View From the Hill

9/27/2010

“Down from the Hill, into the world go I… “So goes the hymn of my Alma Mater. These days, I hear it often after our basketball team wins the games. However, this piece is not about basketball but about living on a hill, seemingly high up above the world.

Living in the heart of the city has its advantages, such as being closer to malls, offices, commercial establishments… Mmm? Did I say these were advantages? Anyway, living outside the city has its advantages too.

If you have seen Metro Manila from a viewpoint in Antipolo, you would know what I mean. The smog is just awful, especially after realizing that we breathe it in everyday. Air-conditioning your homes may only make it worse since you need to contend with second hand air within your homes plus the fumes any household chemicals emit but we hardly notice anymore.

Within the city, it may not always be a good idea to step outside for a breath of air. The traffic, the noise, the floods just add further insult to injury. This is why it may be wise to move out and seek higher ground. There are people who decide to move away from the city and build their homes where the air is fresher. It must be nice to be able to take a stroll in the morning and possibly see a clear sunrise everyday, then later on to even catch a nice view of the sunset. Such moments could be priceless.

These are among the advantages enjoyed by residents of Alegria Hills in Cagayan de Oro. Although the community is merely 15 minutes away from the city, homeowners are rewarded with these invaluable perks. If only Manila had somewhere this beautiful truly 15 minutes from the metropolis, I would probably move out there too.