Trivia about the different places in the Philippines

𝐃𝐈𝐃 𝐘𝐎𝐔 𝐊𝐍𝐎𝐖❓

𝗖𝗲𝗯𝘂 𝗖𝗶𝘁𝘆 ↦ Oldest City in the Philippines

𝗗𝗮𝘃𝗮𝗼 𝗖𝗶𝘁𝘆 ↦ Largest City in the Philippines

𝗧𝗮𝗴𝘂𝗺 ↦ Music Capital of the South

𝗦𝗮𝗺𝗮𝗹 ↦ Phil. Island Garden City

𝗗𝗮𝘃𝗮𝗼 𝗱𝗲𝗹 𝗡𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗲 ↦ Banana Capital

𝗠𝗮𝘁𝗶 ↦ Coconut City of the South

𝗗𝗶𝗴𝗼𝘀 ↦ Clay Capital of Mindanao

𝗠𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘁𝗮 ↦ Banana Capital of Davao

𝗞𝗶𝗱𝗮𝗽𝗮𝘄𝗮𝗻 ↦ City at the foot of Mt Apo

𝗗𝗮𝘃𝗮𝗼 𝗖𝗶𝘁𝘆 ↦ Durian Capital, Cacao Capital

𝗞𝗼𝗿𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗱𝗮𝗹 ↦ Ilonggo City of the South

𝗚𝗲𝗻𝗦𝗮𝗻 𝗖𝗶𝘁𝘆 ↦ Tuna Capital 

𝗕𝘂𝗸𝗶𝗱𝗻𝗼𝗻 ↦ Pineapple Capital

𝗠𝗮𝗹𝗮𝘆𝗯𝗮𝗹𝗮𝘆 ↦ Summer Capital of the South

𝗗𝗮𝘃𝗮𝗼 ↦ Fruit Basket and King City of the South

𝗖𝗮𝗴𝗮𝘆𝗮𝗻 𝗱𝗲 𝗢𝗿𝗼 ↦ City of Golden Friendship

𝗜𝘀𝘂𝗹𝗮𝗻 ↦ Oil Palm Capital of the Philippines

𝗖𝗮𝗺𝗶𝗴𝘂𝗶𝗻 ↦ Island Born of Fire

𝗦𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗸𝗮𝗶, 𝗧𝗮𝘄𝗶 𝗧𝗮𝘄𝗶 ↦ Venice of the South

𝗖𝗼𝘁𝗮𝗯𝗮𝘁𝗼 ↦ Land of Mightiest Mountain

𝗟𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗼 𝗱𝗲𝗹 𝗦𝘂𝗿 ↦ Cradle of Muslim Art

𝗦𝗼𝘂𝘁𝗵 𝗖𝗼𝘁𝗮𝗯𝗮𝘁𝗼 ↦ Conference Capital of Mindanao

𝗗𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗴𝗮𝘁 𝗜𝘀𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗱 ↦ Mystical Province of Love

𝗦𝘂𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗮𝗼 𝗱𝗲𝗹 𝗡𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗲 ↦ Surfing Capital 

𝗟𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗼 𝗱𝗲𝗹 𝗡𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗲 ↦ Land of Beauty and Bounty

𝗢𝗿𝗼𝗾𝘂𝗶𝗲𝘁𝗮 ↦ City of Good Life

𝗭𝗮𝗺𝗯𝗼𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗮 𝗱𝗲𝗹 𝗡𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗲 ↦ Province of South's Twin City

𝗠𝗮𝗴𝘂𝗶𝗻𝗱𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗼 ↦ Seat of Muslim Mindanao

𝗠𝗶𝘀𝗮𝗺𝗶𝘀 𝗢𝗰𝗰 ↦ Christmas Capital of Mindanao

𝗔𝗴𝘂𝘀𝗮𝗻 𝗱𝗲𝗹 𝗡𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗲 ↦ Land of Antiquated Finds

𝗕𝘂𝘁𝘂𝗮𝗻 ↦ Timber City of the South

𝗚𝗶𝗻𝗴𝗼𝗼𝗴 ↦ City of Good Luck

𝗗𝗮𝗽𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗻 ↦ Shrine and Historic City of the South

