Empowered woman at the helm of property development

MANILA, Philippines - After retiring from Ayala Land Inc. (ALI) in December 2007, Miriam Katigbak is savoring her stay in her new job as chief operating officer of Geo Estate Inc. and New Pacific Inc. 

“It’s been fun so far since I started in June 2008. It’s been quite exciting knowing that real estate is an exciting business. Now, we are in the middle of constructing and selling Tower 2 of The Beacon,” says Katigbak.

Katigbak recalled that it was perfect timing for her in joining Geo Estate because all units of Tower 1 of The Beacon were sold out six months after she joined her new company. She credits the company’s sales team for a job well done in handling the sales performance of Tower 1.

Upon joining Geo Estate, Katigbak observed that there was already good branding highlighted by the strong sales of The Beacon’s Tower 1. Now that she’s on board, Katigbak is fine tuning some of the things in its operations.

“What I am trying to do is standardize some of the management information system, specifications of a condominium and getting other things organized to ensure a smoother operation,” says Katigbak.

Being a new organization, Katigbak says she has the opportunity to start from scratch and develop the team more to address the needs of the time. In other words, she has the time to tweak things if necessary.

Aside from vast expertise in property management, Katigbak thinks that she also brings ‘fresh eyes’ to Geo Estate. Being a condominium dweller for decades, Katigbak knows what a good condominium unit really is made of.

“I have been a condo dweller for decades and so I have real experiences. I am also aware of the needs of a condo dweller. Furthermore, I know the perspective of a condo dweller,” says Katigbak.

Katigbak says ‘fresh eyes’ are vital especially when the project is ongoing because planners and even architects have their own concerns in building a house.

“I think one thing in real estate is that one eye is not enough, there are just too many aspects of your product and your marketing and sales to just have one set of eyes looking at it,” adds Katigbak.

Katigbak also brings her wide experience and some of the discipline she learned on project planning and construction from ALI to Geo Estate.

Aside from these aspects, Katigbak is also well rounded as far as project management is concerned. Having managed the development of the new master plans of Ayala Center in Makati and Market! Market! at the Bonifacio Global City, Katigbak knows it is also important that buyers be given importance. 

Having Francisco Licuanan III as chairman of Geo Estate, Katigbak points out that there is synergy in their beliefs of giving care to customers during the post-sales period. Furthermore, Katigbak says Licuanan’s experience (also in the property sector!) both dealt with commercial buildings and residential dwellings as well.