Why the South is the best place to be for these moms

The South of Metro Manila has some of the best spots to start a family, buy property, or simply hang out with friends. These great south traits are what attracted “southern” residents Ricy Canque, Lea Theresa Gatdula, and Hazel Kalinisan to the place they now call home.

Comfort Living

Ricy, Lea, and Hazel are all women in their 30s and 40s, and married with kids. Ricy was a nursing aid and caregiver and is now a housewife; Lea sells food for her neighbors; while Hazel is a registered nurse, but works as a businesswoman. All of them love their home in the south—DMCI Homes’ Maricielo Villas in Las Piñas City.  

Hazel points to her husband for choosing to live here. Her husband, an overseas Filipino worker (OFW), is from Bacoor, Cavite, while Hazel was born and raised in Makati City. When they got married, it was natural for them to look for a place in the south. She says the area is highly accessible because of the well-connected and well-constructed roads: “Kapag nasa south ka, nasa middle ka. Punta ka sa resort sa Batangas, Cavite. Pag magpa-north ka, madali.”

Her husband’s place in Bacoor was also flood-prone, so being at a safer place was a priority. Plus, her two kids go to school near Las Piñas City, not to mention that there are malls and resorts a few minutes away.

Lea shares Hazel’s observations. But the biggest draw for her was that the area was near the beach, as she and her family of two kids love to go on road trips. Ricy echoes their thoughts, adding that the south isn’t so crowded yet. “Hindi pa masyadong ma-traffic,” she says.

Great property investments

When asked why they chose to live at Maricielo Villas, all three women were one in saying that the name DMCI Homes had a huge impact on their choices.

Hazel, for instance, has been living at Maricielo Villas for six years now. When they found the place, they didn’t know its name, but they knew it would be built by DMCI Homes. “Kakilala na,” she says of DMCI. She and her husband tried looking for a house inside a village, but they were so much less accessible than their current home, which has a nearby transport hub.

Apart from the developer, Ricy was enamored with the Spanish-themed design, and that it was a mid-rise building, which makes her feel safer specially during emergencies. But most importantly, as with all three women, she liked that the security system was intact: “Nakita ko secured ’yong family ko,” she recalls. “Kasi gusto ko dito bumuo ng pamilya.” Lea also liked the design, especially because it was resort-style, and was great for families.

Years later, the women all say they couldn’t have asked for more.

Close-knit communities

Ricy has been happy living in Maricielo Villas for the past 10 years: “Unang-una, no’ng bago lang kami, wala talaga akong kilala. Sa area namin kaunti pa lang kami. After a year, marami nang nakikilalang mga kapitbahay. Mas maganda talaga makipaghalubilo sa mga kapitbahay. Mga tao napakabait, mga guard. Maiiwan mo ang kids mo at the same time. Sa PMO (Property Management Office) mababait. Paglabas na paglabas mo, may masasakyan na, wala kang hassle. ’Yong facilites dito napakatibay, napakaganda.”

In these past years, Hazel and her family have experienced earthquakes, and yet she has never felt unsafe. Not only that, everything she says has been well-maintained, including their favorite amenities, like the swimming pool. Lea, agrees: “Mga amenities dito, wala ka nang hahanapin pa. Mga bata, tuwang-tuwa kasi madami silang nagagawa. Di na kailangang lumabas.”

This kind of comfortable and tightly knit community was made more transparent during the pandemic.

Caring neighbors

Lea is especially proud of the bond they’ve created during the health crisis: During pandemic, nagkaroon kami ng homeowners’ support. Kagaya ko na mahilig ako magluto, nakatulong ako sa mga tao na ayaw na lumbas.”

At the time, and even now, she would cook food and meet her neighbors at the lobby. She even had her own pasabuy system, where she would send a message to her neighbors that she was about to go to the market, and if they wanted her to buy something for them. “Iba ’yong naging friendship namin during pandemic. Una, iilan lang kami magkakilala. ‘Pag ulit-ulit kayong nag-uusap o magpabili, ang dami mong nakikilala.”

Ricy agrees, “Kung sino nangangailangan, isang text, isang tawag lang, lalabas at lalabas ka sa unit para tulungan ang isang tao.” She also says it was an advantage that their place is very accessible to hospitals and clinics.

One project that they are most proud of is the community pantry, where they also donated food and other supplies to their neighbors outside of Maricielo Villas.

In the end, they all advise property-seekers to invest in something like their home in the south. “Aside from affordable, malaki ’yong space, ’tsaka ’yong titingnan mo sa pagpili ay security, laki ng rooms, amenities,” Hazel concludes. “Compared sa ibang developer at sa ibang projects dito sa paligid, masasabi ko talaga na ’yong cut malalaki. Kaya sa friends, family, future investors, highly recommended ang DMCI Homes.”

If given the chance, Hazel, Lea, and Ricy say they would still choose to invest in DMCI Homes properties in the south, such as the Sonora Garden Residences, a 1.45-hectare pre-selling condominium development within Robinsons Place Las Piñas complex in Alabang-Zapote Road, Las Piñas City.

Lea adds, “Take note po, ang value ng ating property ay tumataas. Dahil po sa nakapagligid tayo sa paparating ng mga LRT at mas lalong gaganda ang transportation sa area na ’to.”

To learn more about DMCI Homes properties in the south, log on to www.dmcihomes.com or 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 its social media accounts on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.