Tara Bunch, an American living in Manila answers Q&A

🎥 Jun 10, 2020 📺 TaraBunch ⏱ 5m

Miss Tara Bunch, an American humanitarian for the Filipino people answers questions submitted by followers. Tara Bunch has lived in the Philippines for almost 3 years. Both in the province of Tarlac and in Manila. Follow her facebook @MissTaraBunch

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About Tara Bunch

Tara Bunch, Global Head of Operations at Airbnb, discussed the company's new "everything app" in a May 2025 interview. She said the app integrates stays, services, and experiences in one place, describing the offerings as "thoroughly vetted," "very unique," and "authentic." Bunch noted that services now available through Airbnb include personal chefs, photography, massage, and personal trainers, and she cited a company survey indicating 70% of people look for services when booking accommodation. She also stated that 50% of Airbnb's services have at least one offering at $50 per person or less, and the average price for experiences is $67 per person. In earlier appearances, Bunch described her role at Apple, where she was vice president of operations at AppleCare, overseeing global support channels. She spoke about her career approach, including applying for jobs "no one else really wants" and being transparent with teams during business transitions. Bunch also documented a 2021 relief mission in the Philippines, where she drove 12 hours to help distribute aid to over 500 families affected by typhoons, and stated she moved to the Philippines in 2017 to assist with her brother and sister-in-law's medical clinic.

Source: AI-verified profile updated from Tara Bunch's recent appearances. Browse all interviews →

Transcript (10 segments)

Tara Bunch0:10

About 12, 13, 14 that we picked out and now we're gonna answer them one by one. So I've eaten Tila the first question: Are you the sister of Dr. Farris' husband?

I am. I am Sir Jack's youngest sister and much younger, like 12 or 13 years younger. Yeah, Dr. Kara is my sister-in-law.

I just kept staying. I fell in love with the country and learning to cook garlic and pray. Right now my Tagalog is just 'county long' and my Ilocano is 'that's it long'. So I think if I'm going to live here, I should learn the language as best I can. And you also said always watch the expressions on their faces and never forget that. I've noticed that because I noticed that now I started to say yes.

Next question is from Merlin Vitello: Are you a member of Jehovah's Witnesses? I am not.

I've been in the city for six months now, I think, because of the EC2 especially. But I love Tarlac. I consider it definitely my second home. That's where my friends are, that's where the only people that are like family to me relocated. And I said I could totally live in the province for the rest of my life probably.

Question number six now from Sabine Ian's channel and Leona SJ: What is your secret for being always so beautiful? Maraming maraming salamat to both of you. Um, my secret is editing and maybe good skincare. I try to do everything. I try to eat healthy usually.

Finola even fan says you have pansit, it's so good with a little bit of vinegar and calamansi. Maserati all right. Manny doom-doom: How long have you been staying here in the Philippines? My first trip here was in 2012, and then I've made multiple trips since 2015, 16, 17. But I really have been staying here since 2018.

We're so cure than in the U.S. Lovely Mariano, I love your last name. Some of the best people I know. I'd be like staying in the Philippines. I love staying in the Philippines because of the hospitality that I receive here. Everyone is so gracious to me, so welcoming to me. They understand that I may not have the best Tagalog, I may not speak the best Ilocano.

Everyone's fun and you hone it. It just feels like home here. So a simple 'bottle key night, Baba, come on Cassie honey mule full month to Golic her mommy says I'm not for that.' So everyone always asks me this is the question that I always get. People always say, 'Are you Filipina?' or even 'Feyza, are you having that?' because they see me responding with Tagalog or Ilocano. But no, I am 100% pure American. As American as they can be. Irish American, German, freckles, red hair, blue eyes. But that's a question that I really, really, really get a lot in my messenger. So it looks like okay, so I'm not going to be able to get to everyone's questions obviously, but we have one.

Clemmie Jim people are MIDI. I should say my being successful economy. But no, I'm from Missouri. I'm from the Midwest. I just have the heart of a Filipina, so I'm told by everyone. For all of you sending your questions to me, I really, really appreciate it. Be sure to like, share, and follow. And if you have any suggestions for me, if you guys want to see me try certain foods, experience certain things, anything like that, please drop them down below. Maraming maraming salamat.