Getting his dream home is one of many reasons this educator still feels grateful this 2020

It may not be the best year for many but for college educator Rowell Marasigan, 2020 will always be special because it is when he and his wife finally moved into their dream condominium property.

Rowell and his wife Lemeriza moved into their two-bedroom unit at DMCI Homes' Sheridan Towers project in Mandaluyong City last October and have been happily living there for the past two months.

“Despite a difficult year because of the pandemic, we are thankful that we finally moved into our own home. We moved in last October and every time we go home to our unit, we feel happy and grateful,” Rowell shared.

“It may not be the best year but we still have a lot to be thankful for,” he stressed.

Rowell said he would always cherish the moment they finally moved into their own condominium property especially since it happened on a special date, October 10, 2020 or 10102020.

The date, he said, is special not just because the numbers, 10.10.2020, seem fortuitous and fascinating, but also since it marked the time they moved into their dream home which is a product of years of hard work and dedication.  

It was a dream that started in 2015 when he and Lemeriza, began to think about investing in their future home when they marry. At that time, Rowell lived with his family in Pasig City, in a compound-type residence while Lemeriza lived in Barangay Hulo, Mandaluyong.  

“Actually, during that time, we were thinking whether to acquire a house and lot or a condo unit,” Rowell recalled. “Pero after checking sa mga available options, kung house and lot, normally nasa provinces, like Cavite, Laguna, malayo talaga. Good thing na we didn’t buy house and lot kasi imagine ’yong biyahe ’tapos nag-pandemic, di ba?”

Dream property

They met with many agents from different developers, until they came across an agent who worked for DMCI Homes. They asked if Flair Towers, one of the projects of DMCI Homes in Mandaluyong City, had available units for sale. Unfortunately, all units were already sold out at that time.

Rowell admits that even before they went unit hunting, he was biased toward DMCI because when he was still an accountancy student, one of his professors lived in a DMCI Homes property in Taguig City. Another professor also lived in another DMCI Homes property—Tivoli Garden Residences, a condo for sale in Mandaluyong City.

He still vividly remembers his first reaction when he visited one of the professors’ place: “Wow, ang ganda naman ng DMCI. Compared sa ibang developers, sobrang ganda talaga ng DMCI. At saka nagustuhan ko talaga ’yong Lumiventt!, ” he said of DMCI Homes' design innovation which allows maximum natural light and airflow within the building and to home units through single loaded hallways, three-storey high Sky Patios and breezeways.

The couple then agreed that the design innovation was important to them because aside from helping them conserve energy, getting more fresh air and natural light will be good for their health and well-being while living in a condo.

Fortunately, the agent told them that a DMCI Homes project called Sheridan Towers had just opened for pre-selling. The couple asked to see a model unit. And the rest, and they say, was history.

Towards the end of 2017, Rowell and Lemeriza got married, and moved into a rented apartment. Almost three years later in 2020, their unit at the Sheridan Towers' North Tower was ready for turnover.

It was the perfect spot for a busy guy like Rowell. A certified public accountant since 2012, Rowell is also a professor, the head of the department of accountancy, and the officer-in-charge of the accounting office at an esteemed university within the area, making it a perfect choice to have a condo for rent in Mandaluyong City.

“’Yong mall, walking distance lang talaga,” he says “Ang nakakatuwa pa, pagbaba ko, kung gusto ko ng Jollibee, McDonalds, Shakeys, kumbaga halos nandiyan na lahat, e.” Sheridan Towers, he noted, is also very accessible via the main roads EDSA and C5. Moreover, the upcoming BGC-Ortigas Center Link Road should improve travel time to many business districts.

But, alas! A pandemic struck, and placed the entire world at a standstill. The turnover was supposed to happen in May 2020, but because of the quarantine, it had to be moved at a later date. Rowell and Lemeriza saw this challenge as an opportunity to save more money to pay for the interior designer, furniture, etc.

Finally, in August 2020, the unit was turned over to them, and they started working on their unit’s interiors.

Smooth turnover

Rowell says the turnover process itself was already a clear indication of the property management staff’s dedication towards their unit owners. Prior to the turnover, they had received an email informing them of the guidelines that they had to follow because of the quarantine. They filled out a health declaration form, wore masks, followed the markings in the building, etc. “Napaghandaan talaga nila ang turnover, hindi crowded,” he said.

The moment they moved in, they felt at home. They are happiest, among others, about the safety and security of the place. “May guard, 24/7,” he recounts. “’Yong guard, nag-iikot, nagche-check. Sakto pa may CCTV sa tapat ng door namin. You want to feel safe and comfortable.”  

And speaking of comfortable, they were glad they found a place that’s peaceful, specially since Rowell has been working from home for months now. The residents have a group chat, where they are kept abreast on the latest schedule of the amenities, which the couple loves so much. 

They can’t use the gym yet, but they could schedule a slot for when they want to use the swimming pools. The roof deck is also one of Rowell’s favorite places in the property: “The last time I attended a webinar, doon ako sa roofdeck.” When he does other school work, he’s happy to do it in their well-lit living room, or, when he needs to catch up on paperwork, he likes to use their dining table.

They also love the landscaped atrium, which Rowell describes as “maganda ’tsaka peaceful.” He says the façade of the buildings alone impressed him at first sight: “Classy ang look, sosyal. Value for money.”

The best part is, while staying at home can feel suffocating, it’s the exact opposite for their new place. “Hindi nakakabagot sa bahay,” he revealed. 

“At saka para na rin kaming nasa hotel. Binibiro ko nga ’yong wife ko, sabi ko, ‘O, ano, gusto mo bang mag-staycation tayo sa hotel?’ Sabi nya ‘Naku, hindi na, nasa condo na tayo, e. Parang hotel na rin ’yon,’” Rowell beamed.