DAVAO CITY — The real estate industry's rhythm is often measured in quarterly targets, groundbreaking ceremonies, and the quiet scratch of pens on contracts. But once a year, the numbers recede and the people who drive them take center stage. On Friday, May 8, 2026, Grand Land Inc., the property arm of the Gaisano Grand Group, once again hosted its Grandchella Annual Awards Gala at the 5th Floor Glasshouse of the Grand Regal Hotel. For the city's top-selling real estate superstars, the evening was an anticipated fixture on the calendar—an elegant convergence of recognition, legacy, and the unshakable confidence of a market in full bloom.
The annual tradition has become more than just a corporate ritual. It is a testament to the enduring partnership between a developer with deep roots in the Visayas-Mindanao corridor and the professional sales force that translates architectural ambition into sold units. With the darkening Davao skyline visible through floor-to-ceiling windows, the Glasshouse setting mirrored the transparency and upward trajectory that Grand Land President Ryan Bernard Go and Operations Director Benrick Ryan Go have sought to embed in the company's culture. The event was a celebration not just of individual performance, but of the collective trust and reputation that the firm has built since its inception in 2012.
Two Generations of Leadership Anchor a Night of Gratitude
At the heart of the gala stood the two leaders whose family name is synonymous with the sprawling Gaisano Grand ecosystem. Ryan Bernard Go, as President, has guided Grand Land through a period of aggressive yet calculated expansion. Under his stewardship, the company has moved from its Cebu stronghold to become a genuine multi-island developer. The year 2026 alone has seen the company break ground on the ASAI Cebu Oslob resort with Thai hospitality giant Dusit International, launch the upscale 33-story Auria Residences in Cebu, and begin the turnover of residential towers in the P2.5-billion Amani Grand Citygate complex here in Davao. These milestones provided a rich backdrop for the awards, proving to the sales force that the projects they sell are backed by a robust pipeline of new developments.
Steering the evening's energy alongside him was Operations Director Benrick Ryan Go, whose leadership style has infused the company's sales culture with a dynamic, forward-looking spirit. Benrick Ryan has consistently championed the role of innovation in the company's growth. During the 2024 Christmas celebrations at the same hotel, he spoke of looking "to the year 2025 with optimism and excitement." That excitement has materialized in 2026’s results, and on May 8, he stood before the company's "superstars" to reinforce the idea that their success is the engine driving Grand Land’s ability to transform cityscapes from Cebu to Davao.
Davao's Unstoppable Market Provides the Perfect Backdrop
The timing of the Grandchella gala could not have been more fitting given the current state of Davao's property sector. According to Colliers Philippines' market data for early May 2026, Davao’s condominium take-up rate has soared to 90 percent, while the house-and-lot segment in Davao del Sur has surged to a near-perfect 94 percent. Office vacancy rates have plummeted to a meager 3 percent, cementing the city's position as the most tightly contested real estate battleground outside Metro Manila. In this environment of high demand and intense competition, the relationship between a developer and its trusted agents becomes the ultimate differentiator.
For the awardees who took the stage, the recognition was a direct reflection of their ability to navigate this competitive landscape. The Grand Regal Hotel itself, owned and revitalized by the company, served as a tangible proof of concept—a once-underutilized asset repositioned as a thriving MICE and business hotel that attracts foot traffic and tourism to the JP Laurel Avenue corridor. The venue serves as an annual reminder to every agent in the room: the buildings you sell today become the landmarks of tomorrow.
Beyond the Gala: The Pipeline That Fuels a Sales Force
The Grandchella ceremony served a strategic purpose that extended beyond the immediate celebration. In an industry where top-performing agents frequently receive competing offers, maintaining a strong corporate culture is crucial for retention. The annual gala, with its upscale ambiance and the personal touch of the Goes, builds the kind of institutional loyalty that a simple commission check cannot buy. It communicates that the agent is not an outsourced salesperson but a vital partner in the company's mission to build "distinctive homes and commercial hubs."
The awards also shined a spotlight on the diverse inventory that Davao's agents have at their disposal. Amani Grand Citygate, located near Davao International Airport, has consistently been an award-winning project, with The Piazza component claiming Best Mid-Range Condo Development and Best Investment Property at the Dot Property Philippines Awards. Looking ahead, the sales force is expected to carry this momentum into newer phases and the burgeoning hospitality segment with ASAI Cebu Oslob. The Grandchella gala, therefore, was not simply a look back at the year that was; it was a launchpad for the sales cycle to come.
