I talpinas Development Corp. (IDC), a publicly listed sustainable developer, was recently awarded by BPI. IDC bagged BPI’s Top Developer in Provincial Category, landing as Top 1 developer in Cagayan de Oro and Top 4 developer nationwide at the recent BPI FAMILY SAVING BANK Partners Night 2021 in recognition of partnerships with BPI for the year 2020. “Our passion in bringing design-driven sustainable architecture to emerging cities has always been the driving force of IDC. Combined with an excellent bank partner and thriving sales performance, we were able to push through and grow more amidst the challenges of last year” said Ms. Clara Marie Asuncion G. Elizaga, IDC Director for Corporate Affairs and Operations.  The coronavirus pandemic has been, to say the least, grim for businesses. Widespread economic challenges resulted in around 17 percent unemployment rate throughout the country. But during this time, IDC’s Cagayan de Oro Sales Office has been thriving because of dramatic shifts in consumer behavior, based on the merits of green building for health, lifestyle and investment, “First of all, we would like to thank our valued bank partner BPI Family Bank for the support. BPI Family Bank and IDC has maintained a good relationship which evolved even stronger through the years. This synergy benefitted their customers in terms of quality, friendly and responsive products and service,” said Mr. Harold Dacumos,  IDC SVP for Banking and Business Development Operations. “We always had good relations and dynamic communications with BPI, which serves as key to our good performance” shared Ms. Shushiela Villorente, IDC’s Loan Processor.  IDC said its property sales have been “ encouraging ” in the first semester of 2020, giving the company confidence that it can at least match last year’s growth. The start of 2020 was challenging as a whole but IDC sees growth at hand as In photo: Arch. Romolo V. Nati, IDC Chairman & CEO It focuses on optimizing its existing portfolio of investment properties namely its Primavera City project in  Uptown Cagayan de Oro. The characteristic design of the Primavera City, which distinguishes all IDC’s developments, is the integration of architectural features for saving and generating energy.  Primavera City was also a winner of the Best Mixed-Use Development category at the prestigious International Property Awards Asia Pacific 2017-2018. The Asia Pacific Property Awards is a highly recognized international awards program adjudicated by independent panels composed of 70 industry experts whose criteria include design, quality, service, innovation, originality and commitment to sustainability. In addition, last September 2020, Primavera City’s first phase, called ‘ Citta’ Verde ’, also achieved Preliminary Certification from EDGE (“Excellence in Design for Greater Efficiencies,”) which is the green building certification body of the International Finance Corporation and the World Bank.

M arch is International Women’s History Month and through this column, I would like to pay tribute to the women who are making a difference in the field of property development and real estate, in the world and here in the Philippines. There is new data coming from a survey done by consultancy firm Grant Thornton from October to December 2020. The Grant Thornton’s International Business Report states that almost half (48 percent) of senior leadership positions in mid-market businesses in the Philippines are now held by women. This is, in fact, the highest percentage among the 29 large economies surveyed. This figure is also higher than the 2020 report’s 43 percent and the 35 percent proportion from 10 years ago. When I came to the Philippines some years ago, I was impressed to see that there were, indeed, plenty of women in top leadership positions. It is extremely good for any country to have women leading in various sectors, and I think that this is something that should not be taken lightly. It is great that gender balance in Philippine business is happening without the government having to do much in terms of policy-making. In other countries like Italy, for example, we have what we call the  quote rosa  (pink quota). The Italian government requires public or listed and government organizations to have a specific percentage of female representation on organizational boards. For many countries, it is not so easy to put women in top business and government posts. We’ve never had a female prime minister in Italy, for example, whereas the Philippines already had two female presidents: Gloria Arroyo and Cory Aquino. At Italpinas Development Corp. (IDC), the property development company that I run together with my Filipino business partner Jojo Leviste, women are the majority. Although some might think that the field of real estate development, including architecture and the construction business, is generally male-driven, one will find plenty of women in high positions. Gender balance in any organization is always a plus because men and women think and act differently—equal representation is needed for better decision-making processes. In my experience, women are extremely reliable, hardworking, strong, driven, and in some cases, competitive. They are focused on details and are able to manage stress well. It is in their nature to take care of family, children and run their household efficiently, that is why I think management and leadership abilities are naturally embedded in them.  We can support women by making sure there are no obstacles related to gender toward their path to progress. The Philippines is a role model for other countries in this regard.   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).

