The award, the first in the PropertyGuru Asia Property Awards series, recognizes Gokongwei’s “exceptional contributions to the Philippine real estate industry over a career that has consistently shaped and influenced the sector.”
Leader of a diversified empire
One of the country’s most respected business leaders, Gokongwei heads the Gokongwei Group, a diversified conglomerate with interests in real estate, food and beverage, aviation, retail, digital banking, logistics, and healthcare.
As former president and CEO and long-serving board member, he played a central role in transforming RLC into one of the nation’s most trusted and forward-looking developers.
PropertyGuru described him as a “true pioneer,” citing his “remarkable leadership, commitment to innovation, and significant impact to the country’s property market” as setting “the bar for excellence.”
“To be acknowledged in this way among so many respected peers in the industry is something I’m truly grateful for,” Gokongwei said in a video message shown at the gala.
Marking an anniversary with purpose
The recognition coincided with Robinsons Land’s 45th anniversary, which Gokongwei said made the award even more meaningful.
“For the past four and a half decades, Robinsons Land has always stayed true to its mission: to build better lives,” he said.
“Whether in helping first-time homeowners have a place they can call their own, building malls that bring jobs and services closer to communities, putting up offices that support global talent, opening hotels in emerging cities, developing estates that shape the future of our cities, or growing logistics hubs to support businesses, we’ve always seen real estate as more than just a business.”
He added, “from landmark projects like Robinsons Galleria in our earlier years to now having a presence in nearly every region in the country. It’s been a journey of building—quietly, steadily, and with purpose.”
A tribute to the people behind the success
Gokongwei dedicated the award to RLC’s employees. “This award belongs not just to me but to all the men and women of Robinsons Land who have been quietly building day by day everything that we have achieved.”
Under his leadership, RLC has been named one of the Philippines’ Best Employers for two consecutive years, a distinction he attributed to the company’s people-first culture.
He also thanked RLC’s customers, communities, and business partners for their support, and honored his father, the late industrialist and philanthropist John Gokongwei Jr., for laying the foundation for the group’s achievements. —Ed: Corrie S. Narisma
