PROPERTY developer Ayala Land Inc. has broken ground on its newest and biggest project in Mindanao — Ascenda, a 204-hectare mixed-use estate in Toril, Davao City.
Ascenda is Ayala Land’s 54th estate and its first horizontal estate in Mindanao. It also marks the company’s largest single investment in the region, with a planned investment of ₱10.3 billion.
The development is a partnership between Ayala Land and Mindanao-based conglomerate Anflocor, and is positioned to become a key part of Davao’s growing urban landscape.
“Davao is truly a city on the rise,” said Ayala Land president and chief executive Anna Ma. Margarita .
“With major infrastructure projects like the Samal-Davao Bridge, the Coastal Road, and the Davao Bypass Road, we see strong momentum in the region. Ascenda aims to support that growth by offering a modern, upgraded lifestyle.”
Major step
Davao City was recently named one of the safest cities in the Philippines by the World Travel Index (July 2025). For Ayala Land, it’s not just about safety—it’s about long-term potential.
“Davao has been on our radar since the 1970s,” said Dy. “We were the first major developer to invest here when we launched Insular Village. Then came Abreeza in 2011 and Azuela Cove in 2017. Now with Ascenda, we’re going full blast.”
Ascenda will offer the first Ayala Land Premier residential village in Davaom called Virendo, and will be the first major development to benefit from the new Davao Bypass Road, cutting travel time to and from the city.
Located just 16 kilometers from downtown, the estate balances accessibility with natural surroundings, reflecting Ayala Land’s focus on sustainable, nature-inspired communities.
The estate master plan was developed with the help of Henning Larsen, an international design firm known for its work on Singapore’s Bishan Park. Like Bishan, Ascenda will feature green corridors, waterways, and open spaces to create a healthy, livable environment.
“We call Ascenda ‘Davao’s Nature-Inspired Southern Gateway,’” Dy explained. “It’s designed to connect people not just to the city, but to nature.”
Built to grow
Ascenda will have two main components, a 65-hectare Town Center, with commercial lots, restaurants, cafés, greenways, and a community church and a 139-hectare residential area, including top residential brands from Ayala Land.
The Town Center is designed to be the commercial and cultural heart of the estate. It will include open-air shopping streets and spaces for community gatherings, while supporting Davao’s growing business and tourism potential.
Dy said Ascenda is expected to see strong value appreciation over time, much like Ayala developments in Makati, Bonifacio Global City and Nuvali.
“We’ve seen how our estates in Luzon and Visayas have grown in value and become thriving centers,” she said. “Ascenda will do the same for Davao.”
Ayala Land currently manages over 50 estates nationwide, including Makati CBD, Bonifacio Global City, Cebu Business Park, Nuvali and Alviera.
