Historic, picturesque, classically romantic. These are, perhaps, some of the best words to describe San Agustin Church. These are also the same reasons why this all-stone, neoclassical-baroque church is one of the most popular venues for weddings in Manila. Situated at the heart of...
Connie and Rolan Garcia Connie and Rolando Garcia, both senior citizens, have an extraordinary vibe around them. Even in a crowded campsite, they stand out because they have a similar warm smile. Through 45 years of being together — 43 years as a married couple — they have...
ROSANO YUMUL One could call it blind faith. But that would be like making fun — and pun — of a person’s misfortune. And tantamount to dismissing Graham Nash’s commentary: ‘Tis sacrilege for us to take advantage of the blind. But how else could it be deemed? A boy from...
NICO MORENO “I love history. I love the Filipino. I love watches,” says 34-year-old Francisco “Nico” Moreno. These words best describe why he is doing what he does. He founded Ibarra, the first Filipino watch microbrand, in 2014. Since then, his life has been all about designing and...
By Haydee Awayan In the wake of Super Typhoon Yolanda in November 2013, which devastated countless coastal communities, I found myself overwhelmed by the sheer scale of the destruction and the heartbreaking stories of loss. Entire towns were flattened, families displaced, and lives forever changed....
It’s celebration after celebration. For Filipinos, the Christmas season (and New Year’s Day included) is immediately followed by yet another reason to celebrate. It’s not Valentine’s Day, no. It’s Chinese New Year, which traditionally marks the end of winter and the beginning of spring,...
Fnatic Onic Philippines celebrates its very first M-series world title (Moonton Photo) Fnatic Onic Philippines (FNOP) defied expectations and proved doubters wrong on their way to the world title and in the process improving their fortunes. Not a few eyebrows were raised when they first announced...
Noah Lapuz (Courtesy of 1507 Media) This was the case when long-time Formula 1 (F1) photojournalist Kym Illman featured a Filipino on a post that appeared in both his Instagram and TikTok accounts during the Qatar Grand Prix (GP) of last year’s F1 season. Illman, who has been covering F1...
Every January, hundreds of thousands of people from various backgrounds gather to see the ebony statue of Jesus Nazareno. Among the devotees are several well-known personalities from the entertainment industry. As the image of Jesus Nazareno celebrates its 419th year, these celebrities, each with...
One hundred twenty-eight years ago, rifle shots echoed during what was an otherwise quiet morning at Bagumbayan. With the Manila Bay as a backdrop, onlookers watched a lone figure tumble to the ground. The 35-year-old Jose Rizal fell dead, executed by firing squad, composed of Filipino soldiers...
It is safe to say that Christmas in the Philippines would not be the same without a particular group of people—people whose lives would also be different without the holiday season. It is, in a very real sense, an ecosystem or an economic system, to be more exact. Every year, as Christmas...
In a world where achievement is often measured by titles and wealth, there are unsung heroes whose impact is felt in the hearts of communities. Sixty-year-old Elsa de Torres, a microentrepreneur from Barangay Caloocan, Talisay, Batangas, is one such figure. Tita Elsa, as she is known in the...
