Jane is the PR and Marketing Manager of a multi-awarded sustainable developer and is also the current editor-in-chief of CDO's Breathing Space. She is a firm believer in a healthy work-life balance and likes to spend her downtime cooking, watching movies with her husband, reading, and creating artworks. She loves pets and has accumulated a lot of loyal and furry friends, has an unhealthy amount of high heels, and various unrelated interests.

Research: Majority of House-hunters are Women

Posted by Jane on November 7, 2014

A recent research made by Lamudi compared the profiles of home-buyers all over the world. The report shows that in emerging countries like the Philippines, big decisions such as looking for a new home fall on the women’s shoulders.

The research was made by analysing search behavior and insights on the Lamudi website.

Other results of the study are the following:

Home buyers in the Philippines belong to the 34-44 age bracket
69% of Filipinos prefer to rent than buy property
Of the countries included in the research, the Philippines has the highest percentage of growth in property prices at 10.56%

You can view the rest of the article HERE.

Lamudi is the Philippines’ fastest-growing online property portal and is currently available in 28 countries in Asia, the Middle East, Africa and Latin America, with more than 500,000 real estate listings across its global network. Primavera Residences, the first multi-awarded eco-friendly property in Cagayan de Oro, is one of the properties presently listed in Lamudi.

To know more about Primavera Residences, visit www.primaveraresidences.com or visit the listings on Lamudi.com.ph here.

Halloween in Cagayan de Oro: A Look at the Best Costumes

Posted by Jane on November 5, 2014

Kagay-anons are not only known as some of the friendliest people you could ever come across (not sure about this? Just ask #BecomingFilipino’s Kulas), they’re definitely the most fun-loving, too.

In a recent post, we shared what Halloween in Cagayan de Oro is like: the Undas traditions mingling perfectly with Halloween fun. Talk about the best of both worlds!

For this article, we’ll round up some of the best Kagay-anon Halloween costumes we came across this year.

1. The CDO Rugby Club dressed up and tackled Halloween

Who would’ve thought that these tough, national champions would play rugby football as “Prom Queen Latifah” or as “Fairy God Tooth Father”? Headed by the CDO Rafters’ founder and coach Noel Villa who came as a Pharaoh (see photo below), the guys came in to train at Pelaez Sports Center last Halloween all decked up in spook-tacular costumes.

The CDO RFC Juniors came as assorted zombies!

rugby3 — Coach Noel as The Pharaoh strikes a pose with Peter Pan

Photos courtesy of the Cagayan de Oro Rugby Club official page

2. A Raging Halloween Party at Lifestyle District

Lifestyle District is one of the hippest place to be in Cagayan de Oro, and last October 31, it played host to an awesome Halloween party. Several party-goers partied the night away in their most magnificent costumes.

10485843_10152804162024712_8181647902488961701_n — Photo from Sean Moreno’s Facebook page

3. Not just one but a series of Halloween make up transformations!

A local blogger, Shaun Pilapil of http://www.msshaunoftheday.com wowed not just her fellow Kagay-anons but netizens all over with her amazing make up skills. For the entire month of October, she completed a series of Halloween make up creations, transforming friends and family into characters like Zombie Michael Jackson, Achmed the Terrorist, Cruella deVille, and even the entire Addams Family line up.

Check out some of her amazing creations (all photos from http://www.msshaunoftheday.com)

makeup2 — It’s Freddy Krueger ready to haunt your dreams

Hide your pets, it's Cruella! — Hide your pets, it’s Cruella!

4. Team Primavera goes vintage!

Last October 31, the entire Primavera Residences team went back in time to the roaring twenties with costumes largely inspired by the movie The Great Gatsby. Who says work and fun couldn’t come together? Let the folks at Primavera show you how to breeze through Halloween in style!

Halloween for Kagay-anons is a way of remembering and honoring friends and family who have passed away. It is also a time to get creative with costumes whether at work or at play.

So, how about you? How did you spend your Halloween? You can leave your message at the comments section below.

