Flood Management Master Plan for Metro Manila and surrounding areas

On June 19, 2013 the DPWH released its report on the Flood Management Master Plan for Metro Manila and surrounding areas. Read more here

Objective:

After the flood events brought about by typhoons Ondoy and Pepeng in September and October 2009, respectively, that caused severe damage in Metro Manila and surrounding areas, the World Bank has provided a technical grant in the amount of $1.5 million under the Global Facility for Disaster Reduction and Recovery Trust Fund of the Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID).

A flood risk assessment study for the entire Metro Manila and surrounding basin area was undertaken from February 2011 to February 2012, to prepare a comprehensive flood risk management plan for the same and to determine a set of priority structural measures, which will still undergo individual feasibility studies and detailed design prior to implementation, including nonstructural measures that will provide sustainable flood management up to a designated safety level and serve as the roadmap/vision of the government until 2035 (23 years from now).

Guiding principles for master plan development:
1. Adopt the principles of integrated water resources management and river basin approach
2. Develop a safe society with resiliency to floods through:

• Structural measures for the river basins and waterways
• Structural measures for the Laguna lakeshore, and
• Improvement of the urban drainage system

3. Improvement of the Flood Information and Warning System (FIWS) 4. Establish an integrated and consistent flood risk management (FRM) institutional system
5. Strengthen community-based flood risk management—land use and solid waste
6. Utilization of runoff waters as water resources, etc.
7. Reforestation and watershed management

Three major flooding occurrences:
1. Huge volume of water coming from Sierra Madre
2. Drainage capacity constraints in core area of Metro Manila
3. Low-lying communities around Manila Bay and Laguna Lake

Read the rest of the report here

NAIA Terminal 1 will finally get a Facelift! Cobonpue's design will push through!

Secretary Jun Abaya of the DOTC (Department of Transportation and Communications) announced that it is moving forward with the P2.8 billion rehabilitation of NAIA terminal 1 with plans to bid out by next month contracts to address structural and architectural components. In a meeting held in the DOTC office on May 10, 2013, five cabinet secretaries chose to adapt the original design of Kenneth Cobonpue, Budji Layug and Arch. Royal Pineda for the long-awaited rehabilitation of NAIA-1. Present during the meeting were DOTC Sec Emilio Abaya, DOF Sec Cesar Purisima, DPWH Sec Rogelio Singson, DOT Sec Ramon Jimenez Jr., Cabinet Sec Rene Almendras, MIAA Gen Manager Jose Angel Honrado and National Competitiveness Council Co-chairman Guillermo Luz.

Shelved in 2011, the original plan revolves around a green oasis in the heart of the city surrounded by several road rings flanked by a multi-level parking building and a greeters terminal. Sec. Abaya said that the trio would put a “Filipino taste and modern feel” to the planned rehabilitation, with Sec. Jimenez saying that the “aha feel” in the proposed design was what they were looking for. Targeted for completion in time for the hosting of the APEC Summit in 2015, the design complements the original exterior which, due to national patrimony laws, cannot be altered. The trio will work with the architectural firm of Leandro V Locsin who designed the present NAIA terminal.

The "dream" NAIA as envisioned by the team of Kenneth Cobonpue, Royal Pineda and Budji Layug with the NAIA PMO:

Videos from 2011 Special on ANC: Redesigning NAIA Terminal 1

Another "Green" development comes to Metro Manila.... watch out Mandaluyong City

Another "Green" development comes to Metro Manila... 

We have Greenmeadows, Greenhills,  Green Residences, Greenbelt, Circulo Verde (Green Circle)...did we miss anything? Oh and now...GREENFIELD DISTRICT!


I guess it is Metro Manila's way of making up for the lack of green space. Don't be fooled by all the "Green developments" in the city. But sad as it may be, it is true that these places have some of the few places where people can relax and enjoy green spaces. Of course the first three are residential "villages"...and a tower while the rest are mixed-use developments.

