CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – DESPITE a looming recession in the United States which may spell repercussions even halfway
around the globe in the Philippines, the Villar-owned Vista Land and Lifescapes, Inc. remains to be bullish and in fact has
established another high-end subdivision here.
Or as Marlon Escalicas, Crown Asia Cagayan de Oro overseer, would put it “affordable living in a luxurious setting.”
A division of Vista Land and Lifescapes, Inc., Crown Asia manages and operates Camella Homes and Grand Europa in the
city and is now developing Santa Barbara in barangay Kauswagan.
“We are bringing kauswagan (Cebuano for prosperity) in barangay Kauswagan,” Escalicas said in an interview with
BusinessWorld during the launching of Santa Barbara February 9 which was also graced by Senate President Manuel Villar,
whose family owns Vista Land and Lifescapes, Inc.
Because they have anticipated that their previous target market – the overseas Filipinos workers (OFWs) – will be the hardest
hit should a United States recession persists, Escalicas said they have shifted promoting Santa Barbara to small- and medium-
scale entrepreneurs in nearby areas such as the Surigao and Agusan provinces as well as Bukidnon, Camiguin, Misamis
Occidental and the Lanao and Zamboanga provinces.
This paradigm shift in targeting another market has proved successful to Crown Asia as far as Santa Barbara is concerned.
“Prior to our launching today, we have already sold out quite a number of units already,” Escalicas said last Saturday
although refusing to give out figures.
Spawning 7 hectares in area, Santa Barbara will have a total of 400 housing units ranging from a single-level structure to
duplexes and townhouses with varying areas from 41 to 80 square meters each.
Iba Time