Construction - Residential,commercial, Atbp.

[NASTYMERLIN27]

Thanks for the reply Nastymerlin. In our case we're fortunate that we've already had a developer present us with a proposal for a joint venture so we probably could just talk to the person who did the development plan and hopefully he wouldn't charge us that much anymore since its data he already has anyway. Another plus for us is across the street is already a subdivision which had been sold out so we could pretty much do a comparative study with it. The subdivision is sold out, yet their road lots aren't even 50% completed yet. What we have going for us is that we are debt free, we have a 200 meter frontage and the residential subdivision market in our city is booming. Would you happen to know a good estimate of road construction cost per square meter as well as what per cent of subdivision development usually goes to road construction. Area is southern Mindanao. Thanks.

 

IN RELATION TO REDAX' REMARKS

 

1.In our case we're fortunate that we've already had a developer present us with a proposal for a joint venture so we probably could just talk to the person who did the development plan and hopefully he wouldn't charge us that much anymore since its data he already has anyway.

< WELL WE CAN ALWAYS BE CAREFUL FOR ALL THE TRANSACTIONS AND PAPERS THAT WE HAVE ON THIS...ALWAYS DO CHECK ALL OF THEM...YOU WOULDNT WANT TO BE LEFT ALONE WITH AN EMPTY BAG YOU KNOW...AND WELL KEEP ON HOPING THAT HE WONT CHARGE YOU AS MUCH AS WHAT YOU THOUGHT IT WOULD >

 

2.Another plus for us is across the street is already a subdivision which had been sold out so we could pretty much do a comparative study with it. The subdivision is sold out, yet their road lots aren't even 50% completed yet.

< AT LEAST THERE ARE VIABLE PROPERTY IN THE AREA ALREADY...BUT DO NOTE THAT IF YOU'RE TRYING TO FOLLOW THE SAME PROBLEMS THAT YOUR ADJOINING AREA DID, I SUGGEST YOU DO BETTER, HAVING INCOMPLETE FACILITIES IS NOT AN INDICATOR OF A SUCCESSFUL VENTURE...MIND YOU ITS LIKE BUYING A BIKE...YOU SUPPOSE TO GET THE COMPLETE PACKAGE..NOT BY INSTALLMENT..TIRE FIRST, THEN RIM, THEN THE SEATS..GO FIGURE, IMAGINE IF THAT HAPPENED TO YOU. >

 

3.What we have going for us is that we are debt free, we have a 200 meter frontage and the residential subdivision market in our city is booming. Would you happen to know a good estimate of road construction cost per square meter as well as what per cent of subdivision development usually goes to road construction. Area is southern Mindanao.

< IF YOUR TRYING TO TRY GOING DEBT FREE, WELL GOOD LUCK ON THAT ONE, IF REAL ESTATE IS BOOMING I SUPPOSE THERES NOTHING WRONG WITH GOING WITH THE FLOW..ITS JUST THAT DON'T SHORTCHANGE YOUR CLIENTS IN ANY WAY. ALSO THIS IS TO REMIND YOU THAT RECENTLY THE NATIONAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION HAS IN ITS SIGHTS THOSE ERRING DEVELOPERS THAT YOU USE "PRE-SELLING" TECHINIQUES ON THEIR PROPERTY AND LIKE I SAID THE CLIENTS ARE ALWAYS AT THE LOSING END IF THINGS DONT GO RIGHT, SO THE NBI IS BENT ON PURSUING ESTAFA CHARGES TO THIS DEVELOPERS, I SUGGEST YOU HEED THIS WARNING ON THE MATTER. >

 

< YOU MAY SEE THE RECENT ISSUE OF THE PHILIPPINE DAILY INQUIRER LAST WEEK ON THE MATTER >

 

< ANY COMMENTS WOULD BE DEEPLY APPRECIATED > :sleepysmiley03:

[redax]

I don't mean their not being finished yet as a bad thing, its just that they sold out their lots because of strong demand. The development across the street is by Robinsons, so its no fly by night developer, and its just the first phase of their development. Its not like they're not fulfilling their obligation, they just completely presold their lots while they are still in the construction phase. In our case, if we do develop on our own, we will start with the back part. Just the front part of our property would be sufficient for those who purchase at preselling to get their money back if we don't comply with our obligation to them. Thanks for the input.

Edited July 5, 2007 by redax

[NASTYMERLIN27]

I don't mean their not being finished yet as a bad thing, its just that they sold out their lots because of strong demand. The development across the street is by Robinsons, so its no fly by night developer, and its just the first phase of their development. Its not like they're not fulfilling their obligation, they just completely presold their lots while they are still in the construction phase. In our case, if we do develop on our own, we will start with the back part. Just the front part of our property would be sufficient for those who purchase at preselling to get their money back if we don't comply with our obligation to them. Thanks for the input.