"Greenfield Aims to Recreate Mandaluyong City"

In the early 1970s, a budding developer and landholding company by the name of Greenfield Development Corporation established its modest beginnings with the construction of EDSA Central.
Located at the heart of the metropolis, the mixed-use development rapidly grew into a bustling hub for commerce and transportation.

 

Forty years later, the former congested complex is now being transformed by the same company into a master planned community with a “smart and connected” promise, dubbed as the Greenfield District.

“Greenfield is setting its sights towards revolutionizing living in Mandaluyong.
“Through the smart and connected blueprint of the Greenfield District, we aim to help recreate the city into a state-of-the-art urban center that measures up to the highest urban planning standards in the world,” said Jeffrey D.Y. Campos, Greenfield Development Corporation’s president and chairman of the board.

Greenfield District will be the first of its kind in the Philippines, offering a balance between modern comfort and green living with state-of-the-art buildings and natural wonders.
Infrastructure components are designed to let the environment work for its end users. Intelligent building, property, energy, waste and water management practices are strictly observed and implemented and connected via integrated network operation centers.

At least forty percent of the planned hub will feature pocket parks, tree-lined roads and verdant open spaces. In addition, the proposed district’s central location in Mandaluyong and its direct access to EDSA makes it conveniently located near  other l business districts, schools, hospitals, malls and lifestyle centers.

Greenfield District will also feature BPO offices, shopping buildings and a wide range of bars and restaurants, all of which will be connected through pedestrian-friendly walkways. Interconnected underground parking spaces and roads will also be built for easier vehicular navigation.
Its first vertical residential development, Twin Oaks Place, is a showcase of Greenfield’s plans and standards for future buildings in the Greenfield District. Outfitted with Fiber-to-the-Home (FTTH) technology, Twin Oaks Place will enable residents to enjoy the convenience of a smart and automated home, as well as connection speeds of up to 1GBps.

The first tower is set to be completed in early 2014. This state-of-the-art structure, Campos says, is a promise of bigger and brighter things to come.

With its focus on future-ready structures, Greenfield is hoping to pave the way for the next generation.

Campos concludes, “Through innovation and quality, we aim to bequeath a legacy of fully connected, balanced and sustainable communities”.

Quiet Moving Force in the Industry
“Modesty aside, since our incorporation in 1961, we have remained a quiet moving force in the real estate industry,” Campos said.
Campos said that In its 50-year history, Greenfield has played an instrumental role in the development of Sta. Rosa by laying the groundwork for projects like Greenfield City, the first city within a park; Paseo, the outlet hub of the South; Pramana, the country’s first residential park, and several interchanges on the South Luzon Expressway.
The company has provided the foundation for joint venture projects including Ayala Greenfield Estates in Laguna, and Hillsborough Estates in Muntinlupa.
Today, armed with our vast pool of significant landholdings and resources, Greenfield is embarking on a new corporate direction. “We are setting our sights beyond the next fifteen years and building for the next generations through innovative and future-ready developments,” said Campos.

