Batangas youth empowered to become future leaders in hospitality
Landco Pacific Corporation, a pioneer in premium leisure and sustainable seaside developments for over 30 years, deepens its commitment to community development through its Adopt-a-Scholar Program. This is an initiative that provides long-term support to underprivileged yet deserving youth from the surrounding communities of Landco BeachTowns Club Laiya and CaSoBe (Calatagan South Beach) in Batangas.
A Day at Landco Pacific Headquarters
As part of its continuing support for the scholars, Landco Pacific recently welcomed them to its corporate headquarters for an immersive learning experience. The visit included an office tour, cross-department briefings, and a meet-and-greet with Landco Pacific Corporation President and CEO Erickson Y. Manzano, along with key executives from various departments.
Accompanied by their parents, the scholars gained first-hand insights into Landco’s real estate operations and its hospitality arm, Landco Lifestyle Ventures (LLV). The activity was organized by Jeramie Fauni-Azarcon, Project Director and Head of Community Development, Landco Pacific.
Manzano encouraged the scholars to embrace education not only as a personal stepping stone but also as a responsibility to uplift others.
“Your journey is bigger than yourselves,” he said. “It’s about your families, your communities, and the people who look up to you. The knowledge and character you’re building today will one day shape the places you work in and the lives you touch.”
As a special incentive, Manzano also announced that the top three graduates will be rewarded with an all-expense-paid overnight stay at either CaSoBe or Club Laiya with their families, in recognition of their academic efforts.
A Legacy of Upliftment
Now in its second year, the Adopt-a-Scholar Program continues to make a meaningful impact on the lives of underprivileged yet determined youth in Landco’s BeachTown communities.
Launched in 2023 through a partnership with Batangas State University and local public high schools, the initiative has become a cornerstone of Landco’s community development strategy aimed at nurturing future leaders in the hospitality and tourism industries.
“We launched this program with the hope of creating ripple effects where one scholar’s success leads to a stronger family, a more confident community, and a deeper sense of purpose,” Manzano said. “As we grow our developments, we want to grow alongside the people who call these places home.”
Nurturing Future Hospitality Leaders
The program currently supports nine scholars, five from Calatagan and four from Laiya. Now in their third year, most are pursuing Bachelor of Science in Tourism Management, while others are enrolled in Hospitality Management courses.
Each scholar receives comprehensive financial assistance that covers daily living expenses such as food, transportation, dormitory accommodations, school supplies, and project costs.
As part of their academic development, they also fulfill their internship requirements at CaSoBe and Club Laiya through Landco Lifestyle Ventures (LLV). This provides them firsthand exposure to the operations of LLV-managed properties, including the Chairman’s Cabin, the private beach retreat of Metro Pacific Investments Corporation (MPIC) Chairman Manuel V. Pangilinan. The students also engage with LLV’s unique and sustainable hospitality offerings such as Crusoe Cabins, Apollo, Cupola, Cocoons, and Camperisti, as well as leisure destinations like Aquaria Water Park and Laiya Beach Club.
In support of Landco Pacific’s broader community engagement efforts, six of the scholars are currently completing their on-the-job training (OJT) as a course requirement in Hospitality Management at Kalaiyaan Coast, a nature and camping resort owned by one of the lot owners at ALC (Aplaya Laiya Corporation).
Upon graduation, scholars are strongly considered for employment opportunities within Landco’s expanding hospitality and tourism portfolio, enabling them to build careers close to home while contributing to the continued growth of their communities.
A Holistic Approach to Sustainability
Landco Pacific Corporation’s commitment to sustainability extends well beyond architecture and construction. It encompasses environmental conservation, local capacity-building, and community resilience, all rooted in its people-planet-profit philosophy.
Aligned with the sustainability roadmap of its parent company, MPIC, Landco undertakes a range of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) initiatives that reflect its alignment with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. These include the implementation of the Adopt-a-Scholar Program, which strengthens inclusive education and supports grassroots development by empowering underprivileged youth from BeachTown communities.
Landco also demonstrates its environmental responsibility through the integration of green building practices. The company secured preliminary EDGE (Excellence in Design for Greater Efficiencies) certification for The Spinnaker, its iconic beachfront condotel at Club Laiya, and has achieved full EDGE certification for Crusoe Cabins at CaSoBe. In addition, both CaSoBe and Club Laiya are registered under LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design), further underscoring Landco’s commitment to sustainable development.
Supporting the local economy is equally integral to Landco’s mission. Approximately 70% of Landco Lifestyle Ventures’ workforce is composed of local residents from Calatagan and Laiya, fostering community-based employment and regional economic growth.
Landco also leads ecological stewardship programs that protect and preserve the coastal environment of Batangas. These initiatives include mangrove reforestation, marine life conservation efforts, turtle hatchling releases, and long-term commitments to maintaining the health and beauty of the province’s pristine shorelines.
For more information about Landco Pacific Corporation, visit www.landco.ph or follow Landco Pacific Corporation on Facebook. #
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