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The House That Food Built

Made for a family with the passion and panache for cooking, this seaside getaway houses the traditions of Balinese architecture as well as of its food-savvy residents.

Made for a family with the passion and panache for cooking, this seaside getaway houses the traditions of Balinese architecture as well as of its food-savvy residents.

It all started when the owners, a family that leads the local restaurant industry specializing in Filipino cuisine, purchased this property from a friend—an expansive lot extending from the main road towards a cliff that conceals a strip of white sand beach. The estate boasts of an extensive view of the Camotes Sea, Leyte, and the Camotes group of islands and is located in Tagnucan, Borbon, less than a couple of hours ride towards the North from Metro Cebu. Away from the rush of city life, the traffic noise, and the electricity of a metropolis in the midst of rapid economic growth, it was decided that it would be in this humble, fourth-class coastal municipality that the family shall install their comforting hideaway—a place to recharge their souls and to remember their reasons for what they do, how they do it, and why they should continue doing it.

The family’s matriarch comes from a long line of fine cooks with a rooted home cooking tradition, so it is not surprising that her food would become an instant hit soon after opening their first restaurant. From one humble restaurant, they have spawned six branches around the southern regions of the country in a span of ten years. Since the family’s applied craft has now become a landmark, it was time to take root again, manifesting their love of food and family tradition in the single, most representative sign of familial bond—a house.

The family asked Albert Garbanzos, a long-time collaborator in their restaurant business, to render the architecture, one of Balinese motif. Balinese architecture is known to bring together the natural elements within and outside the structure. Houses often open to the surrounding vista showcasing glistening coastlines, rolling hills, majestic mountains, or lush forests. The use of natural materials is highly emphasized allowing an obvious use of wood and stone. Roofs made of clay tile are also common in Balinese residential architecture as well as the incorporation of foliage such as bamboo and other indigenous tropical flora. The layout is usually of a square template, signaling the four directions of the Balinese compass. Earth tones dominate the color scheme as if to mimic the hues of the earth. It was the family’s wish that the house reinterpret these Bali-inspired specifications in order to bring about their own ideas.

Construction took about six months and by 2009, the house was finished. Some areas became collaborations between Garbanzos and the owners. Certain details had to be adjusted to meet with the family’s vision, like the grand adobe wall edging the interior living area as well as the massive wooden trusses for the ceiling. The building is executed in full modern Balinese theme—it is widely earth toned with an extensive use of hardwood and natural stone, the overhanging clay-tiled roofs are complete with spires, and finally there appear to be no walls especially towards the direction that beholds the fabulous view.

Outside, the entire cliff is terraced for a more efficient use of space as well as to make the house look even more elevated, even as it is already perched on the highest peak along the coast. The infinity pool rests on the middle level in between two separate gardens and outdoor entertaining spaces. These spaces, as well as the rest of the 4,000-square-foot property apart from the building, were taken care of by landscape architect Jaime Chua. Flora consists of a variety of palms, bamboo, and flowering shrubs. Hut lamps line walkways and light little tableaus of foliage, bouquets of different shades of green in various forms and configurations.

In its interiors, the house departs from its Balinese theme, if only in the most minimal sense. Designed by Nancy Roble, the arrangements are succinct yet still visually stimulating. The palette ranges from earth tones, mostly browns, punctuated by sudden bursts of bright, tropical colors. The main door opens to two sentinel-like Buddha figures and a large table lamp with a ripple detail on its body and flanked by vessels with frangipani blooms and massive fern leaves. A quaint courtyard centered by a cluster of healthy bamboo divides the main interior space from the entry doors. The largest interior space includes the living and entertaining area as well as the dining space. Here, the interior design takes center stage, a subdued mix of Southeast Asian antique décor, modern furniture, and local art by Dodong Bandibas. In harmony with the Balinese motif, the interior spaces have their share of foliage too, from orchids to birds of paradise and bird’s nest ferns.

