MALOLOS MANSION
The town of Guiguinto in Bulacan is known for its simplicity. Though relatively close to Manila, the town still was able to maintain its rural way of living. But amidst this quaint town is an abode like no other.

The Bonnga's house looks intriguing even on the outside. It is not the typical residence you would have seen in a town like this. Its gate, made of wood, looks more at home in a house from the Spanish Era. A large bell and water pump, worn with age, decorate the front lawn. read more...

TANGING INA
I had reservations in watching Tanging Ina. Even if I know for a fact that it' s the top Filipino film, grossing Php155 million in its first four-week of theatrical run, it is still not on my movie list. Afterall, I grew up with a notion that Filipino films are either corny or baduy, thanks to bad (and almost always bold) Filipino movies shown and produced while I was growing up. But Tanging Ina is an intriguing movie right from the start. With a title that sounds like a Tagalog swear word, it has piqued the interest of the people enough to lead them to the movie houses to watch it. read more...

 

OPENLY MODERN
by Arvee Salazar

Unique. Different. Unconventional. These are just some of the words that would come into mind when one steps inside this rest house in Tagaytay. Truly, it is something fresh in the eyes for someone who lives in a country where being conventional and alike is the thing. Where one's idea of a house is something with a roof forming an incomplete triangle and rooms defined with walls and borders.

These words also aptly fit Roanna Reyes, the person who designed this rest house. Wan, as she is fondly called by her family and friends, is not your typical girl. She's an architect and a model, two words you would rarely see together. She finished her Architectural Degree in the University of Santo Tomas last 2002 and has taken the board exam just this 2003 ranking 6th in their batch.

Her drawing and design skills can mainly be attributed to her genes. Daddy Romulo and Mommy Yolanda are both architects and she says that her parents have inspired her to pursue Architecture. 'I have always loved drawing and doing designs as a kid but seeing my parents have encouraged me to make this as my career.'

So for her first project as an Architect, Wan decided to tackle the job of designing their family's rest house. 'Originally, we wanted a house made of all wood but neighbors have warned us that that is not a good idea. Termites infestation is really rampant here and treatment seems to have no effect.' So she has opted for concrete for the main house but still adopted the woody sense and style for the outdoors.

'Open architecture is what we have adopted for this house,' she says. 'That means that there is really no definition of rooms, no boundaries. A space can be a room if we want it to be at the same time it can also be just a part of a room. It all depends on how we want to use that space. This plan also is appropriate for the outdoorsy feeling we want that comes with the wooded house. In here, indoors opens up to outdoors and we all know how great that feels. Tagaytay is known for its great outdoors. '

Another thing that made their rest house unique is their staircase which connects the first floor to the second floor. This staircase is made of crushed hollow blocks and uneven paint coating which gives one a feeling that they are looking at something formed by nature in time and not by man. This staircase together with the door near it that opens up to the garden gives a sense of a jungle feeling that can make anyone sigh. 'I call this staircase deconstructive design. I like the raw feeling it exudes,' Wan says. The banister of the staircase is also something. It is made of twisted steel that looks like a snake.
The second floor of this home serves as a recreation room mainly because that is where the family has put the billiards table. And the third floor opening to a roof top veranda serves as another outdoor area for the family where they have put a garden set and swing set. 'Usually when we throw parties, guests stay here for the cool atmosphere and nice view,' Wan says.

The house is a statement in itself so the family has used simple and classic furniture so as to avoid clashing. Daddy Romulo and Mommy Yolanda helped in this aspect. While on travel abroad, they have scoured great finds that would make their house stylish. One that will catch your attention is their not so typical altar with Mommy Yolly's collection of Mama Mary's and crucifixes. 'This is my favorite piece,' says Mommy Yolly referring to a crucifix made of cool ceramic with shades of blue. The crucifix came from Venice, Italy. Art works with not so bold colors also decorate their walls.

As stylish and modern as it is, the Reyes' rest house also has its personal flavor. Pictures of the family can be seen anywhere in the house reminding its visitors what a happy and close family the Reyeses are. The most striking one is a collage made by the Reyes kids in remembrance of their mother's 50th birthday. 'It was with of a Latin theme,' explained Mommy Yolly when asked why their clothes are of outrageous colors. The outrageous colors from the photographs coupled with its bright colored frame gives radiance and glow to the room.

'It is actually a family project,' said Wan when asked about the house she has designed. 'Everybody helped in making this space ours. This house is a reflection of our family life and of our personalities. When we have time we always drive up here. I believe that this rest house has made the family closer. This rest house was built for fun and relaxation but in the end it just didn't serve as our rest house, it became our rest home.'