VILLA FELIZ - EPISODE 6: ARE WE DRILLING FOR OIL??? (House Building in the Philippines)

Today is day 6 of construction. Soil testers arrive, holes are dug for corner columns, and someone bought a truck.

[@nicanoralumia3281]

I kind of love the neighborhood where you built your house of your dream. Very friendly neighbors, peaceful and must be safe community.

[@silverbrzz]

Great job , just started to view your shots, I ran over your video by accident from then I got addicted watching them 😂🇺🇸🏌️‍♂️⛳️. Any golf course near by? I know I played at lipa city GC we back 2019 on the way to join the FilAm tournament at Baguio city. Stay connected 👍

[@MyPIDream]

Thanks for the comments. Yes, there are several golf courses in the local area. Look up Mt. Malarayat Golf Club for one of the nicest.

[@silverbrzz]

@@MyPIDream thanks for prompt reply, I wasn’t really expecting right away answer, hope to meet you someday. Stay safe and enjoy your re. By the way , Are you former military 🏌️‍♂️

[@Neal_only1]

Ah James, unlimited rice !

[@paulcarvalho977]

looking great, I love your lot and subdivision very nice.

[@MyPIDream]

Thanks Paul!

[@wayneseymour1]

Your coverage of your home building at this point is absoluting amazing in its content!! It gives those who are planning to build here in PI a actuall in depth view of the entire process to have a sucessful outcome on their home. As for me being a dratfsman and outright construction enthusiast I get to see how various areas of PI go about the building process. I really appreciate and enjoy your videos thank you.

[@MyPIDream]

Glad you're finding the channel helpful Wayne. Lot more to come showing the other processes. Stay tuned!

[@derekl6475]

I was a bit surprised that the core sample is taken at this phase of construction. I would think it would be a preliminary test so the builder can design within the soil parameters. Interesting for sure!

[@neodelphi]

a hard hat is optional in the Philippines!

[@VicnKateAdv]

Looking forward to Inasal. Pasig Toyota is just across the river from my condo. In regards to putting in aftermarket accessories to my car in PI, I bought everything in the States, and I got it installed there. I found it to be cheaper.

[@MyPIDream]

I was also thinking about picking some things up when I go back to visit my family. I need to get my list started!

[@wjdonner]

Small architectural secret for when designing for the tropics: the more glass (even tinted glass), the hotter the interior, the more pressing the necessity of artificial cooling and the higher the electricity bills or the investment in solar or wind power and the cost and discipline of maintaining equipment.

[@MyPIDream]

Great point wjdonner! This was a big consideration when we were selecting a lot and home design. Will try to bring this point into discussion in the next video segment. Thanks!

[@robertwassmer5869]

Im at Episode 6......and loving it...... god bless

[@360madden]

Currently watching episode 6, with only 554 more to go! I should be done by... early 2021?

[@robertwassmer5869]

hi and hello, im Robert temporarily living here in Switzerland and also a filipino.soon to retire and your show is giving me and my wife the confidence and interest for us both to purchase hopefully a lot there in your Subd. hope fully being your good neighbour heheheh. she's coming over this November to checkout some lots and is anything tickles her fancy well may be we can make a purchase...... fingers crossed

[@MyPIDream]

Send me your info. I know all the lots and can help you finding the best lot to meet your needs and desires. Email me at mypidream at gmail dot com and I'll personally walk you through your selection and connect you to the developer's sales team. Best luck in your retirement dreams!

[@dannyozales7964]

Good morning Michelle 👋👋 neighborhood...yes, James going to work everyday, almost every day 😛😜😛😜 your community really likes you, they super friendly and they smile...if you smile first 😃😀 Yes, save the coconut trees 🌴 🌴 Toyota Truck coming soon. How much discount and freebies did you get from the dealership 🧐🧐

[@MyPIDream]

I got the best deal from Pasig Toyota. Our family member knows the owner.

[@wayneseymour1]

Also known as "Roystonea regia" or Royal Palms great tress for landscaping.

[@MyPIDream]

Yes, we have those in front of our subdivision and throughout. Its one of the palms I want to introduce to our home here as well. Thanks for providing the name. Putting it in my landscaping bucket list!

[@OurPhilippineLife]

You have a beautiful and secluded homesite, James ~ but how will you feel after all the vacant lots around you are sold and houses built? Will you feel crowded, just accept it as life in a development, or is the size of your lot enough to make you feel like you're still in the province? We are concerned that people will cut down too many trees, and it will no longer have a rural feel...

[@MyPIDream]

The lots in TME are large enough that you can have neighbors and feel comfortable with your own privacy inside your own lot. It will be nice to have neighbors also for friendly get togethers and sharing of gardening tips. It's what retirement is all about. As far as cutting down trees, you don't have the say so to cut down trees. The development wants to maintain the lushness of the trees and vegetation. We had to request removal of the coconut and mahogany trees because it interfered with the building footprint.

