Shop Halo Halo

Chef and owner of Shop Halo Halo, Geleen Abenoja is a self-taught dessert and pastry chef, and community organizer from Renton, Washington where much of her family settled after immigrating from the Philippines. Her love of baking comes from her childhood kitchen where she created traditional sweets alongside her mom and grandma. Geleen moved to Portland in 2012 and could find nowhere to buy the traditional and nostalgic treats that she craved and grew up with until the opening of St. Barbra’s Pinoy Bakery a few years later.

Geleen built upon her home- and self-taught kitchen skills while working in a local Pan-Asian restaurant, moving from server to line-cook to eventual dessert chef and recipe developer, meeting customers and colleagues along the way who lamented about not being able to find Filipino baked goods or desserts in Portland, much less vegan or gluten-free alternatives. So Geleen began Shop Halo Halo in 2015 as a creative outlet and side-hustle, selling various wares online and at events, and in 2018 began gaining traction and popularity over her handmade Filipino sweets, which included classics from her youth as well as modern takes on Filipino flavors. Halo-Halo, which translates to “mix-mix,” is itself a dessert made with shaved ice and several toppings, each a distinct flavor and texture, but come together effortlessly — reflective of her brand and desire to present unique handcrafted treats that delight the eyes and taste buds.

It has always been the aim with Shop Halo Halo to serve a variety of handcrafted sweets that convey our stories and honor the flavor-filled union of history and tradition, geography and resources, family and culture that span all the way from the Philippines to the Pacific Northwest. As Shop Halo Halo continues to evolve and grow, we strive to create a space that centers and uplifts community, highlights and innovates beloved flavors and recipes, and educates others about Filipino cuisine, culture, and history. The Filipino Food Community in Portland has grown exponentially in the last 5 years and is full of so many talented, hardworking, and passionate individuals. We are honored to be featured alongside them and highlight the vastness and diversity of our cuisine.