The evolving priorities of Filipino property seekers are taking center stage as the 14th PropertyGuru Philippines Property Awards launches its 2026 programme, introducing new categories that reflect how developers are adapting to a rapidly transforming real estate landscape.
Industry leaders, award-winning developers, and property experts gathered at Asia Connect Manila to mark the official opening of entries for the annual awards, widely regarded as one of the country’s most prestigious recognitions for excellence in property development. The 2026 edition will culminate in a gala dinner and awards ceremony on August 20 in Manila, with national winners advancing to compete at the PropertyGuru Asia Property Awards Grand Final in Bangkok in December.
This year’s programme places a stronger spotlight on emerging trends shaping the market, from first-time homeownership and affordable housing to wellness-driven developments and waterfront communities. New awards such as Best Condo Developer, Best First Home Development, Best Wellness Hospitality Development, Best Marina Development, and Best Landmark Development are expected to draw entries from developers responding to the evolving aspirations of modern Filipino buyers.
Entries for the awards close on June 19, followed by site inspections scheduled between July 6 and 28. A major highlight of the 2026 programme is the introduction of the People’s Choice Awards voting period from July 13 to 26, allowing consumers themselves to recognize the developers they trust most.
The awards launch coincided with Asia Connect Manila 2026, held at the historic Blackbird restaurant at Nielson Tower, where industry leaders examined opportunities and challenges facing the property sector amid steady economic expansion.
The Philippines is expected to remain one of Southeast Asia’s fastest-growing economies this year, supported by new economic zones, large-scale infrastructure projects, housing initiatives, and policy reforms designed to attract investment. These developments are expected to further energize the real estate sector, encouraging developers to design projects that are more responsive to changing market needs.
Against this backdrop, the PropertyGuru Philippines Property Awards continues to set the benchmark for recognizing the country’s most outstanding projects across residential, commercial, industrial, and mixed-use developments. The awards are part of the broader PropertyGuru Asia Property Awards series, which spans 10 key markets across the Asia-Pacific region.
Jules Kay, general manager of PropertyGuru Asia Property Awards and Events, said the Philippine property industry is entering a new phase of growth driven by innovation and sustainability.
“Philippine real estate is entering a new era characterised by scale, sustainability, and strong economic momentum,” Kay said. “Developers are delivering smarter, greener, and more market-responsive projects. These trends point to an industry that is decentralising, innovating, and positioning itself to support the country’s long-term growth.”
One of the most notable additions to the 2026 programme is the People’s Choice Awards in the Philippines, a consumer-driven recognition platform that empowers residents to vote for the country’s top developers. Already introduced in markets such as Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam, the initiative allows property seekers to play a direct role in recognizing the developers shaping their communities.
All parent companies of developers participating in the judged categories will automatically qualify for this public voting segment, supported by Inquirer Property.
The awards also continue to highlight the achievements of developers who have redefined excellence in the Philippine real estate landscape. During the 2025 edition, developers from across the archipelago received top honors for projects that combined innovation, sustainability, and economic impact.
Among the standout winners was Aboitiz Economic Estates, which secured the Best Industrial Developer in the Philippines title for the fifth consecutive year. The company’s flagship developments—including LIMA Estate, LIMA Tower One, The Villages at LIMA Estate, and TARI Estate—demonstrate the growing appeal of integrated industrial estates designed to support manufacturing, logistics, and residential communities.
These estates now host more than 260 locators and have generated over 100,000 jobs, underscoring the critical role of industrial development in supporting the country’s economic growth.
Jolan Formalejo, vice president for project delivery at Aboitiz Economic Estates, said the awards highlight the growing importance of integrated planning in real estate development.
“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,” Formalejo said.
He added that the company continues to position its estates as smart and sustainable ecosystems capable of addressing long-standing structural challenges in the industry.
Oversight of the awards process will be handled by an independent panel of respected real estate leaders chaired by Cyndy Tan Jarabata, president of TAJARA Leisure & Hospitality Group Inc. The judging process will be conducted under the supervision of global advisory and accounting network HLB to ensure transparency and fairness.
Jarabata said the industry is increasingly shifting toward developments that prioritize community-building rather than simply constructing physical spaces.
“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,” she said.
She noted that developers are also expanding into emerging growth areas outside traditional urban hubs such as Metro Manila, Cebu, and Davao. Improvements in airport infrastructure and transport connectivity across Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao are opening new frontiers for real estate investment and urban development.
The PropertyGuru Asia Property Awards series continues to grow alongside the region’s booming real estate markets, presenting more than 660 award categories across Asia Pacific last year alone.
For the 2026 edition, the Philippine awards programme is supported by gold sponsor Boysen Paints, official magazine Property Report by PropertyGuru, publicity partner Ripple8, and official supervisor HLB.
Further details about the awards programme are available at AsiaPropertyAwards.com or via email at awards@propertyguru.com.