Beauty and Bliss in High Living

Avant
at the fort:
OPULENCE
iN GREEn
THe marfori:
nature in
full view
THE FUTURE INHERITING
OF PHILIPPINE PROPERTY
INTERIOR GLOBAL
DESIGN PINOY SOARS

The
Capital
Towers
Suddenly,
Space
P150
DISPLAY UNTIL DECEMBER 15

Published by
www.condo.com.ph
 editor’s note

What will it be?

A majestic view? Resort-like amenities? Prime location? Absolute ac-
cessibility? The friendliest payment terms?
Beauty and Bliss in High Living The best thing about the race for preeminence in high-rise residential
development is that it has an invisible finish line. At every turn,
The editorial developers put in some thoughtful extra just to be able to break free and
separate themselves from the rest.
Daniel R. dela Cruz
Publisher
Industry giant Federal Land, Inc., for instance, proposes space. In an
urban landscape where every square meter gets dearer by the day, it is
Arnold A. Altamira rare and laudable that someone can still assert space as its primary selling
Editor in chief
proposition.
John Anthony A. Concepcion On the other hand, maverick firm Brittany Corporation is looking
Associate editor
to integrate nature more into its projects; while up and coming LBC
Chrysler de Guzman Comunidades Development Corporation enters the arena proffering an
Art director innovative approach to property acquisition.
Godwin Nerona Surely, as real estate companies continue to up the industry ante, the
Layout artist market gains by being afforded choices they can tally with their respec-
tive hierarchy of values and priorities.
Owen Tiam
Chief photographer Speaking of choices, we are happy note that homeowners will not have
a shortage of it when it comes to interior design talent. Get acquainted
Dexter R. dela Cruz as we did with the brilliant interior design students of UP and PSID, as
Editorial assistant
well as the UST alum who topped this year’s licensure examination.
Edwin Calica Cacayorin, Jr. As a staple feature, we also showcase condominium model units that
Cita Y. Abad-Dinglasan
Renne Isidro were conceptualized and executed by budding design professionals.
Columnists We are indeed blessed with the confluence of an increasingly
progressing property development industry and a burgeoning interior
Franchesca A.Casauay
Jude Cartalaba design community that brims with youthful flair. Hopefully, this can
Keith Cortez translate to more happy homes.
Rose Margaret G. Monis
Kat Villanueva
Writers

Rhoy Cobilla
Raymond Latonio
Shaira Luna
Photographers

Arnold A. Altamira
Sales and marketing editor@condocentral.com.ph
Cherie Mae Ayongao
Sales and marketing director

Nizzel Labador
Emma Mangalindan
Cyd V. Ponce
Account executives

Circulation

Bong Cayanan
Circulation manager

Mark Jofferson M. Ramos

Guiller M. Ramos
Circulation assistants

Tech support

Alfred Matrimonio
Web designer

 | CondoCentral
Federal Land’s
The Capital
Towers
opens its showroom

The Capital Towers, the ne-

west project in Quezon City by top
property developer Federal Land,
brings its promise of big space to life
with the opening of its showroom last
October.
Featuring units that have wider
areas and higher ceilings than stan-
dard, The Capital Towers exemplifies
excellent space management and
cutting-edge design, as crafted by
world-renowned architect Ong + Ong
of Singapore.
The Capital Towers’ offer of luxury
of space is made more appealing by
the beautiful interior designs made
by talented professional interior
designers Jasmine Sy, Sensibly Sheik,
and Corocoto Enterprises, as shown
in The Capital Towers’ showroom.
Incorporating functionality, style,
and comfort, each of the model prises, displays an elegant design of
units’ designs was thoughtfully modern furniture in golden brown
conceptualized to perfectly match the and gold accent colors.
profile and lifestyle of the envisioned Besides abundant spaces, The
resident. Capital Towers also offers first-class
The one-bedroom unit, designed amenities perfect for urban dwellers:
by the 2006 MADE Interior Design landscaped podium garden, infinity
Competition Grand Prize Winner pool, reflecting pool and water fea-
Jasmine Sy, shows layout flexibility tures, business center, multi-purpose
and maximized storage to fit the hall, jogging path, fitness center/ gym,
dynamic lifestyle of either a bachelor and daycare/ children’s area. It also
or a young couple starting a life of enjoys a convenient and highly-ac-
their own. cessible location along E. Rodriguez,
The two-bedroom unit, designed Sr. Avenue, one of the major roads in
by Interior Design Company Sensibly Quezon City.
Sheik, features a stylishly homey ambi-
ance with its wooden furniture, Asian
accessories, and vivid, deep colors Come visit The Capital Towers
that match the sophisticated taste of showroom and experience space in the
a family of three. city. For more information about the
Meanwhile, the three-bedroom project, call 482-2828 or 415-6155, or
unit designed by Corocoto Enter- visit www.capitaltowers.com.ph
 Vol. II No. 2
November 2007

is published by
www.condo.com.ph
contents
Daniel R. dela Cruz
CEO/ President
i n e v e ry i s s u e
Danilo R. dela Cruz, Jr.
Chief operating officer
6 Editor’s note 70 Condo Memo
Bing Lau What will it be? Free, at last
Executive vice president
Arnold A. Altamira Rose Margaret Monis
Renne Isidro
Senior vice president - administration
and marketing
66 Review Central 78 Condo guide
The hottest lifestyle picks Your condominium hypermarket
Patrick R. Blanco
Vice president - sales
72 Legal 88 central Market
Andy Bellajaro Legal Options Classified ads
Vice president - investor relations
Atty. Edwin Calica Cacayorin, Jr.
Justin Park 94 Happenings
Managing director - Seriously funny
international sales
Home of the beauties
Michelle Santos
Operations manager

Nel Garbanzos
Administration
and collection officer

Villanueva Gabionza and

De Santos Law Offices
Legal counsel

INTERNATIONAL
REPRESENTATIVE OFFICES

United States
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1600 247th Place Harbor City 90710 CA
Tel. Nos. (310) 326-4925, (310) 408-4920,
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16232 Devonshire Street, Granada Hills
91344 CA
Tel. Nos. (818) 648-7091, (818) 920-1129

Australia
Shane Castueras
Unit 5, 8-10 Lane Cove Road, Ryde NSW
Tel. Nos. (612) 9807-4814, (61) 408-792-861

is published monthly
by Condo.Com.Ph, Inc.; 2nd Floor P&L
Building, 116 Legazpi St., Legaspi Village,
Makati City, Philippines; Tel. Nos. (632)
812-3333 Fax No. (632) 893-8134; E-mail
admin@condocentral.com.ph; Website
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Distributed by
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C O VER S T O RY

38 Suddenly, space
Federal Land breaks away from a
restrictive norm to come up with one
of the roomiest condo projects to date

F E A T URES

Preview Spotlight
46 Opulence in green The future of
50 Developing a condo of comforts Philippine interior design
52 The wonders of nature in full view 32 Giving back
56 A yuppie’s dream come true 34 Pressing forward
36 Staying put

Designer’s Corner 18 Showcase

10 Color choices in your home Superior interiors
Lifestyle-inspired
RevEAL model units galore
14 Gotta love those bathtubs
16 From thread-y to trendy 60 Man on top
Running a business
with a conscience

62 Talk Central
The industry as star

Tips 74 Overseas
12 Add warmth to your bedroom The Global Pinoy
with an oriental rug
26 7 materials for creating the 96 epilogue
perfect kitchen countertop Wonder
44 Controlling dust mites
in your home
 designer’s corner
Color
choices in
your home
Colors as a means to enhance
your home décor and affect your
mood is explained in vivid detail
by Lesley Dietschy
As we all know, color choices play
an important role in our daily lives
from the clothes we wear to the cars
we drive. According to studies, our
choice of one color over another may
have something to do with the way
color makes us feel.
For this reason, color choices in
our homes have a large impact on the
comfort level. If you want your home
to “feel” a certain way or bring out a
person’s mood, that can be done with
color. Color can make a person feel
relaxed, make a person happy, and
even increase one’s appetite.
For example, if you want your living
room to make your family and guests
feel peaceful, calm and relaxed, you
might consider using blue. Blue brings
10 | CondoCentral
out feelings of calm, peacefulness
and stability. Blue is often used on
websites and in business because it
also represents reliability and loyalty.
Green is also a good soothing, calm-
ing color. It represents nature, good
health and cleanliness.
Here are more feelings color can
bring out:
Yellow
Yellow portrays the bliss of sunshine
and communicates happiness. It
feels expansive and welcoming.
Yellow helps you concentrate and
increase your metabolism. The color
yellow is perfect for kitchens, dining
rooms, hall, entries, and other small
spaces.
Red
Red is an intense color that represents
danger, power and strength. Red has
also been shown to raise blood pres-
sure and speed up heart rate. Red is
also associated with love, sensuality
and energy. Red is typically not a good
color choice for bedrooms because it
is too stimulating. Since red is known
to increase appetite, it is a good
choice for dining rooms.
Orange
Orange is a warm color with the
energy of red and the cheerfulness
of yellow. Orange brings out feelings
of happiness, enthusiasm, creativity,
success, and determination. Shades
of orange can be a great color choice
for family and living rooms. However, orange tones
may feel unpleasantly hot. Kitchens and other
rooms that face west should consider not using
orange tones.

Purple
Purple is the color of royalty, sophistication and
romance. It brings out feelings of power, ambition
and wisdom. Light purple is more romantic and
nostalgic while dark purple can bring out frustra-
tion and sadness. Lighter versions of purple such
as lavender and lilac can be a great color choice for
bedrooms.

Pink
Pink is a feminine romantic color that can bring
out feelings of tranquility and passiveness. Shades
of pink can be a great color choice for both bed-
rooms, bathrooms, and living rooms.

Black
Black usually brings out negative feelings of dread,
evil, death and mystery but can also mean power,
authority, prestige and elegance. Black is a great
accent color. Consider using it for picture frames,
accent pillows, trims, lampshades, etc.

White
White usually signifies purity, goodness, cleanli-
ness, simplicity and innocence. White creates a
relaxing atmosphere. If decorating a white room,
consider adding textures such as fuzzy chenille,
shiny damask, or weathered painted wood to
make the room more interesting.

Brown
Brown is a neutral color found in earth, wood,
and stone. Brown is a warm color that represents
wholesomeness and earthiness. The color brown
also brings out feelings of stability and dependabil-
ity. Brown can be a good color choice to use in the
dining room because it stimulates the appetite.

As you can see, color is very powerful and can

affect your mood as well as enhance your home
decor. Be sure to ask yourself, “What mood do I
want to create?” before picking out that yellow
couch or painting your dining room red.
Happy decorating!

Lesley Dietschy is a writer, jewelry designer, and

the founder of a network of popular websites includ-
ing http://www.HomeDecorExchange.com and
http://www.HomeGardenExchange.com. Both of
these websites feature valuable information and
resources to assist you in decorating your home and
garden.
Article source: http://www.ArticleBiz.com