I taly and the Philippines have enjoyed good trade relations in the past. They continue to do so and it’s looking like the future is bright as far as bilateral trade goes. In 2020, figures from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) show that the Philippines imported about $584 million worth of goods from Italy, and exported products worth nearly $200 million. As an Italian who has been living and doing business in the Philippines for the past twelve years, I recognize that there are, indeed, many business and investment opportunities here in the country. That is why it was no surprise when Enrico Letta, president of Associazione Italia-Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean), disclosed that Italy intends to expand its businesses in the Asean region, with the Philippines as its top priority. This was shared during the online webinar “Italy-Philippines: Discovering the Opportunities,” co-organized by the Italian Chamber of Commerce in the Philippines (ICCPI) and Associazione Italia-Asean in January 2021. Our company’s (Italpinas Development Corp) investment in Cagayan de Oro was mentioned during the online webinar as one of the “notable investments of Italian businessmen in the country,” along with Fendi, Stefano Ricci S.p.A, and Novabala JV Corp. This should excite other Italian businesses, specifically those in the garments and textiles business, infrastructure, aerospace, renewable energy, and machinery. Board of Investments OIC Lanie Dormiendo said these are the sectors that could present good opportunities for Italian entrepreneurs. Personally, I think that there are also possibilities in real estate, tourism, food and beverage, infrastructure, and power. This is where IDC can contribute, I believe. As a successful Italian-Filipino partnership, we can share our story and experiences with the new Italian companies that are planning to invest here. IDC was born out of the enthusiasm of the two founders — an Italian architect and a Filipino lawyer — and nurtured by their understanding of and deep respect for the country and its people, as well as the hard work of every member of the organization. As far as culture is concerned, I don’t think Italians will have a hard time adjusting to life in the Philippines. We have so many things in common — from traditions and culture to religion and our values. The Philippines has made it easy for corporations to do business here, too — processes have been streamlined and English is the language used in business. The business environment is dynamic and comparably better than many other countries. I am looking forward to seeing a bigger and livelier community of ItalPinoys in this part of the world. 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).

I t was the American historian, philosopher of technology and author Lewis Mumford who said that the natural environment should shape the nature of humankind. He believed that man’s basic needs—food, clean water and air, adequate living spaces, etc.—have to be respected so that humanity, as a whole, can thrive. In a world of more than seven billion people and limited natural resources, sustainability has become a major issue—sustainability in terms of food, power or energy, natural resources, and so on. Only three percent of the world’s land surface is covered by urban areas, but around 55 percent of the world’s current population live in these areas. The megacities, where millions of people live, are major centers of consumption. The development of an urban ecosystem plays an important part in the issue of sustainability. This interaction among humans and their urban environment has to achieve a certain balance so that the needs of both nature and man can be met. While governments and businesses definitely have roles to play, the civil society—and that includes the family unit, mass media, and individuals, too—can create a huge impact as far as environment protection and resource management are concerned. People should not wait for others to do the work that they themselves can do. Everything we do has an impact on the environment. It is important to keep this in mind and to understand that cooperation can result in more significant positive changes. We cannot underestimate the contribution a single person can make even just by making the slightest adjustment in behavior or consciousness. Economic growth is necessary for development, but it is not enough. Also important are education, health, environmental sustainability, the protection of society’s weaker layers, etc. It is not right to take economic growth as the only parameter in measuring development. To do this may be dangerous for man and the earth itself. A more acceptable, holistic and lasting approach must be adopted sooner rather than later. A society that prioritizes social and ecological well-being, not only focused on promoting consumption at all cost, can perhaps produce happier citizens and a cleaner enviroment. The de-growth concept is very close to this idea as it is all about the transformation of communities for environmental justice and the creation of a good life for everyone.  Going back to Mumford, he did write that “the physical design of cities and their economic functions are secondary to their relationship to the natural environment and to the spiritual values of human community”. Many of his most significant ideas were written more than 50 years ago. So all this is nothing new, but the implementation and action are a different matter altogether. And that’s why all sectors of society need to work together to build a balanced ecosystem founded on every individual’s conscious effort toward environmental sustainability.  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 powerful earthquake just shook Davao some days ago on January 21, measuring 7.0 on the scale. It was a good thing that there were no major damage or injuries reported, although an earthquake this strong could really cause some serious damage in structures that are not well designed or well constructed. While no one can ensure that injury or damage will never happen due to a major calamity, what we—architects, developers, engineers—can do is to strictly comply with building regulations and apply the best practices for building safety and protection. During an earthquake, a structure usually oscillates or swings backward and forward like a pendulum. Sometimes, vertical oscillation also happens. Well-designed and well-constructed structures must be flexible enough to move within the so-called elastic range. Every country or location has a comprehensive plan based on the place’s susceptibility to earthquakes. Incorporated in this plan are various categories or scale and their corresponding building requirements for the guidance of developers, architects, and engineers. For example, an area within category 1 will require a different set of requirements compared to an area in category 5. The builder must comply with the requirements and meet certain standards for the particular area where the structure will be built. In my experience, structures here in the Philippines are generally well done, following good construction methodology and complying with the local building regulations. As the country sits in the Pacific Ring of Fire, experience has taught the building construction industry how to build safely and how to design regulations appropriately. For example, local structures are often built using reinforced concrete wherein steel bars represent the flexible component, while the cement responds to compression or mainly carries the weight. If you are a buyer or investor looking out to buy property, check that all building permits and documentation are in order as this can give you a guarantee that regulations and requirements have been met. Of course, buyers can do their own physical inspection, just keep in mind that some matters are best left to experts. For example, cracks on the walls do not always mean that the structure is poorly constructed. It could be a problem with the plastering or the gypsum board, and so on. Structural cracks in columns, beams, etc. are the real red flags. 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).

