings all had high ceilings, sun protection and generous common spaces embellished with modernist floor murals with scenes of Philippine progress to inspire the iskolars ng bayan.

My dad and mom (Drs. Juan Alcazaren and Rolinda Gonzalez) were college sweethearts and finished their medical studies at the Philippine General Hospital (PGH) and the old Padre Faura campus. The College of Medicine itself and the PGH were rebuilt quickly after the war but most of the campus was still in ruins in the early ‘50s. The thought was that the university was to transfer fully to Diliman anyway and the old campus was to be cut up and sold.

The UP Diliman plan did have an area allocated for the College of Medicine and a new hospital but the planned medical complex did not push through. The old Padre Faura campus was indeed cut up and portions of the old parade grounds were sold to the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Philamlife Company. Finally the DOJ prevailed upon the government to let it occupy the old UP buildings, leaving a portion to what would become the UP Manila campus.

My folks graduated in 1952. The commencement exercises were held at the amphitheatre in Diliman. My dad and mom related how grand the affair was but it was marred by the death of a Philippine Air Force pilot who decided to show off his aerial acrobatics skills to his girlfriend who was graduating that day. The ill-fated pilot lost control of his fighter plane after a pass over the campus and crashed.

Graduating batches grew each year until authorities decided in the ‘80s to limit the pomp and ceremony at the amphitheatre in terms of duration and only to call up to the stage those with honors. I enjoyed the experience so much I attended twice for my undergraduate degrees in architecture and landscape architecture. I wanted to do a hat trick but the university did not have a master’s degree in urban design, which I had to complete in Singapore.

I do hope that the new charter allows the university to generate the funds it needs to bring back the academic and physical glory of the campus. When I first came to the UP, it was a landscape paradise, mainly because authorities allowed a golf course to be fashioned out of the extensive grounds between buildings. Today, although the acacias have now matured, the rest of the campus’ grounds and structures are in various degrees of neglect or creeping disrepair.

The architecture of the buildings from the ‘60s onwards leaves much to be desired (save for one or two complexes). New buildings do not pay respect nor have they any aesthetic nod to older structures or to the larger context of the site. Many focus on grand driveways and individual parking compounds, disregarding the original intent to make the campus a pedestrian paradise. Time was when departments and colleges were within a walking distance from each other. With the parcelling out of plots to every department and college, the campus has become a hodge-podge of isolated islands difficult to access by students who now have to traverse narrow sidewalks and battle the sun, rain and snatchers.

With the campus’ limited budget, street lighting is minimal or nonexistent. Security has also suffered from budget cuts. UP can only afford two points of entry and exit for a campus as big as four golf courses. There is a police station and a fire department but little evidence of patrols or working firetrucks. Because of these conditions, many students, residents and fa-culty have been robbed or victimized.

As a whole, the UP Diliman campus is already being molested by rapacious urbanization. The campus is already cut up by the claws of the DPWH. Private initiatives have also been allowed to take over (on a long lease) certain parcels of the already divided UP. Don’t get me wrong, I have nothing against controlled commercialization. Those parts of the campus cannot be recovered anyway mainly because the C-5 connection and Commonwealth Avenue cut far too deep a swath on the original fabric of the place.

The key is to develop a campus master plan that protects what is left and ensures that both the landscape and architectural legacies of UP are conserved for future generations of scholars. This plan for the next century of UP’s existence has to involve the interior design and architecture of the buildings in relation to the campus’ urban design and landscape architecture, to create structures and settings that harmonize with nature, nurtures the quest for knowledge and brings back a pride of place.

The expertise to design interiors, buildings and grounds exists in the faculties of the university or from the ranks of successful alumni. The sad fact, however, is that certain departments and colleges have turned to designers from the outside — who possess little appreciation for the campus’ history or deign to work within a framework of respect for a larger vision of the UP.

It may not be theirs or anyone’s fault, for the vision of what the campus and its buildings should look, function and feel like seems far from being defined. The first question to ask though is, “If our campus is to be a reflection of its product, have we defined what the UP student or alumnus is and what he or she stands for?” How do we define a national university that produces not enough exceptions to the many graduates who would rather, or are forced to seek personal fulfilment abroad; who abandon any involvement in social or political issues or kidnapped or killed if they do so; whose communications skills are rarely more articulate than a text message; and whose only connection to anything national is a book store?

What does the maroon and green stand for? We judge an institution by its influence on society and its contributions to the country’s cultural wealth and economic progress. The University of the Philippines, therefore, in its physical presence, should be a symbol of what we all, as Filipinos, aim for — unity, greatness and prosperity, as well as a beacon for all who use knowledge, or the relentless search for it, towards those ends.

"water came in trickles"

That's ironic. The biggest filtration plant in Metromanila is nearby in Balara. :ohno:

A vision for Diliman (http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?ArticleId=71005&publicationSubCategoryId=85)
CITY SENSE By Paulo Alcazaren Updated July 05, 2008 12:00 AM

http://www.philstar.com/newphilstar/www/image/20080705/lif4.jpg


The University of the Philippines (UP) marked its first hundred years as the country’s premier educational institution earlier this month. Although celebrations have been ongoing since the start of the year, the main shindig was held at the Diliman campus and Araneta Coliseum a few weeks ago.

I missed most of the events (and a couple of deadlines) because of an extended hospital stay. I developed an acute sinus problem and some stress-related ailments which, along with several overseas trips and a bad case of the stomach flu, shut me down for close to a month. I spent a week of that in the hospital to get “fixed,” and I finished a book, got some thinking done and lost 15 pounds. With my new, lighter self I’m looking forward to a fashion makeover and more importantly a life makeover to make sure I can be as productive as ever and still find time for the most important thing — family.

UP itself could stand a makeover. News of its new charter being ratified should augur well for a long-deserved fixup. I have written several times about the Diliman campus where I went to school. Diliman of the ‘70s and early ‘80s was already straining in terms of its deteriorating buildings and grounds, toilets were toxic zones, water came in trickles, chairs were remnants of the first quarter storm (FQS) and hepatitis was a regular fare on the university food system’s menu.

I leafed through a copy of my parents’ Philippenesian recently to look at images of the campus in the ‘50s. The UP had just moved to Diliman in ’49 and major buildings were completed the decade after. What strikes anyone looking at these images is the lack of greenery that most people associate today with Diliman. The gracious and giant acacias (Samanea saman) were just saplings then and the most visible element in the natural landscape was the lagoon.

I found out years later, while doing research on the original 1940 plans for the university, that a large man-made lake was intended to cover most of the area between Quezon Hall and the University Library. Our rowing team would have been able to practice there and the campus would have had a source of irrigation and fire-fighting water, aside from the fact that water always adds to the aesthetics of any university landscape.

The architecture in these images also looks good. The major buildings in the ‘40s to the ‘50s were designed by noted Filipino architects Cesar Concio, Juan Arellano and Juan Nakpil. The buildings all had high ceilings, sun protection and generous common spaces embellished with modernist floor murals with scenes of Philippine progress to inspire the iskolars ng bayan.

My dad and mom (Drs. Juan Alcazaren and Rolinda Gonzalez) were college sweethearts and finished their medical studies at the Philippine General Hospital (PGH) and the old Padre Faura campus. The College of Medicine itself and the PGH were rebuilt quickly after the war but most of the campus was still in ruins in the early ‘50s. The thought was that the university was to transfer fully to Diliman anyway and the old campus was to be cut up and sold.

The UP Diliman plan did have an area allocated for the College of Medicine and a new hospital but the planned medical complex did not push through. The old Padre Faura campus was indeed cut up and portions of the old parade grounds were sold to the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Philamlife Company. Finally the DOJ prevailed upon the government to let it occupy the old UP buildings, leaving a portion to what would become the UP Manila campus.

My folks graduated in 1952. The commencement exercises were held at the amphitheatre in Diliman. My dad and mom related how grand the affair was but it was marred by the death of a Philippine Air Force pilot who decided to show off his aerial acrobatics skills to his girlfriend who was graduating that day. The ill-fated pilot lost control of his fighter plane after a pass over the campus and crashed.

Graduating batches grew each year until authorities decided in the ‘80s to limit the pomp and ceremony at the amphitheatre in terms of duration and only to call up to the stage those with honors. I enjoyed the experience so much I attended twice for my undergraduate degrees in architecture and landscape architecture. I wanted to do a hat trick but the university did not have a master’s degree in urban design, which I had to complete in Singapore.

I do hope that the new charter allows the university to generate the funds it needs to bring back the academic and physical glory of the campus. When I first came to the UP, it was a landscape paradise, mainly because authorities allowed a golf course to be fashioned out of the extensive grounds between buildings. Today, although the acacias have now matured, the rest of the campus’ grounds and structures are in various degrees of neglect or creeping disrepair.

The architecture of the buildings from the ‘60s onwards leaves much to be desired (save for one or two complexes). New buildings do not pay respect nor have they any aesthetic nod to older structures or to the larger context of the site. Many focus on grand driveways and individual parking compounds, disregarding the original intent to make the campus a pedestrian paradise. Time was when departments and colleges were within a walking distance from each other. With the parcelling out of plots to every department and college, the campus has become a hodge-podge of isolated islands difficult to access by students who now have to traverse narrow sidewalks and battle the sun, rain and snatchers.

With the campus’ limited budget, street lighting is minimal or nonexistent. Security has also suffered from budget cuts. UP can only afford two points of entry and exit for a campus as big as four golf courses. There is a police station and a fire department but little evidence of patrols or working firetrucks. Because of these conditions, many students, residents and fa-culty have been robbed or victimized.

As a whole, the UP Diliman campus is already being molested by rapacious urbanization. The campus is already cut up by the claws of the DPWH. Private initiatives have also been allowed to take over (on a long lease) certain parcels of the already divided UP. Don’t get me wrong, I have nothing against controlled commercialization. Those parts of the campus cannot be recovered anyway mainly because the C-5 connection and Commonwealth Avenue cut far too deep a swath on the original fabric of the place.

The key is to develop a campus master plan that protects what is left and ensures that both the landscape and architectural legacies of UP are conserved for future generations of scholars. This plan for the next century of UP’s existence has to involve the interior design and architecture of the buildings in relation to the campus’ urban design and landscape architecture, to create structures and settings that harmonize with nature, nurtures the quest for knowledge and brings back a pride of place.

The expertise to design interiors, buildings and grounds exists in the faculties of the university or from the ranks of successful alumni. The sad fact, however, is that certain departments and colleges have turned to designers from the outside — who possess little appreciation for the campus’ history or deign to work within a framework of respect for a larger vision of the UP.

It may not be theirs or anyone’s fault, for the vision of what the campus and its buildings should look, function and feel like seems far from being defined. The first question to ask though is, “If our campus is to be a reflection of its product, have we defined what the UP student or alumnus is and what he or she stands for?” How do we define a national university that produces not enough exceptions to the many graduates who would rather, or are forced to seek personal fulfilment abroad; who abandon any involvement in social or political issues or kidnapped or killed if they do so; whose communications skills are rarely more articulate than a text message; and whose only connection to anything national is a book store?

What does the maroon and green stand for? We judge an institution by its influence on society and its contributions to the country’s cultural wealth and economic progress. The University of the Philippines, therefore, in its physical presence, should be a symbol of what we all, as Filipinos, aim for — unity, greatness and prosperity, as well as a beacon for all who use knowledge, or the relentless search for it, towards those ends.

Dapat na nga talagang i-renovate or i-reconstruct ang mga buildigns sa UP, since parang babagsak na talaga yung mga ceilings.

And dapat modernization na ang pairalin nila without sacrificing the educational basic, para naman hindi nadedehado ang mga iskolar ng bayan. :)

^^
Sa likod ng billboard na yan ng One Oasis sa Ortigas ay billboard naman ng Timberland Heights sa San Mateo:banana:
Wala lang, siningit ko lang:colgate:

Dapat nakunan din yung C-5 bandang Escopa, Proj. 4 QC, nakukulitan ako dun sa "Urban Face-lift" ng MMDA sa squatters' area dun, pink at blue pa rin kasi ang mga kulay na ginamit, hehehe:lol:

Err... ang PANGET!

Parang nilagyan lang din ng pintura. Mas nagmukha pa ngang squatters eh....

URBAN FACELIFT? Nasaan? That is so rural facelift! :lol:

Kung gusto talaga nilang pagandahin ang MM, dapat paalisin yang mga yan diyan sa mga kinalalagyan nila, ilipat sa ibang lugar, tayuan ng gobyerno ng MODERN housing tapos yung mga pinaalis, dapat magtrabaho para sa mga LGUs para kahit papano mabayaran nila in a way na nakakatulong sila sa gobyerno at sa pagpapanatili ng MM na maayos na kapitolyo ng bansa.

Doon lang magkakaroon ng URBAN FACELIFT.

A vision for Diliman (http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?ArticleId=71005&publicationSubCategoryId=85)
CITY SENSE By Paulo Alcazaren Updated July 05, 2008 12:00 AM

http://www.philstar.com/newphilstar/www/image/20080705/lif4.jpg


The University of the Philippines (UP) marked its first hundred years as the country’s premier educational institution earlier this month. . .

As a whole, the UP Diliman campus is already being molested by rapacious urbanization. The campus is already cut up by the claws of the DPWH. Private initiatives have also been allowed to take over (on a long lease) certain parcels of the already divided UP. Don’t get me wrong, I have nothing against controlled commercialization. Those parts of the campus cannot be recovered anyway mainly because the C-5 connection and Commonwealth Avenue cut far too deep a swath on the original fabric of the place.

. . .

Why blame DPWH? Who's to be blame for the lack of master plan? Who's to blame for the thousands of illegal settlers that have mushroomed over the years?

U.P. has to look in the mirror and start to cleanse itself. Common U.P. , use your brain!

Nothing wrong with urbanization if it only means progress. Such left-leaning, archaic rhetoric has to buried forever if U.P. wants to transform itself.

^^ Uu nga pareho kasi ng developer yun- Filinvest. Partly visible nga yung mga bahay na yun from SM- Marikina... Ganda sana ng location. Overlooking the Marikina valley...

http://images.icarusrising.multiply.com/image/2/photos/162/1200x1200/18/IMGP5251.JPG?et=t9xHpU8xVV2vXDswGtDaBQ&nmid=160676701
^^
WOW! :omg:

Quezon Avenue

http://img181.imageshack.us/img181/1652/imgp4861ce1.jpg

http://img181.imageshack.us/img181/5296/imgp4856qb1.jpg

http://img181.imageshack.us/img181/8204/imgp4860kx6.jpg
^^
very cosmo.:)

flickr pic by Jun Acullador
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2379/2325360885_152311c2a0.jpg?v=0

http://i297.photobucket.com/albums/mm209/waldenstrom/3-9.jpg

EIVISSA SUPERCLUB
Tomas Morato, Quezon City

Distinctive, vibrant, and chic, Eivissa is a 500 seat casual-dining restaurant and super club with 1200 guests on cocktail standout. We focus on our American-European menu with a touch of Asian influence.

We will be located in the booming, and rapidly expanding, Tomas Morato Avenue in Quezon City, Manila, Philippines.

Located in the heart of the entertainment district of Quezon City, Eivissa will usher a new standard for bar and nightclubs in the Philippines. Eivissa hosts one of the largest selection of spirits and cocktails in manila and the resident DJ's spin the latest house, hip-hop, jazz grooves and club tunes from around the world. Eivissa attracts and edgy, cosmopolitan crowd.

The clients wanted a sophisticated destination that was ultra-cool and sensually inviting: a glamorous upscale cocktail lounge where the city’s chic set would come to be seen.

The venue is divided into six areas where life, leisure, entertainment and more all under one roof; (1) a café/restaurant (2) a cocktail lounge for VIP/members, (3) a super club in the main room for clubbing, (4) a cocktail lounge for the guest, (5) a function area for our special events , (6) and main lobby.

Eivissa was designed to both facilitate and confuse the voyeuristic and narcissistic activities of seeing, looking, and gazing, in an attempt to create a series of spaces that would not only enhance the conditions for desire in a sexually charged atmosphere, but whose very design would arouse the sensibilities of the club’s patron.

The lobby sparkles with white stone flooring, stainless and aluminum paneling, illuminated display filled with glass sculptures and custom glass chandeliers. Throughout the facility the illuminated bar features, mirrored walls, retractable sheer metallic curtains, ceiling, and display niches, creating a stunning play of light and shadow on unique block wall features. Graceful custom furnishings and a palette of prime colors add warmth and comfort.

