ARTICLE SERVICES            Reprint this article     Print this article       Send as an e-mail     Send Feedback       Post a comment       RELATED STORIES   Books: Kitchie Nadal RP ‘jazz queen’ 75, still singing Immersed, literally GALLERY 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Next   Zoom    IYA VILLANIA’S work station at hope is equipped with a computer, speakers and an electronic keyboard. Photo by Rudy Esperas Zoom    DECORATIVE dish and wooden platform hang on the wall leading to the main door. Zoom    POWDER room features the work of painter Gina Bocar. Photo by Rudy Esperas Zoom    SIX-SEAT wooden table is positioned in such a way that it highlights the diagonal floor of the dining area. Photo by Rudy Esperas Zoom    “RELAXING, laid-back, very resthouse-ish,” is how Iya describes her 146-sq. m. flat in Mandaluyong City. Designers Jim Jimenez and Rodel Bartolo helped achieve this look. Photo by Rudy Esperas Zoom    VERANDA offers a breathtaking view of the city. Photo by Rudy Esperas Zoom    IYA’S BEDROOM opens to both the veranda and the living area. Photo by Rudy Esperas Lessons learned from Jackson’s tragic tale Global fans won't beat it from Jackson thrill Miley says no to dad Billy Ray’s dream Jungle challenge Great moments to remember Singer-actress a glorified ‘yaya’ Diet collapses, now out of danger ‘Sad' Madonna plans Jackson tribute Fans urged to stay away from Jackson memorial Malkovich is serial killer on Vienna stage More Stories » Showbiz and Style Why a bachelor like me chose to adopt Elevating the ‘toyomansi’ barbecue Instant noodles are not balanced meals Oils that help remove body toxins Deep-fried foods lower body energy Documenting heritage Wife nags husband about past infidelity Running the marathon for a healthy lifestyle Doña Maria is perfect for ‘bagoong’ rice Be practical–but keep the style Showbiz and Style Singer-actress a glorified ‘yaya’ Miley says no to dad Billy Ray’s dream King of Pop may be viewed in glass casket Lessons learned from Jackson’s tragic tale Interesting stories about Michael Jackson I am no Michael Jackson fan Global fans won't beat it from Jackson thrill ‘Sad' Madonna plans Jackson tribute Diet collapses, now out of danger 10 reasons to watch the UAAP opening weekend Family comes first for Marvin Agustin ‘Katrina, Aljur deserve a break’   Showbiz and Style Most Read RSS Dakki Contact Person: John Cuenco Tel. No.: 871.7238 / 871.1450 / 875.1178 Email Add: dakkidon@yahoo.com Crowne Plaza Galleria Manila Look for: Elai Hernandez or Szu Lopez Tel. No.: 633.7222 loc. 7250/7273/7277 or Tel. No. 636.0042 Mobile#: (0922)8800748/(0922)8010066Email: elaina.hernandez@ihg.com

MANILA, Philippines—Filipino-Australian actress Iya Villania says she feels safer living in a high-rise condo rather than in a townhouse.

“Security is tight here. Visitors go through routine checks. The guards take down the guests’ names and demand IDs. My mom [Ellen] and I feel secure this way,” Iya says of her four-bedroom unit in the building near the posh Wack Wack Village in Mandaluyong City.

Iya describes the 146-sq. m. spread as “relaxing, laid-back and very rest house-ish.” To achieve this look, Iya commissioned interior designers Jim Jimenez and Rodel Bartolo. She also got framed art pieces by Ross Capili, whose color scheme matches that of the house.

The walls, all done by artist Gina Bocar, differ in design and shades. Iya’s bedroom is painted in blue and red, while Mommy Ellen’s is in green and white. Purple and red are the dominant colors in the living area. For the powder room, the actress said, Bocar created an “aboriginal” design, which “reminds me of my Aussie roots.”

Iya’s bedroom has access to both the living area and the veranda. It is also the only room with a glass-stained door. “The portrait on the door is supposed to be me,” she says.

Iya’s mom adds that most of the furniture pieces, like the dish cabinet and the six-seat wooden dining table, are custom-made. “We used to buy stuff that were either too small or too big. Sayang lang,” says Ellen.

A Japanese geisha doll, a gift to Mommy Ellen, is the centerpiece in the dining area. The hallway that leads to the main door features a Lirio Salvador sculpture—“Sandata ni Juan,” a metallic guitar that Iya spotted in one of Capili’s exhibits. “The guitar actually works,” the actress says.

Ellen recounts, “The designers told me, ‘Mommy, ’di na po pwede dito ang ordinaryong electric fan.’ So I raided furniture shops and found this vintage piece [in the sala].” It cost P13,000.

The kitchen is compact, with a floor made of glossy granite. “I wish this area were bigger. It’s hard to cook Iya’s favorite kare-kare, adobo and beefsteak in such a small kitchen,” says Ellen.

The veranda was a “project” of “At Home Ka Dito,” a now-defunct magazine show on the Kapamilya network. “The perfect time to hang out there is at night. It has a spectacular view of the city,” Iya says.

E-mail mcruz@inquirer.com.ph

• Books: Kitchie Nadal
• RP ‘jazz queen’ 75, still singing
• Immersed, literally

• Lessons learned from Jackson’s tragic tale
• Global fans won't beat it from Jackson thrill
• Miley says no to dad Billy Ray’s dream
• Jungle challenge
• Great moments to remember
• Singer-actress a glorified ‘yaya’
• Diet collapses, now out of danger
• ‘Sad' Madonna plans Jackson tribute
• Fans urged to stay away from Jackson memorial
• Malkovich is serial killer on Vienna stage
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