It's more fun in Zuellig

We were invited to lunch by Daniel Zuellig, whose family owns the pharmaceutical distribution empire Zuellig Pharma, to brief us on the top-of-the-line office tower that will radically change the way people look at “green” buildings in this country. With global warming now an inevitable reality that is changing the way people live, more and more developers are realizing the need for structures that are environment-friendly and make use of green building technology that would lessen carbon footprint and optimize the use of energy, water and other resources.

Daniel, who is a director of Bridgebury Realty which is both owner and developer of the building, told us they aim to raise the bar with the 33-story prime office tower located at the intersection of Makati Avenue and Paseo de Roxas, right in the heart of Makati’s central business district. For one, the Zuellig Building is the first to be awarded with a gold-level pre-certification for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) by the US Green Building Council, which means the building is at par with established global standards on design, promoting sustainability and applying green principles in architecture, construction and property management.

The Zuellig family has been engaged in business in the Philippines since the 1900s with their Malugay headquarters bought from the Zobels. There was some dispute when Ayala Land constructed the residential cluster called “the Columns” but rather than engage in a lawsuit, the Zuelligs went for a property swap plus an additional P900 million to acquire the lot where the Zuellig Building now stands. Architect Willy Coscolluela, who was with us along with Chickie Rialp Locsin, said they are working for Platinum certification, the highest award by LEED.

An outstanding feature is the all-glass façade with large floor-to-ceiling panels, the ceramic frit pattern evoking images of bamboo and flowing water. The double-paned, low-emissivity glass system maximizes the use of natural light even while minimizing solar heat and energy loss – translating to lower electricity costs. More importantly, carbon footprint is reduced with the use of carbon dioxide sensors that modulate outside airflow depending on the number of people – certainly an intelligent feature. Water conservation advocates would also be happy to know that rain and condensate water can be captured, with premium drainage and irrigation systems installed.

Several portions of the building (approximately 62,800 sqm) will be rented out, with five basement levels that can accommodate parking spaces. Visitors and tenants alike will certainly appreciate the unobstructed vehicular entrance and exit points plus the direct access to main streets. The building will also have 16 high-speed elevators servicing the office tower, large rectangular floor plates, a retail pavilion with food court and executive lounge, among others. With top hotels, restaurants and commercial establishments within walking distance, living in a green building like Zuellig can be more fun.

Lepanto: Hot commodity

Spybits sources tell us that Lepanto Consolidated (LC) is now the hottest mining firm in the market especially with the interest of Manny V. Pangilinan to increase his minority stake in the company and own up to two board seats. MVP, who admitted mid last year that he is open to increasing his five-percent stake in Lepanto, is reportedly talking to First Metro Investment (of the Metrobank Group) which owns some 20 percent in LC. Metrobank chair George Ty, however, is reportedly willing to sell only 10 percent – which may be enough to give MVP one board seat. The rest, he will have to buy from the open market to achieve his two board seats goal. There is no doubt that the PLDT chairman is relentless once he sets his mind on something. He has diversified into a lot of sectors such as water, energy, hospitals, toll roads, and now mining with Philex Mines.

In any case, these developments augur well for the country. As a matter of fact, a Bank of America-Merrill Lynch Survey said the Philippines has become the third most preferred market in the world for global fund managers, with China and Indonesia as first and second, respectively. This is due to four credit upgrades that has raised expectations that the country will be further upgraded to investment grade this year. The BA-Merrill Lynch survey also disclosed that investor confidence is being boosted by the reform agenda of President Noynoy Aquino.

Celia Diaz-Laurel’s ‘Lolo Domingo’

Celia Diaz-Laurel, widow of the late vice president Salvador “Doy” Laurel, sent us a copy of the book she wrote about her grandfather Domingo Franco, one of the “13 Martyrs of Bagumbayan” (not to be confused with the “Trece Martires de Cavite”) executed on Jan. 11, 1897 or just 12 days after Jose Rizal’s execution. Simply titled “My Lolo Domingo Franco,” the book makes for an interesting and easy read due to Celia’s simple, flowing prose. From the opening pages where she recounts her accidental discovery that she is the granddaughter of a hero with vignettes about Jose Rizal visiting her grandfather’s home and playfully whirling Little Conching (Celia’s mother) until she screamed with delight, the book gives readers a lot of insight on the travails that Filipino patriots – many of them unknown and unsung – went through in the days leading to the Revolution.

Every chapter has a revelation that students and Philippine history lovers would find interesting – like the disappointment of Apolinario Mabini at having been bypassed for a promotion to the difficulties faced by Rizal’s older brother, Paciano, in attaining his baccalaureate from Letran due to resistance from Dominican friars which shattered hopes of a career, down to the tears of frustration shed by Marcelo del Pilar when funds for printing La Solidaridad were exhausted. It is a well written book that certainly is a must-read.

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