Party organizers will admire a fully-dressed facility that will demand no additional décor items beyond floral arrangements and the party goers’ own clothing and jewelry.

The area is in need of a warm and friendly place with excellent food. A place where you always know you will get the best of everything. Eivissa will feature a cozy restaurant and an elegant super club. Comfortable furnishings and decor with relaxing club tunes. The lounge has comfy couches and antique love seats with a softly lit bar. It will be the perfect place to stop in for a bite to eat, for a drink or for a big and small business meeting or affairs. For extra comfort and to please a large group of people we will make up special hors d' oeuvre platters for guests.

The menu will be inspired from different countries' specialties and appeal to a diverse clientèle.

SOURCE:
EIVISSA SUPERCLUB FS (http://profiles.friendster.com/eivissasuperclub)

http://i297.photobucket.com/albums/mm209/waldenstrom/e3.jpg

http://i297.photobucket.com/albums/mm209/waldenstrom/e1.jpg

http://i297.photobucket.com/albums/mm209/waldenstrom/e2.jpg

http://i297.photobucket.com/albums/mm209/waldenstrom/e5.jpg

http://i297.photobucket.com/albums/mm209/waldenstrom/e4.jpg

Grand Opening tonight! :D

source:
www.jive.ph/

http://philippineorchids.files.wordpress.com/2008/11/flora-poster5.jpg


The Philippine Orchid Society, together with the country’s major horticultural organizations will host the 2nd Flora Filipina International Expo 2009 at Quezon City Hall grounds (Lagoon area) from February 6 to 16, 2009. The theme of the of this year’s event is “Discovering the Best and Rarest Philippine Flora”. The main objectives of the event is to unite and uplift the ornamental plant industry and showcase what is new, encourage research and production and to disseminate new horticultural technologies.

The show is expected to be one of Southeast Asia’s biggest gardening and plant event, which envisions to gather under one single international gardening event horticulturists, flower and plant connoisseurs, collectors or rare plants, traders, suppliers, landscapers, architects, manufacturers and traders of gardening tools, fertilizers, pesticides, garden equipment, environmental government and non-government organizations, private and government universities and colleges, government departments and agencies, foreign embassies, including local and foreign visitors. There will be 120 commercial booths and 60 exhibits featuring an assortment of plants including new hybrids and species.

The Flora Filipina will begin with a 2-day Scientific Conference on Philippine Plants from February 6 to 7, 2009 at the Bureau of Soils, Visayas Avenue. corner Elliptical Road, Diliman, Quezon City. After which, there will be an organized tour to various plant nurseries and tourist destination in the Laguna, and Batangas area.

In regards with this, we are inviting interested indidivuals to come, visit and attend the event. For further information, kindly contact us at

(+632) 929-4425, (+632)926-5061 (0917)848-5468; (0922)895-9544,
email: philorchidsociety@yahoo.com
or log on at Philippine Orchid Society website: for More information about the event:

http://www.philippineorchidsocietyph.org

http://philippineorchids.files.wordpress.com/2008/11/flora-09-brochure-cover.jpg


FLORA FILIPINA CONFERENCE PROPER – FEBRUARY 06-07, 2009
Bureau of Soils, Elliptical Road corner Visayas Avenue, Diliman
Quezon City, Philippines

Registration Fee: PhP1,250 / person – early registration on or before
January 16. 2009 (50% discount)
PhP2,500 / person – late registration after January 16
up till February 06

LIST OF CONFERENCE TOPICS AND SPEAKERS – DAY 1
FEBRUARY 06, 2009

1. Breeding and Production of Bromeliad, Neoregelia and Tillandsia
by Mr. Rene Dofitas

2. Breeding and Production of New Crops
by Mr. Rey Pimentel

3. Mussaenda Selection and Breeding
by Dr. Simeona Siar

4. New Hibiscus Hybrids
by Dr. Francisco San Diego

5. Breeding Trends in Spathoglottis Orchids
by Ms. Rolita Spowart

6. Production of Selected Philippine Orchid Species
by Andres Golamco, Jr.

7. Selection of Philippine Aroids for the Ornamental Industry
by Mr. Fernando Aurigue

8. Production of Foliage Plants for the Cut-flower Trade
by Mr. Efren Chatto

9. Marketing Plants through the Internet
by Mr. Tata Montilla

10. Philippine Plants for Landscaping
by Prof. Salvador Bautista

11. Production of Selected Philippine Ferns
by Mr. Anthony Arbias

12. Hoya and Deschidia species
by Ted Green

LIST OF CONFERENCE TOPICS AND SPEAKERS – DAY 2
FEBRUARY 07, 2009

13. Cycads: From Collection to Commercial Crops
By Mr. Anders Lindstrom

14. Edible Landscaping
by Dr. Nido Naranja

15. Philippine Plants in the Botanical Gardens of the World
by Dr. Amihan L. Arquiza

16. Philippine Rafflesia
by Mr. Leonardo L. Co

17. Cacti & Succulents
by Mr. Kevin Belmonte

18. Medinilla
by Mr. Anders Lindstrom

19. Philippine Quarantine Procedures for Importing / Exporting Plants
by Mr. Larry R. Lacson

20. Production of Palms for the Landscaping Industry
by Mr. Jeff Marcus

20. Philippine Flowering Trees
Mr. James LaFrankie

21. Beneficial Microorganisms for Ornamental Crops
Dr. Raymundo Lucero
Registration Fee will include:
Meals (1 lunch, AM and PM snacks for Feb. 06 and 07, 2009)
Conference Proceeding, Hand-outs, Kits
Certificate of Participation






























































































Please visit the link provided:

http://philippineorchids.wordpress.com/2008/11/10/2009-flora-filipina-international-expo/

Work to start on QC’s widest road network (http://www.quezoncity.gov.ph/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=146:work-to-start-on-qcs-widest-road-network&catid=1:latest-news)
Written by Jaypee
Monday, 05 January 2009 14:19

The construction of a road connecting Commonwealth Avenue to Quirino Highway in Quezon City will being next month.

“This is a longtime dream and it is finally pushing through,” Mayor Feliciano Belmonte, Jr. said recently in a statement, referring to the Commonwealth Avenue Extension Project.

According to Belmonte, the new road will be completed within five to six months.

The project includes the construction of a six-lane highway with provisions for sidewalks and a drainage system.

The new road is expected to improve the flow of traffic on Commonwealth and Quezon Avenues, Tandang Sora and Visayas Avenues, and Elliptical Road.

It will also provide motorists with an alternative route to Mindanao Avenue Extension in Novaliches and the North Luzon Expressway via the Malinta Exit in Valenzuela City.

“The new road is the city’s widest road network and bisects Quezon City and goes all the way to its boundary in the Caloocan City area,” Belmonte said.

The project, which is part of the World Bank-assisted Metro Manila Urban Transport Integration Project, is a joint undertaking of the Department of Public Works and Highways and the City government.

By Nancy Carval (http://www.quezoncity.gov.ph/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=146:work-to-start-on-qcs-widest-road-network&catid=1:latest-news)
Philippine Daily Inquirer
January 2, 2009

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3498/3185366668_6d76814211_b.jpg

^^Much better talaga ang white/Gray color for overpass and walkways...it sort of blends w/ the concrete surrounding ,although pink is better than no walkways I guess.:)

QC landmarks in underpass photo exhibit (http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/metro/view/20090111-182640/QC-landmarks-in-underpass-photo-exhibit)

There are no billboards or pictures of models advertising products on the walls of a brightly lit underpass in front of the Quezon City Hall.

Instead, what are on display are old, faded photographs of several of the city’s famous landmarks, some of which are still standing today.

Two women making their way through the underpass stop to look at one of the pictures showing a circular-shaped building surrounded by a crowd.

One of them lets out a gasp when she recognized the building. “Ganun pala ang hitsura ng Araneta Center nung araw (So that’s how Araneta Center looked like in the old days)!”

The picture is just one of 100 photographs displayed in the underpass which the city government has declared a “time capsule of history.”

Greg Banacia, head of the Quezon City Public Affairs and Information Services Office which organized the exhibit, said the pictures would be on display indefinitely to make passersby more aware of the city’s rich history.

He pointed out that most residents of the city today are from far-off provinces and are not familiar with how the city looked like before progress changed its landscape.

“Even the young people most likely don’t have an idea of how some areas looked like before,” Banacia told the Inquirer at the exhibit launching held last year.

Part of the display is devoted to President Manuel L. Quezon, after whom the city was named. Quezon also served as its officer in charge in 1939.

Some of the photographs showing the former President came from their family’s personal collection, said Enrique Quezon-Avanceña, the President’s grandson. He himself picked some of the photos on display, he added.

“I like the location in particular, the placement, because people coming from Quezon Memorial Circle will see the pictures and see what their city was like a long time ago,” he explained.

Mayor Feliciano Belmonte Jr., who graced the event, said the exhibit is just one of several plans they have to develop the Quezon Memorial Circle which was recently turned over to the care of the city government.

“If we put up this exhibit inside a room at City Hall, or an enclosed place, then only a few people would see it. At least here, many people can appreciate the history. They will also notice our underpass,” he said with a laugh.

Belmonte added that they were planning to produce two books, one on Quezon City’s development and another on the city’s history as seen by oldtimers and common folk.

Among the more interesting pictures at the exhibit was one that showed Quezon playing coins with school children and another that showed him washing his hands after planting rice with farmers.

There are also photographs of the city’s early years dating from the Quezon presidency up to the 1960s.

One showed the landmark Quezon Memorial Circle before trees and structures sprouted in the park.

There were also snapshots of the old Quezon City Hall in Cubao, Bernardo Park on Edsa, Welcome (now Mabuhay) Rotunda, Sulo Hotel, Aurora Boulevard and E. Rodriguez Sr. Avenue.

One photograph showed a herd of carabaos walking on a strip of dirt road that would later be named Highway 54, or Edsa as it is called today.

Another showed a seemingly high-end pool for frolickers. The caption underneath identified it as the old Balara Filtration Plant behind the University of the Philippines campus in Diliman, Quezon City.

“People at that time would frequent the Balara filters because it had a swimming pool and picnic grounds. But when people found other places to go to, it deteriorated from lack of use,” Banacia explained.

The exhibit also features newer photographs, mostly of other landmarks like the Iglesia ni Cristo central temple, the new City Hall facade and the old site of the Payatas dump.

There are also “futuristic” pictures like the proposed dog pound in Payatas, the Civic Center which is undergoing construction at the City Hall complex, and a development plan for the Murphy Market in Cubao.

“The development program we have now and in the future is part of Quezon’s vision for the city. In fact, I’d say we’re behind by 20 years,” said Gerardo Magat, former city planning head.

For Avanceña, the exhibit is a way of sharing the former President’s dreams with today’s generations.

“These photos cannot be a private legacy anymore. It belongs here where anybody can freely see them,” he said.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3498/3185366668_6d76814211_b.jpg

Wow...A Grand Facade only fit for the Country's Largest Mall. I can't wait to see SM City North Edsa's Night Pictures once the Sky-Garden is fully planted & well-lighted.

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_EudYIdSGMuU/SWnFQdkwssI/AAAAAAAAGtU/TSJ0qOCl91I/s640/IMGP5391.JPG

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_EudYIdSGMuU/SWnFU3SSRLI/AAAAAAAAGtc/nFLhQHWOAt4/s640/IMGP5392.JPG

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_EudYIdSGMuU/SWnFX5zZ0KI/AAAAAAAAGtk/L8F_pJ4IQns/s640/IMGP5393.JPG

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_EudYIdSGMuU/SWnF-O1iN8I/AAAAAAAAGvA/Spe3FModfXw/s640/IMGP5408.JPG

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3498/3185366668_6d76814211_b.jpg

ang pangit ng billboard. panira talaga. dapat maregulate na mga yan. at gandahan naman ang pagkakagawa. at wag masyadong malaki. dapat parang ganito.

http://www.jaunted.com/files/4912/phuket_billboard.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3308/3187166965_aff81a597b_b.jpg

MISSION/MANDATE and FUNCTIONS

Created by virtue of Executive Order No. 307, on November 1987 by then President Corazon C. Aquino, the OSHC is envisioned as the national authority for research and training on matters pertaining to safety and health at work. It provides the expertise and intervention mechanism to improve workplace conditions in the Philippines.

It has a dual mandate of protecting Filipino workers against accidents and illnesses and promoting workers' welfare through effective programs that enhance productivity, workers well-being and afford social protection to its client sector. The Center adopts a multisectoral strategy with its partners -- business, workers group, other Government and Non-Governmental Organizations and the Academe to fulfill its mandate.

The OSHC has been designated as the national CIS Center for the Philippines on July 1991 to become the focal agency which receives and dessiminates information matters from CIS Center in Geneva and the Asia-Pacific Regional Program on Occupational Safety and Health based in Bangkok which is under the International Labour Organization (ILO) to members of the inter-agency committee and other data users in the Philippines. This is consistent with its critical responsibility to provide access and improve the quality of Occupational Safety and Health information in the Philippine workplace.

Mission/Mandate

The protection of workers through the preventive approach of reducing/eliminating occupational accidents and illnesses.

The promotion of workers' welfare through the effective implementation of OSH programs that will enhance productivity and subsequently contribute to national economic development efforts.

Functions

* Undertake continuing studies and researches on occupational safety and health.
* Plan, develop and implement occupational safety and health training programs.
* Serve as clearing house for occupational safety and health information, methods, techniques, and approaches; and, institute an information dissemination mechanism.
* Monitor work environment and conduct medical examinations of workers.
* Serve as duly recognized agency for testing and setting standard specifications of Personal Protective Equipment and other safety devices.
* Assist other GO's in policy and standards formulation on occupational safety and health matters; issue technical guidelines for prevention of occupational disease and accidents.
* Enlist assistance of GO's and NGO's in achieving the objectives of the Center.
* Perform such other acts appropriate for attainment of the above functions and enforcement of the provisions of Executive Order 307.

Good pics Icarus.I wish that view of the mountains (Montalban?) will never be obstructed by anything.BTW, where was that shot taken?

Good pics Icarus.I wish that view of the mountains (Montalban?) will never be obstructed by anything.BTW, where was that shot taken?

Thanks. It's from Trinoma.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3385/3188270542_a41b8b3f63_b.jpg

Good pics Icarus.I wish that view of the mountains (Montalban?) will never be obstructed by anything.BTW, where was that shot taken?

The mountains we see there are still San Mateo's:colgate:
The mountains of Rodriguez (formerly Montalban) are located farther north:)

OT: Bakit ba naging Rodriguez ang Montalban?

OT: Bakit ba naging Rodriguez ang Montalban?

OT: Si former senator Eulogio 'Amang' Rodriguez Sr. ang kauna-unahang mayor ng Montalban, so para raw to pay tribute to him, the name of the municipality is formally changed to Rodriguez by virtue of Batas Pambansa Blg. 275 passed in September 1982

Pero yun nga, Montalban pa rin ang nakasanayan ng karamihan na itawag dito, kahit sa ruta ng mga jeep lalo na yung mga "patok", Montalban pa rin yung nakalagay at binabanggit ng mga barker:)

Source (http://www.montalbanrodriguez.gov.ph/history.htm)

flickr pic by Jun Acullador
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2379/2325360885_152311c2a0.jpg?v=0

Waah! Kita bahay namin! we live in one of those little orange condominiums you see below the Eastwood bldgs. mukhang malapit sa eastwood pero hinde.

QC gov’t spending for national roads (http://www.inquirer.net/propertyguide/buildingblocks/view.php?db=1&article=20090112-182759)
January 12, 2009 02:42:00
Neal Cruz opinion@inquirer.com.ph
Philippine Daily Inquirer (http://www.inquirer.net/propertyguide/buildingblocks/view.php?db=1&article=20090112-182759)

GOVERNMENT regulatory bodies . . .consumer goods.

* * *

On the other side of the spectrum is the Quezon City government under Mayor Feliciano Belmonte. The city has been spending for the maintenance, improvement and construction of new roads although they are national roads that ought to be funded by the national government through the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), according to Mayor Belmonte in a private interview. But because the DPWH is not provided enough funds by Congress (most of taxpayers’ money go to the legislators in the form of pork barrel funds and kickbacks), it cannot keep up with its responsibilities. So the QC government, the richest city in the Philippines (P3 billion in the bank), through a combination of high taxes, efficient tax collection and judicious spending, has to tide over the DPWH with loans in order to finish road projects.

