Inside Cebu's most beautiful homes

MANILA, Philippines - A peek inside some of Cebu City’s charming homes, the coffe-table book Inside Cebu is an intimate look at some of the most private hillside residences in the city.

Cebuanos pride themselves on having the best of both worlds: an urban landscape that grows stronger by the minute and living a relaxed island lifestyle. The 27 homes that made their way into Zee Publications’ latest coffee-table book, Inside Cebu, is a collection of homes that embody the mindset of Zee Lifestyle, the glossy magazine published by the same company.

These homes are more than shelters, each one is an expression of the homeowner’s personality, and their distinctive style while taking advantage of the island’s surrounding sapphire seas, emerald mountainsides and amber sunsets. “The principal difference between the houses in this book and the houses of fashionable Manila is the openness of the Cebuano house and its intimate connection with nature that’s not possible to have in congested urban Manila,” says former UNESCO commissioner and architect Augusto Villalon in his preface.

With the close guidance of Cebuana interior designer Rosebud Sala, the book slowly took shape for a period of two years. Sala graciously offered her home as one of the first shoots, and the theme of outdoor living was soon firmly established. The result is a mix of modern and contemporary, ‘60s and ‘70s traditional homes, all sharing the common element of expansive open areas in lanais and outdoor pavilions.

The backyard lanai of the Lhuillier house overlooks the cities of Cebu and Mandaue.

Among the featured homes is the hilltop abode of high-profile couple Amparito and Michel Lhuillier. Their sprawling house was drawn by the architectural firm of Unson and Jacinto, and cleverly executed by Manila-based decorator Conrad Onglao, with the assistance of Rosebud Sala. 

Gutting down the iconic salakot house, the former residence of then Cebu Governor Lito Osmena, the Lhuillier residence takes a lofty view of the city sprawled below its majestic height. Other homes in the book are the residences of Cebu’s prominent families and recent expats to the city, bringing a diverse selection of styles. The book serve as a wonderful memento of this specific collection of stylish Cebuano houses, and makes a perfect gift for architecture and interior design enthusiasts, and Cebu aficionados.

Inside Cebu is available exclusively at Fully Booked outlets in Manila, Cebu and Davao or, and at www.zeelifestylecebu.com.