Source: Manila Standard Today

Cities Alliance in Action - New Urban Planning Strategies for the Philippines

CITIES ALLIANCE IN ACTION

New Urban Planning Strategies for the Philippines

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The Philippines ranks among the most rapidly urbanising countries in the world. Currently, more than 60 per cent of its population lives in cities and this figure is expected to rise to 70 per cent by 2020. While such rapid urbanisation creates new economic opportunities for cities and their residents, it is also characterised by rising poverty, housing constraints, environmental degradation and unemployment. There is immense pressure on Local Government Units (LGUs), who often lack the institutional and technical capacity to adopt a sustainable and strategic urban planning approach. For more than a decade, the Cities Alliance has supported the Philippines’ City Development Strategy programme in three phases, in partnership with the League of Cities of the Philippines (LCP). Helping Cities Help Themselves City of San Fernando, La Union: Botanical Garden City, a Healthy City, and a Springboard for Regional Progress Iliolo City: The Growth Centre for Sustainable Business, Industry, Tourism, Social and Human Development... These are just two of 63 vision statements formulated and implemented by as many cities across the Philippines as part of a strategic approach to urban planning and management, the City Development Strategy (CDS). In 1998, CDS 1: Preparatory Activities for the Expansion of CDS Programme in the Philippines was piloted in seven cities across the Philippines. Three years later, 31 new cities joined phase 2 of the programme, the CDS 2: Upscaling Poverty-Focused CDS in the Philippines. By 2006, another 15 cities took part in phase 3, CDS 3: An Enabling Platform for Good Governance and Improving Service Delivery. Today, the CDS is widely recognised as one of the most effective tools for strategic urban planning in the Philippines. Its flexible nature allows each city to identify unique challenges and development opportunities. Every city has its own long-term vision statement and a concrete plan of action against which progress is closely monitored. At every stage, stakeholders (including civil society, businesses, academia, local government officials and city residents) interact and exchange information and knowledge, making the CDS a truly participatory process. Beyond the Halfway Mark – and Counting Across the Philippines, response to the CDS has been extraordinary. To date, more than half of its cities have voluntarily participated in the programme , and the demand continues. Few countries in the world have seen such a high rate of participation in the CDS as the Philippines. This enthusiasm arises from the potential benefits associated with the programme. For instance, participating cities are seen as attractive financial destinations by international donor agencies and private investors. Also, CDS cities are encouraged to be efficient and resourceful in fundraising and allocation. This is critical since funding for the CDS in the Philippines is thinly distributed among a large number of cities.(1) The fiscal prudence of CDS cities has other advantages as well. Congressman Mel Sarmiento, a former Mayor of Calbayog City, explains: “CDS cities stand out in terms of their design and programmes. The transformation, but more importantly the institutionalisation of this transformation, is evidenced by the fact that CDS cities are those who are often recognised by award-giving bodies like the Galing Pook Award and National Competitiveness Council.” The CDS programme has also led to knowledge sharing through online platforms, workshops, city-to-city tours and other activities for city mayors and staff. For instance, based on information gathered from other CDS cities, Iliolo City implemented a house-numbering system which was not initially part of its CDS. Mary Jane Ortega, former Mayor of City of San Fernando, La Union says, “While CDS taught cities to compete it also taught us to share. This sharing tightened the bond between cities.” Ortega also highlights that this knowledge sharing has led to a replication of the CDS programme beyond the city level. She says, “Our city shared the CDS process at the barangay (village) and municipality level in our province.” This replication has occurred in other provinces as well. Lessons Learned from the CDS Success Story The scale at which the CDS programme operates in the Philippines is a testimony to its success. From the outset, the active participation and commitment of mayors and city officials have proved critical. Constant efforts are required to ensure their continued support. In particular, new mayors must be engaged and oriented with the CDS so that political support for it continues despite regime change. Led by mayors who serve as ‘champions’, many cities in the Philippines have locally institutionalised the programme to an extent that it works harmoniously with existing planning frameworks such as the Comprehensive Development Plan (CDP) and Comprehensive Land Use Plan (CLUP). However, the CDS has not yet been incorporated in national policy-making. This must be addressed in order for the CDS projects to be aligned with the development priorities of both, city and country. Finally, CDS cities in the Philippines can benefit from robust mechanisms to monitor socio-economic progress as a result of the programme. This has implications for project monitoring and evaluation and contributes to the ability of the Cities Alliance and LCP’ to identify and support CDS cities which need further attention. (1) With so many cities participating in the Philippines CDS programme, there is a resource dilution. For instance, under CDS 2 and 3, each CDS city received approximately USD 24,000 from the Cities Alliance. This is in stark comparison to the Vietnam CDS programme, in which each of the two participating cities received USD 125,000. © 2013 The Cities Alliance, All Rights Reserved.

