MANILA, Philippines — November 5, 2026 | WWC ONE MEDIA | Philippine Business, Corporate Leadership & Employment
The Sy family’s business empire has earned fresh international recognition, with SM Investments Corporation and BDO Unibank securing places among Asia-Pacific’s 500 Best Employers for 2027, placing two of the Philippines’ largest corporate institutions alongside some of the world’s most recognizable companies.
The new ranking, published by TIME magazine in partnership with global data firm Statista, places BDO Unibank at No. 164 and SM Investments at No. 206.
The recognition comes as the SM Group continues expanding its businesses across banking, retail, shopping malls, property development and other industries.
But this time, the spotlight is not on billion-peso earnings, enormous shopping malls or the size of the conglomerate’s banking operations.
The ranking focuses on employees’ willingness to recommend their employers and workplace perceptions across Asia-Pacific.
The study considered more than 7,000 companies and collected responses from more than 80,000 employees between 2024 and 2026.
For SM, the results represent another form of recognition beyond conventional business performance.
However, the Philippines’ largest corporate groups were not the country’s highest-ranked employers.
Unilab led Philippine companies at No. 24, followed by Ayala Corporation at No. 32, Metrobank at No. 44, San Miguel Corporation at No. 55 and Jollibee Foods Corporation at No. 89.
The results raise an important question for the Sy-led conglomerate.
Can SM Investments and BDO translate their regional employer recognition into better career opportunities, stronger employee retention and long-term business growth—or will competition for talent become an even bigger challenge as Asian workplaces evolve?
BDO Ranks 164th, SM Investments Takes 206th Place
The newly released Asia-Pacific employer ranking provides a different perspective on some of the region’s biggest corporations.
BDO secured 164th place among 500 recognized companies.
Its parent-group flagship, SM Investments, ranked 206th.
Both operate within one of the Philippines’ most influential business groups, founded by the late businessman Henry Sy Sr.
SM Investments has interests in retail, banking, property and other investments.
BDO, meanwhile, is the country’s largest bank by assets, serving individuals, businesses and institutional customers.
The inclusion of both companies highlights the group’s presence across different industries.
However, the two rankings should be evaluated separately.
BDO and SM Investments are distinct listed companies with different business models, workforces and management structures.
Their placements are not combined into a single group score.
The recognition also does not mean that every SM subsidiary received an individual ranking.
SM CEO Frederic DyBuncio Highlights Employee Development
SM Investments President and CEO Frederic C. DyBuncio welcomed the recognition.
He said the company’s people are fundamental to the conglomerate’s continued expansion.
Management emphasized the importance of maintaining a workplace where employees receive support, feel respected and have opportunities to develop their careers.
The message reflects an increasingly important consideration for major employers: corporate growth depends on attracting, developing and retaining employees with the skills needed to operate expanding businesses.
For SM, those requirements differ significantly across its operations.
Retail businesses depend on store managers, sales personnel, logistics teams and merchandising professionals.
Property businesses require engineers, project managers, leasing specialists and building operations employees.
Banks need financial analysts, risk managers, technology specialists, customer-service professionals and compliance personnel.
Managing these different workforces requires substantial coordination and training.
However, the new employer ranking does not establish that all employees across the group receive identical benefits or experience the same working conditions.
How TIME and Statista Selected Asia-Pacific’s Best Employers
The 2027 ranking used a three-step methodology developed by TIME and Statista.
The research began with more than 7,000 major businesses.
To be eligible, companies generally needed at least 1,000 employees in the Asia-Pacific region and operations in at least two markets covered by the study.
More than 80,000 part-time and full-time employees participated in surveys conducted between 2024 and 2026.
Respondents identified their employers without being recruited directly by those companies.
The ranking relied on two principal measures.
The first assessed whether employees would recommend their current or previous employer to others.
The second considered how workers viewed other companies in their industry.
Greater weight was assigned to direct recommendations because those responses provide information about people’s experiences within an organization.
The resulting scores were used to determine the 500 highest-ranked employers.
This methodology measures employee recommendations and employer reputation.
It is not an official government labor inspection, a workplace-safety audit or an assessment of whether companies comply with every employment regulation.
Unilab, Ayala and Metrobank Rank Above SM and BDO
Although the SM Group’s inclusion is significant, other Philippine companies earned stronger positions.
United Laboratories, better known as Unilab, emerged as the country’s highest-ranked employer at No. 24.
Ayala Corporation followed in 32nd place.
Metrobank ranked 44th, San Miguel Corporation 55th and Jollibee Foods Corporation 89th.
Del Monte Philippines was listed at No. 105.
BDO came next among these major Filipino companies at No. 164, followed by Philippine Airlines at No. 186 and AboitizPower at No. 196.
SM Investments ranked 206th.
Other Philippine businesses included Solaire Resort & Casino, RCBC, JG Summit Holdings, Century Pacific Group, Megaworld, PLDT, ABS-CBN and Max’s Group.
