Pateros and Taguig City - Compiled Threads [Archive] - Page 33

sloanesquare

August 7th, 2009, 05:08 AM

THERE HAS BEEN SO MUCH ACRIMONIOUS FEELING LATELY BETWEEN SOME PEOPLE REPRESENTING THIS SECTOR THAT I THOUGHT THAT I WOULD POST THIS IN THE 2 MAJOR THREADS..TAGUIG AND MAKATI..IN THE END IT HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH THE THREAD BUT A TIRADE BETWEEN FILAMS AND FILS. SO HERES THE RESEARCH...MAYBE IT CAN BE MOVED TO THE PROPER LOCATION:

Fil-Ams not model minorities in the US
CRISTINA DC PASTOR, Philippine News
08/04/2009 | 05:35 PM

| | More

NO MODEL. Contrary to the myth, Filipinos are far from being model minorities in the United States, so says Prof. Kevin Nadal in his book. AP photoNEW YORK – Are Filipino-Americans model minorities in the United States?

Not quite, if Kevin Nadal, a professor of psychology at the John Jay College in Criminal Justice, would be asked.

In his book, "Filipino American Psychology: A Handbook of Theory, Research, and Clinical Practice", Nadal said the 'Model Minority' tag is a myth; at best, it is a stereotype, and many Asian-Americans, among them Fil-Ams, "do not fit this model."

Nadal's work attempts to flesh out "misleading" data about Filipino-Americans in terms of family income, employment, and education. While Fil-Ams may appear to have higher median family income than other Asians, it points out that an average Fil-Am family has more members contributing to this income - 3.41 members - compared to an average Asian (3.08 members) and American (2.59 members) family.

"Thus, Filipino American families are making less money than others," Nadal said in his book.

Nadal, who is best remembered for mobilizing an online signature campaign against an episode of "Desperate Housewives," added that several studies have noted many Filipino-American youth have participated in gangs or gang culture and have been incarcerated at higher rates than East Asian Americans. [See: More signing up plaint vs ‘Desperate Housewives’ ]

While Fil-Am gang activity has declined from its apex in the 1980s, gangs have morphed into the DJ hip hop crews, with disc jockeys providing some kind of leadership in this particular subculture. As explained in the book, "They knew they don’t fit into the white culture, so they rejected it and embraced hip hop because hip hop was already embraced by gang culture."

Americanized Pinoys perform poorly in school
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The more Americanized Filipino students become in the US, the worse they tend to perform in school. Such was the finding of a study of 10 urban communities across America conducted by the National Federation of Filipino American Associations (NaFFAA) of Washington, DC.

Hydra Mendoza of the San Francisco School Board pointed out that 36 percent of Filipino students in San Francisco dropped out of high school which, while still 8 percent below the district average, still constituted a cause for alarm amongst Filipino parents.

Read more
Among Asian American youth – specifically Chinese-, Korean- and Vietnamese-Americans - Fil-Ams tend to be more likely to get into trouble, according to the book, citing multiple research. They’re more likely to be arrested for curfew violation, truancy or other forms of “problem behaviors." They also tend to not do very well in school.

"Statistics have shown that second generation Filipino-American students have experienced higher rates of high school dropouts and lower rates of college admission and retention than East Asian Americans," Nadal said in his book.

Aside from that, previous research has supported that Filipino-Americans may have a higher prevalence of substance abuse than East Asian Americans.

It has also been revealed that Filipino-Americans have higher rates of HIV/AIDS and out-of-wedlock and teen pregnancy than other Asian American groups.

Employment and competence

In terms of employment, the book notes that Fil-Am male workers make "significantly less money" than Asian and American males even though they are better educated and speak English relatively well. A full-time Fil-Am male worker earns an average $35,560 compared to an Asian male ($40,650) and American male ($37,057).

"Despite the fact that many Filipino-Americans are well-educated, they do not receive the same levels of income and are often at a lower occupational status when compared to other Asian-American groups of similar education qualifications," Nadal noted in his book.

The book made reference to a study that states that Filipino-Americans are sometimes "categorized with marginalized groups" like African-Americans and Hispanics, and for that reason, “they may internalize inferiority and may not expect to succeed."

"Because Filipino-Americans may also have similar sociocultural outcomes as Black- or African-Americans and Hispanics or Latinos (eg, experiences with racism, teen pregnancy, gang involvement, and juvenile delinquency), they may believe they are not meant to achieve higher levels of education and instead are meant to remain in the working or lower social classes."

Studies have likewise shown that Fil-Am males have "higher rates of incarceration."

The book offers a number of reasons why Fil-Ams would fare poorly compared with other Asian-Americans within the same socio-economic status: racism, acculturation, colonial mentality, and the quest for material success. Add to that disconcerting brew “body image issues," with some Fil-Ams having a “need to be like the colonizer."

Nadal also discussed racial and ethnic discrepancy, with Fil-Ams showing closer connection with African-Americans and Latinos than with Asian-Americans to whom the Model Minority label is usually attached.

The book is a "valuable reference" for scholars, educators, mental health professionals and the average person who wants to get to know Filipino-Americans better, says Derald Wing Sue, Ph.D. of Teachers College-Columbia University, who wrote the foreword.

Sue says Nadal takes the reader into the life experiences of Fil-Ams - including the period of colonization, the impact of Catholicism, and the matter of skin color – and “provides us with a new framework of Fil-Am identity."

crappypants

August 7th, 2009, 05:52 AM

what is a model minority? if it's laying low and keeping out of trouble regardless of racism and oppresion, then filams are a model minority. Who are we to believe the american census or that article? I never heard of Filams being one of the top populations in prison, I don't know maybe it's different in communities with a large Filam population, could be in Hawaii or the bay area.
wrong thread put this in the heritage section.

ruralvillage

August 7th, 2009, 06:21 AM

^^ @sloanesquare, I read the article a few days ago and easily noticed many inaccurate and misleading entries and depictions about Fil-Ams.

More AIDS and incarceration compared to other Asians? Gang-related violence? Really??? :nuts: :nuts:

I'd like to read the book and scrutinize in detail the references, researches, and methodologies of those researches and references.

Anyway, this book will certainly create intense debate and controversy, and in the process augment its sale. The latter may be the sole purpose of the book's contention.

Not sure though if this is the right thread.

antediluvianist

August 8th, 2009, 02:15 PM

deleted

3cr

August 12th, 2009, 03:37 AM

Is this Majestic Hotel project also on hold like the Nira Diwa Hotel and Shangri-La Hotel projects? Dang still no official Hotel yet in BGC in the near future.

Anyway, here is an original render:

http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g227/tcc_0888/GW/GWHotelrenders.jpg

And a map:

http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g227/tcc_0888/GW/GWHotelmap1.jpg

TheRick

August 12th, 2009, 06:49 PM

Aziza1121

August 12th, 2009, 07:41 PM

^^Oo nga. Nasa Prime location pa naman ang F1. Main thoroughfare (32nd Street). Maybe bec F1 City Center is classified as residential here in the forum?

ruralvillage

August 13th, 2009, 02:13 AM

BGC offers prime office spaces (http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/215215/bgc-offers-prime-office-spaces)
Manila Bulletin (http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/215215/bgc-offers-prime-office-spaces)
August 10, 2009, 5:26pm

CLIENTS are making the most of the office oversupply situation by relocating to more efficient buildings in well-planned locations like Fort Legend Towers.
CLIENTS are making the most of the office oversupply situation by relocating to more efficient buildings in well-planned locations like Fort Legend Towers.

As most companies seek to weather the current economic crisis by reducing expenses, top-end office buildings in Bonifacio Global City are finding themselves the beneficiaries of corporate consolidations.

Lindsay Orr, COO of Jones Lang LaSalle Leechiu (JLLL), a global services firm specializing in real estate, said that an oversupply of office space is expected to last up to mid-2010. JLLL studies indicate that a total of 575,446 sqm is expected to come onstream in 2009. From January to June 2010, an additional 315,221 sqm is further expected to become available but little else follows afterwards.

Orr reported that corporate clients are making the most of the oversupply situation by seeking more flexible rental terms as well as relocating to newer and more efficient buildings in well-planned locations like Bonifacio Global City. Prime office developments like Fort Legend Towers, which is strategically located near St. Luke’s Medical Center, the proposed Shangri-La hotel property and other landmarks of the emerging district, are particularly enjoying strong demand.

Sheila Lobien, JLLL associate director, disclosed that the recently completed Fort Legend Towers is already over 40 percent committed to a number of multinationals doing business in the Philippines, and BPOs. More transactions are in the pipeline.

