Public infra spending drives growth, dev’t of the real property sector

CEBU CITY -- The Philippine government's commitment to infrastructure development and economic growth is seen as a positive factor for the real estate and property market in the country that is expected to continue growing at a projected 5-15 percent increase in property prices by 2025.

Joey Roi Bondoc, research director of Colliers Philippines bared that growth opportunities outside Metro Manila are fueled by the positive impact of infrastructure projects on property values, citing the expansion of Cebu International Airport and the construction of the Metro Manila subway.

“Infrastructure projects, such as the expansion of Cebu International Airport and the construction of the Metro Manila subway, are expected to drive property prices up,” Bondoc added during the ASCEND! Real Estate Business Summit and Sales Kick-Off 2025 hosted by the Real Land Asia Realty & Development Corporation on January 14 at the Waterfront Cebu City Hotels & Casino.

Bondoc said that the Philippine government plans to allocate 5-6 percent of the national budget to infrastructure projects from 2025 to 2028, ensuring continued development.  Infrastructure projects in Mindanao, Visayas, and Luzon are progressing, influencing the development strategies of property firms.

According to Bondoc, foreign hospitality brands are entering the market with projects in Southern Mindanao already sold out, indicating strong demand.  Remittances from Filipinos working abroad have reached $37 billion and the Philippine Central Bank has reduced interest rates by 75 basis points, making mortgage rates lower and more affordable for entrepreneurs and residential buyers.

Bondoc stresses the importance of aligning infrastructure spending with other countries to attract foreign investors.  Major infrastructure projects, such as the Cebu Bus Rapid Transit and the Metro Manila subway, are expected to be completed by 2025 and 2028, respectively, and these affect property value.

The Philippine property market continues to expand, driven by infrastructure projects, a young workforce, and a growing middle-income population.  The call to action is to encourage everyone to participants and invest in the Philippine property market, highlighting the numerous opportunities and growth potential.

Land Asia Realty and Dev’t celebrates 33 years of excellence in real estate

Land Asia Realty and Development Corporation, a pioneer in the Philippine real estate industry is celebrating its 33 years in the real estate sector, cementing its position as a leader in driving professional growth, innovation, and ethical practices in the industry.

Since its establishment, Land Asia Realty has evolved from a small operation into an industry powerhouse with over 1,000 active agents and brokers and numerous local and international partnerships.

Ricardo Inting, Chairman and Founder of Land Asia Realty and Development Corporation expresses his honor in leading a team of professionals dedicated to providing exceptional service to clients.

 

Inting invites all his brokers and agents to stand up and sign up for the first menu of 2025, emphasizing the importance of future growth. “The Summit’s theme “ASCEND” focuses on uncovering real estate professionals and fostering innovation, aligning with the company's vision of equipping agents with the necessary tools and knowledge,” Inting bared.

He encourages the participants from all over the country to listen and learned from the topics that include increasing housing demand, market opportunities, and navigating cognitive challenges.

Inting went on to share the company's commitment to empower agents and brokers through continuous learning and professional development, with the goal to create not just successful professionals but also a friendly real estate community.

“We’re happy to see agents earning their first million because we believe in the company's role to help people grow,” he said.

Inting bared that his company aims expansion and market reach and its opening of offices in Luzon, including Talisay, Laguna, and Cavite. The company has also expanded to the middle part of Luzon, including Bulacan, Pampanga, and Clark, with exciting partnerships with developers in the area.

The company's inventory has grown to around 2 trillion pesos with new developments adding to it every month, handling marketing for over 200 developers and more than 1,000 projects, leveraging advanced technology and AI to streamline operations, Inting revealed.

“The Philippine property market is resilient and continues to expand.  I encouraged all the participants here to follow the latest updates on the Philippine property market through social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube. The use of AI and advanced technology is seen as a key factor in the company's success and growth in the real estate market,” Inting added.

Real estate/property market trends and preferences

According to Carlo Gabriel Simbajon, Supervising Economic Development Specialist, NEDA-Region VII that townhouses are very popular among property buyers at 90.3 percent while duplexes are only at three percent.

