The Manila Times

At the heart of Pine Ave. in Long Beach, California is a joyful store that is rich with color, unique products, and a culture that is inspired by Long ...

And, I'm part of many communities–the ones I was born into and the ones I chose. I'm also 'masaya' in the brand sense because I'm a Filipino-American who has been influenced by my own culture and the cultures of the people and places I've experienced in my life so far. There have been so many great moments, but really it's when someone stops in front of the shop or comes for an event, walks in, takes everything in and browses, and makes a point to tell me the vibe is refreshing and makes them feel happy. The R2R X Masaya Collection gave us a chance to highlight the stories and beauty behind some of the Philippines' traditional weaves like Binakol and Pinilian and generate support for the talented artisans who produced the products in the collection. They were the people I contacted when I was trying to problem solve on issues that would come up and brainstorm new ideas. My aim this year is to partner with an emerging Filipino artist to create a new mural for the shop. It was important to incorporate references to the ocean and sea life along with a responsible approach to the brands I would sell and the products they make. In fact, I chose the name to honor the spirit of the Filipino people! I wanted the shop to not only be a place for customers to buy high quality, responsibly made goods, but also a place that would tap into their senses and give them different ways to experience the brand. When my husband and I moved to Long Beach, we fell in love with the city for a lot of reasons, and one was the number of small, independent shops selling unique goods. I had the idea to open a shop back in the early aughts when I was living in Brooklyn, New York. I got to know some of the local business owners and began talking to them about their experiences and letting them into my dream.