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Things to consider when getting your first property

If you’ve been working for a few years and are looking to invest in your future, now could be the perfect time to buy your first property.

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For many, acquiring their own home seems far-fetched, but with the influx of many property developments, many dared and succeeded in getting one. If you’ve been working for a few years and are looking to invest in your future, now could be the perfect time to buy your first property.

The pandemic has accelerated the desire for homeownership, especially among millennials and Gen Z professionals. With people working remotely and spending increased time at home, they have developed a heightened appreciation for personal space and home investments. Many young professionals are now entering the housing market, with condominiums being a popular choice for those seeking modern, convenient living spaces that match their modern lifestyles.

Things to consider before buying your first property

Accessibility – When choosing a property, consider its proximity to your workplace and public transportation. A condo near major transport hubs, like the LRT or MRT, can save you time and money on your daily commute.

Amenities and Lifestyle Fit – Your lifestyle should guide your condo choice. Many modern developments cater to young professionals and couples with features like co-working spaces and fitness centers. Consider these factors, as they can greatly enhance your living experience and convenience.

“I always wanted to have my own place, but with my salary of around ₱44,000 a month, I wasn’t sure if it was possible,” Kyla, a 30-year-old marketing professional shared. “But after researching different options, I realized that condos were a great fit for me. It is secured, near my work area, and has amenities that I can enjoy.”

Kyla added, “Finding home loan options that suit my budget is a win. It feels great and fulfilling that I get to realize one of my bucket lists of owning my own space.”

Unit Size and Future Needs – Think about your long-term plans when choosing a unit size. If you’re single or part of a couple, a smaller space might suit your needs. However, if you foresee starting a family, consider how much space you’ll need in the future to accommodate this lifestyle change.

For Marj (32 years old) and Ken (33 years old), a newly-wed couple, getting their own space is a must. “After months of searching and planning, we finally found the ideal unit that we could call our own. We really saved up for our down payment and searched for a bank that could give us reasonable loan options. We get to enjoy our own space without the need to stretch our budget. Our combined salaries really made a difference on this journey,” the couple shared.

Pricing – Condo prices can vary based on several factors, including the type and size of the unit. Pre-selling units tend to be more affordable, making them a popular choice for first-time buyers, while ready-for-occupancy condos are typically priced higher due to their immediate availability.

“I’ve been sharing a rented condo unit with a friend for a few years already, so I thought that maybe it’s time to get my own space.” Sarah shared, a 28-year-old graphic designer with a salary of ₱38,000 per month. “With my studio unit, it provided the perfect balance of affordability and privacy. Not only that, I get to be more creative with having my own space.”

Financing Your Dream Condo

For many young Filipinos, especially those in the early stages of their careers, condo ownership might seem out of reach. However, with proper financial planning and the right home loan, you’ll be surprised at how simply attainable it is.

PSBank offers a range of home loan products with faster approvals, flexible terms, and attractive benefits. Their streamlined process, which provides credit decisions in as little as one day*, ensures that buying your first condo can be hassle-free. Whether you’re purchasing from pre-selling developments or ready-for-occupancy units, PSBank home loans make condo ownership accessible and convenient for young professionals.

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Anko to open third and largest store in PH

This expansion follows Anko’s debut in the Philippines with its first store opening in Glorietta 2, Makati City, in November 2024, and the upcoming launch of its second branch in Alabang Town Center, Muntinlupa City, in May 2025.

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Anko, Australia’s much-loved home and lifestyle brand, is set to open its third and largest store in the Philippines in July 2025 at Ayala Group’s Trinoma Mall in Quezon City.

Spanning 1,634 square meters, the new store will offer 1,421 square meters of retail space, with the remaining area allocated for office and stockroom use to support operations efficiently.

This expansion follows Anko’s debut in the Philippines with its first store opening in Glorietta 2, Makati City, in November 2024, and the upcoming launch of its second branch in Alabang Town Center, Muntinlupa City, in May 2025.

