Quezon Institute land deal needs historical body's OK

(The main building of the Quezon Institute which houses the offices of the Phil. Tuberculosis Society Inc., QI operator. The building was designed by National Artist Architect Juan Nakpil.)

THE much-coveted Quezon Institute (QI) property along E. Rodriguez Avenue in Quezon City will cost Ayala Land Inc. (ALI) at least P2.3 billion.

ALI has expressed interest in the lot, eyeing a mixed-use development for the area, meaning residential buildings, corporate offices and commercial establishments.

But before the QI property can be sold, the transaction has to be cleared first with the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP), its officials stressed. Built in the 1930s, Quezon Institute’s main building was designed by architect Juan F. Nakpil, a national artist.

Antonino Aquino, president of Ayala Land, told the BusinessMirror in a text message: “We are interested in properties of this scale in this part of Quezon City.”

In a separate, chance interview, Jan Bengzon, ALI assistant vice president for external affairs, confirmed: “We’ve been interested in that property for the longest time for a mixed-use development.”

The 6.5-hectare QI property is owned by the Philippine Tuberculosis Society Inc. (PTSI), which earlier had sold a portion of the lot at the corner of Araneta Avenue and E. Rodriguez Avenue, to Puregold, where a supermarket now stands.

It is the same property where the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office also used to hold office until its management felt that its building was structurally unsafe.

Based on the latest zonal values of the Bureau of Internal Revenue, the QI property is worth about P35,000 per square meter as it may be considered a commercial area already and is located beside a main road.

Possibly, P2.3 billion
Real-estate brokers consulted by the BusinessMirror though said the price of the entire lot could even exceed P2.3 billion since there are “improvements” on the property, or buildings.

So a similar property in the area, like a commercial building, could go as high as P75,000 per sq m. Thus, the QI property could be worth even close to P5 billion.

In an interview, architect Wilkie de Lumen of the NHCP’s Historic Preservation Division said: “With the new Heritage Law, or Republic Act 10066, [the QI property] is automatically protected, more so that its building was designed by architect Nakpil, a national artist. It is considered a national treasure and any sale or improvements [must pass through NHCP] even if it is privately owned.”

(This building on the right corner of the QI property used to house the offices of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office until its management decided it was no longer structurally unsound. The National Historical Commission of the Philippines said the PCSO did not seek the agency’s permission to drill into the building and assess its integrity. This building is estimated at older than 50 years and thus protected by national heritage laws.)

He added the same law prescribes “penalties if owners neglect the historical property, or any improvements are not properly coordinated with the NHCP.” Article XVIII of the law on penal provisions enumerates violations, such as destruction, demolition, mutilation and damage of “any world heritage site, national cultural treasures, important cultural property and archaeological and anthropological sites;” as well as modification, alteration or destruction “of the original features or [construction] or real-estate development in any national shrine, monument, landmark and other historic edifices and structures, declared, classified and marked by the National Historical Institute as such, without the prior written permission from the commission.”

The same law adds that violators, upon conviction, would be fined not less than P200,000 or a prison term of not less than 10 years.

ALI’s Bengzon said if the property and its buildings are considered national historical landmarks, “then we can work around that. We can always preserve the buildings like what we’ve done with Nielson Tower.”

Built in 1937, the Nielson Tower in Makati City used to be an airport passenger terminal and control tower of the old Nielson airport, which was part of the Hacienda San Pedro Makati of the Zobel de Ayala family.

The airport was also the site of the United States Far East Air Force headquarters in World War II. The old terminal now houses the Filipinas Heritage Library. For his part, architect Reynaldo Inovero, chief of the NHCP’s HPD, said the commission will “write [the PTSI] and ask for any plans they might have [regarding the QI property]. We have to look at the engineering studies [on the proposed development] if these are feasible.”

(My story was originally published in the BusinessMirror on Jan. 12, 2011. Photos copyrighted Ma. Stella F. Arnaldo.)

