Kollective Hustle’s Holiday Food Guide 2022

Finding the perfect holiday gifts for your family, friends and significant other seems to get harder every year, but don't worry: we've scoured the internet to find the very best presents to impress even your fanciest Tita.  Our list this years not only represents quality made products that would make both the gift-giver and the gift-receiver proud, but they come from brands owned by Filipino American entrepreneurs whose story and mission bring inspiration to us all. 

1. Sunkissed Pinay Men's Filipino Sun Cufflinks

If you are on Instagram at all, you may be familiar with Sunkissed Pinay’s Uber-popular Araw earrings, which we are already obsessed with! But something for the men: Philippines Sun Cufflinks are the perfect way to customize your formal attire- from weddings, to black tie events- Sunkissed Pinay’s lovely Philippines flag sun cufflinks for a hint of Filipino pride in all you do.  They come in stainless steel, black or gold options and you can even order custom engraving for a personal touch.

Maria, the creator of Sunkissed Pinay, started the company when she couldn’t find much that embodied he love for our country and what she was looking for when she was in the PH.  She grew up in the US but went to college in the Philippines at De La Salle University.  Before she came back to the US to work a regular job, she got into making simple bead jewelry!  “I wanted to buy some dangle earrings and couldn't find anything that I liked so my boyfriend at the time brought me to Quiapo to buy jewelry making supplies.  With some trial and error, I eventually learned how to make simple bead jewelry and started selling Swarovski and pearl bracelets to friends and family for a few months."

2. WOUNDED HEALING ART Raveena Carnelian Choker

Wounded Healing Art’s Reveena Choker uses Carnelian, a high vibration crystal that grounds and anchors you to the present reality. It breathes life into those who feel apathetic by restoring vitality, increasing motivation, and stimulating creativity. This necklace is among a high vibrational collection featuring other earrings, necklaces and glasses chains that will be sure to make your giftee feel special and in tune with their romantic and spiritual side. 

Wounded Healing Art is a woman-owned shop that gives the designs of its founder, Cheska, a place to thrive. Cheska started the brand after finishing a draining first year of graduate school IN 2019. She felt like she was losing herself in the process of a demanding program and saw her entire identity was being tied to her work as a counselor and educator, something she did not want to perpetuate. In search of herself outside of my professional work, she started attending transformational music festivals and was absolutely in awe of all the creative energy she was surrounded with. She found herself rediscovering her creative energy from when she was high school and her love for creating jewelry and other adornments. With that, Wounded Healing Art was born.

3. MAARI Balance Incense Box

MAAARI’s Balance Incense Box is a perfect trinket for the mystic dreamer in your life. Pair it with the brands Calamansi incense stick and your giftee will be feeling all kinds of zen pretty instantly. 

MAAARI creates swoon-worthy and sustainable products that are rooted in age-old Filipinx traditions. Fil-Am owned and operated since 2016 by Ivy Ocampo and Jeanette Sawyer, MAAARI features beautiful minimalistic jewelry/accessories and Pinterest-worthy home goods. MAAARI (ma’a’a•ri’) in Tagalog means “what is possible” and “can be done.”

4. Back Beat Co. Tencel Seersucker Slip Dress and Button Down

The perfect throw-on, feel good dress (and matching button down). This lightweight and flowy dress is made from a our silky soft Tencel seersucker with a drop waist, slit + pockets. The perfect dress for all Holiday parties and the fashionista who appreciates well-made and built to last items.

Back Beat Co. is a WOC/Filipina owned, California-born clothing brand focused on ethically made non-boring basics. They pride themselves in using organic, recycled and other low-impact fabrics to create high comfort and fun styles with nods to old school surf 'n' skate culture. Many of their items are also unisex.

5. Beis’ Air Collection Travel System

We’re loving Beis’ Expandable Duffle and Large Checkin Roller for the wanderlusters in your life. They come in rich tonal hues and look ultra lux and better yet, they won't break the bank!

As Founder and CEO, Filipina Canadian actress, model turned entrepreneur, Shay Mitchell is not a stranger to fashion or traveling. She’s involved in every aspect of BÉIS' business, bringing her unique expertise as a world traveler to the product development and design, her influence to marketing and content creation, and her unending passion to turn dreams into reality. Launched in 2018, Beis is a travel brand built on the concept of giving every consumer the chance to own stylish luggage that doesn’t break the bank. 

