First Balfour and its allied businesses—T1 Rentals, T1 Transport, and Concrete and Aggregates gathered for the third First Balfour Sales Conference, themed “Ascending Beyond,” empowering teams to go beyond challenges and thrive. The event was held on March 12, 2026, at Quest Plus Hotel in Alabang.
First Balfour top management, core engineering and construction, and allied business sales teams posed for a group photo taken during the third sales conference on March 12.
The event, first launched in 2022 and followed by its second run in 2024, continues to serve as a platform for First Balfour’s engineering and construction business and its allied businesses to strategically align with the company’s overall direction, strengthen client engagement through integrated services, and foster synergy by encouraging active discussion across sales teams for the exchange of knowledge and experience toward business growth.
First Balfour Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Anthony L. Fernandez delivering his opening remarks at the Sales Conference.
The conference began with an inspiring opening message from First Balfour Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Anthony L. Fernandez, who reflected on significant experiences from his journey in sales. He emphasized that being in sales requires continuous learning, as it serves as a competitive edge, enabling a better understanding of customers’ businesses, leading to deeper relationships and, ultimately, long-term, meaningful partnerships.
A key highlight of this year’s conference was the invitation of First Gen Corporation’s Chief Customer Engagement Officer, Carlos Lorenzo Vega, who served as guest speaker for the first time. In his talk, Vega emphasized innovative practices in stakeholder collaboration—encouraging teams to act as “co-pullers” to drive sustainable business expansion and success.
First Gen Corporation Chief Customer Engagement Officer Carlos Lorenzo Vega speaks as a guest at the third First Balfour Sales Conference.
This was followed by presentations of each division about their market outlook, prospects, and strategies, anchored on a discussion by Head of Marketing Antonio Payumo about ambidexterity—balancing exploitation and exploration through continuous engagement with existing clients and markets while strategically pursuing new opportunities for both short- and long-term growth.
Strategic Business Planning Officer Ronald Liu discussed the evolving Philippine construction industry, key business priorities, and emerging challenges and competition, highlighting how First Balfour can leverage its expertise and track record to stay competitive.
Sales, marketing, and strategic business planning teams from First Balfour, T1 Rentals, and T1 Transport presenting at the event.
First Balfour Business Development Head Manuel Joram San Luis, along with team members Ana Valeriano, Emilio Tumbocon, and John Pol Aguilar, shared insights on their market outlook, opportunities in power, water, transport, and high-value building sectors, as well as their strategies for growth—focusing on exploit, expand, and explore.
For T1 Rentals, Business Development Officer Christopher John Ortego and Industrial and Mining Account Manager Ma. Teresa Del Rosario presented the country’s rental market outlook, their client base, and new business opportunities for the equipment rental segment. Meanwhile, T1 Transport National Sales Lead Chris Sagun and Business Development Associate Theresa Anjela Alim highlighted their strategies to address pressing challenges and pursue new business prospects this year.
The company’s Strategic Investments Division (SID), responsible for identifying, developing, and operationalizing new businesses and investments, through SID Business Development Manager for Water Projects Daniel Estacio and Financial Modeller Cherry Cabador, also shared their plans and market prospects in sustainable and smart transport, as well as water supply and management.
First Balfour President and COO Jose Valentin A. Pantangco, Jr. concluded the third First Balfour Sales Conference by giving his closing remarks.
The conference concluded with closing remarks from First Balfour President and Chief Operating Officer Jose Valentin A. Pantangco, Jr., who reminded attendees that sales is a shared responsibility across the organization. He emphasized, “Sales is not a function of just a sales department. Every day, in everything we do, in some way or another, we are selling. There’s always this sense of convincing, of selling ideas and moving things forward.” He challenged the team to adopt this mindset and build a strong business model, reflecting the spirit of ascending beyond, that can respond to the evolving Philippine construction landscape.
The evening concluded with social networking activities, providing valuable opportunities for sales teams to strengthen connections and camaraderie.
