Independence Day finds: Local brands that make us proud to be Filipino

Proudly Filipino brands have come a long way. Here are some labels that showcase our artistry.

As we celebrate our 127th year of independence from colonial rule, it’s a good idea to take a step back from our everyday worries and remember our forefathers whose blood, sweat, and tears made it possible for us to enjoy the many freedoms we oftentimes take for granted.

While Independence Day celebrations are not as festive or popular as Christmas or New Year, it would be nice to commemorate it in our own little way. We can visit a museum, watch historical films, or if shopping is your mood lifter—why not shop local? Proudly Filipino brands have come a long way from being perceived as inferior. We now have world-class labels from fashion to food, and many more in between. Each one a testament to the creativity, artistry, and talent of Filipinos.

The POST gathers here some local brands, the products of which can help remind us of why there’s so much to be proud of in being Filipino, this Independence Day and beyond.

Casa Juan

Since its founding in 2020, Casa Juan has been producing plates and dining accouterments. Every collection follows an ongoing journey in Philippine life, culture, craft, and heritage. Every plate is designed to ring in the joyful spirit and distinct brand of hospitality known to the archipelago. Every Casa Juan product is a piece of Philippine life in your home.

Working with Philippine artists and designers has also become part of the Casa Juan design narrative. To date, the brand has launched two collections in collaboration with fashion designer Rajo Laurel, and renowned artists Cora Albano and Dominic Rubio.

Its Ibon collection showcases four avian species that are endemic to the country. First is the Palawan Flowerpecker which is found only on the isles of Busuanga, Culion, Calauit, and Calamaines. The high plains of Mt. Kitanglad and Mt. Apo, meanwhile, are home to the Red-Eared Parrot Finch. In Mindanao there is the Cinnamon Ibon or Old-World Sparrow. Lastly, there is the Blue-headed Fan Tail, with its unique color patterns and hues, and found only in Luzon and Catanduanes.

Visit Casa Juan’s website for more. collections

Uswag Artesano

Ideas and designs at Uswag Artesano are hatched organically, honoring the hands that create it. Case in point: the Wicker Wander collection. Its design team plucked out significant touch points from an effort to enrich livelihoods for Leyte’s artisans (spearheaded by its parent company, Abre Linea). From exploratory design residency programs, art installations of basketry were born. These were then rescaled, refined, and polished by artisans of the collective.

Its products echo how Leyte’s artisans continue to grow and evolve. Rooted in the ancient art of basketry, contemporary pieces for both fashion and home are created. They remain vessels of culture that are elevated and evolved to inspire creativity and suit modern lifestyles.

Check out the collections on Uswag Artesano’s website.

Our Little Ideas at Kultura

Our Little Ideas (OLI) started in 2019 as a social enterprise aimed at connecting Gawad Kalinga communities and Bicolano weavers with broader markets through timeless, sustainably-made home products. Their philosophy? To design with intention and tell a story that values culture, craftsmanship, and community.

Their signature product is the handwoven banig throw pillow, which has become emblematic of OLI’s vision. Their banig is made with handloomed fabric from Ragay, Camarines Sur, and handsewn in a Gawad Kalinga community in Batangas. From packaging to product, you’re assured everything is sustainably sourced and locally produced.

Chris Olimpo, OLI co-founder, shares that working with Kultura has pushed them to improve—from better quality control to more refined branding. “Kultura is a great fit because they truly live out their commitment to supporting Filipino craftsmanship and sustainability,” he enthuses.

You can buy Our Little Ideas’ products at selected Kultura branches.

KOKO Living at Kultura

While OLI’s beginnings can be traced to a community-based vision, KOKO Slow Living grew from a personal journey. For founder Koleen Davila Palaganas, the brand is the physical manifestation of her life’s work in sustainable development. She embraces the concept of SLOW Living—an acronym for Sustainable, Local, Organic, and Whole— a philosophy that changed how she lived and eventually how she created.

