Memorial park developer eyes nationwide expansion

CEBU, Philippines —  Celestial Meadows Developers Corporation (CMDC), a local developer of memorial parks and gardens, is expanding into big and pocket memorial park developments across the Philippines.

In a press conference, the Minglanilla-based company’s strategic business unit head Roberto Gerald Macalalad expressed confidence in the Filipino market’s appreciation to invest in decent memorial properties, as noted in the CMDC’s encouraging performance in the last two years.

CMDC, which operates five memorial garden properties in Cebu, located in Minglanilla, Naga, Toledo, Moalboal, and Compostela, is drawing plans to enter similar projects in provinces like Bohol, Iloilo, Baybay Leyte, Tacloban, and Cagayan de Oro City. Macalalad also said the company is looking at opportunities to enter the Luzon market.

“Memorial gardens are not for the dead. But for the living to enjoy,” said Macalalad explaining that Filipinos now realized the importance of investing in decent memorial properties which create environments that inspire families to get together to visit their departed loved ones.

Established in 2001, CMDC, one of the largest memorial park developers in Cebu is bent on bringing modern memorial park development in the countryside areas through building pocket memorial parks perhaps through joint venture deals.

Aside from bringing its expertise in building decent memorial parks across the Philippines, CMDC is also expanding its services by providing all-in-one service solutions to the death care industry.

According to Macalalad, the company is on track with its thrust to become a premier player in the country’s private memorial garden development in the Philippines.

This coming weeklong Halloween, CMDC announced that it will hold activities in its four memorial park developments to transform the memorial park into a lively and upbeat environment celebrating and remembering the departed loved ones.

Dubbed “Memorial Week 2022” CMDC’s four locations—Minglanilla, Toledo City, Moalboal, and Compostela will host a variety of programs for the families who will visit the CMDC memorial gardens.

Celestial Meadows Minglanilla will start the blessing of its courtyard, ossuary, and family estate on October 26, 2022. Celestial Meadows Minglanilla is the company's flagship memorial garden development, which opened two decades ago. It will also hold a cosplay event on October 31, 2022, and Holy Masses on November 1 and 2.

Toledo property will also hold a Zumba dance activity on October 29, which will be opened to the public.

Celestial Meadows Compostela is also lining up various activities from October 30, including a motorcade, a zumbathon, and a singing contest. The following day will be a jam-packed celebration for all families as kids will go trick-or-treating, parlor games for family members, a Halloween costume party, and a camp night for those who decide to stay overnight.

Similarly, activities are also lined up in other Celestrial Meadow locations, the Legacy Plains Toledo and Divine Mercy Moalboal.

CMDC’s Erlina Recoma said making memorial garden developments a destination is part of the company’s thrust as it pursues s nationwide expansion venture.