Category: Business Mirror

THE International Series Philippines is a powerful platform that will help the current crop of Filipino talent by testing their skills against the best in the world and exposing them to the highest level of competition.

So said Angelo Que, 46, and a three-time winner on the Asian Tour, including the Philippine Open in 2008.

The 46-year-old, soon to be a legendary name in Philippine golf and a stalwart of the Asian Tour for over two decades, understands better than most how transformative the tournaments can be.

‘Especially for the younger players, it gives them a sense of the competition level out there,’ he said. ‘The International Series is on a different level in terms of the field, camaraderie, and quality of play.’

He added: ‘These players are used to playing bigger tournaments, so it’s great for the guys to experience that. For us, yes, it feels like a Major, but at the end of the day, it’s still a tournament. If you play your normal game, you can compete with them.’

Currently leading the Philippine Golf Tour Order of Merit, Que has been in fine form this season with consecutive high finishes on the Asian Development Tour-a T3 at the Ciputra Golfpreneur Tournament and T5 at the ADT Players Championship presented by The R and A.

Joining him this week in the event presented by BingoPlus are several of the country’s brightest young talents, eager to showcase their abilities on home soil.

Among them is Aidric Chan, who sits fourth on the Asian Development Tour Order of Merit with two victories this season-at the Lexus Challenge and the Morocco Stars Marrakech, the latter earning him a start in the International Series Morocco.

‘I’m really excited. It’s something we all look forward to,’ said Chan. ‘Not many golfers get the chance to compete with major champions – players we grew up watching. Hopefully, I can make the weekend and maybe even play alongside one of them. That’s something to really aim for. It’s inspiring and motivates me to push harder this week.’

Also representing the next generation is Sean Ramos, who has been turning heads in his first full season on the Asian Tour with a string of strong performances: tied 22nd at the International Series Morocco, tied 19th at the Jakarta International Championship, and a tied 7th finish at the SJM Macao Open.

‘I think recently my ball striking has been a lot better, and mindset-wise, I’ve been playing with more freedom,’ Ramos said. ‘Last week was a big confidence booster. Before, it felt like I was reaching for the stars, but now I know I can compete and do it again.

‘I’m very honored to compete on home soil with massive names in golf like Dustin Johnson, Patrick Reed, Charl Schwartzel, and Louis Oosthuizen. I think it’s the first time they’ve ever played here, so I’m really proud to see where my game stands alongside theirs.’

Enrico Gallardo earned his place in the field by finishing as highest non-eligible local in the ADT qualifier, highlighting the important pathway created for Filipino golfing talent.

‘It’s a real honor to be here,’ Gallardo said. ‘I’m very glad I was able to earn my slot – the last one in, actually. I’m just grateful for the opportunity and hopeful to play my best this week.’

When asked about his goals, Gallardo revealed his hopes of earning a place on the Asian Tour next season. He said: ‘This is a big step for my career. I plan to go to Q-School in Thailand this December for the Asian Tour, and I hope this event gives me more confidence heading into that and future tournaments.’

Home favorite Miguel Tabuena, a three-time Asian Tour champion, is also ready to embrace the challenge.

‘Of course, you always want to perform well in your home country,’ Tabuena said. ‘But at the same time, you have to treat it like any other event. These guys (Dustin Johnson, Patrick Reed, Louis Oosthuizen and Charl Schwartzel) are major winners – they can adapt to anything. So course knowledge isn’t a huge factor this week. Still, I’m going to give it my best shot and try to keep the Philippine flag on top of the leaderboard.’

The International Series Philippines presented by BingoPlus is one of nine elevated events on the Asian Tour this season, offering players from around the world a pathway into the LIV Golf League through the season-long International Series Rankings.

This week’s tournament will blend elite-level competition with vibrant entertainment, including headline concerts, premium hospitality, live music, gourmet dining, and immersive fan experiences-making it one of the standout sporting and lifestyle events of the year.

JAMES RYAN LAM and Fidel Concepcion carved out similar 70s to seize the joint lead midway through the P3.5-million International Container Terminal Services Inc. Apo Golf Classic in Davao on Wednesday.

