West Tower at One Serendra in the Philippine Star

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I would like to share with you this One Serendra article. Enjoy!

 

Date of publication: May 19, 2012
Publication: Philippine Star

 

 

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COCO MIDEL
M: +63.917.502.9252
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Nuvali Weekend Fiesta Market

Join us every weekend at the NUVALI Transport Terminal and enjoy a variety of products offered by our merchants at our Weekend Fiesta Market!

Specialty Food

Dielle’s Honey – locally produced honey and honey wine
Bigasan – brown and organic rice
Regional Products – souvenir products from Baguio, Bicol, Pampanga, Laguna, Cebu, and Bulacan

Fresh Produce/Vegetables

Healthy Flocks – native chicken and brown eggs
Kitchen Herbs – salad greens and gourmet vegetables
Robinson’s – all season fruits and health and wellness products

Plants

Marise Joyce Garden – landscaping services and fruit trees
Cynpol Garden – orchids
Sardo’s Garden – ornamental plants
Satara – native products
Fiameta’s Plants – garden accessories
Yam Halamanan – aquatic plants and fish

Dry/Crafts

Hotel Line – world class discounted cutlery
Banig – buli, buri, and banig novelties
Habi – hand-woven products

See you there!

For those interested to know more about Ayala Land Premier villages and condo, feel free to contact me anytime.

Thank You!

Your Ayala Land Guide,

COCO MIDEL
M: +63.917.502.9252
T: (02)577.27.12
E: midel.jerico@ayalaland.com.ph

Ayala Land opens US office

MILPITAS, California— “No distance is too far for Filipinos,” said the Ayala flyer. Indeed, particularly when the distance is between the US and back home, the Philippines. Money remittances breach that distance in seconds…but what Ayala Land refers to is going back home for a rest, retirement or investment. Like a robin flying home to roost, the distance is never too far.

Antonio Aquino, president of Ayala Land International, was on hand to cut the ceremonial ribbon opening the doors of the first Ayala Land office in the US in the city of Milpitas. At a press conference held after the formal opening, Aquino said that the economic landscape in the Philippines is better now and showing positive growth. He is confident that Filipinos will be investing back home. Not only will the return on investment higher compared to US or Europe, they will help boost the economy of the other country they call home.

Aquino said that the US office will offer the breadth of products and services the Ayala group of companies is known for including tourism. The Ayala group recently purchased the prestigious “El Nido Resort” and has entered the tourism business. They have also started putting up Ayala branded hotels called “The Cocoon” to cater to locals, foreign tourists or Filipinos traveling from abroad.

It’s no surprise then that the Ayala Group is now ready to service the needs of their Kababayans in America. But why in Milpitas? Sometime in the early 2000, Ayala Land International built its first Filipino owned mall here called Seasons Market Place at Landess Street. For its anchor brand, it has the biggest Filipino owned chain-supermarket, Seafood City with 21 superstores in three states. Within the mall can be found popular Filipino restaurants and boutiques. There’s Goldilocks, ChowKing, Red Ribbon, Max’s Chicken, Café Adventure (serving Café Barako), Beard Papa and other Asian shops.

Milpitas’ twice elected mayor Filipino American Jose Esteves said that it was a confluence of events and timing why Ayala Land chose his city. Land was available and the price was right. He also was proud to say that Milipitas has recently been crowned as the town with the largest concentration of Filipinos in Northern California (unseating Daly City). It is also part and parcel of Silicon Valley, where young affluent technocrats live and work. The Ayala brand is a perfect fit for the mix of ethnicity and wealth in this area.

‘It’s all about customer service,’  Thomas F. Mirasol, assistant vice president of Ayala Land, said “It’s all about service. Through the opening of the ALI Milpitas Office, we are initiating the company’s permanent presence in the United States.”

“What has given us the advantage in the US market is the brand. People may not know our customer service representatives and even our managers, but they know the brand, Ayala Land. They trust us enough that they choose from our real estate developments and trust that with us, they get the most [out] of their investment for their families—their homes,” said Mirasol.