In his presentation, Simbajon mentioned that the highest demand is from the Calabar Zone, followed by the NCR and Central Luzon which is at 13 percent.  Western Luzon at seven percent while Northern Luzon is at four percent in demand. The data provided covers the first half of 2024, showing a 15.7 percent contraction in real estate votes.

Joey Roi Bondoc of Colliers on the other hand said that real estate market performance is noted on condominium demands with new units increased by 30.2 percent while townhouses have seen a slight decrease, although still a significant market player, with a 76.7 percent drop in single-family homes.  Attached houses are at 12 percent and duplexes are at 24 percent drop.

The market's health is indicated by single-digit interest rates, which are still manageable despite inflation, Bondoc explained that the oversupply of units is a natural cycle and does not necessarily mean a market burst.

 

The residential price leadership has maintained an upward trend since 2016, with a GDP growth rate of 5-6 percent and an inflation rate of 3-4 percent.

“Compared to other countries like the US and Canada, the current market conditions are favorable.  Sales positioning should consider generational expectations and buyer preferences,” Bondoc said.

The market is driven by discriminating tastes, indicating a higher level of sophistication among buyers and that understanding generational trends is crucial for market success.

According to Bondoc that more than 50 percent of primary home buyers are local, with around 30-40 percent coming from outside the country, highlighting the influx of retirees from China, which has affected the market dynamics.

“There is a shift in the market, with an average of 30-40 percent still being local buyers with the local OFWs now the primary buyers focusing on single properties,” Inting added.

Inting revealed that international buyers are facing challenges due to stricter rules and requirements but the international market is still significant, contributing 30-40 percent of the total buyers.  The important thing is to understand the real estate market trends and the impact of global economic changes, Inting concluded. (Photos: MBCNewman)

             

 

Cebu Chinese Consulate hosts New Year briefing, reception

CEBU CITY -- Consul General Zhang Zhen of the Chinese Consulate General in Cebu hosted a New Year Briefing and Reception to some members of the media and friends on January 14 at Waterfront Hotel, explaining the role of China in economic and technological advancements, global development and cooperation and addressing some misconceptions about China.

Consul Zhen bared some of China’s notable achievements highlighting the green output that surpassed 700 million pounds, with a fast growth rate in solar energy of 30.3 percent and new energy vehicle manufacturing at 31.8 percent. 

China has also made significant technological advancements, including sending samples from the far side of the moon and exploring the deep ocean with the Mengxiang Drilling Vessel and the Antarctic Qing Lin Station which is now operational, showcasing China's contributions to global scientific exploration.

Zhen said that China starts to open up wider manufacturing sector with over 52,000 new foreign-invested enterprises set up in the first 11 months of 2024. It has provided zero tariff treatment for least developed countries with diplomatic ties and introduced unilateral visa waivers for 38 countries and 240-hour visa-free transit for 54 countries.

According to Zhen, the China has hosted the International Import Export Fair for seven consecutive years with the Philippines securing $1.6 billion in export deals last year.

Efforts on global diplomatic relations, cooperation, peacekeeping

Chinese President Xi Jinping pushes China’s eight actions to support global development at the G20 Summit starting with China and Africa’s adoption of the 10 partnership actions for deeper cooperation and modernization.

The China Fund and cooperation plans with 23 countries and the African Union for the construction of landmark and livelihood projects.  China's goal for practicing diplomacy is to build a community with a shared future for mankind, emphasizing dialog and partnership over confrontation and alliances, Consul Zhen said.

Zhen also mentions the good start of the China-Vietnam community with a shared future, with visits from party and state leaders from Vietnam.   The new Indonesian President visited China twice last year, she added, upgrading the four wheels of China-Indonesia cooperation to five pillars.

China and Malaysia celebrated the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations with the building of two countries' twin parks while the China-Singapore all-round high-quality future-oriented partnership is full of vitality, and China's traditional friendship with Laos and Cambodia has been strengthened.

