A century-old house in Silay, Negros Occidental, with high ceilings, classic cornices and moldings and exotic hardwoods makes an ideal showcase of the eclectic interior decor taste of award-winning Negrense chef/restaurateur Antonio “Tony Boy” Escalante.
Friends who have visited his pied-à-terre in Taguig, his home in Neogan, Tagaytay, or his vacation home in Silay have observed that his spaces reflect his personality—masculine and urbane. Instinctively, he gets the right combination of streamlined and curved furniture and bold colors and metal finishes to contrast dark woods.
His homes are unique from the usual blend of antiques with sentimental value and commissioned furniture. There’s always a story behind the vignettes that stirs up nostalgia or memories of friendships associated with the pieces.
In an interview with Lifestyle, Escalante reveals that he is putting up Breakfast at Antonio’s with an events space at a two-hectare site in Antipolo by year-end. His son Sebastian now handles the Manila branches of Antonio’s at PGA Cars, Breakfast at Antonio’s at Robinsons Magnolia and three branches of Pedro the Grocer for deli items. Sebastian is planning to put up a new restaurant concept, Lola, as well as expand the brands.
Joint venture
Meanwhile, Escalante is building a 16-ha development in the boondocks of Silay with a protected ravine, targeted for 2025. A joint venture with brother-in-law Jun Montoya, it will include a chapel, an events place, retreat facilities, a Christian wedding venue, stone bridges and a mini farm. A restaurant will be erected closer to the road. His dream is to put up a daycare center for underprivileged children as part of his community engagement.
These spaces will be built from his collections of old woods and architectural salvages. They will be surrounded with lush plantings of foliage, typical in Escalante’s domains.
When he comes to inspect his development, Escalante stays in Silay where he is renting the ancestral home of hacendero Jose Ledesma through his brother-in-law. Don Jose was known to have commissioned Italian architect Lucio Bernasconi to design and build the San Diego Pro-Cathedral in Silay, which was completed in 1927.
Escalante has always admired fine craftsmanship. He favors the transitional-style wood furniture by Boy Vicente, Buddy Lagdameo and E. Murio, the sculptural metallic pieces of Industria and the free-spirited leather chairs and accessories of Prizmic & Brill (P&B).
From the geometric-tiled porch decked with sculptural furniture, the foyer expresses the spirit of the home. While the round table makes a statement with philodendrons on a blue-and-white Oriental planter, the eye is led to beautiful objects. A hobby horse, once owned by Baby Valencia, is a reminder of Escalante’s friendship with the painter/sage. To balance the big horse, a small horse sculpture inherited from his mother becomes a lamp base on the opposite corner.
A blow-up of an antique Philippine map makes a strong focal point. Escalante recalls that while in New York, he went to the archival section of his favorite bookshop, Argosy. He discovered an old map of the Philippines which showed his surname Escalante written under Negros island. One of the meanings of escalante is domain of ancestors.
An expressive painting of a woman by the late Morita Roces balances the masculine décor.
Living room
In the living room, the Turkish rug anchors the setting of the metal-framed lounge chairs by Crate & Barrel, brass stools by Industria, leather armchairs by P&B, a sculpture of Moses holding the tablet of the Ten Commandments and the staghorn chandelier. A colorful painting of a man on a horse by Charlie Co pulls everything together.
The neoclassical corridor leading to the dining room looks contemporary with Escalante’s collection. He notes that he doesn’t collect but merely supports creative friends.
Since Escalante loves entertaining, a trait inherited from his family, the dining table must always be long. The dining area—table by Lagdameo and rattan chairs by Murio—can comfortably accommodate 16. When family members come, more tables are brought out. At the end of the dining area, the balcony has been transformed into a cozy alcove with a cushy sofa.
When Escalante entertains, the meal starts before noon and ends at 10 p.m. He adds that his mother, a nonagenarian, can sit for long hours with guests without taking a nap.
Escalante has an eye for interesting pieces. A table found in a thrift shop on Bangkal Street, Makati, has a compartment for cash and coins. Instead of bars, he prefers vintage trolleys to hold liquor. There are artworks evocative of his life such as sugarcane, portraits of his sons Sebastian and Pedro and paintings by friends.
Escalente says he’s not much of a techie. To this day, he doesn’t own a computer. He bought an iPhone only three years ago, and started using an e-wallet last year.
“When people talk about nice woods or plants, natotorete ako (I go head over heels),” he says. “I just want my house to be full of food and nice cars.” —Contributed INQ