Makati City - Compiled Threads [Archive] - Page 49

asinger_la

March 27th, 2011, 05:50 AM

Makati orders halt to 35 building projects :lol:

BusinessWorld Online
February 16, 2011
http://www.bworldonline.com/content.php?title=Makati%20orders%20halt%20to%2035%20building%20projects&id=26490

THIRTY-FIVE commercial and residential building projects in Makati have been ordered stopped by the city government.

The directive, which officials said was prompted by various building code violations, follows an accident last month which led to the death of 10 construction workers.

"The Office of the City Building Official of Makati has issued work stoppage orders to 35 high and medium rise buildings found to be in violation of provisions of the National Building Code and the Philippine Mechanical Code," the city government said in a statement.

City engineer Nelson B. Morales was quoted as saying: "Many of the buildings inspected by our engineers were found not complying with a number of provisions under the national building and mechanical codes".

The 35 projects affected are:

* Eton Belton Place;
* Senta Tower;
* Avida Tower I;
* Mercedes Hotel;
* Antel Serenity Tower;
* One Pacific Place;
* RAM Tower;
* The Residences at Greenbelt;
* Jazz Residence;
* KL Mosaic;
* Fairmont & Raffles Residences;
* Laureano de Trevi;
* The Oriental Place;
* Greenbelt Madison;
* The Columns;
* Avida Towers;
* Gramercy Project;
* Glorietta Redevelopment;
* Cityland M.E.T.;
* Eton Greenbelt Residence;
* Mosaic Tower;
* The Beacon Tower;
* Avida Towers San Lorenzo;
* One Rockwell;
* Alphaland Makati Place;
* Discovery Primera;
* Grand Midori;
* One Central Project;
* Edades Tower & Garden Villas;
* Victoria de Makati;
* Dohle Building;
* Stratford;
* Diamond Residences;
* Greenbelt Excelsior; and
* Megawide Construction.

Among the violations cited were the lack of warning signs and safety nets; lack of protective gear for workers; poorly maintained equipment; and the lack of required permits.

Developers contacted by BusinessWorld said they were working to address the concerns raised.

Ayala Land, Inc., whose Avida and Glorietta projects were among those affected, said it had already rectified the defects.

"These minor deficiencies involve mostly exterior works and thus do not require a full work stoppage, and will not in any way delay the projects," it said in a statement.

Terrie F. Yu, corporate communications manager at Century Properties, Inc. which owns the Gramercy development, said: "What we have is not a stoppage of construction but we were asked to comply with certain permits."

Other developers were not available for comment. -- NJCM

in my observation, since 90% of the office workers in these real estate companies are are females, bakit hindi na lang sila ang maging construction workers kase sila ang direct na nagbebenefit sa mga projects na yan...malamang di mangyayari yung ganung aksidente

RonnieR

March 28th, 2011, 10:40 AM

^^It's going up so fast! Nashock nga ako kanina when I passed by.

When is the opening of the new Glorietta? Yes, it's fast....

OtAkAw

March 28th, 2011, 02:15 PM

in my observation, since 90% of the office workers in these real estate companies are are females, bakit hindi na lang sila ang maging construction workers kase sila ang direct na nagbebenefit sa mga projects na yan...malamang di mangyayari yung ganung aksidente

This unsolicited comment is verging on the level of retardation.

Eaton Square

March 28th, 2011, 04:40 PM

:lol::lol::lol::lol::lol:

KingDeRozan

March 28th, 2011, 05:00 PM

http://i360.photobucket.com/albums/oo50/goldarmor15/20070807.jpg Napakaganda talaga. Wala na ako masabing iba.

jundem_dq63

March 29th, 2011, 02:09 AM

http://i360.photobucket.com/albums/oo50/goldarmor15/20070807.jpg Napakaganda talaga. Wala na ako masabing iba.

Parang Singapore lang naman o kaya Hongkong....... Makati City is really one of a kind....lurv it.... :cheers::cheers::cheers:

RonnieR

March 29th, 2011, 05:46 AM

This unsolicited comment is verging on the level of retardation.

I was also surprised with that post. :nuts:

iNFiNit0

March 29th, 2011, 02:52 PM

http://i360.photobucket.com/albums/oo50/goldarmor15/20070807.jpg Napakaganda talaga. Wala na ako masabing iba.
ang ganda naman nito! ayos!

agay_met_la_tan

March 30th, 2011, 04:00 PM

a city of firewalled buildings? 40's to 60's architecture? di pa rin naaalis yung typical Philippine street...kahit skyscrapers, dikit-dikit kaya kailangan ng firewalls

RonnieR

March 31st, 2011, 07:50 AM

March 29
http://i530.photobucket.com/albums/dd350/RonnieR_2008/P1020683.jpg

Ephesus29

April 1st, 2011, 10:34 AM

http://i360.photobucket.com/albums/oo50/goldarmor15/20070807.jpg Napakaganda talaga. Wala na ako masabing iba.

I agree. All the buildings look like and engineering marvel. The shimmering lights makes it even more stunning and beautiful indeed. I am not an Engineer but I have a penchat for Edifice that exemplifies structural definition apart from other structures. It would be a lot easier to spot the individual identity of the building if they are not all too closed to each other. I would have prefer to see hi-rises anchored on a three to four levels of a podium like structure to create a gap in between adjacent buildings (hi-rise). IMO:)

Waldenstrom

April 2nd, 2011, 05:11 AM

http://img821.imageshack.us/img821/8169/dsc0454jx.jpg (http://img821.imageshack.us/i/dsc0454jx.jpg/)

Makati skyline view from Buendia Ave.-Pasay
4/2/11

Eaton Square

April 2nd, 2011, 09:12 AM

Shang Properties buys Phinma buildings, lots
Business World, April 1, 2011

SHANG PROPERTIES, Inc., the listed real estate development arm of Malaysia’s Kuok Group, bought buildings and lots from a Phinma Corp. unit for more than P600 million, a disclosure filed on Friday with the local bourse showed.

"The issuer’s subsidiary, Shang Property Developers, Inc. has agreed with Asian Plaza, Inc. and Asian Plaza I Condominium Corp. to acquire [the two companies’] real properties consisting of a condominium project including building and parcels of land located at the corner of Gil Puyat Ave., Tordesillas street and H.V. dela Costa street, Makati City," Shang Properties said.

Officials from both companies could not be immediately reached to elaborate.

"The total purchase price for the transaction is P615 million," Shang Properties added.

Net income of Shang Properties declined by 15.4% to P667.08 million in the nine months that ended in September last year from P788.51 million in the previous year.

Revenues -- which are derived from rentals and condominium sales in One Shangri-La Place and St. Francis Towers, among others -- dropped by 27.66% to P2.04 billion in the nine-month period from P2.82 billion in the previous year.

As of end-June, Shang Properties had sold a fifth of its high-end One Shangri-La Place, which will stand on top of a six-floor mall that can accommodate 140 retail outlets. It will have about 1,200 one-bedroom, two-bedroom and three-bedroom units valued at P4.9 million to P18 million per unit for delivery in 2014.

Furthermore, rental income came from tenants at the Shangri-la Plaza mall and occupants at the Edsa Shangri-la Hotel.

Expenses fell by almost half or 41% to P907.41 million in the nine-month period from P1.54 billion in the same period in 2009.

Shares in Shang Properties, a property development, real estate management and investment holding company which was incorporated in 1987 as Shangri-La Properties, Inc., were last traded on Thursday at P1.98 apiece.

Ph Man

April 2nd, 2011, 04:31 PM

^^ Is this the structure that's currently occupied by ACS?

http://i360.photobucket.com/albums/oo50/goldarmor15/20070807.jpg Napakaganda talaga. Wala na ako masabing iba.

Nice shot. Thanks for sharing.
This is the view at the roofdeck of Citibank Tower (34F).
There's a French resto up there. Price is not too high. Less than 1K for a nice dinner. Pero siempre, ang sasadyain dun ay yung view. :) At the other side, you can have an unobstructed view both of BGC and Rockwell.

OtAkAw

April 2nd, 2011, 05:27 PM

^^Top of the Citi?

Ph Man

April 3rd, 2011, 05:30 AM

Yes, it's called Top of the Citi. :)

Anybody who wants to drop by, just let me know. I work at this tower. Sinisita kasi minsan pag outsider. At least pag me "insider" mas magiging lenient ang guards. Pero pag customer naman sa resto, ok lang. I remember, there's also a Jap resto at the same floor.

Eaton Square

April 3rd, 2011, 12:00 PM

Koncord Pacific puts flagship project in Makati
Manila Bulletin
March 16, 2011

A new residential project is set to offer an address that is reasonably priced without compromising comfort, style and convenience. The project is called Koncord Premiere Residences, and it is located beside A.Venue Mall along Makati Avenue.

This flagship development from Koncord Pacific Property Development Incorporated is a short drive from the major business district of Ayala Commercial Center and other key locations like the vibrant Rockwell Center.

The Koncord is a 21-storey condominium that combines residential units and ground floor commercial spaces. It offers a low-density set-up wherein all residential units will be able to enjoy a breathtaking skyline of the metropolis. Plus, its condominium units are conveniently spacious and can accommodate every residents’ needs.

Available residential units are: Studio (33 to 42 sqm.), One-bedroom (43 to 63 sqm.), two-bedroom (71 to 94 sqm.), and two-bedroom deluxe (75 to 80 sqm.).
The condominium’s neo-classic architectural design was conceptualized by one of the top firms in the country – W. V. Coscoluella & Associates.

It was also constructed by real estate industry veteran Federal Builders Inc. with elegantly stylish model units done by the popular interior designer duo – Ivy & Cynthia Almario.

Complimenting the residential set-up are first-class amenities which include: landscaped open spaces, high-ceiling lobby, function rooms for parties and events, a well-equipped gym, two indoor Jacuzzis, male and female saunas, roof deck infinity pool, roof deck gazebo, five-level basement parking, three high-speed elevators, 24-hour security and CCTV cameras in every hallway for the residents’ peace of mind.

The model units are situated at Valdez St. corner Santiago St., Makati Avenue, Makati City.

Eaton Square

April 3rd, 2011, 12:05 PM

I hope we could have thread for the Koncord Pacific project.

Ph Man

April 3rd, 2011, 02:07 PM

this had been topped off maybe a decade ago, then put on hold. it was revived i think over 2 years ago.

Eaton Square

April 4th, 2011, 09:54 AM

Manila Standard Today
Cocktales by Victor Agustin
Monday, April 4, 2011

Phinma’s P615-m windfall

Phinma had only wanted P550 million for its Asianbank Plaza when it tried to unload the corner Buendia and Tordesillas property in 2008.

After failing to solicit suitable bids, Phinma decided to withdraw the property and wait for better times.

Last week, the 3,045-square-meter lot with a five-story, 1982-era building was finally bought for P615 million, P65 million more than the original asking price.

According to the grapevine, the buyer, Shang Properties, plans to build a residential condominium at the corner lot, similar to the Legaspi Village and Ortigas condos that it had built.

Phinma, on the other hand, would use the P615 million proceeds to help fund prospective investments in TA Oil, the Microtel chain or possibly the acquisition of a fifth school.

RonnieR

April 4th, 2011, 11:33 AM

^^ That's good. A new high rise tower will be built by Shang....

Fairmont Hotel.
http://i530.photobucket.com/albums/dd350/RonnieR_2008/P1020697.jpg

http://i530.photobucket.com/albums/dd350/RonnieR_2008/P1020699.jpg

http://i530.photobucket.com/albums/dd350/RonnieR_2008/P1020700.jpg

RonnieR

April 4th, 2011, 11:34 AM

TRAG - so tall, nice.
http://i530.photobucket.com/albums/dd350/RonnieR_2008/P1020701.jpg

RonnieR

April 5th, 2011, 07:42 AM

wrong post

Eaton Square

April 5th, 2011, 10:53 AM

TRAG - so tall, nice.
http://i530.photobucket.com/albums/dd350/RonnieR_2008/P1020701.jpg

@RonnieR, thanks for posting those nice photos. by the way, how's the condition now of Makati Avenue, between Ayala Ave and Arnaiz? i remember that portion of Makati Avenue was bumpy when I passed by that area fall of last year.

again, many thanks.

RonnieR

April 5th, 2011, 11:34 AM

@RonnieR, thanks for posting those nice photos. by the way, how's the condition now of Makati Avenue, between Ayala Ave and Arnaiz? i remember that portion of Makati Avenue was bumpy when I passed by that area fall of last year.

again, many thanks.

Welcome Eaton Square. Fortunately, they put asphalt overlay in that area all the way to Arnaiz Avenue (Pasay Road).

Ph Man

April 5th, 2011, 01:17 PM

Nice photos Ron. Could have been taken from rooftop of GB5? Is that open for public?

Fairmont looks neat! This will bring a much needed facelift to the area.

Manila Standard Today
Cocktales by Victor Agustin
Monday, April 4, 2011

Phinma’s P615-m windfall

Phinma had only wanted P550 million for its Asianbank Plaza when it tried to unload the corner Buendia and Tordesillas property in 2008.

After failing to solicit suitable bids, Phinma decided to withdraw the property and wait for better times.

Last week, the 3,045-square-meter lot with a five-story, 1982-era building was finally bought for P615 million, P65 million more than the original asking price.

According to the grapevine, the buyer, Shang Properties, plans to build a residential condominium at the corner lot, similar to the Legaspi Village and Ortigas condos that it had built.

Phinma, on the other hand, would use the P615 million proceeds to help fund prospective investments in TA Oil, the Microtel chain or possibly the acquisition of a fifth school.

Excited with this. Hopefully, something as nice as Shang Grand or St Francis.

Eaton Square

April 5th, 2011, 02:13 PM

Nice photos Ron. Could have been taken from rooftop of GB5? Is that open for public?

Fairmont looks neat! This will bring a much needed facelift to the area.

Excited with this. Hopefully, something as nice as Shang Grand or St Francis.

i hope it will be a mixed-used tower in the league of the enterprise towers on ayala avenue. that should be great! but if it should look like the shang grand that would be great as well.

@PhMan, is the old Land Bank Building on Buendia Avenue still standing or has it been replaced with a new one?

thanks in advance for your reply.

Ph Man

April 5th, 2011, 02:43 PM

Eaton Square

April 5th, 2011, 03:31 PM

You are referring to that one near BIR right? Last time I passed by the area - it's still there. But with the rezoning of that area in place, we might see it replaced soon. :) That side of Makati has a lot of potential for development.

@Ph Man, it could be the one. Yeah, and I'm glad that that portion of Makati has been rezoned and being redeveloped, enabling the CBD to expand.

thanks for your quick reply.

