AT HOME WITH SHARON CUNETA
by Philip Cu-Unjieng, The Philippine Star, April 15, 2000

Ramon Antonio and Sharon Cuneta are names that conjure up a special sort of magic in their respective fields. Coincidentally, they both share a standard for longevity and stature in professions that tire easily of new trends and new faces, where today's hot names can be tomorrow's where-are-they-now? feature.

As Ramon had taken us through his own home in last week's issue, we thought it interesting to put him in the context of building for a client and reminiscing on the dynamics of that relationship. And when Sharon and Kiko Pangilinan are the clients, expect extraordinary rapport, because if there is one show business personality whose genuine warmth and candor will rub off on even the self-confessed shyest of architects/interior designers, it's Sharon Cuneta.

A megastar lives here: The first living room sports a yellow motif. The tall doors open to a courtyard, very European in feel.

The inner living room where the Pangilinans entertain friends and family. Once again, a warm yellow dominates the color scheme.

SHARON CUNETA: (Smiles) What did you think, Ramon? Did you expect me to be more exuberant in my choice of colors?

RAMON ANTONIO: Actually, I was open to anything. As it turned out, the colors she chose were muted as well, but warm. I sensed that she was after a country look in the city. A blending of the old and the new, the classic and the modern.

SHARON: You know, I met Ramon through my Tita Helen Sotto. He had renovated their home in White Plains. I was at first hesitant to approach him, given his reputation. I was afraid he was going to be snooty, but in fact he was the opposite. Then, when he invited Kiko and I to have lunch at his home, the minute I walked in, I turned to him and said, "Ramon, this is me!" I had already picked out some furniture pieces in Paris; and as it turned out, he loved them, too.

RAMON: (Laughing) We both share one thing: Our love for Paris above all cities in the world.

SHARON: So really it was a case of having the same direction for the house. We both love silver, prefer it over things that are gold. The moment he took over from the previous architect, things just fell into place.

RAMON: I had my own trepidation before taking on the work, but there were so many things that just clicked -- like our love for Indian food.

SHARON: If I'm away for four nights, on two of those nights, I'd be looking for Indian cuisine. So when he cooked me his tandoori chicken, that sealed it. (Laughter). I said, okay, here's my soul mate.

The staircase leads to the private rooms.

Blast from the past: The painting by Karen Flores was picked by Sharon because of the katipunera theme. Her grandmother was in the Katipunan movement.

RAMON: I agree, and it's not always easy to have the owner believe in this.

SHARON: This was one of the most important projects of my life. It was to be our home, where the people who mean the most to me would live. So, I really wanted it to be the best. To be better than any hotel I might find myself in; but of course, without looking like a hotel.

Except for the pool!

SHARON: (Laughing) You heard about that, looking like Amanpulo except for the color of the tiles?

Before he left, Kiko was telling me how you were in Amanpulo taking all these shots from different angles of the pool.

SHARON: Going back to the question; we were back in Manila when Ramon took over, but I was extremely busy. That's where I truly appreciated what Ramon was all about. He was always up front about what he could finish, never promising something that he couldn't deliver, truly professional. And he operated in such a way that the prices and his fees were reasonable. I thought some things would be exorbitant, but I was pleasantly surprised. He would always give me drawings and options, explaining that a particular set would cost this much if we stuck to certain materials, that the same set could cost less if we compromised on the material and settled for X quality. And this is really the mark of a decent person regardless of the field he's in, that he empathizes with the client. Often, he would work with the things I had. I appreciated this so much because he could have just said it should be this, it should be that and not use the things I already had.

KC's 15, did she have a say on what her room would look like?

RAMON: Oh yes. The colors of blue, lilac, the canopy bed, the areas where she can stencil -- in all of this she was very specific, and Sharon felt that even if some elements might not go with the rest of the house, KC's ideas should be respected, it was her room after all.

The collection of art that's displayed in the house is very eclectic; from a Luna to lambskin scrolls of a Gregorian chant, quasi-political representations -- whose primary interest is represented here?

SHARON: The ones with a political motif are Kiko's. He's very nationalistic, patriotic ... he wants to change the world.

There seems to be two areas in the house: one of them, the public spaces and sections that are the "inner sanctum," very private spaces.

RAMON: That's very true. Sharon would probably have wanted things more open and flowing. But we planned it to be very compartmentalized because she had to be practical and realistic.

SHARON: There are a lot of doors and one-room areas. The office even has its own living room because that's where my husband can meet people or even I can receive guests without them having to see KC moving around doing her own thing. So we still enjoy a sense of privacy even with people around.

Where would you put Jet Li if he were a guest in the house?

SHARON: (Without missing a beat) In the master's bedroom. (raucous laughter from all). Or he could have the guest house and I'd be a frequent visitor!

Guess who's coming to dinner: Silver and wood reign in the dining room. The table is an antique which Sharon bought in Paris.

Admit one: Sharon's favorite seat in the house.