𝗣𝗮𝗴𝗮𝗱𝗶𝗮𝗻 ↦ Little Hong Kong of the South

𝗭𝗮𝗺𝗯𝗼𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗮 𝗖𝗶𝘁𝘆 ↦ Asias Latin City, Sardines Capital, City of Flowers

𝗦𝘂𝗹𝘂 ↦ Land of Exotic Fruits

𝗜𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗮𝗻 ↦ industrial City of the South

𝗗𝗶𝗽𝗼𝗹𝗼𝗴 ↦ The Phil. Orchid City

𝗟𝗮𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗽𝗮𝗻, 𝗕𝘂𝗸𝗶𝗱𝗻𝗼𝗻 ↦ Vegetable Basket of Mindanao

𝗔𝗸𝗹𝗮𝗻 ↦ Oldest province in the Philippines

𝗔𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗾𝘂𝗲 ↦ Province where the mountain meets the sea

𝗔𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗽𝗼𝗹𝗼 ↦ City in the Sky

𝗔𝘂𝗿𝗼𝗿𝗮 ↦ Land of Golden Sunrise

𝗔𝗹𝗶𝗺𝗼𝗱𝗶𝗮𝗻, 𝗜𝗹𝗼𝗶𝗹𝗼 ↦ Banana Capital of Panay

𝗕𝗮𝗰𝗼𝗼𝗿 ↦ Band Capital of the Philippines

𝗕𝗮𝗴𝘂𝗶𝗼 𝗖𝗶𝘁𝘆 ↦ Summer Capital/ City of Pines

𝗕𝗮𝘁𝗮𝗮𝗻 ↦ History Hub of Central Luzon

𝗕𝗮𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗮𝘀 ↦ Diving and Shipping Capital

𝗕𝗮𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗲𝘀 ↦ Land of True Insulars

𝗕𝗮𝗰𝗼𝗹𝗼𝗱 ↦ City of Smiles

𝗕𝗶𝗹𝗶𝗿𝗮𝗻 ↦ Shipyard of Antiquity

𝗕𝗲𝗻𝗴𝘂𝗲𝘁 ↦ Salad Bowl of the Philippines

𝗕𝗼𝗿𝗼𝗻𝗴𝗮𝗻 ↦ King City of the East

𝗕𝗼𝗵𝗼𝗹 ↦ Calamay Capital of the Philippines

𝗕𝘂𝗹𝗮𝗰𝗮𝗻 ↦ Manila's Gateway to the North

𝗖𝗮𝗹𝗯𝗮𝘆𝗼𝗴 ↦ City of Waterfalls

𝗖𝗮𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗮, 𝗥𝗶𝘇𝗮𝗹 ↦ Bibingka Capital

𝗖𝗮𝗹𝗮𝗺𝗯𝗮 ↦ Hot Spring Capital

𝗖𝗮𝗺 𝗦𝘂𝗿 ↦ Wakeboarding Capital

𝗖𝗮𝘃𝗶𝘁𝗲 ↦ Cradle of Phil. Revolution

𝗖𝗮𝘁𝗯𝗮𝗹𝗼𝗴𝗮𝗻 ↦ City of Captivating Contrast

𝗖𝗮𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗱𝘂𝗮𝗻𝗲𝘀 ↦ Land of the Howling Wind

𝗖𝗮𝘂𝗮𝘆𝗮𝗻, 𝗜𝘀𝗮𝗯𝗲𝗹𝗮 ↦ Mushroom City of the North

𝗖𝗲𝗯𝘂 ↦ Gateway to a Thousand Journeys

𝗗𝘂𝗺𝗮𝗴𝘂𝗲𝘁𝗲 ↦ City of Gentle People

𝗗𝗮𝗴𝘂𝗽𝗮𝗻 ↦ Bangus Capital 

𝗗𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗼𝗹, 𝗦𝗼𝗿𝘀𝗼𝗴𝗼𝗻 ↦ World's Whale Shark Capital

𝗘𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗻 𝗦𝗮𝗺𝗮𝗿 ↦ Gateway to Phil. Discovery

