From Insurance to Iced Lattes (The Story of Dudu’s Café)
In the heart of Bloor West Village, a cozy little café named Dudu’s has quietly become a neighborhood favorite. It serves more than just coffee and bubble tea — it offers warmth, familiarity, and a dash of Filipino charm. Before it became Dudu’s Café, the space was a Timothy’s World of Coffee. When the previous owner moved to […]
Michael Sobrepeña: From Silent Supporter to Champion Coach
You might not notice him at a party. Off the court, Michael Sobrepeña is quiet, unassuming. But inside a gym, he’s electric — clapping, calling plays, locked into every drill with the intensity of someone who’s found his purpose. Michael didn’t start out as a coach. Just a proud dad cheering from the sidelines, watching […]
From Corner Store to Cheers – The Story of JC Tambayan
When JC and Karen opened JC Tambayan in Scarborough, they weren’t flush with capital or experience. What they had was a dream: to open a cozy Filipino bar that felt like home. Long before they had wings and loaded fries as bestsellers, they were just friends trying to figure out how to turn a dream […]
Toronto’s Wildest Homes: From 7 Feet Wide to 50,000 Square Feet
When Cherie Mercado-Santos set out to explore Toronto’s quirkiest and most iconic homes, she found herself standing in front of two extremes—a house so small it once went viral on Ellen, and another so massive it contains its own concert hall. Her first stop: Toronto’s smallest house. Built in 1912 by Arthur Weeden on a plot […]
The Hunt for the Perfect Oasis Shirt: Anjo’s Vintage T-Shirt Adventure in Toronto
With Oasis making their way to Toronto, Anjo had one thing on his mind: find the perfect band shirt before the concert. Not just any shirt, but something that screams fan energy, nostalgia, and maybe even a little bit of 90s attitude. Instead of ordering online, Anjo hit the streets to explore three iconic Toronto spots where local shops […]
Karlo of Square Box: Fighting with Heart, Not Just Fists
When Karlo took his first loss after 21 wins, it shook him. “It crushed me,” he admits. “I had to re-learn that losing is part of the game.” But that moment of pain became the foundation for something greater—Square Box Toronto, a gym he co-founded with two fellow fighters. Karlo didn’t grow up with access […]
Josie De Leon: Building Confidence, One Performance at a Time
At first glance, JDL Performing Arts looks like a simple kids’ theatre program. But step inside on rehearsal day, and you’ll find something much deeper—community, creativity, and heart. Founded by Josie De Leon, a singer and actress whose love for the stage began in her youth, JDL was born from a desire to give Filipino children […]
Filbert Shoots on Film: A Beginner’s Dive into the World of Analog Photography
Filbert has always loved photography. But lately, he’s taken that love to the next level—by going backward. That’s right, he’s trading pixels for prints and diving into the nostalgic world of 35mm film photography. It all started with a few old cameras: a Konica C35 rangefinder from the 1970s, a Canon AF35M, and a special piece […]
Ray Montaniel: From Scarborough Courts to a Nation-Building Mission
Coach Ray Montaniel knows what hunger looks like. Not the kind that skips breakfast — the kind that drives kids in the Philippines to play ball like their lives depend on it. Because for many, it does. Ray grew up in Scarborough, learning the game on local courts, playing for Mother Teresa High and the […]
Asadong Matua and the Taste of Home: Crave and Company at Bale Kapampangan
In this episode of Crave and Company, host Kyle links up with Mark from Lumikha Media for a cozy food trip to Bale Kapampangan, a fine-casual Filipino restaurant tucked in North York. From the outside, the place might look like fine dining—with its elegant plating and well-lit interiors—but once inside, the atmosphere is warm, familiar, and family-friendly. Balik Kapampangan was designed for moments […]
