SM Consortium confident to win light rail single ticketing project

SM Consortium, led by SM Investments Corp. with members BDO Capital and Investment Corp., Advanced Card Systems Ltd. and Penta Capital Investment Corp., is confident of a favorable result in the ongoing financial evaluation of the MRT/LRT Automated Fare Collection System Project.

“With no cost to the government to build and modernize the ticketing system and a one-time concession fee of P1,088,000,000to be paid to the government unconditionally, we believe that our proposal is most advantageous to the government and the riding public,” said Norman T. Pe, senior vice president of Penta Capital.

The Department of Transportation and Communication is now evaluating the proposals of the three bidders– AF Consortium led by BPI, SM Consortium and Comworks Berjaya Consortium – which passed the technical proposal stage.

“SM, the country’s largest retail chain, will be able to maximize the potential of this innovation through the wide retail acceptance and other applications,”added Denny Wong, chairman of Advanced Card Systems Ltd of Hongkong.

The winning bidder will be announced before December 24, 2013 and notice to proceed is expected to be issued in the third week of January 2014.  

TEN REASONS TO INVEST IN ANYA

More and more people are choosing to spend on products and activities that promote self-improvement, health, and wellness—and for the upper crust of the market, spending on luxury and pampering, on top of all that, are priorities, as well. Altogether, these are the intangibles that are just rewards for one’s skill and hard work.

Anya Resorts and Residences in Tagaytay offers all of the above, plus an investment opportunity that provides unmatched benefits to investors. These benefits include:

Liquidity. Anya provides investors cash on an ongoing basis. Anya’s world-class resort facilities assure a steady and growing client base among wellness travelers. This helps an investor’s share liquid. It’s like earning cash while you sleep.

Highest capital appreciation.Anya is a branded, full-service, and managed development. It’s the sort of property that, the world over, is known to appreciate in value fast, with higher cash returns compared to other types of real estate. This is due to excellent maintenance, world-class facilities, which in turn inspire trust and loyalty among its customers.

Managed asset. Anya is fully managed by world-class experts. These experts are there to ensure that Anya’s investors continue to earn from their investment. With their investment under Anya’s management; investors can continue focusing on their main business as their money grows.

Anya benefits family and friends.An investment in Anya does not only provide earnings but also a gorgeous home for your family. You and your loved—and even friends you invite over—get to enjoy the good life in a place designed for your health and well-being.

Be a co-owner of the Anya Resort. As co-owner, you will be able get your share in the returns of the first luxury retreat resort in Tagaytay, which is very close to Metro Manila. Anya is the country’s first luxury residential resort brand designed to attract top clientele. Health and wellness is the world’s fastest growing sector, so Anya will be at the center of the action and is expected to bring in a lot of revenue.

First Filipino luxury brand.Anya stands for world-class quality, prestige, and the best that the Filipino can offer the world. It stands equally among the best luxury resort developments on earth; being an Anya shareholder is something to be proud of. 

Fully-marketed asset.  Anya is a marketed asset. Even the best location and the best piece of real estate will not be a good business prospect without a robust marketing strategy in place. The team behind Anya has the expertise for marketing luxury resorts, both domestically and internationally.

Anya Elite Program. Through the Elite Program, luxury benefits available to Anya’s investors are not only unique but unmatched by other wellness, residential, and resort developments. Members of Anya’s Elite will also enjoy other luxury destinations through Anya’s various tie-ups.

Convenient, easy access. Anya is located in a most ideal place for a luxury retreat: lush, cool, and verdant Tagaytay. It’s just 75 minutes away from Metro Manila, making it ideal for spur of the moment wellness day trips or weekend getaways. Get relaxed amid pampering and luxury as quickly as possible. This also makes Anya the expected “nest big thing” in Tagaytay.

Strategic exit.  Investors have an attractive buy-back option for their share/s at Anya. This, combined with frequent and ongoing cash returns, provide investors everything from a high-earning investment to an easy exit strategy when necessary.

For more information about Anya Resorts and Residences and its investment opportunities, please go to their website at www.anyainvestments.com; or email ask@anyainvestment.com, or call 0917-888 ANYA (2692).

Anya Resort and Residences is developed and managed by Roxaco Land Corp., the property development arm of Roxas and Company Inc. Roxaco Land Corp. is also the developer of projects like Fuego Hotel chains and several subdivisions in Batangas and Cavite since 1988.  

