We just observed the “Araw ng mga Mangagawa” (Labor Day) last May 1 in honor of the country’s labor force. For Italpinas Development Corporation (IDC), the recent Labor Day commemoration has become doubly meaningful as we are celebrating the company’s 15th anniversary this year. So, in this column, I would like to pay tribute to the people who are working quietly in the background as they play a pivotal role in the success of our business. In the grand arena of real estate development, where architects, investors, and designers take center stage, there exists a group of unsung heroes—our construction workers. They toil away with their sweat, arduous work, and determination that make every designer’s vision come to life. These people, who rarely grace award ceremonies or are given the spotlights—are the backbone of our every building project. At IDC, we see them as the “silent supporters” that give form to our designs one brick at a time. Their dedication and expertise echo through the company’s eco-friendly structures, which rise not only as monuments of sustainability but also as testaments to their craftsmanship and perseverance.  Architect Romolo Nati with IDC contractors working at the constuction of the Primavera City in Cagayan De Oro. In my interactions with them, I found out that many of the workers are from the countryside who went to work in the big cities to provide for their families back home. Beyond their immeasurable contribution to the real estate business, I recognize that, out of necessity, these workers are willing to sacrifice aspects of their personal lives—all for the sake of their loved ones. They demonstrate a willingness to take risks and frequently encounter occupational hazards and varying environmental conditions, regardless of weather. This underscores why the government, real estate developers, and industry professionals should acknowledge their vital role. Ensuring that all workers are treated fairly, paid in accordance with the law, and have their rights recognized is essential—one of the best ways to honor their dedication. Recently, President Marcos has ordered a review of the daily minimum wage rates nationwide. It currently stands at P610.00 in the National Capital Region (NCR) for workers in the non-agriculture sector. The move hopes to establish a regular and predictable schedule of wage reviews, which could benefit both workers and businesses by reducing uncertainty and promoting fairness.  Understanding the intricate balance between economic growth and social equity, I appreciate the government’s initiative to reassess wage structures in the light of inflation and the current economic climate. Supporting the review of the minimum wage rates is our way of recognizing the contribution of our workers to the success of their businesses as well as the labor force’s contribution to nation-building. Simultaneously, there has been a proposal in the Senate for a P100-peso legislated daily minimum wage increase for workers in the private sector through Senate Bill No. 2534. Already approved on Third and Final Reading, it is now awaiting the version of the House of Representatives so both measures can be tackled at the Bicameral Conference Committee level. The review ordered by President Marcos is a forward-looking measure that could lead to more systematic and equitable wage adjustments while the Senate’s push for a legislated increase underscores the immediate need for action. A wage hike adjustment- whether through legislation or the Wage Boards, is a welcome development that would ensure the well-being of the workforce.  The role of the workers in the real estate industry will even be more significant in the years to come as the construction industry in the Philippines is projected to register an annual average growth rate of 7.1% between 2025 and 2028, according to Research & Markets. On the other hand, the UK-based Oxford Economics and Aon Global Construction and Infrastructure foresees the country to be among the fastest-growing construction markets over the next 15 years globally. In a report, the think tank group said the Philippines is expected to lead the other ASEAN market economies with an average annual construction growth rate of over six percent, which is similar to the projection made by Research & Markets. Factors for this unprecedented development, the report said, include a growing working-age population, favorable investment climate, and government focus on infrastructure projects.  As we look forward to exciting months and years ahead, let us make sure that no one in our sector is left behind. At Italpinas, we are committed to providing more opportunities and recognition for our workforce as the company continues to grow.  In our 15th year, IDC continues to advance green architecture in the Philippines, we reaffirm our pledge to uphold the dignity of labor and foster an environment where every worker can thrive.  I would like to invite you to Like, Follow, and Share my online spaces and content on Facebook and LinkedIn (Architect Romolo V. Nati), and on Twitter (@romolonati).

Hope keeps everything afloat. Optimism keeps us on track. Indeed, there is much to hope for and be optimistic about as the 2024 unfolds.  For one, the Philippines, according to the Department of Finance (DOF) will “defy the expected global economic slowdown and grow faster than its peers in the Asian region” as it has proven its resilience in 2023. The upbeat outlook this year, which is also shared by various economic think tanks and multilateral institutions, solidifies the country’s position as one of the region’s fastest-growing economies.  The Marcos economic team assumed a growth rate of between 6.5 percent and 7.5 percent this year—not far from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) forecast of a 6.2 percent Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth for 2024, and the International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) 6.0 percent GDP growth forecast. IDC President and Chief Compliance Officer Jojo Leviste (right) and Chairman and CEO Romolo V. Nati (left) The country’s premier business organization, the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) welcomed this development and added its voice of confidence on the country’s ability to achieve new milestones as it continues to rise from the COVID-19 pandemic. Newly elected PCCI president Enunina Mangio said “the growth will be driven by resilience and domestic consumption, increase in government spending on infrastructure projects, and a gradual recovery in some sectors.” Zeroing in on the property sector, global real estate services firm Colliers is optimistic that sustained macroeconomic growth and implementation of sound economic policies are likely to support the sector’s faster pace of recovery beyond 2024. Likewise, a report by the Asia Property Awards said industry insiders are predicting a promising outlook for the sector, citing robust economic growth, sustained demand for properties, and the government’s commitment to infrastructure development. The experts anticipate increased property values, improved housing supply, and a rise in commercial real estate projects.  