Author: PRNEWS

The Mercedes-Benz Star Lease Program

PRNEWS Leave a comment

Auto Nation Group, Inc., Philippine General Distributor of Mercedes-Benz, in partnership with SB Rental Corporation, a wholly owned subsidiary of SB Capital Investment Corporation (a member of the Security Bank Group), now offers a more convenient way of acquiring a luxury car with the Star Lease Program, which will be available for the Mercedes-Benz brand.

With the shifting trend of car ownership to car usage, car leasing best suits clients who frequently change their cars every two to three years. Filipinos can now enjoy the freedom from ownership worries. The burden of high monthly payments, maintenance costs and low resale value from your vehicle’s depreciation will now be a thing of the past.

The customer has three options:
1.) Extend the vehicle lease
2.) Return the car and lease a different unit, or
3.) Return the car and end the contract at the end of the lease term

Leasing a car also equates to monthly payments 50% cheaper than having your vehicle financed.With this new finance platform, operational leasing terms can be customized for corporate or individual requirements. The Star Lease Program provides a compelling alternative option for clients to experience the premium Mercedes-Benz brand without a down payment or processing fee.

Benefits from the 36-month operational leasing product include the following:
• No vehicle depreciation risks
• No high downpayment, just a 10% guarantee deposit
• No payment for chattel mortgage
• Fixed affordable monthly payments protected from re-pricing
• Monthly payments include LTO registration, car insurance and taxes
• Monthly payments also include a maintenance package

With this partnership, clients are assured of security, transparency, and the highest quality of service in every transaction.

Smart Ultimate wins big at Boracay Open

PRNEWS Leave a comment

The Ultimate Frisbee club of Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart) recently placed third in Division C of the prestigious 2015 Boracay Open, which drew in 50 teams from all over the world.

Smart business analyst Raymund Buenaventura was named part of the Mythical 4, the top players in the tournament.

Last year, the all-employee team placed first runner-up in the Metro Manila Ultimate Commission Summer League, and third in the Ultimate Heatwave Beach Tournament held in Zambales. Smart Ultimate is one of 22 employee clubs which encourage the Smart workforce to “Live More.”

Megaworld’s GERI to hold coastal clean-up drive in Boracay

PRNEWS Leave a comment

In a bid to create awareness and to preserve the natural wonders of Boracay Island, Megaworld’s Global-Estate Resorts, Inc. (GERI), the developer of Boracay Newcoast, will conduct a special clean-up drive initiative along the famous three-kilometer coastal area of the island on Friday, February 27, 2015.

The clean-up drive will be attended by different volunteers coming from the sales team of GERI; the local government of Malay, Aklan spearheaded by Glenn Sacapaño, Boracay Island Chief Operating Officer (BICOO) and Solid Waste Manager; and other environmental groups.

“This clean-up activity aims to help preserve the beauty of Boracay and at the same time to create awareness that the company is building a sustainable community in the island,” says David Chua, head of sales and marketing for Boracay Newcoast, GERI.

Boracay Newcoast is a 150-hectare master-planned development project that is poised to be the next tourism hub in Boracay. Megaworld’s GERI will bring the Boracay experience to an all-new level by offering a mix of the conveniences of the metropolitan lifestyle complemented by the rich resort vibe.

Combining the world-class development to the rustic ambiance of the island, Boracay Newcoast also plans to institute various environmental initiatives in the township to foster long-term preservation of the island.

Boracay Newcoast has its own sewage treatment plant (STP) to prevent waste discharge to the sea. The STP is now benefiting the Fairways and Bluewater Newcoast Resort, which the recycled water from the plant being used for irrigation in the golf course to lessen the dependence of fresh water supply.

The township will also have effective drain facility, which collects rainwater for irrigation and prevent flooding. This facility also prevents the reverse flow of sea water in the community during high tide and during storms.

Other initiatives in Boracay Newcoast include solar-powered street lamps, e-jeepneys, materials recovery facility, underground cabling system, and use of environment-friendly construction materials and techniques.

