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Here’s What Happened at the Light & Local Event in Studio Morii | Alfonso, Cavite

Studio Morii: There’s something about creative events in small towns that just hit differently. Maybe it’s the slower pace, the fresh air, or the way people show up with their bare hearts. I’ve always believed that the best stories aren’t just found in big cities, they’re in quiet corners, at weekend pop-ups, in handmade things. So when I heard about Light & Local at Studio Morii in Alfonso, Cavite, I knew I had to drop by. I didn’t expect anything grand, just a warm space, good food, and local makers doing what they love. And honestly? That’s exactly what I found. I arrived at Studio Morii around 3PM, with the kind of energy you only get after a peaceful solo lunch and a drive through the province. Before engaging with the event, I made a quick snack stop at Lime and Basil, one of those hidden gems tucked away in this part of Cavite. Their spring rolls were light and crispy, and the Pad Thai had that perfect sweet-savory balance, just enough to fuel me for the rest of the afternoon. Studio Morii’s Light & Local felt like a community love letter from the moment I walked in. Light & Local Happenings The space wasn’t overly crowded. It was just enough, enough booths to explore, enough conversations to hold, enough time to take it all in. I made my rounds slowly, weaving between refill stations, handmade pottery, watercolors, and textiles. Each merchant had something to share, not just about their product, but about their process. And that’s what I found most moving; this collective care for craft. While I missed the morning workshops, the energy in the late afternoon was energizing. Live music floated through the venue while people lingered, talked, and supported small businesses. There was no rush. No pressure. Just presence. Studio Morii pulled it all together beautifully. The layout felt intentional, the flow organic. It was the kind of event that didn’t need to be loud to leave an impression. As someone who lives for community-driven spaces and creative connection, this one felt special. A quiet reminder that sometimes, the best kind of day is one spent slowly: talking to strangers, supporting locals, and letting the hours unfold without a plan.

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Blog, Community News, Featured Community

The Faces Behind Tagaytay Weekend Market’s Local Movement

Tagaytay’s local landscape is evolving. Not just through rising cafes and weekend traffic, but through initiatives that genuinely celebrate community, sustainability, and creativity. At the forefront of this movement is the Tagaytay Weekend Market (TWM), co-founded by two dynamic women: Lyca Accad and Cheska Gonzales. TWM isn’t a one-time event or a static location . It’s a mobile, community-first platform that rotates around the upland favorites of Silang, Mendez, Alfonso, Amadeo, and Tagaytay proper. It’s built for those who appreciate intentional local finds, support grassroots brands, and want their weekend plans to feel a little more connected and a lot more meaningful. The Faces of TWM: Creative, Grounded, and 100% Local Meet Lyca Accad Lyca is the face you’ve likely seen on your feed — a model, entrepreneur, and trendsetter with a Gen Z following that mirrors her energy: stylish, socially aware, and unapologetically local. But beyond the aesthetics, she’s a creative force with a cause. Her brand, ProjectPH, turns recycled flour sacks (yes, katsa) into fashion statements. Worn by icons like BINI Maloi, Bretman Rock, and Sue Ramirez, ProjectPH is her love letter to sustainability, Filipino artistry, and confidence through individuality. Her weekends? Often spent skateboarding at Tagaytay Skatepark , a detail that makes her not just a supporter of local culture, but a part of it. This is Cheska Gonzales Cheska, on the other hand, brings the other side. The yin to Lyca’s yang. Her Airbnb, Amanita Tahanan sa Alfonso, is tucked right beside Mushroom Skatepark and offers something not easily found these days: silence. Tucked in nature, this serene spot reflects Cheska’s grounding energy and her deep connection to Alfonso’s natural beauty, from riverside trips to barefoot mornings in the grass. Like Lyca, Cheska is also part of the local skateboarding community, showing how lifestyle and locality can blend authentically. Together, they form a leadership duo that is both visionary and rooted in the community. The Tagaytay Weekend Market Experience TWM is more than your average flea market. It’s curated, meaning vendors are handpicked to reflect the market’s values: sustainability, creativity, and authenticity. Expect everything from upcycled fashion and homegrown snacks to handmade crafts and local coffee. Their first edition, FLEA Vol. 1, was held on May 24–25, 2025, at Kapihan ni Gunyong, a cozy coffee spot that aligned perfectly with the market’s vibe. The event featured live music, curated local vendors, and a relaxing, inclusive atmosphere that attracted both Tagaytay locals and Manila-based visitors. Their latest edition, FLEA Vol. 2, was held on June 1, 2025, celebrated the anniversary of Café Carolina. The market featured curated vendors, delicious food, and live performances. It was a laid-back yet lively gathering that brought together friends, families, and neighbors, continuing TWM’s mission of turning weekends into meaningful, local experiences. This rotating format allows each event to serve as a pop-up ecosystem giving small businesses exposure, engaging local youth culture, and turning weekends into a platform for purpose. Built for Locals, by Locals There’s something powerful about women creating space especially when it’s space meant for others to thrive. Lyca and Cheska didn’t just build platforms for themselves. They used their own entrepreneurial journeys. The boldness of ProjectPH, the serenity of Amanita Tahanan, both to fuel something bigger: a launchpad for like-mind dreamers. Their message is clear: you don’t need to go to Manila to find good taste, talent, or community. It’s all here (yes!!), in the tents of TWM, in the passion of vendors setting up shop at dawn, and in the skate trails that lead to fierce mornings. Why You Need to Visit If there’s one thing consistent about Tagaytay Weekend Market, it’s change — the good kind. With each edition, the market pops up in new corners of the uplands. So far, they’ve captured the energy of places like Alfonso and Amadeo, and they’re just getting started. Stay tuned for their next stop  because Tagaytay Weekend Market doesn’t wait to be found. It shows up where the community is, where the energy feels right, and where local dreams are ready to be seen. See you arouuuuund!

