Bianca Trinidad-Lamb
Briefly describe your Filipino heritage.
I was born and raised in Manila, Philippines and moved to the Bay Area in 2012. My Filipino heritage wasn’t really something that I thought about growing up since I was part of the “majority” back home. I really gravitated towards appreciating it and embracing it more when I moved to the US. I started Filiflavors because I wanted to recreate the “pasalubong” experience by bringing the best flavors of the Philippines to the US and the rest of the world. Food plays a huge role in reliving great memories from our past but I also want to continue honoring our heritage by telling new stories by making Filipino flavors and ingredients part of our everyday staples.
What inspires you to achieve your goals?
My brother, who is on Autism spectrum has always inspired me to go for my dreams. My goal is to give him the best life possible, I’d only be able to do that if I pursued my dreams unapologetically. I never regret putting in the effort and hardwork because I know that I’m not just doing it for myself but I’m doing it for him and my family.
Who are some of the most influential people in your life?
My mom has been one of the most influential people in my life. She has taught me the importance of community and being there to support and uplift others. Her courage and kindness has gotten her through the highs and lows of life and that has been an important piece on how I’ve learned to push through. I’ve also been fortunate to have had a lot of female bosses in the past and female entrepreneurs that have become friends - they have pushed me to keep aiming higher, they have been great allies and mentors, and they’ve shown me that women can lead and create significant change.
What would you say to other Filipinos who aspire to do what you’re doing?
“Be the spark that ignites a flame” - We may not see Filipino culture everywhere right now but by putting in the work no matter how small you think it is, it’s still contributing to our heritage and culture being seen and acknowledged. Just keep going, there will be times that you’ll feel discouraged but as long as you know your “why”, all your efforts will pay off. It may not immediately turn into what you want it to be, but the experiences and people you meet along the way will make the journey worthwhile.
What single achievement are you most proud of?
Starting Filiflavors and Pili & Blu has been one of the achievements I’m most proud of. It started as a passion project but has turned into a meaningful business that has touched the lives of Filipino Americans and has helped employ farmers, artisans, and small businesses back in the Philippines. We’ve also had an impact on the Autism community in the US since a portion of our sales is donated to special needs nonprofits in the Bay Area and we’ve also hosted special needs art classes.