Facing the punishing demands of the fabled Apo Golf and Country Club layout, Lam and Concepcion again matched outputs for the second straight day in separate flights, tallying identical 141s over 36 holes-a rare return to the top of the Philippine Golf Tour leaderboard for both.

Lam showed grit and poise while playing alongside veteran Elmer Salvador as he fired three birdies against a lone bogey, nearly adding another on No. 2, before a failed up-and-down on the par-3 fourth slowed his charge.

He scrambled through the rest of the round, settling for a 36-34 card.

‘It’s a day-long grind,’ said Lam, visibly spent after his round. ‘You really need to hit it better on this course. I’m just lucky I managed to keep my score together.’

Concepcion, who struggled with three costly three-putts in the opening round, avoided that pitfall this time.

‘I didn’t have any three-putts today, so that’s a plus,’ he said. ‘My birdie putts were much closer, and I even holed a long one-about 25 to 30 steps-on No. 8.’

Despite the demanding conditions, Concepcion said he has no plans to adjust his strategy.

Salvador matched the leaders’ two-under card after opening with a 72, using his experience to navigate the treacherous layout. He finished at 142, just a shot off the lead, and now stands alone in third.

Defending champion Jhonnel Ababa, who nipped van der Valk in a playoff last year, posted a 71 to tie Korean Jaehyun Jung (70) at 145-just four shots off the pace.

Fellow local bets Elee Bisera, Zanieboy Gialon and Tony Lascuña, along with Nilo Salahog and Guido van der Valk, were bunched at fourth with 143s, just two strokes behind the leaders.

Lascuña, seeking to end a lengthy title drought, produced a bogey-free 70 to stay within striking distance.

Bisera dazzled with back-to-back birdies on No. 13 and 14, but faltered with bogeys on the front nine, closing with a 72. Gialon had a rollercoaster round-overcoming three early bogeys with four birdies across nine holes, only to bogey the ninth for an even-par finish.

Salahog and van der Valk both turned in resilient 71s to stay in the mix, showing composure on a course that continues to test every facet of a golfer’s game.

With a mere four-stroke gap separating the leaders from ninth place and 40 players surviving the cut at eight-over 154, the stage is set for a wild and unpredictable finish.

Lam, whose last win came at Luisita in 2018, admitted the long wait for another title has reignited his hunger-but he knows rest is key. ‘Nothing different,’ he said of his approach. ‘I’m just gonna take some rest. Hopefully, I’ll wake up fresh and hit it better-which is what’s needed on this course.’

At Apo, where patience is as valuable as power, the leaderboard remains volatile. Any lapse in focus can lead to a swift downfall.

Those securing the final slots for the last two rounds with eight-over totals included Korean Tae Won Kim (74), Michael Bibat (75), Mars Pucay (75), Tom Marcelo (76), and Dan Cruz (78).

Missing the cut were 2024 Palos Verde leg winner Lloyd Go (79-153), rising junior star Ralph Batican (75-154), and multi-titled local ace Jay Bayron (73-155).

On a course that rewards patience as much as power, and punishes lapses in focus, the only constant is change. And as the players gear up for the final stretch, the leaderboard is sure to see more drama unfold.

THE Philippine Competition Commission (PCC) and the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) have signed an agreement to ‘safeguard’ competition in public infrastructure.

Signed on October 23, PCC noted the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) ‘formalizes’ cooperation between the PCC and DPWH in detecting and addressing anti-competitive behavior in public works projects, including bid-rigging and abuse of dominance.

‘The agreement establishes mechanisms for case referrals, joint investigations, policy coordination, and capacity-building programs,’ the country’s competition watchdog said.

The PCC said entities found to have engaged in anti-competitive agreements such as bid-rigging may face administrative fines under the Philippine Competition Act (PCA).

For the first offense, a fine of up to P110 million may be imposed. For the second offense, the fine ranges from P110 million to P275 million. For the third and succeeding offenses, the fine increases to a range of P165 million to P275 million.

