The Homes of Zee

This Asian-Inspired Home Designed by Ed Gallego is a Stunner

Architect Ed Gallego helps realize the dream home of Joseph and Cora Gandionco through a heavily Asian-inspired design.

This story is taken from our archives. Originally published in Inside Cebu.

Deciding to build their dream home, Joseph and Cora Gandionco harked back to a vacation they had in Phuket years ago for inspiration. That experience had left an indelible impression on them.

They decided they wanted an Asian-inspired home—something open, minimalist in design, and a place where their family could grow in a relaxed but secure atmosphere. Having four children and preferring the indoor/outdoor lifestyle, they wanted a layout that would allow the family to be within hearing or seeing distance from each other most of the time.

With the help of Architect Ed Gallego, they realized their concept. The result is a house that has a resort feel with water features playing a prominent role in the building complex. The cooling and calming element is found in the garden ponds and the infinity pool overlooking the city.

The Gandioncos being keen collectors of Filipino art and antique furniture, paintings by Filipino masters and artists adorn the walls throughout the house. “I patronize Filipino artists,” Cora Gandionco says. “My preferences are the modernists, especially Mauro Malang Santos, Federico Alcuaz, and Marcel Antonio.”

Additionally, sculptures and furnishings purchased during their extensive Southeast Asian travels can be seen in every room. A close friend, the late Sandy Deen, also contributed some unusual artifacts from Tibet and China.

When it comes to entertaining, the house provides many venues. The glass-encased dining pavilion, strongly Bali-inspired, makes an exotic setting for a sumptuous dinner. On moonlit nights tables are set up in the garden for the cocktail hour. Together with the pool area, these are places most preferred for the gathering of friends.

The master’s suite is a lesson in minimalism: the clean, crisp lines of the furnishings, the spaciousness of the room, the outdoor bathtub and shower area—all redolent of their Balinese experience.

The couple has found a completely new environment in a vibrant and modern home.

DETAILS
The couple chose Ed Gallego as the architect because his design ideas were in sync with their vision of how their house should look like. The resort feel of the house is achieved with free-flowing spaces, the ambient use of natural lighting, and water just about everywhere.

Related Topics:Beautiful Homes in Cebu cora gandionco Ed Gallego Homes Inside Cebu joseph gandionco

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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.