CondoCentral | 11
 tips
Add warmth to your
bedroom with an oriental rug
Lee Dobbins takes us on a magic carpet ride with practical and fashionable
suggestions on how to make best use of a classic home accessory
When it comes to the bedroom we
all know that bedding and accents are
important, but a key area of bedroom
design that is often overlooked is the
flooring. Many people have wall to
wall carpet in their bedroom and,
therefore think that they are “stuck”
with that color or design. The truth is
that you can jazz up your flooring by
simply laying a carpet on top of your
wall to wall carpet.
Beautiful and durable, oriental rugs
can add warmth and charm to almost
any bedroom. This type of rug goes
with many bedroom design styles, ro-
mantic, Victorian, shabby chic, Tuscan,
Morrocan, oriental and many more.
Oriental rugs come in many differ-
ent designs and colors so you should
be able to find one that suits your
bedroom décor. You can buy them in
12 | CondoCentral
different sizes so you can add a splash
of color and elegance to any part of
the bedroom. You can buy them in a
variety of price ranges as well, but as
with anything else, the more you spend
the better quality your rug will be.
A real oriental rug is hand tied - that’s
right each piece of wool is tied onto the
backing by hand. These rugs are really
works of art, and you might think they
are fragile but they are actually quite
durable. I have been to many antique
auctions where rugs that were over 100
years old have survived to look almost
as good as they day they were made.
When selecting an oriental carpet
for your bedroom, you should only
look at carpets that are 100% wool as
these will be the best quality. To deter-
mine if the carpet you are looking at is
hand or machine made there are a few
things to take into consideration. First
off it’s good to be able to compare two
rugs - one you know is machine made
and one you know is hand made. Look
at the backs - the hand made rug
will be much more colorful than the
machine made. The machine made
rug will have an overall stitch pattern
across the back and you won’t see any
knots since only hand made rugs are
knotted. Another thing to look at is
the fringe. On a handmade rug, the
fringe is made up of the wrap strings
from the end of the rug, on a machine
made it is simply sewn on.
When selecting your oriental rug,
make sure to choose colors that go
with the colors in your bedroom. If
you are placing the rug over wall to
wall carpeting, it is best to choose
smaller throw rugs that you can use
as splashes of color around the room
and avoid putting furniture on them
unless you buy a large rug that covers
almost the entire room.
Love the look of oriental rugs but
don’t want to put them on the floor?
Why not try using one as a wall hang-
ing? You can use it to jazz up a large
boring wall or hang it behind the bed
in lieu of a headboard.
No matter how you use them, oriental
rugs add warmth and character to your
bedroom or any room in the house!
Lee Dobbins writes for http://www.
bedroom-designs-and-decorations.
com where you can find more tips on
decorating your bedroom.
Article source: http://www.Article-
Geek.com
CondoCentral | 13
 reveal
Gotta love those bathtubs
Immerse in the fascinating history of the bathtub and appreciate
all the more the significance of this favorite fixture
Though humans have bathed
since the Roman times, baths served a
primarily religious, social, or pleasur-
able function far more often than a
hygienic one. The Greeks had bath-
rooms, complete with bathtubs and
unlimited water supply and drainage,
as early as 1700 B.C. Even Cleopatra
couldn’t live without one. The Romans
had developed bathing as a central
social habit in the third century B.C.,
constructing elaborate public build-
ings of enormous size with several
rooms for disrobing, exercise, and
bathing. Bathtubs were used then as a
means to socialize, gather information
or finding out the latest gossip.
After the fall of the Roman Empire,
bathing declined in popularity in Eu-
rope, though it did survive in Muslim
countries and also became a part of
Monastic routine. The Muslim public
bathhouse included a dressing room,
cold bath, and warm bath clustered
around a domed, central steam cham-
ber. Public baths once again regained
popularity in Europe during the 11th
and 12th centuries.
In private homes, bathing was done
14 | CondoCentral
in wooden tubs set up in bedrooms,
though some castles and palaces had
permanent bathrooms. In fact, King
Henry of England had hot and cold run-
ning water installed in the bathhouse
of his Westminster palace. In the 18th
century, it became fashionable to spend
a season at a watering place (such as
Bath in England) but only 19th-century
research into hygiene made a virtue of
bathing. Bathing took place in primi-
tive and usually portable cold baths
at schools and institutions. Though
permanent tubs were installed in
bedrooms during the mid-19th century,
plumbing was nonexistent and tubs
had to be emptied by hand. Only after
World War I did plumbing and bathtub
production allow the bath with running
water to become a permanent installa-
tion in the home.
Bathtubs are now part of the
plumbing fixtures and fittings indus-
try, which totaled around $5.7 billion
in the U.S. in 1994. This market is
shared about equally between fixtures
and fittings. Over three million bath-
tubs, including whirlpool baths and
hot tubs, are sold every year.
A house should have a bathroom
to be proud of and Wilcon strives to
create a complete line of products
starting with known brands such as
HCG, American Standard and Toto.
To complement its various lines, Wil-
con brings in high quality brands such
as Kohler, Micawa, Pozzi, Koller Baths
and Karat sanitary wares. And this is
where top of the line bathtubs comes
in. With its rich detailing, Wilcon’s
line of bathing products echoes the
stylized lines of historically renowned
furniture and architectural design.
Two styles offer different dignified
interpretations - the clean, crisp lines
of the stately design, and the added
rounded detail of the classic style,
resembling design of Roman times.
Offering an extensive breadth and
depth of plumbing fixtures has always
given Wilcon an advantage in bath and
powder room design. Wilcon provides
you with cutting edge bathtubs such
as Kohler suites, collections and en-
sembles, exploring design themes that
range from contemporary to tradi-
tional. Fixtures, faucets and accessories
with coordinated styling can be mixed
and matched to create a streamlined
look in any size room. Echoing the
elegant lines of classic architecture, the
traditional styling of the Kohler Suites
and Collections has timeless appeal.
Now wouldn’t it be nice to throw a
party and show off your new kitchen
or bath? Wouldn’t it be also nice to
tell your friends and family that you
didn’t have to be a designer to create
that perfect-looking bath or kitchen?
All you need is Wilcon: Build Any-
thing. We have Everything.
Visit the Wilcon Builders’ Depot
nearest you: Libis at 90 Rodriguez Jr.
Ave, Ugong Norte, Libis, QC; Las Piñas
at 8003 Real St.; Alabang Zapote Rd.,
Las Piñas, Balintawak at 1274 EDSA
Balintawak, QC; Pasong Tamo at 2212
Pasong Tamo, Makati; Quirino at L119
C1 Mindanao Ave., Brgy. Talipapa, QC;
and Filinvest Alabang at B29 Alabang
Zapote Rd cor. Brideway Dist., Filinvest
Corporate City, Alabang, Muntinlupa.
Soon to open Mexico-San Fernando
Pampanga, Tarlac City and Fairview,
Quezon City. For inquiries, call 634-8387.
 designer’s corner
reveal

From thread-y to trendy

Experiment and create your own fashion statements with this stylish innovation
from the makers of superior embroidery and crochet supplies

DMC, makers of superior quality em-
broidery threads and crochet cottons have
launched three new design kits for craft and
fashion lovers. The X-stitch! fashion pattern
kits come in cute bags with three different
designs and personality to suit your fashion
needs - the Moon and Stars kit, Stars and
Shoes kit and the Flower Girl kit. Each kit
allows you to experiment and create your
own unique designs for your clothes, bags,
shoes and other fashion accessories.
Moon and Stars kit is perfect for stitching
on edges of pants, collars, shoes and
pockets. If you want to personalize your
shirts and bags, the Stars and Shoes kit is
ideal for you while the Flower Girl kit is
great for pants, shirts, polo and bags too. All
these kits contain metallic and embroidery
threads, needle, waste canvass, patterns
and easy to follow instructions for old and
first-time stitchers. Waste canvass is used to
help you make your designs, which you can
remove after leaving only the design on your
material.
The kits were designed allowing stitchers
to experiment and create their own fashion
statements. This is a new fashion activity for
teens and their friends or for fashion lovers
who want to create their own individual
style. The kits are now available in all DMC
stores nationwide. Open your kit and a
surprise bonus awaits you!
For questions and inquiries, please contact
Focus Global, Inc. at 634-8587.

16 | CondoCentral
CondoCentral | 17
 showcase

Superior
interiors
When designers are tasked to execute the
interiors for condominium model units, they are
usually given the personality profile of the residents
envisioned to inhabit the particular space.
Studio and one-bedroom units for instance, are
normally lived in by students or young professionals
on their first foray at independent living. The two-
bedroom unit, meanwhile, has the newly married
couple or the upstart family as its projected resident.
Larger cuts such as three-bedroom flats or lofts are
the domain of fully-grown and established families.
From key design elements to color accents,
designers take into serious account the lifestyle and
character of the intended occupants in the planning
and execution of the model units’ interiors.
Indeed, the measure of a sensibly arranged and
designed model unit lies not only on its aesthetic
allure but also on its ability to make one imagine
that it is where he can truly be at home.

F1 City Center
Taguig City
For viewing request, call your professional
real estate broker at (632) 815-1010

18 | CondoCentral
CondoCentral | 19
 The Marfori
Lakefront City Central, Sucat
For viewing request, contact your investment
consultant at 850 2868 or 837 3851

20 | CondoCentral
CondoCentral | 21
 Capital Towers
Quezon City
For viewing request, call your professional
real estate broker at (632) 482-2828

22 | CondoCentral
CondoCentral | 23
 Pacific Residences
Taguig City
For viewing request, call your professional
real estate broker at (632) 496-2420

24 | CondoCentral
 tips
7 materials
for creating the perfect
kitchen countertop
James Mahoney makes a list and delivers the gist on the most popular
countertop materials to use for arguably the favorite corner in your home
The kitchen countertop has to
be able to take a lot of abuse including
the heat of pots, cutting and knives
and abrasive cleansers. The ideal coun-
tertop should be able to stand up to
heat and the sharp edge of a knife.
Let us take a look at seven of the
most popular kitchen countertop
materials being used today:
Granite
A natural stone, granite is a popular
choice for its classic beauty and durabil-
ity. Granite is the hardest and densest
of the natural stones. It can create a
kitchen countertop that is extremely
scratch resistant and can keep its luster
longer than most materials. granite
slabs are the most expensive of all kitch-
en countertop surfaces, although it is
still considered a very practical material
in that it is virtually indestructible.
26 | CondoCentral
Marble
Another natural stone, marble
is considered to be the height of
elegance and will last longer than
most kitchens. It is however, is very
expensive and requires some care:
acidic foods such as orange juice will
etch the finished surface of a marble
kitchen countertop.
Slate
Because of it richness and
beauty slate is usually used in
interior applications such as
kitchen countertops, bathroom
sinks or fireplace surrounds. It
can be used in either modern or
traditional kitchens as well as in
combination with marble. Slate is
durable, strong, and can withstand
hard use. It is less expensive than
marble.
Concrete
This is one of the biggest trends
in kitchen countertops today. It is a
good look for clean, industrial and
contemporary kitchen designs. Avail-
able in pre formed sections or poured
and formed on-site. Concrete is a
good material for unusually shaped
counters. Concrete kitchen counter-
tops are expensive, require a sealant
and must be treated with care. The
countertop can crack if the concrete
should contract. Concrete can be
stained any color. The most popular
color is a natural gray tone. The top
layer can be finished as desired.
Corian
A solid surface material that first
became popular in the 1990s It is
highly recommended by kitchen
countertop experts. It is a totally man-
made product and is not porous. As a
solid surface it can easily be repaired if
scratched or burned.
Stainless steel
Advantages include very hygienic,
easy to clean, has ability to stand up
to exteme wear and heat. Stainless
steel can provide a great look for an
ultra modern kitchen. Some disadvan-
tages with stainless is that it can be
noisy and that scratches can develop.
Tile
Tile surfaces can be tough, hard-
wearing, takes hot pans, heat and
stain resistant as well as beautiful.
There are many types of tiles includ-
ing ceramic, porcelain, quarry, glass,
natural stone and mosiac. Available in
many colors, sizes and textures. It has
good design flexibility. Tile can often
be used for trim or backsplashes. The
downside of tile is that the grouts can
be easily stained. Also the tiles can
become chipped or cracked.
James Mahoney is the owner of
http://www.kitchendesignersidea.
com. Learn about today’s kitchen
design ideas by visiting his site.
Article source: http://www.Article-
Geek.com
 advertorial
Enemies of wine
Fine vintages are protected
against harmful conditions
inside these two Sub-Zero
427 Wine Storages.
28 | CondoCentral
Much consideration is
placed on purchasing fine wine
selections from the best wine
and gourmet stores. However,
enjoyment of wine goes beyond
choosing the right vintage.
Too often, proper storage and
serving of wine are taken for
granted. For example, most
red wines are served too warm,
while most white wines are
served too cold. When experts
say to serve red wines like Bor-
deaux and Burgundy at room
temperature, they mean Euro-
pean rooms of 150 years ago,
which is about 62°F to 65°F.
On the other hand, white wines
should be served at about cellar
temperature, ranging from 52°F
to 55°F. To understand more
about wines and its proper stor-
age, let us examine the factors
that affect wine.
Enemy No. 1: Heat
The ideal storage temperature
for wine is generally accepted
to be 55°F. Not coincidentally,
the 55°F mark is the natural
temperature of underground
caves in France, where most
wine storage occurs. Science
has determined that wine stored
at temperatures greatly higher
than 55°F will experience an
increased aging rate, resulting
in the maturation of wine over
a very short period of time.
The greater the temperature
increase, the faster the wine
ages. One study suggests that
a month of aging at 91°F is the
equivalent to between 4 months
and 18 years of aging at 55°F,
depending on the type of wine.
Wines exposed to extreme heat
will expand, causing the cork
to push up from the bottle and
leak from the top. The industry
term for heat damaged wine
is “cooked”. Signs of heat
damage may include visible
discoloration along the length of
the cork after opening, or wine
being visible on the top of the
cork while still in the bottle, or
a brick colorization in red wines
when oxidation occurs.
Enemy No. 2: Light
Invisible ultraviolet light
negatively affects the aging
process in wine. The industry
term for a wine that has been
over-exposed to ultraviolet rays
is “lightstruck”. It is believed
that lightstruck occurs when UV
light reacts with sulfur com-
pounds found in wine, such as
dimethyl sulfide. Delicate wines
like champagnes are most sus-
ceptible. Excessive exposure
to light is thought to contribute
to the presence of unpleasant
aromas of wet cardboard. Light
damage is the reason many
winemakers use colored bottles
and why wine should be stored
in a dark environment.
Enemy No. 3: Vibration
The primary drawback to
vibration is that it disturbs
the sediment in wine bottles.
However, vibration is another
way that energy is introduced
into stored wine. Over time, this
“extra” energy could speed up
the chemical reactions occurring
in the bottle, potentially compro-
mising the aging process.
Enemy No. 4: Humidity
Wine experts recommend
that wine be stored in an ideal
humidity ranging from approxi-
mately 60% to 70%. Too little
humidity causes corks to dry,

allowing oxygen to enter the
bottle and cause oxidation in
wine. Conversely, too much
humidity can invite mold and
mildew, which can destroy wine
labels of fine vintage.
Proper wine storage
Traditionally in France, wines
are stored in caves or cellars to
protect them from the enemies
of wine. Yet, maintaining a wine
cellar nowadays in the modern
home may prove to be difficult
especially in our tropical climate.
A more logical and practical
choice is wine storage.
Working with those who know
wines best – grape vineyards
and sommeliers, Sub-Zero has
created at true wine preserva-
tion system, not just a cooler.
Sub-Zero Wine Storages pro-
vide a near ideal environment for
wines to live in. Two indepen-
dent storage zones, sealed and
digitally controlled, maintain the
perfect temperature; while dual
evaporators, one for each stor-
age zone, maintain steady, mod-
erate humidity to protect your
The Sub-Zero 430 Wine Storage
provides better wine storage
conditions, which ultimately means
better enjoyment in the glass.
wine investment. These features
let you set the ideal serving and
storage temperatures suitable
for your wines. In glass door
models, aside from the UV-re-
sistant glass that shields wine
from harmful rays, Sub-Zero has
gone a step further by adding
argon gas between the double
panes of glass for more insula-
tion, enhancing energy efficien-
cy while helping maintain steady
temperatures. For protection
against vibration, Sub-Zero’s
quiet, well-insulated compressor
lets wine rest undisturbed. Also,
its beautiful cherrywood-fronted Wines rest safely from its
shelves cradle the bottles and enemies in this Sub-Zero 424
glide out smoothly, providing ac- Freestanding Wine Storage.
cess without rattling the bottles.
In the end, nothing should ever
come between you and your
wine investments. Visit the showroom located at
Sub-Zero has five wine stor- Pioneer corner Reliance Streets,
age models with capacity rang- Mandaluyong City. Showroom
ing from 46 to 147 bottles. The hours are Tuesdays to Satur-
wine storages also allow design days, 10AM-7PM and Sundays,
flexibility with stainless steel fin- 1PM-6PM. For inquiries, call
ish, integrated, framed or over- (632) 634-8587 or email cor-
lay designs to better suit your porate@focusglobalinc.com.
taste. Sub-Zero is exclusively You may also log on to www.
distributed by Focus Global Inc. focusglobalinc.com.
CondoCentral | 29
 spotlight

The Future of
Philippine
Interior
Design
One group renders,
not just masterful designs,
but praiseworthy public service as well.
Another further strengthens its institution’s
foundations by resoundingly carrying on
with a cherished tradition.
Meanwhile, an unassuming bubbly young lady
tows 110 other designers into the realm
of official accreditation.