6. Mally Beauty Bestsellers Kit

Everything your bestie needs for a fab-face is right here with this collection of high-performance Mally Beauty products that we can’t get enough of. The Bestsellers Kit was created to help you create a brightening everyday look through a carefully curated selection of products that includes Mally’s super popular Face Defender with Sponge can be used as a makeup primer and as a finishing touch to lock in your makeup and/or it can be worn alone as a skin perfecter, Positive Radiance Skin Perfecting Highlighter, and the Evercolor Shadow Stick in two gorgeous shades Burnished Bronze (Shimmer) and Empowering Lilac (Shimmer) to sculpt and shade lids. 

Mally Beauty is a makeup company founded by Filipina American Mally Roncal, former makeup artist of many A-list celebrities including Jennifer Lopez and Beyonce. She’s also recently finished a book entitled Love, Lashes and Lipstick, an inspirational guide to living a gorgeous life inside and out, with step-by-step beauty lessons and personal stories about how inner strength, a positive outlook, and plenty of mascara can empower and uplift women at every age.

7. Kwento Comics Mask of Haliya, Issues 1 and 2

For the gamers and Comic-Con goers in your life, nothing quite beats the first and second issue of what is sure to be an instant classic in the comic canon. 

From the all-female/ all-Asian run Kwento Comics, the wonderful team behind The Mask of Haliya has created an epic story line that leaves the door wide open to explore more than just the wonderful and confusing world of Philippine Mythologies.  Artist Renoida Renovilla whose work makes each page turn an absolute thrill coupled with the incredibly engaging story written by Kaitlyn Fajilan.

8. Reppin Pins x Eight Four Three

Looking for stocking stuffers for all your little cousins? Look no further than Reppin Pins’ collab with Chitown based specialty shop, Eight Four Three. Between Skyflakes and Jollibee, Banana Ketchup and rice cookers, your favorites pin collectors can sport their Pinoy Pride with the cutest kitschy enamel pins.

Chicago based, Reppin Pins were created so you can #repwhatyoulove.

9. Love Seresa Naks Hat and Buy Me Lumpia Tote

Who can’t get enough of graphic inspired cultural accessories? We for sure can’t and think this tote or trucker hat would be great gift for anyone on your list.

Etsy Shop owner, Lauren Barrera created Love, Seresa to share her art of all mediums.  She wanted to create a shop that provided thoughtfully designed goods mixing in branding that spoke to the pride she has in her culture. “Seresa” translates to cherry in Tagalog. She prides herself in being part of two beautifully vibrant cultures, being that her mother is Filipino and  father is Mexican. Lauren named her shop after her mother Cherry (fun fact: her name is actually spelled like the fruit too) and is proud she was always taught to take pride in her roots.

10. Repurpose Legacy One of Kind Kimono Robe

For the eco-fashionistas in your life who always love having one of a kind pieces in her wardrobe, Repurpose Legacy has kimono style robes, jackets and terno shrugs made from luxury overstock fabrics. Their styles and sizing is unisex and great for that special gift for the someone in your life that has it all. 

Repurpose Legacy is a woman-owned business established in 2022 by Filipina-Americans: fashion designer, Jhoanna Alba, and In Her Purpose co-founders, Rose Buado and Jennifer Redondo-Marquez. Repurpose Legacy is a collaboration featuring upcycled fashion with a purpose. Driven by an innovative and experienced team, Repurpose Legacy  creates pieces that have individuality and longevity that appeal to the wearer's imagination, conscience, and heart. Our pieces are locally made in Los Angeles, California, USA.

11. Aroma De Merrie Soy Candles and Reed Diffusers

For the homebody in your life that can never get enough candles, Aroma De Merrie has a collection of fine soy candles and reed diffusers with luxurious scent options such as Parisian Oud, Sandalwood, Cashmere and Lavender Sage and Rosemary to impress even the most discerning of olfactory nerves.

