Brim Branding

Come see my art piece that will be featured in an upcoming exhibit at Epiphany Center for the Arts () called Unwrapping Lumpia: Deconstructing the Filipino American Identity from September 20th - November 8th!

Unwrapping Lumpia features the work of thirty-eight Filipino American artists in an exhibit that delves into the complexities of Filipino American identity and the experiences of individuals within this community.

RSVP to the opening reception on September 20th, 6-9pm. (Link in bio.) ALL are welcome! We want to make this the BIGGEST opening night Epiphany has ever seen. I want to see YOU there!

AND as the unfathomable cherry on top, I’m also honored that my piece was selected to be the promotional image for the exhibit?! (Ahhhwhaaaaat?! 🤯)

And this wouldn’t have been possible without the loving support of Brim Hubby (); the adoration from my biggest fan Brim Baby; the warmth and welcoming into this community by exhibit curator, genius, and activist Cesar Conde (); the benevolent leadership of Geri Martinez-Benz () founder of Sinag () and the all-encompassing grace and engagement of Julie Carpenter, Director of Art & Programming at Epiphany. I’m also excited to connect with Zarina Docken of Likhaya ( & ), whose energy has been instrumental in establishing & promoting this exhibit.

See you at the reception on September 20th, 6-9pm! It will be an evening filled with multi-levels of art, live music, drinks, and lively mingling, all in a unique space that is Epiphany. 🖼️ 🎸🥂⛪️

Happy National Dog Day! Shoutout to Dr. Emmett Brown the Boston Terrier! Other nicknames for him include, “Doc,” “Dr. Brown,” and “Sir Emmett,” my family and I also call him our gentle and sensitive Boo Boo boy since he’s so attuned to emotions. I also call him my shadow since he follows me around everywhere like the loyal and good boy that he is. He’s got a funny and playful side, too! He makes our family laugh with his quirky Doc-isms. Just look at that face! It’s bittersweet to watch him evolve from puppy of our Snort Pack trio which composed of Angel, Ariel, and Emmett, to now entering his old man era. He’ll always be my sweet little puppy Doc. 💜

And other canine babies in the family who now live on Rainbow Bridge ans forever in my heart: Alex the Boston Terrier, Max the long-haired Dachshund, Angel the Boston Terrier, Briggs the Bullsmastiff, Winston the Puggle, and Ariel the French Bulldog.

Dogs are truly magical creatures, and we don’t deserve them. ❤️❤️❤️🐶🐾 Tell me about your doggie!

Thank you so much to Sinag () for welcoming me as a member! Sinag (SEE-nag) means “ray of light,” and I see that Sinag uplifts artists, amplifies voices, and spotlights individuals. Sinag is truly a Ray of Light for Fil-Am artists, and I’m excited to be a part of it.

Sinag founder Geri Martinez-Benz () is passionate about activating local artists and creating community. (And she is super talented. Please check out her work!) Maraming salamat, Geri, for your warm welcome, and maraming salamat, Cesar (), for inviting me to join! And maraming salamat to (Viola) .artstudio for sharing laughs with me during my first Sinag meeting!

If you’re a Fil-Am artist in Chicago or the greater Chicago area, apply to join Sinag! It’s a welcoming space, and we’re already planning exciting events for October (Fil-Am History Month).

Michigan Councilwoman and Congressional nominee Angela Rogensues () is in Chicago for the Democratic National Convention! 🇺🇸💙

In 2022, we designed Angela’s brand. Our deliverables included logos and a style guide that featured brand-in-use examples such as rally posters, buttons, lawn signs, and more. With the style guide as the brand blueprint, Angela’s team was able to create a full suite of campaign marketing tools.

I knew Angela was a person of selflessness and integrity when during our Discovery Session, she said, “There’s not a whole lot I won’t do for people.” She further expressed how she doesn’t want anyone to ever feel helpless or hopeless. She cares deeply and works FOR the people.

I’m proud I was a part of her team, and I cheer her on while she works tirelessly for the people of Michigan.

In need of your own political branding? DM to start shaking up your brand identity with style, authenticity, and creative culture!

How is your business doing? Have you told your brand story well? If something is still on your branding wishlist, let us be your genie. [insert genie blink sound here]🧞‍♀️

Kalayaan! (pronounced kah-lah-YAH-ahn) means “Freedom!” June 12 is Philippine Independence Day commemorating the declaration of Philippine independence from Spain in 1898 after over 300 years of Spanish rule. 🇵🇭🎉 As a Filipino-American, I honor those who have fought for our kalayaan.

We at are thrilled and thankful for the wonderful honor of receiving an Honorable Mention in the 2023 Creative Communication Award !⁠
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To receive this acknowledgment from a prestigious organization gives me the energy and inspiration to continue working on my craft of typography design and spotlighting fellow BIPOC and AANHPI designers. Thank you so much for providing an opportunity for creative minds to submit and showcase our work!⁠
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What a perfect way to kick off Filipino American History Month!⁠
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Here are a handful of Brim Baby’s favorite children’s books that have been in rotation in honor of Black History Month:

📕 Ada Twist, Scientist (written by Andrea Beaty, illustrated by David Roberts) - This charming book encourages curiosity and love for STEM. There’s also a message for parents to practice patience when their child works through this curiosity with sometimes-cluttery results. Brim Baby loves the Seussian-esque rhymes and quirky illustrations. She also enjoys pointing out what Ada and her family are doing on each spread: “She standing there.” “Uh oh! The cat!” “That’s her mommy.” “That’s her daddy.”

