Home Buddies partners with PhilSTAR Life to promote must-buy budol finds, home hacks, and more

Home Buddies has been a helpful community to over a million Facebook users seeking help for their home makeover concerns, and now, it’s teaming up with PhilSTAR L!fe to help Filipinos create even better homes and safe spaces for themselves.

The group’s founder, Frances Lim Cabatuando, said that she was drawn to team up with the digital lifestyle hub as it shares her goal of highlighting inspiring stories within the Home Buddies community.

“I believe our principles are aligned—we both see Home Buddies not just as a mere Facebook Group but as a community of real people with real stories about their homes. And beyond budol, these are the real gems we would love to share with the world,” Cabatuando said.

She envisions the partnership as a “great amplifier of these stories we encounter every day.”

“We help them find these amazing homes and kapitbahays, [who] help us tell their stories through beautifully written and inspiring narratives,” the community founder explained.

This was echoed by L!fe's head editor, Camille Santiago. She said the partnership "is beyond just sharing budol deals."

"It is about fostering a platform that inspires and educates Filipinos to build their ideal living spaces," Santiago said.

Through the collaboration, readers can expect to enjoy articles and activities that can enrich their home-building experience.

Cabatuando promises “more inspiring human interest stories, Filipino-forward home designs, must-buy budol finds, and home hacks that turn into ‘aha!’ moments.”

“We also host numerous events and activities, and with this partnership, we aim to reach more members and offer them the opportunity to participate in these experiences,” she added.

L!fe's publisher Sheila Paras, meanwhile, said, "This collaboration with Home Buddies further strengthens PhilSTAR Life's commitment to enriching our community. In delivering helpful information to our readers that are based on real-life experiences, we help them create a space they love, want, and need."

Sparked by a desire to support people during the COVID-19 pandemic, Home Buddies has transformed into a go-to resource for home design and improvement. The community will celebrate its fourth anniversary on September 17, 2020.

Apart from this, Cabatuando has also built another community called Hangout Buddies, which focuses more on travel as well as other ways to relax and unwind.