RonnieR

April 7th, 2011, 04:58 AM

RonnieR

April 7th, 2011, 05:00 AM

A new Spanish restaurant in Greenbelt

http://www.spot.ph/newsfeatures/48036/check-it-out-cerveseria-in-greenbelt-3

http://www.spot.ph/files/2011/04/1301999971-cerveseria_click.jpg
Cerveseria
Ground Floor Greenbelt 3, Ayala Center
Makati City
Tel. No. 757-4791

(SPOT.ph) Cerveseria entices you to linger over good food and booze. The tapas menu is filled with Spanish favorites like croquetas, gambas, salpicao, and chorizo—tasty nibbles meant to be washed with Cerveseria's sweet but strong sangria and mojitos.

"We just really wanted a place where people can hang out and relax," shares Nobu-trained Chef Gilbert Pangilinan, who also helms Kai. He names the Cerveseria Tapas Sampler (P950) and the Huevos Rotos con Tocino (P180), a serving of well-seasoned shoestring potatoes, bacon and eggs, as crowd favorites. If you're in the mood for heavier meals, check the menu for main courses like Salmon al Horno (P580) and Pollo Iberico (P880) but be prepared to wait—these slow-cooked dishes take time to prepare.

If the all-day wine buffet promo (P588)—where you can drink all the wine you want for three hours—doesn't reel you in and make you stay, the swanky yet cozy space designed by owner Ricco Ocampo will. White gothic chandeliers hang over the dimly lit dining room. Tall shelves lined with books divide the main dining area from a more private dining space while colorful ceramic plates and cutlery placed under the glass-topped wooden tables add to the tapas bar's chic decor.

From 10 p.m. onwards on Wednesday and Friday nights, Cerveseria turns into a bar with '80s music provided by DJs David Ardiente (Wednesdays) and Jon Jon Tupaz (Fridays). Another great thing about Cerveseria is that you don't have to wait until after-hours to enjoy "happy hour" deals: Cerverseria offers a "buy one, take one" promo on local beers all day.

Photos by Monica Barretto and courtesy of Cerveseria (Neal Oshima)

RonnieR

April 7th, 2011, 12:05 PM

One Central is up.

Latest pic, taken today. Up to 14 floors. That's 4 more than there were a month ago.
http://img863.imageshack.us/img863/7217/img0865q.jpg

RonnieR

April 7th, 2011, 12:57 PM

from James Park

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5177/5548882960_ae12be34b8_b.jpg

Ph Man

April 7th, 2011, 04:44 PM

Nice, it surely has picked up. Thanks for sharing Ron.

P.S. I was wondering initially if that photo was taken from a new park in Makati called James Park. :lol:

@Ph Man, it could be the one. Yeah, and I'm glad that that portion of Makati has been rezoned and being redeveloped, enabling the CBD to expand.

thanks for your quick reply.

No problem...;)

RonnieR

April 8th, 2011, 10:20 AM

http://img196.imageshack.us/img196/4739/49387302.jpg (http://betongchronicles.blogspot.com/)

Great. :cheers:

RonnieR

April 8th, 2011, 11:02 AM

Discovery Primea is up. :)
http://i530.photobucket.com/albums/dd350/RonnieR_2008/P1020724.jpg

spearhead

April 8th, 2011, 03:52 PM

Nice photos everyone! Thanks for sharing! :cheers:

absolutblue

April 9th, 2011, 12:16 PM

crossboneka

April 10th, 2011, 06:56 AM

wrong post :)

Go Global

April 10th, 2011, 02:49 PM

^^

Would fit better in the Fort Bonifacio thread.

RonnieR

April 12th, 2011, 01:22 PM

http://i530.photobucket.com/albums/dd350/RonnieR_2008/P1020731.jpg

http://i530.photobucket.com/albums/dd350/RonnieR_2008/P1020732.jpg

http://i530.photobucket.com/albums/dd350/RonnieR_2008/P1020735.jpg

leofriends

April 13th, 2011, 04:58 PM

MAKATI SKYLINE

http://xl.skyscrapercity.com/images/headers/2010/02/01.jpg
this is amazing no photoshop...^^

source: http://xl.skyscrapercity.com/?page=banner&bannerday=20100201

RonnieR

April 14th, 2011, 11:11 AM

Ayala Triangle, CBD

http://i530.photobucket.com/albums/dd350/RonnieR_2008/P1020751.jpg

http://i530.photobucket.com/albums/dd350/RonnieR_2008/P1020758.jpg

http://i530.photobucket.com/albums/dd350/RonnieR_2008/P1020757.jpg

http://i530.photobucket.com/albums/dd350/RonnieR_2008/P1020766.jpg

http://i530.photobucket.com/albums/dd350/RonnieR_2008/P1020767.jpg

RonnieR

April 14th, 2011, 11:12 AM

Ayala Triangle

http://i530.photobucket.com/albums/dd350/RonnieR_2008/P1020768.jpg

http://i530.photobucket.com/albums/dd350/RonnieR_2008/P1020773.jpg

http://i530.photobucket.com/albums/dd350/RonnieR_2008/P1020774.jpg

http://i530.photobucket.com/albums/dd350/RonnieR_2008/P1020764.jpg

http://i530.photobucket.com/albums/dd350/RonnieR_2008/P1020762.jpg

http://i530.photobucket.com/albums/dd350/RonnieR_2008/P1020760.jpg

http://i530.photobucket.com/albums/dd350/RonnieR_2008/P1020755.jpg

Eaton Square

April 14th, 2011, 12:16 PM

nice photos, thank you for sharing.

i think that ayala triangle gardens need to be planted with more grass and flower-bearing trees like firetrees, caballero and golden showers, ilang-ilang, etc. to make the park more attractive to park goers.

since it is frequented by the young and old alike, ayala should consider declaring ayala triangle gardens a non-smoking park.

Ph Man

April 14th, 2011, 03:26 PM

nice photos Ron.

i think it's a non-smoking park. i'm not sure tho. if ronnie can enlarge his first photo, we'll figure out. :)

@ Eaton Square. there's a particular tree that stands out this summer season. and you'd see that if you are looking at the part somewhere beyond the 2nd floor of a building. i think it resembles a firetree but not exactly a firetree.

spearhead

April 14th, 2011, 05:33 PM

^^I love it man!

YPeterson

April 15th, 2011, 09:55 AM

Makati Projects now on the rise. Makati unit prices also on the rise, you'd think with so much competition, prices would go down a bit.. but well... no...

RonnieR

April 15th, 2011, 10:05 AM

^^I love it man!

nice photos Ron.

i think it's a non-smoking park. i'm not sure tho. if ronnie can enlarge his first photo, we'll figure out. :)

@ Eaton Square. there's a particular tree that stands out this summer season. and you'd see that if you are looking at the part somewhere beyond the 2nd floor of a building. i think it resembles a firetree but not exactly a firetree.

nice photos, thank you for sharing.

i think that ayala triangle gardens need to be planted with more grass and flower-bearing trees like firetrees, caballero and golden showers, ilang-ilang, etc. to make the park more attractive to park goers.

since it is frequented by the young and old alike, ayala should consider declaring ayala triangle gardens a non-smoking park.

Thanks guys. Smoking is allowed outside the restaurants. :)

I have only one complaint: it's hard to get seas at night. Ayala should build more restaurants in the area. The place is packed with people at night.

Edmundtanso

April 15th, 2011, 04:51 PM

http://i530.photobucket.com/albums/dd350/RonnieR_2008/P1020760.jpg

I wish they widen the walkway to prevent patches on the grass.....

OtAkAw

April 15th, 2011, 05:00 PM

^^Or put an electrified fence or something haha. Even if Ayala were to put a "Keep of the Grass" sign on that area, with our proven "pasaway" track record, Pinoys will inevitably step on it.

sloanesquare

April 16th, 2011, 04:29 AM

http://i530.photobucket.com/albums/dd350/RonnieR_2008/P1020760.jpg

I wish they widen the walkway to prevent patches on the grass.....
if you widen the walkways and add more restaurants as suggested by Ronnie R,(the existing buildings were not built with a second storey in mind) whats left of this small pocket park from its original intent?

derf

April 16th, 2011, 07:10 AM

It would now be up to the ayalas on what to do with the ayala triangle now that it has suddenly leap to fame in such a short time. WIll it expand and ruin its natural beauty? Or will it give in to commercialism? And if so, how to do it with the least negative effect? Im sure they were totally unprepared for this unexpected success. I used to pass by there a lot when it was still just a park. And there were practically no one there always. Build and they will come! And in throngs they did.. :cheers:

spearhead

April 16th, 2011, 09:27 PM

^^Meron narin bang mga garbage & recycling bins dyan sa mga street corners ng makati city? Salamat at nakiki update lang ako, kinukumpara ko lang ang lugar ng tinitirahan ko hehe! Gusto ko nakakahabol narin ang pilipinas sa canada when it comes to city beautification and waste management. :D

sloanesquare

April 19th, 2011, 07:06 AM

1pm...huge fire at Laperal compound Guadalupe Viejo.............i smell conspiracy and the end of those extortionist squatters...a condo development could be imminient....justice

sick_n_tired

April 19th, 2011, 07:49 AM

^^

taken from our office roof deck
1:05pm

http://img857.imageshack.us/img857/8508/img9692.jpg

http://img228.imageshack.us/img228/126/img9687u.jpg

http://img585.imageshack.us/img585/5422/img9688e.jpg

crappypants

April 19th, 2011, 08:08 AM

wow where will Binay put all those people That place is almost a country.

jocuatro

April 19th, 2011, 08:09 AM

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5221/5633450927_29769dc920_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/jocuatro/5633450927/)
mkti (http://www.flickr.com/photos/jocuatro/5633450927/) by bo adobo (http://www.flickr.com/people/jocuatro/), on Flickr

share ko lang ito.

sloanesquare

April 19th, 2011, 08:34 AM

wow where will Binay put all those people That place is almost a country.
back to the provinces where they belong...if the laperal family did not pay taxes on this compound it would now be owned by the makati government through penalties and yet the squatters dont pay rent or taxes and cannot be evicted.. economic termites. scum

leofriends

April 19th, 2011, 09:52 AM

back to the provinces where they belong...if the laperal family did not pay taxes on this compound it would now be owned by the makati government through penalties and yet the squatters dont pay rent or taxes and cannot be evicted.. economic termites. scum

We all know that this is an impossible decision..:lol:

desperado ang mga tao dun.. sa tingin nyu aalis pa un?? :lol:

malamang pag pinuwersa mo yon.. galit nanaman yun kay pnoy..:ohno:

sick_n_tired

April 19th, 2011, 10:25 AM

nag overheat yata ung a/c kaya nagkasunog :bash:

Eaton Square

April 19th, 2011, 11:22 AM

the binays love illegal settlers - for obvious reason!

Igsuonnimo

April 19th, 2011, 12:40 PM

Hindi naman tama yun na tawagin na economic termites at scum.
Lalo na ngayong nasunugan na at panahon pa ng semana santa, unchristian yan.

jocuatro

April 19th, 2011, 01:10 PM

nag overheat yata ung a/c kaya nagkasunog :bash:

sabi naman sa tv, rice cooker daw ang cause ng sunog. wow! social pala ang mga tao dyan! ako nga eh walang aircon o rice cooker man lang..:lol: bakit hindi kaya mapaalis ang mga nandyan kahit laging nasusunog ang lugar na yan?

noli-kun

April 19th, 2011, 01:57 PM

^^Is that a rhetorical question? :lol:

sloanesquare

April 20th, 2011, 03:21 PM

maximizer101

April 20th, 2011, 04:20 PM

the BBC showed the Makati fire...financial district with slums as tenants..Even Rico Hizon couldnt edit it from his segment of the show.....great advertising again .
..people who have never been to the Philippines see these things and make holiday decisions

:bash::bash::bash:..the makati government should exert a lot of effort in getting those eyesores out of the makati...they should save the CBD from the "SLUM FEVER" in manila...as much as possible sana ubusin na lahat nga squatters sa mga major commercial and financial districts such as makati and near ortigas...tzk3...:ohno::ohno::ohno:..nakakahiya nmn kac yan..panira talaga ng image ang mga yan...kung talagang wla clang pambili ng bahay, bat di sila mangupahan??...or kung di tlaga nila afford..mgskwat cLa dun sa payatas!..wag d2...npkasosyal nmn nila...eh tau nga eh di mkaafford bumili ng lupa sa makati (except for some of course)...haizt...

crappypants

April 20th, 2011, 09:47 PM

the BBC showed the Makati fire...financial district with slums as tenants..Even Rico Hizon couldnt edit it from his segment of the show.....great advertising again .
..people who have never been to the Philippines see these things and make holiday decisions

they show them cause they exist. Kung wala sila don walang maipapakita.
kung magaling gobyerno napaliit na bilang nila or naturuan na sila na umangat sa kanilang estado ng buhay. Instead of shuffling them around in different areas.
Kasalanan yan ng mga Binays, pinalago nila ng pinalago hanggang maging isang country na sila. kaya sila nandon, thirty years na ke Binay ang Makati hindi parin napaalis or napaliit man lang mga shanty colonies. Don't get me wrong these are people too, but they should have been taught or empowered by different means to change the course of their lives in a span of three decades.
Ano na yung pinangako niya noon na Makati city will be squatter free by end of his term as mayor. Eto gustong maging presidente ng Pilipinas. :ohno:
inspite of this I do not wish for fate of people to be burned, they're still people. that kind of thinking is the reason the shanty and poverty problem is never solved in this country.

habagatcentral1

April 20th, 2011, 11:14 PM

^^ Was it the Binays who encouraged the people to settle at that particular compound or was it the Laperals, the owners of the said compound? I heard that the Laperals "allowed" the informal settlers to be there in the first place, according to news.

jasetiojanco

April 21st, 2011, 03:56 AM

Something's going on in front of Robinsons Summit Center and Insular Life. I wonder what they're doing... :)

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/_-dmodcHRDXk/Ta-NBeNNd4I/AAAAAAAAAjY/X3O1wtvC0rI/s640/2011-04-19%2012.26.48.jpg

OtAkAw

April 21st, 2011, 07:07 AM

^^It's just the new Ayala Avenue sidewalk pavement.

jasetiojanco

April 21st, 2011, 08:25 AM

Oh, I thought they're going to put up something there.. like a bus stop or something. :P

xavierdude

April 21st, 2011, 12:48 PM

baka preparations for the rapid bus system?

Huskies37

April 21st, 2011, 06:52 PM

BEAUTIFUL MAKATI THREAD!!!

manila_eye

April 21st, 2011, 10:31 PM

baka preparations for the rapid bus system?

Just a simple sidewalk makeover. The RBS is still being studied.

darknyt1

April 24th, 2011, 03:00 AM

Makati aerial by dvpanganiban (http://www.flickr.com/photos/dvpanganiban/)

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5148/5645945705_e827b8d87b_b.jpg

cq40

April 24th, 2011, 04:33 AM

baka preparations for the rapid bus system?
So far they are upgrading the sidewalk, integrating greens (i like the new trees) and putting fancy gray tiles. Better than the brick/cement treatment. The process started @ Aegis/People Support, they first tested the new sidewalk in front of ICON @ Hotel Intercon

Eaton Square

April 24th, 2011, 07:38 AM

OtAkAw

April 24th, 2011, 12:07 PM

^^Now that you've mentioned it, the trees are actually surrounded by shrubberies for that "landscaped" effect. But they prolly chose species that do not compete with trees.