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Primavera Residences is a proud kagay-anon development in uptown Cagayan de Oro, with units available for sale and for rent. Its world-class Italian design and eco-friendly features brought to CDO numerous international awards including the 2014-2015 Best Mixed-Use Development in the Philippines in the Asia Pacific Property Awards.

For more information about Primavera Residences, visit www.primaveraresidences.com or call 088-880-5002.

Primavera #HOWLoweenPAWty Costume Contest Winners

Posted by Jane on November 4, 2014

Before we bid adieu to this year’s Halloween season, let us cap it off first with an announcement of the October Social media contest winners.

Our social media promo for the month of October is called #HOWLoweenPAWty pet costume contest, in partnership with PetPerk Grooming Services, the premier pet grooming destination in Cagayan de Oro City. Located at Velez St. in Cagayan de Oro, PetPerk offers pet grooming services and all kinds of items for your pets’ every need.

#HOWLoweenPAWty costume contest winners will be receiving the following prizes courtesy of PetPerk:

1st prize: 6 months free grooming services

2nd prize: 3 months free grooming services

3rd prize: 1 month free grooming services

No participating pet will come home empty-handed because Primavera Residences will also be providing treats and goodies to all our furry little contestants.

And now, for the winners.

[drum roll]

On third place, we have a tie!

It’s Whoopi as Little Pug Riding Hood and Pepper the Mummy!

Both garnering a total of 74 votes, Whoopi and Pepper are tied at 3rd place!

On second place, it’s Dixie dressed up as a minion!

Just when you thought you’re already immune to the minions’ popularity, here comes Dixie as an adorable little minion. Dixie the minion originally hogged the top place with 178 Facebook votes, but was unfortunately bumped off in the remaining days of the competition.

And finally, on first place, Bradd the Witch!

Bradd the witch must’ve put a spell on everyone’s hearts because his votes poured in during the last days of voting. The contest ended with Bradd surging ahead with 230 votes as of cut-off period. Way to go, Bradd!

Congratulations Whoopi, Pepper, Dixie, and Bradd!

We would also like to thank and congratulate the runners-up who will be taking home goodies and treats from Primavera Residences.

Maxxiz as Minnie Mouse!

Mr. Patches as the cuddly little devil

Not one but TWO ballerina pugs!

Thank you so much and congratulations to all! Watch out for our next social media contest by tuning in to our official Facebook page and Instagram account (@primaveraresidences).

For the winners (top 3 and runners-up), please send a message via Facebook.com/CondoPrimavera for instructions on how to claim your prizes.

To know more about Primavera Residences, visit www.primaveraresidences.com or call 088-880-5002.

Halloween in Cagayan de Oro: What is it like?

Posted by Jane on October 31, 2014

Halloween is a fairly western concept and hasn’t reached Philippine shores until recent years. In Cagayan de Oro, you’ll find that the city’s Halloween celebration is a mixture of the old and the new, combining a wonderful mix of tradition and western-style trick-or-treating and costume parties.

Here’s a look at how kagay-anons celebrate Halloween in the City of Golden Friendship.

1. HALLOWEEN-THEMED Events

All throughout the month of October, businesses all over the city are abuzz with Halloween-y events. Grocery and department stores giving away prizes to costumed guests, shop personnel sporting face paints and costumes, stores decked out in all kinds of spooky decor, and even a night city cruise for the more adventurous. Most of these events aren’t advertised prominently though, so you’ll find out about this through Facebook posts and tags from your kagay-anon friends. If you’re new to the city, make sure to ask the locals and they’ll surely point you to the right (fun!) direction.

Here at Primavera Residences, we also have our own set of Halloween events lined up this year. Throughout the month of October, Kagay-anons and people from nearby provinces can dress up their pets in their best costumes and submit the photo to our Official Facebook page.

Three winning pets will be awarded 6 months, 3 months, and 1 month of FREE PET GROOMING services courtesy of PetPerk, CDO’s premier pet groomer.

The contest runs until October 31, so you can still send your entries!

One of the entries in Primavera's #HOWLoweenPAWty pet costume contest. Vote for your favorite entries HERE. — One of the entries in Primavera’s #HOWLoweenPAWty pet costume contest. Vote for your favorite entries HERE.

