Lumina Homes, Vista Land’s affordable housing business, is participating in the National Real Estate Association’s (NREA) 1st International Housing Fiesta Filipinas (IHFF 1), which runs from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. today till September 24.

Many investors, homebuyers, and developers even now miss physical real estate trade shows, but virtual events have grown and evolved to the point where attendees see them as more convenient because they save time on travel, allow for faster interaction with exhibition representatives, and, of course, are safer for everyone.

For the participants from the real estate business, meanwhile, the IHFF will allow them to attract not just prospective local buyers but also in the global market.

The three-day online event will be the largest Philippine trade show for real estate and related businesses to be conducted online, where clients can expect exhibits and presentations at a touch of a button.

Lumina Homes is not new in expertly showcasing its products and services online, and new customers can witness this during the IHFF. With just one click while inside the online trade show, interested Filipinos worldwide can interact live—video and audio—with Lumina Homes representatives who will assist in all their inquiries.

Every Juan is invited to attend, while at the comfort of his own home and own desk. Experience the uniqueness of a new normal trade show—a more conducive atmosphere where you can choose Lumina’s various offerings, from house and lots to affordable condominiums—all sans the crowd and noise of a physical show.

IHFF and Lumina Homes invite everyone interested in buying or leasing houses, lots, condominiums, apartments; property investments, such as buy-to-rent, land banking, REITs; housing loans—mortgages, term loans, and alternative financing; contractors, from individual home finishing to project development; construction materials; and home fit out and furnishing fixtures, furnishings, supplies, and services.

The event will also provide consular information and services to better support OFW tourists and expatriates. Big names on the speaker list are helping to make the first-ever IHFF even bigger. The Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) Secretary Eduardo Del Rosario and Sen. Francis Tolentino, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Urban Planning, Housing, and Resettlement, are among them.

Visit this link to see Lumina Homes’ virtual booth: https://bit.ly/IHFF-lumina-homes.

Many businesses shutdown all thoughtout the country as the effect of the current pandemic. With small businesses and social enterprises popping up here and there and opportunity to support local and try out buying from our fellow Filipinos but it also opened up the door for them to explore new markets. To support for local communities, many different homegrown social enterprises have become part of Project Buyanihan in BGC.

In partnership with the Fort Bonifacio Development Foundation (FBDFI), Buyanihan is a passion project which offers free retail spaces for selected social enterprises along Bonifacio High Street. Eight social enterprises participated and will be back as soon as the quarantine protocols permit.

1. Fresh market goods from Benguet Collective Producers

The first one, Benguet Collective Producers, allows the community to shop all sorts of market goods fresh from Benguet. Benguet Farmers Collective is composed of upland farmers from Sablan whose livelihoods were affected during the pandemic. With the community’s support every weekend, the partner farmers shared how the project enabled them to send their kids to school and provide for their families.

2. Curated and handwoven finds from Mask For A Cause PH

Another one is Mask For A Cause PH which supports women weavers all around the country by providing additional income opportunities. They curate and promote Filipino handwoven masks and other cultural products from various ethnic communities in the Philippines like Iloilo, Zamboanga, and more. Each item, design, markings and symbols from their masks and other collections are unique and one of a kind. In just one weekend in BGC, they were able to surpass their regular month’s sales and further strengthen the support for local weavers.

3. Cultural and unique items from Abra Indigo Manila

With a vision of addressing the cultural disconnect we have with our cultural heritage, Abra Indigo Manila is an all-Filipino social enterprise showcasing local and indigenous cultures through various products like face masks, accessories, apparel, and home essentials.

4. Made for Pinoys skincare from Diwatang Maria

Diwatang Maria, on the other hand, is a skincare brand that aims to address the need of Pinoys when it comes to skincare. They produce only organic and natural products using plant derivatives to help local communities. Each variant serves as a declaration of Filipino ingenuity as they promote the brave, compassionate, and fearless stories of Diwatas Filipinos grew up to.

5. Farm fresh produce with SANFA

You can also find a group of farmers from San Antonio, Quezon, who bring lowland crops and produce. San Antonio Natural Farmers (SANFA) work towards making agriculture a profitable and sustainable endeavor for the community.

6. Must have finds made by former inmates

Many people lost their jobs during the pandemic, and finding a source of income is even more difficult for former inmates. BJMP’s Persons Deprived of Liberty (PDL) Livelihood Program aims to provide livelihood projects to past offenders by training them with skills, which do not only help provide them with sustainable earnings for their families, but can also aid them in making their reintegration to society a bit easier. This includes crafting mandala pots made of clay, stylish bayong bags, lampshades, and even acrylic paintings.

7. Satisfy Taho cravings with Bacoor Collective Producers

With stricter community quarantine protocols, taho producers and vendors are not allowed to roam around the village streets. Bacoor Collective Producers, through Project Buyanihan, has found a new market where they can also sell other soy products.