OtAkAw

April 24th, 2011, 12:08 PM

With China-like growth I believe the three main skylines of Metro Manila could still be connected. #hoping :)

Makati aerial by dvpanganiban (http://www.flickr.com/photos/dvpanganiban/)

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5148/5645945705_e827b8d87b_b.jpg

Eaton Square

April 25th, 2011, 01:17 PM

FEU has Campuses in Silang, Makati
Business Mirror
Saturday, 23 April 2011

THE Far Eastern University (FEU), the educational institution founded by Dr. Nicanor Reyes Sr. in 1934, continues to pursue the vision of its founder by establishing two campuses: one in the southern part of Metro Manila and the other, right in the heart of the country’s premier business district.

To build its presence in the southern part of the city, FEU established the Silang, Cavite, campus, a P500-million investment located inside the 250-hectare, sprawling Metrogate Silang Estates. The school sits on 4.5 hectares of land—the Basic Education department on half a hectare of prime land adjacent to the clubhouse, and the college campus, on 4 hectares of land near the Shrine of the Divine Mercy. Right now, the student population stands at 480 inclusive of Resident-Care Attendant students.

In an e-mail interview with the BusinessMirror, FEU-Silang executive director Dr. Felipe Balingit Jr. said entry of the university in Cavite is to “continue and expand the legacy of Dr. Reyes and make available the FEU brand of education to the people residing in Silang and neighboring towns and cities.”

FEU was born as a result of the merger between Far Eastern College and the Institute of Accounts, Business and Finance. FEU’s campus on Nicanor Reyes Street (formerly Morayta) is known for a number of historical buildings preserved from the first half of the 20th century.

Balingit said FEU chose Silang in their southern expansion because of its huge potential for growth, good environment and accessibility to Metro Manila.

“The span of management control is not too stretched and costly because Silang is only 43 kilometers away from Manila,” he said.

At present, Balingit said FEU-Silang’s core competencies are in basic education, management and education programs. In basic education, it offers preschool, grade-school and high-school programs.

In management, the Silang campus offers hotel and restaurant, tourism, financial, and marketing programs. In education, the programs offered are secondary and elementary education.

“We hope we can offer accountancy and information-technology programs next school year. Our applications for these programs are now being processed by the Commission on Higher Education,” he said.

To ensure the availability of skilled faculty, Balingit said FEU Silang has a faculty-development program and is always searching for highly qualified faculty. He said recruited faculty members residing outside Cavite are provided with billeting at its staff house in Tagaytay City.

FEU also recognizes the need of professionals who haven’t finished their education. In line with the vision of their founder, FEU continues to give opportunity to professionals who want to pursue their education by establishing the Makati campus.

In an e-mail interview with the BusinessMirror, FEU Makati dean Benjamin Espiritu said putting up the Makati campus is part of the legacy of their founder who introduced night school for employees and other professionals aspiring for higher studies.

He added that the location of FEU Makati is convenient for working students that will enable them to prepare for school. The FEU Makati campus is on Gil Puyat Avenue, at the former head office of Zuellig Pharmaceuticals.

“FEU Makati is an extension of the institution’s more than 80 years of experience in the forefront of Philippine education; the Makati campus will be continuing its legacy in accounting and business,” said Espiritu.

FEU was the first Philippine school to teach Accountancy in 1928. It has a list of distinguished alumni, including Benjamin Punongbayan, chief executive officer (CEO) of accounting giant Punongbayan and Araullo, SM magnate Henry Sy, Yuchengco Group of Companies head and diplomat Alfonso Yuchengco, former GMA Network CEO Menardo Jimenez, DBP chairman Patricia Santo Tomas, and former Chief Justice Artemio Panganiban.

Espiritu said FEU Makati has brand-new state-of-the-art facilities which are on a par, at least, with other leading educational institutions. Moreover, he said the campus also offers the highest educational standards in business education through a practice-oriented curriculum, and a faculty composed of academician-practitioners who have built a reputation of excellence both in academe and in industry.

Courses offered in FEU Makati are Bachelor of Science in Accountancy, Bachelor of Science in Accounting Technology, Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and Bachelor of Science in Information Technology with emphasis on business management. FEU-Makati also offers a Master’s degree in Business Administration.

Hieronimus

April 25th, 2011, 02:45 PM

Guadalupe Viejo nalang ang kailangang idevelop as highrise area at connected na ang tatlong CBD. :banana:

With China-like growth I believe the three main skylines of Metro Manila could still be connected. #hoping :)

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5148/5645945705_e827b8d87b_b.jpg

noli-kun

April 25th, 2011, 03:59 PM

So far they are upgrading the sidewalk, integrating greens (i like the new trees) and putting fancy gray tiles. Better than the brick/cement treatment. The process started @ Aegis/People Support, they first tested the new sidewalk in front of ICON @ Hotel Intercon

I hope this facelift should not be always concentrated on the CBD and its immediate proximity, but to the other parts of the city as well. They should make first class and aesthetically pleasing urban design and street elements available to the enjoyment of the citizens.

Guadalupe Viejo nalang ang kailangang idevelop as highrise area at connected na ang tatlong CBD. :banana:

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5148/5645945705_e827b8d87b_b.jpg

It's a possible and prospective CBD connection. Hopefully five to ten years from now the continuous skyline will be extended up to the CBDs of Quezon City.

spearhead

April 25th, 2011, 04:13 PM

^^Sa liit ng EDSA di na makita sa mapa. Maganda sana kung malalagyan ng extension yang SLEX, going and cutting through Quirino, crossing all the way to the other side of EDSA in monumento, pero maraming madadaanang residential establishments nga lang.

JudeD

April 25th, 2011, 04:20 PM

I hope this facelift should not be always concentrated on the CBD and its immediate proximity, but to the other parts of the city as well. They should make first class and aesthetically pleasing urban design and street elements available to the enjoyment of the citizens.

That IS something to hope for, but it's realization is highly unlikely since the CBD facelift is a private endeavor spearheaded by the Ayalas, while the rest of the city is dependent on the whims of the Binays and their catamites, few of whom have displayed much vision.

Eaton Square

April 25th, 2011, 04:35 PM

expect the worse for makati as long as the binays are there. junjun binay is the clone of jejomar+elenita. these guys are so greedy in power, money, and everything that their hands could lay on.

sloanesquare

April 27th, 2011, 05:10 AM

Burned down compound now off-limits to squatters

CITING safety concerns, the city government of Makati has declared the burned out Laperal compound in Edsa-Guadalupe a “danger zone” and ordered police to stop displaced settlers from returning.

The city government has already started distributing cash aid ranging from P3,000 to P5,000 to victims of the fire to encourage them to voluntarily leave the property located beside the Loyola Memorial Chapels in Guadalupe Viejo along Edsa.

Makati Mayor Jejomar Erwin Binay Jr. said the Laperal settlers also have the option of returning to their provinces under the “Balik Probinsya” program or avail themselves of housing units in the city government’s relocation centers in Calauan, Laguna, and San Jose Del Monte, Bulacan.

“Those who opt for relocation will continue to receive benefits as Makati residents such as subsidized hospitalization, and the city government will pay for the cost of construction materials. We will only ask them to take part in the construction. This will be their sweat equity,” he said.

Binay said he has directed the Makati police to secure the Laperal compound and prevent any informal settlers from returning to the area.

He said the compound is a danger zone and unfit for human habitation as it lacks sanitation facilities, has no water, and a fire hazard because of numerous illegal electrical connections.

The fire last week razed about 900 shanties and left some 2,700 families homeless. Ferdinand Fabella

Top

OtAkAw

April 27th, 2011, 07:09 AM

^^Good news! Now, the huge slum beside Trinoma should be next. Any arsonist volunteers? :lol:

maximizer101

April 27th, 2011, 09:25 AM

^^Good news! Now, the huge slum beside Trinoma should be next. Any arsonist volunteers? :lol:

..how i wish may like button dito..haha...
..pag ako di mkahanap ng trabaho mgtatrabaho ako sa Ayalas as an arsonist...LoL..:nuts::nuts:

sloanesquare

April 27th, 2011, 10:59 AM

and before any bleeding hearts cry kawawa naman yung mga squatters ang hirap na ang buhay nila:

"On Monday, the owner of the property sought Binay’s help in reclaiming his land which, according to him, had been occupied by illegal settlers for decades.

Oliverio Laperal, 90, told the mayor that his company, LTC Real Estate which owns the compound, had been paying real property taxes diligently although it was not benefiting from the use of the lot." (PDI)

quick arithmetic : 1 hectare x say P40,000 per sqm to sell: P400 million and you cant even enjoy it because of squatters..this is not North Korea.

darknyt1

April 27th, 2011, 09:01 PM

originally posted by anak_mm
Makati CBD

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5187/5651554343_436cd0091f_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/69056535@N00/5651554343/)
Manila from the top (http://www.flickr.com/photos/69056535@N00/5651554343/) by cherryl_si (http://www.flickr.com/people/69056535@N00/), on Flickr

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5189/5660167667_4958a81704_b.jpg
http://www.flickr.com/photos/duskoalmosa/5660167667/

blitzmage_89

April 28th, 2011, 11:41 AM

May balak na raw ibenta ang AIM?

icarusrising

April 28th, 2011, 11:53 AM

Makati 'squatters' demand decent relocation site (http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/video/nation/metro-manila/04/27/11/makati-squatters-demand-decent-relocation-site)
04/28/2011 1:16 AM

Nagmamatigas pa rin ang mga nasunugang squatters sa Laperal Compound sa Guadalupe Viejo, Makati. Hindi raw sila aalis hangga't wala silang malilipatang maayos na relocation site. Matapos ang salpukan noong Miyerkules, nakabarikada pa rin sa mga oras na ito ang taga-Laperal para hindi sila mapalayas sa compound. Pilit pa ring nanawagan ang pamahalaan ng makati na lumikas na ang mga residente para na rin sa kanilang kaligtasan. Magba-Bandila si Jasmin Romero. Bandila, Abril 27, 2011, Lunes.

video:

http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/video/nation/metro-manila/04/27/11/makati-squatters-demand-decent-relocation-site

Simple Dude

April 28th, 2011, 12:39 PM

blitzmage_89

April 28th, 2011, 05:42 PM

crappypants

April 28th, 2011, 07:20 PM

Why did they wait until it became a country before they decided to kick them out.
At this rate grandchild Binay will be mayor of Makati before they can be relocated.
Those of you who wish to burn people hope it doesn't come back to you.

crossboneka

April 28th, 2011, 08:38 PM

Maraming messengers, mga kargador, mga pangkaraniwang waitress, boy, tricycle and jeepney drivers etc nakatira sa squatters area. Hindi naman sila nakatunganga lang at nanonood ng TV buong araw. While we work in our fancy makati offices, these are the people that actually do the dirty work of our society with meager wages.

Going back to the countryside is easier said than done. Hindi ganun karami ang trabaho sa probinsiya. You can just ask maids why they went here at magpaka alipin instead of staying in their province. Kung mas masarap nga talaga buhay nila sa probinsya, hindi naman siguro sila bobo at matagal na siguro nila ginawang bumalik.

Really once you get to know their lives, maiintindihan mo rin side nila.

The law is the law, but I wouldn't go as far as treating them as scoundrels.

the thing is many of them have 7-10 kids in the household and they are the same people that whine about their difficulties in feeding their children :ohno:

metrosuburban

April 28th, 2011, 09:13 PM

^^ baka gusto nilang mai-relocate sa Gramercy o di kaya kahit saan'g worth a million Condo's... :ohno: hahai. they better go back to the country side... ganun din naman nasa Maynila sila wala namang trabaho...

They dont own the lot period!!! Decent relocation- laguna or bulacan. Kung ayaw, sa sulu at basilan.. We have no time to deal with these people who bring damage to business and stall traffic in edsa.. at puede ba sa mga may ari ng prime lots in metro manila, bakuran nio naman at ipa bantay ang lote nio.. sus

GodIsNotGreat

April 29th, 2011, 12:23 AM

NOVO ECIJANO

April 29th, 2011, 12:35 AM

Maraming messengers, mga kargador, mga pangkaraniwang waitress, boy, tricycle and jeepney drivers etc nakatira sa squatters area. Hindi naman sila nakatunganga lang at nanonood ng TV buong araw. While we work in our fancy makati offices, these are the people that actually do the dirty work of our society with meager wages.

Going back to the countryside is easier said than done. Hindi ganun karami ang trabaho sa probinsiya. You can just ask maids why they went here at magpaka alipin instead of staying in their province. Kung mas masarap nga talaga buhay nila sa probinsya, hindi naman siguro sila bobo at matagal na siguro nila ginawang bumalik.

Really once you get to know their lives, maiintindihan mo rin side nila.

The law is the law, but I wouldn't go as far as treating them as scoundrels.

Tama ka,biktima lang ang mga iyan ng hindi magandang ekonomiya ng ilang dekada.lumago lang ang ekonomiya natin tuloy tuloy na isang dekada mawawala ang mga iyan.huwag tayong maging marahas at tayong lahat ay gusto natin ng pag unlad pero kasabay noon ay gawin sa makataong paraan,wala lang talagang makitang mapupuntahan kaya kumakapit sila sa patalim.isipin na lang natin na bigla kang mawalan ng bahay at mayroon kang mga anak na musmus at wala kang kamag anak ano ang maging kalagayan nila lalo na sa tag ulan.

sloanesquare

April 29th, 2011, 02:18 AM

skywalker2008

April 29th, 2011, 03:32 AM

"Ganito kami sa Makati."

http://images.inquirer.net/media/newsinfo/breakingnews/metro/images/pic-04280600470333.jpg

Lightspeed

April 29th, 2011, 04:22 AM

Tama ka,biktima lang ang mga iyan ng hindi magandang ekonomiya ng ilang dekada.lumago lang ang ekonomiya natin tuloy tuloy na isang dekada mawawala ang mga iyan.huwag tayong maging marahas at tayong lahat ay gusto natin ng pag unlad pero kasabay noon ay gawin sa makataong paraan,wala lang talagang makitang mapupuntahan kaya kumakapit sila sa patalim.isipin na lang natin na bigla kang mawalan ng bahay at mayroon kang mga anak na musmus at wala kang kamag anak ano ang maging kalagayan nila lalo na sa tag ulan.

Eh yung mga squatters naman doon ang hindi makatao, eh. They deprived the poor 90-year-old Mr. Laperal of the economic use of his property for more than a decade and they want to do it some more.

