Monthly Archives: August 2023

Makassar, 28 August 2023 – SHEBA®, a Mars, Incorporated pet food brand, has successfully completed the SHEBA® Hope Advocate Program, bringing together two Indonesian hosts and five global advocates from the SHEBA® Hope Grows Collective, UK, Germany, USA and Southeast Asia to work on the world’s largest global reef restoration program. The Southeast Asia representative was Alif Kazman, a marine biologist from Malaysia.




Alif and six other advocates concluded their 10-day adventure at the SHEBA® Hope Reef located in Bontosua, an island in the Spermonde Archipelago off the coast of Makassar, South Sulawesi, Indonesia. They have had the opportunity to work with the local community, receive practical restoration training and restore an area of coral reef using Reef Stars, the ‘hero’ of the Mars Assisted Reef Restoration System.

“As a young scientist, it was an honor for me to be selected as a SHEBA® Hope Advocate to represent Southeast Asia and to have the opportunity to learn more about the unique research program that supports reef restoration. It was eye-opening to see the scale of the SHEBA® Hope Reef and its impact on the local community, researchers and field officers who work together. The experience was once-in-a-lifetime for me, and I am eager to impart knowledge about the importance of marine conservation to my peers and the younger generation,” said Alif.

The SHEBA® Hope Advocate Program is part of a global reef restoration movement entitled SHEBA® Hope Grows. The program began with the creation of a 46x14m structure spelling the letters H-O-P-E in Bontosua in 2019, using restored coral. What was once a barren and lifeless underwater landscape, is now a thriving coral reef ecosystem with coral growth increasing from 2% to 70%, fish populations increasing by 260% as well as a 64% rise in the number of fish species. By 2029, SHEBA® aim to restore more than 185,000 square meters of coral reefs — roughly the size of 148 Olympic swimming pools — at key sites around the world.




“We are thrilled to offer this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for the seven advocates to take part in the world’s largest coral reef restoration program first-hand. The SHEBA® brand is a proud part of the Mars family – driven by our purpose to create a better world for pets. It’s more than simply a cat food company; their global movement Hope Grows is inspiring change. It is now more important than ever to take further action to protect the environment, our climate, and local communities. Our program demonstrates how Hope can flourish even in the most trying situations by sharing knowledge and working together to protect and restore critically threatened ecosystems,” stated Dr. Susan Wan, General Manager, Mars Petcare Indonesia.

 

“The SHEBA® Hope Advocate Program has received immeasurably positive response from around the globe. With over 250 applications from the US, UK, Germany, and Southeast Asia, including more than 50 applications from Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore and the Philippines, we are thrilled with the final seven advocates who were selected based on their passion for ocean conservation. The impact of the work that the Advocates are doing is critical in preserving and restoring the beauty of our ocean and ensuring our future has fish. The program is a collective of long-lasting and meaningful partnerships that are expanding impact far beyond the coral reefs SHEBA® are directly restoring – including on the local communities, tourism and education in Indonesia” said Philippa Mansell, Indonesia Marine Program Lead, Mars Sustainable Solutions.

In conjunction with the SHEBA® Hope Advocate program, the SHEBA® brand is also collaborating with selected retailers in Philippines to collect donations which will be used to create Reef Stars to be planted in the iconic SHEBA® Hope Reef in Bontosua Island, Makassar, Sulawesi Indonesia. For every purchase of any SHEBA® product in Lazada Philippines (Pedigree and Whiskas Flagship Store), 5% of the purchase value will be donated to the coral reef restoration in the SHEBA® Hope Reef. For more information and terms and conditions, please visit https://www.sheba.com.ph/sustainability.

SHEBA®’s sustainability efforts are supported by its parent company Mars, Incorporated, and its efforts to protect our planet. Mars’ Sustainable in a Generation Plan illustrates the Mars mission to build the world we want tomorrow, today.

To learn more about this global coral restoration movement, get involved by following the Hope Grows movement online via the SHEBA® Hope Grows website and SHEBA® Hope Grows Instagram.