Corporate clients are most concerned about the easy access of their employees to and from work as well as quality of life. In addition to being serviced round the clock by the Bonifacio Transport Corp. which ferries passengers directly to the Ayala Avenue MRT station and the transport hub in Market! Market!, the Fort Legend Towers enjoys easy access to C-5 and Kalayaan Avenue, the main route to the Makati business district.

Multiple telecom companies provide their services to the PEZA-accredited development. The 29-story building with a penthouse also has 100 percent back-up power, an air-conditioning system that allows individual temperature settings for building occupants and retail at the ground floor.

Orr observed that Fort Legend Towers’ merits are further highlighted by the fact that it is located in one of the most attractive districts to corporate clients.

“Almost everything is within walking distance in Bonifacio Global City – office and residential buildings, restaurants and malls, schools. That counts a lot to corporate executives and expats who dislike traffic and long car rides,” he said.

3cr

August 13th, 2009, 02:19 AM

Its funny how people forget about F1 City Center? :lol:
It may not be the iconic or 5/6 star hotel that people are waiting for but its a sure thing...

It might operate about 2 or 3 years before another hotel opens in BGC...

^^Oo nga. Nasa Prime location pa naman ang F1. Main thoroughfare (32nd Street). Maybe bec F1 City Center is classified as residential here in the forum?

^^ Just that F1 City is categorized/considered a condotel and not an actual full fledge Hotel like the above mentioned Majestic, Nira Diwa and Shangri-La projects. BGC really needs more than just a condotel if it is to be a legitimate destination spot but guess it's still better even if it's just a condotel for now than having none at all...

ruralvillage

August 13th, 2009, 02:22 AM

Restaurants now a feature of office buildings (http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/215466/restaurants-now-a-feature-office-buildings)
August 12, 2009, 12:23pm
Manila bulletin (http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/215466/restaurants-now-a-feature-office-buildings)

Perhaps an indication of a pervasive need to have work-life balance, more and more office buildings in rising business district Bonifacio Global City are hosting restaurants on the ground floor and lower levels.

Two of Manila’s highly rated dining places are located in office developments put up by The Net Group: the trendy Je Suis Gourmand by Chef Marc Aubry at Net One and Bistro Filipino owned by acclaimed Chef Roland Laudico at Net Square. Offering a similarly casual ambience, Eat Well, Basty’s, Teriyaki Boy and Dell’s Foodhall at Net Quad have also developed a following.

Charlie Rufino, president of The Net Group, explains why: “At the end of the day, people relate well to the retail experience -- restaurants in particular.” A trendy restaurant brings a certain cache to a real estate project, he says. Thus, The Net Group plans a building by focusing first on the restaurant and retail concept and preparing the best infrastructure for it.

To attract restaurateurs and other food retailers who are always conscious of their expenses, The Net Group which operates primarily in Bonifacio Global City promotes the use of piped-in gas as cooking fuel. Piped-in gas is supplied by Bonifacio Gas in the rising business district and also in the commercial section of Eastwood City.

Serge Bernal, Bonifacio Gas general manager, reports that piped-in gas offers savings of up to 40 per cent compared to electricity. Moreover, buildings connected to the Bonifacio Global City and Eastwood networks enjoy the protection offered by state-of-the-art facilities. From a centralized location, the fuel is released in vapor form into the network. Building owners tap into a system of high-grade pipes that conform to world-class standards and distribute the gas to users in their projects. When retailers and other locators get gas from the network rather than from traditional cylinders, the presence of gas is greatly minimized in their developments. This situation is not only safer, it also minimizes the wear-and-tear to a property incurred from the handling of heavy metal cylinders.

Bernal discloses that in addition to savings, most locators, for their part, prefer to use piped-in gas because they don’t need to maintain an inventory of lpg cylinders and risk running out of fuel in the middle of a busy day.

Raymond Rufino, vice-president of The Net Group opines that in a city, people circulate at the street level so ground floor retail is critical in influencing their perceptions. He recalls how Je Suis Gourmand at the ground floor of the Net One Center building influenced the early impression of many visitors of Bonifacio Global City.

Despite the ambitious plans for the district, few people took the vision seriously in the early part of the decade -- until they started frequenting restaurants like Je Suis Gourmand. “Je Suis Gourmand in particular attracted many visitors to the Bonifacio Global City. It helped people realize the amazing growth and development of the city, as well as experience the kind of lifestyle it offered. Bonifacio Global City was no longer just a future plan - it was already a reality!,” he says.

Aziza1121

August 13th, 2009, 03:13 AM

TheRick

August 13th, 2009, 03:39 AM

^^ Just that F1 City is categorized/considered a condotel and not an actual full fledge Hotel like the above mentioned Majestic, Nira Diwa and Shangri-La projects. BGC really needs more than just a condotel if it is to be a legitimate destination spot but guess it's still better even if it's just a condotel for now than having none at all...

If people are considering The Majestic as a full fledge hotel then they should also consider F1 as the same thing. As far as what I've read the hotel floors are completely separated from the residential unit floors. The main difference between Majestic and F1 City Center is that Majestic has 2 lobbies. Both have hotel and residential units.

Its not like for example Malayan Plaza were unit owners can enter their unit to join the condotel and can later on decide to pull it out and live there. The hotel units in F1 will purely be hotel units.

3cr

August 13th, 2009, 04:41 AM

^^ Just that a Condotel just doesn't have the prestige of a real Hotel eventhough on the surface it may seem to offer the same thing. Furthermore the whole ownership concept also differs if one is to compare F1's condotel ownership structure and Majestic's Hotel ownership structure. Guess it's all semantics in the end of the day but here's the explanation of the difference between a condotel and a hotel concept as explained/posted in the Majestic Hotel Thread...

To clarify: First of all, Majestic is NOT a condotel project. G&W emphasized it to us quite plainly. It is very similar in concept to the Shangri-la's hotel/residential project in West Crescent, a hotel in the lower floors and condo units in the higher floors. There will be separate entrance and lobbies for the hotel and condo owners since the lot is bounded by 3 streets.

A condotel is still essentially a condominium project that has units owned by individuals put in a rental pool. While the individual unit owner is not occupying their unit, it can be rented out to regular hotel guests, thus generating the individual unit owner rental revenue to offset their monthly ownership costs.

In a condotel, unit owners who actually use their condo units have sometimes complained of the unpleasant sight of guests checking-in the lobby with their luggages all around. There is also more elevator wait time, since the elevator is used more often.

According to G&W, since this is an investment-grade project, it would qualify for REIT if the REIT law passes in the Philippines. A condotel will not qualify since it is not investment-grade.

-------------------------------------------------------------------

How is this project different from a Condotel:

The residential condo units in this project IS NOT entered into the rental pool. In fact, there is NO rental pool. The hotel is different and separate from the residential condos.

As a buyer, you have 2 choices. Either you buy a residential condo unit in the residential part of the building (higher floors) or a hotel room unit (in the lower floors). Intercon will only manage the hotel side of the development. You will also only get income from hotel operations if you buy the hotel room unit. If you buy the residential condo unit, you don't earn anything from hotel operations. NADA! If you want to lease the condo out, you have to lease it out and manage it yourself, similar to other investors in regular condo buildings.

If you buy the hotel room unit, you can not use the unit for your own use. It is part of the hotel. Think of it as owning shares of stock in the hotel. So, it doesn't matter what room you choose. It doesn't matter whether you get a room with a view or not. Because you won't be able to use it anyway. You are there to earn INCOME from hotel operations, and not as an end-user.

Just think of it as 2 separate projects -- a hotel and a residential condo. It just so happened they are located in the same building, but on different floors with separate access.

RonnieR

August 13th, 2009, 06:21 AM

BGC new photos, August 12. I would appreciate if you can post them in specific project at Projects thread. Thanks.

http://i530.photobucket.com/albums/dd350/RonnieR_2008/DSC04936.jpg

http://i530.photobucket.com/albums/dd350/RonnieR_2008/DSC04933.jpg

http://i530.photobucket.com/albums/dd350/RonnieR_2008/DSC04931.jpg

http://i530.photobucket.com/albums/dd350/RonnieR_2008/DSC04932.jpg

at Rizal Drive and 32nd Street
http://i530.photobucket.com/albums/dd350/RonnieR_2008/DSC04928-1.jpg

RonnieR

August 13th, 2009, 06:26 AM

McKinley Hill is amazing.

http://i530.photobucket.com/albums/dd350/RonnieR_2008/DSC04938.jpg

http://i530.photobucket.com/albums/dd350/RonnieR_2008/DSC04940.jpg

http://i530.photobucket.com/albums/dd350/RonnieR_2008/DSC04939.jpg

http://i530.photobucket.com/albums/dd350/RonnieR_2008/DSC04941.jpg

http://i530.photobucket.com/albums/dd350/RonnieR_2008/DSC04952.jpg

http://i530.photobucket.com/albums/dd350/RonnieR_2008/DSC04953.jpg

http://i530.photobucket.com/albums/dd350/RonnieR_2008/DSC04957.jpg

http://i530.photobucket.com/albums/dd350/RonnieR_2008/DSC04942-1.jpg

dunamis

August 13th, 2009, 10:39 AM

The exterior of the office buildings in Mckinley Hill are made mostly of glass and aluminum claddings. Looks very modern. How I wish the other developers did the same to office buildings in BGC.

