Strands of Culture Vol. 1
The Filipina star of 'Hercules,' terno-wearing plushies, and the brand closure shaking the beauty industry.
Welcome to the first edition of “Strands of Culture,” a new Pearl series rounding up articles and social media posts to read, bookmark, and share—so you can be a cultured Pearl. (Get it???)
This is an expanded version of the “Links I’m Loving” section I’d include at the end of my issues—a dedicated space for news, trends, and conversation starters related to beauty and Filipino culture. I’d love to hear your thoughts on this new format, so drop a comment! 💜
Why I Am Closing Ami Colé
Ami Colé founder Diarrha N’Diaye-Mbaye wrote an essay for The Cut reflecting on her journey building her brand and, ultimately, having to shut it down. This is a huge loss: Ami Colé helped pave the path for a more inclusive industry and is one of the rare beauty brands built from the ground up by a founder who wasn’t a celebrity or otherwise born into privilege. I was so inspired by what Diarrha created: The brand consistently centers Black and Brown women too often overlooked by other makeup brands. “While my story isn’t unique, it still hurts to watch an industry preach inclusivity while remaining so unforgiving,” Diarrha wrote in her essay. Ami Colé officially shuts in September; in the meantime, I’ll be stocking up on the Lip Treatment Oils!
Who Is Erica Padilla, the Filipino-Australian Singer on Netflix’s Building the Band?
My favorite genre of reality TV has always been singing competitions (I LIVED for American Idol in the mid-2000s). It’s no wonder Netflix’s Building the Band is my go-to binge lately. It’s like Love is Blind meets The Voice and, unlike other singing competitions where judges call the shots, the band members choose each other. Of course, where there’s belting…there’s a Filipina. Erica Padilla is in the band Siren Society, and I am loving her full-glam pop star beauty looks (the beauty brands have already taken note–she’s done partnerships with Rimmel).
Speaking of American Idol…Jessica Sanchez from Season 11 is poised to make a comeback with her viral audition on America’s Got Talent. I’m here for all the Filipina pop divas!!!
Filipino-Inspired Plush Dolls Exist!
I’m so happy we live at a time where Filipino kids can have a cute, Squishmallow-type toy that looks like them. PinoPino Plush was founded by Alyssa Torrisi, a Bay Area-based Filipina mom of two (who, fun fact, was once a beauty blogger). The girl doll, named Corazon, has tan skin, pink Filipiniana butterfly sleeves, and a sparkle in her eye shaped like the sun from the Philippines flag. This would make an excellent gift for the kid in your life–I’m definitely getting one for my 7-year-old niece!
Get Ready with Meg from Disney’s Hercules
“I Won’t Say I’m In Love” from Hercules is among my Top 3 favorite Disney songs. You can imagine my excitement at finding out the lead role of Meg in the UK production is played by a Filipina making her West End debut, Mae Ann Jorolan! As both a theater and makeup junkie, I loved seeing the process behind creating her character’s signature plum eyeshadow look (I spotted all Kryolan products–IYKYK!). I went down a deep dive on her IG, and particularly loved this post, where Mae Ann reflected on growing up in Switzerland:
“‘You’d be more beautiful if your mother were white.’ That’s what they told me when I was a kid, and it’s been my reality ever since then. Growing up as a Filipino girl in Switzerland, I often yearned to fit into a specific image, and I always longed to resemble someone different from my Asian heritage. However, being a part of the Hamilton cast has taught me the beauty of authenticity and that our uniqueness is our strength. Every feature tells a story, and I've learned to cherish the unique beauty of being true to myself.”
Fingers crossed, Hercules makes it to Broadway and she gets to reprise her role!
Asia Jackson on Navigating the Beauty and Complexity of Identity
Asia Jackson, who was featured in the very first issue of Pearl, got a print spread in Vogue Philippines. She was in the June issue, but only just got a copy and shared it on Instagram. In her interview, she expands on what it was like growing up with multiple cultures and why it’s important she uses her platform to uplift them. An excerpt:
“I rarely had time to settle in or feel rooted in any one community. As a mixed Black and Filipino kid, I often felt like an outsider no matter where we lived…I was ‘too Asian’ to be fully accepted as Black, ‘too Black’ to feel fully embraced as Asian, and ‘too indigenous’ to be fully embraced as Filipino. It was a constant balancing act, trying to navigate identities that felt both deeply personal and, at times, defined by how others perceived me.”
Chef Erica Paredes Is Opening a New Restaurant in Paris
Erica Paredes, the chef behind Reyna — a Filipino-French restaurant in Paris (my absolute favorite in the city) — is opening another restaurant called Mischief. Details are sparse, and the space is still getting built out, but their Instagram shows some previews of recipes getting tested, and I’m already drooling. Did you know that, before becoming a Le Cordon Bleu-trained chef, Erica was a beauty editor? Obsessed!
And last but not least…catch up on some of my content from the week!
I shared my favorite setting sprays for summer, how I get even-toned underarms (and why I wish it weren’t a thing), and my review on skin tints from Filipino makeup brands Issy and Colourette.
Time to book a flight to London to watch “Hercules” ?!?!? I think so.