At hindi lang naman si Mr. Laperal ang naapakan nila. The other day, they were about to re-install electric jumpers para makanakaw ng kuryente. And they were also in the process of tapping into the nearby water source para magkaroon ulit sila ng tubig. We're paying for their consumption through the "Systems Loss" charge in our MERALCO and Maynilad/Manila Water bills that keeps growing every year.

And I'm quite sure that some of them have cable connection courtesy of, guess what, stolen transmission from SkyCable!

And there is no acceptable sanitation and waste disposal system in the Compound. Saan kaya pumupunta mga dumi nila? Maybe sa Pasig River?

I mean, sa dami ng mga taong ninakawan nila ng oportunidad at inargabyado nila in their decades long free stay in the Laperal Compound, I'm not surprised why this seeming karmic retribution came to the squatters so suddenly and swiftly!

blitzmage_89

April 29th, 2011, 04:49 AM

Lightspeed

April 29th, 2011, 05:24 AM

I never agreed naman that they should remain in the land. If I were the MMDA, heck I would swiftly order mass demolishing of illegal settlers all around Metro Manila. We had a similar problem with a land in Capiz. We took it to the courts even if a poor family will be displaced. Trabaho lang walang personalan. One should not deprive a man of his rightful land against his will, even if he maybe wealthy, just for the good of the lesser man.

I do however disagree with the common notion that "nakatunganga lang ang squatters at umuwi na lang sila sa probinsya, mga vermin lang ng Metro Manila, dahil sa kanila ang pangit ng Maynila". Our messenger, our kargadors, my tennis trainers and my club's ballboys live in the squatters area. I would still credit them to the contributions they give to the Philippine society.

It's better to see the two sides of the coin, although ultimately I'd still side with the law.

I do see where you're coming from.

But there are also messengers, kargadors, tennis trainers and ballboys who work in Metro Manila who commute all the way to Bulacan, Laguna, Pampanga, Antipolo and Taytay everyday. In those places, they have places that they either own or rent at a price that they can afford.

Hindi naman masama tumira sa Makati or Metro Manila as long as you can afford it.

Puwede naman sigurong tumira sa Laperal Compound pero dapat you give the owner Mr. Laperal what is due him. And hindi dapat nagnanakaw ng kuryente at tubig! That is so wrong! Kahit na mahirap ka pa, it doesn't give you the privilege or right to steal from other people.

Eh 'yung "Systems Loss" nga sa bills natin, hindi ba parang stolen na rin iyon from us? Kasi wala naman tayong choice, eh. Automatic dagdag sa babayaran iyon.

The point is: let us be fair to everyone. We have the right to live and stay in any place we want as long as we can afford to do so, and that we are being fair to everyone and not being a burden to anyone.

OtAkAw

April 29th, 2011, 05:34 PM

any one sympathetic to these economic scums should allow these squatters to live in their actual backyard,allow them to sub-lease the property, pay land taxes for them and see how it feels when they say they want to watch tv in your living room as well.

One of the most sensible comments thus far.

It was said in the news a big "squatter syndicate" is operating in that compound. I think this is the same with the other huge slum areas in the metro. Like any petty crime, such should also be subdued.

gaLj

April 29th, 2011, 05:53 PM

Bring back Bayani Fernando !!

Let him have the colossal task of purging the metropolitan!!

----

Fire Jessie Robredo !!

We don't need IS sympathizer here in metropolis.

Simple Dude

April 29th, 2011, 06:47 PM

^^ dapat i-implement yung Lina Law,... i promise mas gaganda at uunlad yung Maynila and the whole country as well basta't walang mga estero sa mga Lungsod... ganun nga rin naman eh nasa Maynila sila wala rin namang trabaho kundi mangulo,... :ohno:

Simple Dude

April 29th, 2011, 06:48 PM

Bring back Bayani Fernando !!

Let him have the colossal task of purging the metropolitan!!

----

Fire Jessie Robredo !!

We don't need IS sympathizer here in metropolis.

^^ diba Singapore style daw balak gawin ng MMDA,... are they really working on it guys??

lochinvar

April 29th, 2011, 07:41 PM

The win-win solution is for the construction of viable tenements in Metromanila, not like the ones in Vitas, Tondo but generally wholesome tenements that people can live in. There are places in Metromanila that can be reorganized, redeveloped and put out a much more wider and well defined street grid, i.e., Tondo, Payatas, to name a few. I've been looking where Pitong Gatang is and couldn't seem to find it in the map easily. And there are lots of these Pitong Gatangs.

NOVO ECIJANO

April 29th, 2011, 08:17 PM

^^ diba Singapore style daw balak gawin ng MMDA,... are they really working on it guys??

we can improve manila but we cant be like singapore,we have to grow at least
continous 8 percent gdp in 15 years bago tayo makalapit lapit sa kanila.pera ang pinaguusapan diyan at disiplina na rin.

noli-kun

April 30th, 2011, 06:10 AM

^^ diba Singapore style daw balak gawin ng MMDA,... are they really working on it guys??

With some dude who hails from a mountainside suburb at the helm of MMDA, I doubt if we can reach a Singapore-style urban regeneration.

Eaton Square

April 30th, 2011, 09:06 AM

Hieronimus

April 30th, 2011, 09:32 AM

As long as he won't paint the metro pink again... Putrid color... :lol::lol::lol:

Bring back Bayani Fernando !!

Let him have the colossal task of purging the metropolitan!!

----

Fire Jessie Robredo !!

We don't need IS sympathizer here in metropolis.

GelloX

April 30th, 2011, 10:31 AM

We are inclined to sympathize with these people but they are so intransigent. I think that the government has allocated funds for the relocation of these squatters, and it may have relocation sites already procured in the provinces. But their livelihood is in the city. What a quandary.

Burned down compound now off-limits to squatters

CITING safety concerns, the city government of Makati has declared the burned out Laperal compound in Edsa-Guadalupe a “danger zone” and ordered police to stop displaced settlers from returning.

The city government has already started distributing cash aid ranging from P3,000 to P5,000 to victims of the fire to encourage them to voluntarily leave the property located beside the Loyola Memorial Chapels in Guadalupe Viejo along Edsa.

Makati Mayor Jejomar Erwin Binay Jr. said the Laperal settlers also have the option of returning to their provinces under the “Balik Probinsya” program or avail themselves of housing units in the city government’s relocation centers in Calauan, Laguna, and San Jose Del Monte, Bulacan.

“Those who opt for relocation will continue to receive benefits as Makati residents such as subsidized hospitalization, and the city government will pay for the cost of construction materials. We will only ask them to take part in the construction. This will be their sweat equity,” he said.

Binay said he has directed the Makati police to secure the Laperal compound and prevent any informal settlers from returning to the area.

He said the compound is a danger zone and unfit for human habitation as it lacks sanitation facilities, has no water, and a fire hazard because of numerous illegal electrical connections.

The fire last week razed about 900 shanties and left some 2,700 families homeless. Ferdinand Fabella

Top

^^Good news! Now, the huge slum beside Trinoma should be next. Any arsonist volunteers? :lol:

..how i wish may like button dito..haha...
..pag ako di mkahanap ng trabaho mgtatrabaho ako sa Ayalas as an arsonist...LoL..:nuts::nuts:

and before any bleeding hearts cry kawawa naman yung mga squatters ang hirap na ang buhay nila:

"On Monday, the owner of the property sought Binay’s help in reclaiming his land which, according to him, had been occupied by illegal settlers for decades.

Oliverio Laperal, 90, told the mayor that his company, LTC Real Estate which owns the compound, had been paying real property taxes diligently although it was not benefiting from the use of the lot." (PDI)

quick arithmetic : 1 hectare x say P40,000 per sqm to sell: P400 million and you cant even enjoy it because of squatters..this is not North Korea.

^^ baka gusto nilang mai-relocate sa Gramercy o di kaya kahit saan'g worth a million Condo's... :ohno: hahai. they better go back to the country side... ganun din naman nasa Maynila sila wala namang trabaho...

the thing is many of them have 7-10 kids in the household and they are the same people that whine about their difficulties in feeding their children :ohno:

They dont own the lot period!!! Decent relocation- laguna or bulacan. Kung ayaw, sa sulu at basilan.. We have no time to deal with these people who bring damage to business and stall traffic in edsa.. at puede ba sa mga may ari ng prime lots in metro manila, bakuran nio naman at ipa bantay ang lote nio.. sus

^^ dapat i-implement yung Lina Law,... i promise mas gaganda at uunlad yung Maynila and the whole country as well basta't walang mga estero sa mga Lungsod... ganun nga rin naman eh nasa Maynila sila wala rin namang trabaho kundi mangulo,... :ohno:

Bring back Bayani Fernando !!

Let him have the colossal task of purging the metropolitan!!

----

Fire Jessie Robredo !!

We don't need IS sympathizer here in metropolis.

we can improve manila but we cant be like singapore,we have to grow at least
continous 8 percent gdp in 15 years bago tayo makalapit lapit sa kanila.pera ang pinaguusapan diyan at disiplina na rin.

With some dude who hails from a mountainside suburb at the helm of MMDA, I doubt if we can reach a Singapore-style urban regeneration.

any one sympathetic to these economic scums should allow these squatters to live in their actual backyard,allow them to sub-lease the property, pay land taxes for them and see how it feels when they say they want to watch tv in your living room as well.

"Ganito kami sa Makati."

http://images.inquirer.net/media/newsinfo/breakingnews/metro/images/pic-04280600470333.jpg

Eh yung mga squatters naman doon ang hindi makatao, eh. They deprived the poor 90-year-old Mr. Laperal of the economic use of his property for more than a decade and they want to do it some more.

At hindi lang naman si Mr. Laperal ang naapakan nila. The other day, they were about to re-install electric jumpers para makanakaw ng kuryente. And they were also in the process of tapping into the nearby water source para magkaroon ulit sila ng tubig. We're paying for their consumption through the "Systems Loss" charge in our MERALCO and Maynilad/Manila Water bills that keeps growing every year.

And I'm quite sure that some of them have cable connection courtesy of, guess what, stolen transmission from SkyCable!

And there is no acceptable sanitation and waste disposal system in the Compound. Saan kaya pumupunta mga dumi nila? Maybe sa Pasig River?

I mean, sa dami ng mga taong ninakawan nila ng oportunidad at inargabyado nila in their decades long free stay in the Laperal Compound, I'm not surprised why this seeming karmic retribution came to the squatters so suddenly and swiftly!

I do see where you're coming from.

But there are also messengers, kargadors, tennis trainers and ballboys who work in Metro Manila who commute all the way to Bulacan, Laguna, Pampanga, Antipolo and Taytay everyday. In those places, they have places that they either own or rent at a price that they can afford.

Hindi naman masama tumira sa Makati or Metro Manila as long as you can afford it.

Puwede naman sigurong tumira sa Laperal Compound pero dapat you give the owner Mr. Laperal what is due him. And hindi dapat nagnanakaw ng kuryente at tubig! That is so wrong! Kahit na mahirap ka pa, it doesn't give you the privilege or right to steal from other people.

Eh 'yung "Systems Loss" nga sa bills natin, hindi ba parang stolen na rin iyon from us? Kasi wala naman tayong choice, eh. Automatic dagdag sa babayaran iyon.

The point is: let us be fair to everyone. We have the right to live and stay in any place we want as long as we can afford to do so, and that we are being fair to everyone and not being a burden to anyone.

One of the most sensible comments thus far.

It was said in the news a big "squatter syndicate" is operating in that compound. I think this is the same with the other huge slum areas in the metro. Like any petty crime, such should also be subdued.

i totally agree!

It has been a year since I last posted here on Skyscrapercity but I just felt the urge to share my insights regarding the multitude of illegal settlers here in Metro Manila considering that there are several members of this forum who celebrated their demise.

Just so you know, I'm 22 years old and I have been to 16 countries since my family and I are entitled to Zonal Employee Discounts (ZED) airfares. I spent my High School years in Saudi Arabia and I have visited 40 cities around the planet. I must say that my backpacking travel experiences somehow enhanced my concept of urban planning i.e. to compare what I saw and observed in Manila, Cebu, Al Khobar, Tokyo, London, Chicago, Los Angeles and Rio de Janeiro just to name a few and relate them with the science and art of urban planning but of course, my opinions are mostly amateur since I only read and watch books including TV programs on city planning and engineering. I am a registered nurse and I do not have any formal training on urban development.

Anyway, it is natural for most of us to curse these so-called "squatters" considering that they live on eyesore shanties and slum areas which are likewise havens of crime, illness and poverty. Most of them do not pay taxes and they demand countless of dole-outs from the government. Due to their number, they also have the power to install and replace elected officials either by ballot or through mass uprising.

But amid the eyesore and the societal parasitism, I believe that racy comments that applaud their loss, death and grief are immature and irresponsible. They only want a superficial facelift of Manila - free the city from squatters and turn it into a metropolis that could go vis-a-vis with the likes of Singapore and Seoul.

I demand that these people should wake up from their stuporous, tunnel-vision and elitist concepts. They should open their minds, immerse themselves not just with glamor and pageantry of contemporary urban living but with societal issues and international developments as well. Comments that suggest the demise of the impoverished only reflect the kind of personality that they possess. I could not believe that they are even more elitists and cold-hearted than most of our country's tycoons.

Why do you think that rural dwellers and illegal settlers return to the metropolis after they had been relocated by the government? Do you seriously think that they just do that to mock us or ask the city government for more dole-outs?

Do you even know where the relocation sites are or how do their new communities look like?

Most relocation sites are in the remote areas of Bulacan and CALABARZON. Many of these so-called, "affordable housing" do not have a school nearby, do not have an access to clean water and electricity, no functional health care centers, no sociocivic establishments but bungalows alone that are reminiscent of the middle-class storage rooms or worse, pig pens.

What would you do if you were in their situation?
Supposed you were as if a minimum wage earner sustaining a family of two; with your eldest attending the nearby public school and your youngest getting his measles vaccine at the health center with her mother. Like many other Filipinos, you have a good rapport with your neighbors and although you are working hard to make ends meet, life is still comfortable since your family has access to the state's facilities...

Then one day, it all changed; that even though you were informed about the relocation, it would come as a shock not only for you but for your child who has to stop his schooling because the government wants him to move out 100km away from his school.

... so what exactly am I pointing out here? Just so you know, I do not condone illegal settlements. I do not believe that shanties and slum areas in Baseco and the Manila City Jail should exist any longer.

I just do not appreciate the fact that we are treating "squatters" as third class citizens. I do not agree with how the government is managing their resettlement and I despise that nearly all of us believe that they should be expelled from the city and force them back from where they came from or relocate them far from the urban centers. What we are doing is truly unFilipino, unjust and inhumane.

The government could bring the illegal settlers back to their provinces if there are urban centers that could provide them with jobs, opportunities and ACCESS to PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS. What the government does through the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council, the National Housing Authority, the Department of Social Welfare and Development, and the respective local governments, are only temporary solutions to this long-existing problem. They should come up with sustainable solutions and never let these people live in deplorable and inhumane conditions.

