OUR FAVORITE THINGS Move over Oprah, we’ve got a few of our favorite things and favorite people on this list. Get to know these creative and talented Filipino-American artistentrepreneurs! Learn about THEIR favorite Holiday Dishes and Traditions. Then go shop at their online stores, visit their brick and mortar businesses or stop by their booths the next time they pop-up.
PARA SA YO shopparasayo.com
Step into the enchanting world of Para Sa'Yo, founded by sisters Michele and Anna-Marie Josue. “Para Sa Yo” is Tagalog for “For You.” This online retail shop goes beyond mere gift-giving, spotlighting the diverse talents of the Filipinx community through meticulously curated, hand-packed gift boxes.Whether a heartfelt surprise or a cherished keepsake, Para Sa'Yo transforms every occasion into a moment of connection, offering a personal and artful touch to the timeless act of giving.
PARA SA YO Check out the Pinoy Pride box which features Carlos Bulosan's memoir "America is in the Heart: A Personal History," "Made in the Philippines" or "Filipino AF" Unisex or Women's cotton tshirt from Araw-Araw store, Philippine heart enamel pin from Le Petite Elefant and a “So Filipino” sticker by designer Lorenz Ortiz. Another one to try, especially for the foodies in your life, is the Kain Tayo (Let's Eat) box which features the New York Times Best Cookbook "I Am a Filipino and This is How We Cook" by Miguel Trinidad, 2 handwoven Inabel placemats, and Philippine artisanal sea salt (Ilocos asin) We asked Michele Josue, an Emmy Award-winning Filipino-American Director, about her own favorite holiday traditions and her favorite dish. “Growing up, every Christmas Michele’s critically acclaimed Eve, my family and I would wait feature-film debut "Matt Shepard until midnight to open all our is a Friend of Mine" is the Christmas presents. So that’s a winner of 10 Best Documentary tradition that we have stuck to and Audience Choice Awards from up until now,” said Michele. And festivals worldwide and boasts a her favorite dish during the 100% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. holidays? Cebuchon! “I save up She was also the Executive my appetite all day for it, “ Producer and Director of “Happy she said. Jail,” a Netflix Original Documentary Series about the Filipino jail that is home to the world-famous “Dancing Inmates” known for their viral Michael Jackson dance video.
OUR FAVORITE THINGS Filipinta Beauty filipinta.com
The first thing you notice about any Filipinta product is its gorgeous design and whimsical vibe. Filipinta Beauty is a small beauty brand that aims to celebrate Philippine culture, all while enhancing and embracing the unique, distinct beauty of every Filipina. The name "Filipinta" itself is a clever fusion of "Filipina" and "pinta (to paint),” embodying the concept of "face paint for Filipinas." Conceived by New York-based multimedia designer Hana K. in 2019, Filipinta Beauty emerged as a passion project that blossomed into a thriving small business with a supportive community.
DREAM COLLAB WITH JOLLIBEE (ABOVE) AND A REAL COLLAB WITH DEANEY WEANEY BLOOMS (LEFT)
OUR FAVORITE THINGS Hana, the Creative Director, lends her design prowess to craft alluring packaging and design materials, seamlessly blending her love for product and packaging design with a commitment to elevating her motherland's rich cultures, beliefs, and people. She also gets help from product developer Jasel who is in charge of the creation and curation of products, as well as management in the Philippines. More than just a cosmetic brand, Filipinta is a testament to the creativity, humor and passion of Filipinos, as exemplified by the brand’s founder and designer Hana K. Filipinta products like “Banana Ketchup lipgloss” and Lumpia eyeshadow palette evoke nostalgia and whimsy.
As for holiday favorites, Hana says: “I love how Christmas starts as early as September and the holidays just stretch out till the 2nd week of January. My lola would blast Christmas music nonstop all December and put up so many Christmas lights outside.” Favorite dish: “Cathedral Jelly Cake!!”