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Your Ayala Land Guide,

COCO MIDEL
M: +63.917.502.9252
T: (02)577.27.12
E: midel.jerico@ayalaland.com.ph

A mall for the ‘active lifestyle’ rises in Subic

Something big has happened since the withdrawal of the US Forces in Subic Bay, said Olongapo City Mayor James Gordon Jr. Ayala Land has anchored at the heart of this Freeport Zone.

Aptly named Harbor Point, the latest of the Ayala malls is comfortably nestled in a sprawling 6.5-hectare development that will feature a manmade riverbank and a jogging path replete with fitness equipment, akin to LA’s Muscle Beach. This is in line with the mall’s “active lifestyle” theme that also includes indoor futsal, yoga and martial arts.

Harbor Point’s casual, resort-oriented ambience blends seamlessly with the city’s fun, nature, sports and beach milieu. Carrying a tagline “Where Everyday’s A Holiday,” it has over 300 local and foreign merchants, a game zone, and dining and entertainment areas.

“Harbor Point is complementary to what they already have,” said Ayala Land president Tony Aquino. Aquino also said Harbor Point supports and promotes sustainability on all levels, and partners with the government in turning its techno hub vision into a reality.

The mall is designed to be energy-efficient. There is a natural breezeway to keep the area cool, and natural light to illuminate the entire activity center. Customers are encouraged to bring their own eco-bags, and come June, a no-plastic policy will be implemented.

Tax-free goodies

While Subic may have long been the shopping destination for many Manila residents for its tax-free goodies, Harbor Point will hold the distinction as the city’s first dining and entertainment venue.

The promenade is lined with a wide selection of restaurants, said Rowena Tomeldan, Ayala Land VP and head of operations, commercial business group. A mere stone’s throw away are shopping and entertainment zones, equipped with four state-of-the-art cinemas, plus a 5,000-sq-m Puregold supermarket.

According to Ayala Land vice president Javi Hernandez, some merchants will also retail products lesser than their branches outside SBMA. Office and residential buildings will also be constructed around the area.

The P2.5-billion Ayala development marks Ayala Land’s venture toward expanding in Central Luzon. “We have identified the Pampanga-Bataan-Zambales corridor as the key growth area,” said Bernard Vincent Dy, Ayala Land executive vice president.

Harbor Point’s opening deepened further Ayala’s presence in the area, Dy continued. Other Ayala Land developments in the area include Anvaya Cove in Morong, Bataan, now an established residential and outdoor/nature destination.

There is a free shuttle service around Subic Bay on weekdays, and on weekends this extends toward their residential developments. At present, there is still no water transport.

“Subic is a haven for super yachts, a cruise-ship destination with vibrant tourism programs. Harbor Point will bring Subic to a new level,” said SBMA chair Bobby Garcia.

SOURCE

 

 

For those interested to know more about Ayala Land Premier villages and condo, feel free to contact me anytime.

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Your Ayala Land Guide,

COCO MIDEL
M: +63.917.502.9252
T: (02)577.27.12
E: midel.jerico@ayalaland.com.ph

Ayala Land to begin work on new UP hub next month

AYALA LAND, Inc. plans to start work on another mixed-use development in partnership with the University of the Philippines Diliman, this time at the site of its preparatory school along Katipunan Avenue. 

“We are targeting to break ground on the UPIS (UP Integrated School) project by June of this year,” Pamela T. Perez, Ayala Land investor communications and compliance head, told BusinessWorld in a text message.

Ayala Land had earlier bared plans to develop the UPIS complex — which sits on a 7.4-hectare lot outside the main UP Diliman campus — into a P3-billion, mixed-use complex with retail and office components, similar to the UP-Ayala Land TechnoHub on Commonwealth Avenue.

Part of the deal entailed the transfer and construction of a new UPIS building within the UP Diliman campus grounds.

“The high school of UP is now under construction. I think that will be completed within this year,” Alfredo E. Pascual, UP president, told BusinessWorld in a separate interview.

“After the high school [department] has been fully transferred to the academic zone of UP Diliman, Ayala Land should also be able to fully start the development of the [current] UPIS campus,” Mr. Pascual added.

The new UPIS building will be located on the site of the old Narra Residence Hall, according to earlier reports.

The state university will be receiving a portion of the revenues from Ayala Land’s operations of the new development.

“The revenues will come in the form of lease rental of the property.

