Alsons Dev, Khan Academy Bring Personalized Digital Learning to Davao Public Schools

Alsons Development and Investment Corporation (Alsons Dev) is expanding access to technology-enabled learning through its partnership with Khan Academy Philippines under the Department of Education's (DepEd) Adopt-a-School Program, providing public elementary schools in Davao City with digital learning tools, internet connectivity, and teacher support to enhance classroom learning.

The initiative was officially launched through a series of Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) and Deed of Donation signings held at Tugbok Central Elementary School on July 14, 2026, followed by signings at T. Awad Echevarria Elementary School and Paradise Embac Elementary School on July 15, 2026. The ceremonies brought together representatives from Alsons Dev, the Conrado and Ladislawa Alcantara Foundation, Inc., Khan Academy Philippines, DepEd Region XI, local government units, as well as school administrators. A total of 128 tablets were formally turned over to the three beneficiary schools, followed by demonstrations of the Khan Academy platform.

More than providing devices, Alsons Dev is also funding three years of internet connectivity, teacher training, and implementation support, ensuring partner schools have the resources and guidance needed to effectively integrate the Khan Academy platform into classroom instruction.

Khan Academy Philippines President and CEO, Atty. Geraldine Acuña-Sunshine, emphasized the importance of partnerships in expanding access to quality education, "At Khan Academy Philippines, we believe every learner deserves access to quality education, regardless of circumstance. While we provide free learning resources, support from private organizations like Alsons Dev plays a vital role in helping schools overcome barriers to implementation and create more opportunities for students to reach their full potential."

Through Khan Academy's personalized online learning platform, students gain free access to instructional videos and practice exercises in Math, Science, and English, with lessons aligned to the DepEd curriculum. Teachers and school administrators can also monitor student progress through a built-in dashboard.

"We believe education creates opportunities that shape a young person's future. Through this partnership, we hope to strengthen learning in our public schools by giving students access to the tools and resources they need to learn, grow, and pursue their aspirations. By investing in young learners today, we are helping build stronger communities for generations to come," said Alsons Dev President and CEO Miguel Rene A. Dominguez.

The three-year initiative marks the beginning of a long-term effort to make digital learning more accessible and engaging in public schools. It reflects Alsons Dev's commitment to enriching lives by creating opportunities for people and communities to thrive. 

For more information on Alsons Dev’s community initiatives, visit www.alsonsdev.com.

Alcantara Foundation and Alsons Dev Gain National Recognition for Championing Davao’s Creative Community

The Conrado Ladislawa Alcantara Foundation, Inc. (Alcantara Foundation) was recognized as a Finalist in the Outstanding CSR Project for Arts and Culture category at the 2026 CSR Guild Awards, held on June 30, 2026 at The Westin Manila in Mandaluyong City, for its corporate social responsibility initiative with Alsons Development and Investment Corporation (Alsons Dev).

Recognition was given for the Alcantara Foundation and Alsons Dev’s joint project aimed at strengthening Davao City’s creative industry. A key milestone is the 2025 Culture, Arts, and Heritage Summit, a multi-stakeholder platform that convened over 300 artists, cultural workers, and representatives from the government, academe, and private sector to identify sector needs, co-develop strategies, and help build an enabling environment for creative growth.

The CSR Guild Awards, a recognition program of the League of Corporate Foundations (LCF), honors corporate social responsibility initiatives and collaborations of its member organizations across the country that drive meaningful and sustainable social impact.

“This recognition affirms something we have long believed—that culture is not peripheral to development; it is central to it,” said Miguel Rene A. Dominguez, President and CEO of Alsons Dev. “We remain committed to creating opportunities for partnerships across sectors because lasting progress is built when we nurture communities that are both livable and culturally vibrant.”

The Alcantara Foundation is the corporate social responsibility arm of the Alcantara Group, of which Alsons Dev is a member. Through the foundation, Alsons Dev advances its CSR agenda grounded in the belief that meaningful community development extends beyond physical spaces to include efforts that celebrate and preserve culture, arts, and heritage—helping strengthen local identity, deepen cultural appreciation, and foster community pride.

From Vision to Reality: Alsons Dev Completes First Turnovers at Narra Park Residences Avia

Alsons Development and Investment Corporation (Alsons Dev) has completed the turnover of its first batch of residential units at Narra Park Residences Avia, the first residential development within Avia Estate in Alabel, Sarangani.

The milestone marks the transition of early homebuyers into homeowners and reflects the steady progress of Narra Park Residences Avia as part of the broader development of Avia Estate, Alsons Dev’s 121-hectare township in Sarangani.

