Engineer and former actor Slater Young has finally addressed the controversy surrounding his family’s development project, Monterrazas de Cebu, months after it was linked to severe flooding caused by Typhoon Tino in November 2025.
The ‘Pinoy Big Brother: Unlimited Big Winner’ released a video statement on April 19, explaining his side and why he chose to remain silent during the height of the issue.
Young began by expressing sympathy for those affected by the disaster.
“Like many of you, our family was deeply saddened by the devastation of Typhoon Tino.
“And we first want to express our sincerest condolences to everyone who has lost loved ones, homes, and livelihoods.”
He shared that despite the intense criticism directed at him and his family, they chose to wait for the results of investigations rather than respond immediately.
“Throughout that time, our family endured a great deal of criticism. Some of it deeply hurtful, especially as parents, and we did our best to shield our boys from it.
“But we also know that what we experienced is nothing compared to the suffering of those who were directly affected by the flood.
“And we tried to never lose sight of that. And we waited for the truth.”
Young cited findings from experts at the University of the Philippines, which he said concluded that Monterrazas did not cause or worsen the flooding.
“They found that Monterrazas did not cause or worsen the flooding. What caused it was the sheer volume of rain.
“Typhoon Tino dumped over a month’s worth of rainfall in one single day. And that amount of water would have flooded those areas regardless of what was or was not built.”
He added that the project’s water management systems even helped mitigate the impact.
“And because of that, our detention ponds caught and held back up to 99.74% of the excess rain water coming off our site. Releasing it all slowly instead of letting it all rush down hill all at once.
“The science did not just say we did not cause the flooding. It says that the system we have built in place helps reduce it.
“This is not our conclusion, it is theirs. And this study is public and anyone who wishes to go through it is free to do so.”
At the height of the controversy, Monterrazas de Cebu—a high-end residential project located in the mountains—was widely blamed by netizens, with issues raised about deforestation, urban planning, sewage systems, and environmental impact.
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources conducted an investigation into the matter, temporarily halting the project. Reports later indicated that development could proceed following compliance requirements.
Young emphasized the importance of responsible discourse moving forward.
“We respect everyone’s right to their own opinion but we will not stay silent in the face of misinformation. We will take all necessary steps to protect our family from it.”
He also stressed the need to focus on real solutions.
“Cebu deserves a real solution and real solutions can only come from correctly identifying the real cause.
“That is work that is ongoing and Monterrazas is committed to being part of it. I am committed to becoming a part of it.”
The controversy surrounding Monterrazas sparked broader discussions on environmental responsibility, urban development, and disaster preparedness.