Entrepreneurship 101 from Manny Villar

"Subdivisions in Las Piñas not owned by the Villars are celebrating. The reason, they are now freed from Villar's water company with the entry of Maynilad. Unfortunately for the people who live in Camella, they will have to continue paying for high water rates. Villar refused to allow Maynilad to service his subdivisions. Maynilad's rates are way below what Villar's water company charges its subscribers. He clearly does know how to put his interests above that of the public." (Read more here. Repost from Manolo)

Sipag, tiyaga, at manggulang ng kapwa. Yan si Manny Villar.

God didn't have anything to do w/ the Ondoy tragedy

THE flooding from Typhoon Ondoy happened, because of poor urban planning and our polluted esteros. There were many victims from the flood, because the gov't was inept, and didn't mount any rescue efforts until it was too late. The typhoon happened, because typhoons are a natural occurence in this part of the world. It's intensity is blamed on Climate Change, again, not God's doing but ours. Our burning of fossil fuels contributes to global pollution and greenhouse gases.

No. The Ondoy tragedy happened not bec. God got mad as there are so many sinners in the Philippines. Our God is no longer of the Old Testament - an angry God - who sends great floods to cleanse the earth of bad people. Or turns sinners into pillars of salt.The God of the New Testament is a loving God. It is His continuing devotion to us - despite our trespasses - that has inspired many of us to help our brothers and sisters who've lost their family, friends, and homes bec. of Ondoy.

It is God who encourages us to be better Christians by loving our fellow men. This tragedy is an opportunity for us all to show Him why we are so deserving of his continuing affection.

* * * *
Here's an insightful piece about urban planning from PDI's Lifestyle section:

"If there is anything or anyone to be blamed for the flooding in Metro Manila, these are the inhabitants. Domestic garbage has obviously taken over the drainage system. We must learn to dispose of our garbage properly." (Click Don't blame God for the rest.)

On leaving home

I told Ignacio that the only times I truly regretted moving out of my parents' home was whenever I got sick. I mean, who doesn’t miss being cared for by Mama (or in my case, Lola), and having to be spoon-fed lugaw when you hardly have the appetite to eat? But even then, you eventually find someone else to tuck you in bed and feed you when you’re ill, or you can have your favorite Chinese restaurant deliver any congee combination available on their extensive menu. Hah! (Click Something Like Life for the rest.)

Commercial muna...

Kapitan Kidlat caught lying through his teeth. The smartest things he can only say is, "talk to my lawyer when he gets back from abroad," and "sue me." Under intense grilling, he shows himself as nothing but flippant, arrogant, and inarticulate. Even his mother will bop him on the head for this poor performance. Who the hell wrote his script anyway? Go back to acting school, hijo.





Dontcha just love Winnie Monsod?!?!

Meanwhile, check out Manolo Quezon's blog for more on Kidlat's Foster City home.

Finding your perfect space

Something Like Life
Nov. 15, 2008

TO continue our thoughts from last week....

Once you’ve made up your mind to actually move out of the parental units’ shelter, stick to your decision and try not to be swayed by your mother’s tears or your father’s bribes. (I have received the mother treatment.)

Getting past that sticky situation, it’s time to look for an actual place to live. You must have a clear idea in your mind what kind of home you want. Would it be a house? An apartment? A condominium unit? Are you going to share it or go at it solo?

Most people I know who’ve gone solo do so not only because of their need for privacy and independence, but also because they want to be near their offices. My girl cousins who live in Parañaque City, for instance, rent a condo just a few steps away from the school where they teach. (Click here for the rest.)

California dreaming

STRAIGHT from sunny California, we hear whisperings and hushed talk about a certain globe-trotting government VIP who recently went shopping at the Neiman Marcus Stanford outlet.

According to our sources, the VIP with two "blue ladies" and bodyguards in tow, was walking around looking at the merchandise, and by the end of the walkabout, more than $20,000 had been paid to Neiman Marcus for her purchases...IN CASH! ladies and gentlemen. Which is why Neiman Marcus staff couldn't help but talk about the VIP for days.

