Victor Consunji of DMCI Homes has a simple goal: He wants to build a healthy, peaceful place for Filipinos to grow up and settle down.
Coming from a family of contractors, he has set his sights not only on expanding the business, but building his own legacy with his firm, VConsunji, Inc.
In the process, Victor is also discovering the joys of home life with his wife Binibining Pilipinas-World 2007 Maggie Wilson, and their 2-year-old son.
“Some of my favorite father-son moments have me recording and compiling extremely cute and embarrassing clips of him as he goes about his
day. Some of these clips I share with the rest of the family, the other ones I will hold as leverage for that day he brings home his first girlfriend,” he said.
I sat down with Victor to talk about the real estate business, his extracurricular activities, and how he keeps clean and dapper despite his always-on-the-go lifestyle.
Best professional lesson
The best professional lesson I’ve ever learned is… create a product. There is a difference between just doing a job and creating a product. A job is limited to something that just needs to be done, but a product has a life of its own, with the power to positively influence and affect people.
The kind of projects I’d want to work on in the future are… primary home developments. In general, your average home or condo living space is badly designed. I hope to correct that in such a way that families can live with dignity and happiness, and the developer can work with pride and fulfillment on a job well done.
“Sustainable design” is something that… needs to balance practical application. What good is sustainable design if it becomes financially unsustainable to the homeowner? Not everyone can afford to pay for many of the new green technologies out there, and until market adaptation allows for more economically friendly prices, it would not be fair to transfer that burden to a typical family just for the sake of calling a project “sustainable.”
My life’s mission in five words… Let’s build a better life.
The one book that has influenced me a lot is… “A Tale of Two Cities,” by Charles Dickens.
A pastime I enjoy doing with my family is… traveling. It’s one of the few pastimes where I can truly get away from all the distractions in the city and really focus on the people I love. Plus, it helps me get a better perspective on life, seeing how other cultures go about their existence.
Perfect shower
I believe in dressing appropriately because… how you dress for any occasion will reflect your self-confidence, sincerity, thoughtfulness, and demeanor—all notable characteristics of a
person who might have something important to contribute, or interesting to say.
I won’t hesitate to splurge on… shoes. Good shoes can make or break any activity.
You can tell a lot about a man by his… skin, because a man’s lifestyle is reflected on his skin. What he does for work, how much time he spends outside, how clean he is, and if he respects himself enough to take care of his own skin.
A perfect shower always includes… soap, facial wash and shampoo. I use Tresemmé Shampoo, Pond’s Men Energy Charge Facial Wash and Dove Soap.
When it comes to grooming myself, I take the most time… showering under hot water. It’s relaxing.
The grooming products you’ll find in my bath counter are… a razor, Pond’s Men Energy Charge all-in-one moisturizer, toner and serum, a toothbrush, L’Oreal Play Ball deviation paste, toothpaste and floss.
To de-stress I… workout by swimming or running.
Top tip
Victor knows that a solid reputation and good grooming habits are crucial to a man’s career.
“A first impression is important, but your daily impression is what people will use to decide whether to work with you, and more importantly, whether to trust you with their business and interests.
Great-looking skin and personal hygiene go hand in hand with a good personality, ethics and the ability to get the job done, he said.
For dapper hair that’s easy to maintain, try a place to get a proper shave and a clean haircut, and maybe a cup of freshly brewed Yardstick coffee.
The Back Alley Barbershop signals a return to quality grooming and service for the gentleman. It brings back old school rituals complemented by excellent, up-to-date tools and products Grandpa would love.
How cool is it that they use samurai scissors handmade with Japanese steel?
Services range from a haircut and wash for P400 to a shave for P450. One service to try is the no-fuss facial and barber massage, the Hangover Treatment, a general relief and rescue service.
The Back Alley Barbershop features a vintage-theme interior with old items repurposed for storage and display.
Back Alley Barbershop is at 1D, Bautista cor. Sanchez Sts., Salcedo Village, Makati City. It is open daily, 9 a.m.-8 p.m. Call 0947-5185736.
CREDITS:
*Victor’s choice products come from department stores and supermarkets nationwide.
