The Homes of Zee

The Last Grandee

Edouard Garcia reveals how he maintains the sweet life, living it to the fullest at his family’s ancestral home in the heartland of the sugar industry, Bacolod.

Edouard Garcia reveals how he maintains the sweet life, living it to the fullest at his family’s ancestral home in the heartland of the sugar industry, Bacolod.

Edouard L. Garcia continues to live A life of such amazing quality that few realize such a thing exists. Nowhere else is that sweet life felt more vividly than his ancestral home on Lacson St. fronting the Philippine National Bank. The house was in fact, built to celebrate his birth during the peak of the sugar industry of Negros. The first project of the iconic Unson, Benedicto and Jacinto architectural firm, it remains one of the few houses with the sprawling front lawn complete with a winding driveway, reminiscent of that golden era in the nation’s sugar capital.

The well-appointed modernist building with high ceilings, elaborate grill work and tall French door has always been the setting of two generation’s share of warmth and hospitality, the Garcia way. According to Edouard, it was his mother Nena Lacson Garcia who created that atmosphere of gentility mixed with a heavy dose of pure Ilongga style. A portrait by national artist Fernando Amorsolo, which today hangs in the living room, allows us a glimpse of that polished sophistication that Nena Lacson Garcia always had.

For two generations now, this home has been a mecca for a handful of socialites and eccentric personalities that have been attracted to that Garcia charm and lifestyle like moths to a flame. To this very day, the house has an immense feeling of community, friends continue to pour into the intimate infrastructure that permits them to luxuriate in the glow of the owner’s gracious hospitality.

When Edouard is not winding down in this low-key environment, he is otherwise comfortably ensconced in his Parisian address in Le Marais district. Edouard has been a Francophile since his studies at Sorbonne, Paris studying French civilization and language. During these innocent times, he entered the luxury business of fashion after being the first Filipino graduate of the prestigious Ecole de la Chambre Syndicale de la Couture Parisienne, where the likes of Yves St. Laurent and André Courrèges spent their formative years. This led to a working experience with venerable fashion houses like Jacques Esterel, Guy Laroche and eventually Christian Dior.

Paris in the 70’s became a hot house for live concerts, enchanted summer escapes and tea parties that turned into clubbing ‘til dawn in the name of beauty and style. Edouard found himself in the center of this glamorous milieu meeting people like Kenzo Takada, Carol la Brie, la Viscontess Jacqueline de Ribes, Isabel de Rosnay and the crown prince of Cambodia who he grew intimate with. The rest is social history.

Today he spends his days in Bacolod writing for the Negros Daily Bulletin with a society column titled Sugar High, as well as being a correspondent for the Philippine Tattler. His persistent efforts in social and cultural work landed him the post as Tourism Ambassador for the Resort Association of Negros Island, earning him the title Ambassador Ed. He continues to change with the growing times from wandering globetrotter to the dutiful son that he is, as well as a respective leader in Bacolod’s burgeoning community. A life well lived sums up Edouard Garcia’s chameleon-like personality.

by Jing Ramos
photography Hans Corral
styling Raymond Revilla Fuentes

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.