Consul Zhen shared China's efforts in pushing for a ceasefire in Gaza, facilitating reconciliation dialog and delivering humanitarian assistance. China also mediated peace in Northern Myanmar and facilitated multiple peace talks among conflicting parties.

Zhen bared that China supported African countries in building an inclusive political framework and realizing peace and reconstruction while also promoting the political resolution of the Korean Peninsula issue.

Addressing misconceptions about China

Consul Zhen said that it is necessary to address common misconceptions about China, such as whether Taiwan is an independent country and whether the Chinese Communist Party is autocratic.

She reiterated that the one China principle is the basis for China's diplomatic relations with the vast majority of countries, including the Philippines.  Zhen the reminds media to use correct terminology when reporting on Taiwan, such as "Taiwan, Region of China" or "Taiwan, Province of China."

“The mission of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) is to pursue happiness for the Chinese people and rejuvenation for the Chinese nation. The CCP's governance is judged by whether it benefits the general public, with a people-centered philosophy guiding economic and social development,” Zhen added.

According to Consul Zhen, China has never provoked a conflict, started a proxy war, or occupied an inch of any other country's land.  The country is a builder of world peace and a defender of international order, standing the test of history against baseless accusations.

China-PH relations and prospects

“China and the Philippines have maritime differences, but these are managed through dialog and consultation, with China maintaining self-restraint and taking resolute measures against provocations. The introduction of the US THAAD missile system by the Philippines is seen as provocative and dangerous, threatening peace and prosperity in Asia,” Consul Zhen explained.

She emphasized the importance of properly managing differences between China and the Philippines to achieve Win-Win cooperation. The 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and the Philippines in 2025 is an opportunity to celebrate and strengthen bilateral ties.

She said that China welcomes Filipinos to visit, study, and work in China, with significant reductions in visa fees and visa-free entry to Hainan Island inviting Filipinos to contact the Chinese consulate for assistance and encourages mutual understanding and friendship between the two peoples. (Photos: MBCNewman)

 

 

SPECIAL FEATURE: 1st Filipina to visit 195 UN-recognized countries, chooses MCIA her final landing pad

MACTAN, Cebu— At exactly 3:35 p.m. on January 13, 2025, Kach Medina Umandap, a 36-year-old UAE-based OFW and Digital Nomad landed at the Mactan-Cebu International Airport (MCIA) as her final landing pad to conclude her incredible global journey as the first and youngest Filipina to travel around the world and visited all 195 United Nations-recognized countries using only a Philippine passport.

MCIA officials led by Aldwin Uy, deputy chief operations officer, Aboitiz InfraCapital Cebu Airport Corp. welcome Kach with the Cebu media in a press conference today.  Her milestone is made even more meaningful as she has chosen Cebu as her final landing pad, a testament to MCIA’s role as the gateway to the world and a symbol of Filipino pride. 

“I want Filipinos to know that traveling the world is possible, even with a low-index passport. Whether through a Digital Nomad lifestyle or careful planning alongside a traditional job, it’s an achievable dream,” Umandap said, encouraging others to follow in her footsteps.

Kach said that her extraordinary journey concluded on January 7, 2025, at 12:47 AM PST in Port Sudan, Africa arriving via Ethiopian Airlines and this marked a significant milestone for Filipinos in global travel.

She added that standing at Sudan Airport, having set foot in all 195 countries, is a testament to the power of dreams and perseverance. This journey was never just about counting countries—it was about building connections, embracing diverse cultures, and celebrating the shared humanity that binds all people in the world.

Umandap joins the Elite UN Masters, empowers Filipinos to explore the world

Kach joins the ranks of the prestigious UN Masters, an elite group of fewer than 500 travelers worldwide recognized by NomadMania.com for visiting all UN-recognized countries. Notably, she follows in the footsteps of Filipina-Americans Luisa Yu and Odette Ricasa, carving her own path as the first to achieve the feat using only a Philippine passport.

Kach’s global journey began in 2013 when she left a corporate career in Kuwait and Iraq to embark on a backpacking trip across Southeast Asia with her siblings. Teaching English in Vietnam deepened her love for cultural immersion, leading her to adopt a Digital Nomad lifestyle and live in various countries.

