Mr. Normann Chiu, President of VPX, expressed his excitement during the ceremony, stating, “Today is not just about breaking ground; it’s about laying a foundation for reliability and quality in automotive service for the region. We are thrilled to bring VPX’s trusted service closer to our customers in Mindanao.”

The new VPX facility aims to address the growing demand for high-quality automotive services in the area. With a strategic location that is easily accessible for residents of Cagayan de Oro and nearby cities, VPX is poised to become a key player in the local automotive industry.

Mr. Mark Saberola, General Manager of VPX, highlighted the company’s commitment to customer satisfaction, saying, “Our goal at VPX Cagayan de Oro is to provide top-notch service that meets the standards of major automotive brands. We want our customers to feel confident and valued each time they visit us.”

The establishment of VPX in Cagayan de Oro is also a boon for local employment. The new service center is looking to hire professionals across various roles, including Service Sales Advisor, Workshop Leadman, Parts & Admin Officer, Technicians, and Mechanics. This development is not only a testament to VPX’s investment in the community but also an opportunity for local talent to shine in a promising industry.

Mr. Macmod Muti, President of Markson Petrochem Inc., the franchisee of VPX Cagayan de Oro City, added, “We are committed to making VPX a beacon of excellence in automotive services in Northern Mindanao. This groundbreaking is the first step towards a future where quality car care is readily available to everyone in the region.”

The VPX Cagayan de Oro site is scheduled to open its doors in third quarter of 2024, equipped with state-of-the-art facilities and staffed by certified professionals ready to tackle various automotive needs.

This groundbreaking event is not just a celebration of a new business but a commitment to quality, accessibility, and community service. VPX Cagayan de Oro City is set to reinforce automotive care in Northern Mindanao, ensuring every vehicle owner receives the best possible service right in their backyard.

Stay tuned for more updates as VPX Cagayan de Oro gears up to serve the bustling community of Northern Mindanao, driving forward with dedication and excellence in every vehicle they service.

The post Groundbreaking Ceremony Marks New Beginnings for VPX Cagayan de Oro City appeared first on Village Connection PH.

The conference will focus on how the sector envisions a better-built environment for the Filipino people. As the country continues to recover from the pandemic, industry thought leaders gather to reflect on lessons gained from the past two years and discuss how to create a promising future for stakeholders. 

“We’re very pleased to bring back The Outlook Conference, and it’s even more exciting that we’re doing it at a time when we’re slowly returning to pre-pandemic activities. I encourage real estate professionals to come and join us in this momentous event,” Lamudi Philippines’ Country Head Anurag Verma said. 

With the excitement brewing, Lamudi reveals what property professionals can expect at the conference.

Time-Relevant Tracks

Designed to cover several pressing matters, The Outlook 2022: Philippine Real Estate Conference will have five tracks tackling the redefined essence of home and emerging opportunities in the industry. 

These are the names of the panel tracks:

• Envisioning the Homes of the Future
• The Home as a Relaxation Destination
• Residential and Office Trends Reshaping the Market
• Addressing the Affordable Housing Backlog
• Vertical Living: Where and Why

Distinguished Panelists

The panel tracks will feature notable experts in the property sector and related industries. Top executives from prominent developers will share their expertise. The companies include RLC Residences, Rockwell Land, Avida Land, PHINMA Properties, CUBO Modular, Philippines Urban Living Solutions, Inc., Picar Development, Contempo Property Holdings, Seanderg Realty and Development Corporation, Atlantica Realty Development Corp., Primeworld Land, and Italpinas Development Corporation. 

Similarly, property consultancy firms KMC Savills and Leechiu Property Consultants will join the distinguished panel, along with leading workspace providers IWG Plc and NEO. 

High-ranking officials from companies in related industries will also grace the event as panelists. These include BDO, Samsung, IODHome, and KONE.

Inspiring Keynote Speeches

Headlined by prominent personalities, The Outlook 2022: Philippine Real Estate Conference will feature two distinguished speakers: Anna Mae Yu Lamentillo and Gino Olivares. 

