Leaders

In a world where dreams often collide with reality, real estate stands as a powerful bridge, turning bold visions into tangible change. It's more than bricks and mortar, it’s about building communities, shaping skylines, and unlocking possibilities for generations. Mylene Oaña-Swarbrick, Founder and CEO of House Land Development Corp, embodies the spirit of vision, resilience, and entrepreneurial grit.

Today, she helms not just one but four interconnected companies, each playing a strategic role in the real estate ecosystem she has built from the ground up. At the core is House Land Development, her flagship firm focused on affordable housing.

Complementing it are her REMAX franchise for sales and brokerage; a dedicated construction company that serves as the in-house contractor; and Hexagon Land, her luxury housing venture aimed at portfolio diversification.

Raised in a farming family, Mylene’s journey was far from easy. Her early years were shaped by discipline and the drive to overcome adversity. A pivotal moment came in high school when she read Sidney Sheldon’s The Stars Shine Down, featuring a skyscraper magnate that deeply resonated with her childhood dream to one day transform lives through real estate. That dream never left her, guiding her through education and into a career that

now spans the full spectrum of property development, from low-cost homes to high-end estates.

Tell us about your educational journey. What led you to foray into the field of real estate?

I initially pursued a bachelor's degree in Computer Engineering, but didn’t complete it as I reached my fourth year and was only short of submitting a thesis. As a working student, I had already begun gaining experience, which eventually led me down a different path.

I first joined Accenture as part of their HR team, then moved to a financing company, where I learned the intricacies of financial operations. This exposure laid the foundation for my first venture in financing, which eventually transitioned into real estate.

To strengthen my expertise, I later completed an Executive Diploma in Real Estate Management from De La Salle University, deepening my knowledge in a field I had long been passionate about. While I once dreamed of building skyscrapers, I couldn’t ignore the reality on the ground, especially the urgent need for affordable housing in the Philippines.

Many minimum-and middle-income earners are priced out of high-rise condominiums, leaving a vast, underserved market. This realization inspired me to focus on low-cost and socialized housing, where I believe real impact can be made.

Take us through your professional journey in the Philippines’ real estate sector. What have been some crucial turning points in your professional journey?

Despite starting as a full-fledged developer, I began with just one house, bidding on a foreclosed property from a bank. That one house turned into two, then four, and eventually twenty. Just as I was preparing to officially launch my company and scale up as a developer, the pandemic hit. It was a critical moment, a make-or-break situation. Despite the challenges of selling virtually and managing operations remotely, I pushed through.

The pandemic became a turning point that solidified my mission: to redefine low-cost housing in the Philippines. Traditionally, socialized housing here has been bare and basic structures. I wanted to change that by building homes so well-designed and livable that I myself would be proud to reside

in them. Our first project sold out in just six months, proving that there was a strong demand for quality, affordable homes. Since then, I have launched multiple projects, three completed, others ongoing, and continue to expand with a clear focus: to provide resilient, dignified housing for minimum and middle-income earners who have long been underserved.

What inspired you to establish House Land Development? Tell us about the underlying idea and vision behind the venture?

House Land Development Corp is deeply personal to me. In the Philippines, I see several hardworking families who, despite their efforts, still struggle financially and are deprived of quality housing. While high-rise condominiums are everywhere, they remain out of reach for many. This disparity both inspired and compelled me to establish House Land Development, to redefine socialized housing and make affordable, dignified homes accessible to those who need them most. That mission is at the very heart of why I built the company.

In addition, I have launched Hexagon Land Corporation, a new joint venture where I also serve as President. This venture will primarily cater to the open market and partially to the luxury segment.

In your opinion, what are some of the most challenging aspects of being an entrepreneur in the Philippines’ real estate sector? How do you navigate through these roadblocks successfully?

Real estate has traditionally been a male-dominated industry, especially in the Philippines, where the sector is highly competitive and burdened by red tape. Being a woman leader in this space has not been easy, but I have learned to navigate the challenges by staying grounded and surrounding myself with a strong, capable team. Most of my engineers are men, but we work together with mutual respect and shared purpose.

What truly helps is leading with passion, making decisions based on both data and values, and staying hands-on. I remain deeply involved in every aspect of the business, from on-site operations to high-level management, ensuring I am present, visible, and supportive at every level.

Looking back at your professional journey, what key milestones have you achieved so far? Which core values power your entrepreneurial journey?

One of the most significant milestones in my journey was overcoming the challenges of the pandemic, especially as I was just starting. Despite the uncertainty, we consistently sold out our projects in record time and built a brand that people trust. But beyond the numbers, what mattered most to me was being able to create jobs and uplift communities at a time when many were losing theirs. In every subdivision I develop, I focus on building not just houses but communities with small businesses and local livelihoods woven in.

The restrictions during the pandemic made things especially difficult, particularly with construction being temporarily halted. But I was determined to keep my workers employed. We provided on-site housing so they could safely continue working and maintain their income.

At the heart of everything I do are the values of integrity, humility, and a relentless commitment to growth and excellence. My passion for real estate and compassion for people are what continue to drive the success of this business.

How do you foresee the Philippines’ real estate sector landscape evolving going forward? Which industry trends will create a strong impact in the near future?

Real estate is evolving rapidly, especially with the rise of AI and digital tools that are transforming how we sell properties and develop communities. Despite these changes, I believe socialized housing will continue to drive significant impact and demand, particularly in the Philippines, where the majority of the population consists of minimum and middle-income earners.

This is evident in my own projects, which are primarily designed for this segment and consistently sell out without issue. The core challenge in the country is not a lack of housing, but a mismatch between property prices and buyers’ financial capacities. As long as this gap exists, the demand for affordable and well-designed housing will remain strong, and addressing it will be key to the industry's future.

Mylene Oaña-Swarbrick, Founder and CEO, House Land Development Corporation

Mylene Oaña-Swarbrick is the Founder and CEO of House Land Development Corporation, a dynamic real estate firm committed to redefining af­fordable housing in the Philippines. A visionary entrepreneur, Mylene leads a group of four interconnected com­panies, including a REMAX franchise, a construction firm, and Hexagon Land, her luxury housing brand, each serving a strategic role in her mission to build resilient, inclusive communities. Though she began her career in HR and finance, she moved into real estate, launching her company at the onset of the pandemic, turning adversity into opportunity, creating jobs, ensuring continuous site operations despite restrictions, and building trust through hands-on leadership.