PAF-TOG 10, CLENRO Highlight Importance of Mangroves, Italpinas Joins Ocean Month Celebration

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Last Saturday, May 9, the Philippine Air Force-Tactical Operations Group 10, together with several groups in the city, led the mangrove planting activity in Zone 8, Bulua, CdO. Italpinas and other green advocates come together as they planted 5000 mangrove seedlings around the shoreline. PAF-TOG 10 partnered with several groups namely SPOW EOD-K9, 8th ARCEN, 71st AFRG, CRSAFP, 4ID, PA, 10th FAB, ACDI-CDO, FABSLAI, AFPMBAI, JCI Kagayhaan, DepEd, REACT, KAMAU 4H-Opol, CLENRO, and Bulua Barangay Council.

With the theme, “Stand Up Save the Reefs”, the Ocean Month Celebration paves the way to highlight the importance of mangroves in the city.

“This is part of rehabilitating our very own Iponan River. Through planting mangroves around its vicinity, we can secure food for our farmers and fisher folks. Mangroves are our aquatic life’s nursery. We are not just saving the ocean, we are saving lives,” Edwin Dael, CLENRO-OIC, said.

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On October 11, 2014 and February 7, 2015, Italpinas joined CLENRO and PAF-TOG 10 in the same activity at the coastal area in Bonbon, CdO. It was supported by schools, green advocates and some residents in the said barangay.

“To be part of a sustainable development and joining the city’s thrust to promote environmental advocacies is not just rewarding but also a testimony that Cagayan de Oro’s progress still goes hand in hand with nature. The mangrove planting activity was fun and fulfilling at the same time. Waking up early for a satisfying reason is truly worth it,” Gisselle Mantilla, ITPI Admin Officer, said.

Developed by Italpinas Euroasian Design and Eco-development Corporation (ITPI), Primavera Residences has been actively promoting green advocacies in the city and has won numerous local and international awards for its eco-friendly architecture. Featuring the best principles of passive cooling technology: shadow and sunlight control, wind cooling and shape performance, the project has been cited as one of Asia’s top 10 clean energy projects because of its capacity to help residents save as much as 32% on overall energy consumption.

Daniel Alcazar and Aldwin Ranario, Primavera’s sales associates said that their experience was way beyond all worldly things could give, it is more to saving what’s left and planting more to save the environment.

“During the storm surge, these mangroves helped lessen the damage. Together, we can collectively get resources and could help rebuild the city. Let’s all stand up and save our reefs,” Dael concluded.

Do you want to know more about Primavera Residences and its advocacies? You may call 0917 794 2221 or (088) 880-5002. You can also visit their website by clicking here.

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Primavera Supports SM City Cagayan de Oro in Leading Earth Hour Activity in Uptown

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For an hour, the city has gone dark for the planet.

While the world has switched off their non-essential lights last March 28, Cagayan de Oro has showed their support through different activities during the Earth Hour.

Sustainable developer Italpinas Euroasian Design and Eco-development Corporation (ITPI) has once again partnered with SM City Cagayan de Oro in this year’s Earth Hour. With the theme, Change Climate Change, ITPI’s Primavera Residences has been in the frontline in making a statement to promote sustainable solutions to homes and property developments in decreasing the escalating effects of climate change.

Uptown CDO celebration of Earth Hour 2015

Together with the world, Primavera Residences supports SM City CDO as they led the switch off ceremony at SM’s Las Ramblas Parking Area last Saturday, March 28. The event was participated by green advocates in the city and was entertained with different local talents.

Earth Hour is an international organization initiated by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) that aims to raise awareness and encourage people to take part in fighting against climate change. The Philippines has been an avid supporter of Earth Hour since 2009 that it consistently earned the title of Earth Hour Hero Country after it has topped participation records from 2009 to 2013.

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In the photo are Ms Eileen San Juan, DOT-10 Regional Director Catalino Chan, and Executive Vice-President of Cepalco Ralph Paguio.

In an opening statement by the Local Economic and Investment Promotions Officer, Eileen San Juan, she stated that this year’s theme is just fitting for our city, “In a vulnerability study in 2013, it pointed projected climate changes in the city—increase in temperature, rain volume is considerable high, storm surges and strong winds, flashfloods and even landslides are now happening in our city.”

In terms of the city’s resiliency, CDO is proud to be part of the 10 cities in the world in UN Habitat’s City Resilience Profiling Program, “This provides the tools in reviewing the various records of disasters in coming up for our city’s resilience action plan,” San Juan expressed.

In Uptown Cagayan de Oro, Primavera Residences has been actively promoting green advocacies in the city and has won numerous local and international awards for its eco-friendly architecture. Featuring the best principles of passive cooling technology: shadow and sunlight control, wind cooling and shape performance, the project has been cited as one of Asia’s top 10 clean energy projects because of its capacity to help residents save as much as 32% on overall energy consumption.

