^^ Pagandahan ng wheelchair with IV holder and wider space for lap dancing. :lol:
:lol: :hilarious

I doubt that very much. Holding assets until the price catches on is not a strategy – it is lunacy. Either you guys have short memories or you just don’t really know what’s going on in your own backyard.

Imagine where the former government-owned Philippine National Bank will be today had it not for Lorenzo Tan introducing the “good bank-bad bank” concept at PNB. This “bold strategy” paved the way for the liquidation of several billion pesos of non-performing assets and dramatically improving the bank’s asset quality, liquidity and profitability since 2003. I bet most of you are like Huh?! run that by me again?!

Now this “western thinking strategy” made Lucio Tan look like a genius - proof of which turned some of you into Lucio’s stock groupie :lol: Of course most of you probably don't even know who Lorenzo Tan is?

Go ahead - stick to your old concepts - in 2 to 4 years, Philippine banks are going to have real property fire sales to stay solvent. And when that time comes, only Koreans, Taiwanese and Chinese mainlanders will have a lot of cash to buy the Philippines.

>> este this is interesting. ****-expound pls... :)

ekkk bat na-asterisk yung p.a k.i.?? lol!!

Excuse me. Lorenzo 'Yay' Tan was my elementary classmate back at Lourdes School QC. We still keep in touch. He mentioned few years back that it was no-brainer to keep the unperforming/bad loans, for the overhead was much more than the equity/value of the property.

As for investing, another no-brainer, buy low and sell high. The only problem is when is a price low enough? It might be low but it can go much much lower...

Excuse me. Lorenzo 'Yay' Tan was my elementary classmate back at Lourdes School QC. We still keep in touch. He mentioned few years back that it was no-brainer to keep the unperforming/bad loans, for the overhead was much more than the equity/value of the property.

As for investing, another no-brainer, buy low and sell high. The only problem is when is a price low enough? It might be low but it can go much much lower...



i agree, buy low and sell high. also, sell when everyone is buying and buy when everyone is selling.

anyways, OT... ei, classmate mo pala si gasrock???

Excuse me. Lorenzo 'Yay' Tan was my elementary classmate back at Lourdes School QC. We still keep in touch. He mentioned few years back that it was no-brainer to keep the unperforming/bad loans, for the overhead was much more than the equity/value of the property.

did you attend DLSU? and do you have an older sister whose first name starts with Ma L?

BTW you can read these asset liquidations in PNB's annual report.

sorry, i think lucio tan is a shrewd businessman BUT i never considered him a genius. that bit on PNB's landbank i picked up from one of the eton threads. also, i'm more of an ayala stock groupie :lol: :nocrook:

Sorry..I used PNB as an example because in my mind, PNB did everything what prudent bankers are supposed to do to turn a bad bank into a profitable one and they have a long way to go ...but my post was not intended for you...ok?

teka muna, meron akong hindi naintindihan...
kung meron akong pambili ngayong ang halaga ay mataas
bakit mawawalan ako ng pambili pag mas mura ang halaga 2 - 4 years from now? :nuts:

Sorry hindi ko nai-intidihan ang tanong mo??

^^ you said in 2 to 4 years, the banks will have fire sales on properties
you also said that when that time comes, only koreans, taiwanese and chinese mainlanders will have the cash to buy

my question is... why so?
if certain people had the money to buy at what you may perceive as inflated prices
what makes you think they won't have any money for later?


@lauren - magka ibang lourdes school si bong at victor
si victor, sa ortigas
si bong, sa quezon city

^^ you said in 2 to 4 years, the banks will have fire sales on properties
you also said that when that time comes, only koreans, taiwanese and chinese mainlanders will have the cash to buy

my question is... why so?
if certain people had the money to buy at what you may perceive as inflated prices
what makes you think they won't have any money for later?


@lauren - magka ibang lourdes school si bong at victor
si victor, sa ortigas
si bong, sa quezon city

BTW - do you really think that the rise in real property values in the Philippines is sustainable?

In any event, those "certain people" you are referring to could be the exceptions - any combination of events I painted in a previous post could prove fatal to the economy of the Philippines. That is the likely event I was refering to where liquidity is zapped out of the economy (like what is happening today???). Then you have mortgage foreclosures...this process does not take a full turn overnight - from market collapse to recovery...could take 2-3 years. Financial institutions will have to liquidate their non-performing assets in order to stay afloat...a part of the recovery process.

I don't think the Philippines' middle class have the purchasing capacity to absorb excess supply to be able to support prices...do you?

The Chinese, Koreans, etc. I mentioned is an intended hyperbole.

BTW - do you really think that the rise in real property values in the Philippines is sustainable?

In any event, those "certain people" you are referring to could be the exceptions - any combination of events I painted in a previous post could prove fatal to the economy of the Philippines. That is the likely event I was refering to where liquidity is zapped out of the economy (like what is happening today???). Then you have mortgage foreclosures...this process does not take a full turn overnight - from market collapse to recovery...could take 2-3 years. Financial institutions will have to liquidate their non-performing assets in order to stay afloat...a part of the recovery process.

I don't think the Philippines' middle class have the purchasing capacity to absorb excess supply to be able to support prices...do you?

The Chinese, Koreans, etc. I mentioned is an intended hyperbole.

Of course, you're assuming middle class Filipinos are the targets of these developments. From my experience, the current real estate boom is being fueled by balikbayans from the US and OFW's from the rest of the world.

It would be interesting to see how the current credit crunch in the mortgage industry in the US will affect the local Philippine market due to the propensity of most Fil-ams using their HELOC's to purchase property in the Philippines.

At the same time, many of these purchases are for future use thus many will just seat and wait out the crisis.

As for foreigners, more power to them. A robust Philippine economy with multiple sources of revenue can only help everybody.

^^ agree. i don't believe the philippine middle class is driving the increase in property prices

Of course, you're assuming middle class Filipinos are the targets of these developments. From my experience, the current real estate boom is being fueled by balikbayans from the US and OFW's from the rest of the world.

It would be interesting to see how the current credit crunch in the mortgage industry in the US will affect the local Philippine market due to the propensity of most Fil-ams using their HELOC's to purchase property in the Philippines.

At the same time, many of these purchases are for future use thus many will just seat and wait out the crisis.

As for foreigners, more power to them. A robust Philippine economy with multiple sources of revenue can only help everybody.


But it works both ways, you are also assuming that OFW's and balikbayans have deep pockets and may be immune from the credit crunch you are referring to. Right now we are already seeing some evidence of resistance from OFW's and balikbayans about investing their hard earned money in housing. You guys know this - the strong peso is hurting them.

Now, let me ask you this, if the OFWs and balikbayans can't support the "boom", what happens to all these on-going residential, commercial and tourist developments if these investment dollars coming from abroad stop?

And pleeeeeeease - don't respond by telling me that these projects will just sit where they are until the market comes back!!!! :nuts:

^^ agree. i don't believe the philippine middle class is driving the increase in property prices

Is that what I said? read again...:lol:

Is that what I said? read again...:lol:

nope. i agreed with arnolds
don't you see where my post included the ^^
those are used as pointers to the prior post

But it works both ways, you are also assuming that OFW's and balikbayans have deep pockets and may be immune from the credit crunch you are referring to. Right now we are already seeing some evidence of resistance from OFW's and balikbayans about investing their hard earned money in housing. You guys know this - the strong peso is hurting them.

Now, let me ask you this, if the OFWs and balikbayans can't support the "boom", what happens to all these on-going residential, commercial and tourist developments if these investment dollars coming from abroad stop?

And pleeeeeeease - don't respond by telling me that these projects will just sit where they are until the market comes back!!!! :nuts:

The scenario you articulated is entirely plausible. The subprime mess will certainly take a breath out of the HELOC and refinancing Fil-Ams use to buy real estate in the PHilippines.

However, there are other dynamics that are in play for the real estate boom to continue. Real property values in the Philippines still lag behind its neighbors. OFWs diversifying their portfolios hedging for the the depreciating dollar will certainly look at the Philippines for investment. Developers have barely tap the well heeled filipino diaspora and Euro based OFWs might pick up the slack.

Nobody can predict where the volatility in the financial markets will lead us to.....but people who can afford to hunker down when the market turns sour will be justly rewarded.

I don't think there was an overwhelming activity of subprime lending in the Philippines in the past 6 years and I don't see this as a reason for rampant foreclosures in the future. Banks in the Philippines operate differently than the banks in the US specially when it comes to lending.

I think the pour of investments of foreign based nationals in the Philippines shouldn't be under estimated.

There's not a lot of middle class in the Philippines and I believe that there's a lot of super rich in the Philippines and foreign investors including OFW's who could afford to buy real properties and just sit and wait for their investments to increase in value.

Just thought of posting this article. A developer's point of view...

Developer bullish on real estate sector
Manila Bulletin
Friday, August 10, 2007

The real estate setor will continue its upturn and will be the one of the driving forces of the country's economy. This was according to Ambassador Felimon R. Cuevas, owner-president of Cuevasville Realty & Development Corp.

Cuevas, who forayed on real estate development business only a few years ago, has seen for himself the fast growth of this sector which he believes is fuelled mainly by the dollar remittances of the overseas Filipino workers (OFW).

"The OFW is the new middle class. Their money first goes to fulfilling their dreams of owning their own homes, and then the money trickles down to buying their necessities which in turn triggers consumer spending," Cuevas said.

He said that this is the main reason he is expanding his real estate concern starting with the opening of the FRC Riviera Hotel Opening on August 11 of this year in Lucena, the 60 room hotel will be the fist of its kind in this fast rising city. The hotel is just like a whiff of frsh air to this developing metropolis which is in dire need of first class accomodation to service its booming tourist and business center.

The FRC Grand Riviera sits on a 15,000 square meters of prime land along the diversion national highway in Ilayag, Dupay and just a walking distance from the Lucena Grand Terminal making it accesible to all types of transportation. Visitors coming from Manila bound for Bicol, Visayas, Samar and Leyte who wish to brake their long travel can experience world-class hospitalities that the hotel offers.



_______________________________


Collier's status report on Phil realestate...

Real Growth On Real Investments
by Gerard de la Peña
Business World

By this year, the Philippine real estate boom should be almost halfway through the cycle of growth that normally lasts between five to seven years. But at the rate business is going, the industry upswing could last longer than the projected period. Properties are hot buys more than ever - and they are red hot, for that matter. And this is rightfully so, as the local properties sector continues to provide sound investments.

True enough, construction sites dot key cities and prime resort areas, while shares of listed property developers remain top picks at the trading floor of the Philippine Stock Exchange. There is a plethora of properties to choose from, ranging from low-cost to prime condominium units, to themed enclaves and vacation homes atop the mountain or by the sea.

"We think this will be a longer growth period than the usual," Federal Land Inc. first vice-president Dennis D. Lim told BusinessWorld. "The past boom was fueled by speculative demand; but now there is real demand amid that growth."

It is indeed brisk business for real estate firms. The Housing and Land Use Regulatory Board (HLURB) has, in fact, registered a 20% year-on-year increase of approved licenses to 358,893 units from 298,002 in 2005.

Vertical development

Federal Land, for one, recently bared its P20-billion plan to transform its 25-hectare property in Fort Bonifacio in Taguig into a central business district. Megaworld Corporation, meanwhile, is set to commence construction of Greenbelt Chancellor in Makati City by the fourth quarter of the year after selling 40% of the total residential units. Rockwell Land Corp., on the other hand, promises to change the Makati skyline with Number One Rockwell, its last residential project in the Rockwell township.

"Most of the growth is happening in the vertical market. The horizontal market is growing but not as fast as the vertical market," said Mr. Lim.

The real estate industry is receiving a boost from the dollar-rich overseas Filipino worker (OFW) market, and the influx of business process outsourcing (BPO) investments in the country.

"The BPO office market continues its phenomenal growth trajectory as office market remains tight," said Megaworld executive director Kingson Sian.

