MMB Creative Steward of Family Stories

24/09/2026

Rebuilding connection doesn't require a new app.

It begins with simple choices.

Put phones away during meals.

Learn your neighbours' names.

Visit your parents.

Ask your grandparents about their childhood.

Record their stories.

One conversation at a time.

👉 Read the full article:
https://mmbcreative.net/rebuilding-human-bonds-in-modern-society/

Which one will you do this week?

22/09/2026

The colonial mindset we still carry

One of the uncomfortable realisations that came out of What We’re Made Of was recognising how deeply colonialism can shape the way we see ourselves, even generations later.

We may no longer be living under colonial rule, but some of the beliefs it left behind can still influence everyday life.

The idea that something foreign must be better.
That products made abroad are more desirable than our own.
That speaking with an accent is somehow more impressive.
That lighter skin is more beautiful.
That looking more "Western" means looking more successful.

These ideas did not appear out of nowhere.

They are part of a much longer history of cultural hierarchy and colonial influence.

And perhaps the most damaging part is that these ideas can become so normalised that we stop questioning them.

This is one of the reasons I believe knowing our cultural heritage matters.

When you understand the richness of the civilisation, creativity, knowledge, traditions and communities that existed before colonisation, you begin to see your own roots differently.

Not as something to apologise for.
Not as something inferior.
But as something worth knowing, understanding and carrying forward.

For me, cultural pride isn't about believing Filipino culture is better than anyone else's.

It is about finally becoming fully aware that we were a highly civilised people with our own systems of writing, governance and spiritual practice. We had trade with our neighbouring countries. The Rajahnate of Cebu and Butuan were prosperous maritime trading kingdoms in the Visayas and Mindanao, while the Kingdom of Tondo and Maynila were major political and merchant hubs in Luzon that controlled trade routes along Pasig River.

Understanding this part of our history is crucial because it affects the way we see ourselves today. History is not a “pick-and-mix”; It must be told in its entirety, truthfully, not edited for whatever purpose.

This is what inspired me to create this video. Yes, I am reclaiming this massive part of our history that has been erased.

🎬 Watch the film: https://vimeo.com/1228349477

This is "What We're Made Of" by Malen Mendoza-Baxter on Vimeo, the home for high quality videos and the people who love them.

18/09/2026

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗤𝘂𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗪𝗲 𝗔𝘀𝗸 𝗧𝗼𝗼 𝗟𝗮𝘁𝗲

You finally retire.

You find yourself sitting quietly at home, looking out the window, and suddenly thinking about your parents.

They’re gone.

And for the first time, you have the time to really wonder…

𝗪𝗵𝗼 𝘄𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝘆 𝗯𝗲𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝘆 𝗯𝗲𝗰𝗮𝗺𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗽𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀?

What were their lives like?

What was life like for your grandparents?

Where were they born? What does the land look like? What does the air smell like? What stories are told around the table? Who are the people in those old photographs sitting in boxes, whose names you no longer know?

You spend your life building a family of your own, working, raising children and simply getting on with life.

Then one day, you realise that 𝘀𝗼 𝗺𝘂𝗰𝗵 𝗼𝗳 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗳𝗮𝗺𝗶𝗹𝘆 𝗵𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆 𝗶𝘀 𝗾𝘂𝗶𝗲𝘁𝗹𝘆 𝗱𝗶𝘀𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗽𝗲𝗼𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝘄𝗵𝗼 𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗿𝘆 𝗶𝘁.

And that can be a painful realisation.

You can’t always trace your lineage back to the very beginning. You may not have every name, every date or every answer.

But 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗽𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗲 𝘄𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗗𝗢 𝗸𝗻𝗼𝘄 𝗻𝗼𝘄.

Your memories. Your parents' stories. Your childhood. The places that shaped you. The traditions, values and experiences passed down through generations.

Because your children and grandchildren will one day wonder about you too.

𝗗𝗼𝗻’𝘁 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗺 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗱𝗶𝗴𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝗽𝗵𝗼𝘁𝗼𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗽𝗵𝘀 𝗼𝗻 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗹𝗮𝗽𝘁𝗼𝗽 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘂𝗻𝗮𝗻𝘀𝘄𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝗾𝘂𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀.

