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Brutalist by Design: M Residences Katipunan's homes are stunningly versatile

Brutalist by Design: M Residences Katipunan's homes are stunningly versatile

Tatler Asia07-06-2025

Despite their seeming rigidity, these concepts are deceptively versatile. Each layout can be customised as the homeowner sees fit, giving them the agency to design a distinctly personal home. Clients can freely choose from these three home types with various configurations, then adjust room dimensions, fixtures and finishes that appeal to and resonate with them.
'The concrete materials offer an advantage in that they can be cast in any shape,' VCDC founder and CEO Victor Consunji explains. 'This makes it easier for a space to evolve over time in harmony with the changing needs and preferences of our M Residents.'
This philosophy extends throughout the entire development. The central lifestyle club ties together the swimming pool, basketball court, jogging trail and residents' lounge within one singular structure. The exposed structural forms and liberal pathways resemble the homes around it, making it a cohesive part of the community.
Form and function seamlessly intertwine at M Residences Katipunan. The thoughtful choice of Brutalism as its main medium offers its residents a modern style of living in the city. It is a symbol of strength and functionality that leaves plenty of room for adjustments to suit one's way of life.
Book a private tour at m-residences.com to see the possibilities of Brutalist architecture, right at home in M Residences Katipunan.
NOW READ
Inside the historic debut of Philippine design at Révélations Paris 2025
Envisioning city life at M Residences Katipunan
From sunrise to sunset: The Mactan Newtown Beach

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Brutalist by Design: M Residences Katipunan's homes are stunningly versatile
Brutalist by Design: M Residences Katipunan's homes are stunningly versatile

Tatler Asia

time07-06-2025

  • Tatler Asia

Brutalist by Design: M Residences Katipunan's homes are stunningly versatile

Despite their seeming rigidity, these concepts are deceptively versatile. Each layout can be customised as the homeowner sees fit, giving them the agency to design a distinctly personal home. Clients can freely choose from these three home types with various configurations, then adjust room dimensions, fixtures and finishes that appeal to and resonate with them. 'The concrete materials offer an advantage in that they can be cast in any shape,' VCDC founder and CEO Victor Consunji explains. 'This makes it easier for a space to evolve over time in harmony with the changing needs and preferences of our M Residents.' This philosophy extends throughout the entire development. The central lifestyle club ties together the swimming pool, basketball court, jogging trail and residents' lounge within one singular structure. The exposed structural forms and liberal pathways resemble the homes around it, making it a cohesive part of the community. Form and function seamlessly intertwine at M Residences Katipunan. The thoughtful choice of Brutalism as its main medium offers its residents a modern style of living in the city. It is a symbol of strength and functionality that leaves plenty of room for adjustments to suit one's way of life. Book a private tour at to see the possibilities of Brutalist architecture, right at home in M Residences Katipunan. NOW READ Inside the historic debut of Philippine design at Révélations Paris 2025 Envisioning city life at M Residences Katipunan From sunrise to sunset: The Mactan Newtown Beach

Hyrox racing: The brutal, beautiful fitness race that's taking over the world (and Asia's elite gyms)
Hyrox racing: The brutal, beautiful fitness race that's taking over the world (and Asia's elite gyms)

Tatler Asia

time03-06-2025

  • Tatler Asia

Hyrox racing: The brutal, beautiful fitness race that's taking over the world (and Asia's elite gyms)