Five Advantages for Homeowners using genuine Hardieflex

It’s no joke to build a home nowadays. You are not just building a shelter but a legacy and an inheritance. A home is your family’s safe haven—it’s where you make a lifetime of memories and enjoy each other’s company in peace and security.

As a homeowner taking care of your family’s welfare and safety, you need to be assured that the building material you’re using for your house is good enough; you need it to be strong against harsh weather, termites, and other potential causes of damage; and you need it to be durable and long-lasting. Your family deserves nothing less.

James Hardie, the company behind HardieFlex, makes “advanced building composites” as a better alternative building material for your home. HardieFlex advanced building composite is made from sand, water, cement, and cellulose fiber (fiber from radiata pine trees). This combination of ingredients creates a building material that is strong, durable, and long-lasting.

By choosing genuine HardieFlex advanced building composite, homeowners get several advantages in constructing their dream homes—without these turning into nightmares due to damage. The advantages of using HardieFlex include:

Long-term strength and durability.HardieFlex is designed to be resistant against the extreme weather conditions of the Philippines—floods, typhoons, strong winds, humidity and moisture, or dry, scorching heat; all of these may damage our homes.

HardieFlex is even resistant to damage caused by termites and fires. Even when exposed to flame, HardieFlex would not catch fire. For homeowners, these qualities of HardieFlex make it a very wise choice—it helps prevent added costs of repairs; stays strong and durable for years and years; and also helps assure the safety of loved ones in the home.

Commitment and presence in the Philippines. James Hardie has its own manufacturing plant in Cabuyao, Laguna that meets international standards. The plant’s world-class technology and quality control ensure that HardieFlex provides homeowners a durable, safe and enduring, quality home for years to come.

By investing in its own world-class facility in the Philippines, James Hardie is able to assure consumers that it is committed to the Philippine market. That commitment includes providing a constant supply of HardieFlex to consumers.

With James Hardie based in Cabuyao, Laguna, it can deliver HardieFlex to its network of distributors anywhere in the country. Homeowners across the nation are assured that HardieFlex is there for them, wherever and whenever they need it.

Guarantee of quality and warranty.The advanced building composite by James Hardie has a product warranty of 10 years that comes with a guarantee of high quality, long-lasting strength, and durability.* when installed as per the current installation guide.

When it comes to cheap imitations, only the distributor makes the guarantee—this is not good enough for families investing hard-earned money on their homes. If ever the imitation product is not true to its claims, it will be hard for a homeowner to run after the manufacturer—because the only link he or she has is a local distributor.

In the case of HardieFlex, it’s the manufacturer itself (not just a distributor), James Hardie, that provides the product warranty. And James Hardie is present in the Philippines as a locally registered firm under Philippine laws—just a phone call away from Filipino homeowners.

Quicker, more convenient customer service. Being locally based, James Hardie can cater to your needs as a homeowner--faster and more accurately. It has local consultants that are available anytime, anywhere in the country to provide product information and technical support.

This relieves you, the homeowner, of a lot of stress—the cheap imitators only have local distributors who can’t provide the same customer support. Homeowners can relax because they can easily contact James Hardie, the manufacturer--not just a local distributor.

James Hardie has 16 years’ experience in the country. James Hardie has been operating in the Philippines for 16 years. It knows your needs and that of your loved ones when it comes to building the perfect Filipino dream home.

Learn more about how HardieFlex advanced building composite and other innovative James Hardie products can create the ideal home or building for you; go to the website www.jameshardie.com.ph and like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/jameshardiephil or call 1-800-888-5427 (outside Metro Manila) or 895-5427 (within Metro Manila). 

Anya Resorts and Residences: A Boost to Wellness Tourism

Anya Resorts and Residences in the picturesque Tagaytay City will help boost the country’s wellness tourism. With its international standards of spa services, food, and accommodation, the development is expected to be one of the main attractions to the growing tourism industry.

Recently the Philippines Department of Tourism reported a total of 1.65 million tourist arrivals in the country—an encouraging sign that the country does have the potential to become a major player in the tourism industry in Southeast Asia. In order for that to happen, however, the country needs more destinations that are at par with, if not better than, other travel attractions in the region. One such place is the leisure and wellness haven Anya Resorts and Residences.

Hotel Core Signature Shot

Wellness hideaway.  Anya Resorts and Residence is designed and landscaped in harmony with nature to create an environment that provides relaxation, peace, and rejuvenation. Its top-notch amenities are comparable with the best luxury resort developments in the world.

