An interior designer by profession and a creative entrepreneur by passion, Maja Olivares-Co does not just transform spaces, she creates experiences.

The recipient of multiple international and local awards, she heads the design consultancy firm SSOa (Sonia Santiago Olivares and Associates), a pioneer in Philippine interior design.

Maja’s passion for culture goes beyond the boardroom and drawing board. She is a Founding Board Member of the Commanderie de Bordeaux Manila in 2009, a society of Bordeaux aficionados and collectors with a mission to foster an appreciation of Bordeaux wine in the Philippines.

A firm believer in the importance of community engagement and service, Maja proudly serves as a Founding Board Member & Executive Director of the Young Musicians Development Organization (YMDO), an almost two decade-old non-profit that supports the musically gifted but underrepresented individuals who comprise the Philippine Youth Symphonic Band (PYSB).

She was one of the minds behind the P75-million ($1.67 million) Paco Market rehabilitation project. In partnership with the ABS-CBN foundation, she restored the century-old public market into a thriving commercial and cultural space.

Maja is a storyteller at heart. She enjoys sharing, as much as experiencing, all life has to offer. For a decade, she has penned the Best of Class column for the Philippine Daily Inquirer, the most widely circulated newspaper in the country.  She currently is a contributing writer to Tatler Philippines. 

As a child, her mother told her she could talk long before she ever learned to walk. At present, one will find it quite impossible to stop her from doing either. She looks forward to taking the first steps toward an exciting new venture with you.