 

IN RELATION TO REDAX' UPDATE

 

AS WHAT YOU HAVE MENTIONED, YOUR ADJACENT PROPERTY WAS ABLE TO SELL THEIR UNITS VIA PRE-SELLING AS WHAT YOU MAY HAVE HEARD, BUT AS FAR AS I KNOW, RLC (ROBINSON LAND CORP. A SUBSIDIARY OF J G SUMMIT HOLDINGS) DOES HAVE THE MONEY TO BURN AND FINANCE THEIR VENTURE, AS WHAT I HAVE MENTIONED EARLIER, THEIR STRONG CAPITAL, SOLID FINANCE MANAGEMENT & REPUTATION NOT TO MENTION A TOP NOTCH MANAGEMENT TEAM WOULD ALMOST ALWAYS ENTICE CLIENTS ( ACTUALLY MORE ON RETURNM CLIENTS ) WOULD DO THE TRICK, I DONT THINK PRE-SELLING IS THEIR MAIN COME-ON IN SELLING THE PROPERTY, AND I DONT THINK ITS MANAGERS WOULD DO SO. IF EVER THERE MAY BE INCOMPLETE FACILITIES, THEIR SOLID REPUTATION AS A FIRM AND DEVELOPER WILL HOLD WATER WHEN IT COMES TO QUESTIONS FROM THEIR CLIENTS

 

SO IF YOU THINK YOU CAN ACTUALLY MATCH THE RECORD OF WHAT RLC DID TO THE ADJACENT PROPERTY..BY ALL MEANS YOU MAY PROCEED WITH THE VENTURE, BUT IF YOU DON 'T...WELL AS I HAVE ALWAYS SAID IT IS ALWAYS BETTER TO SIDE WITH CAUTION, SINCE YOUR BUYERS MIGHT PERCIEVE THAT YOUR ENTITY & THAT OF RLC IS THE SAME...AND YES THEIR ARE FIRMS WHO DO JUST THAT...ITS CALLED TECHNICAL EXPOSURE - WHERE IN A PROJECT IN A SAME AREA AND ASPECTS IS MADE TO LOOK THE SAME BUT FROM DIFFERENT DEVELOPERS, CLIENTS TEND TO GET THINGS MIXED UP SO WHEN THE ERRING DEVELOPER F*CKS UP THE CLIENTS END UP HOLDING THE BAG...PLEASE DO NOT BE ONE OF THESE SO-CALLED DEVELOPERS, DO NOT RISK A CLEAN SLATE JUST TO BE ABLE TO FOLLOW UP ON THE PROFITS AT YOUR CLIENTS EXPENSE.

 

GIVING BACK THE MONEY...WELL IM NOT KEEN ON GAMBLING SOMETHING LIKE THAT.

 

THANK YOU...FEEDBACK IS DEEPLY APPRECIATED

[redax]

Thank you for even entertaining my queries. I believe one of the advantages we have with regards to not having a joint venture is that we can offer our lots at a lower price. The joint venture proposal given us was 60-40 in favor of the developer. Thats a big chunk. I'm thinking if we could go the way some condominium developers in Manila do, where they presell with the proceeds going to the bank and the bank making sure the necessary funds for developing are intact, we might be able to make it fly. They're selling lots at Robinson's for 8k, we can definitely undercut them. We won't be going through this without expert advice and consultations for sure, that's why I'm just trying to find out certain matters as much as I can. Again, appreciate your input.

[NASTYMERLIN27]

HELLO ALL

 

SORRY IF I HAVE BEEN SILENT FOR SOME TIME...JUST BEIN BUSY LATELY....

 

I HOPE ALL OF YOPU GET TO POST YOUR QUERIES WHEN YOUR ABLE...

 

THANKS !!

 

:thumbsupsmiley:

[NASTYMERLIN27]

GREETINGS TO ALL...

 

SORRY IF I HAVE BEEN BUSY LATELY, IM CURRENTLY HANDLING SOME BACKROOM SUPPORT FOR A MULTINATIONAL FIRM BASED IN MAKATI AND THE PROJECT IS IN LAGUNA.

 

ANYWAY I'VE READ LATELY OF A VERY OFF TOPIC YET TIMELY ISSUE, IT WAS PUBLISHED IN THE PHILIPPINE DAILY INQUIRER...

 

I WOULD LIKE TO EXPRESS MY OPINION ON THE MATTER, AND I WILL BE QUOTING EXCERPTS OF THE ARTICLE VERBATIM.

 

"ARCHITECTONIC DEBATE" PDI - AUG 05, 07

 

MANILA, Philippines - What's in a title? Who has the right to call himself an architect or to offer his services as one for a fee?

 

According to the Professional Regulatory Board of Architecture (PRBoA), a person can only assume the title "architect" and use it in the pursuit of his or her livelihood if he or she has passed the state-sanctioned board exam for architects. < TRUE TO SOME EXTENT, BUT THE TITLE IS WHAT ITS SUPPOSE TO BE NOT THE "DESCRIPTION" PER SE >

Under chairman Armando Alli, PRBoA twice called Inquirer's attention for inadvertently identifying Ed Calma and Anton R. Mendoza as architects in two separate stories.

 

Ed Calma, a 2003 TOYM awardee, is listed as the Design Principal of his father's architectural firm Lor Calma Design & Associates. His CV states that he earned his undergraduate degree in Architecture at the Pratt Institute and his graduate degree in Advanced Architectural Design at Columbia University in New York.

< ED CALMA AS MOST OF US KNOW IS A NOTED DESIGNER, HAVING BEEN ABLE TO BE INVOLVED IN SOME OF THE POSH PROJECTS THAT HAS BEEN SPROUTING ABOUT LATELY >

Although most people, including a number of lifestyle journalists familiar with their works, assume that Calma and Mendoza are licensed and registered architects in the Philippines, it turns out they are not.

