Ayala Center Makati

Top of mind name recall when Makati, Philippines is mentioned is ...Ayala Center.

During the 60s up to the 90s, Ayala Center Makati was known as Makati Commercial Center. I recall that, back then in the 60s, known landmarks were the Rizal Theater (where now stands the famous Shanri-La Hotel Makati), Shoemart (the original name of SM Department Store) and the ever enduring Anson’s Emporium (relocated within Ayala Center at least twice since then).



Ayala Center Makati is a recreational, shopping, dining and entertainment development centered on two Ayala Center Malls, Ayala Center Glorietta, and Ayala Center Greenbelt, an upscale shopping center. The two Ayala Center Malls are surrounded by smaller department stores and retail centers, these are SM Makati, The Landmark (read “low priced groceries and dry good items”), Park Square and Rustan's Makati.

When in need of supplies for home and office, one goes directly to Glorietta. Alternately, when decided to relax by shopping or dining, one goes to Greenbelt.

















Ayala Center includes 6750, where shops of international brands and Procter and Gamble's and Chevron’s Philippine Headquarters are located. It also includes well known hotels chains such as the Hotel Intercontinental, Dusit Hotel, Marriott's New World Hotel, The Peninsula Manila and the Shangri-La Hotel Makati.

Fine residential serviced apartments such as Oakwood Premier Ayala Center (now called Ascott Makati) where the Oakwood Mutiny in 2003 was held and Greenbelt Residences, and Ayala's Ayala Museum are also located in Ayala Center. This mall is also near to Ayala MRT Station.

Soon to rise residential condominiums are The Residences at Greenbelt and The Raffles Residences at Glorietta.

Why Choose the Philippines for Medical Procedure?

The Philippines, with its huge pool of competent doctors, nurses, physical therapists and other medical health practitioners, is the best place to go for practically any medical procedure.

That a growing number of Filipino health professionals are able to migrate abroad to look for better opportunities only indicates the high level of their competence.

Rest assured that while the Filipino nurses and doctors who take care of you may be unassuming, they are highly qualified: curricula in Philippine medical and nursing schools are far more challenging than in those in other Southeast Asian countries, and are at par with those of the best schools in Europe or the United States. Many Filipino doctors, too, have acquired their postgraduate or fellowship training from well-known institutions in the U.S., the UK and other developed countries.

More, Filipino health care practitioners are not only trained in Western medicine, but, coming from a deep and honest tradition of healing, have an entrenched penchant for healing and service.

To complete your healing experience, you can recuperate at a number of tourist and healing spots that the country boasts. The choices are many. For sure, you will be able to find a spot or two that will suit your time constraints, budget and personal preferences.

Makati Medical Center

Makati Medical Center

Taken from Makati Medical Center's International Services page in its website http://www.makatimed.net.ph/

When your life is on the line, our experience matters.

When bad times come, and you find out that you need to undergo a major surgery or medical procedure, rest assured that you can put your life in our hands.

Makati Medical Center is proud to offer you, our international patients, our 39 years of service.
And we’re not just talking about the total number of years that our doors were open. At Makati Med, we only speak about the experience that really matters: years dedicated to the pursuit of medical excellence, rigorous training, and the practice of total quality health care.

Our history, dotted with achievements and milestones, helps us attract and keep a roster of outstanding doctors, nurses and staff. But that’s not all.

At Makati Med, expect to be treated with compassion and genuine care. Because to us, you are not just a dollar sign; to us, you are a person who needs, and deserves, exceptional care. And we are happy to care for you.

For all your medical needs—whether these come from life-threatening conditions or are cosmetic procedures you desire, we can boldly claim that Makati Med is the best place to come to.
Our hospital is not flashy or glamorous, but you can be assured that we offer state-of-the-art diagnostic, therapeutic and intensive care facilities in a one-stop medical center that is internationally accredited.

Our doctors and nurses count among the best in the world. Many of them trained in prestigious hospitals in the United States, Australia and Europe.

We are a multi-specialty hospital, with over 600 beds and a growing number of centers of excellence.

