Pioneering Filipino leadership in global real estate
Florentino S. Dulalia, Jr., a stalwart in the Philippine real estate industry, holds the honor of being the first Filipino to serve as world president of the Paris-based International Real Estate Federation (FIABCI) in 2020–2021. This historic achievement highlights his exceptional career and underscores his significant contributions to the real estate sector locally and internationally.
Significant contributions
Before his presidency, Dulalia served in various capacities, including world president elect and regional president for FIABCI Asia Pacific. His efforts were instrumental in establishing FIABCI chapters in Thailand, Mongolia, Vietnam, Myanmar, Cambodia, and Kazakhstan, thereby expanding the organization’s footprint in the region.
His work with FIABCI earned him the FIABCI Medal of Honor in 2017, recognizing his outstanding service. Dulalia’s influence extended to various roles, including president of the FIABCI Professional Division, which oversees the World Council of Brokers, Managers, Developers/Investors, and Experts. His leadership in these roles demonstrated his commitment to promoting international collaboration and professional development in real estate.
In the Philippines, Dulalia’s contributions are equally significant. He has been an important figure in the Chamber of Real Estate and Builders’ Associations Inc. (Creba), serving as national president and holding several key positions over the years.
His initiatives, such as the Diploma Program in Real Estate Management in partnership with De La Salle-College of St. Benilde, have had a lasting impact on real estate education in the country. He also played a crucial role in organizing Creba’s first international real estate convention and establishing its overseas chapters.
Strategic vision
Dulalia’s journey in real estate began in 1978 when he founded F.S. Dulalia Realty.
Over the years, his business acumen and strategic vision led to remarkable sales turnovers in various real estate projects. By 1989, he expanded his horizons with the establishment of Don Tino Realty & Development Corp., transitioning from brokerage to development. His portfolio includes residential, commercial, and farm lot subdivisions.
At the helm of the Dulalia Group of Companies, which includes Don Tino Realty & Development Corp., Adrian Investment & Development Inc., F.S. Dulalia Realty, Inc., and DL Holdings, Inc., Dulalia has cemented his status as a leading figure in the industry.
His leadership extends beyond his companies to numerous business and real estate organizations, reflecting his dedication to the sector’s growth and professionalization.
Beyond Creba, Dulalia has also led the Real Estate Brokers Association of the Philippines (REBAP) as national chairman and president, during which he expanded the association’s reach and secured its first office.
His leadership in these organizations has garnered him over 320 awards, including Outstanding Leadership Awards, Outstanding Rotarian, and the prestigious Dr. Pio Valenzuela Award.
Academic credentials
Dulalia’s academic credentials further reinforce his expertise. A graduate of Business Administration from the University of the East-Manila, he pursued advanced courses in real estate and management in the United States and Europe, earning several professional designations, including Certified International Property Specialist (CIPS) and FIABCI International Real Estate Consultant (FIREC). In 2019, he was conferred a Doctorate Fellow from the Academy of Multi-Skills, UK.
As chairman emeritus of the Philippine Federation of Real Estate Service Professionals Inc. (PFRESPI), and other prestigious organizations, Dulalia continues to influence the industry.
His legacy goes beyond the buildings and developments he has created, and well into the professional standards and global connections he has established for the industry. Dulalia’s success proves that visionary leadership and commitment are essential to a long and fruitful career in the real estate industry.
