In September 2015, netizens lobbied for the declaration of Apo Whang-od as a National Artist of the Philippines for her role in preserving the dying art of cultural tattoo. Eighty-eight-year-old Whang-od Oggay is considered as the last mambabatok (hand-tap tattoo artist) of her tribe. She hails from mountains of the Cordilleras, specifically in Buscalan […]
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Where Did Your Philippine President Come From? (Part 1 of 3)
As prescribed by current Philippine law, two of the pertinent qualifications required for public elective positions, specifically the president of the country are: (1) that the aspirant is a natural born citizen and (2) that the aspirant is a resident of the Philippines for at least 10 years immediately preceding the election. This completely […]
Paella, Pinoy Style!
After centuries of Spanish colonial rule and decades of Pinoy creativity, paella has become Filipinized. Be it seafood, Valencia, negra or mixed, paella and all its variants have been important parts of Filipino cuisine. Originating from Valencia in Spain, paella is a Catalan word derived from the old French word paelle, […]
New and Improved Roxas Boulevard: Restoring the Glory of Manila
Manila Bay is known for having one of the most beautiful sunsets and Roxas Boulevard, the promenade fronting it, provides front row seats to this majestic view. This natural harbour strategically surrounds the capital city of the Philippines and serves as the port of the center of commerce. It also drains a big […]
Top 5 Muslim Delicacies
Feast of Breaking the Fast 1.) Tiyula Itum – “Tiyula’ itum is the best among the Tausug viands. The origin of this food is not yet known even among the Tausug, but people believed the tiyula’ itum is really a Tausug cuisine because of the presence of the burned coconut. […]
Yummy Yema: How to Cook This Creamy & Chewy Filipino Dessert
Yema is a custard candy that Filipinos inherited during the Spanish era. “Yema” is a Spanish word that means “yolk.” During the Spanish colonial period years, egg whites and egg shells were used to build churches in the Philippines. It was a technique in the olden times to use them […]
A Slice of Canada in Metro Manila
The Land of Maples has fascinated the Filipinos with Hollywood stars and singing sensations–Anne Murray, Paul Anka, Dan Aykroyd, Bryan Adams, and more recently Celine Dion and Justin Bieber. These Canadian thespic and musical talents has spilled over, too, in a realm which is traditionally the bulwark of Italian culinary […]
The Story of Reo Brothers Band
By Tom Banguis, Jr The title of this email just about summarizes the past week’s journey for a band of 4 very young brothers, rendered homeless and penniless by the storm surge in Tacloban, to the adoring response of an admiring, appreciative audience who were witness to their very first […]
A Papal Tower in the Philippines?
The seven-story edifice commemorates the late Pope John Paul II’s pastoral visit to Bacolod last February 20, 1981. The tower was built in the area where he delivered one of his most powerful messages on behalf of the poor. The Pope Tower at night during New Year’s Eve; photo […]
Binangkal: A Cebuano Native Delicacy
Binangkal is a sesame-covered baking powder doughnut that is shaped and as small as a ping-pong ball. It is deep fried until crisp and brown on the outside. It looks like a dim sum which gives us a hint of Chinese influence. The basic or main ingredients are eggs, oil, […]