WEEKENDS AT..

lier with leaf motifs and dozens upon dozens of lights softened by miniature lampshades. Junjun bought a pair of the pre-owned statement chandeliers from a nursing school in Manila, which was getting rid of them during renovation. He had them refinished in antique gold and fitted with lampshades.

“Some people who have seen this chandelier are reminded of the huge chandeliers that illuminate the lobby of the Manila Hotel,” he says.

Since the main house isn’t big enough for two huge chandeliers, Junjun, an interior design graduate from the University of the Philippines, had the second one placed at Amelia’s pavilion.

Within a span of five years, Amelia, which was named after Mellie, now boasts of several structures apart from the main house: a pavilion, which doubles as a grand ballroom where all the big parties are held; a chapel dedicated to the Sto. Niño and the Holy Family; a swimming pool, aviary, and bathhouse; and a 10-room guesthouse.

“The guesthouse is where our two other children, Mark and Czarina, and their respective families stay,” Louie shares.

Instead of going for a resort theme, Louie asked architect Augusto Galang to draw inspiration from a huge house he saw during one their travels to Europe. The house, a white structure, adopted certain elements of a castle, including huge and heavy double doors, towers akin to giant rooks, and crenellated details or faux battlements on top of the walls.

These recurring elements became the overall theme of structures that make up Amelia. In lieu of a moat, Galang and his collaborators built a pondslash-fountain in front of the main house, just before its portecochère.

Louie and Mellie have their respective favorite areas at Amelia.

“I’m partial to the living room of the main house where friendships are cultivated and nurtured, and the ballroom where giving back to friends takes place during celebrations of family milestones,” says Mellie.

Louie, on the other hand, cites the “chapel because it affords me peace and quiet, and a place to commune with God. I’m also fond of the bathhouse and swimming pool area because I love to see my grandkids frolicking and having a good time without a care in the world.”

Unlike many affluent families, the Ablazas make it a point to stay in the country during extended holidays like Holy Week, Christmas, and New Year. If they do travel abroad as a group, they do it some other time.

Since their old weekend home in Tagaytay could no longer fit all of them in with the arrival of more grandchildren, Amelia has become an ideal, if not better alternative for their regular get-togethers and staycations.

“I don’t want to create an impression that we’re hiding from friends and relatives, especially during Christmas time,” says Louie with a hearty chuckle. “That’s why we don’t leave the country as Christmas draws near. We celebrate Christmas Day at our home in Makati, while our New Years are spent here.”

After the guesthouse was built, Louie continues, she and Mellie thought of building a swimming pool for their grandchildren. Since a considerable distance separates the guesthouse and the site intended for the future pool, he also had a bathhouse and changing room built within the pool area.

There was enough space left for an aviary and dog shelter for Junjun’s numerous pets. If their old family home in New Manila is where his tiny dogs are, the dog shelter at Amelia is where Junjun keeps bigger breeds.

Apart from the space, the family was drawn to the place because of the serenity and clean air it offers. Even during New Year, says Junjun, the place remains far removed from the noise and air pollution so typical of big cities, as people greet the incoming year with firecrackers.

“Amelia is not as cold as our place in Tagaytay, but it can get pretty cool here in certain months,” says Louie.

The Ablazas also considered getting a place in the seaside town of Nasugbu, Batangas, but after carefully assessing their needs and the extended travel time involved, Louie settled for Alfonso instead.

“Tagaytay and, by extension, Alfonso are ideal alternatives to Baguio,” he says. “The area remains cool and clean. Besides, if we build a house in faraway Baguio, many of our invited guests wouldn’t be able to attend our parties. On a good day, it only takes a little over an hour to reach this place from Makati.”

Construction has yet to stop at Amelia. Louie, a car collector, plans to house his collection of vintage cars, including a few pricey sports cars he and his team restored, at Amelia. The cars are currently housed at different locations within and near their New Manila home in Quezon City.

By January, construction will begin on his future air-conditioned and covered garage, which is envisioned to house as many as 30 vintage and luxury vehicles. It will be directly opposite the guesthouse.

But that’s not all. The second floor of that planned building will be devoted to a museum of sorts featuring Mellie’s evening gowns and dresses, which she has worn through the decades.

Unfortunately, the gown she wore to her wedding with Louie in the mid1960s won’t be one of the featured pieces. It was one of the items that went up in flames when their old home along D. Tuazon Street, also in Quezon City, caught fire.

Louie hopes that the building would be finished by July in time for his birthday.

“Whenever there’s a party, the men would be on the first floor, while the women would be trooping to the building’s second floor,” he said. “Now, our friends have more reasons to visit us.”