Former OFW Can Now Retire In His ‘Pangarap Na Bahay’ After Sending All His Kids To School

After years of working hard and taking care of the family, many, if not all couples start planning for retirement. The lists may vary — from traveling and enjoying activities they missed out on in their early years to dreaming about having a retirement house — but one thing remains the same: They want to enjoy the fruits of their labor.

For Ricky and Sol Dimaala, building a retirement house where they can live peacefully and closer to nature tops the list. Married for 32 years, Ricky and Sol know the value of perseverance and living within your means.

Ricky and Sol enjoying one of their trips.
PHOTO BY Courtesy of Ricky Dimaala

In an interview with Smartparenting.com.ph, Ricky shared that he and his wife both come from humble beginnings. After being married for three years, Ricky went to Saudi Arabia to become a laborer. “Kapag day off ko, imbis na ipahinga ko ang araw na ‘yun ay pumupunta ako sa mga mall para makapag-car wash sa parking area,” he recalls.

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After three years of working in the Middle East as an overseas Filipino worker (OFW), Ricky was able to save enough money to buy a vehicle they registered for public transportation and start a small sari-sari store for his wife. Through these sources of income, they were able to send their three kids to school, invest in a few properties in Caloocan where they live, and buy a 300sqm lot in Silang, Cavite where their future retirement home now stands.

‘Pangarap na bahay’

The lot where the house stands measures 300sqm.
PHOTO BY Courtesy of Ricky Dimaala

“Kaya po namin naisipan mag-asawa na maitayo ang aming retirement house dahil na rin po nais namin na sa aming pagtanda or kapag senior citizens na kami ay mamuhay kaming tahimik at malapit sa kalikasan,” Ricky shares. The family man’s original plan was to simply build a fence around the property, build a small kubo, and just schedule the actual construction of the house when they have enough money.

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Since they still have funds left after accomplishing the original plan, the couple decided to kickstart the construction with the help of a contractor and his team. “Napag-usapan namin na kung hanggang saan lang aabutin ang budget ay ipapatigil muna namin ang paggawa,” adds Ricky.

This changed quickly as soon as he saw the house taking shape. With the help of their kids, who now have stable jobs, and the cash loan Ricky applied for, the Dimaala’s retirement home was done in just four months.

“Habang nakikita ko na kung paano na ginagawa ang aming bahay, hindi na po ako mapakali na hindi matapos ang aming proyekto,” Ricky shares.
PHOTO BY Courtesy of Ricky Dimaala

“Habang ginagawa ang bahay ay natuto kaming magtipid sa mga gastusin para makaipon ng dagdag na budget. Nag-ibayong sikap kami para matupad ang pangarap na bahay,” he says.

Simple, inviting, and with a spacious outdoor area perfect for unwinding — the house is proof of the Dimaalas’ hard work and perseverance.

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Take a peek inside their retirement home below:

According to his post on Home Buddies, Ricky hired a contractor who has his own team who worked on the project. Aside from bringing in workers, the contractor’s team also included an architect.

One of the things Ricky learned about building a home is how important it is to be hands-on.
PHOTO BY Courtesy of Ricky Dimaala

“Buong araw po akong nakabantay sa mga gumagawa para masiguardo na masunod ang gusto kong design at ganoon na din po sa katiyakan na nasa standard lahat ng bakal na nilalagay para makasigurado na matibay ang pagkakagawa ng aming tahanan,” he explains.

The finished house at night looks calming and inviting. Ricky had lights installed to give it that “romantic” glow.
PHOTO BY Courtesy of Ricky Dimaala

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The family has a spacious outdoor area with enough room for a garage, a tambayan, and a garden. According to Ricky, the kubo in the garden is a favorite spot of visitors. They sometimes dine inside it, too.

The kubo was bought ready-made and was just added at the far-end of the property.
PHOTO BY Courtesy of Ricky Dimaala

Ricky and Sol both love the veranda. According to the man of the house, they chose to keep this part of the home spacious.

“Dito din pinaka-presko,” Ricky muses. “Dahil na din malapit kami sa Tagaytay ay damang-dama namin ang malamig na hangin.”
PHOTO BY Courtesy of Ricky Dimaala

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This outdoor nook a few steps from the veranda is where Ricky bonds with his friends.
PHOTO BY Courtesy of Ricky Dimaala

What better way to savor the cool breeze and peaceful surroundings than by lounging on a hammock? This is where Ricky loves to spend his afternoons.
PHOTO BY Courtesy of Ricky Dimaala

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Even if the house is already finished, Ricky and Sol still plan to move in for good when they turn 60. This will give them time to save money for furniture, plus they also want to complete the second floor of their home with another living or seating area.

Inside the house, the owners decided to have wooden flooring.
PHOTO BY Courtesy of Ricky Dimaala

The attic was transformed into a bedroom for one of their kids.
PHOTO BY Courtesy of Ricky Dimaala

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Ricky and Sol’s cozy bedroom features big windows.
PHOTO BY Courtesy of Ricky Dimaala

The simple kitchen is located near the kubo outside, that’s why a pathway was added leading to it to keep mud from getting inside the house when it’s raining.
PHOTO BY Courtesy of Ricky Dimaala

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The Dimaalas prove that as long as you’ve set your goals and you work toward them, you can achieve and make your dreams come true. “Basta’t sipag, tiyaga, at walang taong tinatapakan, may takot sa Diyos at matuwid ang buhay — ito po ang mga susi sa pagtupad ng mga pangarap,” Ricky shares.

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