Cebu & Davao Projects Power VisMin’s Rise Ahead of the 14th PropertyGuru Philippines Property Awards
Industry leaders and award-winning developers gathered on Friday, 6 March 2026 at the Fili Hotel within the NUSTAR complex for Asia Connect Cebu 2026, marking the Visayas and Mindanao legs of the 14th PropertyGuru Philippines Property Awards launch.
The PropertyGuru Philippines Property Awards returns for its 14th edition in 2026 with an expanded lineup of categories reflecting market dynamics across Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. The gala dinner and presentation will be held Thursday, 20 August 2026, in Manila, ahead of the PropertyGuru Asia Property Awards Grand Final in December 2026 in Bangkok where Philippine winners will compete with peers across Asia Pacific for the title of Best in Asia.
Key dates for the 2026 edition:
- 19 June 2026 – Entries Close
- 6-28 July 2026 – Site Inspections
- 13-26 July – People’s Choice Awards voting period
- 20 August 2026 – Gala Dinner and Awards Ceremony in Manila, Philippines
- 11 December 2026 – Regional Grand Final Gala Dinner in Bangkok, Thailand
Resilient property market
Asia Connect Cebu explored how world-class infrastructure, end-user demand, and a maturing business ecosystem have built Visayas into a resilient property market. Metro Cebu, in particular, has transformed into a distinct real estate ecosystem and co-equal primary market alongside Metro Manila, with buyers acquiring homes for long-term occupation and wealth preservation.
Metro Cebu’s ascendance comes as infrastructure investments enhance connectivity and liveability across Visayas. The Mactan-Cebu International Airport (MCIA) has significantly expanded its international network with new flight routes connecting Cebu directly to US territories, Malaysia, Vietnam, and Australia, strengthening its position as a gateway to the Philippines. The Cebu-Cordova Link Expressway (CCLEX), the longest and tallest bridge in the Philippines, continues to improve economic mobility and link mainland Cebu to Mactan Island, producing fresh tailwinds toward tourism and hospitality.
These transport arteries have transformed Cebu into a highly connected urban centre and MICE destination, further diversifying the local economy beyond traditional drivers. Cebu’s property market remains resilient across asset classes. The office sector captures strong provincial take-up as BPO firms decentralise, while residential demand stays healthy, fuelled by OFWs, local investors, and the IT-BPM workforce.
Exemplifying provincial excellence was Cebu Landmasters, Inc., which took home titles for Best Housing Developer, Best Developer (Mindanao), and Best Developer (Visayas) at the 2025 PropertyGuru Philippines Property Awards. These were supported by wins for developments throughout the islands including Mivela Garden Residences, Casa Mira Towers LPU Davao, and Velmiro Plains Bacolod.
Atty. James Abadia, vice-president for business development and SBU Head for Visayas, Cebu Landmasters, Inc., said:
“Participating in the PropertyGuru Philippine Property Awards reinforces our commitment to excellence in Visayas and Mindanao and validates the quality and standards we uphold in every development. What drives us is a deep understanding of our market—we build thoughtfully planned homes and real estate solutions that respond to real needs, support long-term community growth and help close the housing gap.”
Mindanao’s ascent
Parallel to Cebu’s ascent, the Davao Region has emerged as one of the Philippines’ most attractive property markets outside Metro Manila, drawing both local buyers and foreign investors with its combination of economic stability, lower crime rates, and major infrastructure projects underway.
A substantial infrastructure budget endorsed for 2026 is fuelling demand across Metro Davao’s residential and commercial segments, with transformative projects set to reshape the metropolis between now and 2027. These include a major terminal expansion at Davao International Airport, the landmark Samal Island-Davao City Connector (SIDC) bridge, and the new Davao City bypass road featuring the country’s first long-distance mountain tunnel.
Davao-based Damosa Land, Inc. won Best Boutique Developer in 2025, a recognition that affirms the company’s deep-seated commitment to Mindanao. The company is entering 2026 with its strongest development pipeline yet as it prepares to open Mindanao’s newest international-branded hospitality project and Samal’s first four-star global hospitality brand.
Ricardo “Cary” Florendo Lagdameo, President & CEO of Damosa Land, Inc., said:
“It is a deeply meaningful milestone for Damosa Land, Inc., especially as a developer rooted in Mindanao, to be named the 2025 Best Boutique Developer at the PropertyGuru Philippines Property Awards. This recognition affirms the dedication, passion, and thoughtful intent our team pours into every development. More than placing us on the national stage, it validates our purpose of creating communities shaped with care, vision, and a genuine understanding of the people we serve.”
He added:
“Our deep-rooted connection to the region continues to guide us. As the Davao Region experiences sustained growth in infrastructure and development, driving demand for commercial, industrial, and residential spaces, we do more than respond—we thoughtfully curate and strategically design each project to be resilient, inclusive, and future-ready. Our goal is for every development to be more than just a property; it is a place that homeowners, tenants, and locators can genuinely call home—where lives are enriched, businesses thrive, and communities grow.”
New categories
The 14th PropertyGuru Philippines Property Awards promises to set new benchmarks with new categories including Best Condo Developer, Best Affordable Housing Development (Luzon), Best First Home Development, Best Wellness Hospitality Development, Best Marina Development, and Best Landmark Development.
For the first time, the programme introduces the People’s Choice Awards, consumer-driven accolades voted by residents and citizens to determine the Top 10 Developers in the country. All parent companies of developers in the judged categories automatically qualify for these awards, supported by Inquirer Property.
Jules Kay, general manager of PropertyGuru Asia Property Awards and Events, said:
“Decentralisation and diversification remain powerful engines of national growth in the Philippines, particularly across the Visayas and Mindanao. Tourism is expanding into new destinations, supported by airport upgrades and new routes, while strong demand for affordable housing sees buyers’ searching for value beyond Metro Manila. With infrastructure progress and renewed investor confidence, VisMin is becoming one of the country’s most promising property frontiers, so we’re excited to celebrate its finest developers at this year’s PropertyGuru Philippines Property Awards.”
Cyndy Tan Jarabata, chairperson of the independent judging panel and president of TAJARA Leisure & Hospitality Group Inc., said:
“With the launch of the 14th PropertyGuru Philippines Property Awards, we anticipate continued progress, decentralisation, and diversification across Visayas and Mindanao, where primary markets like Metro Cebu and Metro Davao are experiencing their own suburban expansions akin to the national capital region, driven by rising project activity, renewed investor and purchaser interest, and tourism growth. These regional hubs have consistently contributed strong entries, supported by transport infrastructure upgrades, including modernised airport facilities, and industrial growth, while we observe increased participation from both branded developers and domestic firms, including boutique companies, expanding their market share. This year’s awards cycle is expected to scale in scope and competitiveness, showcasing the stronger presence and performance of VisMin companies and projects as they build thriving ecosystems in the provinces.”
The PropertyGuru Philippines Property Awards is supported in 2026 by gold sponsor Boysen Paints; official newspaper The Philippine Star; official print and online news partner Inquirer Property; official magazine Property Report by PropertyGuru; official publicity partner Ripple8; media partners Bridges, BusinessWorld, Manila Bulletin, Philippine Daily Inquirer, PhilStar Property Report PH, and Real Estate News PH; and official supervisor HLB.
For more information, email awards@propertyguru.com or visit the official website: AsiaPropertyAwards.com.
*Thanks for inviting Chill and Travel to the 14th PropertyGuru Philippines Property Awards Cebu Press Launch. More information extracted from a press release issued by Ripple8 for PropertyGuru Group.