Love in the highly pumped UP property sector

Love is a universal language that speaks volumes and pierces even through the toughest of structures.

For many years, individuals have shown and expressed love through various means and forms, all with a common purpose—to let a particular person know how much he or she is appreciated and cared for.

In the property sector, structures, temples, and castles have long been used to serve as testament to one’s undying love and a way to preserve a deep-rooted memory.

And in today’s issue, Inquirer Property is touching on the different forms of love that many have found in the real estate industry—be it love found in the workplace, love for one’s craft, or simply the love for one’s family.

HEART FOR THE MASSES

Januario Jesus “JJ” Gregorio Atencio

It was his genuine love for his craft that allowed 8990 Holdings president and CEO Januario Jesus Gregorio Atencio to be where he is know—heading a company that provides housing to the underserved market.

For more than a decade now, 8990 has been building houses and communities that gave hardworking, deserving individuals a fair chance to realize their dream of owning a decent yet
affordable home.

And Atencio’s passion for his job certainly helped in ensuring that 8990 will stay on course with its goal—the upside of which was helping make 8990 a household name and a preferred brand in mass housing developments.

Atencio’s stint in real estate, however, started by chance.

“I was in government (working) as an economist and secretary for the Committee on Government Corporations at the Philippine Senate. After working at the Senate, I got employed (by) a mass housing developer, starting with a staff position as an executive assistant,” Atencio recalled.

Atencio admitted that becoming part of a huge and competitive industry such as real estate was something he never expected. It fell on his lap by chance, but it was an industry that he eventually came to love and fully appreciate.

“It was by chance. I was looking for a job and this job actually found me. At that time, I just wanted to get a job after working for the government. But then I was promoted almost every year and by the end of 10 years, I became CEO of the company,” he shared.

Through his love for his craft, Atencio, together with 8990, has also managed to turn around the game by debunking the myths of shadiness that are often associated with the business of mass housing.

Atencio knows all too well that much has yet to be done in order for them to fulfill the promise of providing a decent shelter to every Filipino. It may be challenging, but Atencio has vowed to continue with their efforts to serve the mass market.

“This is where I gained experience and got known as a businessman. In truth, I do not know any other business or market other than this,” he noted.

“Serving the mass market has already become my mission in life and to see that the housing I build impacts greatly on the lives and prosperity of everybody involved in the business—buyers, agents, suppliers and the investing public—is my greatest reward,” Atencio concluded.

A MOTHER’S LOVE

Aileen Lerma

Being a mother may be one of the toughest jobs in the world as it requires one to be on her toes 24/7.

But it could also be one of the most rewarding, as it provides an incomparable joy and satisfaction when a mother sees her child become an accomplished and responsible adult.

This was something that Aileen Lerma, a Rockwell resident for almost 16 years, could readily attest to.

Lerma related that being a mother to her children is one tough role that she would never be willing or even consider giving up. It all boils down to that overwhelming feeling and awe of how much love and care a mother can have for her children and vice versa.

“It’s the hugs and kisses, the notes and cards that say I miss you, or I love you, or you are the world’s greatest mom; the ‘Mommy can you please just work at home so you can stay with us’ kind of requests and the bags made out of popsicle sticks that they make for me because they know I love bags; and yes, even the endless why’s, how’s and what’s—all these make motherhood truly rewarding,” Lerma explained.

As a mother who would go at great lengths to ensure that her children would only experience the best form of care and nurturing, Lerma also makes it a point to go out on dates with her children and to teach them the importance of certain things such as learning to make decisions on their own and do things independently.

Also crucial in raising her kids is the environment and community where they spend their formative years, according to Lerma, which is why she is more than happy to be a part of the Rockwell community.

“It is our first fully owned home and it is a perfect choice because Rockwell cares. It cares enough to make sure that the condominiums, common areas and mall are maintained very well, the premises are clean,” Lerma explained.

“It cares enough to ensure that the residents are safe. It cares enough to pay attention to the little things, like having a guard assist us when crossing the street, training the staff to always have a smile when you see them,” she claimed.

Rockwell, with its well-manicured loans, perfectly landscaped surroundings, world-class structures, high-quality developments and secure environment, proved to be a highly conducive area to nurture kids and raise a family.

“We always tell ourselves that we will never leave Rockwell because everything we need can be found within the Rockwell Center premises. It is very liberating to be able to go to the gym, grocery, watch movies, eat in our favorite restaurants, without having to ride a car and look for parking,” she added.

