From Garage Office to 'Oscars of Real Estate': Filipinohomes' Humble Beginning

PHILIPPINES – Before the lights, the awards, and the conventions now dubbed the "Oscars of Real Estate," there was a small garage office that could barely fit ten people. Chris Malazarte, founding partner of Filipinohomes, recently shared a heartfelt tribute to the network's origins, reminding thousands of agents that great things often begin in small places.

The Garage That Launched a Dream

More than 15 years ago, Filipinohomes was nothing more than a handful of people with scarce resources. A few developers were willing to take a chance on a dream that many dismissed as too ambitious. Malazarte recalled that people doubted them, and many even laughed at what they wanted to accomplish.

But the small team kept going, one client, one sale, one developer at a time. At the center of it all was a broker who decided to believe: Anthony Orais Leuterio. "One broker, Boss Anthony Leuterio, who decided to believe," Malazarte wrote, crediting the CEO's unwavering faith for the network's survival.

That tiny nook witnessed difficult conversations, disappointments, and small victories that meant everything to the team. "We are not ashamed where we came from. We are proud of it," Malazarte declared. Great things, he said, sometimes begin in small rooms with people bold enough to take the chance.

Barbecue, Spaghetti, and the First Convention

Perhaps the most poignant reminder of Filipinohomes' journey is the memory of its first National Convention. There were no grand stages or elaborate productions, just barbecue, spaghetti, lechon, puso, and puto kutsinta at a small eatery beside the garage office. Malazarte recalled that nobody complained.

Today, that same convention is celebrated as the "Oscars of Real Estate," drawing thousands of brokers, agents, and industry leaders from across the country. "If someone had told us then that one day our convention would become what it is today, we probably would not have believed them," he admitted.

Despite the glittering evolution, Malazarte emphasized that the heart of the story is not offices, awards, or sales. It is the people: the brokers who stayed when there was little to celebrate, the leaders who kept learning, and the clients who trusted them with their homes.

More Than Real Estate: Building People and Communities

Malazarte stressed that Filipinohomes has extended its mission beyond selling property. The network supports Filipino athletes, serves communities through outreach programs like the ACRES feeding initiative at Tangnan Elementary School in Bohol, and promotes destinations across the country using its own resources.

"When communities grow, opportunities grow. And when the Philippines grows, we grow with it," he wrote. This philosophy has guided the network's expansion and its commitment to creating lasting impact in the places it serves.

He also acknowledged that Filipinohomes is still far from perfect, having made mistakes and learned lessons the hard way. "Perhaps that is also why many of us have stayed," he reflected. The shared experience of battling tough situations has bonded the community together.

Still Growing, Still Dreaming

The tribute comes as Filipinohomes continues its rapid expansion. In September alone, the network opened its 146th franchise office in Tanjay City and sent 100 top-performing agents on a 10-day incentive trip to Vietnam. CEO Leuterio conducted site visits and strategic meetings across Bacolod and Cebu.

The post concluded with a direct message to Leuterio: "To Boss Anthony Orais Leuterio… THANK YOU FOR BELIEVING THE IMPOSSIBLE!" From a garage office to a nationwide network, the Filipinohomes story is one of audacious dreaming and unwavering persistence.