Globe enters Profriends Suntech Ipark Development

Property Company of Friends Inc., (Pro-Friends) remains a trailblazer in the Philippine real estate industry with its newest master-planned 25-hectare commercial, business and lifestyle township community called Downtown Lancaster, located right in the heart of the 1,400-hectare Lancaster New City in General Trias, Cavite.

Downtown Lancaster is composed of two major developments: Suntech iPark and The Square. Suntech iPark is Cavite’s first BPO office development which will house 17,500 BPO employees, while The Square is the commercial and retail section that will complement the needs of Suntech iPark and nearby residences. Downtown Lancaster will be delivered in phases: Phase 1 will cover the construction of four BPO buildings and seven retail buildings while Phase 2 will be the development of the remaining seven BPO buildings and ten retail buildings.

With this major development, Pro-Friends has turned to Globe Business, the information and communications technology (ICT) arm of Globe Telecom and preferred ICT partner of the country’s top BPO companies, for its connectivity requirements, specifically for its wireline data services. Globe Business is expected to provide secure, fast, and cutting-edge connectivity for thousands of BPO employees as well as the different commercial and retail establishments in Downtown Lancaster.

Formalizing the partnership between Globe and Pro-Friends are Globe Chief Technology and Information Officer Gil Genio (2nd from the left) and Pro-Friends Senior Executive Vice President Jocelyn Guzman (3rd from the left). With them are Globe New Projects Development Head Jessie Alano (leftmost) and Pro-Friends Vice President for Commercial and Retail Development Karen Parungo (rightmost).

“We put our trust in Globe Business because we believe that our employees and retail tenants will experience reliable and seamless service,” shared Pro-Friends Vice President for Commercial and Retail Development Karen Parungo. “We are very excited for the partnership and we look forward to the different ways Globe Business can help improve our operations.”

Globe Chief Technology and Information Officer Gil Genio noted that enterprise customers will soon benefit from the company’s network transformation program, which is set to modernize its wireline data network. “Customers like Pro-Friends which is expanding to build a BPO hub in Cavite will definitely experience connectivity that is up to par with first-world countries, as we embark on another infrastructure build that will enhance the internet experience within homes and businesses.”

In 2015, Globe Business has driven the revenue growth of leading Business Process Outsourcing (BPOs) companies in the Philippines based on statistics by Call Center Focus. It has served the country’s top IT-BPO companies, seven of which were in the top 10 earners in terms of revenue in Philippine peso (Php) Billions. In addition, Globe Business also recorded an 81% penetration of IT-BPO companies that are provided with business products and solutions.

Source: Business Inquirer

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GT Capital increases stake in Profriends

GT CAPITAL Holdings, Inc., the holding company for tycoon George S.K. Ty’s businesses, is raising its stake in mass housing developer Property Company of Friends, Inc. (PCFI) starting this year.

GT Capital President Carmelo Maria Luza Bautista said in a mobile phone message last week the conglomerate will exercise its option to increase its direct ownership in the real estate firm to 51%.

“The plan is to increase first to 42% within the first half of the year and then to 51% by the first quarter of next year,” Mr. Bautista said.

In August last year, GT Capital signed an agreement to acquire 22.68% of PCFI for P7.24 billion, subject to closing conditions, with an option to boost its stake to 51% within the next three years.

Profriends Group, Inc., which was planning on undertaking a P7.7-billion initial public offering (IPO), owns 98.51% of the issued and outstanding capital of PCFI, an affordable housing firm.

Asked if PCFI will pursue the IPO, Mr. Bautista said: “Not in the near future.”

Based on its previous filing, Profriends was planning to sell 385.750 million primary common shares, representing 11% of the company’s outstanding capital stock, at maximum price of P20 apiece to finance the development of its projects and land banking initiatives.

Profriends obtained the approval of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to launch the equity offering, but failed to secure the go-signal from the Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE).

Profriends had tapped First Metro Investment Corp. (FMIC) as its underwriter for the IPO. FMIC is the investment banking arm of Metropolitan Bank & Trust Co., which is part of GT Capital.

PCFI netted P2.1 billion last year after booking P7 billion in total revenues. GT Capital started consolidating its financial performance in September.

