Lormilo L. Galo: Defined by challenges

CEBU, Philippines - A man is defined by the way he handles a challenge.

When Genvi Development Corporation’s crown development, Monterrazas de Cebu, was flooded with complaints and downbeat publicity, Lormilo L. Galo (or simply “Dodong” to his friends), was one of those who got to handle the situation – burdened with the challenge of restoring buyer confidence, coaxing cooperation from jaded politicians and government officials, and explaining to doubtful neighboring communities the need to work together to address a long time problem.

“Even before we started the development, we have been negotiating & discussing with local officials & neighboring communities of the problem,” Dodong explained. “But I guess it’s difficult to get everybody’s attention when there is no crisis yet and when it happened we had to take all the blame,” adding that he is not complaining, knowing fully well that what happened was a blessing in disguise but at the expense of Genvi.

He said that as a responsible Cebuano company, Genvi took it upon itself to address the problem in the upper barangays of the city, particularly those near Monterrazas. All at the cost of the company, even if the problem has long been there before Monterrazas came in, and even if the responsibility of addressing the issue is that of the government.

“Obviously, we had to do something,” he said.

Dodong pointed out that Genvi was established by a Cebuano family whose love and dedication to the city is deeply rooted, and what service that company is doing to the Cebuano community is a testament to that love and dedication.

Dodong is Genvi’s vice president for business development. His position is telling of the company’s dedication to constantly improve and provide the best for its clients.  His introduction to the real estate industry was rather serendipitous.

Finishing his bachelor’s degree (cum luade) in Computer Engineering at the University of Cebu in 1993, Dodong first started in the information-technology industry as Cebu Holding Inc.’s MIS supervisor mainly handling Ayala Center Cebu.  His is a poster boy story rising from the ranks of corporate Ayala and was eventually promoted to managerial positions in the company’s real estate division, handling large high-end developments in Visayas & Mindanao.

In 2007, Landco Pacific Corp, then Genvi’s partner for the Monterrazas de Cebu project, hired Dodong.  Even after Landco and Genvi parted ways, Dodong remained with the project as VP for Business Development.

“My task encompasses a lot of functions – from project conceptualization to synthesizing project financial runs to budgeting to operations to marketing & selling, etc.” Dodong disclosed.

This also means that whatever issues the company would face, especially if it entails cost, Dodong would be at the forefront at finding creative solutions to the problem.

“I make sure that the project would evolve from conceptualization up to the end,” he said. “The challenge is to make sure that the project would proceed as expected.”

And for this to happen, Dodong revealed that corporate social responsibility is always at the heart of the Genvi’s development. This includes not just helping the people who are living in the surrounding communities, but also of ensuring that the community itself is sustainable.

“What can profitability do if in the long run the stakeholders aren’t happy,” he pointed out.

Dodong who is a proud father of two, a girl (Yana - 10 yrs old) and a boy (LJ - 5 yrs old), said that what he likes best with Genvi is the importance the company puts on the value of family.

“I love Genvi because it allows you to think what’s best for the family. Genvi is a family corporation and we want to be the benchmark of a family company that’s been professionalized,” he said.

“Family comes first,” he said, “because no matter what happens, your family will always be there.”

That is the reason why, for Dodong, with Genvi, despite all the challenges of the past year, he is confident that the coming year will prove to be rewarding, because as a family, everyone will be there to give support and cooperation in ensuring the company’s success. (FREEMAN)