SHARON: For me, the dining room; and the room I refer to as my dad's room, which will become the baby's room someday. Kiko calls it my room and his enemy; because it's the one room I've allowed myself to just mess up. My books, my video collection, my laptop; the bed has become my workspace. It's the room where I watch television, because Kiko doesn't want a TV in the master bedroom, as it can discourage the couple from talking. For Kiko, it's probably the veranda, that's where he has his breakfast and reads his papers.

I noticed the profusion of bathrooms and how all the toilets are equipped with spray bidets -- there's one as you enter the house and there's one between the dining room and the kitchen. What do you think this says about you?

SHARON: I've placed them for the comfort of my visitors. It's just a thing I have, where if anyone feels the call of nature, no matter how serious, they have a choice of where to go and they'll know that they shouldn't be embarrassed. All the bathrooms have exhaust fans and scented candles, and they'll never run out of toilet paper.

Ramon has mentioned that he encourages his clients to rearrange things and create tablescapes that reflect their personality. Do you indulge in this and are you ready to do this without his supervision?

SHARON: I do. But of course, it's different when you have the educated touch of Ramon to help you. He really beautifies everything, just by moving things and adding something. Like those oranges that he wants to pretend I put myself. (Ramon raises his eyebrows, while Sharon laughs) But it's these little touches that make it unique and special. My Tita Helen has the touch, and I read a lot, I'm maarte in this sense, but I'm just short on time. Like I want to serve coffee with choices of sugar and cinnamon sticks.

Ramon has said that the one true magical aspect of his work is not the completed house but the friendship that's created. What makes your "mutual admiration society" so special?

RAMON: For me, it's Sharon's natural warmth. For someone who's in show business and so popular, you might excuse her for being tired when you meet, but each time we're together, there's always that genuine rapport and appreciation for the time we spend together. We discover new things about each other and continuously find stronger reasons for keeping the friendship alive.

SHARON: Most people who know me will confirm that by nature I'm generally good-humored, a very happy person. Even when I go to work, I want a light, happy set. I'll eat with the crew and so on. So, with Ramon it was special as I discovered his warmth that lies beyond his shyness. Remember, the first time I met him, I thought he was going to be some pedantic guy, talking about the history of French furniture, telling me about Louis the XIVth or whatever! (Ramon laughs and blushes) But it was the opposite and Ramon was really nice. We were talking the other night and I was telling Ramon how I couldn't care less about what you own, the businesses you manage, or the money you have. If you aren't nice to begin with, I wouldn't want to spend a minute with you. Ramon is really a sincere person, he goes out of his way if he considers you a friend. In fact, my dream is to have him design and build a house for me from scratch.

The small den off the living room. The staircase is by Manila Pearl, and the balcony holds Sharon's various awards and trophies.

Here comes the sun: This antique sunburst, acquired by Sharon during a trip to Paris, is the first thing you see as you enter the house.

SHARON: You see this table ... it's warmer than him! (Laughter) He's so proper. Look at this table, proper and regal, but casual and easy-going, it's Ramon!

Ramon, what compels you to maintain a presence in your clients' lives? Other designers lose contact after the job is finished.

RAMON: Building a house is very different from putting up a building. The former is a very personal matter. You really spend time with the owners and get to know them, and so that closeness develops.

SHARON: But you know Ramon, that's you. Others may not necessarily feel the need to create this kind of bond. When we started, it was so important for Ramon to have the house reflect Kiko and myself. He wouldn't dictate or insist. Sure, he would be there to guide or prod, but that's why you have him in the first place. You're placing a value on his expertise, taste and eye for detail. Remember, I have my own Rustan's upstairs. (Laughter all around) I can't insist on having everything incorporated in the interiors.

RAMON: Also, I'm responding to the particular personality of each client. With some, I reciprocate to the openness and warmth they extend to me. If it's their birthday, I show up and help them with the house for the party. If I feel welcome and share in the feeling that it's also my house, then I'm more than ready to be there for whatever occasion or reason.

If Ramon hung up his architectural tools and put up a restaurant, what sort of cuisine would you recommend besides Indian food?

SHARON: I'm always asking for Indian; but I'd venture to Italian. I've also heard good things about his Vietnamese and Thai cooking.

What I noticed in Ramon's house is that all the pieces are not just acquisitions. They all have a particular history and meaning to his life.

SHARON: Yes, and that was so important to me. With the career I've enjoyed, I'm the same. Everything in this house that you see ... and that you can't see, as Ramon hides them, they're all significant. Like this bowl with the roses, I got this in Paris and believe it or not, it served as an inspiration for the railings you see in the balconies. The wrought-iron design is an abstract rendering of these roses. Manila Pearl, owned by Kiko's family, executed that for us. Traditionally, they only manufacture for export, but they did the balconies, our spiral staircase and the sets in our porch. Before we go, I know I'll sound like a broken record, but I just have to say that Ramon is really a special friend, he's such a sweet and dear person, you can't help but create this bond that transcends the professional relationship that brought us together. (Ramon blushes and is speechless.)