Hyrox racing in Asia Once dominated by European and North American cities, the Hyrox circuit now counts Asia among its fastest-growing territories. Manila The Philippine capital has emerged as a rising Hyrox hub. , with Hyrox Philippines holding its first competition in May 2024, with another set for October 2025. Singapore Always ahead of the curve, Singapore embraced Hyrox with unofficial races at studios like Field Assembly and Fitness Bravo. The first official Hyrox Singapore event took place in October 2023; another is scheduled for September 2025. For time-conscious Singaporeans, the sport's precision and structure are a perfect match—plus, there's a smoothie bar waiting at the finish line. Bangkok Bangkok's fitness scene is led by Base, where Hyrox-style group classes are taught under neon lights and thumping music. It's nightlife meets high-intensity interval training. Hyrox Thailand hosted its first official race in January 2024, with another slated for January 2025. See more: The most stylish fitness studios in Singapore for yoga, pole dance and spin classes in gorgeous interiors Why are people Hyrox-hooked? Hyrox scratches a uniquely modern itch: the urge to quantify progress. With its global format, athletes can compare times across cities and continents. It's competitive, but also communal—bonded by shared effort and mutual respect. At training studios across Southeast Asia, Hyrox athletes defy stereotype. Gen Z beginners, busy professionals, and 40-something parents all share the same arena. Athleisure ranges from local labels like Thailand's V Activewear and the Philippines' Recess, to familiar names like Lululemon and Garmin. Hydration is now high fashion—electrolyte packets have replaced green juice—and race talk flows from paces and splits to weekend getaways in Seoul or Sydney. Hyrox is more than a fitness trend. It's becoming a lifestyle, much like running or cycling. Hyrox pros and cons Let's start with the good. HYROX racing is gloriously quantifiable. Every second counts, making progress feel tangible. For data-driven types, this is fitness you can track, chart and flex about. The event also cultivates a unique camaraderie: you're racing with and against others, bonded by the shared grind. Add to that functional movements that build real-world strength—think sled pushes and sandbag carries—and it's more than a workout; it's athleticism with purpose. You get to travel There's also the wanderlust factor. With races held everywhere from Dubai to Seoul, HYROX racing is becoming the global athlete's playground—a circuit where you can train hard and travel harder. High intensity But it's not for the faint of heart. The format is intense, and the risk of injury is real, especially without good form or guidance. Sled pulls and burpee broad jumps aren't forgiving. Then there's the cost: races typically run US$85 to US$110, plus travel, gear and gym memberships—fitness at a first-class price. And while leaderboards can motivate, they can also tip into obsession. For some, it's less about health and more about hustle. In that case, what started as wellness can quickly become another source of stress. What experts say While long-term studies on Hyrox specifically remain limited, sports scientists are intrigued. A 2023 review in the Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research suggests hybrid races like Hyrox 'bridge a unique physiological gap' between strength and endurance disciplines, potentially reducing cardiovascular disease risks when scaled appropriately. Experts caution that the intensity can overtax the body, especially for recreational athletes. Recovery and coaching remain key. But with the proper guardrails in place, Hyrox remains a viable and attractive alternative to traditional workouts. In an era of filtered wellness, Hyrox stands out as something real—a challenge you can feel, measure and conquer, one rep at a time.

What if your toothbrush could help fight poverty and grow a forest?
What if your toothbrush could help fight poverty and grow a forest?

Tatler Asia

time14-05-2025

  • Tatler Asia

What if your toothbrush could help fight poverty and grow a forest?