𝗘𝗹 𝗦𝗮𝗹𝘃𝗮𝗱𝗼𝗿, 𝗠𝗶𝘀 𝗢𝗿 ↦ City of Divine Mercy

𝗘𝗹 𝗡𝗶𝗱𝗼 ↦ Heaven on Earth

𝗚𝘂𝗶𝗺𝗮𝗿𝗮𝘀 ↦ Mango County of Visayas

𝗚𝘂𝘁𝗮𝗹𝗮𝗰, 𝗭𝗮𝗺𝗯. 𝗡𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗲 ↦ Pebble Capital

𝗜𝗹𝗼𝗶𝗹𝗼 ↦ Province with most number of barangays

𝗜𝗹𝗼𝗶𝗹𝗼 𝗖𝗶𝘁𝘆 ↦ The First Queen City of the South, City where the Past is always present

𝗜𝗹𝗼𝗰𝗼𝘀 𝗦𝘂𝗿 ↦ Heritage Haven of the Far North

𝗜𝗺𝘂𝘀 ↦ The Philippine Flag Capital

𝗜𝘀𝗮𝗯𝗲𝗹𝗮 ↦ Rice Granary of the North

𝗞𝗮𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴𝗮 ↦ White Rafting Capital of the North

𝗟𝗮 𝗨𝗻𝗶𝗼𝗻 ↦ Surfing Capital of the North

𝗟𝗮𝗴𝘂𝗻𝗮 ↦ The Silicon Valley

𝗟𝗮 𝗧𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗱𝗮𝗱, 𝗕𝗲𝗻𝗴𝘂𝗲𝘁 ↦ Strawberry Capital

𝗟𝗮𝘀 𝗣𝗶𝗻𝗮𝘀 ↦ Salt Center of Metro Manila

𝗟𝗲𝗴𝗮𝘇𝗽𝗶 ↦ City of Fun and Adventure, ATV capital

𝗟𝗶𝗽𝗮, 𝗕𝗮𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗮𝘀 ↦ City of Pride

𝗟𝗶𝗻𝗴𝗮𝘆𝗲𝗻 ↦ The Most Romantic Place

𝗟𝘂𝗰𝗲𝗻𝗮, 𝗤𝘂𝗲𝘇𝗼𝗻 ↦ Biofuel & Biopalm City 

𝗠𝗮𝗮𝘀𝗶𝗻 𝗖𝗶𝘁𝘆, 𝗦. 𝗟𝗲𝘆𝘁𝗲 ↦ The Religious City

𝗠𝗮𝗸𝗮𝘁𝗶 ↦ Manhattan of the Philippines

𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗮 ↦ Shoe Capital of the Philippines

𝗠𝗮𝘀𝗯𝗮𝘁𝗲 ↦ Great Wild West of Phil.

𝗠𝗮𝗻𝗶𝗹𝗮 ↦ Ever Distinguished Loyal City

𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗱𝘂𝗾𝘂𝗲 ↦ Heart of the Philippines

𝗠𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗮𝘂𝗲 ↦ Furniture Capital

𝗠𝗮𝗻𝗱𝘂𝗹𝘂𝘆𝗼𝗻𝗴 ↦ Shopping Capital

𝗠𝗶𝗮𝗴𝗮𝗼, 𝗜𝗹𝗼𝗶𝗹𝗼 ↦ Municipality with most number of barangays, Onion Capital of Visayas

𝗠𝗼𝗹𝗼, 𝗜𝗹𝗼𝗶𝗹𝗼 ↦ Athens of the Philippines

𝗠𝘂𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗹𝘂𝗽𝗮 ↦ The Emerald City

𝗡𝗮𝗴𝗮 ↦ Bicols Queen City

𝗡𝗮𝘃𝗼𝘁𝗮𝘀 ↦ Fishing Capital of Greater Manila

𝗡𝗲𝗴𝗿𝗼𝘀 𝗢𝗰𝗰𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗹 ↦ Sugar Bowl

𝗡𝗲𝗴𝗿𝗼𝘀 𝗢𝗰𝗰𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗹 ↦ Province with most number of cities

𝗡𝗲𝗴. 𝗢𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗹 ↦ Whale and Dolphin Haven

𝗡𝘂𝗲𝘃𝗮 𝗘𝗰𝗶𝗷𝗮 ↦ Rice Granary of the Philippines

𝗡𝘂𝗲𝘃𝗮 𝗩𝗶𝘇𝗰𝗮𝘆𝗮 ↦ Watershed Haven of Cagayan Valley

𝗢𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝗠𝗶𝗻𝗱𝗼𝗿𝗼 ↦ Harbor Gateway to the South

