Tuesday, December 16, 2025

Beyond Building Homes: P.A. Properties Celebrates 31 Years of Growth, Service, and Innovation

 

Since its humble beginnings in 1994, P.A. Alvarez Properties and Development Corporation (P.A. Properties) has grown into one of South Luzon’s most trusted developers of quality and affordable housing. This year’s anniversary theme, “Expanding Horizons, Advancing Together,” reflects the company’s unwavering mission to go beyond building houses—focusing instead on creating thriving, sustainable communities and forging partnerships that help shape the future of Filipino homeownership.

Over the past three decades, we have built more than homes—we have built hope and opportunity,” said Atty. Marianne Reyna Lina-Cruz, President and CEO of P.A. Properties. “As we celebrate our 31st year, our focus is to deepen our reach, strengthen our partnerships, and continue addressing the housing needs of Filipino families. We are proud to be part of those stories.”

Addressing the Nation’s Housing Challenge

The Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) estimates a nationwide housing backlog of around 6.5 million units as of 2022, projected to reach 10 million by 2028 if unaddressed. P.A. Properties continues to take this challenge head-on by expanding its residential and mixed-use projects in key growth areas while collaborating with government agencies, financial institutions, and industry partners to make homeownership more attainable for Filipinos.

Guided by its vision to build resilient and inclusive communities, the company emphasizes innovation and mindful design in every development—ensuring that each P.A. Properties community nurtures not just families, but futures.

Earlier this year, the company expanded its footprint with the launch of a new phase of Idesia Heights in Dasmariñas, Cavite (introducing 76 Fuji model units), followed by the successful launch of NuVista Tanauan in Batangas.

Celebrating Stories and Industry Recognition

P.A. Properties also concluded Season 2 of its “Kwentong Buhay, Kwentong Bahay” (KBKB) vlogging competition, highlighting inspiring homeowner stories from across its communities. Following its success, the company announced “Buhay Goals, Bahay Goals” (BGBG) Season 1, which will feature the journeys of homeowners from the Idesia projects.

P.A. Properties also continues to innovate customer service through the relaunched Home Info Plus mobile app. Now available to all P.A. Properties communities, the app serves as a single platform for homeowners to track reservations, monitor payments, download receipts, and access support.

In recognition of its continued excellence and commitment to nation-building, P.A. Properties and its leadership received several prestigious awards in 2025.

Chairman Romarico T. Alvarez was honored with the Golden Rooster Award in Business for his visionary leadership and enduring advocacy for inclusive housing. The company’s social development arm, the Pelagio A. Alvarez Foundation, Inc., received the Golden Rooster Award in Humanitarian Service for its impactful programs in education, disaster relief, and livelihood support.

Reinforcing its strong industry presence, P.A. Properties was named among the Top 10 Pag-IBIG Fund Accredited Developers in NCR for 2024, and recognized as one of the Top 200 Taxpayers in Cabuyao City for Fiscal Year 2024—a testament to its transparency, performance, and contribution to local progress.

These distinctions highlight P.A. Properties’ enduring legacy as a developer that not only builds homes but also empowers communities and uplifts Filipino lives.

Expanding Horizons: Strengthening Partnerships and Joint Ventures

A cornerstone of the company’s forward momentum is its expansion through strategic joint ventures, bringing global expertise to the Philippine market.

Hankyu Hanshin Properties Corp. (HHPC) Strengthens Collaboration

In July 2025, P.A. Properties and its long-time Japanese partner, Hankyu Hanshin Properties Corp. (HHPC), formalized plans for two new joint venture projects through a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU):

●      Alaminos, Laguna: 517 units, 6.6 hectares.

●      Inosluban, Lipa, Batangas: 547 units, 6.5 hectares.

“Our continued partnership with P.A. Properties allows us to bring Japanese standards of quality, design, and efficiency into the Philippine housing market,” stated Ichiro Yamamoto, General Manager of HHPC. Romarico T. Alvarez, Chairman of the Board of P.A. Properties, added that these projects reflect their shared commitment to providing sustainable and accessible homes.

