Valentine’s Day gift ideas from small Fil-Can businesses

Valentine’s Day gift ideas from small Fil-Can businesses

By Michelle Chermaine Ramos
The Philippine Reporter

Entering this third year of celebrating Valentine’s Day (February 14), Galentine’s/Palentine’s Day (February 13), and Family Day (February 21) in the time of Corona, we have seen just how resilient some local businesses have been in adapting to constant lockdowns in the most trying times. We also discovered a few small businesses that popped up during the pandemic or in response to the pandemic.

If you’re shopping to celebrate love and friendship this month, check out the following gift ideas from these small Filipino businesses across Canada. Many also support charitable initiatives, as well as agricultural and artisan projects that help support the economy back in the Philippines.

CHOCOLATES

Kasama Chocolate (https://kasamachocolate.com/) launched their retail space/artisan chocolate factory in Vancouver on January 1, 2021. They source their cacao beans and other ingredients from the Philippines and are constantly coming up with new flavor combinations. They recently created their limited edition Year of the Tiger bar with Philippine pineapple, white chocolate and Langues-de-Chat biscuit.

BAKED TREATS

• Tito Parley’s Valentine’s Day 4-pack

Tito Parley’s (https://www.titoparleys.ca/) was launched in August 2020 when Parley Manuel had extra time at home to devote to baking which started as his hobby. He and his wife Chermaine run their home-based business in Whitby, Ontario, baking premium silvanas and sans rival. Their Valentine’s Day 4-pack is available for pre-order at Auntie’s Supply (https://auntiessupply.com) in Toronto for in-store pickup starting February 12, 2022. Flavors include strawberry cheesecake, pistachio butter and raspberry, ube latte, and chocolate dipped caramel.

Baked Bliss (https://www.instagram.com/bakedbliss.to/) in Richmond Hill, ON was launched in July 2020 as a summer business by UofT student Bea Calista Chua right before she started grade 12. The demand for her baked treats grew that she continued and expanded her product line which now includes gourmet cookies, Basque burnt cheesecakes (available in original, ube, French vanilla coffee, matcha, Milo, and milk tea) and fruit cream pies (strawberry and banana chocolate). Orders must be placed at least a day in advance because everything is made fresh. Cut off time for orders is 4pm the day before. Pickups can be arranged near Major Mackenzie and Leslie.

• Fruit Cream Pies: $35 (8 in)

• Basque Burnt Cheesecake: $35 (6 in)

• Gourmet Cookies: $30 (1 dozen, 3 Flavors) $52 (2 dozen, 6 flavors)

FLOWERS

Nu Moon (https://numoon.ca/) A woman owned home-based business in British Columbia, they ship pampas grass, dried floral arrangements, and botanicals for home décor within Canada and the US. Their style is mostly monochromatic bohemian in neutral colors.

• Nu Moon’s Galentine’s Bunny Tail Bouquet, $50

CANDLES

Kilig Candle Co. (http://www.kiligcandleco.com) This Vancouver-based candle brand has vegan, eco-friendly soy candles with lead and zinc-free cotton wicks, non-toxic fragrance oils and recyclable glass jars. Their 9 oz candles have an estimated burn time of 45-50 hours. Their top-selling scented candles which would make great picks for Valentine’s Day are Mahal Kita (pink grapefruit, jasmine and neroli) and Pillow Talk (tonka bean, golden patchouli and geranium). As for a Galentine’s gift for your besties in need of self-care, there’s the 500ml nourishing hand and body lotion scented with pink grapefruit and fresh mint because everyone needs to keep their skin moisturized from all the hand washing in this pandemic.

Kilig Candle Co. has also partnered with Canadian non-profit Adhika through which they donate a meal for an impoverished child in the Philippines for every candle sold. Follow them on Instagram @kiligcandleco to enter their Galentine’s Day giveaway from February 7-14, 2022. The winner will be announced on February 14, 2022.

JEWELRY

Sinta & Co. (https://www.filipinowedding.com/)This socially conscious Toronto-based wedding boutique sells Filipino wedding jewelry and accessories online made by artisans in the Philippines. They offer a wide selection of traditional and contemporary jewelry designs with a price range to suit your budget. You can easily find some affordable Valentine’s pieces for your sweetheart or Galentine’s gifts your besties. Here are some top picks under $50. https://www.filipinowedding.com/

Cuff bracelets with Filipino words of love, $35. Available in copper or brass, with a smooth or hammered texture. You can choose the word love translated in Tagalog, Ilocano, Bisaya, Kapampangan, Chavacano or Tausug.

Margarita Pearl Earrings, $39. Made with gold-plated studs, brass, white silk flowers and pearls from Cebu. For the practical woman who prefers gifts that last. These are cheaper than most bouquets from a florist and won’t wilt.

If you want to splurge for a statement piece, there’s the Dominique 3-way pearl creolla earrings for $230. Made of 985 pure silver dipped in 24-karat gold with real pearls by artisans in Ilocos, this versatile piece has that old world look and can be worn three different ways. The studs can be worn separately for a simpler look or attached to the chandelier pieces.