The Barrientos residence is nothing short of gorgeous. The welcoming sanctuary serves as home to some of my most favorite people in the world: tennis star-turned-banker, Felix, his lovely wife and PJS Law co-founder and partner, Reggie, and their charming sons, Diego and Andro. The holiday decor that sets the stage to the wonderful story they live everyday is just the piece de resistance.
Reggie: Black beaded, long-sleeved cut-out dress by DOUBLE ZERO, doublezerousa.com Diego: Black knit sweater by JOE BLACK, joeblack.fr; Ash gray pants by RUSTAN’S JR., P895, Rustan’s Department Store; Black suede shoes by FLORSHEIM KIDS, P1,499.75, florsheimkids.multiply.com for stores Andro: Nelo jacket, P925, Jaron short-sleeved polo, P695, both by PERIWINKLE JR., Periwinkle Stores; Convertible khaki pants by KIDDOS, P895, Rustan’s Department Store; Brown leather shoes by FLORSHEIM KIDS, P1,499.75, florsheimkids.multiply.com for stores
A massive rain cloud passed on the day we visited one of the most fascinating modern homes, but the downpour didn't stop us from admiring this handsome structure from inside and out. On the contrary, the showers served as a perfect backdrop for this shoot, adding a cooler and fuzzier feeling once we stepped into the awe-inspiring house.
Welcoming us into their incredibly stylish home is one of the Philippines' most admired athletes, Felix Barrientos, who is regarded as the Philippines' best tennis player—ever. His stellar career included a record of as much as 26 wins in his 1984 to 1993 run in the Davis Cup tournament. In 1991, he defeated Japan and China for a spot in the World Group, and subsequently went on to win a number of gold medals at the Southeast Asia Games. Now a successful private banker based in Singapore, Felix admits that it was his training as an athlete that prepared him for the competitive world of banking. Despite his enviable career in sports, he knew his reign on the courts won’t be forever—which was why he entered Louisiana State University on a tennis scholarship. He went on to study at the Ateneo Graduate School to earn a master’s degree in business administration, graduating in 1999. Since then, he has worked with multinational banking corporations, and built a strong career in the banking industry.
Armed with a glass of red, the proud father of two showed us around his lavish home, which features a wide living area with a seemingly endless ceiling. It was a perfect scene straight out of the movies, as the kids bounced down the stairs to join their father in the living room. The glow on Felix's face as he saw his handsome little hijos matched the golden radiance of the house lights. The serenity in their faces, and the silent comfort that all is well, was heartwarming. The family that lives in this neat home is one that beams with genuine adoration for each other.
The spacious living area with high ceilings. Italian furniture and carpet from FURNITALIA
Diego: Harold long-sleeved polo by PERIWINKLE JR., P795, Periwinkle Stores Reggie: Pink sequined dress by H&M, hm.com
Andro: Norbert t-shirt by PERIWINKLE JR., P545, Periwinkle Stores . Red jacket with earphones print by MINI SHATSU, minishatsu.com . Gray jeans by BUFFALO BY DAVID BITTON, stylist’s own . Blue, silver and orange rubber shoes by STRIDE RITE, striderite.com Diego: Kenneth collared polo by PERIWINKLE JR., P695, Periwinkle Stores . Black hooded jacket by LITTLE MARC JACOBS, marcjacobs.com, Black distressed jeans by KARMEL & ALDEN, karmel-alden.com . Yellow and red rubber shoes by GEOX, geox.com
Felix: White and navy blazer by DIESEL, diesel.com; Andro: Red striped scarf by PETIT BATEAU, petit-bateau.fr . Jordan T-shirt by PERIWINKLE JR., P445, Periwinkle Stores . Green cords by KIDDOS, P795, Rustan’s Department Store . Blue and red loafers by FLORSHEIM KIDS, P1,499.75, florsheimkids.multiply.com for stores Diego: Blue and brown striped scarf by LITTLE MARC JACOBS, marcjacobs.com . Blue sweater by CIAO MARCO, ciaomarco.com . White shorts by POLO RALPH LAUREN, ralphlauren.com . Blue and bone loafers by FLORSHEIM KIDS, P1,499.75, florsheimkids.multiply.com for stores
Reggie: Dress with feather prints by DIANE VON FURSTENBERG, P24,500, Rustan’s Department Store
The lady of the house is equally beautiful, even as she rushed home from a meeting for the shoot. Dressed in her classy business outfit, Regina Jacinto-Barrientos was an image of charm and grace. The proud wife and mother jokingly tells us that their elegant abode is called “Aman-pola,” a play on their street name alluding to the beach paradise, Amanpulo, because they love having guests over—and vice versa, surely. As we shared homemade bites in their warm, crimson kitchen, we also noted how happy their domestic staff are, whom Reggie describes as their extended family. As one-third of PJS Law’s partners, Reggie has a very impressive legal background. Having worked with organizations like the Institute of Corporate Directors, the Department of Energy, and various arms of the Philippine government, her career rivals that of her husband’s. But despite the massive success of both Reggie and Felix in their respective chosen fields, one can observe how they put their values ahead of them in everything they do. From raising their two good-natured and adorable boys, to making their home a great place for family and friends to enjoy, the Barrientoses is a brood worth admiring.
