Articles

• The Philippines Leads Asia Pacific Outsourcing Destinations in Workforce Demographics: Knight Frank Report

  The Philippines tops Asia Pacific in outsourcing labor force, per Knight Frank's Horizon report on BPO industry potential.

  Read more

• The Office-First Strategy

  Across the world, 81% of occupiers intend to adopt an office-first strategy. Most of them are returning to the office in a hybrid setup.

  Read more

• Workplace Reimagined  

  In Asia Pacific, 51% of occupiers plan to enhance the quality of their office space – a significant increase from 37% two years ago.

  Read more

• The Rise of Second Homes 

  More Filipinos are showing a growing interest in getting second homes, especially in residential leisure condos outside Metro Manila.

  Read more

• Manila: A global prime spot

  Manila led global prime residential growth at 21.2% year-on-year in Q3 2023.

  Read more

• The Evolution Of Retail

  The Philippine retail scene evolves with e-commerce and shifting consumer tastes, prompting mall operators to transform traditional centers into multifaceted modern hubs.

  Read more

• Market Overview: New Paths and Opportunities

  Demand shifts in housing and offices, a resilient retail sector, and a recovering hospitality industry push Philippine real estate in its transformative era.

  Read more

• From the Expert: Office in a Nutshell

  Anticipate a resurgence of trends, buoyant projections, and a robust demand shaping the landscape of the office sector in 2024, particularly for Prime and Grade A+ buildings.

  Read more

• From the Expert: Where to Invest Next

  Your guide to investing in different real estate sectors this 2024.

  Read more

• From the Expert: Spotting Opportunities in the Fringes

  Metropolitan homes are out. Provinces are in. Residential units in the fringes show growing demand.

  Read more

• How Infrastructure is Fueling the Future of Cebu

  How Infrastructure is Fueling the Future of Cebu The history of Cebu as one of the Philippines’ most vibrant and important cities goes back to pre-colonial times. A prince called Sri Lumay used to burn the settlement to ward off pirates and invaders, leading to the name Sugbo (from Kang Sri Lumayng Sugbo, or Sri Lumay’s scorched earth). Another story tells about the old Cebuano word sibu (“trade”) for which many believe the area’s name has come from. Whichever the legends say, both origins refer to Cebu’s strategic position at the center of growing commerce, one that the incoming colonizers would also value. When the Spanish colonized the Philippines after the Battle of Mactan, they built upon it Villa del Santisimo Nombre de Jesus in honor of the Child Jesus. This was the first capital of the Philippines before Manila. Throughout the centuries, the population of Cebu has experienced remarkable growth, now with nearly 1 million residents. This surge in population is a testament to the city’s prosperity and progress as an important commercial port and cultural hub. As a result, the city’s growth has spilled over to the neighboring region, expanding to an urban area now known as Metro Cebu. Metro Cebu encompasses seven cities, including three highly urbanized cities, as well as six municipalities. With over 3 million residents occupying a land area of 1,063 square kilometers, Metro Cebu is nearly 1.5 times the size of Singapore. This significant expansion highlights the dynamic and thriving nature of the region. Following the waning effect of the pandemic, Metro Cebu is experiencing economic resurgence, including the rest of Central Visayas. This region’s gross domestic product grew by 7.6% in 2022 at par with the national growth rate. A resurging tourism sector, which has put Cebu as the Philippines’ second most visited destination in the Philippines pre-pandemic, expanded by 47.2%, boosted growth. The region’s economy is further supported by sectors such as manufacturing and exports, business process outsourcing, real-estate, agriculture, and trade. According to estimates from the Cebu IT-BPM Organization (CIB.O), Cebu employed between 180,000 and 190,000 BPO professionals in 2020, an increase from 170,000 the year prior. The metropolis is approaching the post-pandemic era with many more infrastructural facelifts. Infrastructure has already changed the landscape over the last two decades. In 2010, the Cebu South Coastal Road was launched and connected Talisay with downtown Cebu. A new modern terminal with a capacity of 12.5 million passengers annually was opened in 2018, and the iconic bridge of the Cebu-Cordova Link Expressway was introduced in 2022, connecting Mactan Island through Cordova to Cebu City via Cebu SRP. Metro Cebu’s two major business districts – the Cebu Business Park and the Cebu IT Park – have also put the metropolis on the map for investors, especially to IT-BPM companies. From 215,800 sqm of office stock in 2009, both districts have reached a total of nearly 740,500 sqm as of Q1 2023. Collectively accounting for 56% of office stock in Metro Cebu, CBP and Cebu IT Park have recorded 17% and 11% in vacancy, respectively, during the same period. Two new business districts are rising in Cebu and both have the potential to boost economic activity in the region.

