Dubai-based Batangueño opts for property investment to pursue dream of early retirement

Many Filipinos dream of greener pastures for themselves and their loved ones, which is why many head towards the UAE filled with aspirations and plans for their lives years ahead.
Pablo Santos, a sales and marketing manager who began investing on real estate in 2016 now has two condominiums under his belt from well-known property developers including Ayala Land International which is among the exhibitors for the upcoming Philippine Property and Investment Exhibition the biggest, longest running and most trusted Philippine business and investment forum in the Middle East. Now on its eighth edition, PPIE will be held this coming April 10-11, 2020 at Crowne Plaza – Sheikh Zayed Road. Interested participants can register for free here: https://events.ppie.ae/register/
Here’s how he managed to fund his property investments:
The 39-year-old Batangueño, who has been working in the UAE for over 15 years, recounts that his first two years were his formative period as he learned a lot due to being a bad spender. “I’ve realized that I haven’t saved nor invested a single penny, so I decided to make a full turn around in achieving my long term financial goal (to retire at the age of 50),” said Santos.
Apart from attending financial literacy seminars and speaking and surrounding himself with like-minded individuals, he saw the potential of passive income that can be generated with the right property investment. “I have started attending financial literacy seminars and have surrounded myself with a bunch of like-minded individuals who believe in the same advocacy as mine. And investing in real estate property is one of the many ways how you could grow your passive income exponentially,” shares Santos.
Finding the right property
With so many choices available in the Philippine real estate market, Santos shares that his secret to selecting the property developer that will yield in great returns lies in three factors: Experience, Track Record, and Professionalism.

“I always check the number of years the property developer has been in the industry and their track record as a financially stable company. I also check on their reputation – the quality of their projects, as well as how timely they keep to their schedules. Transparency and Professionalism are also important as they give the client clear details prior to purchase and provide transparent quotation,” said Santos.
This is why Santos chose Ayala Land International for his condominium as the reputable property developer ticked all of the boxes on his checklist as a company he can entrust his investments with: “After checking these factors, I have chosen Ayalaland as my property developer with a prime location in Taguig. Location is the most important factor in buying real estate especially if you’re planning to have it rented. Ayalaland being known as a community builder, I am pretty sure that Ayala Land’s Avida Towers Vireo, Arca South in Taguig will be one of the fastest growing area in Metro Manila in terms of business development.”
Generating passive income
A Registered Financial Planner and advocate himself, Santos also invested in other tools including Agriculture, Stock Market, Mutual Funds and other investment vehicles in the Philippines. He has also planned to invest in yet another condo as he continues to work here in the UAE.
“I currently have 2 condo investments in Metro Manila. Might be planning another one in few years’ time but again for the purpose of passive income generation through rentals. Also, being a financial planner, I practiced diversification strategy in investing,” said Santos.
When asked how he manages to juggle his financial priorities, the Batangueño revealed that he follows a budget plan each month: “Pay yourself first, this is the magic formula. I am following an excel budget plan before the start of each month. I make it sure to set aside portion of my income for savings and investment before I allocate budget for my expenses.”
He also hopes that many more Filipinos will be aware of their expenditures and hopes that his fellow Filipinos would aim to invest for their own future as they continue to work hard here in the country.
“Financial Education is very very important for us OFWs. This will help us realize our main goal on why we are working hard here abroad, and that is to retire early, happy and financially free. All of us needs to invest in knowledge that is why I encourage all OFW’s to attend Financial Literacy Seminars because it can guide you to the right investment for our future. Real Estate investing is one of the best investment vehicle in the Philippines right now, we need to take advantage of this opportunity.”