Megaworld clinches spot as only property firm in 2026 culture ranking
Megaworld Corp., the country’s pioneer of the live-work-play township model, emerged as the sole real estate developer to secure a spot on the Best Workplaces in the Philippines 2026 list, according to global culture authority Great Place To Work.
The property giant, led by billionaire Andrew Tan, clinched one of only 35 spots on the prestigious roster during the recent Great Place To Work Philippines Awards. The recognition is based on a rigorous assessment of companies that maintain high-trust, high-performance workplace environments. Megaworld’s inclusion highlights its ability to maintain employee engagement amid a competitive labor market and a shifting real estate landscape in Southeast Asia.
Lourdes T. Gutierrez-Alfonso, president and chief executive officer of Megaworld, said the recognition reflects the internal culture required to sustain the company’s massive footprint. The company has long positioned itself as a catalyst for economic growth, with its townships serving as hubs for the business process outsourcing sector and high-end residential developments. Gutierrez-Alfonso noted that the company’s vision of uplifting lives and shaping the nation is driven by a workforce that views their sustainable communities as drivers of national progress.
The ranking is determined by the Great Place To Work Trust Index survey, a data-driven methodology that evaluates employee experiences across three primary dimensions: relationships with management, peer-to-peer collaboration, and individual job satisfaction. The resulting score indicates the percentage of employees who consistently view the organization as an exemplary workplace.
Charles Plumley, general manager of Great Place to Work Philippines, said the recognized organizations prove that trust is a prerequisite for leadership in the next generation of business. He noted that Filipino talent thrives in environments where inclusion and trust are prioritized, setting a benchmark for the broader corporate sector.
The achievement follows a period of aggressive expansion and international recognition for the developer. Megaworld was recently featured in Time Magazine’s Best Companies in Asia-Pacific for the second straight year. In 2025, the company made history as the only Philippine developer included in the inaugural Fortune 100 Best Companies to Work For. That milestone was supported by a Great Place to Work Certification that saw the company achieve a 98 percent employee approval rating, a figure that remains a benchmark for the local property industry.
Further bolstering its credentials, Megaworld rose to 42nd place in the Philippines’ Best Employers 2026 ranking by Statista during the final quarter of last year. Its parent conglomerate, Alliance Global Group Inc., which has interests spanning spirits, gaming, and quick-service restaurants, also saw its global standing improve, rising to 227th in annual rankings from 245th the previous year. (James A. Loyola)