  Read more

• A Tale of Two CBDs

  A Tale of Two CBDs Before there were Cebu’s South Road Properties and North Reclamation Area, the metropolis had Cebu IT Park and Cebu Business Park. Cebu Business Park The inception of Cebu Business Park (CBP) started when the former 45-hectare Club Filipino Golf Course was auctioned by Governor Lito Osmena to Ayala Corporation. The auction paved the development of Cebu Business Park, which, because of its strategic location, became a natural choice for businesses to locate. Situated close to major transportation hubs, government institutions, educational facilities, and residential areas, the area offers unprecedented accessibility and convenience for its investors. The development of modern infrastructure has also been instrumental in the growth of Cebu Business Park. The construction of high-rise office towers and commercial spaces has transformed the city's skyline and provided state-of-the-art facilities for both international and local business to set foot in the area’s office market. As one of Cebu City’s Premier Business and Commercial district, Cebu Business Park holds more than 360,000 sqm of gross leasable office space, which today is home to a range of companies from BPOs to financial services. Cebu Business Park’s lone retail complex, the premier shopping mall Ayala Center Cebu, and presence of upscale residential developments have contributed to CBP’s growth and popularity. The mall recorded a slowdown in occupancy at 45% vacancy of its 245,000 sqm GLA, one attributable to the Covid-19 pandemic. Meanwhile, the presence of luxurious condominiums has attracted investors and buyers to seek refuge in the estate’s convenient and vibrant urban lifestyle. The integration of residential spaces within the business district creates a live-work-play environment, enhancing the park's overall appeal and fostering a sense of community. Cebu IT Park Cebu Business Park’s twin sister, Cebu IT Park (CIP), mirrors the similar progression in terms of development. It began with the closure of the old Lahug Airport in the mid-1990s. The land previously occupied by the airport was auctioned off to the Ayala Group, which developed CIP. CIP’s growth was further propelled when it was declared an IT special economic zone by the National Government. This special designation provided various incentives and benefits to businesses operating within the park, creating a thriving ecosystem for technology-driven businesses to set foot in the area. By obtaining this special economic zone status, Cebu IT Park solidified its position as a dedicated hub for the IT-BPM industry. It stands as the sole premier Information Technology Special Economic Zone in Cebu City, offering more than 370,000 sqm of office space. This extensive supply of office stock is home to numerous multinational outsourcing firms, showcasing the park's significance in attracting and supporting the operations of these companies. Despite being the only Information Technology Special Economic Zone in the city, Cebu IT Park's office market was not immune to the challenges posed by the pandemic. The impact of the pandemic was reflected in the office market performance, with no new office launches observed in the area (just like CBP). However, there was a notable improvement in the market where nearly 16,000 sqm of net absorbed office spaces were recorded in 1H 2023. This improvement resulted to a slowdown in the vacancy rate from 21.5% in 1H 2022 to 9.1% in the same period in 2023. Although the demand for office spaces increased, rental rates remained relatively stagnant at PHP 667.19 per sqm per month on a year-on-year basis. The developmental tale of these two business districts is driven by various factors, including strategic location, available amenities, developer initiatives, government support, and market demand, all things being held constant. The presence of Cebu’s major bridges has contributed to the overall infrastructure development of the Cebu Metropolitan Area, creating a favorable environment for business growth and investment. Better transportation links have made it easier for people to travel between their homes and the office, enhancing the two districts’ accessibility to a larger pool of potential tenants and talent.

