Cebu Landmasters Inc. (CLI) is entering a new chapter as it positions itself for continued growth beyond its Visayas and Mindanao roots, announcing a leadership transition that will help guide the company through its next phase of expansion.
During the company’s 2026 Annual Stockholders’ Meeting attended by PhilSTAR Property, CLI announced the appointment of Jose Franco B. Soberano as President and Chief Executive Officer following its organizational Board meeting. He succeeds founder Jose R. Soberano III, who will continue to serve as Executive Chairman and Chair of the Executive Committee, providing strategic leadership and continuity as the company pursues its long-term vision.
The transition comes at a significant moment for the Cebu-based developer. From 28 projects prior to its 2017 initial public offering, CLI has grown to more than 132 developments across 21 key cities and municipalities nationwide, establishing itself as one of the country’s leading property developers and the leading developer in the Visayas and Mindanao region.
Addressing shareholders, Jose Soberano reflected on the company’s long-term direction and legacy.
“We are building a company meant to endure beyond one generation,” he said. “As we build the CLI of the future, our responsibility is not only to grow the business but to pass on a stronger institution to the next generation of leaders, employees, homeowners, and communities we serve.”
The leadership transition also comes as CLI reinforces its renewed vision and mission centered on trust, impact, and nation-building.
“We commit to deliver masterful real estate experiences that uplift lives and meaningfully contribute to nation-building,” Franco Soberano said during the meeting.
He emphasized that the company’s growth brings with it a broader responsibility to the communities it serves.
“Having one of the largest real estate portfolios in the Visayas and Mindanao region means that the industry is counting on CLI not only to make an economic impact, but also to lead in terms of social and environmental impact,” he said.
The announcement comes as CLI reports another year of strong performance. In 2025, the company achieved a record P24.6 billion in reservation sales, up 45 percent from the previous year, while maintaining a 91 percent sellout rate across its residential portfolio. The company also continued to strengthen its position through the expansion of its residential, township, hospitality, retail, and mixed-use developments.
CLI’s expansion beyond Visayas and Mindanao reflects its confidence in bringing its established development model to new growth markets. Recent acquisitions include its first development site in Pasig and a 70-hectare property in Cavite, which the company envisions as a future township development.
Looking ahead, CLI expects to reach another major milestone in 2026, with approximately 50,000 homes launched and under development across its portfolio. Based on an average household size of four, Franco Soberano noted that the milestone represents roughly 200,000 Filipino lives that the company is accountable to through its developments.
As Cebu Landmasters enters its next chapter, the company is focused not only on expanding its footprint but also on strengthening its role in nation-building—bringing the same discipline, market expertise, and community-centered approach that fueled its success in Visayas and Mindanao to a broader national stage.
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