Property consultancy firm Colliers International (Philippines), Inc. listed several notable lease transactions as of the first quarter. These include BPO firms E-Telecare, ICT, and Accenture each leasing 6,000-square meter (sq. m) spaces at Annex @ Shaw in Ortigas Center; Astec leasing a 4,500- sq. m commercial space at 1800 Estwood Avenue in Libis, Quezon City; Accenture occupying a 4,000-sq. m workspace at Cybergate 2 in Mandaluyong City; and GE Philippines renting 2,362-sq. m space at Net Cube in Fort Bonifacio.

Other commercial projects are also on the rise in Fort Bonifacio. According to Colliers International, The Net Group has built nearly 30,000 sq. m of useable space in two projects, with the third installment in the series having been pre-committed before topping off. Megaworld, for another, is currently constructing four buildings with 60,000 sq. m of useable space, while 10 buildings, which make a total of 145,000 sq.m of commercial space, are in the pipeline.

Perking up business

Aside from a host of new developments, the first quarter also saw the entry of new industry players, most prominent of which is Lucio Tan group's Eton Properties Philippines, Inc., which is slated to start construction of The Eton Residences Greenbelt in Makati City and Eton IT Center (EIC) in Ortigas Center, Pasig City. Eton has earmarked P10 billion for these and five other projects.

"What triggered our decision to build EIC is that the locator was the one who approached us and expressed interest even before we started (discussing) what to do with that location. Given the interest, we have decided to start the construction of our first building in Ortigas. This would be the first of the many BPO buildings that we are coming up with, depending on the demand from BPO," Eton Properties President Danilo Ignacio said in a press conference.

The real estate industry upswing also helped perk up the loans business of banks, with Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas posting a growth of 9.9% growth in loan activity in March, compared to the February's rate of 7.5%. Providing further encouragement is the Colliers forecast that land value could appreciate by as much as 10% within the course of the year.

But it works both ways, you are also assuming that OFW's and balikbayans have deep pockets and may be immune from the credit crunch you are referring to. Right now we are already seeing some evidence of resistance from OFW's and balikbayans about investing their hard earned money in housing. You guys know this - the strong peso is hurting them.

Now, let me ask you this, if the OFWs and balikbayans can't support the "boom", what happens to all these on-going residential, commercial and tourist developments if these investment dollars coming from abroad stop?

And pleeeeeeease - don't respond by telling me that these projects will just sit where they are until the market comes back!!!! :nuts:

Ok, let me address a few points.

1. With regards to the US based balikbayans...I think for many, the purchase of property in the Philippines is not merely an investment play. Many do plan to retire and spend a significant part of their retirement lives easing back into the Philippines using their 2k-3k a month pensions to retire comfortably. These buyers are already paying off their units on a monthly basis (interest free from the developers) or took out a heloc. The current crunch will prevent them from selling their US based housing right now but most will probably just sit tight and their retirement window is probably 5-10 years from now. As for having deep pockets, I doubt that they have that luxury. However, they have a steady job right now and paying for a 80k-120k usd property on a monthly basis is not a burden.

2. As many others have pointed out, the Filipino diaspora is still a largely untapped market. The US is not the only source of money for Balikbayans and many from Europe and the Middle East will be the main driving force in fueling the boom to continue.

3. As for your doomsday scenario, its entirely plausible but the Philippine economy is much more dynamic than you give it credit for. Yes, minor disruptions might cause dips in activity but for the most part, many Filipinos who immigrated to other countries back in the 60's and 70's are now planning to retire back to the Philippines. This desire to go "home" will continue in the near future. Once medicare and health insurance of a US based pensioner becomes portable and accesible in the Philippines, the floodgates will open.

Oh, I'm as worried as you about the "boom" and its sustainability. However, based on my last two years of going back to Manila on a monthly basis is largely tinged with optimism and awe on the effect of remittances, call centers and old money are having on the Philippine economy and the lifestyle of Filipinos. Yes, the boom can't last but on the overall scheme of things, the Philippines offers a cheap alternative to many retirees. The allure of coming "home" is going to be too strong for many after their initial visit after many years of absence. To them, the Philippines is a very affordable and cheap place to live while giving them a better quality of life and affluence that most are not used to after being away for such a long time.

I call it the Wowowee effect and I'm not even talking about the current subscribers that are the captive market for many real estate developers, those will always come home and continue to have strong ties to home. I'm talking about those who have not been back for a long time, who have minimal ties, those who have no idea or desire to think about going home, even those who grew up their entire lives outside of the Philippines. Then all of a sudden, they get enticed to go, merely for a vacation.

They spend a 2-3 weeks for vacation, meeting unknown relatives, long-lost friends, annoyed by traffic, pummeled by the weather, aghast at the abject poverty but generally having a blast during vacation and the time of their lives. Every night dinners out, affordable and abundant food, the conveniences of Makati, Rockwell and the Fort, the relaxed experience at Borcaay become a drug that they begin to crave. They also see the typical middle class Filipino lifestyle with 2-3 maids, husbands and wives enjoying their own set of social lives apart from their kid's existence. Then they realize that if you have money to spend in Manila, life is easy and more relaxed, more manageable and all of this for about 3-4k usd a month. The wheels start turning, the alternative world opens up to them, a pampered lifestyle awaits them and it usually will start with a purchase of a relatively affordable condo.

^^ but 3000-4000 us dollars a month is not cheap living. that's almost the cost of living in the states. I don't know if very many will have that much money for retirement now, if they'll just rely on their govt. pensions.

Ok, let me address a few points.

1. With regards to the US based balikbayans...I think for many, the purchase of property in the Philippines is not merely an investment play. Many do plan to retire and spend a significant part of their retirement lives easing back into the Philippines using their 2k-3k a month pensions to retire comfortably. These buyers are already paying off their units on a monthly basis (interest free from the developers) or took out a heloc. The current crunch will prevent them from selling their US based housing right now but most will probably just sit tight and their retirement window is probably 5-10 years from now. As for having deep pockets, I doubt that they have that luxury. However, they have a steady job right now and paying for a 80k-120k usd property on a monthly basis is not a burden. I think the average SSA for allAmericans is about $900 in today's dollars. The beneficiaries receiving $2-3K you mentioned is the top 15% - I don't know the number of Filipinos in that group but I can bet you there's not plenty much!

2. As many others have pointed out, the Filipino diaspora is still a largely untapped market. The US is not the only source of money for Balikbayans and many from Europe and the Middle East will be the main driving force in fueling the boom to continue. do you have the data to support your claim? it is just quite contratry to what I have heard!

3. As for your doomsday scenario, its entirely plausible but the Philippine economy is much more dynamic than you give it credit for. Yes, minor disruptions might cause dips in activity but for the most part, many Filipinos who immigrated to other countries back in the 60's and 70's are now planning to retire back to the Philippines. This desire to go "home" will continue in the near future. Once medicare and health insurance of a US based pensioner becomes portable and accesible in the Philippines, the floodgates will open. medicare in the Philippines? now that could be a hot political potato!!

Oh, I'm as worried as you about the "boom" and its sustainability. However, based on my last two years of going back to Manila on a monthly basis is largely tinged with optimism and awe on the effect of remittances, call centers and old money are having on the Philippine economy and the lifestyle of Filipinos. Yes, the boom can't last but on the overall scheme of things, the Philippines offers a cheap alternative to many retirees. The allure of coming "home" is going to be too strong for many after their initial visit after many years of absence. To them, the Philippines is a very affordable and cheap place to live while giving them a better quality of life and affluence that most are not used to after being away for such a long time.I agree but the keyword is "affordability" - from your statement below, it does look like only the very rich can afford to go back and retire. BTW - what is the quality of life like for the 90% of the Filipinos living in the islands?

I call it the Wowowee effect and I'm not even talking about the current subscribers that are the captive market for many real estate developers, those will always come home and continue to have strong ties to home. I'm talking about those who have not been back for a long time, who have minimal ties, those who have no idea or desire to think about going home, even those who grew up their entire lives outside of the Philippines. Then all of a sudden, they get enticed to go, merely for a vacation.

They spend a 2-3 weeks for vacation, meeting unknown relatives, long-lost friends, annoyed by traffic, pummeled by the weather, aghast at the abject poverty but generally having a blast during vacation and the time of their lives. Every night dinners out, affordable and abundant food, the conveniences of Makati, Rockwell and the Fort, the relaxed experience at Borcaay become a drug that they begin to crave. They also see the typical middle class Filipino lifestyle with 2-3 maids, husbands and wives enjoying their own set of social lives apart from their kid's existence. Then they realize that if you have money to spend in Manila, life is easy and more relaxed, more manageable and all of this for about 3-4k usd a month. The wheels start turning, the alternative world opens up to them, a pampered lifestyle awaits them and it usually will start with a purchase of a relatively affordable cond.Even rich retirees in Florida does not have the kind of lifestyle you just described. You must be living in la la land!!:)

Even rich retirees in Florida does not have the kind of lifestyle you just described. You must be living in la la land!!:)

Who said anything about Florida? We're talking about a lifestyle in the Philippines where most who will retire will not carry any debt, will be relying on their pension and 401k's and IRA's for retirement funds. I don't know about you but most Filipino Americans I know are very good savers and have good retirement plans in their middle income jobs. I'm not talking about FOB's who are just getting started. I'm mainly describing Filipino-Americans who immigrated in the late 60's and 70's who are now facing retirement and are exploring their options.

Even rich retirees in Florida does not have the kind of lifestyle you just described. You must be living in la la land!!:)

As for SSS, I'm basing it on what social security is telling me I will receive if I retire at 65 which is 25 years away from now. On my last statement, I am entitled to receive 2300 a month. My wife will draw about the same. I have been working for 20 years.

As for medicare or private insurance being portable to the Philippines, such programs are now available to many companies in San Diego where employees can get treated in Tijuana and their employers save a ton of money. Medical care is all about the costs and anything can get justified as the costs keep rising and become unsustainable.

As for data, well, its based on my own experiences. I go to the Philippines every month and am very keen on what's happening locally. The US isn't the only game in town anymore. Sorry to bust your bubble.

What about the quality of life of 90% of Filipinos? I can tell you it probably sucks! What does it have to do with the topic and retiring in the Philippines?

^^ but 3000-4000 us dollars a month is not cheap living. that's almost the cost of living in the states. I don't know if very many will have that much money for retirement now, if they'll just rely on their govt. pensions.

For a two income household, its not that much. My main interaction with Filipino-Americans is they mainly work with steady gov't jobs, between 60-80k a year and generally live a middle-class existence. Most are frugal savers, have kids to send to college and are very conscientious about their retirement funds and future. Most will retire with some equity from their houses, be able to live in the Philippines debt free and will live comfortably with less than 2k a month.

For a two income household, its not that much. My main interaction with Filipino-Americans is they mainly work with steady gov't jobs, between 60-80k a year and generally live a middle-class existence. Most are frugal savers, have kids to send to college and are very conscientious about their retirement funds and future. Most will retire with some equity from their houses, be able to live in the Philippines debt free and will live comfortably with less than 2k a month.

I think 2,000 usd a month is not enough. I live in Manila in a nice house, 2 maids, driver, play golf, eat out occassionally. My monthly bills are a bit more than 2,000 usd a month. Electricity alone is 500 usd!

Monday July 30, 2007

A decade after the 1997 Asian Crisis erupted, most housing markets in Asia are well on their way to recovery, according to new research from Global Property Guide...

http://www.themovechannel.com/News/2007/July/30h.asp

http://www.themovechannel.com/news/2007/storyimages/condo_prices_-_2.jpg

Boosted by strong economic growth and strong local and international demand, residential real estate prices in the Philippines, Singapore and South Korea rose by more than 10% in nominal terms y-o-y to Q1 2007.



I find this interesting. Condo prices compared to other cities in Asia. I believe there is still room for appreciation barring any unexpected problems. How come why there is a disconnect in prices on renting and buying in some of the higher price cities?

^^ agree. i don't believe the philippine middle class is driving the increase in property prices

may tinanong ka sakin last time, cant find that question though.
nanalo pala nanay ko dun sa bid'an and put some money down but backed out. she said she change her mind and didnt wanna end up paying $2000/month.

wow owners of the rental units sure are making money in those asian cities. they probably have a mature market.
the same will probably happen in Manila if most of those condos are fully paid for and no more new condos are going up.