  Read more

• 5 Themes Shaping Cebu’s Real Estate

  1. Developers venture outside the city core Integrated master-planned developments in Cebu SRP, Cebu North Reclamation Area, and other fringes have emerged to satisfy demand for purchasable properties. A recent development launched to the market was Robinsons Land’s Mantawi Residences in Mandaue City. Investments in the residential market continued to grow, combined with the sustained rising demand from OFWs. Aside from return-to-office decisions bringing back the demand for corporate real estate, the retail and tourism sectors largely benefitted from the loosening of travel restrictions, the return of business activities, continued expansion of outsourcing outside Metro Manila, and a generally optimistic outlook on the economy. Infrastructure has played a pivotal role in driving long-term demand for these developments . Strategically positioned infrastructure projects in Metro Cebu facilitate ease of movement in the metropolis, resulting in cheaper cost of business. As Cebu continues to attract more tourists and business, the metropolis – along with Central Visayas – saw around PhP 1.8 billion worth of investments approved in the region by the Board of Investments in the first half of 2022. The growing confidence in market conditions, and increased mobility within Metro Cebu, is expected to support the demand for real estate within Metro Cebu. 2. Rise in rents indicate sustained demand for office Despite the absence of new office spaces being introduced in the market, notable improvement has been observed in Metro Cebu office market with a recorded 65,000 sqm of net taken-up office space. This lowered Metro Cebu’s office vacancy to 20.01% in the first half of 2023. As result of increasing office demand, weighted average lease rates in Metro Cebu inched up to Php 640.51 per sqm per month from Php 603.05 per sqm per month . Lease rates in Cebu Business Park, exhibited the highest weighted average lease rates among all areas at Php 702 per sqm per month. Asking rents within Cebu Business Park ranged from Php 510 per sqm per month to Php 910 per sqm per month. Meanwhile, rents in Cebu IT Park ranged from Php 500 per sqm per month to Php 750 per sqm per month, average lease rate in Cebu IT Park was at Php 662 per sqm per month. Average lease rates in the fringe areas recorded the lowest among all areas in Metro Cebu at Php 586 per sqm per month. The increase in lease rates suggests a sustained positive demand, reflecting the growing confidence and competitiveness of Metro Cebu as a business location. As demand for office space outpaces the available supply, landlords and property owners have commanded higher lease rates. 3. Scarcity in residential units puts upward pressure on prices Already recovering from the pandemic, Metro Cebu’s residential sector sustained its momentum with an overall market absorption of 90% in the first half of 2023. Residential demand was mostly comprised of investors, a segment motivated by capital appreciation and encouraged by return-to-office policies that could drive back the leasing market. Projects in the affordable market revealed the highest absorption, and studio units remained as the most preferred unit type. Noticeably, middle-income and affordable projects in Metro Cebu are mostly concentrated within the city center, closer to places of work and one that highlights live-work-play components. In contrast, high-end projects are mostly located on Mactan Island, where buyers put greater importance on exclusivity. At Php 150,000 per sqm, the average selling price of vertical residential units in Cebu City remained to be highest among all markets in Cebu Province. Lapu-Lapu and Mandaue City followed suit. Selling prices in Cebu City ranged from a low of Php 95,000 per sqm to a high of Php 177,000 per sqm. Average selling price in Mandaue City was recorded to be starting at Php 85,000 sqm, extending to Php 220,000 per sqm with the launch of Mantawi Residences. 4. Retail developments F&B drives demand for retail space Retail developments in rising areas such as Cebu SRP are anticipated to drive foot traffic while further commercial and residential properties are built. In SRP alone, around 50,000 sqm of leasable retail space is expected to complement a growing tourism base who travel to the area to visit places like Nu Star. The strategy to use retail as a foot traffic-generators for new mixed-use areas has been seen effective in established business districts across the Philippines. Overall, in Metro Cebu’s retail market, a total of 75 upcoming retail stores were recorded in the pipeline as of 1H 2023. Food and beverage-related stores had the highest share, accounting for 47% with 35 retail stores in the pipeline. This was followed by clothing and apparel, which at 24% share expected a total of 18 various retail stores across the different local and foreign brands. 5. Tourism influx to ring growth to Cebu Hospitality Cebu is known for festivals such as Sinulog, a celebration held each year to honor the Child Jesus and one attended by at least 500,000 spectators . During the entire week of January when the festival was held, strong accommodation demand resulted in at least a 10% to 20% rise in ADR, almost 80% to 90% room occupancy. In the first half of 2023, the ADR in Metro Cebu ranged from Php 1,490 to Php 12,130, depending on the chosen room type and location. Metro Cebu holds over 14,700 hotel rooms as of the first half of 2023. More than half of the supply is in Cebu City (due to its role as the government center in Cebu), while Lapu-Lapu City holds the second highest share and the destination with the highest number of 5-star hotels in the region, capitalizing on its beautiful shorelines and beaches to attract visitors. Metro Cebu hospitality sector has pipelined to introduce approximately 2,500 new rooms in the coming years. Among these, Lapu-Lapu City alone is expected to offer around 1,500 more rooms. Meanwhile, Cebu City is anticipating the addition of 690 rooms in the near future. Some of these new hotels include Dusit Princess Cebu, Sun Park Royal Hotel (both in the North Reclamation Area), and Sofitel Cebu City.