Under the agreement, both agencies commit to ‘timely notification of relevant concerns, proactive monitoring of market conduct, and collaborative review of DPWH policies to ensure alignment with the PCA, the National Competition Policy, and other applicable laws.’

PCC said the MOA also enables the formation of joint task forces and logistical support for investigations, including access to procurement data and field coordination.

PCC Chairperson Michael Aguinaldo explained that the agreement between PCC and DPWH represents a ‘shared commitment’ to make the country’s public infrastructure not only strong and resilient but also fair, transparent, and competitive.

‘This MOA is about more than policy coordination. It is about nation-building through fair competition. It is about ensuring that our roads and bridges are built not just with concrete and steel, but with integrity and trust,’ added the PCC chief.

In addition, the country’s competition watchdog noted the MOA outlines protocols for information sharing, including access to bid documents, procurement reports, and market assessments, subject to confidentiality and data privacy safeguards.

‘It provides for joint capacity-building activities such as trainings, roadshows, and the development of educational materials for procurement officers and contractors,’ added PCC.

The MOA was signed by PCC Chairperson Michael Aguinaldo and Public Works Secretary Vivencio Dizon.

THE Philippine Electric Vehicle industry is targeting to make electric vehicles account for at least 50 percent of all vehicles plying the country’s roads by 2040.

‘The bold target is to make EVs account for at least 50 percent of all vehicles on our roads by the year 2040,’ Electric Vehicles Association of the Philippines (EVAP) President Edmund A. Araga said in his speech at the 13th Philippine Electric Vehicle Summit (PEVS) 2025 on Thursday.

Araga said this target could be translated to a volume target of at least 2.5 million electric vehicles by 2040.

‘I am confident, as I have always been, that this goal is easily achievable, especially as we actually see that each year, we are breaking our own records,’ he asserted.

Citing data from the Land Transportation Office (LTO), Araga said registrations of EVs ‘skyrocketed’ to 29,715 from January to July of this year.

He said that figure has ‘overwhelmingly surpassed’ the number in 2024, adding that this represents about 5 percent of new vehicle registrations or thrice compared to the number two years ago.

In achieving the bold target for 2040, the EVAP chief said the electric vehicle sector is hoping that the ‘attractive incentives and perks offered to our motorists to shift to electric will further go full swing.’

Currently, some of the incentives and perks offered to the country’s motorists include: zero import tariffs; priority registration at the LTO, exemption from number coding, and free public EV charging stations in a growing number of malls and other commercial and public establishments.

As to the state of growth of EV charging stations, Araga shared that the Comprehensive Roadmap for the EV Industry in the country targets deploying 7,300 EVCS nationwide by 2028 and 20,400 by 2040, pointing out that this is the local industry’s ‘new challenge.’

‘We continue to persuade and encourage the public and private sectors to work double time to speed up the growth of EVCS in the Philippines,’ added the head of the EV industry group.

Araga pointed out that it is just ‘logical’ that as the number of EVs ‘consistently’ jump every year, the figure for EVCS ‘must match that spike’ so as to convince more Filipinos to switch to EV and realize the economic and environmental benefits of turning to electric mobility.

On the investments that the EV sector is attracting, Araga said it is estimated that total investments in local EV assembly and battery material and manufacturing have reached over P1 billion, creating more jobs for Filipinos.

‘We are confident that it will grow further,’ added the EVAP president.

He said the EV sector is becoming a ‘significant’ contributor to the economy through the rising volume of foreign and local investors, particularly in battery manufacturing facilities.

For one, Araga said the very first lithium battery factory in the country was inaugurated in Tarlac in 2024.

‘That facility could power up to 18,000 EVs annually when it reaches full capacity by 2030,’ he underscored.

Maya Philippines Inc., the country’s second largest fintech firm, on Thursday said it will provide its upgraded users access to the initial public offering (IPO) of West zone concessionaire Maynilad Water Services Inc.

Maya said it launched its stocks feature, which now carries the IPO of Maynilad. It will make the access through its partner brokers DragonFi Securities Inc., F. Yap Securities Inc. (2TradeAsia) and Philstocks Financial Inc.