With this bullish outlook, we at Italpinas Development Corp. (IDC) have all the reasons to be excited, hopeful and yes, optimistic. After all, the company is celebrating a big milestone—its 15th year in the business. It only seems like yesterday when Atty. Jojo Leviste and I decided to combine our passion and establish IDC with a mission to transform the Philippine landscape with green buildings that are not only eco-friendly but also sustainable, resilient, beautiful, and enriching for everyday life. The publication of this column is very timely since today is 15th birthday of Italpinas. I can still vividly recall those moments on January 26, 2009 when our company was incorporated and registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) as Italpinas Euroasian Design and Development Corp. as a real estate development company that focuses on sustainable properties in emerging cities in the Philippines (later, the SEC approved the company’s change in corporate name to IDC on July 15, 2015). Fifteen years later, we have branched out of Northern Mindanao into Southern Luzon and soon to establish our presence in Bataan in Central Luzon with a forthcoming project. Italpinas now also prides itself of its top-notch team composed of 130 personnel. Furthermore, IDC continues to expand with our target to scale up the company, become a leader in the sustainable real estate development industry in the Philippines, and be a role model for other Asian countries. We have built 1,400 units equivalent to around 80,000 square meters with our current property development projects in CDO and Santo Tomas in Batangas. In the next three to five years, we are constructing 5,000 more units that would give us a total of 300,000 square meters of developed space. This projection includes our projects that are already in the pipeline and would further increase should there be more ventures to be undertaken in the years ahead. As I look back, the last 15 years was not an easy ride but fulfilling, both on personal and professional levels. As an Italian coming to the Philippines, I am thankful for the opportunities that fate presented to me, and for finding the right people to work with and trusted that together, we can offer something new to the Philippine real estate market and the Filipino consumers. Today, we have multi-awarded and globally recognized developments in the country.  We did not seek these awards, of course. All we did, as I have previously written, was to follow our True North and the universe has rewarded us. The IDC family is grateful beyond words.  Last year alone, our company has received a dozen local and international awards for our various projects, including the Asia Property Awards 2023-2024 for our Verona Green Residences as the Best Mixed-Use Development in the Philippines, a recognition for IDC as one of the few EDGE Champions by the World Bank-International Finance Corp. (IFC), and the Chamber of Real Estate and Builders’ Association’s (CREBA) Best Developer Awards for both horizontal and vertical residential mid-market categories. On top of that, getting the Ital-Pinoy of the Year award from the Italian Chamber of Commerce in the Philippines Inc. (ICCPI) was also a tremendous honor that I was not expecting.  This 2024, as IDC celebrates its Crystal anniversary, we look forward to many years of fruitful collaboration with our stakeholders. We also take this opportunity to reaffirm our commitment to provide unique, innovative, sustainable, and safe real estate products that satisfy and exceed the expectations of our customers, business partners and stockholders. I have a lot of stories to tell you in the coming days as we celebrate our 15th anniversary. Stay tuned!

I n my previous column, we explored the concept of biophilia, or “love of nature” as an inspiration in designing modern buildings.  Design that brings the built environment closer to nature has been a guiding principle behind Italpinas Development Corp (IDC). In our buildings, primary importance is given to natural air and light in every space. We take pride in applying great precision and forethought in how we design the interplay of sunlight and ventilation.  My article also correlated biophilia with mental health, expounding on how “biophilic” design enhances the connection between humans and the natural environment, and how it provides numerous benefits for health, wellbeing, and sustainability. Another guiding principle behind IDC’s work is biomimicry. What is the difference between biophilia and biomimicry? Biophilia is an emphasis on the occupant’s need for nature, and the assurance of closeness to nature through views, spaciousness, ventilation, and light. Biomimicry, on the other hand, is when the physical form of the building itself mimics physical forms found somewhere in nature.  It’s a bird, it’s a plane We can see examples of this throughout the engineering world. It is no coincidence that airplanes are shaped like a bird with its wings extended to their maximum span. Their function, after all, is similar: achieving stability in long-distance flight.  It is also no coincidence that the texture of Velcro feels like the barbs of a prickly plant. Their function, after all, is also similar: to adhere, whether as a fastener for man-made clothing, or merely as a sticky bur, which sticks to a passing animal and travels a distance before taking root elsewhere, furthering that species’ range of coverage. Though it may seem strange at first to place all these examples under the same theme of biomimicry, it is only their size and scale that differ wildly, from a tiny flowering plant to an enormous aircraft. The thing that they all have in common, however, is that their mechanical function was inspired by a similar mechanical function in nature.  Such mechanical functions in nature can inspire architects and designers because the natural functions have their very own physical architecture and design that are the products of thousands of years of evolution and natural selection. In the natural world, there are endless examples of specialization that have resulted from this process that is as old as time. When we lengthen our historical memory by orders of magnitude, we can begin to see nature as the consummate designer, which is both deliberate, and also tested repeatedly by the replication of generations over thousands of years. Why else is the shape of a nautilus shell so structurally robust, given the delicacy of the actual material that it is made of?  Primavera Residences In Italpinas, we apply these principles of biomimicry to our designs — past, present, and future. An example of this is our award-winning building in Cagayan de Oro, Primavera Residences. In spite of its sleek and contemporary style, this building actually has a passive mechanical function for the natural ventilation, which took inspiration from a termite mound. Termite mounds are literal hives of activity. Temperature control and ventilation are essential to the organisms within. They are also relatively large structures to their inhabiting organism, towering over the actual size of an ant or termite, in the same way that contemporary buildings tower over the size of its human inhabitants. One key feature that termite mounds have evolved over the millennia is a hollow structure that allows warm air to rise through it and exit from the top, creating sufficient negative pressure inside so that fresh air can enter through its porous walls.  In the case of Primavera Residences, each of the two buildings in this project has a central atrium, which allows warm air to rise naturally through the building. This enables each unit along its outer structure to draw fresh air in from the outdoors. This is called “passive” efficiency because no electricity is being used to give this effect. It is quietly ongoing 24 hours a day, fueled only by the natural tendency of warm air to rise upward. Although subtle and enforced only by the thoughtful design of the structure, this design feature has the effect of lessening each unit’s reliance on artificial air conditioning, improving the biophilic profile of each unit. Termite mounds are humble things, but they achieve elegant and profound solutions through their natural design. As our building was inspired by the same objective of natural ventilation, and similar mechanical functions, this is again an example of biomimicry at work.  