After reaching the number one spot in one of the most prominent FM radio charts in the Philippines and peaking at number two on Spotify Philippines Viral 50 with “Selos,” the vowels they orbit returns with a brand new single under Sony Music Philippines.
An easy listening number that showcases the band’s more relaxed and technically adept side, their second single “Kiliti” is a song about finding the perfect someone in an imperfect situation. It tackles a kind of love that is capable of surmounting the greatest odds under any circumstances.
“The song was written by Nikka back in college a few years ago with just her guitar,” says Darwin Hernandez, the band’s manager and Soupstar Entertainment’s head honcho. “The full band arrangements were done by all the members and was produced by Rye Sarmiento, who is also the guitarist of 6cyclemind and Banda Ni Kleggy.”
Deceptively simple sound
Certainly at peace with their deceptively simple but lush sound, the vowels they orbit takes pride with their collaborative effort in recording a worthy follow-up to their hit single. “At first, we can’t help but feel a bit nervous about the release of Kiliti given the success of Selos,” bassist Patch Javier points out. “But going back and remembering how Kiliti is such a different song makes us feel excited, rather than pressured. What’s important to us is that people get to listen to the song.”
“It’s always also a great feeling when listeners interpret the song in their own ways and find a connection to the song somehow,” vocalist and guitarist Nikka Melchor shares the same sentiment. “Knowing that we love this song and that we put a lot of work into it is enough to not feel worried.”
What’s next for the vowels they orbit
Now signed to Sony Music Philippines, the vowels they orbit are set to release an EP soon. The band, composed of Nikka Melchor (Vocals), Jeremy Sayas (Drums), Hannah Dela Cruz (Keyboard), Gene Santiago (Guitars) and Patch Javier (Bass), is managed by Soupstar Entertainment, which takes pride of its star-studded roster such as Sandwich, Pedicab, Moonstar88, 6cyclemind, Gracenote, Imago and more.
“Kiliti” is now available on streaming and download platforms such as Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/album/39L4HVx3vPc9i0Ec6zQDj1) , Apple Music, iTunes store, and Deezer.
Canva aims to empower everyone in the world to design anything and publish anywhere with its user-friendly design tools and thousands of templates to choose from.
Design platform Canva recently announced its new valuation of US$3.2 billion, raising an additional US$85 million dollars from high-profile investors Mary Meeker’s Bond, General Catalyst, Bessemer Venture Partners, Blackbird and Sequoia China. At the back of this announcement, the company also introduced two new ventures: Canva for Enterprise and Canva Pro Affiliate Program.
Founded by Chief Executive Officer Melanie Perkins, Chief Operating Officer Cliff Obrecht and Chief Product Officer Cameron Adams in 2013, Canva has grown to over 20 million users across 190 countries, publishing over 1.8 million designs.
“In a world that is increasingly visual, Canva solves real challenges faced by product and marketing teams across every industry. We continue to be impressed by this team and their ability to expand their product lines to meet demand and we’re delighted to invest once again,” shared Kyle Doherty, Managing Director of General Catalyst.
Early last year, the startup reached unicorn status, making it one of the fastest growing and most promising female-led tech companies in the world.
Democratizing design for Filipino enterprises
Fueled by its mission to empower the world to design, Canva expands its services to cater to the needs of large Filipino businesses with the introduction of Canva for Enterprise.
“The Philippines is fast becoming a thriving hub for businesses and we, Filipinos, love to collaborate. However, as a franchisee or a company that works with teams from different offices and geographies, collaborating and centralizing processes may be a challenge – resulting in marketing materials being off-brand.
“With Canva for Enterprise, we are enabling local businesses to ensure brand consistency throughout their teams,” said Yani Hornilla-Donato, country manager of Canva Philippines.
With Canva for Enterprise, large organizations can ensure all designs created are on brand, by facilitating collaboration with teams via a digital asset management platform, integrated workflow tools, and brand control features.
Donato adds, “With brand control, unlimited storage, and thousands of templates, we hope to empower every business in the Philippines with a simple, easy and efficient design platform.”
Canva for Enterprise is designed with integrated and customizable design tools which make it easier for businesses to create brand assets and collaborate online.
Earn while creating with Canva Pro
While Canva for Enterprise is custom-built for large teams, Canva Pro is designed to boost productivity and empower small business owners, content creators and marketers with its time-saving design features. Whether you’re a team of one or an online business owner who has just started, Canva Pro will empower you to take your business to the next level.
