Kris Aquino finds a new home

 

JOSEPHINE Gotianun-Yap, Kris Aquino, Joseph Yap and Boy Abunda

Inquirer (Mar 2012) - Real estate giant Filinvest, which has been developing properties for almost 50 years, has tapped Kris Aquino as its brand ambassador. The meeting of two big names, both trusted and well-respected by Filipinos, is set to generate excitement in property development in the months to come.
Kris has openly expressed her admiration for the company for its role in helping Filipinos build their dreams. “Through the years, I have witnessed the company grow as they fulfill the dreams of every Filipino to have a home. My parents, my sisters, my brother and I once enjoyed a home where we were all complete, and those were the best moments of my life. Filinvest makes having a home possible, and I share this vision with them,” says Kris.

Since late last year, she has been seriously considering acquiring property from Filinvest. “There are too many beautiful projects to choose from, and both of my kids are helping me decide. Josh wants his room to have a view of trees and hillsides, while Bimby just wants a big playground where he can hang out with his playmates.

“Timberland Heights is one such place. I have seen it myself and discovered that you don’t have to go too far to live amid the beauty of nature,” Kris shares.

Josephine Gotianun-Yap, director and president-CEO of Filinvest Development Corp., believes that Kris represents what the Filinvest brand stands for—a company that has grown vibrantly through the years and has gained the trust of Filipino families.

Innate talent
“We have seen Kris grow before our eyes, and her hard work and innate talent helped endear her to many Filipinos. We believe in Kris and she, too, believes in our commitment to building the Filipino dream,” Yap explains.

CHEF Hans awards Kris Aquino the membership card for the Palms Country Club.

Filinvest has been quite low-key, despite its major developments. They have built the country’s tallest office tower in Makati, as well as the biggest mall in the south, the Festival Mall. They have also developed the 677-hectare Timberland Heights near Quezon City which boasts of mountain living close to the city, and the 244-hectare Filinvest Corporate City, which has now emerged as the shopping, office, hotel, and medical hub of the south.

This year, they have built medium-rise condo communities within Metro Manila, Metro Cebu and Metro Davao. These are resort-living developments that are extremely accessible and found on major roads like Ortigas and Marcos Highway.

“These are wonderful places to raise families. We have lined up several projects in each of the categories we serve. We will announce these projects at the right time.  We are confident that year 2012 will be another banner year for Filinvest, especially now that Kris has joined our family,” Yap shares.

Kris has seen the plans for the campaign, but she cannot reveal it for now. “I have to contain my excitement and keep you in suspense. But all I can say is that it is truly a campaign I can be proud of.”

For more details on Filinvest projects, you may e-mail reby_ramirez@yahoo.com or contact her at 0922.883.9308 / 0916.4044.555 / 0919.699.3572 / 4044-534.

For latest update on real estate development and its RA 9646, the Real Estate Service Act of 2009, visit www.ra9646.com.

Filinvest sees rise in sales this year

MANILA, Philippines—Gotianun-led property developer Filinvest Land Inc. expects sales to rise in 2011 as it plans to accelerate expansion through higher spending compared to that of last year.

The company said the property market was still in the early stages of an upswing and that demand, particularly from the low to mid income sectors, would continue to grow amid the country’s massive housing backlog.

“If you look at the trends, the real estate market started to pick up in 2007, but there was a pause in 2008 and 2009 due to the global recession. So it’s just coming back and we are still just at the start,” Filinvest president Joseph Yap said.

“We do not see prices ballooning the way they did during the Asian Crisis a decade ago,” Yap told reporters after the company’s annual shareholders’ meeting yesterday.

Last year, the company’s revenue from sales reached P10 billion.

“Our target is to surpass that this year,” Yap said. “This year will still be a good year for the property sector.”

As a result, the company’s net earnings in 2010 hit P2.95 billion—up 46 percent year-on-year.

Strong demand for new homes has been partly driven by the availability of cheap loans from banks.

This year, Filinvest has set aside P12 billion for capital expenditures to fund the construction of new projects and the expansion of existing ones. This amount is more than double what the company spent last year.

