No Juan Is An Island

May isn’t quite over yet, but my heart is already full to the brim. If I could sum up this month in just a few words, it would be love, light, and overwhelming support. Between fulfilling a wonderful influx of candle orders and connecting with so many of you in person, it has been a beautiful whirlwind.
The absolute highlights of the month, however, have been our candle-making workshops. For three consecutive weeks, I had the privilege of sharing the art of fragrance and flame with eager creators, each weekend bringing its own unique magic.

Weekend 1: Creative Energy at Dayo Market
We kicked off the month on May 2nd and 3rd with a two-day candle-making session at Loop by Canto. We were thrilled to be a part of “Dayo: A Halo-Halo Market,” a vibrant gathering that celebrated local artistry and community. The energy was electric. Surrounded by fellow makers and passionate creatives, our participants poured their hearts (and custom scents) into their jars. It was the perfect, high-energy launchpad for an incredible month of teaching.

Weekend 2: Celebrating Moms at Greyhound Cafe
The following weekend took on a sweeter, gentler tone. On May 10th, I was invited by SM City Baguio to conduct a special workshop as part of their Mother’s Day celebration. Held at the chic Greyhound Cafe, this session was deeply moving. Crafting is a beautiful way to bond, and seeing mothers, daughters, and families sit together, laughing and choosing fragrances to capture their shared memories, was an absolute honor.

Weekend 3: An Enchanted Retreat at Mt. Camisong
Just last weekend, we took a deep breath and headed into nature for a candle-making retreat at the lush and beautiful Mt. Camisong Forest Park in Itogon. Surrounded by towering trees, crisp mountain air, and the soothing sounds of the wilderness, it felt less like a class and more like a soulful escape.
This marked only the second time we’ve hosted a workshop outside Baguio City—the first being our wonderful session at The Grounds Co. in La Trinidad back in February. There is something incredibly grounding about blending botanical scents while enveloped by a real, living forest. It’s an experience I won’t soon forget.
Love on the Horizon: Wedding Bells and June Dreams
Beyond the workshops, our studio counters have been beautifully chaotic. We are currently in the thick of preparing bespoke candle orders for two upcoming weddings. Knowing that Story Candles will burn softly in the background as two couples promise forever to each other is a responsibility I don’t take lightly. I am beyond grateful for these blessings and the trust our clients place in our craft.

As we look toward June, the momentum isn’t slowing down—and I wouldn’t have it any other way! We are already lining up our next calendar of candle-making workshops at some of our favorite local spaces:
Cafe Kafagway
Cafe de Angelo
Buddy One Cafe at the Brent Guesthouse
Whether you are looking to learn a new skill, blend your own signature scent, or simply find a creative sanctuary for a few hours, I would love to guide you.

Thank you, from the bottom of my heart, for making this month so bright. Keep shining, keep creating, and I hope to see you around a workshop table this June!