With the launch of the new Canva Pro Affiliate Program, Filipinos can also earn additional income with a commission of up to US$36.50 (around PHP1,800) for each Canva Pro subscriber referred.
“From business cards and social media posts, to presentations and flyers, we’re hoping that the affiliate program will help us spread the word about the power that Canva Pro can have for small businesses,” added Donato. “We hope that with Canva’s continued growth and expanded services, we are able to provide meaningful design solutions to every Filipino entrepreneur.”
SM City Baliwag celebrates another milestone in providing great shopping experience, in the field of tech and gaming with the recent unveiling of Cyberzone’s newest logo, back to back with a huge ML Tournament attracting up to 160 gamers in the province.
Igniting the celebration are unique activities highlighting SM Cyberzone’s evolution throughout the years. To share the milestone among shoppers, SM City Baliwag throws an ML tournament, a popular online game among today’s generation. At least 32 teams composed of five members each competed against the battle to become the ultimate ML Masters.
As a treat to shoppers, a fun meet & greet with cosplay characters was likewise held featuring the iconic Bumblebee, Optimus Prime, Iron Man among others. Mascots of different gadget brands also joined in the fun to the tune of festive sounds played by kids’ marching band to serenade throng of mallgoers.
The relaunch follows series of successful revelations slated in the province of Bulacan with Cyberzone’s latest logo intro at SM City San Jose del Monte last June 30. Prior to this, a launch at SM Mall of Asia in Pasay City took place on April 26 this year.
With the revelation of SM Cyberzone’s new logo comes the commitment to stay on top in terms of providing the latest gadgets at great quality and best price points. The tech brand’s new look and innovative logo that exhibits a sleek and minimalistic approach, perfectly represents the tech brand’s seamless status as the go to place for all the tech and gaming needs to fit everyone’s lifestyle.
Experience Cyberzone’s rebirth today and get the latest deals on gadgets and all things tech at the second level of SM City Baliwag.
Ginebra San Miguel introduced lovely Kapuso actress/TV host Sanya Lopez as the world’s leading gin brand’s 2020 Calendar Girl. The festive media launch held recently at the Novotel in Quezon City revealed Sanya Lopez as “The Island Girl”.
“It is an honor and a privilege to be chosen as Ginebra San Miguel’s 2020 Calendar Girl. I feel excited and nervous at the same time. To be part of Ginebra San Miguel’s history, to be entrusted with this role as brand ambassador and to be the newest addition to the Ginebra San Miguel family is definitely a huge blessing,” says Sanya Lopez.
The Ginebra San Miguel Calendar Girl promotion started in 1988. Since then, the special merchandise has become a sought-after item among consumers year after year.
“For 2020 we chose Sanya Lopez as our brand ambassador because she embodies what Ginebra San Miguel represents — courage, resiliency, optimism, and never-say-die spirit. Sanya is truly ‘ganado sa buhay’ as she worked her way up to become one of the most recognizable faces in the entertainment industry today,” says Ginebra San Miguel Inc. (GSMI) marketing manager Ronald Molina.
GSMI officials General Manager Emmanuel Macalalag, National Sales and Marketing Manager Allan Mercado and Marketing Manager Ronald Molina formally welcomed Sanya Lopez in a grand toast during the launch featuring her own Ginebra San Miguel cocktail called “Sanya’s Island Mix”, a concoction of pineapple, buko juice and gin.
GSMI has released four calendar layouts representing its array of products including flagship brand Ginebra San Miguel, GSM Blue, Primera Light Brandy and VisMin’s no. 1 Chinese wine Vino Kulafu.
RISING STAR
Since being discovered in 2012 by the late German “Kuya Germs” Moreno, GMA star builder, Sanya Lopez has treaded the path to being a serious actress taking on roles that showed off her acting prowess including her portrayal of Hara Danaya in the TV remake of “Encantadia” and in her recently-concluded series “Dahil sa Pag-ibig”. She will soon be seen opposite Superstar Nora Aunor in the film “Isa Pang Bahaghari” directed by Joel Lamangan.
“I consider the challenges and struggles that I went through in life as motivation to never give up in pursuing my dreams. It is my family that inspires me to be ‘ganado sa buhay’,” relates Sanya Lopez. “For me, when you say ‘Island Girl’, you see a woman who is strong and independent,” she adds.
