How to make our homes more eco-chic

SAVOIR FAIRE by mayenne Carmona (The Philippine Star) Updated October 31, 2009 12:00 AM

The “mayor” of New Orleans: Brad Pitt in front of his environmentally friendly housing project in Hurricane Katrina-ravaged New Orleans.
| Zoom

Not too long ago, I attended a function in a private club at the Fort, Taguig, Rizal. Since Taguig does not have an ordinance to keep their establishments smoke-free, I was literally blown away by all the smokers around me. For fear of developing an asthma attack, I hastily beat a graceful exit even if I was still enjoying the event and the company of my friends. My battered lungs withstood the ordeal of breathing the polluted air around me during the hour I was there, but the following day, I woke up with a bloodshot left eye. I thought that the redness was caused by prolonged use of my contacts, but the condition persisted for several days.

On the third day, I decided to consult my ophthalmologist, and after some tests, he told me I had a severe allergy due to pollution. I was prescribed some eye drops and after faithfully applying it for a week, the redness disappeared. Then, a week after my eye was clear of the redness, I attended another function at the same club, but this time I did not stay too long. I left at the first signs of smoke getting in my eyes, but the next day, the same redness appeared on my left eye. Only then did I realize that my doctor’s diagnosis was infallible: I am allergic to smoke and polluted air.

Which brings to mind the recent global campaign launched on Sept. 1 to get individuals and organizations to reduce their emissions by 10 percent by 2010. A 10-percent emissions reduction, whether you live in a polluted city or in the countryside, could make significant changes on our health and in our lives.

For instance, we can start by doing simple things to reduce the amount of energy we consume on a daily basis and at the same time, save some money along the way.

When I left for a two-week sabbatical last month, I unplugged all my electrical appliances and electronics as they use up energy when they are plugged in, even if they are switched off. (The biggest culprit for me is my mobile phone charger — I leave it plugged in even when not in use.). During this time, my domestic staff went on their yearly acations. My electric bill went down considerably, so now I am igilant about unplugging all my electronics after I finish using them, e.g., hair dryer, Water Pik, TV, karaoke, computers, CD player, etc. I used to leave them plugged all the time, but not anymore. A good idea is to plug your electronics into an energy-efficient power strip, so at the end of the day, all you have to do is to flip one switch.

Here are other tips to help make our environment eco-friendly:

• Replace incandescent lights with fluorescent bulbs. They use 40 to 60 percent less power, reduce heat alues and last 10 times longer than the average bulb.

• Let us be conscious of our water consumption. Some of our rivers are emptying before nature can replenish them. We should check our homes for water leaks, shutting off faucets when not in use. Some people have this bad habit of letting the faucet flow the whole time they are brushing their teeth or running their shower five minutes before jumping into it. What a waste of water! If your budget allows it, install low-flow faucets, alves and energy-efficient washers.

• Neutralize your carbon footprint. You can do this by planting trees in your garden or putting leafy shrubs on your balcony (if you have one) to restore oxygen to the air.

• Reduce your paper waste by using recycled paper. Use recycled for your printers, your correspondence… you can even use recycled tissue paper in your bathrooms. Be stingy with your paper and use both sides if possible.

• Encourage family, friends, and coworkers to be more environmentally conscious in the food and drinks department. Recycle used bottles, tins, cartons and paper, or send them to organizations that know how to recycle them.

• Office owners should turn off their heat or ACs when employees leave the office. No need to heat or cool an empty building. Turn them on a half hour before employees arrive.

• Encourage neighbors or co-employees to begin carpools or use public transport like the MRT. Commuting today is not only costly but also bad for the environment.

Riding the MRT or carpooling will lessen the cars and toxic buses that ply the main thoroughfares, therefore reducing traffic.

• Architects and builders should be conscious of constructing with energy-friendly materials. They should check current standards for commercial properties to see how they can earn a green building certificate.

