Meet our Judges for the Earth Day Photography Contest

Posted by Primavera Residences on April 21, 2014

Are you ready to submit your Earth Day photography entries yet? Or have you already made your submission?

If you haven’t, there’s still time for you to bring your best green photography entry to the table. To give you a clue as to who will be scrutinizing your masterpieces, we at Primavera Residences are thrilled to present our esteemed panel of judges.

There will be two rounds of judging. For the preliminary judging, the judges will choose the top 10 among all the entries while the second round of judging will be for the top 3.

So who are these judges?

Check out this list to find out.

You got two days left to showcase your best Earth Day photos ever! Remember the theme, always consider green, and don’t forget to convey a story or a message in your entries. Check out the complete guidelines here.

Want to know more about the only condominium in CDO that offers eco-friendly living? Find out about it here.

ANNOUNCEMENT: March Social Media Contest Winners!

Posted by Jane on April 10, 2014

Hey, are you enjoying your summer yet?

If you’re one of the winners for Primavera Residences’ #AnticipatingSummer social media contest, your summer is about to get even better. Two participants will each win P500 worth of gift checks from SM Department Store.

We have received a total of 56 official entries and these were judged based on the following:

50% — judges’ votes (criteria: uniqueness, creativity, and overall impact)
50% — public vote

So without further delay, we present to you our March social media contest winners:

*drumroll*

First winner:

GEL ABAO

The judges all loved the wonderful combination of sea, sky, and sun, plus the perfectly captured moment between dog and human. As one of the judges puts it, “It represents living in balance with nature to a T.”

Second winner:

MANNY DE LARA

Garnering the highest number of likes in the official FB page of Primavera Residences, Mr. de Lara’s entry is undoubtedly the fan favorite.

CONGRATULATIONS to Mr. Gel Abao and Mr. Manny de Lara. To claim your prizes, kindly send us a private message in Facebook.

We’d also like to thank all the participants for joining Primavera Residences’ #AnticipatingSummer contest. Please stand by for updates on our next social media contest. We have more exciting contests coming up!

To know more about Primavera Residences, the internationally-awarded property in Cagayan de Oro, go here.

Congratulations to the February Social Media Contest Winner!

Posted by Jane on April 1, 2014

Want to win fun and exciting prizes every month? It’s super easy! Just visit the official Primavera Residences Facebook page and join the monthly contests.

For February this year, we asked everyone to send their Valentine selfies with the Primavera Residences building or booth in the background.

We received several entries, but the entry submitted by Mr. Shim Suan and his family won our hearts and garnered dozens of likes from the Facebook community.

As the selected February social media contest winner, Mr. Shim Suan and family won a dinner date courtesy of Primavera Residences.

Here are some photos from their family dinner date at Barkadahan Grill in Primavera Residences. The entire family claimed the prize last Sunday, March 30.

Thank you so much, Suan family!

Many thanks also to the management and staff of Barkadahan Grill Pueblo for the assistance and support.

Like the official Primavera Residences page on Facebook and stay tuned for our monthly contests and freebies!

Know more about the multi-awarded Primavera Residences by clicking this link.

A Fabulous Women’s Night at Primavera Residences

Posted by Primavera Residences on March 24, 2014

A Fabulous Women’s Night at Primavera Residences

by Kathy Yu

Primavera Residences hosted a cocktail event last Saturday, March 22, 2014 to celebrate Women’s Month. I was there, of course, with my fellow lovely friends in our most glamorous outfits. I never regretted a single minute of being at the party because it was downright fabulous. Not only was it a fantastic night for women, it was so much more than that.

I’ll tell you what made it downright fab (aside from the fact that everyone looked great because that’s already a given).

Great Speeches from Empowered Women Speakers

I think every woman present in that event would agree with me when I say that the speakers delivered short but great speeches about women empowerment. To quote Ms. Adoracion Buat of Soroptimist Iligan from her prepared speech, “Modern women like us are superheroes. We are more independent and responsible of the many functions that we carry.” Oh, and this I like, “If a woman is empowered, her family will be better off. If a woman prospers, her village and community prospers.”

The second speaker, Ms. Rose Ann Saavedra, Club President of Rotary Club Iligan, was even more entertaining. She was filled with anecdotes that made the room erupt in laughter. She stressed how the women of today have become truly empowered in society, thanks to our government for giving women the chance to shine through gender-related programs. There’s one line from her speech I really love, and it goes, “Women are powerful enough that despite multi-tasking, we still find time to be beautiful.” Couldn’t be more true.

