In photo: Marco Biggiogero Director for Hotel and Leisure for KMC Savills
By Monsi A. Serrano
In the monarchic countries, knighthood is issued to their loyal subjects and foreign citizens who have done exemplary deeds for their country which is peculiar in the European countries.
As background, in Italy, the knighthood is accorded to someone who has preserved and promoted the national prestige abroad, established friendly relations and cooperation, and deeper ties with other countries.
The Cavaliere dell’ordine della stella d’Italia is awarded to any person who has taken every effort and opportunity to preserve and promote Italy abroad through whatever field they are currently working in. The award seeks to acknowledge those who have fostered stronger ties between Italy and other countries and Marco Biggiogero being the first Italian in the Philippines to receive this award of the Star of Italy epitomizes that gallantry for promoting Italian business culture in the Philippines.
It was the Italian Ambassador to the Philippines His Excellency Giorgio Guglielmino who knighted Biggiogero in a small but lavish ceremony in Boracay. The Italian Ambassador presented the award, thanking Biggiogero for his numerous contributions to promote Italy in the Philippines.
For his part, Biggiogero gratefully received the award and shared that while the Philippines is his home now, he will forever be Italian.
Taking Italy to the Philippines
The Milan-born property veteran is a recognized leader in the real estate industry in the Philippines and is currently serving as the Director for Hotel and Leisure for KMC Savills. He has been based in the Philippines since 2003 when he came over to spearhead a project in the Boracay islands. Ever since he stepped foot on the white, sandy shores, Biggiogero knew that that was where he wanted to be.
“I had planned to visit just for vacation, but fell in love with the place and decided to use my property experience to explore business opportunities,” he shared.
For more than a decade, Boracay has been Biggiogero’s home and this was the time he started to develop several projects in the paradise which continue to be the benchmark for other developers coming to invest in the island. His intuition, foresight, business acumen, and expertise have also allowed his projects to gain international recognition such as the 2010 B.I.D. International Star Award for Quality in Geneva and Tripadvisor’s 2013 Traveler’s Choice, among others.
Paradise with perfect synergy
It’s no wonder why Biggiogero fell in love with Boracay. He described the islands as the perfect mix of local and foreign people, each contributing to the quirky yet wholesome feel of the place. In his capacity as both a resident and developer in the islands, he has made it his mission to incorporate both Philippine and Italian designs in his projects. The result is an other-worldliness to the properties he develops. One doesn’t really know where to begin, whether it’s from the traditional designs by local talents or the sophisticated allure of Italian creativity. Either way, you know which properties have been touched by the hands of Biggiogero. They are homes away from home and are incredibly innovative yet warm.
“Boracay has developed its unique character due to its perfect blend of foreigners and locals living and loving the island. Real estate prices here are more affordable here than in places such as Phuket or Bali. Investors can still aim for an optimum capital gain as well as good rental returns, especially if their investment is properly managed,” Biggiogero concluded.