It is interesting to note though that despite the entire Balinese theme of harmony, the makers of the house still had their bits of disagreement as far as the relationship between architecture and interior design were concerned, surfacing as ideas were thrown around back and forth. In the end, the matters were resolved peacefully and professionally and ultimately, the family’s vision was achieved.

Today, the owners come to their seaside hideaway as often as they possibly can. And when they come, they bring with them the reason for their success and their distinct bond —the love of home cooking. On these days of leisure and fellowship, the house receives not just the fresh salty breeze of the Camotes Sea but also the rich and unique aromas of the family’s famed renditions of Filipino cuisine. Most of the family’s celebrations are held here, in the privacy of the house that their passion had built. On not so ordinary weekends, they would gather and hold cook-off contests among themselves and even if only one family member wins, everyone is full and satisfied in the end.

by Russ Ligtas photography Jon Unson

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Butch Carungay’s 50th in Neverland

By Emmanuel Hamoy

Cebu’s glitterati came out in full force for Butch Carungay’s 50th birthday bash at EdenClub. It was a fun-filled night overflowing with Pol Roger, trivia games whilst traipsing the light fantastic.

Butch Carungay and Janice Lin.

Gerry Laperal and Lotte Delima-Edwards

Romero Vergara and Oj Hofer

Mary Anne Aboitiz, Christine Pelaez, Tamsin Booth, Frances Siao and June Alegrado

Maris Holopainen and Carlo Cordaro

Janine Taylor and Mary Anne Aboitiz

Fashion

Lucky Colors of 2025: Harness the Energies of Emerald Green & Carmine Red for Success

Thom Browne Cropped tweed jacket

by Oj Hofer

With the Year of the Wood Snake underway, understanding the significance of lucky colors can help align us with its energetic flow. Rooted in Chinese astrology and Feng Shui, the year’s fortifying shades—emerald green and carmine red—offer mindfulness and good intention attracting luck, and fostering personal growth.

Emerald green, associated with the Wood element, symbolizes renewal, clarity, and inner peace. In the year of the wood snake, its dynamic energies will empower and inspire you, fostering growth, renewal and wise transformations. The hue is ideal for moments of self-reflection, study, or creativity. Wearing or incorporating this shade into your space enhances balance and mental focus.

Carmine red, linked to the Fire element, embodies passion, confidence, and vitality. This year, which according to the Bazi Four Pillars Chart, has a lack of metal, earth and fire elements, it will bring balance and the propitious energies. It’s perfect for professional meetings, decision-making, and moments requiring assertiveness as a splash of red can energize and embolden you throughout the day.

Stella Macartney vegan Leather tote

Stefano Ricci silk tie with paisley print

To fully harness their benefits, use these colors in a contemporary, mobile context; through clothing, jewelry, bags and accessories. Alternate between these two potent tints based on your needs. For example, wear green for calmness and clarity when you are going into stressful and mind challenging meetings or appointments. Choose red when you are going into places or situations where you need courage and motivation such as fashion galas, elite socials, prestige affairs, VIP gatherings and so forth.

Saint Laurent crepe de chine mules

Optionally, you can also choose to wear these colors inconspicuously in small details, such as a garnet or jade bracelet, or a ruby or emerald pendant and earrings set. Men can wear a burgundy or forest green tie or pocket square, or casual polo shirts with poppies or with botanical prints, or jade and garnet jewelry. Doing so can subtly align your energy with the year’s vibrational flow.

Jan Leslie emerald bracelet

Daily Mood Cuff Links with red tiger’s eye tubes

The use of colors is more than just aesthetic choices or preferential picks. Colors can serve as energetic tools, reminding you of your good intentions and keeping you mindful of you daily motions. Effecting an optimistic mental state in the wearer, they can effectively shield you from negativity while fostering prosperity and emotional balance. Thoughtfully incorporating them into your wardrobe and surroundings ensures that you move through 2025 with confidence and the right intentions.

Embracing emerald green for tranquility and carmine red for strength are intentional, mindful choices that have the power to transform your energy and shape your path forward. May you have the best of luck in navigating through Year of the Snake with harmony, energy, and the power to attract good fortune.

