HOME & COMFORT GOODNESS THE OFFICIAL NEWSLETTER OF HOCHENG PHILIPPINES CORPORATION (HCG)
VOL.1 NO.3 2016
EDITOR’S NOTE
Unwavering Trust M
ilestones are but special moments where we seize opportunities and rise above expectations. They do not come very often, but when they do, they put a whole new meaning to any pursuit. HCG’s sophomore issue highlights the most basic ingredient in achieving two decades of success – trust. From consumer confidence in quality innovations that made HCG a brand of choice; the strong conviction in its leadership that propelled the company to what it is today; to the faith of HCG’s hardworking men and women on their true mission and purpose, there’s really no shortage of things to be grateful for! Let’s turn each page here like a chapter in our lives, as it takes you to life adventures that make the little things count. We give out fresh tips on how to attract luck and make your most private sanctuaries exquisitely delightful. Our feature on the brilliant man behind some of the most attractive home designs, like the famous Eco houses, may also inspire our inner artist to create our own versions of beauty and elegance. Finally, we proudly wear our hearts on our sleeves as we share our blessings with those most in need. No success is done alone and it is most felt when shared. HCG takes design ingenuity to a whole new level by finding deeper meaning in Home and Comfort Goodness!
Julian Wang
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF HOME AND COMFORT GOODNESS
HOME & COMFORT GOODNESS TEAM:
Publisher Editor-in-Chief Managing Editor Chief Art Director PR Agency
: : : : :
Sam Chen Julian Wang Sheena Valencia Dan Paggao Full Circle Comm
Do you have any thoughts, comments & suggestions? Shoot us an email and we’ll be pleased to hear you: homecomfortgoodness@gmail.com Home and Comfort Goodness is published by Hocheng Philippines Corporation 1163 Chino Roces Ave., San Antonio Village, Makati City
1 | home&comfortgoodness
CONTENTS
3
7 3 ARCHITECT JAMES JAO’S
HCG CARES: A CAMPAIGN FOR CLEANLINESS
7
15 20 PLATINUM-STRONG YEARS
9 WELCOME, LUCK!
17 FRESH PICKS
11 BATHROOM BLISS
18 FIRST THINGS FIRST
SOUFFLE AND SO FABULOUS
15
13
13
IMPRESSIVE WORKS
17 home&comfortgoodness
|2
LIMELIGHT
The Efficient, Resilient House of Jao "T
his is a good contrast, right?" he says with a smile as he sits down, noting his blue suit and the yellow-and-white wall behind him, a mischievous glint in his eye. He is all seriousness, however, by the time he gets into explaining his vision: eco-living and sustainable homes for the Filipino, which he proudly calls his "contribution to humanity". It is this mix of playfulness with a strong vision for the future of the craft that fuels the passion of Architect James Jao. From eccentric home designs such as the Kite House and Stiletto House, to more practical, yet no less meticulously designed projects such as the LuzViMinda Eco-House, Jao’s penchant for blending style with substance shines through in his creations. ROOTED IN CEBU Jao’s career started in Cebu, his hometown, where he flew back upon completing his master’s degree (City Design and Social Science) at London School of Economics. He started with a guest house, noting the difference of Cebu in the 80s, when it was beginning to boom. His residential clientele, it turns out, would eventually make up a significant portion of his work, with around half of his current projects at almost any time being residential, and the remaining half a mix of commercial, institutional, and hospitality projects, among others. Up to this day, Jao keeps himself rooted in Cebu, which has become his hub, as well as the site of some of his more unique projects. The hilly and coastal areas of the region, in particular, are where one can find the famed Stiletto and Kite houses, respectively. His reputation, however, brings him all over the country, getting him closer and closer to his dream of building all across the archipelago. BUILDING THE ECO-HOUSE “I am the proponent of the Eco-House in the Philippines,” he proudly says about his most ambitious series of projects. Since 2008, Jao has been integrating the technology behind the sustainable and energy-efficient structure into his designs, the current roster including homes, schools, institutional buildings, and even the odd mausoleum. At first, people were unreceptive of the possibility of an energy-efficient home, made out of