I strongly agree with Architect Palafox in his interview after Typhoon Ketsana (Ondoy) ravaged Manila last year. He said that the government was too busy in selling their properties within the metropolis for commercialization and yet, they never allocated any single property for a vertical urban poor housing project.

The government already sold IS Manila to Century Properties for Century City and part of Villamor Airbase to AGI for Newport City. They also privatized Fort Bonifacio and areas along Veterans Memorial. Now, they are interested to sell the Navy Headquarters in Roxas Boulevard, Camp Aguinaldo, Camp Crame and FTI again for commercial purposes while we still have the Aseana Reclamation half bare. All of these are specifically designed for the rich and none among them were even considered for the illegal settlers. They could have at least thought of rehabilitating abandoned buildings or entering into a Private-Public Partnership (PPP) for vertical housing projects for the urban poor workforce but they have not.

It is absolutely unfortunate that only the elites and the few middle class could live decently within the metropolis considering that those who provide the manpower for blue-collar jobs, skilled labor and other support systems that maintain our streets and swim our clogged sewers are comprised of impoverished individuals who could only afford to live in wooden makeshift houses along the riverbanks and floodways or in vacant properties that they do not even own.

Worst, most of us treat them as third-class citizens, hoping and wishing for their demise may it be through arson or natural disasters so they could forever be expelled from the metropolis that we call home but ironically hate at the same time because of our insecurities and bitterness toward our counterpart cities abroad.

PS: Despite my travels abroad, I still consider Metro Manila as a beautiful city in her own right - it has the charm and chaos of Rio de Janeiro with the exotic flair of Southeast Asia.

Eaton Square

April 30th, 2011, 12:56 PM

you collected all the comments in here and posted them in your own comment, as if everybody, including yours truly, is praying for the 'demise' of these illegal settlers. now, that's unfair, to tell you honestly, i do not and will never pray that way because that's unchristian; such a prayer belongs to the devil, not to the Creator of this universe.

think of this: Luke 6:31, and Matthew 7:12.

and ponder on this as well: Exodus 20:17.

you see, clearly it goes two ways: we can see, and i tell you this is the first time that i have believed in junjun binay, that the makati city government is helping the la peral property illegal settlers by giving them money and a place to live in. the place may be a little bit far from metro manila, where some of them probably work, but that's the harsh reality of life, which only a few of us have probably not experienced. we all have to persevere, sacrifice to pursue our dreams. i won't go any further on this.

on the other hand, these illegal settlers have encroached in somebody else's property treating it like it's their own. proof of it all is they do not want to vacate the said property, most of them even cursing the authority and blatantly declaring a war against anybody who'd tell them to leave. do they have the right to do that?

would anybody in this forum be willing to do a mr. la peral act? that of being very generous to and patient with the unauthorized settlers to occupy your property for years, and years, and years.

Eaton Square

April 30th, 2011, 01:08 PM

mr la peral should be compensated by the makati city government for his generous act.

noli-kun

April 30th, 2011, 04:19 PM

Urban planning is an effective tool to deliver concrete progress to people. It tackles the diminutive details and designs of roads, sidewalks, street furniture etc., (urban design) and focuses on a larger scope to identify future problems of political territories like gentrification, sprawl, migration, etc., (regional planning). Urban planning does not discriminate and is not selective; it factors in all bits of issues that will be useful and critical to land and human development - the so-called 'scums' of the society included. Illegal settlers are important in Urban Planning because they play a key role in shaping and changing the face of communities and cities.

Now, let's look around again. Due to horrendous political oversights and absence of urban planning, the importance of these people who belong to the lower strata of our society has been downplayed. If we try to pinpoint the taproot of the problem, we will just make an about face to where we started. It's always the political system. The screwed-up system that failed to provide, enforce, and counter the problems of the past. Yes, the ever-expanding metropolis of Manila is beautiful in her own right. But she could have been more beautiful than she is right now had her children been more considerate and more loving towards her.

sloanesquare

April 30th, 2011, 05:01 PM

ruralvillage

April 30th, 2011, 11:39 PM

Lets set aside the issue of private property...even if we are talking of value of over P400 million.

Consider the number of jobs and tax revenue that could be earned by making this property fully productive.

It is precisely these new jobs and taxes that allow the government to find P20million so that these undeserving anarchists can receive something for nothing.

Even socialism best practised in Scandinavia do not provide housing in prime locations like the main CBD.Laperal compound is barely 4km from the financial district...

Your sympathy is wrongly placed with these opportunistic economic vultures who want a Makati address.

Completely agree!

Just so you know, I'm 22 years old and I have been to 16 countries since my family . . .
Anyway, it is natural for most of us to curse these so-called "squatters" considering that they live on eyesore shanties and slum areas which are likewise havens of crime, illness and poverty. . . immature and irresponsible. . . wake up from their stuporous, tunnel-vision and elitist concepts. . .

Using your own words, it's about time that young idealists should wake up from their "stupor, tunnel -vision, and elitist concepts." Our country has suffered long enough from misplaced idealism.

As a 22 y/o well-travelled guy, you should have realized that Filipinos who thrive in foreign countries have followed the laws of their adopted countries. Those who don't end up being deported or staying in prison for a long vacation. :bash: Why can't Pinoys follow the laws in their own country?

Illegal settlers don't need any sympathy from law-abiding citizens.

lochinvar

May 1st, 2011, 04:31 AM

Why didn't Mr. Laperal put his property in enclosure high enough to prevent incursions from unwanted people? No wonder Lucila Lalu's severed head and body was dumped there.

miss the phils

May 1st, 2011, 08:10 PM

Makati aerial by dvpanganiban (http://www.flickr.com/photos/dvpanganiban/)

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5148/5645945705_e827b8d87b_b.jpg

wouldn't it be nice if the makati city government turns the manila south cemetary into a public park, line all the kalayaan ave and south ave with highrises.....just like a mini central park developement?

they can also widen the south avenue and add it to the ayala avenue ext.....so that ayala avenue can extend from edsa to the pasig river

miss the phils

May 1st, 2011, 08:24 PM

With China-like growth I believe the three main skylines of Metro Manila could still be connected. #hoping :)

I also hope it would be connected....it would make a better wall paper for my laptop

with the laperal colony cleared, I guess it would be possible

bakit nga ba hindi ma redeveloped yung part ng guadelupe na katabi ng TRACE?

maganda ring buffer yung mga subdivisions and views for the highrises, I guess it's the philippines' way of creating a park like effect without making a park.....kasi pag public park....pamumugadan lang naman yun ng mga squatters e

miss the phils

May 1st, 2011, 08:27 PM

with the creation of the century city....halos may big quadrangle (manila south cemetery + I dont know the name of that subdivision)....yung bordered by buendia, kalayaan, south ave and makati ba yun o paseo.......na surrounded by high rises.....kind of like a NY central park effect

miss the phils

May 1st, 2011, 08:28 PM

too bad jazz residences will ruin the shape of that quadrangle....

lochinvar

May 1st, 2011, 11:41 PM

That big piece of land on the left (Santa Ana Race Track) is ready to be developed. Another version of Century City?

miss the phils

May 1st, 2011, 11:50 PM

That big piece of land on the left (Santa Ana Race Track) is ready to be developed. Another version of Century City?

sana nga...pero i bet it would be like san lazaro....kind of like a mixture of townhouse, condo, office, and mall

derf

May 2nd, 2011, 01:46 AM

^^most likely, since its going to be developed also by ayala. but this one is going to be a bit easier than san lazaro, kasi at that time in san lazaro, there was practically no selling point there save for the SM mall, but still they were able to sell out the celadon and the first few avida towers.

miss the phils

May 2nd, 2011, 03:28 AM

mas maganda sana pag parang century city na may parang statement building

Igsuonnimo

May 2nd, 2011, 06:37 AM

If you look closely into the photos above, Sta Ana race track is really accessible thru Ayala Avenue.
Another thing is, Mandaluyong and Makati could be connected again via proposed bridge up to the former site of EEI/BMC(Benguet Management Corp) in Namayan Mandaluyong City.
Or we could just have Ayala Avenue extension up to the former race track oval.

Anyway this is just only an imagination.
I'd rather buy shares of stocks of those real estates or publicly listed company along that propose area instead of going into fishing expedition.
Hope you all got my point :okay:

miss the phils

May 2nd, 2011, 07:53 AM

kaya lang parang nag narrowed ata into 2 lane road na lang yung south ave.....they really need to add a bridge or else travel will bottleneck

Eaton Square

May 2nd, 2011, 08:12 AM

Transport Firm to Build Electric Bus Fleet
Business Mirror
May 1, 2011

COMMUTERS may soon expect Metro Manila streets to be filled electric buses apart from electric-powered tricycles and jeepneys as part of a government campaign to promote the use of electric vehicles to reduce the country’s dependence on imported fuel.

This as Philip Apostol, Green Frog Zero Emissions Transport Corp. director, said his company is interested in buying about 3,000 electric bus units within the next seven years. Procurement will be implemented in several phases. An initial 38 electric buses are expected to arrive from China this year.

He added that the 36 passenger buses will be plying major thoroughfares such as Makati and that its passengers will be charged a P8 only. “The plan is to implement the project within 90 days after the signing of a Public-Private Partnership agreement with the Makati City government.

Apostol said the first 10 buses will arrive within the next three months and will run along the Buendia route, while the remaining 28 buses are expected to arrive within the year and will also run through other routes in Makati.

Charging stations will be constructed within Makati where the buses can recharge their batteries at night. Charging normally takes three hours and is expected to cost the company around P60 per bus. A fully charged electric bus can run 120 kilometers, equivalent to 15 round trips in the Buendia route.

Apostol said they expect to generate revenues not only from the bus fares but also from advertising. “About half of the revenues will come from advertising,” he added.

Servillano Batac, another Green Frog director, said they are also in talks with the government and financial institutions for a “tap-and-go” system for the electric buses.

“The idea is that you will be able to use your MRT cards to pay our electric buses, just like in other countries,” Batac said. Apostol, however, declined to provide cost details for the initial bus purchase.

The company is in talks with Philippine banks to finance the importation. Financial closure is expected in a month.

As this developed, Apostol urged the government to come out with incentives for electric vehicles. “If the government is serious about this, they should give incentives like duty-free importation of equipment,” he said. The company is also considering filing for a pioneer status with the Board of Investments to avail of tax perks.

Electric vehicles such as electric buses are part of the government’s Alternative Fuels Roadmap that will serve as the fundamental policy framework on diversifying fuels for transport use in the Philippines.

(Paul Anthony A. Isla)

Green Arrow

May 2nd, 2011, 09:56 AM

pau_p1

May 2nd, 2011, 12:23 PM

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v162/pau_p1/IMG_5057.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v162/pau_p1/IMG_4970.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v162/pau_p1/IMG_4975.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v162/pau_p1/IMG_4963.jpg

Eaton Square

May 2nd, 2011, 12:25 PM

Young Binay Shows Rare Leadership
DEMAND AND SUPPLY
By Boo Chanco
The Philippine Star
May 02, 2011

A lot of things have happened to the young mayor of Makati that must have made him wise beyond his youth. And from what I saw last Thursday, he certainly has what it takes to lead the country’s premier city.

His televised argument with DILG Secretary Jesse Robredo on how to deal with the situation at the burned out Laperal squatter colony made me wish all our mayors in Metro Manila are just like him. The young Binay insisted on proceeding with the demolition of the squatter colony despite the violence then taking place. Robredo wanted to dialogue and give the squatters a few days to cool off.

Someone shouted at Junjun Binay that he will never win an election again in Makati and he shouted back that he didn’t care because it wasn’t just about politics and that they will thank him in the future for doing what is right. Indeed, the young Binay is correct. He had to break the vicious cycle of fires and crime in the privately owned Laperal Estate. It was a difficult decision for him to make but making it is the price of leadership.

The Vice President trained his son well… how to stand on principles. There is a time to be a politician and there is a time to show the kind of leadership this nation badly needs. I was disappointed with Robredo, the award winning local government leader. He seemed tired and punch drunk. Maybe troubleshooting so many crisis situations all over the country in the past few weeks is wearing him down.

Robredo was also being naïve if he thought giving an inch to the squatters would solve the problem. Binay knew better because he had seen the same situation countless times before. It was now or never. The local government had to make a stand or forever be bullied by squatter syndicates that profit on the miseries of the homeless.

Having said all that, I have to say we have been dealing with the problem the wrong way through the years. I have a first hand experience on the matter. Many years ago, my father bought a 600 square meter lot he intended to give me in the vicinity of Don Antonio Heights in the Commonwealth area in Quezon City. But by the time I was ready to use it, it was already part of a sprawling squatter colony.

I talked to then QC Mayor Mel Mathay. He gave me two options: he will have a City Hall unit demolish the shanties in my lot or I could sell the property to a program that will give the squatters a community title they can pay for over time. I didn’t want blood on my hands that was certain to flow in a demolition. I figured that even after my lot is cleared, I would be surrounded by unfriendly squatters. So I opted to sell the property via the community mortgage program.

Of course I felt aggrieved because the property had sentimental value. My father religiously paid for it on installment through many years. I had been paying the realty tax on it for years too and got peanuts as compensation. I knew I was just one of many property owners similarly victimized by a social problem that was not being properly addressed by successions of national leaders.

It is part of the country’s economic development problems. Life in the countryside had always been so bad that people migrate to the cities and settle wherever they can. Government housing programs through the years have proven ineffective and riddled with corruption. The problem has become too big to solve for many national and local leaders. That’s why I was pleasantly surprised to see the young mayor of Makati stand his ground.

Still, the Makati Mayor must also understand that the relocation areas in Bulacan and Calauan, Laguna are not exactly ideal. There are little or no sources of livelihood there and transport cost back to the city for work is prohibitive. Ignoring the livelihood needs of the relocated squatters is precisely what is wrong with our government’s approach to the problem for years.

I have seen first hand the difficulties experienced by Gina Lopez when she moved squatters from Estero de Paco to Calauan. She actually had to build a new city there complete with an elementary school and a community center. She had to put up a skills training program so people can have income producing activities. She had to worry about peace and order as well. With all the resources thrown into the relocation area, its future is still up in the air.

What would probably work better is an on-site solution… a multi-level building in the area where the legitimate residents can be assigned units as in a condominium. Knowing that they are not being thrown out would have helped prevent the violence that broke out. I am sure the residents would appreciate a place with basic facilities they can own and not have to deal with the squatter landlords.

For the long term, the development of MRT links to relocation areas like Sapang Palay in Bulacan to the city would make the resettlement areas more viable. I want to believe that no one really enjoys being a squatter but when people run out of viable options, they take what they can. In the end, it is the state of our economy that determines what we can reasonably do about the problem.