“GT Capital’s recent acquisition of PCFI further expands the group’s range of products and market presence in the property development sector,” Federal Land, Inc. Chairman Alfred V. Ty said in a statement last week.

Aside from Federal Land and Metrobank, GT Capital has interests in Toyota Motor Philippines Corp.; Toyota Manila Bay Corp.; Toyota Cubao, Inc.; Toyota Financial Services Philippines Corp.; Global Business Power Corp.; Philippine AXA Life Insurance Corp.; and Charter Ping An Insurance Corp.

The conglomerate reported a 32% uptick in bottomline to P12.1 billion last year from P9.2 billion in 2015, driven by the strength of its automotive and power generation businesses.

Shares in GT Capital added P16 or 1.12% to close at P1,450 each last Wednesday.

Source: Business World

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Cavite extension LRT project to begin construction this year.

MANILA, Philippines — With Metro Manila’s insufficient network of trains, the consortium of Ayala Corporation and Metro Pacific Investments Corporation (MPIC) brings good news to commuters: The construction of the P64.9-billion ($1.37-billion) Light Rail Transit Line 1 (LRT1) extension from Baclaran to Bacoor, Cavite will begin in June.

House and Lot for Sale

This was after the group of Ayala and MPIC – Light Rail Manila Consortium (LRMC) – on Friday, February 12, signed the P24-billion ($506.02-million) loan facility and the engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) agreement for the LRT1 Cavite extension deal.

The Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) awarded the LRT1 Cavite extension project to the LRMC in September 2014.

"These milestone agreements give us significant headway towards the construction and commissioning of the much-awaited Cavite Extension which will benefit an additional 300,000 passengers from four big cities in southern Manila," LRMC president and CEO Jesus Francisco said.

LRMC signed the 15-year Omnibus Loan and Security Agreement with Metropolitan Bank & Trust Company (Metrobank), Security Bank Corporation and Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation (RCBC), with P15.3 billion ($322.59-million) of the total loan amount allocated for the Cavite extension and P8.7 billion ($183.44-million) for the rehabilitation of the existing LRT1 system.

Stalled relocation of illegal settlers

But according to Francisco, unfinished right-of-way acquisition and stalled relocation of illegal settlers take a toll on the construction of the LRT1 Cavite extension.

"Our main concern is that there are still some ISFs – illegal settlers. But we got the report of the grantors that by April, they expect to do relocation of most of them, if not all of them," Francisco said.

As of today, the chief of LRMC said the government has delivered about 95% of the right-of-way acquisition.

IMUS HOUSE FOR SALE

"We think that the stations will come later, but first we have to start building the carriage way. April is when they said they would address the problems of the ISF. If they can really move, by June 1 we will be able to start," Francisco told reporters on the sidelines of a briefing in Makati City.

French firms as contractors

LRMC took on French companies Bouygues Travaux Publics and Alstom Transport Private Limited to help build the extension.

Francisco said that LRMC and contractors Bouyges Travaux Publics and Alstom Transport are set to commence the construction of the 11.7-kilometer Cavite extension once right of way is delivered by the DOTC and Light Rail Transit Authority (LRTA).

The extension is targeted for completion in about 4 years after the delivery of right-of-way.

The 11.7-kilometer Cavite extension will link with the existing system immediately south of the Baclaran Station, and run in a generally southerly direction to Niog, Cavite.

Eight new stations will be provided with 3 intermodal facilities across Pasay City, Paranaque City, Las Pinas City and Cavite.

The new stations are Aseana, MIA, Asia World, Ninoy Aquino, Dr Santos, Las Piñas, Zapote and Niog. The intermodal facilities will be located at Dr Santos, Zapote, and Niog.

The commercial speed of the Cavite extension will be 60 kilometers per hour.

LRMC said the new stations will be accessible to and from nearby community facilities such as shops, schools, stadium, and park.

Bouygues Travaux Publics, which will provide the railway infrastructure, is known globally for complex projects involving tunnels, engineering structures and road, port and rail infrastructure.

Among its recent projects are the Hong Kong–Zhuhai–Macao Bridge, the Port of Miami Tunnel, and the Nîmes-Montpellier rail bypass in France.

