photo by ariel javelosa
Located in the heart of Makati, Manila’s business and financial district, The Peninsula Manila is the ideal business address and a favorite hotel for visitors to Manila for over 30 years. Strategically placed on the corners of Ayala and Makati Avenues, The Peninsula Manila is close to premier shopping facilities and within easy access of Manila’s numerous attractions. The hotel is a 30-minute drive from Ninoy Aquino International Airport and just 20 minutes from Manila’s Domestic Airport.
Elegantly furnished in classic style, The Peninsula Manila’s 497 rooms …

In 1965, Alfonso Sarayba, Sr., whom family and friends called Ponso, bought 8 hectares of fishpond in the town of Kawit, Cavite. Fishponds were considered especially good sources of income, but Ponso wanted to transform his fishpond into something different. What he had in mind was building a housing subdivision over land he was going to reclaim from it.
Despite numerous obstacles and relatives’ thinking him crazy, Ponso was not discouraged. He borrowed money from friends to raise enough capital for his business plan. This was considered a pioneer undertaking then …