Ty-owned GT Capital Holdings Inc. and its property arm, Federal Land Inc. donated 4,000 doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine to the local government of General Trias, Cavite last October 1, as part of their commitment to support the government’s vaccination program to mitigate the spread of COVID-19.

“We strive to be an inclusive business by fostering holistic growth and development, not only for the benefit of our people, but also for the good of the communities we serve. We are also able to achieve this by partnering with LGUs as they push further various programs that promote health and well-being, as well as national recovery during these challenging times,” said GT Capital vice chairman and Federal Land chairman Alfred Ty. The partnership also aims to facilitate the gradual re-opening of the economy.

(L-R) Nathaniel Cabungcal, Federal Land property administration head; Stephen Comia, GT Capital first VP and head of Poperty Management; Carmelo Bautista, GT Capital president; Alfred Ty, GT Capital vice chairman and Federal Land chairman; Mayor Antonio Ferrer of General Trias; Rep. Luis Ferrer IV (Cavite sixth district); Vice Mayor Maurito Sison of General Trias; Councilor Kristine Barison of General Trias; and Jonathan Luseco, city health officer of General Trias.

Federal Land is present in General Trias, Cavite with a property development project, Florida Sun Estates, and an upcoming 600-hectare master planned estate, Riverpark.

Read more: Property Report

Grand Central Park in North Bonifacio Global City.

NY-inspired masterplanned community

Federal Land Inc. (FLI) strengthens its offerings to provide its residents with a living experience like no other amid the pandemic.

One of its projects is Grand Central Park (GCP) in North Bonifacio Global City in Taguig is a 10-hectare master-planned community that provides life and convenience to residents.

Patterned after New York City, GCP is home to exclusive contemporary residences, various dining destinations, and retail and lifestyle hubs. It is masterfully planned with excellent architecture, stylish interiors, modern finishes and a wide array of amenities that provide unique spaces while ensuring well-balanced lifestyle for residents.

“These are unusual times. And with developments such as GCP, we are able to offer personal and holistic growth to our residents even at a time when moving and living fully seem difficult. We bring their needs closer to them, safely and securely, while still having options to enjoy the little things in life, from exercise spots to food and shops, among many others,” said Federal Land Sales group head Margarita Saenz-Resurreccion.

GCP sits at the crossroads of two progressive cities, Taguig and Makati. Makati City is the country’s foremost central business district filled with office towers and shopping malls.

While Taguig City’s BGC is a financial and lifestyle district known for its modern skyscrapers, upscale shopping, and museums.

GCP is also easily accessible via BGC-Ortigas Road Link, the Metro Manila Subway System, BGC-NAIA Bus Rapid Transit System, and the Guadalupe-BGC Skytrain.

Grand Central Park community features the five-star hotel Grand Hyatt Manila; the luxury Grand Hyatt Manila Residences; five premium residential towers Madison Park West, Park West, Central Park West, Time Square West, and Park Avenue; the Japanese-inspired residences The Seasons Residences, and the country’s first MITSUKOSHI.

Read more: Malaya Business Insight

The timeless simplicity of Japanese weave will highlight the unique living experience at the soon-to-rise Grand Midori Ortigas, the latest development of Federal Land.

The two-tower residential development will house 782 units in four different configurations.

The versatile weave concept will be brought to life by Tange and Associates, the Japanese architecture firm responsible for Tokyo Olympics structures like the Yoyogi National Stadium in 1964 and the Tokyo Aquatics Centre in 2020. They also designed the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building, Jadescape in Singapore, and The Grand Midori Makati

Founded by Kenzo Tange, the 1987 Pritzker Laureate, the firm is known for combining traditional Japanese artistry with modern perspectives. His son, Paul Noritaka Tange is the current chairman and principal architect.

Recently, the younger Tange led a forum hosted by Federal Land together with local architects to discuss the “Synergy of Culture and Design” in Japanese architecture. The discussion focused on the significance of culture and environment in modern design, and how they challenge existing boundaries.

Tange and Associates has over 400 projects in more than 35 countries, successfully merging the Japanese creative elements into towering structures worldwide.

Stylish living at the Grand Midori Ortigas will be defined by the pattern of the aforementioned interlacing fibers. “The simplicity of the weave gives a welcoming gesture, this is our inspiration,” explained Architect Paul Tange, adding that the design team has studied the concept from all levels – the urban scale, the architecture scale, down to the human scale.

But while the intricate pattern will be a show-stopper, the renowned architect emphasized the quality of life behind the massive structure. “What is important is the life behind the façade.”

