Trilingual digital artist shares inspiring journey to achieving dream home

Danhills got the keys to his two-bedroom unit at The Celandine in February 2022. The Celandine is DMCI Homes’ ready-for-occupancy condominium located in A. Bonifacio Ave., Quezon City. (Photo courtesy of Danhills Pabiloña

“Life is not about waiting for the storm to pass. It’s about learning how to dance in the rain.”- Vivian Greene

These are the words that trilingual digital artist Danhills Pabiloña, 30, has been living by since he learned to cope with life’s challenges at an early age.

“I like learning,” he says proudly. “If there is one skill that I have that I can share with anyone and everyone, it’s my aptitude and love for learning, and that I learn fast. I think that’s one thing that I’m really proud of.” And he has every right to own that pride. 

Danhills lived a normal life as the eldest apo in a simple family, who, he proudly says, sent him to public schools. A dreamer, he excelled as a student and made the best of what was given to him.

Ups and downs

As far as he could remember, his family has never owned a house. Growing up, they lived in his grandparents’ house constructed by her aunt, which is something he credits to their family being very tight.

When he turned five years old, his life and the life of people who were living in that home changed. It was the time when he lost a sibling. A year later, he lost his best friend.

“Sa murang edad, natutunan ko ’yong value ng panahon, ’yong time left with loved ones, with friends,” he recalls, adding, “I learned to nurture connections around me and treasure it.” 

Danhills dedicates his Japanese-inspired condo unit in The Celandine to his late grandfather who passed away during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. (Photo courtesy of Danhills Pabiloña)

Overcoming adversity

At a young age, he already learned how to help his family go through ups and downs. 

At 17, he graduated with a diploma in Culinary Arts and Hotel Management then started working at a hotel as chef to help make ends meet. This strengthened his determination to be better at everything he does. For instance, he remembers being assigned to work the 4 a.m. early morning shift during Typhoon Ondoy.

However, due to the weather condition, the person who was to replace him in the afternoon couldn’t come to work—which left him with no choice but to take another shift. At 5 p.m., he was asked to go home. Outside, everyone was stranded. There was no available transportation on the road, and the trains were dead.

“I walked my way home, from Makati to Novaliches,” he shares. “I arrived at 6 a.m.” At the time, the lines were down and the Internet was gone. He was thankful to have arrived home safely to see his family also unharmed. “But what I can say is because of my passion, the next day, I went to work.”

Danhills kept his level of diligence in his career, and even got promoted. However, after several years, he knew there was something wrong about the way he was feeling. Eventually, he sought the help of a therapist, and was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Finding inspiration

While he was asked to take a break, his passionate soul didn’t take long before he found a part-time job as an English teacher. Later, he established connections, and even learned Japanese at U.P Diliman to widen his horizons. He also, at one point, worked as a virtual assistant, transcriptionist, and did data entry and voice-over work, to name a few. Through perseverance, determination, and strong faith, Danhills conquered hardships and achieved his goals.

“If it weren’t for my faith and volunteer work as Jehovah’s Witness, I would never have endured,” he shares.

In 2017, he went through another rough year, and decided that he needed a driving force that would make him keep going. At the time, he had been going on business trips to Japan. His trips made him appreciate both the encapsulating minimalism and functionality of the buildings and houses in the Land of the Rising Sun.

Back home, his interest in Japanese architecture was aroused when he stayed in a condo unit at DMCI Homes’ Zinnia Towers project in Balintawak, Quezon City while preparing for a big language test for his Japanese studies. The unit’s look inspired Danhills to own a condo unit with a Japanese architecture-inspired design.

“Kakaiba etong home na ito kasi its very airy, magaan sa pakiramdam, relaxing,” he paints a picture. “First time ko makakita ng gano’n. I was really inspired.”

For his unit, Danhills chose a minimalist-inspired look. “Even before the pandemic, I love how the contrast of minimalism and intricacy blends perfectly in Japanese design. White and wood go well together to create that serene and calming atmosphere, then I added a personal touch–a smattering of the color of the deep ocean, a symbol of my delight for traveling,” he explains. (Photo courtesy of Danhills Pabiloña)

‘My own peaceful space’

He then started doing his research about the different DMCI Homes residential developments around the metro that would suit his vision for his home. He found The Celandine, a DMCI Homes ready-for-occupancy condo located along A. Bonifacio Avenue, Quezon City. “What really struck my heart was the comfort of living, with this type of design,” he shares.

When he saw the spacious hallways, he found himself thinking, “May ganito palang klase na living space na hindi siya door-to-door na magkaharap. Merong hangin, magaan sa pakiramdam. Wala ka pa sa bahay, nare-relax ka na. Nasa lobby ka pa lang, parang, ‘Ay kakaiba ito. Iba ang feeling.’ That’s what made me decide to really choose DMCI.”

After further research, he saw the certifications, the world-class designs, and the kind of engineering that DMCI Homes has been known for for years. He told himself, “‘Okay, I would be safe here. This will be my own peaceful space.’”  

Danhills spent the money he saved since he started working at 17 for his home. Fortunately for him, his passion for the arts turned into a profitable hobby. 

Slowly, he started posting his digital art on Instagram, and his number of followers soon began to rise—and good income began flowing in.

“The biggest ‘storm’ of my life was the pandemic, where in the same year, my grandfather died, and then 3 days later, my father had a stroke. All the while I was having surgeries here and there because of the cysts that grew inside my body. However, it was also the time I discovered my passion for digital art which helped me weather the storms in my life,” Danhills relates.

The team behind Danhills’ cozy Japanese-inspired condo unit at The Celandine. From left to right: Arch. Faye Ison, Arch. Janine Realubit, and Keziah Tonacao. (Photo courtesy of Danhills Pabiloña)

‘Masarap sa pakiramdam’

The money he got from his commissioned and non-commissioned art works, on the other hand, was then used for the interior decorations. “I don’t splurge, I don’t shop. When my colleagues are busy buying their dream cars and luxury items, I just stay at home and play games.”

When he finally moved in, it felt surreal. The wide spaces and the fresh air circulating around the entire area, thanks to the Lumiventt® Design Technology, kept him from feeling claustrophobic—which is also great for his mental health.

“No’ng una, motivation lang siya to keep going, surviving. Now, I have my own home, something I can call my own. Masarap sa pakiramdam. Also, it helps with my mental health journey. It’s nurturing. And nakakatulong siya with my recovery.”

Plus, his family and friends love his new place so much that, ever since he moved in, he couldn’t recall a week when he didn’t have visitors.

He says his lola doesn’t even like high places, yet she loves the relaxing vibe of his place. “’Yong bahay ko naka-ready sa visitors. Lagi akong may pagkain, laging handa,” Danhills says, chuckling.

Every time Danhills lounges on his balcony and marvels at the breathtaking view of the city, he could not help but smile remembering how he learned to dance in the rain to overcome all the storms that he went through. 

The Celandine is one of the developments of DMCI Homes, the country’s first Quadruple A real estate developer known for building quality resort-inspired communities in Mega Manila, Baguio City, Boracay, and Davao City. Each of its properties is built with world-standard craftsmanship borne from D.M. Consunji Inc.’s over 60 years of expertise in the construction and development industry.

To learn more about The Celandine and other DMCI Homes’ pre-selling and ready for occupancy projects, units for lease, and special promos, call (632) 5324-8888. You can also visit leasing.dmcihomes.com to know more about opportunities in leasing and rent-to-own programs of DMCI Homes. News and other updates are also posted on the company’s official website and social media accounts on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.