Remember when Makati City was just a vast grassland before the Ayalas transformed it into one of the country’s premier business districts? Or Bonifacio Global City (BGC), when it was simply an old military base? Well, history has a way of repeating itself and this time around, it’s happening two hours away from Metro Manila – in Batangas City, to be exact.

Commemorating its 20th anniversary this year, PonteFino Estates continues to transform Batangas City. Their latest venture? The Forum I.T. Business Park – a 4.26-hectare PEZA-registered commercial township that’s set to create the next “BGC” around 100 kilometers south of the country’s capital.

More Than Just Another Business Park

“Build it, and they will come” is what they all say, but PonteFino Estates wants The Forum to be more than just your typical business park. It’s the first real estate development in Batangas City to receive certification from the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) as an Information Technology (IT) business hub. But other than that, what makes it special?

For one, it’s designed with technology-intensive companies in mind. Whether it’s a Business Process Outsourcing (KPO) company, a Knowledge Process Outsourcing (KPO) corporation, or a retail enterprise, The Forum is crafted to be your next business address. You might be wondering, “Well, that’s all good and well, but what perks will we get by setting up shop there?”

Let’s talk incentives. As a PEZA-certified IT business park, The Forum offers businesses tax holidays (extending up to 10 years), tax and duty-free importation, other tax, impost, and fee exemptions, and streamlined regulatory processes. Furthermore, non-resident foreign nationals may be employed in PEZA-registered zones in certain positions or attain a special, non-immigrant visa.

Location, Location, Location

As the capital region, plenty of businesses prefer to work in Metro Manila with its numerous Central Business Districts (Makati, BGC, Ortigas, etc.) Given how congested the metro is and the intense traffic that plagues the roads here, it’s a no-brainer to consider nearby provinces – say hello to Batangas City.

It’s not just another dot on the map, however. Batangas City is home to the country’s second-largest international port and is one of the top 25 “Digital Cities 2025” identified by the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) and IT and Business Process Association of the Philippines (IBPAP). Batangas City is also home to over 100 multinational companies (Shell Corporation, JG Summit Petrochemicals, Siemens, San Miguel Corporation, FirstGen) and in terms of manpower, they produce over 6,000 graduates annually.

“With The Forum I.T. Park, we aim to offer developments that enhance the business landscape while enriching the lives of our residents,” said John Thomas “JT” Garcia, Vice President for Sales at PonteFino Estates.

“We’re confident that this development by PonteFino will provide excellent returns for investors and contribute to the long-term development of the city. It’s an exciting time to be part of Batangas City’s growth,” he added.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. recently highlighted the region’s potential when he commended the expansion of JG Summit’s petrochemicals complex in Batangas City. The facility is expected to generate P215 billion and create 6,200 jobs by 2025. One could easily imagine similar progress being made with PonteFino Estates’ IT Park – which is perfectly situated across SM City Batangas, by the way.

Grand Vision of PonteFino Estates

The Forum I.T. Park is part of PonteFino Estates’ grand vision: an 18.5-hectare mixed-use township that’s been two decades in the making. But it’s more than just building infrastructure, it’s about curating an ecosystem where business, leisure, and lifestyle seamlessly blend together.

What truly sets The Forum apart isn’t just its business-friendly features, it’s the complete lifestyle package that comes with the location. Within the PonteFino Estates development, you’ll find:

• The Arcade: a premier commercial establishment for offices and retail spaces
• The Mansions: an upscale townhouse development boasting neo-Victorian architecture (yes, the one where BINI shot their “Cherry on Top” music video!)
• Park Avenue: a gated community offering residential lots
• One PonteFino Tower: Batangas City’s first mid-rise condominium
• PonteFino Hotel and Resort: the crown jewel that started it all

Two decades ago, PonteFino Estates began with PonteFino Hotel and Resort and since its launch, it has been setting the gold standard for hospitality in Batangas City. It’s not just a place to stay, however. It’s also the go-to destination for business travelers, families looking for spacious and well-equipped rooms for a weekend staycation, couples seeking a place to host their wedding and honeymoon at the same time, companies looking to host meetings or conferences, and those planning other social events.

The property features well-equipped and modern rooms, state-of-the-art conference facilities, and several dining options (that are set to grow even further soon – keep an eye out!) Connected to One PonteFino Tower, a Small-Office, Home-Office branded residence, the hotel serves as a testament to their integrated approach to development.