A striking board-up in Anko’s signature magenta hue is now on display at Level 1 of Trinoma’s Activity Center, building excitement for the grand opening.

Shoppers can look forward to an expansive selection of thoughtfully designed and affordably priced products, ranging from home living essentials and smart storage solutions to beauty must-haves, nursery items, children’s toys, electronics, pet supplies, and arts and crafts.

“Opening in Trinoma is a natural next step for Anko in the Philippines. We want to be where Filipino families already shop for their homes, and Metro Manila’s top malls provide the perfect space to introduce more people to our brand,” said Arjun Puri, CEO of Anko Global.

Puri noted Anko’s efficient product development process, which enables the brand to provide quality home essentials at consistently low prices.

“By managing the entire process—from design and sourcing to production and retail—we streamline operations and keep costs down. This allows us to offer well-designed, functional products that align with international trends at prices that make sense for our Filipino customers,” he said.

Rachel Turner, Country Manager of Anko Philippines, added, “Anko is all about making everyday living brighter. With our Trinoma store, we are very excited to bring even more shoppers home and lifestyle essentials designed to match every lifestyle.”

Anko is part of the Kmart Group under Wesfarmers Ltd., one of Australia’s leading companies.


For more information and updates on Anko, follow @anko_philippines on Instagram.

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Landers Superstore’s European festival is here

Landers Superstore is raising the bar even higher for this festival with more premium European brands on display, more deals to love and more exciting activities that will transport you to the streets of Paris, Rome or Madrid.

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For many Filipinos, Europe is the ultimate dream destination – a place of breathtaking landscapes, rich history, and cultural treasures. Now you don’t need to travel far to experience its charms. Landers Superstore, the fastest-growing membership retail chain in the country, is hosting THE BIGGEST EUROPEAN FESTIVAL this month, to put the spotlight on European excellence and bring beloved European products closer to home.

Drawing from the success of Japan Fest last year, Landers Superstore is raising the bar even higher for this festival with more premium European brands on display, more deals to love and more exciting activities that will transport you to the streets of Paris, Rome or Madrid. Whether you’re a fan of fine European delicacies, a culture enthusiast, or simply looking for something to do on a weekend, Landers Superstore’s European Festival promises a grand celebration that’s too good to miss.

European Festival Grand Launch

To kick things off, Landers Superstore held a grand launch for the Biggest European Festival at Landers Arca South last March 5, 2025. The event commenced with an electrifying flamenco performance by AXIS, setting the tone for a truly immersive cultural experience.

The ribbon-cutting ceremony was led by Landers Deputy Chief Executive Officer Bill Cummings, Ambassador of Spain to the Philippines Miguel Utray, European Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines (ECCP) Executive Director Florian Gottein, British Embassy Representative Windy Anonuevo, and celebrities Carla Abellana and Daniel Matsunaga.

Bill Cummings, in his welcome remarks, emphasized the significance of the event, calling it Landers’ most ambitious showcase to date. “Through the years, we’ve hosted incredible festivals featuring top brands and products from all over the world. Each one was a step forward in our mission to bring global excellence closer to our members. This time, we’re taking things even further. The Landers European Festival is a celebration of excellence, authenticity, and discovery, featuring over a thousand premium European finds—from beloved household names to new brands you’ll surely love.”

He also underscored the festival’s unique experiential aspect, encouraging members to take part in the Landers European Festival Caravan. “Beyond just shopping, we’ve prepared immersive and fun-filled experiences that will transport you to Europe. You can taste, explore, and sample our premium selection for free while also enjoying booths that offer cultural exchange and other fun-filled activities.”

Ambassador Utray and Director Gottein also expressed their enthusiasm and support for the festival, highlighting its role in strengthening economic and cultural ties between Europe and the Philippines.

