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 lifestyle platform. To pause, take stock, and ask: How do we share stories beyond recipes, stories that truly matter ?
Dear Simpol Pips,
A few months ago, I stepped back from my role as Simpol’s main host—not to walk away, but to reflect on the Simpol digital lifestyle platform. To pause, take stock, and ask: How do we tell stories that truly matter?
This is the result of that reflection.
Today, I return—not just in front of the camera, but at the helm of Simpol digital lifestyle platform—as Editor-in-Chief and Chief Content Officer. Together, we’re turning the page on a new chapter.
Simpol is now a digital lifestyle platform, led by the newly relaunched Simpol e-magazine—a curated weekly space shaped by the lives of modern Filipinos. It’s more than a website. It’s our digital editorial home for stories that are thoughtful, purposeful, and relevant.
We’ve reflected—and chosen the path of meaning over noise.
I needed a better space. Not just to cook or create—but to share what matters most to me.
My values. My advocacies. The things I believe in deeply.
Simpol has become that space. It is also now a digital lifestyle platform—not just for recipes, but for reflection. For conversations that go beyond what’s on the plate and into the lives we’re all trying to build.
Because the truth is, recipes alone aren’t enough to make life meaningful.
What we truly crave is connection.
A reason to cook. A reminder that we’re not alone.
At Simpol, we believe the stories behind the food—the hands that prepare it, the rituals that surround it—are what give life its real flavor.
Simpol Flavors: A Richer, More Collaborative Table
We’ve revitalized our food section—Simpol Flavors. It’s no longer just about recipes from me, but a richer, more collaborative table.
We’re bringing in a reinforced lineup of chefs, cooks, and culinary voices from across the country. Together, we’ll share practical recipes, cooking wisdom, and special features that dive into the stories beyond the plate in this digital lifestyle platform.
Because food isn’t just about technique—it’s about memory, culture, and care.
Growing the Simpol Family
Through this journey, our most loyal followers—our Simpol Pips—never left. You stood by us, even when we chose differently from what was expected. You didn’t just stick around—you showed up.
Many of you feel like family. And it’s that trust that gives us the courage to evolve.
We join hands not just to connect, but to enlarge the circle—to grow our Simpol family in a way that’s inclusive, generous, and true to who we are. As we expand, we embrace Simpol as a digital lifestyle platform enhancing connectivity.
What This Issue Brings
June marks weddings and commitments, back-to-school mornings and fresh starts. It’s a month of choices—and the quiet power of choosing again.
This issue of the Simpol e-magazine is all about beginnings—in the kitchen, in the classroom, in love, and in life.
Our cover story by Chef Waya Araos‑Wijangco brings us to the pine forests of Sagada, where damayan—a word that means both “wild mushroom” and “mutual aid”—reminds us that feeding a nation begins with care, memory, and solidarity.
It’s a quiet but powerful reminder of the kind of storytelling we need more of.
We also share the story of Juan Carlo the Caterer—a business that began in a family garage and now orchestrates some of the grandest events in the country.
It’s a tale of quiet beginnings, refined taste, and the kind of Filipino ambition that rises without forgetting where it came from.
What Simpol Stands For
Simpol is no longer just a recipe hub. This Simpol digital lifestyle platform is a growing anthology of Filipino life, guided by one clear promise:
Sensible, soulful stories for modern Filipino living.
So take your time with this week’s issue—and keep coming back.
This is our beginning, too. And we’re glad you’re here.
Tasteful, useful, a little playful.
Here’s to living made Simpol with our digital lifestyle options.
— Chef Tatung Sarthou
Editor-in-Chief & Chief Content Officer
2 Comments. Leave new
Congratulations!
Thank you very much.