B efore any building can be called green , it must be evaluated and rated by an impartial, third-party organization. A property developer cannot make the green declaration on its own; instead, it must submit the project to a recognized body for an assessment. In the Philippines, several green certification bodies can carry out this evaluation, like BERDE, LEED, and EDGE (Excellence in Design for Greater Efficiencies). Having a green building certification means that the project was designed and built based on sound ecological principles. It means the developer followed industry standards on sustainability and that it complied with environmental requirements. It benefits the developer and the residents of the development, the community where it is located, the local and national governments, and, on a bigger perspective, the global environment. This speaks of the impact and significance of green building certification. As the world becomes immersed in climate change-related problems, some developers have taken it upon themselves to align their efforts with the world’s initiatives toward the fight against climate change. Green certification is attractive to investors and gives the developer’s project and brand advantage in terms of image. In the Philippines, there has been a marked increase in interest in green building accreditation among developers. And I believe it will become even more attractive if incentives are in place because, in the long run, and as I have mentioned above, it is the entire ecosystem of community, consumer, and climate that will eventually benefit from the acceleration of this process. The company I run, Italpinas Development Corporation (IDC), has chosen to work with EDGE (Excellence in Design for Greater Efficiencies) from the several certification bodies available to Philippine projects. With this, IDC has shown in concrete terms that it champions the ideals behind the green certification of real estate projects. This is aligned with our corporate principles on environmental sustainability. We chose EDGE for the following reasons: (1) its rating system is very much contextualized with the location of the property being evaluated, which means that local conditions are taken into consideration during the evaluation; (2) EDGE gives more weight to passive green strategies, which are more related to the design of the structure rather than the technology used in construction; and (3) their software is streamlined, and the process can be done easily online at an accessible price. And the fact that EDGE is an innovation of the International Finance Corp (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group, adds an extra layer of credibility and authority.   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 X (@romolonati).

I n Italy, the celebrations for Christmas and New Year have many similarities with how these occasions are celebrated here in the Philippines. We open our presents at midnight and put the baby Jesus in the presepe (nativity scene). During Veglia di Natale, literally the dinner of Christmas, Italian families usually gather around a hearty meal of gnocchi, polenta with salsiccia, and plenty of sweets. The next day, Christmas day, lunch wouldn’t be complete without tortellini, a tasty soup made from meat and creamy base with some herbs. Finally, for veglione or New Year’s Eve, every Italian family’s dinner table has the cotechino with lenticchie (pork sausage dish with lentils). It is usual to wash everything down with some Spumante while waiting for the New year countdown. The holiday season, however, is not just for celebrations; it is also the perfect time to share our blessings and reach out to those who might need our help. And yet we don’t have to wait for Christmas, of course. We can reach out to the needy any time of the year. When the typhoons hit the country in November, I felt the need afterward to reach out. A friend helped me organize a relief drive for affected families in Tumana, Marikina. My company, Italpinas, supported the initiative, and we were able to distribute bags of basic goods to some of the residents in the community.  Their positivity and composure left a lasting impact on me as I marveled at how they could manage this so soon after their difficult experience. Everyone was cooperative, and the activity proceeded without snags. I realized I could do it more often and regularly—a small act of kindness that I can do for others. Italpinas conducts a CSR event every month. During the lockdown months, we managed to launch CSR activities in Cagayan de Oro and Sto. Tomas, Batangas area. We were able to distribute meals to hospitals in Sto. Tomas and Calamba: Sto. Tomas General Hospital, St. Frances Cabrini Medical Center and Cancer Institute, and Calamba Medical Hospital. PPEs and medical kits were also donated to QualiMed Medical Hospital in Sta. Rosa. In Cagayan de Oro, we partnered with the Philippine Air Force’s Tactical Operations Group-10 (PAF TOG-10) for the inauguration ceremony of the tribal hall or tulugan for the Higaonon Indigenous People (IP) in the upland village of