Miramonti Green Residences Another example of biomimicry in architectural design is our Miramonti Green Residences, the new condominium community that we are currently building in Santo Tomas, Batangas. The shape of this building is inspired by the shape of tubular corals. This is not only a nod to the unparalleled marine biodiversity of the nearby Batangas shoreline, but also a mechanical design perfected by nature for structural rigidity. As each specimen of coral is built by tiny organisms, the result is a shape built up organically over time, which has undergone millenia of trial and error in order to achieve an optimum structure for durability. We took inspiration from this when designing the Miramonti Project, which currently features one tower, and is designed to be completed with three of them, like a majestic specimen of coral on a Philippine reef. In the case of the Miramonti buildings, their shape also facilitated the same natural ventilation that we achieved with the Primavera Residences project, as warmer air rises through the building, to be replaced laterally by fresh air from outside each unit.   With our team of engineers and architects in Batangas led by MJ Abillan, lead architect; and Melvin Ibabao, our construction manager, I am confident that Miramonti will be a world-class design and a landmark in the southern Tagalog region.  Verona Residences  In Cagayan de Oro City, IDC Homes’ award-winning Verona Residences, located in uptown CDO, is sold out. We are happy to announce that its successor will be built, this time in the Gusa area of downtown CDO. This new walk-up development will be tailored to different placements, different lifestyles, and different pricing to suit the budget of the consumers.  As already announced, it will be a 43,198-square-meter development which will entail an investment of P2.38 billion. These new developments will again be inspired and enhanced by biophilia and biomimicry, not just for aesthetics but for the enhancement of natural ventilation, lighting, and noise-pollution filters. We have also allotted more than 60-percent of the total buildable land area to green, public spaces and amenities such as swimming pool, park, playground, public transport parking, and sports court.  Biophilia and biomimicry are two different approaches to architecture that take inspiration from nature. They share a common goal of creating sustainable, healthy, and green environments. By applying both in our projects, we can create buildings that are not only beautiful and functional but also sustainable and resilient. I would like to invite you to Like, Follow and Share my online spaces and content on Facebook and LinkedIn (Architect Romolo V. Nati) and on X (@romolonati).

Let me start this piece by extending my warmest congratulations to the Chamber of Real Estate and Builders Association (CREBA), the country’s premier property developers’ organization on its golden anniversary. CREBA has come a long way since its founding in 1973 as a small group of business and trade associations in the real estate industry. Today, it is the recognized umbrella organization of over 4,000 firms, individuals, and associations that are involved in land and housing, construction, allied industries, and various professional fields of discipline. Italpinas Development Corp. accepts the award as Best of the Best Developer for Primavera City (Vertical Residential Mid to Upper Market Category – Mindanao) and Verona Green Residences by IDC Homes (Horizontal Residential Economic Housing Category – Mindanao) from the recently concluded CREBA 50th founding anniversary. On the stage from (L-R) CREBA vice chairman Jerry Navarette, IDC National Sales director Gladys Enchano, IDC COO Guiseppe Garofalo, Awards chairman Dr. Nathaniel von Einsidel and CREBA National president Noel Toti Cariño. Italpinas Development Corp. (IDC) is a proud member of CREBA, and I join the rest of the community in celebrating this milestone: 50 colorful years of providing homes. At the same time, we in Italpinas are humbled by the recognition we received as one of the two real estate developers who were named as this year’s “Developers of the Decade” for Mindanao at the recent CREBA Pillar Awards during its Golden Legacy 50th anniversary celebration at the Conrad Hotel in Pasay City. That night, we took home two of the three CREBA Pillar Awards. Our Verona Green Residences has been honored as the Best in the Horizontal Residential Economic Housing Category in Mindanao while Primavera City was recognized as the Best in the Vertical Residential Mid to Upper Market Category in Mindanao. Both projects are in Cagayan de Oro City (CDO). These two prestigious awards hold immense significance as they highlight the exceptional quality and innovation that our projects bring to the real estate industry. CREBA is the largest real estate organization in the country and being recognized by the organization is a testament to our unwavering commitment to excellence. During the 50th anniversary celebration, the CREBA community looked at the past and marveled at how the country’s real estate landscape has vastly changed for the better. In its golden year, the organization and its members share the government’s optimism of better days ahead as the nation recovers from the COVID-19 pandemic that crippled many economies around the world. As a green advocate property developer that traced its beginnings in Mindanao, IDC as well has begun to expand its wings. After Northern Mindanao, we branched out in Luzon with our project in Santo Tomas. Italpinas is excited to explore the rest of the country for possible opportunities where we can be of service to the Filipino people. We are establishing our presence now in Central Luzon with the signing of a business agreement with Finca Montero Resources Inc. to develop its 23,272-square-meter property in Morong, Bataan into a mixed-use project. I can’t wait to see it come to life a few years from now. From building sustainable mixed use community development projects in Mindanao and Luzon, we also recently ventured in the tourism and hospitality business. Our partner, Ascott Ltd. has officially announced our collaboration: “We’re expanding horizons in the Philippines with the signing of two new properties in the high-growth areas of Batangas and Cagayan de Oro.” “Both located in key industrial and business hubs, Citadines Miramonti Santo Tomas Batangas and Citadines Primavera Cagayan de Oro are set to be a part of prime mixed-use developments that will also include residential, office and retail components. Collectively, both properties are planned to add a total of 380 units to The Ascott Limited’s portfolio in the Philippines with their concurrent openings in 2028,” Ascott also said. I promised in my previous column that more details will be provided on this particular investment, which is expected to generate jobs and boost the Philippine tourism and hospitality industry. I am excited to share with you some of the highlights of this undertaking. Ascott will provide technical advisory services during the construction phase to ensure that the development will be in accordance with the Ascott standards worldwide.  Upon completion, Ascott will then operate the project as a serviced residence under the Citadines brand. Our Citadines development projects with Ascott will provide much-needed accommodation for business and leisure travelers in the Philippines. (For those who are not familiar, Citadines is Ascott’s brand of serviced residences for business and leisure travelers. It offers fully furnished homes in the city with fully equipped kitchens, living and dining areas, and private bathrooms. Citadines also offers a variety of on-site amenities, including a business center, fitness center, and swimming pool). As a green, design-driven real estate development that is in the market for 14 years, IDC is committed and prepared to deliver environment-friendly, sustainable, and elegantly designed global serviced residences to the Philippines. Hopefully, the partnership with Ascott is just the beginning. * I would like to invite you to Like, Follow and Share my online spaces and content on Facebook and LinkedIn (Architect Romolo V. Nati) and on X (@romolonati).

