CELEBRATING
BEAUTY . STRENGTH . BRILLIANCE
BEHIND THE PAGES
Terrence Jeffrey Santos
FOUNDER + EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
FILMMAKER + PHOTOGRAPHER
HE / HIM
Family Origin: Hagonoy, Bulacan + Cebu
My storytelling career began in the early 2000s when I realized that my once-strong Inang would not be with us forever. I wanted to preserve all her stories for the children I had not yet had. This marked the beginning of my journey in collecting Filipino American stories. I continued with my aunts and uncles, with my mother next in line for her own interview. Through this process, I had another revelation: how many other Filipino American family stories also need to be archived and celebrated. This magazine is my contribution to that effort.
COMMUNITY OVER COMPETITION.
Stephanie de Villa Tajnia
CREATIVE DIRECTOR
PRINT + WEB
SHE / HER
Family Origin: Manila
I’m Stephanie de Villa Tajnia, a multi-disciplinary designer and the Creative Director for Filipinotown Magazine. While my passion for design spans various fields, this project is especially close to my heart. It allows me to channel my love for my Filipino heritage into every page, celebrating our culture, cuisine, design, and the arts. I find inspiration in everything featured in this magazine, and it’s a true joy to bring these elements to life. This issue is dedicated to my father, George de Villa, who passed away this past spring. His memory and influence are deeply woven into my work, making this project a heartfelt tribute to him and to our vibrant community.