The devastating impact of Typhoon Tino (Kalmaegi) in Cebu province has not only caused widespread destruction and tragic loss of life but has also ignited a firestorm of criticism targeting engineer and public personality Slater Young. The 2012 Pinoy Big Brother Unlimited Big Winner, who is heavily involved in high-profile housing developments in Cebu, is now being directly blamed by some netizens for exacerbating the massive flooding that crippled parts of the province.
The Typhoon’s Deadly Toll
Typhoon Tino, which reached a terrifying Signal Number 4—the highest tropical cyclone wind signal—unleashed destructive winds and torrential rain across the Visayas region. The calamity has resulted in a staggering loss of life and property.
Local reports indicate that Tino left a trail of at least 150 fatalities, a number that may continue to climb as damage assessments continue in affected areas. The hardest-hit region was the island of Cebu, which accounted for at least 99 deaths, including:
Cebu Province: 99 fatalities.
Cebu City: 9 fatalities (from Barangays Cogon Pardo, Sapang Daku, Talamban, Poblacion Pardo, Guadalupe, and multiple victims in Bakilid and Kalunasan).
Compostela: 15 fatalities.
Danao City: 8 fatalities.
Talisay City: 7 fatalities.
Mandaue City: 9 fatalities (from Barangays Tabok, Paknaan, Cabancalan, Umapad, and Canduman).
The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) reported that the majority of deaths were caused by drowning due to massive flooding and landslides, while others succumbed to falling debris. Many victims were either swept away by flash floods, particularly those near the Butuanon River, or buried under collapsing soil.
The Focus of the Criticism: “The Rise at Monterrazas”
The finger-pointing at Slater Young stems from his involvement as an industry partner in The Rise at Monterrazas, a controversial mountainside residential development in Cebu City. Netizens and residents of low-lying areas, now reeling from the floods, argue that the development’s impact on the natural terrain contributed significantly to the unprecedented water runoff.
Project Details and History:
Location: The Rise at Monterrazas is part of the larger Monterrazas de Cebu development, a massive 200-hectare (490-acre) mountainside project spanning Barangays Guadalupe, Sapang Daku, Buhisan, and Tisa in Cebu City.
Structure: It is a 19-story residential condominium designed to mimic the famous Banaue Rice Terraces, with the structure conforming to the natural terrain rather than being built against it.
Development: The project, which involved Young as a key industry partner and Chief Strategic Officer for the developer, Gen V Development Corporation (later taken over by 8990 HDC in 2019), had its groundbreaking in November 2024.
Environmental Opposition and Flood Concerns
The project has faced consistent opposition since its announcement in August 2023. Environmental groups and concerned residents raised immediate alarms about flooding, a fear deeply rooted in the severe inundation caused by Typhoon Odette in 2021. Critics argue that the sheer scale of the building model appears to engulf and obstruct the entire mountainside.
The fundamental concern, articulated by critics like Atty. Hesus Falsis, is whether the project can truly be deemed sustainable. Falsis challenged the developers to disclose the number of trees and the amount of mountainside removed for the project, questioning whether their promised irrigation and rainwater collection systems could adequately compensate for the natural water retention capacity of the undisturbed landscape.
Slater Young’s Defense: In response to earlier environmental concerns in 2023, Slater had stated that his team conducted over 300 revisions to the plan. He highlighted the project’s enrollment with the Philippine Green Building Council (PhilGBC) and their consultations with the United Architects of the Philippines to ensure environmental compliance.
The Public-Private Disconnect
The controversy also brings into focus the complex relationship between high-end private development and public safety.
In August 2025, just months before Tino struck, Cebu City Mayor Nestor Archival met with Slater Young to discuss infrastructure, particularly flood control plans. Slater shared his commitment to building detention ponds, improved drainage systems, and road improvements to mitigate flood risks. Mayor Archival expressed optimism, noting he was “happy to see private developers like Slater and his team collaborating with the city government to align their vision for building a safer, more resilient, and sustainable Cebu City.”
However, this collaborative effort was previously highlighted by Joshua Agar, a wind engineer and assistant professor at the UP Institute of Civil Engineering, as a potential “disconnect” between projects designed for the affluent and the general populace. Agar, referencing international sustainable development standards, questioned the long-term impact of such massive mountainside construction in developing nations like the Philippines, pointing out that such sites can also experience topographic amplification, worsening both ground shaking and wind turbulence.
Official Stance and Media Silence
As of the current report, no government agency has released any findings that directly link The Rise at Monterrazas or any other residential development to the catastrophic flooding caused by Typhoon Tino. Local officials have primarily attributed the widespread inundation to the unprecedented rainfall that simply overwhelmed the existing, often outdated, drainage systems during the typhoon.
The immediate reaction from the public, however, has been one of emotional blame, centered on the most visible and controversial development project in the affected area.
In the face of the mounting criticism, Slater Young has not yet issued an official public statement addressing the backlash and the allegations that his project contributed to the disaster. Furthermore, it has been observed that both Slater and his wife, Kryz Uy, have placed limitations on who can comment on their social media posts amidst the controversy.
The tragedy brought by Typhoon Tino serves as a harsh reminder of the environmental costs and public accountability involved in large-scale property development, especially in climate-vulnerable areas like Cebu.