In a remarkable testament to its unwavering commitment to innovation and sustainability in the real estate industry, Italpinas Development Corporation, a renowned Philippine property developer, has clinched the coveted “Best Developer” awards for both of its developments, The recognition, presented by a prestigious industry body, underscores Italpinas’ outstanding contributions to the country’s real estate landscape. IDC Homes is a wholly-owned subsidiary of IDC ( Italpinas Development Corporation ), a publicly listed and multi-awarded company engaged in the design and development of green buildings in the Philippines, received the Best of the Best Developers for Horizontal Residential Economic Housing Category – Mindanao for its Verona Green Residences in Cagayan de Oro City. Primavera City by Italpinas Development Corporation was also honored with the Best of the Best Developers for Vertical Residential Mid to Upper Market Category – Mindanao.  The announcement was made during a glittering awards ceremony attended by industry leaders, dignitaries, and key stakeholders at the Conrad Hotel Manila last September 28, 2023 Italpinas Development Corporation has earned widespread acclaim for its pioneering efforts in creating environmentally conscious and sustainable communities. Founded by Architect Romolo Nati and Atty. Jose D. Leviste III, Italpinas has consistently pushed the boundaries of eco-friendly architecture, leaving an indelible mark on the nation’s real estate sector. The awards recognized Italpinas’ exemplary projects that seamlessly blend modern design with sustainable technologies. Their developments incorporate passive green features that reduce energy consumption, making them not only aesthetically appealing but also environmentally responsible. Italpinas’ impressive portfolio includes iconic projects such as Primavera Residences in Cagayan de Oro and Miramonti Green Residences in Sto. Tomas, Batangas. These projects stand as vivid testaments to the company’s commitment to creating urban spaces that promote sustainability, energy efficiency, and community engagement. Architect Romolo Nati, the CEO of Italpinas Development Corporation, expressed his gratitude for the recognition. “We are honored to receive this esteemed award. It serves as a testament to our dedication to reshaping the real estate landscape in the Philippines. Italpinas will continue to innovate and strive for excellence in sustainable development.” As Italpinas continues to lead the way in sustainable real estate development, the awards mark a significant milestone in the company’s journey. With their forward-thinking approach and emphasis on environmental consciousness, Italpinas is poised to shape the future of the Philippine real estate industry. The recognition not only acknowledges Italpinas’ exceptional accomplishments but also reinforces the importance of sustainable development in the Philippines. It serves as a reminder to the industry that creating eco-friendly, resilient communities is not just a choice but an imperative for a brighter and more sustainable future. Nathanial von Einsiedel, the former Creba President and real estate builder, emphasized that these individuals are not only significant for their contributions to the industry but are also essential creators of communities. These communities offer safe, sustainable, and resilient environments where families can raise their children and lead productive lives. Italpinas’ impressive portfolio includes iconic projects such as Primavera Residences in Cagayan de Oro and Miramonti Green Residences in Sto. Tomas, Batangas. These projects stand as vivid testaments to the company’s commitment to creating urban spaces that promote sustainability, energy efficiency, and community engagement. Architect Romolo Nati, the CEO of Italpinas Development Corporation, expressed his gratitude for the recognition. “We are honored to receive this esteemed award. It serves as a testament to our dedication to reshaping the real estate landscape in the Philippines. Italpinas will continue to innovate and strive for excellence in sustainable development.”

