t took ten years for the Nagcarlan-born landscapist to build his second home in Laguna; a breathtaking three-level sanctuary which he initially planned to keep private. “I was building this house at my own pace,” says Ponce Veridiano, talking about the imposing structure made of wood, glass and concrete that follows the natural contours of the riverside. “Anyway, I have my first home just a few metres away from here where I could always stay. So there was no need to rush this,” he adds. Little did he know that the new house he was creating would eventually have its own purpose other being a weekend home: as a gallery to showcase his new-found love for painting, and a studio that can also serve as a training and exhibition venue for other young artists in the area. “I am 63 years old now and have been landscaping gardens for decades. This is my next chapter. I see myself painting when I
