Tropang Ilonggo: April Cabrias and the Taste of Grit, Garlic, and Gratitude
In a quiet commercial strip in the Greater Toronto Area, a humble kitchen simmers with stories of resilience, family, and Ilonggo flavor. This is Tropang Ilonggo—a restaurant built not just from scratch, but from pure heart and late-night teamwork. And at the center of it all is April Cabrias, whose journey from food festivals to full-fledged […]
Craving Comfort, Finding Compassion: Filbert & Rosary at Buddha’s Vegan
What do you get when you combine vegan nostalgia, Chinese comfort food, and good company? A warm, flavorful episode of Crave and Company—this time featuring Filbert and Rosary as they dine at Buddha’s Vegan Restaurant, a modest but mighty gem tucked in downtown Toronto. For Filbert, who has been vegan for over a decade, Buddha’s is more […]
Thrive in Canada: How Scarborough Centre for Healthy Communities Is Redefining Health Care for Newcomers and Families
In Canada, especially in fast-growing urban areas like Scarborough, healthcare is more than checkups and prescriptions. It’s also about housing, food access, mental well-being, and a sense of belonging. On this episode of Thrive in Canada, host Cherie Mercado sits down with Mesh Marxa and Mimi Domano of the Scarborough Centre for Healthy Communities (SCHC) to unpack how healthcare has evolved—especially for newcomers, seniors, and […]
Reggae Feels Na Malamang Miss Mo!
Krownless Kings – Cloud Nine (Live) After years apart, Krownless Kings reunite for an unforgettable performance—only on OPM LIVE STREAM! Feel the vibe as they bring back the love and the reggae feels with their classic hit “Cloud Nine”—a song about love, longing, and floating above it all. It’s not just a comeback—it’s a full-circle […]
Ali Nizam: From Pain to Purpose at Core Basketball
There’s a rhythm to Ali Nizam’s voice on the court (part coach, part motivator, part older brother). But behind the drills and instruction is a story rooted in adversity. Ali grew up facing brokenness, disappointment, and instability. The basketball court became more than a game. It was an escape, a space where he could release […]
Thrive in Canada: Why Therapy Needs to Speak Your Language: Mental Health for Immigrants in Canada
Moving to a new country is life-changing—but not always in the ways people expect. For immigrants and long-time residents alike, adjusting to Canadian life can bring stress, anxiety, identity struggles, and emotional burnout. In this episode of Thrive in Canada, host Cherie Mercado sits down with Claudia Jones and Teresa Salazar—registered therapists and founders of Well Journey Services—to talk about mental health, […]
Spoiler Alert: This Is Your Red Flag Anthem
Spoiler Alert – Sofeya (Live Performance) After more than a year off the stage, Toronto’s all-girl band Sofeya returns with a bang—performing their emotionally raw anthem “Spoiler Alert” live for the first time since their break. This isn’t your typical love song. Spoiler Alert dives headfirst into the thrill of falling in love—with eyes wide […]
She Took Her RnB Hit and Made It Sound So Good, Yet Different
“Vibin” By Coleen Dumol (Original) Originally an RnB banger, Coleen Dumol slows it down and gets real with this raw, stripped-back version of her original song “Vibin’”, performed live on FTV Unplugged: Ladies Night — our special March episode celebrating women and their voices. This acoustic rendition hits different — it’s intimate, emotional, and 100% […]
Thrive in Canada: How Filipino Entrepreneurs Are Thriving in CanadaThrive in Canada:
Canada is full of opportunity—but also full of challenges. For Filipino immigrants, launching or growing a small business is one of the most empowering paths to financial stability and generational wealth. But it’s also one of the hardest. That’s why Thrive in Canada sat down with two leading voices from the Philippine Canadian Chamber of Commerce (PCCC)—Julian Baruatro and Joey Bermudez—to […]
Lake Escape: Anne’s Adventure at the Toronto International Boat Show
Each year, Anne looks forward to the Toronto International Boat Show—a gateway to Canada’s unparalleled lake life. With over 2 million lakes across the country, the allure of boating and water adventures has become an intrinsic part of Canadian culture. This year, Anne’s visit was more than just an exploration of boats; it was a […]