Read more: Manila Standard

(L-R) Nathaniel Cabungcal, FLI Property Administration Head; Stephen Comia, GT Capital First VP and Head of Property Management; Carmelo Maria Luza Bautista, GT Capital President; Alfred V. Ty, GT Capital Vice Chairman and FLI Chairman; Mayor Antonio Ferrer of General Trias; Congressman Luis Ferrer IV, Cavite 6th District Representative; Vice Mayor Maurito Sison of General Trias; Councilor Atty. Kristine Barison of General Trias; and Dr. Jonathan Luseco, City health officer of General Trias.

GT Capital Holdings, Inc. and its property arm, Federal Land, Inc. donated 4,000 doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine to the local government of General Trias, Cavite on October 1, 2021. The initiative forms part of their commitment to support the government’s vaccination program to mitigate the spread of Covid-19.

“We strive to be an inclusive business by fostering holistic growth and development, not only for the benefit of our people, but also for the good of the communities we serve. We are also able to achieve this by partnering with LGUs as they push further various programs that promote health and well-being, as well as national recovery during these challenging times,” said GT Capital Vice Chairman and Federal Land Chairman, Mr. Alfred V. Ty. The partnership also aims to facilitate the gradual re-opening of the economy.

Federal Land is present in General Trias, Cavite with a property development project, Florida Sun Estates, and an upcoming 600-hectare master planned estate, Riverpark.

Read more: Business Mirror

There is great uncertainty even in architecture

A NEW LEGEND IS BORN Paul Tange, chairman and principal architect of Tange Associates

“The pandemic has changed our environment, the way we work, and live. It negated everything. Our lifestyle altered,” stressed the chairman of Tange Associates Paul Noritaka Tange, in our tête–à–tête a couple of hours before his educational design forum last month. One might say that we are at the mercy of COVID-19, but Paul along with other Filipino architects has set out to find design solutions catered to address the challenges of the times.

First, more on Paul. Some know him as the son of architecture legend Kenzo Tange, one of the most significant architects of the 20th century famous for designing the Yoyogi National Gymnasium for the 1964 Tokyo Olympics, and for winning the 1987 Pritzker Prize. But Paul is beyond his lineage. A Harvard graduate, he is the head of the world-renowned architectural firm Tange Associates. As if a family tradition, Paul too has designed a Tokyo Olympic venue, particularly the Tokyo Aquatics Center for the 2021 Tokyo Olympics. That is just one of the many landmark buildings he and his multi-awarded company have worked on—around 400 projects in 35 countries.

“Our [Tange Associates] architecture is not about making buildings, but creating spaces for people to gather. We create gathering places. And since we cannot gather because of the pandemic, we have to reinvent the way we design,” says Paul. “I do not have an answer [to designing a COVID-proof facility], but that’s why we have forums like this. We need to have discussions.”

Read more: Manila Bulletin

Japanese rock garden The layout is influenced by Zen Buddhist philosophy, which is conducive for relaxing the mind. PHOTO SOURCE: WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

IN the purview of architecture and even interior design, each culture has its own unique way of designing structures, which is a reflection of its identity. If there is one culture whose architectural style has become popular not only in its own country, but in the world, it would be the Japanese.

The Japanese have earned a reputation for their aesthetics and unique approach to design. Consistent with the philosophy based on Zen Buddhism, these are characterized by the use of natural materials, minimalist themes and eschewing the very elaborate and favoring simplicity. The Japanese style has become in demand by those seeking clutter-free yet elegant spaces.

While preserving their traditions and old ways, the Japanese are open-mined in as far as welcoming innovation is concerned. They have managed to combine old ways with modern ones without completely removing their Japanese identity, most especially with regards to spaces, which they never compromised.

In a virtual forum organized by Federal Land Inc. last September, Paul Noritaka Tange, chairman and principal architect of Tange Associates discussed his firm’s process of incorporating Japanese culture in modern style.

“We cannot use the typical temple architecture into modern architecture so, what we do is we try to understand, we interpret the Japanese culture in architecture to create something modern and new,” he noted.

Architects stress need to design for people
There are some reasons why Japanese architecture continues to have an appeal among design enthusiasts, including those living outside Japan.

First, Japanese architecture is in harmony with nature. Japanese architecture makes use of natural materials such as wood, sand, straw and paper. The Japanese believe that nature can induce peaceful emotions that can allow one to meditate as a way of removing stress from one’s hectic lifestyle. This is very evident in their rock gardens. The simple and plain design and layout — using mostly gravel and sand with rocks and some vegetation — promotes a sense of tranquility, making one forget all their troubles, even for a moment.