Ms. Rose Ann Saavedra of Rotary Club Maria Cristina wows the crowd with her speech

Artworks from Notable Local Artists

For art lovers out there, this is what you missed from the party. The entire hall was set up with well-chosen women-themed art pieces from distinguished local artists of Northern Mindanao such as Rhyan Casino and the Dire Husi Initiative, Mr. Nick Aca Jr. of Oro Art Guild, and Mr. Eli Tabasuares. One simply can’t help but be awed with their masterpieces.

SAMSUNG CSC — Paintings by Mr. Nick Aca Jr.

Event organizer and Primavera Residences’ Community Relations Specialist Janey Montebon Duterte, who is herself a lover of art, designed the event to be a complete tribute to women with great art works that capture and pay homage to the beauty and strength of the modern woman.

Aside from the wonderful art pieces on the exhibit, the audience was also treated to short films featuring women empowerment themes by Mr. Shaun Alejandre Yap Uy and his Film Production Class from Liceo de Cagayan University.

A Tour of Primavera Residences’ Condo Units

So, the lovely guests were grouped for a quick facility tour of Primavera Residences. Led by Ms. Cheryll Barriga as our tour guide who is the VP & General Manager of Italpinas, and definitely an epitome of a modern empowered woman, we were shown to 3 types of condo units of the city’s premiere eco-friendly condo. The units truly have a touch of class, and it amazed us even more to learn how Primavera aimed to commune with nature in its construction. Now, I understand why Primavera gained all those international accolades including the most recent International Property Awards!

Beautiful and Inspiring Party Guests

I was expecting some few good men in the party, but I was overwhelmed by the presence of guests like the women officers of the Philippine Air Force, members of women’s organizations, and several elegant-looking ladies. Then, of course I’ll always highlight the women speakers with their insightful speeches that just blew me away.

Primavera Residences’ very own empowered women with the guests from Soroptimist Iligan and Rotary Club Maria Cristina

The writer, Kathy Yu (third from right) with friends and guests

For more event photos, visit the official Facebook page of Primavera Residences at www.facebook.com/CondoPrimavera

Hats off to Primavera Residences for hosting a wonderful tribute to the modern empowered women!

Do you want to know where some of the best monthly events in CDO is being held? Click here and find it out yourself.

A Tribute Night at Primavera Residences to Celebrate Women’s Month

Posted by Primavera Residences on March 10, 2014

A Tribute Night at Primavera Residences to Celebrate Women’s Month

It’s March and it means one thing: it’s international women’s month. During this time of the year, public and private organizations across the globe find time to celebrate the role of women in societies. As a show of honor and gratitude to the strong and beautiful women of CDO, Primavera Residences is also cooking up activities that you sure must not miss. Dubbed as “Women’s Night at Primavera: A Tribute to the Strength and Resiliency of the Modern Empowered Women”, this women’s night event will be held on March 22^nd at the multi-purpose hall of Primavera Residences from 6PM to 9PM. It will be a night of cocktails and chatting, a showcase of women’s talent through the art exhibits and inspiring thoughts from notable women of Northern Mindanao.

As a proud woman myself, I’d like to quote one of my favorite lines on women empowerment from the lovely Nancy Reagan that says “A woman is like a tea bag: you cannot tell how strong she is until you put her in hot water.” Wonderful line from a wonderful woman, isn’t it? Oh, I’d like to make it even more specific. Let’s use the term “modern woman” to make it even more impactful. This does not mean that we belittle the men out there. As the cliché goes, a man will always be a man. What the quote simply says is that women have their strengths and they can contribute to the society as much as men can.

Since it women’s month anyway, I’d like to share to you a simple truth and you have to agree with me on this: the secret behind every man’s success is a woman. Really, the woman is a man’s backseat driver in the many things he does. She makes him behave, she dresses him up decently, she plans where to dine for a date, and she drags him to church. I could go and on but the list is endless for the woman’s capabilities is boundless, both at home and in society. This is no theory because history itself recorded women empowerment in politics and the labor force, which is even more manifested these days. No wonder career women with families are coined as “super women” because they can juggle work and kids and husband chores. Now that is something!

Here in the Philippines, we pay tribute to the strong and resilient “Juanas” who inspired positive changes to our country. Did Miriam Defensor Santiago cross your mind? Yes, she makes a good example, and she is just one of the many resilient “Juanas” who inspires women to come out of their shell and be the strong woman that they are.

Don’t forget to mark your calendars this 22^nd for a night of fun and socialization at the premiere eco-friendly residential condo of uptown CDO. Remember though, this event is not just for women, it’s for everyone. But it’s a celebration for women and we wish to highlight the beauty of a woman’s role not just in the home, or in society but to the entire world.

