The Casa Alon Journal.
Stories about real estate, retirement, design, travel, and creating a life you’ll love in the Philippines.
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We're a team of passionate thinkers and doers, dedicated to building with purpose and clarity. Collaboration and curiosity drive everything we do.
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We believe in keeping things simple, smart, and human. Every project starts with listening and ends with something we're proud to share.
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From startups to seasoned brands, we partner with people who care about doing things right—and doing them well.
How Much Money Do You Really Need to Retire Comfortably in the Philippines?
Forget the $1,500 retirement fantasy. Here’s a realistic look at what an expat or OFW couple may need for a comfortable Philippine retirement—with housing, healthcare, travel and quality of life included.
Four Tarot Cards, One Very Human Question
Four tarot cards unexpectedly became a mirror for life’s biggest questions: what we carry, what we fear, what we’ve learned, and what we are willing to let go.
Retiring in the Philippines as an OFW: Can I Afford Makati?
At 63, Richard Valdez is planning his return to the Philippines. After decades in San Francisco, he asks the question many OFWs eventually face: Can I afford to retire comfortably in Makati?
Hinabi Reserve: Returning to the Shore That Raised Me
Long before San Juan, La Union became the surfing capital of the Philippines, it was the backdrop of my childhood memories. Discover how those quiet family beach days inspired my appreciation for Hinabi Reserve—a thoughtfully envisioned luxury coastal community that celebrates nature, wellness, and a slower way of living.
The Little Boy in the Baptism Photograph
At 62, an old family photograph from my aunt’s baptism reminded me how a childhood filled with hardship eventually became a life filled with gratitude, love, and peace. Sometimes the smallest moments reveal the greatest journeys.
Can a Home Ever Become a Work of Art?
Experience Shang Aurelia through Casa Alon’s editorial perspective. Discover why this iconic Bonifacio Global City address represents timeless luxury, refined architecture, and a legacy of exceptional living in one of Metro Manila’s most prestigious neighborhoods.
Why I Created Casa Alon
Buying property in the Philippines as an OFW or expatriate can be overwhelming. Learn why Richard Valdez created Casa Alon—a Modern Filipino Luxe Property & Lifestyle Studio that helps clients navigate luxury real estate, interior design, architecture, custom home building, and project management throughout the Philippines.
What If the Next Great Luxury Address Isn’t in Manila?
Experience Shang Bauhinia Residences through Casa Alon’s editorial perspective. Discover why Cebu is emerging as one of the Philippines’ premier luxury destinations and explore how Shang Properties is redefining elevated urban living with timeless architecture, hospitality-inspired amenities, and an exceptional lifestyle.
Sometimes the Future Has an Address
Experience Shang Haraya Residences through Casa Alon’s editorial perspective. Discover how Shang Properties is redefining luxury living in Bridgetowne with timeless architecture, wellness-focused amenities, refined interiors, and a visionary approach to modern city life
The Luxury of Looking Toward the Water
Experience Oak Harbor Residences through Casa Alon’s editorial perspective. Discover how waterfront living, thoughtfully planned homes, and resort-inspired amenities create one of Metro Manila’s most inviting residential communities for families, retirees, overseas Filipinos, and investors.
Some Places Don’t Ask You to Visit. They Invite You to Stay.
Escape to the City of Pines with One South Drive by DMCI Homes. Discover why this thoughtfully planned mountain community offers the perfect balance of nature, architecture, and modern living, making it an exceptional choice for retirees, families, investors, and overseas Filipinos looking to own a home in Baguio City.
Why We Chose Fortis Residences: Designing Our Next Chapter in Makati
Discover Fortis Residences in Makati through the eyes of Casa Alon. Learn why this thoughtfully designed condominium became our choice for retirement and explore the lifestyle, architecture, and urban living that define one of Metro Manila’s most exciting residential communities.
The White Snake and the Ballet at Dawn
A dream can disappear as quickly as morning light—or remain with us long after we’ve awakened. In this personal Casa Alon Journal, Richard reflects on a vivid dream of a white snake gracefully moving with a bird in what felt more like a ballet than a chase. Rather than interpreting it as a prediction, he explores what the dream revealed about transformation, patience, wonder, and learning to trust life’s natural rhythm. This reflective essay invites readers to slow down, embrace uncertainty, and discover how some of life’s greatest moments unfold not through force, but through grace.
I Didn’t Buy a Condominium…
Buying a home in the Philippines isn’t just about finding the right property—it’s about creating the life you want. Discover practical insights for OFWs, expats, retirees, and investors from someone who has personally purchased property and navigated the journey.
The House I Never Thought I Would Own
Owning a home in San Francisco once felt impossible. From working as a gas station cashier to building a life through perseverance, investing, and unexpected love, this is the deeply personal story behind the house I never thought I would own. Whether you’re buying your first home in the Bay Area or dreaming of investing in the Philippines, I hope this journey reminds you that sometimes the impossible simply takes longer than expected.
The Taste of Summer
Sometimes the most unforgettable recipes aren’t recipes at all—they’re memories. A story about Baguio summers, strawberry salads, baked salmon, and a grandmother who understood that simple meals often leave the deepest impression.
The Price of a View (and Other Real Estate Love Affairs)
Buying a property is half heart, half logic. In Baguio’s Rainbows End Village, I fell for a view that tested both. Because in real estate—like love—it’s all about finding the right foundation.
Why More OFWs, Americans, and Expats Are Choosing to Retire in the Philippines
Retirement isn’t just about finances—it’s about quality of life. Discover why increasing numbers of OFWs, balikbayans, American retirees, and expats are relocating to the Philippines for affordable living, modern conveniences, quality healthcare, and a lifestyle centered around family, community, and freedom.
The First Conversation
Every beautiful home begins with a conversation. Discover the design philosophy behind Casa Alon’s first project at Fortis Residences Makati, where storytelling, listening, and thoughtful interiors create spaces that feel deeply personal.
One South Drive Baguio City: A San Francisco Soul Finds Peace in the Cordilleras
A heartfelt narrative about leaving behind the fast pace of San Francisco for the cool mountain air of Baguio City, Philippines. Discover the emotional beauty of One South Drive, luxury hill station living, and a future built around peace, nature, and intentional design.