of becoming us

All eyes are on the emerging director-photographer duo Alithea Castillo and Kim Tin as they bring the beauty of heritage, queerness, and creative vision to the global scene

- MARA GO

In Manila, the season of al fresco is in full circuit: the day dawns crisp and clear, tucked in an unmatched warmth that flows to the core. But ever so often, it creates the perfect backdrop for reconnecting with creatives who are on the other end of the map. New York, of course, tells a contrasting story: the sun prepares to set, with its reflection slowly vacating Alithea Castillo and Kim Tin’s apartment — the same creative space that fostered their company, Of Becoming Us.

“It was actually serendipitous, how we found this place,” Castillo tells MEGA, reminiscing on what prompted them to finally bite the bullet, move in together and find their own place. “I was fervently trying to find a place through all the apartment finder websites but luck was seemingly on Kim’s side as she found an apartment just a few hours after. Next thing we know, we’ve been here for three years, and it’s definitely home to us.”

The creative couple transformed their empty space to a soulful apartment — blending mid-century modern design and post-modern detailings harmoniously. “I wanted to be intentional in all our spaces so I took the design process really slowly,” Castillo explains. “If not all, most of our furniture here is either secondhand or DIY.” Tin is often on her side when it comes to most of the design decisions, expanding the horizons by supporting her overall vision. “It’s her design, I’m just living in it,” they laugh.

The reference is quite evident on elements in their space: crisp white walls, custom arts and prints, brightly-upholstered furniture, and various solid wood side tables and benches — including the 1960 Poul Cadovious Danish Royal System Wall Unit — all of which perfectly came together to form their home away from home.