Tag: Philippines

  • Philippines prepares for nationwide rollout of 911 hotline

    Philippines prepares for nationwide rollout of 911 hotline

    The Philippines’ Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), operators, private organizations, media partners and other government agencies have started testing the nation’s new 911 emergency hotline.

    The new emergency hotline will be rolled out nationwide on August 1. The new service was made possible by an agreement signed by the the different government agencies including the DILG, Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), and National Telecommunications Commission (NTC).

    The agencies were responding to the instruction of newly elected President Rodrigo Duterte to designate a number people can call in response to a national disaster.

    Other signing agencies were the Foundation for Crime Prevention (FCP), Philippine Information Agency (PIA), and the Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas (KBP).

    The agreement covers the transition to make the existing 117 hotline and the new 911 emergency hotlines accessible to call for the general public through each party’s respective networks.

    The DILG said the existing 117 hotline will be utilized for 911 hotline operation starting next month. The current hotline has 15 seats, 43 agents and database of Philippine National Police (PNP) units, including their mobile, local government Units and its emergency numbers and teleconference capability.

    Retired General Eliseo Rio Jr. of the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) and currently consultant to 117, said that after August 1, the current 15 seats will increase to 30 and the existing 43 call center agents will be increased to 90.

    The country’s two leading telecommunications players – PLDT and Globe Telecom – both expressed support for the government project. In a statement, Globe’s Legal Counsel Froilan Castelo said the company is ready to comply with the government directive to provide access to 911 and 8888 numbers for government emergency hotline and complaint hotline.

    Globe has long used the 8888 number as its own customer hotline. However, the company will give way to the government request and will instead change to a new hotline number for its more than 57 million customers.

    At the start of the testing period last week, DILG Secretary Ismael Sueno reportedly called 911 twice using a landline and a cellular phone in the presence of officials from concerned agencies to see how the operation will flow.

    The test calls – as well as the simulation exercises that will be made between July 21 to July 31 – seek to close possible gaps that will be encountered once 911 goes public.

  • Ayala launches Philippines’ most luxurious condo

    Ayala launches Philippines’ most luxurious condo

    Ayala Land Premier (ALP), the top-tier market segment unit of Ayala Land Inc. is launching the country’s most expensive residential development to date with a total value of P20.5 billion—including an ultra-luxurious unit sold at P477 million.

    “ALP competes in a valuable segment in the market. The players are very select, and it is by delivering these one-of-a-kind properties in choice locations that ALP handily distinguishes itself,” said ALP Managing Director Jose Juan Jugo in a press briefing.

    Park Central Towers will be an ultra-luxury, two-tower development at the corner of Paseo de Roxas and Makati Avenue. The 69-storey Park Central South Tower worth P20.5 billion will rise across Ayala Triangle and shall have 281 private residences with 12 different unit designs and layouts.

    Unit sizes range from a two-bedroom unit at approximately 138 sqm to a three-level penthouse unit called Anadem Villa One at approximately 1,635 sqm (inclusive of a limited common area, 281 sqm pool deck).

    “Park Central South Tower will sell for an average price of about P300,000 per sqm. Unit prices range from P32 million to an unprecedented P477 million with an average unit costing close to P80 million,” said ALP Sales Head Mike Jugo adding that the units are the size of houses in exclusive subdivisions.

    Jugo said they have so far sold 40 percent of the project, or 116 units, with a total value of P8.3 billion in a preview sale to their most valued clients. Units sold include the $10 million Anadem Villa.

    There will be 54 Aquaview Villas, which feature their own private elevators and a 5.7 meter high living room area that flows out to a private plunge pool and lounge deck.

    At the corners opposite the Aquaview Villas are 54 Skyview Villas. While the Skyview Villas do not have the private elevators and pool areas, they feature floor-to-ceiling and wall-to-wall windows that wrap around a 5.7-meter high living room space.

    The 54 Gallery Villas meanwhile provide a heightened level of exclusivity, with their private elevators opening up to a gallery where discerning homeowners can feature prized possessions or works of art.

    The 112 Glass Suites are aptly named because all of the rooms feature floor-to-ceiling and wall-to-wall windows maximizing views and bathing these luxury apartments with natural light.

