13th PropertyGuru Philippines Property Awards unveils new categories

Real estate experts remained optimistic about the diversification of the Philippine property market today during the Asia Connect Manila event, marking the launch of the 13th edition of the PropertyGuru Philippines Property Awards. 

Economic and real estate experts gathered at the Garden Pavilion in Grand Hyatt Manila to discuss the tailwinds and headwinds of the property sector. The launch event also revealed the timeline for celebrating the Philippines’ finest real estate in 2025.

Key dates for the 2025 edition are as follows:

• 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  

Known as the Gold Standard of real estate across 15 dynamic markets in Asia Pacific, the PropertyGuru Asia Property Awards series this year continues its legacy of honouring outstanding achievements in property development, architecture, and design in the Philippines. 

Expansions, challenges, opportunities

Asia Connect Manila featured informative talks on the current state of the Philippine real estate market as well as insightful perspectives from a distinguished roster of speakers. These discussions follow the success of the 12th PropertyGuru Philippines Property Awards in 2024, which celebrated top real estate companies and projects across 84 categories, including the inaugural ESG Developer awards.

A major topic was the continued expansion of townships, master-planned communities, and suburban developments beyond Metro Manila, led by the Cavite project Riverpark by Federal Land, Inc., which triumphed as Best Township Development (Asia) at the 19th PropertyGuru Asia Property Awards Grand Final in 2024. Federal Land, Inc. was also awarded Best Luxury Developer (Asia) at the Grand Final while Federal Land NRE Global, Inc. earned the title of Best Breakthrough Developer (Asia). Additionally, Federal Land, Inc. won Best Luxury Developer at the 2024 PropertyGuru Philippines Property Awards while Federal Land NRE Global, Inc. was recognised as Best Breakthrough Developer.

Industrial expansion was also a focus of discussions as the Philippines positions itself as a manufacturing hub. At the forefront of this expansion is Aboitiz InfraCapital Economic Estates, which earned the titles of Best Industrial Developer (Asia) and Best Green Industrial Development (Asia) for the industrial-anchored LIMA Estate at the Grand Final. The company was also recognised as Best Industrial Developer at the 2024 PropertyGuru Philippines Property Awards.

Challenges and opportunities in the commercial and residential sectors were also discussed, with experts anticipating an upswing in innovation due to healthy competition. Robinsons Land is expected to lead such innovators, having won the Best Developer award for the third consecutive year at the 2024 PropertyGuru Philippines Property Awards and receiving the title of Best Developer (Luzon). Robinsons Offices and RLC Residences, both divisions of Robinsons Land, were recognised for their groundbreaking projects, including GBF Center 1, The Residences at The Westin Manila, and work.able Robinsons Summit Center, at the Grand Final in 2024.

Robinsons Land said: “At Robinsons Land, the Gold Standard in real estate is defined by what truly matters to our customers. From our lifestyle-led destination estates and upscale residences to reimagined retail, hospitality, next-generation workspaces, and modern industrial developments, we create environments that enable success, inspire creativity, and enrich everyday life. Through design excellence, sustainability, and customer-centric innovation, we continue to raise the benchmark for what real estate can and should be in the Philippines."

New categories

In line with the diversification of the market, the 2025 PropertyGuru Philippines Property Awards have introduced new categories to further recognise outstanding achievements in the real estate sector. These include Best Township Developer and Best Community Developer, acknowledging firms that create thriving, well-integrated live-work-play environments, as well as the Best Mega Township Development award. Other new categories include 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.

A total of 123 categories are open for this year’s awards in the Philippines.

Jules Kay, general manager of PropertyGuru Asia Property Awards and Events, said: “The Philippines was an outstanding market in 2024, with the awards providing a platform to established and emerging developers, as well as diverse portfolios and properties across various price segments. Our categories continue to reflect changing Filipino consumer preferences—from the shift toward suburban developments in provinces to the demand for immersive retail spaces. Industrial real estate is primed for further growth, while hospitality properties remain promising as tourist destinations around the country ramp up campaigns. We will also continue to award and showcase commercial spaces as outsourcing firms sustain office demand. Once again, the Philippines Property Awards will elevate real estate standards for Filipino property seekers and boost local and international market visibility for developers.”

Jules Kay, General Manager, PropetyGuru Asia Property Awards and Events

Cyndy Tan Jarabata, president of TAJARA Leisure & Hospitality Group Inc. and chairperson of the PropertyGuru Philippines Property Awards judging panel, said: “Last year, the Philippine property market effectively showcased its strengths at both the national and regional levels during the PropertyGuru Asia Property Awards, recognising notable successes in the development and design of townships, industrial estates, affordable homes, and luxury properties. As we launch the 13th edition of our real estate awards programme, we recognise the challenges in the market but remain optimistic about its resilience, with healthy competition igniting innovation and raising industry standards.”

Cyndy Tan Jarabata, President, TAJARA Leisure & Hospitality Group Inc.

She added: “Adapting to shifting demands and demographics, townships and master-planned communities are diversifying beyond Metro Manila, creating new opportunities across the country. Our awards have also expanded to recognise developments that remain accessible and affordable to homebuyers and investors, in line with the diverse needs of Filipino property seekers. This diversification, driven by smart urban planning and industrial growth, is poised to be showcased in this year’s awards.”

Also present at the launch event were Jericho P. Go, SVP & Business Unit General Manager, Robinsons Land Corporation; Margaux Zarah Casihan, Director, Audit and Assurance, Diaz Murillo Dalupan and Company – HLB Philippines; Monica Lorenzana Trajano, VP, Commercial Strategy, Aboitiz InfraCapital Economic Estates; Pio Gutierrez, Country Manager, Kohler; and Vivian S. Santos, Deputy Director General for Operations, Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA).

An independent panel of judges, led by Ms. Jarabata, will identify and evaluate the shortlist of nominees in a fair, transparent, credible selection process. Diaz Murillo Dalupan and Company – HLB Philippines, part of “2024 Network of the Year” winner HLB International, will ensure the integrity of the judging process. 

Representing the Best in Asia

Winners of the 13th PropertyGuru Philippines Property Awards will be revealed during a prestigious 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 marks the 20th edition of the PropertyGuru Asia Property Awards series, which has expanded over the years 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. 

Last year, the Philippines represented the most awarded market at the Grand Final with 12 regional wins for developers and projects from across 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 honoured as the PropertyGuru Icon during the prestigious gala dinner and ceremony. 

Organised 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. 

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