Over the past decade, the Bay Area of Pasay City has blossomed into the exciting Entertainment City. Bay Area offers plenty of ways to entertain. Whether you are looking to enjoy yourself, family or friends, the Bay Area has it and more. Here is a quick list of 10 fun things to do in Bay Area.

Picnic at the Igarden

Devote a wholesome fun afternoon in the park for the whole family at the gardens of Six Senses Residences. Play Frisbee with your dog or teach your kids how to fly a kite, and then enjoy a picnic lunch – there are many ways to Sunday at the lush iGarden.

Location: Six Senses Residences, Metro Bank Ave, Pasay, Metro Manila

Walk Your Dog at Metro Park

With its wide green grass field and pet-friendly policies, the Metro Park is one of the best places to bring our furry friends for a romp in the park. Blue Bay Walk in Metro Park is also one of the few malls that hosts various pet events and allows them inside the shopping mall.

Location: Metro Bank Ave, Pasay, Metro Manila
Mall Hours: Sunday to Thursday 11:00AM-10:00PM, Friday to Saturday 11:00AM-11:00PM

Watch the Sun Set at Manila Bay

In contrast with the hustle and bustle of the metropolis, the quiet beauty of setting sun at Manila Bay presents a soothing sight to the denizens. Stroll along the Baywalk of Roxas Boulevard for the best view of the world famous sunset.

Location: Baywalk, Roxas Boulevard, Metro Manila

Shop And Dine At Blue Bay Walk

With quaint shopping galleries and a wide grass field, Blue Bay Walk is very different from other malls in Metro Manila. Blue Bay Walk is a lifestyle hub where you can find a fusion of authenticity, relaxation, and indulgence. Pamper yourself with the latest fashion trends or delectable meals without the worries of overcrowding.

Location: Macapagal Boulevard corner EDSA Extension, Pasay
Mall Hours: Sunday to Thursday 11:00AM-10:00PM, Friday to Saturday 11:00AM-11:00PM

Test Drive a Car at Toyota Manila Bay

Car enthusiasts should not miss visiting the Toyota Manila Bay. One of the largest car dealership in the country, Toyota Manila Bay’s showroom exhibits bestselling passenger cars, commercial vehicles, rugged 4x4s, environmental-friendly hybrids and performance racing car, GT 86.

Location: Roxas Boulevard corner EDSA Extension, Pasay
Hours: Monday to Saturday 9:00AM-7:00PM, Sunday 9:00AM-5:30PM

Say a Prayer at Baclaran Church

When in need of divine guidance or spiritual solace, try visiting the Baclaran Church. The Baclaran Church or the National Shrine of Our Mother of Perpetual Help is the biggest shrine in the world dedicated to Our Mother of Perpetual Help. Devotion to Our Mother of Perpetual Help is popular amongst Filipino Catholics, with devotees flocking to the Church every Wednesday. Thus, Wednesdays are popularly called “Baclaran day” in Manila.

Location: Redemptorist Road cor Roxas Boulevard Service Road, Baclaran, Parañaque

Learn the Latest Trends at World Trade Center Metro Manila

A member of the World Trade Centers Association of New York, World Trade Center Metro Manila is the preferred venue for international and professional events such as the APEC Summit 1996 and 2016. Most of the trade shows and exhibits are open to the public. Check their calendar of events to see if an event catches your fancy.

Location: Sen. Gil Puyat Avenue cor Macapagal Boulevard, Pasay
Hours: Monday to Friday 8:00AM-5:00PM

Health is Wealth at San Juan De Dios Hospital

Founded in 1578, San Juan De Dios Educational Foundation, Inc. Hospital is the oldest hospital in the Philippines. It is also Asia’s first hospital certified in OHSAS and first Philippine Hospital certified in Environment Management System and with Triple ISO Certification. So if you are looking for a new health care provider, why not consider a tested and proven hospital?

Location: 2772 Roxas Boulevard, Pasay
Clinic Hours: Tuesday to Friday 9:00AM-8:00PM

Host Your Event at Le Parc and Le Pavilion

From weddings to debuts, product launches and corporate events, fashion show to bargain hunting, events halls Le Parc and Le Pavillon at Metro Park are here for you. Picture a grand affair and you can do it in the grand hall where only your imagination sets the limit.

Location: Le Parc: EDSA, Pasay; Le Pavillon: Metro Bank Avenue, Pasay

Bump Cars at Star City

Unleash your inner child and enjoy the rides and attractions in Star City. With more than 30 different rides and attractions including the largest Ferris wheel in the country, Star City is a thrilling paradise to both kids and kids at hearts seeking adventures.

