DIWA is a quarterly Filipino American magazine that amplifies the voices and stories of Filipino America through in-depth explorations of our cuisine, community, culture, and creative expression. We publish thoughtfully curated editorial content that honors the complexity and richness of the Filipino American experience while looking toward our collective future.

DIWA is a Tagalog word meaning "spirit," "essence," or "consciousness." The name reflects our mission to capture the essential spirit of Filipino America—the intangible qualities that connect us across generations and geographies. Our stories aim to illuminate the DIWA of our community.

Unlike daily news outlets or community newspapers, DIWA is a quarterly cultural magazine that prioritizes depth over frequency. We focus on visual storytelling, long-form narratives, and high-quality editorial photography. Our approach is more aligned with publications like ESSENCE, Interview Magazine, or Dazed—bringing a contemporary, arts-forward lens to Filipino American stories while maintaining cultural authenticity and respect.

DIWA is for Filipino Americans seeking meaningful representation of their experiences, second and third-generation Filipinos exploring their cultural identity, allies interested in Filipino American culture, creatives and artists within the community, and anyone who values thoughtful cultural storytelling. Our content speaks to those who see themselves as part of the Filipino American narrative, whether by heritage, partnership, or genuine cultural appreciation.

We explore four main content pillars:

Cuisine: The stories behind Filipino American food culture, from family recipes to contemporary culinary innovation, and the ways food preserves memory and builds community.

Community: Profiles of individuals and organizations shaping Filipino America, explorations of community spaces, and examinations of how we build collective power.

Culture: Deep dives into Filipino American cultural identity, traditions in transition, language preservation, and the navigation of dual cultural identities.

Creative: Showcases of Filipino American artists, designers, musicians, writers, and makers, plus examinations of creative expression as cultural preservation.

DIWA publishes quarterly print issues with a coordinated digital content release schedule. Each quarter focuses on a thematic exploration, with digital content expanding on print stories throughout the season.

Our inaugural issue, "PROLOGUE: Ephemerality" is a photographic meditation on cultural identity, family memory, and the vital need to capture what matters most before it fades. Through fashion, portraiture, and storytelling, we explore what it means to come home to yourself. This issue establishes the tone for everything DIWA will become—thoughtful, beautiful, and deeply rooted in the Filipino American experience.

As we continue to grow and publish new issues, we will develop our subscription model to make various publications of DIWA Magazine more accessible. More information to come! For now, please sign up to our newsletter to receive updates.

Yes, DIWA offers digital access to select content on our website. Full digital editions are available to print subscribers, while featured stories and web-exclusive content are accessible to all visitors.

As we continue to grow and publish new issues, we will develop a small network of stockists in the Portland metro area where physical copies of DIWA Magazine will be available. More information to come! For now, please sign up to our newsletter to receive updates.

We welcome story pitches from writers, photographers, and creative contributors who are aligned with our editorial vision. Please review our contributor guidelines and send pitches to [submissions email]. We're especially interested in stories that offer fresh perspectives on Filipino American experiences.

Yes, DIWA compensates all contributors for their work. We believe in fairly paying writers, photographers, illustrators, and all creative collaborators. Rate information is available upon request.

Absolutely. Personal narratives and family histories are central to our mission. Whether you have a story about your lola's cooking, your family's immigration journey, or your experience navigating Filipino American identity, we want to hear from you. Reach out through our contact page.

Filipino American History Month is observed every October in the United States, commemorating the arrival of the first Filipinos in North America on October 18, 1587, in Morro Bay, California. The month celebrates Filipino American contributions to American history and culture while acknowledging the community's ongoing experiences and challenges.

Filipino Americans are one of the largest Asian American communities in the United States, yet remain significantly underrepresented in mainstream media and cultural conversations. DIWA exists to correct this imbalance by creating space for authentic, nuanced Filipino American stories told by and for the community.

We view cultural preservation not as static tradition-keeping but as a living, evolving practice. DIWA documents contemporary Filipino American experiences while honoring ancestral knowledge, explores how traditions adapt across generations, and creates archival-quality content for future Filipino Americans to discover their history.

Yes, DIWA plans to host launch events, community gatherings, and cultural programming that brings our stories off the page and into shared spaces. Event announcements will be made through our newsletter and social media channels.

Follow us on social media, subscribe to our newsletter, attend our events, contribute your stories, share our content, and engage with the narratives we publish. DIWA is built on community participation.

We're open to partnerships with organizations, brands, and institutions that share our values and commitment to Filipino American community. Contact us at [partnerships email] to discuss collaboration opportunities.

DIWA is in pre-launch phase ahead of our inaugural issue release on October 10, 2025. We're building our digital presence thoughtfully and will expand website features and content as we grow.

Subscribe to our email newsletter for the most direct updates on new issues, stories, and events. Follow us on social media for behind-the-scenes content and community conversations.

We're committed to making our content accessible to all readers. Our website follows accessibility best practices, and we're continually improving our digital experience. If you encounter accessibility barriers, please contact us.