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Some red for the parents, juice boxes for the kids
What’s a typical week like with your family?
Felix: Weekdays are quite busy for everybody. The boys are in school from 7:30 am to about 3 pm, then they go for their after-school activities, which could be either tennis, Taekwondo, golf, basketball, or swimming. Reggie and I, being a lawyer and a private banker respectively, have rigorous work schedules, but try to have dinner with the boys and tuck them in, if there are no dinner or transaction deadlines.
How do you guys unwind?
Reggie: The family enjoys eating out. Rockwell is a favorite destination because of its convenience and proximity to our home. We also take short trips out of town, like a weekend in the Barrientos farm in Batangas, or to Tagaytay. The fresh air, outdoors, and nature are good alternatives to the computer, television, and the malls.
How would you describe Felix as a father? Reggie as a wife?
F: Reggie is absolutely understanding of my career. Client’s demand for a private banker’s time is 24/7. Reggie and my boys have never complained. Instead, they give me constant support and understanding, and allow me to pursue something I am very passionate about. Reggie’s simply amazing, and that makes me extremely lucky to have found her.
R: Felix is a hands-on father. He completely adores the boys and takes a simple task of taking a shower or changing clothes to a fun, exciting, crazy moment. I can’t help but have my camera and video on-hand at all times, as I do not want to miss capturing a riot moment. He is Diego’s and Andro’s best friend…and of course, mine too!
Felix, how is it like transitioning from a top tennis player/athlete, and then going corporate?
F: I prepared myself properly and planned my transition from an athlete to a private banker way in advance. My focus in a game and experience in tournaments and competitions have instilled responsible self-confidence that I have turned early missteps to opportunities—never to a discouraging moment. I was not afraid to start from ground zero, in fact below zero, as athletes have been boxed into the image of “dumb jocks.” Believe me, it was not, and is not easy. Psychologically, the shift from sports to private banking was a complete paradigm shift, but I knew that if I persevered and worked hard enough, it would only be a matter of time ‘til I catch up with the competition, and compete on the global stage once again, albeit in a different field. This I enjoy doing because I’ve been trained my whole life to work hard, excel, and succeed. I brought over that same attitude and applied it to my next career.
Well said. Reggie, how does your lawyer training come in handy when it comes to child-rearing?
R: Years of managing PJS Law, with 35 lawyers and 30 support staff, has made managing my two boys surprisingly easy—for now—ask me again when they hit puberty! I have better chances at winning an argument at the office, however, than at home. I melt when the hugs and kisses are unleashed, and my defenses are completely ruined when the expressions of love and devotion are launched. But for a serious answer, one of my basic rules in managing PJS Law is requiring mutual respect. I’ve done a lot of listening and learning, which has permitted me to plan and provide better solutions. So, I do a lot of listening with Diego and Andro now. And despite the image that my kids rule, they’re actually obedient and helpful boys. Even if I don’t win each battle, I make sure I win all wars. My boys know when I mean business with just a look or a shift in the tone of my voice, and they immediately tow the line.
What talents have your kids inherited from you both?
F: Diego and Andro seem to excel in any sport they take—they get this from Reggie, who is a natural, gifted athlete. Andro is a fierce competitor and absolutely hates to lose—he gets his focus and winning drive from me.
What are your kids’ interests, and how do you help hone their skills?
R: We expose them to as many sports as we can. Diego and Andro like golf, swimming, tennis, soccer and basketball. But if they are made to choose, they will say their favorite is tennis. We believe that sustaining their interest is crucial in any discipline, so we make sure they have fun—the right strokes will just follow—by joining and practicing with them. We also invite their friends to join as Felix’s best friends have been borne from the long court drills and games.
Describe your personal style.
F: Classic look for business suits, and relaxed, sporty wear for the weekends.
