For chef Eugene Arador, the 100 folds of his toque (chef's hat) does not represent the number of egg dishes he can prepare but the multiple roles he plays: a chef, a food consultant, an educator, an entrepreneur, a husband, a father and a happy community member of SMDC Trees Residences.
A former pastry chef in Macau, he never imagined his path in the food industry would propel him to a position where he could change lives.
“While working in pastry, I was so curious—nakialam ako sa cold kitchen,” he said, recalling how Macau was uncharted territory that opened a new world of opportunities for him.
Working in a foreign kitchen presented its challenges, but through it all, he maintained his strong work ethic. There were days when he would work extended hours: “Hindi ako umuuwi nang hindi tapos ang trabaho ko,” he said.
But for Arador, his desire to teach prompted him to quit his job and return to the Philippines.
“Teaching was my calling. I had to go because I felt I could help others more by doing so,” he said.
“Learning is a continuous process, so you need to adapt. If you don’t, you might wake up na wala ka nang trabaho dahil napag-iwanan ka na,” he added.
His mornings at SMDC Trees Residences now are spent jogging before he goes to work during daytime and spending quality time with his wife and their 12-year-old daughter.
“Being at Trees Residences is like living as one family in one big house. We have friendly neighbors who greet each other during birthdays. We have weekend markets and groceries so food is available anytime, 24/7 security, modern amenities, and accessible transportation to get to places. Everything is here—it’s so convenient,” he said.
“Living in such a good environment is priceless,” Arador said.
The nurturing community spirit and a worry-free life at Trees Residences has allowed Arador to pursue things that truly matter to him.
“Ang mabago ko ang buhay ng isang estudyante at ng kanyang pamilya—that is my goal. Ang marinig ko sa estudyante ko na, 'Sir, manager na ako sa isang restaurant.' Or 'Sir, employed na ako abroad'—this, for me, is true happiness.”
For more information about SMDC Trees Residences, visit https://smdc.com/properties/