Location: Sotto Street, CCP Complex, Pasay
Fee/Admission Pass: Php80.00, Ride All You Can Pass: Php490.00
Hours: Monday to Thursday 4:00PM-11:00PM, Friday to Sunday 2:00PM-11:00PM

Want to be in the middle of these hotspots? Palm Beach West Residences – Baler Tower is opening pre-selling condo units for sale. Located within the sprawling Metro Park, between the two most traveled boulevards, Roxas and Macapagal, in Pasay City, Palm Beach West provides your family a safe and secure home, with resort-theme atmosphere and lifestyle amenities for the enjoyment of the family and a neighborhood bustling with life and excitement of Entertainment City.

With Federal Land, owning your first condominium residence is easy. Just contact our representatives, provide a Philippine government-issued ID (with your Tax Identification Number), fill up the required forms, pay the reservation fee and voila! The unit is booked under your name. You are now ready to start a home loan application through in-house or bank financing.

Federal Land Inc., also offers condominium units for sale in Makati; BGC (Fort), Taguig; Binondo and Paco, Manila; Entertainment City, Pasay; Greenhills, San Juan; Quezon City; Marikina; Cebu as well as in General Trias, Cavite. For lease to own plan details or pre-selling reservations, email us at digital.mktg@federalland.ph.

Investing in real estate in the long term is an excellent addition to one’s investment portfolio. Purchasing a property is both low-maintenance and high-return investment. A condominium property can be rented out and provide a passive monthly income to the investor. In a few years’ time, it can then be resold to maximize the market value of the property.

With the construction boom in the country, real estate investment is not for the bourgeoisie only. Any Filipino with enough savings can afford the opportunity to invest in real estate.

So instead of letting your hard-earned money sit idle in a bank account, why not try your hand at real estate investment. Here are some guidelines to help you acquire property for investment without a hitch.

Find a Bank

Buying a property is a huge financial move. So the first step in investing is to make sure you have enough capital to complete the transaction. If you prefer to pay cash upfront, prepare enough to cover the total contract price, documentary stamps tax, transfer tax, registration fee, and notarial fees.

If you are going the route of the mortgage or housing loan, it is important to know how much a bank can lend you. You can go check online for a home loan calculator of reputable banks like Metrobank and PSBank to know. The computation is based on the loan amount, loan term in years, interest, and your gross monthly income. Though the online loan calculator result is not legally binding, it is important to understand how much you can loan from the bank. This will guide your search for the property suited to your budget.

Need an urgent loan, PSBank now offers one-day loan approval, convenient housing loan terms and great rewards with PSBank Home Loan with Prime Rebate.

Establish the specifics

Determine how the prospective property will be used. Then you can decide the type and location most suitable for your plans. Will you rent it to students, office workers, or tourists? Establishing the specifics will also help you consider the renovations and furnishings you will be willing to spend on the property you are eyeing.

For instance, you have decided to cater to office workers. You will then look to invest in condominiums for sale near Makati, BGC and Pasay business districts. Consider taking advantage of pre-selling rates of Palm Beach West- Baler Tower located within the Entertainment City in Pasay to cash in on the growing rental market of offshore gaming firms.

Call a friend

With the current construction boom in the country, there are many available properties to choose from. To avoid choice paralysis, talk to a trustworthy broker. Property acquisition can be a daunting task, especially for first timers, so real estate agent is your friend. Asking assistance from a reliable property broker will make your purchasing transaction a whole lot easier instead of directly dealing with the seller or the developer.

Also, ask friends who are already in the real estate investment game to recommend a reliable developer with a solid track record like Federal Land.

Prepare the Papers

Acquiring a property requires proper documentation to assure the legality of property ownership. Ensure that you have the necessary paperwork in order such as:

• Fully accomplished Reservation Application Form
• Fully accomplished Buyers Information Sheet
• Government-issued ID (bearing the client’s picture and signature)
• Passport
• Duly filled-up BIR Form 1904/1903
• Community Tax Certificate
• Latest Proof of Billing
• Latest Income Tax Return
• Withholding Tax Remittance
• Certificate of Employment with Compensation
• Two Years Bank and/or Financial Statements

Request for the full list of requirements from the seller or developer and comply accordingly to avoid the hassle of returning to the office or incurring penalties.

Write that check

Depending on your financial capacity, there are various payment plans available such as in-house financing and bank financing. Request a sample computation and determine which among payment plans is the most practical for you. Carefully consider the pros and cons of each plan before deciding.

If you choose to pay in installments through in-house financing, know that a complete set of post-dated checks is a requirement for monthly amortization or down payment. In case you do not have a checking account yet, set up one. Just make sure to fund it sufficiently for the monthly amortizations.