Our medical expertise is found against a backdrop of a country with a long tradition of healing, a multiplicity of exotic and soothing places to savor, and a culture of being deeply caring, good-humored and hospitable.

Only at Makati Med can you obtain world-class medical care, plus all that, at a small fraction of what it will cost you in the United States or Europe.


Accredited International Health Insurance companies (submitted by MMC's Credit & Collection):

1. GMC Services (SINGAPORE)
2. HTH WORLDWIDE ( Aetna Global Life Insurance) (USA)
3. Seven Corners
4. TIE CARE International (USA)
5. VAN BREDA International (BELGIUM/MALAYSIA)
6. NETCARE Life Insurance (USA)
7. International health Insurance ( Danmark)
8. Inter Mutuelles Assistance (UK)
9. SOS International ( UK)
10. Prestige International (JAPAN)
11. Tokio Marine Insurance (JAPAN)

General Information about the Philippines

GENERAL INFORMATION
The Philippines is made up of 7,107 islands covering a land area of 115,739 sq. m. (299,764 sq. km.). Main island groups are Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. Capital is Manila. Time Zone is GMT + 8 hours.

CLIMATE
March to May is hot and dry. June to October is rainy, November to February is cool. Average temperatures: 78°F / 25°C to 90°F / 32°C; humidity is 77%.

POPULATION
There are a total of 76.5 million Filipinos as of the latest national census in May, 2000. Population growth is estimated at 2.36 percent annually. Luzon, the largest island group, accounts for more than half of the entire population.

LANGUAGES
Two official languages --- Filipino and English. Filipino which is based on Tagalog, is the national language. English is also widely used and is the medium of instruction in higher education.
Eight (8) major dialects spoken by majority of the Filipinos: Tagalog, Cebuano, Ilocano, Hiligaynon or Ilonggo, Bicol, Waray, Pampango, and Pangasinense. Filipino is the native language which is used nationally as the language of communication among ethnic groups.
Like any living language, Filipino is in a process of development through loans from Philippine languages and non-native languages for various situations, among speakers of different social backgrounds, and for topics for conversation and scholarly discourse. There are about 76 to 78 major language groups, with more than 500 dialects.

RELIGIONS
Some 83% of Filipinos are Catholic. About 5% are Moslem. The rest are made up of smaller Christian denominations and Buddhist.

UNIT OF MEASURE
The Metric System is used in most trade and legal transactions.ELECTRICITY220 volts a/c is the common standard. 110 volts a/c is also used, especially in major hotels.

CURRENCY
The Philippines' monetary unit is the peso, divided into 100 centavos. Foreign currency may be exchanged at any hotels, most large department stores, banks, and authorized money changing shops accredited by the Central Bank of the Philippines. International credit cards such as Visa, Diners Club, Bank Americard, Master Card, and American Express are accepted in major establishments.

Finding Paradise by Marlies R. Bosch, M.D.

Finding Paradise
By Marlies R. Bosch, M.D.


Club Paradise, Dimakya Island, Northern Palawan

“Club Paradise is also a well-established and well known Diving Resort. The Dugong Dive Center has equipped itself with credible, courteous and professional instructors and divemasters with very high safety standards. You can enjoy diving in the house reef which is home to a wide variety of marine life.

You can relax on the boat while it takes you on a diving trip to Apo Reef or Tara Islands. You can have a once-in-a-lifetime experience of swimming with the Dugongs during Dugong Watching. You can explore the numerous ship wrecks and relive history in your mind. Or you can go to Coron Island and dive in Barracuda Lake where you can take pleasure from experiencing the extremes of a thermocline.

No matter which adventure you choose, it will definitely be worth your while. And I assure you, you will surface with elation.”

