Perfect pro-nature pairings

Like a match made in heaven, a bevy of gorgeous 2013 Miss Earth candidates threw in their support to Botanika Nature Residences’ authentic green living concept by gracing the latest event of Filinvest Alabang, Inc. (FAI) to celebrate a piece of refreshing news. The multi-billion peso venture falls under the ultra-high end Exclusive Collection of Filinvest Alabang which is headed by president and CEO Josephine Gotianun-Yap. Botanika Nature Residences is patterned to become a vertical village of lush greenery consisting of three mid-rise, low-density towers. Tower 1 received a citation from the Philippine Green Building Council (PhilGBC) for being registered as a pilot green building project under its “Building for Ecologically Responsive Design Excellence” (BERDE) program. The BERDE rating system helps the public identify “green” buildings and nothing comes closest to nature’s grand design as the Botanika Nature Residences. FAI executive vice president Kate Ilagan received the plaque of registration from PhilGBC CEO, Architect Christopher Dela Cruz in simple ceremonies, after which the international beauties went around to check out the Botanika Sales Atrium in Filinvest City, marveling at the tastefully-furnished model units and highly detailed, all-wood, interactive scale model of the iconic leaf-shaped structure with virtual reality features, hugely awed at the development’s pledge not just to be in harmony, but also to give back to Mother Nature. The BERDE certification, with its long and multi-level process, is certainly a huge commitment. We wish you the best on your endeavor! For more details, visit www.botanika.com.ph.

The new breed of Filipina leaders

For the first time globally, the Filipina Women’s Network (FWN), a private, non-profit organization for professional women of Philippine ancestry and residents of the United States, has awarded the 100 Most Influential Filipina Women in the World – distinguished and accomplished Filipina women leaders who have influenced change and made change happen in their communities, their industries and their professions in the world. Among the 2013 awardees were sisters Filipino-born businesswoman and philanthropist Loida Nicolas-Lewis and Commission on Filipinos Overseas secretary Imelda Nicolas who personally received their awards at the Gala Awards Ceremony held at the Mark Hopkins InterContinental Hotel in San Francisco, California. Congratulations Loida and Imelda for these remarkable achievements!