Walkable and sustainable cities
In an idealistic Philippines, every step leads to a greener, safer, and more vibrant community.
In its vibrant cities, the sun isn't just a source of light—it's a beacon of hope, powering our homes and businesses with clean, renewable energy from solar and hydroelectric sources. Say goodbye to gridlock and pollution as city planners prioritize pedestrians and public transport, weaving protected lanes and shady rest stops into the urban fabric. And when it comes to architecture, we're going back to our roots, embracing natural materials like bamboo and rattan to create spaces that harmonize with nature.
But the benefits don't stop there—our innovative flood and crime monitoring systems ensure the safety of both humans and the environment, while the allure of provincial living beckons with its promise of a slower, more sustainable way of life.
Join us as we redefine what it means to live, work, and thrive in tomorrow's cities—where every choice we make is a step towards a brighter, healthier future for all.
Agila de Manila Integrated School inaugurates new building
We're thrilled to unveil the newest addition to our beloved school campus—the breathtakingly beautiful new building inspired by the rich tapestry of Filipino culture! With its innovative textile facade reminiscent of our traditional woven textiles, this architectural marvel not only dazzles the eye but also shields our students from the scorching heat, ensuring a comfortable learning environment even during the hottest summer days. Step inside and immerse yourself in a world where heritage meets innovation, where every corner tells a story of resilience and creativity.
Step into the future of sustainable living with Banaba Homes' latest property: Banaba Capiz, the epitome of eco-friendly elegance! Nestled amidst lush greenery, our newest home boasts traditional Capiz windows that infuse timeless charm with modern comfort. But that's not all—say goodbye to hefty electricity bills with solar panels adorning the roof, harnessing the power of the sun to fuel your home. Embrace a lifestyle where sustainability meets sophistication, where every detail is crafted with the planet—and your peace of mind—in mind. Welcome home to a brighter, greener tomorrow!
Heading Home: The Rise of WFH Probinsyanos
As remote work continues to redefine the landscape of employment, Filipinos are embracing a newfound freedom—the ability to pursue their careers from the tranquil comfort of their native provinces. With laptops in hand and dreams in their hearts, professionals are trading city skylines for the serene vistas of provincial life, where the air is fresher and the pace is gentler. And as demand for provincial properties skyrockets, the once-overlooked landscapes of our nation's heartlands are becoming coveted havens, prized for their tranquility and connectivity to the digital world. Welcome to a new era of work-life harmony, where home truly is where the heart—and the Wi-Fi is.
Selected Quotes
Tingin ko sa transportation...maraming, lalo na at may work from home, ang mangyayari yung mga cities they bleed out into provinces...[M]agiimprove yung transportation quite a bit, pero still, since yung urban planning natin is so...American, it's still...not going to be perfect dito sa capital. Pero sa province you would expect na yung mga tao nagbleed out na from the cities into provinces. Pag dinevelop yan, mas walkable yan kaysa sa Maynila...So I think by 2040, mataas yung property values ng sa probinsya.
Meron kasing mga movements ngayon yung mga car removalism, mga mobility, yung mga nagsisiklista dito sa Maynila....I think by that by 2040, ideally maprepressure yung LGUs natin into somehow redesigning our cities to be more walkable tsaka more bikeable...Magkakaroon pa rin ng kotse, no doubt...pero...severely restricted na sila...Tapos yung PUVs would be heavily regulated na kasi by that time naiimagine ko sa Metro Manila may...no contact apprehension na. Ngayon diba sa EDSA lang yun...Tingin ko halos lahat ng kalye meron nang no contact niyan.
[In an optimistic future,]...technology that makes the air cleaner...[would become] more accessible, because solar panels...[and] wind turbines are really expensive...it's hard for...the average Juan [to] incorporate [those kinds of technologies] into their homes...[because they're] so expensive to have...Like [we could] even have a state-run solar panel farm and just having more of that, or even having a phone that's powered by...solar power charging — that would be really cool. So [that] we don't burn too many fossil fuels, which emits a lot of gas that's bad for people, or have power plants or [nuclear plants]...we don't have nuclear plants here, but [they exist in] other countries...[But] they won't be a thing [anymore] because we're just...living in harmony with the environment that helps us build our technology.