Anya is located along Buena Vista Hills Road in Silang, Tagaytay; secluded in a recessed property that is verdant with trees, gardens, and grassy groves, It is the premier relaxation destination in Tagaytay and is the first truly world-class integrated luxury resort, spa, and residential development in the country.

“There’s no doubt that Anya will boost health and wellness tourism in Tagaytay. Tourism-related business are bound to experience growth and generate more income and livelihood due to the influx of local and foreign tourists who stay at Anya,” said Andrew Sparrow, Project Head of Anya Resorts and Residences.

Wake up to dazzling sunshine and look forward to a new day and new opportunities when you stay as a guest or become a resident at Anya Resorts and Residences. Mornings open up new possibilities at Anya.

Tourists’ haven

“Anya” comes from the Sanskrit word that means “boundless” and it is an appropriate name Anya Resorts and Residences, which provides visitors with comfort, pampering, and peace—without limits.

“Anya Resorts and Residences is designed to meet international standards of quality in its services, spa treatments, and amenities. It is expected to be the premier destination for those seeking serenity and rejuvenation in Tagaytay. It is a major attraction for tourists,” said Sparrow.

Seared Prawn Tuna

Cosmopolitan and healthy cuisines, especially prepared by Chef Carlo Miguel, are available in all restaurant outlets in Anya Resorts and Residences. The food is not only delicious but rich in nutrients. The vegetables in each dish are grown organically right at Anya’s farms.

Guests of Anya experience round-the-clock hotel services (from room service to even laundry and pressing) conforming to international best practices; as well as unlimited access to the resort’s world-class amenities. These include the use of pocket gardens for relaxation, contemplation, or wellness activities like meditation and yoga.

There’s the tranquility pool for guests (two other pools are exclusive to residents); a “borderless library” (guests may take a printed or electronic book and read it anywhere in the property); and a spacious lobby lounge.

Renew your energies, find serenity, and feel the therapeutic effects of beautiful natural surroundings in Anya Resorts and Residences. Health and wellness services are available amid luxury amenities—the perfect way to relax and be pampered for the weekend.

Anya also has several restaurants that serve healthy, international cuisine. The food is meant not only to be delicious but healthy as well; the vegetable ingredients are sourced from Anya’s own farm. Anya’s cuisine is created and supervised by Chef Carlo Miguel.

The spa services include massage, detoxification, and other treatments that help increase each guest’s level of health and well-being.

Anya Resort and Residences is developed and managed by Roxaco Land Corp., the property development arm of Roxas and Company Inc. Roxaco Land Corp. is also the developer of projects like Fuego Hotel chains and several subdivisions in Batangas and Cavite since 1988. 

Why location still matters

It’s an oft-quoted remark that when buying a property, there are only three things that one should consider: location, location, location. This emphasis on where the property is sited rests its argument that location will determine the quality of your life and how fast—or how slow—your property will appreciate in value. Of course, a variety of market forces dictates the price of real estate but it’s safe to assume that the more urbanized the area is, the more expensive the property becomes.

“Aside from the track record of the developer, another crucial factor to consider is location,” says Emma Amores, Corporate Communications Head.  “Way before planning for our high-rise developments, we have already determined key areas that are desirable for the end user and have the most potential for growth. We also play to the strengths of the location. For instance, in Katipunan, we know that our target market there is composed mainly of parents who want to give their children the best possible accommodation in their college life.”

Indeed, every location has its own particular identity, charm and treasure trove of opportunities. In Quezon City, Vista Residences conceptualized glitzy developments as a nod to the city being the “Entertainment Capital of the Philippines.” The company located its two projects, Symphony Tower and Wil Tower Mall, near the two biggest broadcasting stations in the country: ABS-CBN and GMA 7. Some of the unit owners work for either of the two, finding the convenience of just walking to work or home as refreshing.

Another sector that has found these developments appealing is government executives; Quezon City has the most number of government offices in Metro Manila. After work, they can easily find some relaxation along the many restaurants of Tomas Morato or in the city’s gigantic malls, SM North Edsa and Trinoma. For their medical needs, the residents have plenty of choices: from Capitol Medical Center in Quezon Avenue to St. Luke’s Medical Center in E. Rodriguez Avenue to Heart Center in East Avenue.