I admire world-famous celebrities who take active roles in championing worthwhile causes. They serve as role models to their fans, who tend to follow in their footsteps. Heartthrob Brad Pitt supported a competition held by Global Green USA for eco-friendly house designs during the reconstruction of New Orleans when Hurricane Katrina devastated it. Houses now under construction in New Orleans feature energy-saving appliances, cisterns and toilets designed for water conservation, soy-based insulation, paperless drywalls, solar-paneled roofs and non-toxic repellents for mold and termites.

To further emphasize his commitment, in 2006 Pitt narrated E2 Design, a six-part PBS program on environmentally friendly architecture. In it he said, “By employing the intelligence of natural systems we can create industry, buildings, even regional plans that see nature and commerce not as mutually exclusive but mutually co existing.”

Super-talented actor Leonardo DiCaprio is admirable in his crusade for the environment. Last year, DiCaprio launched his co-production Eco-Town with Discovery Channel, a TV series telling the story of a Kansas town devastated by a tornado in 2007 and set to be rebuilt as a model of green living. He is known as one of the most outspoken green celebs in Hollywood and as one who walks his talk in his daily life. For example, he takes commercial flights instead of chartering private jets, which use more fuel. He also drives a hybrid car and his house has solar panels.

There are many more world-class celebrities doing their share in making our world a better habitat for humans. Worth reading about are the green causes of Robert Redford, Darryl Hannah, Cate Blanchett, Edward Norton, Cameron Diaz, Alanis Morissette, Andre Agassi, and Bill Gates.

The ultimate life savers

(The Philippine Star) Updated October 31, 2009 12:00 AM

Trunk line: Around 500,000 forest and fruit trees are available at the Manila Seedling Bank Foundation nursery.

| Zoom

MANILA, Philippines - The two storms, Ondoy and Pepeng, which devastated the whole of Luzon, spared no one: rich and poor, famous and ordinary, young and old. Now people are beginning to realize how Mother Nature can get back at them for the abuses they commit against her.

Decades ago environmentalists had been warning about the massive destruction of forests worldwide, to give way to industrialization. Forests help produce the ozone layer, the earth’s natural shield against the sun. Now that most of the world’s raw forests are gone, the atmosphere is steadily getting warmer, further hastened and worsened by the chlorofluorocarbons, fossil fuels and other chemicals released by industries and transportation.

Freak weather changes are the result of the “greenhouse effect” brought on by an excess of carbon. When strong typhoons come, there are no more trees with roots to hold and store water underground and prevent erosion. Water, loose soil and rocks tumble down to lowlands, causing mudslides and floods.

Industrialization did not only harm our global climate, it also seduced many farmers and rural folks to leave their farms and give up their rustic lives for the promise of an “easy and comfortable” life in the city.

Because the city has little to offer these fortune-seeking emigrants, most of them end up as mendicants, squatters and even crime-doers living beside esteros, under bridges, near riverbanks and waterways. The overcrowding of the cities by the informal settlers aggravated the already worsening problem of waste disposal.

Since there are no more trees to hold water, prevent erosion and landslides, floods are inevitable. Rivers are clogged and can no longer let water flow out to sea. People must be prepared for more devastating storms in the near future. But there is still something that can be done to prevent disastrous floods.

Most important is addressing our waste disposal problem. Since our landfills are almost full, we must learn to segregate our garbage. Place biodegradable waste in compost pits to turn them into fertilizer. Recycle all non-biodegradable materials or reuse them. Better yet, avoid using them if possible and replace them with environmentally friendly materials. Refrain from using fossil fuels and chemically made products that emit carbon.

This is the message from the Manila Seedling Bank Foundation, Inc., which has continuously maintained that reforestation efforts should be taken seriously and a total log ban imposed for the next 25 or 35 years — the age of a mature tree. Based on experience, a mature tree six inches in diameter and chest height can absorb as much as 200 liters of water during rainy season and slowly disperse it during the dry months. Trees therefore are very important, most especially on mountains and in the city.

