ON the heels of the national government’s bullish “Build, Build, Build” initiative, Dr. Jaime A. Cura, chairman of the judging panel of the Philippine Property Awards, said the local real-estate sector “continues to be a standout in this part of the world,” and the Awards exist to recognize the continuing emergence of innovations in design, production and marketing among developers.
I had a chat with the big winners and partners of the recently concluded Philippine Property Awards, Megaworld, SM Keppel, Arthaland, Ortigas and Co., Damosa Land and JLL, as to why the Philippine retail industry is on the up and up and what regions in the Philippines they’re most bullish on.
Kevin L. Tan, Megaworld
Property giant Megaworld, once again, made another major milestone in the industry when it emerged as this year’s “Best Developer” at the 2018 Philippines Property Awards held in Makati City. The latest achievement makes the company the first and only real-estate company in the Philippines to win the coveted honor for three consecutive years.
Along with its subsidiaries Global-Estate Resorts Inc. (Geri), Empire East Land Holdings Inc., and Suntrust Properties Inc., the Andrew Tan-led company earned a total of nine awards, including two in new categories.
Aside from the Best Developer award, the Megaworld Group is also the big winner in four other categories: Best Township Development for Iloilo Business Park; Best Township Architectural Design for Uptown Bonifacio; Best Hotel Development for Twin Lakes Hotel of Geri; and Best Affordable Condo Development for Suntrust Shanata of Suntrust Properties. Empire East was also bestowed a Special Recognition in Corporate Social Responsibility.
The Megaworld Group also received three “Highly-Commended” awards, which include: Best Luxury Condo Development (Metro Manila) for The Albany; Best Retail Architectural Design for Festive Walk Mall Iloilo; and Best Mid-End Condo Development for Empire East’s The Rochester.
“This is an important milestone for all of us because it is the first time that Megaworld and all of its subsidiaries received numerous awards in various categories. This is indeed a landmark achievement of the Megaworld Group. We are grateful, and we are more than humbled. This inspires us to do more and do better in the years to come,” said Kevin L. Tan, senior vice president, Megaworld.
Sheila Lobien, Jll
“JLL Philippines will always be an active supporter of the Asia Property Awards, primarily because of its belief to give utmost recognition to those who create indelible marks in Asia’s property industry.
This year one of the big winners is SM Keppel and the numerous awards the company received are really well-deserved. I have seen the group work on the project up close, and their desire to dot the Ortigas skyline with a landmark skyscraper is really immense.
I envision the Asia Property Awards to give increasing and significant recognition to those property companies who will put environmental sustainability on top of their projects, as doing this will make everyone, especially our future generations, win in the long term.”
Changing the Ortigas landscape
Oh Lock Soon, SM Keppel Land
SM Keppel Land Inc., a joint venture between SM-led Banco de Oro Unibank and Keppel Philippines Properties Inc., is the grand slam winner of 2018 Property Guru Philippines Property Awards.
Eight awards were bestowed upon the Podium Complex, the best mixed-use development in Ortigas Center, Metro Manila.
We will continue to support the Philippines Property Awards, as it provides a benchmark of excellence for Asian real estate and allows the winners to compete among the best in Asia.
The current Podium redevelopment is a mixed-use complex, consisting of the high-end Podium Retail Mall and the Podium West Tower, a grade A office development that is simply one of the best properties in the Philippines.
Davao Represent!
Ricardo Lagdameo, Damosa Land
“We’re quite pleased about this win, especially being an international award [Asia Pacific Property Awards]. This is Seawind’s Damosa Land’s maiden condo project, second major award, but first international. To be mentioned alongside large national developers is something that the team can really be proud of. In all our projects, we try to do something unconventional or go over and beyond, while still staying true to our vision of helping to uplift lives in the Davao region.”
Cebu leads the charge in sustainability
Leo Po, ArthaLand
ArthaLand Corp. brought home the coveted award for Best Boutique Developer and a Special Recognition in Sustainable Development.
As a highlight of that evening, however, ArthaLand—through Cebu Lavana Land, its joint venture with Hong Kong investment firm ARCH Capital Management—bagged the prestigious award for Best Office Development (Cebu) for its signature Cebu Exchange project, along with several high commendations for Best BPO Development and Best Office Architectural Design. Launched in March 2017, Cebu Exchange is ArthaLand’s first office condominium and its first development outside of Metro Manila. A leading-edge sustainable workspace environment, the Cebu Exchange will boast of the Philippines’s largest and greenest business ecosystem.
As another distinctive project, following the outstanding success of its earlier developments, ArthaLand’s Cebu Exchange impeccably manifests the company’s core principles of innovation, sustainability and excellence. This landmark development has already been registered with the Philippine Green Building Council and is well on track for a Berde (Building for Ecologically Responsive Design Excellence) certification. With the commendations from the Philippines Property Awards, Cebu Exchange is poised to become the country’s most iconic Green building; and having been registered with the US Green Building Council and having obtained its pre-certification from LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design), Cebu Exchange will also be the country’s largest dual-certified development.
“The recognitions will serve as an additional catalyst to establish Cebu as a hub for Green and sustainable buildings,” according to Leo Po, executive vice president and treasurer of ArthaLand Corp. “As we continue to move forward with our commitment to the environment, we hope to inspire communities in advocating sustainable designs for both residential and commercial developments.
“The awards are a recognition of our management team’s efforts,” Po added. “In addition, ArthaLand’s collaboration with the best local and foreign firms ties synergistically into the legacy of our founders, who have always maintained an innovative approach in the pursuit of excellence which has made us best in class.”
Being the country’s most multi-awarded Dual Green Certified developer, ArthaLand goes beyond investment value by delivering a legacy of experiential fulfilment by being focused, approachable and creative through leadership in sustainability. With the awards and commendations, ArthaLand has marked a milestone in being a distinctive boutique developer that aims to care for, improve and conserve the environment, as well as being the preferred choice by investors and clients who want better and healthier spaces for their families and communities.