San Miguel Properties builds happy, healthy neighborhoods
MANILA, Philippines - In real estate development, the conventional wisdom is that you need three factors for success: location, location, location. While location is important, it’s not necessarily the most critical factor in your selection of a property, especially when you are a choosing the neighborhood for your family, because at the end of the day, real estate development is all about one thing — people.
That is precisely the guiding principle of San Miguel Properties, the real estate arm of San Miguel Corporation, which announced its exciting projects at the 4th Philippine Real Estate Fair (PREF) on July 29 to 31 at the World Trade Center. This real estate development company follows a totally different and unique philosophy — “people, people, people.”
“When we design or build communities,” said Ramon S. Ang, chairman of San Miguel Properties, “we think of people. We think about the team we will put together — the people who will build the houses, the people who will live in the houses, and the people who will comprise the neighborhood. Ultimately, our product is not a physical structure built out of concrete and steel, but a good, safe, and friendly neighborhood where people can live long, healthy, happy, and productive lives. And we instill this neighborliness through concrete programs — such as the Buy One Give One (BOGO) concept that we are working out with several foundations, and providing church and chapels in our communities in cooperation with the healing priest, Rev. Fr. Fernando Suarez. “
According to Ang, this philosophy was inspired in part by Malcolm Gladwell’s best-selling book The Outliers wherein he describes the phenomenon called the Roseto Effect, “People are nourished by other people,” which was coined from a study conducted in 1962, where the residents of the town of Roseto, Pennsylvania were found to be in perfect health, free from diseases and enjoyed long lives because they were nourished by close family relationships and by the people in their community. In other words — because they lived by the second commandment, which is to “love your neighbor as yourself.” In addition, the company also drew inspiration from the African proverb, “It takes a village to raise a child.”
Ang said, “These wonderful philosophies on neighborliness and concern for the common good are consistent with our own bayanihan spirit where all the members of one community reach out and help one another in times of need. And it is for this reason that San Miguel Properties will be tapping endorsers who have dedicated their lives to promoting good and positive values, the healing priest Fr. Suarez; Alex Lacson, lawyer, philanthropist, and author of the best-selling book 12 Little Things Every Filipino Can to Help the Country; CNN Hero of the Year 2009 Efren Penaflorida; and social entrepreneur and inventor Illac Diaz, who was also a Young Global Leader Awardee at the World Economic Forum 2008.”
San Miguel Properties was established in 1990, initially as the corporate real estate arm of San Miguel Corporation (SMC). But now, it is embarking on an aggressive development and marketing plan to help boost the real estate and tourism industries of the Philippines. San Miguel Properties boasts a portfolio of projects that include mixed-use developments: an economic to middle-income housing in Cavite, the birthplace of Philippine independence, and a high-end residential development in Sta. Rosa, Laguna; property leasing, management of strategic real estate ventures, corporate real estate services — and soon, tourism-focused development in major areas like Baguio, Tagaytay, Boracay and Palawan.
“In a way, you can say that San Miguel Properties is reborn,” said Ang. “We believe that San Miguel Properties has a major role to play in developing this country. And we draw inspiration from The Good Book that says, Unless the Lord builds the house, its builders labor in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the watchmen stand guard in vain. With this in mind, we are focused on building neighborhoods that are founded on good values. Since 1890, we’ve had St. Michael the Archangel as patron, protector, and inspiration. For this reason, St. Michael is also the driving force for San Miguel Properties. In fact, our new commemorative logo is symbolic of St. Michael. The company’s corporate mission is to foster close-knit communities that share a deep love for God, country, and neighbor. We truly believe in this statement of mission because research has shown that the key to a long and healthy life is a neighborhood that places more emphasis on people. And we at San Miguel Properties believe that it is “people who make the property prime.”
For inquiries, visit www.sanmiguelproperties.com.ph/” www.sanmiguelproperties.com.ph, or call 632-2313 or 632-3270 or 0917-863-5106 and look for Karen Ramos.