Last October 25, guests at Primavera Residences were also treated to a carnival-style open house event. No tricks, just treats and loads of fun!

2. HALLOWEEN PARTIES

In Cagayan de Oro, most Halloween parties are done by kagay-anons in the comfort of their homes. It’s where families and friends can go all out and indulge in the biggest spook-fest they could come up with. This involves dressing up in costumes, going on a horror movie marathon, or even having horror-rific photo shoots.

Establishments such as bars, clubs, and hotels also have their own halloween parties where guests can go all out in their fun costumes.

3. Undas

Of course, as part of the Filipino tradition called “Undas”, kagay-anons flock to the cemeteries and memorial gardens on All Souls’ Day and All Saints’ Day to visit and remember family, relatives, and friends who have passed away. Offering candles, flowers, and food, crowds of visitors gather in the memorial gardens, and you’ll often find that all roads leading there are blocked with massive traffic.

Just like its customs and celebrations on Halloween, Cagayan de Oro is indeed a perfect blend of the old and the new – the best of both worlds. If you find yourself travelling to CDO anytime soon, Primavera Residences offers units for short-term or long-term stay. Ready for occupancy condominium units are also available for purchase, with the in-house asset management team ready to assist you in maximizing your investment.

For more details about Primavera Residences, visit www.primaveraresidences.com or drop a message at http://www.facebook.com/condoprimavera.

How Will the ASEAN Integration Affect Philippine Real Estate?

Posted by Jane on October 30, 2014

This post originally appeared in Lamudi.com.ph as part of the #AskLamudi series.

Q: How Will the ASEAN Integration Affect the Local Real Estate Market?

A: The ASEAN Economic Community (AEC)—the fusion of the economies of the 11 member-states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), to take place in 2015—is expected to bring four changes to the Philippines’ real estate sector.

1. Stronger demand for commercial, industrial, retail, and residential space.

Since the AEC envisions unimpeded movement of goods, services, and skilled labor, as well as a freer flow of capital among the ASEAN member-states, businesses from abroad are expected to expand their operations in the country. There would be more need for office, industrial, and residential space for these foreign investors.

The elimination of tariffs on goods and services is also foreseen to result in a wealthier Southeast Asia. With a higher disposable income, people would have more money to spend, thus the need for more malls, retail complexes, and other shopping developments.

2. Emergence of new growth areas.

Places other than Metro Manila and Cebu may need to be tapped to meet the demand for business and residential space, leading to the emergence of new economic hot spots. Among the possible growth areas are Iloilo, Cagayan de Oro, Angeles and San Fernando in Pampanga, and General Santos City.

3. More—and better—construction projects.

High demand plus a strong inflow of capital will make construction companies race to build the infrastructure, offices, retail complexes, and residential developments that a booming economy needs. The increased mobility of skilled labor would also allow the exchange of best practices in the ASEAN region, leading to better urban design and development.

4. Changes to the prohibition on foreigners from owning land.

With the influx of foreign investment that the AEC will bring about, the Philippines is almost certain to face pressure to amend the Constitution’s prohibition on non-Filipinos from owning land. With the lifting of the prohibition, many expect that the country’s foreign direct investment will soar to a new high.

To know more about Primavera Residences, visit www.primaveraresidences.com or visit the listings at Lamudi.com.ph here.

2 Italian Films to be Screened in 2014 Cine Europa Cagayan de Oro

Posted by Jane on October 29, 2014

It’s the time of the year once again when Kagay-anons are treated to a festival of European Films. This November 13 – 16, 2014, visit Rodelsa Hall, Liceo de Cagayan University for a free viewing of 21 films from 16 participating European countries.

Cine Europa 2014 is the sixth time since 2009 that the Delegation of the European Union to the Philippines is hosting the film fest in Cagayan de Oro. Among the notable films in this year’s line up are the two movies from Italy, namely Una Sconfinata Giovinezza (A Second Childhood) and Scialla (Easy!)

Una Sconfinata Giovinezza or A Second Childhood explores the story of a happily married couple and how things suddenly make a turn for the worst when the husband begins showing signs of Alzheimer’s disease.

