Moving to Cebu City was a big decision for Jessa and me, but with the baby coming, it was the most practical choice. I wanted to give you a tour of our new life and the small space we’re calling home for the next period of time.
We’ve settled into San Marino Residences, which is right in the heart of the action. It’s a temporary move—we have the apartment for one year. The plan is to stay here until the baby is born and is maybe three months old. After that, we’ll see if we can get back to our dream of building a house in the mountains, provided we find the right spot. For now, the city is where we need to be.
The location is actually quite convenient. We’re very close to SM City, which is a massive mall—Jessa’s favorite place to go shopping, of course! From our building, we can also see a new Hyundai dealership being built and Robinson’s nearby. It’s a bustling area, a total 180-degree turn from the quiet mountain life, but it has everything we need within reach.
Our new home is on the 19th floor, which gives us an incredible view. The building itself has some nice amenities, like a quiet restaurant and a small shop in the lobby where we can get water. However, I have to mention the elevators—only one was working when we moved in, and they are always busy!
The apartment itself is a studio condo unit, and it’s quite small—only 22 square meters. We figured we could live comfortably here for a while while saving money. We’re paying 12,000 pesos a month, which includes the condo fees. It’s all about being smart with our finances right now.
When you walk in, the first thing you see is our shoe rack, which we’ve actually repurposed into a clothes rack because space is so tight. The bathroom is tiny—it just barely fits the washing machine, toilet, and shower. In the main living area, we’ve managed to squeeze in a big fridge, a decent TV, a small stove for cooking, a little sofa, and an okay bed. I also have a small corner where I sit and work.
One of the smartest things about this unit is the storage. We have a storage area above the main room where we’ve tucked away everything we don't immediately need. It’s the only way to stay organized in such a small space!
The highlight of the apartment, for me, is the view from our window. We look out towards SM City and the marina. But the real treat is going up to the roof. We’re allowed up there between five in the morning and six in the evening. From the top of the building, you can see everything: the bridges over to Mactan, the airport in the distance, and the vast ocean. You can even see the Horizon building over in the Mango area, which is where people go if they like to party.
Looking down from the roof at the local living areas, you see the reality of life here. It’s a bit of a contrast to the high-rise buildings, but it’s all part of the experience of living in Cebu. For now, this 22-square-meter studio is our world, and we’re making the most of it as we wait for our little one to arrive.
