BLNC Magazine

Some stories aren’t just told—they’re carried, shaped, and served with intention.

At KAYA, Chef Lordfer Lalicon is redefining what it means to be seen as a Filipino chef on a global stage. As a James Beard–nominated chef and the force behind a MICHELIN Green Star restaurant, his work goes far beyond recognition—it’s about reclaiming space, honoring heritage, and telling stories that have long been overlooked.

This FACETS feature traces his journey from intimate pop-ups to international acclaim, where every dish becomes a bridge between cultures. In a world where Filipino identity is often underrepresented, Lalicon stands firm in who he is—rooted in family, grounded in community, and unwavering in his belief that Filipino cuisine has always belonged in the world’s most celebrated dining rooms.

KAYA is more than a restaurant. It’s a reflection of bayanihan, of shared purpose, of kaya natin—a reminder that we carry not only our own dreams, but the legacy of those who came before us. Behind the accolades—the MICHELIN Green Star, the James Beard nomination—is a story of sacrifice, of missed moments at home, of quiet perseverance, and of choosing to lead with heart even in the most demanding spaces.

At its core, this is a story about being Filipino—fully, unapologetically, and with pride. A story about turning doubt into direction, pressure into purpose, and passion into something that feeds not just people, but identity itself.

Because in the end, if his journey could be reduced to a single feeling—it would still be the same.

Love.

Read the full FACETS feature on BLNC Magazine.

Recognition means more when it creates space for others to rise. For Kathleen Liechtenstein, being named one of the Most Influential Filipina Women in the World by the Filipina Women’s Network reflects a deeper mission: using the arts to connect communities, inspire young people, and make ballet accessible to all.

As President of Ballet Philippines, Liechtenstein continues to expand the reach of dance beyond the theater. Through initiatives like Ballet Brigade, the company has brought ballet to indigenous communities across the Philippines—from the Kalinga in Tabuk to the Aeta in Zambales and the Ivatan in Batanes—introducing young people to an art form while honoring their own cultural traditions.

Her vision is simple but powerful: ballet should not belong to a privileged few. It should be a shared cultural experience—one that inspires, empowers, and brings people together.

Through storytelling, education, and community outreach, Ballet Philippines continues to nurture a new generation of Filipino artists while celebrating the strength, creativity, and leadership of women in the arts.

Read the full story on BLNC Magazine.

Roda Ignacio’s story begins where the land meets the sea—on the salt beds of Pangasinan, where patience, labor, and legacy are passed down by hand. What many see as something ordinary, she knows as life itself. Each grain of salt carries her father’s sacrifice, her family’s livelihood, and a tradition that continues to shape entire communities.

But Roda’s journey moves beyond the asinan. From the quiet discipline of farm life to the vulnerability of the theater stage, she has lived many roles—actress, teacher, daughter, and now, mother. Each one has deepened her understanding of resilience, purpose, and what it truly means to grow.

Her story is a reminder that empowerment doesn’t always look loud or visible. It can be found in the quiet strength of women who rise with the sun, who carry families, preserve traditions, and continue despite being unseen.

This Women’s Month, we honor stories like Roda’s—grounded, evolving, and deeply rooted in purpose.

Read her story: blncmag.com

“Lani” explores quiet strength and introspection through a visual narrative that reflects presence, emotion, and the beauty found in stillness. Through this editorial, BLNC highlights the power of creative expression and perspective. In celebration of Women’s Month, we honor women whose stories, artistry, and voices continue to shape the creative landscape with depth, resilience, and inspiration.

Photography by Aileen Wang
Full editorial: blncmag.com

This Women’s Month, we spotlight voices that shape culture through honesty, creativity, and reflection. In this FACETS feature, we speak with Oakland-based Filipino creative Cheska Torres Ibasan, whose work explores the layered realities of identity, heritage, and belonging across the diaspora.

Through storytelling and her fashion line KADIWA The Label, Cheska embraces the quiet, everyday moments that hold deep cultural meaning. Her perspective reflects the duality of being Filipino today—holding joy and struggle at the same time, honoring community, and navigating identity as something that continues to evolve. Rooted in values like bayanihan and collective care, her work reminds us that cultural presence can be powerful even in its stillness.

As we celebrate women who continue to shape conversations around identity, creativity, and representation, Cheska’s voice stands as a reminder that claiming space and telling our stories is, in itself, a radical act.

Read the full FACETS conversation on BLNC Magazine.
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In celebration of Women’s Month, Lumière opens its doors on March 11, bringing together a group of women artists whose works illuminate the gallery through diverse perspectives, materials, and visual languages.

Running until March 24, 2026, the exhibition reflects the many ways women continue to shape and expand contemporary art—each piece offering its own story, energy, and interpretation of light. Lumière becomes both a tribute and a space for reflection, honoring the creative voices that continue to inspire and redefine the art landscape.



Discover more about the exhibition through our feature on BLNC Magazine.

blncmag.com

Women on Women.
For this cover story, Shaira Luna steps in front of the lens of Gail Geriane—a collaboration shaped by trust, shared experience, and a quiet understanding between two women behind and in front of the camera.

For Gail, the moment feels full circle. As a probinsyana who once felt that the creative industry was far away, seeing Shaira take up space so confidently made the dream feel possible. Years later, she finds herself holding the camera, capturing someone who inspired many women photographers to believe there is space for them here too.

When women photograph women, something shifts. There is a sensitivity shaped by lived experience—an instinct to see beyond appearances and hold space for nuance, vulnerability, and strength.

As we celebrate International Women’s Day and continue honoring National Women’s Month, this cover carries an even deeper meaning. Every part of this production—from photography to creative direction, styling, beauty, and production—was brought to life by women.

Because who better to tell our stories than us.

Happy International Women’s Day.

There’s a different kind of honesty when women photograph women.

For this cover, is seen through the lens of —where ease replaces performance, and connection quietly takes the lead.

It’s in these in-between spaces where trust lives. Where vulnerability feels natural, and where two creatives meet not in hierarchy, but in shared experience.

A story about presence, about softness that holds strength, and about women choosing to create space for one another—especially now, when it matters most.

Read now: blncmag.com

Produced by BLNC Mag
Photo: Gaile Geriane
Make-up: Cats del Rosario
Hair: Phray Payek Production
Assistant: Elcan Romaguerra
Art Direction: JM Jusay
Studio Location: Espacio Creativo Escolta .escolta

Women on Women.
steps in front of the lens, photographed by in a cover story shaped by trust, instinct, and shared perspective.

What unfolds is not a performance, but an exchange. A space where guard is lowered, where subtlety takes the lead, and where power exists without needing to be announced. Each frame carries a quiet confidence, built on understanding rather than direction.

This is what happens when women choose to see each other fully. Not just as subjects, but as collaborators, as mirrors, as equals.
A reminder that strength doesn’t always ask to be seen loudly. Sometimes, it simply exists—steady, present, and certain.

Read now: blncmag.com

Produced by BLNC Mag
Photo: Gaile Geriane
Make-up: Cats del Rosario
Hair: Phray Payek Production
Assistant: Elcan Romaguerra
Art Direction: JM Jusay
Studio Location: Espacio Creativo Escolta