As Ginebra San Miguel’s “Island Girl”, Sanya Lopez will be joining the “Ginuman Fest” tour, the gin brand’s annual series of music festivals that brings together gin lovers around the country as One Ginebra Nation.
To prepare for her Ginebra San Miguel calendar girl shoot, Sanya Lopez went on a no carbs diet. “I only ate fish and chicken. I also did a lot of cardio workout, mostly running, Muay Thai and boxing,” she shares.
She was, likewise, thrilled to be photographed by one of the country’s most talented young photographers BJ Pascual.
GSMI is the producer of heritage brand Ginebra San Miguel, which is celebrating its 185th anniversary this year. Ginebra San Miguel is a 14-time Gold Quality Label awardee of the Monde Selection International Quality Institute, the world’s most prestigious body that recognizes the highest standards of taste and quality in the food and beverages industry.
Other GSMI products include GSM Blue Light Gin, GSM Blue Mojito, GSM Blue Gin Pomelo, GSM Blue Margarita, GSM Premium Gin, Don Enrique Mixkila, Antonov Vodka, Vino Kulafu, Primera Light Brandy and Anejo Gold Rum. For more details, like the Ginebra San Miguel official Facebook page www.facebook.com/BarangayGinebra or log on to www.ginebra.com.ph.
There was a time when taking selfies was as basic as capturing one’s close-up image, often to highlight an appearance or a spectacular scenery in the background. While selfie shooters yearned to capture more elements in their frames, they were limited mostly by the technology of the front-facing cameras at that time.
In recent years, advancements in optics technology and software development have given birth to front-facing cameras that offer better resolution and image quality, as well as AI-enhanced photography apps. These, in turn, have transformed selfie shooting, from a mere trend, to a skill, even an artform.
Today, companies like Vivo, are taking the lead in pioneering technology that enhances the smartphone experience. This includes taking selfie shooting to new and higher levels.
Just a few months after unveiling its V15 Pro with the world’s first 32MP elevating selfie camera and an AI triple rear camera, the leading global technology company has already launched V17 Pro, the second flagship smartphone in its V series of midrange smartphones.
Now, improving from its predecessor, the V17 Pro boasts of another world’s first, an exclusive pair of front cameras—a 32MP main camera with f/2.0 aperture and 8MP 105-degree super-wide-angle camera—which ensures clearer and fuller selfies, in whatever environment.
Much like the V15’s selfie optics, the V17 Pro’s dual front cameras are tucked behind the smartphone’s notch-less Super AMOLED Ultra FullView™ Display, nestled in a wide pop-up mechanism that elevates as quickly as it retracts.
With the premium smartphone’s dual elevating selfie camera, users will never need selfie sticks to capture “groufies” or the splendid panoramic view behind them. All they have to do is access the super-wide-angle camera and “shoot beyond limits”.
For nighttime selfies, the front camera gets ample support from Selfie Softlight that lights up dark images and an exclusive Super Night Selfie mode which captures and combines multiple frames into one image to make one’s face stand out, especially in low-light conditions.
There is also a “Pose Master” feature which suggest several poses to match various photo scenes and backgrounds, to make one’s selfies even more creative.
A selfie (right) using the Vivo V17 Pro’s Super Wide-Angle camera captures a fuller background, compared to a typical selfie.
Aside from its elevating dual selfie camera and AI powered and enhanced selfie apps, the V17 Pro also boasts of AI quad rear cameras—48MP main camera, 8MP super wide-angle, 2MP bokeh, and 2MP super macro camera—which can capture super macro images from a distance of just 4 cm., and super wide clear images, even in dark surroundings.
There’s no reason to miss out on the opportunity to get on a plane and travel the world with Traveloka’s biggest promo yet, the Su-Paw Sale! On October 25, Traveloka users can enjoy up to 50% discounts on flights, accommodations, and activities and attractions too.
Southeast Asia’s leading online travel platform introduces the Su-Paw Sale in line with its ongoing Petfluencer campaign, which highlights that ease of making all types of travel arrangements via Traveloka; so easy that even your favorite furry friend can do it.
On Friday, October 25, from 10:00 am onwards, Traveloka app users can browse through all destinations and travel periods and enjoy discounted flight bookings with as much as 50% off, up to a maximum of P10,000.