  Read more

• Fireside Chats with Cebu’s Business Leaders

  Q&A: Doing Business In Cebu Charles Kenneth Co President Cebu Chamber of Commerce & Industry Santos Knight Frank: What are the opportunities you see for Cebu and the Visayas region in the next 3 years? And which industries do you see will thrive? Charles Kenneth Co: Nestled at the heart of the Philippine Archipelago, Cebu and the Visayas Region is a strategic hub that is home to many natural wonders, colorful cultural traditions, and a mix of the old heritage districts and the new metropolis. These assets are natural magnets for business enterprises, investment opportunities mixed with easy lifestyle. In the next three years, Cebu's urban landscape will see a transformation in public infrastructure and real estate development spurred by the development plans and programs which auger well for the emergence of the heritage district, innovation and creative hub as well as reinvigorated ventures in trade and commerce, ICT-BPM and creative entertainment, and construction. The Visayas Region will see increased infrastructure outlays for tourism and its complementary sectors in the circular economy i.e., hospitality, services and logistics, the food industry and value-adding in the basic sectors of agriculture and fisheries. Shipbuilding and education will continue to see investments in the Region. With over 3Million resident and transient populace, the Visayas Region offers a vast opportunity for the retail industry and service sector covering basic food and essential items, home products and housing materials and, sports and physical fitness and hobby-related products and IT products. SKF: What are the challenges for growth, and what policies are needed to address these? CKC: The IT-BPM Sector faces challenges in talent acquisition and retention due to the need for a highly skilled workforce. The same challenge is faced by the manufacturing and construction sectors. Rapid technological advancements require continuous upskilling and adaptation. To address these challenges, skill development programs should be pursued with more vigor through government-industry collaboration, promoting research and development with funding and incentives/. . Infrastructure development and investing in digital infrastructure, including reliable high-speed internet, is crucial for a globally competitive region Globally competitive tourism attractions and services are the ultimate challenge for the Tourism and Hospitality Sector aside from seasonality and predictability. Cebu and Bohol, as the top 2 tourist destinations in Central Visayas and Iloilo and Boracay in Western Visayas are popular for world-class hotels, beaches, and resorts; meetings, incentives, conventions, and exhibitions (MICE) tourism; ecotourism; cultural tourism; and farm-tourism. Because of its island configuration, the Visayas Region is vulnerable to challenges brought about by global climate changes. This necessitates ample disaster risk management and infrastructure, water sustainability and flood/tidal surge control management and infrastructure, solid waste and wastewater management and infrastructure to complement good environmental and ecosystem management in the terrestrial, coastal and marine resources. The urban and metropolitan area development necessitates good planning and implementation of an efficient intermodal transportation system, traffic management and pollution control measures. While the countryside development especially for its domestic and tourist users necessitate well maintained and sufficient roads and bridges, internet and banking facilities and effective/efficient access to medical services. Private sector participation and engagement in the planning, implementation and maintenance of these public investments can be deepened for more strategic, purposive and timely interventions. The Agriculture, Fisheries and Agribusiness Sector in the Visayas need a two-pronged approach to overcome e never-ending challenges. The goal of poverty-reduction among the basic sector in agriculture and fisheries requires a separate and comprehensive program that is location-specific and community-based and enables these communities to achieve higher income levels, humane living conditions and be more resilient to disasters. Hence the need to maintain municipal waters from commercial fishers. The other equally important and distinctly different goal is the need to transform the agriculture and fisheries sector to a more competitive, sustainable and profitable level. This