There is no way but up for HONOR! After the virality and success of its predecessor HONOR X9a 5G, the leading global tech provider of smart devices, has recently announced the sold-out news of the HONOR 90 5G pack with revolutionary camera technology.



“I am still in awe of the wild response of the public to the HONOR 90 5G since the arrival of the premium phone here in the Philippines. Our two-month HONOR 90 unit stocks were quickly sold in just four days since we started the first-day sale last August 26. From this huge acknowledgment, I can say that HONOR is truly back and will soar high,” said Stephen Cheng, Vice President of HONOR Philippines.



Industry-leading Specs and its Stunning Colors



The HONOR 90 5G is packed with an exceptional Main Camera featuring a 200MP Main Camera, a 12MP Ultra Wide and Macro Camera, and a 2MP Depth Camera for a powerful photography experience. It also features an AI Vlog Assistant, which analyzes key details in real-time. After recording, users can simply click the “Instant Movie” option to produce a social media-ready 15-second video clip, in just one second.



Supported by the powerful Dual Main Camera system, the HONOR 90 supports 4K video shooting that users can capture vivid videos and vlogs in five video modes, including Portrait Video, HDR Video, Close-up, Multi-video, Solo-cut, enabling a variety of content creation opportunities.



The HONOR 90 5G is equipped with industry-leading Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) Dimming technology that allows the display to pulse at a rate of up to 3,840Hz for the display to maintain a more comfortable, flicker-free viewing experience even at lower brightness levels. With this, the HONOR 90 5G has received the TÜV Rheinland Flicker Free Certification.



It comes with three stunning colors, Midnight Black, Emerald Green, and Diamond Silver, that can be purchased via all HONOR Experience Stores and partner dealers nationwide and online partner stores via Lazada (https://bit.ly/3YAczVu), Shopee (https://bit.ly/45snjI6), and TikTok Shop (bit.ly/HONOR905G-TikTok).

Unfolding Tomorrow with HONOR at IFA 2023



Global technology brand HONOR will unveil its strategic vision for the future of smartphones through a keynote speech entitled “Unfold Tomorrow” of HONOR CEO George Zhao at IFA 2023. Mr. Zhao will outline the brand’s commitment to global lifestyle transformation through its latest human-centric innovations. Get ready to experience #IFA23 on Sep 1, 10 AM CEST or 4 PM PHT. #HONORIFA2023 #UnfoldTomorrow #HONORMagicV2 #UnfoldTomorrowsLifestyle




For more updates and announcements, you may visit HONOR’s website www.hihonor.com or social media platforms: Facebook (Facebook.com/HonorPhilippines), Instagram (Instagram.com/honorph/) and TikTok: (Tiktok.com/@honorphilippines). To check out HONOR’s complete list of retail stores, go to https://www.hihonor.com/ph/retailers/

Ballet is a beautiful art form that should be shared and appreciated by many. It is with this thought that the country’s premiere classical ballet company Ballet Manila, and ARETÉ, the hub of creativity and innovation within Ateneo De Manila University’s (ADMU), have partnered to make classical ballet more accessible to audiences in northern and eastern Manila.

The partnership, recently unveiled at the Hyundai Hall, ARETÉ inside ADMU, will allow the two institutions to co-produce a series of shows that will take place in the said venue. With this, more Filipinos, especially those from Quezon City and nearby areas, will have an alternative venue to watch Ballet Manila shows, apart from its home in Aliw Theater.

ARETÉ is a generative space that features theaters, art galleries, studios, laboratories, a makerspace, teaching and meeting rooms, and several open areas. The space allows groups from different fields and disciplines to create, collaborate and share knowledge, skills and practices.

“Ballet Manila’s partnership with Ateneo’s ARETÉ came at a very opportune time,” shared Lisa Macuja Elizalde, Ballet Manila’s artistic director and chief executive officer. “Fresh from concluding our 25th performance season, we’re looking to sustain the momentum by co-producing more shows that will reach a broader audience base. Bringing ballet to the people and more people to the ballet has always been Ballet Manila’s mission and vision.”