For example, the QC government has paid private landowners for the right of way for the long-delayed Congressional Avenue that will connect Edsa to Luzon Avenue that, in turn, connects to Commonwealth Avenue. Congressional now connects to Tandang Sora and will soon be connected to Visayas Avenue in the west and to Luzon Avenue in the east. The whole stretch will be completed, according to the DPWH, in the first half of 2009 after the relocation of squatters who have flocked to the road right-of-way.

Meanwhile, the QC government has also bought the right-of-way to connect Commonwealth Avenue to Quirino Avenue in Novaliches. From there, the road will connect to NLEX. Thus, travelers can proceed smoothly from southern Luzon through C-5, through Commonwealth and Quirino avenues to NLEX and northern Luzon. That would reduce travel time from north to south and cut the shipping costs of goods.

Some QC residents have expressed the wish, though, that the good mayor spend some of city hall’s abundant money to rid the city of squatters that give it problems in peace and order, health and sanitation and give the city the title of “squatter capital of the Philippines.”

that is because qc govt has lots of moolah....magaling ang mayor...yung circle has greatly improved i just hope na papaganda lalo baka mamaya gawin lang negosyo....mabawasan pa ang recreation area natin

If Q.C. has plenty of money, then why not use it to create some sense of orderliness in Payatas. Streets are not properly laid out and most are just plain pathways or eskinitas. It's chaotic. Firetrucks could not get near where fire breaks out. :bash:

Icarus,Do you have photos of the new QC underpass/walkway.Post naman oh! Tnx bro.:)

Wednesday, January 14, 2009

QC exceeds collection target (http://www.manilatimes.net/national/2009/jan/14/yehey/business/20090114bus8.html)
Manila Times (http://www.manilatimes.net/national/2009/jan/14/yehey/business/20090114bus8.html)

THE Quezon City government on Tuesday announced that it has exceeded its target collection for 2008 after the treasurer’s office raised more than P10 billion.

City Treasurer Victor Endriga said this placed the city on another surplus year as revenues surpassed the gross collection target of P8.512 billion with a surplus fund reaching P1.49 billion.

Endriga said the figure exceeded the 2007 collection of P9.067 billion and the year before’s collection of P7.46 billion.

“Tax collection efficiency had placed the balance sheet on a high level of government functioning,” he said.

The city treasurer cited gains in business tax collection that hit P3.233 billion for an increase of P410 million from the previous year’s P2.833 billion.

He also said that real estate collection rose P1.185 billion from the year before’s collection of P1.144 billion.

“Stepping-up tax collection provides a constructive platform that placed the city’s economy on the growth path even while the whole world is buffeted by the worldwide economic meltdown,” he said.

The city treasurer said the office’s productive capacity had been heightened by the changes introduced into the structural network to correct slippages that allowed tax cheats in cahoots with city hall misfits.

Among the innovations were the proper classification of the type of business operation as a practical diagram for tax declaration to correct the mismatch in tax payment and the imposition of a rational schedule of minimum gross rate.
-- Ira Karen Apanay

^^
Walang kaduda-dudang Quezon City pa rin ang pinakamayamang lungsod sa buong Pilipinas:banana::cheers::banana:

^^ good to hear that...sana maayos na at mailipat na ang mga squatters sa Araneta Avenue, E. Rodriguez Ave., ang dami pa nasa gilid ng kalsada. Nabawasan nga pero dami pa rin.

^^
Walang kaduda-dudang Quezon City Mayor pa rin ang pinakamayamang mayor sa buong Pilipinas:banana::cheers::banana:

Fixed :naughty:

^^
:lol::bash::lol:

^^ Pwedeng totoo. Hehehe. Talagang may malalaking negosyo na si SB bago pa siya naging administrador ng lunsod at di naman niya ikinakaila bagkus ipinagmamalaki pa na ang kanyang karanasan sa pamamalakad ng mga iyon ang naging paghahanda niya para sa pamamahala lalo na sa aspektong pananalapi ng Lungsod Quezon.

Icarus,Do you have photos of the new QC underpass/walkway.Post naman oh! Tnx bro.:)

Here...

http://images.icarusrising.multiply.com/image/6/photos/168/500x500/6/IMGP5594.JPG?et=DZ%2CWWkvTnL1f5RhYzYvFjA&nmid=169713731

http://images.icarusrising.multiply.com/image/4/photos/168/500x500/9/IMGP5598.JPG?et=%2CWX9xCfIT4vUB7iTc%2BCE6Q&nmid=169713731

http://images.icarusrising.multiply.com/image/5/photos/168/500x500/7/IMGP5595.JPG?et=A9RZUGZd9OB6MRkTRYeupQ&nmid=169713731

http://images.icarusrising.multiply.com/image/4/photos/168/500x500/4/IMGP5592.JPG?et=H7E5FqdjK3OE4%2C%2CgwKJ2%2CA&nmid=169713731

http://images.icarusrising.multiply.com/image/4/photos/168/500x500/3/IMGP5572.JPG?et=%2Bgx8uO2H3OAoyu3N94yqZQ&nmid=169713731

http://images.icarusrising.multiply.com/image/4/photos/168/500x500/2/IMGP5571.JPG?et=ISj7%2CStRMQkp%2BFOPEAyDoQ&nmid=169713731

http://images.icarusrising.multiply.com/image/5/photos/168/500x500/1/IMGP5570.JPG?et=PBcRtINlK0rLI%2BF6gyryAA&nmid=169713731

This is the overpass that connects the QCMC and Philcoa...

http://images.icarusrising.multiply.com/image/4/photos/169/500x500/6/IMGP5538.JPG?et=QyRq1ccSTaBRFHdDU7W5EQ&nmid=169749875

http://images.icarusrising.multiply.com/image/2/photos/169/500x500/13/IMGP5540.JPG?et=6r1jWdifP1PPyBm3Cf78gA&nmid=169749875

^^ Hope they maintain the cleanliness of the underpass.

^^ There's also a designated security personnel. That should discourage those who'd try to mess it up.

Quezon City hall was originally built in the International Style. Compare...
http://images.icarusrising.multiply.com/image/2/photos/169/1200x1200/15/IMGP5575.JPG?et=%2Bey7NerCyl1Hjpp%2CK3Ahdg&nmid=169749875

http://images.icarusrising.multiply.com/image/4/photos/169/1200x1200/16/IMGP5596.JPG?et=5BW13BDbrNFHtZrv7PEukw&nmid=169749875

The Elliptical Road...
http://images.icarusrising.multiply.com/image/6/photos/169/1200x1200/2/IMGP5539.JPG?et=rdqrlg6v0V7wTdfkPI%2Coxw&nmid=169749875

Viewed from Commonwealth Avenue...
http://images.icarusrising.multiply.com/image/7/photos/169/1200x1200/1/IMGP5541.JPG?et=Ul8sT2rMDTzkNG3G%2CkkqXw&nmid=169749875

The Quezon Monument...
http://images.icarusrising.multiply.com/image/4/photos/169/1200x1200/22/IMGP5560.JPG?et=LhoJdf7mxBZo3tCCug1Qhg&nmid=169749875

^^ Pwedeng totoo. Hehehe. Talagang may malalaking negosyo na si SB bago pa siya naging administrador ng lunsod at di naman niya ikinakaila bagkus ipinagmamalaki pa na ang kanyang karanasan sa pamamalakad ng mga iyon ang naging paghahanda niya para sa pamamahala lalo na sa aspektong pananalapi ng Lungsod Quezon.

Businessman na rin pala itong si Mayor SB, kasosyo ata siya dun sa isang residential project (nakalimutan ko yung eksaktong pangalan) na may billboard malapit sa QC Hall:)

Here...

http://images.icarusrising.multiply.com/image/6/photos/168/500x500/6/IMGP5594.JPG?et=DZ%2CWWkvTnL1f5RhYzYvFjA&nmid=169713731

http://images.icarusrising.multiply.com/image/4/photos/168/500x500/9/IMGP5598.JPG?et=%2CWX9xCfIT4vUB7iTc%2BCE6Q&nmid=169713731

http://images.icarusrising.multiply.com/image/5/photos/168/500x500/7/IMGP5595.JPG?et=A9RZUGZd9OB6MRkTRYeupQ&nmid=169713731

http://images.icarusrising.multiply.com/image/4/photos/168/500x500/4/IMGP5592.JPG?et=H7E5FqdjK3OE4%2C%2CgwKJ2%2CA&nmid=169713731

http://images.icarusrising.multiply.com/image/4/photos/168/500x500/3/IMGP5572.JPG?et=%2Bgx8uO2H3OAoyu3N94yqZQ&nmid=169713731

http://images.icarusrising.multiply.com/image/4/photos/168/500x500/2/IMGP5571.JPG?et=ISj7%2CStRMQkp%2BFOPEAyDoQ&nmid=169713731

http://images.icarusrising.multiply.com/image/5/photos/168/500x500/1/IMGP5570.JPG?et=PBcRtINlK0rLI%2BF6gyryAA&nmid=169713731

Wow! Maganda naman pala ang Underpass ng QC Circle-QC Hall:okay:
Pero naalala ko parang may nagsabi dati na pinapasok daw yan ng tubig kapag umuulan...?:dunno:

^^siguradong pinag-planuhan naman siguro nila yung drainage sa paligid ng underpass...nonetheless that's the most beautiful underpass I've seen

Was watching Case Unclosed about the Payatas tradegy. Sana naman, Finally close the payatas dumpsite.

I would praise belmonte if he has the cojones to close that damn dumpsite.

Q.C. Hall is much better looking than Manila City Hall. Does it have elevator already? I used to go up and down the stairs back then.

Here...

http://images.icarusrising.multiply.com/image/6/photos/168/500x500/6/IMGP5594.JPG?et=DZ%2CWWkvTnL1f5RhYzYvFjA&nmid=169713731

http://images.icarusrising.multiply.com/image/4/photos/168/500x500/9/IMGP5598.JPG?et=%2CWX9xCfIT4vUB7iTc%2BCE6Q&nmid=169713731

http://images.icarusrising.multiply.com/image/5/photos/168/500x500/7/IMGP5595.JPG?et=A9RZUGZd9OB6MRkTRYeupQ&nmid=169713731

http://images.icarusrising.multiply.com/image/4/photos/168/500x500/4/IMGP5592.JPG?et=H7E5FqdjK3OE4%2C%2CgwKJ2%2CA&nmid=169713731

http://images.icarusrising.multiply.com/image/4/photos/168/500x500/3/IMGP5572.JPG?et=%2Bgx8uO2H3OAoyu3N94yqZQ&nmid=169713731

http://images.icarusrising.multiply.com/image/4/photos/168/500x500/2/IMGP5571.JPG?et=ISj7%2CStRMQkp%2BFOPEAyDoQ&nmid=169713731

http://images.icarusrising.multiply.com/image/5/photos/168/500x500/1/IMGP5570.JPG?et=PBcRtINlK0rLI%2BF6gyryAA&nmid=169713731

Ganda ah! Pwede ng hindi magpatintero sa pagtawid. :lol: By the way, lalim ng pananagalog mo. Sumakit ang tenga ko. :okay: :lol:

why not just name it quezon under pass. di bam dapat patay na ang tao before you could name places after them, baka apra sa nakakaatandang belmonte yun.. hehehe

Businessman na rin pala itong si Mayor SB, kasosyo ata siya dun sa isang residential project (nakalimutan ko yung eksaktong pangalan) na may billboard malapit sa QC Hall:)



Wow! Maganda naman pala ang Underpass ng QC Circle-QC Hall:okay:
Pero naalala ko parang may nagsabi dati na pinapasok daw yan ng tubig kapag umuulan...?:dunno:

^^ Yup, if it's a downpour, the underpass gets a little water. The problem with the QC underpass is it does not have a roof over the stairs unlike the Makati underpasses. So if it rains really hard, the stairs get slippery and water gets inside even if it has its own drainage. They should have a roof similar to Makati. I don't think vendors will be a problem since there are about 2-4 security guards guarding the underpass at any given time.

^^
Tama mukhang kailangang lagyan ng pananggalang sa ulan ang pasukan. :cheers:

why not just name it quezon under pass. di bam dapat patay na ang tao before you could name places after them, baka apra sa nakakaatandang belmonte yun.. hehehe

How about the wife, Betty Go-Belmonte? :lol:

Me kalye at LRT 2 station na nakapangalan sa kanya.

Sprucing up the central park...

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If Q.C. has plenty of money, then why not use it to create some sense of orderliness in Payatas. Streets are not properly laid out and most are just plain pathways or eskinitas. It's chaotic. Firetrucks could not get near where fire breaks out. :bash:

Never the less, there seems a dramatic improvement of the dumpsite as shown! The issues of eskenitas and road works seem a more complicated issue. In most cases squatters infrastructure:nuts:(which is not advisable to do) like in waterways easments since most of the structures built along this areas are illegal and mostly done only for political reasons being vote rich areas. Example are the spill way rivers of La Mesa Dam being almost occupied by squatters and owning rights can be bought or sold:ohno: Mind you the houses are mostly of good standards compared to the those of legally acquired lots. I don't know if this encroachment is still prevalent with SB's tenure, since it is hazard to the community, social or environmental. As far as I know rampant squatting started during the previous administration since there was those time we can still use that river for washing cloths and you could still have some kind of animal husbandry along it's bank.

Thanks that with a good performing Mayor squatting problem is now being addressed like this symbolic Payatas Dumpsite. :cheers:

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The Payatas Dumpsite: From Tragedy To Triumph

Perhaps, no other dumpsite can evoke perspectives so extreme. From a scene of tragedy and shame, to become a showcase of best practices, recognized not only locally but internationally. From a poster child of hopelessness, to the Payatas residents’ becoming entrepreneurs, learning about consolidation and expansion.

All these in just seven years. All it took was a determined local government that refused to be locked by traditional approaches. Stubborn political will, practical sense the dumpsite had to be managed well because it was all that Quezon City had), and orientation to be a pioneer (Quezon City liked being first), the availability of technology and the resources to engage that technology were the key ingredients in this dramatic transformation.

Quezon City Mayor Feliciano “Sonny” Belmonte reduced the main considerations to the following, “We had to follow the full spirit of the law (the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000 or Republic Act No. 9003); we had to take care of the people; we had to keep the City clean.”

On January 26, 2009, the Payatas Disposal Facility rehabilitation program of the Quezon City government, will receive an award from the President of the Philippines and the Galing Pook Foundation, highlighting the many forms of recognition that it has received over the past few years. The program is pioneering. Quezon City is the first Urban Center to implement the Solid Waste Management Act. The Department of Environment and natural Resources’ Special Award was given to the Quezon City local government in August 2004, recognized the LGU’s “promising and innovative program in achieving environmental improvements with the conversion of the Payatas Dumpsite into a Controlled Facility and being the first in the country to capture methane gas from the dumpsite as an alternative energy source, thus ensuring the health and safety of the community.”

The Belmonte Administration’s reengineering interventions improved the dumpsite’s operational efficiency, restructured, and upgraded the dumpsite, while resulting in savings on its operating costs, and at the same time, making the facility safer and more environment-friendly. The program is widely recognized for being a laboratory and showcase for solid waste management initiatives and a model for other local governments.

The Payatas dumpsite has become a destination and a must-see in Quezon City for students and local and foreign institution representatives, as part of their learning experience, and for other visitors who simple want to see the vast improvement in the disposal facility, that ensures safety of areas near the dumpsite and provides livelihood opportunities to the residents.


A tragic history

More than 30 years of use and misuse of the open dumpsite took its toll on July 1, 2000, when a hill of garbage fell on a slum community in Payatas, resulting in the death of nearly 300 people and leaving hundreds of families homeless.

The Payatas dumpsite had multiple impact. More than just a dumpsite, it also represented a source of livelihood to residents of its neighboring areas. Closing it also adversely affected the cleanliness of the whole City.


Now a showcase of good environmental practices




When Belmonte assumed the mayorship in July 2001, the City government launched several pioneering and innovative projects to address this challenge.

Foremost among these was the conversion of the Payatas open dumpsite into a controlled waste disposal facility. The City government initiated developmental and rehabilitation works, including slope reprofiling, stabilization and greening, leachate collection and recirculation, drainage system improvement, fortified roadways and access to the site, gas venting and material recovery. All these were aimed at the rehabilitation of the dumpsite to address: environmental health and safety, stability of the dumpsite, safety and livelihood needs of the immediate community, and compliance with RA 9003.