Japanese Precision Meets Filipino Ingenuity with SMCC Philippines

P.A. Properties Hankyu (P.A. Hankyu), the joint venture company, has partnered with Sumitomo Mitsui Construction Company or SMCC Philippines, Inc. (the local subsidiary of Japan’s Sumitomo Mitsui Construction Co., Ltd.) to elevate construction quality and efficiency through Japanese engineering excellence. SMCC Philippines is now the official housing contractor for Idesia San Jose Del Monte in Bulacan.

This collaboration brings in proven Japanese construction technology and expertise, including the use of the Precast System—a structural shell method widely utilized in Japan. By enabling offsite manufacturing of key components, this technology ensures faster project completion, superior precision, enhanced durability, and significantly reduced material waste, reflecting the hallmark reliability of Japanese innovation in building.

Elevating Community Living with Anabuki Property Management Group

In another strategic milestone, P.A. Properties Hankyu Hanshin partnered with Anabuki Property Management Group to strengthen property management across Idesia residential communities. This aims to enhance community services and ensure the long-term sustainability and high quality of life in these neighborhoods.

These global collaborations signify P.A. Properties’ dedication to building not just houses, but holistic living environments where families can thrive with comfort, security, and a strong sense of community.

Looking Ahead: Building Stories for Generations

“Our 31st anniversary is more than a celebration of years—it’s a reflection of the dreams we’ve helped build and the lives we’ve touched along the way,” said Chairman Romarico T. Alvarez. “It reminds us how far we’ve come, and how much more we can do together. As we look to the future, we remain steadfast in our commitment to expand into new areas, strengthen partnerships, and create communities that uplift lives and nurture generations of Filipino families.”

With over 30,000 homes built and 20 more communities planned over the next five years, P.A. Properties remains steadfast in its purpose: to help more Filipino families turn their dreams of homeownership into reality.

About P.A. Alvarez Properties and Development Corporation

Nestled in San Pedro, Laguna, P.A. Alvarez Properties and Development Corporation (P.A. Properties) is a leading developer of low to medium-cost housing communities in Southern Luzon. Since its establishment in 1994, the company has crafted over 30,000 homes across key Philippine provinces, with plans to build an additional 20 communities in the next 5 years. P.A. Properties, guided by the tagline "Behind Every Home is a Story," not only addresses the nation's housing backlog but also actively contributes to economic growth. Through philanthropic initiatives, such as hospital donations in Cabuyao, providing right of way in Pampanga for civic centers, and establishing SanJo's markets in provinces like Laguna and Bulacan, the company weaves a narrative of community development and nationwide impact.

This press release has also been published on VRITIMES

Monday, December 15, 2025

DigiLamon Officially Launches: A New Travel & Lifestyle Platform Created by Filipino Digital Nomads

 

preview DigiLamon, a new travel and lifestyle platform founded by Filipino digital nomads Kenn and Jin, officially launches to provide honest, experience-based travel guides across Asia. The site offers destination insights, hotel and restaurant reviews, digital nomad tips, and shopping recommendations backed by real, self-funded travels.

Focused on authentic storytelling and practical travel guidance, DigiLamon aims to help both Filipino and international travelers explore confidently. Currently traveling across Asia and actively creating content in Cambodia, the DigiLamon team is now open for collaborations with hotels, restaurants, cafés, and lifestyle brands seeking genuine reviews and increased visibility. Visit DigiLamon at www.digilamon.com for travel stories, guides, food reviews and partnership inquiries.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

DigiLamon.com, a newly launched travel and lifestyle platform founded by Filipino couple digital nomads, officially makes its debut, bringing a fresh approach to travel storytelling across Asia. Created by partners Kenn and Jin, DigiLamon offers honest, experience-driven reviews and guides for travelers seeking real insights—not sponsored hype.

