Who Started It
When I was young, I grew up near Culasi Bridge, where my grandparents lived. They had a small house made of kawayan (bamboo).
My grandmother was a dressmaker. She made beautiful dresses, curtains, and pillowcases, always adding a special touch of colour — especially purple. She would also make purple ribbons for my hair.
One day, I asked my grandmother, “Grandma, is purple your favourite colour?” She smiled and said, “Yes, purple and white are my favourite colours.” From that moment on, I became a fan of purple too — purple, lilac, lavender, and violet. There is something about these colours that has always fascinated me. Even today, the colour purple makes me smile.
When I was in Grade 5, I remember my grandfather repairing our small house. Because we lived near the bridge, high tide would sometimes cause water to enter our home. I experienced many days when heavy rain and high tide flooded the house. Sometimes, it felt like we had a swimming pool inside our little home.
One day, while my grandfather was fixing the house, he accidentally hit his hand with a hammer. He screamed in pain, and his fingers were bleeding. I immediately got a clean white cloth, put some alcohol on it, and helped take care of his wound.
While caring for my grandfather, I made a promise in my heart. I promised myself that one day, when I became successful, I would fix our small house. I dreamed of building a beautiful home — and in my mind, I already knew what colour it would be. It would be purple.
That dream became the beginning of Purple House. 💜
Why the Purple House
Purple House started in 2015. When I returned from London, I asked my brother to come with me. By that time, the house had already been rebuilt with concrete, but we decided to remove everything and start again — to create something completely new.
Every year, I saved money and made sure I had a budget for Purple House. Every year, I completed another project. Slowly but surely, my dream started to become a reality. Little by little, Purple House grew into a beautiful four-bedroom home.
Along the way, we also started a small business. We opened a small refreshments business serving our special Batchoy and Lomi. I also added a small shop selling women’s, men’s, and children’s clothing, gowns, bags, and shoes.
Today, two of the bedrooms are available for Airbnb guests, allowing other people to experience and enjoy the home that was once only a dream in my heart. I am also very grateful to have six trustworthy and hardworking staff members who have been part of this journey with me.
What the Name Means
Purple House is more than just a house or a business. It is a story of childhood memories, my grandparents’ love, hard work, sacrifice, saving little by little, and never giving up on a dream.
From a small bamboo house that would flood during high tide, to the beautiful Purple House I once dreamed about as a little girl — slowly but surely, dreams do come true.
Every time I look at Purple House, I remember my grandmother, my grandfather, and that little girl who dreamed of building a home painted in the colour that always made her smile.
Purple is not just a colour to me. It is a memory, a dream, and a part of my journey. 💜
