From Darkness to Light: Cebu Ultima Residences Unit Owners Celebrate Power Restoration After 13-Month Wait

After more than a year of uncertainty, frustration, and nights spent in darkness, unit owners of Cebu Ultima Residences finally celebrated a long-awaited milestone: electricity.

On March 14, residents gathered for a thanksgiving mass followed by a fellowship get-together to mark their successful connection to the power grid of Visayan Electric Company — a moment many described as symbolic of their journey “from darkness to light.”

The celebration came 13 months and five days after residents began their struggle to secure permanent electrical service for their homes.

A Long Road to Electricity

For more than a year, unit owners endured difficult living conditions due to the absence of a formal power connection. The delay stemmed from an ongoing conflict involving the condominium’s developer, Fuente Triangle Development Corp., and issues surrounding compliance and coordination required for the building’s connection to the power utility.

Because of the impasse, residents were left in limbo.

Many relied on temporary power sources, extension connections, or limited generator use to carry out basic daily tasks. Elevators, common areas, and residential units faced operational challenges, making everyday life far from the comfort that homeowners expected when they invested in the property.

What should have been a simple transition into their new homes became a test of patience and perseverance.

Community in the Midst of Struggle

Despite the challenges, the residents formed a close-knit community united by their shared goal: to secure reliable electricity for their homes.

For months, they coordinated meetings, organized collective actions, and pursued discussions with stakeholders to find a resolution. Their persistence ultimately paved the way for the building’s connection to the power grid.

When the lights finally turned on, it represented more than electricity—it was a victory for the residents’ determination.

Gratitude to Partners and Supporters

The residents also expressed heartfelt gratitude to the many individuals, government offices, and organizations that extended support and guidance throughout the long process. They acknowledged the assistance and intervention of concerned officials and representatives from local government units, regulatory agencies, and community leaders who helped facilitate dialogue and find solutions that eventually led to the building’s successful connection to the power grid.

Residents said the outcome would not have been possible without the patience, cooperation, and goodwill of those who believed in their cause and worked with them toward a fair resolution.

Ultima Residences unit owners extends their deepest and enduring gratitude to the following: Atty. Aristotle Batuhan; Engr. Marcelo Canitan Jr, and Engr. Roger Montebon of MARR Engineering; Engr. Richard Alfafara, Engr. Patrick Salomon and Engr. Mark Anthony Kindica of VECO; Majot Rodolfo Macelo and Major June Calle of Probe Security Agency; Mr. Ed Juarez of Spectrum; Ms. Remedios K. Esparcia of MCRI; Architect Florante S. Catalan of OBO; Atty. Lourdes Dingle Barcenas, Mr. Ian Victor Thom, Raymond Lange Henke, Thierry Robert Cazayous, and Amy Barcenas Boutvine – Unit Owners.

The event was made possible through the efforts of few Unit Owners who contributed cash and kind to celebrate the momentous occasion. As if by plan, the Gospel for that Sunday Mass was about Light. God has been very good to URCC.; John 9: 1-14.

A Celebration of Light and Hope

The thanksgiving mass held inside the condominium served as a moment of reflection for many residents who had endured months of uncertainty.

For homeowners, the illumination of their units symbolized a new beginning.

What was once a building dimmed by unresolved issues is now filled with light, life, and renewed optimism.

As the evening fellowship unfolded, residents shared stories of the past year—stories of inconvenience, resilience, and ultimately triumph.

Now with power restored, the community looks forward to moving past the challenges and finally enjoying the homes they worked so hard to acquire.

“The lights are finally on,” one resident said during the gathering. “And with it comes hope for better days ahead.”