Future Beyond Metro Manila

Batangas City – with its strategic location, robust infrastructure, and growing economy – is positioned to be the next big thing in Philippine real estate and business. With PonteFino Estates’ development of The Forum I.T. Business Park, they’re not just riding this wave – they’re helping create it. With their decades of proven track record, this new development is set to redefine for investors and business owners alike what a business district outside Metro Manila can be.

For more information on PonteFino Estates, explore their website or follow them on Instagram and Facebook.

Stepping into Moda Interni is like coming home to good friends, at least to those whom you consider true bon vivants. The Italian furniture importer boasts an incredible yet comfortable showroom. Ronald Ventura paintings adorn crisp cream walls while a full marble table sits proudly at the center of the dining room.

Its walk-in closet is furnished with Louis Vuitton suits and a gorgeous, geometric Turri vanity table. A fully functional refrigerator – replete with wines and drinks – invites guests and gourmands to slow down for a tipple or two. “We want people to come in and touch everything, experience what it’s like to live with this furniture,” said Moda Interni CEO Goldwin Sison.

Needless to say, Moda Interni’s figurehead is something of a hedonist. A man with a passion for the finer things in life – cigars, art, and good food – it comes as no surprise that Goldwin now dedicates his business to bringing Filipinos furniture that is just as resplendent. "Good furniture is an investment in your lifestyle, not just an aesthetic choice,” he asserted. “It should be timeless, comfortable, and built to last, offering both function and emotional value."

At the moment, Moda Interni carries four different Italian luxury brands: Pedini, Turri, Lago, and Opera Contemporary. For himself, Goldwin is an avid fan and follower of Pedini. Founded in 1957, the brand is known for its curved kitchen designs, a rarity and a great feat. “It’s incredibly difficult to get the angles right when designing a curved kitchen,” Goldwin shared. “Nobody else in the [local] market offers it as of right now.”

It’s obvious then that Goldwin has centered his choice of furniture – and his business partners – around the ideas of innovation and good research. He partners with brands that have durable yet future-forward ideas, those that know how to keep one leg in modernity, and another in timelessness.

“When people come to us, they often buy furniture with ‘legacy’ in mind. They want to pass these pieces down to their children, their grandchildren,” Goldwin observed.

For its furniture, Moda Interni offers both superb aftersales services and customization. “Fabric and leather are huge trends in furniture today,” Goldwin shared. “For these, we have sheepskin and calfskin options. But honestly, if you told us you wanted furniture with Loro Piana fabric, we can do that too, it’s entirely possible.”

Working in luxury, after all, has taught Goldwin that experience is part of the price. And as an entrepreneur in one of the few economies with a stable luxury market, Goldwin has come to realize that Filipinos are here not just for aesthetics, but for functionality and legacy too.

A look at the Moda Interni portfolio reveals a curated line of brands, all of which have an interesting backstory. Turri, a contemporary favorite, is set to celebrate its centennial year in 2025. They constantly collaborate with esteemed designers such as Monica Armani, Paola Navone, and Matteo Nunziati to create seasonal pieces that last the test of time. Opera Contemporary, a classic-modern furniture company, is run under the esteemed Angelo Capellini brand, which is famous for its woodworking history that dates back to European royalty in 1886. Moda Interni’s most recent addition, Lago, was established in 1976 and specializes in a privately developed material called “X-glass” that creates the illusion of floating furniture.

Ultimately each piece in the Moda Interni showroom is one that’s bound to be loved. “We’re all about creating a space where people can find the perfect pieces to elevate their living experience,” Goldwin said. “We don’t mean for it to only complement lifestyles aesthetically, but also functionally.”

Moda Interni is located at 5th Floor, Bonavida Center, Diliman, Brgy. Ugong Norte, Quezon City. For more details, kindly email [email protected], or call +639177256456 to schedule an appointment.

Back when the world was hit by a global pandemic and we were all confined to our homes, people needed to find productive ways to keep themselves occupied. While some turned to new hobbies and pursuing things they’ve been procrastinating, others turned inward—by that we mean, to home improvement.

With most people working and studying from home, they realized the importance of having a comfortable living space. From setting up personal home offices to building more storage, homeowners are driven by the necessity to make more room and improve their current environment, turning it into a multi-purpose space for everyone to use and enjoy.

