For Cebu Landmasters, Inc. (CLI), the 14th PropertyGuru Philippines Property Awards marks a milestone in the company’s journey, from its beginnings in Cebu to its emergence as one of the country’s leading property developers.
CLI took home nine awards during the ceremony held on Aug. 20 at Shangri-La The Fort, Manila, led by its recognition as Best Developer in the Philippines. The company also won Best Housing Developer, Best Developer (Visayas), and Best Developer (Mindanao), alongside five awards for developments across residential, hospitality, housing, and retail categories.
The national title marked CLI’s second win as Best Developer, following its first recognition in 2019. Its latest victory also came alongside its fourth Best Developer (Visayas) title, second Best Housing Developer award, and sixth consecutive Best Developer (Mindanao) recognition.
Seven years ago, CLI won a total of four awards, including the Best Affordable Condo for Visayas and Mindanao, Best Mixed-Use Development for Visayas and Mindanao, Best Premium Condo for Visayas and Mindanao, and Best House of the Year for Visayas and Mindanao. Alongside those recognitions, CLI Founder Jose R. Soberano III was also honored as Personality of the Year.
CLI President and CEO
While the company is preparing for a new chapter away from its traditional markets, its latest awards also highlighted the strength of the foundation CLI has built across the Visayas and Mindanao.
Its sixth consecutive recognition as Best Developer in Mindanao, in particular, highlighted the company’s growing presence across the region. CLI has established developments in Cagayan de Oro (CDO), Davao, General Santos (GenSan) and Butuan, with CLI President and CEO Jose Franco B. Soberano pointing to Mindanao as a resilient and increasingly important investment destination.
“I guess we’re able to ride the growth there. In fact, a lot of our inventory is practically sold out in Mindanao. We’re in CDO, Davao, GenSan, and Butuan. It’s a very strong and resilient place for investment,” Mr. Soberano said during the ceremony.
But the nine awards also told an interesting story about the range of developments that now make up CLI’s portfolio. From high-end condominiums in Cebu to economic housing in GenSan, hospitality projects in Mandaue and retail destinations, each win represented a different dimension of the company’s approach to real estate.
The Wave Towers
One of the evening’s major project wins went to The Wave Towers, which was named Best High-End Condo Development (Metro Cebu). Located in Cebu IT Park, the project is CLI’s premier residential development and its first international joint venture with NTT UD Asia. The development fuses premium residences with Japanese-inspired design and amenity areas designed for wellness and recreation.
At another end of the residential market, North Grove at Pristina Town was named Best Mid-End Condo Development (Metro Cebu). CLI’s first residential development within the 70-hectare Pristina Town, North Grove consists of 1,029 units across two towers. The project integrates green spaces, resort-inspired amenities and a nearly 3,800-square-meter retail podium, reflecting the company’s approach to building residential communities that extend beyond individual living spaces.
North Grove at Pristina Town
Together, the recognition of The Wave Towers and North Grove symbolized the majesty of CLI’s residential portfolio, spanning different market segments while maintaining a focus on design, amenities and community.
Radisson RED Cebu Mandaue
The company’s growing presence in hospitality was also recognised at the awards, with Radisson RED Cebu Mandaue receiving the title of Best Next Gen Hotel Development. The 144-key lifestyle hotel is the first Radisson RED in the Philippines and forms part of CLI’s integrated Astra Centre in Mandaue City. Combining contemporary design, Cebuano influences and a vibrant guest experience, the hotel represents the company’s move into a broader range of property formats.
Casa Mira Homes Gensan Clubhouse
Meanwhile, in Mindanao, Casa Mira Homes GenSan was named Best Housing Development (Mindanao), adding another dimension to CLI’s awards sweep. The 21-hectare development is the company’s first solar-integrated economic housing community and offers 1,218 homes alongside open spaces and select units equipped with built-in 2.2-kilowatt solar systems. The project is now 100% sold out.
The recognition bared CLI’s continuing presence in the economic housing sector, an area closely connected to the company’s origins.
“This is to honor my father. He started CLI with 200 houses back in 2004. We are now approaching 50,000 houses in a few months. Housing is really a necessity; we treat it as a mission,” Mr. Soberano said during the acceptance speech.
That mission was also reflected in another of the company’s project wins. Astra Lifestyle Centre was named Best Retail Architectural Design, recognising CLI’s retail and lifestyle destination in Mandaue City.
Astra Lifestyle Centre
Part of the larger Astra Centre, the development brings together dining, retail, wellness and everyday conveniences. Its award added a design dimension to CLI’s victories, demonstrating that the company’s recognition extended beyond traditional residential development.
Taken together, the five project awards offered a snapshot of CLI’s expanding portfolio. The Wave Towers represented its move into premium residential development and international collaboration. North Grove highlighted its mid-market residential communities. Radisson RED Cebu Mandaue marked its growing hospitality footprint. Casa Mira Homes GenSan reflected its commitment to accessible housing, while Astra Lifestyle Centre demonstrated its presence in retail and integrated development.
“When I joined the company 16 years ago, we were just a team of 20 — now, we have a workforce of 1,500,” Mr. Soberano said. “It’s been a journey filled with a lot of hard work but definitely defined strongly by the purpose of CLI, which is to treat real estate as a service for our countrymen.”
For a company that began with 200 houses in Cebu and is now approaching 50,000 homes, its nine-award night marked both a celebration of its past and a recognition of the portfolio it has built across the country.
As Mr. Soberano puts it, echoing the spirit of the evening, it is about “staying positive and continuing to make waves in our industry.”
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