Cover The BE Group of Companies president and CEO, Grand Benedicto, reflects on family, business and community (Photo: courtesy of BE Group of Companies)
The BE Group of Companies president and CEO, Grand Benedicto, reflects on family, business and community (Photo: courtesy of BE Group of Companies)
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BE Group of Companies
Beneath the layers of Grand Benedicto is a firm belief in family, discipline and giving back to the community
“Ever since I was a kid, I already knew I would take over the family business,” Grand Benedicto says. “It was never really forced. It was just part of life.” Benedicto grew up playing in his father’s lumberyard, quickly exposed to the raw materials and business acumen that would become the building blocks of his future endeavours. “We’d run around, ride forklifts and spend summers flying kites along the driveway,” he recalls. “I’d be in my mum’s office, watching how things worked.” The sound of crinkling papers and ink running across balance sheets might have seemed mundane, but he thought otherwise. “It was very simple, very manual,” he admits, briefly pausing. “But very disciplined.”
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Above Benedicto places a premium on discipline and doing things right (Photo: courtesy of BE Group of Companies)
Benedicto places a premium on discipline and doing things right (Photo: courtesy of BE Group of Companies)
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Benedicto credits his parents for showing him firsthand what hard work looks like. He was put to work in the family’s furniture factory, learning the ropes from the ground up. “It was so I could understand the whole business, end to end,” he explains. “Sales, marketing, manufacturing, purchasing, accounts and even exports. They wanted me to see how everything connects.” Above all, he learnt about people. The tenets of trust, respect and integrity were drilled into him; and with him, they remain to this day.
That upbringing—that learnt discipline—has led to where he is now as the president and CEO of the BE Group of Companies. He has grown the family-run business into a structured enterprise that encompasses hospitality, real estate and commercial leasing, such as Mabuhay Tower in Cebu, the Balai Series of BE Residences and BE Grand Resort Bohol, among an acclaimed number of others. While he keeps a watchful eye, he wants his employees to take ownership and move with independence, a mindset that keeps them agile and quick to adapt. “We don’t just want to be part of an industry,” Benedicto declares. “We want to offer something, raise the standard and in our own way, shake things up.”
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Above Benedicto always finds time for family in between his hectic schedules (Photo: courtesy of BE Group of Companies)
Benedicto always finds time for family in between his hectic schedules (Photo: courtesy of BE Group of Companies)
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When not overseeing day-to-day operations, Benedicto retreats to his passions, which have changed very little over the decades. “I probably have too many and not enough time for them now,” he laughs. “Cars, audio systems, home theatre. I enjoy tinkering, understanding how things work and improving them.” By his own admission, this mindset comes from the business side of things, albeit in a more relaxed environment.
“More than anything, it’s family,” he emphasises. The father of four has taken his parents’ own teachings to heart. “Sitting down for meals with the whole clan, spending time together and just being present. Travelling is also important—it gives us time away from everything and allows us to really bond.”
Family is at the heart and soul of everything that Grand Benedicto does. “It’s about making my parents proud of what we’re doing now,” he affirms. His support of the local communities and public schools is an initiative he had picked up from his grandfather. Indeed, every brick and stone laid in each of the developments carry the history of those before him. It is a legacy that he maintains with continuity and excellence. “It’s about building landmarks that stand for something,” he elaborates. “Something people can be proud of.”
Visit thebegroup.com.ph to learn more about the BE Group of Companies
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About
Tobias wants to write things that make people think, laugh, and reflect. He’s especially proud when he can sneak in a cheeky pop-culture reference or a pun in his titles and articles.
He possesses a deep love of history, resulting from years of books, games, and museum visits. It was this fascination with the human endeavour that fostered his love of writing, spanning genres, tones, and moods. He one day hopes to write a novel—he just hasn't decided on a genre yet. A certified homebody, you'll often find him on the computer he built himself, binge-watching Seinfeld or House, playing his favourite gacha game, or reading a book.
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Tobias is a features writer that specialises in branded content. Reach out to him at tobias.tomas@tatlerasia.com.