Condo Central gets acquainted with these youthful,

talented, and determined artists.
 spotlight
The Future of Philippine Interior Design
Giving back
ID179 is a course every graduating
BS Interior Design batch at UP-Dili-
man eagerly anticipates. Here, stu-
dents get to roll up their sleeves and
showcase their interior design skills
and technical know-how, as well as
gather valuable hands-on experience
in design construction.
While extravagant commercial
exhibits have been the customary
vehicle, ID179 students of late have
been leaning more towards service-
32 | CondoCentral
oriented endeavors. This, as they
claim and as is expected of them, is
in keepingwith the UP tradition of
giving back to the people. To this end,
previous batches have undertaken the
renovation of hospitals, orphanages,
libraries and other institutions in need
of such services.
The UP Space Innovations and
Lifestyles by Interior Design Students
(SILID), or the graduating class of
 Main lobby

2008, has decided to continue with

this emerging trend. With unfettered
pride, however, they feel that their
current circumstance makes their
project extra significant and symbolic.
For one, they will march next sum-
mer as part of UP’s centenary batch of
graduates, an honor, needless to say,
that comes but once. They therefore
intend to leave a legacy that is fitting
for such milestone. Moreover, they
will be the first ID batch to carry
out a permanent project within the
university. Also, they consider this un-
dertaking their “gift” to incoming UP
freshmen, who are to take their place
in the university as they get ready to
bow out of campus life. materials to be used.
Kontemporaryong Dormitoryo, the With the help of their ad-
renovation of major sections of the viser and other members of the
Kalayaan Residence Hall inside the UP program’s faculty, these 33 idealistic
campus, is this graduating class’ ambi- students are sure to gain not only
tious venture and selfless offering. the vital practical experience that
Taking on a design philosophy of ID 179 seeks to provide, but more
Filipino-organic, the batch hopes to importantly the appreciation and
create a more homey and functional admiration of the institution that
ambience for the dorm’s main lobby, has honed and sheltered them for
entertainment area, and conference the past four years.
room. They will likewise undertake
the remodeling of the paging area and
the dorm manager’s office. The proj-
Dorm manager’s office
ect could not have come at a more
opportune time as Kalayaan, the only UP SILID’s designs seeks to
dormitory in the university exclusive Conference room introduce a more vibrant and
for first year students, had not under- stimulating atmosphere within
the dormitory.
gone major repair work or renovation
since its establishment in 1975.
More than volunteering their
design services for free, the batch has
also taken on the challenge of raising
the necessary funds for the project’s
completion. While they were granted
an ample amount to help defray labor
cost through the university’s Office
of Student Housing and Office of the
Chancellor, the batch is currently
in the thick of coming up with the
additional P2 million needed for the

Paging area Entertainment area

CondoCentral | 33
 spotlight
The Future of Philippine Interior Design
Pressing forward
The link between interior
design and Filipino furniture holds
special significance for the Philippine
School of Interior Design (PSID).
It was exactly 40 years ago that
the institution was founded as an
offshoot of one of the more eminent
furniture companies in the country.
Fittingly, the Advanced Class of 2007
has opted to showcase Philippine
furniture at the core of its recent
graduation exhibit.
Dubbed Forty, Filipino and Fabu-
lous (F3), this culminating activity of
an intensive 28-month program
presented 19 booths of masterfully
planned and executed interiors, all
highlighted by ingenious and creative
34 | CondoCentral
Filipino-designed furniture pieces. The
event was mounted in collaboration
with the Chamber of Furniture Indus-
tries of the Philippines, whose member
companies generously manufactured
the pieces designed by the students.
As one of the country’s premiere
institutions in interior design educa-
tion, PSID has produced some of the
most renowned practitioners in the
industry. But not one to rest on its ac-
complishments, the school continues
to blaze trails towards realizing its
commitment of producing excellent
design graduates in Asia.
PSID has taken bold strides to
strengthen its academic program with
the creation of an academic board;
the revision of its curriculum for
improvement; and the introduction of
organizational policies and proce-
dures to facilitate effective manage-
ment. Its consortium agreement
with DLSU-CSB to allow the latter to
confer degrees of Bachelor of Science
in Interior Design to enable enrollees
to qualify for licensing has likewise
bolstered its position.
And, as PSID enters a new era, its
entire community can look ahead to
more exciting times when they move
into their new home at the Bonifacio
Global City in October 2008.
As can be gleaned from the mas-
terpieces created by the 89 aspiring
designers in the Advanced Class of
2007, PSID has once again proven
that it is a bastion of creativity and
vision. And coupled with the pioneer-
ing efforts of a determined school
administration, this beloved institu-
tion is certain to continue providing
important contributions to Philippine
interior design.
 PSID designs herald
ingenious and creative
furniture pieces in
fabulous interior settings.

CondoCentral | 35
 spotlight

The Future of Philippine Interior Design

Staying put
Kate Jennifer Lozano was in
a cab on her way home when she
received a phone call bearing a
message that not only validated all
her accomplishments as a student,
but one that is likewise helping alter
an impression of her that she previ-
ously had problems shaking off.
It was one of her professors from
the UST College of Fine Arts and
Design (CFAD) on the other end,
excitedly announcing that Lozano
had topped this year’s Interior
Designer Licensure Examination.
For the 22-year old magna cum
laude grad whose youthful counte-
nance and playful demeanor often
obscure her impressive résumé,
the effects were instant. Barely
a month after the release of the
results, clients have her phones
ringing off the hook, her parents
have rewarded her with a new car,
and finally, people are beginning to
take her more seriously.
Lozano feels fortunate to enter
the fray at a time when the indus-
try is on the upswing. Thanks to
the sustained construction boom,
more opportunities have opened
up for them. And with the contin-
ued rise in popularity of their trade
among consumers, she is convinced bigger challenges. And while there are Lozano designed and
oversaw the renovation
that the pie is big enough, even as a more financially rewarding prospects of a 50-square meter
hundred or so new interior design- available in other parts of the globe, condominium unit for
ers are produced each year. she has no intentions of leaving. She’d her college practicum.
The multi-faceted lady, who rather strut her talents here.
also moonlights as a vocalist in a Lozano indeed stands at the cusp of
band, intends to do a few freelance a lucrative and promising career. And
projects first before establishing even as she habitually, uncontrollably
her own firm with her classmates. breaks into extended fits of giggling,
She says that the experience gained chuckling and chortling, you have to
and the connections established trust her. She is good. Maybe, that is
will be valuable when she takes on what makes her good.

36 | CondoCentral
CondoCentral | 37
 cover story

Suddenly,
space
Pioneering property developer Federal Land, Inc.
believes that urban advancement does not have to come
at the expense of freedom and flexibility of movement.
With its latest high-rise development in Quezon City, it
reveals refreshing roominess as the rest of the metropolis
continues to get cramped and crowded

The Capital Towers generously offers

more space for the modern urban
dweller to move, to grow, to live.

38 | CondoCentral
CondoCentral | 39

Federal Land’s latest
Quezon City masterpiece
is strategically nestled in
the middle of one of the
city’s busiest districts.
The hustle and bustle
notwithstanding, The
Capital Towers provides
an urban sanctum suitable
for nurturing the mind,
body and soul.
40 | CondoCentral
With units bigger than standard and
a higher floor-to-ceiling expanse,
The Capital Towers redefines condo
living by providing more head and
legroom for the modern family.
Let’s face it: condominium living in
this country can be a claustrophobe’s
nightmare. The lack of comfort-
able space due to inadequate leg or
headroom in most residential condo
units is causing a social thrombosis.
This is probably the reason many
high-rise developers and designers put
a premium on spatial management,
like figuring out how to do more with
less space. The solution is actually
simpler than previously thought, and
one developer is now banking on it in
building one of the most promising
condominium concepts today.
Federal Land, Inc., after 35 years in
existence and more than 30 towers
later, has recently launched its new
38-storey condominium project called
The Capital Towers. It will soon rise in
the heart of Quezon City and boasts
of bigger spaces for condo dwellers “to
move, to grow, to live.”
It is not an empty promise or a
superficial marketing mantra, as it
comes from a real estate giant who
counts among its numerous outstand-
ing and admired developments the
GT Tower International, Oriental
Garden Makati, Metropolitan Park,
Marquinton Residences, Bluewave
Malls in Macapagal Boulevard and in
Marikina, PSBank Tower, and Skyland
Plaza.
Federal Land promises to build, as
it has done countless times before, a
vibrant community with benevolent
provisions of open space within an
otherwise confined city address. The
Capital Towers is located along E.
Rodriguez, Sr. Avenue, a major city
thoroughfare near the commercial
districts of Timog, Tomas Morato and
Cubao.
Inasmuch as The Capital Towers is
envisioned to be a community on its
own, the project’s site is conveniently
situated near premier institutions
and commercial centers such as the
St. Luke’s Hospital and the National
Children’s Hospital; Trinity University
of Asia, St. Joseph’s College and the De
los Santos Medical School; the Que-
zon City Sports Club; and Waltermart
Supermarket.
Faithful to Federal Land’s brand of
quality living in the heart of the me-
tropolis, The Capital Towers vouches
to have amenities that suit the life-
style of the modern urban dweller and
even for the chic metropolitan family.
The premier residential condomini-
um project offers a rejuvenating stroll
around its landscaped Podium Gar-
den, which has been carefully crafted
with the right natural surroundings to
sooth the senses.
For health enthusiasts, a jogging
path will also be built around the
tower for more freedom of move-
ment.
The Capital Towers also has an el-
evated swimming pool; a wading pool
for children; a gym and yoga room;
a children’s playground and daycare
room; a multi-purpose hall for social
events; and a commercial arcade.
The Capital Towers’ strongest suit,
however, is its offer of above-par sizes
of its condominium units. From the

CondoCentral | 41
 The two-bedroom unit
features a stylishly homey
ambiance with wooden
furniture, Asian accessories,
and vivid, deep colors.
The three-bedroom unit is
designed to look elegant with
modern furniture in golden
brown and gold accent colors.
one-bedroom flats to its three-bed-
room loft units, The Capital Towers
promises indulgence in the conve-
nience of space by making its units
wider and its ceilings higher than
standards.
The importance of a higher floor-
to-ceiling expanse has been often un-
derstated or worse, taken for granted.
Condo dwellers have much more
leeway in planning or designing their
units given ample headroom. It means
more space to move and breathe.
The ample space within the condo
42 | CondoCentral
units is further amplified by wider and
bigger glass windows which would
afford dwellers a better enjoyment
of Metro Manila’s picturesque view:
the Manila Bay to the Southwest;
the Antipolo hills and mountains to
the Northeast; and the Ortigas and
Makati skyline to the Southeast.
The living spaces, as can be sur-
veyed from the project’s model units,
have been configured to suit the
varied lifestyles of its future residents.
From Asian chic-denominated themes
and contemporary designs to Earth
tones-dominant styles, buyers are
given a glimpse of endless possibilities
when they dabble with the look of
their home.
Indeed, the promise of this project
is space, an atypical concept in a
business that profits in maximizing
it. But coming from a developer that
has carved a name in the real estate
industry by creating vibrant commu-
nities of urban dwellers, all skepticism
must fail.
After all, condo living has been un-
fairly described as living in a box, and
a little out-of-the-box thinking will
surely change some mindsets.
For more information on The Capital
Towers, please call 482-2828 or 415-6155
or visit www.capitaltowers.com.ph
CondoCentral | 43
 tips
Controlling dust
mites in your home
Heather Peters puts these tiny but menacing creatures under the
microscope and dispenses valuable tips on how to deal with them sensibly
My guess is that you don’t know
much about dust mites except they
are small, unseen creatures that
disgust you. Perhaps someone in your
household is allergic to them. Here
is some background information on
dust mites and how you can work to
control them in your house.
Dust mites don’t live in your air ducts,
although most people tend to focus
there when attempting to remove
them. They live in soft places, prefer
higher humidity and release a protein
which causes an allergic reaction for
many people. If you don’t have any
reactions to dust mite proteins then
reducing your exposure may not be
a priority for you but these basic
treatment steps should still be taken
to reduce their presence in your home
and affect on your life. If you need mo-
tivation to do some of these steps you
can see pictures of dust mites by doing
this google image search. They’re gross
enough to scare anyone into a rapid
cleaning spree.
44 | CondoCentral
1. Dust and vacuum your house
on a regular basis. The more dirt
you have, the more dust mites
you have.
2. Use a dehumidifier to reduce the
humidity levels in your home as they
prefer high humid environments (any-
thing over 70%).
3. Wash your family’s bedding in hot
water at least twice monthly, prefer-
ably weekly.
4. Get machine washable plush toys if
you have children, the fabric harbors
dust mites.
If you have someone allergic to dust
mites these are more intense combat
steps to take:
1. Do your best to eliminate all cloth
surfaces as they tend to harbor these
creatures;
2. Replace your carpets with wood or
laminate flooring;
3. Remove fabric covered furniture and
switch to wood or plastic pieces;
4. Wrap your mattress, pillows and
box springs in zippered covers that
area dust proof and allergen proof.
You probably won’t completely elimi-
nate dust mites, but you can go a long
way toward reducing their numbers
by maintaining a clean healthy living
environment. Your family will thank
you for it.
Dustmites.topicreviews.com seeks to
provide you with information about
methods to control, reduce and elimi-
nate dust mite allergens in your home
while providing background informa-
tion on these pests.
Article source: http://www.Article-
Geek.com
CondoCentral | 45
 preview