For ARETE’s artistic director Dr. Ricardo Abad, the partnership with Ballet Manila is one that he hopes will help create interest in the performance arts among more Filipinos. “I’ve been dreaming of a partnership like this for Areté and I was thrilled to know that Lisa had a similar vision for Ballet Manila. This partnership will strengthen our creative and social missions as we strive to reach out to diverse publics and communities. Join us in this effort.”

To kick-off the partnership will be the re-staging of Martin Lawrance’s modern and Filipinized iteration of “Romeo & Juliet”; which was part of Ballet Manila’s recently concluded 25^th performance season, “Of Hope & Homecoming”. Show dates are on September 16, 2023 at 3:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. and September 17, 2023 at 5:00 p.m. at the Hyundai Hall, ARETÉ in Ateneo de Manila University. Tickets to the shows are available through Ticketworld at www.ticketworld.com.ph

Areté and Ballet Manila have also hinted at its plans for 2024, which include a collaboration with the Lisa Macuja School of Ballet and providing various immersive learning opportunities in dance, among others.

To know more about Ballet Manila, visit https://balletmanila.com.ph/ and ARETE https://arete.ateneo.edu/

Various communities in the Philippines, Indonesia, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Singapore, and Vietnam will soon get to enjoy revitalized basketball courts and basketball training programs as Sun Life donates PHP 40 million to promote healthier lives among marginalized youth across Asia.

The philanthropic program will be mounted in partnership with Beyond Sport, a global sport-for- social-change foundation. This is in answer to the 2022 Active Healthy Kids Global Alliance report sponsored by Sun Life, which showed high levels of physical inactivity and sedentary behavior among children and adolescents across Asia, contributing to high rates of cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, obesity, mental health challenges and other damaging health outcomes. The report further showed, that in terms of overall physical activity, Hong Kong and Malaysia attained a grade of D, while Indonesia, the Philippines and Vietnam received an F, which means fewer than 20% of children ages 6 to 17 achieve an average of at least 60 minutes per day of moderate to vigorous physical activity across the week.

“Promoting movement is an important aspect of Sun Life’s health and wellness advocacy. We constantly explore fun and engaging ways to promote it among Filipinos, especially the youth,” said Sun Life Chief Client Experience and Marketing Officer Carla Gonzalez-Chong. “For this particular initiative, we took inspiration in our country’s love for basketball so we can encourage everyone to make physical activity a part of their lifestyle.”

For his part, Beyond Sport Executive Director Fred Turner highlighted how young people globally face barriers to accessing sport and all the advantages that come with it. “Often, that barrier is as simple as having a safe space to move and play,” he said. “We are proud to partner with Sun Life to improve physical and mental wellbeing outcomes for marginalized youth. We hope this program, built with community and sustainability in mind, will help them develop life-long habits that will allow them to thrive.”

The initiative is part of Sun Life’s #MovementMatters campaign, which aims to promote physical activity as an important aspect of living healthier lives.


#MovementMatters gains momentum

The campaign earlier kicked off with a 3×3 charity event simultaneously held in Manila and Jakarta, Indonesia from August 18 to 20.

The Manila leg, dubbed “Sun Life 3×3 Charity Challenge,” was held at SM Megamall with a total of 349 participants led by various celebrities and basketball influencers such as Gab Banal, Ael Banal, Brent Javier, Jollo Go, Andre Felix, Thor Gomez, Brent Paraiso, John Custodio, Axel Torres, Pat Sugui, Kirst Viray, Ralph Molina Martin Reyes, Miguel Aytona, Hendrix Jim, and Martin Javier.

Sun Life donated PHP 4,000 for every participant in both Manila and Jakarta, and for every like, share, comment, and post on social media with the hashtag #MovementMatters, paving the way for a total donation of PHP 40 million.

The event also aligns with the participation of Team Canada and its top players in the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup happening in Manila. Sun Life is the Official Health & Wellness Partner of Canada Basketball.

“We’re thrilled about the momentum we’ve set for the #MovementMatters campaign and look forward to everyone’s continued support,” Gonzalez-Chong said. “With our concerted efforts, we can certainly help more people live healthier lives.”

