Plantation Hills hideaway

The walls are purposely kept bare so that we do not detract from the beauty of the outdoors,” says Dolly del Rosario, “The serene indoor space allows us to concentrate on the colors of the garden.”

It is inevitable that one’s attention is drawn to the lush surroundings of Francisco “Popoy” and Dolly del Rosario’s two-storey Tagaytay home. With a preponderance of picture windows and sliding glass doors that allow the cool breezes in, this private retreat in Plantation Hills, Tagaytay is a haven of calm, making it ideal for introspection and reverie.

The palette of colors used indoors is soothing to the eyes — white, blue and pale slate; and floors are set with tiles of the lightest earth shades. The layout of the common areas features an open design so that living spaces flow into each other, and the space is perfect for large family gatherings.

Of course, a primary attraction of this Tagaytay home is the picturesque view. The structure is built at the highest point of the property and is positioned to take full advantage of the scenic countryside. At ground level, an entire wall of the house with a view of Taal lake opens into a covered veranda, with steps descending to a neatly trimmed lawn. The less scenic side has a small patio with wooden slat floors where a hot tub is placed.

But while designers can build to take advantage of the surrounding scenery, there is that happenstance of adding features that allow homeowners to enjoy unexpected blessings. In this case, a balcony was built at the rear of the kitchen to serve as an alternative breakfast nook and as a lookout to the designated “wild garden” which is a favorite spot for the area’s wild birds. Since then, the del Rosarios also discovered that this offers a good vantage point to that area of the garden where fireflies like to congregate. During certain seasons of the year, one can sit quietly in the balcony and marvel at the sight while a sparkle of lightning bugs put on their unique and special light display. 

The second floor is where the sleeping areas and a family room are situated. But the del Rosarios value their privacy so that even if we were given a tour of the bedrooms, there was a specific request to exclude photographs of these. The bedrooms that open up into a balcony are positioned so that one wakes up with the morning sun and the honey-colored wooden floors give a nice warm feel. Overall, one cannot help but appreciate that the Hampton-style house designed by architect Isabel Asuncion follows an environmentally attentive ethic as it makes full use of natural lighting and cross-ventilation.

“This is meant as a place to unwind so it has to be easy to maintain,” says Dolly. There is no clutter and everything is kept in its proper place inside cupboards. Decorative bric-a-bracs are kept to a minimum, so that other than a few family pictures and pots of greenery, tabletops are kept clean.

“We agreed to this interview out of gratitude to Tagaytay Highlands for developing Plantation Hills where we were able to build our weekend home; and to promote organic farming and a healthy lifestyle,” continues Dolly. Plantation Hills occupies a portion of Tagaytay Highlands that is designated as “The Greenlands.” The developers describe this area as “stand(ing) for the shade of abundance, hue of vibrancy, and color of the highlife.” Specifically, Plantation Hills “offers abundant spaces to allow homeowners to nurture their own farming plots right in their own backyards.” And since the del Rosario’s weekend home occupies only 20 percent of their entire property, there is ample space for gardening and pets including turkeys and fighting cocks that have become extremely friendly and tame.

However, they have also chosen to keep portions of their garden wild. “We don’t like a manicured garden — that would be too much like gardening in the city,” says Dolly. Her husband has planted a diverse orchard of both shade and fruit-bearing trees so that the wild birds will continue to build their nests in the property. “We want to imitate nature.” To prevent soil erosion and keep it fertile, plants endemic to the area are encouraged to grow.

We slip and slide as we take a walk on a slope on the wild side of the garden, but are nevertheless appreciative of the sights and sounds that surround us. Curly new tendrils of fern push out from the dark, rich soil. There is an abundance of butterflies and different birdcalls distract us as we go our way. We breathe in the rich, earthy smell of fallen leaves. It is a welcome change from the noise, odor and litter of the city. And we wholeheartedly agree with Dolly del Rosario when she says, “This is what nature is all about.”