Philippines Property Awards rewards region’s most exciting market

Winners and highly commended developments were chosen from across Metro Manila, Cebu and Davao

MANILA, Philippines – More than 250 of the nation’s brightest leaders and talents in real estate, architecture and design gathered in Manila this evening to reward the best of the best in the property sector at the third annual Philippines Property Awards 2015.

The prestigious gala dinner and awards presentation ceremony, part of the decade-old Asia Property Awards series, was held on 9 July at the Raffles and Fairmont Hotel in Makati following a rigorous six-month entry process – which was free to enter – and comprehensive site inspection period by the esteemed and independent panel of judges, as assessed by BDO, one of the world’s biggest accounting firms.

Featuring 25 award categories covering the best developers, developments and designs in the local real estate sector, the Awards celebrated the finest current projects in the residential, commercial, office, retail, hospitality, villa and green segments in Metro Manila, Cebu and Davao.

SM Prime Holdings claimed the year’s top honour – Best Developer – beating last year’s champion Ayala Land Inc (ALI), which took home a Highly Commended accolade in the category along with fellow nominee Megaworld Corporation. With a total of nine nominations, the SM group was also declared Winner in several other categories, including Best Retail Development and Best Retail Architectural Design, both for Mega Fashion Hall (SM Mega Megamall Expansion 2) Bldg. D, through subsidiary First Asia Realty Development Corporation.

Meanwhile, the group’s SM Development Corporation (SMDC) unit dominated multiple categories, picking up the trophy for Best Landscape Architectural Design for Shell Residences – plus two highly commended certificates in the same category – the award for Best Affordable Condo Development (Metro Manila), as well as highly commended honours for another affordable condo project and a mid-range resort development.

“This Best Developer award means so much for SM group, as we are in the company of the best developers in the country,” said Jeffrey Lim, SM Prime’s executive vice-president. “Our group is committed to building integrated communities across the country with residential, commercial, retail and lifestyle components, and this honour is a testament of our engagement to the property industry.”

ALI did not come home empty-handed, taking the award for Special Recognition in CSR for its commitment to building sustainable communities in the Philippines, plus another award for Best Residential Architectural Design. Its subsidiary Alveo Land Corporation was declared two-time winner for its latest condo and residential projects in Cebu and Davao, respectively, while its Avida Land unit also received two Highly Commended certificates.

Other multiple winners of the evening included Megaworld Corporation, with double wins in the Best Luxury Development (Resort) and Best Residential Interior Design, in addition to six Highly Commended awards; Vista Land and Landscapes Inc, taking home the Best Housing Development (Metro Manila) and Best Housing Development (Philippines) trophies; WJGlobal Inc, picking up two awards for Best Hotel Development and Best Hotel Architectural Design; Robinsons Land Corporation, taking the accolades for Best Mid-range Condo Development (Metro Manila) and Best Condo Development (Philippines) for the The Sapphire Bloc; and BDO Unibank, picking up the Best Office Development, Best Office Architectural Design and Best Commercial Development (Philippines) awards for its new BDO Corporate Tower Ortigas project.

“Our highly-qualified central panel of judges have worked hard to ensure that we have the highest quality Winners across all categories from all deserving developers and projects that showcase the best of the best in the country’s real estate sector,” said Terry Blackburn, CEO of Ensign Media and publisher of Asia’s industry leading Property Report magazine.

“This year’s batch of winners, from Manila to Cebu and Davao, truly represents what the local real estate scene can offer,” he added. “The country’s property market continues to go from strength to strength, as demonstrated by the robust growth in the commercial, retail, office and mixed-use sectors, as well as putting the spotlight on secondary cities and resort destinations across the archipelago.”

