How to build a house from the ground up

DELUXE Room of Fersal Hotel Makati Avenue

In this advance technological age of fast information and speedy networking, it is wonderful to find the time to enjoy browsing through coffee table books about architecture and interior design. The arts and architecture section of the expansive Fully Booked bookstore has several shelves of interesting books about hotel design, signature architecture concepts, arts and crafts, gardening and many more.

Fully Booked Bonifacio High Street, Taguig, recently hosted the official bookstore launch of a comprehensive guidebook that teaches first-time Filipino homebuilders how to build a house from the ground up.

The book, “Project: First Home—everything you need to know to build your house from scratch” is written by John Aguilar, creator and executive producer of the Philippines’ longest-running real estate and construction TV show Philippine Realty TV. The foreword is written by renowned architect Felino “Jun” Palafox Jr.

JUNIOR Suite with hand-painted mural accents

“Project: First Home” takes its inspiration from the same-titled series on Philippine Realty TV where John documented the construction of his first house—from design phase, construction, all the way to the finishing and furnishing. Chapters include advice on how to find the perfect lot; tips on how to secure a home loan; finding and hiring the design and construction teams; preparing for the design phase with the architect; going through the construction proper; finishing; and interior design. Special chapters also discuss the major construction materials that are used. Included is a chapter dedicated to green and disaster adaptive home designs against typhoons and floods.

The book also features industry expert collaborators interviewed by John that include architect Jun Palafox for architecture; Undersecretary Danilo Antonio of the Office of the Presidential Assistant for Rehabilitation and Recovery; Ivy and Cynthia Almario for interior design; and Maritess Allen for feng shui.

As one of the Philippine Realty TV hosts, I also contributed insights on finding the right interior designer and making the most of their services.

FLYING high in Flying Trapeze Philippines

Also launched was the downloadable eBook version that contains bonus interactive tools, videos culled from the Project: First Home series on Philippine Realty TV, and links to important websites of government agencies, suppliers and organizations.

Partnership

The book was written in partnership with major sponsors BPI Family Savings Bank and Meralco, with minor sponsors Cemex Philippines, Jackbilt Industries, Phelps Dodge Philippines, Cypress Bomanite and Megabuild 101.

“Project: First Home” is now available in all Fully Booked and Wilcon Depot branches nationwide. The eBook is also available for download through the Buqo App. For inquiries and bulk purchases, contact Streetpark Productions at Tel. 621-4635 or email [email protected]. Visit www.PhilippineRealtyTV.com for more information.

Philippine Realty TV also covers new properties and hotel and residential projects. Hotel Fersal will soon be featured in the show with its newest location for the Fersal Hotel Group.

HOTEL Elizabeth in Cebu City

With an emphasis on strategic locations and value for money, Fersal Hotel (www.fersalhotelgroup.com ) expands to its seventh hotel in Manila, and a total of 10 locations all over the country.

The new Fersal Hotel Makati Avenue is designed by architect Lisa Crespo of Ecotecture. Perfectly blending kitsch and comfort with hand-painted murals surrounding key areas throughout the boutique hotel, Lisa provides a cozy welcoming space from the bustling area outside.

Located at 7840 Makati Avenue corner P. Guanzon Street, Makati City, the new hotel has eight floors and 20 rooms, each with private bathroom. Room rates are very affordable and inclusive of breakfast, unlimited wireless Internet and other amenities.

ARCHITECT Jun Palafox with bloggers at Fully Booked

Proudly Filipino-owned

Fersal Hotel Group has opened several branches around Metro Manila and is a proud Filipino-owned company. Jean Salonga Fernando, vice president for marketing and operations, makes sure their mission of providing authentic Filipino hospitality is top priority.

With the vision of owners Jesus and Elizabeth Fernando, Fersal Hotel Group developed Hotel Elizabeth, destination hotels in Baguio City and Cebu City that were designed by my interior design company, Trezza Group.

Fersal Hotel opened its first provincial branch in Puerto Princesa, Palawan that is strategically located across Puerto Princesca Airport.