In fast-moving economies, the businesses thrive stronger and quicker. Yet, this situation has also caused the rise and fall of many establishments, and forced businesses to innovate in order to survive; just as how Charles Darwin theorized, “this is the survival of the fittest”. Nowadays, the fittest business establishment is the one that can give in to the demands of consumers that continuously change. Brought about by the marriage of cultures and technology, the needs of consumers can change at a 360-degree-angle at any time. When the consumers’ needs change, so does the demands. Hence, businesses need to learn how to bow where the wind blows.
The International Workplace Group (IWG) understands clearly the dynamics of the economy, the society, and even politics; and, has made it its mission to address the needs of the businesses, so in the end, they can also provide the needs of their clients. IWG does this by giving people and businesses access to commercial real estate solutions through unrivalled choice of workspaces from its operating companies: Regus, Spaces, HQ, and Signature by Regus; each designed to serve the unique needs of businesses of every size. With a membership contribution of only six thousand pesos (PhP6,000.00), a business can have access to shared-workspaces anywhere in the globe where they can hold meetings, discuss transactions, or simply focus on work. With a track-record for more than 30 years, IWG has seen the potential of shared work-spaces in the Visayas and in Mindanao.
With its vision to provide the best workspaces in the region, IWG partnered with Apple One Properties, Inc. (API), Cebu’s leading name in property development and real estate sales. API has always kept its portfolio diverse and relevant by recognizing the growing demand for flexible workspaces and mixed-used developments in the premier business districts in the Visayas.
In December 2018, API signed a franchise partnership agreement with IWG for eight centers in six cities in the Visayas in five years. This is the first in Southeast Asia. The signing ceremony was held at the Diamond Hotel and Suites, and was attended by Matthew James Kenly, head of partnership growth for IWG Asia Pacific; Rowena B. Natividad, head of partnership growth for IWG Philippines; Lars Wittig, country manager for IWG Philippines | Thailand | Vietnam | Cambodia | South Korea; Ray Manigsaca, CEO and president of API; and, Venus Manigsaca, chairman of API.
The six cities identified are Cebu City, Lapu-Lapu City, Mandaue City, Dumaguete City, Iloilo City, and Bacolod City. Kenly strongly believes that the partnership will strengthen the economy in the region because it will generate more jobs inside and outside the centers. Kenly further discusses that the centers in the premier business districts will also improve productivity and will provide more opportunities for the locals. API’s Rey Manigsaca is very excited on the partnership because the service-office-market is a very big market that has not yet been tapped, and with IWG’s partnership Manigsaca believes that they can bring to the region the world-class facilities and benefits of flexible working spaces.
Lars Wittig discusses that the reason why the Visayas has the greatest potential in the country is because of its ever-advancing economy; and, as the capital region gets too congested, the businesses are moving to central Philippines. Plus, the access to central Philippines is much easier with its state-of-the-art international ports and airports, making the logistics much easier in the area. Wittig also expresses appreciation to the policies and the government administration in the locality because it is very supportive to the businesses.
The six centers of API and IWG will join IWG’s global network consisting of 3,400 centers across 120 countries. In the Philippines, IWG has 28 centers in ten cities across Metro Manila, Clark, Cebu, and Davao. With the upcoming six centers in the Visayas, API and IWG will surely make the region as Southeast Asia’s newest business hub and trade center. This is truly an exciting way to start the year, exciting for our economy, and exciting for the people in the Visayas.
]]>While the things that you look for in a home will vary considerably depending on your personal needs and lifestyle (a growing starter family is going to require significantly more space than a workaholic yuppie who mostly comes home just to sleep) there are certain things that everyone needs to keep in mind whn looking for a new home.
Understand that finding the perfect home for you will probably be a long process, involving back and forth and a certain amount of negotiation. But in the end, it’ll all be worth it. You may have to make a few compromises along the way, but as long as you keep some of these tips in mind, your search for your dream home should be a fulfilling and fruitful one.
Good Location
In layman’s terms, this would mean somewhere that isn’t too far from your work, and regular leisure hangouts.
