A Charming Contemporary Country Home in Batangas

In lieu of a gift from his parents after Vince Morales had passed the nursing board exam, he asked for a budget to fix up his room. He then discovered a love for creating things with his own hands, and it was his family’s three-bedroom bungalow in Talisay, Batangas, that he chose as his first project.

His first DIY handiwork was his own bedroom, where he made an amazing mural of the New York skyline using only a black Sharpie pen. It was only natural for Vince to work on the rest of the house after that, and with some persuasion, he got his parents’ approval to move things around, reuse some of his nanay’s old belongings, and make additions to the home he grew up in. The Morales home now has spruced-up spots like the kitchen and dining areas, living room, and even the patio.

Working on a limited budget has made Vince a DIY expert. He confesses that he is inspired by the simplest of things, and readily visualizes what he wants, so it’s easier to determine where to source materials. Vince adds, “Dapat rin kumpleto ang gamit mo. Meron si Tatay ng lagari at martilyo. Ang laging nasa bag ko, metro. Best friend ko ang spray paint. Kasi pag hindi mo nagustuhan ang kulay, i-spray paint mo lang ng white or black.”

The excitement never fades for this nurse who, after a long week at the hospital, looks forward to his days off when he can scout shops in the city not just for more home items but also for bits of inspiration. “Pag nagkaroon ako ng sariling bahay, hindi talaga minimalist, kailangan all out,” Vince says with a smile.