Taken from: Mega Magazine
Written by: Joseph Plazo
Section: Home

* A Fragment of Time *

A resplendent era endured once. When the skies shimmered crystalline blue. When winds wafted with the scent of fresh pine and dewy grass. When birds dotted the sky in a mosaic of whites, browns and blues. The 1950s was a great time to live. The simplicity of the time was fraught with the pristine pleasure of uncomplicated life.

Fast forward to the late '90s.The world wears a different mask: a grimace of grays, blacks and polluted charcoals, with skies stained by swatches of dirty white, where birds can no longer be found. Life is no longer unadulterated. Chaos reigns. Has the purity of the '50s been truly lost?

Fortunately, a fleeting vestige of the past has been preserved as a reminder of what there once and, perhaps, could be again. Frozen in a stasis and capturing the rare beauty of that tranquil decade is the residence of Chico Morales. Faithful down to the last surviving element of the past, Chico maintained his home and preserved a slice of a time forgotten.

Located on Taft Avenue that now bustles with the hubbub of modern living, the residence is a relic from the past, and it flaunts this with no small pride. And with good reason. Almost every item within boasts of a fierce fidelity to the '50s, from the furniture to the wall coverings to the various accessories and decorative flora.

"I wanted the place to look cozy," says the culinary raconteur. To preserve the feel and experiences that sparkled and fizzled in his childhood inspired the decision to remain faithful to the period and the architectural style of the house. Many years have passed since 1950s, but its legacy had long been crystallized. Here, time seems to have come to merciful stop, become unapologetically frozen. The Morales hearth invokes the gaiety, joys and simplicity of the halcyon past.

The unraveling of a spell can be felt immediately in the residence's gardens where rattan and hardwood furniture, trinkets and memorabilia are strewn decisively. Near the plants, a statuette patiently stands sentinel; a vase nestles demurely amidst some lush greens; a ceiling fan whirls lazily above a hardwood set. Gamelans hang from the rafter. An utterly blissful ambiance of serenity embraces.

For cozier affairs where a little spicy romance might be desired, the living room and the rear lanai bid for attention. Clad in dark wood paneling and complemented with comfortable wood-backed chairs, and illuminated by classical shades, the living area offers an ambience for champagne popping and soft, tender glances. A specially designed cornice of wood and capiz shells that glow with hidden lights, imbuing a subtle, almost romantic character from the better days of long ago, heightens the mood.

The garden lanai at the rear once held various family relics and heirlooms. It is now used as a gathering place that offers a superb place for nibbling on sandwiches and a bit of cheery conversation. Relationships can indeed flourish on these grounds.

Adjacent the foyer, stairways ascend to the heaven of the bedroom. Within, light cascades and washes from soft hued lampshades and casts golden silk strands across the bronzed wood furnishings. Vases sprouting bits of greens and yellows, thick ponderous tomes, and a gilded mirror weave magical harmony steeped in warm fuzzy feelings. Imagine warm summer nights in the embrace of a loved one while the kids frolic across the satin sheets. Bliss. A perfect blend of hospitality, camaraderie and romance is distilled within the walls of the Morales home. It is a hearth where the heart can truly grow, where friendships are nurtured, and where romance always wafts by. The decades will continue to roll on but here in the Morales home will always stand still, staidly guarding this pristine fragment of the 1950s, a delightful era when the skies were blue, the birds chirped melodiously, and simplicity was of the highest beauty.

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