In 2002, the City government collaborated with Philippine National Oil Corporation (PNOC)-EC and set up a 100-kW Pilot Methane Power Plant at the dumpsite in 2004 as part of the conversion program of methane gas into electricity.

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Reducing greenhouse gases

In 2007, QC signed an agreement with Italy-based environmental firm PANGEA Green Energy and its local counterpart, PANGEA Phils., for the development and implementation of the Biogas Emissions Reduction Project. This is the first clean development mechanism (CDM) project in solid waste management in the Philippines and in Southeast Asia.

It was registered under the Kyoto Protocol of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) on Febrauary 1, 2008. The Project, which converts biogas emissions into electricity, will reduce greenhouse gas emissions by an annual average of 116,000 tonnes CO2e (carbon dioxide equivalent). It will improve local air, water and soil quality, eliminate fires and explosion hazards and trashslides in the dumpsite.

Aside from generating electricity, employment and building capacity from the transfer of technology and know-how, the City will gain additional financial resources with its share from the sale of CERs (Certified Emission Reduction) or carbon credits and the electricity generated and exported to the grid. This is Quezon City’s humble contribution to the mitigation of global warming and climate change.

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Using old tires for cement manufacturing

The Used Tire Retrieval project with Holcim Cement, is an innovative and environment-friendly management of discarded tires. More than 600,000 used tires dumped at the disposal facility have been retrieved and cleaned, and transported to Holcim’s plant, where the tires are used as alternative fuel in the production of cement.

There are also plans for Holcim to recover residual plastic materials from the dumpsite for use in the same manner. Should this project prosper, we expect a huge reduction in plastics that is finally deposited at the dumpsite, aside from additional income for the waste pickers.

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Wastepickers raise their livelihood ambitions

The Payatas dumpsite is the major source of livelihood of more than 5,000 individuals (including approximately 2,000 engaged in waste picking and around 3,000 in the underground economy). Waste pickers enhance the City’s Waste Diversion Program with the recovery of around 7% recyclables from incoming waste, further reducing volume of garbage being dumped at the facility.

Ironically, the City’s strict implementation of RA 9003 has led to reduction in the quantity and quality of the recyclable content of waste brought to the dumpsite, leading also to drastic reduction in the income of waste pickers.

To prevent infighting among the scavengers and enhance their recovery efficiency, the waste pickers are organized into formal groups which are accredited, regularly consulted with and whose inputs are seriously considered in the formulation of operating systems in the management of the dumpsite. Sorting and recycling areas are allocated to these groups to facilitate their livelihood.

Junkshop operators are given assistance in legitimizing their business or operation. Through networks and linkages developed and facilitated by the City, scavengers, recyclers and junkshop operators can avail of financing, education and skills training, that would enable them to earn additional income and/ or embark on alternative livelihood. Some groups are amortizing trucks to become collectors of garbage in nearby communities, thereby raising their income prospects.


Payatas: Not a dumpsite, but a thriving community

Payatas is now green in many ways. Its residents enjoy a park, where the old dumpsite used to be. The stench of garbage is barely there. There is a composting plant, greenhouses, plant nurseries. Electricity is practically given away. Streetlights in nearby roads are powered by the dumpsite. The City government has also launched “Plantsahan ng Bayan,” in the community area where people can simply plug their electric irons and do their laundry with free electricity.


The Belmonte Administration has also invested extensively in road networks and sewerage systems, as well as social development programs, in this community that is now well known in many parts of the world for many right reasons.

SOURCE: http://www.quezoncity.gov.ph/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=160:the-payatas-dumpsite-from-tragedy-to-triumph&catid=44:special-features&Itemid=38

Nice results. I'm glad something is being done.

^^

is this payatas na? i love seeing people empowered! keep it up Quezon City.:okay::okay:

This is the overpass that connects the QCMC and Philcoa...

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are those new streetlights in QC circle ?? :banana:

that area needs more illumination at night

are those new streetlights in QC circle ?? :banana:

that area needs more illumination at night

Yes. Those lamps go around the whole circumference of the QMC.

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Some columbaries on Araneta Avenue...

The Sanctuarium

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The Ascension

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Quezon Institute

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Philippine Charity Sweepstakes

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This road is an alternative route to the cities of Caloocan and Malabon...

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Quezon City sees bright prospects for 2009 (http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?ArticleId=432614&publicationSubCategoryId=65)
Updated January 18, 2009 12:00 AM
Philstar.com (http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?ArticleId=432614&publicationSubCategoryId=65)

Positive developments are expected to make Quezon City continue to rise above other cities this year despite the anticipated global crisis, a top city official said yesterday.

Business Permit and License Office (BPLO) chief Pacifico Mag*hacot believes the Year of the Ox will bring good luck to the city government as 10,000 new business establishments are projected to register in the city.

To date, a total of 58,196 business establishments were recorded in the city last year, the biggest ever in the city’s history.

Maghacot said this figure may increase to 69,196 “by the end of 2009 due to the opening of more malls, and (information technology or IT) centers in the city.”

He said 2008 had been a good year since many unemployed residents were given job opportunities due to the completion of new malls such as The Block of SM, Trinoma and Waltermart and the IT building along Commonwealth Avenue.

Maghacot attributed the rise in the number of new businesses in the city to a policy on “minimally-regulated businesses” introduced last year by Mayor Feliciano Belmonte Jr.

The rule allows certain businesses to enroll in the city’s Automatic Renewal System. This means that after paying taxes and fees due the city government, their business permits are automatically issued or renewed. A total of 18,177 establishments enrolled in the ARS last year.

He added that the system has made Quezon City the fastest business permit processor in the country.

Maghacot said Quezon City is being emulated by other cities and agencies in the country for best practices in business registration, citing that the League of Cities will soon forge an agreement to adopt a Quezon City-style business registration system among its member-cities nationwide. – Perseus Echeminada

Thanks for the pics Icarus specially on QC's new underpass.I like their lamposts clean,simple,serves it's purpose and specially not an eyesore.Not like the ones in Manila (unfortunately). Again,I hope QC will start a resolution on forcing the owners of buildings to refurbish it's look whether by painting them or renovating them. Every 3/5 years perhaps.Most of those in Banawe look tired and old already...Even better if bldgs. in QC would have a unified color.:)

WHITE AVENUE
Quezon City[/B]

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from Gian Paulo of Team Amici

Thanks for the pics Icarus specially on QC's new underpass.I like their lamposts clean,simple,serves it's purpose and specially not an eyesore.Not like the ones in Manila (unfortunately). Again,I hope QC will start a resolution on forcing the owners of buildings to refurbish it's look whether by painting them or renovating them. Every 3/5 years perhaps.Most of those in Banawe look tired and old already...Even better if bldgs. in QC would have a unified color.:)

Banawe Street is a Filipino-Chinese enclave in QC. The car accessories shops and Chinese restaurants along the length of the street are mostly I guess mostly Chinoy-owned. I've read an article about putting redeveloping it to create that identity of a Chinatown such as putting up welcome arches. Hope the plans push through.

Quezon City Civic Center currently on the works behind the Quezon City Hall...

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CLUB MANOR
Eastwood, Libis, Quezon City

THE MANOR (located at Eastwood City, Libis) will be opening its doors to give you the country's finest DJs and HIPHOP songs. As EMBASSY'S sister company, THE MANOR is sure to give you the legendary club's same rage! So do not miss out on this historical event.

Photo by RAYMUND OF GOODTIMES PHOTOGRAPHY
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Opens January 21, 2009!

divanity.blogspot.com (http://divanity.blogspot.com/2009/01/manor-opens-its-doors.html)

Proposed Quezon City Sports Complex...

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Proposed Belarmino Sports Complex Building in Project 4...

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Proposed Murphy Public Market in Cubao...

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madami palang proposed na proyekto itong si Mayor Belmonte

btw, nice pix @Bernie..keep it up:okay:

^^ Ako ba tinutukoy mo? Di ako si Bernie... Wahehe!

Multi-urpose Center to rise in QC Hall compound...

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A new Philippine National Red Cross center now on the rise in the QC Hall compound...

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Personally, I think the latest is a devolution.

^^ Ako ba tinutukoy mo? Di ako si Bernie... Wahehe!

Multi-urpose Center to rise in QC Hall compound...

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ganun ba Igan;)

Good prospects for horticulture industry cited

From MANILA STANDARD TODAY

http://tbn3.google.com/images?q=tbn:GAaX8z1qdDrHpM:http://philippineorchids.files.wordpress.com/2008/07/flora-flat-image.jpg
Flora Filipina 2009 POSTER
Commercial growers and hobbyists have cited the great potential of the Philippines as a major exporter of ornamental horticulture products.

At the opening ceremony of the Flora Filipina Expo in February 2006, the Philippine Horticultural Society Inc. and the Philippine Orchid Society have committed to join together in putting the local industry at par with those of Thailand and Singapore.

"The right time to do it is now," orchid society president Kelvin Manubay said. "The Philippines' potential to be an exporter of orchids and ornamental plants is very, very high."

Manubay said that at present, the Philippines accounts for only 0.02 percent of the $97.2 billion global trade of horticultural products. "We can do much more than that," he said.

This was echoed by horticulture society president Peter Joseph Nepomuceno, who said that the P100 million local industry at present should be growing much bigger, because of the wealth of endemic flowering plants in the country.

"We should make horticulture an income-growing industry that will help the economy grow and provide more jobs for the Filipinos," he said.

Nepomuceno said that a hectare of agricultural land planted to ornamental plants can employ up to 40 people.

He said the ongoing Flora Filipino has drawn international buyers from all over the world. The exhibit will be held at Plaza San Ignacio in Intramuros, Manila until March 6 this year.

Earlier, Tourism Secretary Joseph Durano cited the potential of the local horticultural industry as a viable income-generating industry that can complement government's efforts in attracting foreign tourists.

Government scientists admitted that the Philippines is an ideal location for ornamental plants growing, given its ideal climate for year-round cultivation, capability to grow tropical and semi-temperate plants, availability of lands and production technologies, richness and variety of Philippine flora, competitive wage rates and location costs, and proximity to major importing countries in Asia-Pacific.

The local industry consists of products such as fresh cutflowers, live plants, and dried ornamentals. The most commonly grown cutflowers in the country include orchids, roses, anthurium and chrysanthemum.

Major production areas are Bulacan, Metro Manila, Tagaytay, Laguna, Cebu, Iloilo, Negros Oriental Zamboanga, Davao and Bukidnon.

Horticultural organizations in the country are composed of hobbyists and commercial growers. The exhibit's sales area had 102 booths that feature a wide selection of plants such as orchids, arcids, palms, Bromeliads, ferns, cycads, conifers, landscaping plants, Bonsai, and other materials.

Other groups that have participated in the exhibit were the Philippine Bonsai Society; Cacti and Succulent Society of the Philippines; Flora Garden of Lucena, Quezon; Natural Stone Society of the Philippines; King Louie Flower Center; Flower Club Philippines, Los Baños; Ocram Society; Ikebana International and the Fern Society of the Philippines.

FLORA FILIPINA EXPO DAILY FREE LECTURES (As of 1/20/2009)
Venue: Orchidarium Park Area (Lagoon Area), Quezon City Hall Complex,
East Avenue corner Elliptical Road, Diliman, Quezon City
Exhibit* Lecture* Trade Fair* Conference * Tour* Auction* Social* Art* Culture* Festivals* Photography* Flower Arrangement* Nature * Painting

February 6 to 7, 2009 ( On the spot painting, photography, flower arrangement) whole day

February 08, 2009 – Sunday
2:00-3:30pm Culinary and Medicinal Herbs
Speaker: Mr. Arnold Pesit

3:30-5:00pm The Art and Science of Bonsai
Speaker: Mr. Mody Manglicmot

February 09, 2009 - Monday
2:00-3:30pm Culture Guide in Raising of Bromeliads, Neoregalia and Tillandsia
Speaker: Mr.Rene Dofitas

February 10, 2009 - Tuesday
2:00-3:30pm Growing Phalaenopsis Orchids
Speaker: Mr. Vicente Chin Jr.

3:30-5:00pm Culture Guide for Growing Sympodial Orchid
Speaker: Mr. Andres S. Golamco, Jr.

February 11, 2009 - Wednesday
2:00-3:30 pm Establishing a Tissue Culture Laboratory for Selected Ornamental Plants
Speaker: Prof. Jovita A. Anit

3:30-5:00pm Growing Techniques for Vandaceous and Phalaenopsis Orchids
Speaker: Mr. Carlos Valeria C. Lazaro

February 12, 2009 – Thursday
2:00 – 3:30 pm. Anthurium Foliage
Speaker: Ms.Vangie Go

3:30-5:00pm Cultural Techniques for Growing Selected Ferns
Speaker: Mr. Andres S. Golamco, Jr.


February 13, 2009 - Friday
2:00-3:30pm : Nutritional Requirements of Orchids & Ornamental Plants
Speaker: Allied Botanicals representative

3:30 – 5:00pm: Aglaonema Production
Speaker: Mr. Fernando Aurigue


February 14, 2009 - Saturday
2:00 – 3:30 pm. Dish and Wall Garden
Speaker: Mr. Serapion Metilla

3:30 – 5:00pm. Cultural Guide for Raising Noteworthy Collectible Orchid Species
Speaker: Mr. Kelvin Neil Manubay

February 15, 2009 – Sunday
2:00 – 3:30 pm.: Production Techniques for Hoyas and Dischidias
Speaker :Lawrence Chan

3:30 – 5:00pm : Growing Cattleyas
Speaker : Atty. Hernando B. Perez

February 16, 2009 - Monday
2:00 – 3:30 pm. Flower Arrangement
Speaker: Floral Designer’s Circle

Entrance Fee: Php 30.00 adults, Php 20.00 students and senior citizens with valid ID's


For more Information about the event:
THE PHILIPPINE ORCHID SOCIETY

Office Address:
Unit 209 Delsa Mansion, 44 Scout Borromeo corner Scout Torrillo Streets, Barangay South Triangle, Quezon City, 1103 Philippines.

Telephone Numbers:
+632-929-4425
+632-926-5061
+63 917-848-5468
Secretariat : Ms. Jenny Rivera
Lawrence Chan- Corporate Secretary ( 0919-3901671 SMART)

Proposed Quezon City Sports Complex...

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Saan sa QC itatayo ang proposed Quezon City Sports Complex?:colgate:

Proposed Belarmino Sports Complex Building in Project 4...

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Wow! Magkakaroon na ng Belarmino Sports Complex sa aking kinalakhan:banana::cheers::banana:

In the meantime, what is going to happen to Amoranto Stadium?

Quezon City's Payatas bags 3rd Galing Pook award
By Perseus Echeminada Updated January 22, 2009 12:00 AM


The controlled dump in Payatas has won for Quezon City its third Galing Pook Award.

The award is given to the best local governance programs by the Galing Pook Foundation, part of a global network of local governance awards that is also recognized in the US, Mexico, China, East Africa, South Africa and South America. Galing Pook picks the 10 best programs every year.

Quezon City Mayor Feliciano Belmonte Jr. spearheaded the program to unite the community, barangay leaders, non-government organizations and scavengers to find a solution to the Payatas dump following the passage of the Solid Waste Management Act of 2001, the law that banned all open dumpsites in the country in five years.

The Quezon City government transformed Payatas from an open dumpsite into a controlled dump wherein garbage is treated and covered with soil.

Streetlights were also installed in the community and alternative livelihood programs were introduced as Quezon City became the first urban center to implement the Solid Waste Management Act.

The Quezon City Controlled Disposal Facility is the first of its kind in the country that collects methane gas from the dumpsite and converts it into an alternative source of energy and electricity.

“The awards are based on the idea that government can be improved through the identification and dissemination of examples of effective solutions to public sector problems,” said Galing Pook Foundation chairperson Rafael Coscolluela.

He said Galing Pook winners have programs that can be replicated in other areas. Transferability and sustainability are part of the selection criteria.

Quezon City submitted two programs for the year. The Payatas rehabilitation program made it to the top ten, while the Senior Citizen Volunteer Program was also a finalist.

The third award for Quezon City makes the city government eligible for the Awards for Continuing Excellence, the hall of fame for Galing Pook winners.

City officials have tapped the services and expertise of the private sector, academe and government agencies to address problems surrounding Payatas, such as environmental health and safety, stability of the dumpsite, the surrounding community, livelihood needs, and compliance with the law.

In anticipation of the dumpsite’s closure, scavengers were provided financial assistance and skills training that allowed them to go into small business ventures.

