Dear Flor

So. . that thumbnail is a little spicy. I recently sat with One Down to share my hot takes on the cannabis industry. Starting Dear Flor with Brian Velasquez Reid has been a wild ride. Creating the first line of Filipino-inspired cannabis gummies wasn’t just about offering something new; it was about changing the game, bringing our culture to the forefront, and reclaiming ownership over our flavors. The video is below, but here’s what I’ve learned along the way: 🌍 Lack of Representation in an Industry Not Made for Us: Let’s face it—the cannabis industry wasn’t built with independent, woman or minority-owned brands in mind. The whole cannabis industry is not made FOR women in general, and the big players are focused on lining their own pockets, not on real diversity or community impact. 🫶🏻 Reclaiming Cultural Ownership: I’ve seen our ingredients—ube, calamansi—treated like interchangeable flavors, credited nowhere. Not all sparkling wines get to be champagne, so if we can respect European designations for things like cheese and wine, why can't the same be true for Filipinos? That’s why every Dear Flor gummy is an homage to Filipino flavors and a reminder of where they come from. 🇵🇭 👩🏻 Shifting Perspectives in Our Communities: I get it; there are still those Titas who want to Tita because they have an opinion on everything. But more Filipinos are now seeing that cannabis is about wellness, not just recreation. It’s about sleep, relief, and holistic health—something that resonates with so many in our communities. 💡 Innovation, Not Imitation: At Dear Flor, we wanted our flavors to stand out—Ube Boba for sleep, Calamansi for focus, Buko Pandan for chilling. Our flavors don’t just taste great; they bring Filipino culture to the cannabis world. 💪 Resilience and Belief in Our Vision: Creating Dear Flor has been challenging but worth every effort. If we can disrupt the cannabis space with authenticity, culture, and flavor, we’re opening doors for future independent, minority-owned brands. Here's to a more inclusive and flavorful cannabis industry. https://lnkd.in/eqU3ghj2 #CannabisIndustry #cannabis #FilipinoFlavors #DearFlor #WomenOwned #CulturalRepresentation #FilipinoPride

Today, we launched the world’s first Balut Gummy. Duck. Yolk. Peeler-style. Total chaos. Nope, it’s not real. It’s our unhinged April Fool’s campaign for 2025. But behind the campaign is something very real. Balut is a beloved Filipino street food: a fertilized duck egg, boiled and eaten warm with salt and a splash of vinegar. For many, it’s a beloved comfort food. However, it’s been treated as a spectacle and reduced to “gross-out” content on shows like Fear Factor, where it was served up for shock value and ratings. I loved balut growing up, but it was never something that I would eat in front of non-Filipinos. When we started Dear Flor, we made the choice to lead with Filipino flavors. But doing that doesn’t mean just sharing the ones that are cute and easy to export (ube, calamansi, hello!). It means sharing the ones that are unfamiliar and sometimes uncomfortable. The ones that carry memory, shame, and pride — all at once. So this year, we introduced balut as a gummy. They're not for sale (Dear Flor gummies are still vegan, so no duck embryo in your edibles), but to spark a conversation and ask why certain foods are “exotic” or “gross,” while others are plated at fine dining restaurants. The response so far has been thoughtful, curious, and funny. We’ve had thousands of views on TikTok and Instagram Reels, commentary on Reddit, and some really meaningful notes in our inbox. It hasn’t gone viral, but it’s resonating. Look, even though the Balut Gummy isn’t real, the feelings behind it are. Thanks to everyone who leaned in. And if you’re just catching up, welcome to the weirdest, most meaningful April 1st on the internet. #CulturalPride #ComfortNotCringe #DearFlor #AprilFoolsButMakeItCultural #AprilFools #Marketing