𝗣𝗮𝗹𝗮𝘄𝗮𝗻 ↦ Largest Province in the Philippines

𝗣𝗮𝗹𝗮𝘄𝗮𝗻 ↦ Philippines' Last Frontier

𝗣𝗮𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗮 ↦ Culinary Capital of the Philippines

𝗣𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗮𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗻 ↦ Saltmaking Capital

𝗣𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗼𝘀 ↦ Balut Capital

𝗣𝗮𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗾𝘂𝗲 ↦ Fashion Capital

𝗣𝗮𝘀𝗮𝘆 ↦ Travel Capital

𝗣𝗮𝘀𝘀𝗶 ↦ Sweet City at the Heart of Panay

𝗣𝗼𝘁𝗼𝘁𝗮𝗻, 𝗜𝗹𝗼𝗶𝗹𝗼 ↦ Christmas Capital of Visayas

𝗣𝘂𝗲𝗿𝘁𝗼 𝗚𝗮𝗹𝗲𝗿𝗮 ↦ Mini Boracay

𝗣𝘂𝗲𝗿𝘁𝗼 𝗣𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗰𝗲𝘀𝗮 ↦ EcoTourism Capital

𝗤𝘂𝗲𝘇𝗼𝗻 𝗖𝗶𝘁𝘆 ↦ City of Stars and New Horizons

𝗤𝘂𝗶𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗼 ↦ Forest Heartland of Cagayan Valley

𝗥𝗶𝘇𝗮𝗹 ↦ Cradle of Philippine Arts

𝗥𝗼𝗺𝗯𝗹𝗼𝗻 ↦ Marble Capital

𝗥𝗼𝘅𝗮𝘀 𝗖𝗶𝘁𝘆 ↦ Seafood Capital of the Philippines

𝗦𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗮𝘆𝗮𝗻, 𝗢𝗰𝗰. 𝗠𝗶𝗻𝗱𝗼𝗿𝗼 ↦ Largest Municipality in the Philippines

𝗦𝗮𝗺𝗮𝗿 ↦ Spelunking Capital

𝗦𝗮𝗻 𝗝𝘂𝗮𝗻 ↦ Tiangge Capital

𝗦𝗮𝗻 𝗙𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗼 ↦ Lantern Capital

𝗦𝗶𝗾𝘂𝗶𝗷𝗼𝗿 ↦ Island of Fire 

𝗧𝗮𝗿𝗹𝗮𝗰 ↦ Melting Pot of Central Luzon

𝗧𝗮𝗰𝗹𝗼𝗯𝗮𝗻 𝗖𝗶𝘁𝘆 ↦ City of Hope

𝗧𝗮𝗴𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗮𝗿𝗮𝗻 ↦ City of Peace and Friendship

𝗧𝗮𝗴𝘂𝗶𝗴 ↦ The ProvinSyudad

𝗧𝘂𝗴𝘂𝗲𝗴𝗮𝗿𝗮𝗼 ↦ Premier Ybanag City

𝗩𝗮𝗹𝗲𝗻𝘇𝘂𝗲𝗹𝗮 ↦ The Only Divided City

𝗩𝗮𝗹𝗲𝗻𝘇𝘂𝗲𝗹𝗮 ↦ Vibrant City of Discipline

𝗭𝗮𝗺𝗯𝗮𝗹𝗲𝘀↦ Chromite Capital

Credits: @Travel Box Ticketing Office & FB: Bernation

Vista Estates unveils its newest master planned development in Tuguegarao : NuCiti

Vista Land COO Jerylle Luz Quismundo led the toast to the successful launch of NuCiti by Vista Estates joined by Vista Estates Division Head for North Luzon, Rochelle Alpasan, Concept Development Officer Ar. Ryan Erese, MRB Project Lead Ar. Benzone, Marketing Head, Michael Reyes, and Roina Aureo. 

On April 22, 2023, Vista Land, the country’s leading integrated property developer in the country, launched its maiden estate offering in northeastern Luzon, NuCiti by Vista Estates. 

The event took place in Chateau Leonor Resort in Tuguegarao City and was graciously hosted by Julibelle Bulan. Entertaining the audience with contemporary production numbers was the Indak Dance Company.