The platform features destinations across Cambodia, Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, and the Philippines, blending personal experiences with practical guidance for both first-time travelers and long-term digital nomads.

A Travel Platform Built for Filipinos and Global Explorers

“DigiLamon was born from our travels, our mistakes, our discoveries, and our desire to make travel easier for everyone,” said Jin Grey, co-founder and travel writer.“We want readers to feel guided by real experiences—authentic stories that reflect what travelers actually go through.

DigiLamon offers:

Destination guides across Asia

Hotel, restaurant, and skybar reviews

Travel budgeting tips

Shopping guides per country

Digital nomad advice for remote workers

Honest insights based on self-funded travels

What Makes DigiLamon Different

DigiLamon is grounded in authenticity and transparency. All major trips and reviews are self-funded, allowing the team to give unbiased, experience-based recommendations.

Readers can expect:

Clear budgets and realistic expectations

Filipino-focused travel advice

Updated info based on real trips

Tips for safety, convenience, and cultural awareness

Personal storytelling that adds value beyond typical travel guides

This combination of expertise and lived experience positions DigiLamon as one of the most authentic travel resources for Southeast Asian travelers.

Calling Hotels, Restaurants, Tourism Boards, and Lifestyle Brands

DigiLamon is now accepting collaborations and review invitations.

If you want the DigiLamon team to review your restaurant, hotel, café, product, attraction, or service, you may message the team directly through the website or social platforms.

The creators are currently traveling around Asia, with active content production in Cambodia, making this the perfect time for Cambodia-based businesses—and Asian brands in general—to partner with DigiLamon for authentic visibility.

Growing Content Hub for Asian Travel

DigiLamon continues to expand its site categories, including:

Destinations

Food & Drinks

Reviews

Shopping

Digital Nomad

Itineraries & Travel Guides

Upcoming developments include:

A curated travel community for Filipinos

Travel ebooks focusing on Asian destinations

Brand and tourism partnerships

Expanded coverage to the Middle East and Europe

About DigiLamon

DigiLamon is a travel and lifestyle platform created by Filipino digital nomads Kenn and Jin. The site documents real travel experiences, offering honest reviews, practical guides, food and shopping recommendations, and digital nomad insights. DigiLamon’s mission is to help travelers explore confidently through transparent, experience-based storytelling.

 

KDDI Company(Headquarters: Minato Ward, Tokyo, CEO: Hiromichi Matsuda, hereafter “KDDI”) and East Japan Railway Company(Headquarters: Shibuya Ward, Tokyo, CEO: Yoichi Kise, hereafter “JR East”)  will provide “povo Data Oasis” for a limited time starting December 11, 2025, for customers using the eSIM service “Japan SIM” intended for inbound overseas travelers. The service will be available at designated JR East stations.
 
“povo Data Oasis” is a program that allows users to receive data usable on povo2.0 at no additional cost by accessing a special website from their smartphones at specific locations. For Japan SIM users, 0.5GB per day and up to 5GB per month (10 sessions total) will be provided at eligible JR East stations.

Japan SIM can also be purchased through a dedicated link within JR East’s “Welcome Suica Mobile” app (hereafter “the app”), which is offered to inbound visitors. Through the provision of this service, the companies aim to support each visitor in enjoying a comfortable and fulfilling stay in Japan.

【Data Amount (Validity Period)】
0.5GB (24 hours) per session

【Usage Limit】
Once per day / 10 times per month

【Service Period】
December 11, 2025 – February 28, 2026

Service details: https://povo.jp/japan-sim/service/povo_data_oasis/ 

◾️Eligible Users

Customers using Japan SIM.

◾️Eligible JR East Stations for Campaign

Akita, Aomori, Echigo-Yuzawa, Fukushima, GALA Yuzawa, Iiyama, Kamakura, Karuizawa, Mito, Morioka, Nagano, Narit Airport Terminal 1, Narita Airport Terminal2・3, Niigata, Otsuki, Sendai, Shinjuku, Takanawa Gateway, Tokyo, Utsunomiya, Yamagata

*GALA Yuzawa Station will open on December 13, 2025 this year.