Under the agreement, Alstom will provide system integration and project management; build a new train depot; extend the existing depot complete with track works; and establish a new power supply, catenary lines, and signaling and telecommunications system.

Alstom will also modernize the signaling system of the existing 20.7-kilometer line, which runs from Roosevelt Avenue in Quezon City to Baclaran.
Source: Rappler.com

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Some Helpful Things about Power Bank

A power bank is essentially an external battery in a sealed case. Powerbanks come with a USB cable; you connect it to a power source such as a laptop to charge the powerbank. Some charge via flip out blades for plugging into the wall. Here are more information about this wonderful gadget;

1) What’s power bank?

Power bank serve as an ‘extra battery’ or external charger for your phone or other electronic devices.

2) Where is power bank made from?

Majority of the power banks in the market are actually made in China.

3) How do I charge the power bank?

You can charge your power bank via the charger that came with your phone, computer usb port or using other power bank

4) How long do I need to charge the power bank?

It’s depending on the REAL CAPACITY of the power bank. The larger REAL CAPACITY, the longer charging time may required. Different charging methods may result different charging time as well. Charging with the original charger will be faster than charging with computer usb port.

5) Why sometime I need longer time to charge the same power bank?

Even though using the same charging method, the charging time may be differ due to environment,temperature, power flow and etc

6) What is mAh?

mAh mean milli Ampere Hour, the capacity of the power bank is measure with mAh

7) A 12000mAh REAL CAPACITY power bank, able to charge a 1500mAh capacity phone for 8 times full?

This is a common mistake make by most of the people. For rough calculation of the total charge time, kindly use this formula

REAL CAPACITY * conversion rate * phone battery health / phone capacity = total charge times

EXAMPLE: 12000 x 0.8 x 0.8 / 1500 = 5.12 charge times (0.5-1 times plus minus)

8) What’s conversation rate?

Conversation rate is the remaining percentage of the battery after the battery lost in heat or PCB operation.

9) What’s phone battery health?

In simple, it’s mean how‘healthy’ your phone battery is. Phone battery storage capacity will be lower and lower. That’s also the reason why our phone can last longer when it’s newly bought than after 3-6 months we used it. Different mobile phone models also will affect the calculation as some phone drain battery faster than the other.

10) What’s PCB?

PCB means Printed Circuit Board,its control all the operation flow inside the power bank. A good quality PCB will allow the power bank to charge more and have better durability

11) What’s 18650 power bank and what’s Li-Polymer power bank?

The common type will be 18650 and a better type will be Li-Polymer

12) What’s the different between 18650 and Li-Polymer?

- 18650 size and dimension are fix. Li-Polymer size and dimension are flexible.

- 18650 produce more heat. Li-Polymer are much more safer

- 18650 are cheaper. Li-Polymer are more expensive

- 18650 have higher self discharge rate.Li-Polymer have a very low self discharge rate

- 18650 battery durability will drop faster.  Li-Polymer battery capacity are more durable

13) What’s the common mAh use in 18650?

Common mAh use in 18650 is around 1300mAh to 2200mAh.

14) What’s the common REAL CAPACITY in 18650 power bank in the market?

- Power bank using 1pcs 18650 is 1200mAh – 2600mAh

- Power bank using 2pcs 18650 is 2500mAh – 4400mAh

- Power bank using 3pcs 18650 is 3750mAh – 6600mAh

- Power bank using 4pcs 18650 is 5200mAh – 8800mAh

- Power bank using 5pcs 18650 is 6500mAh –11000mAh

- Power bank using 6pcs 18650 is 7800mAh –13200mAh

- Power bank using 7pcs 18650 (no info)

- Power bank using 8pcs 18650 is 10400mAh –14400mAh

15) Is there any power bank use higher than 2200mAh per 18650?

Yes. There are, but it’s not common due to the expensive pricing.

16) What’s the different between branded power bank and generic power bank?

Branded power bank mostly sell in REAL CAPACITY. Generic power bank mostly sell in MARKING CAPACITY. That’s the reason why you will never see any branded power bank (standard size) have anything as high as 30000mAh – 50000mAh. That’s also the reason why a good 12000-13000mAh power bank are able to charge more or about the same like the market 30000-50000mAh power bank

17)  Is it true branded power bank won’t explode and generic power bank will explode?