< I BEG TO DISAGREE, WE HAVE DESIGNERS HERE IN THE COUNTRY WHO ARE NOT ACTUALLY REGISTERED ARCHITECTS HERE, BUT WERE GIVEN HONORARY MEMBERSHIP BECAUSE OF THE ACHIEVEMENTS THEY HAVE GAINED AS OF LATE >

As such, says Alli, they have no right to be called architects. Nor can they pass themselves off as architects under such a benign job description as "designer."

 

"It's called solicitation-once you project yourself as an architect or offer yourself as capable of performing the work of an architect," Alli explains. "Such a practice is prohibited under the law."

 

Apart from giving media practitioners reason to pause and verify their sources' claims, the issue is bigger than it seems since it also concerns would-be Filipino architects studying abroad, as well as foreign architects hired by prominent families and multinational companies to do a number of projects here either as consultants or "architects-of-record."

< AS I HAVE MENTIONED IN MY PAST WRITE-UPS, CONSULTANTS ARE JUST AS THEY ARE..CONSULTANTS, ITS EITHER YOU TAKE THEIR ADVICE OR NOT, THE REAL SCORE WOULD ALWAYS BE IS THAT IF THE SETUP WOULD MEAN ACTUAL DESIGN, WHATS DONE IS THAT A FOREIGN DESIGNER DOES HIS THING, THEN A LOCAL COUNTERPART WOULD ASSES AND SIGN THE PLANS, BUT IT REMAINS AS SOLE PROPERTY OF THE DESIGNER BY VIRTUE OF CONCEPT DESIGN AND OWN CREATIVE SPACE - WHAT YOU THOUGHT OF IS YOUR AND YOURS ALONE..JUST LIKE INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY.>

How does the board deal with such individuals and situations without appearing biased against, say, Calma, who, apart from having the advantage of working for one of the country's best architectural firms, also studied architecture abroad?

 

What does it take to be able to legally practice architecture in the Philippines? Won't education in the best schools abroad as well as an impressive body of work suffice, or make up for a person's inability to take the board exam here?

<IN CASE OTHERS DON'T KNOW, THERE ARE EXCEMPTIONS TO THOSE WHO CAN DESIGN HERE EVEN IF THEY'RE NOT FROM AROUND HERE, IT HAS BEEN EVIDENT FOR MORE THAN 30 YEARS NOW >

For that matter, what's the scope of a licensed and registered architect's responsibility? How liable is he every time he signs and gives his seal of approval on projects conceptualized or rendered by an unlicensed and unregistered individual?

< IF HE IS TO SIGN, HE HAS TO CHECK IF IT COMPLIES WITH LOCAL BUILDING / ZONING LAWS...THATS THE REASON YOUR PAYING HIM FOR...IT DOES NOT MATER IF WHOEVER THE DESIGNER IS, BUTTOM LINE IS THAT IT COMPLIES WITH CODE REQUIREMENTS ITS OK...A CLEAR EXAMPLE IS THOSE UPSCALE HOUSING, THEY HAVE A POOL OF CAD OPERATORS & "DESIGNERS" AND YET THERE NOT THE ONE WHO SIGNS..ITS THE PRINCIPAL ARCHITECT. MOST WOULD NOT ADMIT TO THIS BUT IT DOES HAPPEN MOST OF THE TIME >

Even if they hire an architect to go over and approve their plans, are homeowners guilty of malpractice and solicitation when they implement home-improvement projects based on their own designs?

< LIKE I SAID BY VIRTUE OF CREATIVE RIGHT...WHY WOULD A HOMEOWNER BE SUED IN THE FIRST PLACE IF HE WANTS SOMETHING THAT HE PRACTICALLY OWNS...ITS JUST IKE TELLING A PERSON WHAT TO EAT AND NOT TO EAT >

If Alli is to be believed, PRBoA isn't any stricter or less reasonable than its counterparts tasked to oversee other professions. Nor is it, he says, zeroing in on certain individuals because of pressure from members of the United Architects of the Philippines (UAP), a private organization composed of practicing architects.

< NOW THIS ONE IS WHAT I CALL A BUNCH OF HORSESH*T..OF COURSE THERE IS PRESSURE FROM THIS ORG. IF ITS SUPPOSE TO BE PRIVATE WHY IS IT PULLING GOVERNMENTS LEG ON THIS...AS THEY SAY " ONLY IN THE PHILIPPINES" >

"We're not mandated to protect and promote the livelihood of architects," says Alli, who, like Marietta Segovia and Angeline Chua Chiaco, two of his colleagues on the board, is a practicing architect. "That's the job of the private sector. We're basically here to see and ensure that the law is followed.

 

Proper practice

 

PRBoA is one of 44 boards under the Professional Regulation Commission. On top of its administrative functions such as giving exams and issuing licenses, the board is tasked to regulate and oversee the proper practice of architecture among its licensed and registered members nationwide.

 

Calma, allegedly upon his lawyer's instructions, declined to comment on what he described as a "poorly conceived" law. He said, via a series of text messages, that he didn't want to give certain UAP members an opportunity to get "elected" at his expense.

< BY READING THRU THIS FEW LINES..YOU CAN SENSE PROFESSIONAL JEALOUSY HERE...MAYBE ITS ONE OF THE COMPETITION..LOOKS LIKE IT TO ME >

 

"I don't want to give them a media platform to rant about their malicious interpretation of the law," Calma wrote. "I would rather clear my case in court."