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The Java Jive

by Janine Taylor

“Coffee is more than just a drink; it’s something happening. Not as hip, but like an event, a place to be, but not like a location, but somewhere within yourself. It gives you time, but not actual hours or minutes, but a chance to be, like be yourself, and have a second cup.” — Gertrude Stein, American novelist and poet

Coffee, that magic potion in a cup, is our morning savior and the fuel that helps us get through the day. Whether you’re a stickler for the classics and prefer an espresso or need to start your day with some café au lait or a cappuccino, and yes, we live in the tropics, so iced coffee is good too, we all need our caffeine fix!

The interiors of Eddie’s Log Cabin

Eddie Woolbright with the original waiters of Eddie’s Log Cabin

Growing up in Cebu decades ago, our earliest memories of coffee were the aroma wafting from the percolator at Eddie’s Log Cabin as soon as you opened the doors. You then stepped in for a cup of Joe and a slice of pie. For our parents’ generation, the ultimate sophistication was a cup of “brewed coffee” because, at home, it was freeze-dried instant coffee with powdered creamer and sugar. Folgers was the coffee of choice. Hyperacidity in a cup when you think about it!

Starbucks descended on our shores in December 1997, and our vocabulary suddenly expanded with venti, grande, and Frappuccino. People were willing to pay exorbitant amounts for a cup of coffee. But more than that, it was an experience. It was, all of a sudden, the place to be seen. It was trendy to have coffee at all hours of the day and not just for breakfast.

Cafes have now become the place to meet up with friends, a venue for meetings, and even a space to work from, and you don’t have to be a digital nomad. You can get caffeinated in air-conditioned comfort with WIFI and a snack.

“Seattle has unleashed this weird phenomenon called the coffee shop on the world. And the coffee shop, thanks to Starbucks, is the place where socially isolated, lonely, needy people gather together to ignore one another.”

— Mark Driscoll, American author

Armed with the adage that you can never have too much caffeine, we spent an afternoon visiting three great joints in the city.

The Spring creates the perfect escape for relaxation and comfort.

Matcha latte

The first stop was The Spring, with Scandinavian-inspired interiors and a super chill vibe. A hands-on young owner, Ange Delas Penas, knows her beans well. She was behind the counter, expertly brewing using filters I had never seen before, which she said she purchased in Taiwan. Her team of trained baristas can also whip up some tasty brews, from a cortado to a matcha latte, my latest addiction.

The inviting café interiors of Commonly Uncommon

Latte and espresso

Taking a different route to avoid a flash flood, we dashed out of the car into the warmth of Commonly Uncommon at Crossroads. Don’t let this non-descript, industrial vibe fool you; this java joint knows its craft. Commonly Uncommon uses single-origin beans and, like most cafes these days, also offers coffee alternatives. They are unpretentious and bent on giving the customers the specialty coffee they want, sans judgment. If you prefer oak milk or sugar or enjoy iced drinks, you get what you want. Hence, you will see diverse patronage, from those armed with laptops and headphones to office peeps grabbing a quick caffeine fix to ladies who have lunch and everyone in between.

Plus, they are the only café that thinks of customers battling hyperacidity by offering antacid sachets, which we availed before contemplating our orders.

Tightrope’s laid-back interiors, designed for comfort and creativity

Our caffeine-fueled afternoon’s final stop was Tightrope in the former Henry Hotel. Tightrope is the largest of the three we visited, with the same industrial vibe that is very common these days, and tattooed baristas. Large windows ensure that it is always bright, and this is where you will certainly run into someone you know.

A bold and aromatic espresso shot, ready to awaken the senses.

As this was our third stop, and yes, we were ready to run a marathon after, as we were so pumped, we decided to stick to the classics and have an espresso because you can always taste the quality of a coffee in an espresso. Tightrope has a delicious burnt Basque cheesecake that can be shared, so you can also share the calories. Winding up a well-spent rainy afternoon with great coffee and gossip, we liked all three coffee shops, but Uncommonly Common really stood out.