07/04/2026
WARNING: Long post ahead. This is a reflection of a host managing a rental home online for the past 5 years 🫶
From furnishing this small condo while on maternity leave with my second child, and at the same time working and studying full‑time in 2021, to five years later with 79 reviews and a consistent Superhost status, it’s been quite a journey filled with highs, lows, and everything in between. Hindi talaga madali pero naka-5yrs na pala!🙏🏽
Our very first Airbnb review came from a very demanding guest. He gave me four challenging days (oh, if people only read the fine print!) and yet, to my surprise, he left a 5 star review. That was the day I learned that no matter how many years you spend on the customer-service frontlines, five stars can still come from the most unexpected situations. When you can’t give a guest everything they ask for, effort, clarity, and composure na lang! And it turned out to be truly satisfying..
Sometimes, you host people who are quite famous without even realizing it. Like the time I hosted JC of the Jose Carlito Band (brother of Daniel Padilla) and his now wife, Nathalia. That experience reminded me to stay curious and up to date as you never quite know who’s walking through your door. Lesson learned (and glad I got his autograph!)
One of my most memorable hosting experiences was welcoming a family who stayed for 11 nights after returning home for the passing and burial of their Lola. I didnt realize that leaving some classic goodies from Red Ribbon left an impression. I was touched by what the guest said. It was a reminder that even small gestures can hold meaning during deeply personal and emotional moments.
Over those five years, I’ve also hosted guests celebrating birthdays and anniversaries, attending gigs, and graduating in nearby venues like PICC, MOA Arena, and SMX. I always felt especially happy meeting graduates, perhaps because I, too, was once a student‑mom navigating deadlines, responsibilities, and a rental home, all at once! I secretly rooted for them and prayed for their success.
The highs were many, but there were also lows of course. Out of those 79 reviews, I received only two negative ones. The first was a three‑star review in which the guest complained about the building security guards being rude daw. Sadly, there’s nothing much to do as the issue was outside my direct control, but I nevertheless acknowledged the feedback and raised it with Shore’s PMO.
The second incident escalated into a formal Airbnb case, which I ultimately won and was compensated for. From the very first day, the guest made constant demands (and acted as if he booked for a fully-serviced hotel!) asking for chargers, etc, to which my brother graciously provided. He later claimed to have seen fourteen cockroaches in the unit, an assertion that was difficult to verify. While I do not dismiss the fact that the Philippines is a tropical country and such occurrences are possible, I also understand, as a former cabin crew who has traveled extensively, how unpleasant it is to encounter insects in a living space. For this reason, I responded immediately and offered all reasonable remedies: coordinated an alternative unit for him, offered a full 100% refund, and provided receipts showing that the unit undergoes regular monthly pest control. Despite these options, the guest refused to move out and opted to complete the full 28‑night stay. Only after checking out did he demand a full refund, damage the unit, and request that my listing be suspended. Upon inspection, the unit had been left in poor condition: cigarette butts scattered around, trash left full, the air‑conditioning left running, and towels and linens damaged. Fortunately, I had documented everything thoroughly, including screenshots of our conversations and photographic evidence of the unit’s condition before and after checkout. Thankfully, Airbnb ruled in my favor.
Although I won the case, the experience affected me really.. It made me realize how important clear boundaries, thorough documentation, and emotional resilience are when hosting, especially when dealing with unreasonable guests. Sabi ko na lang, wala ng hihigit na stress yung naexperience ko sa SMDC turnover 😅 But on a serious note, guys.. through all the unexpected incidents, expenses. challenges, and quiet sacrifices, may 77 positive reviews in Airbnb that I’m truly grateful for + some in Facebook. There’s the Superhost badge (you get this with 5 stars across all categories within 3 consecutive months) but beyond all this-and I guess this is what matters most-there’s the character building, growth, and learning. Those things are priceless. ❤️🩹
Ang tanong na lang, kailan kaya ang ROI nito? 🤭
Kidding aside, to all our guests, family, and friends who stayed in The Lagom Home, thank you! Here’s to renewed hope and more meaningful stays ahead. 🥂