Aroma De Merrie's mission is to create home fragrances with captivating scents, beautiful minimalist design, and the best ingredients. Essentially, everything we love about luxury home fragrance - but at accessible prices. Hand poured in small batches in New York City and is Filipino Owned. All their dreamy scents are made from 100% natural soy wax and natural reed diffuser base a completely renewable resource that is cleaner and lasts longer, blended with high quality essential oils and fragrance oils. All essential oils and fragrances are paraben-free, phthalate-free, and are never tested on animals.

12. Berna Anat's New Book "Money Out Loud"

In this fully-illustrated, deeply-unserious guide to money, Berna Anat—aka, the Financial Hype Woman—freaks out her immigrant parents by doing the unthinkable: Talking about money. Loudly. This book is quite possibly the book we all need. From adults who need to reshape their relationship with money, to new grads who could use an honest but easy to understand look at how finances can lay the groundwork for their future.

Berna Anat is a Financial Hype Woman, which is her made-up way of saying she creates financial education media that lives at @HeyBerna all over the Internet. After slaying her $50,000 debt, she saved up to quit life and has been traveling the world trying to make money fun again ever since. Facts about Berna: has dropped her money mic at venues such as the Girlboss Rally, Google and The Wing, and her work has been featured on platforms such as Forbes, The New York Times, and Buzzfeed. Berna was recently named one of ABS-CBN's Global Pinoy Idols, awarded to the 10 most influential Filipinx people in the United States. Yes, she's Filipina. Yes, she's sure.

13. How Bout Knot Macrame Gifts

How Bout Knot's Handmade Macrame plant holders, key chains and wall art are super swoon worthy for that person on your list that appreciates items hand made with love (and gives back!) 5% of all processed are donated to Liyang Network, in solidarity with indigenous communities in Mindanao, Philippines.

How About Knot's founder is Kristian Espiritu. Based in NYC, Kristian, who is also an actor and singer, launched her brand in 2020 in response to the shutdown during the pandemic and the social injustices against Black, indigenous and POC bodies. Weaving together their passion for storytelling, sustainability, and solidarity, their hand-tied macramé is meant to spark compassion and curiosity for the Self, for the earth, and for others.

14. Magpie Alchemy Ayat Oil

Do you have a clean beauty or wellness guru in your life? If so, this range of skincare is a one stop shop if they love plant-based apothecary style products. Our fave? The Ayat Oil.

Ayat means love in Ilocano not familiar love, but lover's love. This oil was originally designed as an oil cleanser but after spending more time with it, we realized how sensual and luscious it truly is. This is an everything oil.  This multi-purpose oil can be used skin, hair and nails. You can warm it up in your hands and apply to your skin as an oil cleanser to exfoliate and remove sebaceous filament. Since oil removes oil, this is a great and gentle way to remove build up in your pores. Finish with one of our hydrosols to lock in the hydration.

Magpie Alchemy provides botanical skincare, CBD and self care products. The owners’ wellness journey began when their daughter Maggie (Magpie) was born, and they wanted to take charge of their family’s health. Their choice to limit exposure to chemicals and artificial ingredients led them to research and study how their ancestors used the healing power of plants to take care of their bodies. All the products found in their urban apothecary are, according to them, “equal parts science and love.”

15. Marharlika Crown Head Bands

Marharlika’s Reyna Headband was conceptualized in May of 2019, where founder Mariel Lyn (Mar) Velicaria sketched out the first version of it on their spiral notebook. After a trip to the crafts store for some gold wire, a gold headband, and pliers, Mar made the first reiteration of what is new the Reyna Headband. Named after the Tagalog words for princess, Mar posted it online to share with her friends their creation. What they didn't expect is the mass response of people who wanted a Reyna Headband of their own. Mar made a small stock of 24 at first, but since they were still trying to finish their last quarter at UC San Diego, they decided to hold off any plans of making the Reyna Headbands a real business. 

However, in April of 2020, the fate of the Reyna Headband quickly changed. Due to a viral pass the brush video that Mar and some of her friends were a part of, the Reyna Headband's popularity blew up even more than before, resulting to Mar finally sitting down and launching Marharlika, an accessories brand for the modern Philippine person. With the launch stock selling out in five minutes, it's obvious to see that Marharlika is a needed brand for philippine people from around the world.

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Written By Onelia Miller

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