There is a guaranteed minimum amount. On top of that, if the revenues of Ayala Land will go beyond a certain point, we will be sharing a percentage of the property’s revenues,” Mr. Pascual said.

Asked about the estimated proceeds, Mr. Pascual only said: “We will talk about that when the development is already in place.”

Ayala Land had earlier said it was keen to build develop large, mixed-use complexes similar to its existing 1,860-hectare NUVALI project in Laguna, with possible sites identified in provinces north and east of Metro Manila.

Ayala Land hiked its net income for the first quarter by 31.48% to P2.13 billion as better sales in most property segments offset an increase in expenses. — FJGDLF

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For those interested to know more about Ayala Land Premier villages and condo, feel free to contact me anytime.

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Your Ayala Land Guide,

COCO MIDEL
M: +63.917.502.9252
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E: midel.jerico@ayalaland.com.ph

ALI wants more Metro land

Sunday, 13 May 2012 19:25 InterAksyon

AYALA Land Inc. (ALI) is beefing up its land bank, especially in new geographical areas, to capitalize on strong demand for real estate.

Jaime Ysmael, ALI chief finance officer, told reporters the company is completing the acquisition of the “entire” 60-hectare “Plastic City” estate in Valenzuela City “as soon as possible.”

Negotiations on the actual structure of the agreement between ALI and the Gatchalian group are still ongoing, but it may “probably be a joint venture,” Ysmael said.

“There’s a lot of spending power in that area and the Ayala brand has been absent in that area,” he said.

Ysmael refused to comment on the talks with IRC Properties Inc., which owns a 2,170-hectare land in Binangonan, Rizal, but expressed interest in expanding in the eastern part of Metro Manila.

“There’s a very high concentration of people in that area that can afford some of our brands. We want to have presence in that side of the metropolis,” said Ysmael.

The real-estate firm may also consider expanding in Clark, taking advantage of the infrastructure projects at or near those areas.

ALI’s land banking initiative will allow the property developer to immediately serve the huge demand for residential products. The company even cut its planning cycle from 18 months to nine months to launch projects faster, Ysmael said.

In the first quarter average monthly sales take-up stood at P6.44 billion, a 49-percent improvement from the record P4.31 billion average monthly sales take-up achieved for the whole of 2011, an indication that demand continues to be strong.

“Aside from ramping up the launches, making sure we have available inventory, even the sales force is being beefed up to include international sales offices so we can tap that OFW market in a bigger way now that we have lower priced products,” said Ysmael, adding that low-income brands Avida and Amaia have been gaining market share according to a study commissioned by the company.

In Bonifacio Global City ALI will also construct the new headquarters of the Philippine Stock Exchange, which will be one of the anchors of the West Super Block right in the middle of the area’s central business district.

A high-end retail and residential tower will rise within that complex, set to become the prime address in BGC, Ysmael said.

While the property development business accounts for bulk of its revenues, ALI is moving to build up its recurring income base to provide the stability in earnings and cash flow.

This year will mark the opening of Kukun hotels in BGC and Cagayan de Oro, the launch of the 350-room Raffles Hotel and 330-room Holiday Inn, as well as the soft opening of the Pangalusian Island resort.

“There are plans to construct two more hotels this year, depending on availability of land,” said Ysmael.

ALI’s net earnings grew by 31 percent to P2.13 billion in the first quarter on the back of higher revenues from its property development and leasing businesses and margin improvements.

This puts the property developer on track to double its earnings to P10 billion in 2014 and raise return on equity to 15 percent under its five-year plan.

“Definitely, we are on track. We might even be ahead given current trajectory, all things remaining the same,” said Ysmael.

SOURCE

 

For those interested to know more about Ayala Land Premier villages and condo, feel free to contact me anytime.

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Your Ayala Land Guide,

COCO MIDEL
M: +63.917.502.9252
T: (02)577.27.12
E: midel.jerico@ayalaland.com.ph

This Is Where It’s At

By MITZI DUQUE RUIZ
April 30, 2012, 3:28pm

MANILA, Philippines — Many of today’s bustling countries are more known for cities where the action happens. Italy has Milan, Australia has Sydney, China has Shanghai, and the U.S. has New York City. None of these cities, popular destinations that they have been for so long, are their country’s capital.

