PARAÑAQUE | Entertainment City Manila [gov|mix]

[amras]

Is this the same rendering that you saw on the news?

Originally Posted by c0kelitr0

my gawd, another "city"...

Entertainment City, Manila Bay

[ryanr]

^ Yeah, that's the one i saw in Philstar two years ago.
Thanks for re-posting.

[SKYLINEPIGEON]

Pagcor plans $20-B 'Las Vegas' along Manila Bay

State-owned Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. is planning to set up a $15-$20 billion gaming and entertainment complex in the country which will be funded by foreign investments, a company official said Wednesday.

The development will be dubbed "Pagcor City" and will sit on 800 hectares of reclaimed land along Manila Bay.

"The project is a shift for gaming into entertainment. We will form a Las Vegas in the Philippines," Pagcor chairman and CEO Ephraim Genuino told reporters during a press briefing.

Genuino said investors from Japan, Europe, the United States and South Korea have already signified interest to finance the venture. He said 90 percent of the funds for the project will come from foreign investors.

The Japanese investors, the official said, are interested in developing a retirement village within the area for the rapidly expanding Japanese retiree market.

"Pagcor City" is expected to be finished within 2 years.

Construction of the first phase, which will include a resort, hotels, and a theme park, starts this year. The project has three phases all in all.

Genuino said Pagcor is not expecting the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines to oppose the development because the state-owned gaming agency has helped with many of the Church's programs.

“The Church will understand it because we have been contributing a lot to their social projects," the Pagcor official said.

Genuino also said the entertainment and tourism offerings of "Pagcor City" may make it more acceptable to the Church.

[bagel]

800 hectares?!?!

Wow.

Is this on already reclaimed land or are they reclaiming even more land from the bay?

[crappypants]

It's true , pagcor helped pay for my cousin's hospital bills. He had a stroke ,had a major operation and couldn't get out because he couldn't afford the bill ,pagcor shouldered all the expenses.
We would have saved millions if he ate less pork.

[Lili]

Las Vegas along Manila Bay? I don't know. I'd rather have more refined cultural entertainment. Hmmm... I'll reserve judgment.

What happened to the original Nayong Pilipino anyway? I hope they preserve this and not arrogate the name Nayong Pilipino to a gambling and entertainment mecca.

Magiging vice den na naman 'yan.

[flymordecai]

I agree on the name. They better come up with a better name than Pagcor City so they can market themselves better. E-city is better, although not really that creative.

"Nayong Pilipino" -- what does that mean? That name actually sounds better. They should create a name that screams Filipino and give it a Filipino character.

Interesting development, for sure!

[bagel]

The original Nayong Pilipino was torn down because a) it was a money loser, undoubtedly because after 20 or so years, they never really invested in improvement and b) they needed to build Terminal 2 of NAIA.

[pau_p1]

Originally Posted by amras

Is this the same rendering that you saw on the news?

yes that's the same rendering.. or miniature that Pagcor showed in the news last night... I saw it from 24Oras of GMA....

the funny thing about the news about it last night was that when they inquired this to Malacanang... Malacanang didn't know about it... and the guy (I forgot his name) said... '10 million?.. ang laki naman nun...'

[pau_p1]

Originally Posted by flymordecai

"Nayong Pilipino" -- what does that mean? That name actually sounds better. They should create a name that screams Filipino and give it a Filipino character.

the direct translation would be 'Filipino Town' or 'Filipino Village'

[ryanr]

Originally Posted by boybaha

The original Nayong Pilipino was torn down because a) it was a money loser, undoubtedly because after 20 or so years, they never really invested in improvement and b) they needed to build Terminal 2 of NAIA.

and they had to construct additional taxiways to NAIA3.

[Sinjin P.]

Pagcor all set for Phase I of ‘Entertainment City’

By Honey Madrilejos-Reyes
Reporter

STATE-CONTROLLED Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (Pagcor) will start developing this year the first phase of the ambitious Bagong Nayon Pilipino-Entertainment City Manila, otherwise known as Pagcor City.

At the sidelines of the 2007 Asia’s Gaming and Entertainment Leisure Expo held Wednesday at the Hyatt Hotel and Casino Manila, Pagcor chairman and chief executive Efraim Genuino said Phase I consists of a resort hotel, a theme park and gaming centers.