There’s leading, and then there’s leading with intention. Not just holding a title. Not just showing up. But actively carving out space for the community you serve. Rachelle Ocampo, EdM does just that. As President of National Federation of Filipino American Associations (NaFFAA) New York, she’s not just advocating for Filipinos—she’s building for them. Under her leadership, NaFFAA NY secured the largest federal grant in New York history for a Filipino organization: $1.6M to establish a Filipino Community Center in Queens. A space that will exist because she refused to let our community go unseen. But here’s what makes Rachelle’s story even more powerful: her advocacy isn’t separate from her career—it is her career. She’s living proof that when you align passion with profession, the impact goes beyond just good intentions. I sat down with Rachelle for Dear Flor's 100 Ways to Filipino podcast to talk about leadership, identity, and the work it takes to build something bigger than yourself. Read the full feature on Substack → https://lnkd.in/e5M44xZw And listen to the full conversation on Spotify →https://lnkd.in/e5YnZBpQ Because there’s no single way to Filipino. But we’re all finding our own. 🇵🇭✨ #100WaysToFilipino #FilipinoLeadership #RepresentationMatters #CommunityBuilding #WomensHistoryMonth #DearFlor

As the cannabis world gathers in Las Vegas for MJBiz, I can’t help but reflect on how Filipinos have always been part of this story—but often left out of the spotlight. Nevada is home to over 200,000 Filipinos, making us the largest AAPI group in the state. While I'm not saying there aren't Filipinos in senior positions at some of the major MSOs, the reality is that most Filipinos at the conference are the unsung heroes in Vegas' hospitality industry who are there to ensure MJBiz's success. In the 1930s, the US government, led by Harry Anslinger, launched an anti-cannabis campaign targeting Black, Mexican, and Filipino communities. Many people don’t realize—or conveniently forget—that Filipinos were part of this history. Despite our history, resilience, and the size of our community, our people and voices remain missing from leadership, decision-making roles, and the larger cannabis conversation. At Dear Flor, we want to help change that. For many in our community, cannabis is still seen as taboo, despite its medicinal and recreational benefits. By creating products that spark meaningful conversations, we aim to challenge outdated perspectives and make room for more Filipinos to lead, innovate, and thrive in this industry. It’s time for our community to take its rightful place at the table. What are your thoughts on how we can move the needle forward? Chris Casacchia Asian Cannabis Roundtable Charleen Caabay Helen Gomez Andrews Aisha Alves Fruit + Flower Co. One Down Geraldine Mae Cueva #FilipinosInCannabis #RepresentationMatters #CannabisCommunity #CannabisIndustry

I'm thrilled to share Dear Flor's new Artist-in-Residence program, a bold initiative designed to celebrate and uplift Filipino artists by showcasing their talents on a global stage. Our inaugural Artist-in-Residence is Casielle Santos-Gaerlan, a Brooklyn-based Filipino-American visual artist known for her vibrant works that explore culture, empowerment, and personal storytelling. Casielle’s artistry will breathe life into our product display pages, reflecting the rich energy and vibrancy of Filipino flavors like Ube Boba and Buko Pandan. At Dear Flor, we believe in the power of creativity to connect people, tell stories, and honor heritage. This program is a step forward in supporting Filipino creatives and amplifying their voices in meaningful ways. Read more about Casielle and the Artist-in-Residence program, and stay tuned for updates as Casielle’s exclusive artwork debuts on our website. Together, we’re redefining the intersection of art, culture, and wellness. https://lnkd.in/e8kst9ud #FilipinoArt #ArtistInResidence #DearFlor #CreativeCommunity #UbeBoba #BukoPandan #SupportFilipinoArtists

Happy Election Day! Hopefully you've already made it out to the polls, or are on your way. Today we voted for our kids, Filipino Representation, and our future as a community. Whatever your political leanings are, we are in this together. #rockthefilipinovote #electionday #representationmatters

Have you seen the "Sorry, po, I'm not a nurse" series created by Monica D. on Instagram and TikTok? As a Fil-Am (Filipino American) it hits home. Approximately 1 out of every 20 registered nurses in the US is a Filipino immigrant. Many Filipino Americans like me are the children of nurses who came here in search of a better life. And, yep, many of us have been hounded by our nurse parents, aunts, uncles, godparents, etc. to take on a "stable" career in nursing. "Sorry, po, I'm not a nurse" is great because it shines a light on a lot of the diverse journeys many of us have taken without denigrating the tireless work that nurses do. Here's my hot take on the work we're doing at Dear Flor and my advice to anyone deciding to start their own business. Sorry, po, I'm not a nurse. https://lnkd.in/eKsASXYR #filipinoamerican #fahm #filipinoamericanhistorymonthy #filipinonurses #entrepreneurship #womanownedbusiness #filipinoculture