HIS family’s main business was mining, but he chose to go the opposite direction and remained aboveground. Join Jigs Arquiza as he interviews a man who chose to blaze his own trails.
“Growing up with parents and family members who were serious about business was a big influence in my life,” the 23-year old chief executive officer of Paramount Property Ventures, Abelardo Canedo, Jr. declares. With his family’s chief interests lying below ground, in mining and memorial parks, Junggie, as he is affectionately called by those close to him, preferred to stay above the ground rather than go under it.
A varsity swimmer in college, perhaps it was Junggie’s love for the water that drew him to the coastal state of Florida. When he was there, he grew to love the city’s lifestyle, living practically on the water. Living in West Palm Beach, Florida, and studying and graduating from Northwood University played a major role in his life. Realizing that Cebu, being surrounded by water, offered the same kind of environment as Florida, he convinced his family to go into residential development, saying “ibog gyud ko sa mga balay sa Florida (I fell in love with the houses in Florida) and how the communities were planned.”
Junggie explains further, “I wanted Cebuanos to have the kind of communities the people in Florida have.” With this in mind, his company ventured into developing Fonte di Versailles, a lifestyle-focused subdivision in his hometown of Minglanilla, putting a lot of emphasis on seaside living.
While Junggie believes in professionalism at work, it doesn’t mean that it’s all work and no play for him. Though he doesn’t go out clubbing much, he does enjoy an occasional beer or two with close friends. On occasion, he even takes his office staff for a nightcap at a bar near their office. Junggie feels that in order for people not to get too stressed, one should have the right attitude for the occasion. “When you’re working, focus on work. When you’re with your family and friends, forget about work and just have fun.” he asserts. And yes, ladies. According to Junggie, he is “single and available.”
Though he values family, friends and associates, Junggie considers himself a loner, an introspective person, which shows in his choice of sports that do not require much teamwork: swimming and racket sports. On the other hand, while he is working, he puts a lot of value in colleagues working together for a common goal.
Inasmuch as Junggie sees himself still working on residential projects five years from now, he confesses to a dream. Junggie admits, “I’d love to travel and check out the Seven Wonders of the World.”