It's not just about the lights, it's also about style.

As someone deeply involved in the renovation of their home in Cavite, Dave Castro, discovered he had several lighting “requirements.”  “Our home is a semi-traditional Filipino house, which means that it is several decades old and which also means that it is constructed from a combination of concrete and wood,” he says.

He notes such a combination resulted in several characteristics that the original builders did not anticipate (or foresee) would result in future challenges for the homeowner—especially in terms of household illumination. “For starters, the ceilings are relatively higher. In older homes, the interiors are a bit gloomy, especially when the lighting fixtures are not switched on.”

Whereas before Dave and family could just as easily switch on the house’s lighting fixtures for illumination, the spiraling cost of electricity has made such a habit quite prohibitive when it comes to cost.  Also, as someone who grew up in the era of increased environmentalism, they would also like to do their share in protecting the environment vis-a-vis electrical usage.“Of course, I’ve done my homework and I’m now acquainted with lighting fixtures,” he says. 

However, as he found out, going to the neighborhood hardware shop for the appropriate lighting fixtures is not exactly the quick fix that he expected. “For one, the lighting fixtures at neighborhood hardware stores are not exactly the most current in terms of technology and energy efficiency,” he shares.  “Moreover, the style the fixtures are not simply up to par with what we want.”

A friend of his directed him to MC Home Depot, with the assurance that he would certainly find what he wants in the stores of the establishment.  “I didn’t have any expectations at first,” he says, “but when I saw the stores that specialized in lighting fixtures—both for indoor and outdoor illumination—I was blown away!”

MC Home Depot (Ortigas corner Meralco Ave; and Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City) has tenants that specialize in lighting fixtures.  These include Apollo lighting, Illuminasia, Ven’s Lights & Leisure, Bell’s Lightings, Metallite, Light Options, Robles Heritage, Lights@Play, Akari Lights and Aristocrat Interiors.  

Certainly, one can list down one’s requirements and more often than not, a customer will be satisfied with the choices that are on offer.  From ceiling lamps, traditional chandeliers, post lamps, droplights, energy-saving floodlights and even traditional ball lanterns made of capiz—one has a variety of fixtures to choose from.  More importantly, the selections are very affordable—an added requirement during these hard-times.

“Price-wise we are very competitive,” shares Claire Ragunton, the general manager of MC Home Depot (Ortigas). “Our items range from the high-end to the more affordable items that Filipinos need for their lighting needs.”

The location of MC Home Depot is also ideal for people like Dave who work in business centers like Ortigas and Bonifacio Global City, as MC stores are just a short walk or ride away.  Also, they have free-parking—a rarity in these days where a lack of generosity and customer-friendliness seem to be more the norm than the ideal.

Given that most people have limited time to shop, MC Home Depot is also one of the few establishments that are almost always open.  “We are open on Sundays and holidays,” says Ragunton, adding that the stores are closed on only five days of the year (New Year, Christmas, Holy Thursday, Good Friday and All Soul’s Day).

When we chanced upon Dave at MC Home Depot, he was carrying a selection of traditional ball lanterns (“It’s for our yard.”) and a hi-tech lamp (“For my bedside reading.”), while eyeing a selection of energy saving floodlights (“I’m thinking of high-lighting our home’s facade at night.”).  Alas, he didn’t have the time and the budget for now—he admits sheepishly, all the while grinning.  Nonetheless, he promised to be back and frankly, we have no reason to doubt him.

MC Home Depot usually holds promotional expos every quarter that also offer and highlight the other products that the establishment sells.  As such, he can expect to be back sooner than expected as the next one is slated for October.