“YOUR SONG OF EXCELLENCE,” organized by Taiwan Excellence and co-presented by Aromase, Derma Angel, and Johnson Fitness Philippines, is back on its third season this year, and promises to be even bigger, bolder and grander than ever, with celebrity judges Yeng Constantino, Ice Seguerra, Arthur Nery and Paulo Zarate. Watch the official music video: https://bit.ly/YSOE2023MusicVideo




On its Season 3, the Contest is not just about singing, but songwriting is introduced. A great occasion to showcase true Filipino musical talent and ingenuity, where cash and product prizes await the winners.


Given the difficult task of judging this premier singing and songwriting competition are come-backing judges such as singer-composer and pop-rock royalty Yeng Constantino, music producer and songwriter Paulo Zarate from Season 2. Completing this year’s roster of judges are singer-songwriter, actor and director Ice Seguerra, and singer-songwriter and music heartthrob Arthur Nery, who are expected to give their own take on the display of singing prowess and songwriting acumen of this year’s contestants. Hosting “Your Song of Excellence” Season 3 is none other Nicole Laurel Asensio, a singer-songwriter whose also top-notch theater actress.


If you are a Filipino citizen, male or female, aged 18 years old and above, and have big dreams of making a name in the Philippine entertainment industry, then join “Your Song of Excellence” Season 3 singing and songwriting competition.

Joining is easy. Just head on to the “Your Song of Excellence” Season 3 audition link (bit.ly/YSOE2023Audition) and register your personal information details.


As “Your Song of Excellence” Season 3 includes songwriting, it will be a more exciting journey for the aspirants. For the songwriting category, just upload an audio-video file of the original audition song with lyrics following the same file name format – JuanDelaCruz_Audition.mp3. Those auditioning for the singing competition have to choose from any of the six (6) Taiwan Excellence Registered Songs, which can be found at bit.ly/YSOE2023AuditionSongs. Once a song is chosen, simply upload an Audition Video following this file name format – JuanDelaCruz_Audition.mp4.


Deadline for submission of audition entries is on September 15, 2023.


“Your Song of Excellence” Season 3 is supported by major brand partners, Acer Philippines, Annie’s Way, ASUS Philippines, FECA, iBle, MSI, PC Express, Tatung, Predator Gaming and Republic of Gamers.


So, what are you waiting for? This is your chance to be on the spotlight in the world of Filipino musical artists of the new generation. Join “Your Song of Excellence” Season 3 singing and songwriting contest. It will certainly be a life-changing moment.

HONOR has opened their 10th Experience Store in the Philippines in SM Mall of Asia. The brand has opened quite a lot of experience stores under their name this year as their 1st one was only opened back in April 16, 2023.

The experience store held an event for the first-day sales of the HONOR 90 5G. Attending the opening was HONOR Philippines Vice President Stephen Cheng, Brand Marketing Manager Joepy Libo-on, and PR Manager Pao Oga with HONOR stars Liezel Lopez, Jeff Moses, Bruce Roeland, and Berlein CEO Leo Bernardino.

“We are extremely happy to be opening our 10th HONOR Experience Store in the Philippines and we hope our HONOR fans are as excited as we are. They are an integral part of this success and we are doing everything to give back to them,” said HONOR Philippines Vice President Stephen Cheng.
HONOR Shine 9.9 Sale

Aside from their expanding list of experience stores, HONOR has announced their Shine 9.9 promo. Until September 13, 2023. You can get up to 50% discount and free shipping. on devices such as the HONOR 90 5G, HONOR Magic5 Pro, and HONOR X9a, among many others, on their Lazada, Shopee, and TikTok stores.

HONOR, the leading global provider of smart devices, officially kicks off the sale day of the much-awaited HONOR 90 5G for only Php 24,990 in all HONOR Experience Stores, and Partner Dealer Stores nationwide, available also in all online partners via Lazada, Shopee, and Tiktok Shop.