Meanwhile, discounts for hotels and accommodation will also be up for grabs! Users can get up to 40% off, or up to P1,500, for a minimum spend of P3,000 from 6 – 8 pm only. And then specifically for in-app use for hotels, people can enjoy up to P1,250 off their hotels bookings of three nights. Those who are looking to book for 2 nights can also avail of up to 25% off.
Complete the package by taking advantage of cut-rate offerings of Traveloka’s Xperience. First time users can avail 25% off activities and attractions with a minimum spend of P2,000, while existing users can get 20% for a minimum spend of P1,500.
These awesome discounts are available for a limited time only, so get on Traveloka and be among the lucky users to avail of these one-time promos. With Traveloka, you can fly, stay and play the easy way—with just one app to tap.
It’s not just any sale, it’s Traveloka’s Su-Paw Sale! To learn more about these amazing travel deals, download the Traveloka app from the Google Play store on Android or from the App Store on iOS today.
The Jollibee Delivery E-Bikes makes for more efficient and sustainable deliveries of your langhap-sarap favorites
Jollibee, everyone’s well-loved red bee, gives people more reasons to be joyful as it shifts to a more environmentally friendly way of delivering your favorite meals!
In partnership with ECOS Environmental Foundation, Inc. which seeks to achieve environmentally sustainable development, and together with the Department of Transportation, Jollibee is taking the lead in revolutionizing environmentally conscious transportation for delivery. The company is launching its initial fleet of E-bikes, the first road legal E-bikes in the country, in its bid to reduce its carbon footprint and impact to the environment.
“We’re extremely thrilled and proud to partner with Jollibee in this positive undertaking”, said Shinsuke Kawauchi of ECOS Environment Foundation Inc. and Environmentally Sustainable Technology Development Inc (ESTD). “With the amount of deliveries that Jollibee riders do within the day, shifting to the use of E-bikes can play a huge role in making their operations more sustainable and efficient, by reducing environmental impact thanks to zero emissions.”
Made and assembled in Japan, the Jollibee Delivery E-bikes—to be first rolled out in three branches: Jollibee Emerald Avenue (Ortigas Center, Pasig), Jollibee BGC Triangle (BGC, Taguig), and Jollibee Molino (Cavite)—are lightweight, do not need gasoline or fuel, and come equipped with E-push technology, making it easier to ride in rough terrain or even steep slopes.
In addition, when compared to traditional motorcycles, the Jollibee Delivery E-bikes have a longer motor lifespan of 15 to 20 years, a 4 to 5-year battery life, are noise-free and run with zero CO2 emissions. Thus, long-term operational costs are made cheaper, more economical, and eco-friendly.
By rolling them out in bustling CBDs, Jollibee aims to reduce emissions in an ever-crowded metropolis, playing an important role in mitigating climate change.
“We at Jollibee acknowledge the role that companies need to play in affecting positive change. We’re happy to share that we are piloting various initiatives, one of which is the use of E-bikes for Jollibee Delivery, to drive eco-friendly efforts in the country,” says Mario Malalis, Integrated Back-end Delivery Director of Jollibee National Business Channels.
After its pilot run, Jollibee plans to eventually replace its existing motorcycle fleet with the E-bikes. “Yes, it’s a small step, but a necessary one as we continue to come up with more ways to help care for our environment. We’re also looking at launching other eco-friendly initiatives in the near future,” added Malalis.
For many Filipinos, home is not a place. Home is family. For the season 3 Coke Studio episode that focuses on family feels, the artists featured feel a strong and particular resonance for the idea of family.
Sarah Geronimo has often been praised for her love and devotion to her family. “I really love my family and all the sacrifices they have made for me. Whatever happens in life, wherever my career takes me, God gave me a gift that grounds me and keeps me humble, so that I know who I am,” she declares. She also adds that being invited to be part of Coke Studio Season 3 is like being invited to a family reunion of sorts. “When I used to see the Coke Studio billboard, when I would get stuck in traffic, I found it so cool, and I really thought to myself, ‘Wow, I wish that I could be a part of that.’”
This Band are Andrea Manzano (vocals), Euwie Von Loria (guitar), Miccael Galvan (bass), John Kenneth Macaranas (drums), Melvin Carson (keyboard) and Reymart Gubat (lead guitar). They consider themselves as a family, since they all grew up near each other. They started their career jamming in the food parks around their neighborhood. They also consider Sarah part of their extended showbiz family because of their management group. Euwie says, “But at first, we couldn’t believe that this early in our career, we could be working with her. It’s as if our career will be fast-tracked, things are going beyond what we imagined.”
