10 Unique Gifts for All Seasons

Even if you're already done with your Christmas shopping, check out this list for treats you can give yourself, or for gifts you can give all year round.

1. Lulay CD

Lulay with Michael Dadap and Florante Aguilar

Lulay with Michael Dadap and Florante Aguilar

Dadap-Aguilar Duo – Michael Dadap & Florante Aguilar Guitar Duo

De-stressing is a necessity -- no longer an option -- these days and what better way to relax than to listen to superb guitar playing from two virtuosos, Michael Dadap and Florante Aguilar. Especially as they play the traditional music we grew up with. But don't take my word for it; listen to a sample at https://dadapaguilar.com/?fbclid=IwAR3gyRapW3ojTJ3jJ9CqHXhKGlbYL2Yd9me3c76VZ9RmMVh7xycsEkmOPuc

2. Djablo Sauce

And speaking of Michael Dadap, he's not only a master musician but he also "invented" a ginger-and-garlic-based hot sauce that he recreated from his memories of the flavors he grew up with in his hometown in Leyte combined with ingredients available in his adopted city, New York. The result is Djablo Sauce, marketed now by his daughter, Laura. Order a bottle (or two or three) at https://djablosauce.com/

Djablo Sauce

Djablo Sauce

3. Gift Certificate to Bad Saint

And if you're in the Washington DC area or if you have someone in your gift list who lives there or will be going there, the best way to show your love is to treat them to Bad Saint, FilAm Chef Tom Cunanan's highly acclaimed (Michelin, Zagat, James Beard etc.) restaurant. With only 20 seats, the line and the wait can be long, so dress fittingly.

Gift certificate to Bad Saint: Bad Saint | Gift Card Order

Bad Saint

Bad Saint

4. Pop art by Ron Santiano

Check out this Los Angeles-based FilAm artists whose limited-edition superhero images can make even the plainest room come alive.

Ron Santiano's Art Shop | Curioos

Princess Leia Exclusive Edition by Ron Santiano

Princess Leia Exclusive Edition by Ron Santiano

5. Ube cookie butter

Ninong's Pastries Ube Cookie ButterUbe (aka purple yam) seems to be the "flavor of the year" even among mainstream foodies, and with this fame came numerous ube products. One of this is Ube Cookie Butter from Ninong's Pastries of Northridge, CA. According to its web site, it can be spread on bread or crackers, the way you would peanut butter, or you can use it as ingredient for baking. 

Ninong’s Ube Cookie Butter

Ninong’s Ube Cookie Butter

6.  Art Merchandise by Romina Saha

FilAm journalist-turned-artist Romina Saha embarked on her painting journey two years ago and hasn’t stopped. Some of her designs are available as prints on various merchandise that would make wonderful gifts at Romina Saha - Art. Romina paints in oil, watercolor, and acrylic and her originals, including portraiture, are also available for sale at Romina Saha Portraits & More on Facebook or by emailing artbyrominasaha@gmail.com.

Art by Romina Saha

Art by Romina Saha

7. Hopia from Hopia Like It

Offering a variety of flavors (ube, buko pandan, pineapple, guava, peach mango, nutella in addition to the traditional munggo and baboy, which isn't really pork), Hopia Like It is a hopia lover's heaven. They're pretty prompt at shipping too.

Hopia Like it

Hopia Like It

Hopia Like It

8. Unusual objects for Aswang fans

Pamanimation Gifts is the official merchandise page for the Pamanimation ghost stories YouTube channel. This Café Press page contains designs based on the iconic Filipino monster, the Aswang, and is available on various styles of clothing, drinkware, and other exciting items.

Our website can be reached at: https://www.cafepress.com/+pamanimation+gifts

Pamanimation Gifts

Pamanimation Gifts

9. Beautiful and unique home decor

A secret garden for home decorators (and wholesalers), an adult Toys R'Us for lovers of beautiful objects. San Francisco-based art connoisseur and dealer Richard Gervais' showroom of ethnic and folk art from the Philippines and the rest of Southeast Asia will take your breath away. Don't fail to visit it when you're in the city. If you're not, go to http://www.richardgervaiscollection.com/en/ for a virtual tour and to contact Richard Gervais, who is very accommodating. 

Richard-Gervais.jpg

10. Books, the gifts that will keep on giving anytime, anywhere.

There is a bumper crop of excellent books from authors of Filipino heritage from all over the world. Check out the web sites of Philippine Expressions Book Shop at philippinebookshop.com and Arkipelago Books at arkipelagobooks.com for amazing finds. 

Philippine Expressions

Philippine Expressions

Arkipelago Books

Arkipelago Books