Filipino Mother's Day Gifts

Product Features

• Double-sided Tatreez (the traditional art of Palestinian embroidery) keychain, handmade by Asia, a Palestinian refugee currently based in Cavite, Philippines.
• One side features the Palestinian flag, while the other showcases the Philippine flag, symbolizing solidarity.
• Please note that slight variations in color shades may occur due to the handmade nature and limited supply of this craft.

A Message from the Artist

I am Asia, a Palestinian from Gaza, Palestine. I am married to a Palestinian-Filipino and have two children. My husband and I both hold bachelor's degrees in accounting. We had a beautiful life filled with peace, love, and a home with warmth and tranquility.

However, because of the war in Gaza and the tragic hardships we faced, including fear, and the lack of basic necessities like water, electricity, food, and medical care. We were forced to make a difficult choice. We had to decide between staying in dangerous and unbearable conditions or leaving for the Philippines in search of peace and safety, even if it meant leaving my family behind in these dire circumstances.

We managed to come to the Philippines, leaving behind our home, family, city, and countless memories. At the time, I was pregnant with my daughter, Mela. Just a week after arriving here, I gave birth to her prematurely, in the eighth month of my pregnancy. The events in Gaza, combined with the exhaustion from travel, took a toll on me. Mela had to stay in the hospital nursery, and sadly, I wasn’t able to see her at first.

Next month will be my baby’s first birthday, but unfortunately, my lovely home in Gaza has been completely destroyed. In the midst of these challenges, I started a small business called Asia Embroidery as a source of income for my family. It was here that I discovered my talent for embroidery. I had only embroidered one piece before in Palestine (it was a Hello Kitty, lol).

Now, I create each piece with love and joy. I currently make keychains, paintings, necklaces, bracelets, rings, book dividers, and more. I also have new ideas that I look forward to designing in the future.

Proceeds

100% of the profits will be donated between Asia’s community, the Gazan families who were displaced and now rebuilding their lives across the Philippines. For the updated donation amounts and transparency report, please check out this link.

Kalayaan means Liberation. In honour and manifestation of the liberation of our people, and our collective freedom from oppression.

Product Features

• A barong is a traditional Filipino formal shirt. Our barong tote is crafted from a mix of Jusilyn fabric—a blend of silk and polyester—and piña (pineapple) fibers.
• The print, designed by Pinay Collection founder Jovie Galit, is fully embroidered onto the fabric by our partner artisan in Laguna, Philippines, who also sources, sews and dyes the bags.
• Totes are double-lined ensuring it's not sheer and can protect your items.
• The tote measures 10 x 15 inches.

Proceeds

15% of each tote sale supports movements advancing the rights and justice for Pinay political prisoners in Mandaluyong, farmers and peasant communities in Batangas, and the LGBTQIA+ liberation movement in the Philippines. All in support of our community partners in the Philippines, GABRIELA/Free Our Sisters, Free Ourselves, Bahaghari, and Sugarfolks Unity for Genuine Agrarian Reform.

Care instructions: 

• Please do not put in the washer or soak in water.
• To clean, lightly rub the soiled area with small amount of water and detergent. Do not scrub harshly. Use cotton buds or any light cleaning material as tool.
• Do not iron. Steam at low.
• Tip: To protect your barong, consider using a professional dry cleaner if needed.

The Babae Barong Tote pays tribute to the women who get called names imposed on them by society—names that sought to silence, but instead became seeds of strength and reclaiming power over the words meant to wound.

Words found in the tote include: walang hiya (shameless), mahina (weak), walang utang na loob (ungrateful), makulit (pesky), madaldal (chatty), suplada (snob), gaga (silly), makasarili (selfish), tsismosa (gossiper), baliw (crazy), maarte (extra), bruha (witch), maldita (bitchy), malandi (flirty), babae (woman).

Product Features

• A barong is a traditional Filipino formal shirt. Our barong tote is crafted from a mix of Jusilyn fabric—a blend of silk and polyester—and piña (pineapple) fibers.
• The print, designed by Pinay Collection founder Jovie Galit, is fully embroidered onto the fabric by our partner artisan in Laguna, Philippines, who also sources, sews and dyes the bags.
• Totes are double-lined ensuring it's not sheer and can protect your items.
• The tote measures 10 x 15 inches.

