Entering the grounds, one is bowled over by its view of the sloping terrain and the rainforest.

The garden of furniture designer/sculptor Benjamin “Benji” Reyes in Antipolo gives one a sense of order and structure, even with the rain forest. His being an artist leaves an impact on his development as gardener.

Like most designers who plan space, Reyes developed his garden so that there’s a gradual unfolding of vistas instead of spreading out everything in one sweep. He is known for meticulous attention to details.

“In conceptualizing a home, I break down the design process into segments. The floor space, the interiors and the exterior are one element. I view these elements as I would a painting. My landscaping unifies everything. The garden creeps into the living spaces and anchors everything into place as a picture frame does a painting,” explains Reyes.

“It is important to know your materials and what are available out there. Part of the design process is tempering your ideas. Too many elements will disrupt the overall balance and harmony. More is not always for the best. Colors can be achieved by using not only flowers but also colorful leaves.

“Never use the same material for the grounds on the walls. The principal areas in my gardens and special plants catch one's attention because they seem to float, given the proper combination and the use of old wood, stone and boulders.”

Silence

The front of the Reyes residence/atelier in Antipolo is a statement in itself. The fence is a series of what he calls “double recycled woods.” Salvaged architectural fragments that served a bedposts and coat racks in his studio were recycled into boundary markers.

Antipolo stones lead to the front gate, made from weather-beaten dao; slabs of piedra china (white limestone, literally Chinese stone) serve as seats.

A papier-mâché mold of the sun from the carving town of Paete salutes the visitors. Madagascar, phoenix and travelers' palm trees provide shade while the ground is layered with bromeliads and carabao grass.

The house is surrounded by water and little pocket gardens. “I already have a green garden by the pond; I wanted a minimalist hardscape to achieve a Zen feel. By planting tropical foliage and bamboo in strategic spots and selecting the right color combination for pebbles and boulders, I was able to create an atmosphere of sophistication, yet bucolic in feeling.”

The garden follows the deep slope and rolling terrain. Antipolo bolders, surrounded by blue stone gravel, link the gate to the garden. Oversized but elegant koi (Japanese carp) of the yamabuki and matsuba varieties swim in the pond, forming graceful shapes.

The bird’s nest ferns and bromeliads echo the symmetry of the phoenix palm trees. April shower orchids cling to the perimeter fence of woods recovered from underwater.

A six ft-deep pond below the dining deck supported by antique molave posts is home to marubeni, chagois and koi. Massive, polished rocks were assembled to form a waterfall leading to a pond.

“Antipolo boulders are rich in ferrite, thus the rust color. I use nylon brushes to clean them. Using steel brushes will remove the rusted tones and will destroy the look.”

The silence and the sloshing sound of water leave a hypnotic spell on visitors, making them forget their mundane concerns.

The waterfall also serves as a cooling system during humid months. Bromeliads and tropical ferns such as staghorns and bird’s nests become a recurring motif in the landscape.

“The stag horn is attached to an old post and gives it height. By placing plants in various levels and working with different colored plants, I am able to achieve a balance that is pleasing to view from different angles and elevations around the house,” says Reyes.

Jungle environs

The stairway, made of Antipolo stones and lined with recycled antique posts, descends to little pockets of green to the main spa area and poolside deck.

Descending on this terrain, you see little areas for socializing, like a mini-stage of stone and wood dressed up with tropical foliage and tree ferns that frame the view of the outdoor kitchen made from salvaged bridges from an old church.

A patch of bonsai trees such as the kalyos (streblus asper)

“A bonsai can be better appreciated if viewed at eye level. It is difficult to place them in a specific spot. I prioritize their health in relation to the location, by considering the sun, wind and water which the tree needs in desirable amounts,” says Reyes.

There are clusters of bamboo varieties such as the golden buho, the pole bamboo, Buddha’s belly and black bamboo.

“In planting bamboo, I consider spaces between other plants and trees when they reach full growth. The beauty of the bamboo is in its poles. Trimming the leaves to a certain height exposes the poles and gives your garden that Filipino or Asian feel,” says Reyes.

Jade vines festoon the infiltration deck that descends to the poolside deck that reveals a deep ravine and the natural rainforest.

“Antipolo weather is perfect for these plants. My area is still forested. The humidity, morning dew and foggy weather during the rainy season mimic a jungle environment where they thrive,” says Reyes.