*Service may not be available depending on the user’s location at the time of charging, communication conditions, or the device’s location information settings.

◾️How to Use

Users can receive data by accessing the special website from their smartphone at an eligible station.

◾️About “Japan SIM”

Japan SIM is a service for inbound visitors provided by povo2.0. Japan SIM uses the same reliable au network as povo2.0, enabling access to au’s high-speed 5G network. Customers can select from a total of 10 topping options, including fixed-data plans and unlimited-use plans, according to individual needs.

Japan SIM details: https://povo.jp/japan-sim/en/agreement/

◾️About “povo Data Oasis”

A program provided by povo2.0 that allows users to receive data at no cost. It can be used simply by accessing the special website from a smartphone at specific locations.

◾️About “Welcome Suica Mobile”

An app provided by East Japan Railway Company that allows users to issue and charge Suica entirely through the app before and after entering Japan, without stopping by station counters or ticket machines. It can be used for transportation—including trains and buses—as well as for shopping.

Welcome Suica Mobile website: https://www.jreast.co.jp/multi/welcomesuicamobile/ 

*Using a smartphone while walking is dangerous. Please stop in a safe place when using your device.

*Company names and product names are generally trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners.

Information in this release is current as of the date of announcement.

About KDDI Digital Life Corporation

Our company was established in November 2020 with the ambition of pioneering a new future for mobile communications. Since September of the following year, we have been operating povo 2.0, the third mobile brand under KDDI, following au and UQ. Our vision is to enrich our customers’ lifestyles by delivering innovative and forward-thinking communication services.

 

This Press Release has also been published on VRITIMES

Bitget appoints Ignacio Aguirre Franco as new Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) to lead global expansion

  

Bitget, one of the world’s leading Web3 companies, recently announced the appointment of Ignacio Aguirre Franco as its newly minted Chief Marketing Officer (CMO). 

Ignacio has over fifteen years of experience in the fields of technology, fintech, and blockchain, and has held senior positions at internationally renowned companies such as Adobe, SAP, Scorechain, and Xapo Bank. These experiences have positioned him as an expert in global brand operations, digital transformation, and user growth.

“Ignacio brings a mix of technical fluency and creative vision, which aligns perfectly with our mission,” said Gracy Chen, Bitget CEO, in a statement welcoming Ignacio’s appointment. “His direction will influence how we link innovation, culture, and community globally as Bitget develops into a true Universal Exchange (UEX).”

Ignacio’s appointment comes at a crucial time for Bitget, a company advancing its vision as a UEX. To achieve this goal, he as CMO will be tasked to drive the seamless integration of CeFi, DeFi, and TradFi ecosystems to create a diversified financial ecosystem that enables “one-stop access to global assets.”

“For too long, finance has been a fractured landscape; my mission at Bitget is to dismantle those old barriers,” Ignacio Aguirre Franco, Bitget CMO, said in his letter.

“We’ve already built a powerhouse for over 120 million people, and my core mission as CMO is to take that to 150 million and beyond, aiming toward the bold goal of reaching the next billion users by 2030,” he added. 

More than just leading the brand’s global marketing initiatives, Ignacio will be focusing on enhancing product storytelling and driving mass adoption of Bitget’s key innovative products, including Onchain, GetAgent, and Stock Futures. 

His approach will simplify complex and technical products while injecting creativity, positioning Bitget as both a financial and cultural platform for the next generation of users.

“To achieve this, we will focus on building value. I will ensure that the story of the UEX and the blueprint for the future of finance, resonates with billions of people across the globe—making secure access to crypto and RWA a reality for every person,” Ignacio stressed. 

These efforts will provide key momentum for the company to achieve its goal of surpassing 150 million users by 2026.

This press release has also been published on VRITIMES


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