DMCI Homes’ Adopt-a-Parol Program: Raising P350k+ for Isabela’s Typhoon Victims

Residents of Tivoli Garden Residences, DMCI Homes’ condominium community in Barangay Hulo, Mandaluyong City, have raised P351,000 from their Adopt-A-Parol Program to help victims of recent typhoons in Tumauini town, Isabela province.

Mr. Richard Abad, Chairman of Tivoli Garden Residences’ Community Development Council said all proceeds of the program will be used to help Tumauini residents who lost their homes and livelihood to massive flooding in Cagayan Valley last month.

“For the project, residents can adopt as many parols as they want for any amount of donation. Each adopted parol represents a family in Tumauini which is among the municipalities in Isabela province that were hardest-hit by recent calamities,” Abad explained.

“As of the second week of December, we have raised P351,000 from 500 adopted parols but until now we are still getting inquiries from residents who also want to share,” he added.

Sharing over winning

Dr. Dave Encina, who is also a member of Tivoli Garden Residences’ Community Development Council, shared that they thought of doing the program in time for DMCI Homes’ annual inter-community Holiday Décor competition.

“In previous years, our goal in joining the competition was winning. This time, it was sharing. Making the parols was really tiring but deep inside us, it means that every parol made would give roof to a family in Tumauini,” said Dr. Encina of the 500 adopted traditional parols they themselves handcrafted and put on display around Tivoli Garden Residences.

“That was enough motivation for us to finish one parol every day,” he continued.

To be able to produce the 500 parols, resident volunteers, the Property Management Office, and the condominium’s support staff took turns to make one each day while observing social distancing and health protocols according to Mr. Richard Dumlao, also a member of Tivoli Garden Residences’ Community Development Council.

“It was voluntary but it was a happy moment for us. The Christmas spirit was there for all of us,” Mr. Dumlao revealed.

“Nakakatuwa kasi para kaming isang pamilya na ‘pag tanghali, ‘pag hapon, ‘pag gabi, meryenda magsasama-sama pero gumagawa kami, nagkakaskas kami ng kawayan,” Dr. Encina added.

Home of generous and kind-hearted residents

Mr. Abad said the success of their Adopt-A-Parol Program once again proved that Tivoli Garden Residences is a home of generous and kind-hearted residents who genuinely care not only for the welfare of their neighbors but also people outside their community.

“Well- known ang Tivoli dito sa Mandaluyong in terms of leading donation drives, donations and partnering with NGOs to raise financial help or in kind. Ang mga tao nagdo-donate sila not to be recognized, nagsasabi pa nga sila anonymous na lang ang donor. ‘Yun ang pinakamaganda. They help na galing sa puso talaga,” Abad related.

Aside from being active in leading donation drives for various beneficiaries, Tivoli Garden Residences was also the first condominium community to initiate a frontliners’ appreciation program at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Residents last March started a habit of coming out of their balconies every 6 p.m. to clap and cheer for their PMO staff, housekeeping, landscaping, and security personnel—an activity that was later replicated in other DMCI Homes condominium communities.

“I even made a banner myself that reads, ‘Heroes work here,’” Dr. Encina happily recalled.

He said the overwhelming support of residents for such initiative and the Adopt-A-Parol Program shows what kind of people are living in the community he calls his home since 2012.

“Hindi lang sila nabubuhay for themselves but also to help others in need. I think they feel that it is their social responsibility to help. They are living in the comforts of their condominium but they know that they have some kababayans that are literally homeless right now,” Dr. Encina enthused.

“That’s why I’m really grateful and happy living in a community which has a genuine heart for helping out. We’d like to call it ‘shared lives. Hindi lang yung sarili mo ang iniisip mo. The generosity of residents is really overwhelming,” he beamed.