Looking for something thought-provoking and heart-wrenching to help you spend your Sunday evening? See this movie with family and friends on Sunday, November 16, from 6pm onwards.

Scialla! or Easy! Is a comedy film about a retired Italian teacher who tutors for a living. His world is turned upside down when he finds out that one of his students, a rebellious teenager, is actually his son. This movie will be shown on Friday, November 14, at 1pm. So if you’re looking for something fun to end your week, head over to Rodelsa Hall for a laughter-packed afternoon.

For more details about the Cine Europa 2014 Cagayan de Oro leg, visit the LDCU page.

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Did you know that there’s a multi-awarded Italian building located in Cagayan de Oro? Primavera Residences is a twin-tower 10-storey development located in uptown Cagayan de Oro, a few steps from SM City CDO. Tower 1 is ready for occupancy with units available for short-term and long-term rental while Tower 2 is currently offered for pre-selling and ready to be turned over early next year.

For more information, visit www.primaveraresidences.com.

Note: Cine Europa 17 poster courtesy of Liceo de Cagayan University website.

Camiguin: Northern Mindanao’s Island Paradise

Posted by Jane on October 24, 2014

glenn2 — *“The Island Born of Fire” Photo by Glenn Palacio*

Northern Mindanao is full of surprises. Set amidst rolling hills, spectacular sunsets, and gorgeous bays, you’ll find that everything you need to experience a laid back, relaxing vacation is here, while still staying close to urban spots. It’s definitely the best of both worlds.

If you find yourself craving modern comforts while being close to nature, Cagayan de Oro, the 2nd most competitive city in the Philippines has plenty to offer. But if you need bigger doses of sun and sand, a nearby idyllic paradise awaits you — the island of Camiguin. A quick ride from Cagayan de Oro to Balingoan Port and a 45-minute transfer via ferry will take you to one of the best vacations you could ever think of.

Camiguin is a tourist’s haven. Unspoilt beaches, powdery white sand, hot springs, majestic falls – name it. For the adventurous, there are also volcanoes to climb and jungles to trek, and for the foodies, mouth-watering authentic Italian cuisine and fresh bounties from the sea are waiting to satisfy the next visitor.

Camiguin is especially wonderful to visit at this time of the year due to its annual Lanzones Festival. With a series of attractions lined up for the whole festival season, visitors are set to be amazed and fall deeper in love with the island.

glenn5 — *Lanzones festival Photo by Glenn Palacio*

Bringing investment opportunities to the island

The Primavera Residences Sales and Marketing team together with Caminade Realty recently visited the island of Camiguin last October 22 – 23 to conduct a series of events aimed at introducing the multi-awarded condominium property to Camiguinons.

The event highlighted the following points to prospect investors from Camiguin:

Housing is considered a very safe investment
Good returns in a growing alternative market
Rising economy and population in the region
Emerging travel and tourism destination
Big national housing gap and demand
Growing retirement market in the Philippines

All of these result to approximately 8% rental returns per annum, thereby contributing to a very attractive opportunity for property investors.

The 2-day event was held at La Isla Cocina and Garden Restaurant at Barangay Agoho, Mambajao, Camiguin. The series of activities brought together real estate agents from the area and various tourists and locals.

Planning to visit Northern Mindanao soon? Primavera Residences offers condo units available for short-term and long-term rent or for purchase. You can also talk to us and we’ll love to share with you the amazing spots you can visit in the region – the lovely Camiguin island among those in the list.

Catch more activities by Primavera Residences by following our official Facebook account: www.facebook.com/condoprimavera or visit www.primaveraresidences.com.

EEK-O-FRIENDLY Ideas: 10 Fun Ways to Go Green this Halloween!

Posted by Jane on October 15, 2014

Just like other holidays, the Halloween season can rake in a hefty amount of carbon footprint and make a huge impact on the environment. Trick-or-treat candies, costumes, decorations, party favors – producing these goods require large amounts of energy, not to mention that all of these end up in landfills worldwide. With the holiday becoming seemingly less spiritual and more and more commercial with each passing year, the Halloween industry is now approximately worth 6 billion US dollars annually, according to experts.

