Whether through sustaining Megaworld Corp.’s success in building game-changing townships or leading the successful rebrand of Newport World Resorts, all the way down to ensuring that every company within his family’s sprawling business empire is living up to its full potential, scion and businessman Kevin Tan is making the world a better place — not just for himself or for his family — but for every Filipino.
By JOSE PAOLO S. DELA CRUZ
As 2024 draws to a close, the visionary CEO of Alliance Global Group Inc. (AGI) — whose subsidiaries include business heavyweights such as Megaworld, Travellers International, Emperador and Golden Arches, among others — finds many reasons to be grateful.
For starters, AGI has been named as one of Fortune “Southeast Asia 500” and has entered the Forbes “List of World’s 700 Best Employers” in 2024. It has also been recognized as one of Time’s “World’s Best Companies” 2024. “These further highlight the strength and resilience of our diverse portfolio. They also underscore our commitment to sustainability and our dedication to the well-being of our employees, customers and the communities we serve,” says Kevin Tan, who also holds several strategic positions in some companies within the rapidly growing group.
In addition, AGI also reported a net income of P20 billion during the first nine months of the year, after earning a total of P161.6 in consolidated revenues as of Nov. 14. — up P11.2 billion from last year’s P150.4 billion.
While these achievements are testaments to the group’s success and capabilities, the eldest son of AGI’s founder and chairman, Dr. Andrew L. Tan, quickly adds that their mission goes beyond mere numbers and accolades.
“I have always admired my father’s work and felt deeply connected to the vision he built — a vision of creating something lasting and meaningful. I share his passion for building not just businesses, but legacies that uplift lives and transform communities,” says Kevin. “This journey goes beyond personal ambition; it’s about carrying forward a vision that creates a lasting difference.”
A township for every year
To celebrate its 35th year, AGI’s real estate arm Megaworld Corp. has started building its 35th township, the 117-hectare The Upper Central in Cagayan de Oro City. “We are on track to complete this milestone by the end of 2024, which is perfectly aligned with our 35th anniversary,” says Kevin. He also says that the sustained growth of the township model is one of his “proudest achievements in business.”
The development joins the ranks of Megaworld’s other well-received townships such as the 84-hectare premium mixed-use beachfront community Ilocandia Coastown in Ilocos Norte and the 25-hectare wellness-centered community San Benito Private Estate in Lipa, Batangas. “Over the next decade, we’re investing P15 billion to bring Megaworld’s signature ‘live-work-play’ lifestyle to Northern Luzon, unlocking the area’s potential as a prime destination,” he adds.
A Megaworld signature, the township concept was born from a desire to enhance people’s lifestyles by creating well-planned, self-sustaining communities that provide the opportunity to live in a cosmopolitan, efficient and vibrant environment. The goal, Kevin says, is to provide a seamless urban living experience where everything — homes, offices, schools, retail spaces and recreational areas — is thoughtfully integrated and accessible, often eliminating the need for long commutes or a car.
“By developing townships across the country, we aim to offer Filipinos a modern, connected and first-world standard of living. Each township reflects our commitment to creating communities that inspire and empower,” he adds.
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The best of the world
As chairman of Travellers International Hotel Group, Inc., Kevin is also immensely proud of the transformative rebranding of Newport World Resorts, which he and his team re-established as a premier destination for world-class entertainment, leisure and hospitality.
Among its many gems is the elegant Hotel Okura Manila, which earned a place in the Michelin Guide’s 2024 selection.
“Our contributions to the Philippine tourism industry through our hospitality ventures are another significant source of pride. This year, we opened the country’s largest hotel — the Grand Westside Hotel in Westside City, Parañaque City — with 1,500 room keys. Today, AGI stands as the largest hotel operator in the Philippines, with nearly 8,000 room keys nationwide,” he explains.