Planning to hold cocktail events and parties? Click here and do no more venue-scouting.

Calling All Amateur Photographers In Cagyan De Oro! Join The Primavera Earth Day Photography Contest!

Posted by Jane on March 6, 2014

Are you an amateur photographer who

is ready and eager to showcase your work in print and in the world wide web?
has an eye and skill in creating stunning images that convey a message?
believes in the importance of sustainable development and eco-friendly solutions?

Then we are looking for you!

Join Primavera Residences’ “LIVING GREEN IN A MODERN WORLD: An Earth Day Photography Contest” and win fantastic prizes from the first multi-awarded green condominium building in Mindanao. This contest is co-presented by Smart Communications.

Who can join:

The contest is open to amateur photographers, photography students, and enthusiasts of all ages based in Northern Mindanao. Professional photographers (defined as an individual who receives compensation for his photographic work either as a one-person operation or through involvement in a studio outfit) are not eligible to enter this contest.
Participants under 18 years of age require the permission of a parent or guardian. By entering the contest, entrants under 18 years of age indicate that they have obtained the permission of a parent or guardian.
The contest is not open to employees of Italpinas Corp. or its subsidiaries and affiliates.

How to join:

Each participant is allowed to submit a maximum of 3 entries.
Entry is limited to original works that have not previously been displayed or exhibited and to which the entrant holds all applicable rights. Works that have won prizes in other contests or that have been submitted to other contests currently underway are not eligible.
The submitted works must revolve around the theme and will showcase eco-friendly living and sustainable projects in the region.
Images that have been retouched using digital software or by other means will be accepted. Both color and monochrome images will be accepted.
Entries must be submitted between March 1 to April 22, 2014.
By submitting an entry to this contest, the participant ensures the organizers that the content is original, does not plagiarize from anyone or infringe a copyright or trademark, does not violate anybody’s rights and is not libelous or otherwise unlawful or misleading. Should the organizers or judges receive a report and proof of plagiarism, the entry will automatically be disqualified.

After carefully reading the guidelines, participants may submit their entries in jpeg format through any of the following options:

Via walk-in at the Primavera Residences office in Pueblo de Oro Business Park, Cagayan de Oro. File must be in a CD or USB and submitted to Jane Duterte.
Through the following email: crs@italpinas.com.
By submitting a link from Facebook or Flickr.

Submitted entries must include the following information: participant’s name, address, phone number, email address, and photo caption.
Entries must have a resolution of 6 megapixels to be made available upon request.
Finalists will be announced in April 25, 2014 and will be open for public viewing in the gallery exhibit to be held at Primavera Residences and the Primavera booth in SM.

Copyright:

The copyright in all images submitted to the competition will remain with the copyright holder who will be credited. Each entrant grants to ITPI a non-exclusive irrevocable license to reproduce, publish and communicate to the public by any means and exhibit their awarded image(s) and copies of their awarded image(s) in all media in relation to the competition and the exhibition.

How will the entries be judged?

Images will be judged on relevance to the theme, originality, composition, overall impact and artistic merit.
The team of judges will be composed of officials from Italpinas, members of the CDO press and bloggers community, and prominent Cagayan de Oro photographers. (Meet the judges HERE)
Preliminary judging of the online gallery will be done from April 22 to 24, 2014.
On April 25, the top 10 entries will be unveiled in a photo exhibit to be held at the Primavera Residences booth in SM City.
Final judging and awarding will be on May 3, 2014.
All decisions made by the judges are final.

ADDITIONAL NOTICE:

The panel of judges and the contest organizers take plagiarism very seriously. All the submissions will be accepted in good faith and presumed to be the participants’ property. Should reports of plagiarism with attached proof be received by the judges and contest organizers, the reported entry will be automatically disqualified from the contest and prizes will be forfeited.

MAJOR PRIZES

First Prize:

2 nights luxury stay for 4 at Primavera Residences with free breakfast.
Spread in the Primavera newsletter
Opportunity to showcase his/her portfolio on the Primavera Blog
Plaque
3-month membership to Wellness Wednesday Club@Primavera including 2 months pool & gym use.
1 LTE Pocket Wifi and additional gift items from Smart Communications

Second prize:

2 nights luxury stay for 2 at Primavera Residences with free breakfast.
Feature in the Primavera newsletter
Plaque
3-month membership to Wellness Wednesday Club@Primavera including 2 months pool & gym use.
Additional gift items from Smart Communications

Third prize:

1 night luxury stay for 2 at Primavera Residences with free breakfast.
Feature in the Primavera newsletter
Plaque
3-month membership to Wellness Wednesday Club@Primavera including 2 months pool & gym use.
additional gift items from Smart Communications

Minor Prizes:

7 winners will receive the following:
Gift certificates from partner establishments
2 months membership to Wellness Wednesday Club@Primavera and pool & gym use.
Additional gift items from Smart Communications

Send your entries now!