Quezon City is home to some of the best universities of the country such as University of the Philippines, Ateneo de Manila University and Miriam College. As mentioned, the company is currently building Vista Residence Katipunan which is stone’s throw away from these institutions of learning. Katipunan, with its many restaurants, is also evolving as a veritable dining destination of its own.

In terms of the sheer number of universities, nothing can beat the capital Manila. 878 España, a single-tower development, seeks to provide comfortable home to those studying in University of Santo Tomas, and also those in Far Eastern University, University of the East and Centro Escolar University, among others. At the other end of Manila, the company is building Vista Residence Taft which will service the lodging needs of students in De La Salle College, College of St. Benilde and St. Scholastica’s College.

Manila’s charm is largely historical, chiefly due to Intramuros with its centuries-old churches such as Manila Cathedral and San Agustin Church. It remains also as the country’s publishing capital as it is the home of newspaper organizations. In terms of leisure opportunities, it has many things to offer. Malate remains to be a vibrant hub of bars, restaurants and cafés while malls (Robinson’s Place, SM Manila and Harrison Plaza) provide the high of retail therapy.

When it comes to commercial complexes, however, nothing comes close to Mandaluyong, which is dubbed as the “Mall Capital of the Philippines.” Vista Residences’ development in this city is 515 Shaw which, as its name suggests, is located along the main artery of Shaw Boulevard. Mere minutes is all it takes to be at SM Megamall, Shangri-La Mall, Star Mall and Robinson’s Galleria.

Mandaluyong is also home, or is close to, some of the best high schools in Metro Manila such as OB Montessori, La Salle Greenhills, Poveda College, Xavier School and Lourdes School. Because of its privileged location, the city is close to central business districts (CBD) of Bonifacio Global City, Makati and Ortigas.

Right at the heart of the Ortigas CBD is The Currency, which is located in the corners of the district’s most famous streets: Dona Julia Vargas Avenue, F. Ortigas Jr. Avenue (formerly Emerald Ave) and Garnet Road. The development, which features both residential and commercial places, is in close proximity to five star hotels (Shangri-La Mall and Discovery Suites), national and multi-national headquarters (San Miguel), malls (SM Megamall, The Podium, Shangri-La Mall) and happening places (El Pueblo, The Strip and Metrowalk).

Still regarded as the country’s “Financial Capital,” Makati City is home to a plenitude of offices, both local and international. It has a clutch of five-star hotels (Shangri-La Mall, Peninsula Manila, Intercontinental Hotel, Mandarin Oriental), topnotch museums and galleries (Ayala Museum, Finale Art File) and world-class hospital (Makati Medical Center). Greenbelt and Glorietta comprise the main commercial hub of the city whose expansion shows no sign of abating.

Vista Residences has located some of its premier developments in the CBD’s most notable villages: Mosaic and KL Mosaic Towers and The Gallery (Legapsi Village) and Salcedo Square (Salcedo Village).  The towers in Legaspi Village have the good fortune to be walking distance to the high-end dining and shopping and experience of Greenbelt while Salcedo Square boasts proximity to Ayala Triangle with its equally arresting dining choices.

Trevi Towers, another Vista Residence project which is located along Pasong Tamo, Makati,  is neighbors with Little Tokyo (a clutch of restaurants that serve authentic Japanese food), the mall Makati Cinema Square and the schools of Don Bosco, Assumption and San Agustin.

Evolving to be the country’s showroom to the world, Bonifacio Global City (BGC) in Taguig is proving to be another seductive choice of address. In this location, Vista Residences has Avant at the Fort, the first building constructed at BGC with the tenets of green architecture in mind.

BGC’s primary retail experience is offered by Bonifacio High Street while the newly opened SM Aura adds to the number of high-end shops that now operate in the city. It is home to a world-class museum (Mind Museum), hospital (St. Luke’s Hospital) and offices (Net One, Bonifacio Technology Center, JP Morgan). Shangri-La Hotel will soon add to the growing skyline of BGC. 

“Our presence in the most urbanized centers of the city gives prospective unit buyers a variety of choice on where they wish to live,” says Amores. The key in selecting a development is for him to determine his needs, his lifestyle and his objective. From the North to the South of Metro Manila, a right Vista Residences project is waiting for him.”