In a world where innovation is the key to success, the real estate industry has seen a remarkable shift towards mixed-use developments that seamlessly blend residential, commercial, and recreational spaces. The Philippines, known for its vibrant culture and thriving economy, has recently witnessed a groundbreaking milestone in the realm of mixed-use developments. Italpinas Development Corporation has been named the Philippines Most Innovative Mixed-Use Developer by the Global Business Outlook for the year 2023.  This recognition highlights the exceptional achievements and groundbreaking approach of IDC ™ in redefining urban living in the Philippines. The Rise of Mixed-Use Developments Mixed-use developments have emerged as a response to the changing needs and preferences of modern urban dwellers. Gone are the days when people were content with living in suburban areas far from the bustling city centers. Today, individuals seek integrated communities that offer convenience, accessibility, and a high quality of life. This paradigm shift has given rise to innovative projects like IDC ™ that provide a diverse range of amenities within a single space. The IDC ™ Difference What sets IDC apart from traditional developments is its holistic approach to urban planning. Rather than simply constructing buildings, IDC ™ curates an entire ecosystem within its mixed-use developments. This approach involves meticulously designing spaces to cater to residents’ and tenants’ needs, fostering a sense of community, and promoting sustainability. Key Features of IDC ™ Mixed-Use Developments Residential Excellence. IDC ™ offers a variety of residential options, from luxurious apartments to stylish condominiums. These living spaces are not only well-designed but are also integrated with essential amenities such as parks, gyms, and recreational facilities. Sustainable Initiatives. IDC ™ is committed to environmentally responsible practices. From green building designs to energy-efficient systems, sustainability is a cornerstone of their developments, aligning with global efforts to combat climate change. Community Building.  IDC ™ prioritizes community development by organizing events, cultural activities, and fostering a sense of belonging among residents. These efforts create a vibrant and harmonious living environment. The award-winning Italpinas Development Corporation (IDC™ ) has emerged as a beacon of innovation in the Philippines’ real estate landscape. By offering integrated, sustainable, and community-focused mixed-use developments, IDC™  has rightfully earned the title of  PHL’s Most Innovative Mixed-Use Developer by the Global Business Outlook for 2023. As the demand for such developments continues to rise, IDC™  success story serves as a testament to the power of visionary urban planning and commitment to redefining urban living for the better.

T hrough this space, I would like to thank the Philippine Stock Exchange for inviting me to speak at the recent virtual PSE Strengthening and Reach (PSE STAR): Investor Day. To represent ItalPinas Development Corp. (IDC) and to be speaking alongside the executives of top local companies such as Ayala Corp., San Miguel Corp. and DMCI Homes, was indeed an honor.Through this space, I would like to thank the Philippine Stock Exchange for inviting me to speak at the recent virtual PSE Strengthening and Reach (PSE STAR): Investor Day. To represent ItalPinas Development Corp. (IDC) and to be speaking alongside the executives of top local companies such as Ayala Corp., San Miguel Corp. and DMCI Homes, was indeed an honor. The two-day gathering provided publicly listed companies (PLCs) such as ours a great platform to share key business information about us and reach out to the prospective investors, the companies belonging to different industries, and to the media. While preparing my presentation for the event, I was able to look back at the early years of our business here in the Philippines and got a clearer picture of where our True North is taking us, moving forward. It was nostalgic and I was enveloped with gratitude. From a startup company in 2009 when Atty. Jojo Leviste III and I founded the company, to our PSE debut in 2015 that opened the door to unparalleled opportunities for an up-and-coming firm focusing on the hyper-prospective secondary and tertiary cities in the Philippines, and to becoming one of the country’s established green real estate developers with a captured market and still expanding — what a journey it has been! Fueled by our vision to design and build living spaces where human development is balanced with the environment, we offered something new to the Philippine real estate market. It was a bliss to see this vision bloom through the years. I shared with the participants our 14-year IDC journey that started in Northern Mindanao with the Primavera Residences inspired by the Filipino hut “Bahay Kubo.” We then ventured in Luzon with Miramonti Green Residences, a two-phase master-planned development in Batangas province. The name itself, “Miramonti,” an Italian word meaning “mountain views,” encapsulates the essence of the project’s design and inspiration. Primavera Residences A few years after that, we introduced an even bigger master-planned development which is the Primavera City. This latest undertaking employs bioclimatic features that maximize natural lighting and natural ventilation all throughout its four towers, namely Città Verde, Città Bella, Città Grande, and Città Alta. And very recently, we launched the Verona Green Residences in Uptown Cagayan de Oro City which has become a showcase of “sustainability and affordability.” I am proud that all our projects have received local and global recognitions, including the much-coveted Asia Pacific Property Awards. Furthermore, all the projects’ notable energy savings, water savings, and energy-embedded materials savings are certified by the World Bank’s EDGE Certification making IDC as one of the few EDGE Champions worldwide. The overall mood during the PSE event was positive and the speakers, myself included, are optimistic that the prospects for the Philippines are particularly good, with the economic indicators pointing to the country’s steady recovery and growth in the post-pandemic era. What more, Southeast Asia—with a combined gross domestic product (GDP) of approximately $3.7 trillion with over 670 million people in population size—is expected to become the fourth largest economy in the world within the decade. At present, ASEAN is the third largest economy in Asia and the fifth largest in the world after the US, China, Japan, and Germany. Italpinas and its subsidiaries themselves are recovering from the adverse effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Reporting highlights of our financial performance at the PSE event, I told the attendees that our income has improved, driven by higher units sold across projects in 2022 and early part of this year. We are looking at sustained recovery, banking on our strategy that is centered around carefully selecting project locations, including untapped markets, with significant growth prospects and demographic suitability. For the medium-term, I announced at the PSE STAR Investor Day that IDC has entered into four major business agreements with international and local partners—two management agreements with Ascott Ltd.; and two separate joint venture agreements with Finca Montero Resources Inc., and Mindanao-based businessman Gonzalo Go. With Ascott, we are bringing the Citadines brand to Sto. Tomas City in Batangas and to CDO through our Miramonti and Primavera City projects, respectively, where they will manage a certain number of units as serviced apartments. Under our venture with Finca Montero Resources Inc., Italpinas is set to transform the latter’s 2.3-hectare land located in Morong, Bataan into a mixed use Green Development Project with leisure, commercial, and residential components while our project with Mr. Go involves the development of his 4.3-hectare land in the Gusa area of CDO into an eco-friendly commercial and residential complex. This is our second project together and we are excited to commence. I will talk about the specifics of these projects in my future columns. But for now, let me just say that these are exciting times, not only for us at Italpinas but for the entire sector as well. We have all survived the pandemic. Philippine society is now geared toward steady economic recovery and growth. We are grateful to the government for its continued support to make this country an investment haven for both local and foreign businesses. With the private sector and the government working side-by-side, the big winner will ultimately be the Filipino people, many of whom are still struggling. Together, we will not only survive but we will thrive. I would like to invite you to Like, Follow and Share my online spaces and content on Facebook and LinkedIn (Architect Romolo V. Nati) and on X (@romolonati).

