At home with Charley
November 30, 2006 | 12:00am
The cool November air wafted through the trees and mingled with the enticing aroma emanating from the stately home kitchen of the Leviste family estate in Lipa City, Batangas.
We arrived from a scenic and relaxing drive through the verdant countryside just in time to meet up with dearest friends of the family. Under a golden full moon on a clear crisp night, we all gathered together to celebrate the grand opening of Charley’s, a new and exciting concept in "farm estate dining" and the brainchild of Charley Leviste-Antonio. How timely that this dream of a restaurant was finally fulfilled on her 40th birthday. Indeed, Charley couldn’t have wished for a better gift!
There she was, all smiles, prettily clad in a cool cloud of blue chiffon as she warmly greeted her guests with keenness. She certainly has a way of making you feel you belong right here in her own home.
You seldom meet a girl like Charley. She is a dynamo, packed into a petite, wholesome package. This achiever who maintains the most humble demeanor is a well-rounded, highly organized, hardworking young lady. She is well loved by classmates, friends and associates for her simplicity and generosity of heart. Never does she waste a day in her life as she enjoys varied interests which include scuba diving, underwater photography, traveling, professional party planning, gourmet cooking and farming.
I first met Charley in a community called Kids for Christ where she and her husband Edward Antonio, a cool, trim Piolo Pascual look-alike (no kidding!), are parent-coordinators. This very kind couple hosted a summer sportsfest tremendously enjoyed by our kids together with orphans from the S.O.S. Children’s Village in Lipa as their special guests. The parents had a fun time, too, as Charley took us lettuce and herb picking in her greenhouse. That was the first time I set foot on the Leviste farm estate. It is an awesome sight tucked inside my memory bank forever.
Over a fragrant pot of tarragon tea, she shared more of herself with me. So, let’s talk about you Charley.
Do you mind telling me about your love story. How did you meet Piolo, oops, I mean Edward?
Edward and I met at the Asian Institute of Management. We were classmates at the Masters in Management course back in 1995. I went back to school because I was burned-out at that time after developing and managing the family-owned Fortune Island Resort for five years. So I thought school would be an excuse to take a break! I was coming out on TV at the time in an environmental ad for PLDT. So Edward’s pick-up line with me was: "I saw you on TV..." It worked! Eighteen months later, we were married!
Please tell me about your married life and the things you enjoy together as a family.
We’ve been married for a bit over 10 years now. We are blessed with two wonderful kids, 10-year-old daughter Alex and eight-year-old son Allen. In fact, we celebrated our renewal of vows last February at our farm in Lipa. We both agree it was even better than our first wedding. We celebrated in the farm because, aside from the place being a very beautiful setting for such a special occasion, it is also where many fun and fond memories with the family happen. The kids love going there on weekends to play with the horses, dogs and other animals. As for me and Edward, it’s a place to relax and tend to my greenhouse, which is my new hobby and business. The good news is my fresh produce gets sold out on Saturdays at the Salcedo Market. Spending time with my husband and kids out of town is my favorite thing no matter what it is we do – whether it’s building sand castles at the beach, or planting in the greenhouse. But when we’re at home we like watching DVDs while digging into bowls of popcorn all together.
What was your childhood like? Tell me something about your parents and siblings.
I’m the eldest of three girls. Joei, 37, is a pre-school teacher and Toni, 33, is an equestrian. Growing up, I don’t ever remember us fighting. In fact, we are very protective of each other.
As the eldest, I always felt that the responsibility of taking over the family business was mine. So choosing what I wanted to be when I "grow up" was a no-brainer. Thus, I took my Business Administration course very seriously, graduating with honors in Douglas College at Rutgers University in New Jersey. I guess all that business education plus the exposure to my father Jose Antonio Leviste’s business as I was growing up made me what I am today. I guess it also helped that I inherited my father’s "no fear attitude" because whenever I see an opportunity for a new business, I don’t analyze it too much. I just dive right into it. So aside from managing my father’s business, I also have my own little businesses.
What about Charley’s, your new restaurant? What are your inspirations in building it? What are your specialties?
Charley’s is the name of my restaurant which is located inside the Levely Manor in Lipa, Batangas. Levely Manor – designed by architect Dan Lichauco – is what we call our family farm estate. So the experience that I want my guests at Charley’s to enjoy is that of dining in a European-inspired farm estate. Guests will feel as if they were invited by one of the family members to join them for a meal in a warm but elegant atmosphere. In fact, the food is served by gentle female helpers and not waiters. The menu incorporates the different herbs that I grow in my greenhouse and is prepared by my cousin, Popit de Leon, who is a graduate of Les Roche in Switzerland.
Can you please tell me about your passions, plans and pleasures? What do you consider as your most fulfilling and happiest moments?
At 40, I find myself busier than ever. Aside from being more involved with the family’s major businesses such as Matabungkay Beach Resort, Fortune Island Resort, Seafront Camp & Resort, plus all the real estate properties (both commercial and residential) we lease out to tenants. I also have my own businesses – a salon, an herb farm, a restaurant and soon a bed & breakfast inn. It’s a good thing that my passions coincide with the businesses I run. Even if I’m this busy, it doesn’t really seem to be hard work for me. I enjoy eating and cooking. I love the beach and I find fulfillment in seeing things grow and flourish from mere seeds.
What is your guiding principle in life?
I guess the reason why I am able to do so many different things at the same time and not feel tired or burdened is because I make sure I love what I am doing. Hence, my guiding principle is: Love what you do and you never have to work a day in your life.
That’s Charley for us. A charmed life never stopped Charley from pursuing challenges outside her comfort zone and reaching for the stars.
Charley’s is open on weekends for lunch, afternoon tea and dinner. For prior reservations, please call 0920-9507032.