Project: City Development Strategies for the Philippines Partners: Cities Alliance, League of Cities of the Philippines (LCP), the World Bank, UN-Habitat, Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), Asian Development Bank (ADB) Duration: 1999 – 2008 Financing: USD 1,171,000 Key Aspects: Enabling cities to design and implement their own strategic development plans Encouraging all city stakeholders to participate in project planning, implementation and monitoring Promoting knowledge sharing among cities at the national and international level The City of Puerto Princesa received several awards for environmental management and protection following its participation in the CDS. “While CDS taught us to compete, we also learned to share.” Mary Jane Ortega, Former Mayor - City of San Fernando, La Union, The Philippines

68th Anniversary of the Battle of Manila

Urbanismo Filipno remembers the Battle of Manila on its 68th Anniversary February 3-March 3

Check out special content shared by the Philippine Government with pictures and videos of horrific scenes that devastated our city and our heritage. The glorious city of Manila, dubbed the "Pearl of the Orient" had been reduced to ash and dust from World War II. 

Check out:
http://malacanang.gov.ph/battle-of-manila/

  

Through an exclusive partnership with Tiger Films, we [Malacañang Palace] are making available a rare, colored film featuring the devastation of Manila in the aftermath of the Battle of Manila. The footage, shot on Kodak colour film, showcases the extent of the destruction on the city of Manila, which was the second most devastated Allied capital of World War II.

Ortigas unveils Industria mall

MANILA, Philippines - Quezon City mall-goers will soon have a new place to dine and shop in as premiere property developer Ortigas & Co. unveils Industria.

Industria is the latest retail development venture of Ortigas & Company. Photo courtesy of Ortigas & Company

In a statement on Tuesday, February 19, Ortigas said the P400 million-worth mall with a total leasable area of 14,000 square meters will feature an indoor-outdoor retail concept.
The new complex is expected to become the neighborhood commerical center for Circulo Verde, a P25-billion flagship residential development of Ortigas & Co., composed of 15 towers, located along Calle Industria in Quezon City.

"The name Industria alludes to the roots and legacy of the site. It has reference to the adjacent street ‘Calle Industria.’ The architecture of the proposed development also relates to industrial design elements," said Ortigas & Co. Shopping Center Division General Manager Cathy Casares-Ko.
It is designed to be a hang-out place for Circulo Verde’s residents as well as a young, edgy, and artsy crowd. It will be accessible to the public via two main entrances.

One access point is located along Calle Industria, and an alternative access bridge linking Circulo Verde to Amang Rodriguez is being developed.

It aims to have mix of tenants composed of a neighborhood grocery, unique gastronomic concepts, a fitness center, weekend markets featuring organic choices, as well as craft fairs.
It is also envisioned to be a venue for street art shows and music festivals. A special section of Industria, called the Lab, will house novel concepts in arts, culture, and design.
The new mall is expected to be fully completed in the first quarter of 2014, while the anchor supermarket should be ready by December 2013.

Industria will be the newest addition to the company's other retail developments, like Tiendesitas, Greenhills Shopping Center, and Estancia at Capitol Commons.
"Ortigas’ retail developments each have very distinct characteristics. While people flock to Greenhills Shopping Center for bargain finds, Tiendesitas for all-Filipino goods, and soon Estancia for high end destination retailers, the young and artistic personality of Industria would make it a haven for individuals who are looking for alternatives in food, fashion, and entertainment," Ko said.
The launch of Industria is the new addition to these ongoing projects of the Ortigas group:

• Greenhills Shopping Center which is undergoing a P25-billion redevelopment project, which is now on its 2nd phase;
• Tiendesitas which is going through a redevelopment process that will make it bigger by 20,000 sqm and cooler; and
• The construction of Estancia at Capitol Commons is well underway, with the mall set to open by 2014. 

- Rappler.com

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

It would be great to see more development projects pay homage to the local surroundings and heritage of the community they are building in. As a developer, you must understand the context of where you are building these urban spaces, keeping in mind the urban design and its connection to the greater fabric. This projects seems very promising...although...another retail mall? The Philippine economy is based on local consumption and it seems as though there will always be demand for these spaces as the population continues to grow, especially if this development is trying to attract the yuppie and artsy segment of the population. 

