Heading the list of property developers now transforming the cityscape of Manila, Avida recently sponsored a photo contest to capture the spirit of the redeveloping city. At the site of the former San Lazaro Hippodrome, the Ayala Land subsidiary catering to the affordable segment is constructing a residential condominium complex for mid-income homeowners wishing to be in a central Manila location within easy reach of top schools, hospitals and major transport lines.
The photo tilt drew 30 professional and amateur shutterbugs from different cities of the national capital region and nearby provinces. Photo hobbyists submitted 105 entries depicting familiar cityscapes such as the Quiapo Church and Bridge, Baywalk, Post Office and Intramuros. Manila, of course, is not solely defined by its architectural landmarks. It also is defined by the calesa, the vivid Manila Bay sunset, jeepneys– all captured poignantly by the photographers.
First placer Arnold Jumpay presented the city’s prime commercial district in his winning photo titled “Carriedo Street.” Runner-up Alexander Alcayde captured the dignity of the “Manila City Hall,” while Eduard Gapal opted for a pastime in a recent city addition, “Baywalk Jogging”. Jesus Paul Yan, a senior member of the Camera Club of the Philippines, encouraged the participating photographers to continue being the keepers of the city’s history through their lens.
Avida Towers San Lazaro (ATSL) is the company’s fastest selling condominium development in Metro Manila. It offers studio, one-bedroom, two-bedroom and loft models with a price range starting at P1.1 million to P3.2 million.
Chris Maglanoc, assistant vice president of Avida Land, attributed the high sales volume to the strategic location of its San Lazaro development, quality units and the ongoing commercial development of the area. Aside from five towers being built by Avida Land, another Ayala Land subsidiary is constructing townhomes while the mother company Ayala Land is erecting a mixed-use tower housing Manila’s largest Business Process Outsourcing site with retail shops similar to that of Greenbelt and Shops at Serendra in the vicinity. Right across Avida Land is the newly built SM San Lazaro.
The 24/7 operations of the business processing outsourcing companies in the new office tower is expected spur the redevelopment of San Lazaro and its environs. Seeking convenient accommodations near their places of work, BPO employees are expected to take up or rent the ATSL units. At the same time, OFWs, entrepreneurs, professionals and students have been drawn to the project. High demand for the project spurred the simultaneous construction of Towers 1 and 2. Tower 1 is already 100 percent sold-out and is slated for turnover to residents, together with the complex’s clubhouse and swimming pool. It was launched only January 2006.
Tower 2 is nearly sold out with only a couple of units left and was topped off, while Tower 3, which had a recent groundbreaking ceremony, is almost half-way from being sold out. For 2008, Avida Towers San Lazaro is slated to turn over Tower 1, top off Tower 3 and launch Tower 4 of the five-tower development.
For more information about Avida Towers San Lazaro or any Avida Land project, call 753-1111 or log on to www.avidaland.com.
"Carriedo Street" by Arnold Jumpay
"Manila City Hall" by Alexander Alcayde
"Baywalk Jogging" by Eduard Gapal