By: Kristin C.
Jommel Macabagdal never intended to follow a conventional path. But then again, neither did his grandmother.
Maria Macabagdal wasn’t an engineer, but her story built the foundation for a family legacy in Construction and Real Estate. From her job in a cigarette factory, she found a chance to become an electrical subcontractor in Malabon, armed only with grit and a ₱60,000 contract. She built more than structures. She built a legacy.
“This inspired me to be a ‘Builder,” says Jommel Macabagdal, now the CEO of MAC Management Inc., “She taught me that building structures is important, but building relationships is just as vital.”
Today, the man dubbed “EngTrePM”, Engineer, Entrepreneur, and Project Management Professional, is an industry leader in the Built Environment. His journey from working in corporate to reshaping construction culture has made him a respected figure in both boardrooms and classrooms.
Foundation of Grit
Growing up, he split his time between both sets of grandparents, often surrounded by cousins. It was a loud, busy environment. But it taught him something early.
“This helped me develop communication at an early age, as I have to be with them most of the time and even go out to play with other kids.”
From his mother, Imelda, he learned independence. From his father’s side, he inherited grit. And from the neighborhood, he gained the team player mentality that would later define his management style.
From Boardroom to Blueprint
Hard hats and steel beams are not where the career of Macabagdal started. Following college, Hewlett-Packard offered him a post not in engineering but in the corporate world in a position with flexibility as long as you deliver outcomes. It gave him good pay and allowed room to study at his own pace to prepare for the Civil Engineering board exams.
But once licensed, he knew he had to pivot.
He joined Jones Lang LaSalle as an Associate Project Manager. That’s where he got his first real look at construction’s harsh realities. “It was a culture shock,” he admits. “I saw a lot of finger-pointing. A senior manager even told me, ‘In construction, you should know SYOB, Save Your Own B*tt.’”
One pivotal project nearly derailed him. He called a meeting with all stakeholders.
“I asked them, ‘Aren’t you tired of this blaming game?’” he recalls. “That meeting changed the trajectory of the project, and of my career.”
It also birthed his mantra: “Tulungan hindi Turuan” (Helping not blaming). A principle he still lives by.
Building Through Crisis
Macabagdal co-founded MAXIMUS Built Solutions Inc. which was a thriving construction company before signing to be the Country Head of CBRE Project Management.
When the pandemic hit, Macabagdal’s team, like many companies in construction, faced uncertainty.
“There was a pressure for me to let go of people. I have a strong belief that in times of crisis, we should be helping people and not abandoning them.” He took a stand.
“I give up a portion of my salary, together with a few of the leadership team who are willing.”
The result? Zero layoffs. And stronger company morale. His team hit 94% employee engagement in 2022 and 96% in 2023. Those numbers? More fulfilling than profits.
A Legacy of Intention
The entrepreneur who also built together with his wife “What Matters,” the first Coworking with Child Learning Facility in the Philippines, Macabagdal, is a part-time lecturer at De La Salle University and a Trustee of the Project Management Institute Philippines Chapter. He has spoken at TEDx Manila, was recognized as one of MSN’s Top 10 Influential Entrepreneurs, and one of Asia’s Modern Hero Awardee this 2025.
Jommel Macabagdal’s story, told in close collaboration with Pressiqa, underscores the importance of resilience, grit, and a vision rooted in purpose. As he leads teams, teaches students, and builds beyond blueprints, his focus remains unwavering: to uplift others, build with meaning, and carry forward a legacy worth inheriting.