recognizes that economies of scale, digitalization and technology infusion with innovative entrepreneurship are minimum elements to achieve a productive sector. Painful truths about the ill-effects of many state policies and programs such as agrarian reform, rice investments even in corn-based societies, among others will need amendments by the public institutions. Only by stopping these policies will micro-efforts of the private sector into sustainable agricultural practices, state-of-the-art technologies of farming, mariculture and fishing reach significant levels of achievement. SKF: What competitive advantage/s and strengths must Cebu capitalize on as an investment destination? CKC: The Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry through the Cebu Investments Development Concierge Center (CIDCC) envisions Cebu as the "premier investment gateway in the Asia Pacific Region". Whether in tourism, infrastructure, agriculture and fisheries, transportation, creative entertainment, real estate and other investments, Cebu will stand out. In the context of the Metropolitan Cebu, Cebu City's popularity embraces being as a tourist destination where business is mixed with leisure, an educational hub and home to over 20 colleges and universities, with vibrant urban life. This extends to the tri-cities and the island Province’s countryside which offer enticing investment opportunities in various industries. Cebu has strategically located industrial parks and economic zones such as the Mactan Export Processing Zone and Cebu Light Industrial Park, Western Cebu Industrial Zone which houses the shipbuilding industry. Cebu is the fulcrum and home base of various economic drivers which offers economic stability, Its public sector is easy to approach and engage with for infrastructure, tax incentives and other policy and program support to attract and maintain local and foreign investors. Furthermore, Cebu attracts talent and highly skilled workforce to meet the needs of various industries and continues to create more industry-based job profiles and competencies. Additionally, Cebu benefits from a strong and dynamic network of business organizations, chambers of commerce and industry associations, fostering collaboration and promoting overall growth through support, networking, and knowledge-sharing platform. Because Cebu beats the tune of progress resonating a vibrancy that reaches out to the rest of the nation while spreading forward aspirations of prosperity - is itself a natural advantage to capitalize on. About Charles Kenneth Co Charles Kenneth Co is the 50th President of the Cebu Chamber of Commerce & Industry. Before he was elected as president, Co served as vice president for membership development / chamber growth in 2020, vice president for the external affairs and relations division in 2018, and overall chairman of the Cebu Business Month in 2017. He also served the chamber as a trustee in 2016. A graduate of Bachelor of Science in Management at Ateneo de Manila University, Co is currently the assistant to the president of Cebu Steel Corporation. He also served as the assistant to the president of the Cebu Oversea Hardware, and treasurer of the Cebu Contractors Association. Q&A: Travel & Hospitality Alfred Reyes President Hotel, Resort and Restaurant Association of Cebu, Inc. Santos Knight Frank: What is the No. 1 challenge that your industry faces in Cebu? Alfred Reyes: Firstly, Cebu needs a major convention center to become a MICE destination. Second, there are currently limited flights to and from Cebu. Lastly, there are no proper port terminals in Cebu that can compete with the likes of Macau, Singapore, and Batam (Indonesia). SKF: How can Cebu become more appealing to key travel markets - especially MICE? AF: Cebu needs a MICE organization or a convention bureau to further appeal to the MICE market. The said organization would incorporate all properties that comprise the four main LGUs in Cebu. This would help further push Cebu in becoming a MICE destination. SKF: Where do you see Cebu's travel, hotel and hospitality sector in 3- 5 years? AF: The upcoming developments of SMX, along with smaller convention centers by Megaworld and at Nustar are a good start for Cebu to bid for MICE. I believe Cebu can become a promising MICE destination, especially since Cebu offers several attractions — from sea to land and even cultural heritage. These developments would allow Cebu to bid for bigger MICE markets and stand and win in future international exhibitions and conventions.

