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UnionBank partners with T1 to inspire, innovate amid COVID-19

The UnionBank of the Philippines strengthens its position as a leader in technology and banking in the country. Inspired by their commitment to bringing excellence and honing talent, the Aboitiz-led company has successfully inaugurated The UnionBank Innovation Campus, the first in the Philippines.

Designed to be the organization’s bedrock for the creation and incubation of solutions for banking, financial technology, and other industries, the one-hectare facility held its digital groundbreaking ceremony last May 26, Wednesday.

“We’re excited for the campus because it’s a dream come true for the entire organization and it’s also a testament to the commitment of management and the board of directors to innovation as a major strategic thrust,” UnionBank president Edwin Bautista said during the virtual groundbreaking ceremony. “This is also consistent with the Aboitiz group’s focus on innovation as a pillar for growth moving forward,” he added.

T1 was tapped to collaborate and partner with UnionBank as the official project management and quantity surveying firm. With the shared vision of pushing forward development, sustainability, and innovation, the Philippines’ leading project services company was successful in delivering excellent results in time for the groundbreaking ceremony.

According to UnionBank, this innovation campus is expected to be completed by the middle or third quarter of next year. It will also operate as a hub for blockchain, artificial intelligence and other new technologies that will revolutionize the Filipino’s way of life.

“Working with UnionBank was a pleasure and a boost for T1. “We are very proud to be a part of this milestone. T1 aims to collaborate with companies who stand for positive change and innovation in development in all sectors, not just construction. Working with UnionBank is inspiring,” Ivan Deinla, Senior Project Manager expressed.

Bautista added that this innovation campus is a testament and affirmation for the Filipinos who are going through a hard time because of the pandemic. He expressed that companies like UnionBank continue to invest and vet for a brighter future for the Philippines. Despite the current lockdown restrictions, Bautista said the bank was starting to build the campus for the future when it would be safe again to interact with more people in the new normal.

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Meet the Team Heads: Carmi Buen, Lead Quantity Surveyor

T1 takes pride in delivering successful projects for our clients. Lead Quantity Surveyor and Commercial Manager Carmi ensures that all our client’s contracts are rightfully and thoroughly observed. 

After 10 years of industry experience, Carmi boasts of a competitive skillset and impressive knowledge in the field. Carmi is a capable leader with a background in managing contractual and commercial aspects of construction projects. She leads her team in providing commercial management services for large residential developments, industrial plants, office buildings, shopping malls, and many others. She ensures that her team is up-to-date with the latest market data and quantity surveying standards. 

As Lead Quantity Surveyor, Carmi takes a huge part in terms of decision making in the financial aspect of the projects handled by the company. For her, the job is very much similar to the role she takes in real life. “As a professional Quantity Surveyor whose main task is to manage the cost and contract, it is related in my personal life in terms of decisions making,” she shared. 

“As the lead quantity surveyor for T1, I find it most exciting whenever we experience commercial complexities in construction projects, this is where we can find opportunities that may be a benefit our clients’ commercial goals” Carmi said. “Spearheading the whole department, I ensure the performance of the team complies with the Philippine-set standards, along with other internationally-set standards as well.” 

T1 is committed to constant improvement and innovation. “We are continuously improving our systems and services and therefore our quality of our work by having a close working relationship with our clients to ensure a seamless transaction with them,” Carmi shared. 

“I am always delighted whenever we are able to exceed the client’s expectations it in terms of the project’s commercial aspects from outset to completion,” she added.