Yap said the company would launch four low-cost housing projects, six “affordable” projects and two mid-rise residential developments this year, which would translate to P13 billion worth of sales once completed.

Also, Yap said the company would expand its available space for leasing activities by over a third in the next 24 months.

The amount of space the company has available for leasing contributes 31 percent to earnings.

For more details on Filinvest projects, you may contact Reby Ramirez @ +63 919.699.3572 / +63 922.883.9308 / +63 916.4044.555 / +632 404-4534 or e-mail her @ reby_ramirez@yahoo.com.

Lastly, FYI for related information on the new real estate law, RA 9646, please proceed to www.RA9646.com, the online repository of updated information on Real Estate Service Act of 2009 (RESA).

source: Philippine Daily Inquirer, April 15 2011

Filinvest eyes power generation, other projects under PPP

MANILA, Philippines - Filinvest Development Corp., the listed investment holding firm of the family of businessman Andrew Gotianun, is interested in the Public-Private Partnership projects being offered by the government.

FDC president Josephine Gotianun-Yap said the group is looking at some PPP projects, particularly on power generation, and expects to announce concrete plans in the next three to six months.

The local government is preparing 80 infrastructure-related projects worth about P740 billion. A handful of these may be auctioned off within the year.

The group has formed Strong Field Gas & Electric Corp., with an initial authozed capital of P16 million, to serve as its corporate vehicle for its venture into the power business.

FDC’s diversification into the power generation business will start with two coal-fired power plants planned in the Visayas and Mindanao with a total capacity of 300 megawatts.

FDC is in the process of applying for permits from the relevant governmental and regulatory authorities and is in negotiations with potential equipment suppliers and potential power off-takers with respect to each project.

With respect to the potential power project in the Visayas, FDC is also conducting a feasibility study with respect to a potential water desalination facility at the same site that would be operated using off-peak power from the proposed power plant.

The Filinvest Group is one of the country’s leading conglomerates, with interests in real estate through Filinvest Land, financial and banking services (East West Banking Corp.) and sugar manufacturing through Pacific Sugar Holdings.

Filinvest Land Inc., FDC’s 51 percent owned property unit, develops affordable and mid-income housing projects as well as tourism-related projects.

FDC also has 91 percent effective ownership in Filinvest Alabang Inc., developer of Filinvest Corporate City, Alabang – the premiere urban district in South Metro Manila.

East West is one of the fastest growing commercial banks with one of the highest return on equity in the Philippine banking sector while Pacific Sugar operates two sugar mills and two sugar refineries, and has corporate sugarcane farming operations.

The Filinvest Group has been in the residential business for over 45 years and has developed over 2,000 hectares of raw land into homes for more than 110,000 families, as well as over 600,000 square meters of office/retail and high-rise residential space.

For related information on the new real estate law, RA 9646, please proceed to www.ra9646.com, the online repository of updated information on Real Estate Service Act of 2009 (RESA).

source: Philippine Star, Apr 18 2011

Filinvest postpones follow-on share sale

It was a busy week in Asia's capital markets last week with three convertibles, one exchangeable and numerous follow-ons and blocks. But, in a clear sign that price is still an issue, both for investors and issuers, Filinvest Development Corp on Friday announced that it was postponing its follow-on offering, which had been due to price after the close of US trading last Wednesday.

The Philippine conglomerate, which is owned by the Gotianun family and has interests in property development, banking and the sugar industry, had been seeking to raise between Ps12.5 billion to Ps15 billion ($276 million to $332 million), excluding the 15% overallotment option, and was set to become the first equity offering of size to price in the Philippines this year.

The company said in a statement to the Philippine stock exchange that the decision to postpone was due to volatile market conditions.

“While there was ample demand from investors for an offering to be completed, the board has decided that the proposed offer price of its equity shares would not reflect the true value of the company,” it said.

The statement suggests that there may have been enough demand to cover the deal towards the bottom of the indicated price range, but that the management was not keen to sell at that price. And to push the price higher would have been difficult after the share price fell 15% on Tuesday through Thursday last week, reducing the indicated discount.

