By JOSE PAOLO DELA CRUZ/ Photography by DIX PEREZ
Twenty-seven years into their marriage, construction magnates Mike and Charmaine Lagman continue to build, not just masterpieces of steel and stone, but stronger foundations for their family. Still, it is the life they’ve built with and for each other that truly makes them rich beyond measure.
On Mike: Dress shirt and blazer from Van Laack
To many, the Lagmans are synonymous to success in construction and information technology. They own MC Geometric Proportions Inc,. a “Triple A” general contractor company involved in the construction of horizontal and vertical structures, which the Lagmans established 17 years ago; and Interpoint Consultancy Network Systems Inc., an information technology and solutions integrator that develops programs for accounting, human resources, admin and more, which Charmaine opened 15 years ago.
Indeed, the couple have gone a long way from their first major construction project some two decades ago, when they took on the expansion of the Parañaque City Hall, by building a taxpayer’s lounge and a multipurpose hall in a span of three months. “After the project was finished, I thought, wow, we’ve got this. And it’s not just quality of the work that we do, but more importantly, that pure commitment to deliver,” he shares.
Charmaine also tells us that this first project taught them invaluable lessons as rising entrepreneurs. “We didn’t earn from this project. In fact, we even lost money, but it’s fine. Because after that, we learned. It’s a cliché, but you really learn from your mistakes. It’s really so true,” she says.
One such mistake that the Lagmans never had, though, was turning their back from their commitments. An important piece of advice to those who are building their own empires, whether in construction or otherwise: “Do not walk away from your commitments. Do not take shortcuts,” cautions Charmaine.
And of course, that applies, too, to the mother of all commitments — the one they made as man and wife 27 years ago.
Building a life together
Mike and Charmaine, now 50 and 48 years old, respectively, seem to have it all figured out. The kids have grown. The business has grown. They have grown. And from a comfortable distance, Charmaine now laughs at the struggles that paved the way to the happiness they now enjoy.
“We started from zero. Like I’ve said in the past, at some point our capital was really only our faith, hope and determination. Kids nowadays, they know that they have choices, They have support from family, they have support from everywhere. So it’s easy for them to just say no or choose their own paths. We didn’t have that choice. That’s why, whatever was offered to us, we took it, we grabbed it, and we made it grow,” says Charmaine, who married Mike when she had just entered her twenties.
“It was really just the two of us in the beginning,” she adds. “We had no house. No financial support from our parents. None of this [pointing at her surroundings] existed.”
In fact, unbelievable as it may seem, the couple started out by renting a house for their young family. Even their parents initially didn’t approve of their relationship. One thing they had though, was each other. And even that wasn’t always rainbows and butterflies when they were younger.
“It was a rocky start for sure, yeah,” says Charmaine of their first seven years of marriage. From the pressures of maintaining their respective careers to raising their young kids, to stress and hormones, it was a perfect storm for the couple for a time. “We were both growing up and at times, we would clash. I thank the Big Guy up there for being with us. Or else we wouldn’t have survived. So again, the hardship started in the beginning and then everything went well up to now.”
Well, the storm has passed and sunshine definitely followed.
/ Photos courtesy of Charmaine Lagman
Today, Mike and Charmaine continue to build, not just masterpieces of steel and stone, but stronger foundations for their family. The couple also celebrated their 25th anniversary and renewal of vows in a truly intimate ceremony in Amanpulo in 2021, in the company of their favorite people — their four kids.
“The secret is really in blending together, having a relationship where there’s friendship and trust, on top of love,” says Mike. “Love easily fades away.”
He also tells PeopleAsia that Charmaine is different from everyone. “It’s not just because of her looks. It’s the inner side of her that captivated my heart and my trust. At the end of the day, you still have to trust her as a friend, as a business partner, as a wife. She’s someone I can also trust when it comes to raising our children.”
Asked who’s good cop and bad cop between the two of them when it comes to the kids, Mike laughs as he averts the “trick” question. “If I tell you who, I might not be able to sleep beside her tonight!”
As for Charmaine, 27 years has taught her about commitment. “It’s about sustaining your commitment to each other. I believe that marriage grows stronger from within. Luckily for us, we went through quite a lot in the beginning, and with help from the Big Guy, we’ve grown stronger and more reliable for it.”
During Anya Lagman’s “Pagsibol” recital at the Goldenberg Mansion last year, the youngest of Mike and Charmaine’s brood presented a song titled “Together We Build,” which she and her siblings composed as a present to their parents on their silver wedding anniversary.
As the song goes “We work the ground, years go by. Here we are, efforts rise. Take my hand, we’ll find a place to stay. Make some room, my heart is big enough for you. Make some room, here is where we find ourselves, together we will, together we build our life.”
True enough, together, Mike and Charmaine Lagman have built the life they’ve always dreamt of.
Art direction by DEXTER FRANCIS DE VERA
Styling by GEO PALMIANO
Makeup by KLENG TOTANES
Hair by PATTY INOJALES