“Boracay Newcoast is an integrated resort and leisure development, where everything is just a short walk away, to encourage residents, workers, and tourists to conserve gas and energy and lessen the carbon footprint. Also part of our green initiatives, 20 percent of the development will be reserved for open spaces and turn it into more lush greenery,” says Chua.

Aside from developing more green features in the township, the company will also comply to preserve hundreds of full-grown trees in the area, especially the trees that are on the list of endangered species from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.

“In order to reach out to the locals and let the public be aware that the company is not just here in Boracay to develop a township, but rather to take care and enhance the prestige of Boracay which is known all over the world,” says Chua. “All components in Boracay Newcoast will be designed in an environment-friendly manner to inject awareness among visitors and residents in the tourism estate,” he added.

Some of the developments planned for Boracay Newcoast includes four international brand hotels, luxury condominiums, expansive beach manors and townhouses, a jetty, shopping districts, leisure centers, and an exclusive 18-hole golf course. With its one-kilometer stretch of beach, Boracay Newcoast is your private piece of the island.

The first residential condominium cluster being developed in Boracay Newcoast is the Oceanway Residences, a four-clustered mid-rise condominium that offers amazing views of the Sibuyan Sea, Fairways & Bluewater Golf Course, and Mt. Luho, the island’s highest peak.

Other phases in the property include The Village, an exclusive 8.4-hectare Mediterranean-inspired residential district located above the rolling terrains of the township; the Shophouse District, a vibrant 6.5-hectare Ibiza-inspired commercial and retail strip; and the Boutique Hotel, an 8.6-hectare district that has an environment and ambiance of the South Beach of Miami is designated for hotels and other similar businesses.
Megaworld’s GERI is the leading developer of master-planned integrated tourism estates in the Philippines, evolving on the Live, Work, Play, and Learn lifestyle concept. Other projects under its portfolio include the 1,300-hectare Twin Lakes in Tagaytay, the country’s first and only vineyard resort community; 170-hectare Sta. Barbara Heights, a mixed-use residential estate project in Iloilo; 561-hectare Southwoods City, a fully integrated township in the boundaries of Cavite and Laguna; and the posh 62-hectare Alabang West, a Beverly Hills-inspired township in Alabang.

Electrolux Doubles the Prize in 2015 Design Lab Competition

PRNEWS Leave a comment

Electrolux, a global leader in home appliances, announced this year’s theme for its prestigious global design competition, Design Lab. On its 13th year, Electrolux Design Lab is looking for innovative ideas under the theme Healthy Happy Kids. Receiving over 1,700 submissions from over 60 countries every year, Electrolux doubled the cash prize to €10,000 or nearly P540,000 and a six-month paid internship at Electrolux.

Lars Erikson, Senior Vice President for Design at Electrolux and Head of the Design Lab Jury, launched this year’s competition. “Electrolux Design Lab is an exciting competition that drives innovation, spurs creativity and gives us a look into the future of home appliances. It also allows us to connect and collaborate with young, talented designers from around the world who want to make a difference.”

This 2015, children are at the heart of Design Lab with the theme “Healthy Happy Kids.” “Electrolux is looking for new solutions and bold ideas that will help improve the everyday lives of families with kids,” said Erikson.

“Last year, we have proven our place in the global arena when UP Diliman’s Anna Abjelina made it to the top 70. This only shows that Filipino design students have what it takes to compete globally and be recognized by the world,” explains Andrea Pionilla, Marketing Manager of Electrolux Philippines. “This year, we look forward to receiving more fresh ideas from more design students. We are very hopeful that another Filipino will rank high or even win this prestigious competition.”

Prizes doubled in 2015

Over the years, Electrolux Design Lab has given jobs and business opportunities to a good number of its former contestants. This 2015, Electrolux will give even more to the brightest design students. First prize in this year’s competition are €10,000 or nearly P540,000 and a six-month paid internship at an Electrolux global design center. The second placer will win €6,000 or almost P325,000 while the third placer will get €4,000 or nearly P215,000. Lastly, this year’s People’s Choice Award recipient will be awarded €2,000 or roughly P100,000.