Proceeds

15% of each tote sale supports movements advancing the rights and justice for Pinay political prisoners in Mandaluyong, farmers and peasant communities in Batangas, and the LGBTQIA+ liberation movement in the Philippines. All in support of our community partners in the Philippines, GABRIELA/Free Our Sisters, Free Ourselves, Bahaghari, and Sugarfolks Unity for Genuine Agrarian Reform.

Care instructions: 

• Since the Black Barong totes are dyed, please do not put in the washer or soak in water.
• To clean, lightly rub the soiled area with small amount of water and detergent. Do not scrub harshly. Use cotton buds or any light cleaning material as tool.
• Do not iron. Steam at low.
• Tip: To protect your barong, consider using a professional dry cleaner if needed.

Sinigang is a classic comfort food—so why has it become too expensive for many Filipino families? A single serving of sinigang for a family of five, good for just two meals, now costs ₱575. That might not seem like much to some, but for workers earning poverty wages, farmers barely breaking even, and families living paycheck to paycheck, it's an impossible price. The very people who grow the vegetables, catch the fish, and sell the rice, the backbone of the country’s food system, can’t even afford to eat what they produce.

This is why the Philippine labour movement’s call for “Sahod Itaas. Presyo Ibaba.” (Raise Wages. Lower Prices.) is urgent. Skyrocketing food costs, corporate greed, and government neglect have turned hunger into a daily reality. Wages remain stagnant, farmers are forced to sell their harvests for next to nothing, and imported goods flood the markets, making local production unsustainable. The system is rigged—those who feed the nation are left to starve.

Proceeds

15% of the profits from each sale of this product goes to Bagsakan Farmers and Sugarfolks' Unity for Genuine Agricultural Reform (SUGAR). Bagsakan Farmers are a group of farmers from San Jose Del Monte, Bulacan, who has been experiencing exploitation and land grabbing for decades. SUGAR is an organization advocating for the rights and livelihoods of Sugarfolks' and farmers in Batangas, Philippines. 

For the updated donation amounts and transparency report, please check out this link.

Product Features

• Beige 100% natural hard cotton canvas
• Dimensions: 14 x 16 inches; 9" drop

Product Description

This is a collective project of the women political prisoners at the Correctional Institute for Women in Mandaluyong, Philippines.

Please note that the artists and political prisoners involved in this project designed each pouch and purse to be unique. To honour their creativity and work, we're only releasing limited edition designs of their art. 

Customers can select only the approximate colorway of each coin purse, but the actual appearance of the purse received may vary.

Each coin purse is handcrafted and are measured around 3x3 inches with a handle drop of 3 inches.

Proceeds

GABRIELA’s Free Our Sisters, Free Ourselves (FOSFO) campaign works to free women political prisoners in the Philippines. As Pinay Collection’s official community partner, we fully support their advocacy and the political prisoners of CIW through ongoing educational and fundraising efforts.

100% of the profits from these cards will go directly to FOSFO and the political prisoners of CIW, helping meet their essential needs within the correctional institute. 

Product Features

These unique jeepney signages are hand-painted by Kuya Edwin Tayao, an expert jeepney signage artist based in Tondo, Metro Manila. This creation is part of Project Para Boss by Pop Junk Love, an initiative dedicated to revitalizing the traditional art of signage painting in the Philippines. 

Dimensions: 7.25 x 3.25 inches

Important Information

• Each signage features a different colour scheme for the text, so the one you receive may not match the photos exactly. Throughout this project, Kuya Edwin have the freedom to choose the colours for each signage, adding to the unique beauty of each piece.

• Like any handmade art, these hand-painted jeepney signages may have minor flaws such as chipped paint, smudges, or small dents due to the nature of the craft and the environment in which they are created. Each sign is manually dried in outdoor spaces, making them naturally exposed to the elements during creation.

• Made from PVC/Sintra plastic board, these signages should be kept out of direct sunlight.

