Who is To Blame With The Water Interruptions in Pasig and Mandaluyong?

More than ever, access to useful water supply is a necessity for everyone. Recently there was large interruption of service affecting Mandaluyong, Pasig, and some parts of Quezon City. According to the news, it was because of damage made by Awin Technology when they were working on their CCTV network installation.

Naturally people would vent out on the service provider like Manila Water. However this incident was not caused by any maintenance work, rather because of the damage in the pipeline caused a huge outage of service. These cities are also densely populated which resulted in a huge inconvenience for the residents and workers.

Taking A Visita Iglesia Via The Pasig River!

Holy week is upon us and one of our devotional traditions is doing Visita Iglesia by visiting churches. Depending on your preference, you could visit 7, 8 or even 14 churches, usually done with the way of the cross. I've been practicing this tradition with friends and family, and I would always ask myself how can I make this a unique experience every year.

With many churches located within Metro Manila, there is practically a lot of place to go to to complete your itinerary. And recently, there is a new way of doing Visita Iglesia and this is through the Pasig River. It was in recent years that ferry service was available for the public. The Zoomanity Group had a great idea of infusing Visita Iglesia with the river cruise which makes it an unique experience.

Misa De Gallo Diaries Day 7: San Roque Parish

I was planning of having an anticipated mass on this day but the traffic was so horrible that I went into a different route which brings me to San Juan Greenhills. I was hoping for a mass at the Holy Family Chapel inside the mall but what I saw was the people already leaving the chapel. The mass was held at 7pm and I arrived at 8pm.

But I never lost hope, I went into another trip this time going to Robinsons Galleria which has the EDSA shrine. I would expect that I would celebrate the mass at around 8 or 9 based on previous experiences. However, when I got there, the church was open but there is no mass. There is no tarpaulin or any information in their bulletin board about the Simbang Gabi Schedules.

Misa De Gallo Series Day 5: St. Francis of Assisi Parish

The fifth day falls on a Sunday which counts as a Simbang Gabi and a Sunday mass, with the fail I made on the fourth day, I made sure that the fifth day will be an improvement. This time, I first helped my roommate Pierre to get to the airport first early in the morning. Going out in the wee hours is best for commuting, however it is also a little bit dangerous.

After dropping him to the airport, I made my way to the bus to EDSA. From that point I can make an option of getting to churches along the way. Since I was done with Greenbelt, I look into the next location which is Mandaluyong. Immediately I thought of St. Francis of Assisi Parish which is located in Shaw Boulevard. I am not a regular of the church since there was the masses that are held inside the neighboring malls like Shangri-La and Megamall.

But I do look up to this church for being the humble beacon in the midst of progress and prosperity. Like the Franciscans they kept the feel of the church despite some improvements. 

ZALORA Philippines Opens First-Ever Digital Pop-Up Store

Asia’s leading online fashion destination, ZALORA Philippines, officially opened the doors of its ZALORA Pop-Up Store today at EDSA Shangri-la Mall. Recognized as the very first digital pop-up store in the Philippines, it represents the company’s latest efforts in continuing to build E-Commerce in the country using an omnichannel approach to ease customers into online shopping. 

“The ZALORA Pop-Up Store marks another milestone in our company’s young history. Since we started operations in 2012, we’ve continued to look for innovative ways to grow E-Commerce in the Philippines and through this initiative, we hope to widen our customer reach, educate them on the benefits of online shopping and dress them in the latest fashion trends, in the quickest and most convenient way possible,” said Paulo Campos, Co-Founder and CEO of ZALORA Philippines.

YOP: Vista Shaw - Home amid the Hubbub

It’s not always that history and modernity intersect in one real estate project but for Vista Shaw (formerly referred to as 515 Shaw as a nod to its address), they do. This 38-floor, two-tower project, located in the corner of Laurel Street and Shaw Boulevard in Mandaluyong City, features contemporary design and select modern-day amenities, with former President Jose P. Laurel’s historical mansion being a separate, but integral, part of the development.

“Originally, we thought of adapting the Laurel Mansion into a grand lobby but we decided to leave it untouched in order to preserve its integrity as a historical place and allow our residents to see it in its former glory,” says Elizabeth Kalaw, Division Head of Vista Residences. “Each of the two towers will now have its own well-appointed lobby that will usher the residents and their guests to an atmosphere of subtlety and refinement.”