Through Maya Stocks, upgraded users can open and fund a brokerage account in minutes and view available IPOs directly within the Maya app.

The IPO subscriptions are completed through participating brokers’ platforms, while Maya provides a secure and convenient channel for account opening and funding.

‘Our goal has always been to make access to financial opportunities simpler and more inclusive,’ said Shailesh Baidwan, Maya group president and co-founder of Maya Bank.

‘Maya Stocks brings IPO participation closer to consumers by embedding a secure, regulated process into the same app they already use every day.’

Users can open a brokerage account with participating brokers, fund it through their Maya wallet with no transfer fees and view IPOs when available.

During the offer period, IPOs such as Maynilad’s will be visible on participating brokers homepages within the Maya app. The platform enables funding of brokerage accounts through the Maya Wallet with no transfer fees.

Users subscribing to the Maynilad IPO can do so with no additional commission fees through participating brokers’ simplified IPO channels. Commission fees continue to apply to regular stock trades.

The feature goes live in time for the Maynilad IPO offer period, which runs from October 23 to 29, and will continue to be available for other company IPOs through Maya’s partner brokers. The Maynilad IPO can be accessed through participating brokers on Maya Stocks.

The company said the launch of IPO visibility on its app is part of Maya’s broader mission to expand access to essential financial tools and bring more Filipinos into the formal financial system.

The world today holds nearly eight billion people. According to Open Doors International’s World Watch List 2025, more than 380 million Christians live under high levels of persecution and discrimination-about one in seven believers worldwide. It is a staggering reality that often goes unnoticed in societies where worship feels effortless.

The World Watch List is among the most cited annual reports on religious persecution. Founded in 1955 by Dutch missionary Brother Andrew, Open Doors gathers data from over 60 countries to measure anti-Christian hostility. Its faith-based methodology emphasizes religious identity, yet its findings broadly correspond with those of secular human rights monitors such as Amnesty International, Freedom House, and the US Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF).

Across multiple studies, one trend remains consistent: global religious freedom is declining. The Pew Research Center reports that most of the world’s population now lives in countries where restrictions on religion are high or very high. Open Doors likewise finds that persecution has intensified steadily since 2015.

In 2024, Open Doors documented approximately 4,476 Christians killed for their faith, with about 3,000 deaths occurring in Nigeria. Other independent organizations, including Human Rights Without Frontiers, confirm persistent, large-scale religiously motivated violence across West Africa. Nigeria has endured more than a decade of attacks by Boko Haram and Islamic State affiliates, and conditions remain severe.

China represents a more bureaucratic model of repression. Under the government’s policy of ‘Sinicization,’ minors are prohibited from attending church, online evangelism is restricted, and unregistered congregations face closure. The US State Department’s 2024 International Religious Freedom Report confirms widespread detentions of pastors such as Jin Mingri of Beijing’s Zion Church. Religious expression there survives only under state supervision.

India, the world’s largest democracy, demonstrates how nationalism can erode pluralism. According to USCIRF’s 2024 report, violence against religious minorities has increased under so-called ‘anti-conversion’ laws. In the states of Chhattisgarh and Manipur, churches have been attacked and communities displaced -evidence that democracy alone does not guarantee tolerance.

In Pakistan, Christians and other minorities continue to live under blasphemy statutes that permit the death penalty. Amnesty International reports that accusations often lead to mob violence or prolonged detention. Many Christians remain confined to low-wage sanitation work, marginalized by both class and creed.

Across Africa, extremist violence has become tragically common. The Africa Center for Strategic Studies and Open Doors identify Nigeria as the epicenter, but persecution also afflicts Sudan, Somalia, Eritrea, and parts of the Sahel. Casualty estimates vary, yet all major monitoring groups agree that targeted violence against Christians has reached alarming levels.

In Iran and Afghanistan, conversion from Islam is considered apostasy and can result in imprisonment, harassment, or exile, according to the United Nations Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion. In Indonesia, where roughly 230 million of 280 million citizens are Muslim, Christians encounter restrictions on church construction and regional bans on public worship, particularly in West Java and Aceh.