2. As many others have pointed out, the Filipino diaspora is still a largely untapped market. The US is not the only source of money for Balikbayans and many from Europe and the Middle East will be the main driving force in fueling the boom to continue. do you have the data to support your claim? it is just quite contratry to what I have heard!

Very good question....The central bank governor is also at a lost on the demographics of the OFW's. They have very poor data collection and believe me they dont have a good handle on this. :lol: :nuts:

http://www.bis.org/review/r070608f.pdf
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=newsarchive&sid=aN.PIl8ZCpyI
The most quoted number of OFW in many publications is 7M-8M and from there we can only extrapolate and guesstimate. If only 1 percent of them have the cash flow to buy, the current inventory of planned and existing condos in the market is not enough. No wonder the taipans are moving in the property market. This is just my personal assumptions and in no way an expert on this. :)

I think many more can afford and have the ability , specially filams, just my relatives alone i know many can afford but the problem is like with many, they are all skeptics and are really ignorant of the real estate market in the PHils. I think if they straighten out the real estate system in the PHils and lower the risks of getting swindled then more will be tempted to buy.

^^ but 3000-4000 us dollars a month is not cheap living. that's almost the cost of living in the states. I don't know if very many will have that much money for retirement now, if they'll just rely on their govt. pensions.

USD 3-4k would probably be the cost of living a middle class lifestyle stateside.

USD 3-4k will give you an upper middleclass lifestyle here.

USD 2k (approx 90k) would be enough for a couple to live on in BGC. you really don't need maids when you live in a condo. an astutely chosen condo will eliminate the need for a chauffeur as everything from the spa/gym to the market/mall will be walking distance away. (rent out your parking slot for taxi fare :lol: )

and you really don't need to cool your entire unit. barring company, usually only the bedroom needs to be climate controlled.

I find this interesting. Condo prices compared to other cities in Asia. I believe there is still room for appreciation barring any unexpected problems. How come why there is a disconnect in prices on renting and buying in some of the higher price cities?



could be the law of supply and demand... maybe people tend to rent rather than buy bec they're too expensive

I think many more can afford and have the ability , specially filams, just my relatives alone i know many can afford but the problem is like with many, they are all skeptics and are really ignorant of the real estate market in the PHils. I think if they straighten out the real estate system in the PHils and lower the risks of getting swindled then more will be tempted to buy.

some are not even skeptics, I've met a lot of kababayans here who have nothing to say good about the Philippines. They have not been home for decades and they still have the same impressions since leaving to emigrate. :lol: When TFC started airing shows about the Philippines, they started to get intrigue and having a second look. :)

USD 3-4k would probably be the cost of living a middle class lifestyle stateside.

USD 3-4k will give you an upper middleclass lifestyle here.

USD 2k (approx 90k) would be enough for a couple to live on in BGC. you really don't need maids when you live in a condo. an astutely chosen condo will eliminate the need for a chauffeur as everything from the spa/gym to the market/mall will be walking distance away. (rent out your parking slot for taxi fare :lol: )

and you really don't need to cool your entire unit. barring company, usually only the bedroom needs to be climate controlled.

some who bought properties in the Philippines will probably maintain 2-3 homes. Graaabeh ang gastos nila! :nuts:

could be the law of supply and demand... maybe people tend to rent rather than buy bec they're too expensive

.....or probably nobody wants to sell. :)

I think many more can afford and have the ability , specially filams, just my relatives alone i know many can afford but the problem is like with many, they are all skeptics and are really ignorant of the real estate market in the PHils. I think if they straighten out the real estate system in the PHils and lower the risks of getting swindled then more will be tempted to buy.

On the contrary, I think your skeptical relatives are the smart ones...

On the contrary, I think your skeptical relatives are the smart ones...

You seem to be very bearish on the Philippines in general. Care to explain why you think its not such a good place to invest? Relevant experiences? Recent visits? Just curious...I would just like to hear some differing views.

I have become the bearer of bad news around this Philippine Forum - and I think I raffled a lot feathers around here...some posters here don't want to hear bad news...I seem to have disrupted their collective pollyannish outlook... not to go into details regards my position...let's just say that I have a negative bias not only on the Philippines but on the entire region including China...you can follow my earlier posts if you are interested to know...

You seem to be very bearish on the Philippines in general. Care to explain why you think its not such a good place to invest? Relevant experiences? Recent visits? Just curious...I would just like to hear some differing views.


yeah, Lazybum....we desperately need a contrarian here. We need to pick your mind. Hey, you cant just keep us guessing....you need to elaborate your positions....We cant digest what your saying if you dont share the reasons behind it. Ill buy you a tequila when the smoke has cleared on this subprime mess. :)

If PSEi closes at around 3,100 today, that would only be about 6.5% over the 1/2/2007 closing. Interestingly, if PSEi closes at this level today, it would have lost over 690 points from its high of 3,791 this year.

If the Federal Reserve does not lower the discount rate after next month's meeting, I think it is entirely possible that the PSEi will lose another 600 points between now and end of the year.

Now, it is not all bad news for the Philippines...the peso could end up closer to 50:1 vs dollar by September...a welcome news to OFWs...

just my opinion.

^^ that would be bad news for fil-ams who bought condos in the PI with the view of renting them out but that would be good news for fil-ams who had bought condos in the PI with the view of using them. Now they have more pesos to live on for the same amount of dollars.

:)

^^ If this happens, that's welcome relief for fixed income Pinoy-Americans retiring in the Philippines as well!

yeah, Lazybum....we desperately need a contrarian here. We need to pick your mind. Hey, you cant just keep us guessing....you need to elaborate your positions....We cant digest what your saying if you dont share the reasons behind it. Ill buy you a tequila when the smoke has cleared on this subprime mess. :)

Thanks port...love tequila...they are getting more expensive though...the Mexicans are planting more corn in areas where agave was the traditional crop.

If you read some of my previous posts, you would know where I am coming from...here's a sample I posted on 6/25/2007.

With a Philippine economy that is fast becoming more dependent on China's direct investments, this talk of making the country less reliant on OFW's remittances IMO is a little premature. I say this because most respected economists both in the US and in Europe agree that China's overheated economy is due for a major correction. We are already seeing the fringes of that event. The CSI 300 lost close to 8% of its value in just 2 trading days. The biggest trouble could come from their overvalued commercial real estate properties. There appears to be a growing fear among foreign investors in China that non-performing assets are being under reported by Chinese commercial banks (if at all) as evidenced by large and increasing number of vacant offices and such other commercial buildings in China's major cities. Because China does not have a mechanism to liquidate these non-performing assets in an orderly fashion, the concern among experts is that if this scenario did materialize, China could suffer a similar faith like the Japanese bubble experience of the 1990s. A further slowing of the US economy could trigger a major shakedown in China's stock and real estate markets.

I applaud President Arroyo's desire to expand employment opportunities from within the country for the good of our "kababayans" when she stated that "...Now that we have our revenues because of our painful economic reforms, we would like to transform the pain into gains in human and physical infrastructure." I just want to make sure that the President and other political leaders of the country do not paint an overly optimistic view of the economic prospects of the Philippines.

It's only natural for emigrants to be skeptical, it's why they left the country in the first place because they don't have confidence in the future for it!

With regards the RE market , well it's still has lots of legs. One has distinguish between projects for retirement and projects for local workers, and the latter is huge and basically extremely underserved. Projects such as Grass Residences (my favorite name actually ), mezza, lions park, rose pointe, sycamore or even celadon are virtually unknown to many posters here who are balikbayan. These are huge projects with multibuildings and mostly sell in the 1million peso category. They will easily sell.

thanks.... @lazybum. we will just hope for the best.

lazybum seem to gloat with each negative news reported just to prove his predictions are true.

lazybum seem to gloat with each negative news reported just to prove his predictions are true.

Not at all...I share my thoughts and it's up to the reader what they want to do with it.

I have become the bearer of bad news around this Philippine Forum - and I think I raffled a lot feathers around here...some posters here don't want to hear bad news...I seem to have disrupted their collective pollyannish outlook... not to go into details regards my position...let's just say that I have a negative bias not only on the Philippines but on the entire region including China...you can follow my earlier posts if you are interested to know...

>>just a question, lazybum: when you raffled those feathers, did anybody win them? lol! :jk: :banana:

yeah, Lazybum....we desperately need a contrarian here. We need to pick your mind. Hey, you cant just keep us guessing....you need to elaborate your positions....We cant digest what your saying if you dont share the reasons behind it. Ill buy you a tequila when the smoke has cleared on this subprime mess. :)

i agree with the above post...am a contrarian investor myself. many times real or perceived "bad news" will make me think seriously about making a stock and/or real estate acquisition.

imo, long term re investment for eventual retirement in pinas (or anywhere) is best when everybody is selling.... just as the current "subprime slime" phenom here in the states is creating a nationwide "buyers" market.

sorry, but i can only afford and offer ice-cold san mig to port, lili, bustero, 3cr, lazybum and all the very insightful posters here.. :cheers:

so please carry on..nice thread btw. :lol:

Not at all...I share my thoughts and it's up to the reader what they want to do with it.

Yeah, anybody can be a critic on the net. I'm just curious if your opinions are based on facts on the ground or just some random ramblings of a raving lunatic culled from reading and not on actual street experience? :lol:

Seriously, I mostly agree with many of your assessments but everytime I visit Asia and the Philippines (every month) I get a different vibe and sense a vitality that exudes confidence and optimism for the future.

Not at all...I share my thoughts and it's up to the reader what they want to do with it.

i feel your pain bro, hard to win skeptics when your dealing with locals who do not speak your lingo...i too am apprehensive when China blows up and its not well understood its effects...deep connection with the region/Phils. Glad to find someone here that is not signing along with the choir...:lol:

I used to play that horse racing game in the manila casino where a bunch of gamers will place bets on miniature horses that ran a table-sized racecourse. We gamers lived for the moment when the console gave out the dehado odds.

Well I remember one instance when it looked as if the horses where about to give the 400:1 combination (a P100 bet would win you P40,000). We were all cheering wildly except for this one bloke who was was shouting and gesticulating wildly for the long odds horse to LOSE

Turns out the jerk didn't place a bet on the long odds. So he didn't want us to win.

Truth to tell, quite a few SSCers saw their BGC investments skyrocket. Was it bartman who saw his USD 100K investment of 2 years ago appreciate to USD 200K present value?

i agree with the above post...am a contrarian investor myself. many times real or perceived "bad news" will make me think seriously about making a stock and/or real estate acquisition.

imo, long term re investment for eventual retirement in pinas (or anywhere) is best when everybody is selling.... just as the current "subprime slime" phenom here in the states is creating a nationwide "buyers" market.

sorry, but i can only afford and offer ice-cold san mig to port, lili, bustero, 3cr, lazybum and all the very insightful posters here.. :cheers:

so please carry on..nice thread btw. :lol:

^^ Much Thanks TonyBoy for appreciating the postings we contribute to the SSC Forum. It really makes the time and effort we spend posting in these different threads all the more worthwhile when others actually appreciate it. :) :) :)

^ Thanks @tonyboy. I'm in very good company there. I'll take you up on your ice-cold san mig. :)

i agree with the above post...am a contrarian investor myself. many times real or perceived "bad news" will make me think seriously about making a stock and/or real estate acquisition.

imo, long term re investment for eventual retirement in pinas (or anywhere) is best when everybody is selling.... just as the current "subprime slime" phenom here in the states is creating a nationwide "buyers" market.

sorry, but i can only afford and offer ice-cold san mig to port, lili, bustero, 3cr, lazybum and all the very insightful posters here.. :cheers:

so please carry on..nice thread btw. :lol:

What a gracious offer! Definitely not averse to a pint and a chat! In the meantime that you are in the midwest (as I assume from your avatar) have a nice one on me and I'll get you when you come back!

Just sharing what we know, all to be taken with the proverbial ton of salt, hehe, talk is cheap. Where one mouth and money meet is the actual test of one's conviction! Anyway hope you and all the posters here get a good break from the market or at the very least have a Fair turn at it.

