The Bacolod Capitol Shopping Center is known as the Chinatown of Bacolod City because of the numerous Chinese business establishments in the area. Perhaps, only a few Bacolodnons, especially the younger generations, knew that it is a tragedy which gave birth to Shopping.

In 1955, a big fire gutted the area bounded by Araneta, Gonzaga, Locsin and Luzuriaga which is growing commercial center where most Chinese business establishments were located. The business establishments also doubled as residents so these Chinese were also displaced because of the fire.

Alfredo Montelibano Sr. saw an opportunity to attract the displaced Chinese businessmen so he developed the 27-hectare property north of Bacolod which gave way to the Capitol Shopping Center. Mr. Montelibano also donated a half-hectare property to the Bacolod Chinese Catholic Association where Hua Ming School and church are now located.

The Montelibano family has already transformed what used to be cogonland into Villamonte Subdivision and the upscale Capitolville Subdivision. During the time that the Capitol Shopping Center was being constructed, the exclusive boy’s school La Salle Bacolod and St. Scholastica Academy were already operating not far from Shopping. It’ not surprising then that the area became a prominent commercial center in Bacolod after its completion.

However, through the years, various business establishments re-opened in Bacolod downtown area and big malls opened in the city which took away customers from the Shopping area. Years of neglect have deteriorated most establishments in the Shopping area and even parts of the roads need to be rehabilitated.  Capitol Shopping Center has lost its luster as a business center and no longer attracted investments and only a few new establishments located in the area in recent years.

In the hope of reviving the once prime commercial district, Bacolod City Mayor Bing Leonardia recently signed City Ordinance no. 576 naming the Capitol Shopping Center as the Bacolod City Chinatown. The ordinance was authored by Councilor Dindo Ramos and co-authored by Councilor Em Ang stipulated that the city government will appropriate at least P15 million initial funding for the improvement of the infrastructure such as the welcome arch, greening and landscaping as well as road concreting. The city government, through the ordinance, hoped to attract investors by returning up to 70% of the cost of a project that will be put up at the Chinatown Center in the form of tax credits spread over five years.

The revival of the Capitol Shopping as the Bacolod Chinatown was lauded by the Filipino-Chinese Community since the Chinatown has been an important economic, cultural and spiritual hub for the Filipino-Chinese in Bacolod City.

Just like the way the Filipino-Chinese has risen from the ashes of the great fire of 1955, the renewal of interest in the Bacolod Chinatown Center will hopefully give way to the rebirth of the once robust business center.

Everybody’s already excited for Ayala’s proposed Capitol Civic Center development. The company plans to infuse P6 Billion for this project and another P25 Million for the development of the Capitol Park and Lagoon.

Negrenses have been following the development ever since it came out in the news that different companies are interested in buying the prime property owned by the Provincial Government of Negros Occidental. There were some dramatic turns as SM Prime Holdings filed for a TRO in court but was eventually denied.

Finally, last Friday, with only Ayala Land submitting a bid, the capitol property was awarded to Ayala Land. Below is the proposed AyalaCapitol Civic Center. The development include retail, residential, hotel, convention center and office zones.

Image credit: Visayan Daily Star

View Capitol Civic Center in a larger map

Finally, the Capitol Property for sale and lease was awarded to Ayala Land yesterday through a negotiated bidding. The Capitol properties up for lease and sale consists of 7.7068 hectares along Lacson Street, North Capitol Road and Aguinaldo Street in Bacolod City. The properties that are for sale was 3.6 hectares, while 4.1 hectares directly surrounding the Capitol are for lease.

Although it was SM Prime Holdings who first offered an unsolicited bid, there were several failed bidding which led SM to file a petition for a Temporary Restraining Order last Wednesday. SM’s petition for TRO was denied by the court thus the negotiated bid proceeded as scheduled on Jul 15, 2011. SM lost the bidding by default after they failed to submit their bid.

It was reported that Ayala plans to invest P6 billion for the development of Capitol Civic Center to include retail, residential, hotel, convention center and office zones. Ayala will also invest an additional P25 million for the development of the Capitol Park and Lagoon.

