NorthPine Land: Where Dreams Come To Life

Wazzup Pilipinas!

It is every hardworking Filipino’s dream to have a house he can call his own. NorthPine Land, Inc. (NLI), one of the leading and most trusted real estate companies in the Philippines, has committed to provide homes and purposeful areas that improve the quality of life. More than a good house, NorthPine Land builds better homes. More than a good neighborhood, it creates better communities. More than a good area to stay, they make a better place of comfort and security for the whole family.

NorthPine Land has established its own niche in the middle income housing market in the country since it was founded in 1996 as a joint venture of four leading companies. Hongkong Land, one of Asia’s leading property investment, management and development groups, partnered with local investors San Miguel Properties, the real estate arm of San Miguel Group; BDO and Metrobank, the country’s largest and leading commercial banks.

NLI President Alan R. Cruz affirms the company’s commitment to give people who strive to own their dream home the quality of life that only an integrated self-contained community can provide.

Cruz said, “NorthPine Land defines the ideals of fine living on five foundations namely design, quality construction, lifestyle amenities, continuing estate management, and value.”

CHED and DOST to Hold APEC Conferences and Policy Talks on Science and Technology in Higher Education

Wazzup Pilipinas!

We were at the press conference organized by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) with regards to the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) 2015 conferences scheduled on August 10 to 15 - a two-part series of conferences namely the Policy Partnership on Science, Technology and Innovation (PPSTI) on August 10 to 12, and High Level Policy Dialogue on Science and Technology in Higher Education (HLPD-STHE) scheduled on August 13 to 15. This conferences will be held at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC).

CHED and DOST combine forces to bring us a series of APEC conferences specific to policy talks highlighting Science and Technology in Higher Education. The DOST and CHED will host the talks.

The panelists during the press conference held on August 7, 2015 at the Sulo Riviera Hotel in Diliman, Quezon City was led by DOST Secretary Mario Montejo and CHED Secretary Patricia Licuanan. Other members of the panel were DOST Usec Amelia Guevarra, CHED Commissioner Minella Alarcon, and CHED Director Napoleon Juanillo. DOST Assistant Secretary Raymond Liboro was also there to moderate the panel, As well as DOST Undersecretary Rowena Guevarra, and other personalities from both the DOST and CHED.

Yours truly was representing Vigattin Radio of Radyo Inquirer being one of the co-anchors of the radio show aired every Saturday from 10 to 11 am. I was with Elison Barcelo, CEO of Vigattin Inc. I noticed that there were no bloggers invited to this particular press conference which was surprising because we were actually listening to the initiatives of government agencies that were supposed to be embracing technology in full force.

Best Cities in the Philippines for First-Time Homebuyers

Wazzup Pilipinas!

In real estate, the adage “drive and drive until you qualify” holds true, especially in the case of Metro Manila. As homes in the capital become more expensive, many first-time homebuyers whose work base is either Makati, Bonifacio Global City, or Ortigas Center are looking further afield in search of their dream home.

The good thing is that areas that surround the capital abound with affordable options for these homebuyers. Lamudi Philippines (www.lamudi.com.ph) picked the top cities and towns around Metro Manila for first-time buyers, using five factors to judge the best: market popularity, prices, inventory, and ease of commute to the capital.

1. San Jose Del Monte, Bulacan
Average home price: Php495,999
Inventory: 590

Although San Jose Del Monte, situated just north of Quezon City, has been previously known as the government’s go-to site for mass relocation projects, the city is now shedding that image and is fast becoming an economically important city. Big-ticket real estate projects, such as Ayala Land’s Altaraza Town Center, are putting San Jose Del Monte on the map. Homes in the city are still quite affordable, which average Php495,999, and plenty of inventory is available.