Young actress and singer Danita Paner takes us to her family's Greenhills townhouse and shows us the things that make her happy

Photography Zac Moran

Home for 21-year-old upcoming actress and singer Danita Paner, is a sanctuary meant to be shared with your loved ones.

"Dapat iyan ang sanctuary mo. Dapat dun mo mahahahanap yung peace. Pag sinabi mong home, nandoon yung family mo. Kasi malungkot naman pag mag-isa ka lang," says Danita, the daughter of Sampaguita Pictures legend Daisy Romualdez and sister of 80s star Tina Paner.

The family's modest bi-level townhouse in Greenhills is a beautiful reflection of such life. It is where wonderful memories are made and kept, lessons given and learned. It's also the place that kept her family together.

For her mom, Daisy Romualdez, this home has been more than a refuge where she can recharge and relax.

"Ang bahay naman, maganda ito dahil kapag pagod ka, may maganda kang pupuntahan or uuwian. Kaya ginaganahan kang umuwi dahil alam mo na maganda ang makikita mo," she says.

Of all the rooms in the house, Danita's favorite is the lanai. Aside from the fact that it looks like a hidden alcove inside the house, it's where she can be at her most relaxed. It's also where she would just lounge around and entertain friends who would drop by for a visit.

"Nakakatawa nga, hindi talaga ako tumatambay sa sala namin. Dito sa may lanai lang talaga. Everytime feel kong mag-chill lang, dito ako pumupunta. Kapag may visitors din ako, dito kami nagse-stay," she says.

We ask Danita why she prefers the lanai more than the living room. With a sheepish grin, she admits that she's somehow "off-limits" to the living room.

"Kasi hindi ka makalagaw sa living room, baka may mabasag. Last time na nandoon ako, nakabasag ako ng vase. Nagalit si mommy. Magkano daw un, hindi ko alam," she says with a laugh.

Interesingly, the lanai is also her mom's favorite area. Tita Daisy Romualdez chimes in our interview with Danita and casually says she prefers this room because it's where she and her friends—The Golden Girls of Sampaguita Pictures—would bond over chismis and many rounds of mahjong.

"Nagma-mahjong kami, once in a while. Kasama ko sila Gloria Romero and Barbara Perez, kapag wala kaming ginagawa. Pero ngayon siyempre very busy na kami. Busy din sila, nagte-taping pa sila di ba. Kapag may time, nagkikita kami. Tapos kapag mga birthday, kami-kami lang din," she shares.

More of Danita Paner's townhouse in Celebrity Living, August-September 2010 Issue.