5 Ways to be Eco-friendly this ‘Back-to-school’ Season

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When kids anticipate the fun of back-to-school shopping, it always makes it a bit lighter and easier to bid goodbye to the summer season. Thankfully, though, today’s school supplies have come a long way. You can actually find ones that are colorful and stylish yet non-toxic. Yes, it’s music to our ears.

Here’s some tips to make going back to school easy and cool for both your kid and the planet.

ECO-FRIENDLY LUNCH BAGS – There are countless ways to be eco-friendly in packing lunch and using plastic sandwich bags are a big no-no today. The better option is to pack their snacks or lunch in reusable food and drink containers which can be used throughout the school year. If paper bags must be used, look for bags that are made from recycled paper.

DAILY EXERCISE – Walking to school or riding a bicycle is a great way to get exercise before class.  It will help to sharpen a student’s focus in class and will add exercise to their daily routine as well.  If you drive your children to school but bussing is available, consider putting them on the bus instead.  It reduces your carbon footprint and allows them to socialize while en route with their friends.

DOES EVERYTHING HAVE TO BE BRAND NEW?– Who wouldn’t want some new things on the first day of school? It’s great to show up on the first day with some smashing brand new outfit, but beyond day one, should you need everything to be brand new? There are a growing number of used clothing retailers that can insert a certain element of “eco-chic” to your child’s wardrobe and are way more affordable.

ECO BAGS – It was believed then that extra packaging was a sign of quality and prestige but would it hurt if, at least, we minimize the amount of non-recyclable items we send to the landfill? Nowadays, there are many eco-bags available when you shop for your children’s school supplies.

BE A LEADER – We must never forget that a child learns from their teachers and especially from their parents. Through leading them to live a healthy lifestyle, the earlier they learn and implement the eco-friendly habits into their lives. Making personal choices that embrace a green and sustainable lifestyle will provide examples for your children to learn and emulate from.

Planning to travel to Cagayan de Oro? Check in into the only eco-friendly serviced residences in Mindanao for your short-term and long-term accommodation requirements.

Primavera Residences, the first and only multi-awarded eco-friendly property in Cagayan de Oro, is an advocate of sustainable living. For more green tips, click here.

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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Italpinas CEO speaks at FIABCI Asia Pacific Regional Secretariat Summit

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Italpinas CEO and executive chairman Arch. Romolo V. Nati was chosen to speak at the 19th Fédération Internationale des Administrateurs de Biens Conseils Immobiliers (FIABCI) Asia Pacific Regional Secretariat Summit held recently at the Marriott Hotel Manila last April 17, 2015.

With the theme “Cities of the Future: Asia Pacific”, FIABCI-Philippines brought together international and prominent speakers in a program filled with timely information pertaining to global real estate.

Speaking before members of the FIABCI community across Asia, Nati talked about the importance of sustainable design in the midst of climate change and the problems plaguing many homeowners in the Philippines. In the real estate industry today, energy efficiency efforts are now becoming an essential component in property developments.

“With both a housing deficit and a power shortage problem prevalent in the country, it just makes sense that the future of design is in sustainability. We need buildings that not only look good, but also function well to help alleviate those two problems. This is why green design is important,” stated Nati.

Nati also explained one of the biggest misconceptions people have about eco-friendly structures being expensive. “A lot of people don’t realize that green, sustainable design can be done without the staggering costs. We at ITPI practice what is called passive green design, meaning rather than use expensive equipment to make a structure green, we incorporate design elements to help, say, lower the cost of energy,” he explained. “This way we can make the units affordable for the middle class,” he added.

Primavera Residences, ITPI’s flagship development, is a primary example for sustainable development. The 10-storey mid-rise twin tower is a winner of the 2014 Asia Pacific Property Award for Best Mixed-Use Development in the Philippines. Located in Pueblo de Oro Township in CdO, Primavera Residences is modeled after an anthill with a hollow column in the middle of each tower allowing air to enter and circulate, creating a chimney effect that helps cool down the building, lowering air conditioning and electricity costs.

“Power is one of the key issues in Mindanao, so it just made sense, especially in that area, to have energy-saving features. This can be seen as a benchmark for energy-efficiency. If we can do it in Cagayan de Oro, we can do it for the rest of the country,” Arch. Nati emphasized.

Primavera Residences’ Tower 1 has been completed while its Tower 2 is 90% complete.

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

South China Morning Post features ITPI Executives

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In the spotlight of today’s issue of South China Morning Post (SCMP) is a feature story on Italpinas Euroasian Design and Eco-Development Corporation (ITPI) and the company’s passion for sustainable developments in second-tier cities and regions in the Philippines.

Discovery Reports, together with SCMP, reports on ITPI’s efforts in offering investors a strategic inroad to the unrecognized yet hyper-prospective secondary places in the Philippines.

“We engage ourselves in secondary cities because we have seen that the big opportunities are now outside Metro Manila,” says Romolo Nati, ITPI’s chairman and architect. “There are more than 7,000 islands in this country, and hundreds of thriving cities that need sustainable mixed-use development.”