3|
home&comfortgoodness
locally-sourced materials. “The first question was, ‘What is that?’ It was never heard of in 2008,” Jao recalls. This prompted him into building the first model Eco-House, nicknamed LuzViMinda, in Bulusan, Sorsogon, to silence his vision’s naysayers. “I was able to prove to them that it can be built, it’s possible, and it delivers in savings in energy and water,” he says. Another notable year in the history of Jao’s eco-architecture is 2014, when he visited Tacloban, Leyte on the aftermath of Super Typhoon Yolanda. The desolation of the area inspired him to work at making his Eco-House more climate-resistant as well, the current incarnation of which uses a sturdy concrete, which can be used in bracing against strong storm winds, as well as to prevent it from being blown away and becoming a danger to life and limb, as conventional corrugated-iron roofs. These and other improvements, he claims, allow the structure to withstand 320 kilometer-an-hour winds and magnitude 9 earthquakes. “In fact, I’m building an Eco-House for myself now,” he shares, showing how much faith he has in his vision. THE ECO-ECO HOUSE After ensuring the energy-efficient and climate change-resilient properties of the Eco-House, Jao chose to focus on making the technology available to more Filipinos. He notes that his current design is not only efficient, but economical as well. Now called the Eco-Eco (ecological-economical) House, Jao incorporates elements from the bucolic icon, the bahay kubo, as well as emphasizes materials, which can be sourced locally. This, combined with his signature Thermawall technology—which helps maintain a comfortable temperature for a building’s interiors and a concrete roof treated with a special additive that allows it to disperse heat—makes for a structure that maintains the properties of the original project, with the added benefit of being more cost-efficient for the average Filipino’s budget. Of this innovative design, Jao says, “It’s a trade secret, haha!”
LIMELIGHT
STILETTO HOUSE One of Arch. Jao's signature projects, the Stiletto house: an eclectic mix of angular forms and wide glass panels, built to take advantage of the view of Cebu's hillside.
JAO DOES THE FUTURE LOOK? Asked about the future, Jao firmly believes in the drive to build genuinely sustainable and climate change-resilient structures, integrating Eco-House technology into other structures, and even into entire communities. This, he believes, is as an answer to the debilitating effects of climate change on homes and other buildings. “We’re dealing with climate change, and we’ve experienced the worst, both in terms of tropical storms and earthquakes, and we should expect something worse in the future, and we should be ready.” But being an optimist and a natural visionary, Jao is convinced that Filipinos now have an increased awareness on practical, sustainable living. Ending on a positive note, he then says, “The way into the future is adapting the paradigm of eco-living.’ That’s my battle cry.”
ARCHITECT JAMES JAO
home&comfortgoodness
|4
ECOLOGICALLY SUSTAINABLE & AFFORDABLE ECO HOUSE Arch. Jao's Eco-Eco House, called such because of its creator's vision of making a house that's friendly not only ecologically, but economically as well
KITE HOUSE Another signature project, the Kite House: a unique structure designed to allow for a grand view of the landscape from every angle, while providing shade and comfort
ACADEMIC BUILDING COLLEGE OF HS TARLAC The College of the Holy Spirit of Tarlac, one of the implementations of Arch. Jao's goal of integrating Eco-House technology with institutional structures
5 | home&comfortgoodness
LIMELIGHT
ECO HOUSE ILIGAN CITY A higher-end version of the Eco-House, using the same technology to ensure energy efficiency
home&comfortgoodness
|6
DESIGN & DEGUSTATION
1
Souffle & So Fabulous
2
LE PETIT SOUFFLE’S DECIDEDLY CHARMING INTERIORS PAIR PERFECTLY WITH THEIR SUMPTUOUS OFFERINGS.