As you know, in the States, credit cards (or personal cheques) are most often used and anybody who pays in cash is, ahem, a bit suspect. (Well, you can't blame them really because even back here at home, that VIP is suspect as well.)

Ooh, and what were the purchases of this certain VIP? A fabulous fur-trimmed long leather coat from Loro Piana, a really luxe clothing line from Italy which uses cashmere and other expensive fabrics for its goods, and two Chanel bags. Mind you dahlings, even if Neiman's is on 40 percent off this time of the year, those goodies purchased by our beloved VIP certainly were not!

(Luv this cape from Loro Piana...mga $14,000 lang naman sa Neiman Marcus. Ngek.)

For the Loro Piana coat alone, the tag is something like $15,000 (I suspect its chinchilla trim with a cashmere lining, that's why it costs so much) and for the Chanel bags, about $2,000-$3,000 a pop.

Now lemme just talk about Loro Piana goods a bit, because I salivate at the thought of ever wearing one of their products. They are so fab, fab, fabulous! Starting out as wool traders in the 1800s, the company has grown into a mega super luxe clothing and interiors brand although its still more known for its specialty, cashmere fabrics and goods. Recent additions to its line are its bags and jorjeous boots! Hay! Gandah!

In fairview, this VIP has taste (or as my witty sources say, hindi sya ang me taste but ang personal shopper/wardrobe consultant nya! hahahaha!).

Anyhoo, the Neiman's ghels and gheys were all abuzz about the coat purchase of this VIP, not only because it was paid for in cash, but because ang init dito sa Pilipins! Where the eff! is she going to use it daw? And when she was in the States, it's also summer! Well, she does travel a lot because of her job and shempre pa, she has to be fashyon when she is around her fellow VIPs when they meet abroad.

Ang tanong ko lang, sa liit nya, bagay kaya sa kanya yung coat na 'yun? Hindi kaya sya malunod sa fur-trim? Oops! dead giveaway na ba ang clue na yan?

And as pangs would say, 'tangina naman, nagkalunod-lunod at namatay-matay ang mga passengers sa MV Princess of the Stars ng Sulpicio Lines, mega-shopping pa din ang lolah nyo, instead of coming right back home! (Although in fairview, as some want to point out, she didn't have NM closed naman, like you-know-who.) Da who itong VIP na itich?!

* * * *
Anyway where will she use her fur-trimmed leather coat? Well maybe she will use it during the wintry months when she will be spending her retirement in her villa in Spain. Ahahay! The family seems to be preparing for the worst, as in, when she no longer has her job, and a mob is out to get her, she and her family can easily escape! (Itong VIP na ito kasi, feel na feel mag-Castilla kaya she wants to live in Spain, kahit di sya true coño, at sa true lang, looking more like a tiyanak sya...hahaha! Am I starting to sound like Chikka Time? Ayan pinasara kasi e!)

You have to hand it to this VIP and her family, all their investments are in properties abroad. Straight from a government source's mouth ang chica na 'yan ha! Apparently, the family already owns numerous buildings around the Van Nuys Blvd. in L.A. Talk about money laundering!

When not in Spain, she can always visit her son (a failed entertainer), at his newly-purchased house in Foster City (sa true lang, ang hilig nila sa California...bagsak kasi ang property market dun). Si Mon Tulfo dati tanong ng tanong sa column nya ba't ang tagal-tagal daw nitong VIP son sa abroad. E kasi nga naman, nag-house hunting pa. Can you people guess where he got all his moolah to pay for his house, considering that his present government job doesn't really pay much?

(An aerial view of Foster City from Wikipedia)

Because of its location, our sources say, VIP son's house can't be lower than $1 million. After all, Foster City is an area where rich people in San Mateo County live. O dava! Kundi man sya naging superstar dito sa Pinas, at least superstar naman ang house nya sa States!

At eto pa! The son is still having his house renovated, and will put a smaller living area for his alalays at the back! Hwaw! ang laki ng backyard nya ha. Say nyo?! Cash rin kaya ang bayad nya sa property and renovations? Josh!

Just lemme get my hands on the exact address at i-Google Earth ko yan! Abangan.