Hidden villa at heart of a cove

OH no, not another weekend home in the middle of nowhere again! From the main highway, it took us almost forever to negotiate the 4½-km stretch of uneven and winding sugarcane road to this secluded retreat in Binubusan, Batangas. After more than two hours on the road (we were lucky since the trip usually stretches to three), we were dying to reach the place hopefully with our hips and rib cages intact.

If not for the man of the house’s reassuring voice over the cell phone, heaven knows where we would have ended up. Not once did we pass long stretches of rice paddies and made several wrong turns into other people’s homes as we neared Matuod, our supposed destination. Lush mountains loomed ahead, while the deep blue China Sea peaked from trees and houses to our left. This had better be good, we told ourselves, as we continued on our way.

Again, we spoke too soon. Right before us was a two-story Mediterranean-style dwelling that derives inspiration from the shapes, colors and textures of houses in Karibia Bay, said to be an upscale resort in distant Zimbabwe.

Welcome to Villa Pescador, the weekend home of Xavier "Wahoo" Guerrero and his Zimbabwe-born wife Val. Yes, Wahoo, the businessman and occasional photographer whose cutting-edge pictures regularly appear on these pages. He and Val started building the seaside house within a lush cove almost 10 years ago.

How did they learn of such a hideaway? Wahoo’s grandfather, the late Don Ramon Roces of the old Manila Times, discovered the remote area during one of his trips to Matabungkay several decades ago. The once-pristine beach resort lies on the other side of the cove facing the property. "That’s why I’m related to many of the families who own weekend homes in the area," says Wahoo.

Interestingly, he adds, a series of mountains shaped like a prostrate dragon separates Matabungkay from the other side of the cove facing Matuod. A concrete wall that guards the veranda mirrors the shapes of these mountains. "Some people say the mountains are lucky. They’re shaped like those surrounding Hong Kong."

Concealed

A sign of luck or not, the mountains serve to conceal the house from the prying eyes of urbanites who frequent Matabungkay. In fact, the entire house was built in such a way that it blends with its surroundings. Indeed, says Val, the muted structure hidden by lush trees is barely visible as one approaches it from the sea.

As one nears the place, however, one can see the outlines of arched double doors and windows framed in stained wood and covered by clear sheets of glass. They stand out from the house’s off-white walls with an uneven finish. Cobbled stones make up the perimeter wall that separates land and sea.

"You should see the sea hit that wall during stormy weather," says Val, as she points to the "child-proof" beach beyond. "It feels good to occasionally experience nature’s fury. It reminds me of how insignificant we are."

On sunny days, however, the sea within the cove is shallow enough up to a certain point for kids to safely swim in. The family also engages in such water sports as fishing, kayaking, snorkeling and jet skiing. A speedboat is parked on dry land waiting for its next trip to any of several diving points.

Several openings on the perimeter wall flanked by concrete niches that resemble miniature lighthouses lead to an outdoor terrace. The entire family, including daughter Dalia, worked on the concrete floor embedded with identical patterns of black and white stones Wahoo designed. The niches are among several lighting devices that double as wall sconce found in strategic places all over the house.

A pair of built-in wall sconce, for instance, provides indirect lighting by the rear door that leads to the living room. The same lighting devices are repeated in almost every room inside the house. "We had to work on them at night to come up with the desired effect," says Val. That meant demolishing anything concrete if it failed to achieve the family’s desired mood.

Elevated

The entire house is elevated several feet from the ground by a concrete base. The crazy paving provides a perfect foil to the matte Vigan tiles inside. Val originally wanted a clay floor, but achieved an uneven effect just the same by joining the red tiles. "It was hard work to put them together," she says. "But I’m happy with the results."

Apart from the huge arched doors and windows, the living room’s high ceiling further enhances cross ventilation. The entire ceiling is lined with bamboo poles and secured by planks of dark wood to add to the sala’s texture and resort feel. Hints of American Indian and African art are reflected in jars, wall hangings and small accent pieces.

"You just don’t build a house," says Wahoo. "You first check wind direction and come back another season and check it again before finally building one." Val loves the big doors and windows for a different reason: they double as picture windows that give her a sweeping view of the beach even while puttering around the kitchen. "I love to cook," she says, "but not without that magnificent view."

Several bedrooms upstairs, by the way, open to a veranda partially shaded from the harsh afternoon sun by numerous bamboo poles tied together by nylon rope. While the entire second-floor offers a scenic view of the sea, high walls hide a section of the terrace by the master bedroom. What for?

"The place is designed for people who want to get an even tan," Val explains with a smile. "We also built a nice, big bathroom next to it." Of course, nobody’s stopping guests from venturing out on the beach in their birthday suits.

Structural furniture in the form of a concrete ledge with removable cushions double as a sofa and day bed in the living room. The scheme is repeated in several bedrooms with permanent concrete beds (topped with cushions, of course), side tables and cabinets that look more like cubbyholes because of the absence of doors and drawers.

"They’re easy to clean and maintain," Val assures, as she pulls a built-in wooden drawer at the foot of the bed. Bamboo slats that support the bed’s cushion can also be swung open for regular cleaning. The cubbyhole system is repeated in the kitchen. Aside from helping Val quickly locate every pot and pan, open cabinets discourage the presence of crawling insects.

The couple also incorporated planks of used wood to form several long tables found in the living room, dining room and kitchen. The dinner table’s base, for instance, used to function as the post of an old house. To soften a concrete buffet table with built-in cabinets, Wahoo had the doors laminated with the bark of coconut trees. Their love for the material extends to a flight of white concrete stairs. Its steps are made of Vigan tiles bordered by thin, smooth planks of coco lumber.

Incidentally, the Guerreros rent out their home to local and foreign guests. Like a resort, the package comes with such amenities as towels, toiletries and, of course, free and unlimited use of the beach. There’s no McDonald’s or Jollibee within five miles of Matuod, but guests are welcome to use the kitchen to cook their meals. Prior arrangements can be made with Island Villa.

The roof deck, again with the trademark concrete benches and niche lighting, is ideal for holding parties or spending quiet nights swapping stories or stargazing with friends and family. Indeed, Villa Pescador is a world away from Manila. Our fervent wish is it stays that way.