W
ith the restaurant boom in the Metro, diners are spoilt rotten with choices to cater to their every possible craving ranging from comforting, well-loved dishes to surprising fusions (Peruvian-Japanese, anyone?). The competitive restaurant scene has also gotten the food business owners and chefs to extend the game from kitchen to all nooks and crannies of the restaurant. Interior concept is no longer an afterthought, but a main ingredient for an overall pleasant dining experience. Earning a spot in the feed of the Metro’s crowd of discerning food lovers and lifestyle bloggers is the French-Japanese restaurant Le Petit Souffle. It seems that even the purist foodies who would go to a restaurant with the sole purpose of sampling the food and taking none of those discreetly art-directed shots of tablescapes or artsy wall décor couldn’t resist taking a snap or two of the restaurant’s bright and inventive interiors in between bites of salted egg profiteroles or matcha soufflé or foie gras mac and cheese. And we can’t blame them, really.
7|
home&comfortgoodness
The restaurant owned by pastry Chef Miko Aspiras, Chef Noel Mauricio, Kristine Lotilla, and Charles Paw that revels in whimsical-romantic notes without bordering on the saccharine. It is also a host to a number of eye-catching and unique décor that shock without being annoyingly overbearing in general. Le Petit Souffle’s interior style is mod French countryside updated with just the right amount of quirk (suspended rolling pins, for instance) and doses of sunny yellow. Pinlights flirting with the indoor hanging plants, scribbled tiled wall, louvered wooden panels on the wall…the place could be mistaken for a production design. Despite all these, the place is hardly heavy on the eyes and heady to take in. The secret lies in balancing all the decorative elements with a simple linear layout for the seats and opting for furniture with straightforward, flowing lines (e.g. low, long wooden tables).
DESIGN & DEGUSTATION
1
3
6
2
4
7
3 1 The restaurant facade 2 "Even artichokes have hearts" in French 3 Quirky decor, such as the rolling pins hanging off the ceiling, interplay with the greenery to create an artistic-homey ambience 4 Shades of yellow and wood soften the look of a white wall 5 More subtle touches of yellow and wood to take advantage of the generous lighting 6 Squid-Ink Rice 7 Porc Borguignon
5 Le Petit Souffle is located inside a mall, but you could forget that while lounging in one of their yellow seats and relishing a soufflÊ. For an hour or so you could pretend you’re in a French bistro, dining al fresco. Such is the power of an overall well-executed dining concept.
Restaurant Info 3F Century City Mall, Kalayaan Avenue, Poblacion, Makati City Tel. (02) 886-3056 | Facebook: Lepetitsouffle | IG: @lepetitsouffleph Open from 11am to 9pm (Thursday to Sunday) and 11am to 10pm (Friday and Saturday)
home&comfortgoodness
|8
R
epainting the house does wonders through changing the interior aesthetics as well as bringing in a new kind of energy. It will not take long before you would feel the positive vibe and lighter aura a freshly painted room in a calming and visually appealing color combination would bestow your home. Up for a fresh paint job? Hit two birds with one stone by considering color schemes that are both visually-pleasing and luck-enhancing this year of the Fire Monkey. It doesn’t have to be applied to the entire house. You could either opt to paint one or two rooms, or to inject doses of the suggested colors throughout the house.
9 | home&comfortgoodness
SHAPES & HUES WHITE + BLUE + GOLD Fengshui experts consider blue, the color of water, as the most auspicious color for the Fire Monkey Year. Partnered with white, the calming and serene quality of blue is further highlighted. Bring in gold for that subtle yet sophisticated contrast. Use this palette for the bedroom or powder room wall paints. A darker, richer shade of blue and gold would be better for the living or dining room.
LILAC + GRAY + PURPLE Fiery colors like red, burgundy, and purple are also said to be auspicious for 2016. If you’re not ready to commit to a color too strong, you may go for the combination of analogous colors purple and lilac tempered with gray.