The turnover was marked by the first Buyers Appreciation Day of the community, where homeowners and guests gathered for project updates and community activities within the estate.

For early homeowners, the experience reinforces confidence in their investment and the long-term value of the development.

“Based on what I have experienced today, I can already say this home will be good for us in the future. If there’s one place I can recommend for both investment and family, this is it,” said Catherine Cuico, one of the first homeowners of Narra Park Residences Avia.

Alsons Dev President and CEO Miguel Rene A. Dominguez, who led the ceremonial turnover, said the milestone reflects the company’s commitment to delivering communities that are thoughtfully planned and built for long-term living.

“These represent more than completed units—they are the beginning of a community,” Dominguez said. “Our focus has always been to deliver developments that are well-planned, responsive to how people want to live, and built for long-term value.”

Building a Growing Community in Avia Estate 

Narra Park Residences Avia is part of Avia Estate, Alsons Dev’s first major township expansion outside its Davao stronghold. To date, 59 homes have been completed within the residential enclave.

The estate continues to develop key shared spaces that support everyday living and community life. Following the inauguration of the Alabel Public Safety and Security Complex in January 2025 and the opening of The Abba’s Orchard Montessori School in August 2025, recent additions include the Avia Estate megatent for events and a football field. Upcoming developments include an interim commercial area, a pickleball court, and the completion of the Narra Park Residences Avia community facilities, all designed to support the growing needs of residents and foster stronger community connections.

Together, these developments reflect Avia Estate’s ongoing evolution as a master-planned community designed to grow alongside its residents.

The turnover of Narra Park Residences Avia and development milestones at Avia Estate underscore Alsons Dev’s consistent approach to building communities anchored on thoughtful planning, livability, and long-term value. As the company expands its footprint beyond Mindanao’s urban centers, it continues to apply the same standards across its developments, reinforcing its commitment to creating communities where people can live, grow, and belong.

Discover your future home at Narra Park Residences Avia by visiting https://www.facebook.com/NarraParkResidencesAvia

Alsons Dev, DoubleDragon Break Ground on Mindanao’s First CentralHub

Alsons Development and Investment Corporation (Alsons Dev), in partnership with DoubleDragon Properties Corporation (DoubleDragon) through its industrial leasing subsidiary, CentralHub Industrial Centers Inc., broke ground on CentralHub Davao on March 5, 2026 in Barangay Lasang, Davao City. This milestone marks the start of construction of the first CentralHub in Mindanao, a 6.2-hectare industrial warehouse complex that will support the region’s growing logistics and distribution needs.

Once completed, CentralHub Davao will feature a projected leasable space of 40,392 sqm, designed to support a range of uses including warehousing, cold storage, commissaries, light manufacturing, and other related services. Strategically located along the Pan-Philippine Highway near the Lasang Public Market, the site provides convenient access to key logistics gateways such as Sasa Port, Davao International Container Terminal Inc., and Francisco Bangoy International Airport, enabling faster and more efficient movement of goods across Mindanao.

Alsons Dev President and CEO Miguel A. Dominguez highlighted that CentralHub Davao reflects the shared commitment of Alsons Dev and DoubleDragon to delivering infrastructure that supports economic growth in Mindanao. The project builds on the companies’ previous collaboration on CityMall Northtown within Alsons Dev’s Northtown township in Cabantian.

With an estimated total project value of ₱1.2 billion, CentralHub Davao is expected to meet the increasing demand for modern industrial facilities across Mindanao, supporting the region’s manufacturing, export, and distribution sectors. Davao City Vice Mayor Rodrigo S. Duterte II highlighted its potential to create jobs, improve business efficiency, and reinforce the city’s role as a regional economic hub.

CentralHub Davao underscores Alsons Dev’s commitment to driving Mindanao’s growth through strategic developments that support businesses and strengthen the region’s investment profile. Through projects like this, the company is reinforcing its vision of building communities and opportunities across Davao City and Mindanao.

For more information on Alsons Dev’s partnerships and projects, visit www.alsonsdev.com.

Alcantara Group Marks 70 Years of Legacy, Leadership, and Lasting Impact

The Alcantara Group celebrated its 70th anniversary with a milestone event that honored its rich heritage while looking toward the future. Held at the Dusit Thani Residence Davao last December 4, 2025  under the theme “Seventy Years Strong: Forward Together,” the gathering brought together generations of leaders, employees, partners, and friends to honor the founder’s enduring vision and the Group’s legacy of service, innovation, and nation-building.