“I started by shifting to slow food, natural home care, and more mindful living,” she shares. This led to KOKO Living’s first products: candles with the scent of nature, Ayurvedic soaps, and water-based room sprays. Each item is a step toward a gentler, more grounded way of life.

The brand formally launched in early 2025 and its biggest break came when Kultura brought them into its Green Finds collection, first in its Greenhills Mall branch, and now in SM Makati and SM Aura.

You can buy KOKO Living’s products at selected Kultura branches.

ARAO

This Hong Kong-based contemporary fine jewelry brand anchors its identity to its Philippine roots, with the stunning South Sea pearl at the center of its every creation. Founder Mirabel Roser aspires to share the beauty of these pearls to the world, while encouraging women to find the same beauty within.

But ARAO’s pieces are not only beautiful but are also ethical, sourced directly from a sustainable pearl farm in Palawan. Moreover, ARAO’s pearl farmers foster and nurture not only the oysters containing the pearls, but also their habitat.

Producing a single pearl is painstaking. It takes time (four to five years to cultivate) and expertise, making it one of the world’s most valuable gems. Purchasing from ARAO then means owning more than just jewelry but a timeless piece of art.

For more information about ARAO, visit https://thearaolife.com/ and follow it on Instagram @thearaolife.

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Auro Chocolates

You’ll never go wrong with any item from this multi-awarded tree-to-bar chocolate brand. From its classic chocolate bars to newer offerings such as the Balut Choco Egg, each purchase from Auro is directly sourced from local farmers and is made from the finest Filipino cacao beans. From its humble beginnings, it is now the fastest growing premium tree-to-bar chocolate company in the Philippines, with stores across the country, as well as in Japan and Bahrain.

Its bold and unique tropical flavors and creative packaging make for fun gifts to give to chocolate-loving family or friends. Oh, I swear by its Unsweetened Chocolate and White Chocolate tableas for baking, too! With Father’s Day coming hot off the heels of Independence Day, you may want to check out their gift suggestions for dads who love chocolates—methinks your dad will love the 70% Dark Chocolate Paquibato or 50% Dark Milk Regalo Single-Varietal 60G (both P335/bar). Either way, Auro’s chocolates will not disappoint.

You can buy Auro chocolates from its website or in select Kultura branches and major supermarkets nationwide.

Jacinto & Lirio

Here’s another local brand that shines the spotlight on Filipino artistry and craftsmanship. Jacinto & Lirio, which translates to “Hyacinth” and “Lily,” is a social enterprise that transforms water hyacinths—which in excessive numbers can be a burden to river ecosystems—into multi-functional and sustainable vegan leather goods. With every purchase of its premium, eco-friendly leather, you also get to empower families through livelihood generation. Who knew a pretty wallet can be beneficial to the environment and communities, too?

Jacinto & Lirio is known for its minimalist, elegant wallets and journal sleeves, true to its slogan “We make indigenous sexy.” Its products are reasonably priced, too, with wallets starting at P933 and journals going for as low as P1,088. It also has Father’s Day bundles which you can check out here.

You can order Jacinto & Lirio’s products from its website.

Tsaa Laya

While we may not have a rich tea culture—Filipinos prefer a cup of coffee—I’m afraid, this brand is trying to promote our lesser known herbal tradition. Tsaa Laya’s natural blends feature herbs, spices, and fruits sourced from all over the archipelago, using traditional recipes passed down through generations. Teas are never not comforting, and with Tsaa Laya’s tea selection, you’d take even more comfort in the fact that the brand supports local farmers.

You can choose from Tsaa Laya’s surprisingly wide range of selections: Lemon Ginger, Tanglad (Lemongrass), Pandan, Bughaw (butterfly pea flowers and lemongrass), Tropical Summer, Soothing Comfort, Pure Mint, Ube Dream, and its two iced tea blends Red Tango and Island Kiss. Prices start at P378 for a canister of 10 teabags.