But I don’t think it is hopeless. I am sure there were squatters in Shanghai and Singapore many years ago. But try looking for such squatter colonies now and you won’t find any. What they have are rows and rows of high rise housing buildings close to, if not well within the urban areas where jobs are available. And of course, they have efficient mass transport systems.

I do not buy the excuse that we do not have money to solve our housing problem. The scandals in our various housing agencies involving billions of pesos being lost clearly indicate we have resources that are just being misused by the people entrusted to run our housing programs. With an administration that wants to be known as essentially honest, all we now need is the competence to deal with the age-old problem.

As for the Laperal estate, maybe JunJun can ask his father who is responsible for the housing efforts of this government to build a multi-level housing project for the original residents on the site. The private sector owner of the property should participate in a community mortgage program like the one I sold my lot to in Quezon City. The property owner will not get market value but at least, they will feel good they contributed to a solution of a thorny problem. After all, they must have written off their property a long time ago.

miss the phils

May 2nd, 2011, 02:50 PM

nice, the pasig river skyline is taking shape

maximizer101

May 2nd, 2011, 04:54 PM

It has been a year since I last posted here on Skyscrapercity but I just felt the urge to share my insights regarding the multitude of illegal settlers here in Metro Manila considering that there are several members of this forum who celebrated their demise.

Just so you know, I'm 22 years old and I have been to 16 countries since my family and I are entitled to Zonal Employee Discounts (ZED) airfares. I spent my High School years in Saudi Arabia and I have visited 40 cities around the planet. I must say that my backpacking travel experiences somehow enhanced my concept of urban planning i.e. to compare what I saw and observed in Manila, Cebu, Al Khobar, Tokyo, London, Chicago, Los Angeles and Rio de Janeiro just to name a few and relate them with the science and art of urban planning but of course, my opinions are mostly amateur since I only read and watch books including TV programs on city planning and engineering. I am a registered nurse and I do not have any formal training on urban development.

Anyway, it is natural for most of us to curse these so-called "squatters" considering that they live on eyesore shanties and slum areas which are likewise havens of crime, illness and poverty. Most of them do not pay taxes and they demand countless of dole-outs from the government. Due to their number, they also have the power to install and replace elected officials either by ballot or through mass uprising.

But amid the eyesore and the societal parasitism, I believe that racy comments that applaud their loss, death and grief are immature and irresponsible. They only want a superficial facelift of Manila - free the city from squatters and turn it into a metropolis that could go vis-a-vis with the likes of Singapore and Seoul.

I demand that these people should wake up from their stuporous, tunnel-vision and elitist concepts. They should open their minds, immerse themselves not just with glamor and pageantry of contemporary urban living but with societal issues and international developments as well. Comments that suggest the demise of the impoverished only reflect the kind of personality that they possess. I could not believe that they are even more elitists and cold-hearted than most of our country's tycoons.

Why do you think that rural dwellers and illegal settlers return to the metropolis after they had been relocated by the government? Do you seriously think that they just do that to mock us or ask the city government for more dole-outs?

Do you even know where the relocation sites are or how do their new communities look like?

Most relocation sites are in the remote areas of Bulacan and CALABARZON. Many of these so-called, "affordable housing" do not have a school nearby, do not have an access to clean water and electricity, no functional health care centers, no sociocivic establishments but bungalows alone that are reminiscent of the middle-class storage rooms or worse, pig pens.

What would you do if you were in their situation?
Supposed you were as if a minimum wage earner sustaining a family of two; with your eldest attending the nearby public school and your youngest getting his measles vaccine at the health center with her mother. Like many other Filipinos, you have a good rapport with your neighbors and although you are working hard to make ends meet, life is still comfortable since your family has access to the state's facilities...

Then one day, it all changed; that even though you were informed about the relocation, it would come as a shock not only for you but for your child who has to stop his schooling because the government wants him to move out 100km away from his school.

... so what exactly am I pointing out here? Just so you know, I do not condone illegal settlements. I do not believe that shanties and slum areas in Baseco and the Manila City Jail should exist any longer.

I just do not appreciate the fact that we are treating "squatters" as third class citizens. I do not agree with how the government is managing their resettlement and I despise that nearly all of us believe that they should be expelled from the city and force them back from where they came from or relocate them far from the urban centers. What we are doing is truly unFilipino, unjust and inhumane.

The government could bring the illegal settlers back to their provinces if there are urban centers that could provide them with jobs, opportunities and ACCESS to PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS. What the government does through the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council, the National Housing Authority, the Department of Social Welfare and Development, and the respective local governments, are only temporary solutions to this long-existing problem. They should come up with sustainable solutions and never let these people live in deplorable and inhumane conditions.

I strongly agree with Architect Palafox in his interview after Typhoon Ketsana (Ondoy) ravaged Manila last year. He said that the government was too busy in selling their properties within the metropolis for commercialization and yet, they never allocated any single property for a vertical urban poor housing project.

The government already sold IS Manila to Century Properties for Century City and part of Villamor Airbase to AGI for Newport City. They also privatized Fort Bonifacio and areas along Veterans Memorial. Now, they are interested to sell the Navy Headquarters in Roxas Boulevard, Camp Aguinaldo, Camp Crame and FTI again for commercial purposes while we still have the Aseana Reclamation half bare. All of these are specifically designed for the rich and none among them were even considered for the illegal settlers. They could have at least thought of rehabilitating abandoned buildings or entering into a Private-Public Partnership (PPP) for vertical housing projects for the urban poor workforce but they have not.

It is absolutely unfortunate that only the elites and the few middle class could live decently within the metropolis considering that those who provide the manpower for blue-collar jobs, skilled labor and other support systems that maintain our streets and swim our clogged sewers are comprised of impoverished individuals who could only afford to live in wooden makeshift houses along the riverbanks and floodways or in vacant properties that they do not even own.

Worst, most of us treat them as third-class citizens, hoping and wishing for their demise may it be through arson or natural disasters so they could forever be expelled from the metropolis that we call home but ironically hate at the same time because of our insecurities and bitterness toward our counterpart cities abroad.

PS: Despite my travels abroad, I still consider Metro Manila as a beautiful city in her own right - it has the charm and chaos of Rio de Janeiro with the exotic flair of Southeast Asia.

I like how you quoted all our posts as if you're the only right person in the world..haha..:banana::banana::banana:

..tiningnan mu dn ba ung point na walang pera ang gobyerno...and that's all they can afford??..haha...at khit pa bigyan cla ng "DECENT" vertical housing relocation...khit gaano pa kadecent yan, pag ang nkatira, ugaling squatter, ilang taon lng ang building na yan ay magiging slumscraper ng manila..believe me...pinas kac to eh..hindi ito Rio de Janeiro or whatever cities na nabisita mo...nasa tao yan...

spearhead

May 2nd, 2011, 07:22 PM

^^Nice photos, it's just getting better every year! How's the dredging project in pasig river so far?

anak_mm

May 2nd, 2011, 07:34 PM

http://gigapan.org/gigapans/68037/
:)

http://gigapan.org/gigapans/73916/

http://gigapan.org/gigapans/67986/
^sarap putulin yung puno

miss the phils

May 2nd, 2011, 08:07 PM

http://gigapan.org/gigapans/68037/
:)

http://gigapan.org/gigapans/73916/

http://gigapan.org/gigapans/67986/
^sarap putulin yung puno

like the first one.....mas photogenic talaga ang ortigas

Eaton Square

May 3rd, 2011, 11:27 AM

To The Point
by Emil Jurado
Manila Standard Today
03 May 2011

Excerpts:

"For what he did after that Laperal Compound fire that razed the 2.5-hectare private property occupied by squatters (mostly professional, I must add), I am declaring Makati Mayor Jun-Jun Binay as my “Mayor of the Year.”

The son of Vice President Jejomar Binay showed his constituents—including me, who voted for him—that he had the political will to do what is right despite the fact that it was unpopular. He did what must be done.

The squatters even said that the young Binay would not get their votes again. Still, Jun-jun did not budge. Contrast this to the wishy-washy attitude of Local Governments Secretary Jesse Robredo. Who is Robredo protecting, anyway?

Clearly, Jojo taught his son well. Being a mayor does not mean always doing the popular thing. A local executive must have the guts to do what’s right for the greater good of the greatest number. And Jun-jun did just that.

If the other mayors of Metro Manila can do what Binay did, perhaps we would not have a problem with squatters anymore.

Blame it all on the Lina Law, which mandates that the eviction of squatters requires dialogues with them and the identification of a right relocation site. The squatters can even refuse to be relocated.

This law was designed only to protect squatters and encourage them to occupy empty lots. All for their voting power."

Eaton Square

May 3rd, 2011, 11:47 AM

Makati Orders Seismographs Installed in All High-Rise Buildings
By Mike Frialde
The Philippine Star
May 03, 2011

Manila, Philippines - The Makati City government ordered yesterday all administrators and owners of high-rise buildings to install accelerometers or seismographs to detect ground movement.

Makati Mayor Jejomar Erwin Binay said the installation of seismographs is an urgent and important measure included in a circular recently issued by Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Rogelio Singson to building officials and local engineers.

“We believe this directive must be strictly implemented right away because no one can tell when a strong earthquake will strike Metro Manila. We cannot know how strong it will be, so we must prepare now,” Binay said.

City engineer Nelson Morales said high-rise buildings without the device shall not be granted occupancy permits.

The DPWH circular, dated March 31, requires the installation of accelerometers in structures over 50 meters high. Morales said 15-story buildings are approximately 50 meters high and considered high-rise structures. He said there are over 100 high-rise buildings in Makati and around 30 more are under construction.

Eaton Square

May 3rd, 2011, 11:50 AM

i think that junjun binay is a serious, no non-sense mayor. i'm beginning to believe in him.

miss the phils

May 3rd, 2011, 03:11 PM

ganun naman palagi ang pattern....I can see that with a lot of fil-chi families or even businessman......a father is not idealist cause nanggaling rin sya sa hirap and he knows that things are not black and white.....so in a way binay sr. has kind of compassion to squatters....after all galing nga sya sa babuyan

while, I always see sa second generation, who were raised in a shielded, pampered life....like going to a posh school.....na there is a leeway to be idealist.....to be a stone....to have the guts.....

I can see that clearly even with my cousins here sa states.....my cousins who lived a pampered life cannot fathomed why my uncle pays below minimum sa tauhan nila.....well, the thing is my uncle came from nothing.....and he knows, in business, there is no time for idealism

miss the phils

May 3rd, 2011, 03:13 PM

that's the cycle of generation, folks....kids will always be more liberal than their parents

Christian_123

May 3rd, 2011, 04:39 PM

^^How true on everything you said.

Christian_123

May 3rd, 2011, 04:45 PM

To The Point
by Emil Jurado
Manila Standard Today
03 May 2011
If the other mayors of Metro Manila can do what Binay did, perhaps we would not have a problem with squatters anymore.

To bad the binays are late. Bayani fernando was first and Marikina is the living proof.

But i still welcome junjun binay since he's not like his father.

miss the phils

May 3rd, 2011, 08:36 PM

3 hectares rin pala ang laperal compound just like the old IS lot.....yehey, another century city....sana century properties rin.....in fairness, iconic ang mga facade nila kahit na maraming complains

crispypata

May 4th, 2011, 02:39 AM

I can see activity at the Alphaland Tower site along Ayala Avenue! Exciting!

diz

May 4th, 2011, 06:13 AM

The squatters even said that the young Binay would not get their votes again. Still, Jun-jun did not budge. Contrast this to the wishy-washy attitude of Local Governments Secretary Jesse Robredo. Who is Robredo protecting, anyway?

stupid squatter morons. wow... selling their votes so that they can continue living their poor lifestyle. stupid stupid stupid. god on mayor binay.

miss the phils

May 4th, 2011, 06:56 AM

I can see activity at the Alphaland Tower site along Ayala Avenue! Exciting!

any pics?

Eaton Square

May 4th, 2011, 08:47 AM

I can see activity at the Alphaland Tower site along Ayala Avenue! Exciting!

thanks! great news!

any photos?

noli-kun

May 4th, 2011, 10:59 AM

^^Nice photos, it's just getting better every year! How's the dredging project in pasig river so far?

Here are links from the Pasig River thread.

It's already finished.

http://www.sunstar.com.ph/manila/local-news/pasig-river-maintenance-completed
http://www.dailymirror.ph/Oct-2010/10112010/nat1.html

miss the phils

May 4th, 2011, 07:47 PM

Grabe, may exclusivity aggrement pala ang globe with ayala properties....kaya pala may gumagamit pa ng globe....kahit na overpriced nya compare to smart....

http://www.manilastandardtoday.com/insideOpinion.htm?f=2011/may/4/alvincapino.isx&d=2011/may/4

Regulatory blackmail or free ride?
It’s amusing to hear Globe Telecoms, a company controlled by the giant Ayala group and backed no less by one of Asia’s biggest telecommunications companies, would complain of the possibility of monopoly and uneven playing field with the P74.1-billion mega-deal between PLDT and Digitel.
PLDT regulatory affair and policy head lawyer Ray Espinosa is correct to point out that Globe talks of monopoly and yet its controlling shareholder— the Ayala group—has institutionalized combinations in restraints of trade.

He said that in Ayala property development projects—residential and commercial—Globe and Innove have exclusive telecommunications services rights.

“Neither PLDT nor any other telco can provide telephony and DSL services to these exclusive enclaves,” Espinosa said as he raised the issue that such arrangement could be “illegal.”

Globe has taken the narrow view that the entry of Digitel into the PLDT telecoms family will create a monopoly. But experts like James Sullivan, head of Asia Telecom Research of JP Morgan Singapore does not see it that way. He said Globe even stands to benefit from less competition.

Sullivan said: “Globe is put in an interesting position. On one hand, the industry structure has become far more stable which is positive for industry participants. One can argue this is positive for Globe because they get the benefits of an improved industry without having to pay the price.”

So why is Globe raising a howl?

Espinosa has an interesting theory. Her says it seems that Globe is resorting to what he calls as “regulatory blackmail” and wants to get concession from the National Telecommunications Commission “on a silver platter”.

He said that the monopoly issue being raised by Globe is a ruse and is meant to weaken the resolve of the commission to approve a deal that will bring enormous benefits to the public in terms of better service and accelerated high-speed broadband internet service throughout the country.

Espinosa pointed out: “This just negotiating tactic. If it’s not regulatory blackmail, it’s regulatory free ride that they want.”

“It is clear from Globe’s letter (to the NTC) that they want concessions. Concessions to make up for their own inefficiencies. And this at the public’s expense” Espinosa added.

PLDT chairman Manuel V. Pangilinan scoffed at the talks that the PLDT deal with Digitel would hinder competition in the local telecommunications industry. “We will keep Digitel as a separate company. This is not a merger. We will maintain the unlimited and bucket-priced services of Sun Cellular.”