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Blog, Community News, Featured Community

Love local? Tagaytay Weekend Market’s FLEA Vol. 1 is Happening This May!

There’s something magnetic about weekends in Tagaytay; the cool breeze, the coffee, the slow pace. But on May 24 and 25, that easygoing charm gets a fresh, creative twist with FLEA Vol. 1, the very first Tagaytay Weekend Market is happening at Kapihan ni Gunyong SVD, from 8AM to 10PM. More than just a market, FLEA Vol. 1 is a love letter to Tagaytay’s creative community: a space where artists, makers, and dreamers gather to share their craft and connect with like-minded souls. I’m so thrilled because finally, we get a coffee shop as gathering spot for vintage hunters, skaters, brewers, beat-makers, and bold local brands all vibing in one space for 2 days! You’ll find live art and tattoo sessions, music from DJ Candy, and stalls full of handcrafted treasures from hemp fashion and katsa bags, to nail art, trinkets, upcycled pieces, and one-of-a-kind jewelry. There’s even a flower bar to brighten your weekend so I guess you’ll spot me hoarding trinkets here. Haha! Curated by and for creatives, the market features local names like Project PH, Mushroom Park, Marahuyo, Refill N’ Beyond, Kaka’s Studio, and more, each bringing something uniquely theirs to the table. What makes this market special isn’t just what’s for sale, it’s the people behind it all. Their creativity, stories, and passion turn each interaction into something meaningful. Here are the local brands to expect: Project PH (Katsa Fashion) Mushroom Park Marahuyo Flowers Lour Under the Lamp Refill N’ Beyond Ehemplo The Good Rascal Barbershop and Cuts Not Dead Kaka’s Studio Reiso Vintage Tuklasan Taong Bahay Kekel Bead.dazzles DJ Candy And because Tagaytay does things differently, there’s free admission and a reward for the best-dressed attendee which I think is a nod to the self-expression that defines the event. If you’re an artist, a curious soul, or just someone who loves good vibes and good coffee, FLEA Vol. 1 is your weekend scene. See you guys around!

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Community News, Featured Community, Speaking Engagements

Resource Speaker at TED TALK: Cultural Heritage Discussion and Excellent Photography Convention 2025

2 years ago, I was here at Cavite State University Quadrangle for graduation practice. Today, I stepped on the stage as a guest speaker for SET Convention. Thank you sooooo much to all the people behind the success of this event. I am honored to share my stories as your tita and ate alumna. Being part of this celebration is truly one for the books, mabuhay ang turismo ng Pilipinas! TED TALK: Cultural Heritage Discussion and Excellent Photography Convention 2025 yourtitaja.com #Yourtitaja#TitaJa2025

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Community News, Featured Community, Speaking Engagements

Resource Speaker at 1st Municipal Sangguniang Kabataan Congress, Next-Gen Governance: Building a Legacy of Leadership

Traveled all the way to Baguio City as a resource speaker at the 1st Municipal Sangguniang Kabataan Congress, NEXT-GEN GOVERNANCE: BUILDING A LEGACY OF LEADERSHIP! Maraming salamat po sa pagtitiwala, SK Federation- Alfonso, Cavite, SK President Josh Salamat Vidallon at Mayor Randy Salamat.

