Celebrating excellence in real estate development and design
Diverse projects gain top honors at 12th PropertyGuru Philippines Property Awards
By Mhicole A. Moral
Special Features and Content Writer
Top developers in the Philippines gathered at Shangri-La The Fort, Manila for the 12th PropertyGuru Philippines Property Awards on Sept. 6 to celebrate excellence in real estate developments, designs, and environmental, social, and governance (ESG) practices.
Organized by the PropertyGuru Group, the event presents recognitions across more than 80 award categories. Winning projects varied from upscale condos to affordable housing, catering to diverse market demands in the country.
For three consecutive years, Robinsons Land Corp. (RLC) clinched the title of Best Developer (Philippines) and also received Best Developer (Luzon). RLC’s dominance extended beyond these awards as the company also secured top honors across its office and residential projects.
In an interview, Chad B. Sotelo, senior vice-president and general manager of RLC Residences, and chief marketing officer of Robinsons Land, said, “Winning ‘Developer of the Year’ is already a huge achievement. Winning it two years in a row last year was amazing. But, winning it three times this year, I still can’t believe it. This is also a way to acknowledge our hard work.”
“It gets tougher every year, which is great because the industry is really stepping up,” he continued. “The designs are a lot better, and the technology and features in mixed-use developments are a lot greater. When that kind of improvement and innovation happens in an industry, the Filipino consumer wins by getting better and better options.”
RLC Residences, the residential division of RLC, earned accolades for The Residences at The Westin Manila, receiving awards for Best Branded Residential Development, Best Wellness Residential Development, and Best Lifestyle Condo Development.
Mr. Sotelo mentioned that the success of The Residences at The Westin Manila adds to the driving force behind their continuous enhancement of their developments.
“In RLC Residences, we don’t [just] sell condominiums or house-and-lots. We sell a delightful homeowner experience, from the moment you search for a home to the time you live in the home,” he added. “We will continue to deepen our understanding of the Filipino customers, wherever they may be, and tailor-fit our offerings to their unmet needs.”
Robinsons Office, RLC’s office development arm, was recognized for the Best Office Architectural Design and Best Office Interior Design for their GBF Center 1. Additionally, Cybergate Iloilo Tower 3 won Best BPO Office Development, and work.able Robinsons Summit Center received the award for Best Co-Working Space.
According to Jericho P. Go, senior vice-president and general manager of Robinsons Offices, the role of the company is more than just a real estate development; it is creating jobs, improving lives, and fostering a sense of community.
He continued, “We have set goals, and we are highly motivated by our higher purpose, which aligns with the core values of the Gokongwei Group. In the end, all achievements, honors, and recognition may amount to nothing if we cannot create a better and brighter tomorrow for future generations.”
Meanwhile, Megaworld Corp. emerged as the most awarded company of the year, winning titles in several categories: Best Developer (Visayas), Best Mixed-Use Developer, Best Hospitality Developer, Sustainable Design Award, and Energy Efficiency Award.
Megaworld’s Maple Grove Park Village won Best Housing Development (Philippines). Other award-winning projects included Chelsea Parkplace, Firenze Residences, Grand Westside Hotel, International Finance Center, La Cassia Residences, Uptown Mall, The Upper East House, and Vion Tower. Megaworld’s subsidiary, Global-Estate Resorts, Inc. (GERI), also won for The Lindgren.
The company also excelled in all portfolio categories, winning awards for Megaworld Hotels and Resorts, Megaworld Lifestyle Malls, and Megaworld Premier Offices. GERI clinched the Best Lifestyle Developer award.
SM Development Corp. (SMDC) and Federal Land, Inc. received top accolades for The Estate Makati, winning Best Condo Development (Philippines) and Best Ultra Luxury Condo Development (Metro Manila).
SMDC earned awards for Best Housing Development (Luzon) for SMDC Cheerful Homes 2 and Best Affordable Economic Housing Development (Luzon) for Sunnyvale 2.
SM Offices under SM Prime secured the Best Office Development award for FourE-com Center.
Alexis L. Ortiga, vice-president for Commercial Properties Group of SM Prime Holdings and Business Unit Head of SM Office said, “This award really is a testament to SM Prime’s commitment to develop innovative, sustainable, and convenient workspaces nationwide. The award really inspires us to push forward with that goal in mind.”
Premier real estate developer Federal Land was honored as the Best Luxury Developer. Its Riverpark township in Cavite earned the titles of Best Township Development and Best Township Masterplan Design. Additionally, horizontal residential neighborhood Yume at Riverpark was awarded the title of Best Sub Division Development.
Federal Land NRE Global, Inc. (FNG), the joint venture between Federal Land and Japan’s Nomura Real Estate Development Co. Ltd., was named Best Breakthrough Developer, solidifying its place as a rising force in the industry.