ROSE QUARTZ + SERENITY BLUE + SILVER The Pantone Color of the Year also seems to be in sync with the auspicious colors for 2016. Not only are Rose Quartz and Serenity Blue on-trend globally, the former has long been believed to attract love according to fengshui while the latter effortlessly promotes peace of mind and relaxation. Indeed, both are feel-good colors you would want to have in your home.
TANGERINE + BURNT SIENNA + MOSS GREEN Recreate autumn in your room with warm and rusty shades of orange, red or brown tempered with an earthy shade of green, or a bit lighter such as jade or avocado. Taking inspiration from the healthy and fertile nature attracts abundance into your home.
home&comfortgoodness
| 10
TIPS & TRICKS Hereunder, the unofficial anatomy of a basic OC’s dream bathroom: 1 | AMPLE AMBIENT LIGHTING If your space would allow it (and if your next-door neighbor is not too close), consider having as big glass windows as possible to provide you with ambient lighting—no need to turn on the light at daytime, plus also makes your bathroom look bigger. Secure your privacy by protecting your windows with plants or window treatment. 2 | AMPLE (BUT DISCREET) STORAGE SPACE Some bathrooms suffer the sad case of doubling as a “showroom”—all sorts of unsightly things such as dirty clothes on the floor, ratty towel on the counter, overflowing trash can, a messy assortment of shampoo bottles (half-used, expired, empty ones are coexisting). If possible, opt for a spacious but sleek modular cabinet for storing bulky items like towels and extra bottles of conditioner. Overhead storage is also a good option.
1
For storage pieces you will be placing out in the open, choose canvas-lined woven or faux leather baskets. Monitor daily for any clutter starting to build up and deal with it on the spot to halt the dreaded pile.
2
3
3 | GREAT VENTILATION Exhaust fans (and windows, see the first item) are your friends in keeping the bathroom good-looking and clean-smelling. No amount of potpourri and spray, which will be discussed below, will mask the funky smell. For you and your guests’ relief, make sure the exhaust fan is enough and working. 4 | LIVING THINGS (THE GREEN, GROWING KIND) Make use of those ubiquitous and lovely succulents that don’t require high maintenance to live—but do make sure they get enough sunshine. Sanseveria, spider plants, bamboo, and ferns also work well. And of course the occasional fresh-cut flowers are very much welcome.
4
5
5 | SCENT-SATIONAL SCENT Find your signature scent for the bathroom from among the wide array of scented candle and room sprays available in the market. You might want to go for an inviting scent reminiscent of your favorite spa.
home&comfortgoodness
| 12
GIVING BACK Hocheng Philippines Corporation’s thrust to provide under-privileged students decent toilet facilities actually goes beyond teaching them good hygiene and sanitation. In their quest to support the young generation and promote education, HCG has always been into nurturing charity programs geared towards such advocacy, one of which is their ArchiNEXT project — HCG’s young designers’ competition. Now by providing decent toilet facilities, HCG hopes that students would be able to focus more on their schoolwork and activities that promote learning and holistic development that can positively impact their future. Now, call that care and commitment.
home&comfortgoodness
| 14
IN FOCUS
A
s strong as platinum; in every turn, as sparkling as an emerald: that’s how HCG describes its 20-year journey in the Philippines. Originally, HCG started in Taiwan 85 years ago. After dominating Taiwan and exploring China market, HCG expanded in the Philippines in 1995. In 1997, HCG went full blast with the opening of its 10.5 hectare world-class manufacturing facility in Cavite.
20 Platinum Strong Years HCG CELEBRATES ITS 20th YEAR IN THE PHILIPPINES
QUALITY ENSURED THRU THE QR CODE SYSTEM Quality to infinity: Prior to conceiving a product, HCG assures that every detail is well-thought of and customer-centric. Improvement is always at the heart of HCG’s process. One innovation in the Cavite manufacturing plant of HCG is the QR-code system. This new technology double-checks the rigid flow of producing the best bathroom wares. Every product that comes out of HCG’s plant is made with excellence.