Opulence in green
Even as it virtuously responds to
the call for environmental sensitivity,
Brittany Corporation still upholds the
lavish signature that has made it one of
the most formidable high-end property
developers in the country

Urban residential developments are not

spared from fads and trends. Be it a design
philosophy or the harnessing of technical advance-
ment, be it an encompassing theme by which an
entire development is masterplanned or the most
intricate detail of interior design, be it a fleeting
sensation or the application of a necessity-driven
innovation, trends play a big part in how homes
are built.
Nowadays, “green” is in. With calls for environ-
mental responsiveness echoing worldwide, the
construction sector is expected to heed and imple-
ment measures that will strike the friendly balance
between ecology and architecture. Hereabouts,
property developers have taken liberty to interpret
the concept of “green architecture” to fit – or
retrofit – their projects.
Maverick real estate firm Brittany Corporation
seeks to set itself apart by not merely proclaiming,

46 | CondoCentral
CondoCentral | 47
 Inside and out, Avant but truly taking to heart the practice
at the Fort strikes the
harmonious balance
of increasing the efficiency of
between ecology and buildings and their use of energy,
architecture. water and materials, and reducing
building impacts on human health
and the environment.
Nestled snuggly in perhaps the
last remaining prime spot within the
much sought-after “golden triangle”
at the heart of Crescent Park West at
the Bonifacio Global City, Avant is a
38-storey masterpiece that is sure to
set an imposing bar as far as high-rise
luxury living is concerned.
Its prime and enviable location is
furthered as the building is situated
such that structures from its neigh-
boring west protect it from the after-
noon sun. Its ingenious orientation,
48 | CondoCentral
however, still affords well-framed
views all around, allowing residents to
see the majestic views past the towers
and buildings.
Its design takes good advantage
of natural light, creating well-illu-
minated spaces so that there are no
dark corridors within the building.
Air vents are likewise purposefully
placed to allow natural breeze to flow
throughout the building, giving Avant
an airy, invigorating atmosphere.
The entire 1986-square meter
development, which mindfully
makes use of environmental-friendly
construction materials, is of course
characterized by thoughtful and
abundant touches of nature. Instead
of cold fences, the property is bor-
dered by lush tropical trees. Beauti-
fully landscaped grounds, mid-level
gardens and roof-deck gardens carry-
ing the same palette of plant materi-
als are easily accessible to residents.
Units at the lower ground floor even
have their very own private gardens.
Being a low-density development,
only a little over 300 residential units
make up Avant, with most offer-
ing 90- to 120-degree views of the
metropolis. Available are studio,
one-bedroom, two-bedroom, three-
bedroom, and loft units, giving buyers
the latitude to choose a living space
suited to their way of life.
Rounding up the outstanding fea-
tures and amenities that are standard
in all Brittany vertical developments
are a hotel-like, high-ceiling lobby;
a lobby lounge; 24-hour concierge
services; a free-form pool with sun-
deck; a fully-equipped gym, and a sky
garden.
Undoubtedly, a lifestyle that
evokes the comfort of ease, refuge,
security and ultimate luxury does not
necessarily have to add to the beating
that mother nature undeservedly
receives.

Brittany Corporation, a Vista Land

subsidiary is a maverick real estate
developer of innovative and creative
lifescapes. For inquiries and property
previews, please call 838-0558 or 850-
2868 or visit www.brittany.com.ph.

CondoCentral | 49
 preview

Developing
a condo
of comforts
W Land Holdings banks on good
old family values as it endeavors
to take W Tower to the height of
exclusivity in condo living

50 | CondoCentral
“Smart, sophisticated and ex- ing slot to residential unit ratio (79
perienced – that’s our condominium parking slots: 50 residential units).
buyer,” W Land Holdings executive Residents get the satisfaction of
vice president Francis Wee says, coming home to a serene, stylish and
describing their target market. Those spacious place.
same qualities could very well apply Although W Tower is the first foray
to Francis who, in his 20s, looks every of W Land Holdings into BGC, it has
bit the yuppie determined to succeed already more than 20 years of experi-
– smartly dressed, well-mannered, ence in the real estate industry, start-
and with a sharp business acumen. ing when Francis’s father, Lee-Hiong
While his brother Cesar attends to Wee built an eight-unit townhouse
the other W Land Holdings develop- in Quezon City in the ‘80s. Next, he
ments, Francis is charged with the built a 14-story residential condo-
high-rise residence called W Tower, minium in the ‘90s and developed, in
situated at the Bonifacio Triangle a joint venture with Property Com-
of the Bonifacio Global City (BGC). pany of Friends, Inc., a 200-hectare
Projected as an 18-story residential township project in Carmona Cavite
building with commercial compo- in 2000.
nent, this W Land Holdings project W Land Holdings is under the W
will provide something new at BGC – Group, Inc., a consolidation of the
a decidedly cosmopolitan and sophis- various businesses of the Wee family
ticated design, embodying elements that has interests in export, food,
of modern Philippine architecture. To manufacturing, international market-
achieve this, Francis and Cesar didn’t ing, and of course real estate. “One of
have to look far in realizing this vision. the most important lessons my father
“We met with several top foreign taught me,” Francis acknowledges,
and local architects,” Francis relates.
“But we’re big admirers of Philip-
pine architecture. So eventually, we
decided to get the architectural and
design firm of Budji Layug and Royal
Pineda, who are known for combining
modern sensibilities with a unique
Filipino touch.”
At the MC Home Depot, also at
BGC, the W Tower’s model suite
shows a bi-level affair that tempers
the hard, solid lines of modernity
with ingenious lighting. The over-all
look is a masterful blend of tropical
and modern Philippine architecture.
“Our target market is someone who
has already lived in or already owns a
condominium unit,” Francis says.
“These people know what they
do not like about living in a condo-
minium and W Tower is the solution.
More than just one of those oversold,
overcrowded residential condos that
all look the same, W Tower has taken
exclusivity to the next level. It’s not
about walling away individuals but
keeping the number of residential
units to a minimum 50. This way, “is to build a strong relationship with Filipino architects. We want our build- At the W Tower, every unit is a
blissful cross between modern
residents can build a tightly-woven stakeholders of the project. He urges ings to be landmarks where people sensibilities and the Filipino’s
community where they can call each his children to “always think long- will want to take pictures of them and definition of style.
other by name and develop a collec- term” and “weigh the pros and cons send them as postcards.”
tive emotional connection with the of a problem” with the end decision
place they live. W Land Holdings has beneficial for the project.
taken a different route. It offers the “Our long term goal is to build a W For more information on W Tower,
lowest residential floors to residential Tower in every major city here in the please call (632) 815-0808 or visit www.
unit ratio (18 floors : 50 residential country,” Francis discloses. “We want wlandholdings.com
units) and one of the highest park- all our buildings to showcase the finest

CondoCentral | 51
 preview

The wonders
of nature in full view
One of the first enclaves to rise within the 60-hectare masterplanned development that is Lakefront
City Central, The Marfori guarantees a lifestyle that is exclusive, exquisite and extravagant
Photography by Shaira Luna

Sierra Madre mountain ranges and a

magnificent spectacle of the Laguna
de Bay, almost priceless given the
daily hustle and bustle of city living.
In fact, The Marfori prides itself as the
only high-rise property with a 180-
degree panoramic view of the Laguna
de Bay, the closest one can get to a
full view.
But if you think the view alone
makes it worth every penny, think
again. The Marfori, composed of
10 to 20-storey high condominium
buildings, is envisioned to be home to
the most discerning of tastes. Its main
motif is neo-Victorian, inspired by the
city of San Francisco, and promises
residents to see “more greens than
gray,” from landscaped gardens to
expansive trellises.
The project also features ameni-
ties fit for the kind of living urban
dwellers demand such as a modern
business center, a 60-meter lap pool,
a viewing deck, a fully-equipped
gym, spa, open-space playgrounds, a

Brittany Corporation’s
pioneering and innovative spirit
has enabled it to create high-end
luxury homes and communities for
the affluent few. Ranked among the
country’s trailblazing real estate firms,
Brittany is also the first to develop
self-sustaining communities inspired
by the world’s best destinations.
Living up to its repute, Brittany
launched The Marfori, a five-tower
mid-rise residential condominium
project nestled in the heart of the
Lakefront City Central in Sucat.
At The Marfori, residents are
assured of a spectacular view of the

52 | CondoCentral
 Larger windows give
The Marfori residents a
larger-than-life view of the
panoramic Sierra Madre
ridges and the majestic
Laguna de Bay.

CondoCentral | 53
 A charming enclave
in a self-sustaining
community, The Marfori
sits at the heart of what is
envisioned to be the
next metropolitan hub.
tea garden and a putting green.
The units at The Marfori range
from the smallest studio flat to the
three-bedroom units, all containing
tall windows for a ringside seat to
the breathtaking views of the lake,
the mountain ranges and the Makati
skyline.
The Marfori also guarantees an
unparalleled accessibility to four
major thoroughfares that connect
it to Makati, Ortigas and Alabang,
making travel easier, safer and
faster.
The development offers all these
conveniences right in the heart of the
60-hectare burgeoning urban center,
54 | CondoCentral
the Lakefront City Central, which
promises to be the next hub of activ-
ity in Metro Manila. It boasts of a new
site for business districts; lifestyle and
entertainment centers; central park
leading to the boutique hotel; country
club perched at the highest point of
the property; and first-rate schools
and medical facilities.
The first tower in the enclave called
Viera is set for turnover to residents in
the first half of 2008.
All in all, this project is a wonderful
cross between nature and modern
living. It treats homeowners to the
comforts of urban living at its finest
and at the same time brings them
closer to where they should be, away
from the congested metropolis and
closer to nature.
In the fast-paced life in the city,
people need to sit back, take a break
and enjoy a visual spa of nature’s
wonders.
Imagine doing that everyday, only
at The Marfori.
Brittany Corporation, a Vista Land
subsidiary is a maverick real estate
developer of innovative and creative
lifescapes. For inquiries and property
previews, please call 838-0558 or 850-
2868 or visit www.brittany.com.ph.
 The Marfori, with its
carefully-thought
landscape architecture,
enables would-be
residents to see “more
greens than grays.”

CondoCentral | 55
 preview
A yuppie’s
dream come true
This Kapitolyo condo project promises to bring people
closer to work while complementing a burning passion
of an independence-driven urbanite
The Asian-themed tower
of The Fifth at Rafael is as
exclusive as it can get, with
only 73 full-sized condos
in the making for more
breathing space and less
building traffic.
56 | CondoCentral
Condo living has become synony-
mous to contemporary urban lifestyle.
The city enjoys flourishing real estate
investments in condominiums
because of the unique living benefits
it offers that caters to the fast-paced
circumstances of today. Accessibility,
its major selling point, is a premium
taken in high regard because being
central to everything lets city-dwell-
ers get the best out of the metropolis.
When everything is at convenience,
life is good. Condo living offers this
comfort among a wealth of other
modern luxuries.
The growing number of residential
high-rises is a larger-than-life testi-
mony to progressive times, coupled
inevitably with progressing everyday
needs.
Symbol of independence
Condo living has also propelled a
new breed of metropolitan life that
makes practical choices; the success
of low maintenance living keeps peo-
ple afloat in a dog-eat-dog world. This
is especially true for struggling young
professionals who place tremendous
value on their hard-earned money
yet believe that their hard work must
reap benefits. In part, condo living has
also become a symbol of indepen-
dence, so to speak, for many of them
who commonly make condominiums
a ‘home away from home.’ Upon
reaching a point in their careers when
living on their own is already a viable
option, most yuppies don’t look for
houses immediately—they scour
the real estate market for affordable
condominiums, possibly one close to
work. However, this doesn’t always
come as easy.
Low-density development
PTR Properties, the same real estate
company responsible for the success
of Grand 21 Place, opens up an excit-
ing world of possibilities for today’s
smart buyer. The Fifth at Rafael, a
low-density development tucked in
the commercial neighborhood of
Kapitolyo, Pasig, features affordable
housing investments targeted at aver-
age young professionals. The 5-storey
building houses studio and one-bed-
room configurations that may easily
be modified to suit different tastes
and lifestyles. The units are perfect
for individuals who are just starting
out on their own and still enjoying the
perks of a carefree lifestyle. The Fifth
gives its residents the opportunity to
secure a bright future ahead without
worrying too much about financial
burdens, making it a suitable invest-
ment that puts more value to your
money.
Comfortable living space
The Fifth’s Asian-themed tower, a
masterpiece by Architect Jose Siao
Ling, flaunts a gleaming structure of
glass and concrete. To ensure com-
fortable living space for its residents,
the mixed-use development presents
only 73 units. This avoids annoying
building traffic and guarantees a
sense of privacy for residents. Ameni-
ties include a garden deck with a
multi-purpose function room and
 Only 73 units comprise
this exclusive masterpiece
of glass and concrete.

an exercise hall available to residents, a spacious

lobby meanwhile welcomes residents home. Once
the building is completed during the last quarter of
2008, the ground level will be home to select com-
mercial establishments. The Fifth also offers round-
the-clock services including 24-hour security, audio
security system, fire alarm and sprinkler system to
make sure residents feel safe at all times.
Because the property is situated inside Kapi-
tolyo, it’s easily accessible to public transport and a
mere five minutes away from the Ortigas business
district. At the same time, since it is not located
exactly at the central business strip, the living
environment it promotes strays from the chaos of
the urban jungle. The Fifth at Rafael is near enough
to be convenient, yet it is comfortably distant
from the hustle and bustle of the city. Meanwhile,
Kapitolyo’s commercial hub presents a decent list
of dining options and select services already in the
vicinity so residents need not venture too far to find
a restaurant or have their laundry done.
The Fifth at Rafael proposes a lifestyle choice that
offers economical options to the discerning urban-
ite. More than just a residential development, it cre-
ates a practical means to secure a good future. At
The Fifth, residents come home to a condominium
that is not only a fruit of success but also a symbol
of brighter things ahead.