“From the viral phone, HONOR X9a 5G, that was launched last January, today marks another milestone for HONOR Philippines as we received double demand from our HONOR fans for HONOR 90 5G. Since we announced the availability of the HONOR 90 5G in the market, we have received a high volume of offline and online pre-orders from the public, and until today, a huge crowd of shoppers lined up at our stores to purchase their own HONOR 90 5G, and we are truly thankful for all the support,” said Stephen Cheng, HONOR Philippines Vice President.

HONOR 90 5G’s first day of selling was marked with excitement among the HONOR community and fans. Adding more fanfare to the event is the presence of HONOR Stars and GMA Sparkle celebrities Liezel Lopez, Bruce Roeland, and Jeff Moses. They got to meet and greet their fans and consumers who bought their brand new HONOR 90 5G.

For consumers who still haven’t purchased their own HONOR 90 5G, wait no longer as it comes at a great and affordable price of Php 24,990. The powerful phone comes with a flagship triple camera system consisting of a 200MP Main Camera with a 1/1.4-inch sensor, a 12 MP ultra-wide and macro camera with a 112° field of view, and a 2MP Depth Camera.



The HONOR 90 5G is equipped with industry-leading eye comfort features. Receiving the TÜV Rheinland Flicker Free Certification and achieving the risk-free dimming level, the HONOR 90 5G is perfect for today’s entertainment-hungry generation who spend long hours viewing and watching content on their smartphones.

Experience the HONOR 90 5G in three stunning colors, Midnight Black, Emerald Green, and Diamond Silver via all HONOR Experience Stores and partner dealers nationwide and online partner stores via Lazada, Shopee, and TikTok Shop.

HONOR Fans can also avail of the HONOR 90 5G via Home Credit for as low as Php 1,002 per month on a 0% interest installment payment.

Leading credit card providers BDO, BPI, Citibank, Eastwest, Metrobank, PNB, and Security Bank also offer 0% interest, payable up to 12 months.

For more updates and announcements, you may visit HONOR’s website www.hihonor.com, or social media platforms: Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok. To check out HONOR’s complete list of retail stores, go to https://www.hihonor.com/ph/retailers/.

Through ADM Cares, the company’s corporate social investment program, ADM’s contribution is helping to build a dedicated 25 sqm space within Pawssion Project’s shelter specifically for paraplegic dogs and cats. This dedicated space will house a hydrotherapy facility to aid in the rescues’ rehabilitation efforts. At the same time, it will support nourishment of all pets. ADM Pet Nutrition will be donating complete and balanced petfood including Ganador® – a high quality dog food suitable for all breeds and life stages; and Minino® – a professional cat food for felines of all ages and sizes.

UNCONDITIONAL LOVE. ADM representatives Clare Torralba and Raymond Molinamingling with some of the dogs and cats in Pawssion Project. These rescued animals will get to enjoy Ganador Premium Dog Food and Minino Yum Cat Food

ADM Cares is committed to improving the lives of people and animals in the communities where ADM operates, through monetary contributions and volunteerism to initiatives and organizations that are driving meaningful social, economic and environmental progress worldwide. This timely contribution will support Pawssion Project’s vision of rescuing, rehabilitating, and rehoming abused and neglected pets.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH. More than 300 dogs and 50 cats will get to benefit on the donation made by ADM Cares to the rescued animals in Pawssion Project.


The donation from ADM Cares is a significant boost for Pawssion Project, which relies on donations to fund its operations. Malou Perez, Founder of Pawssion Project, added, “We are incredibly grateful for the generous contribution from ADM Cares to support our mission to give stray animals a second chance at a happy life. With their partnership and the donation, we are now able to make our dreams for these pets come true. ADM’s commitment to animal welfare is a shining example of how collective efforts can create a profound impact, and we truly believe that their support will open new doors for our organization to get support from the public and other private companies as well,” added Perez.

Medical societies and patient-leaders unite for respiratory disease awareness campaign.

(From L-R) Ms. Jing Castañeda, host, broadcaster and journalist, Dr. JB Pimentel, Medical Advisor, BIPHI, Dr. Mae Campomanes, Chair on ILD Council, PCCP, Clare Burrows, General Manager and Head of Human Pharma, BIPHI, Marimel S. Lamsin, Treasurer, PAPO, and Dr. Janeth Samson, VP, PCCP.

