American editor’s quote inspires 2 mothers

A RENOWNED American newspaper editor once said “I am not afraid of tomorrow, for I have seen yesterday and I love today.”

This quote by William Allen White motivated two mothers - at their 50s – who have found an abundant life ahead from selling the masterpiece of the country’s top homebuilder - Camella Communities, slowly dispelling the yesterdays of subsistence living, barely making ends meet.

At 56, Lourdes Perez is now living a good life with her newly renovated house, a car, and can pay bills right away. Perez has been the family’s bread winner after her husband retired from tire treading job, two years ago.

“I have seen the difference of the past and today and I love what I am today. There is financial freedom unlike before. These are all products of hard work,” said smiling Perez, gripping a glossy bag and wearing colorful and costly garbs.

With her present looks molded by four years of selling high-end homes, who would imagine that Perez spent most of her life as a market trader, bargaining seafood, and earning P300 daily at the most.

Her new-found four-year career as a real estate agent is a turning point of her life, giving her courage to face the future with confidence as her financial standing grows along with the growth Camella Communities in Eastern Visayas.

From a meager income she usually earn five years ago and back, Perez’s paycheck has increased exponentially, with one-time pay as high as P91,000. Last December 2012, she adjudged as the top unit manager.

Fifty-two years old Basilisa Yao has shared another inspiring tale. Once a shy-type jobless housewife, Yao has suffered hardship following her husband’s job retirement from a soft drinks company.

“I have to find a source of income to sustain the needs of eight children, especially in their studies. I tried to sell appliances but I have not earned that much,” she said.

In 2009, upon invitation of a friend, she joined the vibrant sales team of Camella Leyte. In three years, she was able to sell six units, sending her regular paychecks ranging from P10,000 to P15,000 from commissions on sales.

“Back then, I have no idea how real estate business works but I took the challenge. Prayer is my powerful tool every time I leave our house to hunt for potential buyers,” Yao added.

More than money, overcoming shyness is Yao’s greatest reward reaped from selling units of Camella Communities. “For a low-educated person like me, I owe my social development Camella because when you sell, you need the guts to talk to people.”

Yao, recognized as the best property consultant for December 2012, is now negotiating with prospective homeowners who are businessmen in her hometown in Eastern Samar.

Geraldine Gascon-Garcia, Camella Leyte General Manager said that they want to see the sales team financially growing along with strong market being enjoyed by Vista Land in Eastern Visayas.

“We are not just building homes and communities, we are also building people,” Garcia added. (Leyte Samar Daily Express)