Pipol

Profiles, interviews and human-interest stories focused on individuals. Columnists and their stories.

Chef Kenneth Cacho: Mastery with Heart, Discipline with Soul

By Tatung Sarthou

July 31, 2025

It started with a silence. In a room full of clattering pans and ticking clocks, everything paused when Chef Kenneth Cacho plated his final dish:…

Quiet Filipino Heroes: What We Choose to Stand For

By Tatung Sarthou, Editor-in-Chief, Simpol.ph

July 18, 2025

Some people shout to be seen. Others stand quietly—and still move the world. This week at Simpol, we bring you stories of Filipinos who take…

A Taste for the Lost: How John Sherwin Felix Revives Filipino Food Heritage

By Tatung Sarthou

July 18, 2025

The salt came wrapped in brown paper, coarse and heavy. John Sherwin Felix opened the bundle in his Mindoro kitchen—and everything shifted. It wasn’t trendy…

ISSA Returns with New Single Cinnamon Treasure and Full Creative Fire

By Gilbert Kim Sancha

July 17, 2025

At 3 a.m., Issa Pressman sat with her laptop, editing frame by frame. No glam team. No outside direction. Just ISSA—shaping every beat, every movement,…

“Insect Hag and Other Stories doesn’t just raise goosebumps—it unearths buried grief, forgotten fears, and the spirits we carry within. Yvette Tan turns horror into a haunting form of truth-telling.” book cover

Yvette Tan’s Insect Hag and Other Stories Reminds Us What Horror Is Really For

By Simpol

July 10, 2025

We light candles for the dead. Whisper “pwera usog” to ward off misfortune. Avoid certain corners of the house at night. Even in our modern…

On the floor, not above it—General Manager Rouel Guanzon brings presence, consistency, and Filipino hospitality to every corner of Park Inn by Radisson Iloilo.

The Guest Comes First: How Rouel Guanzon Brings Heart to Every Hotel

By Simpol

July 10, 2025

Since its launch in March 2019, Park Inn by Radisson Iloilo has been welcoming guests. And though Rouel Guanzon is new to the property, he…

Portrait of Cebuano Rubik’s cube champion Leo Borromeo holding a cube, radiating quiet focus and Filipino pride

This Cebuano Teen Solves 400 Cubes a Day—and He’s One of the Fastest in the World

By Tatung Sarthou

July 4, 2025

Before each competition, Cebuano Rubik’s cube champion Leo Borromeo holds the cube in both hands. He exhales slowly. Feels the warmth in his fingers. The…

Portrait of Tim alongside screenshots of his @Timdrinkscoffee Instagram feed, showcasing Philippine specialty coffee storytelling and origin-based content.

Timdrinkscoffee: How Tim Is Brewing Philippine Specialty Coffee Culture

By Simpol

July 4, 2025

In a world chasing viral trends and 10-second dopamine hits, one feed makes you stop scrolling—and start breathing. No flashy text overlays. No latte art…