Tell them who you are.

Tell them where you come from.

Gift them your stories, and the stories that you can still remember.

Give them the threads that connect them to their roots.

This is the core of my work.

I create beautifully crafted family heritage books that preserve your stories in your own authentic voice, bringing together photographs, memories, history and the people who shape your family tapestry.

𝗡𝗼𝘁 𝗷𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝗮 𝗯𝗼𝗼𝗸.

𝗔 𝗱𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗻𝗲𝗱 𝗺𝗲𝗺𝗼𝗿𝘆-𝗸𝗲𝗲𝗽𝗲𝗿 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗳𝘂𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗴𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀.

If you’re thinking about preserving your family history, perhaps now is the time to start.

📩 Send me a direct message or visit my website to find out more.

Your stories are part of your family’s legacy. They deserve to be remembered.

16/09/2026

What shapes our identity?

More than we often realise.

Every day, digital platforms compete for our attention. Over time, what we pay attention to begins to influence how we see the world, how we see others, and how we see ourselves.

For children and young people especially, this matters.

Identity isn't built through algorithms or carefully curated feeds. It grows through real relationships, family stories, shared experiences, and a sense of belonging.

Technology has transformed the way we communicate, and it offers many benefits. But it should never replace the conversations around the dinner table, the stories shared by grandparents, or the connections that help us understand where we come from and who we are.

As we embrace new technologies, perhaps the greater challenge is not keeping pace with innovation, but protecting the relationships that make us human.

I've explored this in my latest article:

📖 https://mmbcreative.net/rebuilding-human-bonds-in-modern-society/

What role do you think families and communities play in shaping a young person's sense of identity today?

14/09/2026

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗖𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗧𝗵𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗱𝘀 𝗪𝗲 𝗜𝗻𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗶𝘁

One of the comments we heard again and again during our **𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗪𝗲’𝗿𝗲 𝗠𝗮𝗱𝗲 𝗢𝗳** exhibition was:

“You are such a creative family!”

It made me smile. 😊

But it also made me wonder...

𝗔𝗿𝗲 𝘄𝗲 𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗯𝗲𝗰𝗮𝘂𝘀𝗲 𝗶𝘁 𝗶𝘀 𝘀𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗵𝗼𝘄 𝗶𝗻 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗗𝗡𝗔?

Or do we become creative because we grow up around creativity?

I believe it is a little bit of both.

There is research showing that genetics can influence creative and artistic abilities. But our environment matters too. What we see, what we are encouraged to explore, what we practise, the people around us and the opportunities we are given can all shape how our abilities develop.

So perhaps creativity isn't simply something we inherit.

𝗣𝗲𝗿𝗵𝗮𝗽𝘀 𝗶𝘁 𝗶𝘀 𝘀𝗼𝗺𝗲𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘄𝗲 𝗶𝗻𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗶𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗽𝗼𝘁𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗳𝗼𝗿, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝗻𝘂𝗿𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲.

And this exhibition with my two daughters made that idea feel very real.

We each have our own creative voice. Our own style. Our own way of seeing and making.

But somewhere between the three of us are years of shared experiences, conversations, encouragement, memories and stories.

𝗧𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗱𝘀.

𝗔𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗼𝘀𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗱𝘀 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝘂𝘀.

What I didn't expect was how much the exhibition itself would strengthen that connection.

It triggered various responses - irritation, impatience, annoyance - and yet it brought us closer. It tested the strength of our relationships, and I'm impressed that we overcame the challenges and managed to defuse, or at least avoid, conflicts.

And it also reminded us that **𝗻𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝘂𝘀 𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗹𝘆 𝗮𝗹𝗼𝗻𝗲.**

Our partners, spouses, friends and family all played a part. Some helped behind the scenes. Some encouraged us when we were tired. Some helped set things up. Some came along, shared the exhibition and simply stood beside us.

And then there were all the wonderful people who visited and took the time to look, talk, ask questions and tell us what the work meant to them.

That support was incredibly heartwarming.