Aptly entitled “Spring: Life Blooms in the New City,” the momentous occasion celebrated the season of new beginnings, growth, and renewal for the people of Tuguegarao. Spring also signifies the sweeping transformation that the city will experience with the introduction of NuCiti. 

Gracing the event was Tuguegarao City Mayor, Hon. Maila Ting Que, who also delivered a rousing speech to the audience. 

Welcoming Vista Estates into the city was no other than the honorable Mayor of Tuguegarao, Maila Ting Que. Vista Land Chief Operating Officer, Jerylle Luz Quismundo led the toast to the successful unveiling of Vista Estates newest master planned development, with Division Head for North Luzon, Rochelle Alpasan. Presenting the grand master plan of NuCiti were Ar. Ryan Erese, Vista Land’s Planning Head, Ar. Ishiel Aniñon, Project Team Lead, and Ar. Benzone Dechavez, MRB Planning Lead. 

Concept Development Officer, Ar. Ryan Erese, presenting the concept behind the newest estate development.

Located in Barangay Carig Sur, NuCiti is a sprawling 100-hectare expanse that draws inspiration from the animated ambience and attractions of Hollywood in California, USA. The lifescapes that will soon blossom within this estate development will recreate the look and feel of the state renowned for its vibrant streets, famous landmarks, and stunning sceneries. 

NuCiti by Vista Estates is a 100-hectare master planned development set to unlock the full potential of Tuguegarao City. Comprising six key areas of development, this microcity is designed to provide new opportunities for growth and progress.

With its vast coverage, NuCiti will be composed of six key areas of development poised to unleash the city’s full potential as an ideal location for a large-scale, well-planned microcity that will offer new prospects for growth and progress. 

The first district, affectionately named, Rosevale, will be NuCiti’s quaint, intimate, and family-oriented locale. Covering 18 hectares of NuCiti’s 100-hectare domain, Rosevale is where tinseltown allure meets tropical charm. It will be composed of a number of commercial and residential establishments cloaked with Spanish eclectic architecture, giving the estate a distinctive character.

Within the area of Rosevale will soon spring a multi-tower, mid-rise vertical residential enclave called Rosevale Towers — located just mere strides from and to any point within Rosevale. The towers will offer top-notch amenities that will make life more comfortable, convenient, and pleasurable for its residents and guests. 

Vista Estates Division Head for North Luzon, Rochelle Alpasan welcomed everyone to the launch of Vista Estates latest development in Tuguegarao City and its residential offering, Rosevale Towers.

Rosevale Towers’ facilities include a spacious clubhouse and pavilion where people can converge and celebrate significant milestones, a play park that is advantageous for families with growing kids, and a refreshing swimming pool perfect for those who want to cool down after a day of activities. With these features, Rosevale Towers is set to become a highly desirable residential address in the city of Tuguegarao. 

Vista Land is investing in these master planned developments, making good on its promise to its homebuyers and investors, to continue to create superior offerings, and deliver long-term investment growth.

Explore NuCiti by Vista Estates. Visit vistaestates.vistaland.com.ph and follow them on social media @VistalandAndLifescapesOffical. 

How can children benefit from online games?

Online games can provide both positive and negative effects on children, depending on the type of game, amount of time spent playing, and the child's age and developmental stage. When kids are left unmonitored while playing online some of the possible harms include:

Addiction

One of the most significant negative effects of online gaming is addiction. Kids can get hooked on games, especially those that offer rewards or progress. When kids spend too much time playing, they may neglect other important activities, such as homework, physical exercise, or socializing with friends and family.

Courtesy of You Are Mom

Poor academic performance

Kids who spend excessive time playing online games may experience poor academic performance. They may struggle to keep up with their studies and homework, resulting in lower grades and poor academic achievement.

It's important for parents to monitor their children's activity and set limits on the amount of time they spend gaming to ensure their safety. Parents can also educate their children on safe online practices, such as not sharing personal information with strangers, and using appropriate language and behavior when playing with others.

Money games like Cash Back and Treze Coins are examples of online video games that are beneficial to kids. These games provide a fun way for kids to learn and enhance their math skills in basic operations like addition and subtraction. Cash Back challenges players to provide accurate change to customers, while Treze Coins allows players to add coins together to deposit into a gumball machine.