Led by three-time chairwoman, Cyndy Tan Jarabata, president of TAJARA Leisure & Hospitality Group Inc, this year’s highly qualified judges panel also comprised the Philippines’ top real estate and design experts, including Lindsay J. Orr, chief operating officer of Jones Lang LaSalle Philippines; Architect William V. Consuella, principal, W.V. Consuella & Associates; Abelardo M. Tolentino Jr., president and CEO, Aidea Philippines Inc; Rommel M. Leuterio, group president, Property Management & Development Group/ICCP Group; Jaime A. Cura, Ph.D., vice-chairman, RGV Group of Companies; and Jose Oscar O. Salvacion, president, Design Coordinates Inc/Construction Project Managers.

“The judges panel consists of esteemed leaders of their profession and experts in their respective industries. It was a pleasure working with them as we oversaw a significantly changing landscape over three years and the continuous growth of the property market in the Philippines,” Jarabata said.

“For developers to continuously succeed, they have to incorporate smart technology not only because it is what the consumer wants, but it’s the right path to progress,” she continued. “When you live in the Philippines where there is an average of 20 typhoons a year, the environment and natural disasters take on a major consideration in any development…. The Philippines Property Awards has provided a respected platform to both major and niche developers to set new benchmarks in development and design, that enhances quality and living spaces, harmonising with environment and creating value for the consumer.”

Top winners in the Philippines will then go on to compete on the regional stage at the Asia Property Awards grand finals on Wednesday, 21 October, at the fifth annual South East Asia Property Awards 2015 to be held at the prestigious Shangri-La Hotel Singapore, which takes place immediately right after the first-ever Property Report Congress, a high-level forum for the region’s real estate leaders.

In addition to the 25 award categories, the Philippines Real Estate Personality of the Year – the only award not chosen by the judging panel – was given to Ramon Fernando D. Rufino, executive vice-president of premium office developer The Net Group. A young and dynamic figure with valuable contributions to the advancement of green building and sustainable architecture, Rufino was selected by the editors of Property Report, the region’s leading luxury real estate publication, for his achievements as chairman of the Philippine Green Building Council (PHILGBC), which was recently recognised by the World Green Building Council as an emerging member.

“I hope this award brings added visibility to the efforts of PHILGBC so we can receive even greater support and participation from the real estate industry,” Rufino commented, sharing his vision for the country’s thriving real estate industry. “The awareness and desire for sustainability is already strong, but we really need to improve on the level of commitment and action. There are so many areas to work on but our top priority is for more and more companies and projects to secure green building certification.”

With an opening speech by Noel Carino, president of CREBA (Chamber of Real Estate and Builders’ Associations Inc.), the annual event was hosted by David Celdran and presented by Property Report magazine, and was co-sponsored by gold sponsors Kohler and Uratex Premium Mattresses, silver sponsor TEKA, supporting association CREBA, and Sanpellegrino, the Official Supplier of the Asia Property Awards 2015.

For more information on the Philippines Property Awards, visit the website: asiapropertyawards.com/philippinespropertyawards

The full list of Winners and Highly Commended at the Philippines Property Awards 2015:

DEVELOPER

Best Developer

Winner: SM Prime Holdings

Highly Commended:

Ayala Land Inc

Megaworld Corporation

Special Recognition in CSR

Ayala Land Inc

BEST OF THE BEST

Best Housing Development (Philippines)

Amore @ Portofino – Vista Land and Lifescapes Inc

Best Condo Development (Philippines)

The Sapphire Bloc – Robinsons Land Corporation

Best Commercial Development (Philippines)

BDO Corporate Center Ortigas – BDO Unibank

Best Green Development (Philippines)

Ore Central – Monte De Tesoro Corporation

DEVELOPMENT

Best Office Development

Winner: BDO Corporate Center Ortigas – BDO Unibank

Highly Commended:

Ore Central – Monte De Tesoro Corporation

W CityCenter – W Group Inc/WCC Inc

Best Hotel Development

Winner: Ascott Bonifacio Global City Manila – WJGlobal Inc

Highly Commended:

Be Grand Resorts Bohol – Enrison Land Inc

Kandaya Resort – Agujo Land Corporation

Best Retail Development

Winner: Mega Fashion Hall (SM Mega Megamall Expansion 2) Bldg. D – First Asia Realty

Highly Commended:

Evia Lifestyle Center – Vista Land and Lifescapes Inc Development Corporation

Best Housing Development (Metro Manila)

Winner: Amore @ Portofino – Vista Land and Lifescapes Inc

Highly Commended:

Southgrove Estates – Avida Land

Best Luxury Condo Development (Metro Manila)

Winner: Botanika Nature Residences – Filinvest Alabang Inc

Highly Commended:

Uptown Ritz – Megaworld Corporation

Best Mid-Range Condo Development (Metro Manila)

Winner: The Sapphire Bloc – Robinsons Land Corporation

Highly Commended:

Kroma – Alveo Land Corp

Best Affordable Condo Development (Metro Manila)

Winner: Mezza II Residences – SM Development Corporation (SMDC)

Highly Commended:

Avida Altura – Avida Land

Green Residences – SM Development Corporation (SMDC)

Best Condo Development (Cebu)

Winner: Solinea – Alveo Land Corp

Highly Commended:

AppleOne Banawa Heights – AppleOne Properties Inc

Mabolo Garden Flats – Primary Homes Inc

Best Housing Development (Cebu)

Winner: Argao Palm – Primary Homes Inc

Highly Commended:

Astelé – Primary Homes Inc

Best Residential Development (Davao)

Winner: Abreeza Residences – Alveo Land Corp

Highly Commended:

Arezzo Place Davao – Phinma Properties

Best Luxury Development (Resort)

Winner: Boracay Newcoast-Oceanway Residences – Megaworld Corporation and Global Estates Resorts Inc (GERI)

Highly Commended:

Anvaya Cove – Ayala Land Inc

Best Mid-Range Development (Resort)

Winner: Camella Puerto Princesa – Vista Land and Lifescapes Inc

Highly Commended:

Wind Residences – SM Development Corporation (SMDC)

DESIGN

Best Hotel Interior

Winner: Kandaya Resort – Agujo Land Corporation

Highly Commended:

Ascott Bonifacio Global City Manila – WJGlobal Inc

Be Grand Resorts – Enrison Land Inc

Belmont Luxury Hotel – Megaworld Corporation

Richmonde Hotel Iloilo – Megaworld Corporation

Best Hotel Architectural Design

Winner: Ascott Bonifacio Global City Manila – WJGlobal Inc

Highly Commended:

Be Grand Resorts Boho l– Enrison Land Inc

Citadines Salcedo Makati – Valero Prime Land

Kandaya Resort – Agujo Land Corporation

Somerset Alabang Manila – LBL Prime Properties Inc

Best Residential Architectural Design

Winner: Park Terraces – Ayala Land Inc

Highly Commended:

8 Newtown Boulevard – Megaworld Corporation

Best Residential Interior Design

Winner: Three Central – Megaworld Corporation

Highly Commended:

Argao Royal Palms – Primary Homes Inc

Best Retail Architectural Design

Winner: Mega Fashion Hall (SM Mega Megamall Expansion 2) Bldg. D – First Asia Realty Development Corporation

Highly Commended:  

Evia Lifestyle Center – Vista Land and Lifescapes Inc

The Venice Grand Canal Mall – Megaworld Corporation

Best Office Architectural Design

Winner: BDO Corporate Tower Ortigas – BDO Unibank

Highly Commended:

Menarco – Menarco Development Corporation

Ore Central – Monte De Tesoro Corporation

Vista Hub – Vista Land and Landscapes Inc

Best Landscape Architectural Design

Winner: Shell Residences – SM Development Corporation (SMDC)

Highly Commended:

Grace Residences – SM Development Corporation (SMDC)

Trees Residences – SM Development Corporation (SMDC)

ADVT