Anything to do with battery, will have chance to explode. No matter it’s branded power bank or generic power bank.But chances for both branded and generic power bank to explode are near to 0%.If power bank is easy to explode, everyone will use power bank in war instead of bomb.

Source: Styefree Asia fb.

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4 Amazing House and Lot Renovations to Increase Property Value ~ Filprimehomes

4 Amazing House and Lot Renovations to Increase Property Value

4 Amazing House and Lot Renovations to Increase Property Value

If you are looking for a business that earns big profits instantly, buying and selling house and lot is worth a try. I know some individuals who started to accumulate their fortune by doing this business that’s why it has been my dream to be involved in this business someday. Though it’s a very expensive business to start, having the right attitude, proper mindset and proper planning can still get the job done.

For House and Lot Videos, please go to https://www.youtube.com/user/Filprimehomes


So if you want to start to buy and sell house and lot in the Philippines, here are the things that you can do to increase the value of your property:

Basic Updates/Renovations

This is the most important upgrade to start with. Typically, as a buyer one of your main questions are the basic things like: Is the roof leaking? Does the house look good? Is it properly painted? Is the wood still sturdy enough? Does it need replacement? Are there termites that should be treated? Are the pipes in a good condition? Are the wiring still safe for use? We all know that buyers want a healthy, safe home that can be lived with the most minimal maintenance. Addressing these problems earlier, will help you increase or at least maintain your house’s value over time and save money.

Create Space

Houses with a wide open floor plan are attractive for buyers. Maximize the current space that you have to add additional space inside the house. If you have an attic, present it as an additional work area, study room, bed room, family room or even a library.

Also, under-utilized spaces like under stairways spaces can be converted into storage spaces for shoes, bags or even kitchen supplies.

Upgrade your Bathroom and Kitchen

In the US, almost all brokers agree that enhancing your kitchen and bathroom is good way of increasing your house’s value.

For the bathroom, replace old, dripping and rust faucets, clean the grout, change the seat cover, replace or repair the non-working flush, paint the cabinets and clean everything as if it would look as new as possible.

For the kitchen, repaint or re-varnish kitchen cabinets, clean or paint the walls, replace old faucets and make sure that the pipes do not have leaks. 

Outdoor Upgrades

The façade of a house is the most important upgrade here. If you will put yourself on a buyer’s position, the front door or the façade is the first thing that you will notice. Before putting your house on sale, make sure that everything outside the house looks good and ready for selling. Make it look like that the house looks vibrant and inviting.

For a vibrant and inviting house, you can do the following:

Replace the front door if needed, if not repaint or re-varnish it. You can also consider repaint jobs on your front gate.

Make sure that the lights and door bell outside the house is working.

Invest on landscape. If you have a garden outside, make sure that the trees, plants, mini pond looks desirable.

Doing these things will greatly increase the appeal of your house to potential buyers. With a properly maintained house, everything will be in place. You will sell your house instantly at a high reasonable price.

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Ayala bags P4B ITS-South terminal project

MANILA, Philippines – Ayala Land Incorporated (ALI) has been awarded the P4-billion ($84-million) Integrated Transport System South Terminal project of the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC).

In August, the firm sought a P278-million ($5.89-million) annual grantor payment (AGP) – a fee the government will pay the winning concessionaire. ALI's offer was lower than the amount sought by its rival, Filinvest Land, Incorporated.

“This is the second ITS Project that we have awarded. Our goal here is to give passengers coming from the south seamless transfers to other modes of transportation, as well as help decongest traffic in the metro,” Transportation Secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya said in a statement on Monday, November 16.

Under the 35-year concession agreement for the project, ALI will operate and maintain a terminal for Manila-bound commuters coming from Laguna and Batangas.

The firm will be responsible for the terminal's design and construction, to be situated in a 5.57-hectare property along FTI Compound in Taguig City.

Construction is scheduled to begin in August 2016, with completion expected in January 2018.

The terminal is expected to be operational by February 2018.
Source: Rappler.com

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