The Capitol Civic Center will surely be another landmark development of Ayala Land who also developed the Bonifacio Global City and Trinoma Mall. Ayala already has several investments in the province with their Ayala North Point property and the Ayala North Point Technohub.

Governor Alfredo Marañon, Jr.  considers this development as the “biggest investment in the province.” For the Negrosanons, this will be another legacy of his administration. Insofar as vision and political will are concerned, he and his brother, the late Joseph Marañon has proven that their administration has a lot of it. In can be remembered that it was under the administration of Joseph Marañon that the squatters in this same capitol property were relocated.

I think by now you’ve already heard or read the exciting news that SM Prime Holdings Inc. is offering to buy or lease the 6.5 hectares of the Capitol’s property along Gatuslao Street.

No less than Hans Sy himself met with Governor Alfredo Marañon last May 10. Sy said SM plans to spend P2.5 billion for the construction of a convention center which can accommodate 3,500 and two 200-room hotels. This is probably why the supposed SM Casa hotel in Bacolod rumored to be constructed at the back of SM City Bacolod has not yet materialized.

The area is a prime Bacolod property thus with the news of SM being interested in it, other investors also signified their interests. Ayala Land has signified their interest in the property. Ayala is the developer of Ayala North Point and the Ayala Technohub also located at Ayala North Point.

The owner of 888 Chinatown Square is also interested in acquiring the prime Bacolod property owned by the provincial government which is currently occupied by the Negros Occidental Provincial Jail. The inmates will be transferred to the new Provincial Jail located at Tabunan, Bago City next month.

The project gives us something to look forward to since it means more job for Negrenses. I’m personally thrilled with this development since our office is very near this prime property.

View Capitol Prime Property in a larger map

Those who live in Bacolod East area may have been curious as to the developments in front of Villa Angela Subdivision. Personally, I thought it was just another subdivision. But last week, that curiosity was satisfied when finally, tarpaulins were put up.

On the site will soon rise the Hi Residences Luxury & Modern Living condominium project Key Premier Communities Development Corp.. The project will be composed of three 5-storey buildings, three 7-storey buildings, and three 2-storey buildings.

Amenities:

• Gated Entrance
• 2-Storey Clubhouse: 25 meter Swimming Pool, Function Room, Game Room, Fitness Gym
• Pocket Gardens
• High Perimeter Fence
• 24 hour Security w/ CCTV Cameras
• Wi-Fi Zone at the Clubhouse

Real estate development is on the rise in Bacolod City especially in the East area. Eversince the New Government Center was opened in 2008, more businesses and real estate developments keep popping up in the East Area  such as the SM Savemore and Panasiatic. Development projects such as this are slowly changing the landscape and urban lifestyle of Bacolod City.

For more inquiries, don’t hesitate to contact us.

More images of Hi Residences units:

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Location Map:

Images courtesy of Anton Manso

FUN and ADVENTURE Starts at Home!
Verdana Homes ASYANA Phase 2 Launch
Ayala Land Negros

By:          Jaime H. Baloyo Jr.

June 19, 2010 — It was an afternoon of Fun and Activities for the Young ones and the Young-at-hearts alike at the Launching of Verdana Homes ASYANA Phase 2 held at the Club Verdana, Plantazionne Verdana Homes in the vast Ayala Property in Talisay City, Negros Occidental, Philippines.

Verdana Homes ASYANA is Ayala Land’s newest residential offering in Negros designed to bring home countless possibilities for fun and adventure.

Envisioned as a community for active families, the village amenities place value on quality family time through open space planning, numerous parks, long trails and other recreational conveniences. Verdana Homes ASYANA showcases the best of Asian designs through Modern-Asian Architecture.

Located 7 kilometers North of Bacolod City, the Provincial Capital of the Province of Negros Occidental, Verdana Homes ASYANA is adjacent to Plantazionne Verdana Homes, also an Ayala Land project. It is 10 minutes away from major centers like Malls, Hospitals and the Bacolod City Lacson Tourism Strip.