...[I]n an ideal setup...I do expect technology to equalize [access]...[providing] better public transportation for everybody. So this includes parking, provide them with [an] easy way to get a transportation, [etcetera.]...I think there are a lot of regions in the Philippines [that could serve as inspiration]. Like for example, I think in Naga, basta outside Metro Manila, they're good with transportation, kasi makikita iyon with the number of people using bikes, number of people using the sidewalks...[This is because] the design of the roads are more biased towards people, rather than cars or [other modes of] transportation. So I think iyon yung closest that we can emulate.
I [also] think it would be nice to just see if the Philippines jumped on to...hydroelectric [power], because they get hit by hurricanes so much. Like it would be good that they didn't just rely on just normal electricity, right? It would be great that the Philippines leaned into the whole green [energy] technology, especially with like...the solar wind farms...[or] hydro just [getting]...electricity from the water. Like that's such a thing that people don't realize [that the] Philippines is surrounded by water. They could probably make tons of electricity just by having those hydroelectric [technologies]. And it would be great if they just relied on more green type of energy. Because...if you look at the infrastructure of like power lines in the Philippines, it's such a mess.
...[I]f you look at the weather patterns and global warming, the Philippines...keeps getting hit by cyclones all the time. And so many people just lose electricity every single time, right?...I've always read or just hear from my family or friends that they always lose electricity because the cyclone is knocked out whatever power source there is. So if the Philippines took advantage of taking the measures of having hydroelectricity or something like that in place...then you could potentially...not lose electricity in those situations, and feel like...the Philippines actually has backup power...[since] it's generated by the ocean...[which we have a lot of.] And I know that even if regular electricity gets knocked out, there's always hydroelectricity, especially as the oceans rise and more cyclones keep coming, right? So how do you build infrastructure to make sure that you're utilizing the ocean to power things in the Philippines, instead of just relying on just regular line electricity?
In sustainable tech, for example, yung ginagawa ng friend ko...magkakaroon sila ng access sa ilaw na walang panel. Diba, matatakot na yung Meralco! Mag-iiba talaga yung pamumuhay. Yun yung isa sa pwedeng nakalap ko. Wind turbines, specific tech na yun, from that magkakaroon ng freedom sa pagbabayad ng Meralco. I don’t know what it will lead to but nakakagaan talaga ng buhay, pero yung adoption mahirap talaga. And I think di lang sa tao may effect yung mga sustainable practices and technologies: pati na rin sa nature. Dito sa La Union, nesting place talaga siya ng turtles so mas di sila madidisturb pag nagstart tayo ng sustainable practices.
I'd want for there to be less malls and more parks...[W]hen I was [in Europe], it was nice to just chill in parks, to just chill on the streets, stuff like that. Here [in the Philippines], everything's commercialized, eh. It's like: "Oh, you need a new tambayan spot? Here, a mall. Here, a mall. Here, a mall"...I want less malls so [that] we can have better developed [public places]...to go to. [There] can still be like some buildings, right? But [it doesn't] necessarily [have to be] a shopping center. Like [what if we had buildings] with cafes, some creative spots...That's how I'm seeing 2040...[according to] my optimist side.
...I think naggogrow yung criticality and dismay sa technology ngayon. In terms sa mga nagbubutingting na community, mas kritikal na [ang mga Filipino maker communities] sa tech and mas may themes na rin ng decolonizing. Mas naghahanap sila ng indigenous materials, naghahanap sila ng raw materials or island technologies na pwedeng gamitin or communities wherein makakuha sila ng ganun. Mas nagiging sensitive yung community na yan sa indigenous tech. Ano ba matututunan natin sa mga community? Mas nagiging concern na rin yung sustainable energy: marami akong friends na yun yung mga projects nila, nagrerevolve around regenerative technology na makakatulong sa atin para rumesponde sa climate crisis. Marami ka kasing matututunan from indigenous knowledge from this so yan nakikita ko. Nagbbranch out na rin siya sa ibang arts like fashion.