It is also important to make sure that the Transfer Certificate of Title, Deed of Sale, Contract of Sale and other relevant documents on the property are filed on the Register of Deeds.

Inspect the unit

Before taking the keys, make sure that you and other family members inspect the unit before the turnover of the property. Check for the condition of the load-bearing walls, floors, water pipes and electrical provision among others. Best if you can bring an experienced inspector to ensure nothing is amiss before the turnover.

Wait for the Cash to Flow

There are two basic ways to make money out of real estate: reselling and renting. Because of the rapid developments within the country, properties go up in resell value anywhere between 10 to 100 percent every year because of appreciation. Rental properties, especially near business hubs and university belt, also enjoy good yield as the demand for nearby dormitories is constant.

However, understand that buying low and selling high is not as easy as it sounds. A property in a good location always fetches a good price, but buyers and renters may not always be present. Hence, you should be ready to wait for some time.

Acquiring a property and starting a real estate investment may sound overwhelming. But what is a couple of months stress for an asset that will make you money for years? My answer: the ticket to financial freedom.

With Federal Land, investing in a condominium is easy. Contact a representative to inform us of your intent to buy, provide a Philippine government-issued ID (with your Tax Identification Number), fill up the required forms, pay the reservation fee and voila! The unit is yours. And we are ready to start your home loan application through in-house or bank financing.
Federal Land Inc. offers condominium units for sale in Makati; BGC (Fort), Taguig; Binondo and Paco, Manila; Entertainment City, Pasay; Greenhills, San Juan; Quezon City; Marikina; Cebu as well as in General Trias, Cavite. For lease to own plan details or pre-selling reservations, email us at digital.mktg@federalland.ph.

3 Reasons Why Condo Living Is The Best Choice For The Family

With the rising demand for residential space and the massive urban development, family dwellings evolved to accommodate the needs and aspirations of a modern family. While the ideal family home is a charming house and lot in a suburban village, more Filipino parents appreciate the value and benefits of raising their family in condominiums.

Real estate developers recognize the current demand and commit to developing secure and family-friendly communities in the Philippines. Here are three important benefits that condo living offers to starter families.

Buy a Condo in Pasay - Palm Beach West

Easy Access to social environments. Most condominiums are strategically located near business districts, prominent schools, general hospitals, shopping centers and entertainment hubs creating a positive social environment for the whole family. The children can attend more school programs, join the nearby sports clubs and explore urban adventures. Parents will have less commute and more time to help the children with homework then have dinner with the whole family.

Pre-selling Condos in Marikina - Siena Towers

More intimate living space. A thoughtfully-designed condo has living spaces encouraging family togetherness and neighbor camaraderie. The ample size of condo units are adequate to bring the family closer, and the shared amenities such as the pool and playroom provide opportunities to meet friends and cultivate a strong sense of community. It is easy to set up play dates, sleepovers and interest clubs when your friends live down the hall. Moreover, these communities have a homeowners association that organizes small social events like weekend barbeques, Halloween parties, and Christmas bazaars.

Condo for Sale - Peninsula Garden Midtown Homes

A Secure and Exclusive Community. Safety and well-being are the top priorities of every responsible parent. Securing the family’s welfare is better managed in a condominium. Residential towers come with CCTV cameras, fire suppression systems, power generators and security services 24/7. Residents have access keys for their privacy, and unannounced guests are screened at the lobby. More importantly, kids play a safe and contained area within the community grounds and not out on the streets.

It’s easy to understand why these factors are valuable to families – positive and safe social environments are conducive to fostering social relationships that are good for children’s development, health, and well-being. That is why Horizon Land creates accessible and nurturing homes and communities geared towards adding value to the lifestyles of individuals and families.

The top real estate developer, Federal Land Inc., through its subsidiary Horizon Land, is the developer of various outstanding family condominium communities in Metro Manila. Its latest offerings include the Mimosa tower of Peninsula Garden Midtown Homes in Paco, Manila; Baler tower of Palm Beach West in Pasay City; and the Sienna Towers in Marikina. Peninsula Garden Midtown Homes is the largest garden community in Paco, Manila with more than 50% of the property dedicated to an open area that allows for great outdoor adventures and enough space for relaxing and bonding with loved ones. Siena Towers is a two-tower condominium along Marquinton Drive that offers residents a beautiful and secure home in a vibrant community with a mall a few steps away. Palm Beach West is a resort-inspired residential condominium development located within a master-planned community – Metro Park, in Entertainment City along Macapagal Boulevard Pasay.

