CEBU CITY — The University of Asia and the Pacific (UA&P) has planted its flag in the Visayas with the launch of its Cebu Center for Executive Education at the Latitude Corporate Center in Cebu Business Park. The facility brings high‑level leadership training to the region’s decision‑makers for the first time.
A Strategic Gateway to the Visayas
The new center is not merely an extension campus; it is a deliberate bet on Cebu’s economic momentum. UA&P President John Philip Yeung described the opening as the creation of a new gateway, one that brings the university’s values‑driven education model directly to the leaders shaping the Visayas. The facility sits inside a premier commercial district, placing it within walking distance of corporate headquarters.
The partnership with Cebu Landmasters Inc. (CLI), led by the Soberano family, made the expansion possible without heavy capital outlay. CLI provided the venue and supported the development, allowing UA&P to enter the region efficiently. The collaboration reflects a shared belief that leadership formation is essential to regional growth.
Executive Learning for a Growing Economy
The center spans approximately 470 square meters, designed by the architectural firm AIDEA with executive case rooms and flexible learning spaces. Short, high‑impact certificate programs will cover strategy, governance, business economics, marketing, and law. The curriculum targets senior professionals who need practical tools to navigate complex regulatory and competitive environments.
UA&P Chair Jose Cuisia Jr. said the center aims to support professionals and decision‑makers by combining technical competence with values‑driven leadership. He emphasized that the facility is more than a physical space; it is envisioned as a hub for meaningful learning and thoughtful dialogue. The opening comes as Cebu continues to emerge as a major economic and cultural powerhouse.
Roots in a National Mission
UA&P co‑founder Jesus Estanislao underscored the broader goal of action‑oriented leadership that contributes to national transformation. The university traces its roots to the Center for Research and Communication, an institution that has long championed economic development through ethical governance. The Cebu center extends that mission beyond Metro Manila.
The facility also strengthens UA&P’s Strategic Vision 2030, which aims to establish a strong physical presence in three key geographic nodes across the Philippines. Cebu, as the economic heart of the Visayas, was a natural first choice. The university plans to replicate the model in other regions, bringing executive education closer to where decisions are made.
A Partnership Built on Shared Vision
The collaboration with CLI founder Jose Soberano III and Senior EVP Jose Franco Soberano signals the private sector’s appetite for leadership development. CLI, the largest homegrown developer in the Visayas and Mindanao, views education as a pillar of sustainable growth. Their involvement ensures the center is anchored in the realities of regional business.
The launch event drew alumni from both UA&P and its predecessor institution, as well as former Cebu City Mayor Raymond Alvin Garcia. The gathering underscored the deep ties between the university and Cebuano leadership. With its doors now open, the center is poised to become a catalyst for a new generation of Visayas executives.
