Business icon Manuel V. Pangilinan, Chairman of Metro Pacific Investments Corporation (MPIC) and Chairman, President and CEO of PLDT and Smart, was honored with the 2025 Travel and Tourism Enabler Award by the Manila Overseas Press Club (MOPC) during the MOPC Grand Tourism Night at the New World Makati’s Grand Ballroom.
With tourism contributing 8.9 percent to the nation’s GDP, and domestic and international arrivals projected to reach record highs, the MOPC Grand Tourism Awards celebrate “the doers and shakers” who champion world-class destinations and Filipino hospitality. Since their launch in 2023, the awards have honored some of the most influential names in Philippine tourism and business, including the Sy, Ayala, and Gokongwei families; Ramon Ang; and industry leaders such as Cebu Pacific, Newport World Resorts, and El Nido Resorts, cementing their reputation as one of the most prestigious recognitions in the field.
Recognized for Building the Foundations of Tourism
Mr. Pangilinan was honored for his visionary leadership and steadfast commitment to strengthening the country’s travel and tourism landscape across the country. Through MPIC’s portfolio companies: Meralco, Maynilad, and Metro Pacific Tollways Corporation, and PLDT-Smart’s telecommunications network, his leadership has laid the essential groundwork and provided critical support to enable sustainable growth of tourism across the Philippines.
Nation-Building Through Tourism and Development
“Tourism is not just about destinations, it is about building the essential infrastructure: energy, connectivity, and roadways that make travel possible,” Mr. Manzano stated. “Through Landco Pacific’s BeachTowns and John Hay Hotels, alongside the critical support of PLDT-Smart, Meralco, Maynilad, and Metro Pacific Tollways, among our other MPIC subsidiaries, we aim to create leisure and tourism hubs that Filipinos are proud of and that the world wants to discover.”
Atty. Michael T. Toledo, MPIC Head of Government Relations and Public Affairs, together with Landco Pacific and Landco Lifestyle Ventures (LLV) President and CEO Erickson Y. Manzano, received the award on behalf of Mr. Pangilinan. The recognition adds to Mr. Pangilinan’s long list of accolades, including his recent distinction as 2024 Philippines Real Estate Personality of the Year by PropertyGuru.
A Prestigious Recognition
The highly anticipated event was graced by First Lady Louise Araneta Marcos, Guest of Honor, who personally presented the handcrafted Golden Bell of Excellence trophies to the awardees. Her presence underscored the administration’s recognition of tourism as a strategic driver of economic growth.
Landco Pacific and Landco Lifestyle Ventures: MVP’s Flagship in Tourism and Leisure
Beyond infrastructure, Mr. Pangilinan has been instrumental in directly advancing leisure and tourism through Landco Pacific Corporation and its hospitality arm, LLV. Under his leadership, Landco Pacific has emerged as MPIC’s flagship and premium developer of world-class and master-planned beachside communities in leisure and tourism destinations, integrating sustainability, community development, and distinctive hospitality facilities and attractions.
- In Batangas, Landco Pacific’s flagship BeachTowns CaSoBe in Calatagan and Club Laiya in San Juan have redefined coastal living and leisure. These master-planned seaside communities blend sustainable beachfront residences with vibrant tourism offerings, including distinctive resort accommodations, attractions, and dining. They have created jobs, encouraged entrepreneurship, and firmly established Batangas as a premier beach destination within easy reach of Metro Manila.
- In the Cordilleras, John Hay Hotels in Baguio, managed by Landco Lifestyle Ventures, exemplify LLV’s hospitality expertise. By balancing heritage preservation with luxury accommodations and nature-inspired leisure experiences, LLV has safeguarded Baguio’s timeless charm while elevating its reputation as a premier mountain retreat for both domestic and international visitors.
- In Davao, Landco’s developments on Samal Island showcase its vision for distinctive seaside tourism estates. Playa Azalea, an exclusive residential community, and Costa Azalea, a master-planned leisure tourism estate, maximize the island’s natural beauty with white sandy beaches, lush tropical landscapes, and panoramic views of Davao City and the Davao Gulf. These developments are poised to position Samal Island as a premier southern destination while creating tourism-driven economic opportunities.
Through Landco Pacific and LLV, Mr. Pangilinan has made tourism and hospitality a cornerstone of his nation-building efforts, proving that infrastructure and leisure development must go hand-in-hand to strengthen the Philippines’ global tourism standing.
For more information about Landco Pacific Corporation, visit www.landco.ph, FB: https://web.facebook.com/LandcoPacificCorporation Landco Lifestyle Ventures: www.landcolifestyleventures.com; and FB: https://www.facebook.com/TheJohnHayHotels.