MVP Football Festival in Tribeca Private Residences

 A brainchild between Smart and Landco to celebrate MVP’s birthday together with his employees, the MVP Football Festival held at Tribeca Private Residences’ 7-Aside football field was a resounding success. A total of 8 teams and 120 players participated from across various Metro Pacific subsidiaries. According to Landco’s VP for Sales who played striker for the Landco team, “Football was the avenue we chose since it is a growing and popular sport among the MVP group of companies. We decided to use this event to give employees a chance to mingle with the birthday celebrant in a fun football atmosphere that Tribeca is known for. Despite the heavy rainshowers, MVP stayed to watch the finals match between Landco and PLDT.”  MVP also awarded the top 3 winners of the MVP Football Festival: First place went to Landco Pacific Corporation, followed by PLDT and Meralco in second and third place respectively.

The winning team LANDCO

It was a festive day of football despite the rain

Some leisure time with the birthday celebrant and guest of honor, Mr. Manny Pangilinan

Landco CEO, Alfred Xeres-Burgos III, Manny Pangilinan and Landco VP for Sales Albert Villa

JAMES HARDIE: THE SCIENCE BEHIND HARDIEFLEX ADVANCED BUILDING COMPOSITES

James Hardie has a long history of providing innovative building products to customers in Australia, the USA, the Philippines and other international markets. Today, HardieFlex advanced building composite remains one of the most trusted and reliable building materials. The high regard for James Hardie’s products stem from the following characteristics:

High durability and strength.  HardieFlex advanced building composite is designed not to crack even under the harshest weather and environmental conditions. It is resistant to damage due to wind, rain, moisture, and humidity. Furthermore, HardieFlex advanced building composite is combustible: it will not ignite or catch fire even when exposed to flame. HardieFlex advanced building composite is resistant to termite-damage. HardieFlex advanced building composite is designed to perform.

Convenience and versatility.  HardieFlex advanced building composites are very versatile and may be used for ceilings, walls, sidings, eaves, and fascias. They are easily and conveniently installed and conform to any design requirement.

Warranty and environment-friendly. HardieFlex advanced building composite is made from plentiful non-toxic materials that have minimal impact on the environment. In the case of the Philippines, James Hardie manufactures its products in its own facility in Cabuyao, Laguna. This reduces the “carbon footprint” or fuel emissions required to transport its products to the homeowners. In contrast, imported fiber cement products use up a lot of fuel and release greater emissions into the environment.  James Hardie offers a 10-year warranty on its products.

The process

Do you wonder how James Hardie is able to create such a superior, reliable, and trusted product? Well, while the details of the manufacturing process are trade secrets, we can still find out some of the science behind HardieFlex advanced building composites.

First of all, the basic materials that are combined to create James Hardie’s advanced building composite are of utmost importance. James Hardie began, in the late 1980s, to use cellulose fibers for its products. Until today, James Hardie’s advanced composite building material is made from cement, sand, water, and cellulose.

Why add cellulose? Adding cellulose makes the finished advanced building composite more flexible: bending strength is the result. The final product is not brittle and resists cracking under pressure.

Now, once these ingredients are gathered, how are they combined?  First of all, sand is poured into a huge underground conveyor. This sand passes through what is called a “ball mill”. It is called such because it has steel balls inside that are used to crush the sand into fine powder. Once the sand is powdered, water is added.  Adding water makes it easier to pipe through the sand across the manufacturing plant and also ensures that no heat is produced, eliminating the need for a cooling or exhaust system.

Later on, most of this water is drained from the sand. After draining, the material left is about 80 percent sand. This material will need to be thickened, so at this stage the cellulose is added. Then the cement, sand, and cellulose are combined along with some additives. The result is a liquefied material that is poured through sieves, troughs, and rollers. More water is drained. At the end of this process, a film of fiber cement is created.

The fiber cement film is then put through a further process of drying and pressing and cutting, until fiber cement boards are created. The flexibility and durability of these HardieFlex fiber cement boards make them versatile—they can be cut, bent and shaped to follow a wide variety of designs.

“The entire process is the result of advanced scientific research, engineering, and technology that is unmatched by James Hardie’s competitors. In fact, James Hardie is already producing highly advanced composite building materials in the Philippines. As for our competitors in Southeast Asia, they can only offer 1st generation fiber cement,” said Rose Pangan, Product Development Manager for James Hardie.

You can discover how your home or building can benefit from the advanced science and engineering behind HardieFlex advanced building composites. Visit www.jameshardie.com.ph and like the official James Hardie Page on Facebook at www.facebook.com/jameshardiephil or call 1-800-888-5427 (outside Metro Manila) or 895-5427 (within Metro Manila).