Kevin says that he is also particularly proud of bringing iconic global brands to the Philippines, such as the Gordon Ramsay Bar & Grill at Newport World Resorts, and Tesla, which recently launched its flagship Experience Center in Uptown Bonifacio. “These additions not only enhance our developments but also position the Philippines as a world-class destination,” he says.
AGI is also not just bringing the best of the world into the Philippines. It’s also bringing out the best in many Filipinos — especially those in the hospitality industry.
“Investing in our people is crucial, particularly in a dynamic industry like hospitality. We see this as an opportunity to equip Filipinos with the skills they need to excel and become leaders both locally and internationally. As such, we established the Academy for Leisure and Tourism (ALT), which serves as the educational arm of Newport World Resorts,” he shares.
Named after AGI chairman Dr. Andrew L. Tan, ALT offers a variety of accredited training programs in areas such as food and beverage service, culinary arts, hotel operations, gaming and entertainment. The goal is to train at least 1,000 Filipino hospitality professionals and students annually and help equip them with industry-grade skills and a solid foundation in service excellence. By offering direct employment opportunities after training, ALT also aims to encourage talents to stay and thrive within the local industry, contributing to its growth and raising standards.
But what if this new generation of talents opt to take their skills abroad? For Kevin, it’s all good just the same.
“We embrace our role as a talent development hub, focusing on training and nurturing Filipino professionals who excel wherever they go. While we know that some may eventually be recruited abroad, we take pride in knowing that many of these talented individuals will eventually return, bringing back valuable global experience that further enriches our local industry,” he adds.
The Megaworld Foundation, which offers scholarships to empower young Filipinos in pursuing their studies, is another testament to the group’s commitment to education, sustainability and supporting Filipino talent.
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More to come
As another year begins, Kevin emphasizes the group’s commitment to generating five million direct and indirect jobs across the Philippines, driving economic growth in key regions and creating long-term positive impacts.
“As a proudly Filipino company with a global presence, AGI remains dedicated to driving economic progress and enhancing the Filipino lifestyle through innovative developments. We are strengthening our investment in the Philippines’ tourism and hospitality sector, aiming to expand our hotel room count to 12,000 over the next four years,” he explains.
Travellers International is also expanding beyond Metro Manila with major projects like Boracay World Resorts, which will include a one-kilometer private beach, an 18-hole golf course and resort villas; and Mactan World Resorts, a $400-million hotel and casino project set to open in 2026. It is also building the country’s first Grand Opera House — a 2,100-seat venue in Entertainment City, Pasay, which falls in line with the group’s vision to establish the Philippines as the Broadway of Asia.
AGI also takes environmental stewardship very seriously and has set ambitious sustainability targets, including achieving carbon neutrality by 2030.
Family man
Before growing into one of the country’s most respected business figures, Kevin is, first and foremost a son. And it is in the Tan home that he first learned the most valuable lessons, both in business and in life.
“While I explored other interests along the way, I gradually discovered that working toward a purpose that impacts society on a large scale has always resonated with me. Seeing the positive changes we bring to people’s lives affirmed that this was the path I was meant to follow,” he shares.
From his mother Katherine, Kevin learned to be grounded in faith and to live with good values. “She taught me to be God-fearing, to treat others with respect and always be a gentleman. She also instilled the importance of kindness and generosity, teaching me to be charitable, give back to those in need, and approach life with compassion and empathy.”
He now tries to impart the same values to his children, with the help of his wife Michelle. “At home, my leadership style is supportive and encouraging. My wife is very hands-on with the kids’ schooling, while I bring a sense of adventure and light-heartedness into our family life. I want my children to follow their own dreams while growing up with values like integrity, hard work and kindness. My hope is simply for them to be happy, resilient and able to make a difference in whatever they choose to do,” he concludes.
Photography by RAP YU
Art direction by DEXTER FRANCIS DE VERA
Styling by EDRICK PAZ
Grooming by LARS CABANACAN
Shot on location at Hilton Manila, Newport City