By Ana María Ramos
Photos: Justo Feliz
SANTO DOMINGO.- The final details were still being ironed out when guests began arriving to reserve their front-row seats and enjoy the best view of the 2023 Noval Awards, where numerous categories were presented last night to recognize the work of Dominican real estate agents.
A Mercedes Benz parked at the front foreshadowed the evening, while punctual and sober executives from Noval Properties, the developer-construction company sponsoring the event, posed for photographs amid greetings and hugs, before the more than 800 representatives of real estate agencies who had been summoned and who arrived at the La Fiesta theater of the Hotel Jaragua, a hall arranged with remarkable elegance for the grand gala.
“The Noval Awards represent recognition of the hard work of many companies and agents who trust this construction company. Besides celebrating this award, Noval collaborates extensively with the sector; whenever the association approaches us to request any kind of support, they offer it unconditionally,” Alberto Bogaert, president of the Association of Real Estate Agents and Companies (AEI), told El Inmobiliario He arrived accompanied by his wife, Cristina Alba.
Although traffic congestion, increased by the Christmas season in the capital city, delayed the arrival of many attendees, after 7:00 PM there was a significant crowd gathered enjoying the fusion of modern music by a saxophonist, later raising the tone with old-school melodies, adjusted to the concept used for the big night.
“For me, the Noval Awards mean effort, dedication, and above all, commitment to the real estate sector, which also invests in new talent,” said the Queen of Real Estate, Reyna Echenique, regarding the meaning of the Noval Awards. She attended with a delegation of four members from her real estate firm, all wearing masks, which were part of the required attire for the ceremony.
Two drink stations with 8 bartenders attended to the requests of the attendees, while 45 waiters hurried around to satisfy the requirements of the attendees.
For Xavier Lora, who came from Santiago to the event, the Noval awards are a motivation and a difference in the real estate market, since through the construction company one can reach clients with a top-quality product, in addition to encouraging real estate agents to do quality work with love.
At 7:43 a voice boomed on the stage asking the guests to take their seats because the activity would begin shortly.
At 7:52 PM a group of dancers appeared on stage and officially opened the night with their performance, while Pamela Sued, dressed in the style of the 1920s, the concept that characterized the awards ceremony, said good evening and called Juan Carlos Pichardo, who accompanied her in hosting.
“The concept we used is a fusion between the 1920s and the 1970s,” explained its creative director, Fermín Roa, to describe the decoration of the hall, where feathers and the colors gold and black predominated.
A video appeared on the giant screens in the hall showing Noval Properties CEO César Latrilla discussing the brand's history, its challenges, and the great human and professional team that makes the execution of real estate developments a reality.
After the video presentation ended, the executive appeared live on the large stage to announce the three major projects that the construction company will bring to Santo Domingo and Punta Cana in 2024, which together will add more than 1,500 housing units to the country.
At 8:30 PM the awards ceremony began, guided by a giant screen and a voice-over, while the winners and personalities showed off on stage, some giving impromptu speeches and others bringing their notes to make sure that nerves didn't play a trick on them.
The father of the brokers, Bienvenido Paulino, was the winner in the "Real Estate Legend" category, calling Mélido Marte of RE/MAX to the stage, with whom he shared the nomination, and whom he said was equally deserving of the award for his significant contributions and career, also mentioning Raysa Jiminián, the third real estate agent included in the category.
“It is an honor for me to share this recognition with two people I deeply admire, Mr. Mélido and Raysa. My satisfaction is twofold; I thank all those who have supported me and applauded my achievements along this path. This recognition is a wonderful and memorable experience that I will cherish forever,” the veteran real estate agent told El Inmobiliario when asked about the nomination in the days leading up to the event.
Best real estate marketing, customer commitment; leading real estate agency in sales in Santo Domingo, Punta Cana, the North Zone, and international sales; also, Revelation of the Year, Real Estate Excellence and Focus, Broker of the Year, and Noval of the Year. Also recognized were those for their outstanding work in international business and their status as a legend in the real estate sector.
At 9:18, the top executives of Noval Properties took to the stage to raise the excitement by announcing the Noval of the Year award, which went to RE/MAX Premier International, who won the brand-new Mercedes Benz; while the hosts invited those present to enjoy the exquisite dinner.
At 10:22, the hosts announced the dance floor with Ala Jaza, once again launching a new chapter of the Noval Awards.