Read more: The Manila Times

Property developer Federal Land Inc. (FLI) is building a mixed-use community called Grand Central Park (GCP) in North Bonifacio Global City in Taguig.

The 10-hectare master-planned community is home to exclusive contemporary residences, various dining destinations, and retail and lifestyle hubs.

“These are unusual times. And with developments such as GCP, we are able to offer personal and holistic growth to our residents even at a time when moving and living fully seem difficult,” said Federal Land Sales group head Margarita Saenz-Resurreccion.

Strategically located at North Bonifacio Global City, GCP sits at the crossroads where two progressive cities converge–Taguig City and Makati City.
The development features the five-star hotel Grand Hyatt Manila; the luxury Grand Hyatt Manila Residences; five premium residential towers Madison Park West, Park West, Central Park West, Time Square West, and Park Avenue; the Japanese-inspired residences The Seasons Residences, and the country’s first Mitsukoshi.

Read more: Manila Standard

Photo credits to: Mark Villar

MANILA, Philippines — President Duterte yesterday led the inauguration of the Bonifacio Global City-Ortigas Center Road Link project, which is expected to improve the movement of people and goods between the two major business centers in Metro Manila.

Duterte said the project would help ease traffic congestion along major thoroughfares in the metropolis and reduce travel time between Ortigas and BGC in Taguig from one hour to only 12 minutes.

“This project marks another milestone in the government’s Build, Build, Build program and is vital in achieving a safe, time-efficient and fast travel among motorists in Metro Manila and nearby areas,” Duterte said.

“We welcome this infrastructure development at a time when we are gradually recovering from the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Indeed, this achievement will provide substantial and long-lasting benefits to businesses, motorists and the public,” he added.

Duterte ordered the Department of Public Works and Highways and other agencies to synergize their effort toward the completion of other infrastructure projects.

“With less than a year left in my term, we cannot afford to waste time and resources as we fulfill our promise of a more responsive public works across the country,” he said.

“To my fellow Filipinos, let me assure you of my administration’s commitment to pursue a more comfortable life for every Filipino through reliable infrastructure that will improve mobility and productivity,” Duterte added.

Read more: Philstar

Artist’s perspective of the Grand Central Park in BGC, Taguig City

People have realized the importance of living forward in spaces that will still allow them to live life to the fullest, even in the comforts of their homes.

An article published in the World Economic Forum shared that people “need a ‘multi-place’ life to be fully human, and real estate is critical to meeting that.

This realization could reshape the wav we design our workplaces, hotels, retail, schools, and cities.”

This may be the reason why mixed-use developments are shining brighter these days. Colliers International Philippines also pointed out that the COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the need to be in a m aster-planned community where residents have convenient access to essential goods and services, shorter commute time to workplaces, and spaces for community gathering.

For property developer Federal Land Inc. (FLI), this remains as one of its motivations to strengthen its offerings to provide residents with a living experience like no other.

One of its mixed-used communities is the Grand Central Park (GC’P) in North Bonifacio Global City in Taguig. Patterned after New York City, this 10-hectare master-planned community provides life and convenience amid the ongoing pandemic.

Read more: Philippine Star

The Japanese are known to be sensible, simple and minimalist. These characteristics are epitomized in their famous Zen philosophy which also promotes relaxation ways to cope with the rigors of daily living.

No wonder many designers, building and home owners adopt the Zen philosophy in their edifices and homes respectively. Moreover, Zen also spells success as personified by multi-titled NBA Coach Phil Jackson.

Architect Paul Noritaka Tange talks about the notable projects of his firm, Tange Associates and their collaboration with Federal Land

Just like Jackson, Federal Land Inc. is also adopting the Zen philosophy to its Midori Grand Hotel Ortigas project. It is logical for Federal Land to bring Zen because it will not only bring success to the organization but also deliver a serene atmosphere to neutralize the hustle and bustle of the city right in the heart of Metro Manila.

World famous Tokyo-based architecture firm Tange Associates will be project’s design consultant with GF & Partners Architects as Architect-of-Record, to add local perspective to the project.

Tange Associates Chairman Paul Noritaka Tange, son of iconic Japanese architect Kenzo Tange, told participants in a recent webinar that he is carrying the torch for his late father in interpreting Japanese style into architecture.

Tange stressed the Zen style does not promote flamboyance. “It’s not ‘me-me’ structures that want to stand out in an environment,” he said.

Read more: Business Mirror