Have you seen the four-storey mansion in Baguio of Joel Cruz, the owner of Afficionado German Perfume?
It’s called White House of the Lord of Scents. White House because it’s mostly white and off white. Lord of Scents because Joel made his fortune by selling perfumes. His kiosks at department stores and big malls currently number 500. I’ve seen his kiosk at the SM in Baguio, maraming bumibili.
The formal dining room has three tables like this with 8 chairs each. There’s another dining room adjacent to this with the same motif, but it only has one long table. According to their overall cook / cleaner/ caretaker named April (he’s a HE), Joel takes his meals in that room. There’s a dumbwaiter because the kitchen is on the lower level while the dining rooms are on the second level.
Whisper with wings
party area, with bar and DJ
According to the caretaker, this house had been featured on tv by Jessica Soho, Karen Davila. They also mentioned that Kris Aquino was coming to interview Joel to feature his mansion.
One of many guest toilets 
How come the owner generously allows strangers into his home? The story goes like this —-One day Joel Cruz came to Baguio finding throngs of local tourists gathered in front of his mansion, taking selfies with his house on the background. Naawa sya kasi nasa labas ang mga tao. He decided to open his house to the public. However , his main concern was he would need to hire more cleaners, symepre madudumihan which would incur additional maintenance expense. His confidante suggested to him why not require each visitor to buy a P50 bottle of Afficionado Perfume as they come in. He agreed. I thought that was very fair. P50 is a small price to pay for a privilege to explore another person’s beautiful house. Plus you will smell good pa.
The mansion is very near the Manor Hotel. Edmund told me it’s probably another hotel. One early evening, I noticed dozens of people waiting in line at the main door. Some people were riding the elevator. I decided to go in. The security let me in without me having to line up. Kasi isa lang daw ako. There’s a nice guy who assisted the visitors and showed us the perfume choices. Sabi nya kailangan bibili ng isa. I asked him how many scents were available. Seven daw. I bought all seven. He couldn’t believe that I was buying all seven. Ipamigay ko sa mga housemates namin. 
Red sectional sofa 
Joel’s caretaker named April asked me to sit and feel how soft it is. Yes the foam is soft. 
Mini theater
My favorite decor or part of the house are the walls in the mini-theater. The mural is subdued and tastefully done.
Notice the painting of a man with two toddlers, that’s Joel Cruz and his adopted kids. 
There are two billiard tables in this play room. 
There were not enough paintings hung on the walls so I couldn’t say that he loved art.
Swimming pool with outdoor heater because it really gets cold in Baguio. There’s a group of concerned citizens that were against the construction of this modern-looking mansion. Because Baguio has shortage of water supply, they also were against the construction of the swimming pool.
The Lord of the house had his image masterfully hand-carved at every table by artisans from Pampanga.
The White House in Baguio would most likely become a new “place to visit while in Baguio”.
(photo from Google images)