    “There are typically only five units per floor. Since most units have their own dedicated private elevators, well-heeled residents will likely not see each other in the elevator lobbies or lifts,” said Jose Juan Jugo.

    Park Central Towers will rise on a vast 15,860-sqm. parcel adjacent to an equally opulent Ayala Land Premier project, Roxas Triangle Towers.

    The building’s unique architectural design includes special four-storey high common spaces called Sky Terraces that will house either a gym, swimming pools, residents’ lounge or spas.

    Anchoring the luxury appointments and central location is an upscale retail podium that will house highly-curated shops and restaurants.

    The renowned Leandro V. Locsin & Partners collaborated with a boutique luxury Singaporean architectural firm, Soo Chan Design Associates (SCDA), and noted Japanese design group, Studio Taku Shimizu to come up with an iconic design for the structure, befitting its exceptional Makati CBD address.

     

  • SES pilots satellite e-health program in Philippines

    SES pilots satellite e-health program in Philippines

    Satellite operator SES, the Luxembourg Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs, and the non-governmental organization (NGO) German Doctors have launched the satellite-based e-health platform SATMED in the Philippines.

    The solution was deployed at the German Doctors’ hospital in Buda, Marilog District in Davao City.

    SATMED can improve public health in developing countries by integrating medical applications and tools on a single platform over satellite broadband services. The solution was developed by SES Techcom Services, a wholly owned subsidiary of SES, and is funded by the Luxembourg government.

    The new SATMED solution deployed in Central Mindanao will enable German Doctors to use portable devices such as tablets to collect the patients’ data, which will be processed, aggregated and synchronized securely on SATMED’s cloud platform.

    A text messaging functionality will allow doctors to keep tabs on large groups of patients living in remote villages, whose main form of contact with the outside world is through mobile phones.

    SATMED will also enable German Doctors to communicate with doctors and medical experts around the world via video conferencing. Training of local medical professionals via SATMED’s e-learning solutions will be another opportunity.

    “The implementation of SATMED, through satellite connectivity, makes digital imaging, e-learning and consultation, and other e-health solutions, available to the local medical community,” said Glen Tindall, Vice President of Sales, Asia-Pacific at SES.

    Dietmar Schug, Managing Director of German Doctors, said that poor terrestrial connectivity in rural locations poses obstacles in analyzing and monitoring patients’ health problems, accessing their medical records and providing follow-up care.

    “More than 200,000 people are living within the catchment area of the Buda Community Health Care Center – about half of those coming from the indigenous population, who often have no access to medical care and whose lives are below the poverty line,” he said.

    “SATMED and its suite of medical applications opens up healthcare possibilities and boosts our efforts in making accessible, quality healthcare a reality for these remote communities.”

  • Turner, Globe launch Cartoon Network on mobile

    Turner, Globe launch Cartoon Network on mobile

    Turner Asia Pacific and Globe Telecom in the Philippines are making available to Globe customers two upgraded Cartoon Network apps.

    An authenticated version of the Cartoon Network Watch and Play app unlocks its full functionality, including a live stream of the channel and additional video-on-demand content. Cartoon Network Anything will also be bundled, showcasing the network’s best short-form content on mobile devices.

    “Offered to Globe customers, these products provide a convenient avenue for Filipinos to enjoy the most popular kids’ content wherever they are, and in a safe and flexible way,” said Phil Nelson, Turner’s managing director for Southeast Asia.

    This year, Cartoon Network also ranks as a top-5 channel across all genres, showing the local appetite for cartoons and a brand of entertainment that the whole family enjoys.

    “Globe strives to provide the best service that includes premium entertainment from strong international partnerships like Turner’s Cartoon Network,” said Globe chief commercial officer, Albert De Larrazabal.

    “We look forward to the many possibilities this partnership offers as both companies are committed to provide valued customers with a unique digital entertainment experience,” said de Larrazabal. “Moving forward, customers can also expect more good news from Globe and Cartoon Network.”

  • Philippines to develop national broadband plan

    Philippines to develop national broadband plan

    Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte announced in his first State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Monday that he wants the newly created Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) to develop a national broadband plan to accelerate the deployment of fiber and wireless technologies to improve internet speed.

    He also announced that Wi-Fi access shall be provided at no charge in selected public places, including parks, places, public libraries, schools, government hospitals, train stations, airports, and seaports.

