Asian Haus

Inside a German businessman’s Bali-inspired loft in Central Makati

- Janina H. Bautista

The beauty of the Philippines has captured the eyes and hearts of many foreigners. Many expatriates are assigned to work for a brief time in the Philippines, while some visit for a taste of our culture and catch a glimpse of our scenic beaches. But there are others, those who have fallen in love with our part of the world, have migrated in for good. One of them is German businessman Helmut Sima who moved to the Philippines 11 years ago.

“I decided to live in the Philippines because of the people here. I am very happy to live here and I will continue living here. I see Philippines as my home,” says Helmut.

Prior to migrating, Helmut lived in Spain where he managed a software company that he sold. He is now retired, but oversees a lot of businesses. He owns the largest cacao plantation in Panay, Iloilo and also has several real estate properties in El Nido, Palawan as well as in Phuket, Thailand. At the moment, he is developing Karuna El Nido, a group of Bali-style villas in Palawan.

Helmut recently moved out of his one-bedroom condo in Makati. “For half a year, I looked at every loft unit in the market and didn’t see anything I like,” he shares.