Carmen Jimenez-Ong, the CEO and founder of Mernarco Development Corp, has a passion for property and creativity which served as a foundation for her goals, ultimately leading her to the road towards success. She was the woman behind Southeast Asia’s first WELL Gold-certified building, the Menarco Tower, found in Bonifacio Global City. The tower that Jimenez-Ong helped construct even earned a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold status.

"[I am] so proud to be Filipino, since we achieved it with our all Filipino team! It is my calling to create spaces that take care of the people in it … and that was my way of nation-building. Simply put—by developing thoughtful spaces that keep people well and productive, then businesses flourish, and the economy/country does, too," Jimenez-Ong shared with Tatler.

The real estate developer is a true altruist as most of her goals benefit the community. In fact, Jimenez-Ong advocates for the environment and also upholds the wellness of the building’s tenants and employees as she works to carry out a vision that prioritises having sustainable and healthy property developments. She also pays homage to contemporary Filipino talent by making sure to have art pieces displayed on every floor.

Besides this, she continually advocates for the creation of people-centric spaces and has been in conversations with the World Bank/IFC, the International World Building Institute, and more to propagate new programmes and opportunities for environment-forward projects. She also disclosed to Tatler that her second project (situated on 5th Avenue, BGC) is well underway.