The only problem with pursuing home improvement projects is where do you start? For first-time homeowners, it can be exceptionally daunting to find the right design or proper furniture pieces that fit your lifestyle.

This is something Frances Cabataundo, a.k.a. the Mayora of home enthusiast Facebook group “Home Buddies” went through when she first moved out to her own apartment in 2019. She turned online for research, and suddenly realized that other people are going through the same thing. When she noticed her inbox filling up with home interior and design questions, as well as requests for recommendations, her community was born.

What started out as simple research for her personal home projects has now grown into an online community amassing over three million members, making it the biggest Facebook group in Southeast Asia.

The Beat Asia caught up with Home Buddies' resident Mayora to talk about her journey as an online community builder and content creator; the evolution of the group from being a simple page for “budol” finds to more of a collaborative “Home Space”— a gathering of people who help and support each other’s home projects; and how she continues to grow and maintain relevancy through the years.

Home Buddies: A Collaborative Home Space

If you’ve seen posts on Facebook about home ownership tips, furniture finds, or discussions on design trends, Home Buddies might have come up on your timeline a few times.

Home Buddies is a home enthusiast community founded on September 17, 2020, by Frances Cabatuando. The community has gathered a massive membership since with over 3.3 million members as of last month, and is all about interior design, home ownership and improvement tips, and just about anything to help you achieve your dream home.

As for how it came to be, Frances told us about creating home content for her Instagram page a year beforehand as she wanted to try her hand at being a content creator. Her pursuit of a personal goal was what led her to establishing the page.

“I really got started when I moved out and I was trying to research about everything that I could find at home, or what I needed to buy.” She said. “But during the pandemic, I noticed that my little Instagram account started getting an influx of questions like ‘where did you buy this?’ or ‘how do you do this?’ Some people were even sending me photos of their homes, so a lot of the conversations were happening in my inbox. And I felt like, you know, this is real. We are stuck in a pandemic. People are realizing the importance of having a nice, comfortable home and there needs to be a space for people to talk about that.”

“So, I went on Facebook, and I tried to look for other groups because there was a growth in Facebook groups back then from food and coffee, to makeup, but there were no Home groups. So, I had to make it, just to put all these people together and the community became that safe space where people can ask even the littlest things.”

Scrolling through the page, one can see how the community—whom are called "kapitbahays" (neighbors)—engages in conversations about small things like recommendations for doorbells and artworks to fill bare walls to bigger discussions on flooring design recs and interior renovations.

Four years have passed, and the page is as active as ever, even more so when it was first established with how many members it has gathered over the years.

When asked how she managed to remain relevant, Frances answered, “Well, for me, the nice thing about the home space is that it's always relevant and that’s a major factor why Home Buddies is still here. Because at the end of the day, you always come home. Every year we go through summer and people are looking for aircon. Through the rainy days, people ask for waterproofing, and at Christmas time people look for design inspiration. So, every year, topics just cycle. There's always a new product coming out in the market, and when it comes to design, people always want to change it up, spice it up, to make it different.”

“But if I were to think about my contribution, I think it's being able to moderate the community well, like we are ‘very mindful, very cutesy’ *laughs* about what we allow to be posted and seen in the Facebook group.”

Content creation requires a lot of research and Frances admitted that most of her personal design tips for the community were inspired by other vloggers abroad as she loves watching home vlogs and apartment diaries on YouTube.

She used these as her design inspiration for her personal space, which has a very “Japandi” vibe—a design style centered on minimalist and functional designs inspired by Japanese interiors. This was how the #TeamKahoy vs #TeamPuti trend came to be, one of the earliest trends in Home Buddies.

Now that the community has grown, however, Frances has access to a wider audience, and with it comes professionals in the design field whom she is able to connect with and consult.

“There’s a lot more learning and inspiration, and it encourages me to also experiment with my style. So, somehow from being like this plain room, it also evolved into a more—I wouldn't say luxurious, but more put together kind of home.” Frances describes the current state of her apartment.

On Managing Home Buddies: A Learning Experience

Frances does more than rally people together to talk about home and design tips. The bulk of her work is on the management side, where she tracks and moderates activity within the community.

If managing a household was hard enough, imagine a community of millions! This led us to discuss about her significant takeaways on being the Mayora of Home Buddies for over four years now.

