From Ligaya, with fire

The Filipina Chef  Redefining Fusion on Her Own Terms

By Mye Mulingtapang | Photos by Ligaya x Taconeta

Filipino Meets Latin in Cecilia Carriga dela Cruz’s Game-Changing Food Truck

Taco Like You Mean It

For Cecilia Carriaga dela Cruz, the road to Ligaya x Taconeta wasn’t straight. It curved through kitchens, culture, courage, and a quiet word that never left her: ligaya.

“In Filipino, it means happiness,” she shares. “And it’s always been my favorite word. I knew that if I ever opened something truly mine, something that told my story, it would be called Ligaya.”

Today, Ligaya x Taconeta is more than a name on a food truck. It’s a living, rolling celebration of heritage, resilience, and flavor. Parked at the intersection of Filipino comfort food and Honduran street classics, Cecilia’s dishes are as bold as they are personal. One bite might feature crispy lechon bathed in fire-roasted salsa. Another, langka (jackfruit) stewed in coconut milk, tucked into a freshly pressed tortilla. The flavors don’t just fuse—they collide, crackle, and surprise.

When two rich culinary traditions meet, magic happens. At LIGAYA x Taconeta, Filipino warmth and Honduran soul blend into unforgettable flavors—from crispy pork belly to smoky, coconut-laced vegetables. It’s a celebration of roots, culture, and creativity, one taco at a time.

Tropical Lechón Taco

Crispy pork with charred pineapple, mango-habanero salsa, pickled onions, chicharrón, and cilantro.

Jackfruit & Coconut Taco

Green jackfruit stewed in coconut milk and pasilla chili, with pickled red onions and cilantro.

Adobo Quesadilla

A combination juicy chicken adobo and melted cheese in a perfectly crisped tortilla, served with roasted jalapeño-avocado sauce, green pico, and lime.

Inside the Food Truck

This isn’t just a food truck. It’s a cultural remix on wheels.

Raised between rich Filipino traditions and surrounded by the dynamic energy of street food culture, Cecilia long carried a quiet dream. “I never thought I’d actually do it,” she says. “Even with all the encouragement from friends, I was scared. Working for yourself? It’s a different kind of leap.”

But she leapt—and landed.

Now, Ligaya x Taconeta has become a staple in the local food scene in the Netherlands, pulling in crowds craving both comfort and curiosity. It’s where tradition meets rebellion, where the familiar gets flipped, and where every dish is layered with story.

Between Cultures and Communities

Cecilia doesn’t just cook. She creates a space for connection—between cultures, communities, and flavors that don’t often meet on the same plate. At the heart of it all is ligaya—not just happiness, but joy that’s earned, shared, and served hot.

Ligaya x Taconeta isn’t just a food truck. It’s a movement. And Cecilia is driving it forward— where every taco is a story, every quesadilla is a bridge, and every stop the truck makes is a celebration of identity, heritage, and home wherever you find it.

I wanted to prove to myself and maybe to others too, that there’s space for food like this. Food that honors where we come from but doesn’t play it safe.  -Cecilia

Ligaya x Taconeta isn’t just a food truck. It’s a joyful rebellion. A flavorful reminder that when culture, courage, and community meet — magic rolls in.

Her co-founder, collaborator, and real-life partner is a Honduran chef who brings his own soulful traditions, spice-forward cooking, and deep roots in Central American cuisine to the table.

As Cecilia laid the foundation for Ligaya, she found herself naturally gravitating toward a deeper culinary and personal partnership—one that would expand her idea of home and flavor. Enter Taconeta, a vibrant street food concept born from the heart of Latin American tradition. When Cecilia teamed up with the brand—and more importantly, with the man behind it—something clicked. Their collaboration wasn’t just strategic; it was deeply intuitive. Together, they saw an opportunity to create something entirely new: a cultural intersection of warmth, spice, and soul.

Working with Cecilia, we get to honor where we come from while creating something that’s completely ours.” -Carlos

At the heart of this partnership is more than just a love for cooking, it's built on real love. Cecilia’s co-founder, collaborator, and real-life partner is Honduran chef Carlos Adan Bonilla, whose passion for food is rooted in childhood memories, family kitchens, and the lively markets of Central America. With Carlos’bold, spice-forward techniques and rich culinary background, he brings a grounded, soulful layer to Ligaya x Taconeta. Their kitchen is a dialogue: Filipino comfort meets Honduran heat, creativity meets craft, and their flavors speak fluently across borders. Together, they’ve transformed their food truck into a rolling story of heritage, heart, and shared ambition.

For Cecilia, food isn’t just something you eat. It’s how you remember. How you belong. How you love.

And that, truly, is ligaya on wheels.

A Rolling Celebration of Joy, Culture, and Courage

Being mobile isn’t just a business model; it’s a philosophy. "Being 'on wheels' means we can move, adapt, and reach people where they are," Cecilia shares. 

Whether parked at a local market or rolling into a festival, the truck becomes a space where people from all walks of life feel welcome, seen, and full in every sense of the word.

The soul behind Ligaya x Taconeta, is more than just a name. It’s a compass, a daily reminder of why the food truck exists. "Ligaya brings me back to purpose," she says. "Even on tough days, it reminds me that we’re here to share joy through food, through stories, and through culture."

Cecilia serves a cultural remix on wheels. A beautiful intersection of Filipino and Mesoamerican roots seasoned by the communities she's become part of. "It’s storytelling through flavors," she explains. "Playful, evolving, and proudly immigrant." In a world often hungry for connection, Ligaya x Taconeta feeds more than just appetites. It nourishes identity, creativity, and the community — one bite, one smile, one story at a time.

To fellow immigrants and women dreaming of their own food business, Cecilia’s advice is both practical and empowering: "Start with your story — it’s your superpower." She encourages others not to wait until they feel “ready,” but to move forward with resilience, curiosity, and heart. "You belong in this space. Take up room."

Crispy lechon meets tropical flair in this bold, flavor-packed Filipino taco from Ligaya x Taconeta.