Lamentillo was the chairperson of the Build, Build, Build (BBB) Committee, the inter-agency group spearheading the ambitious infrastructure program of the previous administration. She is expected to talk about the improvement of transportation infrastructure and accessibility of key regions in the country. 

Meanwhile, Olivares, the President of the Organization of Socialized and Economic Housing Developers of the Philippines, Inc. (OSHDP), will share what stakeholders can do to stimulate the affordable housing sector. The top executive has over two decades of experience in real estate and has been actively promoting housing policy reforms that aim to end the country’s decade-long housing crisis. 

The Outlook 2022: Philippine Real Estate Conference is co-presented by KONE and in partnership with media organizations Malaya, Manila Standard, Manila Times, Business Mirror, Sunstar, Real Estate Blog PH, and Mediablast Digital. The silver sponsors are Maximus and Gorenje, while the bronze sponsors are Metromart, Shopee, Zalora, CleanSource Solution, BDO, BPI, and RCBC.

Those who are interested in joining the conference can purchase a single conference ticket at PHP 10,500 or bundled packages to avail of discounted rates. To buy tickets, click here.

Village Connection PH

The post What to Expect at The Outlook 2022: Philippine Real Estate Conference appeared first on Village Connection PH.

Despite the impact of COVID-19 on its business and the challenges on bringing out support to local communities due to safety, the Company continued its corporate citizenship campaign Holcim HELPS, which benefitted 164,913 individuals in 2020. Community Health and Sanitation projects accounted for 35% of total Holcim HELPS expenditures as the Company focused more on this area to help strengthen host communities against the disease. The company leveraged on its strong partnerships with stakeholders and regularly consulted with communities to deliver the needed support. Infrastructure projects, which previously cornered the biggest allocation of the Holcim HELPS budget, slid to second in 2020 with 26% share followed by Community Donations (21%), and Community Water Projects (11%).

Holcim Vice President for Communications Cara Ramirez: “Our Company remains committed to support in any way that we can the communities that have been home to our people and facilities for decades especially during challenging times such as 2020. With the assistance from our partners and great dedication from our people on the ground, we provided much needed support that responds to our communities’ needs. As we grow our company, we will continue and strive further to support the sustainable development of our communities through the HELPS campaign.”

The centerpiece of this year’s Holcim HELPS campaign is on water access, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) for schools and communities in partnership with the League of Corporate Foundations (LCF) and the Manila Water Foundation. Through these partnerships, Holcim Philippines communities received 5,300 information and education materials on proper hand washing and COVID-19 prevention, as well as 800 hygiene kits and children’s storybooks on WASH.  The initiative benefited 78,698 individuals in Bacnotan, La Union, Norzagaray, Bulacan), Mabini, Batangas, Lugait, Misamis Oriental, and Bunawan District, Davao City.

Another Holcim HELPS highlight was its donations to fight the COVID-19 pandemic that benefitted 45,901 community members and government and medical frontliners.  The Company distributed more than 15,000 food packs, 10,000 masks, 300 face shields and goggles, and 50 liters of soap and sanitizers to various stakeholders nationwide.  

Since the Holcim HELPS’ campaign launch in 2018, more than 770,000 community partners have benefitted from the social development initiatives of the Company through its cement plants and terminals nationwide.  For the next ten years, the company intends to help and an additional 1.6 million people.

Other Holcim HELPS highlights in 2020 were its partnership with the Manila Water Foundation to build 45 lavatories for an Aeta community at Sitio Monicayo, Mabalacat, Pampanga. This program provided water for waterless communities and sanitation facilities to promote proper hygiene and eliminate open defecation.   

For infrastructure, Holcim’s Bulacan plant supported the road and pavement improvement of host community, Barangay Matictic in Norzagaray so people can more easily access social services. Since 2017, the program has improved three kilometers of roads and pathways benefitting more than 6,000 residents. In 2020, the company’s Davao Plant turned over its second water system project that will provide clean and safe water to communities in the Bunawan District of Davao City. The two facilities now provide close to 500 households sustainable access to water and a future source of livelihood.