The Launch was graced by people from all walks of life. During the Program Proper, The Wu Shu Federation of the Philippines – Bacolod Negros Chapter performed a very energetic Lion Dance and a Wu Shu Presentation after it. Ms. Therese Borromeo, Ayala Land Negros Branch Manager also gave her Welcome Remarks to the Guests.

It was truly Fun at the launch. With Asian Festival Inspired theme, different Food Kiosks invaded Club Verdana. From the Filipino Ensaymaditas and Puto Cheese, Ginataan and Bibingka; The Chinese Buchi, Siopao and Siomai to the Japanese Tempura and Fishball and my Uber favourite, California Maki, it sure satisfied mine and my comrades’ (from Skyscrapercity) palate.

SSC-Bacolod: (From Left) Anton, Anime, Dominic, Jamie,Tiffany and Hainzel

The kid’s were also the happiest of the bunch, with Carnival Fair, Anime Sketching and Caricature Workshops and lots of classic Filipino Games to enjoy, everything was a blast!

I and my group were also busy entertaining ourselves during the launch. We had fun at the Photo Booth and we almost drown ourselves with photos. Photoshoot here, Photoshoot there, Photoshoot everywhere. The scenery in Beautiful Ayala Negros is incomparable. It almost makes you feel like you’re in a foreign land.

Verdana Homes ASYANA offers more than Fun and Adventure. It also offers Comfort Living as Ayala Land Negros will turn this vast Landscape into a Community within a Community, A City within a City. Future developments include a Community Mall, BPO Park, Schools, Sports Center and a lot more.

Skyscrapercity Bacolod Forumer, Jamie Baloyo was given the chance to Interview Ayala Land Negros Branch Manager, Ms. Therese Borromeo and here is what she has to say:

From Left to Right: Ms. Therese Borromeo, Branch Manager ALI Negros; Jaime H. Baloyo, Skyscrapercity Forumer/Blogger; Ms. Jeanette Japzon, Corporate Communications Officer ALI VisMin.

Jamie: Ms. Therese, what makes Verdana Homes ASYANA unique among other residential projects?

Ms. Therese:     Verdana Homes ASYANA is the First (if not the Only) of its kind Project in Negros or even the Philippines that Incorporates Nature as its inspiration in creating a Resort – like community with a Balinese design – inspired clubhouse, set on a linear park along the river. Each of the four Pocket Parks in Verdana homes ASYANA is conceptually themed. Inspired by four natural elements: Wood, Wind, Water and Earth, exemplifying creative use of materials to provide a sustainable setting for community enjoyment.

Jamie:   You said that Verdana Homes ASYANA will be a community within a community, a city within a city. What do you mean by this?

Ms. Therese:     Ayala Land Negros future developments include the community mall, the BPO Park, an Integrated School and a Sports Complex all designed to create a community within a community. We will be launching series of Developments within this year to realize this concept of a City within a City. It will not only bring comfort living to our Homeowners, but it will also create a new Hub in Metro Bacolod.

Jamie:   Ayala Land Negros will be Launching series of projects within this year. Can you give me a hint about the Upcoming Projects of Ayala Land Negros?

Ms. Therese:     We will be launching projects in August and October. But I will not disclose any as there was no formal Press Release yet. But soon as I have it, I will inform you guys. And you will again be our invited guests for these Launches.

Verdana Homes ASYANA is the newest residential offering of Ayala Land Negros offering Quality comfortable living with your family and the first to fully integrate 4 Natural Elements in a Residential Development and Ayala Land Negros is a Community where comfort and luxury co-exists.

With Ayala’s superior property management and 24 – hour security to constantly ensure peace of mind and enduring value for your property, YOU CAN NEVER GO WRONG.

Ms. Anne Lizares and Mr. Ferdinand Limsiaco, Property Specialist ALI Negros

For Site tours and inquiries, please contact the AYALA LAND Sales Team.