Success is credited to the combined dedication, vision, and hard work of their teams, and these awards serve as motivation to continue pushing the boundaries of real estate development.
“These awards reflect the dedication, vision, and hard work of our teams. We are inspired by this recognition to continue pushing the boundaries of real estate development, ensuring we create spaces that enrich lives and foster communities,” said Federal Land and FNG in correspondence.
Looking forward, Federal Land is expanding its portfolio to reach new emerging markets and locations outside Metro Manila. FNG, on the other hand, remains focused on driving innovation in real estate, integrating Japanese ingenuity with Filipino sensibility to enhance residents’ quality of life.
Furthermore, Cebu Landmasters, Inc. dominated the Visayas and Mindanao regions, winning Best Developer (Mindanao), Best Affordable Condo Development (Metro Cebu) for Mirani Steps Danao, Best Housing Development (Visayas) for Velmiro Greens Bohol, and Best Co-Living Space for lyf Cebu City. The developer also received the Best Affordable Condo Architectural Design for Casa Mira Towers Guadalupe.
Ayala Land, Inc., renowned for its sustainable initiatives, made a strong return this year by securing Best Sustainable Developer and Best CBD Development for Ayala Triangle Gardens Tower 2.
Alveo Land, a subsidiary of Ayala Land, won the Social Impact Award. The developer also received Best High-End Condo Development (Metro Manila) and Best High-End Condo Development (Metro Cebu) for Viento at Cerca and Cerule at Solinea, respectively.
Aboitiz InfraCapital earned the title of Best Industrial Developer for its flagship LIMA Estate, while Torre Lorenzo Development Corp. was named Best Boutique Developer, supported by its projects Dusit Thani Lubi Plantation Resort and Torre Lorenzo Loyola.
ISOC Land also achieved a remarkable feat by clinching the Best Affordable Condo Development (Metro Manila) and the Best Eco-Friendly Condo Development for I-Land Residences Sucat by I-Land, Inc.
“Last year, we [also] won the Best Affordable Condo, so [it is] a back-to-back [feat]. But what makes it even more special is us winning the Best Eco-Friendly Condo Development, because that’s really the thrust of ISOC Land,” said Mary Maylanie V. Lopez, president of ISOC Land. “We make sure that we try to raise the bar in terms of creating innovative projects that are sustainable and catering to the needs of more and more Filipino families.”
Moreover, this year’s ceremony was marked by the strong debut of competitors and a wide array of innovative developments that reflect the evolving landscape of the Philippine real estate.
One of the first-time contenders is Science Park of the Philippines, Inc., which received the Best Industrial Development award for its Light Industry & Science Park IV (LISP IV) project in Batangas. LISP IV is one of the newest and fastest growing private economic zones, featuring a LEED Gold-certified administration building designed to withstand severe flooding for centuries.
Other developers competing for the first-time include Landco Pacific Corp., which won the Best Waterfront Condo Development and Best Condo Architectural Design for The Residences at Terrazas de Punta Fuego and The Spinnaker, respectively, and Bluerise Holdings Ent. Corp., which bagged the Best Housing Architectural Design for Alexa Heights.
Primehomes Real Estate Development, Inc. secured two notable awards, namely Best Smart Home Development and Best Nature Integrated Development for Primehomes Capitol Hills; while Primehomes Development Corp. won Best Housing Development (Metro Cebu) for Luana Dos Subdivision.
Making its debut in the awards, Brittany Hotels (Daang Hari), Inc. received the Best Boutique Hospitality Developer, Best Boutique Hotel Development, and Best Hotel Interior Design for Brittany Hotel Villar City. Hausland Development Corp. secured the Best Housing Developer award, with its project, The Hauslands Mabalacat, receiving additional recognition.
Fiesta Communities, Inc. celebrated its first win with the Best Socialized Housing Development award for Fiesta Communities — San Rafael Extension.
Meanwhile, PH1 World Developers won several awards: Best Condo Interior Design for Modan Lofts Ortigas Hills, Best Mid-End Condo Development (Metro Manila) for My Enso Lofts, Best Housing Development (Greater Metro Manila) and Best Eco-Friendly Housing Development for Northscapes San Jose Del Monte, while PrimaryHomes, Inc. received the Sustainable Construction Award.
In addition, Alsons Development and Investment Corp. (Alsons Dev) was recognized for its projects in the southern island. Narra Park Residences and Narra Park Residences Avia garnered the Best Housing Development (Metro Davao) and Best Housing Development (Mindanao), respectively.
“Alsons Dev is honored to once again be recognized at the PropertyGuru Philippines Property Awards. These back-to-back wins affirm our dedication to building exceptional homes that enrich the lives of Mindanaoans,” Miguel Dominguez, president and CEO of Alsons Development, said in another e-mail.