The broad representation shows that Philippine employers are competing across many industries for regional recognition.
However, ranking differences do not independently establish that one company’s salaries, benefits or promotion opportunities are superior in every respect.
Those questions require separate workplace data.
Global Technology Companies Dominate the Top 10
At the regional level, American semiconductor-equipment manufacturer KLA took the No. 1 position.
JPMorganChase ranked second.
Australian design platform Canva placed third, followed by Microsoft and Sony Corporation.
LEGO, Toyota Group, Nintendo, Alphabet and financial technology company Wise completed the top 10.
TIME’s reporting highlighted the importance of technology, banking, software and semiconductor businesses in Asia-Pacific’s employment landscape.
These sectors are expanding in response to demand for digital services, artificial intelligence, financial technology and advanced manufacturing.
However, fast-growing industries can also face restructuring and changes in workforce requirements.
A strong ranking today does not guarantee that a company will avoid layoffs, hiring slowdowns or organizational changes in the future.
BDO’s Recognition Comes Alongside ₱63.6 Billion in Earnings
BDO’s employer ranking comes shortly after the bank announced its latest financial results.
The institution generated ₱63.6 billion in net income during the first nine months of 2026, compared with ₱63.1 billion a year earlier.
Its customer loan portfolio expanded 16% to approximately ₱4.1 trillion.
Net interest income increased 11%, while pre-provision operating profit rose 10%.
These figures demonstrate the scale of the bank’s operations.
WWC ONE MEDIA previously examined the results in BDO Profit Hits ₱63.6 Billion as Loans Surge to ₱4.1 Trillion — But Why Is Earnings Growth Barely Moving?.
The report explored why BDO’s lending operations expanded much faster than its final net earnings.
The new employer recognition adds a different dimension to the story.
For a bank managing trillions of pesos in customer loans and deposits, skilled employees are important to financial analysis, cybersecurity, customer service, risk management and regulatory compliance.
But there is no evidence that the TIME–Statista ranking directly caused BDO’s financial performance.
Workplace recognition and corporate earnings should be treated as separate indicators.
Large Corporate Deals Highlight BDO’s Need for Specialized Talent
BDO’s growing corporate banking operations also demonstrate the importance of specialized financial expertise.
In September, International Container Terminal Services Inc. secured a US$1-billion, 10-year loan facility from BDO.
WWC ONE MEDIA covered the transaction in ICTSI Secures $1-Billion BDO Loan as Global Port Expansion Accelerates.
Transactions of this size can involve detailed credit assessment, financial modeling, legal documentation, risk management and ongoing monitoring.
Those responsibilities require experienced professionals.
For BDO, attracting and retaining financial-services talent is therefore a practical business consideration.
However, the bank has not disclosed in the employer-ranking announcement how the recognition will affect hiring, compensation or future employment levels.
The available evidence establishes that BDO received the ranking, not that it has already generated measurable recruitment benefits.
SM Investments Continues Expanding Across Philippine Industries
SM Investments’ recognition comes during a period of substantial business activity.
For the first half of 2026, the conglomerate reported approximately ₱45.9 billion in consolidated net income, an increase of 8% from the previous year.
Revenue rose 6% to ₱339.2 billion.
Banking contributed the largest share of consolidated earnings, followed by property, retail and other portfolio investments.
The group’s diversified structure creates demand for employees with different qualifications and professional backgrounds.
A major retail organization must manage inventory, merchandising and customer experience.
A property developer depends on construction, engineering, commercial leasing and facilities management.
Financial institutions require personnel trained in banking operations, technology and compliance.
As these businesses expand, companies must assess whether workforce development keeps pace with operational growth.
The TIME–Statista recognition provides evidence of favorable employee recommendations within the ranking’s survey framework.
It does not quantify future hiring or job creation.
Corporate Governance Adds Another Dimension to Employer Reputation
Workplace reputation is also influenced by the broader quality of organizational leadership.
In October 2026, SM Investments received its third consecutive Five Golden Arrow Award from the Institute of Corporate Directors.
Its affiliates SM Prime Holdings and China Banking Corporation also received Five Golden Arrows, while BDO earned Four Golden Arrows.
The awards were based on corporate governance standards covering transparency, accountability, shareholder rights and board oversight.
These are different measures from the employee-recommendation criteria used by TIME and Statista.
Governance awards assess corporate oversight practices.
Employer rankings assess workplace experiences and industry perceptions.
Strong performance in one category does not automatically establish strong performance in every other category.
Nevertheless, large companies benefit from evaluating both leadership systems and employee experiences when assessing long-term organizational resilience.
Other Philippine Companies Are Winning Workplace Recognition
SM and BDO are not alone in seeking recognition for their workplace cultures.
Another Philippine property company, Megaworld, recently climbed to No. 22 in Fortune’s 2026 Best Companies to Work For in Southeast Asia list.
The company advanced from 90th place the previous year.