Online competition leading to global recognition

Design Lab seeks ideas for products, accessories, consumables and services for three home appliance categories: Food Preparation, Fabric Care and Air Purification. To join, participants should submit the following: (1) a brief of their concept; (2) a visual sketch illustrating their concept; and (3) a description of the consumer benefits of their idea. Submission of entries is from March 4 to April 8, 2015. More about the competition and brief can be found at electroluxdesignlab.com.

The best entries will be published on the Design Lab website and promoted in social networking sites. This will offer the students an opportunity to be acknowledged by a global audience. The contest will be conducted in stages to encourage engagement between the students and Electrolux. Participants will build their concepts throughout the competition. They will be required to post and share new content and write a development blog that will chronicle their progress. Most importantly, they will receive feedback from experts from Electrolux as they further develop their ideas. The winner of the Design Lab will be chosen by a jury of world renowned professionals by the end of 2015.

Robinsons Homes celebrates 20 years of building homes for Filipino families

PRNEWS Leave a comment

With a history of quality developments evident in the 32 residential subdivisions with over 5,000 homes located in Laoag, Tarlac, Pampanga, Bulacan, Antipolo, Batangas, Cavite, Cebu, Davao, Cagaan de Oro, and General Santos, Robinsons Homes Robinsons Homes continues the legacy by launching three sub-brands that addresses the changing needs of Filipino families.

First is the Bloomfields subdivision, an upscale contemporary tropical-inspired design development that caters to extended families. It is a development that features a bigger land cut with a lot size average of 320 square meters, and offers a price range of Php 8,000 and up.

Ang Ley said that Bloomfields has lesser number of units to make it more exclusive and more serene. Bloomfields features an infinity pool, sports areas, playgrounds, manicured lawns, parks, gardens, and clubhouses.

Second is Brighton, a contemporary Mediterrenean-inspired development suitable for families who want to move to a bigger home. It has an average lot size of 180 square meters, and has a starting price of Php 6, 000 per square meter.

Brighton features landscaped lawns, multipurpose courts, a swimming pool, and a neighborhood playground. Catering to couples who just got married, the Springdale sub-brand features a contemporary and simple design. It has an average lot size of 120 square meter, and priced at Php 4, 000 per square meter.

Springdale also features verdant gardens, activity courts, and playgrounds.

Springdale’s Cedar house model. Illustration courtesy of Robinsons Homes.
Springdale’s Cedar house model. Illustration courtesy of Robinsons Homes.

Recognizing the need of every type of families, Robinsons Homes provides “house designs and themes to suit varying aesthetic sensibilities of Filipino families.”

“We recognize that space requirements will change as a family grows. The advantage of a Robinsons Homes property is that there are options of choosing layouts that can accomodate growing or extended families,” Ang Ley said in a press release.

Adding on the factor of convenience, Robinsons Homes are located near schools, hospitals, and business and commercial districts.

These homes are also built within gated neighborhoods replete with beautiful surroundings and verdant landscaping, according to Ang Ley.

Meanwhile, Robinsons Homes promises to continue its aspiration to provide good life to Filipino families in the coming years.

“With this, we will look for a bigger and better Robinsons Homes. We are standing firm in our commitment to provide quality homes, (and) nurture the future generation. As we carry on the legacy of building enduring addresses, we will continue to expand in the growing markets in key cities in the Philippines.

“Right now, we are present in the far north, Laoag, and as far south as General Santos City. We plan to strengthen our presence in the Visayas as well. We have another project in Bacolod and we will be launching projects in Palawan, Batangas, and many more in key regional cities all over the country,” Ang Ley added.

“The whole Robinsons Homes team promises to work harder to achieve this, and hopefully 20 years from today, we will look back and say this is where we started, to make the bigger dreams become a reality,” she added.