"Club Paradise... a place where you can enjoy both the beginning and the end of the day... a different sunrise and a different sunset each day...a place full of smiles... a place full of good people with interesting stories to tell, stories that you'll never forget, stories that are unique to paradise... a place where the bats fill the wildly colored sky and migrate to the mainland at sunset... a place where deer and monitor lizards roam... a place that is home to the turtles who come to the beach to lay their eggs... a place where the baby turtles hatch and feel the sand for the first time and soon enter the sea after being taken care of for a month or so... a place full of enchantment where love blooms and families are built... the place where people dread the day they have to leave..."

Note: Courtesy of Philippine Star

Why Retire in the Philippines?

Why Retire in the Philippines?

“Smile at Life in the Philippines.”
This is our invitation to our former Filipino citizens and foreign nationals to choose the Philippines as their second home. Famous for our vibrant culture, hospitality, friendly English-speaking population, natural attractions, and tropical climate, retirees can expect the good life in the Philippines at an affordable cost.

GEOGRAPHY
The Philippines is an archipelagic nation made up of 7,107 islands spanning 1,840 kilometers north to south. It is part of the Southeast Asian region, and is bordered by Taiwan to the north, Indonesia and Malaysian Borneo to the south, the South China Sea to the west, and the Pacific Ocean to the east. The Three main Philippine Island groups are Luzon, Visayas, Mindanao. The Capital is Manila. Time Zone is GMT +8 hours.


CLIMATE
Generally, Philippines has a tropical climate. March to May is hot and dry. June to October is rainy, November to February is cool. Average temperatures: 78F/25C to 90F/32C; humidity is 77%.


LANGUAGE
Understanding each other will not be a problem between the retirees and our people. Almost every Filipino can understand and speak some English. In fact, we are the third largest English-speaking nation in terms of population.
Two official languages are Filipino and English. Filipino which is based on Tagalog is the national language. English is widely used and is the medium of instruction in higher education. Eight (8) major dialects spoken by majority of the Filipinos: Tagalog; Cebuano; Ilocano; Hiligaynon or Ilonggo, Bicol, Waray, Pampango, and Pangasinense.


RELIGIONS
Some 83% of Filipinos are Catholic. About 5% are Muslim. The rest are made up of smaller Christian denominations and Buddhist.


COST OF LIVING
The principal appeal for retirement in the Philippines is the lower cost of living. Housing, food, and labor costs are quite reasonable. Global Filipinos and foreign retirees can retire in the Philippines and enjoy not only the lower cost of living but also the very favorable currency exchange rate.
The Philippines’ monetary unit is the Peso. Foreign currency may be exchanged at any hotels, most large department stores, banks and authorized money changing shops accredited by the Central bank of the Philippines. International credit cards such as Visa, Diners Club, Bank Americard, Master Card, and American Express are accepted in major establishments.


WORLD-CLASS MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES
In terms of medical services, our facilities are comparable to the best anywhere else. Our highly trained medical personnel and caregivers are in demand all over the world not only for their competence and expertise but most especially for the care and compassion they show to their wards. Health care, a top priority of the senior market, is an expertise of the Filipino who is world-renowned for his excellent health care practitioners.

FILIPINO HOSPITALITY
Filipinos are naturally warm, friendly and hospitable. We have a ready smile for everybody and our religious background that is predominantly Catholic makes service to others an innate trait.


TELECOMMUNICATION EDGE
Every retiree can avail of the country’s continuously improving telecommunication facilities. They can keep abreast of what is happening around the world and keep in touch with their relatives and friends back home.


ECO-TOURISM DESTINATION
Philippines can provide the retirees endless choices of world-class destinations that will bring them closer to Mother Nature with clean air and beautiful sceneries. The white sand beaches of Boracay and Panglao and the virgin islands of Palawan often referred to as “the last frontier” are truly unforgettable places that entice the visitors to come back in the Philippines.


PRA SERVICE
The Philippine Retirement Authority (PRA) prides itself on the after-membership service that it provides to the retirees. During their stay in the country, they can consider PRA as their second family. PRA helps them address their needs. If and when they encounter any problem, PRA is with them every inch of the way.

Extreme Temperature not good for Retirees

An article below suggests strongly for elderly or retirees to avoid settling down in areas that have annual occurrence of extreme temperature especially the low temperature.

