French Kiss

Je t’aime Philippines" was the plain and simple declaration of French national Philippe Gauthier, when I asked him if he had any plans of leaving the country. In fact, he raised his shoulders and gave me a puzzled look, somewhat finding the question absurd.

"Well, it is actually a not-so-remote possibility if you do," I began, "you have such a beautiful home in Paris and you no longer need the money."

He gave me a more intense and bewildered look. Then his adrenaline shot up and he became animated. He explained in his charming French-accented English: "It’s not just a question of moh-ney, it is also about doing something for oneself – a personal commitment because you believe in something, you believe in people. I see the potential of the Filipino and how they can discover themselves. I have done this for years now and I have discovered and trained many employees. Of course, I get very frustrated too... angry sometimes... about many things here. The lack of discipline, the dirt (he means garbage, Martha interrupted), the system, the politics – they make me feel I’ll get a heart attack! But (now gesturing with his index finger) there are still many very good Filipinos – and if you look, you can find them. They are there and you see the difference from all the rest who choose to be useless!" He took a deep breath and continued, "Life is about choices after all, isn’t it?"

Whew! That was quite an encouraging mouthful from someone who can go back to beautiful Paris, yet chooses to stay in our beleaguered country.

Just two months ago, I was in their marvelous Paris apartment where I took photographs of my good friend – gorgeous Martha Resurrecion, the better half of Philippe for the last 15 years. Now I am visiting the couple’s Greenhills home and after that one question, Martha could only give me a sultry laugh, seeing that I am still overwhelmed by Philippe after all these years.

"I came here to feature your home but it seems that there are other exciting things to write about," I told them. "You know how Philippe is, he wants to say everything he has in his head all at one time – you should know him by now," Martha once again warned me with a chuckle. "And we are doing some very interesting projects right now about the Philippines so he is more animated than usual!" the lady of the house explained.

Some years back, the couple had set up Asiatype, a business in publishing and printing, and their forte lies mainly in typesetting in 15 languages. They also do digital prepress and imaging, Internet content services, image library, as well as publications of books and journals, maps, magazines, newsletters, annual reports, brochures, catalogs, manuals, advertisements and even directories.

To date, their most popular publications are the two editions of Metro Manila CitiAtlas, 100 Resorts in the Philippines and The Pearl Road, a book on treasure ships in the Philippines. The maps and the CitiAtlas are the most comprehensive guides to the different areas of Metropolitan Manila. Thank God, they are now available.

How did you even think of publishing something like this?" I asked them. "It was by accident, yet perhaps fated," Martha started telling me the story. "There was a time when our managing director, Mr. Philippe Saurel, kept getting lost in the streets of Manila. Because of his constant and difficult experience of not finding his way around, the idea that it was time to have a decent and dependable map of the city came about. After considering logistics, we discussed the project among ourselves and the company was unanimous in its decision to do one. The main factor however, was to follow our gut feel – that there must be a swelling need for a reliable reference guide to the streets of a growing, in fact, congested, metropolis," she said.

"Where street signs disappear and are never replaced or probably were never there at all," I added.

"Well, the venture was quite successful and naturally, we were very pleased," Philippe continued. "Since the CitiAtlas came out, a good number of our wholesale orders were actually placed by companies which had sales forces or groups in delivery services and utilities. Of course, something like this enabled them to do more efficient work – therefore, business and industry benefited from it. I am also happy because it really helps in more ways than one can imagine."

Then we did 100 Resorts in the Philippines, another bold step which became a very fulfilling venture, Philippe said. "If you will take note, the cover states. ‘Place with a Heart’ because these resorts were selected due to the special touch they give to clients. The cover, which is the Pansukian Resort in Siargao was recently featured by Architectural Digest. It is a beautiful place with five-star accommodations. Any foreigner reading about it in an international magazine, where no detail other than design is printed, would surely want to find out about how to get there. Well, this book serves as resource material about such a place. Maybe Filipinos should get a copy, because I believe they do not even know that these beautiful places exist in their own country!"

At this point, another good friend Cynthia Guevarra Gale, who used to be with our Philippine Embassy in Paris and New York came in. A long time friend, she now lives in England with British husband Roger. "All these blissfully married friends around me," I said, "I hope it’s contagious and communicable!"

From the lanai, we moved to their cozy dining area to have coffee. I can only admire Martha’s sense of style as her slim body carried that flowing sarong so gracefully. She is one lady I have yet to catch looking tousled. She is always so well groomed, even when she wakes up in the morning. I have seen her during unholy hours and she still looked great – always moving languidly like a vixen. I could only stare with envy.

The Gauthiers have made the Philippines their main home, flying to Paris during summer when their children, Arianne, Marc and Anne are on vacation from school. Starkly different in design, the Greenhills home is Spanish in architecture and exudes Latino-tropical embellishment. There are pieces from a number of local artists, and rattan furniture with bright colored upholstery, all in cotton. Surrounded by vines and hanging plants, the lanai is large and airy with the view of the grand swimming pool, lending a very relaxing ambience. The living, dining and piano areas have some selected antique items from China, Ukiyo-e inspired Japanese prints, and an array of accent pieces from travels around the world.

On the other side of the globe, their Paris home has a classic modern look, a mix of contemporary furniture with a few archetypal French chairs and tables. Martha was able to achieve a harmonious blend of things she already owned prior to buying the house and through intuitive fusion, put them together with the new pieces she selected.

"The high ceiling is just so wonderful and I loved it from the moment I saw it," Martha exclaimed recalling the experience way back in the late ’80s when they acquired the property. Given that the building was built in the 1800s, its distinguished location near the Paris Opera makes it more special because one can see that the structure has architectural presence and character. Actually, there are no ugly buildings in the area.

The Gauthier Paris home is also unusual in size even in the French capital. There are three bedrooms, a living room, dining room, an office, a separate lounge and music room plus a nice kitchen. The bathrooms are big, which is not commonly French. I immediately noted the bathtub to be very upbeat European chic – it floats on the floor with legs and compared to the regular tubs, it is large and deep. "Of course we had to change the fixtures especially because Philippe loves the water massage!" said Martha.

"Yes, and I can also see how both of you can fit in the tub – together!" I said. "So Philippe, would you say you are more fulfilled now in your life?"

"Oh yes, if you’re asking about my family, I am very happy... wouldn’t you be if you wake up with someone like Martha? Just look at her, she’s a great wife and mother. Physically, she has also remained very sexy... how can you complain? The kids have grown well and one is already in the university... they are good people – that is very important."

"One final question," I said, "What do you have to say about the present situation in the Philippines?

Without even giving it much thought, Philippe answered: "As far as our business is concerned, the Philippines is a developing market full of potentials. Labor costs still remain competitive and there is abundant skilled labor especially in our field of IT and graphic design. Compared to other developing countries, the Philippines has liberal investment laws. Experts say that over the next decade, half of the world’s GNP will be produced in Asia... do you know what else these experts say? That in about 20 years, seven of the great economic powers will be Asian – hopefully we can get our act together and be one of them!"

Martha was smiling in amusement as Cynthia and I stared at him amazed and speechless. I was actually touched by his use of the word "We" like he has already become Filipino.

"It is OK to dream but it is also good to pursue it," he said. "Indeed, can you imagine if all the Filipinos would just start believing in themselves and start working towards becoming truly useful and caring citizens!" The couple’s faces light up with enthusiasm and eagerness. "Then pulling our strength together to build our beleaguered nation becomes a hopeful venture."

Merci beaucoup, Philippe and Martha!