The drop in the share price didn’t come in isolation as several markets in Asia took a beating last week amid concerns about inflation. However, Filinvest did significantly underperform the broader Philippine market which fell 4.8% on Thursday through Friday last week and is now down slightly more than 5% year-to-date. That said, the company’s share price had just about tripled from having traded around Ps2 in the first half of last year to a high of Ps6.10 last Monday, so a bit of a correction was perhaps to be expected.

The deal was marketed without a specific price range during most of the roadshow, but on Tuesday last week the bookrunners said the deal would price between Ps5 and Ps6 per share. This indicated a discount of between 1.6% and 18% versus last Monday’s close. However, by the end of Thursday’s trading, that discount had shrunk to 3.5% at the bottom end of the price range. The top end implied a premium of almost 16%.

Investors may have been willing to accept a tight discount as the deal was viewed as a liquidity event and would have given them an opportunity to buy shares in bulk – something which had been difficult to do when the free-float was only 16% to 17%. Filinvest is also well regarded in the Philippine real estate sector and investors had indicated that they liked the offering as it would give them exposure to a cross section of the economy and the country’s GDP growth. However, to convince them to buy shares at a significant premium to the current market price may have been a harder sell.

Filinvest said in the announcement that it “believes it will have sufficient internally generated cash for its capital expenditure and expansion plans for the upcoming year.” It had earlier said that the money was to be used for the development of land and its hospitality business; to increase the capitalisation of its wholly owned banking business, East West Bank Corporation; for investments into infrastructure and utilities, which is a relatively new business for Filinvest; and for debt repayments.

However, the share price fell another 1.35% on Friday, which suggests shareholders were disappointed with the decision to postpone the fundraising.

Filinvest was looking to sell up to 2.5 billion shares, or a 33.3% stake in the company, through a so called top-up placement. The latter is the preferred method for Hong Kong follow-ons as well and essentially means that an existing shareholder sells a certain number of secondary shares through the placement and then subscribes to the same number of new shares issued by the company at the same price. The reason why they do this is purely technical and has to do with how quickly the shares can be made available for a sale.

The company kicked off the roadshow on January 5 and has since visited six cities in addition to Manila, including: Singapore, Hong Kong, London, New York, Boston and San Francisco. J.P. Morgan and UBS were joint bookrunners, with the latter also acting as the global coordinator.

For details on Filinvest projects, you may contact Reby Ramirez @ +63 916.4044.555 / +63 919.699.3572 / +63 922.941.4139 or e-mail: reby_ramirez@yahoo.com

For details on RA 9646 or RESA Law, please visit www.ra9646.com. RA9646.com is the central depository of all updates on the new law for the practice of real estate service in the Philippines.

source: Finance Asia, Jan 24 2011

Filinvest's Capri Oasis carves dynamic lifestyle

Living in a highly urbanized area may bring residents closer to all necessities, but one may have to bear with traffic congestion going to and from the workplace every single day. Suburban living, on the other hand, may give the serenity one usually aspires, but it can also mean spending long hours on the road and less time with the family.

Which is why the ideal home can only be described as the perfect mix of accessibility, serenity, and security – somewhere in the heart of the city, yet far from its noise and chaos. The ideal home is modern and stylish, yet infused with flourishing greens and gardens. In modern living, one can only call this place an oasis.

In Pasig City lies exactly this kind of home – a welcome refuge from the hustle and bustle of the urban world. The community is called Capri Oasis by Filinvest, inspired by the Italian resort-town of Capri, a picturesque town bathed in a charm of its own courtesy of its Mediterranean vegetation, deep turquoise coastlines and sun-drenched landscapes.

This mid-rise condo community is posed to render a vibrant change to city living, turning it from exhausting to refreshing, invigorating, and truly rewarding. The new condominium community is the latest addition to Filinvest’s series of mid-rise condo hubs in key cities. Occupying a 1.9-hectare prime property along Sixto Antonio Avenue in Maybunga, Pasig, Capri Oasis is accessible via the C-5 Northbound lane-Eagle Street route, giving one the proximity to life’s necessities and demands.

