When a prominent and enterprising Cebuano couple visited Phuket years ago, they stayed at the highly rated Banyan Tree Resort. It left an ever-lasting impression in their minds that they both knew their next dream home had to have  Asian-inspired architecture. The young couple wanted a lifestyle that revolved around an appreciation of indoor-outdoor living and a relaxed atmosphere where their kids could move about freely - in bare feet. They also wanted an open space where they could see where the kids are in the house for most of the time. In addition, the couple wanted a “less is more” approach, where the design was sparse and minimal.

The next step was to approach their good friend, Architect Ed Gallego to let him know they wanted to have a resort-feel, with natural light playing throughout the house at different times of the day. Ed encouraged the couple to visit Bali and explore the many resorts in the area. So they did just that. They looked at the Ritz Carlton Jimbaran Bay, the Megara Resort Ubud and the Four Seasons properties at both Jimbaran Bay and Ubud . The couple came back to Cebu with not only an abundance of inspiration, but with a handful of fascinating decor which can now be found all over the house. After twelve months on the drawing board, and several revisions later, they were finally set.

Water has always been the source of life for the Balinese,  and is a wonderful cooling element for their hot and humid climate. The dining area, surrounded by water, is definitely Bali-inspired. It is the perfect setting for entertaining friends especially during moonlit nights where tables are set up in the garden for cocktails. Aside from the reflecting pool around the dining area, there are other water features– the pond at the front garden with a Thai statue, the hidden pond by the Statue of Our Lady of Lourdes, and the infinity pool overlooking the city of Mandaue and the slim lines of the Marcelo Fernan bridge.

The couple are avid fans of Filipino art – paintings by Joya, Ang Kiukok, Zalameda, HR Ocampo, Alcuaz, Legaspi, Malang, Velasco, and young Filipino artists such as Marcel Antonio adorn their walls. They also have glass sculptures by Ramon Orlina and brass sculptures by Cacnio. The entertainment room has a Mother and Child painting by Joya sitting on top of the upright piano and another by Tam Austria, together with an Orlina glass sculpture of a Mother and Child. In the master bedroom’s bathroom, there is also a photograph (double exposure) taken by the man of the house before the couple got married.

They have also been collecting antique Filipino furniture, among which is a beautiful green armoire. Many pieces have been purchased during their extensive travels-- the Chinese watercolor painting from Shanghai in the Chinese decorated guestroom, wall decors from Kuching, Malaysia and wooden items from Indonesia to mention just a few. A Thai wall panel that initially had mirrors is now used as a pass-through from the working kitchen to the hallway. The spectacular front door is actually an antique Tibetan door that their friend, the late interior decorator Xandy Deen, helped find. Xandy was always great in finding unusual furniture such as the Chinese drawers in the foyer and hallway. He would also bring porcelain planters, complete with the appropriate plants, and rearranged the settings with some of the pieces he would bring. Xandy spent a considerable amount of time at the house, that when the homeowners heard of his untimely demise, the whole family was truly devastated.

Even though there is a wide expanse of greenery beyond the property, the couple still insisted on having a garden. As a result, the architect added the garden on stilts – a costly addition but certainly worth it! The garden seems to have taken on a style of its own - designed by the owners to be a complement to the architecture of the house. Most of the plants were from Bukidnon, while the palms were all from the family’s palm farm in Compostela. In addition, the couple has established an organic vegetable garden on the lower level.There is no doubt that this creative couple has managed to incorporate nature into a beautiful design, turning their home into the resort atmosphere they had always dreamed of. Truly, living the dream!