  Read more

• The Resurgence of Brick & Mortar

  Metro Manila’s retail market has bounced back significantly since the beginning of the pandemic. Once empty malls are now filled not just with visitors but also tenants. Overall, an optimistic consumer sentiment is driving back foot traffic to malls to almost the same level as pre-pandemic.

  Read more

• Living on the Fringe

  The residential market has seen mixed results during the pandemic. While there was a slowdown in sales in the vertical housing market, interest for single-detached homes and residential properties outside the city increased as a result of density concerns and travel restrictions.

  Read more

• A Retrospective of 2022

  Metro Manila’s office market performed significantly better than in previous quarters, as a result of mitigated covid spread, improving mobility and return-to-office policies. The Metro Manila office market was in a bright spot in the latter half of 2022, as it was buoyed by both global and local market factors.

  Read more

• Tracking ESG’s path in Philippine real estate

  Real estate is said to contribute roughly around 40% of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions. These come from not just construction but also throughout the lifecycle of an asset, including a building’s energy use, operations, and repurposing. As the real estate sector becomes more cautious of its environmental and social impact, investors and developers have begun to come up with ways to contribute to the ESG (environment, social, governance) initiative.

  Read more

• What is Driving Growth in the Philippines?

  Over the last five years, data center supply in emerging markets in Asia Pacific has grown by over 300%, according to the Q3 2022 Data Center Report by Knight Frank in partnership with DC Byte, the leading data center research and analytics platform.

  Read more

• How Real Estate Can Help Reduce Employee Stress

  Many things changed over the course of the pandemic. Most notable is the shift from purely working onsite to hybrid work. One of the things that remained, however, is the presence of work-related stress. Regardless of whether an employee is working from home or at the office, each arrangement comes with its own set of stressors. Workplace stress can be attributed to many things, from the demands of dealing with clients and coworkers to juggling meetings and daily workloads. However, one aspect that often goes overlooked is how the physical space itself can subconsciously affect an employee’s mood and motivation. Here we explore 5 ways by which the workplace can be improved in order to entice employees to come to work while addressing their mental wellness and social needs. Location Having an office that employees can easily reach, whether via private or public transportation, is invaluable. Not only does this relieve stress from having to deal with traffic congestion, but more importantly, it allows employees to have more control over their personal schedules and affairs. The hub and spoke model of situating offices has been gaining traction over the years and it is definitely one worth exploring where location is concerned. Simply put, it operates on a campus or satellite-like system where a central office or hub branches out to smaller offices or spokes that are strategically set up in locations that would be more accessible for employees. Design When asked to imagine what an office looks like, most people would think of a maze of cubicles, plain walls, and maybe the plant here and there. That would be the traditional setup. In recent times, however the modern office has moved away from that to a more welcoming and open style. A well-designed office is open enough that finding colleagues wouldn’t be difficult while also considering an employee’s need for privacy. While open or playful offices may not work for everyone and the traditional setup may seem too rigid, finding the right balance between the two can make for a more harmonious, organized work environment. Facilities Adding to the idea of office design, facilities and amenities should also be taken into consideration. This does not simply refer to where function rooms or washrooms are placed, but what spaces are available for employees to unwind or have social interactions. These could be anything from the office pantry, a lounge area, or even a game or nap room. Some offices also employ intentional design when placing common areas to initiate spontaneous interaction and collaboration to great effect. Decoration Staring at screens, words, and numbers can be straining on the eyes and the mind. Introducing more color and life around the office can help alleviate stress and reduce fatigue. Having lively looking areas vibrant with color or an abundance of living greenery around the office can positively affect an employee’s mood. This small touch can work wonders for anyone who needs a quick breather before shifting focus back to their tasks at hand. Personalization After a stressful day at work, employees often look forward to retreating to the comfort of their homes. Sometimes to find that work follows them there as well. Instead, flip the narrative. Allowing employees to personalize their desks or parts of the office brings that homely feeling to the workplace and adds to both the employee’s wellness and productivity. As we continue to pursue the familiarity of the pre-pandemic office arrangement, adjustment may not come easily for all. Now, it is more important than ever to consider how the office can be less a place of work and more a place where people enjoy working. This begins with addressing employee stress and the way we shape our offices.

  Read more

• 6 Themes That Shaped Q2 2022 in Metro Manila

  The Philippines’ commercial real estate sectors are seeing a return of activity, especially in Metro Manila. Here are the trends we have seen in Q2 2022 within the city, as revealed in our webinar, Real Estate Outlook: A Half Year Review.

  Read more

• Arca South Rising

  Arca South is gradually taking shape as the newest central business district south of Makati and Bonifacio Global City. Overall, approximately 344,000 sqm of office space are anticipated to be launched between 2022 and 2025 in Arca South, according to Santos Knight Frank projections.

  Read more

• As Business Travel Returns, Residential Leasing Sees Recovery

  The Philippines is now seeing a gradual return of business travel, including foreign expatriates and talent relocating to the country, in the backdrop of high vaccination rate, easing of travel restrictions, and return-to-office programs. Learn about what transpired in the discussion during our webinar "Moving to the Philippines" last June 22nd.

  Read more

• The Triumvirate of Property & Facilities Management in 2022

  The pandemic has accelerated the green conversation, with now a firmer resolve to see things through. Now more than ever, there is greater interest on Environmental, Social, & Governance (ESG) in both the occupier and the landlord/investor side.