R: Classic but comfortable business dressing for the week. For the weekend, a completely dress-down attire, which normally gets me to be in shorts. I usually end up running after, or running with, Diego and Andro.
How do you dress your kids?
R: Diego and Andro are Felix’s juniors. We like to dress them up in classic, American preppy outfits, button-down shirts, classic chinos, oxfords, and driving shoes.
What makes your home really special?
R: It’s a place where we could do anything. Kids ride their bikes outside and inside the house. They stand on the sofas—thankfully, with clean feet because they’re quite neat to start with. We eat not only in the dining room, lanai or kitchen, but we also eat in the family room—so we can enjoy the shows while eating in front of the 60-inch TV. We dribble the basketball inside the bedrooms, because it makes “habulan” [playing tag] more fun. We are blessed with constant laughter, which makes our home very special.
Who designed and decorates your home?
F: The father of Reggie, Architect Filoteo “Teng” Jacinto, designed the layout of the house. It was our common friend, Gil Coscolluela, who designed the look of the house, both exterior and interior.
R: Decorating our home has been a joint, and always fun challenge, for Felix and I. We are lucky that we have common tastes and respect that should we not agree, there will always be options that we both can be happy with.
Most important value you would you like to impart to your children as they grow up?
R: There are two—God and Family. Both will always be there for you.
What makes motherhood/fatherhood great?
F: It sounds cliché, but having your kids around you is simply the best feeling. There is no other equivalent feeling.
R: Motherhood is a gift. What makes it great is the miracle of loving with all your heart for your first born, and replicate the same miracle for the next child. Then to realize that your love for your children have not taken away from existing love, making you capable of loving your husband with the same intensity as your wedding day.
What is your proudest parenting moment?
F: With no prior experience, I changed the diaper of Diego, our first born, on the first night we brought him home from the hospital.
R: Wanting to give up the law practice when our Andro was diagnosed with autism. I was most proud of Felix who also wanted to give up everything to help out his family.
How do you get the kids to "follow" you?
R: We’ve learned from the boys’ teachers that anticipation and consistency are crucial to discipline. Expectations at school are the same at home—and Felix and I, with the entire staff, take a common stance.
F: We are fortunate we have good boys. For those off days, however, Reggie takes over and gives the look, or uses her loud, piercing voice that can stop strangers and cause them to drop what their doing.
Haha! What are the funniest things your kids do?
R: The boys try to dress themselves up and that’s when things go haywire on the fashion side. I wanted to send you the pictures but they will kill me. They also make up their own songs and dances—and the butt dance always brings the house down.
The next ones are questions for the kids. What are the funniest things your parents do or say?
Andro: They like to make funny faces (Reggie’s note: he was actually demonstrating it with matching sounds).
Diego: They copy my brother’s funny dance (Reggie’s note: Actually, we edited the reply because he was saying “Bule” dance which is Ilonggo for “butt”).
Best gifts you’ve ever received?
A: My orange PSP and blue car.
D: Trip to Hong Kong Disneyland with my family.
What do you love most about your mom and dad?
A: Dad plays Wii pirate game with me and Diego.
D: They sleep in my room, and I sleep in their room. We spend a lot of time together. We swim together. We go to Tagaytay, Bacolod, Baguio and Singapore. They allow me to play with their computers on weekends.
You boys are too cute! And back to Reggie and Felix. Who is your parenting role model?
F: There is actually no one parenting model for us, but we take the best from our parents, siblings, friends, children’s teachers, therapists, and developmental pediatrician.
Must-haves as a parent?
R: A small camera with video feature so you can carry it with you at all times. Thank God for cellphones, too. Always have alcogel, Band-Aid, and tissue in your bag.
New Year’s resolution?
F: To exercise more regularly, and finally get that executive check-up we have been talking about.
Motto as a parent?
R: We hope to provide our children with as much happy moments as we can. Happy memories are priceless, and it is these moments that they can hold on to in times of difficulty.
PHOTOGRAPHS BY TOM AND KARIZ FAVIS
STYLING BY KARIZ FAVIS
PHOTOGRAPHY ASSISTANT DIEGO JOSE
WORDS BY VALERIE ANNE DEL CASTILLO AND KARIZ FAVIS
MAKE-UP BY UNO JUAN
HAIR BY MICHELLE CABRERA
Read the original story and view more photos in BC Magazine Philippines' Dec-Jan 2010-2011 issue
Read the original story and view more photos in BC Magazine Philippines' Dec-Jan 2010-2011 issue
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