Saturday, December 30, 2006 Korean firm bares plan to open language school
THE mushrooming of English-as-a-second-language (ESL) schools in Cebu and the popularity of golf classes has prompted a Korean real estate developer to open a language and golf academy next year.
While pursuing its P3-billion Imperial Palace Waterpark Resort and Spa, Philippine BXT Corp. (Phil BXT) plans to build a language academy and the Imperial Golf and Country Club on a 14-hectare property in Cordova, Mactan Island.
“Many Koreans want to learn the English language here in Cebu and many more are interested in taking golf classes,” Phil BXT chairman Yong Jun Park said in an interview last Wednesday.
According to Park, some 7,000 to 8,000 Koreans have enrolled in ESL and tutorial classes in the province; a significant number of these students are also interested in golf.
He said the ground-breaking ceremonies for the golf and language school is slated in February next year. The soft opening will follow in December to coincide with the opening of its five-star hotel and resort.
Park added while the language school will cater mainly to Koreans, other nationalities who are interested to enhance their English proficiency are also welcome.
He said he hopes the school will attract 100 students at the start of operations.
For the golf course development, Park said the company will tap the services of Arnold Palmer, a well-known golf course designer in the United States.
He said he will invite Korean professional golfers to train golf enthusiasts in the province.
Bruce Chiongbian, president of Joil UBF Corp., which is Phil BXT’s local counterpart, said the latter is planning to expand the Cordova project to a 100-hectare property called the Retirement Homes Enclaves and Golf Community.
Chiongbian said the development will be done in phases where phase 1 is allotted for the golf and language academy, while phase 2 is a retirement village.
“The expansion will depend on the demand, the land, and government support,” Park said.
He added that the company will spend an estimated US$25 million to develop an integrated leisure, educational, and retirement facility.
Park is optimistic the whole project will draw more Korean tourists to Cebu, as well as generate an increase in employment for the province. (MMM)