Ayala Land VisMin Sales Office
Ayala North Point Village
National Highway, Talisay City
Negros Occidental, 6115
Tel Nos. 63 (34) 7088900 – 02
Facsimile No: 63 (34) 7088880

Look for: Ferdinand Limsiaco

Property Specialist

Mobile: (63) (919) 481.8892
Email: asyana@ayalalandvismin.com.ph
E – Mail: flimsiaco@yahoo.com | felimsiaco@ayalalandvismin.com.ph

Or Contact:

Jamie H. Baloyo
Mobile: (63) (927) 9722883
E – Mail: jhbaloyo@yahoo.com.ph | jhbaloyo@gmail.com

Special Thanks to Mr. Ferdinand Limsiaco, Property Specialist – ALI Negros for the Invites and Ms. Jeanette Japzon, Corporate Communications Officer – ALI VisMin for the future VIP Invites.

Celebrate Asia! Verdana Homes ASYANA Grand Launch
Club Verdana in Plantazzione Ayala
August 15, 2009

In the sprawling hectares of ALI (Ayala Land Incorporated) Property in Talisay City, a few kilometers North of Bacolod City in Negros Occidental, A new Premiere Residential Address is born! Celebrate Asia! Celebrate ASYANA!

It was a night full of colors, and the foods being served simply complimented the whole concept of the party – Celebrate Asia! From the Sumptuous Thai Chicken Sautee and Beef Teriyaki, the flavorful Shanghai Rolls, Tongkatsu, Tempuras, and “Another Pork Dish.” The Japanese Favourites – Sushis and Sashimis (which anime and I ate our hearts out) to the Filipino Favourites – The Lechon, Pork Inasal, and Bam-I Noodles. Betso-Betso, and Minatamis na Saging for the Dessert and Lots of Cocktail Picks as side dishes.

The Night started with an Audio-Visual Presentation about ALI in Negros and its ASYANA Project. It showcases what ALI has achieved in the Past 12 years of presence in Negros Occidental and it shows how Promising the ASYANA project not just only for Talisay and Bacolod Cities, but for the whole Province of Negros Occidental.

The USLS Artians Cheerdance Squad opened the show with a blast. They displayed the colorful and diverse culture of Asia in one extravagant dance number. But the Highlight of the show is when they performed the Original AR Rahman Version of Jai Ho – made famous by the movie Slumdog Millionaire. And the Famous Masskara Festival Dance complete with Mask and Props (as if they were performing in the Street dance Competition) ended the show.

Ang Tribu ni Juan Patik played an ethnic inspired music and they did not disappoint either. Everything is perfect.

Mr. Jay Visco, VisMin Head for Marketing and Sales – Ayala Land Inc., gave the opening remarks. He stated that “ASYANA has been the source of Pride and Enthusiasm of ALI in the past few months and they are all excited about the project.” He also said that “Asia in General is a form of Multiplicity but in ASYANA, it is what we call “FUSION.”

ASYANA, as seen in the AV Presentation, will boast of Integrated Nature Themed Parks and Asian Inspired Linear Parks. It is a Resort-like community with a contemporary Asian Theme. It will also boast of a Pool that will resemble like a river.

Launch Speaker Mr. Francis Monera – VP Ayala Land Inc., stated that when they ventured into the market of Negros 12 years ago, all they want is “to build superior communities.” And with ALI’s Superior Property Management, rest assured that the investment with an Ayala Property is an Investment to last.

Mr. Monera also stated that “ASYANA is not just a new project. But it is “Another Project”, one who resembles and proof to the Market Attractiveness in Negros.” “Ayala Land is simply happy with what is happening to ASYANA right now. And as a sign of success, I am Happy to tell you, that, out of 100 lots in the Phase 1 Development, we already sold 20 Percent – In only 3 days!” he added.

Guests of Honors Bacolod City Congressman Monico Puentevella, Talisay City Mayor Eric Saratan and Silay Mayor Jose “Oti” Montelibano joined Mr. Francis Monera and Mr. Jay Visco together with other ALI executives for the formal Launch of Newest Premiere Residential Address in Negros, The Verdana Homes ASYANA.

