The Homes of Zee

This French-Filipino Family Home Perched Atop a Hill is a Beauty

Zee gives you an exclusive look at this family home owned by French businessman Gilles Pochiet and Filipina wife Cielito.

This story is taken from our archives.
Originally published in the coffee table book, Inside Cebu.

French businessman Gilles Pochiet and his Filipina wife Cielito, with their three children, have made a home for themselves in the hills of Northtown Homes. When they started with it, they had a few items on their wish list:

First, he wanted to indulge his passion for art and his penchant for a quiet, cultured lifestyle. Thus, the house had to provide ample and appropriate display space for a continually growing collection of contemporary art. Then the importance of family, best expressed through a close arrangement of family spaces, had to come into the picture, too. And yes, they also love to entertain friends at home.

Their house, designed by Architect Ed Gallego, took over two years to construct and six months to furnish. Finished almost entirely in white and glass, the exterior of the house cleverly utilizes line, angle, and shape to achieve geometric elegance. It opens to the outdoors through full-length, clear-glass panels and retractable walls, permitting generous amounts of the incomparable tropical light to pour in.

From the lounge and dining areas, one can enjoy pleasant views of the hills of Cebu. The minimalist theme is emphatic in the dining room, where the square table and the eight chairs around it are enhanced only by water flowing on a floor-to-ceiling stone façade. The sound of trickling water is the perfect accompaniment to life’s best moments.

At first glance, the house may not seem family-oriented, but that is only at the ground level. The family bedrooms are located on the second floor—all with cleverly designed storage cabinets disguised as decorative framed walls. Each of the children’s rooms has its own carefully selected set of artworks, strongly indicating how their parents would love to pass on to them an appreciation for art.

The guest pavilion, uniquely located at the poolside, is fully self-contained, and is actually a smaller version of the main building. It shows the importance that the owners place on privacy; they prefer intimate gatherings of their closest friends, where conversations flow over fine wine and good food.

DETAILS

The homeowners are totally dedicated to contemporary art. Their collection includes paintings by Ouattara, Lindstorm, and Maryan; carpets by Garouste and Bonetti; vases by Gaetano Pesce, and sculptural pieces by Ettore Sottsas. The white walls set off the artworks. The surprising combination of minimalist sophistication and design savvy is achieved throughout the house.

Related Topics:Beautiful Homes in Cebu Ed Gallego Inside Cebu

Up Next

Dining Out? This Restaurant in Busay Offers Modern Filipino Cuisine with a View

Don't Miss

A Pastel-Themed Afternoon High Tea with Kate Anzani

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.