“Climate change did not happen as if nothing caused it. We are all part of it. We ought to face the reality that we should all be resilient. Let us all set aside our personal agenda and encourage everyone to take part in changing climate change,” San Juan concluded.

Do you want to know more about CDO’s first and only sustainable condo development and its advocacies? You may click here.

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Primavera Supports Habitat as They Build Resilient and Sustainable Homes in Calaanan

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Primavera Residences staff and its realty partners, as a long term partner of Habitat for Humanity, helped in building more resilient and sustainable homes at Calaanan, Brgy. Canitoan last March 28, 2015. Dubbed as “Building for a better planet”, the house building activity was organized to support the National Women’s Month and WWF’s Earth Hour 2015.

Habitat for Humanity Philippines (HFHP) is a non-profit organization that serves Filipino families in need of decent homes. In the Philippines, HFHP has been in the forefront in building homes for the underprivileged, especially to those who have lost their homes because of strong typhoons.

“In Cagayan de Oro, we already have built almost 6,000 houses in 13 resettlements sites. All of our recipients are survivors of the different typhoons, especially those who were affected by Typhoon Sendong which destroyed most of our people’s homes,” Lerma Bernadette Reyes, Project Head for CDO Operations, Habitat for Humanity Philippines, expressed.

In this particular resettlement site in Calaanan, these single-detached houses are not made by mere cement but structured it with sustainability in mind using bamboo. “This design was adopted from the homes we built in Bohol. These are resilient-type of housing that could withstand up to 220-kph storm. Bamboos are known to be strong, resilient, and affordable too,” Reyes added.

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Homes for the underprivileged

“Currently, these typhoon-resilient homes are all over CDO. We have 200 units in Opol, 132 units in Pagatpat, and here at 73 under construction units here in Calaanan,” Reyes proudly shared.

Through the support of the multi-awarded developer of Primavera Residences, Italpinas Euroasian Design and Eco-development Corporation, Habitat for Humanity was able to provide homes to 20 families in the resettlement site in Pagatpat, Cagayan de Oro.

“We are extremely happy that Italpinas is fully supporting Habitat and the city in providing homes for the community. Right now, Italpinas donated 20 units that are already being occupied by 20 delighted families in Pagatpat,” Reyes said.

Primavera Residences has been actively promoting green advocacies in the city and has won numerous local and international awards for its eco-friendly architecture. Featuring the best principles of passive cooling technology: shadow and sunlight control, wind cooling and shape performance, the project has been cited as one of Asia’s top 10 clean energy projects because of its capacity to help residents save as much as 32% on overall energy consumption.

Do you want to know more about Primavera Residences and its advocacies? You may call 0917 794 2221 or (088) 880 5002. You can also visit their website by clicking here.

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Primavera Encourages Everyone to Take Part in Earth Hour 2015

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It’s March 28 and we are hours away from changing the world!

As we celebrate the annual global environment movement at exactly 8:30 pm to 9:30 pm later tonight, Earth Hour is encouraging individuals, communities, households, and business to turn off their lights for one hour as a symbol of their commitment to the planet.

The Philippines has been participating in the annual Earth Hour since 2009, and has earned the title of “Earth Hour Hero Country” from 2009 to 2013 for topping participation records with over 15 million Filipinos joining the event.

Are you excited to be part of this worldwide activity?

In Cagayan de Oro, the multi-awarded sustainable condominium development, Primavera Residences, fully supports this WWF initiative as a pledge in sustaining the environment. As a committed advocate of nature, we are one with the city in inviting everyone to take part in this fulfilling event.

If you’re wondering how you can celebrate it with your family, there are more ways to contribute in this global event than just switching off your lights at home and in your office. More to that, you can contribute more by being an example and through spreading the word to your word to you friends, family, colleagues and everyone you know off.

To fully enjoy this activity, why not we celebrate it together this evening at SM City CDO? There’ll be fanfare, performances, and lots of fun and entertainment to look forward to. Bring your friends and family and join the countdown to 8:30!

Let’s all be ambassadors of the planet by sustaining Earth Hour in the next days to come. #ChangeClimateChange

Know more about the multi-awarded sustainable green building in Cagayan de Oro by clicking here.

Earth Hour 2015: Use #YourPower to Change Climate Change

WE ARE ONE DAY AWAY TO A BETTER PLANET!

On March 28, Saturday, at exactly 8:30 pm to 9:30 pm, we celebrate this global switch-off event called Earth Hour together with millions of citizens across the globe. For an hour, everyone in the world will switch off their lights to show their commitment in caring about the future of our planet and the pressing threats of climate change.

Hundreds of cities around the world will participate, and some of the most famous landmarks of the world will go dark as well— the dramatic lights of the Eiffel Tower, the Coliseum, and the Big Ben will impressively go dark for a better future.

