"Siya ang tagabayad," Sylvia says of Art Atayde. "Sa pera dito sa bahay, 99 percent pera ng asawa ko, 1 percent sa akin. Pero lahat ng effort, akin."

(YES! December 2005 issue)

This giant Ethan Allen bed in the master bedroom can hold four people. Sylvia admits she spent a whopping P160,000 (at the time of this shoot) for this because "gusto ng asawa ko ang malaking bed."

(YES! December 2005 issue)

The Atayde family in their Yuletide best: (from left to right, first row) daughters Gela, 3, on Sylvia's lap; Ria, 12; Pia Marie, 16; and (back row) Husband Art and son Arjo, 13.

(YES! December 2005 issue)

For her living room, Sylvia chose off-white Roman window shades, creating a warm and cozy atmosphere. The shades complement the eight-foot-tall green-and-silver-themed Christmas tree, which she got from a factory in Bulacan for less than P3,000 (at the time of this house shoot) . "Noong sabihan akong magki-Christmas pictorial, namili kami sa Bulacan, kasi may factory doon. Ýong luma namin kasi, bali-bali na ang sanga."

Sylvia bought the bowl-shaped candle and its wodden holder in Punta Fuego, Batangas. The two items came separately. Her original idea was to put "kung ano-anong abubot" on the wooden holder. But she realized as sson as she came back to Quezon City that the candle was just right for the wooden holder: "Bagay siya, maganda siya, kasya."

She got the heavier candle holders earlier, while abroad: "Binitbit ko pa ýan galing sa Las Vegas-ýong mga ganyan, candelaria ko, na ang bibigat."

A sensible and skillful buyer, Sylvia spent only around P35,000 then for the new Christmas decor in the entire house. She says she would have spent more if she had done her shopping at the malls.

(YES! December 2005 issue)

The dining table is a traditional eight-seater long table. Sylvia had its chairs custom-made by friends who are furniture-makers, after she spotted a design she liked from a high-end furniture store. "Nagustuhan ko ang design na ýan, so pinagaya ko na lang." Such chairs would normally cost more than P500,000. Sylvia spent less than P100,000 for her custom-made ones.

(YES! December 2005 issue)