• The actual colour of the signage may appear lighter or darker than in photos due to lighting conditions or screen resolution differences.

The Cultural Significance of Jeepneys 

Born from the aftermath of World War II, Jeeps, or Public Utility Jeepneys, have become a cultural icon and a vital, affordable transportation mode for over 40% of commuters in Metro Manila and many provinces across the Philippines. Dubbed the hari ng kalsada (king of the road), jeepneys traverse routes that limited transportation options don't cover, providing an indispensable service. Along with jeepneys comes their art, particularly their hand-painted signage.

The exact origins of jeepney signages are not well-documented, but they are believed to draw deep inspiration from the letter paintings on kalesas (horse-drawn carriages) and the carts of roaming sorbeteros (ice cream vendors) in the streets of Metro Manila. These eye-catching signages serve not only to provide directions but also as a form of artistic expression - a truly remarkable piece of Philippine culture.

Proceeds

PISTON has been at the forefront of the #NoToJeepneyPhaseOut campaign, opposing the unjust PUV Modernization program in the Philippines. They fight to promote and advance the basic demands of Filipino transport workers for decent and stable work, livable income, freedom of association, and all their economic and democratic rights. Learn more about the struggles of Filipino jeepney workers through PISTON's work and our blogs.

20% of the proceeds from this product collection support PISTON's mission to advocate for a just and pro-people Philippine transport system. 100% of the profits from the 'Free Palestine' sign boards will be donated to mutual aid supporting Palestinian-Filipino refugees across Luzon. For the updated donation amounts and transparency report, please check out this link.

Beyond the Word

The design and anting-anting (amulet) of this sweater is straightforward. It is an image of a person embracing themselves completely with the words, mahal kita around it. The ambiguity of who this prayer is being said to (is it you, the reader, or you the wearer?) mirrors the deep understanding that unconditional love requires us to acknowledge our wholeness and that of others. For extra support, we have added, “sakto lang, hindi nagkulang” (meaning just right, nothing less) on the inner sleeve specifically for the wearer. We want to remind you that you are made exactly right and nothing about you was ever missing. You have always been whole. 

In this system, we are taught to focus more on our lack. Systems of oppression will amplify our shadows, the parts of ourselves that are made to hide because of fear, shame, rejection, or whatever else so that we can disconnect from our whole sense of being and instead comply with a false source of a higher power.

This is why to say, “mahal kita”, is such a powerful prayer and spell. The Tagalog double meaning of mahal says, I love you, and I value your wholehearted existence in my life. This is why people say love is revolutionary. It liberates and affirms all our authentic ways of being.

Design and Artist statement by Althea Balmes

Proceeds

15% of the proceeds from this collection will support Bahaghari PH and its work to advocate for and liberate the LGBTQIA+ community in the Philippines. For the updated donation amounts and transparency report, please check out this link.

Product Features

• Made from 100% Heavy Cotton
• Color: Beige/ Natural

Care Instructions

• Our designs are heat-pressed onto fabric. To ensure they last a long time, please only wash and tumble dry inside out. If you need to iron, only iron on the backside of the clothing. 
• Wash in cold & hang to dry to prevent shrinking and fading.

Size Chart (in inches)

• Length is measured from the highest point on the collar down to the bottom hem.
• Width is measured across the body of the shirt, one way.

Unisex Sizing

Beyond the Word

The design and anting anting (amulet) of this sweater is straightforward. It is an image of a person embracing themselves completely with the words, mahal kita (I love you) around it. The ambiguity of who this prayer is being said to (is it you, the reader, or you the wearer?) mirrors the deep understanding that unconditional love requires us to acknowledge our wholeness and that of others. For extra support, we have added, “sakto lang, hindi nagkulang” on the inner sleeve specifically for the wearer. We want to remind you that you are made exactly right and nothing about you was ever missing. You have always been whole. 

In this system, we are taught to focus more on our lack. Systems of oppression will amplify our shadows, the parts of ourselves that are made to hide because of fear, shame, rejection, or whatever else so that we can disconnect from our whole sense of being and instead comply with a false source of a higher power.