Through this initiative, we are showing concern about what’s happening to our planet and paves the opportunity for everyone to act upon what’s right and what’s needed.

All countries have to elevate their efforts in our common fight against climate change. There is no other time to move as one and act upon our goal to a better planet, but TODAY.

Our time is now

“We are the first generation to feel the impact of climate change and the last generation to do something about it,” H.E. Barrack Obama said in one of his speeches.

As the first and only sustainable condominium development in Northern Mindanao, Primavera Residences is one with the world in committing to a better planet to live in.

To fully address human rights and climate change problems, the world asks for your help and the help of the billions of people to participate in this fulfilling event of our lives.

So, when you switch off your lights on Saturday, remember that this year’s Earth Hour is time to think about the world, about the people, and about us. This is the time to act and engage ourselves to make a huge difference in our planet.

Use #YourPower to change climate change.

Do you want to know more about Primavera Residences green advocacies? You may click here.

Earth Hour: More than just a Global Switch-off

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March 28, 2015, Saturday.

All homes and establishments across the Philippines will go dark on Saturday evening. Earth hour, as the annual lights-out event is called, will happen this Saturday, March 28, from 8:30 pm to 9:30 pm.

Earth Hour began in 2007 in Sydney, Australia, when the World Wildlife Fund organized 2.2 million people to dim their lights to signify their concern for the planet. Since then, the event has grown immensely. Then in the later years, Earth Hour 2013, the event drew participants from 7,000 cities and more than 150 countries and the Philippines is one of them.

The Philippines has been an active participant in this global grass roots movement since 2008 with the participation of known business establishments, schools and individuals. Led by the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) in the Philippines, Earth hour aims to unite the world to take action for the planet against climate change.

More than just a switch-off

In 2014, Earth Hour became the world’s largest crowd funding and crowdsourcing movements. It has supported many projects including the construction of fiberglass boats in the Philippines. Because of this, the Philippine government is inviting all Filipinos to participate in this year’s Earth Hour and take part in changing the world for the better.

This year, according to DENR Sec. Ramon Jesus Paje, funds raised through Earth Hour will be used to provide portable solar lamps to remote communities in Palawan which are not connected to any source of electricity.

Though the whole situation of climate change won’t be solved after an hour, the organizers believe switching off from our usual wasteful habits and switching on to clean, renewable energy paves more possibilities to a better future.

Yes, Earth Hour is more than just a global switch-off.

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Italpinas Euroasian Design and Eco-development Corporation’s (ITPI) flagship sustainable condominium development in Cagayan de Oro, Primavera Residences, fully supports the goals of Earth Hour. Being one of Cagayan de Oro’ green advocates, the green building is designed with eco-friendly features that help reduce the residents’ electricity consumption.

Do you want to know more about the Primavera Residences and its advocacies? You may click here.

Primavera Gives Full Support to SYAGIT 2015

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This coming March 10-12, Xavier University’s Development Communication senior students will hold its annual exhibit, SYAGIT!, showcasing different outputs in the form of posters, infographics, videos, brochures and newsletters about environmental preservation and informed choices for a healthy lifestyle (food security) at the Rotunda of Lim Ketkai Center.

This year’s theme, Sampit sa Dapit: I-syagit!, seeks to address the prominent problems of the city which are food security and environmental preservation. The food security exhibit will be showcased through documentaries and posters that will help spread awareness on the issue of food scarcity and hunger in the city and promote sustainable agriculture. Meanwhile, through various campaign materials such as posters and newsletters, the issue on environmental conservation were addressed to different barangays (communities) in Cagayan de Oro to also help spread awareness to its residents.

“SYAGIT offers a variety of communication materials that feature food security and environmental protection. By providing the people and the government the important information through Syagit, we are hopeful that they will take the necessary actions to address the issues on environmental degradation,” Irish Lam, SYAGIT’s head for public relations, said.

Primavera Residences supports SYAGIT!

Primavera Residences, the first eco-friendly property in Cagayan de Oro, has been in the forefront in promoting green advocacies in the city. As a leader in sustainable properties, Primavera makes sure to fully support projects that stimulates environmental campaigns in the city.

For the past years, Primavera has supported several sustainable projects that promotes eco-friendliness and community development.

Primavera wishes these senior DevCom students in their pursuit to make Cagayan de Oro a better and livable city.

Do you want to know more about Primavera’s advocacies? Please click here.

Italpinas, Habitat Conduct Tree Planting Activity at Camaman-an

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Italpinas Euroasian Design and Eco-development Corporation (ITPI), together with its realty partners and Habitat for Humanity Philippines, successfully conducted a tree planting activity at Macapaya, Upper Camaman-an last January 31, 2015. Together with the community, the group planted 100 seedlings of fruit-bearing trees such as rambutan, jack fruit, marang and guyabano.

