FEU to Boost Talent Pool in Filinvest City

Filinvest City, the emerging business district in Southern Metro Manila distinguished by its green spaces, expects even more rapid growth beginning 2018 with the completion of Far Eastern University (FEU) Alabang.

Ground was recently broken by key officials of the university on the two-hectare campus strategically located near the South Luzon Expressway exit of the city and which has the capacity to accommodate up to 18,000 students.  The Alabang campus, which will be constructed in 36 months, will focus among other fields on science programs given its proximity to key research & medical institutions in the area, according to FEU officials.

Filinvest Alabang Inc, executive vice president Catherine Ilagan observed that a distinguished institution like FEU will most likely serve as a powerful magnet for attracting talented students and workforce into the city from Calabarzon and further out. “The talents that FEU Alabang will draw have a high potential to add to the human capital of Filinvest City and contribute to this district’s growth momentum.”

Currently, 14 projects with office, residential and institutional uses are being constructed in this convergence hub. With the completion of the Skyway, Filinvest City has become highly accessible to Makati as well as the manufacturing sites of Calabarzon. Its strategic location as a gateway to Southern Luzon is reflected in Filinvest City’s land prices which have more than tripled in value in the past three years.

FEU trustee Anton Montinola said that Filinvest City was a natural choice for FEU’s expansion plans given its accessibility from the rest of the metropolis and the top tier businesses that have located to the area. “Another main consideration was Filinvest’s positioning as a green community,” he explained.

Ilagan observed that Filinvest City locators choose the 244-hectare hub over other emerging districts mostly because of its open green spaces and “walkability.” “We pay close attention to our streetscape and have further plans to enhance this city’s feature as part of an overarching masterplan that will further enhance the work and living environment of the city for the next few decades.”

Montinola related that the new campus will be constructed with the goal of respecting the existing terrain. FEU required the designers of this location, Casas+Architects, to keep excavations and the cutting of trees to a minimum and to make use of existing roads.

FEU officials explained that two main structures will be built on a platform “that will be fitted over the existing hills.” The two main structures separated by an existing road will be connected by a bridge. Cars will be allowed only in designated areas and students and faculty will be encouraged to walk or ride bikes.

The focal point of the entire campus will be an iconic chapel at the center to complement the overall “piazza-like” feel. Plans would be very much in keeping with the larger community’s goal to be a garden city while remaining a dynamic live-work-play environment, pointed out Ilagan.