In 2024 alone, she visited 26 African nations, culminating in her historic journey around the world. She now splits her time living in Dubai, Laguna, and Palawan.  She is currently based in Dubai where she empowers fellow Filipinos to explore the world through her initiatives, offering practical travel advice and simplifying visa and relocation processes via FilipinoPassport.com.

Kach is also the founder of TwoMonkeysTravelGroup.com, a popular travel blog, and TravelWithKach.com, a group travel company focusing on unique and off-the-beaten-path destinations. Her inspiring journey has been featured in Forbes, TIME.com, and other global media outlets.

Kach has also collaborated with global brands, tourism boards, and airlines to bring her travel dreams to life. Her work has earned her multiple travel blogging awards and speaking engagements at international tourism events.

Her story exemplifies how determination and careful planning can turn even the most ambitious dreams into reality. “Visualize your dreams, set them as goals, and take the steps to make them happen. To my fellow Filipinos and travelers—you can create the life you want while achieving your goals,” Kach added.

What’s next for Kach

 As she prepares to return home, Kach’s remarkable journey continues to inspire Filipinos and travelers worldwide to dream big, overcome barriers, and embrace the transformative power of travel.

Kach encourages Remote Work and Travel as she shared her experience as an Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW) and her desire to promote remote work among Filipinos.  She aims to teach high school and college students the skills needed to work online and travel within the Philippines, and hopes to inspire more Filipinos to become digital nomads and explore international opportunities.

At the press conference, Kach stresses the importance of changing the perception that Filipinos are limited by their passports, promoting the idea that they can earn money online and manage their finances independently. She stresses the importance of changing the perception that Filipinos are limited by their passports, promoting the idea that they can earn money online and manage their finances independently.

Kach bares her entrepreneurial goals and travel aspirations as she wants to visit every province in the Philippines after completing visits to every country in the world.  Her travel agency and several websites, including FilipinoPassport.com can help Filipinos obtain visas for various countries.

“I want to help fellow Filipino travelers to obtain visas because there are many challenges in obtaining visas for countries without embassies in the Philippines, such as the Bahamas and other off-beaten path destinations like North Korea and Antarctica,” Kach said.

Kach also wants to promote the Philippines and Digital Nomadism as she emphasizes the importance of Filipinos appreciating their own country more by traveling abroad and then returning with new perspectives.

She expresses a desire to travel with their 83-year-old grandmother, reflecting on their past adventures and the joy of sharing future travels with a loved one.

She is also excited about starting a Philippine tour next year, aiming to visit every province and promote local tourism and plans to teach digital nomadism, encouraging Filipinos to work remotely and travel internationally. Kach highlights the potential of becoming a digital nomad and the financial benefits of earning dollars from abroad, rather than sending money from overseas.

Challenges and unforgettable experience during her travels

Kach describes a challenging journey from Djibouti to Somalia by land, encountering wild camels and uncertainty.  She also mentions traveling the longest train in Mauritania and living on a sailboat from Miami to Puerto Rico for two years with her two cats. She also details solo travel along the Silk Road, a car accident in Pakistan, and visiting Turkmenistan and North Korea, highlighting the strict regulations and the necessity of group travel.

Her travel to Sudan and other countries where conflicts and war exist.   Sudan, which had been closed to tourism for two years due to civil war, had only recently reopened its doors by resuming the issuance of tourist visas. Kach visit makes her one of the first travelers to explore Port Sudan, a designated safe zone, during its early steps toward tourism recovery.

The challenging journey from Djibouti to Somalia, highlighting the lack of money and the necessity to travel by land and crossing borders, including encounters with wild camels and the uncertainty of survival. She mentions trying the iron ore train in Mauritania, which she found exciting.

Kach also shares a significant incident on the Silk Road in Pakistan, where she had a major car accident and the solo journey along the Silk Road, including visits to Turkmenistan and North Korea where strict regulations are imposed. 