Set in Davao, where the company’s story began, the celebration featured a curated exhibit and program tracing the company’s evolution from a mid-1950s Davao-based enterprise—Conrado Alcantara and Sons, Inc. (CASI)—into one of the country’s most diversified Filipino-owned conglomerates. The evening honored the founder, Conrado Alcantara, and the leadership of the second-generation principals who expanded the organization’s footprint across key sectors, including energy through the Alsons Power Unit, aquaculture and agriculture through the Alsons Agribusiness Unit, and real estate development through Alsons Development and Investment Corporation (Alsons Dev), as well as its other subsidiaries.

The anniversary program also paid tribute to the collective efforts of employees, partners, and communities that have shaped the enterprise’s growth. Stories of collaboration and service underscore how shared values across the Alcantara Group's business units have enabled their continued relevance and resilience amid changing landscapes and milestones across decades.

"We owe this milestone to the men and women across generations who helped shape the Alcantara Group into what it is today. What has kept us strong is not just strategy alone, but the spirit of unity and service that has guided us since the beginning—growth that uplifts both people and communities,” said Nicasio I. Alcantara, Chairman of Alcantara Group.

Continuing the Group’s 70-year Legacy

With the third generation of Alcantaras poised to take the lead, the Alcantara Group’s subsidiaries, including Alsons Dev, are carrying forward its mission with renewed purpose.

As the Group’s real estate arm, Alsons Dev plays a central role in shaping communities that reflect the founder’s foresight for Mindanao, translating the company’s values of stewardship into meaningful developments on the ground.

“As we look to the future, we do so with renewed purpose—to sustain what has been built and to keep growing it with the same vision, integrity, and care that defined the generations before us,” said Miguel Rene A. Dominguez, President and CEO of Alsons Dev. “We will continue to build responsibly, create long-term value, and drive progress for generations to come.”

Building on seven decades of success, the company remains committed to expanding its diversified businesses and advancing industries that contribute to long-term development. Guided by the principles that shaped its early years and inspired by the generations that have carried its purpose forward, the Alcantara Group looks to the future with determination, focused on creating opportunities, fostering sustainable growth, and leaving a lasting impact on future generations.

For more information, please visit http://www.alcantaragroup.com

Alsons Dev Announces Leadership Succession with Jolla Soriaga as VP and GM

Alsons Development and Investment Corporation (Alsons Dev) has appointed Jolla A. Soriaga as Vice President and General Manager, effective November 1, 2025. She succeeds Eric D. de la Costa, who has retired after 26 years of dedicated service. The leadership transition underscores Alsons Dev's continued commitment to operational excellence and organizational strength.

Soriaga brings with her over 25 years of experience within Alsons Dev. She has taken on progressive leadership roles in business development, contributing to the successful delivery of flagship residential and mixed-use projects such as Las Terrazas, Northcrest, Fernwood, Wood Lane, Eden Ridge, and Northtown. Before her appointment, she served as Assistant Vice President for Business Development and Operations. In her new capacity, Soriaga will oversee the company’s day-to-day management, strategic initiatives, and governance.

Her appointment comes as Eric D. de la Costa concludes a remarkable tenure with the company. He began his career with Alsons Dev in 1995 and rose from consultant to Vice President and General Manager. Under his leadership, the company broadened its footprint and product mix with the launch of Northtown, Alsons Dev’s first township project; Nurtura, Alsons Dev’s mid-cost housing brand; and Avia Estate, a major township development in Sarangani. His guidance and people-centered approach have shaped the organization and its culture over the years.

As the company ushers in this new chapter, Alsons Dev expresses its gratitude to de la Costa for his invaluable contributions and extends its full confidence to Soriaga as she takes on her new role, continuing the company’s mission of building vibrant, sustainable communities.

To learn more about Alsons Dev and its developments, visit https://alsonsdev.com/

Alsons Dev Marks Milestone in Avia Estate with Opening of The Abba’s Orchard School

Alsons Development and Investment Corporation (Alsons Dev) marked a key milestone in the development of its flagship township, Avia Estate in Alabel, Sarangani, with the opening of The Abba’s Orchard School last August 11, 2025. Bringing authentic Montessori education to SOCCSKSARGEN, The Abba’s Orchard strengthens Avia Estate’s vision of becoming a well-rounded and future-ready community.