This is why to say, “mahal kita”, is such a powerful prayer and spell. The Tagalog double meaning of mahal says, I love you, and I value your wholehearted existence in my life. This is why people say love is revolutionary. It liberates and affirms all our authentic ways of being.

Design and artist statement by Althea Balmes

Proceeds

15% of the proceeds from this collection will support Bahaghari PH and its work to advocate for and liberate the LGBTQIA+ community in the Philippines. For the updated donation amounts and transparency report, please check out this link.

Product Features

• Individually heat-pressed and checked for quality 
• Beige/ Natural sweater with 50% cotton, 50% polyester
• Soft feel and reduced pilling for no loose thread
• Set-in sleeves for a relaxed fit
• Wash in cold & hang to dry to prevent shrinking and fading
• Length is measured from the highest point on the collar down to the bottom hem
• Width is measured across the body of the shirt, one way

Size Chart (in inches)

To love is to resist—to hold each other close while tearing down the systems that keep us apart. To fight is to remember—not just the wounds, but the hands that built, the voices that dared, the lives stolen yet never forgotten. To dream is to build the world anew - not in the image of power, but in the vision of those who have bled, struggled, and risen.

Love is not passive, memory is not just looking back, and dreaming is not escape. They are weapons, they are blueprints, they are critical to resistance. They are how we win.

This merch design is inspired by the image of the Filipino flower, Ylang-Ylang, a symbol of love.

Proceeds

15% of the profits from this merch will go to Toronto Indigenous Harm Reduction (TIHR). TIHR is a grassroots initiative that endeavors to reduce the harm and burden that society places on Indigenous people with stigmatized experiences such as substance use, houselessness, incarceration and most recently, covid-19 and more. The Indigenous People TIHR supports are survivors of this countries' historical and ongoing genocide, including residential schools, Indian day schools, the 60’s scoop, and the millennial scoop. 

For the updated donation amounts and transparency report, please check out this link.

Product Features

• Unisex Sizing, pre-shrunk
• Navy Long sleeves, 100% cotton
• Model is wearing a size Large 
• Soft feel and reduced pilling for no loose thread
• Set-in sleeves for a relaxed fit

Care Instructions

• Our designs are heat pressed onto fabric. To ensure they last a long time, please only wash in cold and tumble low and dry inside out. If you need to iron, only iron on the backside of the clothing.
  

Size Chart (in inches)

• Length is measured from the highest point on the collar down to the bottom hem.
• Width is measured across the body of the shirt, one way. 

Size Chart (in inches)

To love is to resist—to hold each other close while tearing down the systems that keep us apart. To fight is to remember—not just the wounds, but the hands that built, the voices that dared, the lives stolen yet never forgotten. To dream is to build the world anew - not in the image of power, but in the vision of those who have bled, struggled, and risen.

Love is not passive, memory is not just looking back, and dreaming is not escape. They are weapons, they are blueprints, they are critical to resistance. They are how we win.

This merch design is inspired by the Ylang-Ylang, a Filipino flower symbolizing love.

Proceeds

15% of the profits from this merch will go to Toronto Indigenous Harm Reduction (TIHR). TIHR is a grassroots initiative that endeavors to reduce the harm and burden that society places on Indigenous people with stigmatized experiences such as substance use, houselessness, incarceration and most recently, covid-19 and more. The Indigenous People TIHR supports are survivors of this countries' historical and ongoing genocide, including residential schools, Indian day schools, the 60’s scoop, and the millennial scoop. 

For the updated donation amounts and transparency report, please check out this link.

Product Features

• Unisex Sizing, pre-shrunk
• Navy t-shirt, 100% cotton
• Model is wearing a size Large
• Soft feel and reduced pilling for no loose thread
• Set-in sleeves for a relaxed fit

Care Instructions

• Our designs are heat pressed onto fabric. To ensure they last a long time, please only wash and tumble dry inside out. If you need to iron, only iron on the backside of the clothing.
• Wash in cold & hang to dry to prevent shrinking and fading.
  

Size Chart (in inches)

• Length is measured from the highest point on the collar down to the bottom hem.
• Width is measured across the body of the shirt, one way. 

Size Chart (in inches)