Welcome to the fifth edition of Township Tales! This series of articles features different individuals who were able to experience the life-changing LIVE-WORK-PLAY integrated lifestyle of Megaworld Corporation’s world-class townships.
Every parent wishes they could spend an extra minute with their kids before going off to work, but the daily hassles of commuting can get in the way. Sometimes, to make ends meet, many parents have to make sacrifices— often at the cost of spending quality time with the family, to be able to provide a more comfortable lifestyle.
This used to be a problem for 43-year-old Mary Ann Zuniga from Las Piñas. A seasoned financial advisor and mother of three, Mary would wake up early in the morning and leave her house two to three hours in advance to line up at the transport terminal and get to work.
The hassle of long-distance commuting eventually caught up with Mary so she decided it was time to move. In search of a new home, Mary and her husband invested in McKinley Hill, Megaworld’s premier township in Fort Bonifacio. McKinley Hill’s convenient location offers easy access to the corporate centers of Makati and Ortigas Business Districts via Upper McKinley Road and C5. With the accessibility of her new address, Mary was able to balance her time at home and at work.
What was your lifestyle before you started living in McKinley Hill?
“I used to live in Las Pinas. Kapag pupunta ako sa client ko sa Makati or sa office ko, I had to allot two to three hours because I hate being late. I had to make sure that I’ll be there 30 minutes before my meeting. Nawawalan ako ng oras for my kids because nagmamadali ako.
Now, I’m able to spend more time with my family. Mas madali for me na makauwi kaagad, makapagstay pa sa umaga and kumain ng breakfast and dinner with them.”
(I used to live in Las Pinas. Before, whenever I visit a client in Makati or go to my office, I had to allot two to three hours (of commute) because I hate being late. I had to make sure that I’ll be there 30 minutes before my meeting. I lost time for my kids because I was always in a hurry. Now, I’m able to spend more time with my family. I can go home much earlier, stay for a bit in the morning and eat breakfast and dinner with my family.)
Mary isn’t the only one affected by Metro Manila’s congestion. Heavy traffic continues to pose problems for commuters and motorists alike. While several initiatives have been launched by the government to alleviate traffic, it seems that the best solution for now is to relocate closer to the capital’s corporate centers where modern, convenient townships like McKinley Hill are being built.
What is your favorite place in McKinley Hill? And why?
“In the township, my favorite place is the Venice Grand Canal Mall. Feel mo na sa ibang bansa ka because of the façade and ambience. Maraming choices here that you don’t normally see in other malls.”
(In the township, my favorite place is the Venice Grand Canal Mall. You feel like you’re in a different country because of the façade and ambience of the place. There are a lot of retail and dining options you don’t normally see in other malls.)
McKinley Hill is a fully-integrated, mixed-use 50-hectare township development located at the heel of Taguig’s commercial districts. A homey enclave teeming with surprises in every corner, the township brings a slice of European living with its greenery, slopes and footpaths, which lead to the township’s various lifestyle components. Residents like Mary Ann and her family can retreat to a sunlit Tuscany villa in the Country Club Drive, where the township’s various lifestyle amenities are contained; frolic into Florentine courtyards; admire the Mediterranean-style houses of McKinley Hill Village; or take a romantic gondola ride in the Venice Grand Canal Mall, all without leaving the country.
What do you usually do in your regained spare time now?
“Mahilig kaming mag-bond ng family. We sometimes watch movies in our unit sa Viceroy or go up to the pool area where my kids love to swim. I don’t really swim but I enjoy the ambience of the place. It’s quiet, so I get to read my books. Sometimes, I take my baby sa day care dito lang din sa condo. Kumpleto na lahat ng facilities dito kasi Megaworld makes sure to give you the complete condo experience. It’s well-maintained at may security.”
(We love to bond as a family. We sometimes watch movies in our unit in the Viceroy or go up to the pool area where my kids love to swim. I don’t really swim but I enjoy the ambience of the place. It’s quiet, so I get to read my books. Sometimes, I take my baby to our condo’s day care.
The Viceroy features an array of modern facilities. Megaworld makes sure to give you the complete condo experience. It’s well-maintained and secure.)
Mary and her family have been living in the Viceroy in McKinley Hill, Taguig for over 8 years.
For Mary, her address is the perfect starting point to the rest of the community. Getting around is a breeze as S&R Membership Shopping, St. Luke’s Medical Center and Uptown Mall are in the vicinity of Fort Bonifacio, as well.
What did you see in McKinley Hill that made you invest?
“Ang daming opportunities sa McKinley Hill. Ang convenient pa ng location. Just a couple of minutes away from Taguig and Makati’s central business districts. There are a lot of companies in the township kaya ang laki ng value ng investments niyo dito. You can raise your families here because of the many educational institutions nearby.
McKinley Hill is a good community for starting a family. Maganda din siya for working parents kasi malapit siya sa main roads. Baba ka lang sa unit, nandiyan na yung bangko, yung school, few blocks away nasa mall ka na. You can do your groceries.
It’s the community talaga. We’ve looked at different properties before pero it’s the township community (that) made us decide on Megaworld. It’s lively and young. We were able to invest din because of the flexible payment scheme. Kahit wala pa kaming budget, we were able to move in. Kumpleto yung gamit. May hanging cabinets, wardrobe, toilet, etc.”
(There are lot of opportunities in McKinley Hill. The location is also convenient. Just a couple of minutes away from Taguig and Makati’s central business districts. There are a lot of companies in the township which boosts the investment value of the area. You can raise your families here because of the many educational institutions nearby. McKinley Hill is a good community for starting a family. It’s good for working parents because it’s located near main roads. From the condominium, you can walk to the bank, school and mall located a few blocks away. You can do your groceries.
