2021 is a year of reaching new milestones and setting higher standards for T1. The company, together with the whole team, has grown exponentially within the year by saying yes to bigger opportunities and reaching new heights. New members have joined, new locations have been covered, and new project completions were launched last year which made 2021 a truly monumental year for T1.
In 2021, T1 has officially rebranded as T1 Project Services – a company that offers a wider array of construction, fit-out, and contractor services for local or multinational businesses in all sectors including corporate, commercial, hospitality, and industrial.
New key members of the team have also joined in 2021. T1 welcomed Head of Design and Build Aracle Lao, Head of Pre-Construction Gabriela Merino, and Head of Industrial Projects Steve Date who have joined the team. Meanwhile, Bien Bullicer, Harold Aledia, and Dovie Ancheta were awarded promotions and were named General Manager, Head of Engineering, and Head of Construction Management, respectively.
Mapping T1 across the Philippines: Project Locations & Completions in 2021
The previous year has also been a great opportunity for T1 to expand its footprint across the country. While its headquarters is located in Metro Manila, the company has strengthened its presence in regional areas, including Cebu, Iloilo, and Siargao. Project completions and launches were also a big part of a successful year for T1, with various hospitality and commercial projects in Pampanga, Batangas, Laguna, and Bohol.
T1 would like to express our sincerest gratitude to our partners and clients who have finished the year strongly with us. In 2022, we are aiming to be even bigger and better, offering a wider range of services and serving more businesses in the Philippines to help them achieve their goals.
T1 is in for an exciting year as new key members join the team. Industry expert Kevin White joins the company as one of its senior project managers to specialize in the delivery of large-scale builds and spearhead projects in the industrial and logistics sector.
“Joining T1 was an easy decision for me. I have known Daniel Anderson, the company’s chairman, for long time, I know that T1 is second to none in the Philippines given his knowledge of the industry. That gave me the confidence to join the T1 family for a long-term career path,” he shared.
With his valuable experience of working with multinational companies through the years, Kevin noted that more than the familiarity of emerging trends, he believes that having a deep understanding and appreciation of the craft makes working with clients more effective and impactful.
“Having worked on four continents, the skills and understanding I have gathered over the past 15 years is immense, my understanding of cultures from around the world allows me to understand the end-users, as well as my team and colleagues which in turn allows me to build and mentor strong teams wherever I work,” Kevin noted.
“In today’s market and ever-evolving construction delivery methods, we must stay fluid and flexible to keep a customer-centric focus. Our customers, whether multinationals or local, whether billion-peso worth companies or not, all command and deserve the same level of project delivery, Customer-centricity, that’s the way forward,” he added.
PH Construction and Industrial Rebound
The Philippine construction industry is also expected to have an exceptional bounce back this year. According to the Philippine Daily Inquirer, the local industry is expected to grow by 16.1 percent in 2022, outpacing the growth of the overall economy.
“I feel for the next 5-10 years, the construction boom will continue as the Philippines is seen as a developing market for both local and overseas investment. The residential sector will continue to drive the market once the government’s infrastructure projects tail off, driven still by the remittances from the OFW community,” Kevin noted.
He believes that he joined the company at the perfect time as the country is also seeing a boom in its industrial and logistics industry. Aided by the increasing market demand and the shift in consumer behavior, warehouses, storage facilities, and manufacturing will keep the real estate market steady for the coming years.
Kevin also shared that he looks forward to being one of the frontrunners of integrating sustainability with the design and construction industry in the country. Sharing the same values with T1, an affiliate of the Philippine Green Building Council, he shared that he empathizes the importance of minimizing construction’s impact on the environment.
“Our latest project is probably the highest tech/specification and highest expectation of the environmental impact in the country today, this excites me immensely because the planet we live on is in trouble and we can be part of fixing that problem,” he said.
As a seasoned engineer in the industry, Ara is excited to lead a team of skilled architects and engineers as the new head of T1’s Design and Build department. Focusing on corporate and commercial fit outs, Ara is looking forward to working with a team of like-minded and passionate people.
