SATURDAY / OCTOBER 26, 2019 WWW.INQUIRER.NET BUSINESS.INQUIRER.NET [email protected] INQUIRER BIZ NAME/AGE/CITY/MESSAGE TO 4467 @INQ_Property B5-1

PHILIPPINE DAILY INQUIRER Editor Theresa S. Samaniego

Desk Editor Amy R. Remo PROPERTY PIONEERING CONDO LIFESTYLE IN THE SOUTH

By Theresa S. Samaniego @teksamaniegoINQ

etook a risk and it paid off. While residential condominiums were al- H ready starting to take off in key urban centers about a decade ago, Jeffrey Ng opted not to join the fray in building these modern dwellings in Metro . Instead, the president of Cathay Land Inc. started to build his mid-rise condo- miniums outside the metro, where the residents prefer and are still more accus- tomed to the traditional house-and-lot setting. “We started building (mid-rise condominium pro- jects) around 10 years ago with Scandia I and II. We felt that even there (in Silang, Cavite), we had ademand. People, especially the expa- triates working in the nearby industrial estate were asking us about it,” Ng recalled.

Expat community He shared that at that time, there were alot of Ko- reans and Japanese who were working in the different multinational companies in nearby industrial estates. While some prefer the house-and-lot setting, abig number of the expats pre- ferred to stay in a condo unit. “With the demand com- ing from them, we thought of putting up, initially, Scandia Suites Iand II and both were sold out. Since then, we have put up several more,” Ng said. “Selling wasn’t an is- sue.” Cathay Land also has the Golf View Terraces, Stanford Suites I, II and III, and the Fullerton Suites, which broke ground last year. All these are located in Silang, Cavite. Each project has its own amenities such as the swim- ming pool and landscaped gardens, which Ng said, the expats “really liked.” The recently built condos further have pocket gardens in every floor, affording resi- dents and their guests with stunning views of either Tagaytay or the Laguna Lake as they lounge around. What appealed to the expats, he further explained, was that living in acondo affords them utmost conve- nience. For one, they won’t have to worry about the maintenance of their home, repairs, as well as their safety and security. Acondo’s proximity to the expats’ workplaces, commercial es- tablishments, service shops, among others, lessen the hassle of having to drive far to get your essentials.

Growing local market But what surprised Ng was that apart from expats, there was also a growing preference from Filipinos in the area. “To our surprise, there’s also quite abig demand from other markets,” Ng said. “We have Filipinos working at the industrial estates, too, the empty nesters who prefer the condominium lifestyle, pro- fessors from neighboring schools and universities, and even students. We have a lot of schools beside us—you have St. Scholastica, Don Bosco, De La Salle, Xavier, Miriam and B5-2 SATURDAY / OCTOBER 26, 2019 B5-2 PROPERTY WWW.INQUIRER.NET Sorry honey… you alone must pay!

