Rooted in Rice: A Journey Back to What Truly Matters
There are moments during a campaign shoot when everything slows down just enough for memories to surface. While we were doing the product shoot for our latest campaign, I found myself unexpectedly nostalgic. We had curated an amazing bundle featuring local fishery and agricultural products—each thoughtfully sourced, each carrying a story of community and land. But one product, in particular, quietly pulled at my heart: heirloom black rice from Ifugao. Seeing it on set brought me back to childhood. My parents—most often my dad—used to go on mission trips up north. It’s a part of the Philippines I still feel I haven’t fully explored myself. Whenever he came home, he would bring heirloom black rice with him. I was the only one in the family who truly loved eating it. Its deep color, nutty flavor, and nourishing quality made it feel special—more intentional, more wholesome. But beyond the rice, my dad also taught me something deeper: food rescue and mindful consumption. He had this quiet d...