As brokers we like to consider a few more things:
- Accessible location—How far is it from the main road? How wide is the road leading to the property? Is it commute-friendly?
- Proximity to important public spaces, like grocery stores, pharmacy and hospitals
- The neighbors you’re going to have
- How prone the area and its surroundings are to flooding during the rainy season
Solid Construction
After Yolanda and the earthquake in 2013, this has become an increasingly important factor for homebuyers. You can paint the walls whatever color you want, but it isn’t going to matter if the house isn’t built to standard.
If buying an older home, keep an eye out for:
- Cracks in the columns and beams
- Windowsills that aren’t level
- Doors that are uncommonly narrow
- Rusted-looking pipes
- Wall sockets that look burnt
When buying a new home, always look into the track record of the construction company or developer. If you can, visit some of their older projects and ask the homeowner’s association if there’ve been any issues with the building upkeep.
Sensible Floor Plan
The ease with which you can move through the various rooms and spaces in your home can have a huge impact on your daily life. Uncomfortably narrow hallways and awkwardly shaped rooms make it hard for light, sound and air to flow and circulate throughout the space.
Whether or not you believe in feng shui and the flow of energy, you should believe in being able to navigate your way around your own home without bumping into things or feeling cramped, and all of that depends heavily on the floor plan.
Documents
As unsexy as it sounds, you need to have all your papers in order. This is rule number one for any broker worth their commission and is part of the due diligence that should be conducted on any prospective listing. This includes verifying the Land Title with the Registry of Deeds (fake titles are a real danger, particularly when dealing with properties in Mandaue and Mactan) and cross checking this against a copy of the property’s latest Tax Declaration. Any discrepancies are considered an immediate red flag.
Financing Options
It’s always imperative that you know how much you’re willing (and let’s face it, able) to invest in your new home and what financing options are available to make that happen.
As a general rule of thumb:
- Don’t spend more than 30% of your take-home pay on rent
- If you’re buying, use the same amount as basis for your monthly amortization and work backwards from there to figure out your budget
- Set aside an additional 2-3% if the sales price for closing costs and various processing fees
AVERAGE PRICES
Condominiums
- Cebu City – 1.3m to 14.5m
- Lapu-Lapu City – 780k to 12m
- Mandaue City – 1.1m to 13.9m
- Outside Cebu City – 1.05m to 10m
House and Lot
- Cebu City – 1.9m to 21m (for 3 bedroom)
- Lapu-Lapu City – 970k to 10m (3 bdrm)
- Mandaue City – 1.6 to 19m
- Outside Cebu City – 800k to 11.5m
Source: cebufirst.com
Originally published in Zee Lifestyle, February 2017
]]>It’s a man’s world. It’s a saying heard time and time again by women actively taking charge of their own careers, whatever field they may be in. Not that this is surprising. Studies have shown that on average, women are paid 78% of what their male counterparts in the same position earn. It’s an upsetting statistic, to say the least—as women have made many strides to secure a place in the society where she can vote, work and be heard.
Gender equality, however, needs time to develop. After all, hundreds of years of disparity are hard to undo. Fortunately, some countries are proving to be more progressive in this area than others. The Global Gender Gap Report is an international index that ranks countries based on how well they divide resources and opportunities between their male and female population. It measures gender equality based on economic participation and opportunity, educational attainment, political empowerment, and health and survival. Data gathered from more than 142 countries in a span of nine years shows that the Philippines ranks ninth this year—being the best performer in closing the gender gap in Asia. With an almost equal ratio between men and women in terms of economic participation and opportunities, Filipinas are among the most influential and hardworking women in the world.
Case in point: Beverly Dayanan of Contempo Property Holdings and Sunberry Homes Inc. The real estate development mogul believes that success is in no way determined by gender and is a matter of choice. “There’s simply no barrier for those who are focused on their goals and work hard for them,” she says. That firm determination has proven to be valuable in the career she has navigated for herself, showing her mettle in Contempo Property’s first development venture in Cebu—Bamboo Bay.
