Cebu's young executive leads with a vision
AppleOne Group's Samantha Manigsaca seeks to elevate the industry with better hospitality opportunities from iconic developments.
Published May 9, 2025 10:53 am
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Updated Jun 4, 2025 10:51 am
She promised herself to join the family business at the age of 30, but the burgeoning property developments didn’t escape her attention, prompting Samantha Manigsaca’s early entry to AppleOne Group, Inc. by four years. Landing the position of vice presidentfor Hospitality in February, she’s fully aware that she must live up to the family’s track record of creating better communities while trailblazing as a visionary in the industry she’s familiar with—tourism and hospitality.
Young executive Samantha Manigsaca seeks future developments in the hospitality arm of AppleOne Group Inc.
While her status comes with responsibilities and privileges, she also carries the weight of breaking down the stereotype.
“Some may assume that being the daughter of the owners makes my path easier, but it’s quite the opposite. I carry twice the pressure, knowing my parents have not only built a business but earned the respect and trust of the people whose lives they’ve touched. That legacy is both my greatest inspiration and my highest standard," said Manigsaca.
Family leadership and support
President and CEO Ray Go Manigsaca and Chairperson Venus Manigsaca founded AppleOne Group and ventured into property development in 1993. Together with the first sibling, Patrick Manigsaca, vice president for Corporate Strategy and Business Development, they led the company to produce multi-awarded projects marked by the culture of local design that meets global standards.
AppleOne Group’s first development, AppleOne Equicom Tower, is a 17-storey mixed-use development located in Cebu’s business district, followed by the 2.8-hectare AppleOne Banawa Heights residential property, the Residences at Sheraton Cebu Mactan Resort luxury and branded development, and the Mahi Center business and leisure destination at the Mactan Economic Zone. The Cebu-based property developer also partnered with the IWG, formerly known as International Workplace Group, to provide workspace solutions with Regus to the Visayas region.
With 15 years in the industry, the company was recognized as Best Boutique Developer (Philippines) by the SouthEast Asia Property Awards in 2016 and Highly Commended Best Boutique Developer by the Philippine Property Awards in 2017.
To expand their portfolio, the property developer broke ground for the constructionof JW Marriott Panglao Island Resort and Residences and JW Marriott Panglao Island Resort and Spa in Panglao, Bohol in 2023. The Fairfield by Marriott Cebu Mactan will also be opening at Mahi Center.
The youngest Manigsaca saw these developments as pivotal to the company's hospitality arm and the best opportune moment for her to enter the scene. “I felt that there was no better time to join the family business than at that moment; the industry was healthy, and the company’s pipeline was becoming heavily focused on hospitality, too. I knew it was important to be hands-on from the ground up—starting at the building stage, not just stepping in once everything was up and running,” explained Manigsaca.
In 2023, she started working as an Asset Manager for Hotels to handle day-to-day operations and help identify potential opportunities to further grow the business.
The following year, the property developer partnered with the Radisson Hotel Group to bring Radisson Blu Hotel and Residences in Cagayan de Oro.
Armed with a new perspective and fresh ideas, her confidence in the boardroom grew from her impressive educational background and solid working experience.
Mahi Center at Mactan Economic Zone (Artist's perspective)
Professional and personal growth
As a personal choice, Manigsaca pursued the Hospitality Management course with a specialization in Hotel Administration at Endurun Colleges and graduated cum laude in 2018. As part of the program, she completed internships at The Ritz-Carlton and JW Marriott Hong Kong. She shared that “these were two of the most humbling and fulfilling experiences in my life — experiences I would love to relive again and again. It wasn’t always smooth sailing, but it was deeply rewarding both personally and professionally.”
From 2019 to 2023, she had the chance to work at top-tier brands such as Sheraton Cebu Mactan Resort, Manila Marriott Hotel, and The Westin Manila.
Manigsaca once manned the front desk – checking in and out of guests and attending to their needs. “It was during this time that I unknowingly overcame my fear of saying no to others, learning how to deliver it with empathy and understanding. While the work could get physically and emotionally draining, I found myself staying, growing, and still finding so much joy in what I did. That’s when I knew I was on the right path," she shared.
In 2021, she completed her master's degree with distinction in Global Hospitality Management at Les Roches Crans Montana in Switzerland while managing to work for a pre-opening property in Cebu. “Juggling different responsibilities and providing quality outputs in different time zones was one of the most challenging seasons of my life. But looking back, I am grateful I pushed through as it honed my skills in managing time and working with grace under pressure. It truly allowed me to go out of my comfort zone and grow in ways I never imagined.”
Bedroom unit at The Fairfield by Marriott Cebu Mactan
Vision for the industry
Given the support and opportunity, the lady executive hopes to make a mark in the country’s tourism and hospitality landscape. “I believe there is a goldmine of opportunities and places waiting to be discovered and showcased on the global stage. There is so much that we can work on in terms of uplifting yet-to-be-discovered areas while ensuring we actively preserve the beauty of these locations, and helping grow the livelihoods of communities around them.”
Driven to help further grow the portfolio and put AppleOne on the map as a Cebu-based property developer building premium hotels in the Visayas and Mindanao regions, Manigsaca aims to create meaningful and unforgettable experiences for guests and the communities where they operate. “I take pride in showcasing the best of the Filipino people. Our warm hospitality and rich culture are priceless, something that I am extremely proud of and passionate about sharing with the rest of the world,” she added.