Only the Philippines and East Timor are majority-Christian nations in Asia and where worship is practiced freely. Roughly 80 percent of Filipinos identify as Catholic, and churches still ring without fear. Yet sporadic extremist violence persists in parts of Mindanao, underscoring that peace requires constant vigilance.

While focusing on Christian persecution, it is important to recognize that religious restrictions affect many faiths and communities. Muslims in India, Uyghurs in China, and even atheists in Pakistan also face discrimination and often brutal state pressure. Intolerance is not confined to any single belief.

Complacency is the quiet partner of persecution. Freedom seldom vanishes in a single act; it erodes through neglect and silence. In many Western societies, faith has become comfortable but cautious. Surveys by Barna Group and the Pew Research Center reveal steep declines in both church attendance and moral conviction. When conviction weakens, courage often follows.

For Filipinos-and for all who still worship without fear-the lesson is clear. Appreciation for freedom requires protection of it, not assumption of its permanence. Freedom endures because others defended it, and many still die for it. Awareness must become action: speak for the silenced, strengthen persecuted communities, and teach the next generation that faith tested is faith proven.

Persecution, like corrosion, works gradually but relentlessly. Around the world it has hardened some believers and exposed the fragility of others. Liberty does not vanish when enemies grow powerful; it disappears when its defenders cease to care.

OMBUDSMAN Jesus Crispin Remulla on Thursday admitted that the 2016 order of dismissal against then CIBAC party-list representative and now Senator Joel Villanueva had been reversed by his predecessor, former Ombudsman Samuel Martires.

Remulla made the clarification after indicating during that the dismissal remains enforceable and that he would write to Senate President Vicente Sotto to immediately implement it.

The dismissal order stemmed from the alleged misuse of Villanueva’s 2008 Priority Development Assistance Funds (PDAF).

‘That should be enforceable immediately by a letter containing the decision given to the Senate President. And the Senate President should be the one to enforce it,’ Remulla told ANC in an interview on Thursday morning.

‘That is the only way to do it. We will try to enforce it now. We will write a letter to the Senate President,’ the Ombudsman added.

Remulla said he would personally deliver the letter to Sotto on Friday during the Senate hearing on the Ombudsman’s 2026 proposed budget.

He added that the implementation of the order would be for the ‘good of the people.’

‘We respect the way that they conduct business. We respect the independence of the Senate. But the design of the government is that the Ombudsman is there to protect the people,’ Remulla stressed.

Villanueva’s dismissal order was issued by former Ombudsman Conchita Carpio in 2008 during his term as congressional representative of CIBAC partylist after finding him guilty of grave misconduct, serious dishonesty and conduct prejudicial to the interest of the service.

However, Martires said Villanueva’s dismissal had already been reversed after the senator’s motion for reconsideration was granted in 2019.

‘To my surprise, when I got to the office, I was confronted with a decision signed by former Ombudsman [Samue] Martires dated July 2019,’ Remulla said in an ambush inter with reporters.

‘That’s it, it only came out when I said the Ombudsman would do something about it. So, it’s a surprise, a secret decision,’ he added.

Remulla noted that Villanueva and Martires were quiet about the reversal of his dismissal.

‘[Senator] Joel Villanueva kept quiet all these years. Ombudsman Martires never spoke about it. Isn’t it like a secret decision? Did you even know about that,’ Remulla asked reporters.

Let the people who know best about what they need decide on what projects should be implemented in their respective areas.

In the forthcoming 2026 General Appropriations Act and beyond, Senator Francis ‘Chiz’ Escudero said this should be the guiding principle in proposing infrastructure projects, and their inclusion in the national budget, and in the release of funds for their implementation.

‘With the many problems with government infrastructure projects – including the substandard and ‘ghost’ flood control projects – there’s really a need to arrive at a sound solution so that tax payers’ money is not lost on anomalies,’ Escudero explained, partly in Filipino.

