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A "fiesta" or the Spanish word for party is an integral part of Filipino culture with one being held almost every week in different parts of the country.

Whether it is religious or cultural in nature, a fiesta is a traditional occasion that brings people together to foster cooperation, celebration, and growth in the community.

This is the same reason why the country's first Quadruple A builder-developer recently held its first community fiesta in its Acacia Estates township development in Taguig City, according to DMCI Homes Property Management Corporation (DPMC) Senior Vice President Enrico C. Wong.

"We want to preserve Filipino traditions in our communities for the benefit of our residents especially the younger generation," Wong said adding "And a fiesta is one Filipino tradition that should never go out of style even with the advent of modern communities like Acacia Estates."

Acacia Estates is DMCI Homes' 150-hectare township development in Taguig City that hosts 25,000 residents of various condominium communities.

Held last July 23, all roads of Acacia Estates led to The Tent where unit owners were treated to a whole day of fun-filled traditional fiesta activities.

The celebration started with an early morning parade around Acacia Estates which was teeming with colorful plastic buntings.

A thanksgiving mass then followed at The Tent after which  kids had the time of their lives playing classic Filipino games like "kadang-kadang sa bao," Pinoy egg toss and calamansi relay.

Booths for board games and face paint also provided additional entertainment for the young ones all throughout the day.  Stilt walkers, on the other hand, roamed the venue even as cultural dancers and bands wowed the crowd.

Meanwhile, tiangge stalls selling household items, assorted delicacies, apparels, shoes, bags and other fashion accessories kept unit owners busy searching for great finds.

Serving as the highlights of the community fiesta are the first Little Miss Acacia pageant and the fashion show of pet dogs of residents.  

Despite decades of living overseas, many Filipinos still choose to grow old in their native land for reasons that vary from economic to just purely sentimental.

For 78-year-old Sofia Murphy who had lived in Perth, Australia for 40 years, coming home to her native city of Davao for good in 2014 meant a fresh start after her husband passed away due to heart attack.

“After my husband died a few years ago, I wanted a new environment, a fresh start,” Murphy shared in an interview.

Determined to live a worry-free life, she sold their house in a subdivision in Maa and decided to embrace the convenience of condominium-living in DMCI Homes’ three-hectare Verdon Parc development.

“I lived before in a subdivision and I always pass by this place when I go shopping. I really like the area. It’s very close to (commercial) establishments, to the mall, and bus terminals. I think, it is (the) center of the city,” she said.

Located along Ecoland Drive corner Peacock Street in Davao City, Verdon Parc offers excellent proximity to various commercial establishments including malls and markets as well as educational institutions, banks, places of worship, medical service providers and government agencies.

Even though Verdon Parc was not her original choice, Murphy said she is convinced that she made the right decision in picking the DMCI Homes’ leisure-inspired development.

“The first condo that I have looked at, it’s really the kind of condo that I like. I actually decided to buy that one but when I saw Verdon Parc and inquired, I realized that it’s much better here. My original choice was not just more expensive compared here, it also does not have a balcony unlike here in Verdon Parc,” Murphy pointed out.

Friendly neighborhood

Murphy moved into her two-bedroom unit early this year and was immediately smitten by the friendly residents and Property Management Office staff at Verdon Parc.

“Everybody’s so friendly. The guards and especially the staff,” she said.

The exclusivity of the development and the presence of 24/7 roving guards and modern security measures make her stay even more enjoyable according to Murphy.

“When I go on travel, I know that my stuff is secured. We also had security in our subdivision before but it is much better when you live in a condo. At my age, I can sleep soundly at night because I know that I’m safe here,” she said.

DMCI Homes, the country’s first Quadruple A builder-developer, capped the Nutrition Month celebration with a medical mission held last July 22 in Barangay Guadalupe, Makati City.

Through its “Kaakbay sa Kalusugan” Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative, DMCI Homes provided free health consultation and medicines to over 220 children and adults from underprivileged families of the community with the support of volunteers and partner organizations.

“This is a big help for our residents especially since we are observing the Nutrition Month. With the assistance of DMCI Homes, we are able to continuously improve the quality of healthcare in Barangay Guadalupe Viejo,” barangay captain Dennis Almario said in an interview.

Aside from the free health consultation, DMCI Homes also donated wheelchairs and canes which were given to several beneficiaries selected by the barangay council.

87-year-old Calinica de Leon fought back her tears while being seated to her new wheelchair.  She was being assisted by her granddaughter Margie Oliva, who revealed that they “have been praying for a new wheelchair and now it’s really an answered prayer.” 

Meanwhile, Conchita Tuazon, 81, felt elated as she accepted one of the wheelchairs on behalf of her 55-year-old daughter Victoria whose leg was amputated due to diabetes complication. 

“My daughter couldn’t leave home because of her condition. She couldn’t work anymore so she sells goods in front of our house and this wheelchair would greatly give her ease in her chores,” teary-eyed Tuazon shared in vernacular.

Other medical supplies including weighing scales, sets of nebulizers, sets of sphygmomanometer, stethoscopes, and even height charts were also turned over for the use of the barangay health and day care center.