Meanwhile, the Company’s terminal sites in Calaca, Batangas is nearing completion of an artificial coral reef project developed in consultation with the local government and fisherfolk community.  Over the past two years, the terminal supported the fabrication of 145 concrete artificial corals to invigorate the marine life in the area. Two hundred households will benefit once these artificial corals are deployed in the site to be selected.

Finally, more than 260 houses for families displaced by the conflict in Marawi were built in 2020 under Holcim Philippines’ partnership with the United Nations Human Settlement Programme (UN-Habitat) and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) to support the rebuilding of the city. 

Close to 45,000 bags of Holcim Excel cement were used to build the structures assisted by the 116 workers who underwent masonry training under the company’s ‘galing Mason program. This is part of the Phase-1 of the project the UN-Habitat in partnership with the Government of Japan, the Task Force Bangon Marawi, and the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development. The next phases are set for this year.

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Holcim Philippines, Inc. (Philippine Stock Exchange: HLCM) is one of the leading building solution companies in the country. The Company has a deep portfolio of innovative solutions fostered by a full range of products from structuring to finishing applications that can help local builders execute with high performance and efficiency a wide range of projects from massive infrastructure to simple home repairs. 

With cement manufacturing facilities in La Union, Bulacan, Batangas, Misamis Oriental and Davao, as well as aggregates and dry mix business and technical support facilities for building solutions, Holcim Philippines is a reliable partner of builders in the country. 

Holcim Philippines is also committed to the highest standards of sustainable operations and manufacturing excellence with its plants certified under ISO 14001:2004 (Environmental Management System), ISO 9001:2008 (Quality Management System) and OHSAS 18001:2007 (Occupational Health and Safety Management System).

Holcim Philippines is a member of the LafargeHolcim Group, the world leader in the building materials industry present in 80 countries with over 75,000 employees.

The post Holcim sustains HELPS campaign amid pandemic, assists over 160,000 in 2020 appeared first on Village Connection PH.

This is why she bought a home in Terraza de Sto. Tomas in Batangas two years ago. Like the rest of the homes in the area, Pelayo’s is surrounded by well-manicured pocket gardens with a Mediterranean ambiance.

The area is nestled at the heart of Sto. Tomas, and therefore offers residents the pleasures of suburban living while letting them stay in touch with the bustling city life. The historic Mt. Makiling presents a breathtaking view of nature.

“We feel safe and secure in Terraza because of the roving 24-hour security.  Every electric post has a  CCTV,” she says. 

Such peace of mind has given Pelayo and her family the kind of serenity that comes with the knowledge that their lives and belongings are always far from danger. It has also allowed them to enjoy their much-treasured privacy.

Pelayo adds that she feels transported to a foreign country, where houses have bricks and round arches — much like the ones she sees in photos of homes in Florida, California and other places abroad.

“The parking area is spacious, the roads are wide.  Unlike in other subdivisions where the roads are narrow so the developer can scrimp on expenses, Ovialand made sure every resident has ample space to move around,” she notes.

Every road has a sidewalk where residents can walk safely.  The air is fresh and clean, conducive to healthy living.

Thus, Pelayo says she feels calm, relaxed and at peace.  She can focus on the work at hand because her mind is clear from worries about her home.

And since the houses are not crowded and spaced side by side with each other, residents are protected from COVID. Practicing social distancing as a pillar of health during the pandemic, is easy. 

No wonder Pelayo says “every square meter (of land) is worth it.”

She also says that the price for the house and lots are within reach. So she has enough funds to buy the things she and her family need.

Yes, this Terraza de Sto. Tomas resident is living it up.  She has found her happy place.

The post Living the High Life in Terraza de Sto. Tomas in Batangas appeared first on Village Connection PH.