'Paradores' en Filipinas

At least five major private-public partnership projects have been offered to Spanish firms to enhance the tourism and cultural agenda in Intramuros.

Intramuros Administration chief Jose Capistrano Jr. announced during the 6th Tribuna España-Filipinas at the Asian Institute of Management today that a master plan for the walled city has been finished, but “we (now) need to work on Phase 2 of the Master Plan which is a more detailed planning. After that, we can come up with a [terms of reference] for this package.”

Among the projects that are being developed are the establishment of a boutique hotel, fine dining restaurant, a theme park replicating the Old Intramuros, integrated parking and the Maestranza Park, which will be open to the public on February 11.

He said the long-term plan, which should be implemented by 2016, is the establishment of a row of cafes, shops and restaurants similar to Clark Quay in Singapore.

‘Paradores’
He also noted that the Department of Tourism is implementing programs for the restoration and conversion of 27 lighthouses in different parts of the country for “bed and breakfast” inns, similar to the Paradores chain of hotels in Spain.

Spain Tourism Attache Angela Castaño said Paradores are old structures like historical buildings, castles and chateaus developed and refurbished as hotels with modern services, the first of which was established in 1928. There are currently 98 Paradores operating in Spain.

“The bidding will be open to all (interested developers and investors). What is important is that we finish the terms of reference under our private-public partnership plan and then we bid it out to developers but that would mean a further study,” Capistrano said.

Visiting Permanent Secretary Luis Ramon Enseñat said the two countries should now work together because of their shared history. Enseñat is with the Ministry of Education, Culture and Sports of Spain. For his part, Instituto Cervantes Sec. Gen. Rafael Rodriguez-Ponga pressed for education in bridging the gap between the two countries.

“With 500 million Spanish-speaking people in the world, and 50 million in the US and 40 million who speak Spanish everyday, learning the language helps the young professionals improve their job opportunities. This goes beyond historical relations, it is not just about bridging the gap to the past but also charting the pathway to the future,” he said.

“We should recognize that relationships between the Philippines and Spain, whether it be in stone or paper, is working for the future of both countries,” he added. (ABS CBN)

Town of Vigan - UNESCO World Heritage Site - Best Preserved Hispanic Colonial Towns

The Plan to have 'Paradores' around the Philippines is a wonderful idea. I hope the government can formalize legislation and policies such as tax incentives and preservation standards to attract private investors who interested in rehabilitating, and creating value out of these under-utilized structures. Historic preservation-wise, it will save a lot of these structures from demolition and will contribute to the patrimony of the Filipino.

These Paradores will help stimulate local economies, create jobs and supply the demand of the burgeoning hospitality industry in the Philippines. Philippine policy-makers should really take this seriously and make it a priority for the preservation of Philippine heritage and also would enhance ties between Spain and the Philippines. I support the creation of PARADORES in the Philippines.
-- J.G. Apelar

Journal Article: Colonial Urban Planning and Land Structures in the Philippines 1521-1898

Pilar Chias y Tomas Abad, 2012
Escuela de Arquitectura, Universidad de Alcalá
Madrid, España

Abstract: The Spanish Colonial period in the Indies extends from 1492 to 1898, when last colonies - Cuba, Puerto Rico, and the Philippines - attained their independence. The Philippines depended on the Spanish Crown from 1521, the date of the first settlement on the island of Cebu.  More than 200 new cities were founded along the archipelago with the traditional grid structure, but some with other urban typologies have not been studied before. At the beginning they were mostly located on the coast and later became port cities, but the ensuing exploration of inland territories led to the construction of new settlements, later linked through a network of roads, railroads, and navigational routes. Based upon the ancient cartography of the Philippines that the authors recently discovered in the principal Spanish repositories, the present article studies the unexplored and unpublished fields of research, analyzing the different urban patters, as well as the territorial structures that were consolidated during the Spanish Colonial period in the Archipelago.