This portrait of worry-free urban living is made even more pleasurable with a range of resort-inspired amenities that are reminiscent of the isle of Capri’s refreshing environs.

A weekend barbecue at the park grounds poses an opportunity to bond with friends and family. Morning laps at the pool, on the other hand, should get you all revved up for the day. A game of tag with the kids at the spacious children’s play areas makes for fun quality time with the family.
If these options do not suffice, then there’s the wellness hub when feeling in the mood to burn those holiday calories or the basketball court when friends are up for a dose of friendly competition. Between well-designed buildings and an array of amenities, one can find tranquility in an afternoon walk at the commune’s open spaces and well-maintained gardens.

In the midst of all these lies a home which complements a modern urbanite’s fast-paced lifestyle and provides the soothing retreat amid the urban jungle. Available are studio, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom units.

This enclave’s round-the-clock security completes the oasis experience. The property has put in place lofty walls and a well-guarded, gated entrance to ensure that residents are safe and secure all the time.

To help experience this oasis sooner, Filinvest is currently offering a special financing scheme and extended-payment promo for buildings Brezza and Solare.

For details on Capri Oasis and other Filinvest projects, contact Reby Ramirez @ +63 916.4044.555 / +63 922.883.9308 / +63 919.699.3572 or e-mail her at reby_ramirez@yahoo.com.

Source: Manila Bulletin, 06 December 2010

RA 9646, popularly known as Real Estate Service Act ( RESA ) has been approved for implementation when its Implementing Rules and Regulations ( IRR ) was published on July 24 2010 at Philippine Daily Inquirer and Philippine Star. For details on the RESA Law, visit www.ra9646.com, the central repository of all updates on RA 9646.

Gotianuns entering infrastructure, power

GOTIANUN-led holding firm Filinvest Development Corp. is planning to go into the infrastructure and utility businesses for the first time, the company told the local bourse yesterday.

The holding firm, whose main business is property development, wants to put up two power plants and a water treatment facility after getting funds from the equity market.
“Filinvest Development is in the planning stages of adding infrastructure and utilities assets to its portfolio of Philippine businesses,” the company said in a disclosure.

“The company is considering two potential clean coal-fired power generation projects, namely a 150-megawatt (MW) project in Luzon and another 150 MW project in the Visayas,” it added.

The listed holding firm is already applying for permits from regulatory authorities.

Filinvest Development also said it was “in negotiations with potential equipment suppliers and potential power off-takers with respect to each project.”

The firm is conducting a feasibility study for a water desalination facility at the site of the proposed Visayas power plant. The water project will be operated using off-peak power from the power plant.

Late in November, shareholders approved the company’s plan to sell shares of stock to raise funds. Stockholders also approved the increase in the authorized capital of the company to P17 billion from P10 billion.

Under the scheme, ALG Holdings Corp., the parent of Filinvest Development, will sell not more than three billion shares in the listed holding firm. Filinvest Development will then issue new shares of the same amount and volume, which will be subscribed to by ALG Holdings.

The price of the share sale will be determined by a lead manager, which has yet to be appointed, Filinvest Development said.

To facilitate its entry into infrastructure and utilities, Filinvest Development said a “senior expert” in the local infrastructure industry will join the company on Jan. 1.

A stock market analyst said Filinvest Development has to “learn the ropes.”

“Definitely it is new food on the table. They will have to learn the ropes [and] they will hire a new work force for that,” Astro C. del Castillo, managing director of brokerage firm First Grade Holdings, Inc., said in a phone interview yesterday.

Mr. del Castillo said there is still a power shortage in the Visayas region that Filinvest Development can plug.

Filinvest Development is also into banking and financial services through East West Banking Corp., and sugar operations through Pacific Sugar Holdings Corp., Davao Sugar Central Co., Inc., Cotabato Sugar Central Co., Inc., and High Yield Sugar Farms Corp.

Filinvest Development’s profits jumped by 159% to P2.91 billion in the nine months that ended in September as property unit Filinvest Land, Inc. reported an uptick in revenues.

