Armed with purpose and drive, Buds Wenceslao, the CEO of DM Wenceslao and Associates, Inc., sets out to continue the family legacy—building holistic real estate developments in the Philippines.

With a legacy of over 50 years—as well as many well-known developments and accolades to its name—DM Wenceslao and Associates, Inc. (DMWAI) is one of the leading integrated real estate development and construction companies in the Philippines. In fact, the Philippine Licensing Board recognized it as a Quadruple A (or AAAA) company—the highest license given to construction firms for meeting the strictest criteria, which includes having a net worth of at least PHP 1 billion, among others.

But the company's true claim to fame? Building a city straight out of Manila Bay.

Setting its sights beyond local terrain, DMWAI turned water into land—a whopping 2.4 million square meters of land. This meant that the possibilities in the realm of real estate and development were endless. From open spaces to office buildings, hotels, residential units, and more, the company has constantly built and leased land and buildings and has likewise completed over 140 construction and infrastructure projects since its inception.

Continuing the legacy paved by his grandfather and father, Delfin Angelo Wenceslao—known in business circles by his nickname, Buds Wenceslao—takes charge as the current CEO of DMWAI. Since his appointment in 2016, he has injected his personal brand and ideals into the Parañaque-based development, now known as Aseana City.

In this exclusive interview with The Business Manual, he reveals the company's rich history, his success secrets, the strategies in place for sustainability and continuity, as well as the most important thing: how DMWAI has constantly innovated to suit the ever-changing needs of the times.

Leveraging an Opportunity for Growth

Although the Wenceslao clan is foremost known for its foray into the real estate and development industry, the family also boasts an extensive medical background, given that Buds Wenceslao's mother, as well as several uncles and cousins, were in the medical profession.