Special Advertising Feature: Why Vic Sotto shunned endorsements from known real estate firms in favor of CitiGlobal

MANILA, Philippines – When it comes to getting endorsement deals, Vic Sotto today sits comfortably at the top of the league, getting signed by major brands owned by companies such as consumer goods, appliances, and pharmaceuticals, among many others.

In fact, the TV host, actor, and comedian bagged the coveted Academe’s Choice Iconic Male Endorser by the ComGuild Awards as proof of his immense success in promoting brands.

However, just recently, Sotto, more popularly known as “Bossing” took everyone by surprise when he announced that he is endorsing a relatively new property developer CitiGlobal, despite getting wooed by known real estate companies in the Philippines.

In an interview, Sotto explained why he chose to become CitiGlobal’s brand ambassador. He said that in getting endorsement offers, he takes it upon himself to study brands carefully because he knows that promoting them puts his credibility on the line.

“I would like to think that many people believe not just because of my popularity. In all my endorsements, my credibility is put on the line. This is why I want to make sure that I review the products first before signing any contract,” he revealed.

He said that prior to agreeing to become CitiGlobal’s brand ambassador, he requested for a no-holds-barred meeting with its owners Gary and Beth To. The meeting proved to be a big turning point in his decision.

“Mr. Gary and Beth To patiently explained to me what the company is all about and what it stands for. Marami kasi ngayong real estate companies sa Pilipinas kaya maingat talaga ako sa pagpili ng susuportahang kumpanya. Hindi kasi biro-biro ang halaga na kailangan para magkaroonng property ngayon,” he said.

Sotto added: “I learned that CitiGlobal is focused on providing leisure properties. Pero di tulad ng ibang nagbebenta ng rest house o luxury condotel, ang tinutulungan ng CitiGlobal na magkaroon ng ganitong property ay mga ordinaryong OFWs. CitiGlobal believes that OFWs who have been working for so many years abroad deserve to reward themselves with wonderful things that are otherwise enjoyed only by very rich people.

“Apart from owning their own homes, OFWs should also enjoy having another property that is really an investment – yung pwede nilang magamit for vacation at yung pwede rin nilang pagkakitaan. Itong klaseng money-making at vacation properties ang specialization ng CitiGlobal.”

By the end of his talks with Gary and Beth To, Sotto not only agreed to endorse CitiGlobal, he also ended up getting a property in Tagaytay for himself.



VIC SOTTO FOR CITIGLOBAL

CitiGlobal calls its properties “affordable leisure.” For Sotto, the product resonates well with his personal advocacy to uplift the lives of overseas Filipinos.

“I am very partial for our OFWs. Nakakasama at nakakausap ko ang madami sa kanila sa mga international concerts namin. Nito lang April, nasa Toronto kami. Ramdam mo talaga na sabik na sabik sila sa Pilipinas. Lahat nag-iipon para makapagbakasyon sa atin. Kaya ganoon na lang ang kayod nila para makapag-relax at mag-enjoy dito,” Sotto said.

He, however, laments that despite their efforts, many of their savings go to waste. Some even end up broke when they retire in the Philippines.

“Ang nakakalungkot, nakakabasa tayo ng balita na maraming OFWs na pagkatapos ng maraming taon na pagtatrabaho, halos nauubos ang pinaghirapan nila kapag nareretiro na sila. May nabalitaan naman din ako na halos 50 percent na sa kanila ngayon ang kahit na papaano ay nakakapag-ipon, pero syempre, kung puro ipon lang, mauubos din iyon kapag nag-retire na sila,” he said.

Sotto said more companies should follow CitiGlobal’s lead. Instead of merely selling products to OFWs, more efforts are placed on teaching them how to invest for their future.

“This is my personal advocacy and I am just happy that CitiGlobal has a way to help OFWs invest through leisure properties. Maganda kasing investment ang mga rest house at condotel. For example, with CitiGlobal’s affordable properties, OFWs can own a condotel for P1.4 million up or kung installment, around P7,500 a month. Kapag nagawa na yung property, the OFW has the option to use it for vacation or authorize CitiGlobal’s property manager to lease it,” he said.

CITIGLOBAL FOR OFW

For the longest time, developers in the Philippines have seen the leisure property sub-sector as a high-end market that is reserved exclusively for the very affluent. CitiGlobal Realty and Development, however, thinks the emerging middle class, especially the overseas Filipinos, also deserves to enjoy this type of property so they could benefit from its earning potential.

To prove its point, CitiGlobal launched a couple of years ago its first major development, the Tagaytay Fontaine Villas, a quality leisure property project in Metro Tagaytay. CitiGlobal placed a very affordable price tag on the single-detached units there and marketed the properties not to the usual upper-scale rich, but to Filipinos abroad.

“Our units sold in less than a year,” said Gary To.

Emboldened by the success of its Fontaine development, CitiGlobal launched soon after the Clifton Resort Suites, a condotel project, which again targets the middle class.

“The concept behind Clifton is pretty straightforward. The units we are selling are condotels, much like hotel rooms. This is perfect for overseas Filipinos because they can use it, say, for two months while they are on vacation here, and they can rent out the units when they are working abroad,” Mr. To said.

The price of a condotel starts at P1.5 million. Once completed and operational, owners can have the property managers rent it, letting them earn about at least P20,000 a month. Unlike time-share schemes, condotel is a real investment vehicle because investors have actual titles to their units.

“The condotels will not only eventually pay for themselves, they would also become opportunities for owners to earn passive income,” Mr. To said.

CitiGlobal has other projects in the pipeline. CitiGlobal is looking for 2 to 2000 hectares of properties to develop into resorts, villas, hotels, condotels, residential condominiums, and other mixed-use as well as leisure developments. CitiGlobal is open for partnerships with landowners who wish to get the best value out of their properties.

CitiGlobal also looks for people with potential and the right attitude, and provides proper training for those who have the passion to excel, the drive and the determination, keeping them open minded. Teaching them to become independent, confident and result-oriented. The Company provides equal chances of success and the opportunity to become leaders for those who are deserving.

For more information about CitiGlobal, please visit citiglobal.com.ph and contact us at 0917-890-2989. Like CitiGlobalPH on Facebook and follow CitiGlobalPH on Twitter and Instagram for new and exciting leisure property developments.