“Specifically for content creation for an online community, I realized that everything I do or say has an impact on my community. And by community, I mean people. So, the bigger it becomes, the bigger responsibility I have.” She explained. “Someone pointed out early on that it's no longer just a Facebook group, it's even the size of a real city population. So, I have to always be mindful. When I share something, there are real people who are reading this, who would apply it to their homes. I can't just rely on my stock knowledge. Now I need to consult with professionals because people trust the community and because I own the community, I have this credibility somehow that's built into the dynamics.”

Frances also admitted having made a few missteps in posting and how the community has helped her learn and grow from these mistakes. She told us about a time when she shared a sink mesh which promoted plastic waste. The experience led her to be more mindful about her online finds and was even educated on the effects of these products by people in the community as they gave her a better alternative: a reusable metal sink strainer.

“Even though we have ‘budol culture,’ people are smart and if you allow them to talk about it, you will actually learn.”

Truly, being a moderator of a massive community means she wields influence over her members and followers. Last year, Frances was one of Cosmopolitan’s Women of Influence awardees and was recognized for building a safe and inspiring space for every member of her community.

Encouraging Sustainability Talks Within the Community

More than being a woman of influence, Frances is also a Makesense Climate Change Action fellow and strives to start conversations on sustainability and raise awareness on climate change.

“With Makesense, they first taught us how we should talk about sustainability. Because sometimes sustainability can be just greenwashing. We should be communicating harder, hitting ways to be sustainable.”

“One of the topics that I found very relevant to the community was solar. Since we’re in a tropical country, it's a readily available technology and it's also gotten more affordable, we should make the most of it.”

Frances expressed that the important thing about being an action fellow is being able to share as much as she can. She mentioned how people are still reluctant to install solar panels in their own homes due to the steep cost, but for her, the mere act of talking about it online is also an active way of showing support and raising awareness.

“The fact that you're joining the conversation is enough to catch the government and other entities’ attention. They can see that, 'Hey, people are interested in solar. Why, and what can we do about it?'" She added.

In terms of proactive ways in which they support sustainability causes, Frances mentioned that she has a team of moderators that help her filter through the posts. She cited an example of how there was a time when bidets were trending and how they had to minimize the conversation about it as it went against water conservation.

She also cited how she has a moderator assigned as a science communicator who informs the community about valuable information like how Mahogany is vulnerable to extinction so they should avoid the use of Mahogony wood as furniture options.

Frances, with the help of her team, wants to prove that these little actions can eventually make big waves, especially within a community that’s centered on sharing and conversations.

Home Tips from Mayora Frances

Considering we’d already sat down with the Mayora herself, we thought we shouldn’t waste the opportunity to ask her some of our questions on home ownership and interior design.

Here’s what Frances had to say on making space, personalizing your living space, and the best advice she has gotten as a first-time homeowner.

What are your top two space-saving tips?

The very first one that I always tell is to tear down all the walls or tear down as many walls as you can. *laughs* An open space layout makes [the room] bigger and also allows for more air flow, more light, and it's just easier to move things around because when you have a small space, you have to think about how everything will have to move around because it depends on what you need.

My second tip would be to invest in dual purpose things. For example, my oven is also an air fryer and a microwave oven in one!

Best advice you’ve gotten when it comes to designing your own space?

Don't design your house right away. Live in the house first, even if it's empty, because when you stay there, you will realize what you need, and where you gravitate towards the most.

Do you hang out by the window? Do you hang out more by the kitchen? Understand your flow in the house, what you actually need to do at home, what actually gives you joy or comfort, then you can design after that.

So, for me I've had this home for five years, but the first three years, I lived in how it was turned over. I started the actual renovations on the fourth year, because by then I was already sure of how I want the layout to be, and that's the most important thing. So, take it slow. Don't be in a rush and just expect that things will change. Do not be attached to your material things. Your preferences and needs will change, so just be mindful of that.

And what would be your advice for prospective and new homeowners?

For those trying to buy a house, my advice would be do it now. Do it as early as you can. Because property appreciation increases so fast, not just in the Philippines, but anywhere in the world, so if you get it now, you lock in this price and then you get to pay it in five to ten years. During that time your salary will increase, your life will be better, and so the best time to invest is now.