Personally speaking if you ask me and you have the money the best place to put it in real estate in the short term is in village lots around the cbd's. Starting to go up but still a long way off and you can't really create more of the 5000 so lots around it. A little bit of wisdom (presummed) from Anton , head of Deutsche here who actually puts his money where his mouth is and now has a house in Forbes because of it.

i agree with the above post...am a contrarian investor myself. many times real or perceived "bad news" will make me think seriously about making a stock and/or real estate acquisition.

imo, long term re investment for eventual retirement in pinas (or anywhere) is best when everybody is selling.... just as the current "subprime slime" phenom here in the states is creating a nationwide "buyers" market.

sorry, but i can only afford and offer ice-cold san mig to port, lili, bustero, 3cr, lazybum and all the very insightful posters here.. :cheers:

so please carry on..nice thread btw. :lol:


hey thanks....a miller high life would suffice. :cheers:

i hope we dont bore people here with obscure and pointless discussions. We will also make sure that we dont pretend to know everything and be jack of all trades. :lol: The good thing about all of this we were able to get @bustero to post on this thread and steal his wit and wisdom, so we all can retire early. :D

What a gracious offer! Definitely not averse to a pint and a chat! In the meantime that you are in the midwest (as I assume from your avatar) have a nice one on me and I'll get you when you come back!

Just sharing what we know, all to be taken with the proverbial ton of salt, hehe, talk is cheap. Where one mouth and money meet is the actual test of one's conviction! Anyway hope you and all the posters here get a good break from the market or at the very least have a Fair turn at it.

Personally speaking if you ask me and you have the money the best place to put it in real estate in the short term is in village lots around the cbd's. Starting to go up but still a long way off and you can't really create more of the 5000 so lots around it. A little bit of wisdom (presummed) from Anton , head of Deutsche here who actually puts his money where his mouth is and now has a house in Forbes because of it.

those village lots, don't they cost in the hundreds of millions though?

My only concern with the Philippines real estate market is the availability of buyers for any property. Given, most buyers are buying new and preselling devt, how easy is it to sell a 5 to 10m asset? From my experience, the resale market is not that liquid.

Of course, I bought my properties for personal and future use (Westgrove and Rockwell) so I'm not too concerned about being able to sell them in the future.

:rofl::rofl:

those village lots, don't they cost in the hundreds of millions though?

Not necessarily.

Im guessing what he meant is if you want a piece of the action in philippine real estate today is either build or buy low to medium cost rental properties near the cbd's. They have more bang for the buck. The capital outlay will be less and cash flow is more assured as renters are from those working on the cbd's.

That's true but actually what I meant is more literal. That even if the villages do not rezone to higher FAR's, their actual scarcity is not reflected on the price. In a country of 90 million and a metropolis of 14million, the value of a few thousand lots in relation to walking to the main cbd can not be underestimated. Comparables with similar world capital cities reflect a huge differential in relative values.

Marites, not all lots are hundreds of millions ,that's actually the exception. I heard there are still lots in BelAir for about 17 million. Of course bulok na iyung bahay dito but if the structure is good the additional increase is not that much. If ever these villages lose their case or accept the changes in zoning then instantaneous doubling if not tripling of property prices should occur.

.....Marites, not all lots are hundreds of millions ,that's actually the exception. I heard there are still lots in BelAir for about 17 million. Of course bulok na iyung bahay dito but if the structure is good the additional increase is not that much. If ever these villages lose their case or accept the changes in zoning then instantaneous doubling if not tripling of property prices should occur.

so true bustero, i've always been keeping my eye on this.

how bout ung mas mura..a townhouse.
there's no new ones around..any idea where?
although sometimes meron sa web offers..but from agents sa pinas,most times wala offer.

Not at all...I share my thoughts and it's up to the reader what they want to do with it.
no actually it's very useful..makes u consider a lot of things.do more research and stuff.i dont mind.:cheers:

I have a question. Which is better, to retire beachside or to retire in cooler climes? I need info about cost of living, accessability to services, and other advantages/disadvantages. Personal experiences gladly welcomed. :colgate:

Your age will be a big determinant for your retirement location. Older folks don't tolerate the cold much that is why they like to go to Florida or Arizona for the winter. A smaller house will be easier to maintain, single story preferred. Stairs climbing is for the young.

Beach communities are expensive in the US, unless you plan to live in Bohol or Palawan where beaches are dime a dozen. Far away places like that will not have the same medical facilities like the ones you'll find in Makati.

Another determinant is money. All of the concerns above are nothing if you have money, lots of it. Paris in autumn, Manila in December, Kona in spring and Buenos Aires in the summer.

I've got to now to the corner 7/11. The lotto is over a hundred million here in California. :nuts:

^^ Thanks Rene! Your insight got some of my queries answered. Personally, I'd like to retreat into the hills when I retire. But retirement is thirty or so odd more years for me, but it can't hurt to start planning and making preliminary decisions today.

@kimber, if you love the beach, make sure to build your house atop the cliff. that way, even if the sea level rises a meter or so due to global warming, you're safe.

planning for retirement as early as now never hurt anyone :-)

sa pnas ilang taon bago ba magretire
may regular job ha at pensyonado

Fallout from US subprime mortgage meltdown

Property firms’ foreign sales seen to weaken

By Likha C. Cuevas-Miel, Reporter
http://www.manilatimes.net/national/2007/sept/10/yehey/business/20070910bus1.html
PHILIPPINE property firms that have sold to Filipinos in the United States may yet feel the full impact of that country’s subprime mortgage meltdown.

A senior officer of a top commercial bank in the US recently told The Manila Times that the credit crunch in that country may trickle down to Filipino expatriates who may have tapped the “home equity line of credit” or HELOC to finance condomi-niums or vacation homes in the Philippines.

HELOC is a form of revolving credit wherein the borrowers’ home serves as collateral and charges rates that change monthly or quarterly in relation to an index such as the prime rate. The borrower may qualify for a sizable amount of credit that has a monthly minimum payment but the catch here is that rates can climb higher in the loan term.

“The impact of [the sub-prime problem] may not be felt immediately among prime borrowers and it has only been weeks since this started. But if this lasts for more than 30 to 60 days, then the HELOC interest rates may double or triple, jacking up the monthly amortization,” the source, who underwrites real estate loans, said in a telephone interview.

An analyst for a Philippine-based brokerage firm however said that if majority of US-based Filipinos availed of the HELOC, the impact of higher monthly payments or tighter credit standards may not be as dramatic as feared.

“If I were a US-based Filipino, I may have borrowed a big amount there to pay for my condo in the Philippines in cash than pay the interest rates of 11 percent to 12 percent here. With that, there is little danger that I may default on my condo payments here and I would just face the amortization problems with my loan provider in the US,” the analyst said.

Nevertheless, US sales by local property firms would be affected in the near term since tighter credit and a slowing US economy may push Filipino expatriates to think twice about buying a vacation or retirement home in the Philippines, the same source said.

To date, major real estate firms have yet to suffer payment defaults or collection difficulties from their overseas buyers, but the US situation is “something [that] should be monitored closely,” an Ayala Land Inc. executive said.

Local real-estate firms’ exposure to the US market is relatively small compared to their domestic sales. Indeed, keeping a diverse clientele may yet help local property firms escape the meltdown in the US housing market.

April Lee-Tan, CitisecOnline head of research, said top property companies’ exposure to the US market comprises at most a fifth of their total sales. She said Megaworld’s US exposure stood at 10 percent, while Ayala Land and Robinsons Land’s exposure run to 16 percent and 20 percent, respectively.

Lee-Tan said Robinsons Land may have the biggest exposure to the US market but its profit is not entirely dependent on housing alone since the firm has malls and business process outsourcing office rentals and other geographical markets to support earnings.

Ayala Land and Megaworld said their respective buyers pay in cash, therefore, any chance of payment default is minimal, the analyst said. “I’m not saying there is no impact but I expect that it may not be substantial,” she said.

“It’s premature to turn negative already at this point since we have not yet seen the benefits of the ultra low interest rates and 15 to 25-year payment schemes. We still have a lot going for the industry,” the CitisecOnline analyst added.

Another good thing going for local property firms is the value Filipinos—be they in the Philippines or elsewhere—attach to home ownership.

“I don’t think Filipinos would stop paying for their property acquisitions here in the country even with the [US’] subprime [mortgage] situation,” Ron Rodrigo, Unicapital Securities head of research, said.

That would especially apply to overseas Filipino workers, who still consider the Philippines as their country of residence and buy homes for their families, he said.

If things turned for the worse, then buyers would either extend their payment period or have their loans reassessed, the analyst said.




There will be a huge impact on philippine real estate if fil-ams slows down on purchasing properties. I believe they buy a disproportionate number of the sales of condos.

If the subprime mess is not contained or if there is a meltdown in property values in the US, some of the people who bought will unwind their properties there in the Philippines or even default on their mortgages. I hope this will not be the case.

are US property values going down significantly ?

are US property values going down significantly ?

The cities with the highest appreciation Las Vegas, Miami, Washington DC, Boston, Phoenix, Sacramento and the so called inland empire in S Cal have began to depreciate. Rust belt states like Michigan, Ohio and Indiana are hurting bad.

The US real estate in general is at a standstill. Banks are not lending except for those people with excellent credit and with 20% downpayment. Interest only with no money down suicide loans are not available anymore. People who have low equity have a hard time refinacing because of tighter credit underwriting. Foreclosures are skyrocketing.

I hope this will end soon with the hope that the fed lowering interest rate on their next meeting. However, US based pinoys are in a bind, If they lower the IR, this will depreciate the dollar further more. :nuts: Investing now is getting complicated. You probably need non-dollar dominated currencies on your portfolio to hedge on the falling dollar.

Those who are retiring within the next 5 years, they have to talk to their financial advisors and review your portfolios.

There will be a huge impact on philippine real estate if fil-ams slows down on purchasing properties. I believe they buy a disproportionate number of the sales of condos.

If the subprime mess is not contained or if there is a meltdown in property values in the US, some of the people who bought will unwind their properties there in the Philippines or even default on their mortgages. I hope this will not be the case.

are US property values going down significantly ?

The cities with the highest appreciation Las Vegas, Miami, Washington DC, Boston, Phoenix, Sacramento and the so called inland empire in S Cal have began to depreciate. Rust belt states like Michigan, Ohio and Indiana are hurting bad.

The US real estate in general is at a standstill. Banks are not lending except for those people with excellent credit and with 20% downpayment. Interest only with no money down suicide loans are not available anymore. People who have low equity have a hard time refinacing because of tighter credit underwriting. Foreclosures are skyrocketing.

I hope this will end soon with the hope that the fed lowering interest rate on their next meeting. However, US based pinoys are in a bind, If they lower the IR, this will depreciate the dollar further more. :nuts: Investing now is getting complicated. You probably need non-dollar dominated currencies on your portfolio to hedge on the falling dollar.

Those who are retiring within the next 5 years, they have to talk to their financial advisors and review your portfolios.

^^ Gen1, Just to add to what Portludlow has already mentioned, I don't think actual demand in popular areas is totally down, perhaps diminished only by the buyer's ability to come up with the 20% down payment and their salary level. In general there are not much cash buyers out there and one of the reasons for the general weakening of U.S. property sales numbers is it's also now harder to find qualified buyers approved for financing brought about by this subprime mess. That's because those first time homeowners and speculators who should not have been given loans in the first place can walk away from their investments because more often than not they had no money down sub-prime financing. Hence with more properties available in the market coupled with less no# of qualified buyers, the U.S. property price levels in general have been affected too across the board but how bad is really dictated/dependent on where you live and what kind/type of property one is in possession of. The homes bought for speculative purposes in far away areas w/o much economic base are the ones badly getting hit. I don't know in other areas/states but so far the ones in affluent towns and near the City/Business Center are still holding up quite nicely, atleast here in the BayArea. Yung iba nga tumataas pa rin eh. Anyway my take is the one's who may have borrowed equity against their primary home to pay for their Pinas condo unit are not generally the type that would have be hit by this sub-prime mess who are usually more of first time home buyers and speculators (no money down). Now for those FilAms who are still paying for their Pinas condo unit naman, they will just continue with the payments as long as they have jobs. Now if this sub-prime mess ever leads to a U.S. recession, that's when I would really worry because this will affect more than just the current Philippine Realestate boom. Atleast for now I doubt if this U.S. sub-prime mess will have a direct and significant effect on the Philippine residential realestate market this early in the game. Just my opinion of course...

ah, ok. tnx 3cr. hindi naman siguro bababa masyado ang value ng bgc properties. sarap kasi ikwento ang appreciation ng value ng condo sa bgc :)

One of the casualties of the recent downturn in American real estate is the RV market. How so? The boomers are retiring and hitting the road during the past few years. What better way to see America than taking your home with you - get a Recreational Vehicle and drive. These behemoths cost between $50,000 to $500,000 each. Not very many have money sitting around to buy one these in cash so why not use the home equity and get tax deductions as well (second home).