A ge should never be a hindrance to one’s development. To keep on evolving, it is necessary that we continue to learn, explore new horizons, and go beyond our comfort zones to maximize our potential. “When you stop learning, you stop growing,” as the saying goes. And this should be applied in all aspects of our lives. This includes “continuing education” in your chosen profession if we want to elevate our craft. And in my case, it is the world of architecture and design. I have always been curious and loved to experiment, trying something new to put added value in the projects I was doing. This passion for learning, combined with my #alignmentwithnature advocacy, brought us to establishing, together with my business partner Atty. Jojo Leviste, our company Italpinas Development Corp. (IDC) in the Philippines. For more than a decade now, our team has consistently provided our clients and stakeholders with unique, innovative, sustainable, and safe real estate products that satisfy and exceed their expectations. AI generated architectural design images produced by the Midjourney app with “prompts” from the author and his fellow architect friends. Excited to provide the market with something new, I have been studying the latest innovation in Artificial Intelligence (AI) that is being talked about in many industries now. I am referring to Generative AI, a category of artificial intelligence algorithms that generate new outputs based on the data they have been trained on. The Harvard Business Review magazine agrees that “Generative AI has potential applications across a wide range of industries, including art, writing, software development, product design, healthcare, finance, gaming, marketing, and fashion.” Particularly interesting is how we can fully utilize and maximize the potentials of Generative AI in the field of architecture, especially in promoting sustainable designs by developing projects, in accordance with nature. And one may ask, why the specific interest? Well, aside from it being the core of our business, there is a report by the United Nations’ Department of Economic and Social Affairs last May forecasting that two-thirds of the world’s population will be living in cities by 2050. There will be a surge in urbanization, mostly in developing countries like the Philippines. Key cities in the country, especially in Metro Manila, are already congested as it is. We need to prepare for this rise of mega towns and cities, and we should be ready to provide for the needs of our people. The power of these new Generative AI tools will play a key role on how architects and builders design the future. Image generation software, also known as text-to-image software, has the potential to revolutionize the field of architecture and concept designing. This technology allows architects to create visual representations of their concepts quickly and easily without the need for extensive manual effort of modeling or rendering. While this software is new and continually evolving by the day, it can help architects explore concepts a lot more easily. This is revolutionary as it is making the creative process more intuitive and accessible. Architects now have a powerful tool in their hands that must be used wisely. Through the help of Generative AI tools, more sustainable structures and cities will be designed and built. More than ever, we have a wonderful opportunity to create a new “Renaissance” where human beings live in harmony with the environment as enhanced by AI technology. To set this in motion in IDC, I have been personally working with Italy-based friends Architects Stefano Tesoni and Giacomo Sanna, who share the same passion for design and sustainability with Generative AI. Using Midjourney , an AI program that generates images from natural language descriptions called “prompts,” our goal is to create a new architecture that cannot be set apart from the natural environment. Instead, it becomes a natural environment itself. We were totally floored by the result of our initial output. It is quite unique, and I am happy to share the images with you in this space. There is still a long way to go. The journey may take years, but we have taken the first step to embrace the innovative technology. With the new tools made available to us, it is quite certain that the future of design and property development may no longer be the result of human efforts alone but a symbiosis between computers and humans. New shapes, new forms, new proportions will be created. The only constant in the world is change. As it was, and so shall it be. Embracing it is the way to thrive and become better. I would like to invite you to Like, Follow and Share my online spaces and content on Facebook and LinkedIn (Architect Romolo V. Nati) and on X (@romolonati).

It is a given. Italian architecture is rich in history and has, in fact, influenced many architectural styles around the world. Some of the most iconic Italian architectural movements include Roman classic architecture, Baroque, Gothic, Renaissance, Neoclassical, and — of course — Modern and Contemporary. To this day, Italian builders have continued to make significant contributions to the field of architecture. And one of the designs that continue to trend not just in Europe but all over the world is building green and sustainable developments that are inspired by nature. As the world becomes more aware of the environmental degradation and climate change caused by human activities, the real estate and construction sectors are becoming more conscious of their impact as they continue to create new structures for their clients and end-users. Harmony with nature Since we established our company, I have been advocating for harmony with nature. I am glad that the Italian Chamber of Commerce in the Philippines (ICCPI) and its partners are giving us a venue to expound more on Italian designs and other related topics. I believe that this will inspire our local designers, builders, and developers toward a robust real estate industry now that we are seeing the construction boom in the post-pandemic world. In September, the ICCPI is bringing the “Italy by Design EXCON 2023” at the SMX Convention Center where I am honored to be invited as one of the event’s key speakers to talk about the latest trends on Italian designs. This three-day Expo-Conference will feature a series of workshops where Italian designs will be under the spotlight. The latest trends and new ways of conceptualizing spaces as well as product ideas will be presented by the best Italian architects and designers to their Filipino peers, planners, and designers in a collaborative setting. The conference will encompass the following themes: Sustainability and green design; people-centered architecture and spaces; design trends; hospitality design and landscape; and innovative building process. I am excited to share with the attendees how we, at Italpinas Development Corp. (IDC) merge Italian designs with the principle of biomimicry to build communities that are environmentally, economically, and aesthetically sustainable. I will expound on this topic at the EXCON because it has been my personal belief as an architect that nature is the best designer. With #alignwithnature, we remain faithful to our True North. And the universe seems pleased. Another blessing came to us recently, with the seal of approval given by the Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI), which included IDC in its Top 11’s Provincial Developer in Production for 2022 during the “Padayon, Better Together! BPI Partners Appreciation Night” recently. I thank BPI for this recognition as it serves as a powerful reminder of the progress we have made in our journey toward a greener and more sustainable future. It also fuels our drive to continue innovating and pushing the boundaries of what is possible in the realm of sustainable development. With the government giving the real estate and construction sectors the much-needed boost, we are excited about the future. We look forward to continuing our work in shaping sustainable urban landscapes with, of course, an Italian-Pinoy touch. I would like to invite you to Like, Follow and Share my online spaces and content on Facebook and LinkedIn (Architect Romolo V. Nati) and on X (@romolonati).

