Category: Pasig

Philippines

The Secret to Long Life

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PAREB President Manny Bocaling giving plaque of appreciation to REALTOR Castañeda

I was fortunate to hear PAREB history as narrated by Realtor Ernesto G. Castañeda during the PAREB Induction and Awarding Ceremonies last December 9, 2010. The event was held at the Manila Hotel as part of the Christmas Party celebrations of the Philippine Association of REALTORS® Boards, Inc. (PAREB). PAREB is the leading brokers association in the Philippines with more than 4,000 members. Mr. Castañeda is 96 years old and was the PAREB National President from 1968 to 1969.

When he walked to the stage to induct the new set of national officers for 2011, most of us couldn’t believe that at his age he is as strong as any of the younger Realtors. He spoke clearly and has good eyesight as he was able to read the Oath of Office without glasses. His memory was still sharp; in fact he remembers well the story that led to the creation of PAREB 50 years ago.

According to him, PAREB was created from a group of Manila-based real estate brokers with two American journalists. They planned to have the group accredited with the REALTORS® association in the United States. A special mention was made of ethics as a character of the new organization and its goal to set a high ethical standard in the real estate profession.

Members of the Pasig REALTORS Board at the 2010 PAREB Christmas Party

As a practicing licensed broker (DTI Lic. No. 19164), I liked Mr. Castañeda giving importance to ethics because I believe ethical practice is one of the distinctive mark of a REALTOR®. My analogy to this is, if there are “high end” and  “low end” products, a “special” or “regular” food; in real estate brokerage there is a REALTOR® who is distinct from an unlicensed practitioner.

I must confess I was awed by Mr. Castañeda. For me he exemplifies the highly ethical and principled Realtor. It was his loving concern for the well being of others that made him share the secret on the ingredient of his long life.

And do you now know what that secret is? Just listen to Realtor Raffy Salaveria’s video below.

I won’t tell you myself. After all it is a secret.

Mama Mia, Here I Go Again

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The Pasig REALTORS Board (PRB) celebrated its Christmas party last December 6, 2010 at the Valle Verde 1 Clubhouse. One thing that I like with this group is the high level of volunteerism and service orientation of its members. I have been in a number of organizations and have been in the service industry for more than 20 years yet I have to see a group as helpful and as selfless as the members of the PRB.

A good example of this service ethics is Diana delos Reyes: when the Philippine Association of REALTORS Board (PAREB) called for a broadway-oriented presentation for the National Convention, she stepped forward to initiate it. Another member, Toto Acosta, with his experience and resources then took over and developed the idea. Other members who are gifted with talent then completed the group. The volunteers were Dang Lorica, Mau Garin, Ket Santos, Leng Reyes, Manny Florendo, and George Bernares. Hence Mama Mia was presented both at the national convention and the board’s Christmas party this year.

With this presentation, PRB has really something to be proud of. The quality of membership of the board is superb. For me, these examples of service are some of the things that encourage more members to join the organization. This important attribute undoubtly make these Realtors  the number one choice of their clients for their real estate transactions (Diana owns her own realty company, the Metro Asia Estates, Inc. with office at the Mega Plaza, Ortigas Center, Pasig). Sadly she’s leaving us for another board.

One of the main reason why I’m writing this piece is her leaving us. When she’s helping, she encourages a lot of people to do their best. Last May she headed the PRB Team for the PAREB mini-olympics which was held as part of PAREB’s 50th year celebrations. In spite of being a small board, we won third overall.  The Christmas party attendance wouldn’t be much more than last year without her monitoring the confirmed number through her Sun Blackberry. She is also helping in the ongoing Continuing Professional Education program of the board.

I think with her 12 years in the PRB, her contribution would be sorely missed.

Here’s wishing you the best Diana!