Certainly, raising a family in a community like Rockwell has its perks such as not needing to worry about your family’s safety and security and always being assured that everything you need to make your child’s life comfortable and exciting are always within reach.

A FATHER’S LOVE

Anthony Sy

Sy is more than satisfied of what he has
accomplished in life.

Anthony Sy was just one of the many overseas Filipino workers who had to endure being away from their loved ones, if only to guarantee a bright future for them.

Working abroad for 13 years, Sy took on a number of jobs, including being a security guard, and a carwash boy. On his free time, he would also do odd jobs including feeding 18 German Shepherd dogs.

“Only a few months after graduating from college I already left the country to try my luck abroad. There I worked non-stop,” Sy recalled.

But it was Sy’s wife who eventually convinced him to go back to the Philippines, as their kids were already growing up then. The need to be with their father was already becoming evident.

“It was my love for my kids, and of course my wife, that brought me back to the Philippines. It was a decision we mutually agreed upon after seeing the kids slowly growing up without a father by their side. Also, a big factor really was that my kids were already turning to adults and I did not even witness the different milestones in their lives,” Sy explained.

Sy then took on a job as a health insurance agent for two years, after which he began to try his hand at real estate.

“I was selling health insurance when the opportunity to work for a real estate company presented itself. It was for a development that Sta. Lucia Land Inc. opened in San Jose Del Monte—the Colinas Verdes. At first, I never imagined that this job would allow me to provide the life I’ve always wanted for my kids. But when sales started coming in, I knew that my decision to come home and be with my family was right,” Sy said.

According to Sy, he’s just really thankful that he was given the opportunity to work for a company that would allow him to send his kids to a good school and let them enjoy the kind of life he has always wanted.

Currently, he spends most of his time doing office work, but finding comfort that at the end of each day he has his kids and wife waiting for him at home.

“The work that I have done and continue to do for Sta. Lucia is something I will forever be grateful for. It not only allowed me to provide a comfortable life to my kids and my wife but also gave me the privilege to look after them and guide them as they grow, something I could not have done if I was still an OFW,” Sy related.

After more than a decade of working as a real estate agent and handling more demanding roles in the company, Sy is more than satisfied of what he has accomplished in life.

But more than the accolades, it was the precious time that he managed to spend with his family that made all his hard work even more worth it. Just like the brand he is selling, he believes that he was able to provide a solid future and a good foundation for his family.

“Sta. Lucia is a strong and reliable brand. Its owners have always made the welfare of their buyers a priority and this is something I’ve learned from them. Thus I always make it a point to put the welfare of my family as my topmost concern,” Sy concluded.

LOVE IN THE WORKPLACE

Arlene Fille

It was love in the workplace that Arlene Fille had found.

More than just landing a good paying job in the real estate industry, Fille found her match and lifetime partner from her previous workplace. And to date, they remained closer than ever, now working for the same property developer, and still doing the same line of work when they first met.

“I met my husband Joselito when I was still working for a different real estate marketing arm and that was where we fell in love and got together. Now after many years of being together we are still happily working on fulfilling and achieving our dreams,” Fille related.

Both husband and wife are currently connected with Sta. Lucia Land Inc. And it was something that worked out for them because being in the same field meant a greater understanding and appreciation of each other’s job.

“As a senior division vice president for sales, much is expected of me. Good thing I have my husband by my side because he helps and enables me to better fulfill my duties. It’s good that we are both part of the Sta. Lucia brand, him being the director for international sales, because at least we are able to discuss and arm each other with the tools needed to thrive in this business,” Fille shared.

Fille considers herself lucky because she did not only found a job that helped guarantee a comfortable future for her, but one that gave her a lifetime partner that she could rely on when the going gets tough.

“Being in a highly competitive industry can be quite stressful, but I’m lucky to have found my husband and be in the same company that he’s with because at least, we understand the pressures that each of us goes through. That way, it’s easier for us to be of help to each other,” Fille related.

“Right now we consider ourselves truly lucky because with the job and position that Sta. Lucia gave us, we managed to provide our children with a really comfortable life. All of them now have their own careers that would allow them to build a promising future. It’s nice to see that at the end of a challenging day, you and your family can enjoy the fruits of your labor,” Fille concluded.