“Love the Philippines,” the new tourism branding campaign of the Department of Tourism (DOT), has sparked debates the moment it was launched recently in time for the department’s 50th anniversary. While public officials and ordinary Filipinos aired their varying opinions on Twitter and other social media platforms, President Marcos remains optimistic that the new slogan, which replaces the 11-year-old “It’s More Fun in the Philippines,” will inspire more international tourists to visit the country in the post-pandemic era. I personally believe that “Love the Philippines” deserves to be given a shot instead of rejecting it outright. As an Italian who fell in love with this beautiful archipelago almost 15 years ago, I can say that there is a lot to love about the Philippines. I am speaking from experience since I was first a tourist who exclaimed “WOW Philippines!” (The existing tourism slogan then) before finally choosing this country as my second home, next to Italy. I became at home with the Philippines because aside from the investment potentials that I and my Filipino business partner and friend Atty. Jojo Leviste saw at the time we founded ItalPinas Development Corp. (IDC) in 2012, there were simply too many things to love about this beautiful country that is rich with abundant biodiversity, stunning forests and beaches, and welcoming cheerful Filipinos. Indeed, there are so many things to experience in the Philippines. So, every time I have the opportunity, I always tell my friends and acquaintances abroad to visit this amazing tropical paradise with a guarantee that they will surely #LoveThePhilippines. Incidentally, we just celebrated the International Day of Tropics last June 29 as declared by the United Nations (UN) via a resolution adopted unanimously by its member countries in 2016. Its purpose is to “acknowledge the extraordinary variety of the tropics while shedding more light on the distinctive challenges and opportunities that are faced by tropical areas.” The Tropics, where the Philippines belong, account for 40 percent of the world’s total surface area and are host to approximately 80 percent of the world’s biodiversity. Tropical countries face several challenges such as climate change, urbanization, biodiversity loss, and demographic changes. According to the UN, the tropics are now among the most pressing regions of the global conservation and development agenda. That is why, it is especially important that all of us must contribute—no matter how small you think your part is—to save the environment. To those who read this column regularly, it is a known fact that building green communities aligned with nature has been my personal advocacy that also embodies the existence of ItalPinas as a business. Sustainability has been the guiding light in every project and in every community that we develop. As the challenges to our environment continue to grow, sustainability will become increasingly important for developers to pursue in the future. At IDC, we believe that sustainability must begin with the understanding that resources are not infinite. Therefore, we must find ways to meet the needs of the present generation without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. I have also stated in the past that builders must also understand that everything they do has an impact on the environment. It is always good to be reminded of a Native American saying that goes: “We do not own the world, we borrow it from our children.” With nature alignment and sustainability in mind, Italpinas assesses a project site’s characteristics before we start building. This includes elevation, latitude, wind data, topography, and other physical traits that the final building will harmonize with. Our assessment also considers more subjective assets that the site may have. For example, the stunning view of Mt. Makiling from our Miramonti Residences in Santo Tomas in Batangas, or the sweeping vista from the high hills to Macajalar Bay from IDC’s Primavera City in Cagayan de Oro. Since every project is unique, we strive to optimize the site and its conditions. This is where development becomes an art and not just a process. I am happy to be given the opportunity here to merge art and advocacy and contribute something unique and  substantial to make this country a beautiful, cleaner, and greener place. As an expat who has experienced what this country has to offer, I say: What’s not to love about the Philippines? I would like to invite you to Like, Follow and Share my online spaces and content on Facebook and LinkedIn (Architect Romolo V. Nati) and on X (@romolonati).

