Developers, industry leaders, and market authorities convened at Asia Connect Manila to mark the launch of the 14th edition of the PropertyGuru Philippines Property Awards, with organizers introducing new categories aligned with current market conditions.
The gala dinner and presentation will be held on August 20, 2026 in Manila. Winners will advance to the regional Grand Final of the PropertyGuru Asia Property Awards in December 2026 in Bangkok, Thailand, where they will compete for Best in Asia honors.
Entries for the 2026 program close on June 19, followed by site inspections from July 6 to 28. Voting for the People’s Choice Awards runs from July 13 to 26.
Opportunities and challenges
Held at Blackbird at the Nielson Tower, Asia Connect Manila 2026 examined opportunities and headwinds shaping the Philippine property market, set against forecasts of steady economic expansion.
The Philippines is projected to remain among Southeast Asia’s faster-growing economies heading into 2026, supported by the rollout of new economic zones, infrastructure projects, housing initiatives, and investment-friendly policies. Organizers said this environment provides a platform for developers to deliver projects that respond more directly to evolving market demands.
The awards form part of the broader PropertyGuru Asia Property Awards series, which recognizes achievements across 10 markets in Asia Pacific. In the Philippines, the program honors developments across asset classes, portfolios, and environmental, social, and governance initiatives.
For 2026, the awards expand to include new categories such as Best Condo Developer, Best Affordable Housing Development (Luzon), Best First Home Development, Best Wellness Hospitality Development, Best Marina Development, and Best Landmark Development.
The upcoming edition also introduces the People’s Choice Awards in the Philippines, a consumer-driven segment allowing property seekers to vote for their preferred developers. The format has previously been rolled out in Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam. Parent companies of developers competing in the judged categories automatically qualify for the consumer awards, which are supported locally by Inquirer Property.
Jules Kay, general manager of PropertyGuru Asia Property Awards and Events, said: “Philippine real estate is entering a new era characterized by scale, sustainability, and strong economic momentum. Last year’s awards included around 70 diverse categories and celebrated excellence across varied asset classes, from affordable housing and luxury condominiums to townships and industrial estates. With global institutions forecasting solid economic growth, developers are delivering smarter, greener, and more market-responsive projects. These trends point to an industry that is decentralizing, innovating, and positioning itself to support the country’s long-term growth. We look forward to seeing the finest developers raise the bar once again at the awards.”
Strength on display
The 2025 edition highlighted a wide range of developers from across the country.
Aboitiz Economic Estates was named Best Industrial Developer in the Philippines for the fifth consecutive year. The company received multiple recognitions for projects including LIMA Estate, LIMA Tower One, The Villages at LIMA Estate, and TARI Estate. Its estates host more than 260 locators and have generated over 100,000 jobs.
Seafront Residences, under Aboitiz Land, was also recognized for its waterfront development, part of an integrated platform where Aboitiz Economic Estates provides utilities and infrastructure alongside residential and workforce components.
Jolan Formalejo, vice president for project delivery at Aboitiz Economic Estates, said: “These awards highlight how industrial growth, residential innovation, and sustainable community planning can converge to generate long-term economic value, create inclusive opportunities, and strengthen the nation’s competitiveness in the region.”
He added: “As industrial estate developers, we don’t just compete locally. We compete regionally. Our benchmark is not only the Philippine market; it’s other ASEAN peers. And we recognize that the Philippines faces structural challenges, from higher operating costs to infrastructure and talent gaps. But instead of accepting those constraints, we built around them. At Aboitiz Economic Estates, our strategy has been to create a purpose-built, smart, and sustainable ecosystem that addresses those gaps directly.”
Distinguished industry leaders
An independent panel of judges will oversee the evaluation of entries, under the supervision of HLB, a global network of advisory and accounting firms. The 2026 judging panel is composed of executives and senior practitioners from the Philippine real estate sector.
Cyndy Tan Jarabata, chairperson of the independent judging panel and president of TAJARA Leisure & Hospitality Group Inc., said: “We look forward to the 14th PropertyGuru Philippines Property Awards as leading developers shift from building homes to building communities, responding more thoughtfully to property seekers’ needs nationwide. We see diversification in assets as well as bold new strategies, with intrepid companies pursuing growth in secondary markets just beyond Metro Manila, Cebu, and Davao, led in part by innovative boutique developers with localized knowledge in emerging prime locations. We also launch the Awards as infrastructure drives the real estate industry forward, with airport modernization across Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao, along with new routes and privatizations, boosting national connectivity, efficiency, and liveability. Overall, the industry is embracing greater public accountability and service orientation, qualities which this year’s winners will undoubtedly reflect.”
The 14th edition builds on the momentum of the regional awards program, which presented more than 660 categories across Asia Pacific last year.
The 2026 awards are supported by Boysen Paints as gold sponsor, Property Report by PropertyGuru as official magazine, Ripple8 as official publicity partner, and HLB as official supervisor.
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