WWC ONE MEDIA examined that achievement in Megaworld Soars 68 Places to No. 22 on Fortune’s Southeast Asia Best Employers List.
That award uses a different methodology from TIME and Statista’s 2027 Asia-Pacific ranking.
Fortune’s Southeast Asia list was developed with Great Place To Work and relies on its own employee-feedback framework.
The ranking positions and scores are therefore not directly interchangeable.
For example, Megaworld’s No. 22 position on Fortune’s Southeast Asia list should not be compared directly against BDO’s No. 164 or SM Investments’ No. 206 positions in TIME’s broader Asia-Pacific ranking.
Different survey populations, geographic coverage and assessment methods produce different results.
Could Better Workplace Reputation Help Companies Compete?
Employer recognition can have potential business benefits.
Job applicants may consider a company’s reputation when deciding where to apply.
Existing employees may respond positively to investments in career development, leadership and workplace communication.
Companies may also find that strong employee relationships support customer service and operational stability.
But the benefits should not be overstated.
A placement in an employer ranking does not guarantee lower employee turnover, faster recruitment or higher productivity.
Those outcomes require additional measurements.
For SM and BDO, the next step is demonstrating how their workplace initiatives affect employees over time.
Relevant indicators could include employee retention, training participation, promotion opportunities, workplace satisfaction and recruitment outcomes.
The ranking provides a useful reference point, but it is not a complete evaluation of employment conditions.
Artificial Intelligence Creates a New Talent Challenge
One of the biggest pressures facing Asia-Pacific employers is the changing nature of work.
Artificial intelligence is altering the skills required in banking, technology, manufacturing and professional services.
Some routine tasks may become more automated.
Other jobs may require new capabilities involving data analysis, AI tools, cybersecurity and digital operations.
TIME’s analysis of the regional ranking noted growing concerns about workforce transformation.
For financial institutions such as BDO, digital services and AI-based tools can affect customer interactions, financial analysis and internal operations.
For diversified groups such as SM Investments, technology can influence retail logistics, inventory systems, property management and corporate administration.
Employees may need ongoing training to adapt.
The challenge for employers is ensuring that productivity improvements are accompanied by clear career-development opportunities.
Strong employer reputations may become more valuable as workers evaluate whether organizations will support them through technological change.
What the Recognition Means for Filipino Job Seekers
For people considering careers at SM Investments, BDO or other listed companies, the ranking provides additional information about employer reputation.
However, job seekers should examine more than the position on a published list.
Compensation, benefits, working arrangements, management quality, location and opportunities for advancement can differ across departments and roles.
A company’s overall ranking does not establish that every branch, office or business unit provides an identical experience.
Applicants should review actual job descriptions and contractual terms before accepting employment.
For employers, the same principle applies.
Recognition can support recruitment efforts, but long-term employee satisfaction depends on everyday workplace practices.
What Independent News Outlets Confirm
InsiderPH reported on November 4 that BDO ranked 164th and SM Investments placed 206th in TIME and Statista’s Asia-Pacific Best Employers 2027 list.
The Philippine Star independently confirmed those rankings and documented the broader Philippine representation.
Context.ph also published the ranking positions of major local companies, including Unilab, Ayala, Metrobank, BDO and SM Investments.
Bilyonaryo reported that 19 Philippine companies appeared in the regional ranking, with five placing among the top 100.
TIME and Statista’s methodology establishes that the ranking was based on employees’ recommendations and employer perceptions collected between 2024 and 2026.
The same methodology confirms that the research considered more than 7,000 companies and surveyed more than 80,000 employees.
These findings support the recognition announced by SM.
However, the available reports do not provide company-specific employee turnover rates, salary comparisons or quantified recruitment benefits attributable to the ranking.
Those outcomes should not be invented.
The Bottom Line: Recognition Is Valuable, but Workplace Performance Still Matters
SM Investments and BDO have added another international distinction to the Sy family’s corporate portfolio.
The two companies secured 206th and 164th places, respectively, among Asia-Pacific’s 500 best employers for 2027.
The results reflect employee evaluations and workplace perceptions across the region.
For SM, the recognition comes alongside continued expansion in banking, retail and property.
For BDO, it arrives as the bank manages a loan portfolio exceeding ₱4 trillion and continues investing in financial services.
But the rankings also demonstrate the strength of competition among Philippine employers.
Unilab, Ayala, Metrobank, San Miguel and Jollibee all earned higher positions.
And as artificial intelligence changes the workplace, companies will need to provide employees with new skills, stronger career pathways and confidence about their future.
SM Investments and BDO have earned recognition among Asia-Pacific’s leading employers. The bigger challenge is maintaining that reputation as their businesses grow and workplace expectations change.
As the Sy family’s flagship conglomerate and banking giant celebrate their places among the region’s 500 best employers, can they turn employee recognition into a lasting advantage—or will the intensifying battle for talent force even the Philippines’ biggest corporations to rethink how they attract, develop and retain their people?
