Award-winning journalist and television personality Anthony Taberna, co-host of "Dos Por Dos" on DzRH Television, has encouraged everyone to invest in home ownership which he said is one of the best long-term investments you can make.

"Shelter is one of our basic needs. At may sense of fulfilment kapag nakapag-pagawa kayo ng bahay para sa kapamilya. Ikaw man ay mediaman, waiter, or cook na wala pang sariling bahay at nangangarap na magkaroon ng bahay, kayang kaya po natin na matupad ang pangarap. Kaya all," said Taberna, who was introduced as the newest brand ambassador for P.A. Properties, one of the fastest-growing real estate communities in the country, during a Zoom launch held last March 19.

Chairman of the Board of P.A. Alvarez Properties & Development Corporation Romarico “Bing” Alvarez believes that Taberna, also known as "Ka Tunying," embodies the hard-working Filipino, mindful of providing for his family the basic needs and desires of his loved ones. P.A. properties believes that his determination is aligned with the company’s thrust of helping the Filipinos achieve their dream to own a home.

Taberna, 46, recalled those days when he and his brother used to live in a squatter's community because he doesn't have a home.

"Noong 1991, nang napadpad ako sa Metro Manila mula sa aming province sa Nueva Ecija, umabot sa 17 taon na para akong basang-sisiw na kung saan-saan tumitira. Una, tumira ako sa kamag-anak. Alam naman ninyo siguro gaano kahirap tumira sa kamag-anak. Umupa rin kami sa maliliit na espasyo sa isang squatters community," the radio broadcaster also said.

He added: "Napakahirap po talaga ng walang sariling bahay. Naranasan ko po yun. Umabot ako ng 33 years old at pinagbantaan ko ang sarili ko na hindi ako puwedeng mag-asawa kung wala akong sariling bahay." Taberna said that he and his wife Rossel Velasco are now staying in their own home. They have two children.

Taberna said that having your own home is not just an investment but a basic necessity.

"Hindi ko kayo sasabihan na gumastos ng parang wala ng bukas. Tignan po natin lagi ang security ng ating pamilya. Kung may sarili kang bahay, hindi lang ikaw ang safe kundi pati na rin ang iyong mga mahal sa buhay," he said.

P.A. Properties is a multi-awarded real estate developer in the Philippines, known for enabling the public to have their dream homes at affordable rates and payment schemes. 

Its projects are low to medium-cost house- and- lot units across Laguna, Batangas, Bulacan, Cavite, Pampanga, and Metro Manila. The company's 26-year-old vision is to provide affordable homes to all Filipinos with their mantra: "Kasama sa Pangarap Mo."

The vision to provide affordable housing to Filipinos was long etched on Mr. Alvarez’s heart because it was his father’s dream. Hence, P.A. Properties developed 40 communities and constructed more than 20,000 housing units from its inception 26 years ago.

It continues to open projects in pursuit of augmenting the production of housing supply in Laguna, Batangas, Cavite, Bulacan, Pampanga, and Metro Manila and they continue to help resolve the country's housing backlog estimated to reach 12 million units by 2030 per data provided by Subdivision and Housing Developers Association, Inc.

Taberna also said that it is also the best time to buy a home during the pandemic. "At this time of the pandemic, home buying may yet be exciting as there are many promotional initiatives – extensive discounts are offered on ready- to- occupy units. Terms are more lenient and considerate; customers were provided alternative payment methods online – with an array of new payment facilities introduced. Reservations were even made available online."