Homeowners continue to pay homage to developers
Property developers are partly the reason why many families and hardworking individuals continue to enjoy and anticipate with much eagerness new beginnings and the coming into fruition of lifelong dreams—that of owning a home.
As developers remain committed to their promise to deliver high quality structures in masterplanned communities, many Filipinos will continue to reap the benefits and be able to truly live the good life.
Indeed, ensuring the satisfaction of every homeowner has always been the end goal of every responsible and trustworthy developer. For them, building beautiful homes and creating safe communities go beyond the lucrative promise of earning good money. Part of the goal is to help enhance the quality of lives of many hardworking and deserving Filipinos.
Yet again, here are some individuals and families who are now taking time out to pay homage to developers whose well planned structures have helped provide a more secure and comfortable life for them. Here’s what they have to say.
REGGEE AND MYLA BRIONES
AVIDA LAND
The search for a home that would offer the perfect suburban vibe led husband and wife Reggee and Myla Briones to settle in Avida Land’s Ridgeview Estates in Nuvali.
“I love the suburban life and our home is a reflection of that and more. Here one would immediately feel and know what really matters to each and every member of our family. Every part is a reflection of the things that we love and truly appreciate in life. Each themed room is inspired by my family’s interests and tastes,” Myla said.
Avida Land, according to Myla, allowed her family to live the life they’ve always wanted by giving them the opportunity to design their home based on their interests and passion. Upon entry to the three-level home of this young family, one would see how the design has been influenced by their favorite Hollywood movies.
“We have the entertainment room which is designed really to fit my husbands interest. The room has a large billiard table, Final Fantasy swords on the walls, and a deck overlooking the neighborhood. But what I really consider as the best part of the house would be the multi-function family room which we painted in bold red and houses gaming consoles, fitness equipment, and my very own performance stage complete with a disco ball lamp to up the ante,” Myla related.
Myla however admitted that while planning for the house, they realized that their biggest challenge was how to divide the space.
“We wanted to have a spacious movie room and playroom, but we also wanted to expand the bathroom on the second floor because my kids requested a bath tub. Then we decided to keep my parents with us so we needed to give them a room downstairs. That is why the space for our kitchen was compromised,” she related. “But many have said that our house is spacious, bright, and has a lot of place to go. In combination with our facilities here, they even say it’s like a staycation here.”
ELENITA DELA CRUZ
STA. LUCIA LAND INC.
The fascinating sight of a flying airplane started it all.
Elenita dela Cruz, who hails from San Miguel, Bulacan, still clearly remembers how she got to Italy. A student then, Dela Cruz would often hear and see planes fly by her hometown which made the experience of riding an actual plane even more alluring.
“I was still in college when my sister left for Italy to try her luck and for five years, she wasn’t able to come home because that time she lacked proper documentation. But as luck would have it, my sister was one of those who benefited from the amnesty that the government granted, so that’s when she asked me to go with her. And since I was the only one that was single at that time, it was most ideal that I be the one to take on the opportunity of working abroad to help my family,” Dela Cruz said.
Dela Cruz was 19 years old when she first set foot in Italy, where she eventually got married and had her three kids. Migrating to Italy, she said, may have been difficult. But it had been worth it as she was able to help her family back here.
Apart from her regular job in Italy, Dela Cruz also had a knack for business and networking which allowed her to earn on the side. At one point, a friend asked her to invest in a property by Sta. Lucia Land Inc., particularly in the so-called condotels.
“It was really a lucrative investment. It’s like the unit will pay for itself once you’ve had it leased out. Also my dream was to have a condo unit which I can lease and eventually earn money from. I’m just really happy and glad that I made such a choice, investing in a Sta. Lucia property is truly worth it,” she related.
Dela Cruz is a proud owner of two Soto Grande condotels, one in Iloilo and another in Davao. She targeted the tourist destinations, knowing that she would likely earn there.
“I’m tired of working and cleaning houses and I feel that it is through my investments with Sta. Lucia that I’ll be able to retire comfortably. This, for me, is the best thing about the Soto Grande Hotels—it lets you earn. Also, Sta. Lucia gave me the opportunity to earn extra as I also now serve as an agent. I’m grateful that I have made the decision of investing in a condotel development and it is for the same reason why as an agent I entice my fellow OFWs to invest in Sta. Lucia,” she concluded.
JACE SEMILLA
STA. LUCIA LAND INC.
It was not until after many failed attempts that Jace Semilla was able to work abroad.
“On my first attempt, it was a gay friend who asked me to join him in Italy. He was to follow his boyfriend and work there. I decided to go partly because I also felt I wanted to do something more because in the Philippines I would always just bum around and ask for allowance,” Semilla recalled.
Her first attempt was far from ideal because aside from the fact that she had to sell her car to pay for her documentation, she faced immigration problems when she reached Paris.
“It was an airport-to-airport experience on my first attempt. I was deported and it was not until after two years when the next opportunity to work abroad came in. But while I was able to set foot in Paris in my second attempt, it took a while before I made it to Italy and work there as a caregiver,” Semilla shared.
Semilla eventually got lucky as her papers in Italy were finally fixed due to the amnesty granted by the government. It was also in Italy where she found her long time partner, with whom she would always discuss about making an investment to secure their future.
Along the way, Semilla was presented the opportunity to invest in a condotel by Sta. Lucia Land Inc. But it was only after two years and after understanding the dynamics of a condotel that Semilla and her partner decided to go for it.
Investing in a Sta. Lucia property was also a personal choice for Semilla, as she knows the brand well since she hails from Marikina and she knows how credible the developer is.