The good news is, you can still celebrate Halloween without spending a lot of cash and wasting resources. With a good dose of imagination, enthusiasm, and a sincere desire to have a GREEN Halloween, you can have an “eek-o-friendly” good time while still being kind to the planet. Here are some tips for you to consider when planning your Halloween event this year.

1. Simplicity is the way to go

You might want to re-think your over-the-top plans for your Halloween event. Remember, less is always more. If you can opt for a simpler decor for your home and a lesser scale party, not only will you help save the planet, you will also be able to impart to your children the value of moderation.

2. Go for digital invitations

Instead of printing your party invites, go digital and send your invitations online. There are several apps and websites (see e-vite.com) that will help you create a personalized invitation for free. But if you’re really into actual invitations and would rather go old school, you can create your own handmade cards from recycled paper products.

3. Activities and games

You know what’s a great way to have a fun-filled green Halloween? Focus on the intangible — games and activities instead of tangible stuff. Remember, laughter and good memories need not cost a thing, and it doesn’t leave a carbon footprint either.

4. Make homemade costumes

What better way to showcase your creativity and style than to make your own Halloween costume? Chances are, there are outfit gems tucked in your closet, waiting for a second breathe of life. It’s about time you rummage into your closet and re-purpose your old clothes. This is easier on the pocket, too!

5. Make your own treats

Skip the individually-wrapped candies and chocolates and choose to make your own treats instead. Surely, you can whip up something even better than the plastic-wrapped, highly-commercialized, conservatives-laden treats you can buy in stores.

6. DIY decorations

Mason jars, plastic gallons, bottles, old books — stir your creative juices a little bit and you can turn these items into fancy Halloween decor. The options are endless!

photo source

7. Natural decor works, too!

Another option is to use natural materials for your decorations. Twigs, plants, pumpkins, or even fruits — tweak it a little and you’ll have your very own artsy-craftsy decorations!

8. Say no to plastic trick-or-treat buckets

Those orange smiley buckets might be a Halloween tradition for kids, but the plastic material is another contributor to environmental degradation. This year, choose organic baskets, non-plastic locally-made buckets or recyclable materials. Explain to your kids, too why this is so much better for Mother Earth!

9. Skip disposable party items

During your Halloween parties, make sure to use regular plates, utensils, and glasses. These reusable items are so much more eco-friendly than plastic cups and paper plates.

10. Store your décors and costumes

Do not dispose decorations and Halloween materials. Make sure to keep them in storage to be used in next year’s Halloween, and in the coming Halloweens to come.

So, are you ready for an EEK-O-FRIENDLY Halloween? This coming October 25, drop by at Primavera Residences for a carnival-style, pre-halloween bash. Win prizes, get discounts and freebies, and join the fun games.

For more information, visit www.primaveraresidences.com or www.facebook.com/condoprimavera. You can also call 088-880-5002.

Why Plant More Mangroves? Eco-friendly Property Shares Reasons

Posted by Jane on October 11, 2014

In the morning of October 11, 2014, the Primavera Residences team trooped to barangay Bonbon in Cagayan de Oro City to join the mangrove planting activity conducted by Philippine Air Force TOG 10 and students from the Misamis Oriental General Comprehensive High School (MOGCHS).

As the first eco-friendly building in Cagayan de Oro, Primavera Residences advocates environmental protection and conservation, and is therefore, honored and happy to support the activity.

Students from MOGCHS, Primavera Residences staff, and members of the PAF-TOG 10 after the mangrove-planting activity in Bonbon, CDO

Mangrove forests are among the most productive ecosystems and are especially helpful in coastal areas such as Cagayan de Oro City. Aside from providing goods worldwide that account to approximately US$186 million each year, mangroves also serve as protection and shelter against extreme weather conditions – something Kagay-anons are unfortunately quite familiar with.

Here are more reasons why planting mangroves is one of the extremely important things you can do to save our community and our planet.

1. Mangroves provide a habitat for various animal species

Different varieties of fishes, crabs, shrimps, mollusks, and other marine life seek shelter and thrive in mangrove forests. Mangroves are also home to birds and mammals such as the mangrove monkeys of South Asia, and also serve as nurseries and breeding grounds for several types of fishes and invertebrates. These natural fisheries provide food for thousands of coastal communities around the world!

