Women who build and nurture
Balancing a demanding career and a loving home is not easy, yet these amazing women in Philippine real estate do it every day with grace, grit and heart.
In honor of Mother’s Day, Inquirer Property celebrates these leaders, whose success in the boardroom and warmth at the dinner table continue to inspire women across the industry.
Mastering markets, boardroom and motherhood
Lourdes Gutierrez-Alfonso
Megaworld Corp.
An influential leader in Philippine real estate, Lourdes Gutierrez-Alfonso officially took the reins at Megaworld in June 2024, succeeding tycoon Andrew Tan as the company president. Her impact, however, spans more than 30 years, having joined the company just six months after its inception–then serving in various capacities and key leadership roles.
As a leader, Alfonso describes herself as a “planner” and said that she thinks most women constantly juggle responsibilities at work and home which help them to be efficient and productive. Women’s nurturing qualities, Alfonso added, are also assets when it comes to being a leader in an organization, since “the very essence of nurturing is caring for the growth and development of someone or something.”
Alfonso raised her daughter with her husband, Dr. Rafael Alfonso, while going up the corporate ladder. And now, she also has a beautiful grandson to dote on. At work, she is a respected leader and company executive. But at home, she takes on the meaningful role as a wife, mother, and grandmother.
Helping forge a path for women–mothers–in business
Anna Ma. Margarita “Meean” Dy
Ayala Land Inc.
Anna Ma. Margarita “Meean” Dy made career history in 2023 when she was named the first female president and chief executive officer of property giant Ayala Land Inc. Recognized for her outstanding leadership and track record, she has already earned several accolades for excelling in her field.
Dy is also an advocate for women–believing that workplaces should provide equal support and companies should apply the same standards to all employees so that gender never factors into evaluations or promotion decisions.
In an interview with the Inquirer in 2024, Dy said she would not have been able to accomplish as much were it not for the solid support system around her given that the practical challenge for most women in the workforce is childcare. This is why she believes that to keep more women on the leadership path, the childcare challenge that most women face needs to be solved.
“I was fortunate to have a support system that helped me cope–from an understanding husband, a supportive mother, and mother in law to loving nannies who watched over my children. I would not be here without them,” Dy stressed.
“A big part of this is having men take more responsibility in child rearing. Women need not feel guilty that they are sharing this responsibility. They can be good mothers and role models, and still have successful careers at the same time. This shift is cultural and fortunately, is already happening,” Dy added.
‘SuperMom’ driving Anchor Land’s growth
Elizabeth Digna Ventura
Anchor Land Holdings Inc.
In her personal Instagram account, Anchor Land Holdings Inc. president Elizabeth Digna Ventura wrote on her profile description: “As a mom, I proudly wear a SuperMom status like a badge of honor.”
Indeed, Ventura remains devoted in her role as a mother and proudly dotes on her daughter often in her posts about her.
Balancing motherhood with a challenging career path, Ventura said that the lessons she learned from her family remains valuable as she steers Anchor Land to continued growth. She cherished her grandfather’s words that “life is what we make it” so she worked hard to achieve her goals, ensuring that she would not be defined by the failures she encountered.
Ventura joined Anchor Land late 2004 and became its president by 2010. As head of the upscale developer, she always pushes the boundaries in her own strategies for the sake of the company. Ventura also said their hands-on approach to property development has been the key to the company’s success for 20 years.
Poise, professionalism, and parenthood at Rockwell’s helm
Valerie Jane Lopez-Soliven
Rockwell Land Corp.
Valerie Jane Lopez-Soliven was appointed as Rockwell Land’s president and chief operating officer in 2023.
A hotelier for four years, Soliven joined Rockwell in 1998, shortly before the Asian financial crisis–then serving as an assistant sales manager. Described as elegant, poised, and highly professional, she has been integral to Rockwell Land’s current status as one of the Philippines’ leading real estate firms.
One of Soliven’s career advice is to love your job: “There are no shortcuts to success, the only way is hard work. So love your job and it will love you back.”
But aside from being an achiever at work, Soliven is also a devoted mother to three daughters. She always prioritizes time for her family, stressing that unless there is an exceptional activity at work, her weekends would always be dedicated for her family.
Leading Filinvest with family at heart
Lourdes Josephine Gotianun-Yap
Filinvest Land Inc.
Lourdes Josephine Gotianun Yap, the vice chair of Filinvest Development Corp. and chief executive officer of Filinvest Land Inc. (FLI), is a prominent name in Philippine real estate, with her expertise and experience earning her rightful recognition as a leader who sets the bar high for women in this industry.
She also made history as the first female recipient of the Real Estate Personality award at Property Guru’s Philippines Property Awards.
Beyond her achievements in the corporate world, Gotianun-Yap considers being a mother of three and a wife to Joseph Yap, who retired as president and CEO of FLI in late 2012, as an integral part of her being.
In an interview with the Inquirer in 2014, she shared that she was very hands on in raising her kids and even tutored them. She said that among her proudest moments as a mother would be when people who work with her children say that they are down-to-earth and hardworking.
What she would like to impart to the next-generation Gotianuns is a legacy of learning–“curiosity and the courage to pursue new things and go beyond your comfort zone.”
Shaping landmark developments and daughter’s dreams
Ma. Socorro Isabelle Aragon-GoBio
Robinsons Land Corp.
Ma. Socorro Isabelle Aragon-GoBio was named as the first woman chief executive of Robinson Land Corp. in February 2025. Previously the senior vice president for Robinsons Destination Estates and business unit general manager, GoBio brings with her 30 years of experience in the industry.
She joined Robinsons Land in 1993 and has since held various leadership positions in logistics, residential and office developments, and mixed-use estates. Some of the property giant’s most notable real estate projects–Bridgetowne in Pasig and Quezon City, Sierra Valley in Rizal province, and Montclair in Pampanga province—were developed under her leadership.
As much as she is passionate about her work, GoBio is also a supportive mother to her daughter. In a feature posted in JG Summit Holdings website, GoBio was described as an “equestrian mom” who actively supports her daughter’s passion for horse riding.
Sources: Inquirer Archives, ayalaland.com.ph, peopleasia.ph, filinvestgroup.com. jgsummit.com.ph, Official Instagram account of Elizabeth Ventura
