Exploring Life & Business with Isabelle Buncab of Mahal

Today we’d like to introduce you to Isabelle Buncab.

Hi Isabelle , it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I am a proud Filipina-American. An entrepreneur. Founder of Mahal, a Filipino-American Lifestyle brand. I was born and raised in Southern California. One of five siblings and a twin. I grew up in a very big, very proud Filipino family that goes five generations deep. Family was always the center of everything, and everyone from my uncles, aunts, godmothers, grandfathers, grandmothers, made sure we understood the importance of loving our culture and remembering our roots. We live by the adage, “it takes a village”.

There are two parts of my childhood that stand out to me. My mom is a nurse and my dad is a retired Navy Chief Officer—yes, the stereotypical Filipino careers. When my dad was deployed for months away and my mom worked night shifts, she would drop my siblings and me off at my grandparents’ house—they lived in a predominantly Filipino community. Those moments were where I first felt immersed in my culture: going to the neighborhood Catholic church surrounded by other Filipinos, shopping at a local Seafood City filipino market, being in spaces where everyone looked like me.

But during the week, it was a different story. I lived in a city that was predominantly Caucasian. I didn’t have many Filipino friends, or even Asian peers, and I often felt the disconnect that I didn’t fully belong. When I went off to college at UC Irvine, that changed. Suddenly, I was surrounded by peers that were Asian, and honestly, it was a bit of a culture shock. One of my closest Filipino friends from high school introduced me to a UCI Filipino cultural club, Kababayan. At first, I was too shy and hesitant to join because I carried this feeling of not being “Filipino enough.” But everything shifted when my friend Justin Lumambas signed me up for Pilipinx American Cultural Night (PACN) a huge annual cultural show that Kababayan produces. I started attending practices and eventually helped run the show as a stagehand. That experience changed me. This reawakened my deep pride in being Filipino. Seeing so many young Filipino/a students come together to share our culture with our families was inspiring and healing. I became even more involved. I took on leadership roles as Kasama Fam Head for No Face Fam and Props, Stage, and Production Co-Coordinator for PACN 45. Those roles gave me such joy and fulfillment, and they deepened my appreciation for our culture.

After graduating from UCI, I knew my journey of learning about my identity wasn’t over. That’s when I decided to create Mahal, which means “love” in Tagalog. Mahal is a Filipino American lifestyle brand born from that in-between space—when you don’t always feel “Filipino enough”. It’s about taking pride in our heritage: who we are, how we live, and how we represent every day. Mahal is my love letter to our culture. And I couldn’t be prouder to share it.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
At times, I’ve doubted myself and wondered if I’m the right person to build a Filipino American lifestyle brand, let alone run a business. That feeling of not being “Filipino enough” sometimes creeps in, making me question whether I can truly honor the culture and community I want to serve. But those moments of doubt have also pushed me to learn more, connect deeper, and grow stronger in my identity. Reminding me why Mahal exists in the first place. Another practical struggle is running a business. Learning the ins and outs of operations, marketing, finances, and value propositions. I get to build this business with two family members, who are also my business partners and mentors. With the struggles and doubts along the way, I’m excited for the journey because I know we are building a meaningful brand.

Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Mahal is a Filipino American lifestyle brand built to celebrate culture, community, and shared experiences. We specialize in creating apparel and products that connect Filipino Americans to their roots while giving them a space to express pride in their heritage. What sets us apart is our focus on authenticity and representation. Everything we create is designed with a deep respect for Filipino culture and grounded in stories that shape our identity. We’re also an inclusive brand. You don’t have to be Filipino American to support us. If you love Filipino culture as much as we do, joins us!

We’re most proud of the way Mahal brings people together. During our product photo shoot, we enlisted our family and friends as models, photographer, and set assistants. The product photos reflects the joy of everyone coming together. We want readers to know that Mahal isn’t just products, it’s about creating a community, celebrating heritage, and providing a space where Filipino Americans can see themselves reflected in Mahal and feel proud of who they are. We’re also fun!

So, before we go, how can our readers or others connect or collaborate with you? How can they support you?
You can support Mahal by following us on social media. Find us @themahalbrand on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok. Every follow, like, and share helps us grow and celebrate Filipino culture! If you’re looking to work with us or collaborate, we’d love to hear from you. Send us a message through our socials or visit our website at mahalbrand.com. Let’s create something amazing together!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://mahalbrand.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themahalbrand/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61578824873671
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@themahalbrand?_t=ZT-8zkqxTflEyM&_r=1

Image Credits
Austin Austria (https://www.instagram.com/baustinmedia/)