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Events, Featured Community, Speaking Engagements

Guest Speaker at The Basics Workshop by Christ Life Youth PH

Another milestone this month! I had the opportunity to share my passion for content creation and social media through my segment “BAWAL IYAKIN DITO: Social Media Responsibility in the AI Generation” at The Basics Workshop by Christ Life Youth PH. Maraming salamat po for trusting your tita, I am beyond happy to meet all of you. Sa uulitin. Eighty Media Yourtitaja Christ Life Youth PH Nagkakape, Ja

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Events, Featured Community, Speaking Engagements

Guest Speaker at National Coffee Research, Development and Extension Center – Philippines

“In time for Women’s Month, the second podcast episode featured a content creator and a community journalist, Ms. Janella Herrera (Yourtitaja). While the first episode focuses on the labor before it reaches the cup, the second episode talks about the role of coffee as more than a mere beverage in social constructs. As a content creator who spotlights local and underrated coffee shops, Herrera immersed the conversation with stories of entrepreneurs and some members of the marginalized sector joining in the transformative journey that builds coffee communities from the ground up. Highlighting her role as an ambassador of the Kwentong TechTrans of the Banyuhay Project, she has visited several farming communities where she witnessed firsthand the evolution of coffee from being a constant companion to being a catalyst in creating positive changes and serving as an avenue for channeling these changes to the target stakeholders. She considered coffee not just a commodity, but a cup filled with stories and struggles it faces. One example she mentioned was that young people in the farming communities they encountered are more enticed to work in corporate jobs and less likely to continue their family farms. Though this challenges the coffee industry in one way, this creates awareness of the hard work expressed in producing coffee. Further, her exposure to coffee farming communities also allowed her to realize the diversity in coffee culture. Though each location showcases unique systems of production and processes, coffee has been a channel for empowering a certain sector in the community, such as women. “The coffee industry is no longer a boys’ club.” As articulated during the episode, she emphasized that the modern coffee culture portrays a collaborative work of all genders, wherein the need for women in coffee farming, post-harvest, and marketing is now highly regarded. It is also revolutionizing to recognize the fair share of labor in this once male-dominated industry.” – National Coffee Research, Development and Extension Center – Philippines

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Events, Featured Community, Speaking Engagements

Guest Speaker at Press N’ Brew: Crafting Narratives towards Journalism Excellence Lecture Series

College Jaja would never believe I did this! I was invited to the Press N’ Brew: Crafting Narratives towards Journalism Excellence Lecture Series to share my stories as a Social Media Influencer. Being someone who creates content online, I’ve always wanted to do something beyond building my social media presence and traveling for coffee. For some time, I kept on repeating to myself that my passion for what I do will be seen if I just trust the process. The delulu that I am, I knew it would happen! BUT I never expected to be trusted by my former professors at Cavite State University to take the floor and share my expertise in the social media industry. This, my pamangkins, is one of my ‘I-made-it’ moments and l couldn’t be more thankful for all of you. AGAIN — Salamat po, Department of Communication CAS Cavite State University and Kwentong TechTrans in Luzon: Banyuhay. I’d also like to extend my gratitude to the talented, hardworking students behind the CvSU Journalism Guild, The Gazette-CvSU Main Campus, and DZSU Radyo Kabitenyo. Thank you for the good coffee, Science Café by Café Severino. I highly recommend the Mug Shot! TO MY READERS, OMGGGGGG???????? Let’s continue supporting the Press N’ Brew Lecture Series this month, marami pa pong alumni creatives, journalists, and professionals ang invited to talk about their experiences and passion for their crafts. Here’s to more cups of coffee!! Nagkakape, Ja

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Events, Featured Community, Speaking Engagements

Board of Judges at Science Month 2024, Sacred Heart School of Cavite, Inc – Recoletos de Alfonso

Judge for this year’s celebration of Science Month at Sacred Heart School of Cavite, Inc – Recoletos de Alfonso. Despite feeling unwell on that day, it served as a reminder for me to persevere no matter what. It was inspiring to see children coming together to cheer and perform with all their hearts; reminding me of the same intensity of passion I had when I was still in school. Even more, witnessing the dedication of our educators to the success of the event was moving, as always — saludo po ako sainyo! This is to express my heartfelt gratitude to my alma mater for having me once again. Being part of this community is something I genuinely treasure, salamat pooooo. Sacred Heart School of Cavite, Inc

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