theceomagazine.com | 169THE CEO OF CEBU HOME AND BUILDERS
CENTRE, MICHAEL CO, IS HELPING TO
BUILD THE PHILIPPINES’ ECONOMY
ONE RELATIONSHIP AT A TIME.WORDS ASHTON KOBLER • IMAGES JASPER SALCEDABUILDING FOR THE
FUTURE
T
he Philippines is experiencing an economic
upturn, and the city of Cebu is particularly
optimistic. According to the SunStar Cebu,
business leaders are excited about what is
to come. “Big ticket meetings, incentives,
conventions and exhibitions (MICE) in
the tourism front, continued growth in the information
technology-business process management (BPM) space,
real estate explosion, a tamed inflation rate, and election-
related spending, among others, paint a promising future
for the local economy,” the publication states.
The CEO of Cebu Home and Builders Centre, Michael
Co, is one of the expectant business leaders in the city.
“The city of Cebu is a major player in the development
of what is happening in our country right now,” he says.“Our goal at Cebu Home and Builders is to continue
bringing quality products at a good price; this is how we
plan to be a part of the development of our economy.”
In 2002, Michael and his brother James wanted to build
a subsidiary home improvement store after years spent
working at their parents’ family company, Cebu Oversea
Hardware Co. The company’s first and main branch, located
in Mandaue City, has its most extensive array of DIY
materials and caters to the higher-end market with a
showroom. More stores were built in strategic areas in
the region to better service the market, namely in Mactan,
Pardo, Consolacion, and its latest store in Minglanilla.
“We do what we do because it is anchored in our family
position of bringing world-class products at the best possible
price and setting,” Michael says.Interview | INVEST