“UP – Ayala Land TechnoHub- a perfect location for “Iisa Pa Lamang”

 I have been traversing  Commonwealth Avenue in Quezon City almost daily since 1985 when I moved my family to our new home in the City of San Jose del Monte, Bulacan. Last year,  I noticed the on-going development of the area between Philippine Atomic Energy Commission and Philippine Coconut Authority. The development was very fast and early this year, it was already imminent that another world-class Business District is emerging that part of Quezon City.

 I came across an article in one of the major dailies and learned that it is a joint venture between the University of the Philippines, owner of the property, and Ayala Land. The locators are impressive with business names like Hong Kong Bank Corporation, IBM and Manulife.

 I have never been inside the UP Ayala Land TechnoHub until last Wednesday, October 1, a holiday.

 I intended to rest the whole day, after all the day was declared a holiday marking Eid Al Fitr or the end of Ramadan. However, I got another booking for a bit role for ABS-CBN Channel 2’s “IISA PA LAMANG”. I told myself I might as well act and earn some money instead of sleeping the whole day.

 I was delighted to know that the location was well, inside the UP-Ayala Land TechnoHub! Specifically, inside the Manulife Building! At last, I told myself I could now get inside this latest Ayala land development.

 Getting inside the huge compound  would give you that cool breezy feeling which is patently an Ayala land development. Well-manicured landscaping dominates the entire TechnoHub . The tall old acacia trees that are already in the area before the development are made to be part of the new development. Since the buildings are only mid rise (five floors only), though imposing and massive are not intimidating but rather these structures exude an accommodating appearance.

 
 The Manulife building is used as the headquarters of the De La Rhea Foods  in the “Iisa Pa Lamang”. Its third floor is designed as a call center work station.  As such, the air-conditioning units provide a very cool temperature. In contrast to the uncomfortable standby area at the Terminal 2 of the PAL airport when we taped for “I Love You, Betty La Fea” the other week, we were wearing jackets to protect us from the extreme cold temperature in the designated stand area at the third floor.

 It was only when I read the script that I came know to a little about the story of “Iisa Pa Lamang”. I will play the role of a member of the six-man Board of the De La Rhea Foods, The Board is having a meeting but it was not an ordinary meeting because it tackles the take over of the helm of the De la Rhea Foods by Catherine (Claudine Barretto) from Scarlet (Angelica Panganiban). The two protagonists will be engaged in a heated discourse on who would be the President. The acting of the two actresses were very impressive as we provided the backdrop in a corporate setting.

 I got a final bonus before the taping was packed up. For the last few scenes, Gabby Concepcion arrived on the set. He was very accommodating for requests from the call center agents to have a picture taking with him. I also grab the opportunity to have a picture with him!