Maybe thats why Mckinley Hill is eating up into the market of office space of BGC.... Lots of multinational companies and BPOs decided to move their offices to this business park.

Thanks for the pictures. Im sure with competition, developers of office spaces like Net will get better in time.

Mckinley Hill definitely looks better than Eastwood.

TheRick

August 13th, 2009, 02:00 PM

TheRick

August 13th, 2009, 02:04 PM

McKinley Hill is amazing.

http://i530.photobucket.com/albums/dd350/RonnieR_2008/DSC04941.jpg

http://i530.photobucket.com/albums/dd350/RonnieR_2008/DSC04957.jpg

Awesome pic! I like this angle...

The exterior of the office buildings in Mckinley Hill are made mostly of glass and aluminum claddings. Looks very modern. How I wish the other developers did the same to office buildings in BGC.

Maybe thats why Mckinley Hill is eating up into the market of office space of BGC.... Lots of multinational companies and BPOs decided to move their offices to this business park.

Thanks for the pictures. Im sure with competition, developers of office spaces like Net will get better in time.

Mckinley Hill definitely looks better than Eastwood.

Plus, McKinley Hill has planned parking ^^
Nice big parking building.

3cr

August 14th, 2009, 12:33 AM

McKinley Hill Aerial Photo:(Courtesy of Brandon)

http://i762.photobucket.com/albums/xx265/Albay_Kodaks/brazilisa129.jpg

McKinley Hill at Ground Level:(Photos Courtesy of Ronnie)

http://i530.photobucket.com/albums/dd350/RonnieR_2008/DSC04938.jpg

http://i530.photobucket.com/albums/dd350/RonnieR_2008/DSC04940.jpg

http://i530.photobucket.com/albums/dd350/RonnieR_2008/DSC04939.jpg

http://i530.photobucket.com/albums/dd350/RonnieR_2008/DSC04941.jpg

http://i530.photobucket.com/albums/dd350/RonnieR_2008/DSC04952.jpg

http://i530.photobucket.com/albums/dd350/RonnieR_2008/DSC04957.jpg

^^ Wow McKinley Hill is indeed looking good! Looking Real Good! :okay: :okay:

3cr

August 14th, 2009, 12:51 AM

Baka bulk purchase yan ng GW para may discount sa supplier! Hehehe... :lol: :lol: :lol:

uso yata ang blue glass..... FPS, SR, BSR, CPR, Ascendas, etc.

http://i228.photobucket.com/albums/ee156/aganagutom/DSC00169.jpg?t=1229069964

http://i530.photobucket.com/albums/dd350/RonnieR_2008/DSC04933.jpg

^^ Have to say so far I'm liking it (Ascendas) even better than the render. :okay: :okay:

3cr

August 14th, 2009, 12:56 AM

http://i530.photobucket.com/albums/dd350/RonnieR_2008/DSC04931.jpg

^^ One Global Place is Looking Good! Surely a welcome sight/addition along BGC's 5th Ave. :okay: :okay:

3cr

August 14th, 2009, 01:07 AM

http://i530.photobucket.com/albums/dd350/RonnieR_2008/DSC04937.jpg

^^Wow JECO Prime is Rising Fast! :okay: :okay:

3cr

August 14th, 2009, 01:23 AM

Any updates on this? August 14 is the supposed submission deadline of Tender Documents by other eligible developers on the Swiss Challenge otherwise Megaworld gets to develop the 8.38 hectare lot in North Boni if I understood it correctly. Exciting! :banana: :banana: :banana:

BCDA declares Ayala, Fil-Invest and Robinsons Land eligible for Swiss Challenge on North Bonifacio lot

The state-owned Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) has declared three top real estate developers eligible to submit proposals for the competitive challenge for the privatization and development of the North Bonifacio Lots in Bonifacio Global City.

The BCDA said the three companies eligible to submit proposals to challenge Megaworld's unsolicited proposal for the joint venture deal for the 8.38 hectare North Bonifacio Lots are Ayala Land Inc. (ALI), Filinvest Land Inc. (FLI), and Robinsons Land Corporation (RLC).

BCDA Vice President for Business Development Aileen Zosa said the deadline for the submission of Tender Documents which consist of the technical and financial proposals shall be on August 14, 2009.

The minimum price for the property is pegged at P33,283.88/sq.m. and the required minimum investment commitment is set at P15.6 billion.

The competitive challenge procedure will be conducted according to the NEDA Joint Venture Guidelines. The selection of BCDA's joint venture partner shall be based solely on the price proposed for the property which is the present value of all cash inflows to BCDA.

The BCDA has decided to push for the sale of this prime property despite the global financial crisis stressing their properties have remained hot.

"There is no marked decrease in the value of properties in Fort Bonifacio," BCDA president Narciso Abaya said of the 8.3 hectare North Bonifacio property and the 35-hectare Jusmag property.

"Had we disposed these properties before the global financial crisis, we would still be asking for the same amount," Abaya said.

North Bonifacio, a raw land and one of the lesser developed areas in the sprawling Bonifacio property, has an appraised value of P30,000 per square meter but the developed property or the City Center with all the utilities and road network is now selling at P200,000 per square meter.

Earlier, Zosa said that the P2.789 billion Megaworld proposal for the development of the 8.38 hectare North Bonifacio property and P15.6 billion investment commitment would be subjected to a competitive challenge mode or the Swiss challenge.

Zosa said that the country's top developers, including Ayala Land Inc. and Federal Land Inc., the property development arm of Metrobank, are poised to challenge Megaworld's proposal.

Zosa said that the minimum bid of P33,283.88 per square meter is also the amount agreed by both Megaworld and BCDA which is 10 percent higher than the P30,000 per square meter appraised value of North Bonifacio.

For the interested bidders to be allowed to challenge Megaworld, the BCDA has to declare them eligible before they can submit their comparative proposal.

The terms of reference that can be acquired for P25,000 would be out starting April 29 until May 8. This means that BCDA would know who will put up the challenge.

"The advantage of this challenge is that we are sure this is market driven and sure of our proponents. Submission of the comparative challenge is by July this year and contract signing by August this year," Zosa said.

Based on the Megaworld proposal, North Bonifacio would be developed into a mixed-use of residential, retail and office buildings.

But BCDA would like to limit the retail side of the development to 35,000 square meters of total gross area so as not to compete with its Market Market.

"The land has been zoned as mixed-use so it can be office, institutional and retail but the retail limitation is going to be followed," Zosa said.

For the Jusmag property, Zosa said the masterplan for the entire Bonifacio South up to the Consular areas has yet to be completed by Parsons and Fildravo Inc. The masterplan would include the land use, development, road network and financial projection.

The original appraised value of the raw land property is between P10,000 to P15,000 per square meter but BCDA expects to raise the price higher with the completion of the masterplan.

Already, Ayala Land Inc. has resubmitted its unsolicited proposal in May last year after the Joint Venture guidelines of the National Economic and Development Authority was approved.

The project disposition could start by the latter part of this year.

The Jusmag property could be disposed on a joint venture or outright sale but not on a lease agreement because the property has lower value.

"We cannot go on a lease arrangement because of the low value of the property and we want to maximize our contribution for the modernization of the Armed Forces of the Philippines," Abaya said.

Also to be included in the development of Jusmag is the replication of the 106th Philippine Army officers' quarters with the construction of four-storey condominiums.

RonnieR

August 14th, 2009, 04:55 AM

BGC rocks....it is changing the landscape of the metro :)

http://i530.photobucket.com/albums/dd350/RonnieR_2008/BGC-2.jpg

sloanesquare

August 14th, 2009, 05:29 AM

just waiting for some knuckle to say GEEE STARTING TO LOOK CONGESTED LIKE HK..HOW DO YOU BREATH THERE

RonnieR

August 14th, 2009, 05:29 AM

Baka bulk purchase yan ng GW para may discount sa supplier! Hehehe... :lol: :lol: :lol:

^^ Have to say so far I'm liking it (Ascendas) even better than the render. :okay: :okay:

aGree...:cheers:

TheRick

August 14th, 2009, 02:53 PM

Baka bulk purchase yan ng GW para may discount sa supplier! Hehehe... :lol: :lol: :lol:

^^ Have to say so far I'm liking it (Ascendas) even better than the render. :okay: :okay:

Agree...