Journal Article: Click Here

Keywords: spanish colonies, urban typology, land planning, Philippine Islands, Islas Filipinas, ancient cartography

Conservation master plan to breathe life into Intramuros

Conservation master plan to breathe life into Intramuros


A MASTER plan to redevelop and conserve Manila's historical walled city of Intramuros will spawn a river promenade, theme parks, boutique hotels, museums, theatres and other attractions.



Though details are not yet known, TTG Asia e-Daily understands that the restoration project will be open to private investors. Meanwhile, Augusto Rustia, chief, Cultural Properties and Conservation Division of the Intramuros Administration, said some components of the master plan are already underway.
 Maestranza Park, facing Pasig River, will have a promenade, a dock for river cruises, cafes, restaurants, shops and exhibition areas, patterned after Singapore’s Clarke Quay. The reconstruction of San Ignacio Church also started this year to make way for an ecclesiastical museum, which will house 7,000 artifacts.



Other developments include the conversion of the former Ateneo Municipal School into a boutique hotel and the transformation of the space along Santa Lucia Gate into a small-scale theme park of Old Manila’s historical landmarks, similar to Madurodam in The Hague. The American Barracks will also house an American colonial period museum.



Rustia, whose department is being consulted for the master plan, said he would like Intramuros’ restoration to include more features, such as the revival of the Rajah Sulayman Theater and the art performances in Puerto Real.

However, he lamented that there was a lack of funds and conservation was not a priority in the country.

- Rosa Ocampo, TTG Asia

Urbanismo Filipino - Intramuros Photo Gallery Click Here

Philippines Call-Center Capital of the World

"The Philippines is emerging as a great outsourcing nation for cost efficiency, but are there limits to its success?" || Aljazeera

Real estate development along the Pasig River

Looking at aerial maps of Metro Manila, you find very few large open tracts of land, parks, or any green spaces at all. If there is green space, its privately owned and is closed of to the general public. One of the few open tracts of land in the heart of the urban metropolis sat the Santa Ana Race Track in Makati. It is now being developed into a new entertainment hub in Makati called The Circuit by AyalaLand - a mixed use district with parks, open space oriented towards the Pasig River with an entertainment mission behind it. The latest Proscenium by Rockwell, just down the river will also feature a cultural/arts venue as well and gleaming residential towers designed by world-renown architect, Carlos Ott.

Makati's horrific land-use decisions had locked in its Commercial Business District with single-family residential all around limiting the growth of the business district into one area. Redevelopment along the Pasig River has been the answer to the ever growing demand for office and residential space in the Philippines' National Capital Region. Here are some few examples along the river:

- former power plant became a master-planned community called Rockwell Center and Powerplant Mall
- former Colgate-Palmolive manufacturing center is now slated for the Proscenium Development
- former sugar refinery plant now Acqui Private Residences
- former Philippine Pipe and Foundry Corp. is now Tivoli Gardens Residences

Rockwell Center (Rockwell Group)


The Proscenium (Rockwell Group)


Rockwell & Proscenium Site Plan


Acqua Residences (Century Properties)


Tivoli Gardens (DMCI Corp.)


The Circuit (AyalaLand Corp.)



All this to say is that redevelopment of former industrial sites is happening all over the region. The highest and best uses for sites in urban centers is now mixed-use developments, catering to the growing demand for housing and retail. Industries and manufacturing centers left the center city and moved to provinces and eco-zones or tax-free incentives zones in the outskirts of major urban centers, as well as the rise of the services industries, have freed up some land in major urban centers, particularly former industrial sites along the the Marikina and Pasig Rivers.

There is a movement to revive the Pasig River with many non-profits and government groups wanting to rehabilitate the river. Once a center and source of life for Manila, the city in the last couple decades has turned its back on it, avoiding its polluted and murky waters. Now citizens and developers are realizing the potential of a waterfront and how important it is to have a healthy river for the eco-system of the city.