(Post me a note at miladayjewels@yahoo.com)
We arrived from a scenic and relaxing drive through the verdant countryside just in time to meet up with dearest friends of the family. Under a golden full moon on a clear crisp night, we all gathered together to celebrate the grand opening of Charley’s, a new and exciting concept in "farm estate dining" and the brainchild of Charley Leviste-Antonio. How timely that this dream of a restaurant was finally fulfilled on her 40th birthday. Indeed, Charley couldn’t have wished for a better gift!
There she was, all smiles, prettily clad in a cool cloud of blue chiffon as she warmly greeted her guests with keenness. She certainly has a way of making you feel you belong right here in her own home.
You seldom meet a girl like Charley. She is a dynamo, packed into a petite, wholesome package. This achiever who maintains the most humble demeanor is a well-rounded, highly organized, hardworking young lady. She is well loved by classmates, friends and associates for her simplicity and generosity of heart. Never does she waste a day in her life as she enjoys varied interests which include scuba diving, underwater photography, traveling, professional party planning, gourmet cooking and farming.
I first met Charley in a community called Kids for Christ where she and her husband Edward Antonio, a cool, trim Piolo Pascual look-alike (no kidding!), are parent-coordinators. This very kind couple hosted a summer sportsfest tremendously enjoyed by our kids together with orphans from the S.O.S. Children’s Village in Lipa as their special guests. The parents had a fun time, too, as Charley took us lettuce and herb picking in her greenhouse. That was the first time I set foot on the Leviste farm estate. It is an awesome sight tucked inside my memory bank forever.
Over a fragrant pot of tarragon tea, she shared more of herself with me. So, let’s talk about you Charley.
Do you mind telling me about your love story. How did you meet Piolo, oops, I mean Edward?
Edward and I met at the Asian Institute of Management. We were classmates at the Masters in Management course back in 1995. I went back to school because I was burned-out at that time after developing and managing the family-owned Fortune Island Resort for five years. So I thought school would be an excuse to take a break! I was coming out on TV at the time in an environmental ad for PLDT. So Edward’s pick-up line with me was: "I saw you on TV..." It worked! Eighteen months later, we were married!
Please tell me about your married life and the things you enjoy together as a family.
We’ve been married for a bit over 10 years now. We are blessed with two wonderful kids, 10-year-old daughter Alex and eight-year-old son Allen. In fact, we celebrated our renewal of vows last February at our farm in Lipa. We both agree it was even better than our first wedding. We celebrated in the farm because, aside from the place being a very beautiful setting for such a special occasion, it is also where many fun and fond memories with the family happen. The kids love going there on weekends to play with the horses, dogs and other animals. As for me and Edward, it’s a place to relax and tend to my greenhouse, which is my new hobby and business. The good news is my fresh produce gets sold out on Saturdays at the Salcedo Market. Spending time with my husband and kids out of town is my favorite thing no matter what it is we do – whether it’s building sand castles at the beach, or planting in the greenhouse. But when we’re at home we like watching DVDs while digging into bowls of popcorn all together.
What was your childhood like? Tell me something about your parents and siblings.
I’m the eldest of three girls. Joei, 37, is a pre-school teacher and Toni, 33, is an equestrian. Growing up, I don’t ever remember us fighting. In fact, we are very protective of each other.
As the eldest, I always felt that the responsibility of taking over the family business was mine. So choosing what I wanted to be when I "grow up" was a no-brainer. Thus, I took my Business Administration course very seriously, graduating with honors in Douglas College at Rutgers University in New Jersey. I guess all that business education plus the exposure to my father Jose Antonio Leviste’s business as I was growing up made me what I am today. I guess it also helped that I inherited my father’s "no fear attitude" because whenever I see an opportunity for a new business, I don’t analyze it too much. I just dive right into it. So aside from managing my father’s business, I also have my own little businesses.
What about Charley’s, your new restaurant? What are your inspirations in building it? What are your specialties?
Charley’s is the name of my restaurant which is located inside the Levely Manor in Lipa, Batangas. Levely Manor – designed by architect Dan Lichauco – is what we call our family farm estate. So the experience that I want my guests at Charley’s to enjoy is that of dining in a European-inspired farm estate. Guests will feel as if they were invited by one of the family members to join them for a meal in a warm but elegant atmosphere. In fact, the food is served by gentle female helpers and not waiters. The menu incorporates the different herbs that I grow in my greenhouse and is prepared by my cousin, Popit de Leon, who is a graduate of Les Roche in Switzerland.
Can you please tell me about your passions, plans and pleasures? What do you consider as your most fulfilling and happiest moments?
At 40, I find myself busier than ever. Aside from being more involved with the family’s major businesses such as Matabungkay Beach Resort, Fortune Island Resort, Seafront Camp & Resort, plus all the real estate properties (both commercial and residential) we lease out to tenants. I also have my own businesses – a salon, an herb farm, a restaurant and soon a bed & breakfast inn. It’s a good thing that my passions coincide with the businesses I run. Even if I’m this busy, it doesn’t really seem to be hard work for me. I enjoy eating and cooking. I love the beach and I find fulfillment in seeing things grow and flourish from mere seeds.
What is your guiding principle in life?
I guess the reason why I am able to do so many different things at the same time and not feel tired or burdened is because I make sure I love what I am doing. Hence, my guiding principle is: Love what you do and you never have to work a day in your life.
That’s Charley for us. A charmed life never stopped Charley from pursuing challenges outside her comfort zone and reaching for the stars.
Charley’s is open on weekends for lunch, afternoon tea and dinner. For prior reservations, please call 0920-9507032.
(Post me a note at miladayjewels@yahoo.com)
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