The MSBF also maintains that tree planting alone is only 10 percent of the whole process. Maintaining the tree meaning, watering, fertilization, and cultivation up to its maturity is 90 percent. Tree planting is not for picture-taking and publicity. What is important is what happens after the tree is planted, after the picture has been taken. A seedling left alone will perish if not nurtured properly. MSBF strongly opposes organizations and individuals who act as if they love the environment by having their picture taken planting a tree seedling, without any after-care. If 90 million Filipinos could be encouraged to plant a tree and take care of it, then many lives would be saved.

For more information, visit the MSBF website at www.msbfi.com, e-mail qualitytrees@msbfi.com, or call 924-0166, 470-0102, telefax 924-0166.

Filipinos still buying homes despite crisis: Experts share home-buying tips for starting families

Properties

Wednesday, 21 October 2009 20:08

WHEN Americans got a scare from the subprime-mortgage crisis, they stopped buying houses. But Filipinos, who have been sidestepping one crisis after another in the last two decades, have hardly missed a beat when it comes to fulfilling their dream to own a home. Home-buying trends show that housing sales have risen steadily in the face of several crises since the 1990s. Industry experts say demand is still high because of the huge housing backlog and the value Filipinos put in carving out space for themselves. This is also evident in the robust growth in bank lending to the real-estate sector, both for personal and commercial construction of houses. “In general, when you talk about Filipinos, there’s really a big, big desire to own a house,” says Antonio C. Moncupa, president of EastWest Banking Corp. “That’s what distinguishes us from the rest of Asia and other markets.” This means there are a lot of emotions involved when it comes to the home-buying decision of an average Filipino couple. Attention to quality and the “look and feel” of a home is important, says architect Roger Villarosa, because buying a home is like getting married. “Buying a house is one of the major investments you’ll ever make in your lifetime. So make sure you like the house you’re buying,” he adds. Filipinos’ love affair with homes has much to do with close family ties and the tendency to be homebodies. “We put more value in our own space. We want our houses to be nice and big because we want our children to live with us, and we love inviting other people to visit,” says Mr. Villarosa. “This is not as true in other cultures as in ours.” This is why space availability is a top-of-mind consideration for Filipino homebuyers. West Parc Condominiums, a 15-story project in Filinvest Alabang that Villarosa helped design, has ample space that matches every lifestyle—from newlyweds and growing families, to yuppies and retired couples who want to enjoy their golden years together in a smaller, more manageable household. Adjacent units can also be combined for people who prefer a more spacious home. Villarosa, who has designed a wide range of homes, says the Filipino real estate market has a wide variety of segments. These range from those who are looking for 30-square-meter homes to huge, very expansive and luxurious ones. “For Filinvest, I designed a variety of units that sold very quickly because of their good location at the right price,” says Villarosa. These are the main considerations buyers usually look for when buying a home. And rightly so, experts say choosing the right location matters because it has implications on two significant areas: quality of life and the resale value of the home. In fact, location is the main draw to The Entrata and Studio Two, which are just among the many vertical projects of the Filinvest Group. Occupying an entire block, Entrata enjoys a prime location: flanked by Festival Supermall and South Station, it’s also right smack on Filicity’s center of commerce and leisure which enjoys one of the highest property appreciations. The first of its kind in the South, Entrata integrates a business hotel, a commercial/retail center and a small office-home