BACOLOD CITY – A new residential community in Barangay Tangub marked its official launch with a special nod to the brokerage that helped drive its early sales. Leuterio Realty & Brokerage Inc. was named Top 1 Realty by developer Mario Luzuriaga & Daughter Development Corporation (ML&D Development Corp.) during the grand launching of Akina Villas. The award, signed by ML&D President Mario V. Luzuriaga and VP-Operations Imelda S. Luzuriaga, recognized the brokerage’s accumulated sales covering the period November 2024 to February 2026.

The recognition highlights the strong working relationship between the homegrown Bacolod developer and one of the country’s fastest-growing real estate service firms. Leuterio Realty, which also operates under the Filipinohomes brand, was singled out from among multiple agency partners for its consistent uptake of units in the 20-hectare master-planned community.

ML&D Development Corp. and Akina Villas: A Bacolod housing anchor

María Luzuriaga & Daughter Development Corp. is a Bacolod-based developer with a portfolio covering economic and socialized housing segments. Its flagship project, Akina Villas (also marketed as Akina Villas South), is a 20-hectare master-planned residential community located along the Circumferential Road in Barangay Tangub. The development offers a mix of bungalow and two-storey home designs, with seven floor plans ranging from affordable starter units to more spacious family dwellings. Seven thoughtfully designed floor plans, including bungalow and two-storey homes, are available.

Akina Villas is positioned as a flood‑free subdivision that balances suburban tranquility with urban accessibility. It is situated near the soon‑to‑rise New Bacolod Auditorium, MassKara Coliseum, and Panaad Stadium – venues that are expected to drive long‑term property appreciation and rental demand. Property values in Barangay Tangub have been appreciating at an estimated 5–8 percent annually, driven by these upcoming government infrastructure projects. The subdivision is also designed to be accessible to persons with disabilities, with wide roads and pathways, and ground‑floor units available for accessibility requirements.

Leuterio Realty’s market-leading performance

The Top 1 Realty award spans a 15‑month sales period that captures both the pre‑selling and early construction phases of Akina Villas. Leuterio Realty agents were able to match the project’s value proposition – affordable house‑and‑lot packages in a developing corridor – with the growing pool of first‑time homebuyers and returning overseas Filipino workers looking for properties under ₱4 million. The brokerage’s nation‑wide agent network and its integration with Filipinohomes’ multi‑listing platform provided the reach and buyer‑matching efficiency that distinguished it from other realty firms selling the project.

During the grand launching event, the developer publicly acknowledged the pivotal role played by Leuterio Realty in pre‑selling a substantial portion of Akina Villas’ initial phases. Mario V. Luzuriaga, president of ML&D, handed the plaque to representatives of the brokerage, underscoring how professional agency partnerships are essential to sustaining momentum in a market where project inventory continues to expand.

Why Bacolod is a 2026 real estate magnet

Bacolod City’s housing market is being energized by two major national sports events that are filling hotels, transient homes, and rental properties. From May 9 to 16, the National Private Schools Athletic Association (PRISAA) Games are unfolding across 24 venues in the City of Smiles, drawing more than 12,000 delegates from 17 regions. The grand opening at Panaad Park and Stadium on May 9 was streamed live, and the city government together with the Negros Occidental provincial government provided financial assistance, logistical support, billeting areas, transport, and security augmentation for the week‑long event. The influx of athletes, coaches and officials has driven occupancy rates up significantly, benefitting residential projects located within a short drive of the competition hubs.

Looking ahead, Bacolod is set to host the Batang Pinoy National Championships from December 12 to 18, 2026. The Philippine Sports Commission and the city government signed a memorandum of agreement on May 9 formalizing the hosting arrangement, with PSC Chairperson Patrick Gregorio noting that because athletes as young as 8 cannot travel by themselves, the event could draw about 15,000 delegates and potentially triple to 45,000 arrivals including family members. The economic multiplier effect of such gatherings makes well‑located subdivisions like Akina Villas more attractive to investors who see sports tourism as a steady driver of short‑term rental demand.

The Bakasyon line of commerce is also expanding. New dining spots such as Qians Coffee along Eastwalk and the third branch of Coffee Culture Roastery on Lacson Street have opened, adding to the city’s vibrant food and beverage scene. Pasalidahon, a weekend market at the Bacolod Government Center grounds launched on May 3, continues every Sunday, drawing foot traffic and increasing the liveability quotient of residential zones within a 15‑minute radius of the Government Center.

Strengthening the developer‑broker partnership

For Leuterio Realty & Brokerage, the Top 1 Realty award adds another industry endorsement to its growing list of recognitions. The brokerage, which is licensed and has been operating since 2008, has consistently been a top seller for developer partners across Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. The ML&D award is notable not only for the sales volume it represents but also for the period it covers – spanning the last two months of 2024, all of 2025, and the first two months of 2026. That timeframe includes months when the broader housing market was adjusting to elevated interest rates and higher construction costs, making the sustained performance even more significant.

By securing the Top 1 Realty spot at the Akina Villas grand launch, Leuterio Realty reinforces its position as a go‑to channel for developers seeking reliable, high‑volume sales partners. In turn, agents selling Akina Villas can point to the award as a mark of trust from a Bacolod‑based developer, giving prospective buyers additional confidence in both the project and the brokerage handling their transaction. With ML&D’s 20‑hectare pipeline still unfolding and the city’s sports‑tourism calendar filling up for the rest of 2026, the partnership is well‑placed to continue driving affordable homeownership among Negrense families, backed by the full resources of the country’s largest real estate network.