Home Buddies members share how they built their own homes after their failed relationships

"Kayang-kaya pala basta huwag susuko, laban lang, lakasan lang loob, with God's grace and true people around me," she said in her post.

In an interview with PhilSTAR L!fe, Antazo recalled her ex-husband not being at home most of the time and was mostly irritable. Later on, she said she found out that he had a love child ahead of their marriage and that he impregnated another woman while they were still together. He also laid a finger on her several times, prompting her to ultimately leave the marriage.

With the help of her in-laws and her children, she was able to convince her ex to sign a waiver so that she could secure a loan for a rent-to-own condominium. She then took on several commissions and sidelines to work on the renovations, all while sustaining her children alone.

Antazo advised those who are planning to purchase a house to become financially stable first before settling down.

She noted that sacrifices are necessary to achieve such a task. For instance, there are several occasions in which she didn't join her friends when going out. She also made it a point to escort and fetch her kids to school instead of paying for a school bus.

"Unahin na magkaroon ng bahay muna ang dapat bago ang mga kapritso sa buhay," she said, adding that furniture, equipment, and other physical things would easily follow.

Christine Musa, meanwhile, looked back into getting a third house that's finally hers, as the first two houses were "awarded" to her ex-husband during their annulment.

Musa said the first house was bought when she and her ex were still exclusively dating in 2004, with him as the principal buyer and her as co-owner via a sales purchase agreement. The court, however, didn't recognize it as a conjugal property.

The second house, meanwhile, was bought in 2010 when they were already married. The property's title was under his ex's parents and wasn't transferred as promised following the separation.

Musa said she bought the third house under a different person for fear of being tagged as conjugal.

"This house now signifies how strong and courageous a woman I have been despite all the misfortunes I have gone through in the past," she said, adding that she's able to prove him wrong after saying she couldn't survive without him.

Musa found love again but eventually became a single mother in 2019, saying her "tragic stories" turned her into someone she never expected.

Musa said her house now is inspired by Scandinavian and Nordic themes because she loves "anything simple, clean, and minimalist."

Bouncing back and pushing forward

Other Home Buddies members used their failed relationships as motivation to work harder.

Porfi Medina recalled that in August 2020, he went back home from abroad after "experiencing hell" with his ex which led to post-traumatic stress disorder.

Medina said that for him to move on, instead of his go-to move of rushing to the salon, he gave his house a makeover. He spent two weeks decluttering that, though "stressful," was "very satisfying." He engaged in a lot of DIY or do-it-yourself, upcycling, and trips to the hardware.

Reinforcing the power of pleasing visuals, Medina used shades of yellow to complement the gray hues. He also used deep marine blue in the dining area.

"I thought incorporating colors would influence (and) lift my mood and spirits," he said.

Aldrin Santos, meanwhile, turned his focus on work after his breakup. At 33, he's able to get a 38-square-meter house and lot for himself.

His two-story house has shades of jade and brown and features a silver gate, a mini terrace, and sliding windows.

"Puro work at sideline epekto ng iniwan. Share ko lang po ung munting bahay ko po nakaraos rin," he said.

With these inspiring stories, and when the time comes for you to purchase a home someday—breakup notwithstanding—take note of the Essential DIYs That Every Homeowner Needs to Know.

Watch out for our Home Buddies features every Saturday.