ARES 2025: Empowering Philippine real estate through global collabs

CEBU, Philippines — The Asian Real Estate Summit (ARES) 2025 is set to become one of the most influential gatherings in the Philippine property sector, with over 800 delegates already confirmed for the two-day event taking place July 1–2 in Bangkok.

Spearheaded by Cebu-based Filipino Homes, the summit will bring together founders, C-suite executives, and senior decision-makers from the country’s top real estate firms under the theme “Empowering Growth: Fostering Global Partnerships with Responsible Developers.”

Anthony Gerard Leuterio, founder and president of Filipino Homes, expects attendance to surpass 1,000, with more than 30 of the Philippines’ leading developers participating.

“This summit is a key platform for collaboration,” said Leuterio. “It enables industry leaders to exchange insights, explore cross-border opportunities, and empower top-performing real estate professionals through direct engagement with decision-makers.

Since its launch in 2023, ARES has quickly gained traction as a premier venue for strategic networking and industry foresight, aiming to prepare developers and brokers for an increasingly complex and competitive market.

Leuterio pointed to the resilience of the Philippine property sector, fueled by sustained end-user demand, a tightening supply of inventory in major urban centers such as Metro Manila, Cebu, and Davao, and expanding interest in secondary markets including Palawan and Bacolod.

“Units in new developments are being absorbed rapidly, keeping upward pressure on prices,” he said.

Macro tailwinds—including steady remittances from overseas Filipino workers and ongoing infrastructure upgrades—are expected to further bolster activity. Projects such as Cebu’s Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system and new inter-island road networks are improving accessibility and unlocking new investment zones.

Leuterio also highlighted shifting consumer preferences toward sustainability and integrated community living, pushing developers to adopt global trends in green architecture and mixed-use spaces.

“There’s growing demand for lifestyle-oriented developments that blend residential, commercial, and recreational functions,” he noted.

“These integrated communities are fast becoming the standard among today’s buyers,” he added.

Despite macroeconomic challenges, including elevated interest rates and inflationary pressures, Leuterio remains bullish on the sector’s outlook, citing infrastructure-led growth and strong local demand.

“ARES 2025 isn’t just another conference—it’s a catalyst for innovation and strategic transformation,” he said.

“It offers a rare opportunity to build alliances, gain market foresight, and shape the future of real estate across the Philippines and the broader Asian region,” he added. — (FREEMAN)