MY FIRST PAREB CONVENTION

PAREB stands for the Philippine Association of Reators Board. It  is an umbrella organization  of    government-licensed real estate brokers-- a number of which are  also licensed appraisers, real estate consultants, property developers, builders, and practitioners of other professions. 

As of 2007, PAREB is composed 42 boards from Luzon, Visayas  and Mindanao. 

Since its foundation,  PAREB enjoys the privilege of  being the only national association  accredited by the NAR (National Association of Realtors)- USA to use "Realtor" for its members.

Not every real estate agent or broker is a REALTOR^®. The  trademark REALTOR^® and the familiar block “R” logo are patented to the National Association of REALTORS^® of the USA. Only members in good standing of NAR-USA and its foreign affiliates are authorized to use them.

Source: http://www.realtor.org.ph/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=5&Itemid=6

This 2010 marks the 50th anniversary of PAREB. Maita and  I had  the opportunity to sign up for the national convention  with the theme "PAREB @ 50: Solid as Gold", which  was held at the Century Park Hotel  from October 7 to  9. 

The convention program was filled with  so many sessions on various topics relevant to real estate practice that participants who attended the 3-day  event were awarded 15  CPE units-- all creditable for  PRC registration.

Among  the speakers with whom I was able to approach and speak with was Larry Gamboa (in photo),  author of best-selling "Think Rich Pinoy" and  known proponent of foreclosure investments. 

Other popular figures who graced the convention were Vice President Jejomar Binay, Senator Chiz Escudero and Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim. 

There were also fellowship events,    the most memorable of which  were the board "talent" presentations during the "Broadway Night" on October  8 and  the search for the Most Popular Lady Realtor held on October 9.

Cebu Realtors Board won the judges nod during the talent night, while the Candidate from Quezon City Reators Board bagged the MPLR title.  This year's search, according to the organizers, raised a record  high of  Ps 3.2 million.

The PAREB elections were held on December 9, where  outgoing President  Manny Bocaling passed on the leadership to Atty. Ariel Martinez.

My colleagues and I from Pasay-Makati Realtors Board (PMRB) could not be any happier for Atty. Martinez.