MANILA SOUTHWOODS RESIDENTIAL ESTATES
Manila Southwoods Residential Estates (MSRE) is a 125 hectare upscale residential community with 2083 residential lots divided into Phases 1, 1A, 2, 3, and 4. It was developed in 1994 by Fil-Estate Golf and Development, Inc (FEGDI) of the Fil-Estate Group of Companies. In December 2010, the latter was consolidated as part of Global-Estate Resorts Inc (GERI).
The development of MSRE was very slow at the start. By 2000 or 6 years after the start of development, there were only about 10 houses in this vast development as most of the necessary facilities were not in place yet. The access road from Southwoods Toll Gate was developed only in the late 1990s. Prior to that, residents had to pass through Carmona Toll Gate.
The first and the second Board of Directors of Manila Southwoods Residential Estates Homeowners Association, Inc. (MSREHAI) were all from Fil-Estate Group of Companies. In both Boards, there was no representation from the residents. Development in these years continued at slow pace.
Village Administration was handled by Engr. Arnel Nulud, an officer of FEGDI, since the start of MSRE until 2011. With meager resources, Arnel was able to line MSRE streets with mahogany trees and provide basic security service to residents. But the other promised facilities were still not in place.
As more lot owners took up residence in MSRE in 2010-2011, there was a clamor for residents’ participation in the village management. Thus, the first election for BOD was held in Dec 2011. The 2012 BOD, the first elected Board, was composed of three full-time MSRE residents and two representatives from the Fil-Estate Group companies, with Beibi Salazar, a full-time resident as President. The new Board immediately organized the Village Admin office headed by Engr Joann Aday. With improved collection of Association Dues and improved operating and control systems, the Board was able to start Village improvement projects.
Since then, the Board Directors are all full time MSRE residents with Artie Zuluaga as President for years 2013 and 2014 and Chris Ward as President for years 2015 and 2016. Since the residents took over the management of MSRE, the village has improved by leaps and bounds. MSRE has become a Premier residential estate, a well-maintained and secured subdivision with all the necessary facilities in place and more.
MSRE is developing into a strong community where homeowners are involved with Village affairs including social activities.
With all the improvements, more and more people are interested to live in Southwoods. From 10 houses in 2000, we now have 129 houses plus 26 under construction.
You've gone a long way, MSRE!