“Our goal is to complete Phase I
in two years and immediately proceed with the second phase, which would involve residential villages and casinos,” Genuino told reporters. Phase III of the estimated $20-billion project would feature a hospital district, restaurants and commercial establishments.

According to him, it would take at least seven years to develop Pagcor City, which sits on 800 hectares of reclaimed land on Roxas Boulevard.

Once the franchise of Pagcor is renewed anytime soon, Genuino said they will enter into partnerships with various companies to forward the development of Pagcor City. The franchise of Pagcor is only good until 2008 but both chambers of Congress have reportedly approved the renewal and it is only awaiting the President’s ratification.

This early, he said, one of Europe’s biggest casino operators has already signified its plan to locate in the Pagcor City.

Pagcor, which ended 2006 with a gross income of P25.5 billion, operates 14 Casino Filipino branches, eight highly-exclusive Casino Filipino VIP clubs and three slot machine arcades in key cities.

Genuino has always touted the country’s big potential of becoming the Las Vegas of Asia, even beating the neighboring Macau, because “we have always at the radar screen of big-time investors from all over the world”.

“We have investors from all over Europe and Asia. With the Pagcor City, our goal is to generate as much as 250,000 jobs and also promote the tourism industry of the country,” he said.

[-TC-]

-repost-

[basti]

Here's a pic from the Philippine Star today. sorry at malabo



One full page on Asia's GEM. It mentioned the different parts/phases of this park. I think it said something about a jungle type theme park... I'll check on it again later

[diz]

Cool! Finally, I thought it was just a vision.

[ryanr]

I'm quite confused to which area Pagcor city will be built. Is it the reclaimed land between MOA and Uniwide Coastal Mall? Or is it the yet to be reclaimed land further south between Uniwide and Cavite...along the Coastal highway?

If the later, it would definitely take more than two years.

[venntro]

Originally Posted by JAMAICUS

$10-B RP Las Vegas to rise
By Helen Flores
The Philippine Star 03/22/2007

The complex will have a "tropical" area featuring white sand beaches and lagoons, all facing Manila Bay. A Winter Park is also being eyed with large ice skating rinks as well as real snow and skiing facilities.


A Marina complex will feature a walk-through glass tunnel showcasing different marine species in the Asia-Pacific region. A fish port and a seafood restaurant to be patterned after the Fisherman’s Wharf in San Francisco are also being eyed for Pagcor City.

-

http://www.philstar.com/philstar/NEWS200703220402.htm

This will rival the proposed Ocean Park also along Manila Bay but in the Luneta area.

[venntro]

Originally Posted by Jhaelnis

Pagcor all set for Phase I of ‘Entertainment City’

By Honey Madrilejos-Reyes
Reporter

STATE-CONTROLLED Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (Pagcor) will start developing this year the first phase of the ambitious Bagong Nayon Pilipino-Entertainment City Manila, otherwise known as Pagcor City.

At the sidelines of the 2007 Asia’s Gaming and Entertainment Leisure Expo held Wednesday at the Hyatt Hotel and Casino Manila, Pagcor chairman and chief executive Efraim Genuino said Phase I consists of a resort hotel, a theme park and gaming centers.

“Our goal is to complete Phase I
in two years and immediately proceed with the second phase, which would involve residential villages and casinos,” Genuino told reporters. Phase III of the estimated $20-billion project would feature a hospital district, restaurants and commercial establishments.

According to him, it would take at least seven years to develop Pagcor City, which sits on 800 hectares of reclaimed land on Roxas Boulevard.

Once the franchise of Pagcor is renewed anytime soon, Genuino said they will enter into partnerships with various companies to forward the development of Pagcor City. The franchise of Pagcor is only good until 2008 but both chambers of Congress have reportedly approved the renewal and it is only awaiting the President’s ratification.

This early, he said, one of Europe’s biggest casino operators has already signified its plan to locate in the Pagcor City.

Pagcor, which ended 2006 with a gross income of P25.5 billion, operates 14 Casino Filipino branches, eight highly-exclusive Casino Filipino VIP clubs and three slot machine arcades in key cities.

Genuino has always touted the country’s big potential of becoming the Las Vegas of Asia, even beating the neighboring Macau, because “we have always at the radar screen of big-time investors from all over the world”.