“We are not just a company who build sustainable properties, we also rebuild communities through our green advocacies. Through these projects, we know we can bring people together in attaining our goals in ensuring environmental sustainability,” Gladys Echano, ITPI Sales Director, said in her speech.

The tree planting activity was joined by the Macapaya Hills Oro Settlers Association Inc. (MAHOSAI) members with their president, Augustus Abcede, “Nowadays, we are blessed to have such environment-friendly companies that help us pursue our goal in sustaining what’s left in our environment and rebuilding anew. This is a testimony of hope, chance and community development,” he noted during his remarks.

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Just recently, Mindanao has set a new world record for the most trees planted in an hour. With 3.2 million seedlings, a mix of forest varieties and commercial crops, were sown as part of a national forestation program. The activity has won a Guinness World Record which succeeded India from its 1.9 million seedlings in an hour.

The Philippines, a once densely-forested archipelago, has lost much of its forest cover due to development, logging and slash-and-burn farming which led to constant flooding and landslides in areas in Mindanao and Visayas.

“Trees promote life. Not only do trees produce oxygen, they also provide homes for animals, replace soil nitrates, prevent erosion and more. These fruit-bearing trees will tremendously change our lives not only for environmental benefits but also provide us a livelihood we soon can count on,” Drexel Luzon, Community Development Program Coordinator of Habitat for Humanity Philippines, expressed.

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Primavera Residences’ developer, Italpinas Euroasian Design and Eco-development Corporation (ITPI), which has been in the forefront of sustainable development and passive green architecture, won numerous local and international awards for its high-performance design. Featuring the best principles of passive cooling technology: shadow and sunlight control, wind cooling and shape performance, the project has been cited as one of Asia’s top 10 clean energy projects because of its capacity to help residents save as much as 32% on overall energy consumption.

“The experience was totally overwhelming being able to spend my time with my colleagues and live the company’s advocacy. This has not only given me the chance to plant more trees, but it has given me the opportunity to help rebuild our community again,” Gisselle Mantilla, Admin Officer, said.

Marissa Olaer, on the other hand, shared that she has always been in awe with Primavera’s active support in sustaining the natural environment. “The green building, indeed, lives by its advocacy by creating not only sustainable buildings but letting its partners experience how it is to really be eco-friendly. As a broker, I am not just overwhelmed, I have high respect to this company,” she added.

The multi-awarded building is located in a master planned community in uptown Cagayan de Oro, was built in 2009 and has been effectively on the lead in promoting green advocacies in Cagayan de Oro.

Do you want to know more about the building’s advocacy? Click here.

 

 

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Primavera Conducts Clean-up Drive for National Volunteer Month

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Last December 13, 2014, Primavera Residences personnel have come together in support of the building’s advocacy to a clean and green environment.

In celebration of the National Volunteer Month with the theme “Volunteering for the Environment”, Primavera Residences took the opportunity to care for the environment by successfully conducting a clean-up drive around Pueblo de Oro Business Park’s Trade Street and areas nearby.

“To be part of a sustainable development and joining its advocacies is not just rewarding but also a testimony that Cagayan de Oro’s progress still goes hand in hand with nature. The clean-up drive was fun and fulfilling at the same time. Waking up early for a satisfying reason is truly worth it,” Cesar Stefan Rago, PR & Marketing Coordinator, said.

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At exactly 7 o’clock in the morning, Primavera Residences personnel began sweeping and collecting garbage around the area and found out that most of the wastes are cigarette butts, chips and candy wrappers, cellophane, and plastic bottles.

“As an advocate for green living and sustainable development, I found the whole experience very fulfilling because I believe that the small things we do for our environment will bring a great impact in the world. Nothing can compare to the feeling of knowing that you’re making the world a better place to live in, one small act at a time,” Diana Christy Zamora, Marketing Support Officer, said.

Rhapsody Binasbas, one of Primavera’s financial accountants said that it was a wonderful experience giving Mother Earth the care she deserves.

Primavera Residences, which garnered several local and international recognitions for its commitment to green architecture and design, is known for its passive energy-saving features such as cantilevers that protect the units from direct sunlight and an indoor courtyard that maximizes the natural ventilation in the area. The building is also designed to withstand earthquakes and extreme weather conditions.

Sustainable developer ITPI, has invested in alternative locations where nature and the environment has been thoroughly preserved and optimized. Primavera Residences, located in a master planned community in uptown Cagayan de Oro, was built in 2009 and has been effectively on the lead in promoting green advocacies in Cagayan de Oro.

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To know more about Primavera Residences and its multi-awarded eco-friendly design, visit www.primaveraresidences.com.

Why Plant More Mangroves? Eco-friendly Property Shares Reasons

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). 

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 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.

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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.

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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.