“It was born of my dream to offer better living options to mid-income homeowners,” she shares. “A lot of research and fact-finding went into the creation of Bamboo Bay, and it’s a result of inputs from prospective buyers and from my own experiences as a condo dweller for almost 15 years.”
“There’s simply no barrier for those who are focused on their goals and work hard for them” – Beverly Dayanan (Originally published in Zee Lifestyle December-January 2015: Photography by Robo Formacion/Hair and Makeup by Emi Ayag/Draped blouse by Oj Hofer)
With women having traditionally been in charge of the home, it seems only natural to have a female CEO at the helm of developing a residential community. “In real estate, you don’t just look at the macro side of the business. You have to look into the details, and women are good at that,” Beverly explains. She adds, “In condominium living, an inch of space really matters. You have to consider and figure everything out holistically, looking at the most minute details.” This insight allowed Beverly to create living areas that are space efficient. Minor design points that seem not all that important—a longer bathroom counter, exhaust pipes above the stove area, overhead countertops—are actually practical advantages for one’s daily routine in the long run.
The real estate project also benefits from Beverly’s understanding of basic human instinct, with Bamboo Bay fostering the sense of community that may be diminishing in this age of digital communication. The friendly neighborhood concept is shown in such facilities as their community store, prayer room, barbecue area and jogging paths, all of which are positioned to encourage interaction among homeowners. “We need to be reminded that we are social beings who need to bond to promote our social values. Establishing friendships and fellowship is an important thing in life,” she quips.
Understanding the importance of collaboration is also why Beverly makes sure to surround herself with an outstanding team of female consultants who offer advice on various aspects of the project. From Tess Javier for architecture and design, Tetta Baad for marketing and sales to Lilu Aliño for PR and advertising, her openness to guidance from those with the experience and skills allows her to learn and excel in the business even further. “Many of my ideas are formed from constant interaction with my stakeholders,” she explains. “When you touch base with your intermediaries, you gain insights and get to understand your business more from their point of view. I find their feedback very valuable, and it becomes my guide and parameter for improvement.”
Using this as a foundation for her hands-on approach to management, she makes certain that she is kept abreast on all operations of the business. “I like to get updates in real time,” she reveals. “Everyone is synchronized, that way, decision-making and deliveries become faster.” She discloses that this ensures that the organizational and operational chain is linked and functions cohesively at all times.
“I’d like to be a role model for women out there, to show that being a woman is never a hindrance for success.” – Beverly Dayanan (Originally published in Zee Lifestyle December-January 2015: Photography by Robo Formacion/Hair and Makeup by Emi Ayag/Long-sleeved dress by Jun Escario)
Her attention to detail in managing her team also comes with its share of challenges. Beverly concurs that people management is something to be worked on. “You see the need for coaching, but you also want to have faith in your people,” she says. Adding further, “You shouldn’t tolerate failure, but you understand that it’s a confidence booster when your employees are able to solve problems in their own way. Keeping them focused and mentoring them while gaining input is a very exciting challenge though.”
This spirit of empowerment finds its way into Beverly’s community undertakings as well. As a dedicated member of the Zonta Club of Cebu I, she embraces the organization’s global mission of advancing women’s status. Being in charge of service and advocacy, Beverly champions gender equality and ending violence against women. “You can’t close your eyes to the plight of your fellow women—especially those who are battered physically, psychologically or emotionally,” she says. Her work with Zonta Cebu I gives her the opportunity to do concrete things to help transform lives and deliver real change. Among the club’s noteworthy efforts is its partnership with the Vicente Gullas Memorial Hospital to put up a Crisis Intervention and Referral Center in Banilad. The center will be a place where women can go for help for psychological, legal, medical, economic, safety and security, and even spiritual concerns. The Cebu chapter is also working on a barangay and campus campaign to raise awareness of its violence against women advocacy.