ITPI is an Italian-Filipino company that designs and develops sustainable property developments nationwide and Primavera Residences, its flagship development in Cagayan de Oro, recently won in the 2014 Asia Pacific Property Awards in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Fusing Italian design and Filipino culture, ITPI creates high performance properties while protecting the natural environment. Taking inspiration from nature and cultural and social conditions, and integrating this into architectural design, the company brings an unprecedented philosophy to Philippine real estate.

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“Environmentally friendly living must not be made expensive,” says Jojo Leviste, ITPI’s president. “If a building is designed to perform, then natural elements at its location can deliver results that would otherwise consume energy such as simultaneous cooling, lighting and ventilation.” The company’s first project, the Primavera Residences in Cagayan de Oro, attests to this.

Primavera Residences reduces energy consumption and living costs with solar panels, strategic channeling of natural airflow, and shading features that are designed according to the sun’s paths at the building’s precise latitude. Targeting the country’s rising middle class, most of the development’s units cost less than US$100,000.

ITPI is aiming to expand in Northern Luzon, Batangas, and the Visayas. The company is also working on its initial public offering (IPO) in a bid to attract foreign investor interested in the Philippines. “We want to be recognized for staying true to our values and to the passion the moved us from the very beginning,” Nati says. “We are proof that a company can do good while still being profitable,” he continued.

Do you want to know more about the multi-awarded development, Primavera Residences? You can call 088-880-5002 and 0917 794 2221 or visit our website here.

 

5 Reasons to Swim this Summer Season

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It’s summer time and it is just perfect to indulge yourself with safe and healthier swimming adventure. Swimming is a great recreational activity for people of all ages. Swimming can also provide you with a low-impact workout and it’s also a good way to relax and feel good.

So, get to the pool and dive right in here to learn more about the health benefits of swimming.

  1. Helps you manage your weight 

Swimming breaststroke for 30 minutes will burn approximately 367Kcal, depending on your weight and speed. That beats walking, which burns only 99Kcal in the same time, cycling, which uses up 240Kcal in half an hour, and even running at 6mph, which burns 300Kcal.

  1. Better mood and lowered stress levels

No matter what your level, swimming can make you feel better. In America, a study was made involving 100 swimmers and found out that both novice and intermediate swimmers felt significantly less tension, depression, anger and confusion after exercising than before. It may be because swimming, like other forms of exercise, stimulates the release of feel-good hormone serotonin. Also, swimming helps release stress and tension since it helps them feel mentally refreshed.

  1. It is low-impact

Since 90% of your body weight is buoyant when you swim, you only bear 10% of you weight. This allows for greater ease of movement with less strain placed on bones, joints and muscle.

  1. It is sweat-free 

Your constant movement when swimming generates up to 85% of your body heat but since water is cooler than your core body temperature, you never feel over-heated of get sweaty because water helps you cool down while you move around.

  1. It is good for your heart

As you swim, the water that surrounds your body exerts pressure which helps your circulatory system return your blood to your heart. According to Zoe Cooper, the demand on your heart is reduced by up to 17 beats per minute or 13% compared to someone execising on land.

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In Cagayan de Oro, only Primavera Residences offers all-natural saltwater swimming pool as the first of its kind in Mindanao. It is made even better with a spa seat equipped with two hydrotherapy jets at the deep end.

Located at the 3rd floor of Primavera Residences Tower 1, the 4 X 8 X 1.219 produces its own chlorine through a salt chlorine generator, the most sought after system of alternative pool sanitation today. Through a minimal saline level in the pool water (the equivalent of one teaspoon per gallon of water) and salt conversion cell, it produces the most luxurious, softest feeling water imaginable – everyday, the natural way.

Do you want to know more about Primavera Residences swimming pool? You may click here.

Misamis Oriental: The Home of Eco-adventure Destinations

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When it comes to beaches, springs, adventure parks, and a whole lot of escapades, Mindanao, the second largest chunk in the Philippine Archipelago, is the haven you’ve been looking for. One of its provinces is endowed with scenic places and natural wonders and Misamis Oriental is probably the best eco-adventure destination in the Philippines.

The province of Misamis Oriental is undeniably one of the right places to be for those who are after some adventure with nature. It is rich in natural resources, both underwater and on land, and it’s also the gateway to the entirety of Mindanao.

The breathtaking sunsets at the Agutayan Island in Jasaan, the underwater spring at Duka Bay Resort in Medina, the amazing land and underwater activities in The Mantangale Alibuag Dive Resort in Balingoan, are just some of the great jump-off points to more than a dozen adventure and diving sites. Misamis Oriental is home to terrific swim and snorkel spots. Good coral growth and strong currents make the waters of Misamis Oriental the ideal habitat for an array of plant and animal marine life.