Joining T1 has been a very positive experience so far for Ara. Guided by her vision and goal to complete and deliver projects through a more design driven, economical and sustainable approach, she and her team want to add value for their clients by promoting T1’s capabilities and standards.
“T1’s ‘goal of conceptualizing tailor-fitted projects to our client’s specific requirement’ is exciting and inspiring for me. I want to lead the team well and raise more awareness about the company’s standards, the expertise of each team member, and the quality of service we consistently deliver,” she expressed. “I joined T1 because I can see myself growing with great mentors guiding me, impressive team members, and a company vision that is inspiring in the industry.”
With her impressive resume, skills, and knowledge acquired through her years of delivering projects, Ara shared that her values and ideals are aligned with the company. “I always strive to find the best solutions for my clients. Having been in the construction industry for 11 years, I know the ins and outs of each stage – whether it be project management, design, quantity surveying, or construction. I know what goes into making projects a success for our clients.”
Ara shared that the knowledge and experience she has gathered through the years are what helped her relate to her teammates and bring out the best in them.
“My leadership style is focused in bringing out the strengths and adapting to the weaknesses of my team members. As a leader, I want to mentor them so that one day they too can be leaders in their field.”
“The team has given me a very warm welcome. Working with them and seeing the passion that they have for what they do tells me our team wants to “get the job done and done well!”
For years, Jen’s work routine has revolved around putting everything in place for T1 Project Management. Handling the day-to-day operations of a dynamic company like T1 is as exciting as it is challenging. Coming from a different walk of life, she admits that doing something you are not familiar with can be scary at first, but with the right people, motivation, and training, you’ll get there.
“It was not smooth at first,” Jen shared. “But T1 has become a home and learning institution for me. They train you how to think. They challenge you to be better. They provide a role model for you,” she added.
Being one of the pioneer employees when T1 started in 2016, Jen describes her relationship with the company as mutually beneficial – she watched the company grow and the company molded the person she is today in return. Being the “fixer” and the “go-to” person of everyone in the team made Jen realize how essential her role is in the company. However, she admits at times, the pressure can get to her.
“I had doubtsabout coming to the construction sector, as I came from a different industry, and I had heard construction can be fast paced and high pressure, but as I strived to learn and familiarized myself with how things work, I found my place within the company.”
For Jen, getting her work done is not only about completing operational tasks or overseeing processes, it is building a connection with each of her team members to gain their trust and confidence. “I have gotten to know each individual that comprises the team and learned how they would help in making a project successful. I have learned to adapt to all sorts of people. I try my very best to connect with each of them, thankfully, the management is supportive enough to provide us a good working atmosphere by having our team lunches, seminars, team building, and virtual parties.”
Office Manager and Home Maker
More than just a company, T1 serves as family for Jen. “We created a strong bond which was paramount for me. Through the years the management has made me feel that I am a trusted to represent the company and make decisions, and I am very much thankful for that.” To her, the whole team and the management is a whole support system that will always have her back.
Moreover, the company is Jen’s home – a happy place where she works, laughs, and learns. “It’s somewhere where you are valued, respected, and cared for. Most importantly, I believe that home means a secure, cheerful place where you are respected and loved.”
“I help fix almost all of the issues in the office from simple attendance glitch to basically project closing. I can say that I’m the go-to person of everyone who needs advice or directions on their current professional and sometimes personal matters.” She compares her role as the office manager and as a home maker and realize it’s essentially the same. “As a mom of 2 boys with different personalities and preferences, you can only imagine how I am able to handle dealing with lots of different persons in one go. It’s initially challenging but eventually satisfying seeing them overcome their problems.”
What makes her stay
It’s the little things that matter to Jen, and not surprisingly, with the company that has been her home for the past years. “They value the smallest view or opinion you contribute to the team. It breaks down the wall that makes people hesitate to share what they know because of fear of being judged,” she shared. What makes it more rewarding are the benefits and perks T1 offers its people – from wellness programs to activities that foster collaboration and team bond. “They will let you see that you must have a work-life balance by providing activities that would let us have fun and enjoy work at the same time. Who would not stay for that?