Seems that the building looks better with that light greenish tone.
It kinda gave the building more life.

Christian_123

August 14th, 2009, 06:45 PM

McKinley Hill Aerial Photo:
(Courtesy of Brandon)

http://i762.photobucket.com/albums/xx265/Albay_Kodaks/brazilisa129.jpg

Welcome to the philippines! Where the poor lives just next to a high-class place and where the poor stays poor while the rich enjoys everything in life!

antediluvianist

August 15th, 2009, 01:19 AM

Go visit India, Indonesia, any one of a score of developing countries. Nothing unusual, or unique to the Philippines, about that picture.

Not all rich were rich when they were born. There is such a thing as working your way up.

RonnieR

August 15th, 2009, 02:49 AM

^^ the way I see it, yong mga bahay sa kanan, di naman talaga yan mahihirap...kailangan lang pinturahan ang mga bubong....medyo malalaki na rin ang mga bahay...

I like BGC
http://i530.photobucket.com/albums/dd350/RonnieR_2008/holidayJuly2009011.jpg

http://i530.photobucket.com/albums/dd350/RonnieR_2008/holidayJuly2009005.jpg

RonnieR

August 15th, 2009, 03:07 AM

Taguig hosts Cinemanila filmfest
By JEAN FERNANDO
August 14, 2009, 5:45pm
http://www.mb.com.ph/node/215880/taguig-ho

International celebrities and critically-acclaimed artists will set foot in Taguig as the city plays host to the prestigious 2009 Cinemanila International Film Festival at the Fort Bonifacio Global City in October.

Cinemanila has launched its 11th edition in Taguig City as its new home last week with an impressive line up of international and local films, and a roster of international personalities including renowned screenwriter and director Paul Schraeder (Taxi Driver, Raging Bull), and Y Tu Mama Tambien star Diego Luna, expected to grace the film festival.

Taguig City government said that Cannes award-winning director Brillante Mendoza will head this year’s jury.

Mayor Sigfrido Tinga said Cinemanila is an annual exposition of the best of World Cinema to the Philippines and the showcase of the best of Filipino films to the rest of the world and it will run from October 15 to 25.

Tinga said the group will also be holding filmmaking workshops, seminars, and master classes.

Tinga said the international film festival will play a major role in promoting arts and culture in the city, by exposing the residents to world-class international and local movies.

“It is definitely a great honor for our city and our people for being chosen by Cinemanila as the new home for their prestigious event. We believe that this filmfest is an effective way of educating and raising the consciousness of our residents to quality works of art,” Tinga said.

Considered as the “Sundance Film Festival of Asia,” Cinemanila has promoted the best of Filipino films to world cinema audiences and has championed the development of new and independent Filipino filmmakers.

Ph Man

August 15th, 2009, 04:29 AM

i think there's a better alternative now for planespotting! other than the creepy Heritage Park. :)

RonnieR

August 15th, 2009, 04:31 AM

^^ Ph Man, you're back! :)

Christian_123

August 15th, 2009, 05:17 AM

^^ the way I see it, yong mga bahay sa kanan, di naman talaga yan mahihirap...kailangan lang pinturahan ang mga bubong....medyo malalaki na rin ang mga bahay...

Do you know that those houses is located on Palar? Palar is notorious for serious street crime and it's also known as a drug den. Also, they have no decent roads inside; just dirt roads and the place is freaking dark.. Dyan din nagtatakbuhan un mga ng babato sa C-5 road.

It's not a good image to live beside that crime den.

Ph Man

August 15th, 2009, 05:59 AM

^^ Ph Man, you're back! :)

Hi Ronnie. Yeah I'm back. But I've never been away naman. I visit the forum every once in a while. Over busy ang taon naten. :)

kalbongdad

August 15th, 2009, 11:44 AM

Welcome to the philippines! Where the poor lives just next to a high-class place and where the poor stays poor while the rich enjoys everything in life!

isa lang solution dyan...tawagin na si bayani fernando dahil sigurado meron political will.....boto nyo ha :lol:....

RonnieR

August 16th, 2009, 05:06 AM

Do you know that those houses is located on Palar? Palar is notorious for serious street crime and it's also known as a drug den. Also, they have no decent roads inside; just dirt roads and the place is freaking dark.. Dyan din nagtatakbuhan un mga ng babato sa C-5 road.

It's not a good image to live beside that crime den.

first hand info. :) Mayor Tinga, where are you????

Christian_123

August 16th, 2009, 05:20 AM

Nag po-floss sa banyo :lol:

Another note: Some of palar is under the jurisdition of Makati. Kaya, Nasan ka narin engot na binay :naughty: !

sloanesquare

August 16th, 2009, 05:51 AM

Robinsons Land tops bid for Bonifacio Global property

abs-cbnNEWS.com | 08/16/2009 10:51 AM

MANILA - The Gokongwei group's real estate arm has topped the bidding for the development of the Bases Conversion Development Authority's (BCDA) 8.38-hectare property in the posh Bonifacio Global City.

In a statement, Robinsons Land Corp. said it submitted a bid of P3.15 billion for the project, trumping the unsolicited offer of Andrew Tan-led Megaworld Corp. which amounted to P2.78 billion.

The state-owned BCDA earlier declared the two firms, along with two other rivals Ayala Land Inc. and Filinvest Land Inc., eligible to submit proposals for a competitive challenge for the development of prime North Bonifacio lots.

As of the submission deadline, August 14, Robinsons Land said it was the sole property firm able to submit all technical and financial proposals to challenge Megaworld, which was the first to submit an offer.

Megaworld will be given by the BCDA until August 28 to submit a counter proposal.

After comprehensive evaluation, which will be solely based on the prices proposed, one of the two property firms will be selected as BCDA’s joint venture partner in developing and privatizing the North Bonifacio property.

Robinsons Land has declared its desire to develop the property into a mixed-use complex with residential and office components, and a support retail component.

The competitive challenge procedure which was announced last June 11 after Megaworld’s proposal to bid was effectively conducted according to the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) joint venture guidelines.

sloanesquare

August 16th, 2009, 05:53 AM

could further delay St Regis if funds are prioritised to this

dunamis

August 16th, 2009, 10:38 AM

I think that MW already has a hold in North Boni. All they have to do is to do a counter proposal and top RLCs offer. Maybe we will see a mini Mckinley Hill and Forbestown in North Boni.

I hope the projects of whoever wins North Boni will complement well the projects of Federal Land and follow the masterplan of the place.

3cr

August 17th, 2009, 01:03 AM

Robinsons Land challenges Megaworld for North Boni lot
BY DON GIL K. CARREON, Reporter
http://www.bworldonline.com/BW081709/content.php?id=003

GOKONGWEI-LED Robinsons Land, Corp. has challenged Megaworld Corp.’s unsolicited proposal to develop an 8.38-hectare military lot in Taguig, offering a higher price which the Andrew Tan-led firm can still match.

Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) Vice-President Aileen R. Zosa said Robinsons Land was the only firm to submit tender documents among three firms earlier found eligible to challenge Megaworld’s P2.79-billion bid.

"We confirm that Robinsons Land has the higher price than Megaworld’s," she said, adding that "Robinsons was the only one that submitted a challenge proposal."

Robinsons Land, in a statement, said its offer to develop the property into a mixed-use complex was worth P3.15 billion.

"The tender documents by Robinsons Land were submitted only by 12 noon on Friday ... We are still verifying their proposal so I don’t want to preempt the board about the results of the verification process," she said.

The BCDA in June announced that Ayala Land, Inc., Filinvest Land, Inc., and Robinsons Land were qualified to compete with Megaworld. The property, dubbed "North Bonifacio," lies mostly between the parallel Eight and Ninth Avenues of Fort Bonifacio, which houses the army headquarters.

Megaworld submitted its unsolicited bid last year and could still win the deal if it matches Robinsons Land’s offer though its officials declined to comment on whether they planned to do so until after formal notification from the BCDA.

Ms. Zosa said that under National Economic and Development Authority guidelines, Megaworld has seven days from formal notice to match the offer.

"Our own deadline to notify Megaworld that there is a superior offer is on August 21 which I think is a holiday ... The terms of reference provides that if the date of notification falls on a holiday that it would be moved to the next working day," she said.

Ms. Zosa said a joint venture selection committee would submit its recommendations to the BCDA board next week.

Aside from the price, the committee will also review if Robinsons Land’s proposal is compliant with terms of reference set for the deal, among them an upfront payment of P700 million, minimum investment commitment of P15.6 billion, and 20-year and 18-year ceilings for developing and selling the property.