Almost 1,000 families were relocated to safer areas with the assistance of various organizations.

The city government is being assisted by various institutions to continue providing healthcare, non-formal education and livelihood opportunities to the community.

Aside from Quezon City, Galing Pook will also recognize nine other local government units during the awarding ceremonies to be held in Malacañang.

SOURCE: http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?ArticleId=433644&publicationSubCategoryId=206

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The Payatas Dumpsite: From Tragedy To Triumph

Perhaps, no other dumpsite can evoke perspectives so extreme. From a scene of tragedy and shame, to become a showcase of best practices, recognized not only locally but internationally. From a poster child of hopelessness, to the Payatas residents’ becoming entrepreneurs, learning about consolidation and expansion.

All these in just seven years. All it took was a determined local government that refused to be locked by traditional approaches. Stubborn political will, practical sense the dumpsite had to be managed well because it was all that Quezon City had), and orientation to be a pioneer (Quezon City liked being first), the availability of technology and the resources to engage that technology were the key ingredients in this dramatic transformation.

Quezon City Mayor Feliciano “Sonny” Belmonte reduced the main considerations to the following, “We had to follow the full spirit of the law (the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000 or Republic Act No. 9003); we had to take care of the people; we had to keep the City clean.”

On January 26, 2009, the Payatas Disposal Facility rehabilitation program of the Quezon City government, will receive an award from the President of the Philippines and the Galing Pook Foundation, highlighting the many forms of recognition that it has received over the past few years. The program is pioneering. Quezon City is the first Urban Center to implement the Solid Waste Management Act. The Department of Environment and natural Resources’ Special Award was given to the Quezon City local government in August 2004, recognized the LGU’s “promising and innovative program in achieving environmental improvements with the conversion of the Payatas Dumpsite into a Controlled Facility and being the first in the country to capture methane gas from the dumpsite as an alternative energy source, thus ensuring the health and safety of the community.”

The Belmonte Administration’s reengineering interventions improved the dumpsite’s operational efficiency, restructured, and upgraded the dumpsite, while resulting in savings on its operating costs, and at the same time, making the facility safer and more environment-friendly. The program is widely recognized for being a laboratory and showcase for solid waste management initiatives and a model for other local governments.

The Payatas dumpsite has become a destination and a must-see in Quezon City for students and local and foreign institution representatives, as part of their learning experience, and for other visitors who simple want to see the vast improvement in the disposal facility, that ensures safety of areas near the dumpsite and provides livelihood opportunities to the residents.


A tragic history

More than 30 years of use and misuse of the open dumpsite took its toll on July 1, 2000, when a hill of garbage fell on a slum community in Payatas, resulting in the death of nearly 300 people and leaving hundreds of families homeless.

The Payatas dumpsite had multiple impact. More than just a dumpsite, it also represented a source of livelihood to residents of its neighboring areas. Closing it also adversely affected the cleanliness of the whole City.


Now a showcase of good environmental practices




When Belmonte assumed the mayorship in July 2001, the City government launched several pioneering and innovative projects to address this challenge.

Foremost among these was the conversion of the Payatas open dumpsite into a controlled waste disposal facility. The City government initiated developmental and rehabilitation works, including slope reprofiling, stabilization and greening, leachate collection and recirculation, drainage system improvement, fortified roadways and access to the site, gas venting and material recovery. All these were aimed at the rehabilitation of the dumpsite to address: environmental health and safety, stability of the dumpsite, safety and livelihood needs of the immediate community, and compliance with RA 9003.

In 2002, the City government collaborated with Philippine National Oil Corporation (PNOC)-EC and set up a 100-kW Pilot Methane Power Plant at the dumpsite in 2004 as part of the conversion program of methane gas into electricity.

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Reducing greenhouse gases

In 2007, QC signed an agreement with Italy-based environmental firm PANGEA Green Energy and its local counterpart, PANGEA Phils., for the development and implementation of the Biogas Emissions Reduction Project. This is the first clean development mechanism (CDM) project in solid waste management in the Philippines and in Southeast Asia.

It was registered under the Kyoto Protocol of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) on Febrauary 1, 2008. The Project, which converts biogas emissions into electricity, will reduce greenhouse gas emissions by an annual average of 116,000 tonnes CO2e (carbon dioxide equivalent). It will improve local air, water and soil quality, eliminate fires and explosion hazards and trashslides in the dumpsite.

Aside from generating electricity, employment and building capacity from the transfer of technology and know-how, the City will gain additional financial resources with its share from the sale of CERs (Certified Emission Reduction) or carbon credits and the electricity generated and exported to the grid. This is Quezon City’s humble contribution to the mitigation of global warming and climate change.

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Using old tires for cement manufacturing

The Used Tire Retrieval project with Holcim Cement, is an innovative and environment-friendly management of discarded tires. More than 600,000 used tires dumped at the disposal facility have been retrieved and cleaned, and transported to Holcim’s plant, where the tires are used as alternative fuel in the production of cement.

There are also plans for Holcim to recover residual plastic materials from the dumpsite for use in the same manner. Should this project prosper, we expect a huge reduction in plastics that is finally deposited at the dumpsite, aside from additional income for the waste pickers.

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Wastepickers raise their livelihood ambitions

The Payatas dumpsite is the major source of livelihood of more than 5,000 individuals (including approximately 2,000 engaged in waste picking and around 3,000 in the underground economy). Waste pickers enhance the City’s Waste Diversion Program with the recovery of around 7% recyclables from incoming waste, further reducing volume of garbage being dumped at the facility.

Ironically, the City’s strict implementation of RA 9003 has led to reduction in the quantity and quality of the recyclable content of waste brought to the dumpsite, leading also to drastic reduction in the income of waste pickers.

To prevent infighting among the scavengers and enhance their recovery efficiency, the waste pickers are organized into formal groups which are accredited, regularly consulted with and whose inputs are seriously considered in the formulation of operating systems in the management of the dumpsite. Sorting and recycling areas are allocated to these groups to facilitate their livelihood.

Junkshop operators are given assistance in legitimizing their business or operation. Through networks and linkages developed and facilitated by the City, scavengers, recyclers and junkshop operators can avail of financing, education and skills training, that would enable them to earn additional income and/ or embark on alternative livelihood. Some groups are amortizing trucks to become collectors of garbage in nearby communities, thereby raising their income prospects.


Payatas: Not a dumpsite, but a thriving community

Payatas is now green in many ways. Its residents enjoy a park, where the old dumpsite used to be. The stench of garbage is barely there. There is a composting plant, greenhouses, plant nurseries. Electricity is practically given away. Streetlights in nearby roads are powered by the dumpsite. The City government has also launched “Plantsahan ng Bayan,” in the community area where people can simply plug their electric irons and do their laundry with free electricity.


The Belmonte Administration has also invested extensively in road networks and sewerage systems, as well as social development programs, in this community that is now well known in many parts of the world for many right reasons.

SOURCE: http://www.quezoncity.gov.ph/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=160:the-payatas-dumpsite-from-tragedy-to-triumph&catid=44:special-features&Itemid=38[/QUOTE]

Call for Old QC Photos

Do you have photos of Quezon City before (10 or more years ago; the older the better) and now? We are particularly interested in photos highlighting dramatic transformations of the same scene, years ago and at present. So, the “before" and “after” shots must be of the same place.

If you have photos of this type [preferably in digital formats/ or scanned copies (for the “before” shots)], we would be happy to showcase them in a magazine and an exhibit to celebrate Quezon City’s 70th foundation anniversary, this year.

The Communications Coordination Center (CCC) of the Quezon City government reserves the right to choose the photographs which will be published and/ or exhibited. Proper credits will be given to all contributors whose entries are chosen. So all photo submissions must include:

Name and photo of sender
Name and photo of photographer
Place (indicate particular place in Quezon City) and year taken


How to send contributions:

Via email: through mailmaster@quezoncity.gov.ph This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Pickup: call Jay Pee Villanueva at 925-6045 local 365 or 467-3155.

Last Updated on Tuesday, 13 January 2009 14:03

SOURCE: http://www.quezoncity.gov.ph/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=156:call-for-old-qc-photos&catid=47:reminders

^^ Do you work for QC Hall, Dessertfox?

Public service can still be improved – Belmonte (http://www.quezoncity.gov.ph/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=157:public-service-can-still-be-approved-belmonte&catid=1:latest-news)
Tuesday, 13 January 2009 14:42

Quezon City Mayor Feliciano Belmonte Jr. urged his men yesterday to effect suitable changes and implement realistic programs as the city government prepares to undertake three major projects worth P776 million in a bid to maintain its stock as the nation’s number one local government unit in the country.

In an executive staff meeting, Belmonte exhorted city hall department heads to strategize early to efficiently improve the delivery of basic public services to Quezon City residents.

“We are talking here about achievable projects. We have to do them with determination. If we cannot do them, forget them,” Belmonte said.

Although 2008 was a banner year for Quezon City, Belmonte believes that there remains much room for improvement to raise the level of public service. “The best is yet to come for the city and the people,” he said.

“Bureaucracy used to be the guiding force. Now we have to study strategies early, otherwise we will be left behind,” he said.

Last year was a great one for Quezon City as it was named the richest local government unit in the country after having obtained a gross annual collection of P10.002 billion based on the records submitted by City Treasurer Victor Endriga.

Belmonte reported that the city government will now focus on undertaking development projects like the P76-million Commonwealth Visayas Avenue underpass similar to the Quezon City Hall Complex Quezon Memorial Circle underpass.
Pedestrians witness the historical transformation of the city as users of the first public underpass get to view old photos and descriptions displaying prominently the early days of the locality.

Passersby, mostly employees of government offices in the vicinity of the Elliptical Road, cited the importance of providing the public with a safe pedestrian crossing structure that is tightly guarded, well-lighted and hygienic.

Romulo Rafael, a commercial basketball player and regular jogger at the Elliptical Road, said crossing the roadway is now safer. He said a pedestrian overpass could serve the same purpose but this would ruin the scenic view of the Quezon Memorial Circle.

“Marami kaming nageensayo na natutuwa sa ginawa ni Mayor Belmonte. Masisira ang view ng monumento ni Presidente Quezon kung overpass ang ilalagay nila. Sana pati mga kawad ng kuryente at mga poste ay gawing underground na rin dahil sagwa tignan ang mga ito lalo na kung sala-salabat,” Rafael said.

In a bid to enrich the public’s historical knowledge, Belmonte said another priority project of the city is the construction of the Quezon City Museum at the 26-hectare Quezon Memorial Circle.

The project is complementary to the redevelopment of the Quezon Memorial Circle where the city has assigned the world renowned Palafox and Associates for the architectural design of the soon-to-be world-class circle.

In a bid to provide top-of-the-line health care, Belmonte said the city government is set to undertake the construction of the P500-million five-story new Quezon City General Hospital Building.

The new building, which is considered as one of the most prominent vertical structures in the city, will be built at the three-hectare portion of the QCGH property in Barangay Bahay Toro in Project 8.



Chito A. Chavez
Manila Bulletin
January 13, 2009

Quezon City's Payatas bags 3rd Galing Pook award
By Perseus Echeminada Updated January 22, 2009 12:00 AM


The controlled dump in Payatas has won for Quezon City its third Galing Pook Award.....



A good read....Thanks for the article. A giant leap from the once forsaken Payatas community.

Quezon City's 2008 tax take breaches P10-B mark (http://philstar.com/Article.aspx?ArticleId=431524&publicationSubCategoryId=65)
By Katherine Adraneda Updated January 14, 2009 12:00 AM


http://img387.imageshack.us/img387/1601/met7ro0.jpg
Quezon City Treasurer Victor Endriga gestures as he briefs Quezon City Mayor Feliciano Belmonte Jr. on the construction work for the new city taxpayers’ lounge.

The Quezon City government said yesterday it has posted a tax collection of more than P10 billion as of end-2008, up from the previous year’s registered collection by almost P1 billion, and apparently setting a record since no other local government unit (LGU) has breached the mark.

City Treasurer Victor Endriga said the city government raked in an “unprecedented” P10,002,552,451.31 last year despite the global financial crisis. The city government posted a tax collection of P9.067 billion in 2007 and P7.46 billion in 2006.

Mayor Feliciano Belmonte Jr. commended Endriga for “another fiscal first” in tax collection history during his weekly management committee meeting yesterday.

According to Endriga, the 2008 tax collection surpassed the gross collection target of P8.512 billion. He noted that the city government now has a surplus fund of almost P1.5 billion.

“Tax collection efficiency had placed the balance sheets on a high level of government functioning,” Endriga said.

Endriga pointed out that business tax collection hit more than P3.2 billion, an increase of at least P410 million from the P2.8-billion collected in 2007.

Endriga said real estate tax collection hit P1.18 billion from P1.14 billion in 2007.

Transfer taxes, community taxes, amusement taxes and other fees amounted to P674.76 million for 2008.

Endriga attributed the significant improvement in the city’s tax collection to the introduction of reforms in the structural network to correct loopholes that allowed tax cheats and city hall “misfits” to rob the city of revenues.

“Outwitting tax evaders at their game provides a cushion against a financial downturn,” Belmonte said.

Belmonte endorsed to the Department of Finance another extension of Endriga’s tenure as city treasurer.

In 2007, the Commission on Audit recognized the Quezon City government for posting a budget surplus of P282.9 million, besting other cities and towns in the country.

^^ Do you work for QC Hall, Dessertfox?


Nope! I am an OFW, in a small way just to help our city’s programs, supporting some livelihood of our barangay.

We do have a close family friend in engineering dept, who was an avid hater of S.B. on his first term but later on realized how really effective management style S.B. has.

Just excited with the progress going on in the city, years back even telephone connection application took decades to get one:lol: pot holes, dust all over the barangay but now almost gone :banana: Hope it will continue on and on......

FLORA FILIPINA EXPO DAILY FREE LECTURES (As of 1/22/2009)Venue: Orchidarium Park Area (Lagoon Area), Quezon City Hall Complex,
East Avenue corner Elliptical Road, Diliman, Quezon City

Exhibit* Lecture* Trade Fair* Conference * Tour* Auction* Social* Art* Culture* Festivals* Photography* Flower Arrangement* Nature * Painting

February 6 - On the spot painting , February 7 - On the spot flower arrangement - In cooperation with QC Tourism , Philippine Orchid Society , World Flower Council, QC - DECS ,

February 08, 2009 – Sunday
2:00-3:30pm Culinary and Medicinal Herbs
Speaker: Mr. Arnold Pesit

3:30-5:00pm The Art and Science of Bonsai
Speaker: Mr. Mody Manglicmot

February 09, 2009 - Monday
2:00-3:30pm Culture Guide in Raising of Bromeliads, Neoregalia and Tillandsia
Speaker: Mr.Rene Dofitas

February 10, 2009 - Tuesday
2:00-3:30pm Growing Phalaenopsis Orchids
Speaker: Mr. Vicente Chin Jr.

3:30-5:00pm Culture Guide for Growing Sympodial Orchid
Speaker: Mr. Andres S. Golamco, Jr.

February 11, 2009 - Wednesday
2:00-3:30 pm Establishing a Tissue Culture Laboratory for Selected Ornamental Plants
Speaker: Prof. Jovita A. Anit

3:30-5:00pm Growing Techniques for Vandaceous Orchids
Speaker: Mr. Carlos Valeria C. Lazaro

February 12, 2009 – Thursday
2:00 – 3:30 pm. Anthurium Foliage
Speaker: Ms.Vangie Go

3:30-5:00pm Cultural Techniques for Growing Selected Ferns
Speaker: Mr. Andres S. Golamco, Jr.


