Indeed, everyone is keeping themselves busy right now while working from home in the middle of quarantine to somehow respite themselves from getting burned-out due to being quarantined at home for more than a year now amidst the pandemic brought by COVID-19. People have already done plethora of ways for their own sanity break — making dalgona coffee, buying succulents, baking, cooking using air fryer, or working out. And now, Filipinos have found another way to destress—checking out a Facebook community called ‘Home Buddies’ where you can get ideas for your home makeover.

Frances Catuando, a full-time copywriter and blogger, formed the Facebook group Home Buddies in September 2020, initially as a virtual meeting place for her and other people who also wanted to play the Minimalism Game. Everything just snowballed from there, with more people joining the group and sharing makeover ideas, shopping advice, organizing hacks, DIY projects, and snapshots of their homes.

In an interview of Frances with Rappler, the blogger explains how the group becomes a safe space for everyone who wants to share or ask tips about their home makeover.

“We're all just buddies here, kapitbahays, friends, so anyone is free to share and speak up. It doesn't matter how your house looks, or how much your budget is, as long as you're interested in improving your home, the group is your safe space,” said Frances.

The group members who call themselves ‘Kapitbahay’, is a mix of people in different stages of home improvement and ownership, from modest condo owners who have just begun decorating their rented studio units to those living in spacious, oppulent mansions in high-end villages. In fact, former actress Rica Peralejo-Bonifacio, beauty queen Megan Daez, and ex-PBB winner Slater Young who is now an architect, are among the celebrities active in the group.

“I guess it was bound to happen because we really have inspired people to improve their homes. So, from people sharing ‘This is what i did,’ we're now getting more questions on ‘how to achieve it’ and luckily, people are generous to share ‘This is how I made it happen,’” said Frances.

The online community hosts regular activities, in the likes of Monday Market—whereas Monday is the only day in the week when selling is allowed in the group. On Friendsgiving Day, which is hung on the 18th of each month, kapitbahays are encouraged to give or exchange gifts. The "gifts" are usually items that they no longer use, however could in any case be useful to other people. There’s also a Budolletin Board, where promos exclusive to members are posted. Home Buddies also recently held the 100K Kapitbahay Giveaway.

“I wanna bring the whole barangay together for a meet-up, and hopefully, a bonggang Home Fair where we can score the best home budols in town.” Frances said.