A colorful display of fireworks put the guests in awe and Congressman Monico’s grandson had a wonderful time watching the fireworks smolder in the sky.
After the formal launch, The Company serenaded the crowd with their strictly OPM performances. The blending and harmony of their voices are exceptional. They got the crowd on their feet and danced to their rendition of 80’s Hit, Sumayaw, Sumunod and Rock Baby Rock among others.

The Verdana Homes ASYANA Launch is simply a Success! And the people are very enthusiastic about the project.

This is an Ayala Project so marvelous to think of. Asian-inspired Themed Parks, Man-made River Pool, Contemporary Asian Houses, Nature Complimented Parks and Bamboo Parks, Superior Property Management of Ayala Land Incorporated which includes State-of-the-art facilities and 24/7 security, picturesque backdrop from the plains to the mountains and awesome community makes this newest Ayala Project stand out from the rest.

Negros is truly blessed, with another Ayala Residential Project on the rise; this part of the Island could soon become the next Ayala Alabang – with a twist!

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(This article was contributed by TheSugarFairy and photos by Annie May Alegato Valdez. Both are very active forum members of SSC Bacolod and die-hard Negrenses. Annie May is a regular photo contributor of this blog.)

I’m helping out a friend sell their house and lot located in Canetown, Victorias City. I have personally visited the place and I like it because it already has fruit bearing trees and a nice picnic area overlooking the river.

Here’s the description of the property:

Lot Area: 1,447 Square Meters;

Floor Area: 205 Square Meters.

Bungalow type, 2 living rooms, dining room, kitchen, 5 bedrooms, 2 Toilet & Bath,  Attic (convertible to 2 more bedrooms) and garage.

Large lawn (front and back), with fruit bearing trees like lanzones, Indian mangoes, chicos, coconuts. Big palms like Madagascar and torch, fox tail, champagne, and blue palm. Many kinds of flowering plants.

Location: Canetown Subdivision, Victorias City, Negros Occidental,
walking distance from Entrance gate of Canetown.

Price: P 2.3 Million only.

If only I have that kind of money I would consider buying it as an investment. You can’t get a price that low for such a prime property.

If you are interested, just contact me using the Contact Form. It’s best to visit the property and see for yourself. The owners also welcome Licensed Real Estate Brokers.

Here are pictures of the property:

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Today I talked with a staff of St. Rafael Dev elopement Corp. (SRDC), the developer of Palmetto, and asked him for a copy of the floor plans for the proposed condominium units. As of now, no pricing is available although he told me that prices may start at P4M per unit and the minimum floor area is 120 sq.m. If you want to be prioritized once selling starts, you pay P10,000 reservation fee. This is refundable and deductible from the total cost of the unit.

True to what Mr. Felino Palafox announced during the launching of Palmetto, the units feature wide windows and balcony. Mr. Palafox said that this is the trend after 911 when people got more conscious for their safety. According to him study shows that the more visible you are to your neighbors, the safer you will be.

Wait for more updates on this blog or you can contact SRDC at 433-7308 to 11.

Palmetto Linear Park Development Plan

Palmetto Floor Plan for Cluster 1

Palmetto Floor Plan for Cluster 2

Palmetto Floor Plan for 3rd Floor, 3rd Floor Mezzanine and Roof Deck

St. Rafael Development Corporation (SRDC) officially launched the Palmetto project during the MulAPO sa Puso concert and celebration of their anniversary last September 5, 2008 at the USLS Coliseum. The groundbreaking for Palmetto was conducted last September 4, 2008.

Palmetto is the newest project of SRDC in Bacolod City which will feature condominium units in several buildings. SRDC is the developer of Celine Homes, Palisades and Providence Negros. Palmetto is located in front of Palisades at Brgy. Estefania, Bacolod City.

Present during the launching was Principal Architect and Urban Planner, Felino A. Palafox, Jr. of Palafox Associates, master planner for Palmetto. According to Architect Palafox, Palmetto was designed giving utmost consideration to security and connectivity to neighbors. Design features of a Palmetto condo-unit are wide windows and a balcony.

Wait for more updates on this blog.

Photo courtesy of Tony Manso