There is a hum of industry in Arcovia City (ar-koh-veeya), Megaworld’s 12.3-hectare township along C-5 in Pasig City.

The first office tower, the 17-storey One Paseo is being constructed and, once completed, will offer 23,000 square meters of leasable office spaces.

The dining strip, Arcovia Parade, houses a spacious Starbucks which will soon be joined by a McDonald’s, a branch of the Cebu-based Seafood City, and Popeyes Chicken.

The latter used to have a presence in the country where it was known for its tasty New Orleans-style fried chicken. According to its website, Popeyes was founded in 1972 and built its name on the “rich Cajun and creole flavors that are unmistakably Louisiana.”

Popeyes’ local partner and distributor is the same company behind Landers Superstore. Its Arcovia City branch is celebrating its first anniversary this weekend with huge discounts and sales for members until today.

As Megaworld continues to expand andleave itsmark on integrated urban townships throughout the country, Landers Superstore will grow alongside them, beginning with a new branch near McKinley in 2020, said Joy Marcos, front-end manager of Landers Arcovia.

LEAVING A MARK

This desire to leave a mark in the world is one Megaworld takes seriously. Last month, it unveiled the Arco de Emperador, a 62-ft-high monument inspired by the Arco de la Victoria in Madrid.

Designed by sculptor Gines Serran Pagan, the monument has bronze statues consisting of the emperor on a chariot pulled by three horses. Two lions, Pride and Passion, stand guard, while two angels clad in 24-karat gold leaf lead the charge.

The monument is a lasting landmark, even as its bronze eventually turns a fetching green through time.

In a statement, Pagan said, “The angels, together with the animals and the Emperador, form a symbolic group—a sculptural group that is unique here in the Philippines.”

It’s a triumph of personal achievement, he added.

Arcovia City is designed as a place for people who dare to dream and are determined to work hard so they can triumph and fulfill their dreams.

The first residential tower is the 37-storey 18 Avenue de Triomphe, which will have 621 residential units, all of them with balconies offering cityscapes of Eastwood, Ortigas and Fort Bonifacio, or views of the mountains of Antipolo. It will be completed in 2023.

“Our vision for this new township is to inspire the younger generation to persevere and work harder to attain their own successes and victories in life,” Kevin L. Tan, Megaworld chief strategy officer said in a statement.

“There is a deeper story embedded inin this development, and we will tell that story through the installations and attractions around the township,” he added.

Some highlights will include the museum at the base of the Arco de Emperador monument, the restaurants offering air-conditioned or al fresco dining at Arcovia Parade, and the parks and pockets of greenery spread throughout the township.