Lance Gokongwei wins inaugural Philippines Life Achievement Award

Recognising a visionary who built with purpose and shaped communities nationwide

The 20th anniversary of the PropertyGuru Asia Property Awards marks a milestone year for the Philippines, with the introduction of the Life Achievement Award, an honour designed to recognise industry leaders whose careers span decades of significant contributions to business, real estate, and the communities they serve. 

The inaugural recipient in the Philippines, Lance Y. Gokongwei, Chairman of Robinsons Land Corporation and President and CEO of JG Summit Holdings, embodies the qualities this award seeks to celebrate: proven leadership, unwavering integrity, and a long-term commitment to progress. 

As steward of the Gokongwei Group, one of the nation’s most diversified conglomerates, he has carried forward the legacy of his late father, John Gokongwei Jr., with quiet strength and a strategic vision that has guided sustained growth across sectors including real estate, retail, aviation, food, banking, and logistics. 

At Robinsons Land, Gokongwei’s tenure as a long-serving Board Member and former President & CEO has seen the company transform into one of the country’s most trusted and forward-looking developers. This year, as Robinsons Land celebrates its 45th anniversary, it boasts a nationwide portfolio of over 300 developments: 56 malls, 32 office projects and 11 co-working hubs, 26 hotels and resorts, 134 residential developments, 33 destination estates and mixed-use communities, and 13 logistics and industrial facilities. These developments reflect a deliberate strategy to meet the evolving needs of Filipino communities with innovation, scale, and purpose. 

His leadership extends beyond commercial success. Under his direction, Robinsons Land has integrated sustainability at the core of its operations, with 24 malls and multiple office buildings now powered entirely by renewable energy. The company has invested in energy efficiency and green building initiatives while advancing social responsibility through the Robinsons Land Foundation, which supports programmes in disaster response, education, healthcare, and nutrition. 

Robinsons Land has also been named one of the Philippines’ Best Employers for two consecutive years, a recognition that underscores its people-first culture and commitment to inclusion. These achievements reflect his belief that long-term value is built through both business performance and positive social impact. 

In honouring Lance Gokongwei with the inaugural Life Achievement Award in the Philippines, the awards programme not only acknowledges his remarkable career but also the values that have guided it: building quietly, thinking long-term, and shaping a better future for generations to come. 

The Life Achievement honour will be granted on 15 August 2025, at Shangri-La The Fort, Manila from 18:00 (GMT+8). Tune in to watch the celebration via the Official Awards channels: asiapropertyawards.com/tv-podcast, Facebook, and YouTube. 

Gynen Kyra Toriano, Digital Content Manager at PropertyGuru, wrote this article. For more information, email: [email protected].