Megaworld’s shares dipped by two centavos to P1.38 on Friday while Robinsons Land’s inched up by P0.10 to P9.20.

kalbongdad

August 17th, 2009, 08:42 AM

makapag submit nga rin ng proposal.....proposal lang naman..:lol::lol:

superpilyoako

August 17th, 2009, 11:04 PM

daming di gumaganang streetlights sa C5 sa may area ng Market Market (including those 50- feet streetlights ng MMDA).

kalbongdad

August 18th, 2009, 02:48 AM

malapit ng magkailaw yan....pag malapit na ang election...:lol:

RonnieR

August 18th, 2009, 10:30 AM

http://i530.photobucket.com/albums/dd350/RonnieR_2008/DSC04961.jpg

antediluvianist

August 18th, 2009, 03:30 PM

Of course, Meg has the right to match RLC's offer.

3cr

August 19th, 2009, 12:18 AM

Trace Computer College:

Construction on-going near BGC entrance from C5 southbound.
http://i530.photobucket.com/albums/dd350/RonnieR_2008/DSC04974.jpg

3cr

August 19th, 2009, 12:19 AM

Is St.Luke's Hospital in BGC on target to be on-line and operational by year's end? Hopefully so! :banana:

I took these pictures on Sunday, August 16, 2009.

http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s240/ricemannv/f1%20city%20center/f1-city-center-003.jpg

http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s240/ricemannv/f1%20city%20center/f1-city-center-001.jpg

3cr

August 19th, 2009, 02:39 AM

Bonifacio Global City: Built with character, designed with soul
By Chonx Tibajia (The Philippine Star)
August 09, 2009 12:00 AM

Life in the city is a balancing act – and it starts with capturing the very soul of the city. Career, socialization, rest, leisure, education, worship, and chores are part of everyday life, so why shouldn’t they be part of where we live? Balanced cities are ones that provide the settings for balanced lives. It is the distinctive and exciting mix of live-work-play that gives these cities a sense of place and a strong urban character.

One city that has successfully created urban lifestyle equilibrium is Ayala’s Makati. The city dynamically adapts to the needs of its dwellers and evolves over time to afford its dwellers the balanced life that they desire. Only a few minutes away is the emerging business district that is successfully doing the same and that's Bonifacio Global City.

In 2003, Ayala Land, Inc. and Evergreen Holdings, Inc. of the Campos Group partnered to spearhead the development of Bonifacio Global City’s 240 hectares to become the vibrant home and lifestyle destination to many urban Filipinos.

Up until 1992, Bonifacio Global City was better known as Fort Bonifacio, a large military camp at the core of the metropolis. In a bold move the government privatized it in 1992 under the Fort Bonifacio Development Corporation (FBDC), which embodies the public-private partnership of the Bases Conversion and Development Authority with Ayala Land and Evergreen Holdings.

Redefining The Geometry Of Success

Today, what was once a military camp is a masterplanned city patterned after global cities like New York and Barcelona. The first step in the new urban plan was to develop its central retail core, the hugely popular Bonifacio High Street.

A 400-linear-meter pedestrianized street, Bonifacio High Street is highlighted by a 40-meter-wide lushly landscaped retail promenade where culture, creativity and community are cultivated. Bonifacio High Street is the spine of what would eventually be kilometer-long, people-friendly axis linking the east and west ends of BGC. Market! Market! and the twin-wing Serendra development anchors the east end with its direct connection to C-5, the luxury hotel Shangri-La, and the Mind Museum – a highly anticipated facility world-class science museum – anchors the west end.

Office and mixed-use buildings are likewise integrated with the Bonifacio High Street via pedestrain walkways, allowing for active city living to thrive both north and south of BGC. To provide balance and urban texture to the bustling city, a generous distribution of green parks and pocket open spaces punctuate the built environment. Places of commerce likewise abound, allowing residents the convenience of living in a well-planned urban environment. These include St.Luke’s Medical Center, International School Manila, HSBC, and Bonifacio E-Services.

Building An Infrastructure For Business And Beauty

For Noel Kintanar, head of Commercial Operations of FBDC, Bonifacio Global City is not merely about developing a piece of land – the City works because it has been master planned and constantly adapts to emerging conditions and sustainable green technologies. Same is true for developer partner Ayala Land, Inc., which takes pride in incorporating green spaces into its master planned communities to allow for that work-play balance, as well as preserve the environment.

Today, BGC is planning a district-wide reuse water system as a cutting-edge sustainability project through Bonifacio Water Corporation, in partnership with Manila Water.

The supply of electricity throughout the city has been planned well in advance to accommodate future needs. Underground wiring ensures that there are no unsightly power linesto maintain a clear streetscape for the community. BGC also provides piped gas (through Bonifacio Gas Corporation, a joint venture between FBDC and Pilipinas Shell), which is both safe and convenient for locators.

For easy navigation around the City, 24 buses – 10 of which are Mercedes buses — serve as internal transportation. A Bus Rapid Transit system is also in the works. Those who prefer to drive their own vehicles, however, will find delight in BGC’s adequate parking slots throughout the city.

The Bonifacio Global City Shield was a program launched by Bonifacio Global City Estate Association together with police authorities to provide 24-hour monitoring and roving security and police around the area.

Culture Makes A City Complete

No city is complete without culture. Along with the development of BGC comes the development of culture via its public arts program. Open spaces are enhanced by environmental art that serve as landmarks. Bonifacio High Street is peppered with modern art sculptures. Soon to open is the Bonifacio Arts Center, a performance venue in association with Ballet Philippines of the Cultural Center of the Philippines. The rest of BGC is set to have more art funded by the lot owners and is managed by Bonifacio Art Foundation, Inc.

Bonifacio Global City, with its central spine, the vibrant Bonifacio High Street, succeeds in giving dwellers with a sense of place – a sense of community and a wealth of lifestyle options that only a balanced life can provide. It builds on the lessons learned from the first successfully balanced city – Makati and imbues it with its own distinct flavour. The standard that BGC sets for urban development in the Philippines and Asia that brings its own brand of balance to urban living, sending all the right messages – safety, convenience, exclusivity, and enrichment.

BGC promotes pedestrian-friendliness, wide open spaces for recreation, sustainable development, a safe and secure environment, a rich variety of leisure options, and an exciting local arts and culture scene.

A dream community for passionate minds, there is always something exciting going on at every turn. Life is a balancing act, but at Bonifacio Global City, balance is an innate way of life. Balance and variety, vibrancy within a clear physical framework defines a district’s distinctive character and gives it a strong sense of place, a spirit of success and a robust urban character.

antediluvianist

August 19th, 2009, 03:36 AM

"Is St.Luke's Hospital in BGC on target to be on-line and operational by year's end? Hopefully so!"

St. Luke's BGC will have a soft opening in October.

3cr

August 19th, 2009, 03:39 AM

^^ Thanks for the info. That's great news indeed! :banana: :banana: :banana:

SB Capital arranges P3-B financing for completion of
St. Luke’s Hospital in Bonifacio Global City
Business Mirror

SB Capital Investment Corp., a wholly owned subsidiary of Security Bank Corp., successfully arranged a P3-billion syndicated term-loan facility for St. Luke’s Medical Center (Global City) Inc. to partially finance the completion of its state-of-the-art medical hospital facility in Taguig City.

St. Luke’s BGC (Bonifacio Global City) will become the second hospital to be owned and operated by St. Luke’s Medical Center,Inc. and is intended to serve the medical needs of the community as well as the international medical tourism market.

Similar to St. Luke’s Medical Center in Quezon City, St. Luke’s BGC will be the most advanced hospital in the country, and will be equipped with world-class medical technology and staffed by the best medical, paramedical and support personnel, trained locally and abroad.

The medical facility will also feature institutes and centers of excellence that will offer state-of-the-art diagnosis and treatment in all specialties of medicine.

Construction work on St. Luke’s BGC started in January 2007 and the hospital is expected to be in full operation by the fourth quarter of this year.

St. Luke’s BGC is projected to generate some 2,500 new jobs, promote Philippine medical practitioners, and increase business activity in the hospital and allied industries.

The project will further enhance the Philippines’ image as one of the best destinations for medical tourism in the Asia-Pacific region.

The syndicated term-loan facility was participated in by major financial institutions, which included the Bank of the Philippine Islands, Land Bank of the Philippines, Banco de Oro Unibank Inc., Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. and Robinsons Savings Bank.

SB Capital, the mandated sole arranger for the transaction, is one of the leading and active investment houses in the country today. SB Capital provides a wide range of investment banking and financial services such as equity underwriting, project finance, private placements, debt underwriting and syndication, financial advisory, mergers and acquisitions (M&A), investment and corporate advisory and stock brokering services through its wholly owned stock brokerage subsidiary, SB Equities Inc.

RonnieR

August 19th, 2009, 04:03 AM

Trace Computer College:

Thanks

3cr

August 19th, 2009, 04:16 AM

^^ You're welcome ronnie! :) :) :)

Btw here's an aerial pic of the area for the Proposed 2nd Global City...

