With decades of expertise in the property market, Jaime Cura stands as a towering figure, blending wisdom, experience, and forward-thinking vision.

As vice-chairman of the RGV Group of Companies, chairman and president of Neo Calapan Realty Corporation, and CEO of the Chamber of Real Estate Builders’ Associations, Inc. (CREBA) Land Services and Title Warranty Corporation, Cura’s influence spans the full spectrum of the real estate industry—from appraisal and brokerage to development and management, as well as enhancing connectivity and engagement with government initiatives.

Cura’s extensive background has made him an invaluable consultant to various property development companies. In his role as a long-serving judge for the PropertyGuru Philippines Property Awards—a position he has held for an impressive 11 years—Cura brings a wealth of experience to the table.

During an exclusive interview with Manila Bulletin Property & Living, Cura remains humble, expressing that he continues to learn through his involvement with PropertyGuru. He recognizes the profound impact the awards has had on the industry, noting how it has elevated standards and fostered competitiveness among developers locally and internationally.

"Through the PropertyGuru awards, we are becoming better aware of better ways of doing things and standards of excellence," Cura says. "I can see the effect even from my first year as a judge. In our first years, there were players who were not well-known when we started 11 years ago. Now, they’re winning in certain categories.”

Cura has consistently pushed for the inclusion and recognition of lesser known and upcoming developers and projects over the years. The early days of the awards predominantly focused on mega projects by major developers. Today, he is pleased to see that PropertyGuru has expanded its focus to include various projects and housing developments across Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.

Cura emphasizes that this continuous learning and exposure to new projects and innovations are what keep him returning year after year. The awards, he notes, are not just about recognizing excellence but also about spreading knowledge and fostering growth in the real estate sector across Southeast Asia.

“PropertyGuru isn’t just about the awards,” Cura adds. “They also have well-written, well-researched, well-photographed reports and magazines. Going through these, you learn. PropertyGuru is here in Southeast Asia, and now it’s branching out to different countries—it must be doing something good since it’s growing.”

Cura envisions the future of the industry in the development of new growth centers beyond Metro Manila, Cebu, and Davao. He believes that addressing the country's substantial housing backlog—currently estimated at over six million units—requires the involvement of major players with the capital and technology needed for large-scale development. He sees this as a crucial step toward meeting the housing needs of the broader population.

The 2024 PropertyGuru Philippines Property Awards Ceremony is scheduled for September 2. The event will culminate in the regional grand final gala on December 13 in Bangkok, Thailand.