Bustling new destination

More than seven years after selling the family's tobacco business to Japan Tobacco Inc. (JTI), the Wongchuking family has diversified into other businesses, either as a family or individually.

- MARY ANN LL. REYES

As for Caesar Wongchuking who used to head Mighty Corp., he has found his new calling and source of pride in his group of new businesses under the holding company Czark Mak Corp. (CZM) which is behind the highly successful commercial and industrial township in Guiguinto, Bulacan. With the non-compete clause in the contract with JTI about to end, I asked Caesar if he will again venture into the tobacco business. He said that the family does not want it anymore.

After his father died, Caesar shepherded the tobacco business into becoming the second largest cigarette company in the country. And now, together with his own son Angelo, he is helping transform Guiguinto into a premiere destination not only for families who want to go on staycation but also for businessmen looking for a place to stay or a venue for their events.

Acrocity, covering an area of over 20 hectares, is Bulacan's newest township and lifestyle/business hub. Located inside Acrocity is T12 Polo Land Industrial Estates, a 15-hectare industrial and commercial complex. It has 56 warehouses with an average size of 1,000 square meters.

The Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) has identified Bulacan province as the next growth area not only due to its adequate workforce and proximity to the National Capital Region but also because of the several big-ticket infrastructure projects being undertaken by the private sector and the government, including San Miguel Corp.'s new international airport, the North-South Commuter Rail which may start partial operations in 2026, MRT Line 7 also of the SMC group, to name a few.