If you want to know more about the number one eco-friendly destination in uptown Cagayan de Oro, go here.

Cagayan de Oro: Top Destination For Philippine Real Estate

Posted by Primavera Residences on March 3, 2014

There is a movement of young aspiring professionals from the regions to the country’s capital. However, this trend is bound to make a turn-around with the developing regional urban centers.

Investors from around the country are realizing that instead of taking chances in the now-rising-now-falling investment climate in Metro Manila, holding their breath while it seesaws with the pressure of urban saturation, it is much more sustainable to bring the money home.

While the Urban Land Insitute survey and ULI-PwC annual reports show that Manila is a 2014 top real estate destination due to the rising economy of the Philippines in general (see story here), we should remember that this rising economy is still largely comprised of the regional investments.

Cagayan de Oro, a fast rising economy in the country, for example, is a busy hub servicing the vast agricultural lands of Northern Mindanao and the industries and aquatic resource developments along the Macajalar Bay.

As the jump-off point to many tourist destinations like Camiguin Island and the outdoor adventure centers in Bukidnon and Misamis Oriental, Cagayan de Oro is also growing its own community of tourism entrepreneurs. It is an investment destination for those engaging in the business of hotels, restaurants, and service providers.

As people – both national and international investors – are coming in, they see the ideal position of the city. While it is an active business hub, it is still a laid-back city, the beach only 15 minutes away from the city center, the mountains barely an hour’s drive. Urban comforts and rural charm define this city. Because of this, the city is also fast becoming a hotspot for Philippine real estate.

Proof of it is the active CdO real estate development scene – the city boasts of the first green building in Mindanao, the condominium towers of Primavera; it has the Pueblo de Oro subdivisions, micro centers themselves with restaurants, schools and even reforestation areas inside the communities.

So while Manila is attracting people who want to live life like it’s a rat race, this city down south is attracting people who dream big but want to enjoy every moment of getting to the realization of that dream.

New Ventures and Opportunities at the 2014 PinoyWork.com Career Expo

Posted by Jane on March 1, 2014

New Ventures and Opportunities at the 2014 PinoyWork.com Career Expo

By Samantha Lagar Liboon

You could say that I’m the kind of person who tends to grab almost every opportunity that comes my way. This is why I was thrilled to join the representatives of ITPI Corp. on PinoyWork.com’s Career Expo 2014.

Here are some reasons why:

1. Career development and opportunities

PinoyWork.com’s Career Expo 2014, which was held last February 26-27, 2014 in Centrio Mall was a two-day career development program organized for graduating students and job seekers in Mindanao. For companies, it also offered publicity and an avenue to present their company’s profile and products.

2. Inspiring talks

But the expo wasn’t only about showcasing job opportunities for Kagay-anons, it was also a venue for inspiring, insightful and thought-provoking talks from representatives of participating companies. There were several talks, but one that caught my attention were that by Clifford Roa, director of Philippine Red Cross CDO Chapter. Mr. Roa spoke on “Passion, Innovation and Network”. Another talk that struck me was that on “Entrepreneurship” by Ms. Concordia D. Acosta of the Department of Trade and Industry.

3. “Passion, Innovation and Network”

As I listened to Mr. Roa sharing insights about how to succeed in our careers and how to be the ultimate salesperson, I was forced to reflect on new chosen career in real estate, and how all these ideals translate to the vision of ITPI Corp. or Italpinas Euroasian Design and Eco-Development Services. ITPI is the developer of Mindanao’s first eco-friendly condominium, Primavera Residences, which is located (luckily for us Kagay-anons) in uptown Cagayan de Oro. It’s an amazing property — the first mixed-use condominium in the city (and the region) that integrates passive cooling techniques with on-site production of renewable energy. And all of it was spawned from the vision of ITPI’s CEO and Executive Chairman Arch. Romolo Nati and ITPI President Atty. Jojo Leviste.

Noting that property developments have contributed to urban problems and global warming, Arch. Nati has long advocated a unique design philosophy that involves biomimicry — or mimicking the way nature uses resources and adapts to the environment.

Taking inspiration from a termite mound’s natural ventilation scheme, the two towers of Primavera Residences are able to cool the air that gets drawn from outside into the buildings. This air is then vented into the building’s floors, creating a cross-ventilation for the units inside it before it exits through the open space at the top, like a chimney. The constant air circulation, among other energy saving features of the building, results in a 32% decrease in air conditioner costs.