South Bonifacio Area (BGC aerial pic courtesy of Rodel)
http://i628.photobucket.com/albums/uu4/rhodel2000/Palawan-Puerto%20Princesa/100_2311.jpg

BCDA bucks Fort Bonifacio proposal of Biazon, Jinggoy (http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=497418&publicationSubCategoryId=66)
By Marianne V. Go (The Philippine Star (http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=497418&publicationSubCategoryId=66)) Updated August 20, 2009 12:00 AM

MANILA, Philippines - The Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) is against the proposal of Senators Rodolfo Biazon and Jinggoy Estrada to retain several military properties in Fort Bonifacio which had been turned over to the BCDA for disposition.

Senators Biazon and Estrada have filed a bill in the Senate seeking the retention of about 100 hectares which houses the headquarters of the Philippine Army, the Philippine Navy (30 hectares), the Philippine Marines, the Bonifacio Naval Station (30 hectares) and another 25 hectares occupied by the Navy Officers Village Association, Inc. (NOVAI).

In an exclusive interview with The STAR, BCDA vice president for business development Aileen Zosa said the proposal would affect the BCDA’s ability to contribute to the Armed Forces of the Philippines Modernization Program.

Under Republic Act 7917, 35 percent of the proceeds from the sale or 50 percent of lease proceeds of Fort Bonifacio properties would go to the AFP Military Modernization Fund.

Zosa pointed out that from 1993 to June 30, 2009, the BCDA has remitted a total of P16.7 billion consisting of P7.2 billion in remittances to the AFP Modernization Fund and P9.5 billion in military replication expenses,

Zosa said the BCDA must replicate all military facilities and housing that it relocates.

“If they increase the retention of military properties (in Fort Bonifacio), it would mean less land to dispose which would mean less revenues and would mean less remittances to the AFP Modernization Fund,” Zosa explained.

Zosa said the BCDA plans to finally bid out by the end of this year another 120 hectares of land, primarily for residential development, at its Bonifacio South area.

She said the BCDA has almost completed negotiations for the relocation and replication of military housing in the former JUSMAG (Joint US Military Action Group) area.

The BCDA has likewise contracted Parsons Philippines to masterplan the development of the area into a mixed development with low to medium density, high-end residential units.

Zosa said that the mixed use development would primarily be residential as it is located at the back of the very upscale Forbes Park. She said the planned development would be at par with its upscale neighbor.

The Bonifacio South area is comprised of the former 35.5 hectare JUSMAG property. In a previous statement, Zosa said Ayala Land Inc. (ALI), Megaworld and Robinsons Land were among those that had expressed interest in developing the JUSMAG property.

Zosa said ALI, as well as Megaworld are keen on acquiring the JUSMAG property as it is adjacent to properties they are now developing, particularly the Bonifacio Global City and McKinley Hills, respectively.

ruralvillage

August 19th, 2009, 04:46 AM

Megaworld gets chance to match Robinsons Land offer (http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=497155&publicationSubCategoryId=66)
By Marianne V. Go (The Philippine Star (http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=497155&publicationSubCategoryId=66)) Updated August 19, 2009 12:00 AM

MANILA, Philippines - Megaworld Corp. will be given up to Aug. 28 to match the bid of Robinsons Land Corp. (RLC) to develop a 8.38-hectare property in Bonifacio North owned by the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA).

This was revealed to The STAR by BCDA vice president for business development Aileen Zosa who said the BCDA would formally inform Megaworld on Aug. 21 of RLC’s offer and ask if the Andrew Tan-controlled real estate developer would match the upfront payment of P1.1 billion offered by the Gokongwei controlled RLC.

Megaworld made an unsolicited offer of P2.79 billion for the 8.38-hectare property with an upfront cash payment of P700 million.

Zosa said RLC submitted its offer last Friday and the BCDA board discussed it yesterday.

RLC is offering to develop the Bonifacio North property into a mixed-use complex at a cost of P3.15 billion.

Ayala Land Inc., Filinvest Land Inc., and RLC were initially pre-qualified by the BCDA to bid for the Bonifacio North property. Only RLC submitted tender documents.

Bonifacio North properties are located along Eight and Ninth Avenues of Fort Bonifacio.

The BCDA joint venture selection committee had set terms of reference set for the deal which include an upfront payment of P700 million, minimum investment commitment of P15.6 billion, and 20-year and 18-year ceilings for developing and selling the property.

ruralvillage

August 19th, 2009, 04:50 AM

Is St.Luke's Hospital in BGC on target to be on-line and operational by year's end? Hopefully so! :banana:

"Is St.Luke's Hospital in BGC on target to be on-line and operational by year's end? Hopefully so!"

St. Luke's BGC will have a soft opening in October.

Be ready for medical tourism boom with a world class hospital in our midst. As well, relatives of sick confined patients will keep vacancy rate of rental properties really low.

Great for BGC and its investors! :banana: :banana:

sloanesquare

August 19th, 2009, 10:43 AM

Gov't employees to live it up in Fort Bonifacio

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

abs-cbnNEWS.com | 08/19/2009 4:21 PM

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MANILA - A housing project for employees of 2 government agencies is set to rise in a 5.7-hectare lot in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City.

In a statement, Environment Secretary Lito Atienza said President Arroyo has approved his proposal to expand the area allotted for the housing and mixed-use development site to 57,262 square meters from 24,161 square meters.

The area is said to be near McKinley Hill, a residential and commercial development project of top property firm Megaworld.

Atienza said the area is more than enough to build homes for employees of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and the National Mapping and Resource Information Authority (NAMRIA).

He said those who do not own houses will be prioritized under the project, followed by the best performing workers.

"If there are still units available, we will also offer these to qualified and deserving employees of other government agencies," he said.

Atienza, who also sits as chair of the Local Inter-Agency Committee (LIAC) created under Proclamation No. 1837, said he will soon convene the committee to formulate the implementing rules and regulations of the proclamation.

Aside from the DENR, the other members of LIAC are the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council and NAMRIA.

Based on Proclamation No. 1837, the DENR secretary is also authorized to “administer, convey, and/or dispose of the housing and mixed-use development site through joint venture and other modalities, under the existing applicable laws, rules and regulations.”

as of 08/19/2009 4:26 PM

Go Global

August 19th, 2009, 03:18 PM

Christian_123

August 19th, 2009, 06:14 PM

Folks, I have an axe to grind here so please bear with me and I apologize in advance. I care a lot about BGC and if my comments are very critical, it is precisely because I care.

1. patterned after global cities like New York and Barcelona: Has the author of this article ever been to New York and Barcelona ? I've not been to New York as yet but I've certainly been to Barcelona. BGC doesn't even come close on paper with the wide avenues and parks of Barcelona. So perhaps, the author may have been referring to another Barcelona. It's certainly not the one located in Spain.

2. a generous distribution of green parks and pocket open spaces punctuate the built environment: I challenge the author to superimpose a map of BGC and indicate where those "green parks" and "pocket open spaces" are. I certainly haven't seen them when I last visited in February 2009.

3. incorporating green spaces: To an extent if you call the manicured lawns of Bonifacio High Street as "green spaces". Depends on what the author meant by "green spaces".

4. preserve the environment: Ok, so what happened to all those trees that were cut down to build the parking spaces at Crescent Park West ??

5. Those who prefer to drive their own vehicles, however, will find delight in BGC’s adequate parking slots throughout the city.
: Certainly, if more parks are demolished to create more parking spaces !!

6. wide open spaces for recreation: Well, with the rate of construction going on in BGC, we won't see much more of this in the future, would we?

Again, my apology for this litany of woes.

My only hope is that the Ayala-Campos group has learned from Makati and that BGC will surpass what Makati was supposed to have been.

Agreed, sobrang OVERHYPED ang Bonifacio Global City to the point na hinde na ito nakakatawa.

Environment friendly my butt, trees on BGC is slowly dying and some of it are already cut down to be replaced with parking lots and the "recreational" parks mentioned are nowhere to be seen...I know it's nowhere to be seen because i frequent the place.

As for wide open spaces. I'm pretty sure that after 15 or 20 years, the spaces would be gone since the wide open spaces they mentioned are unused private lots.