Owning

With Federal Land, owning a family condominium residence is easy. Just contact a representative to inform us of your intent to buy, provide a Philippine government-issued ID (with your Tax Identification Number), fill up the required forms, pay the reservation fee and voila! The unit is yours. And we are ready to start your home loan application through in-house or bank financing.

Federal Land Inc. also offers condominium units for sale in Makati; BGC (Fort), Taguig; Binondo and Paco, Manila; Entertainment City, Pasay; Greenhills, San Juan; Quezon City; Marikina; Cebu as well as in General Trias, Cavite. For lease to own plan details or pre-selling reservations, email us at digital.mktg@federalland.ph.

Pros & Cons of Renting a Condo

After graduating college, I readily joined a corporation in a Makati. I wanted to learn and grow in the trade, surround myself with like-minded people and be in the center of the city.

Everything is dandy. The work is challenging but rewarding, the boss is nurturing, and my friends are caring. But after two years, I want to quit.

Why? Traffic.

For individuals like me building a career in a central business district, a commute in heavy traffic is a two-hour battlefield. I could work out and cook a proper meal in two hours; instead, I am stuck in traffic.

I am not giving up my job, so what should I do? Leave my darling mama and papa’s house and move closer to my workplace.

So I turned to the internet to start hunting for a new place. I saw a listing of a condominium unit for sale near my office. The asking price is PHP 3.5M, with a 20% down payment and PHP 19,000 amortization per month for 20 years at 5% annual interest. Scrolling down, I found another listing for a similar condo for rent at PHP 22,000 per month.

Should I buy or should I rent? Buying or renting property will be my first big financial decision. So I asked my friend who rents and another who bought for advice.

Daryl the Condo Renter

Daryl is a friend from college who now works as a Geometry teacher in Taguig. Like most teachers in his school, he is originally from Quezon City and rents in a nearby condominium tower. I asked him how he is living on his own in his rental.

I found out from Daryl that renting has its pros and cons. There are many pros like moving in. He only paid a one-month advance and two-month security deposit to move in.

Likewise, he said that moving out is as easy as moving in. Since Daryl is planning to take up a master’s degree in Manila in July, he can move out and look for another place as soon as he wants. However, he worries his landlord might refuse to return the security deposit even without any damages or repairs incurred, and might ask him to pay the balance rent for the remaining contract period.

As a tenant, he does not own the property, so he does not pay the taxes attached to owning the unit. No property, no property tax. Additional savings.

On the other hand, Daryl revealed that there are also hitches in renting. Taxes, repair, and monthly association dues are computed into his rent. However, should these costs go up or down, he has no control over annual rent increases.

Daryl has a monthly obligation to his landlord: lease payment. His landlord collected post-dated cheques in advance. Now he worries that if he had a massive emergency, he might have insufficient funds in his bank account and his check will bounce. What would happen? Some landlords may understand my situation and will give him an extension. Some landlords will not. For some, non-payment of three months’ rent is a basis of eviction.

Daryl also regrets that he cannot build equity. According to Investopedia, equity is the value of a property (such as a condominium unit) after all debts. As a tenant, he cannot build equity, as he does not own the property. He plans to buy a unit and settle down in two years’ time after he has played out all his travel ambitions.

Tina the Condo Owner

My other friend, Tina bought a condominium unit in Makati last year and is thrilled to share her experiences as a proud owner.

For Tina, the best thing about owning her home is doing whatever she pleases with it. She painted her walls pink, bought Hello Kitty pillows, and planted a pocket herbs garden. Furthermore, as an emergency room doctor, she has no time nor the energy to deal with a landlord.

Her mortgage has variable rates. Fortunately, the bank and developer provided her the schedule of fees that guides her check releases or bank deposits.

Tina also considers her condo unit as a long-term investment that will appreciate over time. She believes the real estate value appreciation in the country, especially in the business hubs like Makati, traditionally grows in time depending on market condition. Eventually, her property will pay for itself, and if she plays my cards right, she can make money through reselling or leasing.

Naturally, there are cons to her pros. Tina’s biggest obstacle is the high properties cost. Since she does not have a truckload of cash to pay up front, she first paid down payment then applied for a home loan application.

If the least of Daryl’s concern is the maintenance and repair of the unit, Tina, on the other hand, is responsible for all the repair and maintenance of the interior of her condo. Just yesterday, she bought and changed a busted light bulb in the closet and hired a plumber for a clogged toilet.

