Jose Espiritu’s Home in Bukidnon is Where The Light Comes In

Jose Espiritu’s Home in Bukidnon is Where The Light Comes In

In Bukidnon, Jose Espiritu built more than a second home—he created a quiet retreat filled with light, warmth, and intention. Designed by architect Marianne Basa-Carpio, the space embraces natural materials, calm simplicity, and thoughtful flow. From mornings with coffee to restful evenings in a sanctuary-like bedroom, the home is a reflection of ease, trust, and quiet beauty.
Read on to learn more!

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In Bukidnon, Jose Espiritu found a pause. A long-empty lot became his second home, a quiet place not for display, but for retreat. Designed by architect Marianne Basa-Carpio, the house evolved from a half-finished structure into a space rooted in clarity and intention.

"It was during the COVID pandemic in 2020 that I decided to build a house in Bukidnon," Espiritu explains. "This is actually my second home, as I have another home in Cagayan de Oro. I usually stayed in hotels whenever I went home, but during COVID, I often stayed here. That led me to build a house on an empty lot that I had bought."

When Basa-Carpio joined the project, construction had already begun, based on a layout by an engineer. "The master bedroom had no windows at all, and the house didn’t reflect how the client wanted to live," she recalls. "Rather than starting from scratch, I reimagined the interior flow within the existing shell."

She merged two small bedrooms to create a functional master suite, added a foyer, and reorganized the common spaces. "There’s a clean, efficient kitchen, a rounded dining table under warm light, and a cozy living area," she says. "Just enough to bring balance and comfort without overcrowding."

Espiritu gave her creative control. "I just wanted a spacious room with a walk-in closet, a nice toilet, and a bathtub. I love to entertain, so I also wanted a foyer and a nice living room. As a bachelor, I just wanted a house that is enough for me."

Basa-Carpio designed with that in mind. "Bukidnon’s environment inspired me to keep the home relaxed and unpretentious. The design prioritizes natural light and openness without trying to compete with nature," she says. Materials were chosen for durability and ease—"clean and finished," not rustic, but still warm. "Nothing shouts, but everything works in harmony."

One challenge was airflow. "Sinayawan, Bukidnon, is on the warmer side and surrounded by rice fields. Because the firewall limited cross-ventilation, I leaned into large windows to bring in natural light and airflow."

The project also worked because of trust. "My architect is a very close friend of mine, and she knows me very well," says Espiritu. "I gave her the freedom to design everything, within budget. She said, 'I’ll design your house in which every corner is Instagrammable.'"

Espiritu wasn’t involved in the finishes. "I let my architect and interior designer decide on everything. I worked abroad and traveled frequently, so I didn’t have time. When I came home and stepped inside the house, I really cried. It was love at first sight. This is my dream home, and I’m living it now."

The result is a house that does exactly what it needs to: offer calm. "I want people to feel at home—genuinely at ease the moment they step inside," Basa-Carpio says. "This house holds space for life as it is—simple, real, and deeply welcoming."

Espiritu’s daily routine reflects this. Mornings start with coffee and alfresco breakfasts. He often works on his daybed. "I find my daybed very functional whenever I want to lie down or take an afternoon nap. I usually take a selfie in front of the big mirror in my foyer before leaving the house."

Evenings are spent at home. "I have a big front yard that we use for recreational purposes. I usually spend dinners with my family."

His favorite part? "The bedroom is my sanctuary—my comfort zone. I really appreciate how my architect designed it: it’s spacious, the lighting is spot-on, and it’s minimalist."

There was one indulgence. "I invested in a nice mattress, and the bedsheets are from Celso De Lemos. A relaxing and restful sleep gives us a good mood when we wake up."

This Bukidnon house isn’t about grandeur. It’s a place that functions well and feels right. As Basa-Carpio puts it: "The space isn’t about impressing; it’s about comforting."

That warmth wasn’t lost on visitors. For Twenty Third by Deanne Founder Deanne Ashley Lim, the house was the perfect setting for a product shoot. "My favorite moment was meeting the owners of the house," she says. "And experiencing their warmth and hospitality. Despite us feeling like we were intruding in someone else's home, we were very welcomed."

For Espiritu, it all comes back to that feeling: a home filled with light, air, good coffee, and the ease of finally settling down.

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