3cr

August 19th, 2009, 10:41 PM

Bonifacio Global City Skyline

NEW TOLL ROAD FROM AIRPORT TO MAKATI CBD
http://i530.photobucket.com/albums/dd350/RonnieR_2008/holidayJuly2009022.jpg

http://i530.photobucket.com/albums/dd350/RonnieR_2008/holidayJuly2009021.jpg

http://i530.photobucket.com/albums/dd350/RonnieR_2008/holidayJuly2009020.jpg

3cr

August 19th, 2009, 11:22 PM

Hopefully BGC will benefit from this. May the Ayalas house BPO operations in BGC. Let's keep our fingers crossed! :banana: :banana: :banana:

This is huge:cheers:

Ayalas and partner creating $1-billion global BPO firm
By EMMIE V. ABADILLA
August 17, 2009, 3:23pm
http://www.mb.com.ph/node/216247/ayala
Ayala-backed eTelecare Global Solutions, Inc. and Stream Global Services, Inc. have combined forces to create an international Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) concern to hire 30,000 workers and haul in $1 billion sales next year.

The merger of Stream, with $523 million revenues and eTelecare, with $299 million, will create a global BPO leader located in 50 solution centers in over 20 countries in North America, Europe, the Philippines, Latin America, India, the Middle East, and Africa.

LiveIt Investments Ltd., Ayala Corporation’s BPO investment company, yesterday disclosed that its investee company EGS Corp., the indirect parent company of eTelecare Global Solutions, Inc., has entered into a definitive agreement to combine with Stream Global Services, Inc., in a stock-for-stock exchange.

As a result, the current Stream stockholders will own 57.5 percent of the combined venture and EGS Corp. stockholders will have 42.5 percent. Already, the Boards of Directors and principal stockholders of both firms have approved the deal.

These include Ares Management LLC and certain founding Stream stockholders representing 90.2 percent of Stream’s outstanding shares, as well as LiveIt and Providence Equity Partners LLC, who together own 100 percent of EGS Corp.

Worldwide, the merger will operate under the Stream Global Services name and under the eTelecare brand in the Philippines. It will have a broadly diversified Fortune 1000 customer base, an experienced executive team, plus technical and product leadership across a wide range of industries, including the technology, retail, entertainment, media, telecommunications and financial service sectors.

The combination of a world class company like Stream, with a Philippine leader like eTelecare, will create one of the largest and most competitive companies in the global BPO industry, uniquely positioned to deliver a full range of market leading solutions to clients, announced Fernando Zobel de Ayala, President of Ayala Corporation.

“The Philippines is playing an increasingly critical role in the outsourcing strategies of global clients, due to its many advantages, such as a large and high quality workforce and robust infrastructure,” he stressed.

Good news about the Pasig River part of which passes thru areas of old taguig. :okay: :okay:

Pasig River ‘alive once again’–biodiversity assessment
Business Mirror
Written by Jonathan Mayuga / Correspondent
Monday, 17 August 2009
http://www.businessmirror.com.ph/home/nation/14719-pasig-river-alive-once-againbiodiversity-assessment.html

THE Pasig River, declared “biologically dead” in 1990, is “alive” once again and several species of fish, birds, trees and aquatic plants are now living in the river and its embankment, a study commissioned by the Pasig River Rehabilitation Commission (PRRC) revealed.

The 110-page terminal report titled “Biodiversity Assessment of Pasig River and Its Tributaries: Ecosystems Approach [Phase One]” declared the Pasig River is not dead since “life still abounds in the river.”

Funded by the PRRC, the study primarily aims to generate baseline data on the status of flora and fauna diversity of the Pasig River, and to assess the effect of the improvement of the river water quality on biodiversity, said Environment Secretary Lito Atienza, who is also chairman of the PRRC.

The biodiversity assessment was conducted by a team headed by Carmelita Villamor of the Ecosystems Research and Development Bureau (ERDB), an attached agency of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), from September 2008 to February 2009.

The assessment of the trees and other vegetation in the study revealed the presence of 118 species falling under 94 genera and 42 families. Mango, banana and ipil-ipil were the most dominant in the embankment from the upstream to the downstream direction of the river. Of the species present, approximately 69 percent are exotic and 29 percent are indigenous. Only 2 percent are endemic to the Philippines.

The terrestrial vegetation along the whole stretch of the Pasig River served as shelter and feeding grounds to diverse species of birds, insects and mammals, the ERDB said.

Aquatic plants present in the Pasig River include water hyacinth (Eichornia crassipes), hornworth (Ceratophyllum demersum), kangkong (Ipomoea aquatic) and quiapo (pistia stratoites), the study said. Of these, only water hyacinth is exotic and the three others are all indigenous to the Philippines.

A total of 39 species of birds belonging to 33 genus and 21 families was recorded by the ERDB, wherein 54 percent are resident species, 31 percent are migratory species and only 15 percent are endemic.

“The whole stretch of Pasig River, particularly the vegetated areas such as the linear parks and forest gardens, is an important urban bird area basically for roosting and feeding. The species recorded, therefore, could be considered as urban-adaptable species,” the study said.

Fish inventory revealed that there are eight fish species in the river, majority of which were important food species except for the dreaded janitor fish or sailfin catfish (pterygoplichthys disjunctivus). Food species are kanduli (Manila sea catfish), mamaling (bighead carp), buan buan (Indo-Pacific tarpon), dalag (Snakehead murrel), gurami (Snakeskin gourami), talilong (bluespot mullet) and tilapia (Nile tilapia). Of the eight species, five were exotic or introduced and two other species were native. The Manila sea catfish (Arius manillensis) was the only endemic species encountered by the ERDB.

The ERDB employed multidisciplinary approaches that include biophysical and socio-economic surveys, statistical analysis, data gathering and coordination with various stakeholders such as the Laguna Lake Development Authority and the Environmental Management Bureau.

The first phase of the study focused on main Pasig River from the upstream portion at its inlet in Laguna de Bay and the downstream portion at its outlet to Manila Bay. The second phase, that will start early next month will focus on the four major and 43 minor tributaries of Pasig River.

ruralvillage

August 20th, 2009, 01:29 AM

BCDA bucks Fort Bonifacio proposal of Biazon, Jinggoy (http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=497418&publicationSubCategoryId=66)
By Marianne V. Go (The Philippine Star (http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=497418&publicationSubCategoryId=66)) Updated August 20, 2009 12:00 AM

MANILA, Philippines - The Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) is against the proposal of Senators Rodolfo Biazon and Jinggoy Estrada to retain several military properties in Fort Bonifacio which had been turned over to the BCDA for disposition.

Senators Biazon and Estrada have filed a bill in the Senate seeking the retention of about 100 hectares which houses the headquarters of the Philippine Army, the Philippine Navy (30 hectares), the Philippine Marines, the Bonifacio Naval Station (30 hectares) and another 25 hectares occupied by the Navy Officers Village Association, Inc. (NOVAI).

In an exclusive interview with The STAR, BCDA vice president for business development Aileen Zosa said the proposal would affect the BCDA’s ability to contribute to the Armed Forces of the Philippines Modernization Program.

Under Republic Act 7917, 35 percent of the proceeds from the sale or 50 percent of lease proceeds of Fort Bonifacio properties would go to the AFP Military Modernization Fund.

Zosa pointed out that from 1993 to June 30, 2009, the BCDA has remitted a total of P16.7 billion consisting of P7.2 billion in remittances to the AFP Modernization Fund and P9.5 billion in military replication expenses,

Zosa said the BCDA must replicate all military facilities and housing that it relocates.

“If they increase the retention of military properties (in Fort Bonifacio), it would mean less land to dispose which would mean less revenues and would mean less remittances to the AFP Modernization Fund,” Zosa explained.

Zosa said the BCDA plans to finally bid out by the end of this year another 120 hectares of land, primarily for residential development, at its Bonifacio South area.

She said the BCDA has almost completed negotiations for the relocation and replication of military housing in the former JUSMAG (Joint US Military Action Group) area.

The BCDA has likewise contracted Parsons Philippines to masterplan the development of the area into a mixed development with low to medium density, high-end residential units.

Zosa said that the mixed use development would primarily be residential as it is located at the back of the very upscale Forbes Park. She said the planned development would be at par with its upscale neighbor.

The Bonifacio South area is comprised of the former 35.5 hectare JUSMAG property. In a previous statement, Zosa said Ayala Land Inc. (ALI), Megaworld and Robinsons Land were among those that had expressed interest in developing the JUSMAG property.

Zosa said ALI, as well as Megaworld are keen on acquiring the JUSMAG property as it is adjacent to properties they are now developing, particularly the Bonifacio Global City and McKinley Hills, respectively.

sloanesquare

August 20th, 2009, 04:22 AM

I agree with GO GLOBAL..

how can you compare BGC's greenery with almost 40(?) blocks of Central Park.

how can Boni Hi Street compare with Ramblas?

journalists should stop comparing because it makes you sound silly. There is only one Venice...journalists should stop comparing Bruges as the Venice of the North...there is only one ...and macau for all its bells and whistles is not las vegas..and nor will pagcor city

and frankly, the name Bonifacio Global City is so embarrassingly grandiose..i just put Fort Bonifacio Taguig 1634.

antediluvianist

August 20th, 2009, 11:25 AM

Marketing is marketing. Don't get angry if there are exaggerations, there always will be.

sloanesquare

August 20th, 2009, 11:40 AM

Marketing is marketing. Don't get angry if there are exaggerations, there always will be.

not angry....i think the point is more silliness..the journalists show their lack of research or perpective by comparing non-comparable examples...its like saying european cities are backward because there are no "malls".

