Features

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

Illustration of a human silhouette with circuitry patterns representing artificial intelligence, set against a sunset cityscape—symbolizing the rise of AI in the Philippines and the beginning of the Intelligence Age.

Ready or Not, the Intelligence Age Is Here

By Richard Jonathan O. Taduran, Ph.D.

June 28, 2025

Most people still think of artificial intelligence as just smarter search engines or more personalized social feeds. But what’s unfolding is far more profound. We’re…

Show posters of Somebody Feed Phil Manila episode and I Love Filipino placed side by side, illustrating two different approaches to Filipino food storytelling—one emotional and personal, the other structured and curated.

Who Said It Better? Two Netflix Shows Try to Tell the Filipino Food Story

By Tatung Sarthou

June 21, 2025

Phil Rosenthal always has a funny way of saying things that seem off—until they make perfect sense. Take this line from the Somebody Feed Phil…

Sunlight illuminating the Cagayan de Oro business district skyline, showcasing traditional energy infrastructure as the city moves toward solar energy in the Philippines.

How the Sun Is Quietly Powering a Filipino Revolution—From Mindanao’s Hubs to Manila’s Skyscrapers

By Gelo Lopez

June 19, 2025

Cagayan de Oro: The City of Golden Friendship Meets an Energy Challenge Cagayan de Oro, the “City of Golden Friendship,” stands as a vibrant gateway…

Assorted foraged mushrooms in Sagada laid out on a flat surface, showcasing the diversity of wild fungi collected during a forest foray — a visual glimpse into sustainable foraging practices in the Cordillera region.

Damayan: What Mushrooms Teach Us About Feeding a Nation

By Waya Araos-Wijangco

June 19, 2025

Chef Waya Araos‑Wijangco ventured into the misty forests of Sagada in search of wild mushrooms—and returned with more than ingredients. Each harvest revealed a story…

From journalist to chef and author, I’ve come full circle. Simpol is the space I’ve long dreamed of—a platform not just for my stories, but for all of us who have something worth sharing.

It’s Time to Come Home—to Simpol

By Chef Tatung, Editor-in-Chief, Simpol

June 19, 2025

A few months ago, I stepped back from my role as Simpol’s main host—not to walk away, but to reflect on transforming Simpol into digital…

What makes a barong modern—fabric, fit, or the boldness to break tradition? As designers reimagine its form, the barong becomes not just a garment, but a question of identity in motion.

The Barong Tagalog:

By Dong Omaga-Diaz

June 12, 2025

The Barong Tagalog is the country’s official national wear for men. It is a garment both delicate and defiant. A combination of elements from pre-colonial…

A humanoid robot faces a digitally lit map of the Philippines, interconnected by glowing circuits on a dark background, symbolizing the rise of AI within the nation. Intelligence Explosion in Philippines

The Intelligence Explosion Has Come!

By Richard Jonathan O. Taduran, Ph.D.

June 9, 2025

How will your life change when machines can improve themselves—without us? The intelligence explosion in the Philippines is no longer a distant possibility; it’s becoming…

Morning bustle at the Zamboanguita public market in Negros Oriental, where native greens, coastal produce, and everyday exchanges reflect the rhythm of local life. Photo by John Sherwin Felix.

Are We Losing the Soul of Our Markets?

By Simpol

June 8, 2025

Sagada, Mt. Province — Cultural researcher John Sherwin Felix sparked conversation today after posting a quiet but pointed message on Facebook. His reflection questioned the…

What the ₱200 Wage Hike Means for Small Businesses in the Philippines

By Tatung Sarthou

June 7, 2025

For many of the Philippines’ micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), there’s a quiet arithmetic of survival—calculated daily behind half-closed shutters and flickering “open” signs.…

Before these ingredients vanish from our kitchens—and our memory—Slow Food Philippines invites us to protect what remains of our culinary heritage. slow food terra madre philippines

The Taste of What’s Almost Lost: Rediscovering Filipino Flavors at Terra Madre Asia & Pacific

By Simpol

June 2, 2025

In a world that moves fast, something valuable is fading from our kitchens—the taste of ingredients once central to Filipino cooking. This is the story…

Each harvest begins with hands in the soil. In the highlands of Benguet, farmers like this one work tirelessly to bring fresh, local potatoes to our tables. This season, let’s make sure their effort doesn’t go to waste.

Support Filipino Potato Farmers: Buy Benguet Potatoes at ₱80/kg

By Simpol

June 1, 2025

Rather than wait for a rescue effort, we’re choosing to act now to support Filipino potato farmers. Together with local chefs, growers, and food advocates,…