Andrea adds, “And we’re so happy that we get to remake her song, because her music is really part of the soundtrack of our lives.”
And just like in a real family, Sarah feels like an older sister, and she can pass on some wisdom to her young colleagues. Sarah reminisces, “When I was starting out, what was important, yung maging plakado. But now, the young ones, they’re so free. And that’s great because what really matters with any performance, is that you put your heart into it. So I would just remind them to always put your all into a performance.”
Watch how Sarah Geronimo and This Band collaborate for Coke Studio Season 3. Catch them this coming October 26, at 10:00 a.m. on ABS-CBN or online at www.youtube.com/CokeStudioPH .
This is one of the many projects of Davies Paints Philippines, Inc. in transforming communities one color at a time in the coming months. (From L-R) Councilor Apple Nieto; Engr. Jojie Quintos; Vice President for Business Development, Davies Paints; Albert Gan Lee Executive Vice President, Davies Paints; Congressman Yul Servo Nieto; Ferdie Montemayor, Head Artist; Japs Antido, Head Artist, and Jo Ann Viriña , Marketing Communications Manager, Davies Paints.
Over 300 artists painted a mural of flowers on the Manila North Cemetery wall in time for Undas.
Those visiting their departed loved ones at the Manila North Cemetery this coming Undas are in for a colorful surprise. As they pass by the cemetery’s wall along A. Bonifacio Ave., they’ll find the wall decorated with a mural of flowers from all over the Philippines.
Over 300 artists from different provinces such as Ilocos Sur, Tarlac, Bulacan and Rizal, volunteered to come together and paint this mural. Acclaimed artist Ferdie Montemayor spearheaded in organizing the volunteers, together with other artists from the Pinto Art Museum.
Artists unite to transform Manila back to its glory days. (From L-R) Francis Go, One of the Board of Trustees of Pinto Art Museum; award-winning artists Ferdie Montemayor, Demet Dela Cuz and Japs Antido, lead artist organizers for the event.
One of them is Demetrio “Demet” Dela Cruz, an award-winning artist who also grew up in Manila made the initial sketch together with fellow distinguished artist John Paul “Japs” Antido.
Dubbed “Flores Para Los Muertos (Flowers For The Departed),” the project is a collaboration between the Pinto Art Museum, Office of Mayor Isko Moreno, Office of Congressman Yul Servo Nieto, and Davies Paints Philippines, Inc.
“The idea is a bouquet,” Dela Cruz says. “The essence is unity; to produce an arrangement of native Filipino flowers as a non-political offering to Manila and to the departed who rest in the cemetery.”
“We offer flowers to the dead all the time as a way of paying homage to our loved ones,” Dr. Joven Cuanang, the founder of Pinto Art Museum says. “As we are nearing All Saints Day, this is also a celebration to our cherished tradition.”
More than 300 volunteers helped in beautifying Manila on a Sunday.
The event was like a gathering of friends and family on a Sunday, doing what they love together. Another award-winning artist, Jim Orencio, says when Dr. Cuanang told them about the project, they happily volunteered. With him were his children who are also artists, Shannah and Rex, who were assigned their own parts of the mural.
The over 300-strong volunteers managed to paint the whole mural in just 10 hours.
Manila 3rd District Representative John Marvin “Yul Servo” Nieto, was present at the event. “Malaki ang pasasalamat ko sa kanila, (I’m very grateful to them)” he says about the artists. The actor-turned-congressman, shares how he hopes the mural will make art more accessible and contribute to the transformation of Manila.
“Ang sining hindi lamang para sa mayaman, kundi para sa lahat, (Art is not just for the rich. It is for everyone.)” Nieto says.
John Marvin “Yul Servo” Nieto, Manila’s 3rd District Representative, is ecstatic to be part of this initiative as a way of reviving Manila’s charm.
In 2018, the Manila North Cemetery saw 1.5 million visitors on Undas. This year, visitors to the country’s oldest and largest cemetery will find a 500-meter mural along its eastern wall. “This is really something special for us because of the cemetery’s historic roots and because the event brought together over 300 volunteers who were able to finish this vibrant monument in 10 hours,” Davies Paints Marketing Communications Manager Jo Ann Viriña says.