Is the Philippines’ premier city Makati? In a recent presentation to a select group of media, Ayala Land, Inc. (ALI) revealed that this is what they’re aiming for, and they’re not starting from ground zero. Today, Makati is home to businesses—large and small—and boasts of the best hotels, malls, restaurants and residential spaces. Research on public perception has shown Makati as a leader and visionary city, and the top choice as the country’s capital.

“There has been a renewed interest in the country. For many investors, Makati has been the front door into the Philippines,” ALI President and CEO Antonino Aquino explains.

Improving Lives

Through their new campaign, “Make it Makati,” ALI, in cooperation with the city government and business groups, will make it easier for people to live, work, shop and be in Makati. Driven by this desire to improve the lives of residents, visitors and workers of Makati, the premier real estate developer has invested P60 billion to get this five-year comprehensive and formidable plan going. “Basically, the plan was to create new nodes that didn’t exist before,” Aquino adds.

Pedestrianization And Public Transport

Because it is a bustling metropolis, it is also one of the most intimidating traffic centers in Mega Manila. ALI aims to address this through the pedestrianization project, beginning with Ayala Avenue. This may sound like a hefty feat, but work is already underway to make commuting to the city and going around its various areas on foot. Think wider sidewalks, open spaces and the more eco-friendly mass public transit, the BRT.

Changes may be most visible along Ayala Avenue, the central vein of the Makati we all know, because from it ALI’s program aims to connect the various areas not just through the roads and elevated walkways, which they are even extending, but also underground. It has worked so far, with people crossing from one side of Ayala to the other, from one block to the next. Apparently, that’s not all these underground pedestrian tunnels will connect. What could be the next best solution to eliminate traffic snarls? Underground parking that would enable traffic to enter one side of Makati and exit to the other side.

Six Districts, Six Lines Of Business

ALI is also working on the autonomy in each area it is interconnecting, creating identifiable distinctions among their districts, six in all.

Makati South, where the MRT brings in thousands of commuters into and out of the city, would be the transport hub. Ayala Center, with the premium hotels and trend-setting commercial malls, is already the cosmopolitan district, but will also soon have Philippine flagship stores of several of the most popular retail brands. Then, there is the bulk that has been known as the Makati CBD. The Ayala Triangle Gardens, already flourishing as a popular spot to refresh in in the midst of all the city’s frenzy, has been designed to do just that, as the urban oasis. Makati North will be better known as the young and creative district. Finally, there is the soon-to-be-reborn Sta. Ana (remember what used to be the racetrack? It’s actually Ayala Avenue extension), which will be developed as the entertainment center. Their organization’s city planning has been so efficient that they have been able to put establishments and residential structures that match, together in one community. Take a look around and double check in order to comprehend, counting in the currently boarded up construction sites announcing or teasing the public with what they can expect to rise soon.

Art and Ecology, two aspects that are easily associated with any ALI development, will get even more highlighted in the new Makati. “In the Ayala Triangle Gardens, for one, you can expect more creative and eco-friendly activities through our signature events, which we are extending to accommodate year-round community activity. We always believed that art should not be limited to museums,” says Meean Dy, ALI group head for Strategic Land Bank Management.

At present, there are several boarded-up construction projects that may look minor, but don’t be fooled. Underneath is where all action is taking place—probably completing those new nodes that didn’t use to exist. As the boards say, “Make it happen, Make it Makati!” Ayala Land, Inc. is doing exactly that, to deliver this dream metropolis.

 

SOURCE 

CNN Interview with the Big Bosses

MANILA, Philippines – The Zobel de Ayala brothers – Jaime Augusto and Fernando – cite their adventures on two wheels for their early interest in real estate.

On CNN’s latest Talk Asia program, Jaime Augusto, also known as JAZA, talked about how the family started them young in taking off the beaten path destinations — and had been backpacking during their travels — in how these influenced them in running the country’s largest property developer, Ayala Land Inc.

“Both Fernando and I, from an early age, we were both backpackers and we actually traveled around the Philippines extensively when we were young…as backpackers. We moved around. We actually discovered many areas that we then developed from a real estate point of view, because we enjoyed them so much when we were young,” he told told CNN correspondent Andrew Stevens.