February 13, 2009 - Friday
2:00-3:30pm : Nutritional Requirements of Orchids & Ornamental Plants
Speaker: Allied Botanicals representative

3:30 – 5:00pm: Aglaonema Production
Speaker: Mr. Fernando Aurigue


February 14, 2009 - Saturday
2:00 – 3:30 pm. Dish and Wall Garden
Speaker: Mr. Serapion Metilla

3:30 – 5:00pm. Cultural Guide for Raising Noteworthy Collectible Orchid Species
Speaker: Mr. Kelvin Neil Manubay

February 15, 2009 – Sunday
2:00 – 3:30 pm.: Production Techniques for Hoyas and Dischidias
Speaker :Lawrence Chan

3:30 – 5:00pm : Growing Cattleya Orchids
Speaker : Atty. Hernando B. Perez

February 16, 2009 - Monday
2:00 – 3:30 pm. Flower Arrangement
Speaker: Floral Designer’s Circle

FLORA FILIPINA EXPO 2009
SHOW SCHEDULE
The Secretariat :Philippine Orchid Society
Unit 209 Delsa Mansion, 44 Sct. Borromeo Street, Brgy. South Triangle, Q.C.
Telephone Nos. (+632) 929.4425 / 926.5061
Mobile Phones: 0917.8485468 / 0922.8959544Lawrence Chan -Corporate Secretary , Jenny Rivera - Secretariat

Http：// www.philippineorchidsocietyph.org; www.philippineorchid.mutliply.comE-mail：philorchidsociety@yahoo.com

Date Time Particulars Venue
FEBRUARY
02( Monday) 8:00-22:00 Set-up / hauling of tent Risen Garden (QC Hall Plaza)
03(Tuesday) 8:00 - 17:00 Setting up Exhibit & Commercial Orchidarium and RisenGarden
04 (Wed) ) 8:00 - 22:00 Continuation of exhibit and commercial set up Orchidarium and RisenGarden
05 (Thursday) ) 9:00 - 1:00 Judging Orchidarium Park
16:00 Opening ceremony & Prize presentation ceremony
Preview only for guests and journalists
Orchidarium Park
16:30 Open to public Orchidarium & Risen Garden
06 (Friday) ) 8:00 – 19:00
14:00– 17:00 Open to public
Lecture series
Orchidarium Park
06 (Friday)8:00 Registration of participants for Conference
Bureau of Soils
9:00 – 17:00 Conference Bureau of Soils
07(Sat) 8:00 – 17:00
19:00 Conference
Appreciation Dinner Bureau of Soils
08 (Sunday) Field Trip / Tour
Cultural Night
16 (Monday)
19:00 End of Show
Egress
Orchidarium & Risen Garden
Notice：Feb. 6 – 16, 2009 Show opening time from 8:00~19:00

TENTATIVE PROGRAM

OPENING DAY
February 05, (Thursday) 4:00PM

9:00AM – 1:00 PM Orchids & Ornamental plants, landscape judging

2:00PM – 3:00 PM Floral Parade

3:00PM - 3:30 PM Reception of Guests/Registration
Tour of Risen Garden (Commercial section)

Marching Band (plays festive tunes)
4:00 PM Cutting of Ribbon
Guests of Honor VP Noli De Castro
Cong. Cynthia Villar
QC Mayor Feliciano R. Belmonte, Jr.
SEC. Arthur Yap
USEC Eduardo Jarque
Tour of Exhibits

Program Proper with Master of Ceremonies
Invocation
National Anthem

Opening Remarks by Atty. Hernando B. Perez as Honorary Show Chairman

Messages from Guests of Honor with Introduction

Awarding of Winners*
Categories:
Ornamentals Orchids
Best Cultured: Orchid/Ornamental
Best Landscape: Orchid/Ornamental
Best Philippine Species: Orchid/Ornamental
Best in Show: Orchid/Ornamental

Closing Remarks by Rolita V. Spowart as Over-all Show Chairman

Cocktails and Fellowship accompanied by Rondalla

*Trophies to be set at the exhibits, winners at the stage to be given Certificates of Recognition for photo-ops



:banana::lol::cheers:More updates to follow :

WHITE AVENUE
Quezon City[/B]

http://photos-138.friendster.com/e1/photos/83/17/27117138/1_850173178l.jpg

http://photos-138.friendster.com/e1/photos/83/17/27117138/1_151180837l.jpg

from Gian Paulo of Team Amici

Saan to sa QC?

^^ Tomas Morato near Roces.

^^ I love it. Thanks Igan. :)

From Abante Tonite: http://www.abante.com.ph/issue/jan1509/istayl03.htm

2ND FLORA FILIPINA INTERNATIONAL EXPO 2009



Muli, ang Philippine Orchid Society katuwang ang naglalakihang horticultural organizations sa bansa ay magho-host ng gaganaping 2nd Flora Filipina International Expo 2009 sa Quezon City Hall grounds (Lagoon Area) mula Pebrero 6-16, 2009. Ang tema sa taong ito ay “Discover the Best and Rarest of Philippine Flora.”


Ang exposition na ito ay kinapapalooban ng: floral competition at landscape exhibits, conference at commercial bazaars na hahakot ng 50,000 na magsisidalo. Magsasadya rin ang kilalang government officials, horticultural industry practitioners, artists, entrepreneurs, academicians, media correspondents at garden club members, local at foreign.


Ang makahulugang okasyong ito ay magpapaganda sa kasalukuyan at inaasahang pakikipag-ugnayan at kooperayon sa domestic at foreign guests at tourists, government attaches at visionary garden enthusiasts.


Magkakaroon ng seminar sa Feb 6-7, 2009 sa Bureau of Soils, (Convention Hall) Elliptical Road cor. Visayas Avenue, Diliman, QC. May registration fee na P1,250/person ( early registration) at P2,500 sa late registration.

Kasama na rito ang meals, hand-outs, kits at certificate of participation.


Kung may tanong tungkol sa event na darating, tumawag lamang sa 0918-5209795 o sa Flora Filipina Secretariat tel. # 9294425/9265061; mobile phone 0917.8485468, 0922.8959544 at hanapin si Ms. Jenny Rivera o bisitahin ang kanilang website www.philippineorchidsocietyph.org o www.philippineorchid.multiply.com.

eastwood is in quezon city, right???

taken by Grace Uy (http://www.flickr.com/photos/graceuyphotography/)

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a91/EnozAnewor/GraceUyEASTWOOD.jpg

Is it true that the QC city hall was one of the first violator of building regulation as far as height is concerned. The plan was that no edifice should be blocking the view of the QC monument or something of that sort:).

Is it true that the QC city hall was one of the first violator of building regulation as far as height is concerned. The plan was that no edifice should be blocking the view of the QC monument or something of that sort:).

nung nasunog ito, nabalitang wala itong fire exits. :ohno:

http://images.icarusrising.multiply.com/image/8/photos/169/500x500/15/IMGP5575.JPG?et=61D8Xg%2CyE1H9ObHZ5MmTSg&nmid=169749875

^^ nothing should go higher than the monument's height.

eastwood is in quezon city, right???


Yes it is! Nice find as usual. :okay:

http://http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7EkXJRcihHU/SOxaHFIVWMI/AAAAAAAAAEk/S3OVcF_dNhU/s320/phapphil.jpg

Flora Filipina Poster

A major gardening event takes place in February 2009. The Philippine Orchid Society, in cooperation with various local horticultural organizations, the Quezon City Government, the Department of Tourism, and the Department of Agriculture, is organizing the 2009 Flora Filipina International Expo.

It is the second staging of the event; the first was last February 2006. The Flora Filipina Expo intends to bring together the Philippines’ ornamental plant industry players, and to showcase to the world what the country can offer in terms of ornamental plants.

The theme of 2009’s event is "Discover the Best and Rarest Philippine Flora." The venue will be at the Quezon City Hall grounds (Lagoon area) from February 6 to 16, 2009, while the Convention will be held at the Bureau of Soils, Elliptical Road, Diliman, Quezon City, on February 7 to 8.

The show is expected to be one of Southeast Asia’s biggest gardening and plant events, which envisions to gather horticulturists, flower and plant connoisseurs, traders, suppliers, landscapers, architects, manufacturers, traders, NGOs, government organizations, private and government universities, and foreign embassies under one event.

Blessed with a tropical climate (and a semi-temperate climate in some high altitude locations), the Philippines can grow a number of both local and exotic tropical and semi-temperate crops. Having a very rich diversity of local flora, we also have a huge potential for developing our own plant hybrids from

our local indigenous and endemic plant species, most particularly orchids, ferns, medenillas, hoyas, palms, cycads, flowering trees and shrubs, and even water plants.

With hundreds of serious plant collectors, the country also have the potential of producing quality ornamental plants for the potted flowering and foliage plant industry, including the cut flower and cut-foliage industry, for both domestic and foreign markets. The country is actually known as a source of quality plant species used as parent breeding stock for a lot of hybrids, most particularly orchids. By harnessing the potential of our skilled plant breeders and the availability of our plant genetic stocks, we can surely uplift and boost this still infant industry, in order to bring in much needed dollars for our citizens.

The Flora Filipina Expo will be composed of a plant exposition from February 6 to 16, and a two-day conference, which will be discussing current trends in plants.

Foreign guest speakers are also invited to present on advanced trends in horticulture in Taiwan, Holland, the US, Thailand, and Europe. There will also be a free lecture series on various plant topics during the event.

Veterans, Ninoy park also in village row
By Joel M. Sy Egco

The Veterans Memorial Medical Center and the adjacent Ninoy Aquino Parks and Wildlife are not only covered by the ambitious Quezon City Central Business District plan but are coveted as well by local village units.

Bagong Pag-Asa Chairman Fermin Bilaos has been squaring off with neighboring claims on SM City and Trinoma mall but now finds yet another cross-claim by Barangay Project 6 over the hospital and the recreational facility.

Bilaos, who is president of the Association of Barangay Captains in the city’s First District, says the two properties along North Avenue and Agham Road belong to Bagong Pag-Asa.

“In fact, Project 6 was claiming that the property where the Office of the Ombudsman now stands was within its territory. It’s not true.”

Bilaos said the controversy has reached higher offices but, like in the case of SM which was being claimed by Barangay Sto. Cristo, the city council has kept unseemly silent.

“So far, there is a status quo. I don’t know when talks about the dispute will commence again.”

In a previous interview, Bilaos said Bagong Pag-Asa was amid a tax take dispute over Trinoma and SM properties.

The two giant malls reportedly generate a combined P15 million in real property tax shares for the coffers of villages with Bagong Pag-Asa cornering up to P10 million a year from its RPT share from the Ayala-owned shopping venue alone.

Bilaos said Sto. Cristo gets a portion of the tax revenue from city hall over SM City, notwithstanding a claim by Barangay Magsaysay.

“The latest problem we encountered was when the local parishes from our neighbor barangays already claimed jurisdiction over the North Triangle. Nothing happened because legally and politically, the area is our turf.”

Bilaos said before Trinoma was erected in 2007, the annual gross income derived from the local business sector was only P2.5 million. But when the management paid P44 million in RPT to the city government in early 2008 operations, collection rose to P6.5 million, with P4 million representing Pag-Asa’s share from Trinoma’s dues.

Bilaos said prospects were high on the North Triangle property because the national and city governments have been pushing for the completion of the planned 250-hectare central business district.

The property development would dwarf those of both cities of Makati and Pasig. President Arroyo recently designated Mayor Feliciano Belmonte as chairman of the Urban Triangle Development Commission, a body tasked to oversee the development of the mixed-use hub through Executive Order 620 issued on May 4, 2007.

http://www.manilastandardtoday.com/?page=police1_jan28_2009

The future is in the NORTH

SM City North Edsa (Relaunch of World's 2nd Biggest Mall in 2009)
Grand Central Terminal, QC (Upcoming Main Integrated transport hub for MM - phase 1 by 2010)
**Essential components of the upcoming Triangle Business Park, QC(World Bank Conceptualized "Economic Center of Gravity for Metro Manila")

http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r238/avidtraveler/MRT_LRTgrandcentralstation1.jpg

http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r238/avidtraveler/MRT_LRTgrandcentralstation2.jpg

http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r238/avidtraveler/MRT_LRTgrandcentralstation3.jpg

http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r238/avidtraveler/MRT.jpg

Who would ever think that this barren land of cogons during the 80’s and with just only one small prominent building of Q.C. High will reach this stage. Even Burnham did not anticipate that this North Edsa could be like the center of Metro Manila. It is only Henry Sy who made this vision work way back 1985 when he built this SM North Mall the first ever mega mall. I was lucky enough to be part of this history when I worked with the team from Cosculuella & Partners for its schemes.

Though this for the better of our transport system in general the volume of pedestrian and other transit system should be carefully integrated in planning stage (hopefully they did) to make smooth movement otherwise this might be a hell sea of inhumanity. Say a million of commuters converging everyday! You may need at least 50 hectares at half a meter per person at a time to accommodate this traffic on rush hours!

The shown scheme seems does not show any of the necessary facilities for pedestrian movements. Are they considering the whole of SM as the point of traffic convergence:lol: Even the bus central station is far away beyond trinoma side. You may need more than the lenght or size of SM on those 4 inter-connection point.



The future is in the NORTH

SM City North Edsa (Relaunch of World's 2nd Biggest Mall in 2009)
Grand Central Terminal, QC (Upcoming Main Integrated transport hub for MM - phase 1 by 2010)
**Essential components of the upcoming Triangle Business Park, QC(World Bank Conceptualized "Economic Center of Gravity for Metro Manila")

http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r238/avidtraveler/MRT_LRTgrandcentralstation1.jpg

http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r238/avidtraveler/MRT_LRTgrandcentralstation2.jpg

http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r238/avidtraveler/MRT_LRTgrandcentralstation3.jpg

http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r238/avidtraveler/MRT.jpg

Cubao
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3141/2515726378_6c6fe5ac09.jpg?v=0
flickr pic by _gem_

bakit walang lanes?

Cubao
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3141/2515726378_6c6fe5ac09.jpg?v=0
flickr pic by _gem_

^^ Don't you just love a place without overhead wires? There should be a ban against spaghetti wires since it really wreaks havoc to the aesthetics of a place.

Who would ever think that this barren land of cogons during the 80’s and with just only one small prominent building of Q.C. High will reach this stage. Even Burnham did not anticipate that this North Edsa could be like the center of Metro Manila. It is only Henry Sy who made this vision work way back 1985 when he built this SM North Mall the first ever mega mall. I was lucky enough to be part of this history when I worked with the team from Cosculuella & Partners for its schemes.

Though this for the better of our transport system in general the volume of pedestrian and other transit system should be carefully integrated in planning stage (hopefully they did) to make smooth movement otherwise this might be a hell sea of inhumanity. Say a million of commuters converging everyday! You may need at least 50 hectares at half a meter per person at a time to accommodate this traffic on rush hours!

The shown scheme seems does not show any of the necessary facilities for pedestrian movements. Are they considering the whole of SM as the point of traffic convergence:lol: Even the bus central station is far away beyond trinoma side. You may need more than the lenght or size of SM on those 4 inter-connection point.

I think that's why SM has devoted the 15,500 sq.meter area fronting the main mall & the block into the integrated Sky-Garden & transport terminal in order to prepare accomodating part of the traffic coming from the "Grand Central Terminal". That's why across the whole stretch of the Sky-Garden there are around 4 escalators leading to the Transport Terminal & 4 different entry points to the Mall in order to handle incoming people. This anticipated traffic is one of the reasons why SM City North Edsa has rapidly expanded its buildings over the years. In a few years it is expected that SM North EDSA & TriNoma will continue expanding their mall areas & transport terminals to complement the functions of the Grand Cental Terminal.

I think that's why SM has devoted the 15,500 sq.meter area fronting the main mall & the block into the integrated Sky-Garden & transport terminal in order to prepare accomodating part of the traffic coming from the "Grand Central Terminal". That's why across the whole stretch of the Sky-Garden there are around 4 escalators leading to the Transport Terminal & 4 different entry points to the Mall in order to handle incoming people. This anticipated traffic is one of the reasons why SM City North Edsa has rapidly expanded its buildings over the years. In a few years it is expected that SM North EDSA & TriNoma will continue expanding their mall areas & transport terminals to complement the functions of the Grand Cental Terminal.

The realization of Quezon City's CBD at the North and West Triangles will also increase the potential of SM North Edsa as well as Trinoma and LRT's Grand Central Station. Connecting our CBD's via raliways would help ease the commuter's burden. :D

^^That's right. The current dev'ts in the QC CBD are currently being anchored by Commercial Complexes such as SM City North & TriNoma. Very soon Eton Centris (another mixed - use commercial dev't) will also rise. the gov't is now fast-tracking infrastructure projects like this to generate more employment opportunities that will cushion the economic slowdown.

Thanks for the info @ona, do you have any further reference plan that shows bigger scope. This could help us understand more, very basic pa kasi yong plano even the section does not relate to the perspective view it could be from different schemes I guess. I came accross also in this forum or in the news that a Japanese firm is the one preparing the Master Plan of Q.C. CBD, so they should have a say on this Grand Station being main aspect of traffic planning.