Real estate developments such as The Circuit, Proscenium or Acqua are now orienting their developments along the River. Its a positive sign that Manileños are taking notice of their river, and want to bring it back to life as the center of residential, commercial and social activity in the Metro Manila area.

Links:
Pasig River Rehabilitation Commission | http://www.prrc.gov.ph/
Pasig River Ferry Service | http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pasig_River_Ferry_Service
Acqua Residences | http://www.aquaresidence.com/location/
Rockwell Center | http://www.e-rockwell.com/
The Proscenium | http://www.e-rockwell.com/proscenium/

- Jezreel Apelar

Heritage Watch: Compañia Maritima in Cebu City: Then and Now

Fernandez Building, more known by its locators Shamrock Hotel and Compañia Maritima,
was built on reclaimed land at waters’ edge. It was built in 1910 and was owned by
Fernandez Hermanos Inc.

Although at times spelled Compania or Compaña Maritima, archaeologist and
conservationist Jobers Bersales and sources at the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation
Inc. said the actual spelling is Compañia Maritima.

The structure was printed in postcards published as advertisements by the
Shamrock Hotel. Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama said he will put up glass mosaics of historic sites
in Cebu on windows in the structure.

 http://photos.mycebu.ph/

Dancing traffic police in Manila - only in the Philippines!

What do Miss Philippines/Miss Universe and Real Estate have in common?

What do Miss Philippines/Miss Universe and Real Estate have in common?

The answer may be more obvious than you think: DONALD TRUMP.

The catapult of the Philippines in the top finals in the Miss Universe pageant recently is something of a curiosity for me. Miss Philippines has been on the rise at the Miss Universe pageant, placing as the top finalists in the last 3 consecutive years. The pageant-crazy nation takes these competitions seriously and these women who represent the Philippines are seen as national heroes. After the sport of boxing, beauty pageants are arguably the Philippines next favorite "sport." Miss Universe is a profitable world-wide presentation with a global reach and Donald Trump knew the value in it. So in 1996, he acquired it.

Donald Trump is a highly visible personality in the show, but we all know Mr. Trump as the real estate developer and his pretentious skyscrapers that have sprouted in cities all over the United States. But the most recent venture that Donald Trump has in real estate are his international projects and one in particular...the TRUMP Tower in Manila, Philippines.

Destined to be one of the most luxurious towers in Asia and the first to carry the TRUMP brand in the world's fastest growing region, Donald Trump must be strategic in which countries he wants to place in his international pageant. Placing the Philippines as the top finalist is strategic marketing for the Philippines as a nation, but more importantly for him where his shiny glass tower is located. Trump also has real ventures in Brazil, Panama and many other places all over the world.

Starting with Venus Raj in 2010, she received a lot of media attention even before the preliminaries. She rose to popularity after her inclusion in special photo ops with Donald Trump. She along with handful of selected contestants were selected to be muses for many ad campaigns as well. Miss Philippines 2011, Shamcey Supsup also received much praise last year and was invited to come back as a web host for this year's Miss Universe 2012 show. And now 2012's Janine Tugonon also received a handful attention, if not more than the previous year's contestants. This year she was featured in TV interview on Fox 5 with Miss USA- (http://youtu.be/3bAuW9ZSIEg) , a commercial for Australian Gold brand with only a handful of Miss Universe girls (http://tinyurl.com/bqklo3q) and the usual special photo ops with Donald Trump.

This post is not to say that Miss Philippines did not make it to the top finals in Miss Universe in her own right but we all know pageants are never political or biased right? There is always "luck", but the Q & A portion of show and the preliminaries really do reveal that Miss Philippines is not just beauty and brains, but also athletic, poised, and undeniably deserving of the Miss Universe crown. She truly a world-class woman.

But the next time we see these beautiful women again on stage before the world, let us remember that like beauty, we can't take anything at face value.