This isn’t the first time Davies Paints has contributed to beautifying a locale.
In 2016, they collaborated with the Tourism Department in the Cordillera Autonomous Region and with Tam-awan artists who painted 200 houses for the colorful Stonehill, Botiwtiw, and Sadjap (STOBOSA) Hillside Homes Artwork in La Trinidad, Benguet.
They have contributed to beautifying many parts of the country since. Their most recent prior to this was earlier in 2019, when they collaborated with Mandaluyong City government and with artist group Ang Gerilya to paint pillars along Shaw Boulevard with murals depicting the city’s folklore.
Davies Paints hopes it can continue contributing to the beautification of more localities. “We want to transform communities through colors,” Viriña says.
On October 17, 2019, Lamudi successfully held The Outlook Real Estate Conference 2019 at the Makati Shangri-La, bringing together industry thought leaders from all over the country to talk about the hot topics in the Philippine real estate sector.
The Outlook: Philippine Real Estate Conference 2019, with co-presenters Philippine Daily Inquirer Property and Holcim Philippines, provided an avenue for insightful discussion spanning a wide range of topics from sustainability to alternative ways of investing in real estate.
The major sponsors for the event are the International Workplace Group and SMDC, and the official TV partner is Cignal TV. The Outlook Conference has also teamed up with event partner Subdivision and Housing Developers Association (SHDA), and media partners Philippine Daily Inquirer Property, Business Mirror, Business World, Malaya Business Insight, Manila Standard, and Philippine Star.
The Role of Developers in Making the Philippines More Sustainable
The Outlook Conference started strong with its first track, “Taking Sustainable Action: Addressing Climate Change Through Real Estate,” where moderator Cathy Saldaña, Managing Director of PDP Architects, steered the conversation into a topic dear to her heart. The panel revealed that though different companies are already pioneering efforts to use solar energy, waste management, and water recycling to be more sustainable, there is a need to adopt a more global, top-down approach to initiate change that will last.
The panelists for this track were Cecilia Domingo, Vice-President and Head of Meralco; Gian Carlo Valerio, Chief Executive Officer of Solana Land; Ram Maganti, SVP for Marketing and Innovations of Holcim Philippines Inc.; and Gay Santos, a financial inclusion specialist/advocate.
The Philippines is blessed with sun and rain, Saldaña noted, both of which can be harnessed as sources of energy. Maganti also mentioned the scarcity of fresh water, prompting the company to use recycled water as part of their sustainability efforts. Domingo talked about the residential and commercial efforts started by Meralco and its subsidiaries, from solar panels to e-sakay as an initiative. According to Domingo, the Meralco compound has already banned single-use plastic, and are active in tree-planting initiatives for carbon reduction.
Real Estate Marketing for a Younger Market
The second track, “New-Age Customer Experience: Transforming Real Estate Marketing in the Age of Disruption,” moderated by Deborah Ong, Head of Corporate Partnerships at Lamudi, explored the role of disruption in shaping a new breed of real estate clients along with strategies that should be adapted to thrive in this new consumer environment. The panel discussed the “end” of the mall to give way to online shopping, and how this prediction years ago failed to take into account the adaptability of Filipinos to change. What could have ended an industry sparked disruption, giving rise to the changes in the way people do business and how consumers consume.
The panelists for this track were Thomas Mirasol, General Manager of Federal Land; Marco Antonio, President & CEO of Century Properties; Tek Samaniego, Property Editor of Philippine Daily Inquirer Property; Jose Soberano III, CEO of Cebu Landmasters; and Eugene Lozano, First Vice President for Sales and Marketing for Megaworld Corporation.
Lozano, who has witnessed the transition from traditional to digital marketing, said there is now a focus on Google Analytics. To successfully implement these changes, Lozano mentioned the importance of informing key people in the team. “We’ve been very busy re-training, providing lectures and materials to different key people just to keep up with the digital transformation of marketing strategies nowadays.”
“The consumer today is more demanding,” Ong noted.
“And they really want to get their money’s worth,” Samaniego added.
Uncovering New Real Estate Sales Strategies
“Fresh Perspectives: Mapping Evolving Real Estate Sales” was moderated by Bhavna Suresh, Chief Executive Officer of Lamudi. The third track leaned towards preparing the sales team for new business models, strategies, and practices that improve how real estate is offered to customers. The panelists mentioned the importance of likability and trustworthiness, the human touch, malasakit, and thinking beyond after-sales.