 

In a phone call he made several months ago to this reporter, Calma attributed the board's renewed zeal to stop creative individuals like himself from earning a living to sheer "crab mentality" among certain UAP members.

< THIS ONE HITS THE NAIL ON THE HEAD...IT IS TRUE AND IT HITS THE SPOT >

When projects are hard to come by, and when even civil engineers dabble in architecture (again one of many illegal acts PRBoA is currently addressing), can you blame legitimate architects from complaining?

< READ MY PAST WRITE UP ON THE RESTRAINING ORDER GIVEN BY THE COURT ON THIS...SINCE THE LAW IS CLEAR THAT IT COULD EITHER BE ARCHI OR CIVIL...THEY JUST WANT TO REALLY HAVE IT ALL >

But it's also easy to suspect jealousy because Calma does get the choicest projects, including of late the houses Josephine del Gallego Knox in Rockwell and in Punta Fuego and Wyn Wyn Ong in Makati. He also designed the recently inaugurated De La Salle-College of St. Benilde School of Design and Arts in Manila. These happen to be high-profile works that have generated tremendous media exposure.

< SEE I TOLD YOU ITS THE JEALOUSY THING...MGA PINOY TALAGA..HIRAP NA NGA ANG CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY NAGPAPATAASAN PA KAYO NG IHI >Calma's clients, with the exception of Knox, declined to give any official statement on the issue.

 

"Ed respected and understood my vision and improved on it," Knox said via e-mail. "He's a dream architect for a client with my strengths and weaknesses."

 

Having lived in another country for so long, Knox said she was unaware that there was a law requiring architects to be licensed and registered. To her credit, upon learning of it, Knox was quick to acknowledge that "no one is above the law."

 

"Ed was practicing within the guidelines of the law," she insisted. "If he wants to officially be the architect-of-record and sign all the documents, then he will have to take the exams and pass with flying colors."

< IF YOU READ CLEARLY...CALMA DID NOT SIGN AS ARCHITECT ON RECORD OR WHAT WE CALL "DID NOT AFFIX HIS SEAL" SINCE HE'S NOT ALLOWED TO BY LAW BUT HE HIRED SOMEONE FOR IT..WHICH IS.. WELL A PRACTICE HERE AND ITS NOT ILLEGAL MIND YOU >Again via text message, Calma pointed to foreign architects designing big projects here with local and established designers signing for them. "So, I'm no different from them since my dad is the one signing and I work under him and the company he [has] built for almost 45 years," he wrote.

< SEE...I TOLD YOU SO...IT HAPPENS...MOST OF THE TIME >

On the other hand, despite being regularly described by society columnist and good friend Maurice Arcache as a "super architect," Mendoza denied, also via a text message, having misrepresented himself.

 

Mendoza's clients include such A-listers as Sen. Loren Legarda, Manny V. Pangilinan, Irene Martel Francisco, Fred Uytengsu and Joey Concepcion

 

Legarda had this to say: "I hired ARM architects with Mike Soriquez as architect and Anton (Mendoza) as interior designer. Anton is a gifted artist and a very professional worker. We have been high-school friends."

 

The law

 

Alli denies having any particular bias against media-savvy individuals like Calma and Mendoza. "I've never even met Calma," he says. "What we're trying to ensure is that people uphold the law."

 

The law in question is Republic Act 9266 or the Architecture Act of 2004, which Alli and colleagues helped draft.

 

RA 9266, which passed through two Congresses, took effect three years ago, after it was signed by President Macapagal-Arroyo. It has been described by its authors as a "more responsive and comprehensive" act compared to RA 545, the law it replaced.

 

In essence, the act stipulates that only individuals who passed the architecture board exam given by the PRC, and have secured the necessary licenses and registrations, have the right to call themselves architects and engage in the practice of the profession.

 

The law doesn't recognize or is silent on the status of individuals who studied and took similar licensure exams abroad, Alli says. Nor does it endorse a designer's works, no matter how outstanding, as a way of compensating for him not to take the board.

< AS IT STATES, THE LAW IS SILENT ON IT, SO IT STILL REMAINS AS A GREY AREA ON THAT >

Alli adds that it's unlawful for non-architects to practice as architects under such titles as "designer" or "space planner."

< BUT IF YOUR GOING TO BE LEGALISTIC ABOUT IT, "ARCHITECT" IS THE ONLY THING THAT THEY CAN HOLD TOO, AND NOT ON THE OTHER TITLES, UNLESS YOU WANT TO AMEND THE LAW AND HAVE THOSE OTHER TITLES INCLUDED >

But a practicing architect, who requested not to be identified, thought differently: "I don't know of a law that prohibits people being described as designers especially if they are merely mentioned in publications."

< POINT TAKEN AND THIS ANONYMOUS ARCHITECT IS CORRECT...I MEAN I CAN CALL MYSELF A DESIGNER EVEN IF IM JUST MAKING THOSE MODEL DIORAMA HOUSES..AND YOUR GOING TO SUE ME BECAUSE OF THE WORD " DESIGNER " I MEAN C'MON ISNT THIS TOO MUCH TO THE POINT ITS EXAGERRATED>Calma may have a number of sympathizers even among his peers, but not a few of them want to see him face the music. After all, it was the UAP that brought the matter of his and Mendoza's alleged misrepresentation to the board's attention.