In the Philippines, there are only 2 seasons: the dry and rainy season. Ideal place to go for retirees especially with heart diseases are exclusive villages or subdivision with wide open space, lots of trees, grass and with lakes or ponds. Ayala Land Inc. for example has a project near a beach with trees and lakes and is a haven for bird watchers as different species of birds may be found almost everywhere even at your own backyard. In fact the latest village in that project has 85% of the area committed to open space.

Title: Relationships between the seasonality of temperature and ischaemic heart disease mortality: implications for climate based health forecasting.

Personal Authors: McGregor, G. R., Watkin, H. A., Cox, M.Author Affiliation: School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences, The University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK.

Editors: No editorsDocument Title: Climate ResearchAbstract:

The relationship between the seasonality of ischaemic heart disease (IHD) mortality and temperature is explored for the purpose of evaluating the climate-based predictability of the magnitude and timing of the annual IHD mortality peak for 5 English counties. Seasonality is described by the amplitude (magnitude) and phase (timing) of the first harmonic of the annual cycle of IHD mortality and mean and minimum temperature.

Study results reveal a positive association between the amplitude of the annual IHD mortality cycle and temperature seasonality such that years with an exaggerated mortality peak are associated with years characterised by strong temperature seasonality. Overall, the timing of the annual mortality peak is positively associated with the timing of the lowest temperatures. Such findings provide some optimism for exploring the development of experimental climate-based health-forecasting models. This is because the simple climate-seasonality diagnostics presented here provide a fundamental source of predictability of the magnitude and timing of the annual IHD mortality peak.

Publisher: Inter-Research About CAB Abstracts CAB Abstracts is a unique and informative resource covering everything from Agriculture to Entomology to Public Health. In April 2006 we published our 5 millionth abstract, making it the largest and most comprehensive abstracts database in its field.

That's it! Philippines will not go into recession!

The representative of the independent Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Dr. Francisco Dakila Jr , Economics Ph.D. and U.P. Magna Cum Laude working for the Center for Monetary and Financial Policy announced in the 25th March 2009 convention of the Philippines Association of Realtors Board, Inc. that the effect of the global recession on the Philippines has been contained.

BSP is now back to its normal work in the Monetary Board where medium to long term monetary policies are being worked out. This is unlike in the U.S. where under the survival mode the focus is very much still on reversing the contracting economy (estimated to be -2% GDP by 2009) by injecting into the financial system a stimulus package of $700 B.

Although the U.N. has estimated that the Philippines GDP will grow by 3%, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas own estimate is that the GDP will grow within the range of 3.6% to 4.4% in 2009. Compare that to GDP growth of emerging economies of about 3.5%. Filipino businessmen and economists know that the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas is an independent branch of government deciding on its own authority and not from dictates of the executive branch of government where announcements are perceived to be self serving.

The reasons for this according to Dr. Dakila are as follows:
1. Non-performing loan ratio has been trimmed down over the last 10 years from double digit ratio to only 4% as of today;
2. Limited exposure of the Philippine banking system to failed U.S. financial institutions;
3. There will be a growth of Balance of Payment this year because the reduction of import costs will outweigh the reduction of exports;
4. While remittance of OFWs will not decrease, neither will it increase because of new markets opening up to skilled Filipino Migrant Workers balancing out lay offs caused by recession in their host countries;
5. P330 Billion stimulus package coming from government and private financial institutions;
6. By risk aversion, the Philippines is perceived by investors to be less risky than emerging economies;
7. Bank Reserve requirement has been reduced only this March 2009 from 10% to 8%. This effectively releases P60 Billion into moneys available for loans and investments.

The bad news is that though our GDP will grow, it will do so at a slow pace until the U.S. economy has recovered. Dr. Dakila says he thinks that the Philippines GDP will grow by 7% when the time comes albeit longer in coming than we would have wanted. He said that back in 2006 he actually thought that the Philippines would grow by this much in 2007 but then the U.S. real estate bubble burst. The rest as the saying goes is history.