The Park View apartment is sprawling, fully furnished with a long dining table and throne-like seats with high backs. The bay window affords a stunning view of the mist-filled Tai Tam Country Park. The mercury has dropped to a chilly eight degrees Celsius.
Disgraced former Philippine president Joseph Estrada, seated on one of two throne seats in the centre of the living room, admitted he was uncomfortable: the chill had got to his new titanium knees.
He had wanted an afternoon nap but his eldest son and alter ego, Senator Jinggoy Estrada, who is a co-accused in the plunder case against him, agreed to an interview so he had to acquiesce.
The former leader, who was toppled on January 21, 2001, in a peaceful uprising over alleged corruption and plunder, let his impatience get the better of him 20 minutes into the interview when asked about the corruption allegations.
Mr Estrada, 67, who returned to Manila last Saturday after a controversial 20-day stay in Hong Kong for knee replacement surgery at the exclusive Adventist Hospital in Happy Valley, could have chosen this visit to portray a more statesman-like figure.
Granted it was his first taste of freedom since his downfall four years ago today, and he had been recuperating from painful four-hour surgery - the first time he had gone under the knife - but it was still an opportunity missed.