    A previous government initiative to establish a National Broadband Network (NBN) was scrapped in 2007 after the $329-million contract awarded to Chinese telecommunications firm ZTE for the project had been investigated in the Senate.

    In 2011, the then Commission on Information Communications Technologies (CICT) had also released a five-year digital roadmap that aimed to craft a vision for ICT use in governance, including the creation of a national broadband policy that would enable the environment for broadband development and use.

    Duterte’s call for a new national broadband plan came on the heels of a wide public clamor for fast and affordable internet. The Philippines had ranked poorly in many global indices for digital readiness.

    The country trails behind its Southeast Asian neighbors, for example, in the latest Network Readiness Index published by the World Economic Forum, which measures how economies use the opportunities offered by ICT for increased competitiveness. At 77th place in a 139-country study, the Philippines was behind Singapore (1st), Malaysia (31st), Thailand (62nd), Indonesia (73rd).

    Duterte’s assumption into office on June 30 came at a favorable time as the law mandating the creation of the DICT as the primary body that would create policies and drive the national ICT agenda was signed by former President Benigno Simeon Aquino III last May.

    The country’s first appointed DICT Secretary Rodolfo A. Salalima affirmed in his first media interview that the government cannot expect the commercial service providers to be in all parts of the country and there would be a need for the government to establish an ‘infostructure’ in the countryside and provide service.

    Shortly before Duterte’s inauguration as the country’s 16th president last June, Globe Telecom had called on the government to help develop broadband access in the Philippines by investing in internet infrastructure in rural and far-flung areas.Globe President and CEO Ernest Cu said in a media statement that telecommunication operators in the country are unable to deploy infrastructure in rural areas due to business viability issues.

    “There are a lot of localities in the country that cannot be reached economically. What we propose is for the government to build the infrastructure, such as submarine cables, and then rent these facilities out to telco operators,” he said, citing the case of Sulu and Basilan provinces in the Autonomous Region for Muslim Mindanao.

  • SM Seaside City Cebu recognized in ULI Philippine Healthy Places Awards

    SM Seaside City Cebu recognized in ULI Philippine Healthy Places Awards

    SM Prime’s SM Seaside City Cebu was recognized recently by the Urban Land Institute (ULI) Philippines Building Healthy Places Awards in the Commercial-Retail category.

    Building Healthy Places Awards recognize outstanding and innovative projects that add value to the community, promote healthy life choices and enhance the environment.

    SM Seaside City Cebu is the center of a future 30-hectare mixed-use masterplan which will hold office, residential, and hospitality components. It provides not only convenient retail, food and beverage outlets, services, and leisure activities, but also public transport access, outdoor roof-gardens, and a green inner courtyard in which social and communal activities can take place.

    The mall holds outlets for several physical and leisure activities, such as fitness centers, bowling-lanes and ice-skating. It also contains medical clinics, health-food outlets, drug-stores and spas. Outdoor playgrounds and water-playgrounds in the roof-garden provide physical outlets for kids, while a perimeter jogging path allows visitors, workers, and residents to stay fit.

    Aside from the mall’s content, its architecture aim to promote human interaction in the mall, which is considered critical to its success. SM Seaside City Cebu is not just a place to shop; it is designed to be the social hub of the local community, and the architecture aims to reflect this role, with its grand entrances, central courtyard, and sweeping gardens.

  • Fast food giant eyes Jollibee China expansion

    Fast food giant eyes Jollibee China expansion

    Philippine fastfood giant Jollibee Foods Corp is keen to expand its footprint in China.

    Jollibee China is likely to add 20 to 40 new stores to its 400 outlets, according to Jollbee CEO Ernestro Tanmantiong. He said the company continues to target 5 to 10 per cent growth in stores.

    “We are exploring acquisitions. Our focus is on food service,” he said, adding that the company had acquired a commissary to support its business.

    Early this year, Jollibee Foods took over a food manufacturing facility that services Yonghe King, a famous non-Western restaurant in China.

    Asked about the recent international ruling on the West Philippine Sea and its impact on the business, Tanmantiong said the company thinks the ongoing dispute is unlikely to hurt the company’s operations in China.

    “I think the move of the government to employ diplomacy is the best way to settle the differences. It is the best solution,” Tanmantiong said.

