by Penny Angeles-Tan | Jun 13, 2019 | Real Estate
Recent reports from the Knight Frank Prime International Residential Index say Manila’s luxury home market saw the most growth in the world, with increased land values for high-end residential developments. Also highlighted as the next hotspot is Alabang, where various major infrastructures are being developed, guaranteeing high profitability in the area. At the forefront of this unprecedented growth is Filigree, which has arguably established itself as the gold standard in luxury real estate developments.
Its projects are strategically located — all redefining luxury — with only the finest finishes, living spaces and amenities. And among these enviable locations is Filinvest City, Alabang, where land values have risen by as much as 300 percent in the last six years. Now home to the most discerning few in the metro, Filigree developments have outstanding property values and promise an impressive return on investment.
Filigree boasts of upscale residential properties, all of which are value enhancers to the community where they are located. And what sets Filigree developments apart from others in the upscale market? This developer is all about a rarefied yet sustainable lifestyle, wherein you can live in the lap of luxury while staying cognizant of the environment around you.
Filigree is about attention to detail, exceptional craftsmanship, and world-class planning and design, with each project treated like a fine masterpiece and a livable work of art. Its developments are set in strategic locations —prime, progressive, central — but in quiet and secluded quarters for true cosmopolitan, genteel living where all is within easy reach.
Botanika Nature Residences
Take a look, for one, at its flagship project, the posh and green-oriented Botanika Nature Residences in Filinvest City, Alabang, which has seen a growing community for its first tower.
With its three-star Building for Ecologically Responsive Design Excellence (BERDE) rating for design from the Philippine Green Building Council, Botanika makes luxurious yet eco-conscious living possible. Thus, you reduce your carbon footprint, save more on energy, and ultimately contribute less to global warming.
Botanika’s progressive architectural design, executed by Architecture International and Leandro V. Locsin and Partners, as well as its first-class amenities and well-appointed, luxuriously spacious condominium units make it even more desirable. The property’s value has risen to an impressive 80 percent.
Bristol at Parkway Place
Bristol at Parkway Place, located at the power address of Corporate corner Parkway Avenues in Filinvest City, is now also ready for occupancy. The 40-story edifice with a notable architecture exemplifies the charming modern life. Astute investors have started to savor handsome returns and increasing property values of up to an astounding 30 percent.
Bristol at Parkway Place Library
Bristol allows residents to live a life of ease, as everything is all within easy reach. Amenities include a library; function room for private, intimate events; a sky lounge for a 360-view of the Alabang skyline and beyond; and the entertainment and media center for a movie night with family and friends. Soon, residents can delight in sumptuous dining and shopping right at their doorstep with Bristol’s retail plaza at the ground floor.
Bristol at Parkway Place Sky Lounge
The Enclave Alabang
Filigree does more than luxurious vertical developments. The Enclave Alabang is a 13-hectare exclusive, nature-inspired village in Metro South. The horizontal development has been selling fast since its launch, with only a few of the 218 lots still available. Residents will enjoy a higher standard in upscale village living — not to mention rising, by as much as 10 percent year on year, land values — owing to its prime location, world-class modern tropical design, verdant greenery and low-density masterplan.
It is the result of the creative collaboration of H1 Architecture for the masterplan, Budji + Royal Architecture + Design for interior design, and AECOM for landscape architecture — all the best minds in their field, who have come together to create a community never before seen in local luxury real estate market. Aside from its distinct features, this remarkable project takes pride in a close-knit community, where residents will enjoy exclusivity while being in close proximity to urban centers like Filinvest City.
All these exceptional qualities are testaments to the brand’s unwavering commitment in delivering only the very best: from planning and construction, project development and property management to groundbreaking and final hand over. And as demand for luxury real estate in the country continues to rise, Filigree’s portfolio of unrivaled upscale developments is undoubtedly the best investment decision you can make.
by Penny Angeles-Tan | Jun 12, 2019 | Food & Beverage
We all know that mangoes are incredibly versatile as desserts. Its naturally sweet flavor makes for a perfect topping, added tidbits, and it’s even good eaten on its own. But if you think you’ve seen all the possibilities this delicious fruit has to offer, local soft serve and mango connoisseur Go Mango begs to differ.
As the summer comes to a close, the coming days are about to get cooler with their new products: introducing, the Mango Milk with Brown Sugar Boba, Mango Cheesecake, and Mango Chocnut Cream.
Mango milk with brown sugar boba
The Mango Milk with Brown Sugar Boba is their unique take on the milk tea craze, and quite possibly, your new favorite drink!
Think fresh, sweet, and irresistibly lip-smacking mangoes served with a thick froth of full cream milk, deliciously complemented by warm boba soaked in muscovado sugar to bring out its natural, toasted sugar flavor that we simply can’t get enough. Give it a little shake and all of the flavors and elements mix together in one delicious, refreshing cup. Trust us, it’s definitely a must-try!
