Building the Pinoy 'dream home'

MANILA, Philippines – Every Filipino dreams of owning a wonderful home for his family. And several lucky individuals could have a knack for a chance of a lifetime to have their homes refurbished, redecorated, rebuilt and be given a total makeover.

Hit US reality show Extreme Makeover: Home Edition will soon be hitting Philippine TV starting April 15 as TV5 acquires the franchise for its Philippine edition. Similar to its original US edition, Extreme Makeover: Home Edition Philippines will be changing Filipinos’ lives one home at a time.

With the promise of “Bagong bahay, Bagong buhay,” the show gives new homes and brings new hope to deserving Filipino families and communities whose life stories are bound to touch viewers’ hearts. After months of searching for the rightful beneficiaries of a total home makeover, a handful of Filipino families have been chosen.

Each week throughout its one season run, Extreme Makeover: Home Edition Philippines builds a new home for a Filipino family whose members have shared much of what little they have to their community. While the family is treated to a much-deserved vacation, a group of dedicated people – led by seasoned reality show host and news personality Paolo Bediones – tries to achieve the impossible by completely reconstructing the family’s home in a short span of time. Apart from hosting, Paolo also takes on the role as a producer.

However, unlike the US version, the Philippine edition of Extreme Makeover will have a little Pinot touch. Aside from total reconstruction of their homes, families will also receive other gifts such as college scholarships and grocery items to jumpstart a sari-sari store business.

Shown weekly every Sunday, Extreme Makeover: Home Edition Philippines will feature industry professionals who will be sharing their expertise in all of the program’s home construction projects.

Interior designer and socialite-philanthropist Tessa Prieto-Valdez brings her expertise and colourful personality as she helps decorate the beneficiaries’ homes while socialite and fashionista Divine Lee trades her high heels for work boots as she dons the cap of project manager, making sure that everyone is right on schedule and right on track.

Professional interior designer Tristan Jovellana is the show’s carpentry and DIY-guy, in charge of special projects such as creating rooms suited to the needs of each family, while design consultants Marilen Faustino-Montenegro and Joby Belmonte, whose knack for shopping and keen eye for details come in handy in the finishing touches that beautify each home project.

Aside from the design team, celebrities such as Megastar Sharon Cuneta, Superstar Nora Aunor, and American Idol alumnus David Archuleta will be in touch with the program beneficiaries while their homes are being reconstructed. (philstar.com)