office concept in one development. Meanwhile, Studio Two is a 14-story residential condominium strategically located in Northgate Cyberzone, right in the heart of Filinvest Corporate City. The property is approximately a half-hour drive from the Makati Central Business District. Buying tips Homebuyers need not feel overwhelmed by the things they need to watch out for. Here are some experts’ tips to do it right: 1. Make sure you are buying from a reputable developer. Remember the real-estate bubble of the late 1990s when a lot of developers failed to deliver on their promises? The most important lesson from that bubble is: Stick with the developer you can trust. “There is a huge difference between, say, a name like Filinvest and Tacurong Development Corp.,” Moncupa quips. (Tacurong is a fictional name). As one of the country’s largest and most diverse developers, Filinvest has developed more than 2,000 hectares of land to fulfill the dreams of 100,000 families nationwide. This translates to seven dreams per day for the past 40 years—the reason the company describes itself as a “dream builder.” 2. Canvass mortgage-loan terms. “On anything that’s a major purchase, it is still best to make sure the mortgage-loan term is workable on the long term,” says Moncupa. For some, monthly amortization will be the center of concern; for some, interest rates. Generally, the lower the monthly mortgage payments, the higher the interest rates. 3. Take time to assess what you want versus what you can afford. “Life is all about estimating reality. Those who can estimate nearest to reality will be happier. Be sure you understand your true situation and that your income is consistent with your dreams,” Moncupa advises. What happens when you don’t? You may suffer from foreclosure. You should also balance between affordability and marketability of your house, so that if things get difficult financially, you can sell it at a higher price. 4. Plan ahead with the size of your family in mind. If you are a newly married couple, it may be more realistic to invest in a home where children can have a room of their own or ample space for them to run free. Consider buying a one- to two- bedroom unit rather than a studio type unit. 5. Pay close attention to lighting and ventilation. The standard size for windows is 1.2 x 1.2 meters. Ample-sized windows allow for good lighting and ventilation. “Good ventilation will help you reduce air-conditioning and lighting costs in the long term,” says Villarosa. 6. Be sure you check for antitermite treatment. “Termites can eat up your entire house in a year,” says Mr. Villarosa. Ask if there is soil poisoning in the area and make sure your new home is treated against voracious pests. 7. As much as possible, go for long-term, fixed home-lending rates. Moncupa says mortgage rates now among banks don’t vary much, and if these rates will go up in the future, they will not be far from the 8-percent to 9-percent rate banks currently charge. However, to avoid being hurt by sudden market volatility caused by unforeseen financial upheavals, go for long-term fixed rates. Home loans are good debt; they give you a good place to stay, as well as equity in an asset that you can sell in the future. “Don’t look at your house only as fulfillment of your dreams, but also as savings,” says Mr. Moncupa. 8. Shop around for mortgage-redemption insurance. A few know that it is against Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas regulations for banks to require their borrowers to get mortgage redemption insurance (MRI)— insurance that protects the bank in case the borrower dies—from the bank itself. So shop around because the premium rates for MRI vary widely among banks, and if you find the rates steep, don’t be shy to ask for a discount. 9. Put your family in mind. Don’t just go for the cheaper alternative. Always have your family’s interest at heart when you buy a home. Offer them peace of mind in a home they can also love and embrace as their own. Here’s the best tip of all: Whatever you do, think carefully and objectively. Take your time. Doing this right will help you truly enjoy the home of your dreams.