The club’s cause is very close to her heart because it aligns with one of Beverly’s personal goals. “I’d like to be a role model for women out there, to show that being a woman is never a hindrance to success; and that women have the same privileges and opportunities as men in the eyes of God,” Beverly explains. Fuelled by her dynamism, she hopes to inspire other women to start their own businesses, and shares a few pieces of advice for those who are looking to go into their ventures. “Start with what you love doing. Put your hands and mind where your heart is. You have to be hands- on—don’t be afraid to get your hands dirty, and get firsthand experience of all the operations.”
“Start with what you love doing. Put your hands and mind where your heart is.” – Beverly Dayanan (Originally published in Zee Lifestyle December-January 2015: Photography by Robo Formacion/Hair and Makeup by Emi Ayag)
Truly, success does come to those who work hard for it—whether you wear the pants or the dress. Although Beverly admits that there’s yet so much work she has to do, it looks like an exciting year is up ahead for the lady entrepreneur. “Sunberry Homes Subdivision will be launched in the second quarter of next year, as a response to the pressing demand for socialized and economic housing.” This Mactan project is the company’s contribution to nation building, and will provide homes to lower-budget families. As for Bamboo Bay, the development will only continue to grow. “We are soon going to start construction on Bamboo Bay Tower 3, which will have more than the usual services that will continue to uphold the values we put in place.”
It’s women like Beverly who, by leveling the playing field, have contributed to the positive ranking the Philippines has gained in the world’s state of gender equality. At the rate she’s going, she’s heading no other way but up. For years, women have quietly guided the lives of men, and—contrary to what men may admit—have taken a place alongside them: from the mothers who rear them, to the wives that support them. It’s about time women have a voice, and through Beverly Dayanan’s example, it’s clear that this can definitely be done.
by Shari Quimbo creative director Melo Esguerra photography Robo Formacion hair and makeup Emi Ayag assistant Rhey Abella
Originally published in Zee Lifestyle December-January 2015
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FIONA KING. This urban space developer dares to challenge the norm of independent living with BLOQ Residences. (Originally published in Zee Lifestyle February 2015: Photography by Jan Gonzales/Makeup by Wenwen Zaspa/Maxi dress from Zara)
“Real estate is a creative outlet,” says Fiona King, the founder of RFK Holdings Inc. “I started in the field of building and selling houses. It later grew to developing pocket-sized communities. The development process was always something I enjoyed—collaborating and sharing ideas with architects, doing site visits and seeing the final state of the house being lived in.”
After several years and a portfolio of select projects, Fiona recently embarked on a dream project that is causing a significant stir in the market—the BLOQ Residences. Fiona narrates that the concept of BLOQ Residences started when she asked her office staff where they lived. “I found out that most of them were renting,” she recalls. “This was when I decided to challenge myself to come up with a product that can fill the need for living space, which you can own paying with your rent money.” This philosophy led to BLOQ Residences’ too simple and powerful catchphrase, ‘Why rent when you can own?’
“We saw a need for young professionals to find an urban home that is safe, accessible, and something they can proudly call their own,” explains Fiona. BLOQ is an aspiration of the first-time property buyer who wants a home that feels just right for his lifestyle—nothing stiff, grand, or pretentious; but is not too small, too far, or just largely compromised. “It’s important because real estate ownership, in my opinion, is one of the best forms of investments. It appreciates through time and it is tangible. Through BLOQ Residences, we hope that we can give Cebu’s working population the opportunity to invest in real estate. With BLOQ’s price points and payment schemes, we’ve proven to the market that with creative thinking, real estate investment need not be capital-intensive.”
“We hope to raise the bar for real estate communities that are highly livable, personality-focused, and conversation-worthy.” – Fiona King, Zee Lifestyle February 2015 (Photography by Jan Gonzales/Makeup by Wenwen Zaspa/Pantsuit by Oj Hofer/’Constellation’ watch by Omega)
BLOQ Residences honors the new market’s inclination towards DIY home decorating projects, in the spirit of social media sites such as Pinterest and Tumblr. Future residents can customize their units from the moment you enter the front door—literally. “We start with letting our buyers choose the color of the doors. We strongly felt that giving this option inspires them to make their space uniquely their own,” states Fiona, who is a huge fan of tasteful design, especially in the fields of architecture and furniture.