“I prefer to take the train in North Korea dur to the exciting countryside views, in contrast with the option to fly.  Taking long rides at the countryside including that of coordinating the logistics of the trip such transportation and accommodations,” Kach shared. (Photos: MBCNewman & Kach Medina Umandap)

 

 

NGCP completes 4 major grid projects in 2024, more soon

CEBU CITY – The National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) completed four major grid projects in 2024 namely; the Mindanao-Visayas Interconnection Project (MVIP) in January; the Cebu-Negros-Panay 230-kiloVolt (kV) backbone in April; the Mariveles-Hermosa-San Jose 500kV Line in July and the Cebu-Bohol Interconnection Project (CBIP) in September.

NGCP said that these projects bolstered the reliability of the country’s grid infrastructure adding that the CBIP plays a crucial role in improving transmission services and grid stability in Central Visayas and helps develop the transmission highway in Cebu, the load center of Visayas, through a new line that will transmit power in and out of the province.

“These achievements reflect NGCP’s strong commitment to advancing our grid infrastructure to ensure a more stable and resilient power supply for households, businesses, and industries,” NGCP said.

Aside from the completion of big-ticket projects, NGCP provided better service at a lower cost, charging only P0.55 centavos per KWH, compared to P0.74 under TransCo. The amount is equivalent to just 3.39 percent of the electricity bill, while generation and distribution charges make up its bulk with 53.17 percent and 21.81 percent, respectively.

Since NGCP took over the transmission operations from TransCo in 2009, outages went down by 82 percent, reflecting the significant improvement in the efficiency and reliability of the country’s grid under its watch.

More grid infra for completion in coming years

NGCP intends to complete more projects in the coming years including the New Antipolo 230kV Substation in Rizal, Laguindingan 230kV Substation in Misamis Oriental, and substation upgrading, voltage improvement, and reliability projects in Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.

Other projects scheduled for completion, barring any further right-of-way, permitting, and other external delays, include the Tuguegarao–Lal-lo (Magapit) 230kV Transmission Line, Ambuklao-Binga-San Manuel 230kV Line, Western Luzon 500kV Backbone Stage 2, Marilao Extra High Voltage Substation, Tuy 500/230 kV Project Stage 1, Nabas-Caticlan-Boracay 138kV Line, Cebu-Lapu Lapu 230kV Transmission Line, Lapu Lapu 230kV Substation Project, Tacurong-Kalamansig 69 kV Transmission Line Project, and other upgrading projects.

“Despite challenges on the right-of-way acquisition and permitting, with the support of relevant government agencies, we are optimistic that we are on track to finish these projects in the pipeline,” NGCP said.

The transmission grid operator renewed its appeal for the swift resolution and approval of applications filed with the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC), which affects the company’s operations.

As a highly regulated entity, NGCP needs the ERC’s approval to implement its projects and to recover the costs spent in building these transmission facilities.

“We remain hopeful that the ERC will support our efforts by ensuring a timely and fair recovery for our capital expenditure. This recovery is vital to sustaining our investment in enhancing the reliability and capacity of our energy infrastructure,” NGCP remarked. (Photos: NGCP)

Special Feature: Young architects in Cebu advocate for “Pulido Arkitekto” to build resilient, affordable homes for Filipinos

CEBU CITY— Four young architects from Cebu are advocating for “Pulido Arkitekto” to build better, efficient, resilient and affordable homes for all Filipinos, especially those belonging to the low and mid-range income groups.

“We observe that families in barangays and in many small communities in the country are building homes without the advice or planning from an architect. We see tiny homes sprouting along riverbanks, in hilly lands overnight and we know that these are not resilient homes,” Architect Ana Karmela Po, former president of the United Architects of the Philippines (UAP)-Cebu Chapter told this writer.

Po with Architects Edmund Samson, Robert Malayao and Nhheil Crisostomo observed that people believe that getting a license architect to design and plan their homes is very expensive and people at the countryside and even at the urban centers would rather personally design and build their homes with local pandays (carpenters) and other builders in the area without an architect’s design and plan.

