We are honoring International Women's Month with a campaign that blends coffee, art, and empowerment. The #StrongLikeCoffee Conversations at the Starbucks Abad Santos Tondo Community Store on February 28 featured Filipino artists who have brought some of Starbucks’ iconic store artworks to life. A fireside chat highlighted their journeys, stories of uplifting women in the art community, and the men who champion them. Youth from our nonprofit partners, Young Focus Foundation, AHA! Learning Center, and Mano Amiga participated, inspiring students to pursue their own creative paths.
Starting February 28, a special set of #StrongLikeCoffee notecards, featuring designs by each artist, will be sold exclusively at Starbucks Abad Santos Tondo and Starbucks Maysilo Circle Community Stores. A portion of the proceeds will support youth education through the company’s nonprofit partners
#StrongLikeCoffee Artists and Notecards
Anina Rubio: A multi-disciplinary visual artist, yoga teacher, and environmental advocate known for her vibrant murals and intricate "cajas." Her design for International Women’s Month, "Flourish with Grace," celebrates the resilience and growth of women, drawing parallels with the beauty of nature.
(Left) Anina’s past work is a striking flora and fauna mural at Starbucks Abad Santos Tondo (Right) “Flourish with Grace” #StrongLikeCoffee Notecard
Aze Ong: A contemporary artist specializing in fiber art, Aze's work often explores themes of history, culture, and ecology. For this collaboration, her featured piece, "Light of Beings," employs crocheted leaves to symbolize the diverse individuals who come together over coffee, highlighting the interconnectedness of life.
(Left) Currently on display at Starbucks Hiraya in Tagaytay is Aze’s striking art installation (Right) “Light of Beings” #StrongLikeCoffee Notecard
Tara Soriano: A multimedia artist with a background in interior architecture, Tara transforms spaces with her imaginative and evocative artwork. The piece that she chose for International Women’s Month, “Peacock’s Paradise,” is a tribute to a dear friend, blending tropical vibrance with the grace and confidence of her favorite animal–the peacock—reflecting her radiant spirit.
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(Left) Tara showcased her imaginative interpretation on the power of books and coffee in Starbucks Maysilo Circle Community Store (Right) “Peacock’s Paradise” #StrongLikeCoffee Notecard
Alab Pagarigan: A sculptor whose work often explores themes of hope and resilience, Alab's featured notecard design, "Roots," was an inverted coffee tree symbolizing the journey of coffee beans from farm to cup and the love that goes into each stage of the process.
(Left) Experience Alab's first art collaboration with Starbucks at Shangri-la The Fort (Right) “Roots” #StrongLikeCoffee Notecard
"This International Women's Month, we celebrate those who uplift and inspire,” said Jamie Silva, Senior Marketing Manager. “By bringing together talented Filipino artists and youth from our Community Store nonprofit partners, we’ve created a space for dialogue and empowerment. We believe that art, like coffee, connects us, sparks creativity, and inspires positive change."
The #StrongLikeCoffee Conversations will continue through youth art workshops, reflecting our enduring commitment to supporting youth education and empowering communities.