Because perhaps that is another thing we inherit through family and community:

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗸𝗻𝗼𝘄𝗹𝗲𝗱𝗴𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘄𝗲 𝗯𝗲𝗹𝗼𝗻𝗴 𝘀𝗼𝗺𝗲𝘄𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲.

That there are people who will gather around us.

That our stories matter.

The exhibition may have been about art, but for me, **𝗶𝘁 𝗯𝗲𝗰𝗮𝗺𝗲 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝘀𝗼𝗺𝗲𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗺𝘂𝗰𝗵 𝗯𝗶𝗴𝗴𝗲𝗿.**

𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻.

𝗙𝗮𝗺𝗶𝗹𝘆.

𝗕𝗲𝗹𝗼𝗻𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗴.

And the beautiful, sometimes unexpected ways **𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗱𝘀 𝗯𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝗽𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗳𝗮𝗺𝗶𝗹𝘆 𝘁𝗮𝗽𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗿𝘆.**

Thank you to everyone who became part of ours. ❤️

11/09/2026

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗗𝗼 𝗪𝗲 𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗜𝗻𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗶𝘁?

When we think about what we leave to future generations, we often think about money, property or possessions.

These things may be important.

But what about identity?

What about the stories of the people whose lives created the family we know today?

Imagine your grandchildren opening a beautifully crafted family heritage coffee table book decades from now.

They see photographs of people they never met.

They read stories about their ancestors.

They discover where their family came from.

They learn about traditions, challenges, achievements and treasured moments.

They begin to see **the threads connecting their own lives with those who came before them.**

That is more than a collection of photographs.

𝗜𝘁 𝗶𝘀 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻.

𝗜𝘁 𝗶𝘀 𝗯𝗲𝗹𝗼𝗻𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗴.

𝗜𝘁 𝗶𝘀 𝗰𝘂𝗹𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗮𝗹 𝗶𝗻𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲.

𝗜𝘁 𝗶𝘀 𝗮 𝗹𝗶𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗵𝗲𝗶𝗿𝗹𝗼𝗼𝗺.

My family heritage coffee table books are created to preserve these narratives, bringing together photographs, memories, stories and history into a beautifully designed book that can remain within the family for generations.

Because **a meaningful legacy is not only about what we leave behind.**

It is also about **what future generations will understand about who we were.**

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗪𝗲’𝗿𝗲 𝗠𝗮𝗱𝗲 𝗢𝗳.

**Would you like to turn your family's photographs, stories and memories into a living heirloom?**

Send me a message and let's begin preserving the stories that matter to your family.

09/09/2026

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗵𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗲𝗻𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗳𝗮𝗺𝗶𝗹𝘆 𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝘄𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝗻𝗼𝗯𝗼𝗱𝘆 𝗿𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗲𝗹𝗹 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗺?

As part of our *What We’re Made Of* exhibition, I facilitated a storytelling workshop with eight wonderfully unique individuals.

Eight people. Eight lives. Eight fragments of their stories.

Each shared a moment that had shaped them. And although each story was only a small piece of a much bigger life, the effect was profound.

Because one story often leads to another.

A childhood memory raises questions about a parent.
A parent leads us to a grandparent.
A photograph makes us wonder who stood beside them.
A family tradition makes us ask, *Where did this come from?*

And suddenly, we realise how much we don't know.

𝗪𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗻'𝘁 𝗰𝗮𝗽𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲𝗱, 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝘆 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗱𝗶𝘀𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗲𝗮𝗿 𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿. People pass away, memories fade, photographs lose their context, and the stories behind the names become unreachable.

For the participants, the workshop sparked a desire to dig deeper into their family histories and uncover the lives and narratives that came before them.

𝗧𝗵𝗲𝗶𝗿 𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗻𝗼𝘄 𝗯𝗲𝗲𝗻 𝗰𝗮𝗽𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝗼𝗻 𝘃𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗼, becoming part of a community archive I am building to preserve these voices for generations to come.

If you've been wondering about how you can organise your family photographs, stories, documents and treasured memories, I can help you bring them together into a bespoke family heritage coffee table book.

A beautifully crafted memory-keeper that preserves not just who your family was, but the stories of what shaped them.

