Registered & Licensed Architect, MBA
Manila, Philippines
Built to be proud of.
We design homes for families who have thought hard about how they want to live and need an architect who thinks just as hard about how to make that real.
12+
Years in Practice
RLA · MBA
PRC Licensed Architect
Angkin Builders
President
150K+ Followers
FB/IG/TikTok
Architecture
Interiors
Engineering
Consultancy
Personal
We design for one family at a time — not a typology, not a demographic, but the specific people who will wake up in this house every morning for the rest of their lives.
Every home we design is an argument - that the way a family lives, the light that enters a room, the weight of a door handle, the view from a bed - all of it matters.
All of it is worth getting right.
The pursuit of unreasonable excellence.
Curated
Every decision is made on purpose. Materials, proportions, orientation, detail — nothing arrives by default.
Our Philosophy
Authentic
We don't chase trends. We ask what the site demands, what the family needs, and what will still feel true twenty years from now.
Legacy
The best homes outlast their owners. We design with that weight in mind — not to impress, but to endure.
Featured Work · 01
Project AbongZ
A family of active, creative, deeply private people came with a clear conviction: this home had to work as hard as they do. A bouldering wall for the children, a maker's studio, a library for solitude — the challenge wasn't square footage, it was coherence.
Las Piñas / 2025 / Architectural Design + Interiors
Process in Motion
Japandi Loft
Watch our journey through construction and design, showcasing how we translate technical discipline into elevated living spaces for Filipino families.
Selected Works
A curated selection of our recent projects, reflecting our commitment to technical clarity and the Maaliwalas philosophy.
01
Project AbongZ
A family with too many hobbies and too little coherence. We solved it.
04
L Residence
Japanese restraint on a sloping Bulacan lot.
02
PH Residence
10m drop in terrain. Every living space faces the park.
05
JL Residence
A loft that's quiet enough for one, generous enough for many.
03
Villa Araya
A private resort that performs even without the owners present.
06
C Residence
A 40-year-old home, completely reimagined.
The Architectural Journey
01
Assess
02
Explore
03
Detail
04
Refine
05
We listen before we draw. Our process begins with a deep understanding of your family's lifestyle, values, and the specific context of your site.
Build
We test ideas together. Through iterative sketches and physical models, we explore how light, materials, and proportions can create a Maaliwalas experience.
The design becomes specific. We translate the architectural vision into precise technical drawings and detailed specifications for every material and component.
Full construction documents. We finalize all engineering and structural drawings, ensuring every detail is technically sound and ready for building.
We stay involved through construction. From foundation to finish, we oversee the build to ensure the Maaliwalas concept is realized with technical precision.
Architect & Founder
Ar. JM de Jesus, MBA
A Registered and Licensed Architect and MBA graduate. Nearly two decades in architecture, real estate, and business mean he brings both design discipline and commercial clarity to every project. He is the founder and President of Angkin Builders, a design-build practice committed to craftsmanship and elevating the standard of built environments in the Philippines.
UST: Bachelor of Science in Architecture (2014)
Ateneo de Manila / Regis College: MBA (2022)
PRC Registered Architect (2016)
Founder & President, Angkin Builders
"I really liked the journey from planning to construction since I'm able to really decide the details and customize it based on my preferences... Overall, my experience was very good and I'm really satisfied with the house."
Mr. Lorente, JL Residence, Valenzuela, Completed 2021