Mango cheesecake
For dessert lovers, the Mango Cheesecake is heavenly. Go Mango’s signature soft-serve ice cream is topped with heaps of grated cheese and fresh mangoes, served in between oven-baked cheesecake crust with cream, making it two mouth-watering desserts in one decadent cup.
Mango chocnut cream
Last but definitely not least, the Mango Chocnut Cream is an ode to our childhood favorite. This delightful treat is made up of layers of fresh mango slices, soft-serve ice cream, and of course, the nutty goodness of Chocnut.
And because Go Mango is all about that premium dessert experience, they also have sundaes, shakes, and mango milk beverages. Among the best-sellers are the Mango Graham Sundae and the Mango Yakult Shake. They have more delicious offerings launching soon, so stay tuned!
Go Mango will also be opening two new branches in SM Manila this June and Century City Mall in July. For more details on the menu and branches, visit www.facebook.com/gomangoph.
by Penny Angeles-Tan | Jun 11, 2019 | Business
Leading mobile money platform, GCash, is looking for partners in Mindanao for its GCash for Good project – a pioneering corporate social responsibility program that enables Filipinos to donate to non-government organizations (NGOs) that champion worthy advocacies from education, environment to animal welfare among others.
This was announced yesterday by GCash VP for Corporate Communications Reyner Villaseñor in a press launch held in Park Inn Hotel in Davao City who said that GCash for Good is another big step to further develop the GCash app into a more socially relevant and sustainable platform that help addresses issues across different levels of society.
GCash, operated by operated by Globe Fintech Innovations Inc. (Mynt), is well-equipped to become a springboard for donations to non-government organizations that champion various advocacies, thanks to its scale and innovative digital platform. Thus, the GCash executive is calling on all NGOs in Davao City and nearby cities and provinces to join the GCash for Good as their partners in spreading good to all.
GCash VP for Corporate Communications Reyner Villaseñor
“With GCash for Good, GCash users can use the GCash app to donate to various groups to create an impact on society. This allows GCash to be a more inclusive and open platform that will help create better opportunities for millions of Filipinos. I am calling on all our NGO friends in Davao region and in the whole of Mindanao to join us as we spread the power of good through GCash,” Villaseñor said.
For interested NGOs, some regulatory requirements need to be completed before becoming official GCash for Good partners to ensure the organizations are legitimate and the money donated cannot be abused.
The GCash for Good program currently involves 35 NGOs, which are included in the initial batch after completing their documentation requirements both from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) and Mynt before the program was launched. The program has already been launched in Manila and Cebu.
During the GCash for Good launch in Davao City, Villaseñor also disclosed that that people now prefer to donate online, as this removes the hassle of having to go through long queues and processes, giving them more time to focus on their daily lives.
He quoted a study by 2017 Global Trends in Giving which shows that 54 percent of individuals prefer to donate online, while the total volume of donations made online grew by a strong 12.1 percent.
Various researches also show a growing trend in micro-donations and crowdfunding, with sites like Patreon and Kofi gaining massive support. According to Tech’s Good, micro-donations range between $0.25 and $10. This kind of donations, although small at a time, can make a huge difference once added up.
“With innovative mobile money technology like GCash, people who want to do good are now empowered with a more efficient experience. Any amount will create huge opportunities for organizations that forward different issues. With GCash for Good, users will also have direct access to where their donations go. It showcases a more transparent ad user-friendly interface for anyone to access,” Villaseñor stressed.
by Penny Angeles-Tan | Jun 7, 2019 | Safety tips
The summer season means going on vacations, long road trips, and fun and exciting out-of-town excursions with family and friends. To make your trip hassle-free and enjoyable, it truly pays to practice road safety before and while you are behind the wheel. Remember, safety first always!
Here are some road safety tips from AXA Philippines, one of the leading insurance companies in the country:
Have your car checked.
Take your car to your trusted mechanic and have the battery, lights, oil, water, brakes, air, and gas (B.L.O.W.B.A.G.) checked, as well as your air conditioner. Always have a tool kit and a usable spare tire ready, in case of a flat tire.
Get a good rest before you hit the road.
Driving long distances with very little sleep is dangerous as it can affect your alertness and your overall driving skills. Having coffee or a caffeinated drink may not be enough. So get that proper shut-eye — at least six to nine hours of uninterrupted sleep — before that trip.
Plan your route.
When going somewhere far for the first time, it’s best to do research first on the surrounding areas, the best routes to take, and the general road conditions there.
Use a paper map or download a navigation app on your smartphone so you don’t get lost or get stuck in heavy traffic.
Buckle up, even if you’re a rear seat passenger.
