Monica Blanco

💭 Monnyfesting & co-creating a world we do not need to escape from

Hi, I’m Monica. I am a co-creator of the things I wish existed. The things I needed when I was (and as I continue) navigating identity, burnout, and big dreams in group chats that didn’t always get it. Content, brands, pop-ups, ecosystems, wellness workshops, and the occasional Google Sheet that lowkey (high key) saves someone’s mental health. I’ve co-created trauma-informed fitness programs with folks rebuilding their relationship to their body, to rest, movement, and self-trust… because I had to do that work for myself first. I co-built @filexcellence to make space for stories I needed to hear, to practice taking up space myself, and to mentor the next generation. Because I wish I had a mentor who looked like me and led like me. I co-nurture @istoryalv to feed people’s stomachs and stories because food is a portal, and I wish I knew our history went deeper than lumpia. I’ve evolved into @panganay.co to process this sh*t out loud because eldest daughters deserve more than silent strength and a backup plan. I’ve been in pre-med, engineering, wellness, & creative spaces… and now I’m the person people call when their passion project or business has soul but no structure. “Can you help me name this thing and make it make sense?” Yes. Hell yes I can. Because I don’t hustle, I respond. F*ck the hustle. I’ve led burnt-out visionaries back to themselves, led storytelling teams, launched national & global programs, & officiated weddings for people I love. I’m the visionary who helps visionaries, building systems that hold people, and teach them how to hold themselves. I build the back end of your breakthrough so it lasts, feels good & actually fits you. 🍑 I like operations that feel like intimacy. Partnerships that start with alignment and end with a shared folder. Content that hits you in the chest, then hands you a clipboard. Story is my strategy. Care is my backbone. I don’t need to niche down. I don’t want to niche down. I’m a living mosaic, made of parts I used to think had to live in different rooms. Now I let them all sit at the table. An imaginary one, because it’s big enough for all parts of me to commune and eat. What about you?

How did Filipinos come to America? 🇵🇭🇺🇸 That’s the question we’re dying to answer at Isang Kusina this AANHPI Heritage Month. Our co-owner @monnylog sat down with 2024 James Beard Award for Best Chef of California — Lord Maynard Llera @cheflordmaynard — ahead of our biggest event yet, to learn more about his culinary journey. 🎟️ Under 100 tickets left. Dinner at 6 PM @ Keep Memory Alive Event Center. Grab yours now — IsangKusina.com (or link in bio!).

Grateful to take care of my people 🙏🏽 Ready for your turn? DM me ‘CHIRO’ and I’ll send my booking link 🔗 #hendersonchiropractor #vegaschiropractor #kasamachiropractic #filipinochiropractor #lasvegaschiropractor

Here at the Krusty Krab, we take secret formulas very seriously. Introducing the Krabby Patty formula — sorry — our Tuna Tartare Kinilaw, now swimming onto the menu at our Istorya residency at @durangosocialclub . Fresh tuna. Bright calamansi. And a secret aioli at the bottom that Mr. Krabs would absolutely lock in a vault. INSTRUCTIONS 1. Stir like you’re about to perform Sweet Victory 🧽 2. Do NOT grill 🔥 3. If you grill it, Mr. Krabs will know 🦀 **no jellyfish (except for maybe @lifeofayce ) were harmed in the making of this dish** Catch us Tuesdays and Wednesdays at @durangosocialclub . Link in bio to secure your seat before Gary does

Behind The Kitchen as we send off the Galeón chapter. Tortang Talong. Eggplant paired with an egg-binding method that became common during the Spanish period. Filipino ingredients, adapted in Filipino kitchens. In the kitchen, Chef Justin Barnes revisits one of the first dishes his mom taught him and works through an inspired version with Chef Dio Buan. It’s one of the items that landed on our #Filipino Spanish menu. Eggplant over open flame. Egg. Pan. Rolled, sliced, finished with tomato, vinegar, yuzu kosho, and banana ketchup sofrito. Familiar flavors, adjusted for balance. Farewell Galeón dinner. 2/24. Less than 30 days. Bookings coming soon. Thank you @missearth.angelia for hosting us and @lifeofayce who is bringing their director’s cut 🎬🔪 to the table.