15 | home&comfortgoodness
From a foreign brand 20 years ago, HCG has proven its strong footing in the Philippines with its 750 Filipino employees to date. Alongside, gaining the trust of consumers due to its unwavering quality, it is now the brand of choice for consumers with discerning taste. In the advent of its 20th year, HCG in the Philippines will celebrate not in an ostentatious manner, but through looking back and thanking the people who mattered along the way. With all these, HCG can only pay forward to the students--- the hope of the nation. Here’s a sneak preview of some of the important milestones of the company.
MILESTONE PROJECTS High and wide: whether as high as a hotel or as wide as a sprawling resort, HCG’s name will always be there as a showcase of excellence. Some of the milestone projects HCG is honored to be part of are: Powerplant Mall by Rockwell Land (2000), The Bellevue Manila by Bellevue (2003), One Serendra by Ayala Land (2004), The Shang Grand Tower by Shang Properties (2006), Fairmont Hotel and Raffles Suites and Residences by Ayala Land (2013), Centuria Medical Makati by Century Properties (2014), Philippine Arena by Iglesia ni Cristo (2014), City of Dreams by Melco Crown Philippines (2015) and ParkWest by FederalLand (2016), to name a few.
IN FOCUS CUSTOMER SERVICE TEAM AT YOUR SERVICE! Before and after: customers are valued at HCG not just before a product is bought but also until after-sales. While HCG assures the best, should trouble arise in the distant future, HCG’s Customer Service Team is ready to assist with a smile! In fact, HCG’s toll-free 1-800-10-HCG-888 shows how much the company cares.
HCG DONATES BECAUSE HCG CARES Smile to smile from school to school: it’s not about selling toilets like pancakes; for HCG, it’s about spreading smiles to students because they deserve humane bathroom facilities especially in schools. Every year, HCG goes to several public schools and hand them over toilets and lavatories for free. It warms HCG’s heart to see wide smiles and twinkling eyes every time a turn-over ceremony is held. In 2015 alone, around 5,000 + elementary students benefitted from HCG Cares. In the coming years, HCG targets Php 20 million worth of toilet fixtures to be donated in as many public schools, no matter how far-flung, bringing decent facilities closer to the future of the county. Because their smiles fuel HCG to make life even better.
ARCHINEXT: HCG YOUNG DESIGNERS’ COMPETITION Now and the future: the hope of the nation is in the youth. HCG envisions having future nation builders who are not only limitlessly creative but also consciously aware on sustainability. ArchiNEXT: HCG Young Designers’ Competition was born because HCG wants to leave a legacy for the future. Sustainability for responsible future architects is always central theme to ArchiNEXT’s design challenge. This way, the value of responsibility, community-centeredness, altruism are inculcated in the students. In the first-ever ArchiNEXT Competition, the design concept of the Grand Winner will be constructed, financed by HCG in partnership with UAP and CODHASP. This will surely bring smile and comfort to the people of Brgy. Sta. Juliana, Capas, Tarlac.
home&comfortgoodness
| 16
WHO WOULDN’T LOVE THE SUBTLE ELEGANCE OF
AROSA?
Fresh Picks LET’S GET TO KNOW A NEW ONE-PIECE WATERCLOSET: AROSA
P
erhaps you’re scheduled to build your own bathroom from scratch, or maybe you’re planning to finally push through with your long overdue bathroom renovation. In any case, view your situation as a perfect opportunity to invest in good-quality fixtures, starting with the main piece: THE WATERCLOSET.
AROSA A LOW TANK TOILET BUT NEVER SHORT ON QUALITY.
