A home is said to be a reflection of the person living there. If so, what are we to think of actor John Estrada and his bachelor pad? They're a definite study in contrast.
Uploaded: January 30, 2009
Behind John, in the narrow hallway leading to his bedroom, is a custom-made assembled bike worth P75,000 that has an enhanced aluminum body, Shimano wheels, and isoflow pedals.
Besides showbiz, sports keeps the 6-foot-2 actor busy. Like close buddies Richard Gomez and Joey Marquez, John is into golf—and early this year, he bagged the first runner-up trophy in the Pro/Celebrity Amateur Division of the annual Omega Cup sponsored by Omega watches, held at the Wack Wack Golf and Country Club.
He also goes skimboarding, a water sport similar to surfing, but done close to shore.
The wrought-iron tree behind John, which he bought in Greenhills, San Juan, is the only decorative ornament in the whole house. "Ako lang naglagay ng Christmas light around it, para parang Pasko all year round."
John Estrada's condo unit originally had two bedrooms, but he converted the smaller one into this TV room. Like the rest of the house, this space is uncomplicated and clutter-free. A few pieces of furniture, sleek audio-video components, and representations of his personal interests—such as playing the guitar and skimboarding—give maximum impact to the overall look.
On the Samsung flat-screen TV set, Beyonce Knowles is singing "Baby Boy." John quips: "Sa next life ko, ‘yan na ang asawa ko."
There's no need here for oversized throw pillows or brightly colored accessories to give the place a warm and inviting feel. Though the straight lines provide a truly masculine feel, there is something about the whiteness of the whole place that makes it delicate, almost ethereal.
John and his kids spend a lot of time inside the TV room that's separated from the living-dining area by smoked-glass sliding doors. "They come here sa bahay ko three to four times a week," John says. "Pag nandito sila, we camp out here and sleep on the floor. We watch movies and whatever TV shows na gusto nilang panoorin."
Interior designer Ed Calma's minimalist design is surprisingly homey. The custom-made sectional sofa, which cost P180,000, is attached to the wall. Under the glass-and-chrome center table is an oval area rug bought at Bo Concept at the Shangri-La EDSA mall. An attention-grabbing dinosaur-egg-shaped lamp in the corner is a birthday gift from then girlfriend Vanessa del Bianco.
The spacious loft-like setting of the dining cum living room is one big space with nothing to stop the eye, so that you can't tell where one space ends and the other space begins.
A view of the dining and bar area from the living room. The top of the white dining table is alligator skin, which cost John P260,000. "Medyo nakakapikon 'yong presyo," he says with a grin, "pero noong nakita ko, how can you say no? Sakto sa place." One pair of matching dining chairs has a different design from the other pair that also matches. The chairs cost from P4,000 to P8,000 each.
Behind the bar is the tiny kitchen. A built-in refrigerator matches the custom-made cabinets. John claims he cooks "the best Bolognese," a pasta dish with tomato paste and meat-based sauce.
This communal bathroom next to the hallway has smoked, translucent glass as door and walls. When somebody's using the restroom, people outside can see the silhouette of the person sitting on the toilet bowl. Shy guests have the option of using the toilet in the storage room.
The leather-and-chrome bench behind John was originally intended for the living room. "Sinubukan ko lang ilagay sa side ng dining table, 'tapos sabi ng interior designer ko, ‘That's perfect! Leave it there.' So I did."
The bench probably reminds John of his butt-augmentation procedure, because he brings up the Belo Medical Center treatment that involved the injection into his behind of a 97-percent water hydrogel. He claims the procedure has made his almost perfect physique now balanced. "Dati kasi mas mabigat 'yong harapan," he says with a naughty grin. "Ngayon, pag nakatayo ako, hindi na ako nakaganito"—and he pretends to fall flat on his face.
John's favorite room in the house is his bedroom. "I spend eighty percent of my time here," he says. He also likes the room dark. "Ayoko ng paggising sa umaga masakit sa mata, ang liwa-liwanag."
He loves to watch DVD movies and the TV show "Prison Break." An eight-foot-long 2x2 piece of wood hanging from the ceiling in the corner of the room, and a shorter one horizontally hanging beside the bed, create dramatic down lighting.
Next to the bed is a glass side table, on which lies the book "My Life" by Bill Clinton. Asked if he has finished reading the book, John answers, "Nasa page 30 pa lang ako, kasi one page a day lang ako kung magbasa, e." John's manager, Douglas Quijano, says in jest: "Alam mo ba, kaya niya binili ang book na 'yan? Kasi thirty percent off."
Custom-built closets lining the wall keep John's clothes and DVD collections neatly organized. The television set is cleverly built into the closet space. The sliding glass doors lead to more closet space and the bathroom.
In the shower, natural rock slates for flooring-with small river stones around it—are paired with high-end shower heads, faucets, and soap dishes from a German company.
The bathroom fixtures have been installed not only for function but also for visual interest. The sleek design of the long, slim piece of stainless steel faucet hanging from the ceiling goes with the clean lines, hard surfaces, and modern look of the rest of John's bachelor pad.