< SEE..AND WHY DOES THIS ENTITY ALWAYS HAVE THE GOVERNMENT ON ITS HEEL? >

 

The list, says Alli, also involves 20 or so other prominent designers "who are regularly featured in newspapers," including Joey Yupangco, Camilo Vasquez and hairdresser-turned-furniture designer Budji Layug.

 

Of course, one can claim to be the "architect" of an ingenious plan, system or device without breaking the law, but the problem begins once one does the actual work of a licensed and registered architect.

< CASE IN POINT IS THAT'S THE REASON YOU HIRE A REGISTERED ARCHITECT..SO THAT HE WILL AFFIX HIS SEAL AND APROVE YOUR PLAN..OF COURSE HE HAS TO REALLY CHECK IT..BUT THAT HOW ITS DONE ANYWHERE YOU KNOW >

Private individuals who design their own homes and have their plans executed and signed later by an architect have nothing to fear (apart from the soundness of their ideas), says Alli. But once these individuals start designing for others for a fee, then they better watch out since they're already in clear violation of the law.

< AGAIN...A DOUBLE STANDARD HAS BEEN MADE, IF WE WERE TO APPLY THE LAW WE MIGHT AS WELL APPLY IT ALL...THE LAW APPLIES TO ALL OR NONE AT ALL...WHATS GOOD FOR THE GOOSE IS GOOD FOR THE GANDER...ITS PRACTICALLY THE SAME. OF COURSE I'LL ACCEPT THE FEE, YOU USED MY ARTISTIC TALENT, ISNT IT UNFAIR THAT I DONT GET PAID FOR MY OWN TALENT...THERES NOT MUCH WE CAN DO IF THE LOCAL ARCHITECT IS BAD IN CONCEPT DESIGN, BUT IT DOESNT MEAN WE HAVE TO BE A PUSH OVER JUST BECAUSE HE IS THE "REGISTERED" I MEAN C'MON GIVE US A BREAK...ITS PLAIN AND SIMPLE PROFESSIONAL JEALOUSY >

According to Alli, those who did not take the board exams like Calma and Mendoza are technically beyond the board's jurisdiction. But the board can apply the squeeze on architects who have signed and affixed their seals on their behalf.

 

Aiding and abetting

 

"These architects are guilty of violating the law by aiding and abetting a non-practitioner. By this mere act, they stand to lose their licenses," Alli warns.

< NOW THIS I GOT TO SEE...WHAT CHARGES ARE YOU GOING TO CHARGE THEM WITH? >

For their part, unlicensed and unregistered "architects" are also engaging in criminal acts, says Alli. The board's hands may be tied in acting directly against them, but it can endorse their prosecution to the Department of Justice.

< AGAIN POLITICS REARS ITS UGLY HEAD...A MERE INTRIGUE CAN DO THAT MIND YOU >

 

"The complainant need not be an architect," says Alli. "He or she can be anybody. If the evidence against the [illegal practitioners] is strong, we can take the case to the DOJ."

< SEE I TOLD YOU SO... >

It is also not a mere question of whether or not a building is structurally sound. Since it takes a team, including an army of civil and structural engineers, to build one, structures designed by an illegal practitioner have a fairly good chance of standing the test of time.

 

"The building may appear like it was designed by a professional since professionals actually assumed the liability and responsibility for him," says Alli. "But we go back to the issue of the person (illegal practitioner) projecting himself as the author of a certain work. Based on the law, he may not openly claim that it's his work."

< AGAIN...JEALOUSY AND "CRAB MENTALITY" IS AT IT AGAIN...THEY JUST DON'T WANT YOU TO EARN FORM YOUR OWN ARTISTIC TALENT...WHAT THEY WANT IS TO INSIST ON WHAT THEY WANT >

What about foreign architects-including former Filipino citizens-working either as consultants or principals behind certain projects here?

 

Foreigners will have to secure permits from the PRC, the Department of Labor and the Department of Foreign Affairs to practice in the Philippines for a limited period of time only. But before they're given such permits, there has to be some form of "reciprocity" between the Philippines and the countries they come from.

< RECIPROCITY? ARE YOU SERIOUS? I MEAN SERIOUSLY I DONT THINK THAT WILL HAPPEN...OF SOME OF THE PROJECTS I WAS LUCKY TO BE IN, MOST OF THE FIRMS HAVE THEIR DESIGN MADE ABROAD AND EXECUTED HERE BY THEIR LOCAL COUNTERPARTS SIGNED AND SEALED...IF THEY THINK THAT THEY SHOULD BE VERY COMPETATIVE. >

 

"Filipino architects should be accorded the same treatment if they go to these countries to lend their expertise there," said Alli. "An accreditation system is now in place among most countries that comprise the Asean and Apec."

< LIKE I SAID THAT WONT HAPPEN PERIOD >

Filipinos who passed the board here before becoming citizens of other countries can again practice in the Philippines upon their return after securing a special permit. Their licenses and registrations, says Alli, are still recognized despite the change in their citizenships.

 

Meanwhile, Filipinos may choose to study architecture abroad but if they plan to practice here, they should be aware of the differences in the way the discipline is taught here compared to, say, in the US.

 

While American architectural schools are more focused on concepts and practical ways to program spaces and erect buildings, says Alli, their counterparts in the Philippines lean more toward theories, mathematical computations and a fair share of structural engineering.