CondoCentral | 57
 man on top
Running a business
with a conscience
John Anthony A. Concepcion sits down with the current CREBA
national president as he shares his thoughts on how the industry
he has served practically all his life can be a significant contributor
towards national growth and recovery
With 32 chapters Like many other great visionar-
throughout the
Philippines and seven
ies in the past, political or otherwise,
overseas, CREBA’s Pedro C. Tario is a firm believer in the
nerve center sits strength of the family as the basic
unassumingly along
functional institution in any society.
C. Roces Avenue in
Quezon City. He believes that by strengthening the
family, you empower the community
it belongs to. In his own words, one
of things that make a family strong
is having a blessed home; one that
was acquired through hard work and
labor.
True enough, Tario’s canons in life
have been the focus of his career for
over 30 years, working to provide
decent and affordable housing to the
60 | CondoCentral
millions of homeless Filipinos in this
country. He shares the vision of the
organization he now leads, which is to
provide the homeless blessed homes.
Tario is currently the national presi-
dent of the Chamber of Real Estate
and Builders’ Associations, or more
popularly known as CREBA, a private
non-stock, non-profit corporation
composed of some 4,000 individuals
and associations directly and indi-
rectly involved in the real estate trade.
He has been in the real estate busi-
ness for over thirty years, long enough
to develop a deeper sense into an oth-
erwise profit-driven industry. Sadly,
he says, the country has a 4.5 million
housing backlog, a situation that may
be worse in reality because the survey
that recorded the sorry state was
undertaken in the mid-1990s.
It could be more, he says, as the
country’s population grows at a
steady rate of about 2.3 to 2.4 percent.
“Without addressing the backlog
and based on the population growth
alone, we need to build around
300,000 a year,” he reveals.
One look at Tario and you’ll know
that he knows his economics. He is
now counted as one of the very few
“real estate Dons” in the country,
much like the rest of those who
founded and kept CREBA going for 34
years. He exudes an aura of confi-
dence in everything he talks about,
like most self-made businessmen in
his field.
Tario hails from the then sleepy and
quiet city of Bago in Negros Occiden-
tal. He aced his brokers’ exam in 1975,
while still a student at the Far Eastern
University taking up commerce, with
a major in accounting. He says he did
not take the accounting board exams
afterwards as he turned his eyes on
real estate and liked what he saw.
His first stint as a real estate broker
was with the St. Louis Realty and
Development Corp., and after that
he was on his own as a broker. He
established the P.C. Tario Realty and
Management Corp., one of the biggest
and wealthiest marketing groups
in the early 1980s up until the mid
1990s. He became one of the founders
and then national president of the
Real Estate Brokers Association of the
Philippines in 1982.
After P.C. Tario Realty, he ventured
into real estate developments of his
own.
“I developed some low-cost hous-
ing, mostly because of my desire to
serve more people in the lower strata.
Some of them were in Laguna, some
of them in Dasmariñas, Cavite, and
later on in Santiago, Isabela,” he says.
At that point, Tario and CREBA’s
goals have crossed paths, and in 1991,
Tario became the organization’s
national president. He had stayed on
after his first term as a member of
CREBA’s Council of Leaders, which
the organization treats as a board of
advisers, and was re-elected in 2006.
He was also the CREBA Board of
Directors chairman in 1995.
Now his second time at CREBA’s
helm, Tario says the organization
has made great strides in fulfilling its
mission of not only working for the
interests of its members, but also on
enabling the millions of homeless
families to acquire decent, affordable
homes. Through the years, he says,
CREBA has been a respected partner
of the government in anything that re-
lates to the industry it serves, ranging
from policy formulation to partner-
ships in social legislation.
In fact, there are a number of
significant pieces of legislation passed
that has CREBA’s stamp of influ-
ence, like the Social Housing Act of
1982 that liberalized the stringent
standards of land development and
housing construction then to spur the
construction of more socialized and
low-cost housing in the country.
Tario says CREBA’s participation
and partnership with the government
led to the enactment of the law that
created the Pag-Ibig Fund and the
National Home Mortgage Finance
Corporation, which are admittedly
vehicles for more low-income Filipinos
to acquire their own homes through
financing.
Today, he says CREBA is currently
working with the national govern-
ment and Congress in order to ad-
dress some concerns in dealing with
the housing backlog, like pushing for
the creation of a housing department
which will have a cabinet portfolio
level and an equitable land access ad-
vocacy to declare more lands available
as disposable and alienable.
“A Department of Housing is very
necessary and is a must. It should be
able create an atmosphere or climate
that will encourage every builder or
developer in delivering low-cost hous-
ing, especially to those who are of
low-income status,” he says.
He says the organization, 70
percent of who are developers and
builders, is continuously batting for a
friendlier housing climate conducive
for what he describes should be a
“massive” housing delivery and at the
same time create more jobs. More
jobs, he says, means more economic
activity and potential for growth.
 talk central
The industry as star
Awareness of the country’s booming real estate
industry is set to be propelled further as Philippine
Realty TV starts airing on ANC in December and
subsequently on the Filipino Channel worldwide
Philippine Realty TV is a new TV
show coming out December 2007 that
will cater to local and overseas Filipi-
nos looking for real estate investments
in the Philippines. It is produced by
television and events company Street-
Park Productions, Inc.
John Aguilar, President of Street-
Park Productions, Inc. and Executive
Producer of Philippine Realty TV
expounds on this exciting concept.
Hosts Gabe Mercado
and Issa Litton
How did you come up with
the concept for Philippine
Realty TV?
The show is actually two years in
the making. I had an idea two years
ago of producing a TV show that
would cater to the booming real
estate industry in the country. Devel-
opers were successful with their print
media campaigns, but there really
wasn’t anything on TV that catered
to the real estate industry. TV com-
mercial campaigns by themselves
are expensive to sustain, and quite
limited in the information they can
disseminate. A TV show that features
62 | CondoCentral
different real estate projects is just
what the industry needed. Of course,
we had to take our time and look for
the perfect venue to air our show. Af-
ter a series of meetings and negotia-
tions, we decided on airing the show
on ANC (ABS-CBN News Channel)
as well as ANC International on TFC
(The Filipino Channel). Airing on
these platforms gives our show the
prestige and credibility of airing on
ABS-CBN’s 24-hour news channel,
and gives us the international reach
of TFC.
Who will be able to watch
your program?
ANC is seen nationwide and is
considered the most-watched news
channel in Megamanila, rating ahead
of CNN and BBC. ANC viewers
have the purchasing power and are
known to be highly influential, with
the power of word-of-mouth very
strong among their peers. The ANC
International airing, on the other
hand, will be seen in all TFC ter-
ritories namely; US, Canada, Middle
East, Europe, UK, and Asia Pacific. In
short, the show will be seen globally
in all territories with a huge Filipino
populace.
How will the show look and
what sets it apart?
When you watch Philippine Realty
TV, you will feel like you’re watch-
ing a movie or a commercial. The
show will have very high production
values. The look is going to be very
glossy and we will be using special-
ized production equipment such as
cranes and dollies to give us freedom
in executing fantastic cinematogra-
phy for the show.
How will you make the show
appealing to the overseas
Filipinos that are the main
target of the show?
We are going to be interjecting a
lot of quirky Filipino antics into the
way our hosts present the different
segment features. Gabe Mercado is
a brilliant comedian and highly intel-
ligent-with an appeal that hits both
the masses and the elite. Issa Litton on
the other hand, is known as a lifestyle
host, and is equally comfortable in
hosting in front of the masa and the
exclusive set. Filipinos abroad miss
home, and it’s the job of the hosts to
remind them of some of the things
they miss back in the Philippines.
What is the format projects through print ads, trade
of the show?
The show will follow a lifestyle
magazine format. It will be light and
entertaining, but very informative.
Among the segments lined up for the
show are: “The High Life,” where we
will be showcasing high-end premium
developments projects, “Condo
Living” which will feature various con-
dos-from affordable starter units to
the best-in-class. “Value Homes” will
focus on affordable, value-for-money
housing projects while “Leisure Living”
will take viewers outside Metro Ma-
nila to explore exciting leisure com-
munities and second home havens.
Finally, we have “Realty Billboard”
where developers can announce their
road shows, launches, events, etc. and
have them featured on the show.
What are you looking
forward to when the show
comes out?
We’re very excited, particularly with
Philippine Realty TV Executive
Producer John Aguilar
the out-of-town properties that we’ll
be featuring on the show. Since the
show will be aired globally, it’s also go-
ing to be a good platform to showcase
the beauty of the Philippines. We’re
also hoping that the show will send a
positive image of the Philippines as a
country well on its way to economic
progress through its growing number
of infrastructure projects.
What can people
expect to see when they
watch the show?
Viewers can expect to be given a
comprehensive picture of the differ-
ent property developments available
in the market. Traditionally people
have been exposed to real estate
shows, mall exhibits and the like. The
difference is that we will take viewers
directly to the sites-giving them a
first-hand look at the properties. We
will also discuss the areas of concern
of typical buyers, and the benefits
and unique selling propositions of
the properties. All this, of course,
to help the viewers and prospective
buyers make informed decisions as
to which projects to consider. We do
acknowledge that seeing a particular
property on TV won’t be enough to
make you buy it. At the end of the day
the developers’ sales agents will be the
ones that will close the deal. Our job is
merely to entice prospective buyers to
make that call.
For inquiries call StreetPark Produc-
tions, Inc. at tel. 4368882-83 or email
info@streetparkprod.tv., sales@
streetparkprod.tv. Visit www.Philip-
pineRealty.tv for more details.
CondoCentral | 63
 advertorial
Ms. Ruffa Guttierrez
steps out
of the shadow
with MET premium
whitening soap
M
s. Ruffa Gutierrez has moved on to a
new phase in her life with MET Premium
Whitening Soap. This is what she revealed
on The Buzz last September 23, 2007 when she was
announced as the face of MET Premium Whiten-
ing Soap. During her interview, Ms. Ruffa said that:
“Mula nang ginamit ko ang MET, napaka-radiant at
napaka-beautiful na ng skin ko. Napaka-effective ng
MET magpa-puti!”
With its unique ingredients and impressive
features, MET Premium Whitening Soap matched
Ruffa’s grace and beauty. MET is a premium whiten-
ing soap manufactured in Japan using only first-class
ingredients. For years, Japan has been the standard
bearer for skin perfection and radiance, and its
extensive experience in skin care resulted in the
development of MET Premium Whitening Soap.
MET Whitening Soap exceeds your expectations
of skin whitening with six premium ingredients:
Alpha Arbutin, Glutathione, Soy Bean Milk Culture
Filtrate, Soy Bean Extract, and Palm and Coconut
Oils.
ALPHA ARBUTIN is an
extract of the Bearberry
plant (Arctostaphylus
uva-ursi). It is a natural
double-whitening agent
that inhibits the skin’s
Tyrosinase activity thereby
decreasing the formation
of melanin to even out
64 | CondoCentral
brown spots and blem-
ishes. It has been ap-
proved by the Ministry
of Health and Welfare in
Japan and very popular
in Asian countries for
skin de-pigmentation.
GLUTATHIONE, the
Master Anti-oxidant,
neutralizes free radicals
to protect healthy cells
from damage. Glutathi-
one helps detoxify your
body, boost the immune
system, and has cancer preventing properties. But women to delay the process of aging. Applied to the
its most popular benefit is its skin whitening ability. skin, they help keep the skin young by regenerating
In MET Whitening Soap, glutathione helps whiten collagen which results in the smoothening of the
the skin, giving it a youthful and radiant glow. skin’s fine lines.
SOYBEAN MILK CULTURE FILTRATE (Soy Iso- COCONUT OIL and PALM OIL are natural skin
flavon) and SOYBEAN EXTRACT (Glycine Soja) are moisturizers that make your skin smooth and silky.
the natural counterparts of the female hormone Palm Oil is high in vitamin E which plays a protec-
Estrogen. This is tive role in preventing or reversing cellular aging.
commonly used by Coconut oil is also an excellent skin moisturizer.
For best results, MET Premium Whitening soap
should be used night and day on a daily
basis. Together, these key ingredients
go beyond whitening to offer total
skin care.
MET Whitening Soap is avail-
able at all Watson’s branches
nationwide. Try it and it will
change your view of skin care.
 review
central
tech
Apple
MacBook Pro
You’ve seen improvements
in notebook performance before
- but never on this scale. The Intel
Core Duo powering MacBook Pro
is actually two processors built into
a single chip. This, combined with
myriad other engineering leaps,
boosts performance up to four times
higher than the PowerBook G4. With
this awesome power, it’s a breeze to
render complex 3D models, enjoy
smooth playback of HD video, or host
a four-way video conference.
Intel Core Duo is the first chip
built using Intel’s groundbreaking
65-nanometer process - resulting in
transistors so small, you could fit a
hundred inside a single human cell.
music
Babyface’s playlist
Cover albums tend to be
dashed off as a way to fulfill an
artist’s last remaining contractual
obligation to his or her label.
However, Playlist is Babyface’s
first release for Mercury, follow-
ing 2005’s Grown Sexy, and he
put a lot of heart and soul into
the material, all of which con-
nected with him as a youngster
listening to ‘70s AM radio. Most
of the sources are anything but
cool: James Taylor, Jim Croce,
Dan Fogelberg, Dave Loggins,
and Bread. (Then again, Bread
were sort of like the Coldplay
of their day.) Apart from Bob
Dylan’s Knockin’ on Heaven’s
Door, everything is suited for
Babyface, often to the point
where the songs don’t sound tre-
mendously different from what
he has written during the last
66 | CondoCentral
top of the list
With smaller distances for electrons to that’s only one inch thin. and PowerPC-based Mac computers.
travel, and two processors designed to When Mac technology makes For most existing applications, you
share resources and conserve power, something easy, it’s hardly news. So simply do what you’ve always done:
Intel Core Duo achieves higher levels here’s more non-news for MacBook double-click them. Thanks to the
of performance as it uses fewer watts. Pro owners: software just works. If you Rosetta technology in Mac OS X, they
Which is what makes it possible to see the Universal logo on a new appli- look and feel just like they did before.
design a super-powerful MacBook Pro cation, that means it will run on Intel-
several years. While you could
go back as far as the first Deele
songs for indications that he had
more than soul and funk in his
background, this album really
conveys how much he owes to
‘70s singer/songwriters. In addi-
tion to the eight covers, there are
two new songs, both of which
fit into the album’s scheme
sonically while being far from
lightweight subjectwise. In Not
Going Nowhere, he talks to one
of his sons in the wake of divorce
(I’ve got a room with your name
on the door/Your favorite things
you could ever ask for), and The
Soldier Song addresses those who
have had their lives taken by war
(Hope was all he had to cope/But
he never made it home). - Andy
Kellman, All Music Guide
 review central

