The Metro Manila skyline is becoming a postcard perfect sight for Filipinos and foreigners. If the changing landscape is an indication of the country’s progress, then the Philippines is almost there.

But the growth in the property sector is a team effort between developers, architects and engineers, and notably the construction companies that concretize all the proposed ideas and designs.

DATEM Inc. has completely established itself as one of the most influential construction companies in the country alongside partner real-estate giants; influential in the sense that the people behind these companies together dictate structural moderations and adjustments, and how buildings can become more environment-friendly, sustainable and globally-competitive. “When we first established DATEM, our goal was to make a difference in the construction industry through innovation and technology,” says Levy Espiritu, President of DATEM Inc.

Since it started in 1984, DATEM has become the go-to company for developers to make their dream buildings come true. What the firm brings to the table goes beyond the assembly of design ideas: it brings character to the buildings and the cityscape as well. In 1996, the company decided to evolve into more than just construction but a firm that specializes in leading-edge design and construction innovation through a partnership with an Australian firm.

DATEM provides construction services including general construction works— the coordination and implementation of structural, architectural, mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and fire protection works —needed to complete a building. “We have been a trusted partner to the country’s leading real-estate developers, helping change the Philippine skyline one iconic structure at a time,” Espiritu says.

Landmarks by DATEM Inc.

Buildings shape, if not define, a city or a town’s personality. They do not just become a landmark or just another structure “in the corner of”; people get a certain attachment to these edifices even if they themselves don’t live or work there. Structures in themselves serve as legacies to generations, which will help them look back at history and define the past based on what they can still see.

For more than thirty years, DATEM Inc. has been one of the most trusted contractors by the country’s top developers and their history is highlighted by landmark projects such as Discovery Primea, touted as one of the highest luxury residential towers to grace Makati City; Discovery Shores in Boracay which has won numerous awards in the tourism industry; and The Mind Museum, the Philippines’ first world-class science museum and a LEED Gold-certified building for design and construction, the first LEED-certified museum in the Philippines.

The Mind Museum at the Bonifacio Global City in Taguig is a landmark that defines how future museums should look and feel like. It was built to bring “state-of-the-art” one level higher than the existing best. The intention of developers and designers came into fruition with its partnership with DATEM; the construction company believes that buildings should go beyond the “square-meter” definition. The Mind Museum was a pioneer in the area of green construction; at the time when it was still undergoing construction, not much had been done in the space of green construction and it was then decided that the project must attain green certification, “we initially wanted to settle for certified but then we realized we could go for silver and pretty soon we got our target” shared Spokesperson for the Fort Bonifacio Development Corp. (FBDC)., as well as Managing Director for the Mind Museum, Mr. Manny Blas. “At that time, green building was not quite the trend it is today. “It has become a statement of sorts. Nowadays everyone wants to leave a statement,” added Mr. Blas. “The work that goes into making a green building is not an easy feat”.

The museum in itself, which would later become one of the many attractions of BGC, was not a particularly easy project Mr. Blas recalls. But Mr. Blas owes much of the success of construction to the contractor in-charge of the project, DATEM Inc. “More than quality of work, it was the amount of cooperation in solving the daily problems and obstacles that the company brought in which greatly aided the construction and design as it was taking shape.” He recalled.

Because families, starting or growing, would live on these structures, DATEM has strongly advocated green building structures and innovations. “Through all of our commitments, we continuously build our ability to anticipate and respond to challenges and opportunities, and improve our technology and competitiveness. This is what has allowed us to become the trusted partner to the country’s leading real estate developers and we continue to be wholly dedicated to changing the nation’s skyline one iconic structure at a time,” shares Espiritu.

In a country exhibiting impressive economic growth, infrastructure-development has received increased attention. With this trend, it is clearly not enough to maintain infrastructure but to ensure that they are continuously modernized to keep up with the new needs and the emergence of technological advancements. Construction companies such as DATEM are clearly positioned to keep up and deliver globally-competitive landmarks.

Green-focused growth

Arya Residences, also at BGC, is the Philippines’ first LEED-registered residential condominium on target for Gold certification, and the benchmark vertical residential project for the country’s national green building rating system, BERDE. LEED or Leadership in Energy and Environment Design is a certification given by the United States Green Building Council to true environment-friendly buildings all over the world. Getting a stamp of approval from the council assures homebuyers of the authenticity of green building claims.

“Being a general contractor, DATEM’s role is the most extensive and critical to the success of a particular development or project,” says Morris Agoncillo, DATEM Inc. Vice President for Engineering. “Our role encompasses almost the entirety of the wide and varied scope of works and attaining the agreed project milestones is very crucial.” DATEM helped fulfill the vision of its partners not only in terms of design but also in the materials it used.

Discovery Shores Boracay is just one among the very few that adhere to preserve the island. While the resort hotel has always been known for luxury, it has also pushed the standards in green building for other resorts to follow.

DATEM has remained in the background for many years, quietly innovating in ways that crafted skylines and uplifted standards in the Industry, “We will always strive to perform the best in terms of quality, time and cost,” says Arnold de Asis, Vice President for Operations at DATEM Inc. It is this enduring and fervent passion for excellence and innovation that will ensure that the Company will remain a leader, building breakthrough developments and impacting the Nation for years to come.

 

CONTACT INFORMATION:

Rishi Rosselle A. Miyata
Ogilvy Public Relations Manila
(E): rishi.miyata@ogilvy.com
(P): (63) 2 238 7057