Last fall, Matt Brennan and Corvette Romero, operators of Vancouver's tantalizing Filipino fusion food truck Shameless Buns, organized the inaugural Magkasama. The market-style event showcasing Filipino vendors from across the mainland region was a big success.
The husband-and-wife duo were planning on putting together a follow-up event this summer, a Magkasama sequel done as a fun night market, but COVID-19 derailed their plans.
Not ones to be derailed themselves, they've re-designed the event as a virtual market instead, where people can shop and then pick up on a designated day when things wrap up.
Magkasama, which translates from Tagalog as "together," is a great way to get to know Vancouver's many Filipino entrepreneurs who make and sell things like authentic Filipino pastries, desserts, sauces and condiments, apparel, coffee, and more. There is even a vendor who makes non-medical reusable face masks in her signature fabric patterned with kawaii-style Filipino icons (like lumpia and Vicks VapoRub). If you have a sweet tooth, you'll especially want to take note, because there are a lot of talented Filipino bakers in Vancouver working with flavours like ube and coconut, creating all sorts of treats and breads.
The marketplace will launch online on June 15, and shoppers have until July 5 to place orders.
Pick-ups will take place July 10 through 12, and customers can get their goods.
As a delicious bonus, Magkasama customers will want to save room in their bellies because the Shameless Buns truck will be in service during pick-up times. The truck has a flavour-packed and eclectic menu with dishes like loaded sandwiches on pandesal (traditional Filipino buns) and fries decked out in adobo or sausage with their house-made sauces. They even sizzle up Spam fries, too.
"We are so excited to be sharing these diverse goodies with you and want to thank you for supporting these Filipino businesses," said Brennan and Romero.
Check out all the vendors taking part in Magkasama:
- Bukobaba - Healthy premium coconut food and wellness products
- Coco Cakes - Filipino Mochi Cakes
- Ensaimada Moment - Unique FIlipino Ensaimadas (Filipino Brioche Rolls)
- Gigil Clothing - Modern and Playful Filipino and Chinese inspired clothing, face masks etc..
- Hapag Restaurant - Authentic and delicious Filipino restaurant offering ready made meals
- Kapé Coffee - Kapé is a social enterprise promoting farmer-first coffee from Philippine Indigenous women growers, and small batch roasted in the traditional unceded territories of the Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-waututh nations
- Kasama Chocolate - Small batch, artisan, bean-to-bar chocolate with cacao from the Philippines
- Kayebakes - Classic Filipino desserts and cakes
- Kiligraphy Co. - Filipino inspired cards, signage, buttons, digital art and more!
- La Meryenda - Filipino inspired pastries and desserts
- Panaderia Corner - Authentic Filipino breads and baked goods
- Sago ToGo - Filipino inspired bubble tea, and the classic Filipino treat - Taho!
- Shameless Buns - Vancouver's funkiest Filipino inspired Food Jeepney, specializing in creative and delicious sandwiches, loaded fries, house made sauces, Filipino dessert and the occasional wacky creation.
- The Sweet Alley - The Sweet Alley specializes in custom cakes and artisan confections to satisfy any cravings, giving you sweets not only pleasing to the eyes but deliciously divine to satisfy any sweet tooth.
- VanCity Cookies - Vancity Cookies is a local gourmet cookie maker, bringing you a variety of thick, freshly baked cookies.
Magkasama: Virtual Market
When: Shop June 15-July 5, 2020. Pick up July 10-12 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Where: Shop online; website goes live June 15. Pick up at 302 Industrial Ave, Vancouver