books

Neruda’s
explanations
“Laughter is the language of the
soul,” Pablo Neruda said. Among the most
lasting voices of the most tumultuous (in his
own words, “the saddest”) century, a witness
and a chronicler of its most decisive events,
he is the author of more than thirty-five
books of poetry and one of Latin America’s
most revered writers, the emblem of the
engaged poet, an artist whose heart, always
with the people, is literally consumed by pas-
sion. His work, oscillating from epic medi-
tations on politics and history to intimate
reflections on animals, food, and everyday
objects, is filled with humor and affection.
This bilingual selection of more than fifty
of Neruda’s best poems, edited and with
an introduction by the distinguished Latin
American scholar Ilan Stavans and bril-
liantly translated by an array of well-known
poets, also includes some poems previously
unavailable in English. I Explain a Few Things
distills the poet’s brilliance to its most es-
sential and illuminates Neruda’s commitment
to using the pen as a calibrator for his age.
– Barnes&Noble Review

fashion

Nicky’s chicks rule

Nicky Hilton is an American
fashion model, socialite, and
fashion designer and an heiress to a
part of the Hilton Hotel chain.
After graduating from the Con-
vent of the Sacred Heart high school
in New York, Nicky attended college
at the Fashion Institute of Technol-
ogy and Parsons School of Design,
but did not complete her fashion
degree.
She launched her own clothing line,
Chick by Nicky Hilton in 2004, a
casual range for the young. She has
also designed a line of handbags
for Japanese company Samantha
Thavasa from 2002-2005.
Earlier this year she started her
second line aimed at a more mature
audience, called Nicholai, which
made its debut for the spring/sum-
mer 2008 season on September 9,
2007 in New York City during Mer-
cedes-Benz Fashion Week.
Nicky Hilton, 24, presented her
Chick Spring 2008 collection at
Mercedes Benz Los Angeles Fashion
Week Spring 2008 on Sunday, 14 Oc-
tober 2007. Nicky’s parents attended
the show. Seated on the front row
among others were celebrities Jamie
Pressly and Chinese actress Bai Ling.

68 | CondoCentral
review central

fragrances

Andy Warhol Silver Factory

Andy Warhol Silver Factory is the first in a
projected series of unisex fragrances created under
an agreement with The Andy Warhol Foundation
for the Visual Arts. The bottle design for Silver
Factory was inspired by Warhol’s 1965 series of
Campbell Soup Can silkscreens, and the scent was
named for Warhol’s Manhattan studio, The Silver
Factory, where the walls were decorated with alu-
minum foil and spray paint. Andy Warhol was said
to be fond of perfume — he was reportedly buried
with a bottle of Estee Lauder Beautiful — and
there was until fairly recently an Andy Warhol
branded line of fragrances under Cofinluxe.
I never smelled any of the earlier Andy Warhol
scents but perfumer Aurelien Guichard has done a
great job of creating something that might reason-
ably evoke the experimental pop culture atmo-
sphere of the late 1960s while still smelling very
much like a modern niche perfume. Silver Factory
opens on citrus and lavender, lively, but still more
soft than sharp (the complete notes: bergamot,
grapefruit, lavender, violet, incense, jasmine, iris,
amber, wood resin and cedar). The incense and
woods are present from the start, and as adver-
tised, a metallic note runs through the proceed-
ings. There is something ever so slightly off-kilter
(in a good way) about the early stages, maybe a
touch of birch tar or leather? Patty at Perfume
Posse calls it “metallic rubber”.
The florals in the heart are subtle; the cedar in
the dry down, less so. After a couple hours, the iris
seems to reassert itself, and it takes on a velvety
finish with earthy undertones. It is more dry than
sweet, and more dusky than dark. The softness
of the opening sets the tone for what follows
— Bond no. 9 calls it “smooth” and that is as good
a description as any. There is nothing high-pitched
or loud about Silver Factory, nor does it have the
brooding, high-church feel of some incense-heavy
fragrances.
If Estee Lauder’s Beautiful was representative
of Andy Warhol’s preferences in perfume, I don’t
think Silver Factory would be at all to his taste.
Happily, it is very much to mine. It’s easily the most
interesting scent from Bond no. 9 since 2005’s
Chinatown (also Aurelien Guichard).
Bond no. 9 Andy Warhol Silver Factory will debut
in December; 100 ml perfume concentrate (28%
concentration) for $230.

cars

2008 Saturn Vue Green Line gets top SUV MPG

General Motors is trumpeting
a pair of numbers about its 2008
Saturn Vue Green Line today. The
hybrid SUV’s fuel economy numbers
are 25 mpg in the city and 32 mpg
on the highway, which represents a
27 percent improvement over the
non-hybrid Vue. And the small SUV
will start at $24,795. Those figures
mean it’s the highest-mileage SUV
on the market — and the cheapest
hybrid SUV.
Fuel economy was calculated by
the EPA using the new 2008 test
procedure. GM points out that these
numbers put the Vue Green Line
ahead of both the Honda CR-V and
the Toyota RAV4.
Saturn is also planning a plug-in
hybrid version of the Vue for the
future, which it says will get “approxi-
mately twice the fuel economy of
any SUV currently on the market.”
What this means to you: Want to
save some green? Saturn would like
to sell you a Vue Green Line.

CondoCentral | 69
 condo memo
Free, at last
Rose Margaret G. Monis dispenses wit as she
explains the unmistakeable upside of high-rise living
More than the plaudits, pae-
ans, and marketing babble paid to the
wonders and joys of condo living—the
amenities, the convenience and acces-
sibility, the square footage and value
for money—what really matters, what
it is really all about is the liberty to
actually step out of that condo, turn
the lock, pocket the key, and get a life.
I don’t know about you, but I simply
do not relish the prospect of being tied
to a house, unable to go on extended
vacations, or even stay overnight some-
place else for fear of being burglarized,
the house ransacked of the most
valuable and dearest possessions, and
worse, dear, old Tagpi poisoned.
Yes, of course, it’s probably lovely to
have a garden outside your window,
and a single-detached house could
very well provide an opportunity
to “smell the roses,” but who would
70 | CondoCentral
water these roses when a chance to
stay a week at the beach or a month
abroad presented itself? Would you
entrust everything to absentminded
Inday? Or, if there was no Inday, would
you phone and bribe a parent, a sib-
ling, a friend to housesit? Would you
ask him or her the terribly selfish re-
quest of putting his or her own life on
hold just so you could actually enjoy
yours? How do you do it—”live deep
and suck out all the marrow of life,” as
the cliché goes, without inconvenienc-
ing yourself and others? The answer, of
course, is to live in a condo.
The condominium’s 24/7 security
will, of course, buy you peace of mind.
It will allow you to come and go as
you please, sans stress and worry,
and provide you with the freedom to
improve the quality of your life and re-
lationships. Whereas before you may
have forgone numerous chances for
outdoor recreation because you just
can’t get anyone to housesit and the
idea of leaving the house empty and
unattended just gives you the willies,
with a condo, as long as you secure
everything before leaving the house
(by unplugging all electrical appli-
ances, turning off the gas, closing the
windows and drawing the drapes, and
locking the door), you can be assured
that when you do decide to return
home, your investments (the condo
and its contents) will still be there.
With a condo, spur-of-the-mo-
ment plans (they’re said to be the
best kind, anyway) becomes a cinch:
you can suddenly opt to spend a
long weekend in Subic or Batangas
with family or friends or accept the
hubby’s surprise invitation to join him
in his business trip to Davao.
Life is short enough as it is to get
bogged down with the logistics and
details of it all—just throw a T-shirt
and shorts over your bathing suit,
grab your sunglasses and a bottle of
sun block, and concentrate on getting
to your destination before the last
boat leaves for that island paradise.
Condo living provides you with an
appealing, more flexible alternative to
the complicated life. Go ahead—fear
less, live more!
Special or straightforward, happy or
horrific, your stories as certified condo
dwellers are welcome here. E-mail
editor@condocentral.com.ph.
CondoCentral | 71
 legal
Legal
Inheriting property
Options Introduction
Atty. Edwin Calica Upon the death of a person,
Cacayorin, Jr. how to divide the estate one left
behind is always a potential source of
conflict among family members. To
resolve this matter, the law on succes-
sion steps in to equitably determine
and allocate to each member of the
immediate family (“compulsory
heirs”), his or her share in the inheri-
tance called “legitime”.
Before we go to the topic of inheri-
tance, it is relevant to know some pro-
visions of law relating to succession:
(a) One who is judicially declared
as the offending spouse in a legal
separation case cannot inherit from
the innocent spouse either by testate
or intestate succession. In a judicially
declared annulment or nullity of
marriage, however, one may inherit
by will [but not through intestate suc-
cession since there is no more tie or
relation] -- except when he or she had
contracted a subsequent marriage in
72 | CondoCentral
bad faith, which act shall automatically
disqualify him or her to inherit from
the innocent spouse by testate and
intestate succession. This “forfeited
share” shall form part of the free por-
tion that the decedent may dispose of
in the will.
(b) If the decedent is legally married,
his or her “estate” shall include (i) his
or her separate property, if there is
any; and (ii) one-half of the conjugal or
community property after liquidation,
the other half belongs to his or her be-
loved spouse. Moreover, the surviving
spouse, in addition to his or her half of
the conjugal or community fund, is en-
titled to inherit as compulsory heir his
or her legitime, i.e., such proportionate
share as declared by law, in the estate
of the decedent.
(c) A legally adopted child is
considered a legitimate child of the
adoptive parents. The adopted child,
and his or her descendants, can inherit
from his or her adoptive parents as
well as biological parents -- but not
from the ascendants of either of his
or her adoptive parents since the
relationship of adoption is limited only
between the adoptive parents and the
adopted child.
In Part I of this Article (15 Decem-
ber 2007-January 2008 issue), we
shall discuss the concept of legitime
– i.e., how much each compulsory
heir share in the estate – and the free
portion that the decedent can legally
disposed of by will.
In Part II (15 February 2008 issue),
we shall talk about how to make a
will, its forms, and the formalities to
observe in its execution. We shall also
cover the rules on disinheritance.
In Part III (15 March 2008 issue) I
will relate intestate succession: the
will is disallowed or there is none. From
there we shall summarize all the top-
ics, then draw out your options…
(TO BE CONTINUED)
 overseas
The Global Pinoy
Condo Central publisher Daniel
dela Cruz communicates his musings
as he journeys around the globe in his
modest attempt to link Philippine
real estate with the rest of the world
The monkey-eating eagle is
one of the rare and edangered bird
species in the Philippines protected
by existing national environmental
laws. Abroad, however, a few of them
can be found in zoos for public view-
ing while some are hidden in private
gardens of the filthy rich. It is indeed
status symbol to have one but to the
detriment of the Philippine environ-
ment and Mother Nature herself.
Though it is not considered as the
“national bird” of the Philippines in
the category of sampaguita as the
“national flower” or Jose Rizal as the
“national hero”, this rare breed sym-
bolizes the innate capacity of Filipinos
to weather changes.
While the monkey-eating eagle
is confronted with environmental
threats to its existence, the Filipinos
are facing constant threats to their
survival in the global economy.
Both the symbol and the symbol-
ized keep proving their tenacity,
however, as the years go by.
We therefore find Filipinos almost
anywhere in the world -- United
Arab Emirates, the United States
of America, the United Kingdom,
the public plaza in HongKong on
Sundays, the plosh condominiums of
Singapore, the campus dormitories
of Japan, the kingdoms and fiefdoms
of African royalties, and even the hills
and mountains of Timbuktu or the
cold and snowy hills of Norway -- ek-
74 | CondoCentral
ing out a living for their families who
live in the Philippines.
While other nations in the world
are trying to keep their nationals
within their economic boundaries,
the Philippines keeps pushing its
people to the floodgates of diaspora.
Remittances from Filipinos abroad
has in fact become one of the major
sources of national income and even a
source of government pride. Ironically,
both labor and consumer products
now belong under one category in the
nation’s economic balance sheets.
But instead of losing steam, Filipi-
nos now take pride in their new-found
purchasing power derived from their
ingenious capacity to market their
labor. Why not, indeed? In this highly
competitive global community, one
has to find ways of converting dreams
to cash.
Anywhere in the world, we now
see the advent of the Global Pinoy, a
21st century phenomenon that was
last seen in the biblical exodus of the
children of Abraham who travelled for
ages to see the Kingdom of God.
The Global Pinoy is now one nation
among the nation of nations, stretch-
ing the human threshholds of anguish
and longing, pain and suffering, joy
and bliss, elation and ecstasy as each
individual Filipino consciously or un-
consciously forges ties with fellowmen
to generously bring to their homeland
the product of their blood, sweat and
tears.
There is
now a lot of money out there among
Filipinos in foreign lands who work
day in and day out so they may forget,
if not set aside their homesickness and
instead think of how best they can
provide for their families back home.
Even in the United States where
many Filipinos have been granted
immigrant status, the Global Pinoy
still longs for the day when they can
go back to and retire in the fertile land
of their birth, the paradise of their
childhood, the nascent memories of
their youth.
This constant mental state of mov-
ing on with life with the thought of
sharing their blessings with their loved
ones back home has helped propel
a vigorous real estate development
scene in the Philippines where proper-
ties are purchased not only by those
who reside in their motherland but
also by those who have the purchasing
power but cannot yet go back home.
Statistics show, for example, that
there are almost three million regis-
tered Filipinos in the United States
whose monthly income range from
US$3,000 to US$7,000 which is more
than enough for them to live lives
beyond modesty.
But instead of cashing in on
consumerist trends, many of these
Filipinos either
save their money
in the bank or remit a
portion to their relatives in the
Philippines. One form of remittance is
investment in real estate properties,
the value of which keeps increasing
daily.
There is, therefore, a lot of potential
real estate partners and investors
abroad who are just waiting for the
more aggressive among us brokers
and sales executives to knock on their
doors and offer packages suited to
their needs.
This is the primary reason the
Global Pinoy International Roadshows
will travel from the East Coast to the
West Coast the whole year next year
with an attempt to contribute in the
growing market of real estate proper-
ties outside the Philippines.
Whether this effort will succeed or
not depends mostly on the creativity
of the people who will involve them-
selves in the project.
But one thing is for sure: Even an
average sales executive can stumble
upon a pot of gold in this US real
estate caravan.
By then we would know if the mon-
key-eating eagle has more parallelisms
than one to the innate capacity of the
Global Pinoy not only to survive but
also to emerge triumphant amid the
21st century worldwide economic
trials.
CondoCentral | 75
 *guide
condo

For rent
www.condo.com.ph
For inquiries and viewing requests:
CALL NOW (632) 812-3333
Disclaimer: All information is deemed reliable but not guaranteed. Prospective purchasers and renters should verify the information to their satisfaction.

