What
is
Kubo

KUBO is a dynamic and engaging online platform for Filipinos living outside of the Philippines. It serves as the ultimate resource and guide for off-shore Filipinos, primarily Filipino Americans, to stay connected to their roots through the latest in Philippine trends and the most relevant lifestyle insights. KUBO brings a curated blend of local flavors, beauty, fashion, travel, pop culture, opportunities, and more, offering Pinoys abroad a virtual bridge to our own heritage.

KUBO seeks to be the companion of Pinoys abroad who want to stay connected, rekindle their love for the country, enrich their lifestyles, and foster a strong sense of community, thereby allowing Filipinos to give back to the homeland by promoting the best of what the Philippines has to offer.

Quintessentially Filipino, people learn about the bahay KUBO (nipa hut) from childhood through the famous folk song. The song, the architectural design, and the community icon are symbolic of a living culture that is shared across generations, letting both family and strangers experience and appreciate Filipino ingenuity, sensibility, and heart.

KUBO connects Filipinos to home from wherever they are. It extends a welcoming hand to Filipinos returning home. And, it provides an ultimate guide for those experiencing the archipelago for the first time. KUBO is your online home away from home.

MEET THE KUBO TEAM

Maricar Espiritu

Chief Executive Officer / Founder

Maricar is a seasoned entrepreneur with a strong foundation in finance and business. A Filipino-American CPA, she holds a double major in accounting and finance, along with a master’s degree from esteemed U.S. universities. She began her career as a Senior Consultant at Arthur Andersen in San Francisco, specializing in Family Wealth and Estate Planning.

Her entrepreneurial journey spans various industries—from managing Philippine News, Inc., a Filipino-American newspaper in the U.S., to founding and running an aesthetic clinic and spa. She has also ventured into real estate across both the U.S. and the Philippines.

Beyond her professional endeavors, Maricar is a dedicated full-time mom to four grown children. She has a deep love for travel, a passion for reading—particularly finance and business books—and an appreciation for lifelong learning. As a mentor, she finds fulfillment in guiding others, sharing her wealth of knowledge, and inspiring those around her.

Anna Tatlonghari

Chief Operations Officer /
Co-Founder

With nearly two decades of leadership experience in real estate and marketing, Anna brings a strategic and results-driven approach to KUBO. Before co-founding the brand, she spent 19 years at Ayala Land, where she held pivotal roles, including President of Ayala Land International Sales Inc. and Head of Marketing Strategies & Sales for Ayala Land Premier. Her expertise in branding, marketing, sales, and operations has played a crucial role in shaping KUBO into a trusted lifestyle brand for the global Filipino community.

Outside of work, Anna is an adventurer at heart. She’s an avid biker, runner, and duathlete, always seeking her next challenge—whether on the road or in the great outdoors. Her drive for excellence extends beyond business, fueling her passion for fitness, endurance sports, and an active lifestyle.

Yna Santillan

Chief Revenue Officer /
Co-Founder

With 20 years of experience in sales and business development, Yna is a powerhouse in account management, channel sales, and institutional partnerships. She has built a career on fostering meaningful, long-term relationships, particularly within the Filipino-American community, leveraging cultural insights to drive business success in both B2B and B2C markets.

A trailblazer in the sales industry, Yna has thrived in fast-paced, competitive environments, consistently exceeding targets and leading high-performing teams. Beyond her corporate achievements, she is a passionate entrepreneur with a strong focus on innovation, growth, and leadership.

Balancing her professional journey, Yna is a devoted full-time mom of three and an active member of her church community. Her dedication to service and leadership extends beyond business, reflecting her commitment to making an impact in both her personal and professional life.

Janelle Roa Cabrera-Paraiso

Managing Editor

Janelle Roa Cabrera-Paraiso is an author, editor, and actor based in the Philippines. Her bylines have appeared in prestigious local publications like ABS-CBN News, ABS-CBN Lifestyle, Metro.Style, Chalk, Lopez Link, The Post PH, Baby and Breakfast, and Familist. With almost a decade of arts, creative industries, and communications experience, her expertise lies in content leadership and management, media and entertainment, as well as editorial production and events.

Prior to working as a staff writer at ABS-CBN Corporation, where she catapulted her journalism career, Janelle first forayed into the professional industry as a screen actor after completing her bachelor’s in communication arts at the University of the Philippines Los Baños. She also served as a communications officer for campaigns and film festivals at the Office of the President’s Film Development Council, the country’s official film organization, and rendered her time as a content researcher at Google. In the past, she took practical training at the Manila Broadcasting Company, Cultural Center of the Philippines, and ABS-CBN Publishing, too, and deepened her academic degree with continuing education courses from the New York Film Academy such as acting and screenwriting. Besides her broadcasting and publishing stints, Janelle provides SEO and website content writing services to brands and startups in the Philippines and the United States. Additionally, she is a case study contributor at Canvas8, an agency headquartered in the United Kingdom.

To further hone her skills and specialties in media and communications, Janelle is commencing her master’s studies as an international student at the Macquarie University in Sydney, Australia in 2026, where she was awarded a selection-based scholarship. Outside the corporate orbit, she is a fan of all things arts, fashion, and beauty, and is steadfast in her belief in second chances, soulmates, and mermaids. She is an advocate of mindful consumption as well, circular economies, women empowerment, child and animal welfare, and arts and culture.

Web Developer:
Niño Christian Victoria

Contributors:
Francesa Jana Millenna D. Santiago,
Liana Smith Bautista, Nicole Romero,
Ingrid V. Puache, Noelle D. Lejano,
Dalisay Guerrero,
Jhops Carpio-Cruz, Steph Esguerra-Olarte, Pauline Reitzer,
Carmela J. Valbuena-Paano, Gretchen Que

CONTACT US

Editorial: editorial@kubo.com.ph

Advertising: advertise@kubo.com.ph

General: info@kubo.com.ph

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