The veteran legislator explained that most, if not all, of the abuses committed with regard to the funding of infrastructure projects, are the result of the arbitrary moves of legislators, in connivance with officials in the Executive branch, to introduce items that never passed scrutiny at any point of the budget process.

‘This is the very issue being raised with regard to insertions in the budget,’ said Escudero, who noted that these projects came out of nowhere and were included in the national budget without anyone really knowing if they were feasible, needed or even real.

An examination of the General Appropriations Act (GAA) before 2025, alongside the examinations conducted by the Commission on Audit, would reveal the presence of ghost projects and other anomalies in the implementation of infrastructure projects.

Escudero has proposed a solution, one that is so simple and obvious that it would seem impossible that it has not been done before.

In the proposed Grassroots Infrastructure Planning and Budgeting Act filed by Escudero, all infrastructure projects must have prior endorsement of the Regional Development Council and either the Provincial Development Council or the City/Municipal Development Council and their respective Sanggunian before these are included in the National Expenditure Program (NEP) submitted by the President to Congress.

‘From the NEP [crafting phase] alone, no project that is not needed by the province or the country should be allowed to be included. Only the priority and really essential projects should be in the NEP,’ Escudero said, partly in Filipino.

‘The endorsement of our local government units is even more important for the projects pursued by lawmakers as an amendment – often included in the GAA or the final budget version that the President signs into law,’ he added.

The bill states that the prior endorsement of the RDCs and/or the local governing bodies is a requisite or condition sine qua non (absolutely indispensable) for the inclusion of any infrastructure project in the GAA and for the subsequent release of any allotment for its implementation.

‘If there is no endorsement or approval by the RDC, no money should be released by the DBM for any project,’ Escudero said. The senator from Bicol urged his colleagues in the Senate and the House of Representatives to prioritize the approval of this measure as it will address the issues that have been dominating the national conversation and strengthen the reforms that are being introduced with respect to the budget process.

FILIPINO inventors stand to gain more support in patenting and marketing their innovations under new initiatives announced by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST).

DOST Assistant Secretary for Technology Transfer, Communications and Commercialization Napoleon Juanillo Jr. said the Technology Application and Promotion Institute (TAPI) remains the agency’s main arm in helping innovators, scientists, and engineers secure patents and link with potential investors.

‘The DOST is aggressive in protecting intellectual property,’ Juanillo said in Filipino at a media forum on Tuesday. ‘TAPI’s mandate is to help our innovators secure protection for their work.’

The agency, he added, works closely with the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL) through what he described as a ‘superhighway’ for patents.

This is a faster process for filing and registering intellectual property, which he called vital in an era when ‘intellectual property is the new oil.’

Juanillo highlighted these efforts as part of Inno.Venta 2025, an upcoming showcase organized with Batangas State University to connect scientists and inventors with capitalists, venture builders, and banks.

The forum, he said, is meant to open conversations on what makes innovations attractive to investors and how research outputs can meet market demand.

‘These panels are a learning opportunity,’ he said. ‘Researchers need to see what the market demands, what investors look for, and how to size up opportunities.’

‘Innovation doesn’t only happen in the academe,’ he added. ‘A retired engineer or a young alumnus with a brilliant idea can just as well contribute to national development.’

The DOST also works with universities through its Knowledge, Innovation, Science and Technology (KIST) Parks, with Batangas State University serving as the first government-designated KIST ecozone under the Philippine Economic Zone Authority.

Juanillo described the parks as ‘high-tech marketplaces’ where new technologies can be displayed, tested, and linked to industries.

He said these initiatives form part of the department’s push to build a ‘culture of entrepreneurship’ among Filipino scientists.

‘Research shouldn’t stop in laboratories or remain on library shelves,’ he said. ‘As Secretary Solidum reminds us, science should be felt.’

Juanillo said the DOST is steering researchers toward fields identified in the country’s Strategic Investment Priority Plan (SIPP), such as electronics and advanced manufacturing, agri-tech, renewable energy, climate resilience, artificial intelligence, and food processing.