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If you’re also into trekking and some land adventure, there are centuries-old trees at the Lasang Secret Adventure Eco-Tourism Park and breathe some fresh air while learning about the tribal cultures of Mindanao at the Gardens of Malasag Eco-Tourism Village.

Misamis Oriental is also a special place for Catholic pilgrims. The Divine Mercy Shrine, located in El Salvador City, has a 50-ft statue of Jesus as the Divine Mercy. Also, Our Lady of Guadalupe Shrine in Cagayan de Oro City lets you cross 9 rivers to get there.

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Dubbed as the “adventure capital” in the Philippines, Cagayan de Oro City also offers the thrill of escapades and adventures.

Do you need a place to stay for your Cagayan de Oro vacation? Check out the units for rent at Primavera Residences! You can choose between sunrise or sunset view from your very own picture-perfect balcony and window for a thoroughly relaxing vacation. For more information, click here or contact 0917 794 2221 or (088) 880 5002.

A Round Up of March News and Events at Primavera

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Are you ready for the summer heat?

As we welcome the month of adventure and fun, Primavera Residences celebrates with you as we offer more enticing news and events, and promos for you and your loved ones. March has been a fruitful month for Primavera that has opened more opportunities to reach out to the larger community and exciting promos to the market.

As a pioneering condominium development in Northern Mindanao, it is our pleasure to present to you the news and events we had last March.

  1. Italpinas offers graduation promo for March buyers

In time for the graduation month, ITPI offers special discounts worth P70,000 to its condominium buyers. In addition, buyers with graduating family membrs may also avail of an additional P5,000 worth of gift certificates, which can be claimed at Bigby’s SM City CdO Branch.

This promo appeared in several papers in the city.

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  1. Mindanao pushes for more renewable energy supply

During the recent 5th Mindanao Power Monitoring Committee Principals’ Meeting at the National Power Corporation Board Room, key players in the power sector stressed the importance of pursuing renewable energy as prominent source of electricity in Mindanao. Compared to last year’s power state, this year has seen significant progress with the immediate and medium term measures, stressing that majority of the cities in Mindanao did not have rotating power outage as reported by the Association of Mindanao Rural Electric Cooperative (AMRECO).

This great news was published in different media outlets in Mindanao.

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  1. Primavera, BWM promote local news to condo renters

Primavera Residences recently established a partnership with the Business Week Mindanao Group, providing its clients with a daily supply of relevant business news and current events in the region.

This news appeared in BWM papers Mindanao-wide.

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  1. Primavera, Smart Infinity, The Wine Cellar host ‘A Privileged Encounter’

Primavera Residences recently partnered with wireless leader Smart Communications through its premium brand Smart Infinity in hosting an exclusive event dubbed ‘A Privileged Encounter’.

Held last March 19 at the La Rondine Hall of Primavera Residences, the event featured an art exhibit by Biswal Mindanaw and wine-tasting by The Wine Cellar. The affair was graced by Mayor Oscar Moreno and VIP clients and guests of Smart Infinity, Primavera Residences, as well as members of The Wine Cellar’s Wine Club.

This event appeared in many publications and landed to some of the papers’ front pages.

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  1. Primavera supports Habitat as they build resilient and sustainable homes in Calaanan

Primavera Residences staff and its realty partners, as a long term partner of Habitat for Humanity, helped inbuilding 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.

This event was supported by different stakeholders in the city has appeared in countless papers in the city.

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Follow Primavera Residences in Facebook to stay posted with news and events from the country’s premier eco-friendly property. You may also visit their website through clicking here.

4 Tips to Renovate Your Condo into a Home

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Are you excited about how to make your condo space (and specifically, your home) a perfect place to live in? Let’s start by discussing how to maximize your condo space.

Just because the place is small does not mean the possibilities are small too.  With the right home designing and space-saving tricks, you can hold a house party at your humble place.  For example, a 25 square meter unit can look like 15 square meters bigger when you build a loft or a mezzanine.

  1. Use fewer but larger and dual-purpose pieces of furniture to turn your place into a visual delight.  By adding mirrors, you can also give the impression that your place is bigger than it really is. Go for perfect lighting and get rid of all those room-darkening shadows to achieve a cozy, at-home feel.  Go monochromatic for the theme or color as it makes your place look less cluttered and more alive.
  1. Clean up clutters to maximize space.  Do not block windows with furniture, cabinets, and even television sets to avoid view obstructions. Your home looks bigger when you can see through every space.
  1. Choose your furniture wisely.  There are sofas that turn into beds at night, tables with drawers beneath them, cabinets with all those small surprises.  You may try installing shelves above doorways and a bookcase underneath windows.  Use an ottoman and a wicker hamper as both seat or table and additional storage.
  1. Always decorate in style and keep in mind that space should never be a problem. The space may be small but the possibilities are endless.

Do you want to live in an uniquely-designed and eco-friendly home in CDO? Primavera Residences offers condo units for rent and for sale in Cagayan de Oro. You can visit is through clicking here or you can call 0917 794 2221 and (088) 880-5002 for more information.

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.