“I’m happy with the investment we made because I know I entrusted our money to a developer that has a good track record and can really be trusted. I got a prime unit in a project located along Katipunan. Investing in a condotel from Sta. Lucia is one of the best decisions we’ve made as it gave us a unit and an income generating one at that,” she said.
PIOLO PASCUAL
CENTURY PROPERTIES
Like every satisfied and proud homeowner, actor-singer Piolo Pascual can’t help but declare his respect and adulation for property developer Century Properties.
At the recently held celebration of the company’s 30th year, Pascual has nothing but praises for the known gamechanger in the industry—a highly esteemed company that has allowed Pascual and other discerning individuals and families to live the high life and know what real luxury, elegance and comfort meant.
Century Properties, after all, has brought to the country some of the biggest names in the global real estate scene, as well as in international fashion and design arena, thus enabling many Filipinos to have a taste of the world through its developments.
With the way the company has upped the ante in property development, it comes as no surprise that Century Properties gained a much deserved interest and respect from investors and end users alike, some of whom eventually ended up as either a unit owner or brand ambassador.
Such was the case with Pascual.
“You know, I’m very proud to be part of the Century family. I began endorsing Century in 2009. I remember traveling to Cebu for a shoot with Phoem Baranda for Acqua Private Residences. I also remember having a photo shoot with Ruffa Gutierrez for Azure Urban Resort Residences,” Pascual recalled.
“It was really meaningful to me because I got to be part of Century’s vision for Philippine real estate. I got to see firsthand their dreams for amazing architecture and design. I really appreciate being part of those early days; and for being part of the lives of many Filipinos both here and abroad,” he added.
Indeed, Pascual went beyond being an endorser to become a real homeowner that has so much faith in the product, that he now even has a number of units in the different developments of Century Properties.
“I’m not just an endorser. I’m an actual homeowner too. I own units in Gramercy and Acqua. I’m a real customer. And as a customer, I can say this: I’m very happy with my investments and the love and service that Century has shown me through the years,” Pascual concluded.
LOUIS GALVEZ
DOUBLE DRAGON PROPERTIES CORP.
Louis Galvez is definitely one happy investor, and for a good reason.
Galvez is one of the proud unit owners at Hotel 101 Manila, a project by Double Dragon Properties Corp., and an investment that seems to be paying off well for him.
In fact, Galvez claimed that his investment’s recent returns have so far exceeded current inflation and interest rates, as well as future asset appreciation—making the property a truly practical and wise investment for him.
Galvez disclosed that one of the reasons why he invested in this Double Dragon project in the first place was because of the hotel’s strategic location, which he then thought would eventually give him good business. And he thought right.
“Hotel 101 is centrally located, making it very attractive to locals, tourists and business people looking for good value for money. The entry fee was also very reasonable. I was willing to invest without any second thoughts. I even recommended it to others,” he shared.
“While this is not my first investment, I must say that this one gives me much satisfaction as the developer, Double Dragon, is very well known in the real estate industry as one who delivers on time. That, plus the location of the hotel and the estimated return on investment are what made the project truly irresistible and worthy,” Galvez explained.
He likewise pointed out the effort that Double Dragon had put in updating him on the status of the project as the company would regularly send him e-mails with photos.
“It gave me a good idea about the project’s progress. I have a lot of investments with different developers and, in my recollection, only Double Dragon did the handling of the property this well. There was one time I had an inquiry, so I called them. The efficiency in handling my queries was excellent. All these have allowed me to experience how well Double Dragon handles their projects,” Galvez concluded.
A.M. PALMA
AZURE URBAN RESORT RESIDENCES
Ave Mericia Palma knew from the start that the Azure was the perfect investment for her.
“I grew up in Naga City, in Pasacao, which is very near the beach so I really love the waters. In fact, it was in the beach where I said yes to my husband of 14 years. So when I saw Azure, I knew right there and then that it was the perfect investment for me and my husband,” Palma claimed.
Palma is a proud owner of a one-bedroom unit at the famed Azure Residences, the one endorsed and done in partnership with international celebrity Paris Hilton. It has a natural resort feel that makes for a calming yet stylish urban living.
Her unit is enrolled under Century Properties SIGLO Suites, an exclusive, specialty management and leasing service offered by the company to help owners manage and lease out their units to customers looking for short, medium, and long term rental spaces.
Initially, Palma and her husband were looking at other business opportunities.
“We thought of putting up a laundry shop, a water station, and even a grocery store. But the capital investment was so huge and its management somehow entails a different kind of expertise. So we did not push through with it. While we were on our way to Japan for a vacation, I saw a photo of Paris Hilton endorsing the Azure and just by the looks of it, I knew it was going to be a good investment. I immediately fell in love with the property,” Palma said.
The Azure’s relaxing, cozy vibe and its resort-like feel were what made Palma all the more interested in the property and thus, they pursued to acquire a unit, which is now generating additional income for them.
“At first, we thought we couldn’t afford Azure, but its zero percent interest offer for the first three years made it even more irresistible. We got the one-bedroom unit with a beach view, overlooking the amenity area. It’s like you’re close to nature,” Palma said.
“We are now having our unit leased out and it’s giving us good business. We are just happy and proud that we made the decision to invest in Azure. Leasing the unit is helping us pay not only for family expenses like tuition, but also for our monthly amortization,” Palma concluded.
SIGLO Suites are now available for booking in Gramercy Residences, Knightsbridge Residences and Milano Residences at Century City in Makati, as well as in Azure Urban Resort Residences.