The alloted area you may be mentioning is the original front parking so SM may rely with their parking building and the rest of open space at the back. I don’t know how much parking they have right now and I once went there before the renovation/extension and seems it is already within the capacity. How much more the volume of cars the Grand Station will bring in, they should include also the vast numbers of MRT/LRT users who will opt for other public transport going to other high density area like Novaliches that does not have yet light rail. Anyway, volume of traffic is an old problem that is difficult to solve. MRT/LRT linkage is one such good solution to give commuter some relief.

While since the whole Q.C. CBD is still in its planning stage and offers a lot of room for improvement I do hope that people’s convenience should be given importance not just for the benefit of few powerful interest. As I look at it there could be certain bias to control traffic movements. If you will take notice of the original Master Plan it may be better for MRT/LRT particularly MRT-7 and 9 to traverse along Quezon Avenue so why West and North Avenue which is over crowded and has narrower roads compared to the width of Quezon Avenue which is meant to be the central route.



I think that's why SM has devoted the 15,500 sq.meter area fronting the main mall & the block into the integrated Sky-Garden & transport terminal in order to prepare accomodating part of the traffic coming from the "Grand Central Terminal". That's why across the whole stretch of the Sky-Garden there are around 4 escalators leading to the Transport Terminal & 4 different entry points to the Mall in order to handle incoming people. This anticipated traffic is one of the reasons why SM City North Edsa has rapidly expanded its buildings over the years. In a few years it is expected that SM North EDSA & TriNoma will continue expanding their mall areas & transport terminals to complement the functions of the Grand Cental Terminal.

Thanks for the info @ona, do you have any further reference plan that shows bigger scope. This could help us understand more, very basic pa kasi yong plano even the section does not relate to the perspective view it could be from different schemes I guess. I came accross also in this forum or in the news that a Japanese firm is the one preparing the Master Plan of Q.C. CBD, so they should have a say on this Grand Station being main aspect of traffic planning.

The alloted area you may be mentioning is the original front parking so SM may rely with their parking building and the rest of open space at the back. I don’t know how much parking they have right now and I once went there before the renovation/extension and seems it is already within the capacity. How much more the volume of cars the Grand Station will bring in, they should include also the vast numbers of MRT/LRT users who will opt for other public transport going to other high density area like Novaliches that does not have yet light rail. Anyway, volume of traffic is an old problem that is difficult to solve. MRT/LRT linkage is one such good solution to give commuter some relief.

While since the whole Q.C. CBD is still in its planning stage and offers a lot of room for improvement I do hope that people’s convenience should be given importance not just for the benefit of few powerful interest. As I look at it there could be certain bias to control traffic movements. If you will take notice of the original Master Plan it may be better for MRT/LRT particularly MRT-7 and 9 to traverse along Quezon Avenue so why West and North Avenue which is over crowded and has narrower roads compared to the width of Quezon Avenue which is meant to be the central route.

So far wala pang detailed plan for the Grand Station since it will be done in Phases, meaning it will start out as a smaller building & will gradually be expanded as more train stations converge in the area.

Good news once again at this critical stage of economy for Q.C. Real Estate, another rising development along C-5 Libis area.

P20-billion Nuvocity breaks ground: Green inner city development unveiled
Updated January 30, 2009 12:00 AM

Nuvoland Philippines Inc. along with its joint venture partner Libra Agro Industrial Corp., recently broke ground at Nuvocity, a mixed use vertical community located on C5 corner Industria Street Bagumbayan, Quezon City. Nuvocity, which was masterplanned by world-renowned planners, Edmonds International, has a total area of 4.2 hectares and a project cost of P20 billion over a 10 year period. Construction will be initially focused on the first residential tower, aspire@nuvocit, which is a 49-storey building designed by Architect Meloy Casas of Casas+Architects.

Leading the ground breaking ceremony was QC Mayor Sonny Belmonte, who lauded the Nuvoland for its vision in nuvocity as a 21st century development in the city. Quezon City is currently the largest city in the Philippines, in terms or area and population, and also the richest in terms of city revenues. Mayor Belmonte added, “gaganda ba ang nuvocity if it was not part of Quezon City”. He challenged the Nuvoland board of directors led by its chairman Menardo Jimenez, president Kevin Belmonte and executive director Rally Martinez. ...”grow with us and we will grow with you.”

Nuvocity is envisioned to be the first “Green” mixed use inner city development in the Philippines. Edmonds International has integrated in its design not only “green building”, such as natural lighting and ventilation within the units and the common areas , but also a “green environment”, such that pedestrian and vehicular circulation are separated eliminating conflict in the passageways and the alignment of buildings to maximize the sun’s penetration into the developed areas. The ground level will only allow for pedestrian traffic, while the vehicular traffic is tucked in the basement levels, minimizing noise, smoke pollution and traffic congestion. This will allow resident and office occupiers of nuvocity full benefit to the large open spaces, pocket parks and tree lined carriageways at the ground level. Nuvocity is comprised of eight towers, five of which are residential, while the remaining three are office towers with a commercial podium to act as a village center for the residents and office workers.

Meanwhile, the almost sold out residential tower of aspire@nuvocity, will sit on a podium, whose top amenity deck is interconnected with the other seven towers in nuvocity, creating a fifth façade for the residents of the tower. The fifth façade is the overlay of the podium decks of all eight towers in nuvocity, that will house a wide range of recreational facilities from tennis courts, basketball courts, swimming pools and gyms allowing for greater interaction between residents of each building.

Nuvoland president Kevin Belmonte mentioned that nuvocity was envisioned to meet the emerging needs to of global Filipinos for a residential enclave whose primary feature is exclusivity and privacy coupled by high accessibility and convenience. All these, key success factors result in a robust community and will be found in nuvo.city.

Jimenez added that the early start of construction of aspire@nuvocity is testament to the company’s resolve to deliver on its promises to its client regardless of circumstance and the strong belief that the country’s economy shall continue to weather the ongoing external financial crisis. With crisis comes opportunity, and for the local and international buyers that are still interested in purchasing a residential condominium, there will be a flight to quality, and Nuvoland as a developer and aspire@nuvocity as a home, will definitely be a top choice.

SOURCE: http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=435767&publicationSubCategoryId=76

Cubao
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3141/2515726378_6c6fe5ac09.jpg?v=0
flickr pic by _gem_
Very nice. It looks like any other SEA capital city (except Manila)

:cheers:

Cubao center has gone a long way in improving its image.What it lacks I feel is a bit of green open area.:)

I think that's why SM has devoted the 15,500 sq.meter area fronting the main mall & the block into the integrated Sky-Garden & transport terminal in order to prepare accomodating part of the traffic coming from the "Grand Central Terminal". That's why across the whole stretch of the Sky-Garden there are around 4 escalators leading to the Transport Terminal & 4 different entry points to the Mall in order to handle incoming people. This anticipated traffic is one of the reasons why SM City North Edsa has rapidly expanded its buildings over the years. In a few years it is expected that SM North EDSA & TriNoma will continue expanding their mall areas & transport terminals to complement the functions of the Grand Cental Terminal.

Now it made sense...

Dati I wonder why SM made an elevated garden where it blocks the facade of the main mall and is aesthetically not pleasing from the ground. I thought they wasted so much space below the elevated gardens.

Now I realized, by making this elevated gardens, it will be easier for people to access from the Grand Central terminal and the terminal will not shadow the gardens and structures of SM since its on the same level.

^^ SM North EDSA will be more chaotic in the future. Imagine all those crowd coming from everywhere, omg. It won't be a wonderful shopping experience for me. But then again, the winner here is Mr. Sy.

^^Tama...seems like di na magiging calm ang SM North with all those thousands of incoming hungry people from the future Grand Terminal waiting to eat or shop but that's the purpose of SM North - to be the Cash Cow of SM. The more shopper chaotic is, the happier Mr. Sy is. If the Mall becomes too crowded - SM will simply add another gargantuan "Annex" to the already Largest Mall in the country. SM North's size has quadrupled from only 120,000 sq. meters in 1985 to 460,000 sq. meters by 2009. SM City North Edsa is really like an empire, growing in both size & population.

A day after three victims of summary execution were found in Manila and in Quezon City, two more fatalities were found in both cities early Friday. In Quezon City, dzBB's Mao dela Cruz reported that the body of a male was found at the Gloria II Subdivision in Tandang Sora district.

Source: http://www.gmanews.tv/story/146607/2-more-salvage-victims-found-in-Metro


Can anyone characterize the environs of Tandang Sora-Banlat-Sauyo area? Its prospects as a real estate investment? I visited an on-going Sta. Lucia Realty project there and found a lot of informal settlers outside the subdivision.

So far wala pang detailed plan for the Grand Station since it will be done in Phases, meaning it will start out as a smaller building & will gradually be expanded as more train stations converge in the area.

What?? so kelan pato lahat matatapos???... :bash:

Okay ung grand station ha...maganda ang planong pagkabit kabitin ang mga trains..


Any updates kung anong gagawin sa mga QC-CBD Triangle? May plano bang tanggalin mga squatters sa tabi ng Trinoma? Who will buy the land? Sna pagandahin pa ng Ayala..


:):banana::):banana:

^^Siguradong pagagandahin pa at palalakihin pa ang TriNoma. May press statement ang Ayala noon na magtatato ng Hypermarket by 2009 at in the coming years maaaring magtatayo daw sila ng mixed-use retail, hotel at office building sa remaining 5 hectares nila beside TriNoma.

What?? so kelan pato lahat matatapos???... :bash:

balak ng Gov't around 2015

QC IS THE BEST!

:banana::banana::banana::lol::lol::lol:

^^Siguradong pagagandahin pa at palalakihin pa ang TriNoma. May press statement ang Ayala noon na magtatato ng Hypermarket by 2009 at in the coming years maaaring magtatayo daw sila ng mixed-use retail, hotel at office building sa remaining 5 hectares nila beside TriNoma.

SM Hypermarket? Lol :D

^^Hindi lang naman exclusive sa SM ang Hypermarket theme...meron yung sa Festival Supermall at Araneta Center na Shopwise Supercenter. Basta mixed-merchandise hypermarket yun.

Congrats! Top 20 Philippine Universities

Http://angeljoyzee.livejournal.com/21608.html

Siguradong pagagandahin pa at palalakihin pa ang TriNoma. May press statement ang Ayala noon na magtatato ng Hypermarket by 2009 at in the coming years maaaring magtatayo daw sila ng mixed-use retail, hotel at office building sa remaining 5 hectares nila beside TriNoma.


^^
I hope na magawa na ngaung 2009 ang mga plano ni AYALA... I am so excited sa development nito.. Syempre pag AYALA for sure kakaiba n naman.. Pwede naman siguro irelocate ang squatters sa ibang lugar,, panget lang kce tingnan na katabi ng ayala mall is squatters area..:)

Is it really true na bibilhin ng SM or ni "Henry Sy" ang Veterans Memorial Center which is located behind trinoma? Ano naman balak nya? How I wish ayusin nya kung gusto nyang bilhin.. Wag ng Mall.. Sana naman may magandang gawin ang SM DEV Co. if ever.... (for sure office space, condo units at isang mall na naman...) Kaso wla na masyadong Puno around the area sayang ang maaliwalas n golf course....:ohno::ohno::ohno:

Sna rin pala may mala Greenbelt around the area if the AYALAs will buy the land at QCBD.. I hope it would not be plain old boring buildings na pablock ang designs,, Request lang na lagyan ng maraming PUNO around the area ang dumi ng Hangin sa EDSA lalo na kung matuloy ang MRT/LRT Central Station sa SM North......

Okay ung grand station ha...maganda ang planong pagkabit kabitin ang mga trains..


Any updates kung anong gagawin sa mga QC-CBD Triangle? May plano bang tanggalin mga squatters sa tabi ng Trinoma? Who will buy the land? Sna pagandahin pa ng Ayala..


:):banana::):banana:


^^

The Grand Station project/concept is great! :applause:

It being integrated with the SkyGarden... wow! Lalong lalaki ang SM North! :banana:

Siguradong pagagandahin pa at palalakihin pa ang TriNoma. May press statement ang Ayala noon na magtatato ng Hypermarket by 2009 at in the coming years maaaring magtatayo daw sila ng mixed-use retail, hotel at office building sa remaining 5 hectares nila beside TriNoma.


^^
I hope na magawa na ngaung 2009 ang mga plano ni AYALA... I am so excited sa development nito.. Syempre pag AYALA for sure kakaiba n naman.. Pwede naman siguro irelocate ang squatters sa ibang lugar,, panget lang kce tingnan na katabi ng ayala mall is squatters area..:)

Is it really true na bibilhin ng SM or ni "Henry Sy" ang Veterans Memorial Center which is located behind trinoma? Ano naman balak nya? How I wish ayusin nya kung gusto nyang bilhin.. Wag ng Mall.. Sana naman may magandang gawin ang SM DEV Co. if ever.... (for sure office space, condo units at isang mall na naman...) Kaso wla na masyadong Puno around the area sayang ang maaliwalas n golf course....:ohno::ohno::ohno:

sabi sa press noon 2009 daw nila gagawin yung 19,000 sq.m. Hypermart. Marami na daw property si Henry Sy malapit sa SM North Edsa pero unconfirmed pa.

QC councilors are squatter coddlers :bash::bash::bash:

By Neal Cruz
Philippine Daily Inquirer

WHAT is this? The Quezon City Council has proposed an ordinance declaring a moratorium on the eviction of squatters in the city “until there are enough relocation sites for affected families.” That means squatters from all over the Philippines, professional squatters or otherwise, will flock to Quezon City because here councilors coddle squatters. QC is already known as the “squatter capital of the Philippines.” It has the most number of squatters and it has the biggest squatter colonies. The new QC ordinance will make the city named after President Manuel Quezon the “squatter capital of the world.” I think this is the QC Council’s gimmick to gain entry to the Guinness Book of World Records.

Why are the councilors doing this? Simple. Next year is election year and squatters are voters. And politicians will do anything, even sell their own mothers, to get votes.

It won’t only be the squatters already in place who would vote for the councilors who passed the ordinance but also the new squatters from other parts of Metro Manila and the Philippines. So you see, the incumbent councilors would have the advantage over all other candidates because of the squatter votes. The ordinance, the councilors would say, is for humane considerations. But it is actually in aid of political considerations.

The presiding officer of the QC Council is Vice Mayor Herbert Bautista. Herbert is the heir apparent of Mayor Sonny Belmonte and is expected to be the next QC mayor, there being no announced aspirants except Rep. Mary Ann Susano of the second district. But if this is the way the QC Council is performing under him, then it bodes ill for the city. How can Herbert and the councilors have the temerity to ask the people of Quezon City to vote for them when they are selling them, the taxpayers, down the river?

The taxpayers, the homeowners and businessmen, have made QC the richest city in the Philippines, richer than Makati with its high-rise condos and even higher real estate prices. Thanks to these taxpayers, QC has more than P3 billion in the bank—and growing. Think of the commissions the grateful banks give to those who decide where to deposit the funds.

Where does the money go? The government spends it for the millions of squatters in the city who do not pay taxes at all. And for the councilors. Those useless tarpaulins polluting the city, greeting GMA and INC Bishop Eraño Manalo happy birthday, congratulating graduating students, wishing “happy valentine” and “happy fiesta” to nobody in particular—they were all paid with the taxes you paid. And all for what? To remind the voters of the names and faces of the councilors.

Those basketball courts and pool halls in the squatter colonies—they were paid with your money. Those concrete semi-arches with the names of the councilors etched in stone like the Ten Commandments at the boundaries of each barangay—they were paid with your taxes. Those unnecessary waiting sheds (unnecessary because the Metro Manila Development Authority is already putting up better waiting sheds) with the names of councilors painted in big bold letters on them—they were all paid with your taxes.

What do you, the taxpayers, get in return for the taxes you pay? Nothing. You would expect the city government to at least help you reclaim your property from the squatters because you are a taxpayer and they are not. (They use up your taxes instead.) But does the city government help you? Are you kidding? I have been trying to get the QC government to recover my lot from squatters since the time of Mayor Adelina Rodriguez. Did any of the mayors help? Ha ha ha. If they did, why are the squatters still there and I am still here looking from the outside?

What do the councilors do to help the homeowners? Help the homeowners? On the contrary, they pass ordinances increasing the real estate taxes for lots squatted on. The owners pay those taxes, not the squatters who use the lots. They may pass more ordinances prohibiting the ejectment of squatters.

Can the councilors pass an ordinance overturning the rights of ownership? Can the council prevent lot owners from ejecting squatters from their properties by the mere passage of an ordinance? Can the council prevent the city government or the MMDA from performing their duties of ejecting squatters and restoring law and order? Of course they cannot, but why do they try to block the enforcement of laws? Because of votes.