As I continued to reflect, I then realized that it’s high-time for all of us to become aware of and to be sensitive about caring for our ecology. Suddenly, I was proud of ITPI for doing great in driving the awareness of environmental issues and of making Primavera Residences affordable to both the business class and professional of Cagayan de Oro.

4. Embracing Fearlessness and Risk

As for Ms. Acosta, her talk on Entrepreneurship highlighted the endless possibilities that could arise from taking risks and trying out independent ventures.

As I listened to the inspiring talks and observed the jobseekers and the companies who participated in the Career Expo, I was filled with a sense of hope. Suddenly, I was recharged with new-found energy to pursue new paths and achieve new goals!

Wanna know more about the highly innovative green condominium in Cagayan de Oro? Click here.

My Surprise Proposal at Primavera Residences

Posted by Jane on February 24, 2014

By Nicolo Antonio Duterte

There comes a point in a man’s life when he can either man up and decide to spend his lifetime with the woman he wants to marry or just continue being single and free. I chose the former, and so now I will talk about how I pulled off a nail-biting and nerve-racking marriage proposal .

Most men I know don’t bother about staging a full-blown surprise proposal since it entails careful preparation and creativity. Others would choose to be practical and pour all of that effort in the wedding itself. But being a self-confessed true blue romantic that I am, I decided to give it my best shot and show the woman I love how truly blessed I am to have her in my life.

To those who wish to do the same, here are some tips that just might help you.

Start with a plan. No surprise there, I used up a lot of lists and notes to get this done. I had to rack my brain for this. Planning when to propose, where to propose, what to bring, and what to leave out is really necessary. Think about it this way: a simple camping trip needs preparation. A proposal needs one too. If you cannot imagine a cool concept, try to just list two important things you want to recreate or accomplish in the proposal then go ahead and get it done.
Gifts? Flowers? Yep! Choose a color she loves. Red, white, blue, violet even. Remember to stick with what she loves. An added touch such as a card or an item (whether a card or little gift) will do. If you have the perfect ring for this, go ahead. For those who don’t, do not worry, you can save up for that, just give her the best that you can give without breaking the bank. The effort behind the proposal is indicative of the effort you will give in planning for the wedding, and for the rest of your marriage. Or so they say.
Food. Either you can order food in a fancy restaurant or have a friend who cooks really well (my chef friend made this a no-brainer for me). The plan you have in your mind and the energy to pull it off should include food. Again, just make sure to choose something she really loves and stick with it. Her preferences should be your top priority.
Photographs. Who says the “selfie generation” made it important to take pictures? We were doing it before they were even born. A proposal does not happen every day, so better capture the moment that both of you will re-live in the future. Ask for help from your photographer friends or hire one if you have to. What matters is that you take pictures. And more pictures to capture all the little details. Fifty years down the road, you will be very glad you did.
The venue. At this point in your life, you may (or may not) already have an idea where to pull it off. Restaurants are a common and easy choice. Beach proposals are cool too. For the adventurer types, a tour and scenic view on top of a mountain will do. Just pick one that is logistically possible and meaningful for the both of you. For me, I wanted to have it done in a rooftop on a late afternoon, preferably with a great sunset behind us. Primavera Residences was the perfect place for this. Not only do they have willing co- conspirators to help me plan and implement the BIG SURPRISE, they also exerted a lot of effort to make this day truly wonderful for me, my fiancé, and our guests. The view of Cagayan de Oro in the rooftop was a magnificent bonus too. Though the weather did not cooperate to give us the usual amazing Cagayan de Oro sunset for our backdrop, it was awesome nonetheless.

Proposals are not easy to pull off but if you plan it well and put a lot of thought into it, your significant other will definitely appreciate it. You do not have to spend a lot to propose. We can still be practical since these are practical times, however we must remember that this can happen only once in our lifetime, so better make it count.

Check out the proposal video here:

Planning your own surprise proposal or any event? Call +63 917 7921080 or visit our website at http://primaveraresidences.italpinas.com.

Single and Ready to Mingle? Join the Primavera Post-Valentine Event on Feb 22!

Posted by Jane on February 11, 2014

Think: cocktails, trivia games, fun prizes, and lots and lots of mingling.

Are you ready for that?

We certainly are at Primavera Residences, and we’d love if you could join us for an exciting post-valentine event specially designed for SINGLES. Meet new friends, play fun games, and sip a drink or two. The party’s on us and all you need to do is show up, bring your friends, and have a grand time.

Don’t forget to follow us on Facebook for more details: https://www.facebook.com/CondoPrimavera

See you here!

Tag: Cagayan de Oro