It is one nightmare that they civil indemnities it imposed the murder case? spouse, their common children, properties. will never forget. Spouses Ren may be charged on the parties A: It is Article 122 of the Fam- and the legitimate children of Q: Must the heirs of the and Lecia and several other per- community properties. The ily Code which states that “The either spouse; however, the deceased victim wait for the sons were accused of murder. court opined that even if Ren payment of personal debts con- support of illegitimate children liquidation of the conjugal After trial, the court acquitted and Lecia were married before tracted by the husband or the shall be governed by the provi- partnership of Ren and Lecia Ren, but found Lecia and the effectivity of the Family wife before or during the mar- sions of this Code on Support; before it can assert their claim another person guilty beyond Code, their property regime riage shall not be charged to the (2) All debts and obligations for civil indemnities arising reasonable doubt of the crime should now be governed by the conjugal properties partnership contracted during the marriage from Lecia’s conviction? charged. provisions of the absolute com- except insofar as they redound- by the designated administra- A: No. Article 121 of the Fam- Accordingly, the trial court munity property regime, and no ed to the benefit of the family. tor-spouse for the benefit of the ily Code allows payment of the ordered those found guilty to longer that of conjugal property Neither shall the fines and conjugal partnership of gains, criminal indemnities imposed pay each of the heirs of the vic- regime since no vested rights PROPERTY RULES pecuniary indemnities imposed or by both spouses or by one of on his wife, Lecia, out of the tims, jointly and severally, have been acquired by each MA. SOLEDAD upon them be charged to the them with the consent of the partnership assets even before P50,000 as civil indemnity, over the properties of the com- DERIQUITO-MAWIS partnership. other; these are liquidated. Indeed, it P50,000 each as moral damages, munity. Hence, the liabilities However, the payment of (3) Debts and obligations states that such indemnities and P150,000 actual damages. imposed on Lecia may properly erned the marriage between personal debts contracted by ei- contracted by either spouse “may be enforced against the On appeal, the appellate court be charged against their abso- Ren and Lecia who were mar- ther spouse before the marriage, without the consent of the other partnership assets after the re- affirmed the conviction of both lute community property. ried prior to 1988 cannot be that of fines and indemnities im- to the extent that the family sponsibilities enumerated in accused but modified the penal- Q: What is the property modified except before the cel- posed upon them, as well as the may have benefited; the preceding article have been ty to reclusion perpetua. With relations of Ren and Lecia? ebration of that marriage. support of illegitimate children (4) All taxes, liens, charges, covered.” No prior liquidation respect to the monetary awards, A: It is the regime of conju- Q: What are the instances of either spouse, may be en- and expenses, including major of those assets is required. This the appellate also affirmed the gal partnership of gains because when post-marriage modifica- forced against the partnership or minor repairs upon the con- is not altogether unfair since award of civil indemnity and they were married prior to the tion of the property regime of assets after the responsibilities jugal partnership property; Article 122 states that “at the moral damages but deleted the enactment of the Family Code the spouses can take place? enumerated in the preceding (5) All taxes and expenses for time of liquidation of the part- award for actual damages for and that they did not execute A: Post-marriage modifica- Article have been covered, if the mere preservation made during nership, such [offending] lack of evidentiary basis. In its any prenuptial agreement. tion can take place only where: spouse who is bound should the marriage upon the separate spouse shall be charged for place, however, the Court made Q: Is the court correct in its (a) the absolute community or have no exclusive property or if property of either spouse; what has been paid for the pur- an award of P15,000 each by ruling that the provisions of conjugal partnership was dis- it should be insufficient; but at (6) Expenses to enable either poses above-mentioned.” It is way of temperate damages. In the Family Code should be giv- solved and liquidated upon a the time of the liquidation of the spouse to commence or com- important, however, that the addition, the Court awarded en retroactive effect? decree of legal separation; (b) the partnership, such spouse shall plete a professional, vocational, court must shall first ascertain P50,000 exemplary damages A: While it is true that the spouses who were legally sepa- be charged for what has been or other activity for self-im- that, in enforcing the writ of per victim to be paid solidarily personal stakes of each spouse rated reconciled and agreed to paid for the purpose above- provement; execution on the conjugal prop- by them. The decision became in their conjugal assets are in- revive their former property mentioned. (7) Antenuptial debts of ei- erties of spouses Ren and Lecia final and executory. choate or unclear prior to the regime; (c) judicial separation of Q: Can the civil indemnity ther spouse insofar as they have for the satisfaction of the in- As expected, the heirs of the liquidation of the conjugal part- property had been had on the imposed on Lecia be charged redounded to the benefit of the demnities imposed by final deceased moved to execute the nership of gains and, therefore, ground that aspouse abandons on their conjugal assets? family; judgment on the latter accused monetary awards stated in the none of them can be said to the other without just cause or A: No, since Ren does not (8) The value of what is do- in the criminal cases, the re- decision. The trial ordered the have acquired vested rights in fails to comply with his obliga- dispute the court’s finding that nated or promised by both sponsibilities enumerated in issuance of the writ, resulting in specific assets, it is evident that tions to the family; (d) there was Lecia has no exclusive property spouses in favor of their com- Article 121 of the Family Code the levy of real properties regis- the Family Code does not in- judicial separation of property of her own, Art. 122 applies. The mon legitimate children for the have been covered. tered in the names of Ren and tend to reach back and automat- under Article 135; (e) the spouses civil indemnity that the exclusive purpose of commenc- Source: Efren Pana vs. Heirs Lecia. Subsequently, a notice of ically convert into absolute jointly filed a petition for the decision in the murder case im- ing or completing a professional of Juanite, Sr, G.R. No. 164201, De- levy and a notice of sale on exe- community of property relation voluntary dissolution of their posed on her may be enforced or vocational course or other cember 10, 2012 cution were issued. all conjugal partnerships of absolute community or conjugal against their conjugal assets af- activity for self-improvement; Ren and Lecia filed amotion gains that existed before 1988 partnership of gains. None of ter the responsibilities enumer- and to quash the writ of execution, excepting only those with these circumstances exists in the ated in Article 121 of the Family (9) Expenses of litigation be- claiming that the levied proper- prenuptial agreements. In fact, case of Ren and Lecia. Code have been covered. tween the spouses unless the ties were conjugal assets, not the Family Code itself provides Q: What is the applicable Q: What are the responsi- suit is found to be groundless. Ma. Soledad Deriquito-Mawis paraphernal assets of Lecia. in Article 76 that marriage set- law in deciding whether or bilities enumerated in Art. 121 If the conjugal partnership is Dean, Lyceum of the The trial court denied the tlements cannot be modified not the conjugal properties of of the Family Code? insufficient to cover the forego- University motion. Finding that Lecia did except prior to marriage. Clear- Ren and Lecia may be held A: Art. 121. The conjugal ing liabilities, the spouses shall Outgoing Chairman, not own any paraphernal prop- ly, therefore, the conjugal to answer for the civil liabili- partnership shall be liable for: be solidarily liable for the un- Philippine Association of Law erty, the court ruled that the partnership of gains that gov- ties imposed on Lecia in (1) The support of the paid balance with their separate Schools Mawis Law Office