Legaspi Village, Makati

Perla Mansion Penthouse Unfurnished 100 sq.m. 0 P40,000/month
One Legazpi Park One-bedroom Fully furnished 60.25 sq.m. One parking slot P70,000/month
BSA Suite One-bedroom Fully furnished 54 sq.m. One parking slot P35,000/month
Asia Tower One-bedroom Fully furnished 59 sq.m. One parking slot P45,000/month
Greenbelt Parkplace One-bedroom Fully furnished 37 sq.m. 0 P35,000/month
Tropical Palms Penthouse Fully furnished 139.50 sq.m. One parking slot P65,000/month
Century Plaza Two-bedroom Fully furnished 147 sq.m. One parking slot P55,000/month
Century Plaza Two-bedroom Fully furnished 143 sq.m. One parking slot P60,000/month
Century Plaza Two-bedroom Fully furnished 143 sq.m. One parking slot P55,000/month
Tropical Palms Two-bedroom loft Fully furnished 91 sq.m. One parking slot P45,000/month
Frabella Two-bedroom Fully furnished 150 sq.m. One parking slot P95,000/month
The Shang Grand Tower Two-bedroom Fully furnished 132 sq.m. One parking slot P140,000/month
The Shang Grand Tower One-bedroom Unfurnished 80 sq.m. One parking slot P85,000/month

78 | CondoCentral
Salcedo Village, Makati
Valero Plaza Three-bedroom Fully furnished 100 sq.m. One parking slot P30,000/month
Splendido Gardens Three-bedroom Semi-furnished 276 sq.m. Two parking slots P110,000/month
Splendido Gardens Three-bedroom Semi-furnished 290 sq.m. Two parking slots P110,000/month
Regency at Salcedo Three-bedroom Furnished 192 sq.m. Two parking slots P100,000/month
Cosmopolitan Tower Three-bedroom Fully furnished 185 sq.m. One parking slot P80,000/month
Ponte Salcedo Two-bedroom Unfurnished 140 sq.m. One parking slot P45,000/month
Grand Tower Two-bedroom Fully furnished 155 sq.m. One parking slot P65,000/month
Grand Tower Two-bedroom Fully furnished 155 sq.m. One parking slot P65,000/month
Grand Tower Two-bedroom Fully furnished 155 sq.m. One parking slot P65,000/month
Antel Platinum Two-bedroom Fully furnished 101.2 sq.m. One parking slot P60,000/month
Elizabeth Place One-bedroom deluxe Fully furnished 108 sq.m. One parking slot P75,000/month
Elizabeth Place One-bedroom Fully furnished 62 sq.m. 0 P50,000/month
Elizabeth Place One-bedroom Fully furnished 62 sq.m. One parking slot P95,000/month
Crown Tower Two-bedroom Fully furnished 170 sq.m. One parking slot P65,000/month
Crown Tower Two-bedroom Fully furnished 170 sq.m. One parking slot P75,000/month
Crown Tower Two-bedroom Fully furnished 170 sq.m. One parking slot P60,000/month
Crown Tower One-bedroom Fully furnished 53.02 sq.m. One parking slot P30,000/month
Crown Tower One-bedroom Fully furnished 53.02 sq.m. One parking slot P30,000/month
Crown Tower One-bedroom Fully furnished 53.02 sq.m. One parking slot P30,000/month
Elizabeth Place Studio Fully furnished 62 sq.m. 0 P40,000/month
The Peak One-bedroom Fully furnished 60 sq.m. 0 P25,000/month

Sen. Gil Puyat, Makati City

Skyland Condo Three-bedroom Fully furnished 134 sq.m. One parking slot P45,000/month

Ayala Ave./ Makati Ave./ Kalayaan/ San Antonio Village, Makati City
Ritz Tower Three-bedroom Semi-furnished 215 sq.m. Two parking slots P90,000/month
Olympia One-bedroom Furnished 65 sq.m. One parking slot P50,000/month
Palm Tower Two-bedroom Fully furnished 66.56 sq.m. 0 P30,000/month
Alexandria Three-bedroom Fully furnished 0 P75,000/month

Bel-Air, Makati City

Bel-Air Three-bedroom Fully furnished 230 sq.m. One parking slot P45,000/month
Citadel Inn Studio Fully furnished 27 sq.m. 0 P18,000/month
Citadel Inn Studio Fully furnished 27 sq.m. 0 P18,000/month
Citadel Inn Studio Fully furnished 27 sq.m. 0 P18,000/month
Citadel Inn Studio Fully furnished 27 sq.m. 0 P18,000/month
Citadel Inn One-bedroom Fully furnished 65.22 sq.m. 0 P25,000/month

CondoCentral | 79
 Malate, Manila
Ivory Studio Fully furnished 25 sq.m. Four parking slots P8,500/month
Le Mirage One-bedroom Fully furnished 41 sq.m. 0 P26,000/month
Le Mirage One-bedroom Fully furnished 39 sq.m. 0 P25,000/month
Providence Tower One-bedroom Unfurnished 32.22 sq.m. 0 P14,000/month
Providence Tower Two-bedroom Unfurnished 32.22 sq.m. 0 P16,000/month
Alpha Grandview Three-bedroom Fully furnished 129 sq.m. 0 P70,000/month
Providence Tower One-bedroom Unfurnished 32.22 sq.m. 0 P14,000/month
Providence Tower Two-bedroom Unfurnished 32.22 sq.m. 0 P16,000/month
Kassel Studio Semi-furnished 25 sq.m. 0 P8,000/month

Ortigas Center
Malayan Plaza Studio Fully furnished 56 sq.m. 0 P35,000/month
Malayan Plaza Two-bedroom Fully furnished 56 sq.m. 0 P35,000/month

Mandaluyong City/ Greenhills, San Juan/ Pasig

Vivant Studio Unfurnished 46 sq.m. 0 P27,000/month
Wack Wack Heights Three-bedroom Semi-furnished 145 sq.m. Two parking slots P37,000/month
Paragon Plaza Studio Unfurnished 48 sq.m. One parking slot P11,000/month
LPL Greenhills Two-bedroom Semi-furnished 159 sq.m. One parking slot P60,000/month
Mayfield Park Residences Two-bedroom Unfurnished 48 sq.m. 0 P18,000/month

Bonifacio Global City

Forbeswood Heights Two-bedroom Unfurnished 84.5 sq.m. One parking slot P40,000/month
Bonifacio Ridge One-bedroom Fully furnished 118 sq.m. One parking slot P110,000/month
Forbeswood Heights One-bedroom Furnished 48 sq.m. One parking slot P38,000/month

Quezon City
Sto. Niño Two-level Unfurnished 44 sq.m. One parking slot P7,000/month
Golf Hills Terraces Two-bedroom Unfurnished One parking slot P16,500/month
Francesca Tower Two-bedroom Fully furnished 0 P23,000/month
San Jose One-bedroom Fully furnished 42 sq.m. One parking slot P15,000/month

Ayala, Alabang
Vivant Flats One-bedroom Furnished 43 sq.m. One parking slot P45,000/month

Rockwell, Makati
Rizal Tower Three-bedroom Semi-furnished 286 sq.m. One parking slot P170,000/month

80 | CondoCentral
 is the new condo bible.

Call 812-3333
FOR SUBSCRIPTION AND AD PLACEMENTS,
 *guide
condo

For sale
www.condo.com.ph
For inquiries and viewing requests:
CALL NOW (632) 812-3333
Disclaimer: All information is deemed reliable but not guaranteed. Prospective purchasers and renters should verify the information to their satisfaction.

Legaspi Village, Makati

Eurovilla I Three-bedroom Semi-furnished 168 sq.m. One parking slot P8,000,000
Asia Tower Two-bedroom Fully furnished 87 sq.m. One parking slot P8,000,000
Greenbelt Radissons Studio Unfurnished 34.3 sq.m. 0 P3,500,000
One Legazpi Park Two-bedroom Fully furnished 93 sq.m. One parking slot P13,300,000
Prince Plaza II Studio Semi-furnished 29 sq.m. 0 P2,000,000
Greenbelt Parkplace One-bedroom Unfurnished 36.5 sq.m. One parking slot P5,200,000

Bel-Air, Makati City

Makati Palace Hotel Studio Fully furnished 32.64 sq.m. 0 P2,300,000
Makati Palace Hotel Penthouse Semi-furnished 32 sq.m. 0 P1,850,000
Makati Palace Studio Fully furnished 30 sq.m. 0 P1,900,000
Makati Palace One-bedroom Fully furnished 60 sq.m. One parking slot P3,800,000
Makati Palace Two-bedroom Fully furnished 110 sq.m. One parking slot P6,500,000

82 | CondoCentral
Ayala Avenue, Makati City
Pacific Plaza Three-bedroom Fully furnished 28.7 sq.m. Two parking slots P20,000,000
The Columns Ayala Tower III Studio 30 sq.m. 0 P3,000,000

Sen. Gil Puyat Ave., Makati City

Cityland 8 Studio Fully furnished 21 sq.m. 0 P700,000

Bgy. Bangkal, Makati City

Central Park Studio Fully furnished 21 sq.m. 0 P500,000

Pasong Tamo/ Dela Rosa/ P. Burgos, Makati City

Cityland Pasong Tamo Studio Fully furnished 21 sq.m. 0 P1,600,000
Makati Executive Tower II One-bedroom Unfurnished 31.6 sq.m. 0 P2,500,000
Cityland Dela Rosa One-bedroom Semi-furnished 34 sq.m. 0 P1,500,000
Citadel Studio Fully furnished 27 sq.m. 0 P2,200,000

Salcedo Village, Makati

Elizabeth Place One-bedroom Furnished 62 sq.m. 0 P5,000,000
Elizabeth Place Two-bedroom Furnished 96 sq.m. 0 P7,500,000
Nobel Plaza Penthouse Unfurnished 155 sq.m. One parking slot P8,000,000
Easton Place Two-bedroom Fully furnished 126 sq.m. One parking slot P8,500,000
Easton Place Two-bedroom Semi-furnished 126 sq.m. One parking slot P8,500,000
Easton Place Three-bedroom Fully furnished 189 sq.m. One parking slot P12,500,000
Prince Tower Two-bedroom Semi-furnished 60.8 sq.m. One parking slot P3,000,000

Manila/ Pasay
Antel Seaview Studio Fully furnished 38 sq.m. One parking slot P4,000,000
Cityland Vito Cruz Studio Unfurnished 65.34 sq.m. One parking slot P2,900,000
Robinsons Place Tower I Three-bedroom Fully furnished 149 sq.m. One parking slot P12,000,000
Marbella II Studio Fully furnished 59 sq.m. 0 P2,500,000
Asiawealth Towers One-bedroom Fully furnished 29.34 sq.m. 0 P1,400,000

Bonifacio Global City

Forbeswood Heights One-bedroom Unfurnished 60 sq.m. One parking slot P5,500,000
Mckinley Park Residences One-bedroom Unfurnished 40 sq.m. 0 P3,300,000
Forbeswood Heights- Studio Unfurnished 36.5 sq.m. 0 P3,700,000
Cambridge Tower III

Taguig
Lakeview Manors Two-bedroom Unfurnished 50 sq.m. One parking slot P1,400,000

CondoCentral | 83
 Quezon City
Olympic Heights Tower I One-bedroom Unfurnished 46 sq.m. One parking slot P3,500,000
Greenhills Garden Square Two-bedroom Unfurnished 57 sq.m. 0 P2,900,000
Regalia Park Towers Three-bedroom Unfurnished 67.87 sq.m. One parking slot P3,700,000
Danielle’s Condo Studio Unfurnished 21 sq.m. One parking slot P1,300,000
One Beatriz Tower Two-bedroom Fully furnished 74 sq.m. One parking slot P4,500,000
One Orchard Road Studio Unfurnished 36.5 sq.m. 0 P4,500,000
One Orchard Road Tower II Two-bedroom Unfurnished 77 sq.m. One parking slot P6,250,000
Olympic Heights Tower II Two-bedroom Unfurnished 77 sq.m. One parking slot P5,000,000
San Jose One-bedroom Fully furnished 42 sq.m. One parking slot P1,500,000

Ortigas Center/ Mandaluyong/ Greenhills, San Juan/Pasig

Westwood Penthouse Unfurnished 434 sq.m. Two parking slots P15,000,000
Westwood Three-bedroom Unfurnished 215 sq.m. Two parking slots P8,000,000
AIC Grande One-bedroom Unfurnished 68 sq.m. One parking slot P4,200,000
Princeville One-bedroom Unfurnished 24 sq.m. One parking slot P1,200,000
Paragon Plaza Two-bedroom Unfurnished 110 sq.m. One parking slot P3,700,000
Paragon Plaza Studio Unfurnished 48 sq.m. One parking slot P1,800,000
Platinum 1000 Three-bedroom Unfurnished 164.96 sq.m. One parking slot P6,000,000
Greenhills Garden Square Two-bedroom Unfurnished 57.5 sq.m. 0 P3,200,000
California Garden Square Two-bedroom 57.7 sq.m. 0 P2,500,000
East Ortigas Mansion Four-bedroom Semi-furnished 108 sq.m. One parking slot P5,500,000
Palmdale Heights One-bedroom Fully furnished 40.43 sq.m. One parking slot P1,800,000
Cambridge One-bedroom Unfurnished 40 sq.m. 0 P1,200,000

Alabang/ Muntinlupa City/ Parañaque

Capri Condo One-bedroom Unfurnished 100 sq.m. One parking slot P1,500,000
Richville Corp. Tower Office condo Unfurnished 31 sq.m. 0 P2,300,000
Richville Corp. Tower Office condo Unfurnished 27 sq.m. 0 P1,900,000
Chateau Elysee Studio Unfurnished 52.05 sq.m. 0 P3,800,000

84 | CondoCentral
Leave it to the experts.