“We like being able to… take the beaten path and go discover countries and locations. It’s been quite extraordinary,” shared Fernando, Ayala Land’s chair. “We’ve had a chance to see the Philippines through eyes that most people have not seen. And a lot of that is thanks to our ability to get off on two wheels and move around.”

But these adventures come with risks. Fernando, a triathlete, recently figured in an accident last March 31 when his bike crashed during an event in Pico de Loro leisure estate in Nasugbu, Batangas.

Fernando explained that that it rained just before the race. “So it was a bit slippery that day. And I was one of the unfortunate cyclists that went down. But it’s all part of the sport…This is a risk that you take in any race that you go into.”

The brothers are taking calculated risks with the business, too. Ayala Land is launching 67 projects worth P90 billion this 2012, adding 50 residential developments, 7 shopping centers, 7 office buildings and 3 hotels in their growing and profitable portfolio.

The company is agressively expanding out into the provinces with the aim of capturing a larger segment of the mid- and low-income markets outside Metro Manila and Metro Cebu.

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Running for your life was never this much fun

By: Penelope P. Endozo
Philippine Daily Inquirer
3:57 am | Saturday, April 21st, 2012

 

A novel concept for a fun run came to life as Outbreak Manila released 200 zombies to chase 5,000 survivors running for their lives in a “contaminated zone” inside Nuvali, Sta. Rosa, Laguna, last Saturday, April 14.

The outbreak’s aim was simple, but the run was difficult. Each runner has three life flags which the undead would try to snatch during the race. A survivor comes out of the race alive, with at least one flag intact.

The idea behind Outbreak Manila was inspired from a running event that Angelo Cruz joined in the US last year.

“But why should they have all the fun?” said Cruz, head organizer and the ringleader to 200 zombies.

“When I came back, I couldn’t believe no one was doing it here,” he said. In four months, he recreated the event with a Filipino horror streak.

“At the rate runs are happening right now, everything is monotonous. We run for different causes—trees, rivers, things like that—but this time, we’re running for the most important cause out there—we’re running for our lives,” said Cruz.

Seasoned and newbie runners found themselves in five-kilometer Zombieland, made more difficult by obstacle courses.

The race route was never disclosed to the runners, and people began to strategize on their toes.

There was a maze where wrong turns lead to dead ends with zombies, a garter web room filled with zombies who claw for your life flags, a low wire where runners needed to crawl for an extra life, and the trail itself, which was narrow and forced some runners to pass through the bushes to avoid the touch of the undead.

“So, how do you want to play patintero, kuya?” asked one girl who taunted the zombies near the starting line and dodged expertly out of their reach.

One leg of the race allowed runners to outwit the zombies by “acting” and “walking” like the undead to be spared.

Most of the time, others found strength in numbers with one or two who served as bait to mislead the zombies and free up the main road for other runners.

The survivors get to choose the “easy” or the “horde” way. The easy way had more zombies but was a shorter route, while the hard way was a lot longer but with fewer zombies.

“When all else fails, don’t think, just run,” Cruz reminded each of the 25 waves or batches of runners that set off every 15 minutes from 5:30 am to 12 noon.

Runners are not allowed to punch, kick, bite, scratch, tackle, spit at or attack the zombies.

“We have to remind the runners to have fun because the first instinct is to push away people or things that get in the way, and we have to prevent that,” Cruz said.

Cruz is a runner himself, but he didn’t join any wave because he supervised operations and deployed 50 field marshals and medics.

There were five water-quarantine stations at the site that served as safety zones for the runners.

But even zombies were not exempted from the scorching heat during the race. At one point, a zombie even asked for water from a runner in exchange for a pass.

“Is that allowed?” asked one runner.

“We’re zombies, but we get thirsty, too, you know,” the young schoolboy zombie from Binangonan, Rizal, replied and chuckled.

Participants can choose to be zombies or survivors. There were three types of zombies to watch out for—sprint zombies who were stationed in the first 500 meters of the run, walkers who blocked the trails every 200 meters, and crawlers who jumped out of nowhere or from the bushes.

Cruz said he employed 70 “zombies-for-hire,” and the rest were fans who gamely auditioned for the role.

Stuntman Richard Mafi said he joined as the hip-hop zombie because he had “no taping that day.”

