QUEZON CITY – Havitas Properties was awarded Gold in the Outstanding Developer – Residential Resort Style Category at the FIABCI Philippines 2026 Property and Real Estate Excellence Awards, held on the evening of April 29 at the Grand Ballroom of Solaire Resort North. The black‑tie gala, which drew the country’s top developers, architects and brokers, recognized the company’s flagship project, Aya Hills, for its innovative resort‑style residential concept.
The FIABCI Philippines Property and Real Estate Excellence Awards have long been regarded as the local benchmark for quality, innovation and sustainability in real estate development. Winners of the national competition earn the right to represent the country in the global FIABCI World Prix d’Excellence Awards, often referred to as the “Oscar of real estate.”
Aya Hills: a resort‑style community built for income
Aya Hills is a two‑hectare, low‑density resort‑style townhouse development perched on a hillside in Barangay Aya, Talisay, Batangas, offering unobstructed, panoramic views of Taal Lake. The community comprises 76 modern vacation villas, divided into three villa models – Voss, Geneva and Como – each designed by Visionarch, a World Architecture 100 and BCI Top 10 firm in the Philippines.
Unlike conventional vacation homes, Aya Hills is part of Havitas Properties’ “Active Yielding Assets” lineup, meaning each villa is engineered to generate recurring passive income through short‑term rentals. Villas are priced from approximately ₱8.88 million to ₱11 million, with 20 units already sold as of the award ceremony period. The development is scheduled for turnover by 2027.
Designed for workcation and leisure demand
Each villa features floor‑to‑ceiling windows, wide openings for natural light, and either a private plunge pool or a whirlpool bath and deck. The Voss model (located at the highest point) offers a private plunge pool, the Como model provides a panoramic view of Taal Lake, and the Geneva villa includes an amenity deck with a whirlpool jacuzzi on the second floor. All units come with Starlink satellite access, ensuring fast and reliable internet connectivity for remote workers and digital nomads – a feature that capitalizes on the surge in “workcation” demand among millennials and Gen Z.
Based on conservative company projections, assuming a 35‑40% weekend occupancy rate and an average daily rate of ₱10,000–₱12,000, an owner can expect a net return of 7% to 8% after operating expenses, management fees and income tax.
Strong industry backing
Havitas Properties was founded by a team of real estate veterans and is backed by tycoon Michael Tan, president of Asia Brewery Inc. Before launching its own projects, the company provided development consultancy and project management services, helping landowners transform underused sites into high‑value places.
The developer’s chairman, Alejandro Mañalac, said every detail of Aya Hills was crafted to “offer comfort, relaxation and financial rewards for its owners,” while director Michael Tan noted the project meets the rising demand for experience‑driven, short‑term rental properties in established tourism destinations.
What the Gold award means
The Gold award from FIABCI Philippines validates Havitas Properties’ strategy of blending architectural excellence with a market‑driven, income‑oriented approach. Winning the national competition also makes Aya Hills eligible to represent the Philippines in the FIABCI World Prix d’Excellence global awards.
The recognition is expected to further boost investor confidence in the boutique developer’s pipeline. Havitas has already announced a seaside resort village in San Juan, La Union (projected launch in the second half of 2026) with 75 upscale villas priced from ₱13 million to ₱20 million, as well as an affordable housing project in the Calabarzon region with units targeted at ₱2 million to ₱3 million.
For Havitas Properties, the Gold award is more than a trophy – it is a launchpad for a multi‑segment expansion strategy that now moves confidently into seaside, wellness and affordable housing, all while maintaining the resort‑style DNA that earned it the top prize at Solaire Resort North.
