Not because the Filipino entrepreneur is weak, but because the systems that should have strengthened us were never built.
The price of what we failed to build
Our nation is facing the compounded effects of a government that failed to forecast its potential 20 years ago.
Education should have been reformed. Public works should have been modernized.
Our core sectors: OFWs, BPOs, and agriculture—should have been protected and expanded through genuine programs and long-term support.
Instead, the country doubled down on tight regulations that made us one of the most hostile environments for foreign investors in Southeast Asia.
Combined with corruption that bleeds through every level of society, we’re left with rising prices that have not normalized, a weakened peso, and declining investor confidence.
And the world around us is no different: wars dragging on, great powers shifting roles, China slowing down, alliances reshaping, and technology outrunning policy.
Economists will call it a cycle. Stoics will call it fate. But for all of us, this is reality. And instead of being up all night in fear, I’ve mapped out a strategy and choosing discipline with a lot of faith.
Play defense, not denial
The plan is to double down, but not in spending more or expanding recklessly. It means sharpening the fundamentals—tightening execution, eliminating waste, removing internal bureaucracy, and protecting the customer experience with even greater intensity.
Resisting the temptation of shortcuts, mediocrity, and choosing easy over excellence.
This is why our commitment to every homebuyer must be firmer than ever: to deliver their brand new house and lot without headaches, confusion, or delays.
To make the handover of a dream home the one bright, stable milestone in a year full of unknowns.
If no one leads, we step forward
So where do we go from here? Who will turn things around? Is it the president? A senator? A reformist legislator?
The officials exposing corruption? A new generation of leaders trying to rewrite the rules? Or is the dark knight in each one of us?
If the system will not boost us, then we strengthen ourselves. If the economy will not stabilize, then we stabilize our execution.
If the world is entering a darker chapter, then we resist getting sucked into it—through the way we build, the way we serve, and the way we lead.
About the Author
Pammy Olivares-Vital is the President and CEO of Ovialand, one of the Philippines’ fastest-growing real estate developers focused on delivering “Premier Family Living” to hardworking Filipino families. Under her leadership, Ovialand has expanded across key growth corridors in South and Central Luzon, built a strong reputation for trustworthy homebuilding, and pioneered a customer-first buying experience in the housing sector.
She has been the driving force behind Ovialand’s long-term strategy, culture programs, and nationwide expansion—anchored on disciplined execution, strong partnerships, and a deep commitment to homebuyer satisfaction. Pammy frequently speaks about leadership, nation-building through housing, and the power of building communities where Filipino families can thrive.
She holds a degree in Educational Psychology from De La Salle University and is an alumna of PAREF Woodrose. Outside work, she enjoys homemaking, cooking, and spending time with Bryan, her husband, and their four kids.