Experience European excellence firsthand

The highlight of the festival is the European Festival Caravan, a special in-store event that will let members experience European excellence up close and personal. The stores will be transformed into charming European-inspired streets lined with food stalls and exhibitor booths. There, members can indulge in free samples of European delicacies, avail exclusive deals from travel agencies specializing in Europe tours and engage with organizations promoting European arts and culture.

Street artists will provide free caricature portraits to members with a minimum P500 single-receipt purchase from Landers Central while Human Statues will provide entertainment to members.

The caravan will make its first stop at Landers Arca South on March 7 to 9, followed by Landers Nuvali on March 12 to 16, Landers Otis on March 19 to 23 and Landers Arcovia City on March 26 to 30.

Shop and save on premium European products

Running alongside the caravan is The Biggest European Festival Sale, happening from March 7 to 30. This sale is the perfect opportunity to indulge in the finest European finds at 50% OFF and Buy 1 Get 1 deals. From tasty snacks to bath and beauty essentials, this sale makes it even easier than ever to enjoy authentic delights from Spain, Italy, UK, Germany, and France, among others.

Get special deals at Landers Central and Doppio

Members can also enjoy exciting promo deals at Landers Central and Doppio, including P100 OFF on 18” whole pizza (any flavor), P170 ONLY on Jamon Creamy Truffle Pasta (regular price P189), and 50% OFF on Iced Spanish Latte. These exclusive dining offers make the European Festival even more rewarding for food lovers looking to indulge in delicious flavors at unbeatable prices.

Join the BIGGEST European Festival in town!

Don’t miss this chance to indulge in European wonders and score massive savings on premium European products. Sign up or renew your membership and be part of the BIGGEST European Festival in town. Membership fees are currently priced at P700 for Premium Membership and P1,200 for Business Membership. You can maximize your shopping experience further with the Landers Cashback Everywhere Credit Card, which lets you earn up to 5% cashback on all purchases, anywhere you shop.

See you at Landers European Festival – and discover why your membership means MORE at Landers.

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Product Showcase

Ever Bilena beauty bar returns with exciting firsts in SM Clark

Shoppers can mix and match their favorite Ever Bilena products from the Beauty Bar and choose from three goodie bag sizes: Medium at Php 499, Large at Php 599 and Extra Large at Php 999.

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The wait is over! The Ever Bilena Beauty Bar is back and better than ever, bringing its much-loved “Fit All You Can” activity to SM Clark.

Shoppers can mix and match their favorite Ever Bilena products from the Beauty Bar and choose from three goodie bag sizes: Medium at Php 499, Large at Php 599 and Extra Large at Php 999.

Here’s the exciting part: the Extra Large pouch is a new addition, making its debut exclusively at SM Beauty Department Store in SM City Clark Pampanga. It’s the perfect size to fill with all your must-haves and try the latest from Ever Bilena’s innovative lineup.

After selecting their pouches, fitting in their products, and paying for the goodie bags at the cashier, customers can head back to the booth for a fun, creative twist—personalizing their pouches with cute and stylish stickers! It’s a delightful way to add a personal touch to their beauty haul and make their Ever Bilena experience even more memorable.

This run of the Beauty Bar also features a completely refreshed product mix! Shoppers can now snag the latest beauty innovations, including best-selling EB Serum Tinted Lip Balms (selected shades), TikTok trending blushes, and top-rated eye and brow makeup for that perfect everyday glam, among others!

“The Ever Bilena Beauty Bar is all about giving our customers a fresh and exciting way to enjoy their favorite beauty staples,” said Denice Sy, chief sales and marketing officer of Ever Bilena Cosmetics, Inc. “With the introduction of the Extra Large pouch and our new product mix, plus the crazy savings, we’re thrilled to offer an elevated experience that’s truly worth the trip.” This exclusive pop-up at SM Beauty Department Store in SM City Clark is your chance to stock up on your beauty faves, discover new products, and enjoy the ultimate Ever Bilena shopping experience.

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