Home tour: An art nouveau-inspired heritage home in Parañaque, Metro Manila

Veering left from the doorway into the living room, one sees a wide array of vintage furniture pieces. The marble-topped table in the living room is a precious piece passed down from Jose Escaler. Another key piece is the vajillera (display cabinet) carved out of narra wood. Inlaid with convex glass panels, it proudly displays the couple’s collection of excavated Ming dynasty plates. Nearby, the antique solihiya settees have been refurbished with modern cushioned sofas and chairs, giving the home a contemporary twist. 

Of particular note are the restored windows, a key fixture in older Filipino homes. “The house was designed with Manila's tropical climate in mind,” say the owners. “Cross-ventilation is something not enough people take into consideration anymore when building their houses, but we have large windows wrapped around the house.” Paired with the space’s high ceilings, warm air is easily pushed out, allowing cooler air to permeate the home, even at the height of a Manila summer. 

 “We aim to retain the original patina of the antique furniture, periodically applying a special wax to maintain its natural lustre,” shares Resurreccion. “Meanwhile, the old narra flooring and wood wall claddings were fully sanded and refinished with a natural coating, revitalising their warmth while keeping their heritage intact.” Past the living room is the bar area, which channels mid-century modern flair with its high chairs and milk glass light fixtures.

Opposite the bar is a true masterpiece: a painting by the renowned artist Fernando Amorsolo. The artwork depicts homeowner Monette Resurreccion’s mother, Lourdes Veloso Paterno, at 18 years old, accompanied by her mother, Dolores Carratala Veloso. Beneath the painting is a Baliuag three-drawer Mesa Altar with bone inlays, flanked by antique narra Bulacan Sheraton chairs. At the centre of the table is a pair of santos, including the Mater Dolorosa and San Antonio De Padua. Another notable piece under the mesa altar is a Maranao chest with a mother-of-pearl inlay, which dates back to the turn of the century. 

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Next to this space is the grand dining room, which features a lansena (cupboard) sourced from Apalit, Pampanga. A treasured heirloom, this exquisite narra wood piece dates back to the late 1800s. Its marble top and intricate floral carvings add visual interest to the space while maintaining functionality, as storage for fine dishes, silverware and more. 

“The lansena used to be at our farm in Pampanga,” says Saenz-Resurreccion. “It brings back precious childhood memories of idyllic summers, when Lolo’s [grandfather’s] cook Aling Anja would serve up delectable Kapampangan specialities like Kalderetang kambing (stewed goat), kilawin (pork and liver stew cooked in vinegar) and more.” Having such deep connections to these pieces imbues the home with a comfortable atmosphere, making it feel lived-in despite the regality of the pieces all around. 

Returning to the bar area and stepping onto the second floor, one can see the homeowners’ extensive collection of saintly figures interspersed with precious family photographs. This unique blend of the past and present further contributes to the home’s warm, inviting atmosphere. 

“My journey as a collector began with antique ceramic and stoneware jars discovered in the Philippines,” says Resurreccion. “Over time, my fascination expanded from antique Filipino furniture and, eventually, to santos (saints). Among my most notable pieces are century-old solid ivory carvings and sacred images of saints with ivory heads and hands, adorned in vestments of fine silk embroidery.” 

The collection of santos lines the hallway outside the guest bedroom, which is a marvel of its own. The chandelier was previously hung in Bahay Nakpil-Bautista on Calle Barbosa in Quiapo. This heritage home was owned by the other maternal great-grandmother of Saenz-Resurreccion, a woman named Enriqueta Sancho Nakpil. “Every time I walk into the room, I remember Lola Teta’s house,” she says. “I would often visit her there when I was little.” 

A standout feature in the room is a four-poster canopied bed from Ilocos. “It’s a true testament to Ilocano woodworking,” says Resurreccion. Carved from narra wood, the bed features intricate botanical motifs that add dimension to the space. 

Exiting through the nearby main bedroom, one discovers the outdoor terrace. Here, a cool breeze washes over the homeowners throughout the day. Machuca mosaic tiles also line the floor, adding a playful, geometric edge that contrasts with the rich wood and antiques weathering the elements. The terrace is also a playground for the homeowners’ cats, which lounge around seamlessly. 

The terrace leads up to a home office area, with a wonderful vantage point from which to view the molave wood lion heads. These original carvings are sculpted into the fascia and pasamano (windowsills), adding an unexpectedly decorative element to the roof. A nearby spiral staircase leads to a more modernised backyard, which features a tranquil pool surrounded by verdant trees. 

Altogether, the home takes one on an unforgettable journey, allowing the glories of Philippine architecture to set the stage for a slower pace of modern living. “Above all, we feel privileged to let my great-grandparents' legacy live on,” Saenz-Resurreccion says. “It’s a gift to pass this on to our future grandchildren and great-grandchildren.” 

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