00:00 Konnichiwa Uji! Danjo Desu! Welcome to my Japanese inspired home. Let's go inside.
00:07 So upon entering, here on the right side is my storage for my shoes,
00:26 slippers, sandals, and everything. In the Japanese culture, this area is called
00:31 "Gengkan" which is the recessed area. It's not just our recessed area, but the same concept
00:37 is that this is where our shoes are stored and the other things we use inside are
00:43 the slippers. And here is our Mugen living room. Why is it called Mugen living room?
00:51 Because as you can see, we have mirrors here and there. So it creates an illusion of
00:57 infinity. So in Japanese, the meaning of Mugen is infinity. And this area is inspired
01:03 by the simplicity that I saw in the designs in Japan when I've been to
01:09 different business trips here and there. And all the pieces that you can see
01:14 look fancy, but I bought them from online shops.
01:21 I grew up with a very contented family since I am a drovers witness.
01:26 We are more contented with what we have, but actually we don't own our own home.
01:35 I never thought of having a dream home, a dream car, or anything
01:40 luxurious for myself. So it just happened that when I was starting to go to
01:47 Japan for my business trips, I was inspired by the designs here.
01:53 It's very minimal, but it's aesthetic. At the same time, it's very functional.
01:58 So I thought, "I can just combine all of these."
02:02 I'll show you the heart of the unit. It's not that big, but it's very functional.
02:12 So here's where the magic happens. But of course, it's non-traditional.
02:18 This is an induction cooktop. So I've had an experience working professionally as a chef
02:24 for five years. So this space is very close to my heart.
02:29 And of course, all of this was thought of. The kitchen should be in front of the refrigerator.
02:34 And next to it is the sink and all of those details.
02:38 I was inspired by my home and the designs when I was going to Japan.
02:44 But as I was going through with the designs, planning, and research,
02:49 I found out that the designs I'm going for are also Scandinavian.
02:54 And I also found out the term "Japandi."
02:57 So as you can see here on the palette, it's more on the hashtag #TeamCahoy, #TeamWhite.
03:02 So it's all browns and whites. And then you can see here, of course, our tools.
03:08 Oh, this. And this is my very special bowl.
03:15 I bought this in Japan when I was in Awajishima.
03:18 It's a Naruto bowl in Naruto Island.
03:22 It's Ichiraku Ramen, so Naruto fans out there.
03:24 I got this unit five years ago, way back in 2018,
03:28 when I was studying Japanese still in the University of the Philippines, Diliman.
03:33 We had a major examination. Usually, we staycation.
03:39 And then we staycationed in a condo here, nearby.
03:43 I said, "Oh, there's a condo unit like this, with its hallways open and airy."
03:50 So I saved up most of all of my earnings.
03:52 And then at the same time, I thought, "This is also an investment in the future."
03:56 So that's when I decided that if I'm going to invest in something, I want this.
04:00 I want my safe space to be like this. It's very relaxing. It's very airy and all.
04:05 Five years later, this year, and this is my home now.
04:09 Come on, let's go to my favorite place.
04:13 This is Eclipse.
04:16 This is a Horigotatsu-inspired area,
04:20 where I saw this in Izakaya in Japan when I was going there.
04:24 It has a recessed area where you can relax your legs, your feet while eating,
04:29 where you can talk to your family, your friends.
04:33 So this is a "tambay" area.
04:36 This is where my friends and I jam, talk, play board games, and games.
04:42 I designed it to be an enclosed space.
04:47 So the feels will be more intimate.
04:50 And this is solid wood.
04:52 This is made with marine plywood.
04:55 And all thanks to my very amazing architect.
04:58 Because all of this was designed by me, but of course, it was turned into reality by her.
05:04 So thank you to architect Faye Ison.
05:08 And then, actually, this one is a second bedroom.
05:12 So as you can see, on the top, it still has remnants of the walls, the drywall of the second bedroom.
05:19 It can't be removed because that's the sprinkler.
05:23 But I thought, on the spot, it's not nice to have just that.
05:28 So I designed it.
05:30 I added a contrast wall here.
05:32 And this is an actual functioning clock.
05:36 So you won't be late because your clock is so big.
05:39 And then, I designed this.
05:42 And then, as you can see, the palette of the whole house is more on whites, more on browns.
05:48 And my favorite color, which is the deep teal.
05:52 The meaning of the color, in my opinion, is it symbolizes my love for traveling.
05:58 The pandemic was not easy.
05:59 I think everyone can say that it was really devastating.
06:04 At that time, I think it's already the third year that I've been paying down payment.
06:11 And then, suddenly, I saw some cysts on my body that had to be taken out.
06:18 So I went into surgeries.
06:20 And it was really hard at that time because since it's COVID, you can't get a room for recovery.
06:27 So every time I get to do my surgery, I go home.
06:31 Imagine, you're walking around in the car.
