Where we moved

I was not clear on exactly where our apartment is, but after some checking, it is described as Bicutan, Parañaque City.  The complex is a condo development, and we are renting from the condo owner, not an apartment management company.  We have to pay 1400p a month dues on top of our rent.  This pays for the maintenance of the pools, grounds, and the security service and administrative desk persons for each building.  Our drinking water is a little cheaper here.  56p for 10 gallons, compared with 70p in Pateros.  The internet seems to work better here, although it is still slow and does die now and then.


Manila Map


The complex is a project of SM Development, which also built and manages most of the major malls in Manila.  The owner is an inspiring success story.  He started as a junk shop boy.  In Manila every block has one or more 24 hour junk shops.  Junk shop boys take wagons out around the neighborhood, and anything that is not nailed down gets picked up for reuse.  If your corrugated metal roof springs a leak in the middle of the night, you run to the junk shop and find a piece for a patch.  Things that look like scrap to me are apparently sellable to someone.

Here is his official bio.

HENRY SY, SR., Chairman of the Board, is the founder of the SM Group of Companies and is currently Chairman Emeritus of Banco de Oro Universal Bank Inc., Honorary Chairman of China Banking Corporation, Chairman of SM Investments Corp., SM Land Inc. (formerly Shoemart Inc.), SM Prime Holdings Inc., and Highlands Prime. Mr. Sy opened the first Shoemart store in 1958. The said store has evolved into a dynamic group of companies with four lines of business - shopping malls, retail merchandising, financial services, and real estate development and tourism.