BAGUIO CITY — What does a Malaysian chef who has worked in five-star hotels and resorts like to eat at home? It’s pinakbet cooked by his Filipino wife. The love story of Gina Ulat (originally from La Union in the Philippines) and Alvin Emuang (of Penang, Malaysia) began in the late 1990s when they met...
Category: Lifestyle
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‘MaPanatag’ offers single mothers assurance and peace of mind
“Mapanatag” is a Filipino word that means “to be at peace,” or “to be assured”—a state that parents always want to be in, especially when it comes to matters concerning their children’s future. But for single mothers, it is doubly difficult to feel that assurance, knowing that they are the sole caretaker of their children....
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Deep in the mountains, giving thanks for the harvest
LUSOD, Kabayan, Benguet—On Nov. 12, my heart sank when I received word from Lilia Waclin that Supertyphoon “Uwan” had triggered landslides that wiped out not only the roads but also the crops. How different it was when I traveled to Lusod on Oct. 25. I heard the gongs long before I saw any of the...
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An abundant display of Laguna’s food and heritage at ‘Sa Pantalan 2025’
SANTA CRUZ, Laguna—The exhibition hall of Sa Pantalan 2025 at the back of Ted’s Kitchen was bustling and festive on the morning of Oct. 25, with Philippine folk songs playing in the background. At the forum at the end of the hall, a member of the audience has just asked guest speaker Socorro “Corito” Llamas...
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Planning a family trip? Let Melai show you how
BUSAN, South Korea — To inspire Filipino families to explore Korea’s coastal charm, what can be better than an autumn familiarization tour led by the popular Filipino TV personality Melai Cantiveros-Francisco? Melai and her family enjoyed the tour, titled “Family Fun in Korea” and hosted by the Korea Tourism Organization, on Oct. 15-19. It’s part of...
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Oodles of noodles, and more to love
I’m a noodle and siopao person. Ask my husband who has to put up with my delivery orders whenever I fail at my kitchen duties. A good thing Rolly Fernandez is a beef and mami person, too. Otherwise, he’d starve, or fast, for a day. Pianist Najib Ismail, a certified foodie (just take a look...
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Making memories: Sticky rice and unfettered bonds
Among my vivid childhood memories is making bilo-bilo. I remember the sensation of rolling between my palms a dollop of cold malagkit (sticky rice) to about an inch round until smooth, putting the ball on a plate, and repeating the process, putting the balls one beside the others on the quickly filled plate, until there...
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Experience Sorsogon one delicious bite at a time
Sorsogon at the southernmost tip of the Bicol Peninsula usually draws local and foreign tourists to its coastal fringes. Among the top seaside destinations are Donsol and its whale sharks, Paguriran Island in Sorsogon City, Subic beaches in Matnog, and the surfing hubs in Gubat. But there’s an alternative experience that visitors shouldn’t miss: a...
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Authentic French breads and pastries enliven the City of Pines
BAGUIO CITY—It’s common to see the end of the queue as you enter the parking lot—long before you get to the front doors—of L’Atelier du Grain in this mountain city. “We usually sell more than 3,000 kinds of breads and pastries per day in the weekends,” says co-owner Merna Brazil. At the helm of the...
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I’m only happy when it rains
My wife and I woke up one Wednesday morning and I hit the snooze button on the alarm clock. It was raining and the air was cool. In the additional five minutes of sleep, otherwise known as negotiating with myself if I should get up or not, there was a quandary in my head: With...