Tina plans to sell her unit and move in with her future husband when they get married. She used to daydream of the vacations her condo money could fund. However, when her neighbor sold her unit, Tina found out that reselling her property costs money too. First, there is a need for a real estate agent, which can require up to 6% percent of the unit price in commission. Then, she will need to touch up the unit and fix the minor and major repairs for photos and open house. Lastly, there is the closing cost. These are expenses over and above the property price including capital gains taxes, business tax, and notary fees.

Going through Daryl and Tina’s pros and cons in my mind, I decided to buy a condo ten-minutes away from the office. I believe the pros outweigh the cons of buying a condo. I want the feeling of pride and security of owning a home. I want the gym membership, pool access, 24/7 security and other amenities the condo provides. Most importantly, I want an investment that will eventually pay for itself and will certainly make me good money.

With Federal Land, owning your first condominium residence is easy through lease to own payment plans. Just contact a representative to inform us of your intent to buy, provide a Philippine government-issued ID (with your Tax Identification Number), fill up the required forms, pay the reservation fee and voila! The unit is yours. And we are ready to start your home loan application through in-house or bank financing.

Federal Land Inc. offers condominium units for sale in Makati; BGC (Fort), Taguig; Entertainment City, Pasay; Binondo and Paco, Manila; Greenhills, San Juan; Quezon City; Marikina; Cebu as well as in General Trias, Cavite. For lease to own plan details or pre-selling reservations, email us at digital.mktg@federalland.ph.

Driving along Roxas Boulevard around Parañaque area, I noticed several constructions projects going on. I wonder if there would be another mall or hotel in the area. Then I wonder why there are several casinos around Manila Bay Area? Is it because it is near the airport? Is the Manila Bay sunset truly that glorious?
Going online, I discovered surprising answers.

I found out that back in 2007, the government-owned and controlled casino operator Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) has planned the eight-km2 land along Manila Bay to be a Philippine version of Las Vegas featuring VIP casinos, world-class entertainment, designer brand shops, fine dining restaurants and affluent residential communities. This tourism center would be called the Entertainment City.

Well, duh. Of course, the Manila Bay sunset is that glorious and more! See, the government is building a city as grand as this sunset.

manila bay sunset
Photo by Jon Albert Cadag via TrekEarth

Bay Area vs. Macau

Sooner or later, Bay Area would rival Macau and other gaming hotspots in Asia. And I believe Bay Area’s Entertainment City would have the upper hand. You see, while gaming might be a forefront to the Entertainment City, PAGCOR has mandated each casino resort to dedicate at least 20,000 square meters of retail space and fine dining and provisions to thematic attractions worth at least $20 million.

Entertainment City boasts four-mega casino resorts, several condominium communities, amusement parks, big office spaces, quaint strip malls, big-name Broadway plays, a rotation of international concert artists, and excellent resorts with the glorious Manila Bay sunsets as their backdrops.

Thanks to this mandate, I was able to bring my young cousins to City of Dreams’ DreamPlay as a reward for their school achievements. Two weeks ago, I brought my sisters to The Theater in Solaire to watch the award-winning Broadway musical, Lion King. Mother’s Day weekend, I took my Mom to date, watched the dancing Fountain of Okada Manila, then wined and dined her in one of Okada’s premier restaurants. Hooray!

Since there is an airport a stone’s throw away, Entertainment City could also be a jump-off point to other premier tourist destinations in the Philippines such as the Eighth Wonder of the World Banaue Rice Terraces, white beaches and sunken ships of Palawan, surfing adventures in Siargao, the perfect cone Mayon Volcano and many more.

The Ninoy Aquino International Airport makes Entertainment City accessible to the world, while the topnotch entertainment, plus the glorious sunset, makes those miles worth it.

Residential Communities

Six Senses Residences - Macapagal, Pasay City
Six Senses Residences (Artist Perspective)

A city, of course, needs residents. Entertainment City has several opulent condominium communities around the Bay Area. The most iconic of which is the luxurious resort-themed Six Senses Residence along Macapagal Boulevard. The towers, housing exquisite condos for sale, are shaped into the lucky number 8, placing more units at opportune and spacious corners, and immersing them to the majestic views of Manila Bay and the best of urban living.

With Federal Land, owning your first condominium residence is easy. Just contact a representative to inform us of your intent to buy, provide a Philippine government-issued ID (with your Tax Identification Number), fill up the required forms, pay the reservation fee and voila! The unit is yours. And we are ready to start your home loan application through in-house or bank financing.

Federal Land Inc. also offers condominium units for sale in Makati; BGC (Fort), Taguig; Binondo and Paco, Manila; Greenhills, San Juan; Quezon City; Marikina; Cebu as well as in General Trias, Cavite. For pre-selling reservation and information, email us at digital.mktg@federalland.ph.