AFP Photo/Joe Klamar, AFP

New CBD in North Metro Manila - Valenzuela City

Watch out Metro Manila, a new business district will be rising in the northern Metro Manila!

It's about time northern Metro Manila gets its share of new developments. For a long time much of the development of mixed-use environments in this area has been small scale. The western and southern parts of Metro Manila have taken the lion's share in growth in past couple of decades - Eastwood, Bonifacio Global City, Muntinlupa/Alabang, Pasig/Ortigas and of course, Makati.

One of the country's largest conglomerates and most prominent property developers, the Ayala Corporation has sealed the deal with the political dynasty in the north - the Gatchalians, who want to develop just a small portion of their estate...to date about 17 hectares. The market demographics for the northern Metro Manila call for more affordable housing developments and a variety of retail shops. This 17 hectares is only part of the 60+ hectare manufacturing hub of the Gatchalian family.

The Gatchalian’s Plastic City Industrial Corp. (PCIC) has sized down its operations and have leased out many of its existing real estate. This new partnership with the Ayala group will be huge draw for many who desire a "destination" in this part of the metropolitan area. With real estate on the boom in the Philippines, both parties hope to capitalize on the momentum of rising incomes and keen interest from foreign investors. Taking advantage of the BPO industry's strength will also help catapult this neighborhood as the nation continues to add more call center seats.

This is a great opportunity to create a more urban center with modern facilities and amenities for northern Metro Manila such as new schools, new hospitals and overall, a destination for all Filipinos. I believe this a great partnership between the Ayalas and the Gatchalians and I know it will spur a lot of economic development in the area. Another great leap for the Urbanismo Filipino!

 

Photo by wellex.com.ph

Manila Green City Index - One of Asia's LEAST Greenest Cities

Manila is the Philippines’ capital, the largest city and political center of the country. Metro Manila comprises 16 different cities and some 11.6 million people. The city has a per capita GDP of about US$5,400. Manila ranks below average overall in the Index, but its best performance is in the air quality category with low levels of air pollutants. Compared to the other cities in the low income range, Manila has the second-lowest rate of energy consumption per unit of GDP and per capita CO2 emissions that are well below average.

http://www.siemens.com/press/en/presspicture/?press=%2Fen%2Fpresspicture%2F2011%2Fcorporate_communication%2F2011-02-asia%2Fsoaxx201106-12.htm

Full Report: http://www.siemens.com/press/pool/de/events/2011/corporate/2011-02-asia/asian-gci-report-e.pdf

BCDA Masterplan for Camp Aguinaldo Privatization

I have always thought that Camp Aguinaldo, sitting on prime real estate could do more for Metro Manila and become an anchor and congregating point with its strategic location and proximity to many parts of the metropolis.

The first step is to obviously create a masterplan and an eventual privatization of the property. The government can raise funds to modernize its military by selling off parcels to private developers but carefuly urban planning and design is imperative here. What's important is the opportunity to create a more permeable urban space and breakdown physical barriers. Currently its hideous fortress surrounded by giant walls, blocked away from the rest of the urban fabric. It really has left a void in the community and Metro Manila can really benefit if we unlock this low density/open space.

One thing critical that should be developed is a visible and vibrant public space. No, not the pitiful Bonifacio High Street type of public space, but let's make it into a true public park, one that Metro Manila desperately needs. Think Central Park.

I would NOT like to see another BGC/Taguig development, but a more intimate mid-rise/garden-style development a la Washington DC to complement its neighboring residential enclaves. And definitely would NOT want the same drastic land use NO NO like Makati Business District & its Bel-Air/Forbes/Dasma/Urdaneta around it. High rise building typologies adjacent to to single family low-rises on the same street is preposterous. Human scale must be kept in mind. Of course we're there yet and there is still time before this begins to happen.

I'm just glad BCDA is starting to see Camp Aguinaldo's potential and is doing something about it.

http://www.philstar.com/business/2012/12/18/887160/bcda-craft-master-plan-camp-aguinaldo-privatization