Misa De Gallo Diaries 2013: Prayers for Healing (DAY ONE)

The year has been very tragic to many of Filipinos especially to those affected by Typhoon Yolanda, Visayas Earthquake and the Zamboanga Crisis. It would be fitting that the first mass is offered to all those who fell victim to these unfortunate events. And as of this writing, news of the accident which happened on the Skyway is also heartbreaking.

The start of the Simbang Gabi is the most important and challenging of all of the masses since it will be the first and missing it would affect the spiritual momentum. I chose to start with the territorial parish which reminds me that I have to start with where I am first before going to different places. 

Special Drive-In Screening of Philippines' Favorite Love Story "It Takes A Man And A Woman" Presented by Cinema One

The country’s favorite love story, “It Takes a Man and a Woman”, hit the big screen once again, in a romantic drive-in screening event presented by Cinema One held last Friday (September 27) at the the Greenfield District Central Park in Mandaluyong City.

Cinema One invited its audience to fall in love all over again as it revived the story of Miggy (John Lloyd Cruz) and Laida (Sarah Geronimo), shown out in the open and under the moonlight.

Learn More About Photography With Spotlight Pinas!

Spotlight Pinas' first PHOTOGRAPHY and TRAVEL WRITING WORKSHOPS will happen this March.

Their workshops will be held on March 16, 2013 at YTREE, Greenfield District (Shaw Crossing Area) in Mandaluyong at 11am to 5pm.

Registration Fee is P2,000 but those who will register before February 28 will get a P500 discount so they only need to pay P1500 inclusive of workshop materials and food during the workshops.

Avida 3D Street Painting Festival 2012!

Its the time again for great talents to paint the spirit of Christmas with the Avida 3D Street Painting Fetsival held at Avida Towers Centera in Mandaluyong City. This  is the second year of the Street Painting Festival which is has been actively participated by art groups from different schools in Metro Manila. Now lets know the winning entries and groups who will win up to P75000 for the first prize!

Avida announces winners of 2012 Christmas 3D street painting contest

AVIDA LAND ANNOUNCED THE WINNERS OF its 2012 Christmas 3D-Street Painting Competition with the theme:  “Pasko Natin: Ang Diwa Ng Pasko Sa Pilipinas”. The winning artworks and their artists are as follows: (This information to be provided at the awards ceremonies).

The competition was held from December 7 to December 8 and the awards ceremonies were held on the evening of December 8th at the site of Avida Towers Centera (Reliance Street corner Mayflower Street) in Mandaluyong City.

Avida Towers Centera 3D Street Painting Festival is Back!

Calling on talented Filipino visual artists! This is your time to showcase your 3D painting skills. Make realistic art that can fool the eyes and make head turn because of the unique street art. Last year's competition was attended by art students from different colleges in Metro Manila.

Avida Land is holding its second 3-D Street Painting  Festival contest at Avida Towers Centera on December 7-8, with the theme "Pasko Natin: Ang Diwa Ng Pasko Sa Pilipinas." Read on the image for details on how to join the contest

For more information, please call (02) 6872692  or e-mail chriscahilig@gmail.com

Misa De Gallo Diaries - Day 2 - SIMPLICITY

First Reading: Genesis 49:2, 8-10

Psalm: Psalm 72:1-4, 7-8, 17

Gospel: Matthew 1:1-17



Simbang Gabi may seem to be an easy task of going to church for 9 consecutive days and hopefully your wish will be granted. But the essence of the novena masses are far more than the hot bibingka and puto bungbong. The celebration is indeed agreat anticipation of the arrival of Jesus as a human being and was the best gift the world it ever had. Today's Misa De Gallo theme is SIMPLICITY.

Misa De Gallo Diaries - Day 1 - PATIENCE

First Reading: Isaiah 56:1-3, 6-8

Psalm: Psalm 67:2-3, 5, 7-8

Gospel: John 5:33-36



The year 2011 has been the most harsh yet blessed term I have experienced in my whole life. It was test of skill, connections and even faith. And here I am now on the third year of what others call a devotional posts that I have been doing in the past years. documenting the Misa De Gallo series was indeed a challenge for me  but fills me so much emotionally and spiritually. And for this year 2011, I will continue this series both as a reminder for me to look back on my experiences and also a reflection shared to many people in which they can also reflect within themselves. 