06:35 Then, it happened.
06:38 My family was struck with a disease.
06:41 My grandparents were sent to the hospital.
06:43 Sadly, only my grandmother went home.
06:47 My grandfather passed away.
06:49 And then, three days after, my father had a stroke.
06:54 It's not about how big the storm is.
06:57 Or it's not about waiting for the storm to pass.
06:59 It's learning how to dance in the rain.
07:01 And here, we can see that it's not just pure design, pure beauty.
07:06 But it's very functional.
07:07 You can see that all of these spaces, all of them, up to the end.
07:12 Even the squares you can see.
07:14 This is where we used to put the aircon.
07:17 We made a hidden storage.
07:19 This is where we hide our sports since I'm a very active person.
07:23 And this is where I met Arki.
07:26 Because Arki is my previous badminton varsity teammate.
07:29 So that's where we met.
07:31 So thank you for turning all my designs into reality.
07:35 And then, eventually, I got to tinker with digital arts.
07:42 Because of the pandemic, we were all just at home.
07:45 I started playing a simulation game.
07:48 That's where it started.
07:51 My map trended.
07:53 And then, some of them were asking, "Can you make me an art?"
07:55 And then, it continued until a lot of people made it.
07:58 And then, I was able to say, "Everything is still so surreal."
08:02 I can't imagine that all of this came from art.
08:06 And then, eventually, it was fun because I was able to design my own home.
08:11 So everything that we see here, it's designed by me.
08:15 Even if I don't have any idea with interior design or architecture.
08:20 With the guidance and help of my architect friend, everything was turned into reality.
08:26 Here in our CR, it's also designed with a fluted panel.
08:32 For the illusion, we're making the space bigger.
08:37 Because if we notice our ceiling, it's much lower compared to the outside.
08:44 So I said, "How can I make an illusion that it's not too cramped, not too lit?"
08:50 So I made use of the lines.
08:51 And then, of course, we added small bamboos so that it has a touch of green.
08:57 So that it's refreshing at the same time.
08:59 We're now here in...
09:01 I don't know. Is it my second favorite area?
09:04 Where is it?
09:06 So we're now here in my second favorite area, which I call the portal.
09:11 The portal to happiness.
09:13 So this is my pantry.
09:22 It used to be a washing machine.
09:25 It has water and electricity.
09:28 Since my friends and family are always here.
09:33 So I cook for them.
09:35 I give them treats.
09:37 At the same time, I treat myself from time to time.
09:42 I have a Sari-Sari store inside the house.
09:45 And of course, we have to keep it protected.
09:49 So it's hidden.
09:52 So this area is not just for work.
10:00 But it's really for hobbies.
10:01 So I can play games.
10:02 And also, you can see there that I have my own piano.
10:05 I can also play guitar.
10:06 So when I'm stressed, music is really close to my heart.
10:11 When we're stressed.
10:12 And here, we can see, moving on.
10:18 Our hidden storages.
10:20 So that's my mini closet.
10:25 And all of this is storage.
10:28 So everything is really well thought of.
10:34 There's no wasted space.
10:36 Because it's small.
10:38 So you'll find a way to make your space bigger.
10:41 So it doesn't mean that this is all that's given to you.
10:45 You won't be able to make it better.
10:47 Oh! You guys came before me.
10:52 So welcome to my balcony.
10:54 And actually, this is not the best time to be here.
10:58 My favorite time here is when it's sunset.
11:01 You'll see the different colors from orange, pink, going to violet.
11:05 While you're sipping your favorite warm drink.
11:08 And reading your favorite book.
11:10 This is where I do it.
11:12 And sometimes, if you want to change the place where you work.
11:17 You can also do it here.
11:19 And when you're stressed, you're overloaded with work.
11:23 You can relax.
11:25 Generally, if I remember correctly, the size of this unit is 49 point something.
11:30 So let's make it 50.
11:32 It's originally a 2 bedroom unit.
11:34 Which I converted into just a 1 bedroom.
11:38 So this space, this length is for my friends and family whenever they come.
11:43 And of course, the location of our home is also beautiful.
11:50 Because we can see the skyway here.
11:52 It's just there.
11:54 The entrance and exit of the skyway is also there.
11:56 We're also in front of the Ayala Clover Leaf Mall.
11:59 Since I mentioned that we're focused on contentment.
12:04 And we're not really thinking that much about the future.
12:08 As long as you keep, you have emergency funds.
12:12 You have savings.
12:14 At the same time, you keep yourself healthy.
12:16 I think that's enough.
12:18 Through my faith in God and with the support of my family and my friends.
12:22 KINAYA!
12:24 Thank you for joining me in my journey.
12:26 Always remember that in life, nothing worth having ever comes easy.
12:32 Matane!
12:34 Want to share your house and get featured?
12:38 Email us at stories.onlygood@gmail.com
12:42 And tell us about your interesting home story.
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