Arch. Conrad Onglao's road to success and newfound love

After the death of her husband, Comedy King Dolphy, the "Divine Diva" Zsa Zsa Padilla found love once again. This time, in the person of Architect Conrad Onglao.

 

"Powerhouse" host Kara David gets to know more about the architect who has designed the houses of some of the country's elite, and who captivated the heart of the Divine Diva.

 

From doctor to architect

 

Before taking up a degree in Architecture, Onglao spent two years studying Chemistry to prepare himself for a career in medicine, as his mother wanted him to become a doctor. However, he felt this was not his calling.

 

"The second year I had to tell my mom, I'll finish it. I'll be a good doctor but this is not where my heart lies," he said. Then on, he shifted to Architecture at the University of Santo Tomas.

 

Onglao would then spend 15 years building a career as an architect and interior designer in the United States. But he eventually returned to the Philippines where he immersed himself in the local architecture industry until he was tapped to design houses for the country's elite.

 

Architect of the elite

 

Onglao’s recent projects include the present design for "Bahay Pangarap," one of the presidential residences inside the Malacañang compound. He was also tasked to design the interiors of the presidential plane.

 

His current clients, meanwhile, include the Ayala family, Ilocos Norte Governor Imee Marcos, and shipping magnate Doris Magsaysay-Ho. He said that he is not overwhelmed by having such big names as clients. "No, they're just like you and me. We have the same worries and the same source of happiness."

 

One of his clients, Sharon Cuneta, actually made way for him to meet his current love, Zsa Zsa Padilla.

 

Meeting the Divine Diva

 

Cuneta called Onglao, who is divorced, to go on a blind date with Padilla. "Sabi ko, I know how [Zsa Zsa looks like], pero ako hindi [niya] kilala so ako na lang maghihintay sa labas ng restaurant, then 'yong lalapit sa [kaniya], ako 'yon," he said.

 

Padilla shared she wasn’t sure with Onglao first during the blind date. "I found out he wasn't actually my type," she said.

 

After the blind date, Onglao immediately called Cuneta asking her how it was. "Sabi ni Shawie wala raw fireworks, wala raw sparks!"

 

Yet Onglao added Cuneta wanted him for Padilla, actually asking him to court her. "Then we did succeeding dates, and we really got more comfortable with each other," Onglao shared. 

 

For Onglao, he admires Padilla for having no enemies, and for staying with her husband Dolphy for 25 years until his death. Meanwhile, Padilla liked Onglao for being a family man, saying, "That's what I wish for. Somebody that has a strong hold on family."

 

The couple would eventually find out that they both love traveling, planting, and gardening. They also formed a past time where they would be content with happily sharing stories while eating fruits which Onglao would prepare.

 

"She would tell me nga, you would know that we are a couple already, because we can do iyong pinakasimpleng bagay together and you don't even complain about it," he shared.

 

Aside from presiding over his own firm, CT Onglao Architects, Inc., Onglao now looks forward to realizing the dream house where he and Padilla would go home to in the future.

 

"Sabi [ni Zsa Zsa] sa akin, maliit pa lang daw siya ang nakikita niya laging dream niya 'yong bahay niya it's all glass. Tapos may swimming pool," he shared.---Ghio Ong/BMS