Brisk sales push for advanced launch of Avida Towers Centera Tower 2

Due to brisk sales and high demand, Avida Towers Centera is launching its second Tower on July 23, 2011, only four months from the launch of its first Tower, to make way for a fresh set of inventory available to buyers.

Avida Towers Centera, which was launched just last March 2011, is a joint venture project with Philippine National Bank (PNB). It is a four-tower residential condominium soon to rise along EDSA cor. Reliance Street in Mandaluyong City.

Avida Land Corp. Enters Mandaluyong with Avida Towers Centera

Avida Land reached another milestone with the grand launch of its newest condominium offering, Avida Towers Centera, last March 19, 2011 at the MegaTent in Pasig City.

Avida Towers Centera is a tribute to the energy and thrill of urban existence, as expressed through contemporary design with its roof deck lanterns and all-glass walls

The momentous event, which was titled “Top Form: Avida Towers Centera Grand Launch”, was highlighted by a toast led by top executives from Ayala land and Avida Land, who were joined on stage by officers from project JV partner Philippine National Bank (PNB).

“We are all very excited about the launch of Avida Towers Centera. Tonight, we are able to witness a lot of ‘firsts’ from Avida,” Montenegro said.

Also present were Avida employees, seller and hundreds of condo buyers, all in line to purchase a unit from the highly anticipated Avida Towers Centera.

(L-R) Leo Montenegro, President and CEO, Avida Land; Bobby Dy, Residential Business Group Head, Ayala Land; Eugene Acevedo, President, PNB; Tony Aquino, President and CEO, Ayala Land; Rex Mendoza, Marketing and Sales Group Head, Ayala Land; Manny Plan, Special Assets Management Group Head, PNB.

Avida Towers Centera is a four-tower development set to rise along EDSA corner Reliance Street in Mandaluyong City, where transportation, commercial establishments, schools, and places of business are very accessible.

Host Menchu Antigua capping off the unveiling of Avida Towers Centera.

Avida’s firsts

Avida Towers Centera is Avida Land Corp.’s first venture in Mandaluyong, known as the Tiger City of the Philippines for its robust development. The location also lies at the heart of Metro Manila, right in the middle of the so-called “Golden Triangle” comprised by the cities of Manila, Makati and Quezon City, where financial and lifestyle opportunities abound. With its strategic location and contemporary design, the development is expected to be a popular landmark along EDSA. The project’s façade incorporates roof deck lanterns and all-glass windows at the topmost floors.

Montenegro likewise revealed that Avida Towers Centera will offer special units on a limited basis, featuring two-bedroom units with floor-to-ceiling windows located at the uppermost floors of the building to provide fantastic views of the cityscape.

“That kind of condominium unit is first in any Avida project,” he claimed.

Avida Towers Centera is going to have built-in retail stores and dining establishments at the first two floors as well to make it easier for its future residents to shop and meet with friends.

The amenity area is also something to be excited about as it will have different zones where people can entertain friends, have fun, do fitness routines, or spend quiet alone time.

“At Avida Towers Centera, your home is not just near everything you need, it has everything you need built-in.”

3D street painting competition

As part of its grand launch, Avida Towers Centera organized a 3D Street Painting Festival wherein professional and amateur artists showcased their impressive street paintings, celebrating the theme “Fast-forward: Life at the Center of the Metropolis”.

Polytechnic University of the Philippines’ Guhit Sudlungan with their winning artwork entitled “Greater Access to Convergence”.

The awarding was also held during the launch of Avida Towers Centera. The top prize went to Polytechnic University of the Philippines’ Guhit Sudlungan for its artwork called “Greater Access to Convergence”. Second prize was given to a group of fashion and graphic designers, Stycon, for their entry “Connected and Green”. The third placer, meanwhile, was University of the Philippines’ visual arts group 4:20 for their artwork, “Metroapolis Mania”.

All Avida Towers are planned and built with the five condo must-haves in mind: free-flowing air and sunlight, fewer units per floor, sensible amenities, emergency power even inside your unit, and easy payment terms, making it a home that fits a condo-hunter’s needs now and over the long-term. With quality that is sure to last, An Avida home is a must-have.

To know more about Avida Towers Centera, please call 848-5200 or visit www.avidaland.com.