Going up against Goliaths

Joining the big boys’ club, much like joining a fraternity, needs a lot of courage and strength to endure whatever the frat boys will throw at you to test your mettle and ability to survive and, hopefully, gain a seat in the club.

However, it seems Ed Saavedra and Louie Ferrer, chairman and director director at Megawide Construction, respectively, were not quite aware they were actually joining a fraternity, so much so that when the “hazing and bullying” started, they were not prepared at the intensity of the attacks, the scrutiny, the congressional inquiries, the dirty tricks, and the ferocity of competition to discourage them from pursuing their dream.

And yet they persist, with humor, composure, and the continuing desire to cultivate goodwill with all of their stakeholders in the construction and infrastructure sector and recently, their new venture into the renewable energy sector that is being spearheaded by Oliver Tan, president and chief executive officer of Citicore Power.

In their first ever meeting last week with business editors of different print media organizations, Saavedra, Ferrer and Tan candidly and openly talked about their adventure and role as a disruptor in their chosen sector, which they are doing with flare and aplomb, and gaining rave reviews and accolades for their fresh approach in airport, transport hub, public school and market construction that had been plagued by controversies and bickering among the country’s leading taipans, and actually continues to this day.

Charmers

It quickly became apparent that Saavedra and Ferrer are natural charmers who engage whoever they deal with and actively listen to the needs and requirements of the stakeholders.

Their biggest success to date has been the Mactan City International Airport (MCIA) project with Indian partner GMR Group. Ferrer reveals little nuggets that helped endear them and secure the support of one of the stakeholders of the Cebu airport project – the Bureau of Immigration.

Even before construction started for the upgrade of the Cebu airport facilities, Ferrer had learned that the BI employees did not have any space or building to house personnel on duty at the airport, requiring most of them to commute regularly from Cebu City to Mactan Island. Thus, Megawide addressed this requirement early on, constructing a building to house the BI employees and including little amenities such as a pantry and a smoking room, little details that endeared them and gained the respect of BI personnel.

Likewise, in their other project in Cebu – the construction of the new Carbon Market – Ferrer relates that they personally sat down and listened to the stall holders, food sellers, and even the manghuhulas or fortune tellers, specifically allocating space and providing them the facilities they need.

Tan can attest to Ed and Louie’s ability to roll up their sleeves and engage with Carbon market vendors...Ed easily disarming his audience with his “okray” (playful swardspeak) comments.

Even in their renewable energy venture under Citicore, Tan reveals they ensure that the land on which the solar panels are located continue to be productive for the employees/farmers, allowing them to cultivate and grow vegetables...currently pechay. Their agrosolar initiative project, thus, allays fears about the lost of productive agriculture land and, in fact, provides a much needed solution for the Philippines’ food security concerns.

Ed insists that all they want is to have a level playing field with all biddings for infrastructure projects conducted in an open and transparent bidding process.

He remains optimistic that the new generation is set to change the existing system, “tumatanda din sila, (they are getting) old” referring to the Goliaths who currently dominate the country’s major business sectors, and that change will come.

Question is, when?

Not just gaming

Enrique Razon’s Solaire Resort and Casino, apart from showing strong recovery in its gaming business, made waves for its 10th anniversary celebration from March 16 to 19, bringing five Michelin star chefs and rock star Sting, for a grand celebration that resulted in sold-out sales for the concert and fully booked restaurant reservations.

And even after the main anniversary celebration, Solaire seems to be on a mission to be an entertainment destination, bringing in well-known composer and musician David Foster for a series of concerts for the rest of the month.

Moving forward, Solaire is already stirring up anticipation and excitement for its next offering, bringing the hit Broadway show Hamilton, with no less than its creator Lin Manuel Miranda already issuing an announcement that the Philippines will host the Asian premier of the record-breaking musical.

Even as its gaming tables are packed with both local and foreign players, it is quite noticeable that Solaire is also attracting families with small children to attend the shows and patronize the restaurants of the casino resort.