CEBU CITY, Philippines — The University of Asia and the Pacific (UA&P) has officially expanded its footprint to the Visayas with the launch of the UA&P Cebu Center for Executive Education. The inauguration, held on Thursday, April 23, 2026, marks a strategic move to bring the university’s specialized leadership and business programs closer to the growing hub of entrepreneurs and industry leaders in Central Philippines.
Located at the Latitude Corporate Center within the Cebu Business Park, the new facility is a collaboration between UA&P and prominent local developer Cebu Landmasters Inc. (CLI).
The center was established through a partnership with the Soberano family’s Cebu Landmasters, which provided the venue and development support.
- The Vision: UA&P Board Chair Jose Cuisia Jr. described the center as a “hub for meaningful learning and leadership formation,” designed to help decision-makers navigate an increasingly complex global economic environment.
- Geographic Gateway: UA&P President John Philip Yeung emphasized that the move is more than just a physical expansion, calling it a “new gateway” to engage the leaders shaping the Visayan economy.
- Institutional Support: Key figures present at the launch included UA&P co-founders Dr. Bernardo Villegas and Dr. Jesus Estanislao, as well as CLI senior EVP Jose Franco Soberano.
The Cebu hub is specifically tailored for senior professionals and executives, featuring:
- Executive Classrooms: Modern spaces designed for high-engagement, collaborative learning.
- Specialized Certificates: Short-term, high-impact programs covering business strategy, marketing, economics, governance, and law.
- Values-Driven Approach: True to UA&P’s mission, the programs will focus on combining technical competence with ethical, values-based leadership.
The launch comes at a time when the Philippine economy is facing headwinds. Recent UA&P economic briefings suggest that the country’s GDP likely grew by only 3.1% in the first quarter of 2026, largely due to the fallout from the ongoing conflict in the Middle East and its impact on fuel and commodity prices.
By establishing a permanent presence in Cebu, UA&P aims to provide regional leaders with the analytical tools and strategic foresight needed to manage these macroeconomic challenges.
The university’s choice of location underscores Cebu’s status as a major economic and cultural powerhouse. With the Visayas continuing to attract significant investment in real estate, tourism, and technology, the new education hub is positioned to become a central platform for the region’s professional development and intellectual discourse.
