The Californer - MiAltar, The World's First Virtual Altar Platform to Honor Departed Loved Ones, Launches Ahead of Dia de Muertos Holiday

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Created by Two Immigrant Female Founders of Mexican and Indian Descent, MiAltar Allows Users Worldwide to Build Personalized Digital Altars

SAN JOSE, Calif. - Californer -- MiAltar (https://mialtarvirtual.com) the world's first virtual altar platform to honor departed loved ones, will launch in October 2024. This platform will be available prior to the Día de Muertos holiday celebrated on November 1^st and 2^nd, as well as during National Hispanic Heritage Month.

After spending her high school years in Mexico and experiencing Día de Muertos firsthand, co-founder Jacquie Villa Evanko visited cemeteries, shared food, and commemorated loved ones through music and storytelling. Years later, living in Singapore, she sought a meaningful way to honor her departed but found no digital option available

Teaming up with Shinu Singh, a fellow immigrant of Indian descent who saw the shared cultural importance of the preservation of traditions they created MiAltar, a platform that bridges the gap between tradition and innovation. "MiAltar allows users to create personalized digital altars adorned with photos, flowers, and offerings (ofrendas), bringing the spirit of Día de Muertos to the digital age," said Villa Evanko. "It is a way for families and individuals to honor their loved ones, even if they can't gather in person."

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"From the beginning, we prioritized understanding how people connect with Día de Muertos, conducting in-depth interviews with over 70 individuals," Singh further added. "These conversations helped shape MiAltar by revealing the personal motivations behind the tradition and the challenges people face when creating physical altars—such as space, time, and material constraints."

With Day of the Dead fast approaching, MiAltar provides a unique opportunity for individuals across the globe to engage in the tradition of building altars. It offers an intimate and accessible way to keep cultural heritage alive and remember those who are no longer with us.

MiAltar is now available in beta version, which means they have launched a basic version and invite users to visit the website to create their digital altars and provide feedback on their experience, to help improve the platform. 'We are excited to share MiAltar with the world and welcome users to be part of this journey with us,' said Villa Evanko. 'Their feedback will play a vital role in shaping the future of this platform.'

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About MiAltar:
MiAltar is the first virtual platform for creating personalized altars for Día de Muertos. Founded by two California natives with Mexican and Indian immigrant backgrounds, MiAltar was created to preserve and honor cultural traditions in a digital space. The platform allows users to build, customize, and share their altars with friends and family, ensuring that the memories of their loved ones are celebrated no matter where they are.