Slater Young. Image: Screengrab from YouTube/Slater Young
Civil engineer and content creator Slater Young has earned mixed reactions from netizens after unveiling his new real estate project in Cebu, which is inspired by the Banaue Rice Terraces.
The “Pinoy Big Brother” alum revealed the real estate project with the use of a scale model, dubbed as “The Rise at Monterrazas,” on his YouTube channel last Thursday, Aug. 24, which is built on the “side of the mountain.” The villa is located along Monterrazas de Cebu, Guadalupe, Cebu City.
“We pushed everything towards the mountain and just worked with the terrain. So each and every space was pushed towards the back and with that we were able to create this free-flowing design. But not only that, this whole structure is spread out across the mountain making it a whole lot safer and less ‘yung environmental impact,” he said.
Young said the “low-density development” got its inspiration from the Banaue natural landmark, adding that the villa is “facing towards the east” which is “pushed towards the terrain.”
“We got inspired by the Banaue Rice Terraces. So instead of a normal building which is typically straight up and down. We kind of worked with the terrain. We just pushed everything towards the terrain and just followed the flow of the mountain so this is the whole concept behind this one,” he said.
Prior to his vlog, it can be speculated that the project kicked off sometime in December 2022, as Young shared glimpses of himself at what appeared to be a groundbreaking ceremony in Monterrazas de Cebu on his Facebook page.
The civil engineer’s post, however, was being called out on social media, for potential risks to the environment, with some pointing out that Cebu, where the development project is located, was “greatly devastated” by Typhoon Odette in December 2021.
“I hope people who are advocating against Sierra Madre being destroyed are also seeing the picture re: Slater Young’s project. It’s just the same thing: kakalbuhin ang kalikasan (It will destroy the environment). This isn’t something people should take lightly, considering Cebu was greatly devastated during Odette,” one @btrzkji said.
“Which is weird kasi may vlogs pa sila mag-asawa on how they were affected so much, goes to show na wala naman kasing pinipili ang kalikasan (It goes to show that nature does not discriminate). So bakit (why)!!! Nakakafrustrate (frustrating),” they added.
I hope people who are advocating against Sierra Madre being destroyed are also seeing the picture re: Slater Young’s project. It’s just the same thing: kakabulhin ang kalikasan. This isn’t something people should take lightly considering Cebu was greatly devastated during Odette.
— Bea #NeverAgain (@btrzkji) August 26, 2023
“The ‘Banaue-inspired’ design of Slater Young is breathtaking, but the irony of having a green architecture agenda while destroying the natural environment. In exchange for what? A luxury condo hotel. It’s a no for me,” @chrsdltr wrote.
The ‘Banaue inspired’ design of Slater Young is breathtaking, but the irony of having a green architecture agenda while destroying the natural environment. In exchange for what? A luxury condo hotel. It’s a no for me.
— achilles (@chrsdltr) August 26, 2023
Meanwhile, X user @Kay_theSEG said it’s “ironic” to “promote green building while destroying the ecosystem.”
The Rise of Monterazzas in Cebu is a dreamy project of Slater Young. Its ‘Banaue Rice Terraces-inspired’ design is stunning, yet it’s ironic to promote green building while destroying the ecosystem. Even if I were a millionaire, I would never buy one.😔 pic.twitter.com/3IXcUCSpeF
— 英会話・英語の発音矯正講師Kay（ケイ）@The Smart English Group (@Kay_theSEG) August 26, 2023
On the other hand, Facebook user Lacruiser P. Relativo said on INQUIRER.net’s Facebook post that Young’s project is a “masterpiece and success in the making.”
Another @AllenCorpuz1230 ordered the “Pinoy Big Brother” alum’s naysayers on X to “study engineering first” before “making comments” about his real estate project.
I do not get the hatred for Slater Young’s project. He’s obviously knowledgeable about the field; he’s an engineer. It’s just funny for someone who hates something they don’t understand. Go study engineering first before you make comments about something you don’t know.
— Allen (@AllenCorpuz1230) August 26, 2023
The feedback to Young’s real estate project on his YouTube channel appeared to be mixed as well, with some praising the development as a “masterpiece,” while others asked the civil engineer to consider the “current flood situation in Cebu.”
Young has yet to address the remarks on his social media platforms, as of this writing.
The content creator previously drew backlash for his controversial remark on how it’s “very normal” for men to “fantasize” about other women while being in a relationship last May. He eventually apologized for his choice of words, saying he “realized his mistake.”
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