Happy Independence Day, Philippines! Today, as we celebrate our country’s hard-won freedom, I find myself reflecting on the quieter, more personal kinds of independence we each strive for.
For me, that first real taste of freedom came when I moved out—powered solely by money I had earned on my own. I still remember the thrill of those early paychecks from projects I hustled hard to land. The amount wasn’t life-changing, but the feeling was. For the first time, I could buy my own meals, pay my own bills, and carry my own weight. I wasn’t just earning—I was standing on my own.
But as I would soon learn, financial independence is only the beginning.
Living Under One Roof (That Isn’t Yours)
That period right after college is tricky. You’re technically an adult, but often still living under your parents’ roof. If you’re lucky, they’ll let you stay rent-free—but that can come with a strange kind of guilt. Either they cover everything, or they start asking you to chip in when you’re barely getting by.
You’re trying to build something, but working from home means getting interrupted with random errands like banking and bill payments, calls for help like fixing the wifi or sending an email, grocery runs, meal preps, and even claiming someone’s Shopee delivery.
Living rent-free doesn’t always mean living freely. That realization pushed me to find my own space.
The First Move Toward Freedom
In the mid-2000s, I made the bold decision to move out. I was a young entrepreneur then, running a small digital video production business. I needed a home that could double as my creative studio which didn’t require me to lose time in traffic. My mom helped me find a one-bedroom condo near Katipunan—close enough to home in case of emergencies. It wasn’t new or located in a fancy neighborhood. But it was mine. My own space. My own rules. That condo became my personal declaration of independence.
Of course, the fairy tale didn’t last that long. Independence doesn’t always mean freedom. Ironically, the more independent you become, the more responsibilities pile on. The honeymoon phase fades fast when you’re suddenly juggling meal prep, cleaning, and staying on top of bills. You’d think bringing in a partner or spouse would ease the load, but more often than not, it just adds a new layer of responsibility.
Buy if you’re ready. Rent if you’re smart. Either way—be free.
Earn big, buy a house, live happily ever after. Owning a home is a dream for many Filipinos—especially those who started from scratch. But that dream can come with pressure. People feel they must buy, even when it strains their finances.
But here’s the question: Do you really need to buy something to own it?
I remember inviting a client to my first condo for a sit-down editing session. She casually remarked that I was already paying enough in rent to afford a rent-to-own place, and something in my mind clicked. The thought of buying a home was daunting for a young entrepreneur like me, but I worked hard and eventually built the equity to purchase one.
And yes, there is a certain kind of pride in buying your own home with money you earned yourself.
But now, as a real estate broker, I’ve come to see the other side too: sometimes, renting offers more freedom—especially if you’re still exploring, saving up, or not yet ready to commit to one location long-term. After all, dealing with annual rent increases can feel far less daunting than juggling high mortgage payments, association dues, home insurance, maintenance costs, and yearly property taxes.
If you’re ready to buy, do it with eyes wide open. Choose a home that fits your life and your means. One that can outlive you and serve as a legacy. But if you don’t see yourself staying in one place for at least five years, renting may be the better option as this will give you more flexibility in terms of location and floor size.
And let’s take it a step further—do we really need to move out to feel free or create a home? What if freedom and independence aren’t about where you live, but how you live? Sometimes, staying with Mom and Dad can bring more peace of mind and a setup that benefits everyone.
Sometimes, owning entails acquiring. Other times, it means appreciating what you already have, even if it means staying with your folks a little while longer. Either way, it’s a form of self-love and responsibility.
Today, I celebrate more than a nation’s freedom, I celebrate my own journey—from dependent to empowered. And I hope you find your own version of freedom too—whatever that looks like. Because the most meaningful kind of ownership isn’t just about property. It’s about owning your decisions, your dreams, and the life you’re creating.
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