  Read more

• Data Centers: The Philippines on the radar for investments

  The data center market in the Philippines has seen more movement over the last six months than the last two years, making it one of the fastest-growing real estate sector in the Philippines. 

  Read more

• The Occupiers’ Dilemma

  That’s the difficult choice some BPOs are getting ready to make.  Nicknamed as the Occupiers’ Dilemma, BPOs might soon have to decide between keeping their PEZA benefits, or keeping a majority of their agents.  

  Read more

• How Second Homes Have Become First Priority

  The overall resilience of the residential sector comes from the fact that houses are a necessity and fill the basic need for safety, security, and comfort.

  Read more

• Four Themes Shaping the Workplace in 2022

  Companies are gradually shifting to new workplace strategies to address demands that emerged during the pandemic. Here are four themes that are defining the workplace in 2022.

  Read more

• The Role of Health and Wellness in Property Consideration

  Choosing a home should be beyond aesthetics, and more towards its contribution to one’s overall being

  Read more

• Buying Homes Knows No Pandemics

  The most common question during the pandemic is about timing. When is the best time to buy? The question must be: Where? 

  Read more

• 3 Themes Driving Residential Demand: Findings from the Global Buyer Survey 2021

  The pandemic has inevitably influenced the decisions of high-income earners in the Philippines with regards to their homes for the next 12 months. such as pent-up demand for new and second homes and a preference for low-density environments and wellness-related features such as air quality and green spaces.

  Read more

• 4 of the finest beach properties in the Philippines you can own

  Owning a slice of prime real estate in one of the Philippines islands is one of the most desirable investments. Here are 4 beautiful beach properties that you might consider acquiring.

  Read more

• How do you future-proof your property?

  In the time of COVID-19, the need for disaster resilience has become much more urgent – especially for properties. What can we do to safeguard our assets and businesses? How can we prevent or minimize the damaging effects of disasters?

  Read more

• 4 ideal, beautiful homes in Metro Manila for the family

  With families looking for less dense, green, and idyllic environments, or "safe havens" that are still accessible to work and play, here are four beautiful homes in Metro Manila ideal for you and your family to settle in for now, or forever.

  Read more

• 5 unique summer properties outside Metro Manila to call your second home

  Beach properties or the suburbs are top locations high-net-worth individuals are looking to acquire second-home investment. Here are 5 that are on the market right now.

  Read more

• Cold Storage: A New Hot Sector

  Cold storage is set to become one of the next popular investment sectors in Philippine property as demand for vaccines, foods, and import goods drive activity in cold chain logistics, according to leading real estate services company Santos Knight Frank.

  Read more

• 5 Key Takeaways from The Wealth Report 2021 Launch in Manila

  Bright opportunities lie ahead in the Philippines’ real estate sector amid the vaccine rollout and the gradual economic recovery from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic

  Read more

• Diversifying Outside Metro Manila

  The office market in secondary cities will generally be soft but with a few bright spots

  Read more

• What Will the Workplace Look Like Post-Pandemic?

  The workplace will evolve from central to dispersed. Here are 7 changes we expect to see in the office

  Read more

• What’s Next For Industrial & Logistics?

  The industrial & logistics sector was the most stable asset class in 2020. Will this continue in 2021?

  Read more

• Five Trends Driving the Residential Sector in 2021

  Flexible payment terms, a growing resale market, and movement to low-density areas are trending in the residential sector

  Read more

• The Future of Sustainable Buildings

  Almost 25% of prime and grade A office space in Metro Manila are LEED certified. From nice-to-have, sustainable design is now a must-have

  Read more

• Property Management: Why Resiliency is Key

  The pandemic has put the spotlight on real estate’s front-liners: professional property managers

  Read more

• We Should Talk More About Indoor Air Quality in 2021

  Air quality has long been a critical issue among building owners. COVID-19 has accelerated the need for good air

  Read more

• Opportunities for Investors in 2021: An Asia Pacific Perspective

  The pandemic has upended expectations, shifted investment strategies and forced investors to rethink their priorities

  Read more

• What is the Potential Growth for Southeast Asia’s Data Center Sector Over the Coming Decade?

  With the exception of Singapore, the data center market in Southeast Asia is still in its infancy

  Read more

• Mapping the Road Ahead in Real Estate

  What will real estate look like in 2021?

  Read more