8. Organic Plantito / Plantita needs by Homegrown Harvest

Last but not the least, Homegrown Harvest, makes it easy for everyone to grow their own food at home while helping a local community. They offer pre-planted containers, raised beds, and even monthly maintenance check-ins and other services.

Through this social enterprises, we get to be aware of their advocacies and make it well-known to many, it helps expand their reach but this is just the start of BGC’s venture towards helping local communities. These products are not only supported by #BGCitizens, but this also reinforces a greater social impact.

Project Buyanihan resumes in BGC this weekend! Just visit https://www.facebook.com/bonifacioglobalcityph and https://www.facebook.com/BoniHighStreet/ on Facebook for other news and updates.

The ‘ber’ months have always had us counting down to the most delightful time of the year; Christmas music fills the air, sparkling tree lights line the streets, gift shopping becomes a sport, and everyone else goes on a diet to make room for Christmas feasts.

Although this year will not be as joyous as other years, it will undoubtedly be more significant. With “100 Days of Caring,” SM demonstrated the most uplifting approach to best celebrate the season, with 100 days of spreading love, compassion, and care for one another and the communities surrounding our beloved SM malls. It’s the most anticipated season of the year with SM Supermall and I’m delighted to have been able to join the virtual event that they held to commemorate the start of the countdown to Christmas, which is just 100 days away. The virtual event presenting the commitments took place on FB Live and WatchSM on YouTube on Thursday, September 16, 2021.

“A 100 Days of Caring.” To begin off the Christmas season, SM vowed to give to over 10,000 people, including underserved communities, diligent SM employees, medical frontline workers, and loyal delivery partners. The following are some of the beneficiaries and their partner malls:

• SM North EDSAis giving 100 pairs of World Balance rubber shoes to seniors from Graces Home for the Elderly in Quezon City.
• SM Megamall, The Podium, and SM Center Pasigchose delivery partners who will be recipients of 100 raincoats and rain boots.
• From SM Mall of Asia, 100 sets of care packages like face masks, face shields, Ensure milk, vitamins, supplements, and more, will be handed over to senior citizens within the community.
• SM Southmallchose SOS Children’s Villages as to receive various story and educational books.
• Metro Manila and Rizal malls chose several orphanages, namely: Associacion De Damas Filipinas, Bahay Aruga, White Cross Orphanage, and The Little Children’s Home to receive 100 toys and essential goods each, especially prepared by SM City Manila, SM City San Lazaro, SM City Sta. Mesa, SM City Taytayand SM Center Angono.
• In North Luzon, 100 Aeta families from Zambales and Tarlac will be given grocery packs by SM City Olongapo Downtown, SM City Olongapo Central, and SM City Tarlac; fishermen in Pangasinan will be handed with fishing supplies by SM City Rosales, SM City Urdaneta Central, andSM Center Dagupan; while select tricycle and jeepney drivers in Bulacan will be given 100 pairs of shoes by SM City Marilao, SM City Baliwag, and SM Center Pulilan.
• SM City Bacoorwill give 100 brail books to the Deaf & Blind Foundation Philippines.
• In the Visayas, SM City Cebuwill bring smiles to kids of Kythe Foundation with 100 toys; while SM City Iloilo will give 100 25kg sacks of rice to healthcare and peace & order frontliners. SM City Puerto Princesa on the other hand, will have 100 grocery bags to displaced tourism personnel.
• SM City Davaoand SM Lanang Premier will be handing out 100 farming tools to local farmers; while SM City Butuan will be giving 100 Fiesta Food Packs to Por Cristo Foundation, Inc.

‘Gift’ for your mental health. Aside from our physical health being at risk during a pandemic, our mental health is also affected due to the stress and anxiety these times bring. And since SM believes in the value of taking care of our mental health, Dr Gia Sison, MD DPCOM gave a ‘Call to Share’ talk during the virtual launch. Dr Gia Sison is a mental health advocate and co-founder of PH Leader Livestrong Foundation. Her talk centered on how to cope during this stressful time and still find hope in a better tomorrow.

There are 100 people who care. If there’s one thing that all Filipinos have in common, it’s our love and enthusiasm for music. While large gatherings may not be permitted this year, SM thrilled the crowd with a performance by the 3 Divas – Rahda, Frenchie, and Bituin Escalante – who were later joined by 100 artists, singers, and SM employees and stakeholders who sang during the virtual launch on September 16.

We may be in the midst of a pandemic, facing difficult times, and many of us being physically separated, but let us not forget what this season actually represents. To view the event, go to Watch SM on YouTube to see the celebration. Visit www.smsupermalls.com for additional information, and follow @smsupermalls on all social media channel