Pangilinan has taken the broad view that PLDT’s competition is not just confined to local shores. He said the deal with Digitel was crucial to better equip PLDT against the changing landscape and the onslaught of Internet companies such as Facebook and Skype.

This is the same view of Napoleon Nazareno, president and CEO of PLDT who said that they “expect competition to remain robust given other operators are formidable and well-founded” and added that they what they are doing is prepare for “growing competition from so-called over-the-top service providers, those that offer social networking, instant messaging and VoIP (voice over internet protocol) services.”

The PLDT group is aggressively in laying the groundwork for these non-traditional competition. It seem that Globe is now wants to do it too by trying to force NTC to give it concessions and for the government in general to give it protection.

Waldenstrom

May 5th, 2011, 06:41 AM

that's the cycle of generation, folks....kids will always be more liberal than their parents
Guys, you have a point but I have another theory.

With what's happening, Junjun Binay is just doing what his father wasn't able to accomplish during his term. And do you really think Junjun will just do things without the directive of his father? Binay Sr. won't leave Makati that easily even he's now the VP. I believe he's still the "mayor emeritus" of the city. Also, it's the son doing the dirty work while the father is planning for his presidential bid on 2016. By then, I hope he'll say "walang squatter sa makati, ganito sa buong Pilipinas".

Anyway, any of these should be demolished next:
1) IS in San Lorenzo, beside MakatiMed
2) IS in Cembo, beside Trace College-Guadalupe

Fraulein

May 5th, 2011, 06:49 AM

The Philippines’ most livable, highly urbanized cities
by Harold Geronimo

http://www.manilastandardtoday.com/insideLifestyle.htm?f=2010/august/24/lifestyle3.isx&d=2010/august/24

Quality of living is a major criteria in coming up with this latest list of the most livable highly urbanized cities in the Philippines. Those who either lived or stayed in these cities can best describe how comfortable, worry-free and convenient to be residents. From security, peace and order, booming business activities to adequate healthcare and educational centers – all these are essential components to make a city a great place to live in.

1. Davao City

Who would ever want to live in a city where the monthly crime rate falls below one percent? Without batting an eyelash, Davao City deserves to be on top of this list. This most progressive city in Southern Philippines has been awarded the “Most Peaceful City in East and Southeast Asia for seven years and is home to the “Best Police Office in the Country” for six consecutive years. Going around Davao City even at night is very safe and I’ve personally experienced it. The city is also known to be typhoon-free all throughout the year and has an admirable city health office that offers free clinical and medical services to its less fortunate urban and rural residents. In terms of business, there is no doubt that Davao City is continuously booming. It is home to Mindanao’s largest SM Mall and will soon open Ayala Center’s first lifestyle mall in Mindanao. For four consecutive years, Davao City has also been recognized by Asiaweek as one of the 20 Best Cities in Asia.

2. Bacolod City

Known to be the country’s “City of Smiles”, Bacolod is always beaming with cheers of progress and peaceful living. Unlike other crowded highly urbanized cities, this premiere capital of Negros Occidental is proud for its clean and green surroundings and wide roads. The city’s residential and commercial zones are well-planned, making it the most organized urban planning model for local government units in the country. Bacolod has also made it to the Hall of Fame of the Cleanest and Greenest Highly Urbanized City.The city is home to two major shopping mall chains, SM and Robinsons, and has one of the most modern airports in the country today. With an upbeat local economy, the city became the region’s best performing city in economic development last year. It is also one of the fastest growing BPO and call center hubs in the country today. This is the reason why Bacolod is the second city in Visayas and Mindanao to have its own Starbucks, a visual peg of a progressive city.

3. Makati City

For most senior citizens, living in Makati is a utopian experience because of the VIP privileges accorded to them. Residents who are 60 years and above can watch free movies in any Makati cinemas, receive mid-year cash bonuses, get free cakes during their birthdays and golden wedding anniversaries as well as free vitamins and free out-of-town trips. Moreover, they are also exempted from paying individual income taxes and they enjoy special discounts in almost all business establishments around the city. This successful program for the elderly by the Makati City government has inspired other Metro Manila cities to do the same. As the country’s financial district, Makati is an attractive choice for comfortable cosmopolitan living by many expatriates and transient tourists. The city is home to five 5-star hotels and two popular world-class shopping malls.

4. Mandaluyong City

One of the cities in Metro Manila that remains diligent in ensuring security, peace and order is Mandaluyong City. During the past years, this strategic city right at the heart of the Metro has beefed up its local government security by putting up barangay outposts in almost every corner of the residential areas. Local police has also been establishing checkpoints in the city’s major roads and mobile cluster patrols are regularly roving the city all throughout the day. During the past months, the city enjoyed very low crime rate within its city center compared to other Metro Manila cities. Another remarkable feature of this “Tiger City” is its very convenient location. Being at the center of the metropolis, Mandaluyong City has easy access to Manila (through Kalentong or Sta. Mesa exits), Makati (through Makati-Mandaluyong Bridge), Quezon City and San Juan (through Brgy. Addition Hills) and Pasig (through Shaw Boulevard).

5. Cebu City

As the most progressive city in the South, Cebu City has become an alternate choice to those who want to veer away from the very congested Metro Manila life. As most residents say: “Cebu is like Manila minus the super heavy traffic and pollution.” As the Queen City of the South, Cebu has a good blend of history, culture and a booming economy. Amid its fast-paced economic progress, the city still exudes its rich cultural and historical heritage. It remains to be one of the country’s top business and tourism destinations in terms of the number of visitor arrivals. It has the second busiest airport in the country with regular international flights from South Korea, Hong Kong, Qatar and Singapore.

For your comments and views, you may email me at high5.harold@gmail.com or follow me on Twitter: harold_geronimo

miss the phils

May 5th, 2011, 08:03 AM

wow very informative

so maganda pala sa OFW mag retire sa makati kasi no income tax

miss the phils

May 5th, 2011, 08:05 AM

Guys, you have a point but I have another theory.

With what's happening, Junjun Binay is just doing what his father wasn't able to accomplish during his term. And do you really think Junjun will just do things without the directive of his father? Binay Sr. won't leave Makati that easily even he's now the VP. I believe he's still the "mayor emeritus" of the city. Also, it's the son doing the dirty work while the father is planning for his presidential bid on 2016. By then, I hope he'll say "walang squatter sa makati, ganito sa buong Pilipinas".

Anyway, any of these should be demolished next:
1) IS in San Lorenzo, beside MakatiMed
2) IS in Cembo, beside Trace College-Guadalupe

baka after three terms nito, ate naman nya ang tatakbo....

paano ba cycle?

anak_mm

May 5th, 2011, 01:50 PM

kayo ang banner sa Linggo :rock:

wynngd

May 6th, 2011, 12:17 PM

4. Mandaluyong City

One of the cities in Metro Manila that remains diligent in ensuring security, peace and order is Mandaluyong City. During the past years, this strategic city right at the heart of the Metro has beefed up its local government security by putting up barangay outposts in almost every corner of the residential areas. Local police has also been establishing checkpoints in the city’s major roads and mobile cluster patrols are regularly roving the city all throughout the day. During the past months, the city enjoyed very low crime rate within its city center compared to other Metro Manila cities. Another remarkable feature of this “Tiger City” is its very convenient location. Being at the center of the metropolis, Mandaluyong City has easy access to Manila (through Kalentong or Sta. Mesa exits), Makati (through Makati-Mandaluyong Bridge), Quezon City and San Juan (through Brgy. Addition Hills) and Pasig (through Shaw Boulevard).

Ganda nga ng peace and order sa Mandaluyong... Umuuwi ako ng between 12mn to 2AM pero naglalakad lang ako papasok sa baranggay namin. May tanod sa bawat kanto...

alheaine

May 7th, 2011, 06:07 PM

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/images/headers/8.jpg

^^
congratz makati.. :) :applause: :cheers:

tj_brewed

May 8th, 2011, 12:02 AM

Mabuhay ang Makati! Mabuhay ang Pilipinas! :)

Green Arrow

May 8th, 2011, 07:34 AM

After Ortigas, now Makati ang banner..nice!

anak_mm

May 8th, 2011, 09:07 AM

Pinas banner for Pacquiao's win!

marc_86

May 8th, 2011, 09:41 AM

^^ makati na naman ang banner.. congratulations.! :)

absolutblue

May 8th, 2011, 01:54 PM

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/images/headers/8.jpg

^^
congratz makati.. :) :applause: :cheers:

nice...like how shang grand is centered in the banner, one of my favourite buildings :)

fletcher

May 8th, 2011, 02:03 PM

Wow astig... makati ulit...... congrats makati

julfinch

May 8th, 2011, 02:43 PM

Makati!!:rock::rock:

spearhead

May 8th, 2011, 03:43 PM

hehe nice banner.

miss the phils

May 9th, 2011, 07:46 AM

napaisip lang ako.....di ba most of the demand for condo boom sa pinas e yung mga OFW na balak mag retire? what if they come back sa pinas by 65.....di eventually mamamatay rin sila.....then saan mapupunta ang mga condo nila if wala naman talagang gusto bumili....no real demand......newer OFW would of course want a newer condo.....even if pa mana nila sa mga anak nila, di syempre ayaw rin ng mga yun mag retire sa pinas kasi nga unlike their parents, they lived all their life in their country.....even, if pamana ng mga OFW sa mga kins, nephew and nieces nila.....e wala naman yung mga yun pangbayad ng inheritance tax and property tax....what happens? a bubble? what do you think?

Eaton Square

May 10th, 2011, 10:39 AM

Pacquiao Eyes P300m Makati House
by Robbie Pangilinan
Manila Standard Today
Tuesday, 10 May 2011

MANNY Pacquiao, a millionaire many times over, has gotten so wealthy he now wants to live in an enclave traditionally reserved for the old rich.

Janet Jamora, twin sister of Pacquiao’s wife Jinkee, said Pacquiao is thinking of buying a house in Forbes Park in Makati. The house is reportedly worth P300 million.

Jamora added that the Pacquiaos will buy the house as soon as Manny gets his prize money from the fight with Shane Mosley, who the Filipino ring icon destroyed Saturday (Sunday in Manila) at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, to retain his World Boxing Organization welterweight belt.

The Pacquiaos also own a $2.3 million, Spanish-inspired, two-story, four-bedroom home in the upscale neighborhood of Hancock Park in Los Angeles, California which they bought last March, 2008.

The pound-for-pound king is also planning to build a mall, to be christened MP Mall, in General Santos City, a multi-million project which will not only employ hundreds of people from its construction to its operation, but is also expected to earn more profit to the new power couple.

But despite plans of acquiring new properties and living a luxurious lifestyle, Pacquiao has never forgotten his mission of reaching out to his countrymen, especially the poor and the needy.

Pacquiao, in fact, has several philanthropic projects lined up. As an active congressman representing Sarangani, Pacquiao wants to build one hospital for each town of his province. The Aquino administration has already helped Pacquiao jumpstart this project by alloting P200 million for the construction of a provincial hospital at the Sarangani capital town of Alabel. The Filipino boxing icon also promised to get the medical equipment for the hospital.

Pacquiao also recently asked the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office to donate eight ambulances for Sarangani in exchange for his endorsement of the PCSO.

The People’s Champ will also lend his support to the inmates at the Muntinlupa prison in a project with Rod Cornejo and the executives of the broadcast network GMA, where Pacquiao is a contractual talent.

The Pacman has been using his own money to help his countrymen. He invests a big chunk of his boxing earnings to build classrooms, hospitals and to help the poor.

“I believe our mission in this world is not only to make money... if you get the blessing from God, we are to give some to your people, especially the poor people,” said Pacquiao.

fletcher

May 10th, 2011, 06:12 PM

rubix_cube321

May 10th, 2011, 09:55 PM

Lopezes, Angara winners in Bel-Air zonal changes

THE ACCRA law firm, as counsel of the Bel-Air Village Association, may be opposed to the lifting of deed of restrictions within the gated neighborhood, but the son of one of the founding partners of the blue-chip law firm stands to benefit from the zonal changes, if the grapevine is to be believed.

According to a long-time Bel-Air resident, Aurora Rep. Juan Edgardo Angara lives and owns a house on Amapola St., whose Rockwell frontage makes the street the first potential beneficiary of the more relaxed zonal restrictions on the 78.7-hectare, four-phase subdivision.

In addition to Angara, the Lopezes, through their various companies, own five properties also on Amapola, which, according to the grapevine, were acquired in the mid-1990s at the same time that Rockwell Land was scooping up similar properties along Bel-Air’s Estrella St.

With Malacañang upholding the lapse of the 50-year-old restrictions imposed by the Ayalas on the subdivision, a group of Bel-Air residents, led by lawyer Nordy Diploma, beauty queen Aurora Pijuan and urban planner Felino Palafox, now plan to test the zonal changes by building a four-story, Parisian-type walk-up condo in the neighborhood.

Sky Harbor

May 11th, 2011, 12:57 AM

^^ This has been on the grapevine for a while now. Now I hope it works.

fletcher

May 11th, 2011, 02:30 AM

Good morning everyone....

miss the phils

May 11th, 2011, 05:18 AM

wow meron pa pala silang 5 lots....kaya pala ayaw pa nilang bilhin yung katabi nila kasi may iba pa pala silang stock

rubiopr27

May 13th, 2011, 04:25 AM

I have a question, yung South Cemetery ba lease lang o ang City of Manila ang may-ari? ang pangit kasing tignan sa Makati lalo na kapag aerial view:ohno::ohno:

Sky Harbor

May 13th, 2011, 05:57 AM

^^ The cemetery is owned by the City of Manila and is technically within Manila's territorial jurisdiction, not Makati's.

miss the phils

May 13th, 2011, 09:12 AM

actually marami naman syang puno kung tutuusin

anak_mm

May 13th, 2011, 09:31 AM

how many u/c's do you see here
http://www.deviantart.com/download/208540080/city_at_night_3_by_shoeprincess-d3g5qk0.jpg
devianart.com

jasetiojanco

May 13th, 2011, 10:37 AM

Here are some photos I took using my phone while walking around the Makati CBD. :)

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/_-dmodcHRDXk/TczqZCVksPI/AAAAAAAAAnk/QlFekCuRrzA/s640/2011-05-06%2013.45.49.jpg

I've seen the building under construction up close and it looks great.

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/_-dmodcHRDXk/Tczqbl6fyWI/AAAAAAAAAno/YWjdTqnoVaU/s512/2011-05-10%2013.04.41.jpg

Errr, this one's just a sad sight along Ayala Avenue.

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/_-dmodcHRDXk/TczqgrcxBMI/AAAAAAAAAns/iG6luf6HPXU/s512/2011-05-10%2013.06.27.jpg

I just love the RCBC towers. They're beautiful inside and out. Haha. We often watch musicals/plays there.

