As the sun rises here in Rosewood Pointe Residences, the sky changes to pinks and oranges. This wakes me up from my bunk bed. I open my eyes and see only these fantastic colors. My window opens to a large green field full of birds, trees, and grass, so the view is nice.
This appreciation for beautiful views continued when, one day, my father took me to the roof deck of our building to see the City of Taguig. The view was incredible, with the city stretching out below us. While it wasn’t my interest, seeing it was nice anyway. My father asked me to pose for photos since the sun was just right, so I had to stand there and smile until my cheeks hurt.
I start and end my day with prayer. After that, much to my parent’s dismay, I often practice lunging for my fencing or jumping for my volleyball skills in the hallway at home. Boom! Blaaaaag! They would hear my feet landing hard on the floor after I jumped many times at six in the morning.
I’m not a solo kid. My siblings, who can be noisy and chaotic, heighten our condo’s lively atmosphere, testing my parents’ patience. Once they wake up, it’s a whole new level of happy noise. It’s not all noise and play, though. We’re all homeschooled, so our condo unit becomes quiet once our Zoom classes start.
LOOKING BACK
I played with many of the community’s children when I was younger. We enjoyed organizing games and having fun running around and exploring the amenities. Those days were filled with laughter and excitement, and I made many friends through those play sessions. It was a time when the neighborhood felt like one big, friendly playground.
SPORTS
Sports play a significant role in my life in Rosewood. The neighborhood has excellent sports facilities, including volleyball and badminton courts.
Since I am homeschooled, I have a flexible schedule and can use these facilities throughout the day. After finishing my classes, I often go to the courts to practice. I enjoy playing volleyball alone, and I use the time to work on my skills, such as serving and spiking. The empty courts are perfect for practicing and improving my game.
While practicing, I often see fresh groups of young kids playing together. It’s great to see the next generation of children enjoying the same sense of community and fun that I experienced.
Sometimes, I’ll notice a group of kids playing tag or riding bikes, which reminds me of my joy when I was their age. Their laughter and energy bring a lively atmosphere around me. I’m not alone, I’m having fun with them.
KARATE NEARBY
While I practice volleyball, I also notice that the nearby clubhouse often hosts karate classes. I can sometimes hear kids and adults practicing their kicks and punches from across the greens. The thuds and shouts from the karate kids, mixed with the sounds of my volleyball practice, create a lively backdrop to my practice.
As I recall, I also had my Muay Thai lessons on the second floor of the clubhouse where those kids did karate. Come to think of it, when I was younger, my sister and I would do fencing matches there, too!
Seeing how different sports and activities coexist in Rosewood is good.
I appreciate the convenience of having these facilities nearby. It means I don’t have to travel far to participate in sports, which makes it easier to stay active and safely enjoy my favorite activities every day.
SWIMMING VS VOLLEYBALL?
But Rosewood offers more than just sports courts. The swimming pool always looks inviting, and I often think about going for a swim. It’s true! However, I usually end up playing volleyball instead. It’s just easier to clean up after volleyball practice compared to the effort of drying off and changing after swimming.
ONE DAY
I enjoy watching bikers having fun on the walkways surrounding our swimming pool. I often watch them and wish I could join in. I don’t have a bicycle yet, but I am excited about possibly biking someday. The freedom and enjoyment of riding through the neighborhood would be a great addition to my daily routine.
BLOCK ROSARY
Community life in Rosewood is another essential aspect of my experience here. One of our traditions is the Block Rosary, where a statue of Mama Mary moves from one house to another. Each house hosts the statue for a while and prays the rosary as a family. The following week, the statue is passed on to another Rosewood family in a simple get-together ceremony.
MASS X 2
Sunday Mass at the Rosewood Clubhouse is another vital part of our week. Before the pandemic, we used to sing in the choir there, too. I saw my young playmates grow into young men and women every week during Mass.
In addition to Sunday services, I discovered a Saturday afternoon Mass in the DMCI condo nearby, still inside Acacia Estates. Since then, I’ve also made it a habit to attend mass there. Even though it’s unnecessary, I enjoy attending Mass so much that I don’t mind the extra effort it takes to get there.
COKE ZERO
The nearby convenience store is a valuable part of my daily life. It’s on the ground floor, making running errands easy and picking up what we need. My parents often want Coke Zero with their chicken, so I frequently go to the store to buy a bottle.
I also pick up snacks for my siblings and ingredients for cooking, such as butter for pancakes, bread for sandwiches, and sinigang mix. The store’s location makes it easy to get these items without hassle. They also have ice cream – making it easy to celebrate something quickly.
Living in Rosewood Point Residences allows me to do my daily routines with a strong sense of community and safety.
Every part of life here feels meaningful, from the start of the day with the sunrise to the end with the moonlight. Sports activities, religious practices, and everyday conveniences create a satisfying and enjoyable life for me, and it’s all in one place.
Our condo’s daily spectacular views, its amenities, and lively atmosphere add to the appeal of living in Rosewood, making it a special place for me to grow and call home.
About the Author:
I’m SR Hilario, and I’m homeschooled in the lovely subdivision of Rosewood, which I love. I live with my family who are relaxed and fun to be around. I’m passionate about sports, especially volleyball and fencing, which are significant in my life. I’m excited about the future and grateful for my experiences here.