With over 60 years of experience, Alsons Dev has solidified its reputation for its long-term value, ensuring that their developments contribute positively to both individual homeowners and the broader communities in the region.
“As consumer preferences evolve and resources become more finite, developers must prioritize creating well-designed, sustainable spaces that offer a sense of belonging and enhance the quality of life,” said the developer. “Alsons Dev is committed to shaping the future of Mindanao by developing nature-integrated communities. We will continue to adapt our approach to meet the changing needs of our market, ensuring that our projects not only provide exceptional living experiences but also contribute to the region’s sustainable growth.”
Other notable winners include Parqal by D.M. Wenceslao and Associates, Inc. for Best Mixed-Use Development; The Seasons Residences and Mitsukoshi BGC by Sunshine Fort North Bonifacio Realty Development Corp. for Best Luxury Condo Development (Metro Manila) and Best Retail Architectural Design, respectively; 110 Benavidez by Keyland Corp. for Best Serviced Apartment Development; and 202 Peaklane and Copeton Baysuites by Anchor Land Holdings, Inc. for Best Condo Development (Metro Davao) and Best Investment Condo Development, respectively.
Recognizing prominent figures in real estate
The awarding ceremony not only celebrated innovative projects but also honored influential personalities in the Philippine real estate sector.
Manuel V. Pangilinan, chairman and chief executive officer of Metro Pacific Investments Corp., received the coveted Philippines Real Estate Personality of the Year award for his significant contributions to the industry.
In his acceptance speech, Mr. Pangilinan expressed his gratitude, stating that real estate is more than just bricks and mortar — it is about the vision of creating spaces for people to live, work, and thrive.
“Throughout my career, whether in telecommunications, infrastructure, hospitals, or energy, my goal is to drive progress and build a better future for our people. This award reflects the collective efforts of the entire Landco team, our partners, and the communities we serve,” said Mr. Pangilinan. “This award is not a final accolade but a reminder that more work remains, more communities to build, and more lives to touch,” he added.
On the other hand, Mariana Beatriz Zobel de Ayala, senior vice-president and head of Leasing and Hospitality at Ayala Land, Inc., was named the Rising Star for her leadership and innovation in the real estate market.
A year of growth and innovation
Jules Kay, general manager of PropertyGuru Asia Property Awards and Events, noted that this year’s entries reflected the rapid growth of the Philippine economy.
“The Philippines’ most vibrant cities continue to progress with more live-work-play communities, luxurious residential enclaves, and smart suburban developments,” she said.
Cyndy Tan Jarabata, chairperson of the independent panel of judges, emphasized the increased participation of developers, which highlights their commitment to setting new benchmarks for quality.
“This year, the independent panel of judges saw a remarkable level of participation from developers across the Philippines, underlining their pursuit of excellence, independent validation, and market differentiation. Such engagement highlights the drive of Filipino developers to set new benchmarks for quality in one of Southeast Asia’s most rapidly expanding economies,” she added.
This year’s PropertyGuru Philippines Property Awards is maintained by an independent panel of judges comprising of industry leaders: Ms. Jarabata, president of TAJARA Leisure & Hospitality Group Inc.; Carlo Cordaro, president and CEO of Atelier A; Carlo Rufino, co-managing director of NEO; Jaime A. Cura, Ph.D., vice-chairman of The RGV Group of Companies; Jean Jacquelyn Nathania A. de Castro, CEO of ESCA, Inc.; Kathleen P. Obcemea, principal interior designer of KPO Beyond Designs Co.; Luis Enrique T. Mangosing, CEO of Metro Development Managers, Inc. (MDMI); Michelle Barretto, founder and CEO of Vitamin B, Inc.; Philip Mareschal, head of property and asset management at JLL Philippines; and Richard Raymundo, managing director of Colliers Philippines.
The integrity and fairness of the selection process were ensured by auditing firm Diaz Murillo Dalupan and Company — HLB Philippines, part of the award-winning global network HLB International. The firm was represented in the awards by Ofelia S. Barroga, Lloyd T. Tan, Margaux Zarah Casihan, and Remedios Ducay.
Top winners from the Philippines will advance to the 19th PropertyGuru Asia Property Awards Grand Final in Bangkok, Thailand, where they will compete for international awards on Dec. 13.
Organized by PropertyGuru Group, the 12th PropertyGuru Philippines Property Awards was supported by platinum sponsor Kohler; gold sponsor Boysen Paints; silver sponsor Dongpeng Ceramic; official publicity partner Ripple8; official newspaper The Philippine STAR; official magazine Property Report by PropertyGuru; and official supervisor HLB. BusinessWorld is one of the media partners.
