This is the view of the living room from the kitchen. Melissa recently changed the major furniture pieces here. She used to have upholstered sofas with floral designs. Now she has three-piece mocha seats. The red ottomans, in square and round shapes, provide contrast.

The rest of the furnishings remained—the antique bauls, the harp, the drawers near the windows. Asked where she usually buy her things, Melissa replies: "Kung saan-saan. Meron sa Restoration, sa Jo-Liza [International], saka me pinupuntahan akong isa sa [Robinsons] Galleria.

The formal dining room—seen here from the living room—boasts a brand-new 10-seater dining set, made-to-order from Restoration, a furniture store at Mandaluyong City's Shangri-La Plaza mall. Made of Philippine mahogany, each truly heavy seat costs a whopping P10,000!"

Mele shrugs off the extravagance: "Hayaan mo na. Ipapamana ko naman ýan sa mga bata."

She also takes pride in her Murano figurines and vases displayed on the buffet table and in the display cabinet. The paintings in this air-conditioned room are by Melissa herself, who considers herself a hobbyist.

"Wala naman akong formal training," she explains. "Wala akong malay sa Fine Arts. Pero namana ko siguro sa tatay ko ang hilig. 'Yon, nag-aral talaga ýon."

Melissa has a ready explanation for having 10 seats: "Alam mo naman ang lola mo, mahilig akong magpakain. Para hindi na maraming lugar-lugar, hiwa-hiwalayan. At least diyan, isa lang, sampu na kaagad kayo diyan. Tabi-tabi na kaagad kayo diyan."

On Christmas Eve, after attending worship service, the four girls feast on their noche buena here, along with visiting relatives.

That oval French door, by the way, lead to the kitchen. There, the corridor leading to three bedrooms and to the entertainment den is lined with Melissa's paintings.

Melissa set up all the Christmas decor herself and finished everything in one day, including trimming this six-foot-tall Christmas tree: "May kasama lang ako na tagalagay ng ilaw. Pero ako nagpapako diyan at nag-aayos."

With Melissa are the three daughters: (from left to right) Cassie, Denise, and Alex. With Cassie is the hyperactive chihuahua, Boomer. Between Denise and Cassie sits the regal Shih Tzu, Princess.

The master bedroom, with its comfy, queen-sized bed, is the favorite hangout of the owner's four dogs. Boomer, the chihuahua, like lying down beside Melissa: "Seloso kasi ýon." Princess, the furry Shih Tzu, is content with staying under the bed: "Kaya siya lagi madungis. Nahahakot ng balahibo niya ang lahat ng kalat."

The jalousie opens to a small Zen garden, which is best viewed from the entertainment den beside Melissa's room.

A native of Zambales, Melissa is still drawn to anything that reminds her of provincial life, such as the sulihiya rocking chair and divan (partly hidden) and the baul. The huge oriental jars—once stylish pieces in celebrity homes—have found a home in this Asian lanai, which Mele says is the best tambayan at night: "Kasi may ilaw diyan sa fountain ko."

On the outside, this bungalow does not give a hint of its elaborate interiors. A similar small but well-manicured garden is also found behind the yellow concrete fence.