Sta. Lucia Land CEO feted for vision, innovation

The Catalina Lake Residences in Bataan is one of the latest flagship projects of Sta. Lucia Land. —CONTRIBUTED PHOTOS

Exequiel Robles, the president and CEO of trusted developer Sta. Lucia Land Inc., received the Global CEO Excellence Award from the UK-based publication CEO Monthly.

“With this latest recognition, [Sta. Lucia Land] cements its reputation as a developer of choice for discerning buyers, OFWs, and investors who seek properties backed by strong leadership, consistent growth, and a legacy of trust,” Sta. Lucia Land said in a statement.

Exequiel Robles, president and CEO of Sta. Lucia Land Inc., has been recognized for his visionary and innovative leadership.

Leadership, vision and innovation

On its website, CEO Monthly said the award, whose results were announced in August, was a “celebration of leadership, vision, and innovation” that recognized leaders who were “driving their organisations forward and making a profound impact on their industries.”

For over five decades now, Robles has been at the helm of the Sta. Lucia Group, of which Sta. Lucia Land is a subsidiary. His able leadership has transformed the group into a titan in Philippine real estate, as evidenced by a strong portfolio of over 300 projects across more than 12,000 hectares of land.

Its developments—ranging from residential communities and commercial hubs to golf courses, leisure estates and lake developments—have elevated tastes among homebuyers, challenged developers to up the ante, and primed many communities for progress. Sta. Lucia Land, no doubt, has long been a worthwhile partner of buyers and investors looking for prime properties.

This Global CEO Excellence Award thus comes at a time when Sta. Lucia Land is enjoying strong momentum.

In 2024, the company reported a 13.6 percent growth in net income. For 2025, it is set to expand in key growth areas, including Polomolok (South Cotabato), Orion (Bataan) and Siargao Island (Surigao Del Norte). The highly anticipated Sta. Lucia Mall Davao is about to launch as well.

Sta. Lucia Mall Davao is one of the company’s most awaited projects and is set to open soon.

Global distinction

Robles joins a select roster of international executives on the list, making him one of the few Filipino CEOs to earn the global distinction.

CEO Monthly welcomed hundreds of nominations from the CEO’s colleagues, employees and other industry professionals from March to May. They were shortlisted, given the opportunity to provide additional documentation, then judged and evaluated by a dedicated research team.

The recognition “is dedicated to celebrating the achievements of these visionary leaders,” said CEO Monthly, which was founded in 2017 to highlight business leaders from across several countries. “Our awards programme offers unparalleled recognition for those who are making a mark on the global business landscape.”

Aside from the Global CEO Excellence Awards, CEO Monthly organizes the C-Suite Awards, the Global COO Awards, Female CEO of the Year Awards and Leadership Innovation Awards, among others.

Robles is joined by Sta. Lucia Land chairman Vicente Santos (left) and Sta. Lucia Land EVP and CFO David Dela Cruz (center). Santos and Dela Cruz were also awardees of the previous edition of the CEO Monthly Awards.

Sta. Lucia Land and Robles are no stranger to CEO Monthly. Last year, the CEO Monthly C-Suite Awards named Robles as the Best Real Estate CEO of the Year (Philippines). He was recognized alongside Chairman Vicente Santos and CFO David Dela Cruz as Best Real Estate Chairman of the Year and Best Real Estate CFO of the Year, respectively.

“Together, the leadership team continues to steer the company toward expansion, innovation, and shareholder value creation,” Sta. Lucia Land said.