The 12th PropertyGuru Philippines Property Awards Diversify to Spotlight the Country’s Growing Investment Destinations

The 2024 edition of the PropertyGuru Philippines Property Awards is set to present the highest marks of excellence to real estate enterprises and design leaders across Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.

The 12th Annual PropertyGuru Philippines Property Awards, presented by Kohler and supported by Boysen Paints and Dongpeng Ceramic, will be celebrated Friday, 6 September 2024 at Shangri-La The Fort, Manila. Submissions from the industry and the public are now accepted via asiapropertyawards.com/nominations until 14 June 2024.

The timeline for the grandest celebration of real estate was unveiled today during the “Connect with Southeast Asia” event at the Grand Ballroom of the award-winning Fili Hotel NUSTAR Cebu in Cebu City.

Key dates for the 2024 edition:
14 June 2024 – Entries close
1 July – 9 August 2024 – Site Inspections
12 August 2024 – Final Judging
6 September 2024 – Gala Dinner and Awards Ceremony in Manila, Philippines
13 December 2024 – Regional Grand Final Gala Presentation in Bangkok, Thailand

Diversification and decentralization

Launched in 2013, the PropertyGuru Philippines Property Awards have diversified over the years to honor outstanding companies and projects in growing cities and investment hubs such as Cebu, Davao, Batangas, Bacolod, and Iloilo. The Awards in 2024 will continue that tradition, setting the Gold Standard of real estate across categories representing property markets in Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.

The award categories this year will also recognize developers across various specializations for their operational portfolios and impact on environmental, social, and corporate governance (ESG). The categories include marks of excellence for development and design, in addition to recognition for the achievements of prominent individuals in the industry.

The diversification of award categories and recipients reflects the emergence of key growth areas outside Metro Manila. These pivotal destinations gain traction as foreign investments and infrastructure projects continue to stimulate development and boost property values across the country, according to Property Report by PropertyGuru, the official magazine of the Awards.

Jules Kay, general manager of PropertyGuru Asia Property Awards and Events, said: “As the PropertyGuru Asia Property Awards program continues to evolve, we welcome entrants from all over the Philippines, especially growth areas beyond the capital such as Cebu. From Luzon to Visayas and Mindanao, our goal is to showcase excellence in real estate nationwide, highlighting market development and diversity across multiple destinations. With its resilient economy and strong fundamentals, as well as ambitious infrastructure projects and competitive industries, we look forward to recognizing another exciting phase in the evolution of Philippine real estate this year.”

Professionalism and transparency

The independent panel of judges comprises experts from various segments of the property sector and related fields.

The judging process is professionally run and fully transparent, culminating in the selection of shortlisted nominees and the announcement of winners. Top winners then advance to compete against their peers across Asia Pacific at the PropertyGuru Asia Property Awards Grand Final.

HLB, the global network of independent advisory and accounting firms, supervises the entire selection process.

Cyndy Tan Jarabata, chairperson of the independent panel of judges and president of TAJARA Leisure & Hospitality Group Inc., said: “We open the latest edition of the PropertyGuru Philippines Property Awards with a wide array of accolades for the finest real estate in Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. The 12th edition of the Awards builds on more than a decade of inclusivity, representation, and recognition for the achievements of property markets throughout the archipelago. Over the years, our independent panel of judges has taken an active role in influencing developers on the decentralization of urban and property development from vibrant Metro Manila to the country’s fast-developing regions, secondary cities, and provinces. This process has only accelerated post-pandemic with the growing preference for open, green spaces and leisure-oriented destinations as well as the influx of tourist arrivals and foreign direct investments.”

Ms. Jarabata joined Mr. Kay and Junefer Llena, head of project sales of Kohler Kitchen and Bath Philippines, the platinum sponsor of the Awards, at the launch event in Fili Hotel NUSTAR Cebu.

A project by Robinsons Hotels and Resorts, Fili Hotel NUSTAR Cebu won three titles, including Best Hotel Development, at the 11th PropertyGuru Philippines Property Awards 2023 held in Manila. The development would go on to win the Best Hospitality Architectural Design (Asia) title at the 18th PropertyGuru Asia Property Awards Grand Final 2023 in Bangkok, Thailand.

Provincial markets represented

Cyel Auza, vice president for operations of Aboitiz InfraCapital Economic Estates, and Jose Franco Soberano, director, senior executive vice president, and chief operating officer of Cebu Landmasters, Inc. (CLI), represented the prominent winners from provincial markets in 2023 at the launch event.

Aboitiz InfraCapital Economic Estates won the Best Industrial Developer (Asia) award as well as the Best Industrial Development (Asia) award for West Cebu Estate at the Grand Final in 2023.

The company also won the Best Industrial Developer title, among other recognitions, at the 2023 Awards in the Philippines, with West Cebu Estate winning Best Industrial Development. LIMA Central Business District won the Best Mixed Use Development award for the company while LIMA Estate won Best Green Development. Aboitiz Land, Inc. meanwhile won the prestigious Best Housing Development (Philippines) award for Seafront Residences, in addition to winning titles for the projects Ajoya Cabanatuan and The Villages at Lipa.

Cebu Landmasters, Inc. was hailed Best Developer (Mindanao) at the 2023 Awards in the Philippines, supported by the Best Retail Architectural Design award for DGT City Center. Casa Mira Towers Bacolod won the Best Condo Development (Visayas) award for the company while Casa Mira Iloilo won Best Housing Development (Visayas). Casa Mira Homes Danao won Best Housing Development (Metro Cebu) while Costa Mira Beachtown Panglao won Best Waterfront Condo Development.

Jose R. Soberano III, chairman, president, and CEO of Cebu Landmasters, Inc., was honored as the Philippines Real Estate Personality of the Year for achievements that include leading the expansion of the homegrown Cebu developer.

Cebu Landmasters, Inc. said in a statement: “Being awarded several times over the years by this prestigious award-giving body is a testament that CLI has masterfully planned sustainable developments and continues to add features based on the preferences and aspirations of our stakeholders. Having the awards also inspired us to surpass our limits challenge our best and even do better than our previous accomplishments.”

The company aims to develop more quality homes and sustainable townships and communities as the Philippine economy continues to recover. The Philippines recorded an annual GDP growth of 5.6% in 2023.

Cebu Landmasters, Inc. also said in a statement: “The customers’ evolving preferences and sustained demand are strong indicators of market recovery. The market for residential housing also continues to be robust with more demand in the coming years due to the lack of supply for affordable housing.”

The PropertyGuru Philippines Property Awards are part of the regional PropertyGuru Asia Property Awards series, which marks its 19th year in 2024. The series covers key markets across the region, spanning Southeast Asia, East Asia, South Asia, and Oceania, with exclusive gala dinners and ceremonies that represent the most anticipated property events of the year.

Organized by PropertyGuru Group, the 12th PropertyGuru Philippines Property Awards are supported by platinum sponsor Kohler; gold sponsor Boysen Paints; silver sponsor Dongpeng Ceramic; official magazine Property Report by PropertyGuru; official publicity partner Ripple8; and official supervisor HLB.

For more information, email awards@propertyguru.com or visit the official website: AsiaPropertyAwards.com. (MCN)