< NOW AS A CIVIL ENGR., I AGREE THAT AMERICANS ARE REALLY MASTERS PROGRAM SPACES AND AESTHETICS, BUT FOR THE LOCAL ARCHITECTS TO CLAIM THAT THEY HAVE MATHEMATICAL THEORIES, COMPUTATION & STRUCTURAL ENGINEERING...NOW I DONT THINK THATS TRUE, BECAUSE OF THE FACT THAT ARCHITECTURE HERE IS ALMOST PATTERNED TO THE US, AND WE ALL KNOW THAT IN ARCHI HERE ...MATHEMATICS SUBJECTS ARE JUST A MINOR..MORE EMPHASIS ON CONCEPTS...SO I GUESS THEIR JUST TRYING TO STRETCH THE LIMIT..AND CLAIM WHAT THEY DONT REALLY KNOW >

 

At first blush, the American approach may seem the wiser, more practical one, but if US-educated Filipinos plan to practice architecture here, they should retool their training and do a thorough review if they are to successfully hurdle the rather difficult board exams.

 

Apart from the different sets of standards prevailing in the two countries, buildings in the tropics are designed and constructed differently from those built in temperate countries.

< ACTUALLY OUR STANDARDS HERE WERE COPIED FROM THEIRS..WE JUST DIDNT ADOPTED THEIR CLIMATE FACTORS AND ADJUSTED OURS >

The mortality rate for those taking the architectural board exams, notes Alli, is one of the highest, ranging from 49 to 68 percent over the last five years. "Over the past 57 years, only an average of 400 examinees have passed the board."

 

Alli refrains from speculating, but this reality may be giving Filipinos who studied architecture abroad second thoughts about taking the board here. In a society that still places a premium on reputation, it's no joke for a celebrated designer to lose face for failing to pass a standardized, government-issued test.

 

 

< ANY COMMENTS ARE DEEPLY APPRECIATED >

[Robert888]

I bought a condo unit in Cubao... I thought ready to move in na once na approve loan mo. YUn pala, rough ang finishing... Where can I find murang architect/interior decorator para magawa na unit ko? Please help me.... thanks

Hi, Robert here here. You might want to avail our services. Thanks

[NASTYMERLIN27]

Hi, Robert here. Just recently finished a two storey house last June. Problem is there are so many cracks on the plaster cement (palitada). How could we prevent them for my next project? Also, what is the best system for waterproofing the roof top (concrete slab)? I'm not an engineer nor an architect, it is just that I ventured in this project. So please be patient in explaining. Thank you very much!

 

<IN RELATION TO ROBERT888 QUERIES>

 

OFF TOPIC...

 

I FIND IT ODD YOUR ASKING ME A SPECIFIC METHODOLOGY ON A SPECIFIC PROCEDURE...AND YET YOUR OFFERING YOUR SERVICES ON THE BOARD? SO WHATS THE REAL DEAL ANYWAY?

 

1.Problem is there are so many cracks on the plaster cement (palitada). How could we prevent them for my next project?

< CRACKS COULD MEAN THE PLASTER ITSELF WAS BADLY MADE OR THE APPLICATOR IS NOT REALLY WHAT HE CLAIMS TO BE...HIRE A MASON ( A REAL ONE AT THAT) THAT IS ALSO A FINISHER. USUALY WHATS DONE IS THAT THE PLASTER IS ADDED WITH LIGHT CEMENT AFTER APPLICATION ( ACTUALLY THEY SPREAD IT OR AS THEY SAY "SINASABUYAN NG SEMENTO PAGKAPAHID"

 

2.what is the best system for waterproofing the roof top (concrete slab)?

< I THINK IVE ANSWERED THIS TYPE OF QUERY...READ MY EARLIER POSTS..BUT THEN YOU CAN APPLY WATERPROOFING ON THE PLASTER ( ACTUALLY YOU MIX IT THERE ) LOCALLY KNOWN BRAND IS "SAHARA" THEN AFTER THE STRUCTURE IS BUILT YOU CAN APPLY ELASTOMERIC PAINT ( SIMILAR TO THOSE "RUBBERIZED" FLOORINGS..BUT THIS ONE IS FOR WATERPROOFING ) TAKE NOTE THAT THE TYPE YOU HAVE TO USE IS FOR MASONRY APPLICATION LIKE WEATHERKOTE ETC. ..HENCE IT HAS ITS FINISH MADE...TAKE NOTE THAT IT HAS TO BE AT LEAST 2 COATS TO MAKE IT EFFECTIVE...DO NOT DILUTE IT >

 

SORRY IF MY POSTS HAVE BEEN ERRATIC, ITS JUST THAT I HEV BEEN QUITE BUSY LATELY BEING PART OF A MANAGEMENT TEAM THAT SPECIALIZE IN CLEANROOM DESIGN.

 

JUST KEEP EM POSTING... :thumbsupsmiley:

[NASTYMERLIN27]

TO MY READERS,

 

SORRY IF I HAVENT BEEN ABLE TO POST SOME TOPICS RECENTLY, AS OF LATE IM INVOLVED WITH A PHILIPPINE BRANCH OF A JAPANESE FIRM DOING SUPPORT SERVICES, BUT BE REST ASSURED THAT I WILL BE POSTING SOME ARTICLES TONIGHT AS OF WRITING THIS .

 

SEE YOU ALL TONIGHT!!