The panelists were David Rafael, President & CEO of Aboitiz Land; Beth Ventura, President of Anchor Land Holdings, Inc.; Ricardo Lagdameo, First Vice President of Damosa Land; and
Raphael Felix, President of Phinma Properties Inc. and Subdivision and Housing Developers Association (SHDA).
Rafael admitted to wondering about the future of real estate. “Will we ever reach a point where people would buy property the way they buy food from Foodpanda or they buy a shirt from Lazada?”
Upon pondering, however, Rafael has come up with an answer: “At the end of the day, the human person buying property will really still need to talk to a human person.”
Startups and Their Exploration of the Sharing Economy
“Paradigm Shifts: Exploring the Sharing Economy in Philippine Real Estate” explored the changing Philippine conditions and the rise of startups that have led to the growth of the sharing economy. Eric Manuel, of Arch Capital Management, moderated the track, which discussed the commute as a major pain point for residents who eventually decide to move to co-living spaces. The very young population of the Philippines wants to be measured by their performance, not their timesheet. Co-working spaces, on the other hand, allow young professionals to expand their network.
The track’s panelists were Jelmer Ikink, Group Director of MyTown; Nick Padilla, Co-founder, CEO & Space Captain of Kahon.ph; Paul Rivera, Co-Founder & CEO of Kalibrr; and Lars Wittig, Country Manager Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, S. Korea for International Workplace Group.
Shared spaces answer the tenants’ need to escape the commute. Ikink further noted that the future of work, especially its definition, will change over time and to address this, they are working towards a zero-commute lifestyle. This means working, living, and all amenities will be in the same space.
Choosing Investments: From POGO to Property
“Changing Face: Uncovering Alternative Ways to Invest in Real Estate” zeroed in on the drivers of investor demand, the new investment opportunities available in the market, and how the market can tap into these to encourage a robust real estate economy. The moderator, Cignal TV’s news anchor Danie Laurel, asked about the viability and sustainability of POGO as an investment. Panelists also recommend diversifying as a smart way to invest.
The fifth and final track’s panelists were Richard Raymundo, Managing Director of Colliers; Mikko Barranda, Associate Director of Leechiu Property Consultants Inc.; Iluminada Sicat, Assistant Governor of Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas; and Noel Rapadas, Senior Vice President and Chief Finance Officer of Torre Lorenzo.
Sicat presented an interesting fact that will help guide investors in diversifying their portfolio: “We did an assessment of the impact of POGOs on the price of our residences. There was a sudden increase in the price of rent, but if you look at the net contribution of POGOs, it’s not that big, actually.”
Raymundo also noted that if POGOs did not come, “the rents would have corrected anyway.”
Rapadas mentioned that there is still a long way to go for these kinds of investments to be sustainable. He urged investors to look at what drives prices up, and suggested following a fixed plan to see growth. Rapadas also said that despite the increase in the prices of real estate, the Philippines is still relatively cheap compared to other places for investment in Asia.
Projects Shaping the Filipino Community
Keynote speaker Vince Dizon, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA), shared the plans for New Clark City as part of the Build, Build, Build program. New Clark City is planned to be the Philippines’ first smart, green, and resilient metropolis.
The Outlook Real Estate Conference also gave a platform to Virlanie Foundation, a private, non-profit and non-sectarian organization reaching out to marginalized children and communities in the Philippines. Lamudi and Virlanie launched a partnership program, Cherish-A-Home Fundraising, to help the disadvantaged, abused, neglected, and abandoned children through in-kind and cash donations that will improve their quality of life in any of the foundation’s eight homes.
The Outlook Conference: Future Forward
Lamudi’s The Outlook: Philippine Real Estate Conference 2019 gathered real estate thought leaders to share their insights on the pressing topics facing Philippine real estate today. The event leads up to Lamudi’s Outlook Awards: The Philippine Buyers’ Choice Property Awards scheduled on November 14, 2019, at the Makati Shangri-La, where property developers from all over the Philippines gather to celebrate the outstanding achievements that shaped the country and steered it to a greener future.
The winners of the awards are determined by a panel of judges and a survey involving 10,000 active property seekers.
To know more about The Outlook Awards 2019, head to lamudi.com.ph/outlook2019.