Nurturing young minds with true Montessori

The Abba’s Orchard is a high-fidelity Montessori school system offering programs from infancy through adolescence. Known for its authentic Montessori approach, the school offers the Erdkinder program (German for "children of the earth”), a unique adolescent curriculum that integrates classroom learning with hands-on experience through an on-site farm environment. Adolescents experience “production and exchange” in a micro-economy that addresses their evolving sense of self-worth (or dignity) in their maturing journey to adulthood.

With its opening at Avia Estate, The Abba’s Orchard becomes the first true Montessori school in the SOCCSKSARGEN region. The new campus will initially offer programs for preschool up to Grade 3, with plans to expand in the future to Upper Elementary and High School levels.

“We’re proud to bring our unique approach to families in Alabel and the wider region. We envision this campus as more than just a school; it is a space where children grow through meaningful and authentic experiences. We’re excited to begin this journey in Avia Estate, helping shape a new generation of independent, purpose-driven learners,” said Chris Barrameda, President and Founding Director of The Abba’s Orchard. He added, “Through our partnership with Alsons Dev, we can further our mission of making quality Montessori education more accessible across SOCCSKSARGEN.”

A month before the school's opening, a ceremonial tree planting took place, symbolizing The Abba's Orchard School's and Alsons Dev’s shared commitment to creating a nurturing and sustainable environment for the region's young learners and their families. 

A partnership rooted in community building

The school’s presence in Avia Estate was made possible through a two-hectare land donation by Alsons Dev, solidifying a shared vision of enabling families to experience authentic Montessori learning in the region.

“At Alsons Dev, we believe quality educational institutions are essential pillars of master-planned communities,” said Miguel Rene A. Dominguez, President and CEO of Alsons Dev. “The Abba’s Orchard reflects Alsons Dev's efforts of making education an integral part of daily life for families in the township.”

This collaboration reflects Alsons Dev’s ongoing efforts to integrate key institutions and lifestyle drivers into its communities, strengthening its developments not just as residential enclaves but as hubs of growth and opportunity.

Advancing Avia Estate’s growth

Avia Estate continues to make steady progress in its transformation into a future-ready township. One of the community’s key facilities, the Alabel Public Safety & Security Complex, was formally turned over last January 2025, reinforcing Alsons Dev’s commitment to ensuring safety and well-being within the estate. The Avia Estate football field is also opening this September 2025, further enriching the township’s recreational amenities.

As part of ongoing efforts to support growth and enhance estate-wide connectivity, construction of the estate's main spine road is in progress. Land development for commercial areas is also set to begin this year, strengthening Avia Estate’s position as a growing economic hub in the region.

By the end of the year, the first batch of house units in Narra Park Residences Avia will be completed, with turnovers scheduled to begin in Q1 2026. Key community features, such as gates and guardhouses, parks, and shared amenities, will also be completed, ensuring a livable and welcoming environment from day one.

Shaping the future in Alabel

With quality education now embedded within the estate and essential features nearing completion, Avia Estate is steadily taking shape as a dynamic, master-planned development where families can thrive. These milestones underscore Alsons Dev’s broader vision of creating inclusive, purpose-driven communities that uplift lives across Mindanao.

To explore Avia Estate’s evolving landscape and learn more about its master-planned features, visit www.aviaestate.ph.

Alsons Dev Takes Home Top Honors at PropertyGuru Philippines Property Awards 2025

Alsons Development and Investment Corporation (Alsons Dev) once again was among the recognized developers at the 13th PropertyGuru Philippines Property Awards, earning multiple distinctions that underscore the company’s consistent track record in delivering quality developments in Mindanao. The awarding ceremony, presented in partnership with global brand Kohler, was held on August 15, 2025 at Shangri-La The Fort, Manila.

Established in 2011, the PropertyGuru Philippines Property Awards is the country’s leading real estate awards program, recognizing top developers and projects nationwide. At this year’s event, Alsons Dev received multiple honors across key categories: Best Housing Development (Mindanao) for Narra Park Residences Avia, Best Mixed Use Development for Avia Estate, and a Highly Commended citation for Best Housing Development (Metro Davao) for Mahogany South.

These accolades reinforce the company's long-term commitment to building people-first communities in Mindanao. Alsons Dev's approach centers on creating developments that are both accessible and aspirational, blending affordability with elevated living experiences. This strategy ensures that the developer’s projects meet the needs of the market and contribute to the long-term progress of the communities they serve.

With a track record of delivering developments with function, value, and enduring livability, Alsons Dev remains a trusted name in Mindanao real estate, serving as a partner in community building for generations to come.

To learn more about Alsons Dev’s award-winning developments and ongoing projects, visit https://alsonsdev.com/.