2. Mangroves create livelihoods for communities

Fishing, gathering of crustaceans, and use of mangrove timber are just some of the livelihoods being provided by mangrove forests. Mangrove wood is very valuable because it is resistant to rotting and insects, and this is why several communities around the world rely on it for construction and for fuel.

Other opportunities created by mangrove forests include tourism (imagine snorkelling in and around mangrove trees and marvelling at the diverse marine life amidst a backdrop of interwoven mangrove roots!), plant products (some medicinal plants thrive in mangrove ecosystems, and mangrove leaves are also used as animal feeds), and myriad other economic potentials.

In a study made in 2007, it was reported that one hectare alone of a mangrove forest has an annual economic value of around US$12,000. That’s roughly P540,000 in Philippine pesos. Now can you imagine how that would help the local economy and the local communities?

3. Mangroves protect coastal areas

Mangroves have been known to provide a buffer against extreme weather conditions like storms, tsunamis, cyclones, floods, and hurricane winds. There are several reports of villages being saved from tsunami destruction by the wide belt of mangroves protecting the shoreline. Because mangrove trees absorb and disperse tidal surges, coastal communities which are prone to calamities can definitely benefit from more mangrove reforestation programs.

*mangrove trees are starting to grow in Bonbon, Cagayan de Oro*

Aside from these, mangroves also filter pollutants and trap sediments coming from land, thereby maintaining the clarity and quality of water.

Want to organize your own mangrove-planting activities? Contact the nearest DENR – CENRO (Department of Natural Resources – Community Environment and Natural Resources Office) to inquire.

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Primavera Residences is a twin tower, 10-storey mixed-use development located in uptown Cagayan de Oro City. It is internationally awarded due to its eco-friendly design that allows residents to save up to 32% in energy consumption because of the building’s natural ventilation and heat reduction features.

The structure of Primavera Residences is also designed to withstand strong earthquakes, typhoons, and other natural calamities, while its elevated location at 110 meters above sea level makes it flood-free and ideal for safe, hassle-free, and convenient eco-friendly living.

For more information about Primavera Residences, visit www.primaveraresidences.com or call 088-880-5002.

Cagayan de Oro Rugby, Red Cross Cagayan de Oro Conduct Successful Bloodletting Drive at Primavera

Posted by Jane on September 30, 2014

CDO Rugby Club, fresh from its recent victory in the 1st Higalaay Challenge Cup, conducted a bloodletting drive at Primavera Residences to conclude its month-long anniversary celebration. The blood donation activity took place last September 27, 2014, Saturday, from 9 am to 12 noon, in partnership with Philippine Red Cross Cagayan de Oro Chapter and supported by CDO Rugby’s real estate partner, the internationally awarded eco-friendly condominium, Primavera Residences.

Among the blood donors were Italpinas CEO Architect Romolo Valentino Nati and Primavera Residences staff. The event was concluded successfully with 20 qualified blood donors able to donate during the three-hour activity.

See photos of the event below.

rvn bloodletting — *Architect Romolo Nati signs up to donate and is among the 20 qualified blood donors.*

10641255_347218522119127_7535357524291116157_n — *Doctors from Red Cross CDO together with Atty, Jojo Leviste and Dr. Jose Leviste Jr.*

bloodletting — *Coach Noel Villa of CDO Rugby Football Club together with Arch. Nati and Atty. Leviste*

*The CDO Rugby Club together with Red Cross representatives, Jane Duterte (Primavera PR & Marketing Manager), and Jelly Galleto (Primavera Residences Property Manager)*

For more information about upcoming community events in Primavera Residences, visit http://primaveraresidences.italpinas.com or http://www.facebook.com/condoprimavera. You may also call 088-880-5002.

Primavera Residences is the first multi-awarded green condominium building located in uptown Cagayan de Oro City. It’s a twin tower, 10-storey building which was recently awarded as the Best Mixed-Use Development in the Philippines in the 2014-2015 Asia Pacific Property Awards.

Author: Jane