The Subdivision and Housing Developers Association – Central Visayas (SHDA-CV) recently held its highly anticipated Housing Summit, drawing nearly 200 registered delegates – the highest attendance in the event’s history. The summit’s theme is “Building Tomorrow’s Homes for the Emerging Generation.”
According to SHDA Central Visayas President Harold Vince See, this strong turnout reflects the growing “thirst for knowledge and improvement” among member developers.
This year’s theme, “Building Tomorrow: Homes for the Emerging Generation,” focused on understanding the evolving preferences of millennial and Gen Z homebuyers.
See emphasized the importance of recognizing the unique psyche and expectations of younger generations becoming the key demographic in the housing market.
The shift in homebuyer preferences has been evident, with online presence and social media engagement now crucial for reaching millennials (aged 30-42) and Gen Z (aged 14-29). See noted the transformation from traditional marketing methods, like newspaper ads, to digital platforms that resonate more with today’s tech-savvy buyers.
The summit featured insightful talks from industry experts, sharing valuable knowledge and trends that will help developers adapt and thrive in this changing landscape.
During the SHDA Central Visayas Housing Summit, Collier Philippines Director for Research Joey Bondoc highlighted Cebu’s significant role in the office space market outside Metro Manila and its future impact on the housing sector.
While 80% of deals are in Metro Manila, Cebu captures a large portion of the remaining 20%, particularly in office space transactions from BPOs, flexible workspaces, and co-working spaces. Bondoc emphasized that Cebu consistently outperforms other cities like Pampanga, Iloilo, and Davao in office space deals due to its talent pool and young workforce.
Cebu’s growing appeal is driven by its youthful, millennial, and Gen Z workforce who contribute to the economy, Bondoc pointed out. These demographics are poised to become key buyers in the housing market as their disposable incomes rise. This market trend provides a prime opportunity for developers as these demographics seek residential investments, from condominiums to housing projects.
In his special message during the SHDA-CV Housing Summit, Acting Cebu City Mayor Raymond Alvin Garcia cited the importance of public and private sector cooperation in providing housing. The public and private sectors cooperation is vital in building homes and in creating a better, more inclusive future for our generations to come.
Jose Soberano III, chairman, president, and chief executive officer of the Cebu Landmasters Inc., delivered an inspirational message on his journey as a member of SHDA-CV and real estate developer
Soberano emphasized the responsibility of developers to address the pressing housing shortage in the Philippines, particularly the need for 3 million units out of the total 6.8 million required.
He highlights the importance of going beyond compliance with government regulations, such as the Balanced Housing Act, which mandates socialized housing for horizontal and vertical projects.
Soberano cited the private sector-government collaboration to provide housing for economically disadvantaged families, particularly informal settlers and those displaced by infrastructure projects.
He described CLI’s socialized housing project in Cebu City, featuring sustainable design, solar power, accessibility, and amenities like a livelihood center and a chapel. The project aims to uplift the lives of its beneficiaries while setting a standard for socialized public housing.
Soberano also stressed the satisfaction gained from contributing to the well-being of underserved communities, with initiatives such as the “Bigas and Buy-In” program supporting residents long-term.
Bryan Yap, chief executive officer of Republiq Group of Companies, focused on Social Media and New Marketing Strategies: How to Capture the GenZ and Millennial Market.
Yap emphasized the importance of proper digital marketing, highlighting its vast potential due to the high internet and social media penetration in the Philippines. With 86 million people online and 95% of the population active on platforms like Facebook and TikTok, digital marketing offers a massive audience reach.
Yap defines digital marketing as any form of digital communication that includes text, multimedia, email, or social media and connects brands with potential buyers. He underscores key benefits, such as its ability to reach a wider audience, enable targeted advertising, and be more cost-effective than traditional methods.
The summit also featured other speakers who discussed related concerns for developers. Assistant Regional Director Benigno Christopher Lucero of the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development, briefed the developers on housing.
“With this year’s theme of building tomorrow’s homes for the emerging generation, we urgently hope that your organization should spearhead the emerging trends in the industry as it gears to fulfill the generation Z or the Zoomers, as well as the millennial’s peculiar needs in living spaces that support their work-life balance such as a more flexible living space that provides amenities for remote work,” Lucero said.
Arch. Neil Anthony Menjares of the National Economic Development Authority, Region 7 Planning Chief Engr. Nonato Paylado of the Department of Public Works and Highways, and Mactan Cebu International Authority Deputy Chief of Operations Aldwin Uy tackled infrastructure updates.
Aboitiz Power Vice President for Project Development Rhea Navarro and Visayan Electric Company President and Chief Operating Officer Engr. Raul Lucero discussed power updates.
PLDT Enterprise Head for Visayas Kent de la Calzada and DITO Regional Head for SME Vismin John Thomas Anthony Nanquil focused on telecommunication updates.
Architects Buck Richnold Sia of Zubu Design Associates, Ryan Ricardo of Ricardo Design and Architecture, and Jason Chua of Visionary Studio Architects discussed New Trends: Small Space Living and Value in Good Design.
HDMF Department Manager for Business Development Department Engr. Paulino Talacay and BPI Senior Manager for Housing Loan Faye Ostrea also discussed home and housing financing.
Meanwhile, Ernest Abanto, Uwi head of sales, explained that it is a financial technology company providing bridge financing to qualified small and medium-sized real estate developers. Abanto was among the panelists who discussed financing options available to developers.
UWI supplies the liquidity developers need to complete their housing projects or expand operations, Abanto said. The company offers financing with attractive rates without requiring collateral, focuses on supporting developers with working capital, and helps them redeem mortgages on pledged titles. This approach provides a flexible alternative to traditional bank financing to foster growth in underserved regional markets.
