t 26, Jolina Magdangal is probably one of the most financially savvy young stars in show business today. That she has been investing her hard-earned money wisely is proven by her latest purchase—a 900-square-meter vacation haven in Tagaytay.

“Gusto talaga ni Jolina ng bakasyunan,” says Jolina's father, Jun Magdangal, the person who makes that his daughter's earnings are put to good use.

The family went up to Baguio for a look-see, but found that the country's summer capital was already too congested, besides being far from Jolina's place of work. Then they learned abut a Tagaytay house-and-lot and was up for sale.

“Ito, 45 minutes lang from Manila.” Say Mr. Magdangal, known in showbiz as Daddy Jun. “May nadiskubre pa kaming mas shortcut na daan. Kaya pag weekend, napupuntahan talaga namin.”

These days, the Magdangals are bent on buying another piece of Tagaytay property, real farm this time.

“Pang-business, naman,” says Mr. Magdangal. “Nakita na namin, e. Almost 6,000 square meters, so malaki-laki nang konti. May kubo na, so maganda din. ‘Tapos, napag-usapan namin na kaming mag-anak—ako, si Mommy, saka ‘yong kapatid ni Jolinang lalaki na bunso namin—mag-aaral kami ng hydrophonic farming. ‘Yong tubig ang pinagtataniman. ‘Tapos, maggugulay kami.”

Jolina wants to put up a preschool and a bakery. “Gusto ko talaga, daycare [center],” she giggles. “Pipinturahan ko nang colorful mga pader, ‘tsaka'yong mga bata pipinturahan ko din.”

Turning serious, she adds: “May isa pa akong gustong gawin—‘yong, ano, gagawa ng pandesal? Ako ang magdedeliver doon sa village namin [sa Quezon City ]. Pagka umokey doon, sa ibang village naman. Kasi wala pang ganoon sa village namin, eh.”

Look like there's no stopping this young woman from becoming a self-made multimillionaire.
The Magdangal's become the owners of this Tagaytay property in May 2004. “Inalok lang sa amin ito,” Daddy Jun explains. “Hindi namin ‘pinatayo. Noong una, si Jolina, condominium daw ang gusto niya. E, sabi ko, may BT Cruiser naman siya [trailer home]. Kahit kako saan niya i-park ‘yon, para na rin siyang naka-condo. So, nagmiting kaming mag-anak, pati dalawang kapatid ni ni Jolina.”

The meeting came to the conclusion that the entire family love the Tagaytay property that was being sold to them. “So, ‘sinara na namin ang deal. And kasama sa deal ‘yong ibang gamit dito. Tinangay lang noong mga me-ari ‘yong ilang paborito nilang gamit.”

Daddy Jun then started fixing a few things, repainting and refurnishing whatever needed to be given a new look. “At saka siyempre, pinaka-feng shui ko muna. Alam n'yo naman ako, ma-feng shui ako.”

Six months later, on November 6, when Jolina celebrated her birthday, they brought guests over to the vacation house for the first time.

This view of the full interior is from inside the master bedroom, near the stairs. The closed door is the main entry point. “Parang American country house and yari nito, e,” explains Daddy Jun. “Kaya nga noong inalok sa amin, nagustuhan agad namin. Kasi pag nakakabiyahe kami abroad at tumitingin-tingin kami, may mga yaring ganito ang tabas. Katamtaman lang, ‘tapos may loft. Nandoon sa loft ang kuwarto ni Jolina.”

This Mommy Paulita's sanctuary. The idea, the colors, and the décor are all hers. “Ito ang kanyang colorful Mexican kitchen na may halong country [design],” says Daddy Jun.

Mommy Paulita adds, laughing, “Naalala ko ‘yong unang pictorial ng bahay namin sa YES! [January-February 2002]. Ang pinakamakulay din, ‘yong kusina.”

The top wood—a natural read—used for the cabinet in the foreground came from India .

By the way, that's Jolina's pet, Pooh-Pooh, in the foreground.

This botanical arch, also a new addition to the property, is the gateway to the cabana and the artificial pond area. “Pababa kasi itong lote,” Daddy Jun points out. “Kaya nga nagustuhan ko din. Kasi sa feng shui, maganda ‘yong ang bahay e nasa itaas na portion ng isang property, ‘tapos pababa ang lupa.”

This pond and the wood bridge above it, along with the bamboo fence and the abundant bromeliads below it, are also new additions to this lot. “Dati, may tilapia kami dyan sa pond,” says Daddy Jun. “Naubos na naming.” This area is actually the cabana area, where Jolina likes to read and meditate.

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