Discovery Hospitality (DHC), the management company behind award-winning properties Discovery Suites, Discovery Primea, Discovery Shores Boracay and Club Paradise Palawan, started the Home Safe program earlier this year, a health and safety initiative implemented at all its destinations. This program follows stringent protocols set by the Department of Tourism and is backed by Lysol Philippines, whose cleaning products have been certified by the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency to protect against the virus that causes COVID-19.

Now, DHC has further enhanced the program into one that can easily be adapted by establishments looking to bring hotel-grade sanitation into their space. Home Safe offers easy access to a one-stop-shop solution to complying with LGU, DOT, DOLE, DTI, and DOH requirements on COVID-19 mitigation. 

The subscription packages start at the Basic Plan (PHP 15,000), which covers hotel-grade sanitation practices, COVID-19 backgrounders, and back-to-work policies and procedures to facilitate the resumption of your operations. The program is designed to be comprehensive, and includes training modules such as personal hygiene, surface sanitation, pathogens, chain of infection, infection control, hygiene agents, and sanitation agents.

Also included in the Basic Plan are health and safety compliance certifications, online and in-person space assessment and training sessions, educational materials, QR codes on sanitation policies and procedures, and on-site surface sanitation.

The Premium Plan (PHP25,000) offers strengthened validation of safety standards through DHC’s partnership with Lysol Philippines. It covers all of the inclusions in the Basic Plan, with add-ons such as a customized sanitation plan, validation markers for placing in key areas within your establishment, marketing materials such as social media post cards, a press release, a safety video, and other tie-ins, and sanitation sessions and discounted rates from Lysol. 

DHC’s commitment goes beyond its doors. The Discovery family continues to innovate new ways to care for its stakeholders and help them feel safe wherever they are. Find out more about Home Safe through discoveryhotels-resorts.com/home-safe.

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During the Handang Isip, Handa Bukas press conference on Friday, Undersecretary Sevilla reported that the AME of Php500.00 per teacher and the WTDIB of Php1,000.00 per teacher were released by the Central Office last September 16 and 18, 2020, respectively.

“But we have to understand na marami po sa atin mga kasamahan na mga guro na maraming nagtatanong kung bakit iba ay nakatanggap, yung iba ay hindi pa. Kasi po ang proseso ng pagrelease nito ay dadaan sa kanilang payroll. So ibig sabihin, from Central Office on September 16 and September 18, [makakarating muna] ng Regional Office, to their Division Office, then to their payroll,” Usec. Sevilla said. 

The Department has also shared that the October 2020 payroll has been expedited as per the instruction of Secretary Leonor Magtolis-Briones. 

Usec. Sevilla shared that as of October 22, almost 90% of the total salaries have been paid, issued, and released in the payroll account and the remaining 10% attributed to those that are still in process.

“Dati po ng mga nakaraang buwan, mas maaga po iyan kaya lang nagkaroon po tayo ng mga adjustments in the payroll system dahil yung pong mga loan payments has been implemented. Nagkaroon po tayo ng gap o moratorium or grace period depende sa kung anong in-allow ng lending institution kaya mas malaki ang net take home pay kasi po magpapahinga po sa pagbabayad ng loan for the next 60 days,” Usec. Sevilla said.

Meanwhile, Sevilla also mentioned that the latest budget proposal for the 2021 National Expenditure Program (NEP) was approved in the Second Reading of the House of Representatives last October 15, 2020.  DepEd 2021 proposed budget is now up for approval in the Senate, then the Bicameral Session.

She also reported that the Department’s targeted budget request of Php1.1 trillion was trimmed to Php605.7 billion (55%) from its initial request.

“[Although] all of those things [are] beyond our term, we are constantly reminding our Congress, which passes the appropriations law, that the future [of education] is not only 2022, the future is beyond that,” DepEd Secretary Leonor Magtolis-Briones said.