“This is a different kind of action, see?” he said, while showing off a large number of red flags he had seized from runners.

Meanwhile, the Kitane siblings—Anja, Anya and Argie—came as Army, ranger and pirate zombies and said the race was a fun way to bond.

“It was kuya Argie’s idea. We auditioned and sent our video on Facebook. This brings us closer to each other,” said 17-year-old Anja, the youngest of the three who called herself the “minor zombie.”

Iggy Ignacio and his two other gym buddies played World War II zombies with full make-up and prosthetics.

One runner who passed by Iggy said he wanted to take a photo with him.

“Wow, that zombie was cute!” said one runner. “Habulin mo ako, kuya zombie!” The remark drew laughter from her fellow runners.

But if the race was a preview of the post-apocalyptic world, runners will get a feel of who to “save” and who to “let go.”

A father at the finish line was relieved to see his daughter, and asked the whereabouts of her brother.

The girl shrugged and replied: “He’s out there, Pa. I think he’s still alive.”

But for runners Sophia Nakagawa and three of her high school friends, they made sure to finish the race together.

They prepared for the run by dressing up as characters from different zombie-themed movies such as “Silent Hill,” “Shaun of the Dead,” “Resident Evil” and “Walking Dead.”

“We’re not pro runners, but this is our chance to play out our fantasies as our favorite characters from zombie movies and games,” said Sophia.

While some were just in the race for fun, others were serious about getting into the Top 40 in each wave and receive a medal at the finish line.

For John Funtanilla, 28, it was his birthday, and a chance to chase after his girl.

“We’re gonna die! We’re gonna die!” exclaimed Jaja Biscocho, who held John close when mobbed by zombies who apparently connived with her boyfriend for the engagement proposal.

When they were cornered, John stepped down on one knee, took out a ring, and popped the question. “Will you be mine?”

Jaja said “yes,” and the zombies cheered wildly and spared the couple—at least for that leg of the race.

John said he chose the event because it mirrored their love story.

“How we got together wasn’t exactly a fairy tale. But that’s life, beautiful things come out of ugly situations,” he said.

Like many of the runners who started out as risk-takers and finished the race as survivors, the fun run itself was a “risky move” because it was a first of its kind in the Philippines.

“At first, sponsors did not like the idea of a zombie run. But with the great response we got, they started to reach out to us,” said Cruz.

Cruz added that they are planning to come up with a sequel of Outbreak Manila, and are exploring the possibility of a night run with zombies.

The zombies will be back to get you. Soon.

 

SOURCE

Stock Exchange in BGC

Posted April 27th, 2012 by Manila Standard Today 

ASIDE from the shares that moved the market to new record highs, the Philippine Stock Exchange is also moving up, this time to the plush Bonifacio Global City district in Taguig City.

The PSE announced yesterday that it will be moving its corporate headquarters and trading floor to a new building to be built in Bonifacio Global City by Ayala Land Inc.

Under the agreement with Ayala Land, the bourse’s new headquarters and trading floor will be built on 6,000 square meters of office space in a still-unnamed structure to be developed in the middle of The Fort’s central business district.

The office space will be traded for the 2,000-square-meter property that Fort Bonifacio developers donated to the PSE as the site of its future headquarters.

No target dates have been set yet, but the proposed plans are going to be discussed by the bourse’s stockholders during their annual meeting on May 5.

The PSE headquarters and trading was originally housed at the former Tektite Towers in Ortigas, Pasig City with another trading floor at the PSE Plaza in Makati City. The exchange later consolidated its operations under one office in the Ayala Tower One in Makati City, where it also operates a trading floor.

The relocation of the stock exchange is expected to be boost to Bonifacio Global City, which used to be part of the Philippine Army’s headquarters Fort Bonifacio. The district is now home to a growing number of office buildings and residential condominiums such as Essensa, Serendra, Pacific Plaza Towers, Bonifacio Ridge and Regent Parkway.

Many corporations have acquired properties and some have committed to relocate their regional or national headquarters, among them are Accenture, Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation, Deutsche Bank, Lawson Software, Fujitsu, Hewlett-Packard, Ericsson, TetraPak, JPMorgan Chase and Safeway.

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