(This speech was delivered by Banzon, president of SM Development Corp., during the official launch of Gem Residences in Pasig City on July 31).
Banzon
I am very pleased to welcome you all, most especially our energetic and enthusiastic sales teams, brokers, investors, business partners and friends. I would like to express my sincere appreciation to the SMDC team of consultants who worked hard together to make this occasion possible.
Today marks a very momentous occasion as we are launching SMDC’s newest project, Gem Residences. This, amid a backdrop of an unprecedented event that has profoundly changed the way we live and work. As the world faces tremendous challenges, this situation also presents us with several opportunities.
We have before us the opportunity to give support to the restoration of the economy; to provide jobs and incomes and to attract business into the country. Real estate development is a powerful tool, not only economically, but also socially, as this pandemic has shown.
We are in the business that fulfills a basic human need, namely, shelter. A need that remains severely unfulfilled. In fact, there remains a backlog of six million homes in the country.
We belong to a resilient industry. A home does not just provide shelter, but as an asset, it is real, tangible, and permanent. And in times of uncertainty, it represents stability evidenced by the fact that it is an asset that is least affected by deflationary forces.
The pandemic has taught consumers to be more savvy and to make smarter decisions when it comes to investing. They are now going for more practical choices, living close to places that are relevant to their needs and lifestyles, homes that are easy to maintain and are affordable.
All of these, taken together, SMDC fulfills.
And this is not just lip service. Our own records during this challenging times prove that the market has steadfastly shown a strong appetite for our product. As a company, we continue to thrive and remain resilient. SMDC has recorded a 23 percent year-on-year increase in revenue in the first quarter of 2020. The reason behind this remarkable performance is SMDC’s vision and a winning product formula. We made it our mission to bring to the market homes that not only fulfill but also anticipate the evolving needs of the aspirational Filipino. We are always on the lookout for ways to ensure that our latest offering is better than the last one.
The design of our properties has proven beneficial during this time of the pandemic. Being situated in prime locations provides not just convenient access to places of work and key establishments but also the luxury of living near a medical facility or a hospital.
The integration of our residential developments with commercial strips or malls has proven to be very convenient. Today, it has even become a life essential for our residents who have immediate access to food, medicine, banks and other necessities. Living in an SMDC condominium means being a part of a caring community. We have in place an attentive and proactive property management team, providing assurance of assistance, especially in times of emergency.
Learning from the lessons of the times, other developers are just beginning to re-orient their approach to community building. But we were already there from the very beginning. That has always been our signature, as encapsulated in our vision.
Today, we will commemorate a new milestone, with the launching of Gem Residences, our first of many developments in C-5, Pasig City.
Gem Residences is the fruition of SMDC’s many years of honing and designing a home that will address the contemporary needs and future requirements of our residents. A home designed to bring work-life balance, wellness and connectivity to its residents. To our SMDC sales partners, it is our hope that you will have a rewarding and fulfilling experience bringing to the market SMDC’s latest offering.
To the future residents of Gem Residences, it is our wish that your new home will bring you wellness, happiness and more success in every facet of your life. Thank you and cheers to everyone! Cheers to the brilliant life ahead of us.