Golden Gibbon swings into resto space of real estate

committed to help fulfill. As the affordable housing arm of v i sta Land, the country’s largest integrated property developer, Lumina Homes has over 50 residential projects across the Philippines, which include Rizal, Bulacan, La u n ion, Pangasinan, Cagayan, Nueva Ecija, Bataan, Pampanga, z a mbales, Tarlac, Cavite, Batangas, Laguna, Quezon, Albay, Sorsogon, Negros Occidental, Iloilo, Cebu, z a mboanga del Sur, Bukidnon, Misamis Occidental, Agusan del Norte, and d a vao del Norte.

These are key cities and towns that most of our migrant workers call home, places that they will want to go back to and resettle in when they retire.

In appreciation of the hard work and sacrifice of our kababayans abroad, Lumina Homes forged a partnership with TFC to harness the huge following by launching last year its Win a Home Season 3 promo among its subscribers in Europe and the Middle East. By registering with Lumina Homes’ newsletter, and uploading photos of themselves sending money home using the d i ng app, OFW promo participants qualified for the grand draw where a brandnew Lumina house and lot was raffled off.

The grand draw, which was held last d e cember and streamed live on TFC’s official YouTube channel and Facebook page, had Pelon as the lucky winner of a brand-new Angelique Townhouse unit.

Lumina’s Angelique Townhouse is a well-designed 35-sq-m home, with thoughtfully laid-out living spaces such as living and dining rooms, a kitchen, a toilet and bath, provisions for two bedrooms, a carport, and a service area. It was an auspicious way for Pelon’s family in the Philippines to jump-start the new year and see, first-hand, why Lumina Homes was recognized as the Best Affordable Housing d e veloper in the 2021 Carousell Property Awards. For Pelon, it was a sweet reward as she had to leave home to toil in far-flung countries, enduring loneliness in order to provide a better life for their loved ones.

Holcim reaffirms commitment to decarbonizing construction, affordable housing

LEA dIN g bu ilding solutions provider Holcim Philippines, Inc. reiterated its readiness to support partners in decarbonizing construction and putting up affordable homes and called for cooperation to accelerate the shift towards more sustainable practices during key public forums.

By Roderick L. Abad

THE hospitality and restaurant seg - ments, along with other real-estate sectors, are now back in business as the economy reopens with the easing Covid-19 pandemic.

Shaka Group enters the foodie and party scenes of Manila, bringing in another deliciously sustainable experience with the Golden Gibbon.

Located along L.P. Leviste Street, Salcedo Village in Makati City, this new casual fine dining/bar is inspired by the critically endangered Golden Cheek Gibbon.

Once commonly seen swinging high in the canopies across the tropical forests of Vietnam, Thailand and Borneo, the Gibbon’s now invades the concrete jungle of the Metro.

Within its small intimate nook, it raises the bar on traditional expectations of cultural South East Asian cuisine.

This is where conventional kitchens across the region meet to come up with the best fusion of contemporary dining experience in the country.

Through his gastronomic creations while raising awareness on the verge of extinction and habitat loss of this amazing specie, Executive Chef Nino Laus of Nino’s & Agimat restaurants takes a cue on the vast history of flavors and distinctive ingredients to produce a special menu fit for every season.

What a better way to pair his sumptuous offerings than a glass of tantalizing cocktails created by renowned mixologists Larry and Sharleen Guevara of Liquid Concepts PH.

To bring foodies and bar goers in the mood to devour and unwind, Huephoria Interiors’ Amanda Brodett designed the

Golden Gibbon with an elegant wine and dine spaces set in the wilderness.

Sustainably run with a purpose, a part of its profits is shared to reforestation programs and Gibbon rehabilitation services region-wide.

“It’s this pledge that encourages us to provide all of our customers with an exceptional experience of both flavor and hospitality. We aim to foster an inclusive environment that comes together to celebrate life, beauty, cultures and environment of the subtropical Asian region,” said Ben Plummer, chief executive officer and founder of Shaka Group.

“Our goal is to be a destination where people can come together, share meals, clink glasses and create everlasting positive memories with family and friends, finding joy and splendor in the gracious gibbon!” he added.

As keynote speaker during the Net z e ro Building and Net z e ro Summit Philippines on January 10, Holcim Philippines President and CEO Horia Adrian emphasized the important role of the construction industry in reducing the country’s carbon emissions. He noted that building materials account for 30 percent of the carbon footprint of structures, so it is necessary for the industry to steadily shift towards alternatives that are better for the climate.

Adrian explained that Holcim Philippines is committed to supporting partners in this transition and is accelerating sustainability initiatives from greening operations to expanding its eco-friendly offerings. Adrian said Holcim Philippines is digitalizing operations to raise the efficiency of production and logistics. The company is also using more alternative fuels and expanding its line of innovative blended cement that delivers equal to superior performance but with a lower cost to the environment.

“Holcim is committed to providing solutions for building more with fewer materials, new buildings using recycled materials from old structures, and more efficient buildings using smart design and materials. We are excited to work with partners in building greener, smarter, and for all in the Philippines to better contribute to the country’s progress,” he said.

Since 2015, Holcim Philippines has reduced its carbon footprint by 12 percent by producing more blended cement, replacing coal with qualified wastes as alternative fuels, and improving the efficiency of operations. The company’s carbon footprint reduction program is aligned with the Holcim g rou p’s net zero direction and the country’s Nationally d et ermined Contributions. Aside from its initiatives, the company is working with key stakeholders to encourage the consumption of low-carbon products to help reduce the footprint of the built environment.

Meanwhile, Holcim Philippines Chief Sustainability Officer z o e Sibala shared the importance of new building materials and modes in constructing affordable houses during the ShelterTech Southeast Asia Community forum on January 16, organized by the Terwilliger Center, the innovation unit of Habitat for Humanity.

Sibala explained that choosing the right cement can help build better affordable houses and shared the exciting building innovations from the Holcim g roup, such as 3 d building technology that the company can bring to the Philippines. She also invited affordable housing segment players to a conversation on new construction technologies and modes that can support the achievement of goals.