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About the Department of Education

The Department of Education (DepEd) formulates, implements, and coordinates policies, plans, programs and projects in the areas of formal and non-formal basic education. It supervises all elementary and secondary education institutions, including alternative learning systems, both public and private; and provides for the establishment and maintenance of a complete, adequate, and integrated system of basic education relevant to the goals of national development.

The post DepEd: Teachers’ Annual Medical Examination, WTDIB released appeared first on Village Connection PH.

Barely recovered from the Taal eruption in January, the Philippines had to adjust to government-imposed restrictions on movement, which affected all commercial sectors. Even in the residential segment, there have been drastic changes week-on-week, observed in Lamudi’s data from January to the first half of June 2020.  

The pivotal week for the residential sector was week 12, March 15-21, the week covering the start of the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) on March 16. From this week, each property type saw sharp highs and lows until the shift to the MECQ.

SOURCE: Lamudi.com.ph

The ECQ in the Philippines was implemented by the government’s Inter-agency Task Force (IATF), with set restrictions that only allow going out of the house for buying essential goods and essential businesses to operate on a skeletal or work-from-home arrangement. Public transportation was also suspended; essential workers such as healthcare providers and their employers were advised to look for temporary housing nearer their workplaces. 

Looking deeper into Lamudi’s data, following the sharp week-on-week decrease in interest and inquiries, the market bounced back around the implementation of the MECQ. The shift from the ECQ to MECQ in the National Capital Region happened on May 16. 

Now that Metro Manila is back in GCQ, along with Cavite, Rizal, Bulacan, and Laguna, Lamudi aims to provide a snapshot of what has happened thus far, and how community quarantine changes have impacted the residential market. 

THE RESIDENTIAL SEGMENT’S RESPONSE TO COMMUNITY QUARANTINES

Lamudi’s initial trend report surveying property seekers, real estate brokers, and property developers, published in May, showed a renewed interest in house and lot properties after the ECQ has been implemented. This trend seems to continue on a climb to reach pre-COVID percentages on the platform during the start of the year, as it showed a huge week-on-week increase in inquiries (32%) in week 15 (April 5-11) from a huge drop following the announcement of the ECQ at week 12 (March 15-21). Inquiries about houses also saw a 30% week-on-week increase during the shift to MECQ at week 20 (May 10-16).  

SOURCE: Lamudi.com.ph

Property seekers remain interested in condominiums but are still on wait-and-see mode

Condominiums had a strong start in 2020, owing in part to the interest in property investment carried over from the previous year. However, due to the pandemic, condominiums recorded an average week-on-week lead growth rate of -3% in the first half of 2020. Though condominiums showed a drastic decrease in leads at the start of the ECQ, there was retained interest in the property type. In Lamudi’s previous trend report, it was revealed that 34% of surveyed property seekers are considering a property purchase a year or longer into the future, another 34% are considering a purchase in 6-12 months, and around 22% want to keep their timeframe open.

Homeownership hinges on affordability 

SOURCE: Lamudi.com.ph

Houses, which showed a strong performance during the ECQ according to a survey of Lamudi property seekers, posted a 2% average week-on-week growth in pageviews for the first half of 2020. Foreclosed properties also showed resilience amid the pandemic, ending at an average lead growth rate 1% higher than houses. During the ECQ, affordability was a major consideration for property seekers, which is seemingly affirmed by the increase in leads gained by foreclosures (37%) on Lamudi at week 16 (April 12-18). 

FACTORS AFFECTING PROPERTY SEEKING BEHAVIOR IN THE TIME OF COVID-19

For property seekers, location and the presence of functional and recreational amenities have been some of the main considerations in their property purchase during the first half of 2020. Given the restriction on movement, the periods covered by the ECQ and the MECQ also impacted the decision to buy or rent. 

Investing in real estate given more thought during the ECQ

SOURCE: Lamudi.com.ph

From January to early March, before the ECQ, properties for sale received somewhere around 63-66% of pageviews on Lamudi, but properties for rent, despite having fewer listings on the platform, received more inquiries at around 53-63%. This shows that property seekers have an intention to buy, but followed through with rental inquiries. 

