FROM left are: V. Group’s representative in the Philippines Jamie Stewart, Pronove Tai CEO Monique Cornelio-Pronove and Pacific Ocean Manning Inc. general manager Elmer Pulumbarit at the VSHIPS Philippine headquarters inauguration
Property development in Metro Manila is not just concentrated in Makati City and Bonifacio Global City. Located along the shoreline of Manila Bay, Aseana City is a landscaped green city that will be the future grounds for homes, offices, malls, hotels, casino and even a yacht club.
Extending northeast to Roxas Boulevard within Parañaque, Aseana City has an approximate total area of 204 hectares. Aseana Holdings is the master planner of this expansive development. Aseana City is bounded on the North by the Redemptorist Channel and the SM Mall of Asia Development; and on the South, by the Asiaworld and Uniwide Developments.
- Group Manila chose to locate its emerging shipping hub in Aseana City, with a brand-new state-of-the-art training facility in Aseana II. The new property boasts of five levels or approximately 7,400 square meters of offices and specialized classrooms; a computer-based and integrated bridge and engine room simulation suite; and a fully fitted and modern culinary and hospitality center showcasing functional replicas of areas found in luxury liners and cargo vessels. With the latest tools and bigger spaces for learning, V. Group Manila is set to change the face of seafarer training and service in the Philippines.
With such high demand for qualified officers and crew, V. Group is gearing up recruitment efforts to find the best candidates for its many vessels. The lobby area is bigger now and can accommodate over 600 seafarers. The first-day turnout was a phenomenal 1,000!
- Group’s Recruitment Office employs a screening process that runs largely on electronic systems. Applicants are prescreened with an electronic queuing system at the lobby before they are called in for an actual interview.
Real-world simulation
ASEANA Holdings president Budz Wenceslao and Tessa Valdes
Equipped with the latest technology and meeting the highest standards of training, certification and watchkeeping requirements, the new 1,500-sqm training department at the seventh floor has six classrooms and an integrated bridge and engine room simulator.
Not only is the training virtual reality-based with visual and audio components but kinesthetic as well. The simulator is also a kinesthetic tool or a hands-on tool that promotes learning by doing.
On the eighth floor is V. Group’s 1,300-sqm culinary school that features a canteen, four galley kitchens and classrooms. This culinary school is unique to V. Group and sets the group apart from its competitors. The center offers a comprehensive curriculum for culinary training, a computer room with 16 workstations and latest audio-visual training aids.
Training area
The training kitchens are fully functional with the latest equipment from Italy and meet HACCP and Maritime Labor Convention Standards. The kitchen’s layout is the same as what one finds in a ship so the training is on real-life situations, dynamic and adaptable which greatly enriches the trainees’ expertise and ability to deliver topnotch service in all types of kitchens at sea.
There are also two housekeeping areas, replicas of cabins that simulate the exact working conditions in luxury cruise liners and cargo vessels.
The culinary and hospitality center is equipped to accommodate around 1,000 trainees a year.
- Groups’ journey to its present building was not a walk in the park. The search for the right location and building needed a strong and professional real estate services partner to objectively study, search and negotiate for them.
Pronove Tai, the only 100-percent Filipino firm specializing in tenant representation, was appointed to represent the group. At a time of limited supply and burgeoning office demand, Pronove Tai competed with the larger BPOs and secured V.Group’s proud new home in Aseana City.
Monique Cornelio-Pronove, CEO of Pronove Tai, shares, “We knew that plans were set for Aseana II building to be constructed so we took the opportunity to work toward a win-win situation for all parties. The building was preleased before groundbreaking and V. Group had a building that was tailor-fit for their specialized requirements.
- Group’s new home is a testament to their faith in the Filipino seafarer, one of the best and most sought-after in the world. It signifies the group’s intention to invest in the Philippines, to invest in developing a world-class Filipino crew.
ASEANA II Building with V. Group logo