Beyond the front door, BLOQ bypasses the standard practice of defining all the spaces in the unit, opting instead for an open layout design to maximize usage. “Our central concept of universal space also embraces the market’s want to personalize their units. Your own BLOQ is meant to be your personal space. This is then up to you on how you would like to accessorize it, as you would with jewelry or clothes,” says Fiona.
BLOQ Residences keeps things simple for their buyers by offering just two types of units. The studio units are designed to be comfortable on its own, while giving people who seek more space the option to combine units. On the other hand, the loft units have high floor-to-ceiling heights, with the main level designed to be the living area while reserving the loft level as a more private space. “I’m pleasantly surprised by the market’s enthusiasm for our loft units. I guess the layout just brings out the kid in us wanting to climb up our bunk beds.”
“We saw a need for young professionals to find an urban home that is safe, accessible, and something they can proudly call their own.” – Fiona King, Zee Lifestyle February 2015 (Photography by Jan Gonzales/Makeup by Wenwen Zaspa/Matching set by Harlan+Holden)
What makes BLOQ Residences unique is, considering its target market, it’s a balance of space and cost. Fiona believes that BLOQ Residences is able to deliver on its price points because of the size it offers. Amenities are stripped down to the basic necessities to minimize monthly dues. “We hope to raise the bar for real estate communities that are highly livable, personality-focused, and conversation-worthy,” she says.
Fiona, a Mass Communications graduate and currently taking up her Masters degree in Real Estate Management, is married to Richard Ray King, a Civil Engineer and the Managing Director of King Properties and RDAK Land. At first, Fiona was raising their three children and doing build-and-sell on the side, which is something she’s very passionate about.
“I believe there is something magical about developing homes,” she shares. “What started out as an idea that gets drawn on paper, eventually gets built and then finally becomes a home. What starts out as an idea becomes tangible through the collaborative efforts of our architects, engineers and contractors.”
Considering that, real estate was a natural direction. “Our dad Ric is a very active real estate investor. Dad is really a forward thinker with his choices of projects in real estate: residential subdivisions, condominiums, a memorial park and industrial parks. We are very fortunate to be guided by his business sense and experience. Our family has been very patient and supportive of our endeavors,” says Fiona, who serves as the first vice-president of the Philippine Association of Real Estate Board-Cebu Real Estate Board (PAREB-CEREB).
“Through BLOQ Residences, we hope that we can give Cebu’s working population the opportunity to invest in real estate.” – Fiona King, Zee Lifestyle February 2015 (Photography by Jan Gonzales/Makeup by Wenwen Zaspa/Cape blouse by Patty Ang/Jeans from Levi’s/’Speedmaster Chronograph’ watch from Omega)
As BLOQ Residences gains momentum, Fiona admits that she no longer has the luxury of time. When asked how she separates her working relationship from her marriage, she answers that she makes it a point to meet her husband for lunch for some quality time; they talk about what they want to do and their plans together. Evenings and weekends are usually reserved for the children, although sometimes they also make work a family affair. “On weekends, we take the children with us to the site, to check on the construction.” Fiona shares that their eldest daughter Renoa is their litmus test. “When she says, ‘Mommy, it’s so beautiful!’ it gets sold. She appreciates.”
More than anything, what inspires Fiona is their children. “My children are my driving force. We work hard so that they can pursue whatever they want in life,” she shares. “We want to give them the best opportunities. Our condition for the kids is, if you want to be an artist, if you want to be a singer, you might as well be the best at what you want to do.”
“Same for RFK Holdings,” she concludes. “We might be a small developer, but in the aspect of the niche we are catering to, we want to be the best.”
BLOQ UNBLOCKED
What is BLOQ Residences?
BLOQ Residences are affordable modern residential developments meant to address the rising need for a place to live in the city. BLOQ provides residential spaces which are strategically priced to equal an average person’s rent money. More than anything, BLOQ is a lifestyle. It is an answer to the evolving needs of our modern lives. BLOQ is a solution for young professional to balance work and everything else in life.