ENSAYMADA PROJECT ensaymadaproject.com
OUR FAVORITE THINGS
No Noche Buena feast is complete without delicious ensaymada, handmade brioche buns made from yeast, butter, sugar and topped with grated cheese. And our favorites are from the Ensaymada Project, Chari Heredia-Reyes' baking project that began in 2009. Chari is a teacher turned baker who still uses her mother's original ensaymada recipe. However, she has created a variety of flavors as well. You can get Chari's ensaymadas from her store in Newhall, CA or at one of her pop-ups. On Sundays, you can find them at Smorgasburg in LA. In addition to traditional ensaymada flavors Queso de Bola and Classic Cheese, Ensaymada Project also offers flavors like Mocha Nutella, Maple Bacon, Mango, Ube Halaya, Thai Tea Oreo and more. Chari shares: "My favorite Christmas tradition is Misa de Gallo (Dawn Mass) with my mom! Waking up at 330 am to catch the 4 am mass that goes for 9 days till Christmas Eve because we would always have puto bumbong and all those special kakanins (rice cakes) after, and it was the best way to celebrate Christmas! My favorite holiday dish is "ensaymadas with jamon (ham) that my mom would make only for Christmas!"
TEOFILO COFFEE teofilocoffeecompany.com
OUR FAVORITE THINGS
Teofilo Coffee is a family-owned specialty coffee roastery serving freshly roasted Philippine coffee. Since 2017, their focus has been to reintroduce Philippine coffee through its unique characteristics and flavors. Teofilo's founder, Ron Dizon, often confesses to not being a "coffee guy" but is driven by wanting to "give back." In his words: "So the big goal here is to make people realize that the Philippines has special coffee, why can't we be regarded like Guatemala, Brazil,Italy, Kenya, etc.etc in the late 1700 hundreds we were the biggest coffee producers. Now the way I see it, this can help the Philippines economically because they will stimulate their coffee production and improve the coffee standards. It can also increase tourism for people to view coffees being processed in return to help the country." Visit the cafe in Los Alamitos, CA. Shop online at teofilocoffeecompany.com or find them at a pop-up or Filipino festival. Ron shares some of his favorites: “My favorite Filipino holiday tradition is celebrating with extended family on Christmas Eve and having Filipino breakfast with immediate family (on Christmas morning). My favorite food is sinigang, and bola bola soup , coffee ”
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OUR FAVORITE THINGS A DUCK AMUCK aduckamuck.com
Erwin Ong is the self-taught Filipino-Chinese artist/illustrator behind A Duck Amuck Art and Gifts, an online store selling prints, apparel, cards, notebooks and stickers with his original whimsical designs. He also does pop-ups and art commissions. If you’ve been to a Fil-Am Market in New York, then you’ve probably seen A Duck Amuck around and chances are you met the friendly artist. According to Erwin: “My favorite Filipino Christmas tradition is hanging my parol at home ”
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FOODIE What does Filipina-American foodie creator/YouTuber Jeanelle Castro aka @jeanelleats like more than creating videos about food? Making and actually eating food! She especially likes sharing Filipino food and culture with her over 130,000 Instagram followers and 1.5 Million subscribers on YouTube! This holiday season she launched a content series focusing on cookies, which she dubbed "The 12 Days of Cookiemas." She shares with us the recipe for a Filipino favorite called "Lengua de Gato (Spanish for Cat's Tongue)," a thin butter cookie made with butter, flour, sugar, eggs, milk. When asked about her favorite Filipino holiday traditions, she said: "My favorite Christmas tradition is going to our family’s ginormous Filipino party. We do it every Christmas Eve. Even while we’re traveling, my boyfriend (Doug) will always make sure we’re able to attend the party " Same girl, same.
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Find Jeanelle’s Pandan Lengua de Gato Cookies recipe on our Substack filamjam.com and on her site jeanelleats.com
ABOUT THE COVER
MEET TIMOTHY OBAR @timmytwo_tone How would you describe yourself and what you do? I’m a SoCal-based creative designer, specializing in marketing and direction. Cofounder of Tambayan Collective, I enjoy community-based projects and designing cool stuff. I’m a coffee addict, a total aesthete, and have an eclectic taste in music. Find me at art shows, geeking out over timeless architecture, or enjoying some street photography! Tell us about the cover... I got creative inspo from different album covers including Anderson .Paak's collage by Dewey Saunders. My design aims to showcase diverse aspects of the Philippines, featuring a balikbayan box overflowing with popular snacks, everyday items, and iconic symbols - a perfect reflection of our diverse culture and landscape. What's your favorite Filipino holiday tradition and favorite food? I really love family get-togethers filled with jokes and good-natured trash talk. The potluck vibe is my favorite - you'll catch me loading up on Lechon or Sisig and ending the night with a creamy fruit salad.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
MARS Editor & Publisher Designer JAMIN Music Contributor TIMOTHY Cover Art filamjam.com @filamjam on Instagram Copyright 2024. FILAMJAM All Rights Reserved