Bayanga Lumbia. Aside from this, we recently worked with them to conduct a mangrove planting activity in Punta Bonbon. PAF TOG-10 has been our long time partner in serving Kagay-anons through various CSR activities. In partnership with Damiani Property Management & Services Inc., we planted teak trees in Sitio Camarahan, CDO. We did another tree planting activity in August in Brgy. Sitio Burucan, Pagalungan Lumbia—this time with the City Local Environment and Natural Resources Office-CDO. Italpinas has also been actively participating in several Brigada Eskwelas, working on the following City Social Welfare Development (CSWD) activities: Early Christmas for the benefit of Home for Girls; Christmas with the Residential Care for the Elderly and Differently-abled; Weekend with the CSWD Boystown; Weekend with the CSWD Tahanan ng Kabataan; Weekend with the CSWD Home for Street Children. ItalPinas Development Corporation CEO Arch. Nati helps distribute relief goods to typhoon-hit communities in Marikina City And in line with Italpinas’ mandate to support our chosen non-profit organization’s housing-related efforts, we recently turned over the last tranche of our donation to Habitat for Humanity Philippines. As a proud and avid supporter of the organization since 2012, Italpinas is honored to stand behind its outstanding work as a housing organization in building affordable homes for families. The partnership has helped 69 families to own new, safe, and decent homes. I wish to thank Lala Baldelovar, Chief Development Officer, and her team for representing the organization. I would like to wish everyone a meaningful and blessed holiday celebration. Despite the restrictions and limitations this year, I wish that we can all find meaningful ways to celebrate the occasion. Let’s stay home and stay safe! Merry Christmas to all!

S even months into the series of quarantines in the country and we are starting to see trends and patterns, specifically in the real estate industry. In general, I believe the industry is quite resilient as it is driven by a real need for housing, especially in the socialized and economic housing markets. The investment market, specifically those in areas where prices have been climbing in recent years, is much more susceptible to the economic consequences of the pandemic. Fortunately, people are still buying homes, but the global trend points toward a preference for properties in emerging locations and the provinces. Clearly, the pandemic has created a need for people to be closer to nature and have more open spaces where they can plant a garden. Buyers now want to avoid crowded cities where it is more unsafe in times of challenging situations like a pandemic. They are buying units with terraces, for instance, because the lockdowns have highlighted the importance of access to outdoor spaces. In Italy, I have observed that some people are moving from the center of Rome toward places closer to the lake or the countryside. As far as developers are concerned, they are more willing to negotiate to absorb more of the reduced market. Payment schemes are being adjusted so more buyers can afford to buy homes. With the company that I run, Italpinas Development Corp. (IDC), we’ve seen more people reserve units during the pandemic. I would attribute this to the fact that green design — which is in demand at this time — has always been in our DNA. Our product, prices, payment schemes, and locations are pandemic- and post-pandemic-ready. Green design and green living are terms that essentially pertain to giving more attention to our environment and people’s health. We do not only rely on air conditioning, for example, but we incorporate plenty of open spaces, natural air and cross-ventilation, and natural lighting into the structures we build. It goes hand in hand with finding the ideal location — open, spacious, and emerging cities — for our green buildings. It was a rising trend before the pandemic but COVID-19 made it happen faster, and I believe it will further accelerate well into the future. When the stock market fell because of the pandemic, everyone had a difficult time. In the last month, however, we at IDC saw our company’s share value grow substantially in terms of price and volume of exchange. We are, indeed, more than happy to know that people have a positive outlook on the company. I do believe the industry will do just fine and that this phase will pass soon enough. As a growing economy built on solid fundamentals, the Philippines will recover pretty fast and it may even see more investments coming into its shores in the next months and years. Green design and living were rising trends before the pandemic, but COVID-19 made it happen faster. I am looking forward to sharing more of my insights on real estate development, architecture, and design in future columns in Property Report PH . It appears twice a month, so I am inviting you to watch out for that. You may connect with me via my social media accounts on X (@RomoloVNati) , Facebook ( www.facebook.com/ArchitectRomoloNati ) , and LinkedIn ( www.linkedin.com/in/architect-romolo-nati/ ).