    “Our vision in the future is to achieve a 50-50 ratio of international versus Philippines. Today, it’s 80 per cent Philippines and 20 per cent international. We hope to achieve a 50-50 ratio but it doesn’t mean we are slowing down in the Philippines,” he said.

  • McDonald’s Philippines targets 900 stores

    McDonald’s Philippines targets 900 stores

    Local franchisee, Golden Arches Development, expects McDonald’s Philippines to reach 500 stores in 2016 and 900 in coming years.

    Golden Arches VP for marketing Margot Torres said in an interview, “We are going to hit the 500 stores before the end of the year because we had 494 as of June,.”

    He added that plans would depend on the opening of shopping malls in the country.

    Due to construction delays, the 500 store count originally set in 2015 was moved to mid-2016.

    Torres said Golden Arches, which opens 40 stores every year, has seen strong sales for  McDonald’s since the second half of 2015, when celebrities Maine Mendoza and Alden Richard endorsed the brand.

    “There is still room for growth in Metro Manila but [there] is also huge potential for expansion outside Metro Manila, particularly in the Visayas and Mindanao,” Torres said.

    With convenience stores’ affordable meals posing a threat to the fast-food industry, McDonald’s is boosting its game by focusing on its online delivery.

  • Philippines’ new ICT chief orders spectrum audit

    Philippines’ new ICT chief orders spectrum audit

    The chief of the new Philippines Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) has ordered the inventory of used and unused telecoms spectra.

    In his first public speaking engagement and media interview since assumption into office on July 1, DICT Secretary Rodolfo Salalima said frequency is a scarce public resource and the patrimony of the nation.

    “I do not want public telephone entities to be warehousing frequencies, meaning getting assigned frequencies from the government, storing it without using it but using it for speculative purposes,” he said.

    He clarified that this act is contrary to the Philippine Constitution and a public service law which states that frequency must be assigned only to those who can make it effective and efficient use of it.

    “If they (telecommunications companies) have not used these frequencies within a reasonable time as stated in the position of giving or assigning to them the frequency, we better start revoking these frequencies because it ought to be assigned to telcos that can effectively and efficiently utilize them,” he added.

    The DICT Chief, however, gave assurances that due process will be observed if the department will resort to revocation of spectrum licenses or permits if some telcos are found to have not used them within the prescribed period.

    “We will hear them out,” he said, further clarifying that what telcos pay for is only the use of the frequency. “They do not become owners of these frequencies because they can never be owned under the Philippine Constitution.”

    The issue stemmed from the recent co-purchase of the telco business of San Miguel Corporation (SMC) by the country’s two dominant carriers – PLDT and Globe Telecom, which the government’s antitrust body, the Philippine Competition Commission (PCC) now wants investigated.

    Salalima said frequency is crucial to the operations of telecommunications companies in servicing the public.

    “This is the reason why to my mind, PLDT and Globe have to purchase control of the holding company of SMC so that at least they can have part of the frequency (not the entirety) needed for them to further improve the service,” he said.

    He clarified though that he is leaving it to the PCC to decide on the issue of whether the telco buyout deal is in the best interest of the public. His concern is the efficient use of spectrum, especially in light of the need to improve internet connection speed in the country and public services.

    Newly elected President Rodrigo Duterte has given local telecommunications players one year to shape up telco services and internet speed or ship out.

    The DICT, which was given the mandate to make policies and plans in regard to telco services and the country’s ICT infrastructure, is still in the transition period. It is currently awaiting the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of the law that created the new department only last May.

  • Batam to continue cooperation with Yokohama

    Batam to continue cooperation with Yokohama

    The Batam city government said it will continue cooperation, which began last year, with the Japanese city of Yokohama.

    Batam city mayor Muhammad Rudi said the cooperation would be continued as the cooperation has been a success thanks to assistance from the Yokohama city administration.

    “The assistance includes how Batam could reduce carbon gas emission and economize on power. At the airport and government hospital, power consumption could be saves by 30 percent,” Rudi cited.

    He said Batam also hopes that the Yokohama city administration to provide assistance in the form of technology needed for Batam development.

    “In seeking to reduce carbon gas emissions, denuded forests are a problem, therefore wee need more assistance to cope with the problem,” he said.