It’s important to wear your seatbelt — for the driver as well as front and rear seat passengers. This safety restraint system can protect you in times of collisions and prevent you from hitting the dashboard, the windshield, the seat in front of you, or worse.
Keep your distance.
Be conscious of braking distances and leave a safe space between your vehicle and the one ahead of you, so in case of an abrupt stop, a potential collision can be avoided.
Insure your vehicle.
Having car insurance, like the comprehensive insurance coverage offered by AXA Philippines, can protect you against losses and liabilities arising from road mishaps. AXA Car Insurance is available for purchase online.
Its policy holders can also avail of 24/7 emergency roadside assistance coverage across the country. This insurance product also offers the AXA Assist app, which presents a first-of-its-kind emergency red button. In case of emergencies, the application sends a distress message and location of the policy holder to emergency contact person/s, and AXA Assistance’s command center. What this brings is added peace of mind and security, so you can enjoy your drive and your trip!
To get a quote now, visit www.axa.com.ph.
by Penny Angeles-Tan | Jun 6, 2019 | Awards and Competitions
Danlord Kim, Computer Engineering student from San Pedro Laguna won The Big Beauty Challenge Year 3 top prize with his interpretation of the grand face-off theme, “Makeup Transformation”.
Kim competed against nine other aspiring makeup artists and took home a total of P70,000 cash and a trip for two to Phuket, Thailand.
The Danlord shared that he sees makeup as a form of art. “Four years ago, I started doing makeup for fun, but over the years, I started doing easy-fix makeup as well, then prosthetics. Recently, I learned how to do creative makeup.”
On normal days, the freelance makeup artist said that it usually takes him two hours to do his every day makeup. “I really take time with my brow and base foundation because prepping the skin is essential in having good makeup.”
First runner up in the Ever Bilena Big Beauty Challenge Year 3 was AJ Castro. Donald Ancayan came in as second runner up. The contest judges comprised of Ever Bilena’s marketing manager, Olive Padilla, EB Advance brand manager, Creole David, and past champion of Big Beauty Challenge Min Ortiz.
Now on its third year, The Big Beauty Challenge spurred students, makeup enthusiasts and professional makeup artists to create a tutorial on how to achieve a complete makeup look, following a specific theme, only using Ever Bilena products.
Ever Bilena, the country’s leading local cosmetics brand, also carries EB Advance, a full range of high quality products for makeup enthusiasts, and Careline Cosmetics, for edgy and trendy teens. They also include a product line for men and women’s fragrances and personal care products, under the brands, Blackwater and Blackwater Women.
To know more about Ever Bilena and The Big Beauty Challenge Year 3, visit Ever Bilena’s website, www.everbilena.com.ph and Facebook page, www.facebook.com/everbilenacosmetics.
Filigree does more than luxurious vertical developments. The Enclave Alabang is a 13-hectare exclusive, nature-inspired village in Metro South. The horizontal development has been selling fast since its launch, with only a few of the 218 lots still available. Residents will enjoy a higher standard in upscale village living — not to mention rising, by as much as 10 percent year on year, land values — owing to its prime location, world-class modern tropical design, verdant greenery and low-density masterplan.
The Mango Milk with Brown Sugar Boba is their unique take on the milk tea craze, and quite possibly, your new favorite drink!
For dessert lovers, the Mango Cheesecake is heavenly. Go Mango’s signature soft-serve ice cream is topped with heaps of grated cheese and fresh mangoes, served in between oven-baked cheesecake crust with cream, making it two mouth-watering desserts in one decadent cup.
Last but definitely not least, the Mango Chocnut Cream is an ode to our childhood favorite. This delightful treat is made up of layers of fresh mango slices, soft-serve ice cream, and of course, the nutty goodness of Chocnut.
Driving long distances with very little sleep is dangerous as it can affect your alertness and your overall driving skills. Having coffee or a caffeinated drink may not be enough. So get that proper shut-eye — at least six to nine hours of uninterrupted sleep — before that trip.
When going somewhere far for the first time, it’s best to do research first on the surrounding areas, the best routes to take, and the general road conditions there.
It’s important to wear your seatbelt — for the driver as well as front and rear seat passengers. This safety restraint system can protect you in times of collisions and prevent you from hitting the dashboard, the windshield, the seat in front of you, or worse.
Be conscious of braking distances and leave a safe space between your vehicle and the one ahead of you, so in case of an abrupt stop, a potential collision can be avoided.
Having car insurance, like the comprehensive insurance coverage offered by AXA Philippines, can protect you against losses and liabilities arising from road mishaps. AXA Car Insurance is available for purchase online.
Ever Bilena, the country’s leading local cosmetics brand, also carries EB Advance, a full range of high quality products for makeup enthusiasts, and Careline Cosmetics, for edgy and trendy teens. They also include a product line for men and women’s fragrances and personal care products, under the brands, Blackwater and Blackwater Women.
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