When there is a squatter demolition in any part of the metropolis, who are the first to show up to stop the law enforcers from doing their duty? The councilors—and the congressmen, especially Rep. Bingbong Crisologo. They will berate the law enforcers and play up to the squatters, not realizing that they are actually guilty of obstruction of justice. Because of votes. Votes are actually more powerful than the law or justice. Politicians will beg, steal or borrow, sell their own mothers and violate the laws in exchange for votes.

What can we taxpayers do? Well, aside from a tax revolt, the best way is the ballot. Do not vote for the squatter coddlers. If a councilor or congressman tries to stop a demolition, remember his name and don’t vote for him in next year’s election. Vote for his rival, whoever he is, so long as he is not a squatter coddler himself. Don’t vote for the politicians whose tarpaulins you see polluting the city. They are stealing your taxes to pay for those tarpaulins. Don’t vote for politicians whose names you see painted on waiting sheds. They did not pay for those waiting sheds. You did. Don’t vote for politicians whose names you see on the backboards of basketball goals erected in the middle of streets so that squatters can play basketball, instead of working, and preventing the public from using the street.

Don’t vote for squatter coddlers. By the way, the author of the proposed ordinance granting a moratorium on the eviction of squatters is Councilor Bernadette Herrera-Dy.
http://opinion.inquirer.net/inquireropinion/columns/view/20090202-186881/QC-councilors-are-squatter-coddlers

Neal Cruz just have too much gripes. The squatters increased their size incrementally, they need to be reduced incrementally also. Massive eviction will just result in chaos. That's why no matter how exasperating the relocation of railroad track squatters, it had to be done gradually. In the end both would be winners.

The money spent building basketball courts are pure token compared with the amount of money to be spent on potential wayward kids. They might get involved in crimes, involve in vandalism, etc. and we would have to spend more money on incarcerations.

FLORA FILIPINA EXPO DAILY FREE LECTURES (As of 1/23/2009)
Venue: Orchidarium Park Area (Lagoon Area), Quezon City Hall Complex,
East Avenue corner Elliptical Road, Diliman, Quezon City

February 08, 2009 – Sunday
2:00-3:30pm Culinary and Medicinal Herbs
Speaker: Mr. Arnold Pesit

3:30-5:00pm The Art and Science of Bonsai
Speaker: Mr. Mody Manglicmot

February 09, 2009 - Monday
2:00 – 3:30 pm.: Production Techniques for Hoyas and Dischidias
Speaker :Lawrence Chan

February 10, 2009 - Tuesday
2:00-3:30pm Growing Phalaenopsis Orchids
Speaker: Mr. Vicente Chin Jr.

3:30-5:00pm Culture Guide for Growing Sympodial Orchid
Speaker: Mr. Andres S. Golamco, Jr.

February 11, 2009 - Wednesday
2:00-3:30 pm Establishing a Tissue Culture Laboratory for Selected Ornamental Plants
Speaker: Prof. Jovita A. Anit

3:30-5:00pm Growing Techniques for Vandaceous Orchids
Speaker: Mr. Carlos Valeriano C. Lazaro

February 12, 2009 – Thursday
2:00 – 3:30 pm. Anthurium Foliage
Speaker: Ms.Vangie Go

3:30-5:00pm Cultural Techniques for Growing Selected Ferns
Speaker: Mr. Andres S. Golamco, Jr.

February 13, 2009 - Friday
2:00-3:30pm : Nutritional Requirements of Orchids & Ornamental Plants
Speaker: Allied Botanicals representative

3:30 – 5:00pm: Aglaonema Production
Speaker: Mr. Fernando Aurigue

February 14, 2009 - Saturday
2:00 – 3:30 pm. Dish and Wall Garden
Speaker: Mr. Serapion Metilla

3:30 – 5:00pm. Cultural Guide for Raising Noteworthy Collectible Orchid Species
Speaker: Mr. Kelvin Neil Manubay

February 15, 2009 – Sunday
2:00-3:30pm Culture Guide in Raising of Bromeliads, Neoregalia and Tillandsia
Speaker: Mr.Rene Dofitas

3:30 – 5:00pm : Growing Cattleya Orchids
Speaker : Atty. Hernando B. Perez

February 16, 2009 - Monday
2:00 – 3:30 pm. Flower Arrangement
Speaker: Floral Designer’s Circle

See the link for more Information:
http://philippineorchidsocietyph.org/beta1/


Start of the Exhibit Ingress:
Feburary 2, 2009 monday at 6pm

FLORA FILIPINA EXPO CONFERENCE
UPDATED PROGRAM (As of Jan. 30, 2009)

TIME

DAY 1 - FEBRUARY 06 (FRIDAY), 2009

7:00 8:00 Registration Flora Secretariat
8:00 8:10 Invocation & National Anthem
8:10 8:15 Conference Chairman’s Opening Remarks Mr. Norberto R. Bautista
8:15 8:25 Key Note Speaker Sec. Arthur Yap, DA

8:25 8:50 World Floriculture: Past, Present & Future Ms. Nancy Laws
8:50 9:15 Plant Production & Marketing in France Mr. Paul John & Ms. Marie Berjou
9:15 9:45 Philippine Plants in the Botanical Gardens of the World Dr. Amihan Lubag-Arquiza

9:45 10:35 Question & Answer / AM Snacks

10:35 11:00 Calla Production Mr. Don Slade
11:00 11:25 Selection of Philippine Aroids for the Ornamental Industry Mr. Fernando Aurigue
11:25 11:50 Hoya & Dischidia Species Mr. Ted Green
11:50 12:15 Breeding & Production of Bromeliads specific to
Neoregelias & Tillandsias Mr. Rene Dofitas

12:15 12:35 Question & Answer

12:35 1:30 LUNCH

1:30 1:55 Growing Cacti & Succulents in the Tropics Mr. Kevin Belmonte
1:55 2:20 Philippine Rafflesia Mr. Leonardo Co
2:20 2:45 New Hybrids of Hibiscus Dr. Francisco San Diego
2:45 3:10 Mussaenda Production Dr. Monina Siar

3:10 3:35 Question & Answer / PM Snacks

3:35 4:00 Dendrobium Production & Marketing Dr. Kenneth Leonhardt
4:00 4:25 Breeding Trends in Spathoglottis Orchids Ms. Rolita Spowart
4:25 4:50 Genetic Barcoding of Philippine Orchid Species Dr. Maribel Agoo
4:50 5:15 Philippine Quarantine Procedures for Importing / Mr. Larry R. Lacson
Exporting Plants
5:15 5:40 Question & Answer


MODERATOR: DR. BEN VERGARA


DAY 2 - FEBRUARY 07 (SATURDAY), 2009
7:00 8:00 Registration Flora Secretariat
8:00 8:25 Taiwan Horticultural Technology Mr. Arsenio Barcelona
8:25 8:50 Status & Prospects of the Philippine Floriculture Industry Mr. Efren Chatto
8:50 9:15 Philippine Plants for Landscaping Dr. Salvador Bautista
9:15 9:40 Ornamental Mosses in Asia & their Taxonomy Dr. Benito Tan

9:40 10:10 Question & Answer / AM Snacks

10:10 10:35 Use of Trichoderma in Minimizing Pesticide Use Mr. Don Slade
in Ornamental Crop Production
10:35 11:00 Fertilization Allied Botanical Rep.
11:00 11:25 Potting Media Michael Caballes
11:25 11:50 Response of Vanda Primary Hybrids and Lettuce to
Mature Compost Dr. Raymundo Lucero
11:50 12:30 Question & Answer

12:30 1:30 LUNCH

1:30 1:55 Edible Landscaping Dr. Nido Naranja
1:55 2:20 Inducing Sterility into Invasive Ornamental Plants
by Chromosome Manipulation Dr. Kenneth Leonhardt
2:20 2:45 Cycads of the World

2:45 3:10 Question & Answer / PM Snacks

3:10 3:35 Production of Selected Philippine Ferns Mr. Anthony Arbias
3:35 4:00 Marketing Plants Through the Internet Mr. Tata Montilla
4:00 4:25 Question & Answer
4:25 4:50 Closing Remarks



MODERATOR: Ms. DOREEN DOFITAS

Neal Cruz just have too much gripes. The squatters increased their size incrementally, they need to be reduced incrementally also. Massive eviction will just result in chaos. That's why no matter how exasperating the relocation of railroad track squatters, it had to be done gradually. In the end both would be winners.

The money spent building basketball courts are pure token compared with the amount of money to be spent on potential wayward kids. They might get involved in crimes, involve in vandalism, etc. and we would have to spend more money on incarcerations.

^^ i quite agree.. but we cannot discount the fact that on some level, Neal Cruz, is telling the truth. These councilors have affinity to informal settlers because they are easy to please and easy to condition. hence, more votes for them..

but i applaud the efforts of the SB governance, Visayas Avenue is very nice and bright.. I for one would like to invest on a commercial place within that strip.. It looks very nice now..

Sna rin pala may mala Greenbelt around the area if the AYALAs will buy the land at QCBD.. I hope it would not be plain old boring buildings na pablock ang designs,, Request lang na lagyan ng maraming PUNO around the area ang dumi ng Hangin sa EDSA lalo na kung matuloy ang MRT/LRT Central Station sa SM North......

I'm sure Ayala will be challenged as well with the Grand Facelift of SM North Edsa. I expect them to build an extension that will bring back the interest of shoppers kasi dapat talaga bago ka para mapansin ng tao. Ayala won't take the Massive expansion of SM North Edsa lightly, let's wait for TriNoma's further improvement in the coming months.

To be fair, I think SB has got nothing to do w/ this. It's Councilor Dy and bisteks "pakulo" .Unfortunately, most M-Manila warlords este politicos, use squatters for their own personal agenda:ohno:

QC councilors are squatter coddlers :bash::bash::bash:

By Neal Cruz
Philippine Daily Inquirer

WHAT is this? The Quezon City Council has proposed an ordinance declaring a moratorium on the eviction of squatters in the city “until there are enough relocation sites for affected families.” That means squatters from all over the Philippines, professional squatters or otherwise, will flock to Quezon City because here councilors coddle squatters. QC is already known as the “squatter capital of the Philippines.” It has the most number of squatters and it has the biggest squatter colonies. The new QC ordinance will make the city named after President Manuel Quezon the “squatter capital of the world.” I think this is the QC Council’s gimmick to gain entry to the Guinness Book of World Records.

Why are the councilors doing this? Simple. Next year is election year and squatters are voters. And politicians will do anything, even sell their own mothers, to get votes.

It won’t only be the squatters already in place who would vote for the councilors who passed the ordinance but also the new squatters from other parts of Metro Manila and the Philippines. So you see, the incumbent councilors would have the advantage over all other candidates because of the squatter votes. The ordinance, the councilors would say, is for humane considerations. But it is actually in aid of political considerations.

The presiding officer of the QC Council is Vice Mayor Herbert Bautista. Herbert is the heir apparent of Mayor Sonny Belmonte and is expected to be the next QC mayor, there being no announced aspirants except Rep. Mary Ann Susano of the second district. But if this is the way the QC Council is performing under him, then it bodes ill for the city. How can Herbert and the councilors have the temerity to ask the people of Quezon City to vote for them when they are selling them, the taxpayers, down the river?

The taxpayers, the homeowners and businessmen, have made QC the richest city in the Philippines, richer than Makati with its high-rise condos and even higher real estate prices. Thanks to these taxpayers, QC has more than P3 billion in the bank—and growing. Think of the commissions the grateful banks give to those who decide where to deposit the funds.

Where does the money go? The government spends it for the millions of squatters in the city who do not pay taxes at all. And for the councilors. Those useless tarpaulins polluting the city, greeting GMA and INC Bishop Eraño Manalo happy birthday, congratulating graduating students, wishing “happy valentine” and “happy fiesta” to nobody in particular—they were all paid with the taxes you paid. And all for what? To remind the voters of the names and faces of the councilors.

Those basketball courts and pool halls in the squatter colonies—they were paid with your money. Those concrete semi-arches with the names of the councilors etched in stone like the Ten Commandments at the boundaries of each barangay—they were paid with your taxes. Those unnecessary waiting sheds (unnecessary because the Metro Manila Development Authority is already putting up better waiting sheds) with the names of councilors painted in big bold letters on them—they were all paid with your taxes.

What do you, the taxpayers, get in return for the taxes you pay? Nothing. You would expect the city government to at least help you reclaim your property from the squatters because you are a taxpayer and they are not. (They use up your taxes instead.) But does the city government help you? Are you kidding? I have been trying to get the QC government to recover my lot from squatters since the time of Mayor Adelina Rodriguez. Did any of the mayors help? Ha ha ha. If they did, why are the squatters still there and I am still here looking from the outside?

What do the councilors do to help the homeowners? Help the homeowners? On the contrary, they pass ordinances increasing the real estate taxes for lots squatted on. The owners pay those taxes, not the squatters who use the lots. They may pass more ordinances prohibiting the ejectment of squatters.

Can the councilors pass an ordinance overturning the rights of ownership? Can the council prevent lot owners from ejecting squatters from their properties by the mere passage of an ordinance? Can the council prevent the city government or the MMDA from performing their duties of ejecting squatters and restoring law and order? Of course they cannot, but why do they try to block the enforcement of laws? Because of votes.

When there is a squatter demolition in any part of the metropolis, who are the first to show up to stop the law enforcers from doing their duty? The councilors—and the congressmen, especially Rep. Bingbong Crisologo. They will berate the law enforcers and play up to the squatters, not realizing that they are actually guilty of obstruction of justice. Because of votes. Votes are actually more powerful than the law or justice. Politicians will beg, steal or borrow, sell their own mothers and violate the laws in exchange for votes.

What can we taxpayers do? Well, aside from a tax revolt, the best way is the ballot. Do not vote for the squatter coddlers. If a councilor or congressman tries to stop a demolition, remember his name and don’t vote for him in next year’s election. Vote for his rival, whoever he is, so long as he is not a squatter coddler himself. Don’t vote for the politicians whose tarpaulins you see polluting the city. They are stealing your taxes to pay for those tarpaulins. Don’t vote for politicians whose names you see painted on waiting sheds. They did not pay for those waiting sheds. You did. Don’t vote for politicians whose names you see on the backboards of basketball goals erected in the middle of streets so that squatters can play basketball, instead of working, and preventing the public from using the street.

Don’t vote for squatter coddlers. By the way, the author of the proposed ordinance granting a moratorium on the eviction of squatters is Councilor Bernadette Herrera-Dy.
http://opinion.inquirer.net/inquireropinion/columns/view/20090202-186881/QC-councilors-are-squatter-coddlers

Councilor Bernadette Herrera-Dy pala ha. Palagay ko may balak kumandidato yan ng Vice-Mayor.

I noticed that there are tarpaulins of some people around the city who are not even councilors yet. Looks like they are preparing early for the 2010 elections. Case in point is the former actor Jigo Garcia. Far as I know is that he is a Barangay Chairman but I just saw several streamers with his face on it with Holiday greetings near City Hall. Such an early electioneering!

QC police station caught stealing electricity (http://http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/metro-manila/02/04/09/qc-police-station-caught-stealing-electricity)
abs-cbnNEWS.com | 02/04/2009 8:51 AM


Power provider Manila Electric Company (Meralco) on Tuesday night cut off the supply of the Kamuning Police Station's traffic sector in Quezon City for stealing electricity.

The traffic policemen worked in darkness from 8 p.m. up to dawn. Some policemen used candles to continue their desk jobs.

Meralco brought back the police unit's electricity supply before the morning broke on Wednesday. The power provider said the police unit's supply was cut off for using an electricity "jumper.'

An electricity "jumper" is a wire gadget used by thieves to transfer electricity without passing through an installed functional power meter.

The power provider said the Philippine National Police leadership had agreed to let them cut off the power supply of illegally-tapped police stations.


An electricity "jumper" is a wire gadget used by power thieves to transfer electricity without passing passing through an installed functional power meter.

^^ i quite agree.. but we cannot discount the fact that on some level, Neal Cruz, is telling the truth. These councilors have affinity to informal settlers because they are easy to please and easy to condition. hence, more votes for them..

but i applaud the efforts of the SB governance, Visayas Avenue is very nice and bright.. I for one would like to invest on a commercial place within that strip.. It looks very nice now..

How about the area bounded by Tandang Sora-Banlat-Sauyo?