    “We are grateful with the equipment but we also need technology to use the technology products,” he said.

    Director of the Development Cooperation Department of Yokohama, Toru Hashimoto said Batam is the fourth city in ASEAN with which Yokohama cooperates.

    The three other cities are Da Nang of Vietnam, Bangkok of Thailand, and Cebu of the Philippines.

    Through the cooperation, Batam is expected to grow to be like Yokohama to become a smart city, Toru said.

    “Batam and Yokohama are equally good. In November we will have a seminar on Asia Smart City in Yokohama. We hope the mayor and deputy mayor would attend the seminar,” he said.

  • SM Prime’s P10B Retail Bonds Priced at 4.2005%

    SM Prime’s P10B Retail Bonds Priced at 4.2005%

    SM Prime Holdings, Inc. has set the interest rate for its Peso-denominated Series F, 10-year retail bonds at 4.2005% per annum.

    SM Prime will issue an aggregate principal amount of Php10.0 billion of the Series F bonds, which will be offered to investors through underwriters from July 13 to 19, 2016.

    The retail bonds will be issued on July 26, 2016. According to the underwriters, SM Prime received a strong demand for the retail bonds.

    The SM Prime bonds have been rated PRS Aaa by Philippine Rating Services Corporation (PhilRatings), the highest rating assigned by PhilRatings.

    Obligations rated PRS Aaa are of the highest quality with minimal credit risk, and denotes that the Issuer’s repayment capacity is extremely strong.

    This series of SM Prime bonds is the third offering of Peso-denominated retail bonds to the public.

    “The retail bond to be issued will sustain SM Prime’s development roadmap, which is geared towards provincial expansions mostly allotted on malls and offices developments. We remain optimistic on the huge growth potential in the provinces where large areas remain unserved.” SM Prime President Hans T. Sy said.

    The SM Prime bonds’ joint issue managers, joint lead underwriters and joint bookrunners are BDO Capital & Investment Corporation, BPI Capital Corporation, China Bank Capital Corporation and First Metro Investment Corporation.

    East West Banking Corporation, PNB Capital and Investment Corporation and United Coconut Planters Bank are participating underwriters for the bond issue.

    SM Prime remains committed to its role as a catalyst for economic growth, delivering innovative and sustainable lifestyle cities, thereby enriching the quality of life of millions of people.

    SM Prime Holdings, Inc’s stock was up 3.89% in today’s trading at the Philippine Stock Exchange.

    SPMH ended the day with a trade price of P29.40 a share, up P1.10 from the previous day’s trading.

    A total of 41 million SMPH shares, with a total value of P1.19 billion, exchanged hand today.

  • Netflix teams with Globe in the Philippines

    Netflix teams with Globe in the Philippines

    Netflix has entered into a partnership with Globe Telecom, to provide access to viewers the Philippine telco’s mobile or broadband service.

    Globe customers will be able to subscribe to Netflix through Globe, and enjoy its content anytime, anywhere, on nearly any internet-connect screen, while conveniently charging the monthly subscription to their Globe mobile or broadband accounts.

    “The Filipino’s swift adaption to the digital lifestyle and our shift to smartphones also changed the way we enjoy entertainment,” said Globe chief commercial officer Albert de Larrazabal.

    “Our partnership with Netflix gives us this extensive library that will allow us to give our customers their much-awaited TV and movie titles whether they are at home or on-the-go,” said Larrazabal.

    Tony Zameczkowski, Netflix VP of business development in Asia Pacific, said Netflix content is now available to over 81 million members in 190 countries.

    “Our partnership with Globe brings us closer to consumers who love entertainment and enables us to connect even more Filipinos to our top-quality Netflix original shows and movies like Marvel’s Daredevil, Orange is The New Black, Narcos and many more,” said Zameczkowski.

    Netflix will also soon be available to customers on Globe’s new customized Broadband plans. Customers can now mix and match their preferred internet speeds that can be bundled with access to  content and entertainment devices ranging from smart HD TVs, speakers, streaming devices, gaming consoles and even security cameras.

  • Smart commences enhanced Wi-Fi project

    Smart commences enhanced Wi-Fi project

    Smart Communications is rolling out enhanced WiFi to the Philippines’ major transportation hubs, government offices and key business establishments.