‘Science, technology, and innovation should drive our industrial transformation,’ he said. ‘We’re showing our researchers where the future growth sectors lie.’

At a separate briefing during the 8th National Research and Development Conference, DOST Undersecretary Leah Buendia said only around 10 to 20 percent of government-funded research and development (R and D) projects have so far reached commercialization, noting that the path from research to market remains a long and complex process.

In a city where traditions are honored and where prosperity abounds, a rising 52-storey tower in the heart of Binondo, the world’s oldest Chinatown, will have its full glory in the Second Quarter of 2027.

Ongpin Tower stands tall witnessing how the Filipino-Chinese weave their colorful history – from the traditional past to the exciting future – in the bustling district of Manila. The residential tower is the first and flagship project of Keen and Worth Property Developers, Inc.

‘Ongpin Tower fills a gap in Binondo’s residential market,’ beamed Kimberly Wong, Chief Operating Officer of Keen and Worth Property Developers. ‘Our aim is to build a meaningful home rooted in legacy, not just another development.’

LOCATION: PRIME CONSIDERATION

In urban settings, prime location is a rarity. The better location, the higher the market value the property is. And this is what makes Ongpin Tower a good investment.

It is located on a rare tri-corner lot at Ongpin, Gonzalo Puyat, and F. Torres Streets – a prime address that blends historical significance with real estate potential. Ongpin Tower is right smack in the middle of modern living where everything is within easy reach and access to schools, medical centers, churches and places of worship, shopping malls, and more. Whether you’re building your first investment or securing a permanent home for your growing family, this is a place designed to endure.

‘Our vision is to be the leading real estate developer in our location by staying customer-centric and delivering quality spaces that uplift communities.’

BUILT WITH PURPOSE

True to the company’s vision, Ongpin Tower embodies a rare harmony of timeless design and modern functionality. Each residence is thoughtfully appointed with high-quality fixtures, offering an elevated sense of ease, comfort, and exclusivity.

The tower stands as a testament to world-class living, having partnered with globally trusted brands renowned in premier property development.

Engineered with sophistication and privacy in mind, Ongpin Tower features a low-density layout-with only 7, 4, and 2 units per floor-creating a serene and exclusive atmosphere amid the vibrant heart of Binondo. Further reflecting its commitment to forward-thinking living, the development includes EV charging-ready parking spaces, ensuring residents are equipped for a sustainable future.

‘More than just a residential address, Ongpin Tower is designed for individuals and families who value legacy, location, and long-term investment,’ shared Wong. ‘It is a home built with purpose-one that honors the stories of the past while embracing the aspirations of the future.’

WHERE MODERNITY MEETS COMFORT

The modern design is anchored by Filipino-Chinese family values: space for togetherness, privacy when needed, and flexibility for every life stage.

Every home features elegant finishes, and practical layouts to complement with multigenerational living, highlighting three distinct collections – Residences, Estates, and Penthouse. This gives comfort that goes beyond your front door.

2-Bedroom Units: 99.66 – 111.75 sqm

3-Bedroom Units: 125.83 – 155.55 sqm

4-Bedroom Estates Units: 216.21 – 243.69 sqm

Penthouse Residences: 446.92 – 495.20 sqm

The 226-residential unit tower offers individuals or families the ease and comfort of modern-day living. Plus, giving them the peace of mind with all these curated amenities:

Rooftop helipad for urgent access

Sky Park and Rooftop garden with city views at 52nd floor

Resort-style infinity lap pool and jacuzzi

Gym, playground, and basketball court for family wellness

Multipurpose halls and lounges for community building and celebrations

Like a modern Filipino-Chinese patriarch, Ongpin Tower is wise, forward-thinking, family-oriented, and grounded in values. It truly reflects the Fil-Chinese who value their family, securing long-term investment for a better future. Apparently, Ongpin Tower’s topping off is set on December 6, 2025.

‘We prioritize delivering on time because we believe that trust is built on reliability,’ Wong quipped. ‘Whether for your family or your future, Ongpin Tower is an investment that is built to last.’