Jose Acuzar is a Filipino entrepreneur who rose from poverty to become one of the richest real estate businessmen in the Philippines. He is currently serving as secretary of the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development.
Jose Acuzar is owner of New San Jose Builders and former chief executive officer (CEO) of Real Bank. He used to be the Chairman of Manuel Luis Quezon University (MLQU), a private tertiary institution located in Manila.
Personal Information
Complete Name –> Jose Rizalino Larion Acuzar
Nickname –> Jerry
Birth Date –> June 19, 1955 (Age 67)
Hometown –> Balanga, Bataan, Philippines
Family
Wife –> Maria Theresa Ochoa (Tess)
Children –> (7) Jose Maria, Maria Jose, Jose Cris, Maria Theresa Jose, Ma. Francesca Jose, Ma. Isabel Jose, Ma. Victoria Jose.
Father –> Marcelino A. Acuzar
Mother –> Maria Larion
Brother-in-law –> Paquito Ochoa Jr., Former Executive Secretary during the administration of President Benigno Aquino III.
Education
Elementary –> Balanga Elementary School (1967)
High School –> Bataan National High School (BNHS) (1974)
Vocational –> Bataan Peninsula State University (BPSU) (Then called Bataan National School of Arts and Trades (BNSAT)) in Balanga
Degree –> Drafting
College –> Technological Institute of the Philippines
Degree –> Architecture (1983)
Work Experiences and Business Career
After finishing high school, Jerry worked as a helper in the welding shop of his older brother named Ben while studying in a vocational school. With big dreams, he proceeded to Manila to pursue a degree in architecture. To finance his studies, he put up a small welding shop in Quezon City.
While still in college, Jerry Acuzar started formal career by working as a draftsman for a lakeshore redevelopment project in Manila. Then he became a contractor. In 1986, he established New San Jose Builders, Inc. (NSJBI) as his corporate vehicle to engage in landscaping and steelwork projects. Today, NSJBI is now one of the largest housing and high-end condominium developers in the country.
Jose Acuzar is also the owner of the Galeria Victoria Mall in his hometown Balanga in Bataan.
In 2003, Mr. Acuzar started one of his most prestigious projects, the Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar in Bagac, Bataan. Built on a 400-hectare beach property, the integrated resort showcases heritage buildings, horse-drawn carriages (kalesa) and other cultural and historical aspects of Filipino life. Under the management of Genesis Hotels and Resorts Corporation, it became a member of Historic Hotels Worldwide. It is also included in the Conde Nast Johansens Luxury Global Collection and Hotels Pencities Luxe Guide.
Watch a drone video of the resort complex below.
Affiliation
Jose “Jerry” Acuzar is an active member of the Contractors Association of the Philippines.
RELATED: Biography of Manny Pangilinan, David Consunji, John Gokongwei
See also: Famous Filipino Entrepreneurs
See also: Top Government Officials under Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
References:
1Bataan.com
Philippine Daily Inquirer Article
Las Casas Filipinas