[@OurPhilippineLife]

Wow! That's good to hear! There are several trees on 3 sides of our lot, and we are happy to hear that many of them will always be there! 😊

[@tomquinn7896]

They are lucky to have you as a neighbor. And vice versa. ☺

[@MyPIDream]

Very nice Tom! 😊

[@johnkuykendall1261]

Hello.. What area are you in the Philippines.? I am American from South Carolina and lived in Asia for many years. My children were born in Manila and my Asawa is from Leyte.

[@MyPIDream]

We live in Lipa City Batangas.

[@mousercat4494]

I just finished Episode 6 and am really enjoying the whole thing. I have several questions and may find them already answered in later episodes but I'll ask them as they occur to me if you don't mind. First, about the security fence. I see that most everybody in the Philippines has a security fence. My question is, Why? I'm a fat old man but I can be over any of them in less than a minute. It seems a very expensive piece of decoration. What am I missing? Second, would you mind giving us some guide as to the cost per square meter of the property in the community, and the ongoing management fees or dues? And third, but the last for now, I see how you will get water, but will you be giving us information about sewage handling there? Thank you so much for the videos and thank you in advance for the answers to my questions.

[@MyPIDream]

Hi William. The security fences are SOP for folks here in the Philippines. Its a deterrent and the first line of defense to thwart off the bad guys. Usually it's combined with bars on the windows which are installed either on the inside or outside depending on your taste. For cost per sqm, you should refer to the Tierra Maria Estates web site. They have a page you can contact the marketing division for questions. I hate to tell you one thing and you find out later its different. The last pricing I was informed was P4,000/sqm. Manangement (HOA) fees are nominal and based on undeveloped lot, under development, and with house. Again, you can get that info from the marketing dept. Sewer lines are installed throughout the subdivision and is for gray water and rain wash. Septic tanks handle black water. Hope this answers your questions!

[@mousercat4494]

Thank you so very much. And by the way, do you mind me sharing your adventures with my facebook friends?

[@MyPIDream]

You're quite welcome William and no problem sharing. The more, the merrier :)

[@jaomap]

you should bring your wife sometimes in the jobsite hehe

[@mariehdeguzman4104]

nice

[@mazecentric4124]

My wife says i act like a politician .i'm constantly waving at everyone...the morning coffee run is a good hour of visiting along the way. 😃 It does take some getting used too!

[@MyPIDream]

That's what makes the Philippines unique. Does take some getting used to for expats but I'll take it any day over the hassle and bustle and stress back home in the U.S.

[@docwelby4994]

Maybe a stupid question, but why wait until after your foundation site has been dug before testing the soil. What would happen if the soil will not support the structure.

[@MyPIDream]

Not a stupid question. The original plans called for a garage under the house which would have given the house the appearance of 3 floors. The onsite engineer denied our original plans and we had to cut the bottom of the house (sub floor) by 2/3's. So instead of a garage of 2.6 m, we were approved a sub floor of 1.1 m to give us as much height as possible to the original plans. Just a few days prior to the building start, I appealed to the HOA and the onsite engineer and I was able to have them reverse the denial of the original plans, but with a compromise. I had to move the additional 1.5 m underground, hence the hole in the ground. There is no requirement for soil testing on a 2 story home. With the newly approved basement/garage, we had to do the testing at the last minute. My contractor is confident the soil test will pass so it should not be an issue.

[@randallarro4805]

James, if i may ask, whats the purpose of the soil testing? Is it required to be done during any house construction/building at any location?

[@MyPIDream]

Soil testing shows the stability of the ground to support a structure. It's required in special situations like building a high rise or a basement in our case. Normally you would not need a soil test on a regular one or two story house.

[@lawrencebyrne3448]

hi enjoying your vids, can you provide any info/website about the lots still for sale there

[@MyPIDream]

www.tierramaria.com Tell them James sent you. Not that my name will get you anything more than a smile though ;)

[@undenkz]

Vince's walkway is an accident waiting to happen. Form over function.

[@MyPIDream]

I don't think he uses that entrance much. They have two big doors on the sides of the house which I believe they use to enter and exit the house.

[@undenkz]

Heh, I'm filipino - never heard anyone from my people name their dog "dog", their must be some miscommunication somewhere.

[@MyPIDream]

Nope, no miscommunication. My neighbor's son speaks very good english. I asked him what was the dog's name. He said "Dog". I asked, "that's his real name?" He said yes, they hadn't come up with any other name. So, "Dog" was his name up until my neighbor's brother took Dog down to Batangas City.

[@SugarDad5555]

@@MyPIDream I think it's Doug.

[@JD-hs7ib]

Dee - Ooo - Gee ----- D - O - G

[@mariehdeguzman4104]

nice

[@mariehdeguzman4104]

nice

[@MyPIDream]

Thanks Marieh!