This August, in celebration of National Lung Month, frontrunners in the Philippine healthcare industry coalesce to increase public education on various lung diseases. The event “Lungs Matter: Raising Awareness for Respiratory Wellness” was put up by the Philippine Alliance of Patient Organizations, Psoriasis Philippines, Philippine Society for Orphan Disorders, Scleroderma Awareness Philippines, and Philippine College of Chest Physicians, supported by pharmaceutical company Boehringer Ingelheim (Philippines), Inc.

Held at The Bayleaf Hotel in Intramuros, Manila, the event was attended by esteemed healthcare experts who shared fruitful insights on popular and lesser-known respiratory diseases, and the basics of lung care.

“This National Lung Month is a good opportunity for us to focus the public’s attention on respiratory wellness, spread more awareness on the different kinds of lung disease, and call on a collective movement to support healthier air,” said Dr. Mae Campomanes, Chair for the Council on Occupational and Interstitial Lung Diseases, PCCP.

The “Lungs Matter: Raising Awareness for Respiratory Wellness” event took guests on various forum talks, pocket activities, and wellness exercises, such as Breathwork Practices and Shibashi — an 18-posture exercise that coordinates movement with breathing and concentration. It was then followed by a meditational walk in the historic Arroceros Forest Park. Known as “Manila’s last lung”, the Arroceros Forest Park was a catalyst for better and healthier environment in the aim of fostering lung health. The walk was done in solidarity of all partners to focus the public’s attention on respiratory wellness and to encourage participants to make a personal pledge to supporting lung health.





Leading the fight against lung diseases

In 2022, the Department of Health (DOH) reported 300,000 cases of acute respiratory infection over the course of six months. Among the most common lung diseases known to Filipinos are asthma, a disease of the airways in the lungs caused by inflammation; pneumonia, which happens when fluids build up in the lungs; tuberculosis (TB), a contagious disease caused by germs; and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), an inflammation that causes obstructed airflow from the lungs. Other rare lung diseases that are equally important, but which are difficult to diagnose are interstitial lung disease (ILD), which is a group of disorders that cause progressive scarring of lung tissue.

“There’s a wide range of topics for us to touch on regarding respiratory wellness. We at Boehringer Ingelheim, are committed to supporting our health organizations and medical societies to further increase disease education. We want to help push prevention and early diagnosis at the forefront so we can safeguard the health of many Filipinos,” said Dr. Greta Cortez, Head of Medicine for Boehringer Ingelheim (Philippines), Inc.

Through the “Lungs Matter: Raising Awareness for Respiratory Wellness” event, advocates champion the patients’ quality of life by putting importance on prevention and early detection. This educational discussion, in honor of National Lung Month, aims to inform the public about the predispositions and risks associated with common to life-threatening respiratory diseases.

Reference:

Philippine records 300,000 cases of acute respiratory infection | Philstar.com

https://legacy.senate.gov.ph/lisdata/3174828597!.pdf

Coastal land reclamation is increasing and will continue to grow and be a popular urban strategy in places that experience urban growth.

This is according to a study, “Mapping 21st Century Global Coastal Land Reclamation,” that analyzed landsat satellite images from 2000 to 2020 to quantify spatial extent, scale, and land use of urban coastal reclamation of 135 cities globally with populations exceeding one million. Key findings indicate that 78% of these cities have turned to reclamation to create additional land, resulting in 253,000 hectares of new land, an area equivalent to Luxembourg.

Land reclamation is the process of creating new land from the sea. It’s often used in places with scarcity of land and high population density for many purposes. From Western Europe and West Africa to the Middle East, East Asia, and Southeast Asia, these countries’ cities reclaim lands for port extension, residential/commercial, and industrial purposes aimed at creating tourist and green spaces. Key drivers like global trade and rapid urbanization are already ubiquitous, so for the next step, these cities desire prestigious place-making efforts and enhanced international reputation.