Retro

August 20th, 2009, 11:44 AM

:cheers: Hi,

Just wanted to know if the whole Ft. Boni Global City has a common zipcode
which is 1634?

:)

Go Global

August 20th, 2009, 03:45 PM

I sent you a PM @sloanesquare.

ruralvillage

August 21st, 2009, 03:05 AM

Megaworld to match RLC bid for North Bonifacio (http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=497821&publicationSubCategoryId=66)
By Mary Ann Ll. Reyes (The Philippine Star (http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=497821&publicationSubCategoryId=66)) Updated August 21, 2009 12:00 AM

MANILA, Philippines - Property development giant Megaworld Corp. said it is matching the bid proposal submitted by Robinsons Land Corp. (RLC) for the Bases Conversion Development Authority’s (BCDA) 8.38-hectare North Bonifacio property along Kalayaan Road in Taguig City.

Megaworld officials told The STAR that they will put up the additional P370,000 needed to match RLC’s bid and will submit a counter proposal to RLC’s offer on or before the Aug. 28 deadline.

RLC, the property arm of the Gokongwei group, earlier submitted a P3.15 billion bid proposal for the BCDA property, a substantial improvement over the unsolicited offer of Megaworld amounting to P2.78 billion.

Under the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) guidelines on private sector-public sector joint ventures, an unsolicited proposal from a private entity to enter into a joint venture with government must be subjected to a competitive challenge.

The state-owned BCDA previously declared three real estate firms eligible to challenge Megaworld’s bid. These firms are RLC, Ayala Land Inc. (ALI) and Filinvest Land Inc. (FLI).

However, RLC was the only one that was able to submit all technical and financial proposals to challenge Megaworld’s offer.

Megaworld has been given until Aug. 28 to submit their counter proposal for RLC’s offer.

After comprehensive evaluation which will be solely based on the prices proposed, one of the two property firms will be selected as BCDA’s joint venture partner in developing and privatizing the North Bonifacio lots located in the refined Taguig development.

RLC earlier said it plans to develop the property into a mixed-use complex with residential and office components and a support retail component.

Megaworld earlier won the bidding conducted by the BCDA for the 25-hectare property that was the old Philippine Air Force barracks near Villamor Air Base in Pasay City right across the NAIA Terminal III.

The former idle government property is now called Newport City and a group of local and foreign investors led by business taipan Andrew Tan of Megaworld plans to invest around $740 million over the next three years to transform it into a world-class integrated tourism development, the first of its kind in Southeast Asia .

3cr

August 21st, 2009, 03:29 AM

^^ So Megaworld gets to develop the 8.3 ha lot in North Bonifacio! Congrats MW! :cheers: :cheers: :cheers:

jeannybaby

August 21st, 2009, 08:52 AM

is anyone here renting out their serendra units? pm me!

sloanesquare

August 21st, 2009, 04:43 PM

Taguig closes Embassy Bar over stab case

By Abigail Kwok
INQUIRER.net
First Posted 15:03:00 08/21/2009

Filed Under: Restaurants & catering, Entertainment (general), Crime

MANILA, Philippines—Popular nightspot Embassy Bar has been ordered indefinitely closed by the local government of Taguig City, following a stabbing incident that occurred last Tuesday.

Taguig Business Permits and Licenses Office (BPLO) head Jeffe Minglana said that the closure of Embassy Supperclub and Embassy Cuisine at the Fort Strip will be in effect “until such time that a full investigation by the proper authorities has been conducted and completed.”

The closure came after a 34-year-old businessman, whose name is being withheld for security reasons, was seriously wounded after allegedly being stabbed by a certain Kilikan Jimenez inside the Embassy Cuisine past 1 a.m. on August 18.

City police chief Senior Superintendent Camilo Cascolan said that prior to the stabbing, the victim’s friend reportedly had an argument with Jimenez, and the victim meditated to pacify the two men.

But Jimenez, armed with a bladed weapon, allegedly stabbed the victim hitting him on the right side of his body and his back, Cascolan said.

Security personnel of Embassy brought the victim out of the establishment and immediately rushed him to the Makati Medical Center where he had to undergo operation.

Gilbey Gallart Loganera, investigating security officer of the Bonifacio Estate Services Corp. (BESC), citing accounts given by security men detailed in the area, said Embassy security personnel Gilbert Rempis, Joven Bantique, and Gilbert Battung allegedly helped Jimenez escape through the club’s back door amid the commotion.

Based on the complaint filed by the victim before the local government and police, Taguig Mayor Freddie Tiñga directed Minglana to serve a closure order on Embassy last Thursday.

The incident was “a clear violation of security arrangements forged by the club’s management with the city government,” Minglana said.

In June 2008, Embassy was ordered closed by the city government based on a complaint of a patron allegedly mauled by the club’s disc jockey.

Embassy was only allowed to reopen provided that they comply with the security measures set by the city government within and outside its premises.

in_a_rush

August 22nd, 2009, 10:27 AM

sikat ba ang Embassy dahil sa mga aksidente/krimen na nangyayari dito? o lumalabas lang sa media yung mga news na ganito dahil sa Embassy nangyari to? i bet, these kinds of crimes also happen in other bars/restos.

sloanesquare

August 22nd, 2009, 10:32 AM

OtAkAw

August 22nd, 2009, 10:54 AM

Taguig closes Embassy Bar over stab case

Exactly what that establishment wants, dishy scandals over and over again! :cheers:

TheRick

August 22nd, 2009, 11:06 AM

if you go the western oart of Boni High Street (the area to be developed up to 5th Avenue) you will see a very large street sign saying that this extension of Boni High Street is called McKinley Parkway......reallY?

Interesting... But one of the main streets in BGC is already called McKinley Parkway

http://www.readyforoccupancy.com/BGC-004.jpg

antediluvianist

August 22nd, 2009, 02:22 PM

You can erase Waltz.

ruralvillage

August 22nd, 2009, 06:27 PM

Govt pegs FTI lot at P13b (http://www.manilastandardtoday.com/insideBusiness.htm?f=/2009/august/22/business1.isx&d=2009/august/22)
Manila Standard (http://www.manilastandardtoday.com/insideBusiness.htm?f=/2009/august/22/business1.isx&d=2009/august/22)
by Lawrence Agcaoili

The government is set to bid out the sprawling 100-hectare property of Food Terminal Inc. in Taguig City at an indicative price of P12.955 billion, or approximately 12,553 per square meter, to raise much-needed revenues and address the country’s deteriorating fiscal condition.

The state-run Privatization and Management Office had invited prospective bidders to submit their offers for the FTI Complex.

The privatization entity is giving prospective bidders until Oct. 8 to submit their offers. Bidders must shell out P20,000 for the purchase of bidding documents and another P30,000 for the conduct of due diligence on the asset.

PMO said the asset to be disposed consisted of 788,680 square meters of commercial or industrial lots with buildings and improvements as well as 243,961 square meters of commercial or industrial lots declared as a special economic zone.

Finance Secretary Margarito Teves earlier said the government expected to raise P30 billion within the year through the sale of the FTI Complex and its 40-percent interest in PNOC- Exploration Corp.

“We have to work harder but we have not factored in developments likely to take place like the proceeds from privatization,” he said.

He added that the government was also hoping that the Supreme Court would act favorably on its petition to allow it to dispose its 24-percent interest in diversified conglomerate San Miguel Corp. to prevent further losses brought about by the continued decline in its stock market value.

The Finance chief said the government could raise between P50 billion and P55 billion from the sale of its stake in the conglomerate, which diversified to oil through Petron, electricity distribution through Manila Electric Co., mining, water and utility.

The Philippines is staring at a record deficit of P250 billion, or 3.2 percent of the GDP this year and 265 percent higher than the shortfall of P68.1 billion last year.

The country’s shortfall swelled by 462 percent to P188 billion in the first seven months of the year from P33.4 billion year-on-year, making it “tighter” for the government to achieve its full-year budget deficit ceiling.

Government spending jumped 18.1 percent to P832.1 billion in the first seven months of the year from P704.8 billion due to the implementation of the Arroyo government’s P330-billion Economic Resiliency Plan.

Revenues, meanwhile, fell 4.1 percent to P644.1 billion from P671.4 billion as the faltering economy continued to pull down the collections of the Bureau of Internal Revenue and the Bureau of Customs.