From Dreamers to Builders: How Two Young Engineers from DLSU Built a Construction Empire

The Spark of a Dream
Back in the late ’90s, two fresh civil engineering graduates from De La Salle University — Edgar Saavedra and Michael Cosiquien — took a leap that most of us only daydream about during late-night study sessions.
They didn’t have a big firm, massive capital, or even a long list of clients.
What they did have?
Grit, curiosity, and a shared vision to change how things get built.
Humble Beginnings, Heavy Hustle
Their first project wasn’t glamorous — a small residential building in Quezon City worth around ₱5 million. It was the post-Asian Financial Crisis era, when most businesses played it safe.
They didn’t.
Instead, they used the downturn to their advantage: materials were cheaper, talent was available, and they were brave enough to try new methods while bigger firms played by the old rulebook.
They experimented with formworks, precast elements, and modular construction long before it became mainstream.
“Being new meant we weren’t tied to the old ways,” Saavedra recalled in an interview with Manila Standard.
Breaking Barriers and Building Big
Soon, their portfolio grew — from homes to office towers, malls, hotels, and eventually massive public infrastructure.
They entered the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) arena, helping shape projects like the Mactan-Cebu International Airport and transport terminals, proving that local talent could play on the world stage.
By 2011, they listed their company on the stock exchange, becoming one of the youngest homegrown construction giants to go public — unlocking resources to innovate even faster.
Collaboration, Not Competition
While many saw rivals, they saw potential partners.
They worked with international experts, local subcontractors, consultants, and even fellow engineers.
They treated competition not as a threat, but as a chance to level up.
This mindset turned them from just contractors… into industry game-changers.
Lessons for Every Young Engineer
Their journey carries timeless advice for our generation of civil engineers:
1. Believe in yourself — You don’t need to have everything figured out to start.
2. Be fearless in learning — Fail fast, learn faster.
3. Embrace innovation — Don’t just follow the system; redesign it.
4. Build your network — People open doors that hard work alone can’t.
5. Stay grounded — Success is sweeter when shared with your team.
The Future is Ours to Build
Fast forward to today: the demand for infrastructure is bigger than ever — railways, airports, green buildings, and resilient cities.
The next generation of engineers is stepping up, and you might just be the next Saavedra or Cosiquien.
Because the future of our cities needs bold dreamers… and builders who dare to be different.
Reference: Adapted from “How 2 DLSU engineers formed a construction giant,” Manila Standard (September 24, 2016).