📕 Milo’s Museum (written by Zetta Elliott, illustrated by Purple Wong) - This is an empowering story about a young person taking action when she doesn’t see herself or her community represented in her local museum. We’ve been reading this one since Brim Baby was an infant, and she’s now become invested in Milo and her family and loves pointing them out as well: “That’s Milo’s poppa.” “That’s Milo’s aunt.”

📕 Little Leaders: Bold Women in Black History (written and illustrated by Vashti Harrison)- This must-have is a collection of short biographies of notable women in black history. Brim Baby enjoys the beautiful illustrations while I read about the incredible histories of so SO many women who have made an impact.

How about you? What are your favorite social justice books for littles?

I had the pleasure of visiting Bunches () and hand-picked these flowers to make a simple bunch. 💐 I got caught up exchanging pleasantries with the owner (who comped one of these stems, thank you!!) that I totally forgot to ask what each of these beauties even are!

Do you happen to know? (I’m looking at you, 😁)

I enjoyed my maiden voyage of making musubi (yes, vegan!) last week! Musubi is a dish traditionally made of a slice of Spam stacked on a formed stack of rice and wrapped with nori.

The aesthetically pleasing forms gave way to deliciously naughty, flavorful bites bursting with salt. It was the reward for trying something new and creative in the kitchen.

Recipe by

I’m taking a cue from Lisa Beasley (): *Listening.* I can’t remember the last time I *listened* to Martin Luther King Jr’s speech, any of them, in its entirety.

So instead of posting an MLK quote and calling it a day, I’m reflecting on his words and how we can preserve the legacy of his mission today. And if you already posted a quote or dedication, that’s okay!

But I invite you to also listen. Not only to the man we honor today but to the Black community and how we can do better.

January is International Creativity Month! And so what better time to have this milestone: Brim Baby PAINTED for the first time ever! 🎨 She is a natural. It’s so fulfilling to see her freely create and explore with no fear. I’m so proud! Happy International Creativity Month!

One of my favorite things to make is onigiri. It’s so pleasing to the aesthetics and the tummy! I was so excited for Brim Baby to try it. She loved it! I’m hoping it’s a dish that will become a favorite of hers. 🍙❤️

We established a new New Year’s Eve tradition: Making and enjoying “Chicken Adobo,” a Filipino dish that we’ve veganized with plant-based chicken. And Brim Baby loves it! It’s SO GOOD and tangy.

It’s deeply fulfilling for me to make traditional Filipino food for my family that aligns with our values.

It’s , so I invite you to explore ways you can help make the planet, animals, and your body better by having at least one fully plant-based day in your week.

What’s a traditional family dish that you enjoy making?

We made it to 2022! These are the eyes of a tired mama. But they are also the eyes of a woman who is grateful and hopeful.

2021 gave us a mixed bag of fear, reunion, frustration, and joy. Ultimately, all I know is that I started 2021 with not being able to hug my family and friends and ended with ALL the hugs. ❤️

After a day with a boundlessly curious and energetic toddler, my NYE was deliciously low key with PJs, bubbly, vegan cheese and crackers, olives, and ‘Hawkeye.’ Happy New Year! I wish you peace, love, health, and kindness. ✨🎉

It’s my favorite time of year: New bullet journal setup! How satisfying is it to see these colors?

I’ve been bullet journaling since 2017, and I didn’t think I’d keep it up for this long, let alone keep it up after having a baby in 2019. But it’s a testament to how approachable and adaptable the bujo system is for your needs.

Message to my past adolescent and teenage self who couldn’t keep up a diary past 1 month: We’re doing it!! 😆🙌🏽🎉

If you bullet journal, let me know! Or if you don’t but would like to start, let me know! 📕

What do you call a project that flawlessly intersects your two passions? It's called a dream project. In this case, it's lettering and social good. ⁠
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A dear friend and client gave me the honor of designing lettering to be custom printed on wood coasters to be given as Christmas presents for her and her partner's families and friends. How thoughtful is that?? Seriously. Gifting goals. ⁠
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As per the card that came with their gift, "The phrase, 'Bread For All, and Roses, Too,' is a rallying cry from the women's suffrage movement in the early 1900s. The slogan became synonymous with a major labor strike at a textile mill in Massachusetts, which helped improve working conditions in mills across the country by appealing for fair wages and dignified conditions."⁠
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I support the modern labor movement. Everyone deserves a job that offers a living wage with safe working conditions.⁠
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I'd love to do more lettering projects that intersect with social movements, so let me know if you have one that we can do together!⁠⁠⁠
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Entrepreneurship is in my blood. My maternal grandparents owned and operated a tailor shop in Manila, Philippines. My paternal grandparents owned and operated a seafood distribution company in Bacolod, Cebu, and Dumaguete, Philippines.⁠
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With both me and my brother running our own respective businesses, I feel proud to live under the entrepreneurial legacy of our grandparents, especially since our parents made the courageous leap to immigrate to the U.S. in hopes of establishing new roots.⁠
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As I approach my 13th year in business as a brand designer, I’m excited to continue my work of shaking up new brand identities with style and authenticity.⁠

(Thanks to Mom and Dad who dove into the archives and provided these rare photos.)
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