 

:thumbsupsmiley:

[whip]

hey. nice answer im an ofw , and im wondering what is ur opinion regarding known real estate company> u see na eenganyo ako bumili ng house and lot na promote nila like this company na 2 million pesos for a house and lot for about 90 sq meter? is it worth buying? it seems di naman ako magaling sa mga ganito? maayus ba ang paggawa nyan? sorry pero im just starting a family and i hope u help me and advice me kung anu ba ang proper way? thank you.. :goatee:

[NASTYMERLIN27]

hey. nice answer im an ofw , and im wondering what is ur opinion regarding known real estate company> u see na eenganyo ako bumili ng house and lot na promote nila like this company na 2 million pesos for a house and lot for about 90 sq meter? is it worth buying? it seems di naman ako magaling sa mga ganito? maayus ba ang paggawa nyan? sorry pero im just starting a family and i hope u help me and advice me kung anu ba ang proper way? thank you.. :goatee:

 

< REGARDING WHIP'S QUERIES >

 

1. im wondering what is ur opinion regarding known real estate company> u see na eenganyo ako bumili ng house and lot na promote nila like this company na 2 million pesos for a house and lot for about 90 sq meter?

< WELL...IF YOUR GOING TO WHISPER TO ME THE PLACE THAT WAS BEING OFFERED, MOST LIKELY I MAY HAVE ACTUALLY HANDLED THAT PARTICULAR SUBDIVISION OR HOUSING PROJECT...YOU COULD HAVE AT LEAST MENTIONED IT. A WORD OF CAUTION THOUGH, MARKETING IS QUITE AGGRESSIVE ON THIS TYPE OF REAL ESTATE DEALS, SO BE CAREFUL AT WHAT YOU MAY HEAR OR WHAT IS BEING OFFERED, KNOW THE LOCATION AND IF POSSIBLE HAVE SOMEONE YOU CAN TRUST TO SCAN THE AREA FOR YOU ( BAKA KASI BALAK MO SURPRISE ITO SA PAMILYA MO..WALA NG SILBI KUNG SILA MISMO ANG TITINGIN DI BA ) HAVE YOUR GUIDE ASK AROUND ON WHAT HAS THE AREA BEEN UP TO OR WHAT HAS BEEN DEVELOPED, IS THE DEVELOPER KEEPING HIS PART OF THE CONTRCT, ARE THE AMENITIES ACTUALLY IN EXISTANCE ( THIS IS IMPORTANT, THEY MIGHT SAY "THERE IS GOING TO BE A POOL & CLUBHOUSE" AS A MARKETING STRATEGY..YET IN THE END WALA PALANG POOL TALAGA..WAWA KA NMAN LUGI KAYO )

 

2.u see na eenganyo ako bumili ng house and lot na promote nila like this company na 2 million pesos for a house and lot for about 90 sq meter? is it worth buying?

< LOOK IF THE HOUSE DO LOOK LIKE 2M, AND THE AREA OF COURSE, AS THEY SAY..ITS ALWAYS LOCATION..LOCATION..LOCATION...THE LOT SIZE AND ACTUAL LIVING AREA OR HOUSE AREA IS DIFFERNT...YOU SHOULD KNOW THIS YOU MIGHT END UP HAVING A HOUSE THAT MIGHT END UP TOO SMALL FOR YOU..OR IT MIGHT BE THOSE "ROW HOUSES" AND YOU MAY NOT WANT THE TYPE OF NEIGHBORS..SO I SUGGEST YOU RESEARCH OR BETTER YET WRITE HERE IN THE FORUM.

 

, I'LL BE GIVING MORE INFO ON THIS AS SOON AS YOU GIVE ME ANWERES TO THE QUESTIONS THAT I'VE ASKED :thumbsupsmiley:

[whip]

hello again ang thank u for replying, yah, marami ako na receive na information about the house from reputed companies. oo nga pala ofw here in dubai as a private nurse, nag-iipon lang sa isang magandang bukas.. anyway here is the list of some companies who offered.kaya lang pansin ko yung iba mga realtor,na alam natin kaya mahal ang bahay dahil din sa kanilang commission..so medyo gagawa na lang ako ng continuation at dami kasi mga comapny ako na sulatan.

 

1) mary cris executive homes in malagasang imus cavite

The Newest Subdivision in Southern Portion of Metro Manila

Strategically located in the progressive town of Imus , Cavite .

This residential , commercial and recreational estate is a self-

contain community that harmonizes quiet country living with

the city-like comforts and convenience provided by Cavite ’s

developing towns.

 

Total Land Area : 7.2 hectare

Total no. of units : 560 units

 

European Designed Homes

Choice of 1 or 2 Level homes

3 Bedrooms 1 or 2 Toilet & Bath

 

Ready for Occupancy

Complete Interior Finishes

Fully Fence with Landscaping & Car Garage

 

European Style Homes

Single Storey or 2 Storey Townhouses

3 Bedrooms and 1 or 2 Toilet & Bath

Complete Interior and Exterior Finishes

Fully Fence with Landscaping & Car Garage

Ready for Occupancy Units

Offers 10 % Downpayment Only

Ready to Move In

 

The Community

Gate – guarded community

Existing Clubhouse

Existing Swimming Pool at Phase 4

Existing Basketball Court at Phase 4

Existing Basketball at Phase 5

Additional Basketball Court at Phase 5

Landscaped Children’s Playground

Concrete road network

Centralized water system

Meralco power supply

Underground drainage system

 

Accessibility

Dasmarinas and Imus town Proper

Aguinaldo Highway Via Golden City Imus, Cavite

 

