CEBU, Philippines — Top property markets in the Philippines are emerging beyond the National Capital Region, with Visayas and Mindanao also leading the way to showcase the finest places to live, work, and thrive in the country. This was the key insight from industry leaders today at the Asia Connect: Cebu event marking the launch of the 13th edition of the PropertyGuru Philippines Property Awards in the VisMin region.
The 13th PropertyGuru Philippines Property Awards open as the PropertyGuru Asia Property Awards series marks its historic edition 20th year in 2025. Highly regarded as the Gold Standard in Asia’s real estate sector across 15 dynamic markets, the series is organized by PropertyGuru Group, Southeast Asia’s leading property technology company.
Distinguished developers and real estate experts convened at the launch event in Fili Hotel NUSTAR in Cebu where they shared insights on the Philippines’ urbanising, untapped, and underrepresented real estate markets. The launch event also unveiled the timeline for the 2025 PropertyGuru Philippines Property Awards.
Key dates for the 2025 edition are:
- 6 June 2025 – Entries Close
- 23 June – 11 July 2025 – Site Inspections
- 14 July 2025 – Final Judging
- 15 August 2025 – Gala Dinner and Awards Ceremony in Manila, Philippines
- 12 December 2025 – Regional Grand Final Gala Dinner and Awards Presentation in Bangkok, Thailand
Next frontiers in real estate
Asia Connect: Cebu comes as the Philippine real estate industry welcomes healthy competition and shifts towards growth frontiers in Visayas and Mindanao, with a focus on suburban and landed development. Several hubs in these regions are positioning themselves as viable, alternative property markets to Metro Cebu, Metro Davao, and Metro Manila.
The government’s Build Better More initiative—a multi-trillion-peso infrastructure and energy program—is expected to buoy provincial real estate growth while ongoing efforts of the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) across many planned eco-zone investments nationwide are set to boost sustainable developments and create more jobs. Infrastructure initiatives include the modernization, expansion, and construction of airports across Visayas and Mindanao, complementing efforts to boost international tourism in 2025. Hospitality projects as well as leisure-oriented, resort-themed developments will likely benefit from such initiatives.
In 2024, the 12th PropertyGuru Philippines Property Awards honored many developers and projects from Visayas and Mindanao. Among the distinguished winners, Cebu Landmasters, Inc. won the Best Developer (Mindanao) award, alongside accolades for Visayas-based projects such as Casa Mira Towers Guadalupe, lyf Cebu City, Mirani Steps Danao, and Velmiro Greens Bohol.
Grant Cheng, CFA, CLI EVP & CFO, Cebu Landmasters, Inc., said: “Cebu Landmasters has been elevating the Gold Standard of real estate financing and capital management. Just this year, we are blazing a trail for new sustainability-linked finance instruments, using metrics that no other company has used before. Our pioneering Sustainability-Linked Bonds are over three times oversubscribed, highlighting not only CLI’s standing in the markets but also the emerging demand for companies who have sustainability financing as part of their strategy.”
Last year’s awards also saw significant milestones in housing and landed development across Visayas and Mindanao. BlueRise Holdings Ent. Corp. emerged as one of the most successful first-time participants, winning the Best Housing Architectural Design award for Alexa Heights in Cebu City.
Alex A. Mabaquiao, Jr., CEO and president of BlueRise Holdings Ent. Corp., joined B. Grant Cheng, CFA, CLI EVP & CFO, Cebu Landmasters, Inc.; Jules Kay, general manager of PropertyGuru Asia Property Awards and Events; and Cyndy Tan Jarabata, president of TAJARA Leisure & Hospitality Group Inc. and chairperson of the PropertyGuru Philippines Property Awards judging panel as speakers at Asia Connect: Cebu.
New categories to honor quality property development and design
The 13th PropertyGuru Philippines Property Awards will recognize excellence in property development and design across a total of 123 categories. These include 11 inaugural fields, namely Best Township Developer, Best Community Developer, Best Mega Township Development, Best Oceanview Condo Development, Best Oceanview Housing/Landed Development, Best Multigeneration Living Condo Development, Best Multigeneration Housing/Landed Development, Best Renovated Residential Development, Best Completed Mixed Use Development, Best Renovated Commercial Development, and Best Affordable Condo Interior Design.
Jules Kay, general manager of PropertyGuru Asia Property Awards and Events, said: “In addition to our awards for the finest real estate in Luzon, we’re proud to provide a platform for the outstanding developments emerging from Visayas and Mindanao, two of the Philippines’ fastest-growing island regions with a diverse range of properties for Filipinos in the country and abroad.”
He added: “From Cebu to Davao, we anticipate the rise of tomorrow’s cities in these regions due to a strong tourism push and large-scale infrastructure projects, unlocking land values and stimulating demand across the residential, commercial, and hospitality sectors. Integrated townships, horizontal developments, and resort-themed communities can take advantage of these enhancements, alongside vertical projects designed to meet market demand. For developers who have strategically positioned themselves in this wave of progress, the awards are expected to showcase their efforts and achievements nationwide.”
Cyndy Tan Jarabata, president of TAJARA Leisure & Hospitality Group Inc. and chairperson of the PropertyGuru Philippines Property Awards judging panel, said: “The resilience and expansion of the Philippine property market are evident in Visayas and Mindanao where hubs beyond Cebu and Davao are emerging, driven by infrastructure investments in airports, roads, expressways, and bridges. Developers are set to capitalize on the improved connectivity as well as rising demand, particularly in townships and tourism-driven projects.”
She added: “Our awards have recognized developments beyond Metro Manila that have transformed into world-class, large-scale communities, integrating diverse property types across multiple market segments. Affordable and mid-income developments are expected to perform well while suburban expansion accelerates across growth areas outside Metro Manila. As our industry becomes more diverse, adaptive, and inclusive, we’re excited to see the outstanding Visayas and Mindanao enterprises and developments that will be honored at this year’s awards.”
Representing the Best in Asia
Ms. Jarabata will lead an independent panel of judges in a fair, transparent, credible selection process supervised by Diaz Murillo Dalupan and Company – HLB Philippines, part of “2024 Network of the Year” winner HLB International. Winners will be revealed during the black-tie gala dinner and awards ceremony at Shangri-La The Fort, Manila in August 2025.
Top winners of the 13th PropertyGuru Philippines Property Awards will be eligible to compete for the Best in Asia titles at the PropertyGuru Asia Property Awards Grand Final in December 2025. This year’s Grand Final comes as the PropertyGuru Asia Property Awards series expands to include dynamic markets such as the Middle East, Mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau, Japan, Australia, India, Sri Lanka, Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, and the Philippines.
In 2024, the Philippines represented the most awarded market at the Grand Final with 12 regional wins for developers and projects throughout the archipelago. Henry T. Sy, Jr., non-executive director/chairman of the board, SM Prime Holdings, and chairman and chief executive officer, SM Development Corporation, was honored as the PropertyGuru Icon during the prestigious gala dinner and ceremony.
Organized by PropertyGuru Group, the 13th Annual PropertyGuru Philippines Property Awards are supported by platinum sponsor Kohler Kitchen and Bath Philippines; gold sponsor Pacific Paint (BOYSEN) Philippines; official magazine Property Report by PropertyGuru; official publicity partner Ripple8; media partner Bridges; and official supervisor HLB.
