By Layeta P. Bucoy and Johannes L. Chua There are artists who were born into the light—welcomed, encouraged, molded from comfort. Junyee was not one of them. His life as an artist began in the dark, in the one place no aspiring 17-year-old would willingly choose to stand—a morgue. Not a...
By Iane Macasieb Friendship is a universal bond found in all human societies. In Filipino culture, it holds special significance—a wholesome kind of love found in companionship. Even the Tagalog word for “friend,” “kaibigan,” comes from the root word “ibig,” meaning “love.” Most...
For over 15 years, Josie Conlu has been at the forefront of serving the Filipino and wider expatriate communities in Dubai, earning recognition as the community’s most familiar and influential personality. Known for her warmth, generosity, and infectious positivity, she is also an award-winning...
For over five decades, Patis Tesoro has stood as the Grand Dame of Philippine Fashion—a cultural guardian whose needle and thread have stitched together history, heritage, and identity. Beyond her mastery of the baro’t saya and piña fabric, she remains a teacher at heart—one determined to...
By Ieth Inolino-Idzerda A few days after a week-long writing residency in Greece with sunsets over the Aegean Sea, Deepa Paul is back in Amsterdam, sitting on a leather couch at De Ysbreeker, a favorite local cafe facing the Amstel River. In a few days, she will fly to Frankfurt at the world’s...
Cayabu Elementary and High School and Rawang Elementary School in Rizal province received laptops from non-profit foundation Her Legacy Project and the country 's leading finance super app GCash, reinforcing their shared dedication to advancing financial inclusion and making basic education...
Each island of the Philippines has something unique to offer. Whether it’s food, design, or performance, these cultural gems make the country 's heritage ever vibrant—and that’s all thanks to the Filipino creatives who push them forward. It’s an understatement to say that the...
A true gem of a building, the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) is a true masterpiece. Designed by National Artist for Architecture Leandro Locsin, it boasts a brutalist charm with its exposed concrete, strong lines, and play on angles. When it opened on Sept. 5, 1976, it not only...
For generations, the Philippines’ colonial history—first under Spain and later the US—has shaped not only its politics and culture but also the reading habits of its people. Most of us grew up on a steady diet of telenovelas and English-language classics, from the haunting tales of Edgar...
It is no exaggeration to say that Filipinos are deeply invested in the Christmas season. As soon as September arrives, malls are decked with Yuletide decorations, Christmas jingles fill the air, and stalls selling holiday delicacies line the streets. For true holiday junkies, sprucing up their...
This October 2025, Aspire Corporate Plaza’s Sky Garden Deck will unveil a new floral destination, one that carries not just blossoms, but decades of passion, artistry, and legacy. The Flower Shop, envisioned by Kelcey Mae Chua-Wong, is a heartfelt tribute to her uncle, Jaime Chua, a renowned...
“What am I going to wear today?” That is one of the many—but constant—questions we ask ourselves throughout our lives. Unlike food or daily routines, clothes are far more personal. They present who we are before we even tell our story. That’s why deciding what pieces to wear often feels...
