Inside ‘High-Rise’: Megaworld’s blueprint for its next-gen leaders

This leadership program sits at the core of Megaworld’s people-first culture, shaping future-ready talents and cementing its place among the region’s best companies

More than just a successful leadership development program, the High-Rise program represents Megaworld’s bold investment in talent, shaping future leaders, and charting new growth paths that will define the company’s future success.

High-Rise graduates receive their certificates from Megaworld’s senior leaders, marking the culmination of months of rigorous training, learning, and leadership preparation.

For real estate giant Megaworld, success transcends all its award-winning townships and developments. The true measure of achievement, the company believes, is the sustained growth of its people who power its historic milestones year after year.

At the center of the company’s culture of excellence and people development is High-Rise, Megaworld’s flagship real estate management development program aimed at helping develop future-ready leaders that will help bring the company forward. Designed to identify, develop, and elevate emerging talents across the organization, High-Rise represents Megaworld’s long-term belief that strong leadership—rooted in culture, capability, and character—is the foundation of sustainable growth.

“Megaworld’s vision has always been grounded in our belief that great companies are built by great people who are inspired by great culture. As we continue expanding to more areas across the country, we are also focused on strengthening our leadership that will help move our organization forward. High Rise is a reflection of that vision—an investment on leaders who will shape the future of our business and how we continue to uplift lives, impact society, and help shape the nation,” says Rafael Antonio S. Perez, first vice president for People & Culture and Corporate Administration.

Through immersive learning, real-world application, and mentorship from senior executives, High-Rise helps mold future leaders to rise above challenges and confidently take on roles that support Megaworld’s expanding business nationwide. Participants undergo rigorous assessments and extensive training while continuing to deliver in their full-time roles—a reflection of both their dedication and the program’s transformative design.

Alliance Global Group, Inc (AGI) President and CEO, Kevin L. Tan, highlights the importance of collaboration and continuous learning as the key to a successful and rewarding journey for Megaworld’s emerging leaders.

In her inspiring talk, Megaworld President and CEO, Lourdes T. Gutierrez-Alfonso emphasized the central role that integrity plays as part of Megaworld’s commitment to nurturing a people-first culture.

Standout recognitions for building people first

Programs like High-Rise form part of Megaworld’s broader cultural ecosystem—one deliberately shaped to empower employees, strengthen engagement, and cultivate a people-first environment at every level. This sustained investment in leadership and culture has become a driving force behind Megaworld’s rising prominence as one of the best employers in the region.

This year, Megaworld reached a defining milestone, sweeping multiple Best Employer Awards on both local and international stages. Most notably, it became the only Philippine real estate company—and one of just six organizations nationwide—recognized in Fortune Magazine’s inaugural 100 Best Companies to Work For in Southeast Asia list, cementing its stature as a trailblazer in talent growth and workplace culture across the region.

This milestone comes after Megaworld earned the coveted Great Place to Work Certification after touting an impressive 98-percent approval rating from its employees—the highest among the country’s major real estate players.

Earlier this year, the company was also included in Time Magazine’s inaugural list of Best Companies in Asia-Pacific, and achieved a remarkable leap in the Inquirer–Statista Best Employers list—up to rank #42 from sitting at #240 last year. These distinctions highlight Megaworld’s efforts in genuinely caring for its people and its communities as it continues to build world-class developments around the country.

Accomplished graduates of Megaworld’s High Rise program close the ceremony with a unified gesture symbolizing readiness to lead across Megaworld’s nationwide portfolio.

Formula for continued success

At the heart of these achievements is Megaworld’s long-standing belief that great companies are built by great people—empowered by the right culture, guided by strong leadership, and supported by continuous capability-building.

The program is poised for expansion, with opportunities for cross‑functional tracks, more immersive modules, and broader participation across Megaworld’s real estate and hospitality portfolio.

“Our long-term goal is to continue empowering leaders capable of driving innovation, transformation, and excellence across our entire business. More than affirming that we are moving in the right direction, these milestones inspire us to continue building a workplace where our employees can grow, succeed, and lead with purpose,” Perez adds.

Through mentorship, capability‑building programs, and continuous cultural initiatives, the company ensures that employees thrive in an environment where they can excel, lead, and shape the future of the industry.