The honeymoon is over for many of the RV dealers in the US. The pinch in the credit market snuffed the 2nd equity source and sales are plummeting. It creates a domino effect. Low sales means increasing inventory, which in turn means cut in production and the resulting layoffs in the industry.

One can't help but wonder how this scenario might repeat itself with the real estate market in the Philippines where the purchase of a condo by a filAm is not out of necessity, but luxury just like an RV.

Listed firms’ net rises; outlook unsure
Business World
http://www.bworldonline.com/BW091107/content.php?id=003

CONSOLIDATED EARNINGS of listed domestic firms hit P148.75 billion in the first half, outpacing the bourse’s growth and pointing to further gains ahead, the Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE) yesterday said.

Analysts, however, were mixed on the outlook for the second semester, citing the US mortgage crisis and a possible recession in the American economy.

The PSE, in a statement, said the unaudited financial statements of 229 listed firms, received as of September 6, showed first half net income up by 41.4% from P105.2 billion in the same period a year ago.

Gross revenues grew by 15.6%, it said, to P1.18 trillion versus P1.02 trillion last year.

All sectors in the main board, as well as the small and medium enterprises (SME) board, enjoyed double-digit hikes in their first half net earnings and gross revenues.

Two firms in the SME board - Information Capital Technology, Inc. and TKC Steel Corp. - were said to have posted the highest growth in net earnings, at 584%, with a combined net income of P54.58 million from last year’s P7.98 million.

In the main board, the mining and oil sector recorded a 86.5% growth, with companies in this group raking in P3.62 billion from P1.94 billion.

Net earnings of the property sector, meanwhile, expanded by 82.9%, while the holding firms sector gained by 54.4%. The industrial sector grew by 48.8%; the financial sector, 33%; and services, 13.6%.

Holding firms, the PSE said, accounted for the biggest share of the income pie at P38.91 billion. Industrial issues came in second at P35.27 billion, while services ranked third with P31.79 billion. The financial sector contributed P24.28 billion and property firms, P14.82 billion. The mining and oil sector, along with the companies in the SME board, accounted for the rest.

The PSE said the combined first-half earnings of listed companies grew faster than the advance of the Philippine Stock Exchange index (PSEi). The year-to-date growth of the PSEi was 11.7% as of last Friday.

"This could be an indication that our market still has a lot of room to further grow," said Francis Ed. Lim, PSE president and chief executive.

He said the government’s efforts to improve the country’s macroeconomic environment, especially by lowering interest and inflation rates, have contributed to the growth of the listed companies’ bottomlines.

"We in the PSE reiterate our optimism that the listed companies can further improve on their income performance and fuel the market’s sustained advance, provided the same favorable factors behind their higher earnings remain in place," Mr. Lim said.

Analysts had other opinions.

"There could be an improvement in the earnings of these listed companies, but it might not be as robust as the first half because there are factors to consider now," said Claire Quiray, an analyst from Accord Capital Equities Corp.

The US subprime issue, for one, has not died down. Ms. Quiray pointed out that talk of a recession in the US economy could limit the amount of remittances the country receives from overseas Filipino workers (OFWs).

"If there will really be a recession in the US, employees would then be laid off. From there, consumer spending here in the country will become weak because OFWs will not be able to send money. Add to that the strengthening of the peso," she said.

"Second half earnings, for companies listed or not, should actually be higher than the first half because of economic activities during the Christmas season, but now the first half would seem to post bigger gains since 2007 is an election year."

Irving I. Ackerman, president of brokerage I. Ackerman & Co., said the world economy would play a big role in the performance of listed firms in the second half.

"The world economy will have a bearing in the next half of the year becuse we just don’t depend on ourselves," he said.

Astro del Castillo, managing director of First Grade Holdings, said earnings could be sustained given the strong peso and low inflation and interest rates.

"This could be sustained, despite the fact that there are dark clouds hovering over our heads like the impending slowdown of the US economy as a result of the credit problem. But I don’t think there will be a turnaround [in earnings] at this point in time. It’s already September, we’re almost at the finish line," he said.

Chase Yap, vice-president of online brokerage 2TradeAsia, said earnings of listed companies could be maintained given the strong economic fundamentals.

"It (first half income) might just get offset because everything seems to be fine now. Everything’s expanding at a pace we’ve expected and we don’t see anything negative in our economic environment for our companies not to profit that much," he said.

One can't help but wonder how this scenario might repeat itself with the real estate market in the Philippines where the purchase of a condo by a filAm is not out of necessity, but luxury just like an RV.

That is my take as well with regards to Fil-am buyers. Of course, Ayala came out last week and said they expect the slack to be picked up by the rest of the world. We'll see how this goes....but based on the last two booms (tech and housing), its not going to last forever. :ohno:

Depends on the projects. The are a lot of projects that do not depend on US type of OFW money. The Flashy projects in the fort perhaps but not Empire East or SM or DMCI.

Buying real property in RP

Cagayan de Oro City (11 September) -- One of the world's largest shipping companies, Bejing-based China Ocean Shipping Co., is studying whether to build a multi billion- dollar cargo hub near Manila, company officials say.

This, as the South Korean shipbuilder Hanjin Heavy Industries & Construction Co. is investing $1.7 billion in a new shipyard at a former US Naval Base in Subic Bay attracted by the skilled, English-speaking work force and low costs offered by our coutrymen.

Meanwhile, James Hookway, in his article "For Philippine Economy, Harsh Remedies Pay Off: A Risky Tax Increase by Arroyo Helps Spur New Investments" published by the Wall Street Journal Asia in Aug. 13, 2007, said more than 10 million Filipino expatriates working abroad have taken notice.

"They are now sending home $14 billion a year, double of what they sent five years ago, as government figures indicate," he said.

Economists see this as a relatively secure source of revenue. While 35% of these expatriates work in the US, there are also large pockets in Europe, the Middle East and East Asia. That geographical diversity could provide some insulation against a downturn in the US.

Hookway said the remittances aren't just going to support families, but into the stock market and property investments.

In fact, Ayala Land, one of the country's biggest real-estate companies, says that in 2006, 37% of their revenue came from Filipinos overseas buying land and condominiums, up from 26% the year before and just 16% in 2004.

Recently, the company's chief financial officer, Jaime Ysmael, told shareholders that if economic problems in the US deepen, Ayala Land can still count on Filipinos working in Europe and the Middle East.

Norma Ravanzo, a 58-year old retired nurse from Houston, is one such investor. An American citizen for more than 30 years, Ravanzo is planning to return to her homeland with her husband, who was also born in the Philippines.

Encouraged by the economic progress and improving living condition, she bought property in Cebu City, Manila's financial district and a retirement home in Subic Bay. "It's like living in a first-world community at third-world prices," Ravanzo describes.

Hot property sector shows no sign of cooling down
By Elizabeth Sanchez-Lacson
Inquirer

Posted date: September 16, 2007



HAS THE Philippine property sector lost its sizzle as financial markets cool down after the subprime mortgage fright in the United States?

Limited damage
In a research study, ATR Kim Eng Securities head of research Edgar Bancod said the extent of the damage of subprime loans on local banks and real-estate firms is likely to be limited.

The Philippine central bank said the exposure of Philippine financial institutions to collateralized debt obligations (structured finance product that typically protects a diversified pool of debt assets) is limited to 0.2 percent of total industry assets.

Bancod says this is equivalent to roughly P10 billion or $217 million. Additionally, CDOs held by Philippine banks are made up of only A to triple A rated paper which meant that local banks have zero exposure to subprime assets.

Bancod also said a closer look will show that concerns that subprime woes could hurt real-estate earnings is quite overdone.

In the case of Ayala Land, the country's largest property company, Bancod said the impact on sales of the "total" loss of business from Filipinos based in the US will be capped at 4.1 percent mainly because ALI has diversified products and markets.

Manageable risks
ALI corporate spokesperson Alfonso Reyes confirmed this, citing three reasons why the risks are manageable.

"We are still in the process of evaluating the potential impact of the US subprime crisis on our potential overseas sales. However we believe that any effects will be quite manageable for three reasons: first is that while the US is an important market, our overseas sales are very diversified now with strong contributions from Europe, Japan and the Middle-East," Reyes said.

Secondly, he said ALI's product lines have become more diversified in recent years and that a lot of the company's product launches have been in the middle- income and affordable segments whereas its US buyers historically have gravitated towards high-end projects.

Finally, the profiles of ALI's US-based buyers are from those with established professions and of strong credit standing. "In fact most of them pay cash," Reyes said.

Sales to OFWs accounted for 34 percent of ALI's first half residential sales


complete article at http://services.inquirer.net/print/print.php?article_id=88935

^^ Thats indeed very good news. :) I also believe that prices are still relatively cheap and competetive compared to our neighbors.

On the other hand look at what the real estate implosion in the US has done to those who bought in Mexico.

Heres the link http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/realestate/2003884842_realmexico16.html

sa davao...
maybe not the best but at least... more major road intersections are to have traffic lights...

sa davao...
road contructors working too slow.

Best about the Cities I've live In:

Luzon:
Lipa City: Fernando Air Base (best military camp i have visited)
Cavite City: Island Cove Resort (very large resort in a small city)
Baguio: Camp John Hay
Quezon City: Araneta Center (my favorite pasyalan in Metro Manila)

Visayas:
Cebu: SM City Cebu (my favorite mall in the visayas)

Mindanao:
Iligan: Tinago Falls (the most beautiful falls I have seen)
Cagayan de Oro: Limketkai (Most expansive shopping complex in VisMin)

island cove is in kawit, not cavite city, sa checkpoint pa ata maguumpisa ang boundary ng cavite city...

sa davao mura ang prutas..lansones can be had for as cheap as P20 per kilo (or 30 for the duco variety)

durian and mangosteen?, pwede na at P20-P25 per kilo..and rambutan for P15 per kilo :D

kasi yung kapitbahay namin nag attend ng kasal sa isang lugar (di ko na lang sabihin saan :)) tapos tag P90 daw ang kilo ng lansones? napa.. WTF? tuloy ako lols

^^ waway, pag punta mo ng iloilo dala ka marami lazones ha!:lol: parang P90/kilo din yata lazones sa iloilo eh!

... Cebu City: compact and small but has it all!

... Talisay City, Cebu (my hometown): lechon baboy!

hehe sarap nga ng lechon cebu...di na kailangan ng sarsa kasi malasa na dati :) yum!

island cove is in kawit, not cavite city, sa checkpoint pa ata maguumpisa ang boundary ng cavite city...

Yes, you're right.

undisciplined drivers, damn politicians, "ningas cogon" attitude of law enforcement....what else is new?

curruption!, and people who throw their garbage anywere at the downtown...,

^^ waway, pag punta mo ng iloilo dala ka marami lazones ha!:lol: parang P90/kilo din yata lazones sa iloilo eh!

haha sure sure :D

kaso mga october pa ata eh kasi di ako pwede umalis now may nasingit na project na kailangan tapusin :(

sana may lanzones pa nyan :D

;15418226']haha sure sure :D

kaso mga october pa ata eh kasi di ako pwede umalis now may nasingit na project na kailangan tapusin :(

sana may lanzones pa nyan :D

O Boyet, pag-abot ng October, itext mo lang ako. Baka kasi by that time may mga iba pang SSC forumers na mapapa-Iloilo, wahehehe!!! :lol: Ipeprepare ko na ang inaabangan mo, wahehehehe!!!

Anyway, for me the best about Davao City (having stayed for 2 months straight and frequents the place):

1. The smell of durian (I really love the smell and the taste of the fruit, hehe! :D)
2. Wide roads
3. Relaxed atmosphere
4. Nature just within the city limits or across the Gulf.
5. People

our city council is run by monkeys

THe Best Thing in Iloilo City?

