“Tatak” means mark or stamp.
“Kanto” means street corner.
Tatak Kanto was born from the belief that the heart of Filipino culture lives in the streets—the kanto where people gather, stories are shared, music plays, and food brings everyone together.
Rooted in the Filipino spirit of bayanihan, Tatak Kanto is a community platform dedicated to celebrating Filipino culture through food, music, art, and storytelling. Our mission is to create spaces where culture is not just observed, but truly experienced.
Our name reflects both our identity and our purpose. “Tatak” represents the mark of our heritage, while “Kanto” symbolizes the street corner, the place where culture begins, creativity grows, and community forms.
Everything we do carries that mark: authentic, meaningful, and rooted in community.
Tatak Kanto exists to uplift Filipino-owned businesses, food vendors, musicians, artists, and creatives by giving them a platform to be seen, heard, and supported. We honor tradition while embracing the future, connecting generations and keeping Filipino culture alive in ways that feel real and relevant today.
Whether you’re here to eat, listen, create, or simply belong — you have a place here at Tatak Kanto.
Tatak Kanto was founded by husband-and-wife team John and Mary Jo De Leon, whose shared passion for Filipino culture, food, and community led them to create a platform that celebrates heritage while bringing people together.
John De Leon is a U.S. Army Veteran and former New Jersey State Trooper. He served nine years in the Army as an Infantryman and was deployed to Djibouti, Africa in 2019. After completing his military service, John served four years with the New Jersey State Police before transitioning into entrepreneurship and community-focused initiatives.
Mary Jo De Leon studied Culinary and Pastry Arts in Pampanga, Philippines, widely known as the Culinary Capital of the Philippines. She later worked as a line chef in Massachusetts.
Growing up in Pampanga, Mary Jo was immersed in a culture where food represents love, tradition, and celebration. From family fiestas to everyday meals, each dish carries a story.
Today, John and Mary Jo operate Kanto Filipino BBQ, bringing Filipino flavors and cherished family recipes to the community through their food truck.
Their mission is to serve not just food, but a taste of home, heritage, and heart in every bite.