“We have investors from all over Europe and Asia. With the Pagcor City, our goal is to generate as much as 250,000 jobs and also promote the tourism industry of the country,” he said.

PAGCOR's timetable is quite fast even if it involves such a huge complex. Maybe because there are several investors/developers and not only a single developer like in other resort/township developments in the country. With several developers investing at the same time then they can develop each of their own structures at the same time fasttracking the development of the PAGCOR Bagong Nayong Pilipino Entertainment City.

Also, unlike Macau and Singapore, the Philippines, being a bigger country, offers other attractions. High rollers can go to our other attractions like several beaches. Singapore can only offer Sentosa and that's even a man made beach unlike our beaches. Bring it on!

[venntro]

Vegas’ Wynn Resorts: Manila
can be prime gaming hub

By Max V. de Leon
Reporter

WYNN Resorts Ltd. of Las Vegas fame is keen on investing anywhere from $500 million to $1.5 billion for a hotel-resort with casino here, with one official saying the Philippines has the potential of overtaking Macau as a prime gaming destination in seven to 10 years.

Tim S. Shiah, who represented Wynn managing director Jack Binion at the ongoing Asia’s Gaming and Entertainment + Leisure Expo Manila (Asia’s GEM) 2007, said the company is already shopping around for prospective locations in the country for its investment.

Some of the areas being looked at, Shiah said, are Subic, Clark, Cebu, Boracay and the planned 800-hectare Pagcor (Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp.) Entertainment City at Manila’s reclamation area.

Shiah said Binion has been in the country at least three times and will make another trip here soon to check on the various opportunities for gaming cum total entertainment, especially after Congress approved the extension of Pagcor’s franchise for another 25 years.

“Mr. Binion’s a billionaire. He’s not coming here if he’s got nothing to do with his day,” Shiah told reporters at the sidelines of the Asia’s GEM 2007 at the Hyatt Hotel and Casino in Manila.

He, however, stressed that nothing is definite at this time.

A Wynn investment for a resort hotel with casino ranges from $500 million to $1.5 billion, he said.

The 600-room Wynn Macau, for instance, entailed $1.2 billion initially and now employs 7,500 personnel.

Shiah said the Philippines has the potential to overtake Macau in seven to 10 years, especially since the country already has the two important ingredients that other locations do not have—the quality personnel and natural attractions like beaches.

Because of this, Shiah said “many potential investors from Las Vegas are taking a hard look at the Philippines.”

“Macau is fortunate because they have China there and their players can bus over or take the ferry from Hong Kong, but Macau is going to have to get tough too when Singapore and the Philippines get going too,” he said.

In giving Macau a run for its money, Shiah said Manila can start having Las Vegas-type hotels and spice them up with the same quality gaming and complete entertainment.

With a total entertainment package, Shiah said the country can emulate Las Vegas, which earns earning 25 percent from gaming and 75 percent from entertainment.

Besides this, Shiah said the country should embrace investors through sound legislation, elimination of red tape and by ensuring that local government units work harmoniously with the investors they are hosting.

Shiah said Pagcor chairman and CEO Efraim Genuino, who he described as the “hardest-working gaming chairman” globally, is on the right track in attracting big investors and operators to promote the Philippines.

PCCI president Samie Lim, who also attended the event, said the Philippines could at least outpace Macau with the Pagcor Entertainment City and other attractions like the beaches, shopping malls, medical tourism spots, and golf, among others.

More important, Lim said the country has the “pleasant personnel” fit for the gaming industry.

“Based on experience, Macau is not really a pleasant experience because the people there are so business type. Filipinos, on the other hand, are always smiling so that even if you are losing, your experience will still be pleasant,” Lim said.

Macau, he said, attracted 22 million tourists in 2006 and it is unlikely that it will be having 40 million tourists in 10 years.

The Philippines, meanwhile, had over two million tourists in 2006 and this is projected to grow to 5 million by 2010 and then to 10 million in 10 years.

“So we can be the fastest-growing in the world,” Lim said.

[JustHorace]

Wow, we've been getting big-time projects this March, and all of them are for tourism development! I guess we're now entering the golden age, as investors are now starting to realize the huge potentials of our country!