The bamboo epiphany Above Bambuhay partners with former slash-and-burn farmers, women, people with disabilities, unemployed youth and indigenous communities (Photo: Bambuhay) Gersava's pivot from survival to sustainability began with a viral image: a sea turtle choking on a plastic straw. 'That hit me hard,' he says. 'I kept asking myself, how can I help the environment and at the same time, create opportunities for people like me who came from insurgency-affected areas?' In 2015, while working in Manila, he began experimenting with bamboo—a plant that had been a staple of his childhood. 'We used bamboo for everything: paper, water containers, even toys. I realised it could be the answer.' With just PHP10,000 and no background in business, Gersava founded Bambuhay—a portmanteau of bamboo, ' hanapbuhay ' (livelihood) and ' buhay ' (life). The brand took off with its first product: bamboo straws. Within a year, the company generated PHP6 million in sales and landed major clients like Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf, Max's Group and Zagu. Read more: How Monaco is transforming from a playground for the super-rich to a destination for sustainability Then the pandemic hit in 2020. With food and hospitality sectors crippled, Gersava pivoted to a new idea: bamboo toothbrushes engraved with endangered species. The mission was twofold: promote eco-friendly habits and raise awareness for at-risk wildlife. But he didn't stop there. Inspired by Japan's plantable newspapers, he wondered, 'Why not toothbrushes that grow trees?' Above Each toothbrush is embedded with seeds which can be planted to grow into a tree or bamboo (Photo: Bambuhay) 'After a lot of research and experiments, we embedded seeds from native endangered trees—like alibangbang , molave , and Philippine acacia—into the toothbrush handles,' he explains. 'We launched the world's first plantable toothbrush made from bamboo.' Each toothbrush is designed to be biodegradable, with natural carbon-infused soft bristles and packaging made from recycled paper embedded with seeds. After three months of use, the toothbrush can be planted to grow into a tree or bamboo. By the people, for the people Above Women from conflict-stricken communities check out bamboo tubes to be used for the toothbrushes (Photo: Bambuhay) Above Men gather bamboo from the forests to be used for the plantable toothbrushes (Photo: Bambuhay) Despite early commercial success, Bambuhay's beginnings were far from glamorous. 'Our first production facility was just 30 square metres,' says Gersava. 'We worked with solo parents, persons with disabilities, deaf and mute. We were literally boiling bamboo in backyard pots.' There were moments when he almost gave up, including a failed investor partnership and internal team struggles. 'In 2017, I was ready to close Bambuhay,' he admits. 'But then, a chance conversation at a birthday party led to someone offering to invest. That saved us.' Then there was a moment that tested his resolve most. 'I remember carrying 25 kg of bamboo to a client in Makati from the Nueva Ecija province; I carried the bamboo alone with no car—using just my hands. I cried that night. I was in my early 30s and I hadn't cried since I was 12 years old.' That moment defined his mission; more than products, Bambuhay would transform lives. 'I want this to be the first company in the Philippines that's owned by the people,' he declares. 'Every person in our company should be co-owners. Why should only a few individuals get rich?' Read more: This cleaning services startup is giving its employees a share in its success Above Indigenous youth also take part in the process of making plantable bamboo toothbrushes (Photo: Bambuhay) Above The harvested bamboo tubes are cut down into shorter pieces for the plantable tootbrushes (Photo: Bambuhay) Since its founding, Bambuhay has created hundreds of jobs amongst the indigenous peoples (IP) and marginalised communities, groups close to Gersava's heart. 'I grew up in an IP community, and my grandmother is from Sagada. Helping indigenous people is in my blood.' The company partners with former slash-and-burn farmers, women, people with disabilities, unemployed youth and indigenous communities. He assembled a committed team and scaled operations, turning farmers into 'agri-preneurs'. One of their supervisors started with only a high school diploma. 'Now she's our quality assurance head. That's the power of opportunity.' By 2030, the company aims to lift 1,000 families out of poverty and reforest 10,000 hectares of land. His '1 Billion Mission' is a plan to eliminate a billion plastic toothbrushes and plant a billion native bamboo trees by 2050. 'The more we grow, the more impact we can create,' he explains. 'We want to export to Dubai, the Nordic countries, Europe and the US. But even as we scale, we remain grounded in our mission.' Read more: Fading traditions: These endangered crafts in Asia are on the brink of extinction Policy with purpose Above Mark Gersava was appointed to represent MSMEs in the National Innovation Council by the Philippine president in 2023 (Photo: Mark Gersava) In 2023, Gersava was appointed by Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr to the National Innovation Council (NIC), an elite policymaking body that includes cabinet secretaries and industry leaders. At 36, he's one of its youngest members. 'Everyone else has master's degrees from Harvard or Stanford. I came from Sultan Kudarat State University. But I was picked by the president himself. He said, 'We need young minds for innovation.'' As NIC's representative for MSMEs, Gersava advocates for small businesses and social enterprises. 'One of our goals is to streamline business permits. From 50 steps down to one. We want innovators to focus on their work, not red tape.' Gersava is pushing to exempt early-stage startups from taxes for up to three years. 'Most MSMEs don't dream of scaling up because the system's too hard,' he says. He's also co-leading the Filipinnovation Awards, designed to recognise local talents and give them the support needed to scale globally. Read more: How Halia's founder Alexandra Jocom champions sustainability, one biodegradable period pad at a time Eyes on the horizon Above Bambuhay restored an ancestral land in Nueva Vizcaya province by planting native trees, including narra, molave, cinnamon, bamboo, banana, lemon, jackfruit and guyabano trees (Photo: Bambuhay) Despite the accolades, Gersava isn't slowing down. In fact, he has his sights set on the country's highest office. 'By 2040, I want to become the President of the Republic of the Philippines,' he says with conviction. 'Not because I want power, but because I know what it means to struggle. I've lived it.' Asked what he'd tell the boy who walked barefoot for hours to school and went hungry on exam days, Gersava paused. 'It's okay you experienced all that. Without it, you wouldn't be Mark Gersava. That hardship? That's what made you.' In the meantime, his focus remains on Bambuhay and the belief that innovation doesn't have to come at the planet's expense. 'We can be a first-world country by 2040,' he says. 'But only if our innovation uplifts people, protects our environment and breaks the cycle of poverty.' And if anyone is proof of that possibility, it's the boy from the jungle who dared to plant a future.

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