PBB winner drops showbiz dream for business venture

CEBU, Philippines - Showbiz personality Slater Jan Young announced his entry to the buoyant construction sector, initially by opening a manufacturing plant that makes environment-friendly concrete blocks.

Young recently established the Lite Crete Philippines company, which makes light blocks concrete, to complement the growing demand for green construction products in the market.

 In an interview with Young, he said that the 2,000-square meter plant located at A. S. Fortuna, Mandaue City produces at least 3,000 light blocks a day.

  The enticing construction sector he said made him decide to leave show business despite standing offers for TV program appearances and other opportunities in the entertainment sector.

  The Cebuano PBB (Pinoy Big Brother) winner, whose family owns one of the established contractor companies in Cebu, Hi-Speed Construction, believes that the robust growth in the real estate sector in Cebu should be complemented with sophisticated, modern, and environment-friendly materials.

Prior to the establishment of the light blocks manufacturing plant, Young went to different countries like Germany, Thailand among others to study about manufacturing of good light-weight blocks, noting that the Philippine construction sector is largely importing this kind of product.

Compared to traditional hollow blocks, light weight concrete, is more economical, and environment friendly, as it is lighter and more insulated  due to the micro-air bubbles in it, The air bubbles allows for better insulation thus helping save energy used in air conditioning.

Young, who is also a "Habitat for Humanity" ambassador added that aside from being light weight, the blocks are also twice bigger than the hollow blocks and a lot stronger with 500 to 300 psi (pounds per square inch) compared to the normal hollow blocks with only 300 psi.

 With this venture, Young joins the new breed of construction sector players, who are environment-sensitive, as he plans to expand his investments to the broader construction and real estate business.

  Young is also putting investments in developing modern exclusive subdivisions in Cebu, through YKC Realty, in partnership with young real estate capitalists in the country. (FREEMAN)