Ateneo Gradu- Land has a1,500-hectare ex- FROM B5-1 ate School,” he panse of a landbank that is said said. PIONEERING to hold one of the highest po- “What we provide is that tentials over the next decade. modern convenience from a Today, a portion of Cathay condominium lifestyle in a Land’s landbank has innovative more relaxed environment. You township now comprised of have that rustic, idyllic rural CONDO LIFESTYLE boutique communities with setting and yet, all the modern international architectural amenities of city living are themes, an 18-hole golf course there,” Ng added. amenity, commercial areas, and Indeed, how can one ask for IN THE SOUTH the Acienda Designer Outlet. more? All projects by Cathay “We were there 25 years ago Land are masterplanned, de- and the area was just a vast tract signed to provide a different of raw land. It was even inacces- kind of comfort and conve- sible to cars back then. But now, nience in a suburban setting. you even have superhighways Within the condos, there are traversing these areas, which are commercial spaces that offer a considered among the prime lo- resident’s necessities: a super- cations today,” Ng said. market, convenience stores, “I wouldn’t want to be any- coffee shop, laundromat, tutori- where else in the Philippines al services, spa and pet care, except within our area in Sta. among others—which are all Rosa and Silang. I can’t think of just one elevator ride away. another area which would have What’s more, these com- better potential in the future mercial spaces offer potential especially with all these ex- business opportunities for pressways that will be finished budding entrepreneurs in the between now and the next two area, whether they live within Cathay Land offers modern convenience from a condominium lifestyle in a more relaxed environment. years,” Ng concluded. Cathay Land’s 500-ha South Forbes Golf City or in nearby it’s going to be more convenient villages. for people coming from as far For residents, several tourist away as and Alabang, and recreational spots are highly even Carmona, Biñan, and accessible, allowing them to Calamba in Laguna to get here,” relax and unwind while doing he said. their favorite outdoor activities with family and friends during First mover advantage weekends. It thus pays that Ng has al- “We’ve been getting very ways been one to take calculated good feedback and demand for risks. But it comes as no surprise. our condos. It’s a growing mar- After all, he is one of the prime ket and with the completion of movers in the South, a visionary the Cavite Laguna Expressway who had bet big on Sta. Rosa, La- (Calax), which will provide a guna and Silang, Cavite when new access road to Laguna these areas were mostly just vast Blvd., Laguna Technopark, up to tracts of idle land decades ago. the Sta. Rosa-Tagaytay Road, Within this areas, Cathay SATURDAY / OCTOBER 26, 2019 C4 LIFESTYLE.INQUIRER.NET [email protected] INQUIRER LIFE NAME/AGE/CITY/MESSAGE TO 4467 @INQ_LIFESTYLE WWW.INQUIRER.NET

