The next level in dorm living

MANILA, Philippines - With all the product development that goes into homes these days — think of the ever-evolving plush condominiums and their increasing number of amenities, from heated pools to ground-floor spas — it was only a matter of time before someone thought of making life more comfortable for those burning the midnight oil in school.

After all, sending your scholars off to make their way through college and dorm life can be difficult for any parent. But everyone knows how counterproductive holding back a child can be, and how enriching it is for them to strike out on their own, so it’s for all the better reasons that the new Oracle Residences and Dorm — located at university hub Katipunan Avenue in Quezon City — offers parents a large measure of peace of mind, and students all the comforts they need in a home away from home. The developers like to think of it as “Next Level Dorm Living.”

Fronting Ateneo and a few minutes from Miriam College, the University of the Philippines and other surrounding schools, the Oracle Residences and Dorm brings together in a unique environment all the benefits of new technology for comfort and safety, intelligent and minimalist design for study, as well as the concept of mixed-use development for maximum convenience.

Only a parent could have thought up a setting so user-specific — parents, by nature, are preoccupied almost 24/7 with what their kids might need to get them on the right track, and with helping them to prepare for the technology-driven future.

Sheila Romero, owner and managing director of Oracle Residences and Dorm, was clear about her aim of extensively redefining the classic dorm offerings. Not only is she a mother who’s got her child’s future university life in mind, but she also remembers well her own student days living far from the college campus.

“Not only was travel time-consuming and expensive, traffic was an almost back-breaking and maddening exercise we had to go through every day — going to school, then going back home,” she recalls. “There were times that, when I got home, all I wanted to do was sleep and rest. But more often than not, I couldn’t even do this — I had to stay up and study for exams the next day.”

Mindful of this, and conscious of the born-to-the-multimedia demands of students and the protective attitudes of parents, Romero wove together the Oracle concept of higher level conveniences, with the help of professionals — in building structure, design and space, comfort and security.

Safety And Protection First

Parents will love Oracle’s Biometric Security System that only recognizes the fingerprints of registered tenants and personnel. Students need not log in, day in and day out, nor dig around for their IDs constantly to be allowed entry to the dorm. Parents, likewise, need not rely on the memory of security staff to recognize those who are supposed to be in the area.

Inside the modern, five-story glass and concrete edifice, designed by architect Jay Calma, are minimalist interiors suitable for concentration on studies, homework, research — everything students will need to make the grade.

A 24/7 closed-circuit TV (CCTV) serves as non-nonsense reminder to tenants that responsible behavior at Oracle is expected and enforced.

With a total of 68 rooms on single-person use, as well as double, triple, and five-person sharing, Oracle discreetly separates the areas allotted exclusively for females from areas for males. Much-desired privacy is sacred at Oracle.

Meanwhile, the lounge is a well-equipped social area where students that get together and enjoy programs beamed over a common plasma TV, or surf the Net via a 24-hour Wi-Fi access.

Like You Never Left Home

Seeing to it that things hum along harmoniously at the dorm is a personal touch provided by the female administrator, a virtual “mommy” who works with a team of well-trained staff.

The good-sized, well-lighted rooms have study desks, lamps, bookshelves, cabinets and couches, and are as comfortable as condo living. TV sets and refs in the rooms are available upon request. And to perk up sleepyheads or freshen up from the day’s workload, hot showers are available in each bathroom.

With a carefully chosen selection of outlets and services, almost everything a resident might need to live well is located in the dorm itself. There’s a cool Internet café, a delectable steakhouse, a comfort zone of meal favorites, a blissful spa and a skincare clinic.

Sizzling Pepper Steak, owned by the Pancake House Group, offering steak and Japanese dishes, is a hit not only among students but also among those living in the La Vista, Loyola Grand Villas, Xavierville, Ayala Heights and Capitol Golf areas. There’s also Tapa King, famous for its hearty Filipino meal combinations offer give good value for money.

The Kourtyard Café on the second floor, where students enjoy coffee and carrot cake plus Wi-Fi access, provides a good view of the vast and tree-studded campuses of the Ateneo and Miriam College.

The distinctive spa treatments of Asian Tropics are refreshing rewards both for those who work hard and for those who like to pamper themselves. It’s also a dermatologic clinic owned by Dr. Al Jaafar, offering lipo, meso, Botox treatments and other procedures.

They also offer Flawless, one of the most sought-after names in skin care, for skin and rejuvenation services for dorm residents as well as everyone in the area.

Other outlets include the Yotabytes Internet Café, as well as the Blue Trip Convenience Store, a super-accessible go-to store right at the dorm’s doorstep.

“We took great care in choosing the establishments,” says Romero, “as a closely guarded fulfillment of Oracle’s concept of mixed-use development.”

As students grow attached to Oracle Residences and Dorm, The Oracle Club is set to open its banquet space on the fifth level of the building for school org activities, class parties, birthdays and private functions.

While it’s true that there never really is a place like home, when it comes to comfort, safety, and convenience, a number of residents can attest to the fact that Oracle comes pretty close.

Located at 317 Katipunan Avenue, Brgy. Loyola Heights, Quezon City, Oracle Residences and Dorm offers rooms for singe, double, three-person and five-person occupancy. Residential units for purchase are also currently being developed.

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For more information, contact 928-0680, 928-1006 or 928-1009. Visit www.oracleresidences.com or e-mail us at oracleresidencesanddorm@yahoo.com, reservations@oracleresidences.com or contactus@ oracleresidences.com.