Features

In depth stories and standout topics that offer context or analysis.

What It Really Takes to Become a Chef in the Philippines

By Liza Morales-Hernandez

July 18, 2025

The dream of becoming a chef in the Philippines has never been more alive — or more misunderstood. For many, it’s about prestige, creativity, or…

The Next Step: Finn Cotton Is Making a Leap Forward

By Hanz Daniel Cortez

July 18, 2025

In the middle of a lockdown during the pandemic, Paul de la Fuente sat in his living room, staring at his laptop. His sneaker cleaning…

Brain Rot? AI in the Philippines and the Future of Thinking

By Richard Jonathan O. Taduran, Ph.D.

July 18, 2025

You’ve seen it: students letting ChatGPT write their essays, workers outsourcing emails to bots, even teachers asking AI to draft quizzes. Efficient? Definitely. But as…

Redefining Possible: A Bath That Gave Him Back His Name

By Hanz Daniel Cortez

July 18, 2025

“Noong una ‘kong naligo sa KaLINGA ng AJ Kalinga Foundation, ramdam ko ang malambing na agos ng tubig — hugas ng maraming taon ng dumi’t…

Heirloom in Bloom: Filipino Fashion Designer Jor-el Espina Honors Patis Tesoro

By Dong Omaga-Diaz

July 18, 2025

In 2018, I stood proud in Kuala Lumpur as the Philippine team I mentored brought home the award for Best Asian Showcase of the Year…

Visual metaphor for the limits of AI empathy. The image reflects the article’s core message: that chatbots may offer comfort, but they often misread or oversimplify human emotions—especially in non-Western contexts like the Philippines.

Has ChatGPT Become Your Friend, Confidant—and Therapist?

By Richard Jonathan O. Taduran, Ph.D.

July 11, 2025

Over the past few months, I’ve noticed something quietly unsettling. People from all walks of life have begun turning to ChatGPT for guidance—on everything from…

Chefs Vince Garcia and Manuela Cherry Pasion-Tan in front of the Kalayaan Ball stage in Milan, just before the dinner service. Kapampangan cuisine in Milan table setting with Filipino dishes

Kapampangan Cuisine in Milan: They Came for the Food, but the Tears Filled Their Hearts

By Tatung Sarthou

July 10, 2025

Even before guests arrived, preparations were already in motion. Volunteers moved briskly. Kitchens buzzed with energy. The air, thick with garlic and anticipation, set the…

Quiet Confessions and Queer Longing Over Tapsilog: A Boys’ Love Novel Excerpt by Danton Remoto

By Simpol

July 10, 2025

What does queer friendship look like when it isn’t loud or tragic, but quiet, ordinary, and true? This story begins with a casual night out…

We Live in Two Worlds Now

By Tatung Sarthou

July 10, 2025

One moves at the speed of light. The other, at the pace of life. One is fast, reactive, always updating. The other requires waiting, tending,…

Bigg’s Diner: A cultural icon in Bicol

By Tatung Sarthou

July 9, 2025

Biggs in Naga and the Rise of a Regional Icon Where Generations Grew Up If you were a teenager in CamSur, chances are you spent…

A warm bowl of molo soup on a wooden table, representing the culinary heritage. Iloilo UNESCO Gastronomy City chefs and food community celebrated in 2023

Inside Iloilo’s Soulful Kitchens: The City That Feeds Hearts

By Chef Waya Araos-Wijangco

July 3, 2025

When UNESCO unveiled its latest list of global Creative Cities in 2023, one Filipino destination quietly stole the spotlight: Iloilo was officially named a UNESCO…