the residency by istoryuhhh 🇵🇭 our dear friends at @istoryalv had their grand opening— the residency, located in @durangosocialclub 🥂 now open every tuesdays & wednesdays, be sure to try one of each from the menu created by chef dio @dangerously_delicious702 🔥 after 3 years of pop-ups & community gatherings, this residency is just the beginning of something truly magical ✨ congratulations team istorya for this incredible milestone! such a privilege to witness your story unfold. the meaningful change you’ve created in inspiring our filipino-american community with each flavor + bite, guiding us back home ♥️ some of our fav dishes @mmarybberryy 😋 - tito’s salmon sisig - pork belly sinuglaw - pancit gising-gising - adobo mushroom pâté - leche flan chiffon cake - calamansi lemonade book your next date night | girls’ night now! 💌

Shaped by Chef Dio Buan’s lived istorya — rooted in the Filipino dishes he grew up with in Manila, reimagined through years in professional kitchens. Familiar flavors, elevated technique, meant to be shared. Plus house-made desserts inspired by Filipino home baking. 🇵🇭✨ 👨‍🍳 @istoryalv @dangerously_delicious702 @walbertjcastillo #lasvegas #filipinofood #filipinocuisine #istoryalv

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red rock, drop top, cookin’ up adobo in the crockpot 😤😩🥘 dropping a rap album with @jtablanco and @dangerously_delicious702 of @istoryalv the only @museinmotion_media obviously 📸

New Residency Alert! 🚨 Istorya is officially taking over @durangosocialclub every Tuesday and Wednesday! Join us for our Grand Opening week this Tuesday and Wednesday, as we bring our #Filipino American cuisine to the heart of #LasVegas. 🇵🇭✨ Whether you’re craving a mid-week feast or a new favorite date night spot, we’re here to stay. That’s right—no end date in sight! We are officially your permanent mid-week Istorya a la carte fix. The Details: 📆 When: Every Tuesday & Wednesday | 5pm–10pm 📍 Where: Durango Social Club: 3655 S Durango Dr Unit 29, Las Vegas, NV 89147 (On Durango and Desert Inn, next to @desertbreezecc ) 🫰🏽 Walk-ins: Welcome (as space allows) 🍽️ Reservations: Preferred! (Released monthly) See you at the table! 👋🏽 🔗 Link in bio to book your spot via Tock.

“We called this the North Star meeting. Not because it was our first all-hands, but because it was the first time our entire team sat together. I wanted it to be a moment to look up together and remember why we’re doing this. Istorya has always been more than a pop-up. This year, we finally expanded into something that reflects that. Our logo “x” has always carried this. It originates from the x-virama in Baybayin, our pre-colonial Filipino writing system. When the Spanish came, they turned the x into a +, also known as the krus kudlit, a cross symbol. To represent both our pre-colonial and colonial timelines, we flipped the x into a cross, which you’ve seen illustrated subtly on our menus. Then there’s Vegas with its eight-pointed star on the “Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas sign = an overlapping of the x and the +. Pre-colonial and colonial, together. Constellation points driving and guiding us home. That’s what this meeting was: All of our north stars aligning into one. Istorya is the long table. The one where you pass dishes with both hands. Where you stay after you’re full because the conversation isn’t finished yet. But before we could feed anyone else, we had to sit with each other first. So we did. We talked about where we’ve been. Where we’re going. What this residency means. Not just for the business. For us. It felt like planting something. Not every seed grows in public. Some need the quiet of being buried first. This was that.” Monica aka @monnylog 📸: @binglejoy2.0 Thank you to our sponsors: @gyuplus_lv @saffronloungelv @middleblacksheepcoffee.lv @trufflesnbacon @nevada.sbdc @shadowhayze @otonomushotel @drsiapno @museinmotion_media