Let real estate professionals

manage your condominium unit.
Lease it out or sell it, your property
will be in good hands.
Our best offer: Let us keep your keys
and we will deliver results
in no time at all!

We are the condo.

www.condo.com.ph
T h e Co n d o m i n i u m S p e c i a l i s t
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E-mail: admin@condo.com.ph
 FOR SALE
Eastwood Excelsior
2BR
73 sq.m.
12/F
utility/ maid’s room, 2 T&Bs
1 parking slot
PhP 5.5 M (negotiable)
Parc Royale
Condominium
1BR
68 sq.m.
10/F
FF
1 parking slot
PhP 3.9 M (negotiable)
10-hectare lot, ideal
for pocket subdivision
San Isidro (formerly Montalban),
Rizal Fronting Avilon Zoo

FOR LEASE

central
GA Tower
1BR loft

market
35 sq.m.
14/F
SF: 2 A/Cs, ref, microwave,
range with tank
25k/month
Please call or text
Amanda Alegre
at +639175366231

The ultimate
in city living!
LUXURY CONDOS
Grand Hamptons Tower II
Bonifacio Global City
One-bedroom with balcony 46 sq.m. P3M

The Shang Grand Tower Forbeswood Heights

Legaspi Village, Makati City Bonifacio Global City
1BR 80 sq.m . 1 parking slot P80,000/month
2BR FF 132 sq.m. 1 parking slot P140,000/month One-bedroom
36.5 sq.m.
Splendido Towers Fully furnished
Salcedo Village, Makati City One parking slot
3BR SF 276 sq.m. 2 parking slots P110,000/month Asking price (sale): P6,000,000
Asking price (lease): P35,000 per month
Regency at Salcedo
Salcedo Village, Makati City Three-bedroom
3BR FF 192 sq.m. 2 parking slots P100,000/month 107 sq.m.
Semifurnished
Bonifacio Ridge One parking slot
Bonifacio Global City, Taguig Asking price (sale): P12,500,000
1BR FF 118 sq.m. 1 parking slot P110,000/month Asking price (lease): P80,000 per month
Call or text Renne Isidro
Call or text Grace Geverola Call or text Rowena dela Cruz
at +639278369426 at +639153728220 or 840-1332
at +639173650220

To advertise Tel: (632)812-3333

To advertise Mobile:
Tel: (632)812-3333 +639272760360
Mobile: +639272760360E-mail: advertising@condocentral.com.ph
E-mail: advertising@condocentral.com.ph
 FOR
SALE
VALENCIA HILLS
New MaNILA, QUEZON CITY
Two-bedroom
(penthouse unit)
99.5 square meters
Fully furnished
One parking slot
Overlooking Makati
and Ortigas skyline
Ceiling PAPER
and Wallpaper
by Wallprints
International, Inc.
P6,000,000
For more info, call Rowena
dela Cruz at +639164264928

Sycamore VIBRANT NEIGHBORHOOD

Tower
Mandaluyong City
Finally, some space to breathe…
…at the center of it all.

R E N T
2BR 62.58 sq.m. P3.2M
Amenities and facilities
Kitchen
Gym
Clubhouse
Multi-purpose lounge Easton Place
Multi-purpose hall 2BR UF 126 sq.m. P50,000/month
Audio/video room
Business center 2BR FF 126 sq.m. P60,000/month
Playground
Swimming pool
Basketball court LPL Center
Grand entrance with security 2BR FF 116 sq.m. P45,000/month
Perimeter fence
Asian garden
Shower room Classica Tower
2BR FF 96 sq.m. P70,000/month
Affordable payment
schemes available One Lafayette
For inquiries and 3BR FF 160 sq.m. P90,000/month
viewing requests,
please call or text For inquiries and viewing requests,
Darwin Belicena
at +639156915707 please call Paner at (632) 840-1332

To advertise Tel: (632)812-3333 Mobile: +639272760360 E-mail: advertising@condocentral.com.ph

THE GRAMERCY Come home to
RESIDENCES the best address
in Metro Manila
and enjoy the best
life has to offer!

LIVE IT UP!
AS LOW
AS
P2.2M

Makati City
FLAT UNITS
Unit types Sizes Price range
Studio 28 - 34 sq.m. P2.5M - P2.8M
1BR 34 - 38 sq.m. P3.7M - P4.3M
2BR 53 - 85 sq.m. P5.4M - P8.5M
3BR 153.65 sq.m. P10M

LOFT UNITS
Unit types Sizes Price range
1BR 43 - 58 sqm. P5.1M - P6.6M
2BR 88 - 113 sqm. P10.3M - P12.5M
3BR 151.87 sqm. P17.4M
Find out what everybody
Please call or text Norma S. Robles has been raving about today!
at +639178557174 Call or text Patrick R. Blanco at +639179809477

To advertise Tel: (632)812-3333 Mobile: +639272760360 E-mail: advertising@condocentral.com.ph

BEST DEAL! OFFICE AND
COMMERCIAL
PROPERTIES
Mandaluyong City:
Office space for lease
Quezon City: Pioneer, 6000 sq.m., P650/sq.m.
Lots for sale Ideal for call center operation
Cubao, 1031 sq.m. P30,000/sq.m
Rotonda, 2000 sq.m. P30,000/sq.m Cavite:
Office space for lease
Pasig City: Carmona, 6,400 sq.m., P200/sq.m.
Office spaces for sale Ideal for call center operation
San Miguel Avenue, penthouse unit, 348 or corporate office
sq,m., 2 parking slots, P10M
San Miguel Avenue, 198.27 sq.m., 1 parking Makati:
slot, P8.5M Office spaces for lease
San Miguel Avenue, 197.00 sq.m., P 5.6M Ayala Avenue, 23 sq.m., 32 sq.m., 36
ADB Avenue, 579.066 sq.m., P600.00/sq.m. sq.m., 78 sq.m., P410/sq.m.
Rada, 169 sq.m., P350/sq.m., 303 sq.m.,
P300/sq.m., 652 sq.m.,
P300/ sq.m., 526 sq.m., P350/sq.m.
Dela Rosa, 183 sq.m., P300/sqm

Greenhills, San Juan:

Commercial areas for lease
Annapolis, 54.04 sq.m., 35.40 sq.m.,
32.45 sq.m., 47.00 sq.m.,
38.99 sq.m.,15.48 sq.m., P600-P650/sq.m.
Ideal for flower shop and jewelry
shop

Bonifacio
Global City:
Commercial areas for lease
The Fort, 63.91, P1,200/sq.m., 46.09
sq.m., P800/sq.m., 62.27 sq.m.,
P1,200/sq.m., 50.37 sq.m., P1,200/ sq.m,
59.17 sq.m., P1,200/sq.m.
Ideal for convenience store
and restaurant

For more info,

contact Riddlesands
Realty Co.’s Henry
Mondoñedo
at 473-4379
or 09202862981

To advertise Tel: (632)812-3333 Mobile: +639272760360 E-mail: advertising@condocentral.com.ph

Live in resort condo in the
Metropolis for only 10%
downpayment to move in

Best value
for your money
EASTON PLACE
Salcedo Village, Makati City
2BR 123 sq.m. 1 parking slot P7.9M
2BR 126 sq.m. 1 parking slot P8.1M
2BR 125 sq.m. 1 parking slot P8.1M
2BR 124 sq.m. 1 parking slot P8.0M
Located in Ortigas, Pasig, 3BR 181 sq.m. 1 parking slot P11.7M
across Fort Bonifacio,
Mandaluyong and PONTE SALCEDO
Salcedo Village, Makati City
Quezon City 3BR 285 sq.m. 1 parking slot P11.4M
3BR 285 sq.m. 1 parking slot P12.8M

Call or text Faye Asuncion at +639278585825 Call or text Bong Lozada

at +639289728486

NO DUST. NO DIRT.
NO MESS. ANYWHERE.

The Happy
Chambermaids
Tired of spending your weekends cleaning house? Maybe it’s time to hire a professional housekeeping
service. At AHYI & Company, we provide you high quality cleaning done by housecleaners who could
equal the skills, style and etiquette of five-star hotel chambermaids. Yes, hotel grade cleaning!

We invite you to review our services and contact us today to discuss how we
can make your life a bit less taxing.

Address: Unit 405 Windsor Tower, 163 Legazpi St., Legaspi Village, Makati City
Telephone/fax: 813-2903, 816-3922
Mobile: 09228889180, 09178107388
E-mail: ahyi_one@yahoo.com

To advertise Tel: (632)812-3333 Mobile: +639272760360 E-mail: advertising@condocentral.com.ph

 22 - December 16

To advertise Tel: (632)812-3333 Mobile: +639272760360 E-mail: advertising@condocentral.com.ph

 happenings
Traders Hotel, Manila:
Home of the beauties
Traders Hotel, Manila, part of Asia
Pacific’s leading luxury hotel group, Shan-
gri-La Hotels and Resorts, is the official
“home” of approximately 93 beauties from
around the world who are visiting the city
to compete in the much-coveted Miss
Earth Beauty Pageant 2007.
The announcement was made by
94 | CondoCentral
Seriously funny
Megaworld Corporation has
been known to bring smiles to people’s
faces. With its impressive array of prime
property development projects, it has
fostered a following of content and
happy homeowners.
This December, however, Megaworld
attempts to do more than just make
people beam or smirk or grin. Instead,
they will gather a thousand of their
friends under one enormous tent in
Mckninley Hill and try to make them
giggle, snort and chuckle.
“Laughfest,” explains Megarworld
events associate Ma. Cristina Henson,
Ramon S. Monzon, president and CEO of
Carousel Productions, Inc. during a media
conference held at the hotel’s Embassy
Ballroom to welcome the arrival of the
reigning Miss Earth, Hil Hernandez from
Chile.
“Traders Hotel, Manila is again
honoured to be chosen as the “official
“is our way of bringing together
clients and friends for a night of
wholesome fun.”
Happening the 15th of December,
Laughfest features the country’s
top comic acts in individual and
group performances that are sure
to leave the audience hysterically
spellbound. Veteran comedienne
Giselle Sanchez will be the night’s
emcee and will share the stage with
up and coming humorists Tim Tayag
and Al Manalo. The legendary Gary
Lising rounds up the crazy crew.
“We recognize that the country has
(left to right) Andrea Mastellone, General
Manager, Traders Hotel Manila; Catherine
Untalan, Miss Earth Water 2006; Hil
Hernandez, Miss Earth 2006 from Chile
and Michael Jaey Albana, Director of Sales
and Marketing, Traders Hotel Manila upon
arrival at the hotel.
residence” for this prestigious event,” said
Andrea Mastellone, general manager of
Traders Hotel, Manila.
The Shangri-la group is very much
involved in the area of environmental sus-
tainability and its focus is primarily in five
areas: climate change; ozone depletion;
water use management; waste disposal
a wealth of comedic talents and we
are glad to provide a platform for
them,” reveals Henson.
Invited guests will be treated to a
sumptuous dinner while being ser-
enaded by one of the local band scene’s
emergent groups. Drinks will also flow
freely through the night.
“As we get bombarded with bad news
everyday, it’s nice to take some time off
and just laugh and have a grand time,”
says Henson.
Believing in the power of laughter as
panacea, Megaworld is bent on making
Laughfest an annual tradition.
management; and indoor air quality,” he
said.
“Shangri-La was an industry leader
in initiating environmental procedures
even before its hotels began to receive
ISO14001 certification, the international
Environmental Management System
Standard. The group has an extensive list
of internally developed environmental
best practices that all hotels have imple-
mented, with inspections to monitor for
compliance. The inspection results affect
each hotel’s annual performance and de-
velopment review scores,” Mr. Mastellone
continued.
“In support of Shangri-la’s environ-
mental initiatives, Traders Hotel, Manila
provides accommodation and food and
beverage services to its internal and
external customers in a manner that best
conserves resources while maintaining
its high standards of safety, security and
customer service,” he said. The hotel
recognizes its role as an environmentally
conscientious company, hence, it upholds
its commitment to faithfully comply with
appropriate environmental legislation
and other regulations and reduce or
eliminate pollution through enhanced
preventive maintenance and effective use
of environmentally friendly materials and
resources. “
For more information and reservations,
please contact a travel professional or access
the website at www.tradershotels.com.
CondoCentral | 95
 epilogue

Wonder
Most strained looking out to admire the majestic
Xian mountain ranges that seemed to stretch
forever. Condo Central chief photographer
moetwain sees more.
From among the awe-struck yet monotonous
reactions of the passengers, moetwain captures the
unflinching gaze of a little boy, who himself most
probably saw beyond the undulating peaks.
See more of moetwain’s exquisite art when he
holds a series of exhibits in Manila starting next
year. You may also visit http://www.flickr.com/
photos/moetwain.

96 | CondoCentral
CondoCentral | 97