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Rafael Fernandez de Mesa (left), President and CEO of Aboitiz Land, accepting an award at the PropertyGuru Philippines Property Awards 2025 after he was honored as 'Real Estate Personality of the Year'

Aboitiz InfraCapital and Aboitiz Land crowned real estate champs, powerfully paving the way for a digital-first PH

The Philippines’ real estate landscape just got a major shake-up, and at the heart of it are two names that are now synonymous with progress: Aboitiz InfraCapital and Aboitiz Land.

The two companies, operating in a powerful synergy, walked away with an impressive eight major awards at the prestigious 13th PropertyGuru Philippines Property Awards, solidifying their position not just as builders of communities, but as architects of a more connected, digital-first nation.

A large group of people in formal evening wear is posing for a photo on a red carpet in front of a white wall with multiple corporate logos. Many of the individuals are holding trophies and certificates, and some are holding bouquets of yellow flowers.

Aboitiz InfraCapital Economic Estates and Aboitiz Land bag 8 top honors at the 13th PropertyGuru Philippines Property Awards, a testament to their mission to deliver integrated solutions that power industries, uplift communities, and drive national progress

 

This wasn’t just a night for glitzy trophies and acceptance speeches. It was a clear statement that the Aboitiz Group is at the forefront of a new kind of development — one that goes beyond bricks and mortar.

By focusing on creating smart, integrated communities, these companies are building the very infrastructure needed to support the booming fintech and digital payments sectors in the Philippines.

A visionary leader for a digital age

Two men in suits stand on a stage with a dark background and a light pattern. The man on the left holds a golden award, while the man on the right holds a framed certificate that reads "WINNER". A large screen behind them displays the title "Real Estate Personality of the Year" and the name "RAFAEL FERNANDEZ DE MESA". The PropertyGuru and Kohler logos are also visible on the screen.

Rafael Fernandez de Mesa, President and CEO of Aboitiz Land and Head of Aboitiz InfraCapital Economic Estates, was honored as the Real Estate Personality of the Year in the PropertyGuru Philippines Property Awards 2025

 

Leading the charge is Rafael Fernandez de Mesa, the visionary President and CEO of Aboitiz Land and Head of Aboitiz InfraCapital Economic Estates, who was honored as Real Estate Personality of the Year. This award recognizes more than just his business acumen; it highlights his transformative leadership in steering both companies toward a shared goal: building holistic, future-ready communities that are magnets for innovation.

Fernandez de Mesa’s strategy is simple yet revolutionary: create economic estates and residential communities that work together. This seamless integration is what attracts not only traditional businesses but also a new generation of tech-savvy companies and their employees.

Think about it: a bustling economic estate with a mix of industrial spaces, commercial hubs, and residential neighborhoods. This kind of setup naturally fosters an ecosystem where digital payments, online services, and cashless transactions are not just a convenience, but a necessity.

The foundation of a cashless economy

An aerial architectural rendering of a modern urban development with multiple buildings and a large green space. The image shows a complex of mid-rise buildings, a central park with a pond, and palm trees. A long road with several cars runs through the center. A mountain is visible in the distance on the right side.

The 70-hectare Biz Hub at LIMA Estate, the first Central Business District in the South to earn a prestigious 5-Star BERDE District Certification, showcases how lifestyle, progress, and sustainability can seamlessly come together

 

For the fifth consecutive year, Aboitiz InfraCapital Economic Estates was named Best Industrial Developer in the Philippines. This isn’t a fluke; it’s a testament to their commitment to building world-class industrial hubs that are the backbone of the country’s economic growth.

Their flagship development, LIMA Estate in Batangas, took home the Best Industrial Development award. As home to over 185 locators and more than 75,000 employees, LIMA Estate is more than an industrial park — it’s a self-contained city where a vibrant consumer base is ripe for fintech solutions.

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The very nature of a large, concentrated workforce and business network like the one at LIMA Estate creates a perfect environment for the adoption of Philippine fintech.

From small-scale vendors using QR codes to large businesses processing payroll and B2B transactions digitally, these developments are becoming hubs for cashless commerce. The addition of the Biz Hub at LIMA Estate, named Best Green CBD Development, and LIMA Tower One, which was recognized as Best BPO Office Development, further underscores this point.

These modern, connected spaces are exactly what a forward-thinking fintech company would look for when establishing a new office, attracting talent that lives and breathes the digital economy.

Aboitiz Land: Connecting people, powered by progress

An aerial photo of a large industrial and commercial area. The image shows a mix of single-story warehouses and a central complex of red-roofed buildings with solar panels, along with a soccer field. A mountain range is in the background under a cloudy sky.

Three-time winner as Best Industrial Development, LIMA Estate in Batangas stands as the gold standard of integrated development, driving progress, creating jobs, and enhancing everyday living

 

Aboitiz Land also played a pivotal role, winning two major awards for its commitment to building well-planned residential communities. The Villages at LIMA Estate, recognized as a Highly Commended CBD Development, and Seafront Residences, named Best Waterfront Housing Development, showcase the company’s focus on creating accessible, quality housing.

These residential projects are not isolated from the economic estates; they are an integral part of the ecosystem. By allowing people to live closer to their workplaces, Aboitiz Land is reducing commute times and improving quality of life.

An aerial photo of a coastal resort development. The image shows a large number of modern residential villas and a main clubhouse with a swimming pool near the shoreline. A wide beach with gentle waves is visible, and a dense forest of trees and a mountain range are in the background.

Located in San Juan, Batangas, Seafront Residences offers a master-planned community that lets residents live out the beachfront lifestyles of their dreams, featuring spacious recreational areas and premium amenities

 

More importantly, this proximity creates a strong, connected community where digital services thrive. Imagine residents paying for groceries with a quick tap, ordering food delivery through a mobile app, or managing their household bills seamlessly online — all enabled by the robust digital infrastructure that a tech-savvy developer would prioritize.

“These recognitions,” as Fernandez de Mesa noted in a press release, “are not just about the projects themselves — they are about the value they create for our locators, residents, and communities. Behind each award is a commitment to deliver master-planned estates that drive economic activity, uplift lives, and shape a future worthy of the Philippines.”

Simply put, it’s a vision that goes beyond just housing and industrial spaces; it’s about building the complete, integrated communities that will power the next phase of the Philippines’ growth, a phase where digital payments and fintech innovation are not just a trend, but the new standard.

Ralph Fajardo

Ralph, the Editor-in-Chief of FintechNewsPH.com, brings over 15 years of writing and editorial experience that make him a strong fit to lead the publication’s mission of delivering credible and compelling fintech stories. Before joining FintechNewsPH.com, he served as editor of Hello Philippines, a UK-based news magazine for the Filipino community abroad, where he covered stories on culture, business, and the global Filipino experience. He also contributed as a writer for The International Filipino, profiling Filipinos making an impact worldwide, and later worked as copy editor for Malaya Business Insight, one of the country’s respected business newspapers, where he refined his eye for accuracy, clarity, and style. Ralph’s editorial journey began at the University of the Philippines Diliman, where he was Editor-in-Chief of Kampus Dyornal. There, he developed a keen sense for storytelling that informs and connects — a passion that continues to define his work today. Through the years, Ralph has written across diverse subjects, from finance and technology to culture and communication, consistently weaving insight with narrative depth. His solid newsroom background and commitment to quality journalism position him to guide FintechNewsPH.com in highlighting the stories that shape the country’s rapidly evolving fintech landscape. Discover more about Ralph's professional journey on his LinkedIn profile.