We’re proud to introduce a MAAARI Blog Series entitled: Being Whole, a collection of inspired works by guest blogger, Kristen Jordan, a Filipinx-Canadian educator, artist, and choreographer who will give us a glimpse into her experience as a young creative in the Filipino Diaspora. We’ll explore concepts of identity, foreignness, connectivity, cultural preservation, and the manifestation of filipino art + culture overseas.

There are over 40 ethnic groups in the Philippines, and the T’boli community is one of the largest in the  country. They’re a colorful group that is distinguished by their vibrant traditional attire, masterly brass adornments, and intricate music.

Though the T’boli are widely known for their idyllic music and Dream Weaver textiles (whose patterns come to them in their dreams and are passed down generations), they’re also distinguished by their metal crafts. T’boli tradition links this craft to Glinton, the god of metalwork, who occupies a stellar space on the T’boli folklore pantheon.

BANGA: A BALANCING ACT The history of the Banga Dance tells us a story of Filipino women’s strength, resilience and grace. Banga (pronounced ba-nga...

Kristine Peñafiel Salviejo brings psychedelic, nostalgic vibes to modern, artisan-made objects, giving life to a new wave of Filipino-American design that appreciates consciousness, history, and experimentation.

LA ROCA: THE HANDS THAT CARVE MAAARI'S MARBLE La Roca is committed to bringing economic opportunities back to the Romblon province of the Philippin...