These four architects, who are members of the UAP-Cebu Chapter realized that the advocacy to build better homes especially for low and mid-range income groups must begin from conversations and listening to architects talking about how crucial home designs and plans are for long lasting homes.

Thus, they succumb to the “call to action” to make known that architects and their services are solid parts of building that dream house.  Karmela, Edmund, Robert and Nheil thought that what better channel to listen to conversations about designing, planning and everything about building a home be than in radio!

It was a light bulb moment for these four architects to come up with a one-hour advocacy program on radio with them as hosts, talking on anything and everything about building resilient but affordable houses, from designing to planning to buying construction materials and all other nitty-gritty in building that dream house.

                             The birth of “Pulido Arkitekto, Tambagi Ko” 

“Pulido Arkitekto, Tambagi Ko” was born.  A weekly radio program aired at 8:00-9:00 a.m every Saturday over a local DYLA-AM 909 kHZ station located at the 2^nd Floor, JSU-PSU Mariner’s Court-Cebu, ALU-VIMCONTU Welfare Center, Pier 1, Cebu City.

According to the architects the radio program, “Pulido Arkitekto” was conceptualized after typhoon Odette that hit Central Visayas in 2021 with massive destructions of houses among the low and mid-range income family groups in Cebu and in other provinces in Central Visayas.

“We were then inspired to advocate for “Pulido Arkitekto” (solid or polished architecture) for homes that can withstand heavy rains and typhoons because the Philippines is often visited with more than 20 typhoons a year, according to our local weather bureau,” the architects said.

Arch. Edmund said that the “Pulido Arkitekto” radio program was designed to provide assistance to the public as they rebuild after the typhoon. It was packed with a wide range of topics from building materials, construction methods, up to financing options, in an easy-going like conversations and advises with the hosts and listeners.

According to Arch. Robert that Season 1 of “Pulido Arkitekto…” seemed to just flew by as the program gained some good grounds in listenership from the Visayas and Mindanao areas evidenced by the letters and calls they received from its listeners.

Season 2 followed after to cover more issues revolving around building maintenance and troubleshooting to construction tips and sustainable building options. Applying vernacular principles to improve user comfort.

One of the notable strengths of the program is providing access to professional assistance that is free of charge on a radio platform. Experts from the building industry were pooled into the program as co-anchors and aired from April to September 2024.   As the year ends, the program continued to push for more collaborations with people, organizations and communities that have similar advocacies as these architects have.

“The most fulfilling aspect of the “Pulido Arkitekto” radio program for me is the direct impact I have on listeners through problem-solving and providing practical advice. This sense of fulfillment likely comes from seeing my guidance effectively address listeners questions and improve their situations,” Arch. Edmund Samson shared.

The program resonates with the audience because it offers valuable, actionable insights and solutions tailored to their needs.  Engaging content, practical advice and personal touch make the program relevant and relatable fostering a strong connection with the listeners, Samson added.

Architect Robert Malayao on the other hand, bared that “Pulido Arkitekto” has grown to not just a regular radio program but a chance for the architects to showcase that their knowledge is not only limited to the production of design but also extends to the construction methods and other methodologies.

“It feels great to be able to slowly educate the Filipinos of the services of the architects and the other professionals in the built environment, and the importance of hiring them for the specific job that they need to perform,” Arch. Robert said.

He feels that the efforts planted at Seasons 1 and 2 of “Pulido Arkitekto” are slowly bearing fruits as the architects are already receiving massive positive feedbacks from its listeners and how the advises have helped them in their renovation and repairs, both planned and current.

“Pulido Arkitekto, Tambagi Ko” is the first and only radio program in the Philippines that gives advises regarding construction related issues to the general public.  This radio program won the ‘Best Radio Educational Program’ at the 20th Cebu Archdiocesan Mass Media Awards (CAMMA).

“It is a privilege to be able to make a difference, to help the community and to make an impact in educating and bringing forward the Architectural profession. It fills our heart with so much gratitude that the knowledge we shared and the efforts that we did, made a positive mark,” Arch. Ana Karmela said.