Shares in the holding company rose by P0.02 to P4.92 apiece yesterday.

For details on Filinvest properties, contact Reby Ramirez @ +63 916.4044.555 / +63 922.883.9308 / +63 919.699.3572 or e-mail her at reby_ramirez@yahoo.com.

Source: Business World, 07 December 2010

RA 9646, popularly known as Real Estate Service Act ( RESA ) has been approved for implementation when its Implementing Rules and Regulations ( IRR ) was published on July 24 2010 at Philippine Daily Inquirer and Philippine Star. For details on the RESA Law, visit www.ra9646.com, the central repository of all updates on RA 9646.

Filinvest: Builder of dreams takes on nurturing role

For four decades, Filinvest firmly established its presence in the property development industry, steadily creating a vast and diverse portfolio of projects all over the Philippines . Guided by the vision of building the Filipino dream, it has developed over 2,000 hectares of land to fulfill the dreams of over 100,000 Filipino families.

Filinvest realizes that the success it is enjoying today is largely credited to its dream-builders --- the employees and sales associates who tirelessly carry out the company’s day-to-day operations to ensure the company’s continued growth. For this reason, aside from fulfilling the dreams of its clients, Filinvest takes care of its own – providing support and nurturing dreams across the organization and extending to the community as well. Believing in the principle that happy employees make productive employees, Filinvest strives to cultivate a positive and supportive environment at all levels of the organization. Beyond the requisite financial remuneration, the company looks after the welfare and well-being of its 700-strong employee roster based in its head office and satellite offices.

Employee morale gets a boost with sportsfests, teambuilding activities and values enhancement programs. As one family that looks after its members, the company is quick to assist its employees who are victims of calamities and even signed an agreement to set up an exclusive blood bank at the Philippine National Red Cross.

It comes as no surprise that employees have responded with loyalty, with a sizeable number of service awardees being recognized each year, some having rendered up to 40 years of service with the company.

Filinvest also sees to it that its selling units enjoy the fruits of their efforts. For these front liners who competently represent the company to its clients, the company takes pride in being one of the few real estate firms with a transparent and efficient commission release system.

To make sure that commission payments are updated, all commissions are computed daily and released on their due dates. Sellers can also get information via a computer terminal that serves as a Commission Kiosk.

Filinvest also makes the sellers’ experience more rewarding with intensive training and development programs, along with attractive incentives and recognition programs for top performers. Because of these, sellers also find themselves in a position to realize their own dreams.

Seller Maricel Guisihan is living proof that a sales career with Filinvest paves the way to a successful life. Leaving her job as a hotel singer, she joined Filinvest in 2007 and started out selling the company’s Pioneer Pointe condo units. She explains that she found it very easy to sell Filinvest projects because of the company’s good reputation and the full support that the sales team receives from management.

Maricel was a consistent top seller from 2007 to 2009 and has received awards for her excellent performance. Since then, she has also been able to fulfill some of her own dreams. She relates with pride, "After living with my in-laws for many years, my husband and I were able to buy our own condo unit at One Oasis in Ortigas, as well as cars and a more secure life for our growing toddler. I am thankful for the blessings and opportunities that came from Filinvest."

It is not all business for Filinvest, which is inspired to share its success by giving back to the community where it belongs. Heeding the call of social responsibility, the entire organization poured its efforts into outreach programs where it can make a difference.

In March 2009, Filinvest raised P5 million in the Filinvest Fun Run for the educational needs of the scholars of the ERDA Foundation. When typhoon Ondoy devastated Metro Manila, the Filinvest Group joined hands to undertake clean-up operations and distribute relief goods to typhoon victims in various communities in Metro Manila. A total of P20 million was released for relief packs and clothing material that benefited more than 10,000 families.

For details on Filinvest properties, contact Reby Ramirez @ +63 916.4044.555 / +63 922.883.9308 / +63 919.699.3572 or e-mail her at reby_ramirez@yahoo.com.

Source: Business Insight, 13 October 2010

For details on the Real Estate Service Act or RESA Law > www.ra9646.com