PHILIPPINE DAILY INQUIRER

Editor Thelma Sioson San Juan

Contributing Editors Luis Carlo San Juan &Pam Pastor LIFESTYLE

The college-division winners of the hip-hop competition —NICOLE REY DANCING FOR SISTERHOOD, WOMEN EMPOWERMENT

Despite hurdles, St. Paul College Pasig, University of Asia and the Pacific top WNCAA’s 2nd Hip-hop Dance Competition

By Nicole Venice Rey With their impressive moves her “family” of young women De La Salle University and determined facial expres- who empower each other with Class of 2019 sions, they came out on top in every dance move to thank for. the Juniors Division. Squadra, like any family, fthere’s one act that screams But with every performance went through hardships. The empowerment and confi- comes a set of struggles. The biggest challenge was develop- dence, it’s dancing. Make it group had limited time to prac- ing chemistry among the new I an all-girl group synchro- tice due to numerous suspen- members who were competing nized to the beat and it’s astrik- sions of classes and conflicting for the first time. Then there ing vision of power. schedules, said Pau O’Keeffe, a was the stress of academics. The Eight schools battled it out on Grade 11 Terpsichore Street pressure was high for them to the court that served as the dance member. They made sure these clinch the championship. floor for the 2nd Hip-hop Dance didn’t affect their performance. Competition during the 50th Meanwhile, the University Eye on the prize Women’s National Collegiate of Asia and the Pacific’s (UA&P) But their eyes were on the Athletic Association (WNCAA), Squadra, last year’s first run- prize. “It served as amotivation which opened last Sept. 21 at SM ner-up, emerged champion this for us to train and hustle hard- Mall of Asia Arena. season in the Seniors Division. er,” Matela said. “Let’s go, let’s go!” chanted Dressed in sleek white pants In the Juniors Division, San St. Paul College Pasig’s 16-mem- and blazers, the ladies knew Beda Alabang was first runner- San Beda Alabang, Juniors Division first runner-up —SHOUN NICHOLAS DAVID ber dance crew, called Terpsi- their first rule of business was up, while Assumption chore Street, after to win, and so they did. placed second runner-up. the goddess of dance. For Kyra Ma- For the Seniors Division, tela, third year at University of Makati placed UA&P, she has first runner-up, while Centro Escolar University was second runner-up. St. Scholastica’s College and Philippine Women’s University also competed in the Seniors Division. The five participating schools in the Seniors Divi- sion will directly enter the fi- nals of the Southeast Asian (SEA) Games special hip- hop competition on Nov. 12. The winner will perform at a special event organized by the University of Asia and the Pacific’s Squadra —SHOUN NICHOLAS DAVID SEA Games. —CONTRIBUTED INQ Assumption College San Lorenzo —SHOUN NICHOLAS DAVID

NEW PIZZA PLACE ALERT

From left, DLSU Volleybelles Mereophe Sharma and Leila Cruz, with classmates Luis Acienda Designer Outlet celebrates first Pangilinan and Ken Tiangco —PHOTOS BY anniversary with Acienda Fest SHOUN NICHOLAS DAVID

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