Charles is a Filipino visual artist, photographer, and advocate for food and land justice based in Whangārei, Aotearoa New Zealand. His artistic practice revolves around the exploration and deconstruction of visual culture through print, video, and installation works. As a member of Aotearoa Philippines Solidarity, Charles has been inspired by the food sovereignty and agroecology movements from the people’s movement in the Philippines, which he actively integrates into his work. Together with his wife, Grace, he co-founded Soil of Cultures.

Janica was born in Mountain Province, Philippines, and raised in Tāmaki Makaurau, Aotearoa. Her creative passions are rooted in her Igorot heritage, intertwined with her Kiwi upbringing. As a budding urban farmer and member of Anakbayan Aotearoa—a youth organization dedicated to educating, organising, and mobilising young people for a National Democratic Philippines—she views food as a powerful medium for sharing stories of identity, resilience, and struggle.

Auggie Fontanilla is a Filipino contemporary artist, street artist, and designer based in Manila, Philippines. He blends religious iconography with tattoo philosophy, Americana, gangs, and prison emblems to create a unique style. He has a degree in Fine Arts from the University of Santo Tomas and has shown work in numerous galleries in the Philippines and abroad, including a solo exhibit at the Cultural Center of the Philippines. He is known for his energetic brushstrokes and his depiction of street-level religious practices.

Chairperson

Emily was born and raised in Tāmaki Makaurau. Her family is from Shanghai, China and immigrated to Aotearoa in the early 90’s. Emily became involved with Soil of Cultures through activist and art spaces, sharing seeds and friendship along the way. She is currently a junior doctor starting her training in paediatrics. Outside of work, Emily enjoys gardening, yoga, and cooking for her loved ones.

Secretary

Tanya Te Miringa Te Rorarangi Ruka is of Ngati Pakau, Ngapuhi descent. Currently living and working in Te Whanganui-a-Tara as Lecturer Mātauranga Māori in Design at Te Herenga Waka and Executive Director for Native Land Digital. Tanya is inspired by Indigenous ways of being and knowing. She works with her great grandmothers rongoā recipes to stay connected to the whenua and celebrates all the various forms of rematriation occurring throughout Indigenous nations.

Treasurer

Grace was born in Manila, Philippines, and is currently living in Whangārei, Aotearoa. As a software product manager and community organiser, she brings project management and design justice principles to Soil of Cultures. Grace is also a founding member of Gabriela Aotearoa NZ, dedicated to defending the rights of Filipino women and children, and is active in the Aotearoa Philippines Solidarity group. Together with her husband, Charles, she co-founded Soil of Cultures.