During the ECQ, interest in buying property rose to 68-74%, with property seekers continuing to inquire as well, contributing to almost 56% of inquiries on the platform during the ECQ.  

SOURCE: Lamudi.com.ph

Cities with CBDs continue to be popular

SOURCE: Lamudi.com.ph

In Lamudi’s trend report about the real estate movement in the Philippines amid the ECQ, a survey of property seekers showed their preferences switch from CBD to non-CBD properties during the ECQ. Two months later, with a look into seeker behavior for the first half of the year, CBD properties show long-term resilience. 

In terms of property locations, most of the leads were looking for a property to buy or rent from Quezon City, which comprises 26% of the leads from January to the first half of June. Following are Makati (12%), Pasig (10%), and Taguig (9%), all NCR cities with a central business district.

Three CBDs are in Quezon City: Eastwood City, Araneta City, and Triangle City. Makati City’s CBD is in the Ayala Makati area. Meanwhile, Pasig City has the Ortigas Center, and Taguig City has Bonifacio Global City.

Since public transportation has been suspended from March to May and is on limited operations, property seekers may have looked for residential properties closer to their workplaces, especially those who have been deemed as essential workers and are at higher risk to the virus. This move can also keep their loved ones safe from the virus, especially if there are family members that are more susceptible to COVID-19.

Property seekers prioritize amenities that improve quality of life

SOURCE: Lamudi.com.ph

For the first half of 2020, property seekers considered their leisure and quality of life when looking at property listings on Lamudi. This showed in the top searched amenities on the platform: 

1.   Swimming Pool (11 percent)
2.   Air-conditioning (9 percent)
3.   Wi-fi (8 percent)
4.   Balcony (6 percent)

Since the ECQ was implemented during the summer months, properties with either a common swimming pool or have air conditioning were popular. Meanwhile, having a stable internet connection has also become a necessity during these times as virtual events and work-from-home setups are the new normal during the community quarantine.

Aside from connectivity amenities, seekers also prefer properties with balconies and common gym areas. Balconies serve as an area for activities and hobbies that the seeker may enjoy while staying at home, while common gyms are good alternatives to the commercial gyms that have closed down during the ECQ.

RESIDENTIAL MARKET CHANGES IN THE FIRST HALF OF 2020 

The recovery of the residential segment highlights new priorities for property seekers and reveals factors that still remain important for buyers and renters with or without a health crisis. 

In summary, here’s what we learned: 

1. Despite experiencing dips during the ECQ, CBD properties continue to be popular as a real estate investment. 
2. Connectivity amenities will no longer be a want; they are a need for work-from-home setups and extended stays indoors. 
3. The increased interest in properties for sale shows property seekers considering investment options despite the ECQ. 
4. The affordability of foreclosed properties contributed to its resilience amid the pandemic. 
5. The strong performance of condominiums at the start of the year waned slightly during the strict community quarantines. The slight dip in inquiries but relatively stable interest may be due to property seekers holding on to cash amid uncertainties.   
6. The renewed interest in houses during the ECQ carried over to MECQ.  

With Metro Manila back in MECQ for two weeks at the start of August, a temporary shift can once again be expected in the residential market. With this, the second half of 2020 may show new trends in real estate demand and preferences from property seekers who have to adapt to the rules set in place during changing community quarantines on a more long-term basis. 

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“When employees are compensated as much as what the company earns, they work towards a unified goal that results to increased productivity and success,” said Keller Williams Philippines Regional Director Marla V. Naňadiego. “This is the very reason why Keller Williams enjoys the distinction as the largest, fastest-growing real estate franchise globally.”

Keller Williams was borne out of a vision that if a company works on building the business of the agent to be big, the brokerage will grow just as big. In 1983, founder Gary Keller teamed up with Joe Williams to launch Keller Williams Realty in Austin, Texas with a handful of sales associates which they implemented this vision on. Keller Williams then went on to grow to become the largest single-office real estate company in the metropolitan area. 