Lovely Girls, Handsome Guys. That's a very frequent comment I hear from people outside the city and province.

Another is a rich cultural heritage.

Anyway, for me the best about Davao City (having stayed for 2 months straight and frequents the place):


2. Wide roads


:dunno:

The Best things about Kyusi...

1) plenty of large open spaces

2) the Diliman-Loyola area is home to the best learning institutions in the country

3) It has a little of everything and lots of variety- from the Makati-like CBD of Libis, the Quiapo-like feel of Cubao, the Luneta-like atmosphere of the wide expanse of open spaces of the Diliman area, the Tondo-like density of Batasan-Commonwealth area etc.

4) The La Mesa ecopark and the Parks and Wildlife are urban oases within the city.

5) Timog area pulsates with nightlife and if that's not your cup of tea there are plenty of other "gimik" places within the city.

6) The good governance of the mayor has made him one of my favorite politicians and a possible contender for the presidency come 2010.

7) The best medical facilities- St. Luke's, Medical City, the Philippine Heart Center, National kidney Institute, Lung Center of the Philippines, the Chinese Medical Center among others are in QC.

8) For shopping, dining and entertainment QC has the most number of gargantuan malls.

9) If you want secure neighborhoods, QC has a lot of gated communities to offer.

10) It's a cost-effective location for business so you've got IT industries and factories located within the city.

ZAMBOANGA CITY

the ONLY latin city of asia...

the ONLY place for latino's and latina's...

the 3rd biggest city in the Philippines:
16th biggest city in the world. Mindanao's biggest City...
in terms of land area. and pop.

^^ bigger than davao city's land area?

^^ bigger than davao city's land area?

what do you think pao? hehe

or baka dinivide na niya ang davao into 3 cities (from the three congressional districts..as was proposed noon but never prospered) kaya naging less than 1.5million na lang population ng davao :D thus making its area and population smaller than zamboanga :D

ive been to zambo and saw how expansive zambo city's land area is but i dont think its near when compared to davao city's land area. DC's territory is huge and most of its land area are forests, some hills and mountains, ganun kalaki...

anyway... im becoming OT, whats best about my city?

best tourism promotion and dynamic IT sector, yun lang muna, heh

undisciplined drivers, damn politicians, "ningas cogon" attitude of law enforcement....what else is new?

I guess you could say this to every city in the Philippines.

ZAMBOANGA CITY

the ONLY latin city of asia...

the ONLY place for latino's and latina's...

the 3rd biggest city in the Philippines:
16th biggest city in the world. Mindanao's biggest City...
in terms of land area. and pop.

It's not bigger than Davao. What are the criteria to be called a Latin city? Language? If so, there's Macau.:yes:

;15422838']:dunno:

Buhangin bai, Matina, Ulas, Ecoland, McArthur Highway. I'm not referring to the downtown area though. :D

i was under the impression kasi na those roads you mentioned are just standard avenues :) for me the only wide road in davao is RoXas Avenue (8 lanes ata with a 3m center island :) the other roads are just ordinary..:)

when you say wide kasi, EDSA naiimagine ko :D

Cagayan de Oro:

beh.....
you can make friends with everyone coz its the city of golden friendship :D
ang syudad sa mabulawanong paghinagalaay :D
even those drunk tambays are nice.. one thing that is not usually in manila

transportation is 24 hrs.. or i smply walk home with little fear of being mugged :D

great food! from different countries and regions :D
great hang out places
great schools!
great adventure! i think almost everybody knows what :D

^^ How much is the white-water rafting? I'm quite interested in doing it. :)

It's not bigger than Davao. What are the criteria to be called a Latin city? Language? If so, there's Macau.:yes:

theres portuguese east timor :D

^^ How much is the white-water rafting? I'm quite interested in doing it. :)

im not sure but it ranges from 700-1200 pesoses :D

Foreigners say RP among top 20 best places to live – DOT
By Mayen Jaymalin
Wednesday, September 19, 2007

While many Filipinos choose to leave the country and work abroad, more foreign nationals are thinking of staying in the Philippines, which they consider a great place to live.

The Department of Tourism (DOT) yesterday reported that Americans and other foreign travelers have actually listed Negros Oriental as among the top 20 best islands in the world to live.

Tourism Secretary Joseph Ace Durano said Negros Oriental joined the list of other exotic places such as the Grand Cayman, Gozo in Malta, Carriacou in Grenada and Vieques in Puerto Rico, which all offer a mix of indigenous culture, friendly neighbors, uncomplicated living and adventure attractions.

Islands magazine, one of the widest circulated and most trusted travel publications in the United States, selected Negros Oriental based on a survey conducted among Americans and expatriates who would like to relocate.

Durano said the deciding factors considered by the respondents included weather, languages spoken, ease of immigration and accessibility to hospitals.

“Negros Oriental earned three out of five rating from the magazine,” Durano said, noting that respondents specifically cited Dumaguete City’s academic centers, Rizal Boulevard and the seaside promenade lined with cafes and art galleries.

Located in Central Visayas, Negros Oriental offers divers colorful and teeming marine life around Apo Island, which is home of the Negros Oriental Marine Conservation Park. Tourists can also chance upon playful dolphins and pygmy sperm whales in Tañon Strait at Bais Bay.

But more than the attractions, Durano said the people play a big role in giving a warm welcome and creating a positive impression among travelers.


“Negros Oriental being recognized as one of the best islands to live speaks of an exceptionally hospitable experience that makes people want to stay for the long haul,” Durano pointed out.

The secretary then called on local government units to continue with their efforts to build up the tourism potentials of their jurisdictions and create a community mindset that is tourist-friendly.

^^ this one lang muna..;)

source: Philippine Star (http://www.philstar.com/index.php?Headlines&p=49&type=2&sec=24&aid=20070918190)

im not sure but it ranges from 700-1200 pesoses :D

You can negotiate as low as P500 per head if you have a large group (15+). The entire river-rafting adventure takes almost 6 hours along the 12-kilometer stretch of Cagayan de Oro River upstream. It's really worth the day.

You can negotiate as low as P500 per head if you have a large group (15+). The entire river-rafting adventure takes almost 6 hours along the 12-kilometer stretch of Cagayan de Oro River upstream. It's really worth the day.

yeah thanks for that miss beautiful :D

i also forgot to include jungle rapelling and ziplining :D
wall climbing too :D

and various other sports. if youre into footbal like me.. its free to play at pelaez sports center :D
or kung badminton, there are a lot of sprouting badminton courts all over the city :D

For me, these are the best cities that I have loved:

Davao-for being organized and people are disciplined.
Cebu-for being the oldest and has many Hispanic heritage.
Makati-for being a little New York in the Philippines.
CDO-people are so friendly and peace-loving.
Baguio and Malaybalay-Ohhh for having a humid climate.
Legaspi-very scenic.:) :cheers:

I've been to Davao twice:

The SMELL OF DURIAN WOW
VERY WIDE ROADS, GRABE
DISCIPLINED PEOPLE
INDEED A BIG CITY
CLEANEST CITY
A TRUE METROPOLIS IN THE MAKING

The cosmopolitan feel that is limited to only a few cities in the country.

For me, these are the best cities that I have loved:

Davao-for being organized and people are disciplined.
Cebu-for being the oldest and has many Hispanic heritage.
Makati-for being a little New York in the Philippines.
CDO-people are so friendly and peace-loving.
Baguio and Malaybalay-Ohhh for having a humid climate.
Legaspi-very scenic.:) :cheers:

maybe a cooler climate ;)

List the most photogenic cities you've seen:

1. Legazpi City - Mayon Volcano just completes the whole scene
2. Cebu City - Mountains and Sea meet at one metro point.
3. Iloilo City - Iloilo River moves smoothly through the dense urban surroundings added with a some mangroves along the bank.

Happy posting.

Everyone please be mindful of what you post. CvC scenarios will not be tolerated.
Thank you very much for your cooperation on this matter. :colgate:

http://img229.imageshack.us/img229/3232/panorama1pi3.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img229.imageshack.us/img229/5766/panorama2ao3.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

cebu city

^^ Beautiful. I find Cebu the most Photogenic major city in the country.
I just want to make this clear. THis thread is a way to promote our cities and most importantly, our country. Please, if you feel jealous of another person's city, do not post it here and bash other forumers. Keep it to yourself.

hand down, Iloilo city :) esp pag nagka high rise buildings na siya damn..ganda siguro


then Legazpi Cty..then cebu city (for its tall buildings with the hills as the backdrop)

sa North siguradong Albay, Tagaytay at Baguio, sa Visayas Iloilo at Cebu tapos sa Mindanao Cagayan de Oro at Iligan para sa akin.

The thread title says "Photogenic," so where are the photos people? :dunno:

hmmm sa mindanao ang pinaka promising na maging photogenic is zamboanga

gotta be Tagaytay.....on the upside^^

List the most photogenic cities you've seen:

1. Legazpi City - Mayon Volcano just completes the whole scene
2. Cebu City - Mountains and Sea meet at one metro point.
3. Iloilo City - Iloilo River moves smoothly through the dense urban surroundings added with a some mangroves along the bank.

Happy posting.

dis is for Cebu...
http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j93/ragandacmichael/P1130635.jpg

mountains and the sea meets @ one metro point...
http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j93/ragandacmichael/IMG_2489.jpg

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j93/ragandacmichael/IMG_2467.jpg

also the davao city tuwing gabi

davao is only nice to look at from one angle :( from the mountain lang with the sea as the backdrop, pero kung nasa dagat ka di maganda tignan ang davao :(

For the best skyline...Makati,Metro Manila....The Only True Skyscrapercity in PI
http://i231.photobucket.com/albums/ee196/ravencute83/227756517_187a63f3a9_o.jpg

http://i231.photobucket.com/albums/ee196/ravencute83/316333751_f7c8a34f3a.jpg

http://i231.photobucket.com/albums/ee196/ravencute83/316333772_094cb31a62.jpg

Photos are from the web

well, since I'm from Legazpi, I have to choose other cities so these are:

1. Vigan City - beautiful old houses!
2. Tagaytay City
3. Dumaguete City

;15490801']davao is only nice to look at from one angle :( from the mountain lang with the sea as the backdrop, pero kung nasa dagat ka di maganda tignan ang davao :(

oh that's i meant to be,,,,nakalimutan ng kamay ko ang APO mount

For the best skyline...Makati,Metro Manila....The Only True Skyscrapercity in PI
http://i231.photobucket.com/albums/ee196/ravencute83/227756517_187a63f3a9_o.jpg

http://i231.photobucket.com/albums/ee196/ravencute83/316333751_f7c8a34f3a.jpg

http://i231.photobucket.com/albums/ee196/ravencute83/316333772_094cb31a62.jpg

Photos are from the web

now this is what i call photogenic.

my no.2 is manila

^^ I guess the only way to say a city is photogenic depends on the photographer. Makati seems nice on those pics or whatever city posted here seems nice but if we look closer to the slum areas, it's all broken.

I can also say CDO is photogenic from the sky. It's like Iloilo's sister but it's got a bigger river.

mountains and the sea meets @ one metro point...
http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j93/ragandacmichael/IMG_2489.jpg

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j93/ragandacmichael/IMG_2467.jpg

if cebu could add more talls, para na sigurong hong kong yung set up! a coastal urban area with those mountains in the background!:)

also the davao city tuwing gabi

;15490801']davao is only nice to look at from one angle :( from the mountain lang with the sea as the backdrop, pero kung nasa dagat ka di maganda tignan ang davao :(

from buhangin...