For people who have already purchased their homes and are trying to move in as a first-time homeowner, my suggestion would be: do not follow trends. Sure, you can look at what's trendy, what's on Pinterest, or what's in magazines, but your home will be a long-term thing, so you shouldn't just rely on what's trendy for the year. It should be what's trendy for you as a person. That's what should guide how your house should look.

For those who haven’t joined yet, why should they be a part of Home Buddies?

I would invite them to join because it's where you can find inspiration to achieve your dream home. It doesn't matter what stage you are in, whether you already have your home and you want to prettify it or you don't have a home yet but want to own one; or maybe you already have lived in your home and you're having little or big problems, all the answers that you're trying to look for is in Home Buddies and it's real time reviews and suggestions.

Whatever you find on Google, sometimes they're like a year old or posted months ago, but products change, and situations change. In Home Buddies, when you post today, you get a suggestion that is good for today. So that's the difference, I guess, of being in a community.

For updates and suggestions on how to achieve your dream space, join Home Buddies on Facebook. You can also follow Frances Cabatuando on Instagram to learn more about her personal design preferences that could possibly inspire your home projects!

Louis Poulsen's lighting is not like any other — even after 150 years.

In celebration of its 150th anniversary, Danish luxury lighting brand Louis Poulsen has curated a special exhibition, called “The He(art) of Light,” which showcases the rich history and legacy of the brand and features immersive experiences, and The Beat Manila had the chance to take a peek at what’s in store for visitors of the exhibition during a special preview.

The exhibition’s highlight is the special 150th-anniversary collection of Louis Poulsen’s most iconic designs, which features the AJ Mini lamp, PH-5, and PH Artichoke. This collection features a color combination that’s unique to Louis Poulsen: a minimalist matte white outer paint and a pale pink color inside. These pieces are also underlined with metalized brass, ensuring their longevity, much like the brand. The collection’s highlight, the PH Artichoke, is only available in 300 pieces.

Visitors can also look forward to a vast display of the brand’s lighting pieces, including those crafted by legendary designers who worked with the brand throughout the years.

At the center of the venue, a circular pavilion dazzles with a display of different versions of the brand’s most iconic creation, the PH Artichoke. This piece is made with 72 hand-placed metal leaves, each carefully positioned to illuminate every angle. But what makes it unique and iconic is that its lightbulb is hidden from view, even when peeked through all sides.

The pavilion also displays information about the brand’s history, as well as some photographs of Louis Poulsen’s earliest days.

Complementing the exhibition is a showcase of the works of Colin Dancel, an image-maker and Filipino photographer. Her photographs displayed in the exhibit explore the interplay of light and movement, which aims to let guests experience light as a living entity.

“What it is, is just a middle ground of both light and movement, those two things that we don’t normally grasp because they’re both nebulous concepts. What we hope to do with this exhibition is to experience them in a very different, tactile way,” Dancel said during the preview event.

On the exhibition’s launch in the Philippines, Ethel Tan, Louis Poulsen Brand and PR Manager for APAC, likewise said, “Celebrating 150 years is a testament to the enduring relevance of Louis Poulsen’s design philosophy. Tonight is a reflection of our journey, our heritage, and the lasting impact we’ve made across the world, including here in the Philippines.”

The preview event was attended by dignitaries from the Danish Embassy in the Philippines, as well as personalities and celebrities such as Mond Gutierrez, Tim Yap, Kylie Versoza, Vania Romoff, Kris Bernal, and Phoemela Baranda, Nix Alanon, Christi McGarry, Maxine Esteban, and Janeena Chan.

Dubbed “The First House of Light,” Louis Poulsen is a brand born in Copenhagen, Denmark, with a history that traces back to 1874. Louis Poulsen, nephew of the brand’s original founder, Ludvig R. Poulsen, has since worked with the world’s most distinguished designers and architects to create masterpieces that have become icons of form and function.

With the help of highly influential Danish designer Poul Henningsen, the brand achieved new heights in the field of lighting. Years later, the brand has made several collaborations with renowned designers, such as Arne Jacobsen and Verner Panton, who designed Louis Poulsen’s iconic AJ Lamps and Panthella series, respectively.

Louis Poulsen’s “The He(art) of Light” exhibit is open to the public until Sept. 15 on the 29th floor of the Twenty-four Seven McKinley Building in Bonifacio Global City.

“The He(art) of Light” is brought by Focus Global Inc. For more details, follow Lights by Focus Global on Facebook or Instagram.