Both games are easy to play and have simple instructions that kids can easily follow. Cash Back also features hints that show the change amount to help the player solve the change quickly under time pressure. Treze Coins allows players to choose their preferred language and coin denominations, making it a versatile game for kids around the world.

If used in moderation and with proper supervision, online games can be beneficial to kids.

Cognitive Development: Many online games are designed to challenge a child's cognitive abilities, such as memory, problem-solving, and critical thinking skills. Playing these games can help kids develop their cognitive skills and enhance their brain function.

Social Skills: Online games that involve multiplayer mode can help kids improve their social skills by interacting with other players. They learn to communicate, cooperate, and negotiate, which are essential skills in real-life social situations.

Courtesy of Just All Star

Hand-eye Coordination: Many online games require quick reflexes and hand-eye coordination. By playing these games, kids can improve their fine motor skills and coordination.

Stress Relief: Online games can provide a  outlet for kids to relieve stress and relax. Games that involve strategy or puzzles can help them focus on the task at hand and forget about their worries.

Learning: Some online games are designed to teach kids specific subjects, such as history, geography, and math. These games can make learning fun and engaging, encouraging kids to learn more and retain information better.

Overall, playing online games can be a fun and enjoyable experience for children as long as it's done safely and in moderation. Money games like Cash Back and Treze Coins provide a great way for kids to learn and enhance their math skills while having fun at the same time.

Parents can ensure their children's safety by monitoring their online activity and educating them on safe online practices. By doing so, parents can make sure that their children's online gaming experience is both fun and educational.

Five urban development aspirations for Metro Manila

Metro Manila is comprised of 16 cities and one municipality. It is the economic, political, and cultural capital.

METRO Manila's forecast of becoming a global power city is challenged by the consequences of rapid urbanization. The UN-Habitat lists the effects of climate change, natural disasters that hamper urban infrastructures and city competitiveness, unequal livability, job creation, and poverty reduction.

Is there a way out of Metro Manila's challenges? Architect and urban designer Chintan Raveshia, and urban planner and sustainability consultant Tony Chan of Singapore-based Arup emphasize urban development should also consider people's aspirations, its changing needs and expectations, and the national identity of the residents.

Finding the identity of the city

Raveshia inspires responsible stakeholders to ask themselves first the most fundamental question: "What's the identity of the city and how do we make its residents proud?"

He quips, "Singapore, a city that is high on everyone's livability list, is also working with citizens and grass roots organizations to inculcate a sense of 'lovability' for the city. This helps to strengthen the societal bond, increase equity, improve community safety, and exude pride and a feeling of ownership of the city amongst the residents. The balance of livability, efficiency, and lovability paves the way for a true success of our cities in this climate emergency era."

For his part, Chan believes that a successful sustainable urban development goes hand in hand with the capability to enhance people's quality of life. "We must develop and harness models of development that have low-carbon targets, which are also of a human scale, thriving and inclusive; models that are also just, secured and enhances the quality of life for all its residents. In addition, we should look at creative ways to increase local citizen participation as well as new technologies or products that can support the overarching vision and development objectives", says Chan.

Melbourne is considered by many experts as one of the most livable cities for the past decade.

If Singapore reclaims lands for more affordable housing and increased integrated city developments and Melbourne builds accessible green spaces to promote social interaction, what plans would best fit Metro Manila's sustainable and livable future while maintaining its identity? Here are five urban development aspirations Filipinos hope for the country's main political and economic hub.

1. Accessibility across all social classes

While Metro Manila is the Philippines' major economic driver – accounting for 32 percent of the country's gross domestic product (GDP) – it's often challenged in sustaining accessible living conditions for residents across all social classes. UK-based The Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) ranked Metro Manila 105th out of 139 cities in the Global Livability Index 2022. The increasing population density in Metro Manila has resulted in some inconveniences in daily conditions like vehicular traffic situations, least green open spaces, high carbon footprint, inaccessibility to affordable housing, and unequal income opportunities.

Urban planners and developers suggest mixed-use planning in the metropolis and coastal developments because they are crucial to achieving the 15-minute concept. Here, residents across all walks of life are encouraged to live a healthy, affordable, and sustainable lifestyle because residential, commercial, and office spaces are integrated within a single development.

