By Maridol Ranoa-Bismark
Maria Cecilia ‘Cecille’ T. Bravo, VP of Intele Builders and Development Corporation, believes in constant growth. After 37 years of establishing a steady foothold in the telecom contracting industry, company president Pedro Bravo’s wife is thinking of getting her feet wet in showbiz.
In a meeting with officers of TEAM (The Entertainment Arts & Media), Bravo says she is open to producing films with long-time friend, entrepreneur RS Francisco.
“If ever, I want to start small. It could be low-budget short films, or indie productions,” she says.
But first, she must get her husband’s go signal. After all, he’s an astute businessman, and she believes his inputs will give the business a shot in the arm.
The lady entrepreneur admits she has to learn the ropes of showbiz, especially the ins and outs of film production. Thus, she’s thinking of a joint venture with the more showbiz savvy Francisco. Bravo trusts him completely and vice-versa, to the point where they need not talk about money anymore.
Also in the pipeline is talent management. Bravo plans to hone raw talents – among friends and those she considers family (she calls them ka-fam). Some of these friends, she adds, believe in her company’s ability to give them a much-needed break, and are willing to be under her care.
There are more businesses waiting to be opened – a barber shop and bar along Congressional Avenue, Quezon City, and a resort the couple wants to open to the public in Teresa, Rizal.
Her goal is not merely profit. Bravo says she wants to serve, open business opportunities to others, and provide employment.
She loves making a difference – through business and charity work, like helping cancer patients and furthering education. But she doesn’t expect much in return.
It’s enough, she says, that someone she has helped, pass on the kindness by paying it forward. So she doesn’t post all her projects on social media. If ever she does, it is because she wants to inspire.
This God-fearing entrepreneur knows she owes her success to Someone Up There. The prayer room filled with religious images in the Intele building attests to this. She attributes the company’s continued success to the blessings she and her husband received when they had their third wedding years back.