The Designer

Designing Ana

By Isah V. Red

If you grew up in the ’80s the name Ana Margarita Gonzalez should ring a bell, and loud. After all, she was known then as the younger sister of emerging sexy star Cristina (Kring Kring) Gonzalez.

Ana Margarita wanted to make it in show business on her own, even if she knew then that it would be difficult staying away from the shadows of both her sister Kring Kring and father, Sampaguita Pictures’ matinee idol Jose Mari, who during his teenaged years starred in a movie called Baby Face. When she decided to be part of That’s Entertainment on GMA, she risked being ridiculed by friends and classmates who regarded everyone in show business as déclassé. Determined as she was to see her name emblazoned on the marquee, Ana Margarita ignored the consequences her decision could bring on her social status.

Now looking back on those days, the former teen star who is now a mother of two beautiful children—Enrique, 3, and one-year old Beatriz—and wife of real-estate businessman Josemari Cuervo, of Cuervo Far East, can only smile in amusement. Although she would never say any word of regret, Ana Margarita is just incredulous of the things she had done during those years. Those were very far from her preoccupation these days, one of which is The Barnyard, a specialty shop in Festival Mall in Alabang that sells furniture and home accents, mostly Mediterranean inspired. She also heads Casa Toscana, a company that designs and builds houses.

Having started in show business as a commercial model at the tender age of 14, Ana Margarita just can pass up the opportunity to be a model again. She is now the image model of her lifestyle store The Barnyard.

While posing for the photographer for shots that they would look at later and from which she would choose the image that best represents the concept of the shop, Ana Margarita recalled the days when she was modeling a top department store chain. “Can you believe I was one of the most-sought after product endorsers during my time?” she said. Her face would always be on the cover of a variety of publications.

When she turned 17, Ana Margarita joined German Moreno on the Sunday noontime show GMA Supershow and later as cohost on That’s Entertainment.

She also made appearances in several movies made by companies like Regal and Seiko. For a time, she was the popular choice of producers to be the leading lady of teenaged actors in comedy and action flicks.

After a few years, Ana decided it was time for more serious stuff, so she turned her back on show business so she could pursue her passion for art and design. She lived in England for four years and studied at the American College of London where she graduated with an Associate of Arts degree major in Interior Design. The course focused on interior architecture—or space planning.

Ana Margarita also studied painting at the Ayala Museum. She says that she is still able to paint, especially in her free time. She uses oil, acrylic, and watercolors.

Ana says that it was during her stay in Europe that she fell in love with its old-world charm, especially the rustic Mediterranean homes and furniture. It is a design genre that is inspired by relaxed living, simplicity, and openness. It is characterized by earth colors such as green, terracotta, and amber; natural wood; wrought iron accents and distressed finishes. These elements are reflected in her design.

“As a furniture and residential designer, I prefer character in a house or piece of furniture. I love those little imperfections like the grains, the dents, the natural look which all give a unique feel,” says Ana Margarita.

Her furniture pieces feature tile inlays on tables and wrought iron accents on chests, details that are trademarks of Ana Margarita Cuervo designs. Her pieces are not only beautiful but functional. For example, a wrought iron trundle bed is perfect for condominium living because it is both a sofa and a bed with a pullout underneath.

The houses she designed and built in Ayala Alabang combine form and function with high ceilings, bright walls and large, airy windows to create a feel of wider space.

Ana Margarita explains that she builds houses not just for the sake of building them, but to create a new lifestyle according to a client’s wants and needs.

Because she studied interior architecture, Ana Margarita makes sure that every available space is properly utilized for the best layout and flow. Natural light sources, cross ventilation, and room orientations are also some of Ana’s main concerns when designing a home.

Right now, going back to showbusiness is the last thing on Ana’s mind. She is perfectly happy with her family and her career as a designer.

“My family is a blessing, my work is an inspiration. Together it brings me a whole new sense of worth,” she says.