DMCI Homes recently held a book drive in its headquarters in Makati City for the benefit of children residing in Gawad Kalinga’s Dreamland community in San Jose del Monte, Bulacan.

The books collected from the activity were turned over by DMCI Homes to the GK Dreamland Homeowners Association last January 26.

The turnover coincided with the company’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) activity dubbed as “Bata, TARA Na! (Towards A Reading Adventure)” read-along session which was done in collaboration with Gawad Kalinga’s Paraisong Pambata project.

The donated books will serve as additional reference materials in the community library which is among the 4 centers and 82 housing units built by DMCI Homes in GK Dreamland.

Over 100 children of informal dwellers, who were relocated from Makati City, learned about the wonders of moving to a new home in the recently concluded read-along session conducted by DMCI Homes in Gawad Kalinga’s Dreamland community in San Jose del Monte, Bulacan.

Dubbed as Bata, TARA Na (Towards A Reading Adventure), the read-along session held last January 26 was the first corporate social responsibility activity of DMCI Homes this year in collaboration with Gawad Kalinga’s Paraisong Pambata project.

At least 80 volunteers consist of employees and unit owners delighted the children beneficiaries by reading the DMCI Homes coloring storybook titled “A Place Called Home,” which tackles the story of Tom who found new friends when his family moved to a new home.

Fifteen years after it was introduced to the property market, DMCI Homes’ East Ortigas Mansions in Pasig City remains to be a vibrant sanctuary for residents looking for a refreshing escape from the stresses of urban living.

Located in Ortigas Avenue Extension, Barangay Sta. Lucia in Pasig, City, the mid-rise condominium community was among the first developments launched by then emerging property developer DMCI Homes when it ventured into the mid-income residential market at the turn of the new millennium.

Businessman Noel Panganiban, who is one of the property’s pioneer unit owners, could not help but feel proud that the resort-inspired community he considers as his home for a decade and a half now, has preserved its allure as an everyday vacation place for its residents.

After all, Panganiban said it was the same charm which enticed his family to buy a unit at East Ortigas Mansions the first time they saw the property during a company outing 15 summers ago.

“I think it was still pre-selling at that time. Ang nakatayo pa lang is the clubhouse and the pool. Parang may isang building pa lang dito out of eight buildings,” Panganiban said of the Mediterranean-inspired condominium development.

“Normally kapag summer nagpapa-outing ako sa mga tao ko so nagpapa-reserve kami sa beach or sa pool. Sabi ng wife ko ‘huwag na, may alam ako.’ Tapos dito niya kami dinala. It was still very quiet. Sabi ko ang ganda rito ha,” added Panganiban who runs a manpower and logistics firm.

Lured by the property’s relaxing vibe, Panganiban and his wife, Mara, who were previously living in a house and lot, decided to move into their modified four-bedroom unit in 2003 and embrace the convenience of vertical living.

“When we transferred here, we were expecting na paano kaya ito, baka magulo ‘yung community o maingay. But relatively, very easy ‘yung pag-transfer namin. When we have visitors, they are always surprised na may ganito palang community na within Ortigas Extension,” Panganiban bared.

“So sulit. Sulit ang pagkakabili namin dito,” he added.

 
At the back of his mind however, Panganiban was worried then that the property could deteriorate years later if not properly maintained and cared for by the residents.

To prevent this, he and his fellow pioneer unit owners, who were elected officers of the community, drafted rules and regulations to maintain the cleanliness and orderliness in the community.