MANILA, Philippines—The Domingos moved into their newly built Quezon City home barely four months ago.

Eldest son Robi, “Pinoy Big Brother: Teen Edition Plus” second runner-up and Myx veejay champ, describes the house as “modern Zen.”

Building and decorating the house was a family affair, Robi notes.

“My uncle Jun Eusebio was the contractor; his wife Tita Pinky was the designer,” he explains. “It took a year to finish.”

His dad, Dr. Roberto Domingo, took charge of the garden. “Gardening is my hobby,” dad admits. “I take care of bonsai trees and planted the bamboo and horsehair in the pool area.”

The home stands on a 500 square-meter property and features an 8 by 4 meter infinity pool, a koi pond and an Oriental garden.

Robi’s dad, resident surgeon for Meralco, brought home some old electric posts, cut them up and scattered them all over the garden as accent pieces.

“We also used recycled wood for the flooring in the prayer room and the second-floor hallway,” dad explains.

Robi’s mom, Dr. Mary Ann Eusebio-Domingo, also pitched in, buying candles and décor from Dapitan flea markets, which she turned into Christmas centerpieces.

Speaking of the holiday spirit, Robi says mom and dad initially wanted two different kinds of trees. “She picked a white and orange tree; my dad, a traditional green tree,” says the teen star.

The entire family, however, agreed on one thing: the tradition of decorating the tree as a group activity.

Everyone participated, Robi says. “We don’t put a star or angel at the top of the tree. Instead we hang the stars and angels all over it. We also put gifts under the tree.”

Recalls Robi, who recently won Best New Male TV Personality at the movie press’ Star Awards: “My mom got our old tree in Bulacan when I was still a kid. The new tree is from Traditions Megamall. It’s a symbol of our bonding.”

Christmases for the Domingo and Eusebio clans are family-centered.

“Each family member prepares a dish for the noche buena,” Robi says. “I haven’t tried cooking paella yet. But I’ve mastered simple deserts like fruit salad and buko salad.”

Robi hopes to spoil his younger brother Maro with the perfect gift this Christmas. “I’m kinda saving up for it,” Robi says. “He wants an Apple iTouch or new rubber shoes—usual teenager stuff.”

Robi, 19, and Maro, 14, shared a room in their old home.

“But now, we have our own bedrooms,” says Robi. “[The new arrangement] teaches us to be more responsible with our own things—to clean up after ourselves.”

Robi and Maro are true-blue Ateneans, says their mom. “They’ve been studying in Ateneo since prep,” she says.

Now Robi is a college freshman taking up BS Health Sciences at the Ateneo de Manila University. “It’s a pre-med course with management units,” he says.

Robi currently hosts at least six music shows on cable TV—“Daily Top 10,” “Myxilog,” “Pop Myx,” “OPM Myx,” “Myx Firsts” and “My Myx.” He topped the Myx veejay search last month.

In spite of his tight work schedule, he manages his studies well. This, he notes, is the Christmas gift he is giving his parents.

“When I was younger, I would give them the usual Christmas cards every year. Now I have something special in mind. I’m dedicating to them my hopes and dreams, and promise that I would follow in their footsteps and become a doctor. I don’t want to fail them.”