Near Schools, Universities, Markets, Churches,

Hospitals, SM Malls and Robinson’s Malls

1 Hour to Makati ,1 hour to Tagaytay

45 minutes to NAIA

 

Austria Model 1 Storey

Lot Area - 72 sqm

Floor Area - 66 sqm

Price - Php 1,185,000

Reservation - Php 20,000

Dp in 6 mos.- Php16,416.67

MA in 15 yrs - Php 18,730.90

(in-house financing )

 

Belgium 1 Storey

Lot Area - 80.00 sqm

Floor Area - 72.50 sqm

Price - Php 1,340,000

Reservation - Php 20,000

Dp in 6 mos.- Php 19,000

MA in 15 yrs - Php 21,180.94

(in-house financing)

 

France Model 2 Storey

Lot Area - 72.00 sqm

Floor Area - 103.50 sqm

Price - Php 1,740,000

Reservation – Php 20,000

Dp in 6 mos.– Php 25,666.67

MA in 15 yrs- Php 27,503.60

(in-house financing)

 

nAkalimutan send yung mga design ng house...

[whip]

second company ng sent sa akin, medyo eto may pics ng house..

 

Dear Mr. Viason:

 

Sorry for the blank messages, its because of the mouse im using.

 

Please look into this house model "Rockingham". It seems to fit to your

requirement. Its a 110 sq meter floor area. For a value series specs the

total contract price of the house is Php 1.540M excluding fence and

landscaping. For the lot we can give you the best offer also which is at

Southfields Executive Village, located along Aguinaldo Highway, Dasmarinas,

Cavite. Its about 45 minutes travel from Alabang using Daang Hari. The

average cut is 150sqm and its total contract price is for only Php

375,000.00 or a total contract price of Php 1.915M. Other incidental

charges like Misc fees for the transfer of Title, utility connections and

cost to obtain necessary permits, ie. construction and bldg permits is

estimated at Php 76,650.00 or a Total contract price including misc fees of

Php 1,991,650.00.

 

What financing do you intent to use for this acquisition. Please find

attached list of modes of payment and checklist of documents should you want

to avail of the bank financing.

 

Looking forward to your reply soonest.

 

Kind regards,

 

Mel

 

 

IMELDA R. DOROJA

Narel Realty & Development Corporation

Joval Bldg., 52 National Road, Muntinlupa City

Tel +632-8611786 Fax +632-8611797

Cellphone No. 0920-9269201

Website www.narel.net

----- Original Message -----

From: "raphael viason" <rapps143@yahoo.com>

To: "Imelda Doroja" <irdoroja@narel.net>

Sent: Monday, May 28, 2007 10:22 PM

Subject: malaikum!!

 

 

> dear Ms. Doroja

> thank you for the reply, yes with regards to my

> questions. want i need for my growing family or vision

> i might prefer,

> 1)a lot area from 150 sq to 250 sq,

> 2) 2 storey house, with a terrace on the second flor

> 3) 3 bedspace on the second floor , 1 bed space for

> the 1st floor.

> 4) the design of the house outside must be simple and

> not that eye looking to everyone since i dont want to

> be robbed or burgalarize in the future!!!

> 5) a concrete or metal fence

> 6) a garden

> 7) a house that use the sunlight rather than the Bulb

> electricity, i did seen several house before usually

> made of glass window, and they save a lot in

> electricity bills!

> 8) before construction begins! " yung lupa taasan ng 2

> o 3 palapag" i guess i have truama with typhoon!!

> 9) the rest a good kitchen, Comfort Room, etc

>

> yes, thats it. tell me the price or quatation,or if u

> have an existing design send it to me. presently im

> looking for best offer.

> maybe in cavite i might prefer rather in las pinas!

>

> thank you( shukran)

> Mr. Viason

> --- Imelda Doroja <irdoroja@narel.net> wrote:

>

>> Dear Mr. Viason:

>>

>> Greetings from Narel Realty & Development

>> Corporation!

>>

>> Thank you for your interest in our company.

>>

>> Please give us your requirement for a house, is it a

>> 1 storey or a 2 storey

>> house. The procedure is, we will help you acquire

>> the lot and package it

>> with a house for construction. What is the range of

>> budget for both the lot

>> and the house?

>>

>> Looking forward to your reply. We are very much

>> willing to help you serve

>> your requirement.

>>

>> Sincerely,

>>

>> IMELDA R. DOROJA

>> Narel Realty & Development Corporation

>> Joval Bldg., 52 National Road, Muntinlupa City

>> Tel +632-8611786 Fax +632-8611797

>> Cellphone No. 0920-9269201

>> Website www.narel.net

 

 

ok naman eto , medyo pinag iisipan pa..

[whip]

lastly three other companies ang sumulat sa akin, yung AYALA LAND, FILINVEST AT CAMELLA HOMES, actually ok din yung site at ang house specially sa ayala although mga italian inspired design ang mahal nga lang, kaya lang bakit DAANG HARI sa boundary ng bulacan at las pinas? tama ba? yun, kasi mga brochure na hawak ko kaya di ko na masulat dito,

 

yun..

[redax]

Layo yang Bulacan, sa north yan. Daan Hari mga Muntinlupa, Las Pinas at Cavite boundaries nyan. Daan Hari kasi part nyan sa labas lang ng pader ng Ayala Alabang Subdivision.