WHO is BLOQ’s target market?
BLOQ is for the young, inspired, and hardworking Cebuanos who are finally coming into their own.
HOW big is a unit at BLOQ? And what does it come with?
There are two (2) types of units for BLOQ: STUDIO and LOFT. With much consideration for the needs of our modern lifestyle, STUDIO units are designed to be 18 sqm, while the LOFT units are to be 27 sqm. Maximizing on value and flexibility, BLOQ’s units are delivered with a fitted out bathroom, kitchen counter top, painted walls, and straight to finish concrete floors. Each unit owner is encouraged to personalize their space unique to their tastes and preferences, starting with a choice to pick the color of their door.
BLOQ Residences recently unveiled its news brand ambassador, Divine Maitland-Smith. Divine represents the uniqueness and individuality that BLOQ offers to the young and hardworking Cebuanos.
What amenities does BLOQ have?
BLOQ is unique. Because of the market it is for, it is a balance of space and cost. Decorative features are forgone in order to maximize on utility. In order to lessen the burden of monthly expenses to maintain the buildings, amenities are narrowed down to the essentials such as parking areas, laundry areas, janitorial services and security services.
WHERE are BLOQ’s projects located?
BLOQ developments are always conveniently placed in locations that are close to Cebu’s urban centers. Primary considerations are ease of public transport, safety, and overall livability.
- BLOQ Talamban: 8-storey, 126 units, turnover on 2Q 2016
- BLOQ Banawa: 16-storey, 148 units, turnover on 4Q 2017
- BLOQ Sikatuna: 16-storey, 161 units, turnover on 4Q 2017
- BLOQ Plaridel: 8-storey, 133 units, turnover on 2Q 2017
What makes BLOQ different from other residential developments?
VALUE. Most residential condominiums have been primed as an investment. The current market offerings are priced and packaged to be attractive for people looking for a property to earn a recurring income on or as a tool to hedge against inflation. BLOQ, however, is packaged and priced to be a development where the buyers themselves will live in their investment. BLOQ advocates for young professionals to invest in themselves. Instead of paying for rent, which is an expense, why not buy your own space using your rent money and having to enjoy all the benefits of real estate investment, in particular, value appreciation.
BLOQ RESIDENCES SHOWROOM
2F GND Complex, F. Cabahug St.
Panagdait, Mabolo, Cebu City
6332. 260-8099 | 63. 998 965 8115
website | Facebook | Instagram

by Patty Taboada sittings editor Shari Quimbo photography Jan Gonzales styling Blaq Mafia makeup Wenwen Zaspa production assistant Bea Prospero locale Bloq Residences Showroom
Originally published in Zee Lifestyle February 2015
]]>Fiona King graces the cover of Zee Lifestyle’s February 2015 – Real Estate issue
On the cover is urban space developer Fiona King. As the visionary behind BLOQ Residences, she talks about fulfilling her advocacy of encouraging the young, ambitious and independent Cebuano to invest in real estate.
Joining Fiona are Cebu Landmasters’ Franco Soberano, Duros Land Properties’ Rafaelito Barino, Grand Land’s Ryan Bernard Go, Majestic Legacy Home Development’s Jessica Lua, and Richard Ray, Kenneth Raymund and Jason King of King Properties. As the people behind Cebuano-run and owned real estate companies, these hometown heroes discuss the current construction boom in the city and how their local connection affects the way they do business.
This month, Zee Lifestyle also explores some of the most beautiful homes in Cebu by traveling all the way to a beach villa in Carmen, as well as a family country home in Ilihan.
With the continuously evolving status of real estate in Cebu, one issue that has risen up in consequence is the state of traffic in the city. Zee Lifestyle takes a closer look one of the possible solutions to this problem: the Cebu BRT.
Read all these and more in the Real Estate issue, out this month. Grab your copies of Zee Lifestyle’s February 2015 issue at National Bookstore and Fully Booked. For subscriptions, visit http://res210.servconfig.com/~zee/ or download the Magzter app on your mobile device and search for ‘Zee Lifestyle’.
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