It’s really the community. We’ve looked at different properties before but nothing compares to Megaworld’s township community. It’s lively and young. We were able to invest because of the flexible payment scheme. Even though we didn’t have the full budget yet, we were able to move in. Our unit has complete amenities such as hanging cabinets, wardrobe, toilet, etc.)
McKinley Hill embodies Megaworld Corporation’s LIVE-WORK-PLAY-SHOP-LEARN township concept with its European-inspired aesthetic and carefree, laid-back atmosphere.
How does buying a condo unit in a township a good investment for you?
“I’m a financial and wealth planner, and I always tell my personal clients to protect their income as they accumulate more resources. You have to make sure that you invest in stocks and properties. My husband and I have invested in stocks, mutual funds, and life insurance to protect our income. Later, we decided to invest in a place of our own in McKinley Hill. In just 7 to 8 years, dumoble yung market value ng condo namin. If you have a good investment, it will surely grow in 7 to 10 years. We were lucky to get our condo early kasi ang mahal na ng presyo ngayon!”
(I’m a financial and wealth planner, and I always tell my personal clients to protect their income as they accumulate more resources. You have to make sure that you invest in stocks and properties. My husband and I have invested in stocks, mutual funds, and life insurance to protect our income. Later, we decided to invest in a place of our own in McKinley Hill. In just 7 to 8 years, the market value of our condominium doubled. If you have a good investment, it will surely grow in 7 to 10 years. We were lucky to get our condo early because the rates have now gone up!)
As a financial advisor, what advice can you give to those people who want to buy a condo unit as a home or investment?
“You have to make sure that your income is protected. When you accumulate wealth, you can start investing in property. A good investment will double your returns in 7 to 10 years that’s when you decide to rent out your unit, you can easily earn passive income on top of your capital.”
What do they have to know before investing or buying a condo unit in a township?
“Make your own research. Location is very important. In any investment, you also have to know kung ano yung background ng developer. Can the developer deliver what was promised? Lahat ng na-eexperience namin sa McKinley was promised to us when we signed up. Continuous yung development na ginagawa, hindi siya pinapabayaan. I think Megaworld is doing a good job. ‘Pag may concerns kami, inaayos naman right away.”
(Make your own research. Location is very important. In any investment, you also have to know the background of the developer. Can the developer deliver what was promised? All the things we enjoy about McKinley was promised to us when we signed up. The development is continuous and well-maintained. I think Megaworld is doing a good job. Whenever we have concerns, it gets addressed right away.)
“Importante din ang security ng place. Real estate is a long-term investment kaya dapat pag-ingatan ito. Hindi ako dati naniniwala sa real estate investments kasi we have properties sa La Union, Las Pinas, and Makati. At the time, sabi namin ‘ang dami na nating na-inherit na properties under our name’ kaya hindi na namin kailangan pang magdagdag ng property. Pero sobrang saya namin to have made a decision to purchase this unit kasi ang convenient niya.”
(Security is also important. Real estate is a long-term investment so you need to take care of your finances. Our family owned properties in La Union, Las Pinas and Makati so I didn’t feel the need to invest in a condo. It seemed unnecessary to buy more property since we had several properties under our name. But, we’re glad to have made a decision to purchase this unit because it’s really convenient for us.)
Before investing in a condominium unit or house and lot, financial advisor and venture developer Francisco J. Colayco believes it is important to first establish certain parameters: The location of your new address should be convenient and secure; the property developer should have a good track record; the rules of the association governing the neighborhood should fit your lifestyle; your finances should be enough to cover all amortization and maintenance payments.
In this regard, buying property in McKinley Hill becomes a life goal, more so than a financial investment. This is particularly true for Mary and her family who benefit from having a home near Metro Manila’s key destinations. Megaworld offers flexible payments to make it easier for families to get started in Taguig.
Soon, you’ll be able to experience this kind of integrated LIVE-WORK-PLAY-SHOP signature Megaworld lifestyle in the City of San Fernando, with Capital Town Pampanga. This 35.6 master planned township will feature an array of modern amenities for an all-inclusive, global lifestyle, including an Events Trade Hall, a Rainwater Park with landscaped open spaces and trails for walking, jogging and biking activities, and an assortment of business and service concepts at the Shophouse District — complete with cobblestone-lined streets, donning Neoclassical Architecture with Art Deco details.
Secure a condo unit for your family in Chelsea Parkplace, Capital Town Pampanga’s flagship 12-storey condominium project. This low-rise residential condominium offers spacious units with a balcony overlooking the beautiful Capital Town Pampanga landscape. Inside, you’ll find a pool lounge, events space, fitness center, daycare and The Other Room— a modern speakeasy bar. The building’s own ground floor retail area will also feature delis, markets, coffee shops and more, all within reach. For more information on Capital Town Pampanga, contact +63917-144-8696, email info@capitaltownpampanga.com or like our Facebook Page.
Source:
• Kash, R. (September 10, 2013) PEZA-Accredited Buildings & Office Spaces in Fort Bonifacio. Retrieved from https://kmcmaggroup.com/blog/2013/9/10/peza-accredited-buildings-office-spaces-in-fort-bonifacio/
• Colayco, F. J. (June 10, 2008) Is a condominium a good investment? Retrieved from http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/opinion/content/100300/is-a-condominium-a-good-investment/story/
• (February 24, 2018). PH loses 3.5B a day due to Metro Manila traffic – JICA. Retrieved from http://cnnphilippines.com/transportation/2018/02/23/JICA-P3.5-billion-traffic.html
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