Learn how Echo Bueno and Chili Perez turned their passion for unique experiences into a space that fosters community and creativity.

Close friends&nbsp; Echo Bueno and Chili Perez have transformed their passion project, Noname, into a lively third space that brings people together through unique, immersive experiences inspired by their favorite travels and pastimes. Each event they curate is designed to leave guests with unforgettable memories that linger long after they've left.
Speaking with L&rsquo;Officiel Philippines, the duo shares the story and vision behind Noname &mdash; a space born from friendship, creativity, and a deep love for community.

Before the lockdown, the two often traveled abroad, always on the lookout for hole-in-the-wall spots. They recall a memorable jazz bar hop in Bangkok, where they talked with locals to uncover the best places. &ldquo;When we&rsquo;d go to a bar, we&rsquo;d just ask the bartender for recommendations,&rdquo; they share.&nbsp;
The post-pandemic landscape, however, presented many challenges, as numerous spots they once frequented had closed down. This inspired the duo to think creatively, leading to the creation of Noname. &ldquo;We wanted to connect with people who shared our passions,&rdquo; Perez shares.&nbsp;
&ldquo;When no one else was doing it, we figured, why not start something ourselves?&rdquo; What began as a small film club among friends and a 30-person Telegram group has become a beloved gathering place, now offering everything from wine tastings to quiz nights, intimate string concertos, and much more.

As wine enthusiasts, their first major event post-film screening was, of course, a wine tasting. &ldquo;That was the first time we hit like twenty or thirty people,&rdquo; they recall. This success paved the way for other events, like quiz nights. Inspired by Perez&rsquo;s experience abroad while studying in Europe, she mentioned, &ldquo;I would always go to a weekly pub quiz.&rdquo; Their quiz nights featured witty twists, including questions like, &ldquo;Give us the top five Catholic private school hymns.&rdquo; They even shared a humorous anecdote about hosting at a pub where they had so many guests that they broke the floor. &ldquo;That was the first time we realized that people were into this,&rdquo; they laughed.

Bueno&rsquo;s love for string concertos started after he attended performances in Singapore and Sydney. &ldquo;I loved it. I cried,&rdquo; he recalls. This experience inspired him to bring a similar concept to Manila. However, they faced the challenge of finding the right venue. &ldquo;We&rsquo;ve always had the question of where do we stage something so classical yet make it modern and appealing to the people around us,&rdquo; he reflects. It wasn&rsquo;t until they discovered the First United Building in Escolta through a DJ friend who had an event there that they found their answer. When they first visited the venue, Echo humorously shared, &ldquo;We went there with my speakers, a tape measure, and a dream.&rdquo;

Having spent years in Manila, Bueno and Perez have long appreciated its rich history and hidden treasures. &ldquo;When we saw the First United, we knew it was the perfect setting,&rdquo; they explain. &ldquo;Escolta is such a beautiful area, yet so few people truly appreciate it as a cultural heritage site.&rdquo; This was their chance to shine a light on a place they loved. Collaborating with the Manila Philharmonic Orchestra, they could also showcase them in a way that celebrates their talents at the forefront. &ldquo;These musicians are incredibly gifted, and they deserve the spotlight,&rdquo; they add.

But beyond the experiences themselves, Bueno and Perez take the most pride in the community they&rsquo;ve cultivated. Building meaningful connections with people from all walks of life is at the heart of Noname. &ldquo;For us, it&rsquo;s about enriching ourselves, experiencing something new, and always having something to look forward to,&rdquo; they reflect. Looking to the future, they&rsquo;re excited to expand Noname&rsquo;s reach and collaborations, envisioning a variety of fresh experiences they hope to share with even more people. In their own way, they aim to celebrate the spaces they love and introduce new ones through these special gatherings.

Noname is also set to contribute to the Manila Philharmonic Orchestra&rsquo;s 25th-anniversary concert, 'Lights, Camera, Encore! &mdash; Music From the Stage and the Screen,' on October 29 at the Samsung Performing Arts Theatre in Circuit Makati.

Noname is Building Community Through Unique Experiences

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