San Francisco, CA, July 9, 2025 — After five transformative years as a vibrant cultural sanctuary in the heart of SOMA Pilipinas, San Francisco’s Filipino Cultural Heritage District, Kapwa Gardens will officially close on July 26, 2025, to make way for new senior housing. While this chapter is coming to a close, the legacy of Kapwa Gardens is far from over.

In an interview with Mariah Taloa, founder of Taloa’s Bakery, we chat about the bakery’s origins, her baking process, and sharing her Polynesian and Filipino roots to the world.

What is ube, really? We’re breaking down its history and why it’s more than just a photo-worthy Instagram dessert.