20 years of mastery: CLI’s Jose Soberano III crowned Philippines Real Estate Personality of the Year

CLI’s visionary leader earns industry’s highest distinction during landmark anniversary 

It is with great enthusiasm that the 11th PropertyGuru Philippines Property Awards announces the recipient of the esteemed title, Philippines Real Estate Personality of the Year, to none other than Mr. Jose R. Soberano III, the Chairman and CEO of Cebu Landmasters, Inc. (CLI). 

Mr. Soberano, at the helm of CLI, brings a wealth of experience to the realm of real estate development. Before founding CLI in 2003, he served for over 23 years with the Ayala Group of Companies. During his tenure, he played a pivotal role in various vertical and horizontal developments, notably contributing to the growth of the Cebu Business Park and Cebu IT Park, both of which have proven instrumental to Cebu’s economic present and future. 

Beyond his professional endeavours, Mr. Soberano is deeply committed to the betterment of society. He currently serves as Chairman of the Board at the Centre for Industrial Technology and Enterprise (CITE), an institution that provides technical training to underprivileged youth. Additionally, he holds the role of President at the Sri Visayan Foundation, Inc., an organisation that promotes academic and cultural interaction. Mr. Soberano also serves as Director for Sugbu Chinese Heritage Museum Foundation, Inc., Independent Director for Maybank Investment Banking Group Philippines, and President of the Cebu Country Club. He also previously held positions as President of the Rotary Club of Cebu and President of the Chamber of Real Estate Builders Association (CREBA). 

In recognition of his outstanding achievements, Mr. Soberano graduated with an AB Economics Degree from the Ateneo de Manila University in 1976 and completed the Strategic Business Economics Program (SBEP) at the University of Asia and the Pacific. In July 2015, he earned alumni status at the Harvard University Graduate School of Design after successfully completing the Advanced Management Development Programme in Real Estate. 

In a conversation with Mr. Soberano, we gained valuable insights into his thoughts and sentiments regarding this significant accolade: 

What does the 2023 Philippines Real Estate Personality of the Year award mean to you, your team at CLI, and your business partners? 

Receiving the award is a real honour, one that extends beyond myself and I owe more to the entire Cebu Landmasters (CLI) organisation and everyone who has supported us all the way. The timing of this recognition is especially meaningful to us as it coincides with CLI’s 20th year anniversary in the industry – 20 years of masterful development, as we call it. 

To whom do you dedicate this special award? 

I dedicate this award to all the men and women behind CLI, and everyone who has believed in us – our homeowners, partners, investors, stakeholders, especially the VisMin community.

Why do you continue to invest in Philippine real estate? 

Investing in real estate carries a significant societal responsibility as it directly impacts the challenge of bridging the housing gap and the overall development of our country. As developers, our role impact to the community is huge and I am here to serve however I can through Cebu Landmasters. 

What are your future plans as head of CLI, and what kind of real estate projects (current or future) are you passionate about?  

As we mark our 20th year in the industry, we have a lot of plans in store and still a lot to do. To serve the needs of our communities, strengthen our leadership in the VisMin, expand our reach in Luzon, and build more sustainable, quality developments in the best way possible. 

This award stands as a testament to Mr. Soberano’s unyielding commitment to the real estate industry and his profound dedication to enhancing the lives of communities across the Philippines. We extend our heartfelt congratulations to Mr. Soberano and eagerly anticipate witnessing the continued positive impact he will undoubtedly make on the real estate landscape in the years ahead.  

For more information, email [email protected] or visit the official website: AsiaPropertyAwards.com.