The Homes of Zee

Inside Cebu: Annie and Louie Aboitiz Live in Tradition

Annie and Louie Aboitiz’s home is designed by Timoteo Unson is a lesson in balanced architecture.

With its stone exterior, extensive use of wood in floors and wall panels and overall modernist style, the home of Louie and Annie Aboitiz, designed by Architect Timoteo Unson, is a lesson in balanced architecture. Never sparse or overly done, each room breathes life and invites the visitor to relax.

A profusion of plants and the plush upholstery for the generous seating arrangements serve as counterpoint to the home’s hard edges. Enhancing an open feel is the ample natural light that spills through the glass sliding doors on three sides. The adept positioning of furniture further makes the spaces attractive.

A keen collector of Chinese antiques, Annie has skillfully managed to display her acquisitions, mixing them with paintings by Filipino masters like Juvenal Sanso and Oscar Zalameda. Despite the profusion of museum-worthy pieces, the house is still very much a welcoming space.

Annie’s other passion, orchid collecting, is evidenced throughout the home. In nearly every room there are magnificent displays of orchids in full bloom, from cattleyas to dendrobiums. These are taken from the beautifully maintained gardens surrounding the house—gardens that have seen some very memorable celebrations in the past. From here, and from the informal seating arranged on the terrace along the house, there are magnificent views of the city of Cebu.

A discerning businesswoman in her own right, Annie was heavily involved with the development of one of Cebu’s grandest residential addresses, the Maria Luisa Estate Park. It was her mother, Mary Renner Osmeña, who believed that the city had the potential to grow north in the hills of Banilad, which she envisioned as an elite enclave above the steadily thickening metropolis. This house is a fine example of how the land development was achieved in the Maria Luisa Estate Park.

The house has already withstood several decades of use and weather. Yet it still looks architecturally strong, its extensive use of Mactan stones still striking and the wood paneling, very much intact. Positioned perfectly within the property, it is a good example of how an Unson-designed building stands in proportion to the size of the lot.

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The Homes of Zee

The Homes of Zee–Holiday Edition: Christmas House No. 12

Christmas House No. 12 – Heart-felt Holidays at the Hofers’

Check out why this holiday home is on our list of 12 Cebu homes this season. Zee.ph offers a glimpse of Cebu’s holiday homes from far and wide. Please follow our series as we bring you a different home in the next few days!

Nestled in Banilad, Cebu City, the George Hofer residence stands as testament to enduring elegance. Constructed in the late sixties to early seventies, the mansion exudes timeless charm with warm brown molave wood panels and pristine white marble floors.

Stepping into this grand abode during the Christmas season unveils a journey into a beautifully storied past. This season, Molave wooden entance, intricately carved with the Hofer couple’s monogram, are adorned with opulent yuletide garlands. White velvet poinsettias and persimmon peonies alongside mother of pearl camellias are interspersed with pearlescent berries. Archangel Michael showers the guests with blessings from above, while a macassar ebony wooden effigy of Saint George (slaying the dragon) pays homage to the house owner’s namesake.

Adjacent to a private elevator, a grandiose Christmas tree stands tall, welcoming guests into a sprawling waiting hall. Here, an angel in teal and gold lamé cloth grouped together with exotic blooms gracefully plays the lyre; seemingly entertaining those who await entry.

Further down the hall is an ecru grand piano, where the lady of the house, a skilled pianist, performs Monti’s Czardas, Schubert’s Ständchen, and other rhapsodies on special occasions. A commissioned portrait of George and Dulce hangs on a wall above a console table that separates the hall from the formal dining area.

The Hofer home exudes old-world elegance that is seldom found today, yet its true charm lies in the joyous laughter and warm greetings of the Hofers, who gather annually to share Christmas cheer and delightful yuletide stories in this vibrant space.

The Homes of Zee

The Homes of Zee–Holiday Edition: Christmas House No. 11

Christmas House No. 11 – Christine Pelaez

Designed by the noted Cebu architect Teng Jacinto, this expansive residence stands as a testament to the artful curation of Jun Pelaez. Over the years, he has meticulously assembled a collection of artworks, transforming the home into a gallery that reflects his discerning taste and appreciation for the aesthetic.

As the holiday season graces the air, the residence undergoes a festive tone under the artful touch of Jun’s wife, Christine. Embracing tradition, she bathes the home in the classic Christmas palette of reds and greens, infusing each corner with warmth and seasonal charm. The interior becomes a canvas for the holiday spirit, adorned with wreaths, ornaments, and the timeless glow of twinkling lights.

However, the true heart of this home lies in its welcoming spirit. There are two dining rooms, with chairs adorned with red bows and festive centerpieces, where family and friends converge for an equally sumptuous meal.

The Homes of Zee

The Homes of Zee–Holiday Edition: Christmas House No. 10

Christmas House No. 10 – The Hudsons’ Christmas Chronicles

The Hudson’s household buzzes with enthusiasm each time the holiday season unfolds. The heart of their Tokyo home, the Hudson Christmas tree, stands tall and proud, adorned with tinsel and cherished trimmings that span the years of their family’s growth. Each ornament tells a story, marking the arrival of a new family member with the annual addition of baubles bearing their names: Mary, George, Victoria and Charles.

Charles, the youngest Hudson at twelve, beams with joy as he proudly places the Christmas star atop the tree. No longer reliant on his father’s shoulders, Charles revels in his newfound height and the welcomed responsibility that comes with it.

In addition to the twinkling blue lights, the festive icons and the white-and-silvery ornaments, another cherished tradition had been completed at the beginning of the joyful season. The Hudson’s much-anticipated Christmas cards, an exciting accountof the family’s adventures, had been creatively crafted by Rose and Karl. The lively narrative chronicles the milestones and quests of each family member, with Karl’s animated storytelling and Rose’s artistic touch bringing the tales to life.

Rose shares, “by mid-November we print two hundred post cards of the Hudson family chronicles. The entire family, from the oldest to the youngest, gathers around to sign each card. Envelopes are lovingly addressed, and the kids lend a hand in labeling.”

In a heartwarming shift of roles, the Hudson parents, Karl and Rose, prepare to pass the baton. The careful planning and distribution of the Christmas cards are soon to become the responsibility of the eager younger generation.

With laughter, love, and a touch of adventure, the Hudson family embraces the season, creating and sharing memories that they and their friends treasure for life.