Gordon Hinckley, a renowned American spiritual leader and best-selling author, once said: “It is good to look to the past to gain appreciation for the present and perspective for the future.” Indeed, it is good to pause occasionally and look back to appreciate your journey as you prepare for the future. I had this opportunity when I recently guested in the online talk show hosted by public servant par excellence Atty. Oscar “Oca” Moreno and co-hosted by Mindanao-based journalist Maricel Rivera titled “Overtime with OCA Moreno.” In his almost 25 years in politics, Moreno has served the people of Misamis Oriental well in various capacities. He’s been their congressman, governor, and – for the last nine years up until his return to private life in July 2022- the mayor of Cagayan de Oro City. Unknown to many, Moreno was the sitting governor when Italpinas Development Corp. (IDC) took a leap of faith and chose Misamis Oriental (MisOr) as the location of its very first real estate development project Primavera Residences. We always pride ourselves that our flagship project is the first eco-friendly building in Cagayan de Oro. As in our newer projects, the building was designed to be energy-efficient and sustainable, with features such as solar panels, cross ventilation, shading control. Back in 2008, it was Moreno’s leadership and investor-friendly policies that made IDC choose Cagayan de Oro City. I thought then that if the governor and the capitol accepted us with open arms, then, maybe the other local government units (LGUs) in Misamis Oriental must also have this welcoming attitude. And the rest, they say, is history. During my live interview in his show, Oca and I had the chance to look back and celebrate the moment that somehow changed the face of real estate development in Northern Mindanao’s premier city. Yes, I am proud to say that IDC took the risk when we invested in CDO at a time when the region was still facing a lot of peace and security issues. Some 15 years ago, we were among the first developers in the almost empty CDO Upland area. Now, the place is a booming commercial area and has become the city’s major business district. Not only did we reminisce about the early years of Italpinas during the show, but we were likewise engaged in a very comprehensive discussion of the recent developments by the company. I shared our future expansion plans, not just in CDO, but in other parts of the country as well. True to our mantra #LivingByDesign, we believe that the best way to predict the future is to create it. We are just getting started in our mission of building sustainable and green developments in the Philippines. I told Mayor Oca that Italpinas may have gone beyond Mindanao, but MisOr/Cagayan de Oro City will always be special. He welcomed us a decade and a half ago and through our venture in the province, I came to combine my advocacy for sustainable development and love for architecture. When I was a newly-grad architect, designing buildings back in Italy, I felt a very deep contradiction within myself because I am pro-environment and yet, I was building structures that might have an effect on the sustainability of the environment. Establishing Italpinas enabled me to pursue my passion in architecture while promoting sustainable designs by developing projects in accordance with nature. By building eco-friendly communities, we minimize the impact of our footprint, and when possible, we even enhance the environment. Incidentally, a day after guesting on Atty. Oca’s show, we finally launched in CDO last May 24 the Verona Green Residences by IDC Homes. It is our very first economic, green residential estate, making it accessible to families in the middle-income bracket. Soon, we will be able to provide accessible homes to the Cagayanons and at the same time, help the government attain its vision of providing affordable houses to ordinary Filipinos. Cagayan De Oro is my adoptive home and city. I am both Italiano and a Cagayanon at heart. I say, “Daghang Salamat” for making my dream come true. Shout out to the local government and the people of CDO. You welcomed us first and we will not forget that. I am still excited with the prospects of joining hands together to put the Northern Mindanao region at the forefront of economic development. There’s so much hope, so many opportunities. I would like to invite you to Like, Follow and Share my online spaces and content on Facebook and LinkedIn (Architect Romolo V. Nati) and on X .

A blessing. That is how I consider every opportunity to share ideas with movers and shakers of Philippine society. I am a firm believer of the saying that “no one has the monopoly of knowledge” and to share the same stage with them is a chance for me to learn as well. I hope that all our shared knowledge will contribute to making the Philippines, my adoptive country for 15 years now, a better place. I wish to express my appreciation to the organizers of the two events this month for inviting me to be their resource speakers on Renewable Energy (RE). Not only did I share how we promote and support RE, but I was able to share the best practices advocated by our company, Italpinas Development Corp. (IDC), in creating eco-friendly communities through our real estate development projects. I highlighted the importance of integration of green technology in the design and development in every community. This way, we are achieving an interconnected chain of activities in the genuine advancement of Sustainability Goals. Aside from my speech at “The Future of Energy Show” at the SMX conference, I was delighted to join the panel discussion on the prospects of Commercial and Industrial Rooftop Solar in the Philippines. Indeed the “Rooftop Revolution” is happening all over the world, including the Philippines. Meanwhile, at Energy Box’s “Solar and Energy Storage Future Philippines 2023” event at Hilton Manila, I shared the impressive impact of solar rooftops in real estate. More home buyers are appreciating the strategic benefits of solar not just in each household but also for the whole residential community. Once again, thank you and congratulations on the successful holding of the back-to-back events. Special congratulations as well to the recipients of this year’s “Solar + Energy Storage Future” awards. I have so much to hope for the renewable energy sector in the Philippines! There is a general excitement about the prospects of Renewables in the country, especially with the government’s aggressive steps to achieve the 35 percent RE share in the power generation mix by 2030. One big move is the recent legal opinion by the Department of Justice (DOJ) that foreigners can own 100 percent of RE projects. This could be a major development, a game changer in the industry. Now, going back to my sector. According to YCP Solidiance, an international management consulting firm, the Philippines’ construction industry is expected to bounce back after experiencing a steep decline at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic three years ago. In its forecast, YCP said the industry is projected “to grow by 21.2 percent from 2020 to 2023, and then by a further 9.6 percent until 2025 at a value of $8.4 billion.” We are excited about this forecast as we expand IDC’s projects in emerging cities. We want to be a key contributor not only in the promotion and usage of RE in our mixed commercial and residential building projects but also as an active player in the growth of the construction and real estate business. I am also glad that the government has given these sectors a new focus. I personally welcome this development as a huge help to property developers, especially the startups. The Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) has issued Department Order 2021-008 allowing housing developers to get a temporary license to sell lots and units, even with pending issuance of permits and clearances from local and national government agencies. With these regulatory changes, we can now promote, market, and sell our properties pending the issuance of a permanent License to Sell certificate. Thus, IDC is now ready to launch and sell its Verona Green Apartments in Cagayan de Oro City. Construction of Phase 1 is expected to kick off within the year. I am particularly proud of this soon-to-rise green community in the heart of Cagayan de Oro as the project highlights what green and sustainable communities should be. As in our other projects, IDC’s developments are not just stylish; each one is sustainable and smart as proven by multiple awards from the global communities and are being locally appreciated in their respective locations. By the way, our concept for Verona Green Apartments has not been left unnoticed by the International Property Awards. I will be going to Bangkok to personally attend the Asia-Pacific Property Awarding Ceremonies later this month and get the award on behalf of IDC. I will share with you more details about it in my next column. Kudos to President Marcos and DHSUD Secretary Jerry Acuzar for giving the real estate sector a much needed shot in the arm. I would like to invite you to Like, Follow and Share my online spaces and content on Facebook and LinkedIn (Architect Romolo V. Nati) and on X (@romolonati).