Eventually, the brokerage conceptualized and adopted the new Keller Williams Business Model: an agent-centric approach where associates are given equal influence and opportunities in the company. The business model has not only spurred unprecedented growth, but consistently places KW as a top-performing brokerage firm in the United States. 

In 2017, KW expanded in Asia, including in the Philippines. As of this year, there are currently 9 sub-franchises operating under the Philippine master franchise. Backed by a team of leaders with more than 40 years’ experience in residential, commercial, and leisure real estate development, KW intends to change the way real estate is sold in the country. 

Continuous demand

The Philippines continues to enjoy growth in the real estate sector, giving new players like Keller Williams equal footing on the playing field, as noted by KW Ortigas – 27C Realty Team Leader Dianne Orillosa. “The residential market is booming. Property prices continue to increase, construction is non-stop, and demand for these properties is not slowing down at all,” she explains. 

KW Ortigas – 27C Realty Operating Principal and Owner Pauline Orillosa added that there is an extensive untapped local inventory owing to continuous construction and property transactions. This opportunity opens up more room for more passionate individuals who desire a flourishing career in real estate. “We need more brokers and sales agents to join our team to train, to handle our listings, and to grow with us,” Orillosa said. 

Happiest Place to Work

The interdependent business model of Keller Williams, where agents are treated as partners by franchise owners, has earned the company a reputation as one of the world’s largest real estate franchise with more than 1,000 offices and 182,000 associates across the Americas, Europe, Africa and Asia.  

“This is their business as much as ours,” shared Pauline. “Agents have an active participatory role in the direction and policy-making of the company.”

The company’s valued agents also benefit from the distinctive system, innovative technology, and healthy work culture of the KW brand. High-quality training of best practices and personal techniques of market leaders are generously shared with all the company’s associates. Budding agents are also granted access to the company’s proprietary software that assists in tracking clients or listings with ease, streamlining the selling process, and providing a wider network reach for collaboration even with KW agents abroad. All these perks and more can be accessed within the tastefully-designed office space of family-operated franchise KW Ortigas – 27C Realty. 

“Agents don’t have to set meetings in fast food restaurant or coffee shops anymore,” Dianne added, talking of the presence of comfortable function rooms and meeting rooms within their office space.

Franchises such as KW Ortigas – 27 C Realty gives its brokers and agents wealth building opportunities through its CAP Management, profit share and growth share, commission and other company-initiated incentives.

Because of its game-changing value proposition, Keller Williams Philippines is touted to become a highly sought-after brokerage firm for real estate professionals looking for a truly rewarding career.  For those interested to join the KW Ortigas – 27C Realty Market Center, its office is located at Unit 00179 Lower Level, East Lane, Robinsons Galleria. You may also email at kwortigas@kwphilippines.com or visit www.kellerwilliamsortigas.com.

To know more about KW Philippines, log on to www. http://kwphilippines.com

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“It’s the first time that a real estate services company in the Philippines has hosted a global conference of this scale, which speaks about the level of trust and commitment of the Knight Frank network on the country. We were very excited to welcome our partners around the globe and showcase the unprecedented level of expansion that has happened in the local real estate sector over the last two decades,” says Rick Santos, Chairman & CEO of Santos Knight Frank.

Philippines means business

Held once every two years in a different city across the region, the Knight Frank Asia Pacific Conference was an opportune moment to highlight the real estate development in the Philippines and celebrate Santos Knight Frank’s 25^th anniversary in the country.

The Manila event featured prominent personalities in the real estate scene, including Blackstone’s Group Senior Managing Director, Kishore Moorjani; NTT Group’s Global Head for Procurement, Arvind Kumar; DoubleDragon Properties Corp.’s Chief Investment Officer, Hannah Yulo; and D.M. Wenceslao and Associates’ CEO, Buds Wenceslao who talked about their outlook for property investments in the Philippines and Asia.

