In the last ten years of his life, the late steel tycoon Ambassador John K.C. Ng devoted much of his time for philanthropic work that he came to be known both for his charitable side and his business acumen.
The chairman of diversified conglomerate Cathay Group of Companies, Ng, a graduate of the well-renowned Chiang Kai Shek College, attributed a huge part of his success to his alma mater.
Thus, it was no surprise that he wanted to give back to the school and pay it forward.
He had this dream of helping Chiang Kai Shek expand outside its maiden campus in Tondo, Manila. Chiang Kai Shek is the first institution of higher learning founded by Chinese-Filipinos.
To fulfill this dream, Ng donated part of his sprawling landbank in the booming Cavite province to the educational institution so that it could expand outside Metro Manila and reach more students.
Ng, who was appointed by former president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo as the Special Envoy for Chinese Affairs, pursued his dream, seeking the help, too, of his fellow alumni. Unfortunately, he was unable to see the dream fulfilled because of his untimely passing in 2013.
But that dream nevertheless became a reality ten years after Ng’s death, made possible by his son, Jeffrey Ng, president & CEO of property giant Cathay Land.
The rest, as they say, is history.
Just last August, Chiang Kai Shek opened its doors in Cathay Land’s Crestkey Estates in Silang, Cavite.
“My father helped in raising funds from the alumni. It was his dream to expand Chiang Kai Shek because it was already quite crowded in the Manila campus. Now Chiang Kai Shek has opened its doors and it is several times bigger than the Manila campus with its own track and field,” Jeffrey Ng says in an interview with Property Report.
“This is a fulfillment of his dream,” he adds, referring to his philanthropist father.
Thus, at the heart of Cathay Land’s Crestkey Estates is Chiang Kai Shek College.
It will serve as the core educational anchor of Silang’s rising college business district and is the school’s first campus outside Metro Manila, says Jeffrey.
“It’s the district’s anchor development,” Ng says, underscoring the institution’s rich history.
Indeed, the college boasts a rich history with some of the country’s most successful entrepreneurs as part of its roster of alumni such as LT Group chairman Lucio Tan, SM Group founder Henry Sy Sr., Jollibee Foods Corp. chairman Tony Tan Caktiong, and Liwayway Group chairman Carlos Chan.
But Ng says Chiang Kai Shek is open to everyone. In fact, he notes, the son of a local official, a full-blooded Filipino, is studying in the school.
“It is open to all Filipinos and nationalities,” he says.
Its key initiatives are to help students receive engaged faculty support and cutting-edge courses in addition to other outstanding opportunities.
The 11.5-hectare Southmont campus will feature a wide range of programs and services with certain focus areas and select courses in anticipation of the locale’s potential talent pool needs in the future.
In all, the presence of Chiang Kai Shek College in Southmont bodes well for the bigger Crestkey Estates where it belongs, Ng said.
Initially, it will cater to preschool up to Grade 12 students and build support facilities such as a multi-purpose complex, which will house an indoor basketball gym, track and field oval, football field, and dormitory inside the campus.
Crestkey Estates
The 19-hectare Crestkey Estates draws inspiration from the best practices found in well-renowned college towns across the world, while addressing the needs of the modern Filipino consumer.
It is an ongoing development by Cathay Land and it is fast turning into an iconic landmark as the college business district is seamlessly integrated with nature, open spaces, and prime educational facilities.
Seamlessly connected
Furthermore, the district is seamlessly connected to Metro Manila.
Despite its elevation of up to 245 meters above sea level and proximity to abundant green spaces, it is linked to all the major throughfares and life’s essentials that enable a growing community to thrive.
Aside from South Luzon Expressway (SLEX) and Manila-Cavite Expressway (CAVITEX), Crestkey Estates also directly benefits from the 45-kilometer Cavite-Laguna Expressway (CALAX) project.
An integrated investment
Given its seamless connection and as an integrated business district with a renowned educational institution, Crestkey Estates gives investors an abundance of opportunities to build a strong business presence within the community.
Companies from diverse industries can move their businesses here while investors looking for opportunities will also see the growth of land values as the development also aims to elevate the shopping, dining, and recreational experiences of residents, working professionals, and students.
“With opportunities for community engagement, outdoor dining, and open spaces, Crestkey Estates will occupy a prominent place within this college business district and integrally connect the campus of Chiang Kai Shek College to the amenities and public spaces emerging within our upcoming development,” says Ng.
At Crestkey Estates, flexible commercial lot cuts have been provisioned.
Offering 53 commercial lots, ranging from approximately 469 to 1,413 square meters, each lot in the development is designed to suit the requirements of a diverse array of businesses from retail stores, restaurants, and offices.
Furthermore, commercial buildings may be built up to 21 meters high, providing scenic views of Laguna de Bay, Mt. Makiling, and Tagaytay.
Crestkey Estates, scheduled for completion in 2027, is the first business district in the 800-hectare Southmont township which is a proud joint venture development between Cathay Land and Ayala Land.
Southmont Cavite
Offering commercial lots for businesses and residential developments, Southmont is envisioned to continue the legacy of both developers in crafting integrated, master planned communities.
Ng said about 80 percent would comprise residential components while the remaining will be commercial and institutional.
Some notable residential enclaves within the estate include Hillside Ridge by Alveo Land, Lanewood Hills by Ayala Land Premier, and Verdea by Alveo Land.
Led by Cathay Land president & CEO Jeffrey T. Ng and Ayala Corporation chairman Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala, executives from both companies along with government officials Silang Mayor Kevin Anarna and Cavite 5th District Representative Congressman Roy Loyola attended the groundbreaking ceremony at Southmont recently.
Southmont will also offer a bike & jogging trail, ridgeview restaurants, sports club, and church.
Ng says the newest estate is in line with the Cathay Group’s thrust toward developing more 15-minute, green cities.
Southmont is strategically located beside the bustling Sta. Rosa-Tagaytay Road and multiple CALAX exits. This new township will further strengthen the partnership between the two property giants while setting the tone for future developments within the municipality.
In all, Ng said it is part of Cathay Land’s vision to elevate and strengthen Silang, Cavite’s position in the real estate sector.
* * *
To learn more about Crestkey Estates, please visit www.crestkeyestates.com or call 0917 312 6798.
