The VenRay success story: A family affair in business

CEBU, Philippines — Before Ray and Venus Manigsaca gave birth to their first born Ray Patrick, this power couple created something that turned into their first baby –VenRay Construction.

Twenty-four years later, their first baby has grown to become one of the most successful Group of Companies, which shines through prominently in the real estate field.

VenRay Group of Companies is the holding firm of AppleOne Properties Inc., its real estate arm that also gave birth to AppleOne Mactan, Inc., the company responsible for the development of world-class Sheraton Cebu Mactan Resort and The Residences.

Their hands-on and personal touch of every detail on each of their projects made their "eldest baby" the attention-catcher in this quite crowded and competitive business of real estate in Cebu.

A recipient of significant awards over the years, Ray and Venus' magic continues. Recently, their company's flagship venture – The Residences at Sheraton Cebu Mactan Resort made it to the industry's stardom before it could even open its commercial doors.

One of the landmark awards the company recently took home to Cebu is besting all the developers around the country, including the giant and veteran property firms, in the category of Best Condo Development (Philippines), by the prestigious awards giving body –PropertyGuru Philippines Property Awards.

A family affair

Behind this overwhelming success of the company is a power of golden hearts of four people, whose love naturally flows into growing a healthy and blossoming organization of VenRay Group of Companies.

Ray and Venus' children Ray Patrick, 23, and Samantha, 21, have been involved in decisions and plans of their company even in their tender ages.

Brilliant ideas are usually made during family breakfast bonding moments where the children's voices are heard and taken into consideration, shared the soft spoken head of the family, Ray.

Although the couple has employed and commissioned experts from different fields, the company is largely a "family affair", as the children's raw perspective when it comes to business, is usually if not always highly honored and taken into the formal boardroom.

Ray Patrick, now a full time executive of VenRay Group, had to experience the real corporate world outside of the family business in his short stint in the banking industry.

Samantha, on the other hand is throwing herself into intensive internship experiences in luxury hotels worldwide as part of her final year of studies for a degree in International Hospitality Management at the Enderun College in Manila.

In between the family's travels and meals together, strategies and out-of-the-box decisions are usually born. Most are productive and effective.

The children's young vibes and millennial mindset also helped the company to appeal more strongly to the new and modern market.

College sweethearts

Ray and Venus were college sweethearts for eight years before they decided to seal the vow of "Till death do us part," in marriage.

This union immediately was marked by the birth of VenRay Construction, capitalizing on Venus' background in civil engineering. Although Ray's know-how in Electronics and Communications engineering complemented their business' growth, Ray's natural charisma and friendliness made him a good weapon to strike meaningful market relationship.

Just like their "first born" VenRay Construction, Ray and Venus' story of love and partnership as college sweethearts continues to grow decades after. Their sacred union is evident in the way they conduct business and manage their growing organization.

The VenRay Group now is the umbrella company of diverse businesses, from construction, hospitality, property development, food and retail, construction supply, and commercial space leasing.

A prayer

While the company has successfully expanded into diverse businesses over the years, Ray kept a desire in his heart to own a property that is something huge and world-class.

"Our family used to check-in in posh and expensive resort (almost) every weekend in Mactan," Ray recalled, and this ritual led him to dream of owning one.

Ray then obeyed his gut, and it seemed to him it got the approval from his "Boss in heaven" after the company purchased a prime seaside property in Punta Engaño in Mactan Island.

Ray considered the Sheraton deal as answered prayer.

For a homegrown company from Cebu to seal a partnership deal with one of the world's prestigious brands in the hospitality sector is something almost "supernatural".

The company actually sent proposals to three world-class hotel brands, Sheraton, Marriott and Hyatt, which are his personal favorite brands.

The Sheraton Group was quick to respond. This was before the Sheraton and Marriott Groups decided to merge under the Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc.

Before the P4 billion Sheraton Cebu Mactan Resort and The Residences was launched, Ray's two personal favorite brands announced their mergers.

More than his guts, and the company's financial capabilities, the unfolding of developments made Ray much certain that it was because he invited the hands of God to be part of his dream. And when God gives–He gives generously!

Grand simplicity

While the company's strong foundation is now capable of mining the wealth of real estate, construction and real estate fields, the couple is resolved to maintain the culture of simplicity and subdued grandness.

The company's awards speak loudly of the company's potential to rake more profits and attract public's interest to invest into the company.

But Ray and Venus are taking their success on being grounded, by simplicity of slowly-but-surely attitude, without being swayed by the grand allure of swirling opportunities in real estate.

Considering an initial public offering (IPO) or going public may happen in the future, not sooner though. The children on the other hand, are inclined to take the risk of going public, but the simple couple is determined to trust the process of natural growth. Besides, the company still has enough savings to focus its expansions in its familiar grounds.

Ray and Venus are the force behind 11 diversified businesses and these are: AppleOne Properties, Inc. (AppleOne Equicom Tower, and AppleOne Banawa Heights); AppleOne Mactan Inc.; Sunsky Development Corporation (Diamond Suites Hotel & Residences); Brickwall Construction & Development Corporation (Apple Tree Resort & Hotel; Boardwalk City Residences; CityMall Danao); Mr. Eats AppleSeven Corp., ApplePie Corp (7 Eleven stores in AppleOne Equicom Tower and Southwestern University); Money Tree International Finance Corporation; International Cuisines Corporation (AppleOne Sky Lounge by Blue Elephant); Marina Seaview Resto Lounge Corporation; Bistro Group ( Italianni's-CDO and TGI Fridays-CDO franchisees) and Supria Phils Development Corporation (ready-mixed supplier of asphalt).

Surely, the Manigsaca's empire is grand, but the family maintains their signature of simplicity – their comfort zone.