What some listeners say about “Pulido Arkitekto”

Atomz Ybañez, a listener from Tubigon, Bohol: “From Pulido, I learned that building an affordable house is possible. I started tuning in to the Pulido radio program because I have always been a listener of the radio station (DYLA).  I was encouraged with the tips provided because I also wanted to build a small but durable house. I have a sibling who is a seaman who had a big house but it got easily destroyed by a typhoon, and I do not want that to happen to me.”

An SMS message from Luis Verana from Cebu: “What I can’t forget from the program is the advice the expert gave me for my home, such as how many windows I should have and what roof design I should use. I also learned more about choosing the right materials for your house, how to build a firewall, how to set up proper distances inside your property for your home, and even about solar-powered homes and how they can be built.

Luis said he is now finalizing the plan for his house and inquired on the materials he needs to be able to calculate how much he needs to spend.  Luis is now saving so have enough budget for the construction.

 “What I can’t forget about the Pulido program is the episode that talked about roofing, and how the standard thickness of the roof is important when choosing the right materials. Before, I used 0.24mm for my galvanized iron roofing sheets because they were cheaper, but when typhoon Odette hit us, it tore my roofing sheets to shreds as if they were just made of paper.  Now, it does not matter anymore if the roofing sheets I buy are more expensive as long as they follow the standard thickness so that my roof is built right and will not get easily damaged. Thank you, Pulido,” Luis added.

From Fely Rosales, who asked advice (on-air) from the architect hosts of PULIDO Season 2 and called back to thank them: “I called back here to thank the architects because in the earlier episode (July 20), I called to ask for help on how I can repair my floor tiles so they won’t continue to get cracked. I followed your advice on using liquid nails and choosing the tiles you recommended. That is why I wanted to thank you now because I am no longer having any problems with my tiles anymore after I applied your recommendation.”

“Pulido Arkitekto” collabs with organizations, business establishments, others

The success of “Pulido Arkitekto, Tambagi Ko” has reached the ears of the Cebu Home and Builders Centre (CHBC), a business establishment that sells all kind of construction materials, lights and bathroom fixtures, and more that led to the collaboration of both parties.

According to Arch. Ana Karmela that the collaboration with CHBC was initiated to provide off-season engagement with the program patrons/listeners while preparing for Season 3 of the program and in time with CHBC’s annual year-end sale. The off-season program was held at CHBC’s main branch in Banilad and in its newest branch in Toledo City.

Here, the radio program is aired live at the CHBC outlets with invited clients and program listeners to participate in an animated conversations and live Q & A from both the live audience and the listeners. “Indeed, people are really hungry for information like these,” said one of the live audiences.

Another collaboration was when other programs, especially national TV programs such as IHeartPh, a showed at GMA 7 were enticed to provide a portion of its program solely for the purpose of educating the Filipinos on the importance of building better to make their houses safer and more resilient from typhoons.

Another was in Business Matters of CNN Philippines where the efforts of the architects for this program and their advocacy of capacitating the Filipinos, were highlighted and emphasized.

A recent collaboration was with Solid Panday where the Pulido Anchors took part in giving a seminar/lecture to more than 50 pandays. They talked about the best practices of construction most especially to topics related to foundation, fire safety and waterproofing. 

“Pulido Arkitekto, Tambagi Ko” and Habitat for Humanity’s Terwilliger Center for Innovation in Shelter (HFH-TCIS) collaboration and partnership is focused on providing quality information about proper home construction and repairs to low-income households who otherwise might not have access to such information.

Arch. Ana Karmela bared that the collaboration with the HFH-TCIS has helped not only the creation of the project but most importantly, push and encourage the architects to go beyond the usual service of the profession.

This has opened new doors for the architect-anchors and the profession itself, on how they can bring their services and technical know-how reach those economic groups that typically veer away from hiring architects because of the stereo-types that they have what the architect does and for whom the architect’s services are for, Arch. Karmela concluded. (Photos: MBCNewman/Pulido Arkitekto FB)