Start-up businesses may cut costs with this ‘office’

Properties

Written by Rizal R. Reyes / Correspondent

Wednesday, 28 October 2009 18:20

HAVING a power address is one of the elements in building a business. However, companies such as start-ups experience difficulties in getting a power address primarily because of the cost. With the entry of CEO Suite, the problem of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) getting a prestigious address is not a problem anymore with the emergence of providers such as CEO Suite. Emmylou Llanes, director of CEO Suite, said SMEs have become more knowledgeable in utilizing their operating requirements by enlisting companies engaged offering of a managed office facility. “Now, they understand the value of a managed office facility, especially the savings they can possibly have if they switch from having their own office they manage on their own,” said Llanes in an interview with the BusinessMirror. Llanes said the business model CEO Suite as a one-stop office solution provider offering low-cost offices at prestigious location complemented by excellent service suits the SMEs very fine. Aside from the SMEs, Llanes said multinational companies that are downsizing or even local companies which are aware of the value for money provided by a managed office remain important markets for CEO Suite. “More and more start-up businesses also subscribe to our Virtual Office, which provides them facilities available from only P2,600 a month,” she said. “Business-process outsourcing companies, too, in their start-up phase usually use our facilities while they are recruiting and fitting out their conventional space; aside from our regular clients, who use our videoconferencing and meeting facilities from time to time,” Llanes added. As far as savings is concerned, Llanes said a locator can achieve savings of up to 78 percent. Llanes added CEO Suite saves money on facility costs upon enlisting, because they’re not required just to pay one monthly fee for the duration of their agreement. Locators don’t have to worry about the facilities, as these are already in place, inclusive of furniture, IT and telephone. Common areas are shared: reception, meeting room, pantry. Clients pay only for the administrative support services they use. Clients only pay one bill in one month, no need to worry about utilities, maintenance, general office administration. Plus, the offer of flexibility, they can only commit to the term which makes sense for their business, even just for one week, or one year. Llanes said CEO Suite attracts companies of all sizes, from start-up companies, setting up branch, representative offices, companies which require overflow or regional work. CEO Suite has offices in Jakarta, Manila, Shanghai, Beijing, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur and Bangkok. In addition to managing a company’s business correspondences, CEO Suite has telephone-answering services, fax and personalized e-mail facilities, and ensures that all mails and calls are attended to, and processed according to the client’s instructions and preferences, at all times, wherever he goes.

Go ahead and enjoy life

(The Philippine Star) Updated October 30, 2009 12:00 AM

| Zoom

MANILA, Philippines - Humans being social beings, we devote a considerable number of hours in a week meeting up with family and friends—in malls to shop together and catch up over coffee, in restaurants to enjoy convivial chatter over a scrumptious repast, in after-hours hubs to let our hair down and relax.

Of course, between our professional and social activities, a good chunk of our time is forever lost in the traffic in Metro Manila, which most of us have come to grudgingly accept as part of life in this busy, sprawling metropolis. The time we would like to spend enjoying the company of those we hold dear are compromised in the hours lost to traffic.

Given this reality, it is no surprise that those in the market to build their home in Quezon City are excited over premier property developer Robinsons Land Corp.’s new mixed-use development in that quaint pocket of the city.

At the corner of Hemady and N. Domingo Streets in New Manila, Quezon City, will soon rise The Magnolia Residences, the company’s latest four-tower, high-rise residential condominium project. “This new vertical residential development will greatly appeal to young couples and start-up families who have always made Quezon City their home, and are looking to either upgrade from their current rental or establish their own home after living with their parents,” says Robinsons Land senior vice president for sales and marketing Raoul E. Littaua. “As with all of the company’s residential developments, this offers plenty of features that will delight the future homeowners, including swimming pools for children and adults, Zen gardens, jogging paths, game rooms, multi-purpose rooms, children’s indoor and outdoor playgrounds, library and fitness centers, among others.”

Adding superb value to living in The Magnolia Residences is the fact that this mixed-use development includes a retail component within the master-planned community, to be known as Magnolia Town Square. Robinsons Land is, of course, also the company behind Robinsons Malls, and the town square will soon be home to established brands in food, retail and services, along with specialty shops that will pique the various lifestyle interests and inclinations of future homeowners — from chic cafes where one could spend a lazy afternoon with a good book, to restaurant-bars where one could gather with friends for a bit of impromptu after-hours fun, to famous apparel stores for the latest fashion must-haves. Of course this being a Robinsons Land development, the various in-house brands that have made the Robinsons Malls avidly patronized, including Robinsons Department Store, Robinsons Supermarket, and Handyman Do-It-Best, will make the retail mix even more interesting.

To know more about The Magnolia Residences, call 397-0101, 0922-838-0888 or visit http://www.robinsonsresidences.com/. For mall inquiries, contact 397-1888, locals 804 & 179 or email to lai.vasquez@robinsonsland.com.