HCG’s new low-tank AROSA (C660T) is a premium or high-end one-piece model boasting high efficiency and Siphon Jet flush function. Its trim and classic, subtly elegant design is packed with features such as soft-closing seat and cover (no annoying clunk!), concealed trapway, and great flush performance (five-liter trip lever single flush). A common thread among most of HCG toilets, the pre-installed tank trimmings of the Arosa model is fitted in such a way that would match the standard water consumption. This model retails at Php 20,000 to Php 25,000. Pair your Arosa toilet with its lavatory (L6655/ L6655) that will definitely capture attention. It’s a countertop lavatory that has a very thin lip. Stylish and sleek, that’s what your bathroom needs. Shopping for the ideal watercloset need not be overwhelming. Sometimes it’s more than the style. Consider quality and features too without breaking the bank! Check the complete details of Arosa at: http://hcg.com.ph/?p=4718
17 | home&comfortgoodness
COMPLETE THE LOOK WITH AROSA LAVATORY.
WHAT TO BUY
First Things First
BUYING A NEW TOILET? YOU NEED TO CHECK OUT THIS CHECKLIST.
T
he wide array of water closet models that come in different shapes, sizes, and even colors could easily overwhelm a clueless shopper in a bathroom fixtures shop or a gigantic home depot. The intention is often good (Find “the one” that possesses both good quality and reasonable price tag), but the ending may be otherwise (settling for the most inexpensive model, thinking all of them are “just the same anyway”). The best toilet for you may not be the cheapest model in the lot, but its value will be more evident to you as the years pass. A model that’s slightly more expensive than the cheaper ones could come a long way and even save you from the headaches due to constant repair or premature replacement. Afterall, toilet is an important home investment.
Still clueless and overwhelmed? Here is a list of things you should know about buying a toilet. GEBERIT TANK FITTINGS
Two of the vital considerations in buying a toilet are the quality of the ceramic and the tank fittings. A quick analogy: ceramic is the car form and tank fittings is the car engine. Geberit is a topnotch brand of quality tank fittings. HCG is the first manufacturer in the Philippines to make use of the Geberit tank fittings for some of its water closet offerings. All HCG water closets outfitted with this brand comes with a warranty good for five years.
SOFT-CLOSING SEAT AND COVER
What makes a toilet model sophisticated isn’t limited to what can be seen with bare eyes. It must appeal to the ears, too! HCG’s unique roller soft-closing seat and cover assure you that you won’t have to deal with pesky slamming noise ever again.
ADB (ANTI-DIRT AND BACTERIAL) SEAT AND COVER
The surface of HCG’s seat and cover with ADB is treated with anti-dirt and bacterial coat that inhibits bacterial growth, eliminates odor and wards off germs that could cause skin irritations.
AFTER-SALES SERVICE
Another major thing to consider is the brand’s great customer service. In case you encounter a problem with your water closet, it is reassuring to know that you can easily turn to a product specialist for help instead of resorting to a sketchy plumber or do it DIY which, in some cases, can do more harm than good. HCG, the only international brand that offers after-sales service, has a customer service team ready to help you get out of a sticky (or leaky) situation. WARRANTY
10 YEAR on ceramic
WARRANTY
Go for a bathroom fixture brand that produces water closets that look good when you buy them—and is committed to assure you they will remain good looking and hardworking for a long time. HCG’s ceramics (water closet, wash basin, urinal) come with a 10-year limited warranty against factory defects. Non-ceramic parts are covered by a one-year warranty, while Geberit Tank Fittings come with a five-year warranty.
PRE-INSTALLED TANK FITTINGS
All tank fittings of HCG toilets are pre-installed in the tank and adjusted to exactly match with the standard water consumption. It saves time and ensures excellent flush performance.
With all these features taken into consideration, the next time you sit on that “throne,” you will not only feel relieved, but enlightened as well. home&comfortgoodness
| 18
*Actual photo from HCG toilet donation program, HCG CARES, in Pangil Elementary School, Cavite last July 23, 2015. FOR INQUIRIES ABOUT THIS PROGRAM, CHECK OUR WEBSITE AT
www.hcg.com.ph