CREBA PILLAR AWARDS
By Mike Baños
In celebration of its 50th Founding Anniversary this year, CREBA recognized the Best of the Best in Philippine Real Estate & Housing Development through the prestigious CREBA PILLAR AWARDS on September 28, 2023 at the Conrad Hotel Manila during the Gala Night of the CREBA Golden Jubilee National Convention and Housing Expo.
Dubbed “The Search for the Developers of the Decade,” awardees were selected from NCR, North and Central Luzon, Southern Tagalog, Visayas and Mindanao.
The symbolism which the Pillar connotes applies squarely to the outstanding developers who are considered pillars in the art of not only building homes and communities, but in building a strong nation that breeds the fruition of dreams of families for generations.
The Awards covered various project types, company size and project market groups to ensure inclusivity, while underscoring each project’s outstanding social impact, innovation, sustainability, adaptation and financial success that take into account the over-all public good in a manner that best reflects CREBA’s philosophy and its vision of “A Home for every Filipino.”
Two real estate developers from Cagayan de Oro’s Uptown District were recognized as the Developers of the Decade for Mindanao during CREBA’s Golden Legacy 50th Anniversary celebration program.
Italpinas Development Corporation (IDC) bagged two of three Best of the Best Developers CREBA awarded to Mindanao developers with Primavera City (Vertical Residential Mid to Upper Market Category – Mindanao) and Verona Green Residences by IDC Homes (Horizontal Residential Economic Housing Category – Mindanao) with Pueblo de Oro Development Corporation (PDO) being similarly cited in the Mixed-Use Township Category-Mindanao.
Primavera City is one of the pioneer locators of the Pueblo Business Park, while Verona Green Residences is situated in Upper Balulang. All three developments are situated in Uptown Cagayan de Oro, the fastest growing district of Cagayan de Oro City in the past decade.
Pres & COO Prim Nolido (center) & VP-Mindanao-PDO Township GM Chrysler Acebu receive the award on behalf of Pueblo de Oro.
“We are honored to be acknowledged by CREBA as one of the pillars of growth in transforming Mindanao, contributing to the region’s economic growth through our ventures in property development,” said Prim Nolido, President and COO of Pueblo de Oro. “As the region expands , the demand for safe and affordable housing has become more pronounced and we at Pueblo de Oro Devt. Corporation, the property subsidiary arm of the ICCP Group, anticipate this growing demand.”
Nolido said PDO made the strategic decision to invest significantly in Cagayan de Oro when Chairman and CEO, Guillermo D. Luchangco foresaw the city’s potential for global competitiveness as early as the 1990s.
COO Giuseppe Garofalo & VP-Sales Gladys Echano receive the award for IDC.
“This forward-thinking approach led to the establishment of the sprawling 400-hectare Pueblo de Oro Township, marking a pivotal moment in the city’s real estate landscape,” he noted.
To bolster Chairman Luchangco’s vision of transforming Cagayan de Oro as a thriving metropolis and propel the region as the international gateway of Mindanao, Nolido disclosed PDO is gearing up its expansion plans which involve an estimated investment of around P13.5-Billion in new projects within the city as the company’s unwavering commitment to the city’s prosperity.
CREBA at 50
“In celebrating the 50th anniversary of its founding, the Chamber of Real Estate and Builders’ Associations Inc (CREBA) is granting special recognition to real estate developers who have demonstrated meritorious service and achieved distinction in the industry in the last ten years,” said Nathaniel “Dinky” von Einsiedel Ph.D., Past President of CREBA, and Chairman of the CREBA Developer of the Decade Awards 2023 Committee in a post on the CREBA website.
“The CREBA Developer of the Decade Award is an exemplary mark of excellence that celebrates the highest level of achievement in real estate development,” he added.
Vital Role of Developers
Dr. Einsiedel cited how the Awards were based on how real estate developers play an important role in shaping the built environment and influencing the way people live, work, and play.
“They are involved in the planning, design, and construction of residential, commercial, industrial and leisure properties. They create new housing and commercial developments, which have a significant impact on local economies, as they bring jobs, taxes, and new businesses to the area,” he noted.
“Having a hand in how land is used and what types of development are constructed in an area, real estate developers can have both positive and negative impacts on society, depending on the specific development and how it is executed. Real estate development projects have long-term effects and the potential to create sustainable, livable, and resilient communities that benefit everyone.”
Going Green
“It is with great pride that Verona Green Residences has been honored as the best in the Horizontal Residential Economic Housing Category in Mindanao, while Primavera City has been recognized as the best in the Vertical Residential Mid to Upper Market Category in Mindanao. These two prestigious awards hold immense significance, as they highlight the exceptional quality and innovation that our projects bring to the real estate industry,” said Ar. Romolo V. Nati, CEO of Italpinas Development Corporation.
“Being the largest real estate organization in the country, being recognized by CREBA is a testament to our unwavering commitment to excellence,” he noted.
“As the 1st EDGE certified developer in the country and true green builder, we knew we had the potential to win the award, but competition was tough, as we heard big names of developers who were way more experienced than us. We were elated when the judges explained to us that at first they were debating to give a second award, but they felt that our projects deserved the recognition, and for this we are truly grateful to CREBA,” said Gladys Echano, IDC Vice President for Sales.
More than a Township
“The recognition given to us by CREBA is so special as it’s given on the occasion of its golden anniversary. I would say it is providential, because our company – Pueblo de Oro Development Corporation, the Oro there means gold,” said Engr. Chrysler B. Acebu, PDO General Manager and Vice President for Mindanao in response to CREBA’s citation of Pueblo de Oro as the Best of the Best Developer of the Decade in the Mixed-Use Township Category-Mindanao.
“On behalf of Pueblo de Oro Development Corporation and the ICCP Group, I would like to express our profound gratitude to the CREBA National leadership and the Awards Committee for recognizing the beauty of our township project,” Acebu said.
“The award is not only for PDO, but for Cagayan de Oro and its people who have received us warmly and is indeed a city of golden friendship and opportunities. Rest assured, that the award will go a long way in terms of inspiring us to do more for our customers, while striking a balance between development and care for our common home – the Earth,” he added.
The CREBA 2023 Pillar Awards was one of the salient events of the 𝗖𝗥𝗘𝗕𝗔 𝗡𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 & 𝗛𝗼𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗘𝘅𝗽𝗼 will be on 𝗦𝗲𝗽𝘁𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝟮𝟲 𝘁𝗼 𝟮𝟴, 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟯 at the 𝗦𝗠𝗫 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗛𝗮𝗹𝗹.
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