    The PLDT subsidiary has earmarked close to 1 billion pesos ($21.2 million) for the service expansion. The investment forms part of PLDT’s 43 billion pesos in capital expenditure for 2016.

    Smart said its free WiFi public hotspots are currently undergoing upgrades in all the four terminals of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Pasay City; Francisco Bangoy International Airport in Davao; Iloilo International Airport; Bacolod-Silay International Airport in Negros Occidental; and Dumaguete-Sibulan Airport in Negros Oriental.

    It  has also been expanded to cover more public areas such as city halls, schools, and establishments such as malls, restaurants, and coffee shops, and  terminals of major bus companies.

    Eric R. Alberto, Executive Vice President at PLDT and Smart, and ePLDT President and CEO, the aggressive rollout of the Smart Wifi footprint was made possible through key partnerships with government institutions and business establishments.

    Users of the service can avail of free connectivity for an initial number of minutes just to be able to check essential services such as email, after which they may purchase credits.

    Beyond providing internet access to as many people as possible, Smart WiFi is also designed as an essential tool for small and medium enterprises and institutions.

    “WiFi connectivity has been proven to contribute to business growth by equipping SMEs and various organizations with an indispensable tool to engage customers, build loyalty, and gather significant information that will help them understand customer needs,” said Alberto.

  • Globe defends need for 700-MHz to ISOC

    Globe defends need for 700-MHz to ISOC

    Globe Telecom has challenged the Internet Society-Philippines Chapter (ISOC) move to oppose Globe and PLDT’s proposed joint acquisition of San Miguel Corporation’s telecoms assets, including its 700-MHz spectrum holdings.

    ISOC recently wrote to the Philippine Competition Commission opposing the planned acquisition on grounds including the argument that there is nothing special about the 700-MHz band in particular.

    Globe chief technology and information officer Gil B. Genio has written his own letter to the society to clarify what the company called “erroneous facts” presented in the society’s objections.

    He said the 700-MHz band would allow the operator to expand its LTE footprint to areas that were previously unserved even by 3G.

    “The 700-MHz provides an additional capacity layer over existing 3G and LTE capacity layers using frequencies on the 1800-MHz, 2100-MHz band and the 2500-MHz bands. As a result of this layer, customers at the cell edge coverage of the high frequency capacity layers are served by the 700 MHz providing better experience to these customers,” he said.

    “As an off-shoot of these, the 3G and 4G layers using high frequency band are offloaded, providing additional capacity for better mobile data experience of our customers. Aside from its ability to carry information, the use of the 700-MHz band provides better coverage versus higher frequency bands (such as 2300 or 2600), and therefore mobile service providers can support more high speed users using the same tower or cell site footprint that currently exists today.”

    In response to ISOC’s argument that it is possible to deliver strong wireline connectivity without specturm assets, Genio said Globe has been seeking to aggressively roll out fiber in key cities.

    But he added that these efforts have been hampered by bureaucratic red tape as well as the challenges of providing effective backhaul to an archipelagic country.

    “We want to underscore the fact there has been a history of underinvestment in fixed broadband infrastructure in this country, which is why we are on catch up mode to lay down as much fiber optic cables in our primary cities and key development areas as we can,” he said.

    “Our situation in the Philippines is different compared to others as our primary means of broadband access remains wireless (mobile) broadband for now. In using wireless technology, it is more pervasive, however over the long term, it will have difficulty in matching the throughput rates or speed of fixed broadband network. Hence our desire to build more infrastructure as fast as we can.”

  • Hans Sy Semi Retirement Announcement

    Hans Sy Semi Retirement Announcement

    SM Prime CEO, Hans Sy, has announced a semi-retirement.

    Sy has also served as SM Prime’s president since 2004, while holding key positions in SM subsidiaries and affiliates.

    Teresita Sy-Coson, vice chairperson of SM Investments – parent company of SM Prime, said Sy “wants to have more free time for himself and his organization is developed enough to take on many of his responsibilities.”

    Jeffrey Lim, who served as SM Prime executive VP and SM Development Corp president, will take Sy’s position.

    Sy has grown SM Prime into the biggest mall and integrated property developer in the Philippines and one of the biggest in Southeast Asia. The company now has 58 malls in the country and six in China.