Butch In The Sky

Typhoon Milenyo’s fury left critic and television host Butch Francisco’s penthouse home in Greenhills in tatters. The roof dropped and a third of the ceiling in the living room collapsed.

He saw a silver lining from all the damage. Though his insurer won’t cover it, Butch thought he might as well work on the interiors he wants. He immediately started work on repairs and asked an old friend to help him draw up a “pure” traditional Filipino interior to his pad.

Butch said he started work on his place a day after the storm. In three days, after the damage, he had Tats Manahan, Johnny Manahan’s wife, come in for the interiors.

From the doors, a long walkway with a spectacular view of the city, leads to the rest of the unit.

He describes his interiors as that of typical Filipino home in Vigan, Ilocos Sur in the 1950’s. He used broad hardwood floors, old glass chandeliers, wood mesh balustrades and he had contractors build a higher ceiling.

Butch made sure the details are right and that cost him three months of stress. He said he had to move everything to make way for the changes.

Today, the elegant, calm interiors are a stark contrast to his penthouse view of the city’s hustle and bustle. His place lined with books and work from gifted artists and friends,and it is full of gifts from family and friends that fit his interiors.

The bell at the entrance is a gift from Rosa Rosal. The “Joker” painting is from Joey de Leon and one other item is from Sharon Cuneta.

Butch’s love affair with antiques started with a mirror which he bartered from his aunt. He hid all hints of modern-day conveniences like the TV and roll-down blinds from view. He used capri windows to hide his air-conditioning unit.

All-glass walls give the viewer the feeling of floating above the city.

Hanging above his couch are several paintings of nude women, one of them a Manansala work of art.

An antique-looking wall phone hangs by the wall beside his bedroom door.

Inside Butch’s bedroom, the first thing you’ll notice about it is a dominant statue of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. He has a leather couch beside his old wood bed with a wooden coffee table.

It’s a place that is a blast from the past at the top of the city.

For more home design stories, catch Urban Zone on Channel 2 every Sundays, right after the Sunday movie =)