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/190/449266492_5e5476aabf.jpg?v=0

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/238/449266490_a0d9015634.jpg?v=0

from davao gulf/talikud

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/215/450200952_bbcac15b7d.jpg?v=0

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/176/450200954_f061b1aa2b.jpg?v=0

btw, for the most photogenic is Legaspi City with Mt Mayon

(net find)
http://www.geocities.com/bicolagnostics/LegazpiMayon.jpg

^^ Legazpi City is very lovely. Hopefully, it'll become more urbanized and more talls would be added.

http://img137.imageshack.us/img137/4706/dumaguetefromspaceme8.jpg

http://img87.imageshack.us/img87/359/dgteonairne6.jpg

-----------

http://img136.imageshack.us/img136/8704/dgtemarketaerialbl4.jpg

http://img135.imageshack.us/img135/1671/dgtenorecoaerialrt1.jpg

http://img139.imageshack.us/img139/2180/dgtepoliceaerialqv0.jpg

^^ I guess the only way to say a city is photogenic depends on the photographer. Makati seems nice on those pics or whatever city posted here seems nice but if we look closer to the slum areas, it's all broken.


i don't seem to understand your point here. you're the one who started this thread with the intention that members can post pics and discuss about cities that are photogenic. but you're also saying that the ONLY way to say a city is photogenic depends on the photographer. this is very conflicting. if we talk about people as subject in photography, there are really those who are born to be photogenic, whether the one shooting him/her is a professional or not. if that is your stand right now after seing those beautiful makati pics, why won't you change the name of this thread as THE BEST CITY PHOTOGRAPHERS IN THE PHILIPPINES

Silliman Portals by the sea
http://img346.imageshack.us/img346/6912/dgtesuboulevardbv3.jpg

Jollibee goes old-school
http://img92.imageshack.us/img92/9595/jollibeenorthroadsx9.jpg

Spanish heritage
http://img420.imageshack.us/img420/255/donatilanodumaguete3rh.jpg

The Oriental Negros Capitol
http://img419.imageshack.us/img419/7019/dgtecapitol01vj4.jpg

Silliman Hall
http://img172.imageshack.us/img172/7174/suhalljl8.jpg

Church of St. Catherine of Alexandria
http://img405.imageshack.us/img405/3623/cathedral03uo1.jpg

Century-old Acacia Trees
http://img50.imageshack.us/img50/3524/suamphitresssk4.png

Rizal Boulevard
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/94/234572359_42ee01dac4.jpg?v=0

best about makati:
skyscrapers and more skyscrapers
very accessible
relatively safe compared to other MM cities

best about cebu:
strategic location
the cebuano people
upbeat economy

^^ Legazpi City is very lovely. Hopefully, it'll become more urbanized and more talls would be added.

the pic is so out of date but it's so scenic. Actually those nipa houses beside the sea is covered by a wall and it has a 4-lane boulevard with landscape center islands this is due to the on going construction of Embarcadero, a 24-hour commercial and I.T. Complex...

(net find)
http://www.geocities.com/bicolagnostics/LegazpiMayon.jpg[/QUOTE]

this pic is so out of date but it's so scenic. Actually those nipa houses beside the sea is covered by a wall and it has a 4-lane boulevard with landscape center islands this is due to the on going construction of Embarcadero, a 24-hour commercial and I.T. Complex...

http://img405.imageshack.us/img405/9857/panoramaarnoldfallercu0.jpg
Photo by Arnold Faller

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b332/MatteoMatt/aerail1.jpghttp://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b332/MatteoMatt/aerial2.jpg
Legazpi City
Photo by Oliver Gianan

^^that's it hehehe thanks Dex!!!

Here's my share, a stunning Manila City's view at night from PICC.

http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e248/lewdsaint/P7180007-1.jpg

let me use beast... as a sign that it's an overkill...

Makati:
The towering skyscrapers
The indeterminate expat population.
The so many overpasses in ayala avenue...

Quezon City
the widest sq.m area in mm.
TriNoma and SM North Edsa
The phallic symbol that is QMC

Davao City
Largest city in mindanao
The affordable real estate
The durian and many things in between...

i don't seem to understand your point here. you're the one who started this thread with the intention that members can post pics and discuss about cities that are photogenic. but you're also saying that the ONLY way to say a city is photogenic depends on the photographer. this is very conflicting. if we talk about people as subject in photography, there are really those who are born to be photogenic, whether the one shooting him/her is a professional or not. if that is your stand right now after seing those beautiful makati pics, why won't you change the name of this thread as THE BEST CITY PHOTOGRAPHERS IN THE PHILIPPINES

That was my opinion because the in some ways, a city looks photogenic because of the photographer is good at taking pics. (depends on the angles) As what a professional photographer told me: No matter how much you put it, once you have a good camera, you'll always take good pictures, but not all the time. So in some ways, pictures posted here taken by good photographers will look photogenic that the forumers themselves will think that the city really is photogenic.
Don't mind what I said, I'm shizophrenic. Let's keep on Posting. Peace po! :)

http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i83/MarkiiBoi4/SSCInnove02.jpg


http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i83/MarkiiBoi4/SSCParkTower01.jpg


http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i83/MarkiiBoi4/SSCPag-ibig03.jpg

I think without Mayon prominently displayed, Legaspi would just be like your everyday urban settlement in the province. That's the draw and focal point of every photo of the city.

^^ just as Eiffel Tower is to Paris

courtesy of junax :)

http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i292/naxju/pic2.jpg

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/kulaskusgan/pta/IMG_0035.jpg

http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i292/naxju/pta13.jpg

http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i292/naxju/pta8.jpg

parang ayokong sabihing photogenic ang city ko :lol: ang dating kasi sa akin, parang sa photo lang siya maganda pag sinabing photogenic, hehe :nuts:

parang ayokong sabihing photogenic ang city ko :lol: ang dating kasi sa akin, parang sa photo lang siya maganda pag sinabing photogenic, hehe :nuts:


:lol: :lol: :lol:

http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u177/Jarenz_038/CBP.jpg

Join us at "Philippine Towns and Cities: Reflections of the Past, Lessons for the Future" on November 9, 2007 at the Sarabia Manor Hotel and Convention Center, 101 General Luna Street, Iloilo City.

The main objective of this seminar series is to enhance civic engagement with local governments units so the Heritage Conservation Society (HCS) can inform and guide them on the proper care and utilization of a valuable asset — built heritage resources. The first seminar was held last 8 November 2006, at the Development Academy of the Philippines, Pasig City.

In our towns and cities, wanton real estate speculation and over-construction are often mistaken for modernization when in fact these exert devastating pressure on the historic and cultural core of many of our human settlements. As a result, a valuable economic resource – built heritage — is left to deteriorate or is thoughtlessly demolished in the name of progress. Concerted effort is imperative to protect heritage resources because these are revenue and job-generating assets that can spark economic revitalization, as the case of Vigan clearly shows.

However, there is a general lack of awareness at the local government level, which is precisely where policies should be formulated and ordinances passed to declare heritage districts and protect these as the town's or city's prime assets. Built heritage resources should be the core of any master plan for urban development and inner town/city revitalization. Livelihood opportunities are generated by adaptive re-use, the revival of traditional crafts for restoration work and an increase in tourism receipts.

Significantly, communities begin to feel a "pride of place".

The "Philippine Towns and Cities" seminar series is a communications campaign to influence policy makers at the local government level. Through the "Mayors' Forum", best practices are shared. Other stakeholders in the Executive branch, the private sector and the academe are invited to participate because heritage conservation is a multi-disciplinary concern.

In a second seminar, the Heritage Conservation Society will take this awareness and education campaign to the local governments of the Vizayas, where built heritage resources abound in the cities of Cebu, Bacolod, Iloilo, Dumaguete, Tagbilaran, and many others.

For more information, contact Ms. Dorie Soriano (HCS): 521-2239, 522-2497, info@heritage.org.ph; or Ms. Len Diño (UPF): 895-1812, 896-1902, 890-2480, annalynn.upf@gmail.com.

Sana we should concentrate more on panoramic photos of cities or shots that encompass a large section of the city from a good vantage point.

A very nice view of a "dot" in a city doesn't make the city photogenic. :)

Like this?

http://static.zooomr.com/images/3216502_a829fbad0c_o.jpg
credits to chymera00

siguro this would qualify.... feeling winter sa cebu.

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b384/peejay_domek/nowna.jpg

though hindi pano, photogenic naman dito eh, heh

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b384/peejay_domek/IMG_1650.jpg

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b384/peejay_domek/scsc12.jpg

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b384/peejay_domek/pshpano7.jpg

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b384/peejay_domek/cebuayalapano1.jpg

(old pic, no parklane hotel and no cebu commercial towers yet)

the vow.. davao!

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b384/peejay_domek/davao/dvo27.jpg

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b384/peejay_domek/davao/dvo70.jpg

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b384/peejay_domek/davao/dvo36.jpg

davao!

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b384/peejay_domek/davao/dvo1.jpg

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b384/peejay_domek/davao/dvo15.jpg

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b384/peejay_domek/davao/dvo39.jpg

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b384/peejay_domek/davao/dvo38.jpg

now back to cebu!

http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x102/pinakamaldito/DSC01764.jpg

http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x102/pinakamaldito/DSC01396.jpg

http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x102/pinakamaldito/DSC01325.jpg

http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x102/pinakamaldito/IMG_0898.jpg

http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x102/pinakamaldito/DSC01212.jpg

cebu city as the background...
http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x102/pinakamaldito/DSC01207.jpg

poorly done pano using a celfone :nuts:

http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x102/pinakamaldito/DSC01195.jpg

siguro this would qualify.... feeling winter sa cebu.

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b384/peejay_domek/nowna.jpg

more like smog from pollution....:lol:

^^ kung mapapansin mo ang pic, madilim, walang araw, and if you have a keen eye for detail, did you notice the clouds sa upper portion ng pic? it was raining on an early morning po.

more like smog from pollution....:lol:

We don't get smog here. :ohno: Or rather, the smog may be too minor to get noticed ;)

View from TOPS
Taken May 13, 2006


http://img212.imageshack.us/img212/6541/untitled1copy2a1qafs4.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img296.imageshack.us/img296/1126/framedskyline1fq8gd7.jpg (http://imageshack.us)


http://img264.imageshack.us/img264/6404/framedskyline2zp6yi7.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img222.imageshack.us/img222/5582/optimusprime016fq8.jpg
Cell photo courtesy of Nicko

We don't get smog here. :ohno: Or rather, the smog may be too minor to get noticed ;)

as long as there are automobiles running on fossil fuels...there is smog, unless of course all automobiles in Cebu are of the hybrid type...:)

http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x287/GearX_2007/ssc_aerial.gif

as long as there are automobiles running on fossil fuels...there is smog, unless of course all automobiles in Cebu are of the hybrid type...:)

They better use the electric vehicle of Dumaguete.

^ No we wont, there isn't much leg space :ohno:

^ No we wont, there isn't much leg space :ohno:

The EV whose pictures and video are posted somewhere in this forum is only the prototype. Since the Dumaguete-based engineers now have the technology which they gained through years of stint in the US, they can actually do what they want with it whether they will fit it into high end vehicles with some additional R&D. And with that breakthrough, Dumaguete and Oriental Negros, and the whole Island of Negros as well, now have the potential to be the hub of manufacturing for EVs, not just in the Philippines but even in the whole of Southeast Asia. Truly, a hub for technology research and development is rising here.

They better use the electric vehicle of Dumaguete.

OT: How much does one EV cost?

http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p64/iliganon_boy/diyandi.jpg http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p64/iliganon_boy/dyandinew-1.jpg

^ So what is this festival all about? Religion or Ethnic Practices?

it says sr. san miguel... it has te be about religion, heh

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a340/tj_brewed/DAVAO/_prlfarm19.jpg
DAVAO!

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a340/tj_brewed/DAVAO/dvonyts.jpg

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a340/tj_brewed/DAVAO/efb0aa30.jpg

Davao!


http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a340/tj_brewed/DAVAO/nytdvo1.jpg

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a340/tj_brewed/DAVAO/wadab3.jpg

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a340/tj_brewed/DAVAO/dabawcollage.jpg

^^ Davao really looks like an international city. How many skyscrapers does Davao have? (12 storeys and above)

^^ So it's not a beer drinking festival? :cheers:

Kidding aside, is it true though Muslims don't usually "participate" in Catholic festivities they do so in this particular festival? And that's because Michael, the archangel is someone they regard with high esteem in their religion.

walang skyscraper sa davao :D

pero these are davao's buildings that are 12 storeys up

marco polo (18), landco (17), pryce (14), durian hotel (13), Grand regal (12) :D

;15590110']walang skyscraper sa davao :D

pero these are davao's buildings that are 12 storeys up

marco polo (18), landco (17), pryce (14), durian hotel (13), Grand regal (12) :D

How bout Davao Doctors Medical Tower and Metrobank Tower?