Because one day, someone in your family may ask:

𝗪𝗵𝗼 𝘄𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝘆?
𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘄𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗶𝗿 𝗹𝗶𝘃𝗲𝘀 𝗹𝗶𝗸𝗲?
𝗪𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗱𝗶𝗱 𝘄𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺?

Give them more than a name and a photograph.

𝗚𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗺 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆.

If your family has stories waiting to be uncovered and preserved, get in touch.

𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗺𝗲𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗺𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿. 𝗔𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝘆 𝗺𝗮𝘆 𝗺𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗻 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝘀𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝘄𝗵𝗼 𝗵𝗮𝘀𝗻'𝘁 𝗯𝗲𝗲𝗻 𝗯𝗼𝗿𝗻 𝘆𝗲𝘁. ❤️

08/09/2026

Death Is Not the End. It Is a Reminder to Live Well

Death invites us to ask a profound question.

Not, "How long did you live?" but, "What did your life add to the story?"

I believe our stories are among the greatest gifts we leave behind. They shape identity, strengthen belonging, and become the threads that connect one generation to the next.

This latest reflection explores how cultures across history have understood death, grief, and the enduring power of memory. It is ultimately a reminder that while our lives are finite, the stories we preserve continue to influence those who follow us.

If this is relevant to you, read the full article:
https://mmbcreative.net/death-is-not-the-end-it-is-a-reminder-to-live-well/

I'd also love to invite you to check out Fiesta Farewell, an online resource for all services (celebrants, funeral services, flowers, etc.) you will ever need when the inevitable happens - death. It offers advice by the experts in the field.

visit: www.fiestafarewell.com

Fiesta Farewell supports those planning a funeral for a loved one and those preparing for their own celebration of life. Learn more here.

27/08/2026

One day to go.

Tomorrow evening we open the doors to the Live Preview of What We're Made Of, an exhibition that explores cultural identity, family heritage, and the stories that connect us across generations.

Join us between 6.00pm and 8.00pm at Rugby Art Gallery & Museum for a first look at the exhibition before it opens to the public.

On the evening you can:
• Meet artists Malen Mendoza-Baxter, Anna Legaspi and Raphy Legaspi.
• Experience three unique artistic perspectives on identity, belonging and cultural inheritance.
• Watch our documentary introducing the rich history and culture of the Philippines.
• Learn more about our accompanying Cultural Heritage Storytelling Workshop.
• Connect with others over light refreshments.

Whether you have Filipino roots or simply enjoy meaningful art and conversation, everyone is welcome.

🎟️ Register to attend the Live Preview:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1995458104908?aff=oddtdtcreator

📍 Rugby Art Gallery & Museum
🕕 Tomorrow | 6.00pm to 8.00pm

Find out more:
https://what-we-are-made-of.my.canva.site/art-exhibit

Register for the Storytelling Workshop:
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/what-were-made-of-a-cultural-heritage-storytelling-workshop-tickets-1995306107279?aff=oddtdtcreator

Exhibition open 25th August to 5th September.

We look forward to welcoming you.

23/08/2026

Meet the Artists! ❤️

I'm Malen Mendoza-Baxter, one of the three artists behind What We're Made Of, two of whom I've introduced in my previous posts. My daughters, Anna and Raphy.

I'm a mother of three, an artist at heart, and the founder of MMB Creative. Much of my work centres on helping people reconnect with their roots, strengthen their identity, and preserve the stories that shape who they are.

For What We're Made Of, my focus is on cultural identity. As a Filipino living in the UK, this exhibition is our way of celebrating our heritage, sharing the richness of our history, and opening conversations about belonging, identity, and what connects us across generations.

I'd love to welcome you to the exhibition.

📍 What We're Made Of
🗓 25 August to 5 September
📍 Rugby Art Gallery & Museum
🎟 Free admission

✨ If this resonates with you, please share this post and invite someone who would enjoy discovering the exhibition with you.

For more information about the exhibit, visit:

https://what-we-are-made-of.my.canva.site/art-exhibit

To join the Storytelling Workshop, register here:

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/what-were-made-of-a-cultural-heritage-storytelling-workshop-tickets-1995306107279?aff=oddtdtcreator