For homeowner Rocio Olbes, this six-bedroom family house named Casa Cristina—which she shares with her brother Raoul—is meant to be “used, loved, and enjoyed.” It’s not about curating the perfect corners, but rather, it’s all about creating a space where their friends and family can relax and create meaningful connections and lasting memories.
The Olbes siblings also chose to build the house in Tali Beach, where they have fond memories growing up. Rocio and Raoul had this house built for their mother’s healing, and continued as an emotional tribute to her after her passing from a long and brave battle with cancer. Hence the name: Casa Cristina. “We named it Casa Cristina so that we can feel close to her. And that, my children grow up feeling her energy, her spirituality—have a physical sense of her warmth,” Rocio shares.
Rocio and Raoul envisioned the home to be a rustic beach house that gets better with age. “The house was really made to be functional and sustainable, so most of our furniture is repurposed and sourced secondhand. We also don’t like a lot of new things. We do like things with character. It was a conscious choice that we made,” Rocio shares. The siblings prioritized the organic, weathered, and lived-in look over perfection.
To bring this vision to life, they tapped design consultant Endika Ampudia, who contributed early design concepts that align with his knowledge of the family’s personality and values; and architect Zigfrido Abella, who created an organic, cube-shaped modern design that fits into the landscape and maximizes light and space. Meanwhile, Rocio’s sister-in-law Anna De Borja Prats, who is an interior designer, played a role in curating and placing furniture and accessories.
Most of the furniture in Casa Cristina came from the family storage and the Olbeses’ home in Alabang. “We also don’t like a lot of new things. We do like things with character,” says Rocio. A few custommade pieces also figure in this home, like the console table in the foyer made from reclaimed wood. A round, glass-top table with a wrought iron base also furnishes the foyer, creating a welcoming space for anyone who enters.
The house is still a work in progress. Rocio plans to add lounge furniture to the second-floor terrace. She envisions the spot as a cozy reading nook once completed, but for now, it’s where one can enjoy morning coffee with views of the sea.
Despite a few unfinished corners, Rocio and Raoul have already started to carve beautiful memories in its spaces. “We do have a lot of friends over on any weekend. We do a lot of sundown hosting, with drinks by the pool and a pika-pika spread,” Rocio narrates. “And I’ve had a couple of children’s parties [which were] very fun.”
Guests are free to lounge, walk barefoot, lay on the grass, and fully inhabit the space. “The energy of it is so amazing because it’s not curated. We wanted the house to be an organic house. We want people to have organic experiences. It’s not a place to be perfect. It’s a place to feel recharged and safe, and to not worry about aesthetics,” Rocio declares. “It’s a place to be your most comfortable self.”
Casa Cristina is more than just a beach house. It is a multi-generational family home designed to be a space for healing and a repository of memories. While the home may continue to evolve to meet the changing needs of Rocio and Raoul’s family, it will always remain a place of comfort and joy for everyone who walks through its doors.
Read the full story behind Casa Cristina by grabbing your copy of BluPrint Homes, available at the sarisari.shopping, Shopee, and Lazada. E-magazines are available for download here or through Readly, Press Reader, and Magzter.
Photographed by Ed Simon
Styled by Jegs Santos
Read more: Optimistic Architecture: BluPrint Volume 1 2025
More and more Filipinos are flocking to condominium communities. Often tucked within busy city centers, condo living acts as a small respite from urban chaos. Faced with the challenge of transforming a cramped condominium into a warm living space, BluPrint lists condo interior design ideas that can maximize each square foot of small spaces. Purposeful […]
The local design landscape has a significant new player following the grand launch of the Boloni Philippines showroom in Makati City. The celebrated event marked the official entry of a leading global brand, renowned for its “total interior solution” approach, into the Philippine market through an exclusive partnership with RDS Global Allianz. Hosted by Mica […]
The apartment unit, often constrained by space and convention, has evolved from a functional living box into a canvas for highly personalized architecture and interior design. The year’s most compelling luxury apartment designs demonstrate a shift away from transient trends, instead prioritizing intentional curation, deep comfort, and a seamless visual flow. From the art-infused gallery […]
It’s no secret that homebuyers seek a smart investment that delivers long-term savings and a healthier environment. This is the core proposition of Una Apartments by Arthaland, a mid-market offering within the highly sustainable Sevina Park community in Biñan, Laguna. This new development, together with global design leader American Standard, is setting an elevated standard […]
For a brand rooted in heritage, material integrity, and an unwavering identity, there’s absolutely no need to be driven by fleeting trends and compromised quality. For Milano & Design, this philosophy forms the very foundation of its existence. This commitment was palpable as the brand recently celebrated the grand opening of its new, elegant showroom […]
The move from a hotel lobby display to a dedicated flagship location is a clear declaration of intent. For Scavolini, Italy’s premier authority on kitchen, bathroom, and home cabinetry, the opening of its new showroom at the Proscenium Retail Row in Rockwell, Makati, is a definitive statement on the brand’s commitment to the discerning Filipino […]