2. Open green spaces for a healthy and sustainable living environment

Despite land scarcity, Singapore manages to be one of the greenest cities in the world with over 400 parks, more than 3,300 hectares of nature reserve, and over 300 kilometers of park connector network.

Studies shows that Metro Manila has only 5 square meters of green space available per person, this number is well below the 9 square meters set by the World Health Organization. Covid-19 had the entire world reassess their health conditions, lifestyle practices, and environmental situations. The impact was even more drastic in Metro Manila due to population density, crowded space, and insufficient parks and open areas.

Aside from improving air quality and enhancing biodiversity, green spaces also moderate temperatures during the warm season.

3. Enhancing human health and wellbeing

Cities with sufficient healthcare facilities, access to health coverage, and infrastructures that enhance well-being and promote a healthy lifestyle, produce prosperous societies.

The way cities are planned, designed, and executed has a crucial impact on how people live as it presents opportunities and effects on their lifestyles and overall well-being. While there is evident progress in Metro Manila's health sector, rapid urbanization continues to pose risks in communities due to challenges in overcrowded neighborhoods, vehicular emissions, heavy traffic, pollution, and flood-prone areas.

4. Resilient community

Resilience is the capacity of individuals, communities, and systems to adapt, survive, and grow in the face of stress and shocks, and even transform when conditions require it. Relevant dimensions under the City Resilience Index (https://www.cityresilienceindex.org) by the Rockefeller Foundation and Arup, other dimensions include Health and Well Being, Economy and Society, Infrastructure and Environment as well as Leadership and Strategy.

As Philippines and Manila grows, we face a dual challenge of adapting to climate change and the need to alter development strategies that are increasingly contributing to global warming. Philippines is among the top 10 countries in the world most affected by climate change in the past 20 years, according to the Global Climate Risk Index. As an archipelago, impacts resulting from climate change are immense. In addition, Metro Manila's safety and resilience are endangered by various natural disasters.

Natural disasters persist every season due to our geographical location.

Well-planned and executed urban designs have the power to build safe and resilient communities in Metro Manila. Infrastructures like proper bike lanes and walkable streets ensure residents' safety, accessibility and comfort, whereas science and technology-based solutions that can build flexible structures, multi-use systems, and technologies can help residents adapt and prepare for changing conditions.

In 2022, Singapore is placed third in the World Competitiveness Ranking – the small country out of Asia even placed first in 2019 and 2020.

5. Global and competitive city

Metro Manila is one of Asia's premier regions. As the country's engine growth driver, it has growing investments in infrastructures and multitudes of business investments and developments.

The metropolis' rising potential can further step up by following global models like Singapore, Melbourne and Hong Kong which created several integrated cities and coastal developments that ushered in a vibrant economy and paved for a better urban lifestyle. These visions create an avenue to further increase opportunities for jobs, better education, better lifestyle, and bustling economic activities.

These can contribute to the Philippines' national and local economies by driving tourism and infrastructure development while also creating equitable and inclusive communities. These, in turn, create a wider room of opportunities and, therefore, attracts more talent.

Building inclusive and sustainable growth centers

When all stakeholders are listened to and addressed, communities will be energized when introduced to well-designed, master-planned and implemented developments. This will result to a lasting impact on Metro Manila's future and its residents because it fosters more inclusive growth and makes the urban landscape an extension of their home.

When a city embraces its history, celebrates its milestones, innovates and adopts for the future, and most importantly, nurtures its residents and responds to their aspirations – it is a city working toward competitiveness and unlocking future potential.

SM Prime, UPLB team up for sustainability scholarship

 

SM Prime Holdings Inc. (SM Prime) has partnered with the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB) to further promote the country’s pursuit of sustainable development.

Through a scholarship grant, SM Prime aims to assist select students pursue undergraduate degrees in Bachelor of Science in Human Ecology (BSHE) and Bachelor of Science in Forestry (BSF) – courses geared towards sustainability.

Medical care brought closer to low-income families in Cagayan

 

While access to quality healthcare continues to be hampered by challenges, medical missions have become an increasingly vital source of support for low-income communities. Through time, they have gone beyond providing medical care and have taken up a new role: transforming the lives of individuals and communities.