“Coastal land reclamation is a forward-looking approach to urban development,” says Architect Ian Fulgar, the principal architect of Fulgar Architects. It allows cities to preserve valuable ecosystems and resources from urban sprawl by expanding spaces without encroaching on existing natural land. More importantly for architects, urban planners, and modern city dwellers, it presents an opportunity to have purpose-built urban environments specifically designed to meet their needs.

“Architects and urban planners can design sustainable and efficient infrastructure with a blank canvas, incorporating the latest technologies and best practices in urban planning. This approach can lead to more resilient and adaptive cities capable of mitigating the effects of climate change and other environmental challenges,” adds Architect Fulgar.

Cities that lead coastal land reclamation

Singapore, Dubai, and Hong Kong, says Architect Fulgar, are some of the world’s most notable cities with impressive urban reclamation projects. “Not only have they transformed their respective landscapes but also captured global attention,” he says.

Singapore’s Marina Bay Sands and Gardens by the Bay are testaments to the city-state’s commitment to innovation and sustainability. The former is a luxury integrated resort famed for transforming Singapore’s coastline and city skyline, whereas the latter is a spectacularly unique horticultural destination that combines art, science, and nature. These reclaimed land developments further boost the country’s international reputation and real estate value around the area.

For some parts of the United Arab Emirates, coastal land reclamation has significantly changed its geography. Dubai, which has completely transformed into an ultramodern city, features ambitious projects now known as some of the most recognizable developments in the world like Palm Jumeirah and The World. “They have reshaped the coastline and established the city as a leader in innovative development, significantly elevating Dubai’s real estate value and worldwide interest,” says Architect Fulgar.


Palm Jumeirah is an awe-inspiring artificial archipelago shaped like a palm tree when viewed from above. It houses some of Dubai’s luxury hotels, residences, and entertainment venues. Likewise, The World is a groundbreaking project composed of small artificial islands in the shape of a world map.

Lastly, Hong Kong’s commitment to preserved art, culture, and ongoing sustainable urban development is exemplified by its West Kowloon Cultural District. It is a 40-hectare reclaimed site along Victoria Harbour’s waterfront designated as the city’s vibrant cultural quarter where the local arts scene can interact, develop, and collaborate throughout its sustainability principles.

Architect Fulgar, who firmly believes in creating spaces that foster belonging and unity, highlights that Singapore, Dubai, and Hong Kong share common denominators in their successful urban reclamation projects. These are innovative design and planning, focus on sustainability and commitment to cultural and societal development, and the subsequent increase in real estate value.

“These projects have created iconic and visually striking landscapes by pushing the boundaries of engineering and urban design. Sustainability is often at the forefront, integrating practices and technologies that minimize environmental impact and enhance the quality of life for residents and visitors,” says Architect Fulgar on these cities’ commitment to sustainability atop function and aesthetics.

Best practices of coastal land reclamation

Despite recognition of world-class reclamation projects, one of their primary challenges is facing criticism and potential issues over sustainability concerns. Architect Fulgar shares that the
solution is through the responsibility of vital stakeholders to adopt a collaborative approach and adaptive strategies in implementing best practices, such as prioritizing sustainability and disaster resilience goals in waterfront developments.

“The future of city development, especially in coastal areas, rests with stakeholders prioritizing sustainability and disaster resilience. By adopting a comprehensive, collaborative, and adaptable strategy, they can transform the design, construction, and management of waterfront development – ultimately creating more sustainable, resilient, and prospering urban environments that benefit both people and the environment,” adds Architect Fulgar.

Moreover, Architect Fulgar puts emphasis on a well-planned project that begins with the developers’ thorough research and analysis of the selected area about potential environmental impacts, disaster risks, and local community needs. Architects and engineers need to incorporate sustainable design principles and green and blue spaces to reduce the development’s environmental footprint.

“Trends and insights on global reclamation illustrate the potential of reclamation projects in addressing various urban development, environmental conservation, and community well-being needs – leading to more sustainable and resilient urban planning worldwide. By adopting these lessons and focusing on sustainable growth, the Philippines can capitalize on its potential and carve a path to a brighter future.”