Mercado Kultura showcases Filipino and Fil-Am artisanal products

More than 20 Filipino and Filipino American brands were featured at the curated makers’ market  #MerkadoKultura. CONTRIBUTED

SAN FRANCISCO – The first-ever Merkado Kultura in San Francisco, showcased handcrafted, artisanal and sustainably made pieces from Filipino and Fil-Am small and medium enterprises, opening for a weekend at the Philippine Consulate General in San Francisco on Oct. 14.

The Philippine brands were Angkan, Anthill, Malingkat Enterprises, Sewn Sandals, Style Ana, Saint C, and Boho Manila.

The Filipino American-owned brands were Alvani & Co, Barbara Lee, Carie Jewelry, Kubo California House of Hara, Lacson Ravello, Lola Severina, Lu France Interiors, Malaya Botanicals, Pili & Blu, Oodalolly, Sarap Now, Filiflavors, Kapwa Baking, Ube Galore Breads & More, 1Export & Shipit.

Trade Commissioner Celynne Layug of the Philippine Trade and Investment Center in Silicon Valley, France Malvar of Lu France Interiors, and Mel Nava of ShipIt and 1Export, welcomed over 20 Filipino makers from the Philippines, and the U.S. Consul General in San Francisco Neil Ferrer led the ribbon-cutting.

“There is no better way to host Merkado Kultura than to celebrate our history and heritage, culture and traditions, artists and artisans this October, recognized across the U.S. as Filipino American History Month,” Consul General Ferrer said.

Filipino visual artist and 2022 National Commission for Culture and the Arts grant recipient Taipan Lucero, also took part in the cultural fair to promote his CalligraFilipino, inspired by the Philippine indigenous script of baybayin.