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/_-dmodcHRDXk/Tczqk4y-wyI/AAAAAAAAAnw/bepw-OmLQuA/s512/2011-05-10%2013.10.58.jpg

A building under construction near RCBC.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/_-dmodcHRDXk/TczqnF06mUI/AAAAAAAAAn0/IpN7odGDTNk/s640/2011-05-10%2015.07.16.jpg

The Columns (?) :)

Waldenstrom

May 13th, 2011, 12:05 PM

^^
4th photo: One Central
5th: The Columns

maximizer101

May 13th, 2011, 02:11 PM

Here are some photos I took using my phone while walking around the Makati CBD. :)

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/_-dmodcHRDXk/Tczqbl6fyWI/AAAAAAAAAno/YWjdTqnoVaU/s512/2011-05-10%2013.04.41.jpg

Errr, this one's just a sad sight along Ayala Avenue.

what's the name of this building?..is this still under construction..?..or...abandoned??..it looks horrible..any info??..:ohno::ohno::ohno:

Sky Harbor

May 13th, 2011, 02:47 PM

^^ JAKA Tower. Construction was halted during the Asian financial crisis and hasn't resumed ever since.

maximizer101

May 13th, 2011, 08:28 PM

^^ JAKA Tower. Construction was halted during the Asian financial crisis and hasn't resumed ever since.

thankz for this info...i just googled it..:ohno::ohno::ohno:...why not just sell it to other investors and let them continue the project?..JAKA Property Group is stupid for making a VERY FANTASTIC VIEW along Ayala Avenue...:lol::lol::lol:...di kaya nahihiya c ENrile niyan?..na siya ang may-ari ng pinakabulok na building sa makati...

spearhead

May 14th, 2011, 02:51 AM

Naga City Deck

May 14th, 2011, 08:11 AM

makikiplug lang po... para po sa mga Bicolanong based sa ibang lugar

Pilgrimage City Landmark of Naga DESIGN CONTEST.
Calling all BICOLANO ARTISTS/ARCHITECTS in the Philippines or abroad! First Prize is Php 30,000
Deadline Extended: JUNE 8, 2011

Photo Souce (http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=187727121279114&set=a.111476478904179.22090.110525158999311&type=1&ref=nf)

http://a8.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/228174_187727121279114_110525158999311_588643_5916631_n.jpg

http://www.nagacitydeck.com/2011/01/pilgrimage-city-landmark-contest.html

anak_mm

May 17th, 2011, 08:17 PM

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5109/5729861329_38558420a7_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/46807665@N04/5729861329/)
Makati cityscape (http://www.flickr.com/photos/46807665@N04/5729861329/) by reyjoson (http://www.flickr.com/people/46807665@N04/), on Flickr

chesterot

May 17th, 2011, 11:58 PM

http://business.inquirer.net/money/topstories/view/20110517-337073/Train-line-to-connect-Naia-3-Fort-Makati

Monorail project may be done through PPP program

By Paolo Montecillo
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 22:21:00 05/17/2011

Filed Under: Railway, transportation, Infrastructure, Investments

MANILA, Philippines—A new commuter train line may soon connect the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Naia) terminal 3 to the Fort Bonifacio and Makati central business districts, according to the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA).

BCDA Chairman Felicito Payumo said the government firm was recently approached by a foreign group that was studying the construction of a new monorail system.

Speaking before members of the American Chamber of Commerce (Amcham), Payumo said the project would be implemented through the public-private partnership concept being espoused by the Aquino administration.

If it pushes through, the new train line would be called the Makati-Taguig-Pasay Monorail Alignment, which is meant to address the growing demand for efficient mass transport systems over the next five years.

Payumo said the projected monorail system would link up with the Metro Rail Transit (Taft to North Avenue), the Light Rail Transit line 1 (Baclaran to Roosevelt) and the Philippine National Railways (PNR) system, which cuts across Metro Manila toward the Southern Luzon regions.

“The interconnection is envisioned to form a loop around the projected service areas covered by the three rail transit systems,” a BCDA statement issued Monday quoted Payumo as saying.

The BCDA said it would like to spearhead the project’s implementation since most of the areas it would cover—the Villamor Air Base in front of Naia 3 and the Fort Bonifacio area—were BCDA developments.

Payumo said designers for the proposed project favored an elevated monorail because of the narrow streets of Makati and Taguig City.

But the BCDA said the project was still being studied and more details would be announced once a more definite deal with the project’s proponents has been signed. The BCDA likewise declined to name the foreign company that proposed to build the new train line.

jasetiojanco

May 18th, 2011, 05:30 AM

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/_-dmodcHRDXk/Tczt1MitQKI/AAAAAAAAAoE/Kp9Z1C5lr4I/s512/P1030653.JPG

The Enterprise towers are very elegant. I've been a 'fan' of this building ever since our career field trip there way back in 2004. :)

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/_-dmodcHRDXk/TczuNgODyqI/AAAAAAAAAoY/RzMj9nN1ukw/s512/P1030647.JPG

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/_-dmodcHRDXk/TczuJjqkv9I/AAAAAAAAAoQ/blgfNwi768w/s512/P1030649.JPG

While waiting for a cab at the wrong stop. I was at the unloading zone. Haha, I didn't know. Good thing I noticed the unloading sign at the waiting shed.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/_-dmodcHRDXk/TczuFhq44ZI/AAAAAAAAAoM/1ShGEAbAdJc/s512/P1030650.JPG

While waiting for a cab. I like the Insular Life building even though it's short.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/_-dmodcHRDXk/Tczt3tx0K0I/AAAAAAAAAoI/M8DJ45ca2ws/s800/P1030651.JPG

I saw these buildings up close and they look nice.

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/_-dmodcHRDXk/TczuTFopL2I/AAAAAAAAAog/ykcSrTBiuz4/s800/P1030644.JPG

Took this while going up the foot bridge's escalator. The building with the blue outline, in my opinion, looks... blah. Also, the building behind it, the one with the spiky-blue top, looks worse.

Sorry if I keep on posting random Makati photos. I'm currently working on a project here and I randomly take photos to de-stress. :P

crispypata

May 18th, 2011, 05:42 AM

Waldenstrom

May 18th, 2011, 05:55 AM

915bungohunter

May 18th, 2011, 10:58 AM

Between guadaviejo residential area and Rockwell Highrise Condo's
http://a5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/228396_211985012165674_100000625297072_636244_1756083_n.jpg

OtAkAw

May 18th, 2011, 12:54 PM

^^Not much contrast between middle class and upper class communities. It's just that the upper class side is "shiny".

tyronne

May 20th, 2011, 05:39 AM

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/_-dmodcHRDXk/TczuTFopL2I/AAAAAAAAAog/ykcSrTBiuz4/s800/P1030644.JPG

Took this while going up the foot bridge's escalator. The building with the blue outline, in my opinion, looks... blah. Also, the building behind it, the one with the spiky-blue top, looks worse.

Sorry if I keep on posting random Makati photos. I'm currently working on a project here and I randomly take photos to de-stress. :P

Siguro mas maganda kung i-paint nila ng white yung building with spiky-top.

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1345/579417209_765b4bfca4.jpg
flickr photo by ty.R

915bungohunter

May 20th, 2011, 09:58 AM

Rockwell KID...
http://a2.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/168664_178941078803401_100000625297072_431262_1773736_n.jpg

crossboneka

May 20th, 2011, 06:56 PM

cool looking towers

http://img461.imageshack.us/img461/3526/pics01040807bs.jpg
http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/461/pics01040807bs.jpg/

reyvil888

May 20th, 2011, 07:22 PM

Rockwell

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2666/5728870783_150abe47df_b.jpg

photo by YangMinLi

greentiu

May 21st, 2011, 01:52 AM

Here are some photos I took using my phone while walking around the Makati CBD. :)

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/_-dmodcHRDXk/Tczqbl6fyWI/AAAAAAAAAno/YWjdTqnoVaU/s512/2011-05-10%2013.04.41.jpg

Errr, this one's just a sad sight along Ayala Avenue.

Sana one of the top developers today would acquire this property and continue the construction, it happened with St Francis. :D

spearhead

May 21st, 2011, 04:28 AM

^^Wow ganda photos hehe... :cheers:

miss the phils

May 21st, 2011, 07:20 AM

Between guadaviejo residential area and Rockwell Highrise Condo's
http://a5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/228396_211985012165674_100000625297072_636244_1756083_n.jpg

mahal siguro mga property tax nila dito

jasetiojanco

May 22nd, 2011, 01:30 AM

OFF TOPIC, anong phone ang gamit mo? Ganda ng quality ah!

Thanks, but those photos weren't taken using my phone. I had my digital camera that day and I used that. :P

Waldenstrom

May 24th, 2011, 01:19 PM

There'll soon be a Makati Heritage District. You can read about it at the latest issue of Bluprint Magazine. :cheers:

Here's some info I read over the net:

The Makati Poblacion Heritage Conservation Urban Master plan and Project

The City Government of Makati and Barangay Poblacion Council are planning to redevelop Poblacion into the Heritage District of Makati as part of the Makati 21 Development Agenda for the City. This will be done with the assistance of local and foreign urban planning consultants and other public and private sector partners. Stakeholder consultations will also be undertaken as part of the mechanism in formulating the master plan and the execution of the project. This project will be guided by the Cultural Mapping Report of the Heritage of Poblacion, Makati City which was undertaken in 2006 and 2007 through the grant of Instituto Cervantes Spanish Program for Cultural Cooperation and done by Feati University, Barangay Poblacion and other stakeholders of the Barangay.

source: makati.gov.ph (http://www.makati.gov.ph/portal/contents/about_makati/barangays/poblacion_r.htm)

some of the notable heritage buildings:

http://img228.yfrog.com/img228/1207/museol.jpg (http://yfrog.com/6cmuseolj)
makati.gov.ph

Museo ng Makati
The first Town Hall of the Municipality of Makati was a "Bahay na Bato" type of structure built at around 1918 and was concretized in 1934 under the administration of Mayor Nicanor Garcia.

http://img402.yfrog.com/img402/786/makatichurch.jpg (http://yfrog.com/b6makatichurchj)
http://bigberto.blogspot.com/2008/03/lost-in-makati.html

Sts. Peter and Paul Parish
Built in 1620 by the Society of Jesus. Its architectural design is baroque, typical of colonial churches. Focal point is the carved retablo.

They will also build a new promenade with shops and restaurants along the Pasig River.

noli-kun

May 25th, 2011, 01:18 AM

^^Galing! Sana lahat ng city ng MM e may ganyang programa para hindi puro contemporary development ang nakikita natin.

OtAkAw

May 25th, 2011, 12:26 PM

^^Manila City can definitely learn a thing or two from Makati. The former's got architectural heritage the latter can't even compare to but sadly, for the most part, neglect is eminent.

Igsuonnimo

May 26th, 2011, 04:53 AM

Ang Makati at ang buong Kamaynilaan ay hindi dapat na ituring na isang transient ng mga immigrant type mentality ng mga nakikinabang dito bagkus ay ipamudmod pa nito ang dalisay na balyus na ibinibigay at itinuturo sa mga taong naninirahahn dito.
Isang magandang halimbawa ay itong Marikina na pinagigitnaan ng Rizal, Lungsod Quezon at Pasig.
Magiging mas maayos pa ito na lagi natin hangad sa bawat kalapit-lugar sa Metro Manila, kung tayo lamang ay magtutulungan, dunong sa kooperasyon, inspirado na magbigay lakas at tatag sa ating mga nasasakupan!

Lagi tayong ginagabayan ng mga ninuno nating nagsilbing inspirasyon upang maiayos at maiangat ang pamumuhay sa Metro Manila.

Standard way of living 'ba?

anak_mm

May 26th, 2011, 11:46 AM

Makati CBD
http://imageshack.us/m/32/5050/makapano.jpg
hoikaloi.wordpress.com

Eaton Square

May 26th, 2011, 12:31 PM

that the makati city government should have done this convservation project a long time ago. unfortunately, makati, poblacion for that matter, only have a few historical landmarks in the city, and most of them have been gone because they were demolished to give way to progress, development, convenience, etc.

i'm talking here of:

1) bahay kastila by the pasig river on jp rizal street in front of museo makati. the said structure was once owned by the ayalas and was later on donated to the makati city government, who later on demolished it and turned the whole place into a park.

2) hagdang bato also jp rizal and padre zamora street. every town and city in the metropolis has such structure, but not makati any more because it destroyed its own to give way to vehicular traffic flow. gone are the days when passengers would just say to the jeepney driver that they would alight on hagdang bato. sayang talaga.

3) hospital santiago de makati complete with a magnificent chapel. this art deco building used to sit on the compound where the a.venue is now located.

4) old makati municipal building. it has been defaced. it's no longer its original design. it used to be an art deco building with wide, open windows, complete with a stage in front for the town fiesta celebrations of old.

5) the old makati elementary school building's principal's office on general luna street.

i noticed also that they have renamed the many streets in poblacion without giving due respect and significance to their old names. for example: d.m. rivera street, formerly p.p. roxas street. why can't they put underneath its new name the old name of the street for the information of everybody. another example is j villena, formerly escuela street.

these are just my personal observations. lamentedly, poblacion, makati, is so cramped these days, streets have become very narrow because of the indiscriminate parking of cars left and right.

There'll soon be a Makati Heritage District. You can read about it at the latest issue of Bluprint Magazine. :cheers:

Here's some info I read over the net:

The Makati Poblacion Heritage Conservation Urban Master plan and Project

The City Government of Makati and Barangay Poblacion Council are planning to redevelop Poblacion into the Heritage District of Makati as part of the Makati 21 Development Agenda for the City. This will be done with the assistance of local and foreign urban planning consultants and other public and private sector partners. Stakeholder consultations will also be undertaken as part of the mechanism in formulating the master plan and the execution of the project. This project will be guided by the Cultural Mapping Report of the Heritage of Poblacion, Makati City which was undertaken in 2006 and 2007 through the grant of Instituto Cervantes Spanish Program for Cultural Cooperation and done by Feati University, Barangay Poblacion and other stakeholders of the Barangay.

source: makati.gov.ph (http://www.makati.gov.ph/portal/contents/about_makati/barangays/poblacion_r.htm)

some of the notable heritage buildings:

http://img228.yfrog.com/img228/1207/museol.jpg (http://yfrog.com/6cmuseolj)
makati.gov.ph

Museo ng Makati
The first Town Hall of the Municipality of Makati was a "Bahay na Bato" type of structure built at around 1918 and was concretized in 1934 under the administration of Mayor Nicanor Garcia.

http://img402.yfrog.com/img402/786/makatichurch.jpg (http://yfrog.com/b6makatichurchj)
http://bigberto.blogspot.com/2008/03/lost-in-makati.html

Sts. Peter and Paul Parish
Built in 1620 by the Society of Jesus. Its architectural design is baroque, typical of colonial churches. Focal point is the carved retablo.

They will also build a new promenade with shops and restaurants along the Pasig River.