10 storeys lang ang Davao Doc :) tapos ang Metrobank 8 floors lang plus penthouse (9th) (kumbaga technically 8 pero kung ssc counting ma 9 :lol:)

;15599161']10 storeys lang ang Davao Doc :) tapos ang Metrobank 8 floors lang plus penthouse (9th) (kumbaga technically 8 pero kung ssc counting ma 9 :lol:)

how many floors ba yung Apo View Hotel?

The more I look at the photos of Davao City, the more I'm impressed and awed by it's scenic beauty, orderliness and cleanliness. Manila may be glitzy and modern, and Cebu may be idyllic and touristy, but Davao is just right in all aspects. :okay:

http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x287/GearX_2007/normal_208_0850_2.jpg

how many floors ba yung Apo View Hotel?

not sure if 8 or 9 (same with mandaya hotel i guess)

hey, while i was looking for an apo view pic sa net, i found this :D dunno if its true though

http://www.philresorts.com/accommodations/davao_resorts.asp

The second oldest hotel in the Philippines, Apo View has 205 air-conditioned rooms including 10 suites f.............

;15599542']not sure if 8 or 9 (same with mandaya hotel i guess)

hey, while i was looking for an apo view pic sa net, i found this :D dunno if its true though

http://www.philresorts.com/accommodations/davao_resorts.asp

hmm...so Hotel Magindanao is the oldest in RP....sinc it's also the oldest in Davao?:cheers:

baka yung 2nd oldest among hotels na open pa? not sure if maguindanao is older than apo though kasi parang ilang years ago na yun when i saw a "50 years" sign sa tuktok ng apo view :)

http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x287/GearX_2007/normal_208_0850_2.jpg

This is already an outdated photo :D

Davao!


http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a340/tj_brewed/DAVAO/nytdvo1.jpg

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a340/tj_brewed/DAVAO/wadab3.jpg

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a340/tj_brewed/DAVAO/dabawcollage.jpg

wow1 impressive!:)

This is already an outdated photo :D

ok...
http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x287/GearX_2007/normal_208_0850_2copy.gif

^ GearX, that's too much, that's overreaction. :D I just wanted to refer to your photo since two other highrises have sprouted along that street where the photo was taken ;)

^^ lol nice one gear :D

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1129/1442927759_12706b00c6_b.jpg

Cebu Provincial Capitol by youngnewton (http://flickr.com/photos/youngnewton/)

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1108/540573370_e0ebee1aa6_b.jpg

Midtown Cebu by Kumusta Ka (http://flickr.com/photos/antonio_tumulak/)

^^ sinj, i hope you have an aerial photo of this building showing it's really front side, nice sprawl!:)

^ Which building?

^^ the provincial capitol

^ I'm confused. You want an aerial but you want to see its front side. :dunno:

Anyway, here's a front view photo of the Cebu Provincial Capitol

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/53/136958527_21e02225c4_o.jpg

GYuvallos (http://flickr.com/photos/gyuvallos/)

^^From that angle, fly upwards around 50-70 meters. That should be the front-aerial view.

we dont have a capitol :ohno:

^ Oh okay. Lol, I only found this one :lol:

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1230/1365987369_c4a76624e5_b.jpg

by Joseph Ong (http://flickr.com/photos/joseworks/)

^ I'm confused. You want an aerial but you want to see its front side. :dunno:

Anyway, here's a front view photo of the Cebu Provincial Capitol

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/53/136958527_21e02225c4_o.jpg

GYuvallos (http://flickr.com/photos/gyuvallos/)

this is great! thanx so much!:)

repost:
http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l296/thegreat184/CIMG0516.jpg

2007 - viewed from Taoist Temple

http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l296/thegreat184/ok1.jpg

2010 - Now with Lexmark, Grand Cenia and Tower Palace.

I did some research for the heights and location of the buildings. I did not put HK plaza hotel due to the lack of an official render.

^^ the muslims acknowledge archangels... Mikail(or michael).... Jibrail or (gabriel) ,... Israfil (raphael) and Azrael ( the angle of death),.. we're not too different from them....

;15601547']we dont have a capitol :ohno:

Is it because Davao City is independent from any other pronvince? :)

^ Yes.

Is it because Davao City is independent from any other pronvince? :)

Yes. Its a chartered city yet it was once the capital of one Davao province before it was divided sometime in the mid-20th Century.

Same case for Cotabato City. Although lost its prominence as the capital after what was once the largest province in the Philippines (Cotabato) was divided into several provinces, the Capitol still exists hidden in PC Hill.

^^ Do they still use the capitol?

Yes. Its a chartered city yet it was once the capital of one Davao province before it was divided sometime in the mid-20th Century.

Same case for Cotabato City. Although lost its prominence as the capital after what was once the largest province in the Philippines (Cotabato) was divided into several provinces, the Capitol still exists hidden in PC Hill.

Isn't Cebu a chartered city as well? That is why Cebu City citizens can't vote for a Governor.

^^ Do they still use the capitol?
Yes (back last year) as an extension to the cramped old city hall of Cotabato. Today I have no idea since they have a new city hall outside the downtown area. Hope that they restore it or maintain it as it's architectural magnum opus of Cotabato City.

Isn't Cebu a chartered city as well? That is why Cebu City citizens can't vote for a Governor.

Yes. It is. Same with Iloilo City in which they cannot vote for the Gov and the provincial gov't officials.

Tagaytay is more in picnic haunt, everytime when we were there (because we live in Mendez) this activity is just like a tradition for my family, Doing this activity is very relaxing especially those who are need a brake to unwind though my wife is a workaholic person we used to go Tagaytay for sometimes to spend more time together during Sundays.

And one of the most common thing that many people who visited Tagaytay is to ride a horse, and your trip to tagaytay is not complete with out trying this activity, you can find them in taal vista, picnic grove and people's park area.

Riding a horse it may cost you 50 to 100 pesos for 1 hour.

Is it because Davao City is independent from any other pronvince? :)

because Capitol Buildings are only located in the province's capital, whether a city or municipality....The presence of Capitol Buildings does not necessarily mean that the host also votes for the provincial officials. e.g. Cebu City, capital of Cebu Province but is a chartered city. Only component cities vote for provincial officials

Iloilo City

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1389/1304953198_38704a1e71.jpg

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/55/139561624_9381e7b6f5.jpg?v=0

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/96/253376602_1648991b80.jpg?v=0

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/204/466267720_26f7af9d8a.jpg?v=0

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/148/369597661_988b42ac80.jpg?v=0

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/110/299411331_871dc5257b.jpg?v=0

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/156/375472293_600b213b1f.jpg?v=0

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/188/466276197_73127ca3b6.jpg?v=0

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/190/497785670_e438cc8b17.jpg

^^
:banana: :banana: :banana:
THat's photogenic...great pics chy
:dance: :master: :okay: :applause: :rock:

Chy, do have the pic where Medicus was lighted at night?

that looks pretty indeed :D

^^ the muslims acknowledge archangels... Mikail(or michael).... Jibrail or (gabriel) ,... Israfil (raphael) and Azrael ( the angle of death),.. we're not too different from them....

that goes without saying :D atleast for my classmates they join in the fiesta... but no lechon :lol:

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d138/martiano/resorts/p1000317ua0.jpg

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d138/martiano/resorts/p1000340ln8.jpg

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d138/martiano/resorts/p1000357ie8.jpg

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d138/martiano/resorts/p1000364nh4.jpg

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d138/martiano/resorts/P1000380.jpg

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d138/martiano/resorts/P1000383.jpg

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d138/martiano/resorts/P1220008.jpg

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d138/martiano/resorts/P1220006.jpg

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d138/martiano/resorts/DSC01812.jpg

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d138/martiano/resorts/DSC01813.jpg

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d138/martiano/resorts/DSC018182.jpg

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d138/martiano/resorts/DSC01819.jpg

lapu-lapu city [mactan island, cebu]

^^ very nice pictures of lapu lapu city!:) a few more of these posh highrises or midrises and that place could look like a little coastal miami:)

i honestly dont like the color of that pink colored hotel...

those houses look so awesome i gotta wonder howmuch those cost

^^ it's coral pink actually... that makes Cebu Hilton unique!


@bariQ

..if i'm not mistaken, those are villas for rent which is part of Crown Regency Hotel Mactan

Cebu City & Talisay City:

- people
- food
- people
- food

^ Hilton Hotel was once again featured in Rated K, now for their Pink Jeepney which will also be brought to Hilton Las Vegas (or Los Angeles). :banana:

^^ yeah, it's a huge pink jeepney!:banana:

^ Hilton Hotel was once again featured in Rated K, now for their Pink Jeepney which will also be brought to Hilton Las Vegas (or Los Angeles). :banana:

has Paris Hilton tried it out already?

^ Not yet but I'm sure she'll love it once she gets to ride on it ;)

The cosmopolitan feel that is limited to only a few cities in the country.

... such as... :D

i dont know what a cosmopolitan feel feels :(

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/156/375472293_600b213b1f.jpg?v=0

photogenic guid!

iloilo is blessed to have a nice setting nga even if wala pa high rise, its very nice to look at..(how much more if damo na high rise sa iloilo? ) hehe tama ba ilonggo ko?

well (sana matuloy na talaga) ill be seeing iloilo personally in a few weeks! :banana: NIA here i come!

http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i292/naxju/pic2.jpg

i dont know what a cosmopolitan feel feels :(

Cosmopolitan feel has more to do with the people than with the place. But then you have to provide an environment where cosmopolitan people thrive in an area.

you mean yung mga fashionistas paris hilton-ish?

To a certain extent yes, but not really. For me being cosmopolitan has more to do with the personality of a person, how he uses his intelligence to make his place better. A lot of big cities nowadays are suffering from shortsightedness thereby losing their competitiveness. Things such as narrow roads, traffic, pollution are rampant in big cities nowadays which are supposed to be the hub of cosmopolitan people.

i dont know what a cosmopolitan feel feels :(

there's a place along Capistrano St., Cagayan de Oro City which really feels cosmopilitan...:lol:

Hope you'll enjoy your stay in Iloilo, Waway.
Sige tuon (learn) pa guid sang hiligaynon. :)

Just want to share this post of Chymera in his www.exploreiloilo.com site baka magustuhan mong magstay dito.

Nice to look at these new hotels in Iloilo City.

http://www.exploreiloilo.com/accommodations-being.html


;15652434']http://farm1.static.flickr.com/156/375472293_600b213b1f.jpg?v=0

photogenic guid!

iloilo is blessed to have a nice setting nga even if wala pa high rise, its very nice to look at..(how much more if damo na high rise sa iloilo? ) hehe tama ba ilonggo ko?

well (sana matuloy na talaga) ill be seeing iloilo personally in a few weeks! :banana: NIA here i come!

^^ yeah, it's a huge pink jeepney!:banana:

i saw their pink jeepney in SM, its their service shuttle for their guests who want to explore the city, loads of koreans and japs... :banana:

cosmopolitan ba? marami nyan sa cebu! nyahahaha :lol: the founder is a cebuano nga eh! :nuts:

there's a place along Capistrano St., Cagayan de Oro City which really feels cosmopilitan...:lol:

ahhhhh yun ba.... ngayon ko lang naintindihan :lol: :lol: :ohno:

makati has the best skyline. it is home to the most of the buildings you can easily identify. but makati lacks good geographical features.

iloilo, cebu and albay have good geagraphical locations. i just wish these cities would have enough talls to scrape their skylines.

batangas city is also nice to look at from the sea.

Might not be a paradise on earth during weekdays and because of those spaghetti wires are causing an eyesore but during Sunday mornings like these, the glory of its old era resurfaces amidst the cool breeze of the sea.

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1294/885771454_8c70bee46e.jpg?v=0
Calle Real (JM Basa Street) Downtown Iloilo City

does anybody know a city in the phils. which has no slums?

does anybody know a city in the phils. which has no slums?

SM city and
Gaisano city

:lol: