The Philippines DistrictIt has been said that the modern Filipino has the head of an American, the heart of a Spaniard, the belly of an Asian, and the body of a Malay. This metaphor is inspiration to the theming of the districts. S o u t h w o o d s Ecocentrum is a tribute. It mirrors the roots of Philippine history and culture and celebrates the heritage of the various continents that have shaped our nation's character. It provides an entertaining and interactive filled with unlimited wondersWonders of our native land are celebrated in this unique districts through indigenous landscapes and architecture. Traditional Filipino values come to vibrant life, cultivating pride in our national identity. Central to the district is the Philippine Cultural Pavilion, a palatial tribute to the people, the culture, and the interactive theater, a hi-tech special effects show, and a museum.

The Asia DistrictAn open-air setting of rich landscapes, water bodies, and shaded pathways present the Orient in its splendour. The district features authentic Asian food and a sojourn in the Island of the Dragon -- a specially designed haven for children with themed rides and a soft play area.

The Americas DistrictRelish the galmour of Hollywood and the best of Broadway through the media of fashion, cinema, retail, music, and food. Here, the emerging trends in hi-tech entertainment create a world of virtual reality. The overall experience is exactly what the consumers are looking for -- theat extra spice!The sights and sounds of eclectic, neon-lit U.S.A. fill this upmarket urban setting of curving streets and plazas. This districts exemplifies the integration of iron rides with the mall's infrastructure. The heart of America beats strongly in the various themed restaurants and dinner theater.

The Spanish - Europe DistrictSpanish Europe has the building characteristics of an Andalucian town in th Old World , while featuring the finest in modern European shopping and dining. Three centuries of European influence are revisited , laden with tales of lost treasures and voyages aboard the Spanish Galleon.

SPLASH ISLANDA Splashing AdventureThe country's biggest and most wonder-filled water park is situated in the southern portion of Southwoods Ecocentrum. Splash Island is six whole hectares of lust tropical landscapes and aqua adventures for the whole family. If featues body slides, inner tube slides, mat racers, a family raft ride, and kiddie slides, among others.It also includes a beach volleyball court. an interactive kiddie pool, a 1,200-feet long lazy river, and the county's largest wave pool with waves up to 4-feet high.

Rides and AttractionsThroughout the four districts, guests can enjoy a unique variety of themed rides and attractions not found in existing malls and parks. State-of-the-art rides from the industry's leading manufacturers were selected for the enjoyment of the entire family. Atmospheric entertainers, such as strolling musicians and live performers, interact with the guests for a shared experience.

Ecocentrum Exhibit HallThe exhibit hall is the venue for trade shows and one-of-a kind world-class exhibits featuring valuable and priceless collections from museums around the world. These short-term special events create an interactive environment guaranteed to educate and entertain guests of all ages.

Retail MixSouthwoods Ecocentrum offers a comprehensive retail mix comprising specialty lifestyle retail, food, personal service, and entertainment facilities. Here, retail is fully integrated into a themed intertainment environment ith complementary components appealing to the widest possible market. Each district is designed to ensure retailer segmentation synergy, optimal space use, convenient shopping patterns, and shoppers propensity to linger.

Southwoods EcocentrumSouthwoods Ecocentrum is envisioned to be the ultimate destination dedicated to the Filipino family. It is the first center of this format in the country, which integrates the retail, food, and entertainment mix, drawing on strong cultural and ecological themes. it is considered to be the largest theme park-based development in the Philippines, merging the powerful functions of education and entertainment. Fil-Estate Ecocentrum Corp. (FEEC) is the owner and developer of this ambitious project. FEEC is 55% owned by Fil-Estate Golf and Development, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Fil-Estate Land Inc.

Southwoods Center to become to P2.5B BPO Center and IT ParkSOUTHWOODS is set to become Laguna's biggest development this coming 2013.Southwoods Center, launched today, is a15-hectare project which will include a strip mall, residential condominium towers, an outlet center, a lifestyle park and a Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) center, among other facilities.Proclaimed by the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) as of July 2010 as a "Special Economic Zone," a P2.5 billion IT Center is being built for BPO locators.To maximize its economic zone status, the Southwoods Center will also have a 3.5 hectare Lifestyle Park that will have restaurants and al fresco dining. Aside from this, a first-of-its-kind Outlet Mall will have seven buildings all devoted to the pleasure of shopping for luxury brands at economic zone prices.In the spirit of community, the residential area will have three condominium towers. The Sto. Nio Church and Colegio de San Agustin have already been established in the area. A hospital is also set to be launched.Today's inauguration of Southwoods Avenue, a 180-meter tunnel that links the Southwoods exit toll directly to the Southwoods Golf & Country Club, signals the speeding up of developments at Southwoods Center, soon making it the premiere destination for business, shopping and entertainment in the south."We are excited for the opportunities that this will bring Laguna not only in terms of income but also in terms of employment and tourism," Binan Mayor Marlyn "Len" Alonte-Naguiat said at the launch.With the fast-developing residential and business areas in the south, Southwoods becomes the most ideal location for investors due to its accessibility to Metro Manila. It is situated at the exit of Southwoods Interchange along the South Luzon Expressway (SLEX) in Bian, Laguna, which is immediately after Susana Heights and even before Sta. Rosa and Tagaytay.With all these developments, Southwoods is definitely poised to become the Souths premiere BPO and shopping hub.Mayor Marlyn "Len-Len" Alonte and Mr. Bob Sobrepea, Chairman of Southwoods Ecocentrum, cut the ribbon to inaugurate Southwoods Avenue. It was blessed by Sto. Nino parish priest Fr. Danny Dagsaan. The event was also attended by the Southwoods Ecocentrum Board of Directors led by Mr. Rafael "Peng" de Tagle, Laguna local council members and investors in the business process outsourcing industry.(PR)

BIAN CITYThis city recently welcomed one of the biggest private sector investments.Developer Southwoods Ecocentrum laid down plans for what it said would be the next major development in Laguna province.Southwoods Center is envisioned to be a premiere business, shopping and entertainment hub that will also house the P2.5-billion facility for business process outsourcing (BPO) companies, according to Robert John Sobrepea, company chairman of the board and chief executive officer and former head of Fil-Estate Corp., which fell into heavy debts a few years ago.The launch kicked off recently with the opening of the 180-meter tunnel on Southwoods Avenue that provides a direct link from the South Luzon Expressway (SLEx) to the Southwoods Center.By August, Sobrepea says they would begin with the first phase of construction that includes a shopping strip and an activity center that is expected to be operational next year.The rest of the project that includes a transport terminal, a school, medium-rise condominium buildings, and a lifestyle park complete with a man-made lagoon would be completed over four to five years.The entire Southwoods Center covers 35 hectares.It will be a simultaneous development, says Andrew Gene Lamb Jr., Southwoods chief operating officer.New jobs

Another major component of the Southwoods Center is the construction of the Information Technology (IT) or BPO park.The IT park will have a total of 25 buildings that, when completed, can (each house) 2,500 to 3,000 employees. Thats a total of 60,000 to 70,000 new jobs created right here, Sobrepea says.The BPO park would have its groundbreaking in 90 days and would be operational in 10 months.Raymond Lacdao, executive director of the Business Process Association of the Philippines (BPAP), says that since 2006 it has been a trend in the BPO industry to open its facilities in nearby provinces.We have decongested Metro Manila from 83 percent down to 75 percent and we want that to get lower. Not only in contact centers, but we are also looking for people to fill in non-voice (facilities, such as in the fields of) financial accounting, engineering, medical services, analytics and research, Lacdao says.Jojo Uligan, executive director of the Contact Center Association of the Philippines, says another factor considered was the security provided in this city since most of the BPO employees work at night.Both say they see no competition arising between this city and neighboring Sta. Rosa City, which at present houses a number of contact centers.Bian City Mayor Marlyn Alonte-Naguiat welcomes the venture and the jobs it could generate for the citys residents.I remember decades ago when my father (a former mayor here) was telling me about these (developments). We want Bian to be back to its old glory, when Bian was first in Laguna. We are the (provinces) gateway by the way, she says.Bian became a city in 2009 with an annual income of P1.2 billion.

Inaugurated on July 25, 2012, Southwoods Center, located in Barangay San Francisco, situated at Southwoods Exit along the South Luzon Expressway, has been proclaimed by the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) as of July 2010 as aSpecial Economic Zone. It is a 15-hectare project which will include a strip mall, residential condominium towers, an outlet center, a lifestyle park and aBusiness Process Outsourcing(BPO) center, among other facilities. This soon will become the CALABARZON's premiere BPO and shopping hub.

BINAN CITY, Laguna - The 180-meter tunnel of Southwoods Avenue that links the Southwoods exit to the South Luzon Expressway (SLEX) was formally opened yesterday.The tunnel will give direct access to the Southwoods Golf and Country Club.Leading the inauguration and ribbon-cutting of Southwoods Avenue City Mayor Marlyn Alonte and Robert John Sobrepena, chairman of the board and chief executive officer of Southwoods Eco-Centrum.The Southwoods Center is poised to become Laguna's biggest development project next year. The 15-hectare project will include a strip mall, residential condominium towers, an outlet center, lifestyle park and a Business Process Outscoring (BPO) center, among the facilities.Alonte said that more than income, the center will also help generate 50,000 jobs, including call center agents, for Bian residents."I will also invite investors to invest and I know Bi an will be back to its old glory", the mayor said.Proclaimed by the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) as a Special Economic Zone, a P2.5-billion facility is being built for BPO locators and the area will soon become home to an IBM Campus.(Ferdinand Castro)

Ecocentrum Mixed Use Development (Philippines)C.T. Hsu International, in collaboration with the Jerde Partnership and Lyon Group, embarked on a major land use study and entertainment retail project for Ecocentrum, a 65-hectare development located south of Manila, Philippines.This project combines convenience shopping, specialty outlets, commercial office space, dining and attractions in series of themed villages based on the cultural history of the Philippines. A town center features traditional Spanish-influenced architecture. Four themed villages represent America, Spain, Europe and Asia. Attractions throughout the villages include entertainment venues, a national aquarium and a variety of motion-based rides.

SPLASH ISLAND SPA & RESORTSouthwoods Ecocentrum Binan, Laguna, PhilippinesWelcome to Splash Island at Southwoods Ecocentrum in Binan, Laguna. The resort slides, rides and attractions were designed to provide you with a day filled with aqua thrills and adventure. To ensure your safety, please take time to acquaint yourself with the rules and regulations. The resort staff are trained to assist you with your special needs. The facilities are maintained in accordance with the highest standards of safety and cleanliness.Located on 3.1 acres, the tropical-themed Splash Island includes three waterslides, an interactive play area for all ages including kiddie slides, water jets, ropes and guns, a gentle winding river, lily pad crossing, two pulsating vortexes, and plenty of deck space and grassy areas for sun bathing and family fun.ATTRACTIONS:

Finalist entry - Eco Centrum, University of Indonesia - national open competition

The project design is inspired by what is around the area of the centrum and what is in the centrum area, ranging from land boundaries, the land of 25 hectares with a potential green belt rubber by 3 hectares of forest and lake blue belt ylang potential of 5 acres,Centrum UI design concepts and then based on the superimposition of the natural potential and the potential of the node - the node that is able to activate this area so as to have a dream that centrum UI landscape into areas that have a good response to the issue of environmentally sustainableThe first concept, UI focused areas into pedestrian areas and bicycle riders with superblock development.The second concept, area of development focuses on the issue of node connectivity - nodel transport with pedestrian paths and bike lanes with a maximum distance of 200m.The third concept that connects the gum forest on the west side and the east to form a green belt preserve natural habitats and habitats of rubber trees, especially termites, with the further development of the centrum UI rubber trees will be forwarded from the south side to the north, forming a green belt so that it will form a forest area of 6.5 is equivalent to 650 ha and parking.And lowers the temperature by 3 to 5 degrees Celsius.The concept yag fourth, improving konktifitas water system with water reservoir while the sluice system, to form a firm belt is a gathering place for the UI, which activates the concept of the fifth centrum area by maximizing the potential of existing natural and programs - creative programs such as cafes - Outdoor cafes, galleries - an open pavilion, flower garden, fishing place students, publishers bookstore bookstore ui combined with commercial, souvenir shop UI.With a minimum distance of 200 m from each other.Overall centered in the middle transportation path towards bioclimatic tower which is the center of the bike lanes and pedestrian paths as well as an observation tower, recycling centers, electrical mechanical space of the area centruk ui with the integration and placement of electrical lines turbnin angina and solar photo voltaic to support the research function to renewable energy.Placement of plants are distinguished into 6 different characters to form color fields - the colorful eco centrum a structure-based development, environmental sustainability by maximizing connectivity and activate centrum UI with the program - the program to the creative ideal conditions, zero carbon campuss.