GEM of an investment for a resilient future

Opportunities abound in every situation. It is simply a matter of knowing what the right opportunities are and when is the perfect time to latch on them.

This was something Jaywel Mordido and his wife Keiddeth are well aware of. Thus, when the right opportunity came, they did not think twice to grab it, knowing all too well how investing in an architectural gem, built by a trusted property developer would yield innumerable benefits in the future.


The couple, currently based in Quezon City, was among the first investors of Gem Residences, the latest project of SM Development Corp. (SMDC) in Pasig City. Although they will soon be bringing their young family to the idyllic province of Siquijor to relocate, Jaywel and Keiddeth did not think twice about investing in this premium residential development. It is, after all, an investment for their children’s future.

“Since 2018, we have been looking for a condominium unit because this is for our children. In the future, when they start going to college here, hopefully in UP (University of the Philippines), this will become their home,” Jaywel said in a Zoom interview with Inquirer.


Rising along C-5 Road, the 41-story Gem Residences offers a home conducive for wellness and productivity through its multifarious features and amenities. Its strategic location  places one in the heart of a dynamic city center where opportunities for study, business and recreation are highly accessible to its future residents. Within Pasig City and in nearby Katipunan area alone, one can already find a host of prestigious schools and universities catering to all levels such as St. Paul Pasig, Miriam College, University of Asia and the Pacific and Ateneo de Manila University, among others.

Impressive offering

Keiddeth shared that since their family will be living permanently in the province, the unit at Gem Residences will serve as their second home, which they plan to use every time they visit Metro Manila during holidays and other special occasions. Eventually, it will be the home of their three children once they start going to college. This is why they made sure that all the features and amenities will be suitable and will complement their kids’ lifestyles even by the time they start going to college.

Having attended the digital launch of Gem Residences in July, Keiddeth admitted that she was highly impressed with SMDC’s latest offering. Its value proposition, topnotch amenities, well-thought-out designs and investment benefits were all clearly presented and illustrated during the digital launch, making it easier for Keiddeth to seal the deal.

She liked, for one, the location of Gem Residences which was not only near her relatives in Pasig, but also to other establishments, commercial areas, prestigious universities and other business districts in the metro like Ortigas Center and Bonifacio Global City. It is likewise highly accessible and will put their family at the center of a thriving city.


“There are also a lot of amenities that we like. For example, the swimming pools, especially since our kids love to swim. There’s also a mini garden which our kids could explore and when they grow older and start going to college, there are areas where they can hang out, study and meet with their friends,” Keiddeth explained.

Keiddeth was referring to some of the features that will be collectively housed in an expansive amenity deck called Creators Park, which brilliantly combines an array of well-thought-out amenities designed for your wellness, productivity and socialization needs.

Among the amenities that future residents, like Jaywel and Keiddeth’s young family, will get to enjoy upon Gem Residences’ completion include outdoor and indoor gyms, jogging path, swimming pools, a co-working space that could double as a study area, playground, function room, a breakout area dubbed the Idea Zone, and the City Observation Deck.

Another attractive feature, according to Jaywel, were the security measures of a condominium project like Gem Residences as this will help ensure the safety of his family.

Trusted brand

Perhaps, a defining factor that convinced Jaywel and Keiddeth to invest in Gem Residences—their first condominium investment—even amid the COVID-19 pandemic was their trust for the SMDC brand.

According to Jaywel, they have only heard great things about SMDC and have, in fact, seen, experienced and enjoyed first hand the amenities in an SMDC project.

“I believe SMDC will not skimp on the features of its projects and maybe it’s one of the reasons why it has commanded a certain price in the market today,” he said. “We have been to other SMDC developments like Breeze Residences and we’ve enjoyed their amenities. This influenced our perception that SMDC is a great developer. Some of our relatives have SMDC condo units so this is a tried and tested brand, and for us, SMDC is the best developer.”


Jaywel further believes that investing in property is also a smart move since it’s an asset that could potentially earn for them. He shared the story of one of their aunts who owned a number of condo units, most of which were in SMDC projects in the metro. These, he said, were being managed and leased out on yearly contracts, thus helping earn extra income for their aunt.

They are thus considering doing the same thing as well until their children, the eldest of whom is just 11 years old, starts going to college.

There is no doubt that property investment, when done with the right brand, can benefit you in more ways than one. As in the case of Jaywel and Keiddeth, a trusted partner like SMDC will give them a safe, secure sanctuary in a thriving city, help them earn additional income from their unit should they choose to lease it, and eventually, provide their children with a conducive home that will prepare them for a bright, multifaceted future.

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