The conference’s guest of honor was none other than Dr. Andrew L. Tan, Chairman of Alliance Global Group Inc., who was recognized with the “Global Achievement Award” during the event. A veteran in the property sector, Dr. Tan has built a conglomerate that not only shaped the real estate scene locally but also made important investments in Europe and Asia, specifically Spain, the UK, and China.

For a full week, Manila welcomed many of the drivers of the real estate industry globally, especially in the areas of commercial real estate and capital markets. In attendance were Knight Frank’s global board led by Senior Partner & Group Chairman Alistair Elliott, Asia Pacific Managing Director Kevin Coppel, and the heads of global and regional offices and business lines.

“Knight Frank works on behalf of many of the world’s key multinationals and real estate investors. Bringing the conference to Manila has been a strategic choice as the Philippines increasingly becomes on the radar for global capital,” says Santos.

Suffice to say, the attendees were impressed with the level of development in the Philippines. “Manila is a relatively new office market but with the business process outsourcing industry driving demand for jobs internationally, office space will continue to be in high demand,” observes Kymbal Dunne, Joint National Head – Private Office at Knight Frank Australia. “It was great to see the Knight Frank business at the heart of the office market in the city and helping the growth of the country.”

Coppel agrees: “We see the Philippines as a significantly attractive market especially for commercial real estate. Across the Asia Pacific region, we have 9,000 people and 150 offices, but no question that the Philippines is one of the most promising. With a population of 110 million, a median age of just 24, English as a language of education, and a booming BPO sector – we think this is a pivotal market to be in.”

“Knight Frank is commercial, residential, international, and independent. That independence and flexibility allowed us a few years ago to have the privilege to explore what Rick and his team as a business can contribute to the Knight Frank network. In Santos Knight Frank, we have a best-in-class operation. The arrangement is based upon our shared values of being committed, enduring, respectful to each other, and above all else, striving to be inspirational for our clients and our colleagues. In this partnership, we have an amazing platform to build upon and the relationship has only just started,” says Elliott.

The post Knight Frank Asia Pacific Conference in Manila Puts PH in Good Position appeared first on Village Connection PH.

Since each child’s development is unique, it isn’t surprising that most parents face the difficulty of deciding whether their child’s symptoms are worrisome or not. Makati Medical Center, a top hospital in the Philippines, lists down some of the more common signs to look out for in your child.

Parents may notice poor eye contact or difficulty engaging their infant in social interaction. The child may have trouble responding to his name or to physical contact, according to Ana Maria M. Treichler-Borgaily, MD, Head of the Section of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics at MakatiMed.

A child with autism, for instance, may not be able to respond to you when you cuddle him. He may also be incapable of pointing to objects or making a sound to get your attention. Children with ASD may therefore appear to be unengaged and antisocial.

When it comes to speech, a simple delay in learning words may not be the only clue to possible ASD. Some children may learn to speak but will do so using odd tones and intonations. They may exhibit echolalia (where they repeat words and sounds said to them) or have difficulty with pronouns. Conversational skills may also a problem.

Children with ASD like structure, and so they often throw tantrums when you change their bedtime or rearrange the furniture in the house. They may also form obsessive interests, line things up in a certain order or stare at a single object for extended periods of time. Sometimes, a child may seem to be developing normally but certain milestones that were already achieved suddenly disappear.

The possibility of a child being autistic is a challenging prospect for parents, but Dr. Treichler-Borgaily reminds them that “observing one or two symptoms in your child does not a diagnosis make. “ The disorder is diagnosed based on the presence of multiple factors that disrupt his ability to explore, communicate, build relationships, learn and play. It is therefore very important to consult with medical professionals to get a proper diagnosis.

To learn more about ASD, or to consult with a doctor about your child’s development, you may book an appointment at MakatiMed where ASD is addressed holistically and strategically by highly skilled professionals.

For more information, please contact MakatiMed On-Call at +632.8888 999, call MakatiMed’s Center for Pediatric Development & Rehabilitation at local 3305, or email pmr@makatimed.net.ph

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