Is the Canadian Dream Still Affordable in 2026?
Many arrive in Canada believing the hard part is over — that once you’re here, financial struggles will slowly fade and a stable, dignified life will follow. Yet in 2026, a growing number of Canadians, including long-time residents and new immigrants, are quietly questioning that promise. Rent that once felt manageable now consumes a larger […]
We Stopped Waiting to Be Seen | Filipino Canadian Stories
Nearly a million of us call Canada home. We are the fourth-largest racialized community, woven into hospitals, classrooms, businesses, and neighborhoods from coast to coast. Yet for decades the camera and the ballot box have mostly looked past us — reducing Filipino stories to caregivers, nurses, and quiet immigrant struggle while our entrepreneurs, artists, second-generation […]
Cowabunga! How One Hamilton Dreamer Turned Pandemic Pizza into Global Joy
In the heart of Hamilton’s bustling James Street North, Cowabunga Pizzeria pulses with more than just the aroma of fresh dough and bubbling cheese, it radiates the infectious energy of a dream realized against the odds. What started in 2020 as a gutsy takeover of a struggling pizzeria during the thick of the pandemic has […]
Marcelina’s: The Heart of Filipino Home Cooking in Toronto
When you step inside Marcelina’s on Wilson Avenue, it feels less like a restaurant and more like home. The tables are simple, the space cozy, and the welcome always warm. But behind every plate of pancit and every smile that greets you is a story of family, faith, and Filipino pride. The restaurant began as Aristocrat in the mid-1990s, […]
Late-Night Eats in Toronto: From Nachos to Pork Bone Soup
Summer nights in Toronto are made for exploring—and eating. The city doesn’t sleep, and neither do its food spots. From concerts to late-night walks, there’s always something cooking somewhere. First stop, Sneaky Dee’s. A Toronto classic where the vibe is pure rock and roll and the nachos are legendary—loaded, cheesy, and big enough for three people. […]
Old Toronto City Hall: The Building That Refused to Be Forgotten
A hundred meters from Queen Station, you can already see it—the old Toronto City Hall. Grand, weathered, and standing proud amid the rush of glass towers, it remains one of the city’s most iconic landmarks. Built in 1899, it was once the largest civic building in North America, a Victorian-era masterpiece that cost over $2.5 […]
Jollibee Takes Its Place at the Philippine Consulate in Toronto
A familiar red mascot made an unexpected visit to the Philippine Consulate in Toronto. Jollibee, the country’s most iconic fast-food brand, was the guest of honor as the consulate launched a new permanent corner celebrating Filipino excellence abroad. The exhibit, created with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), marks the first feature in what […]
Kitchie Nadal, 20 Years Later — The Concert That Changed Everything for Us
by Anjo Pallasigui Twenty years ago, we took a leap of faith by producing Kitchie Nadal’s first Canadian concert. Looking back now, it feels like the spark that lit everything we do today. The year was 2005. We were just rookies coming from the local OPM scene, armed with nothing but guts, a love for […]
Bella’s Inasal: Where Family, Flavor, and Filipino Roots Meet
In the heart of Mississauga, there’s a restaurant that isn’t just serving food—it’s serving family history, tradition, and heart. Bella’s Inasal, featured in the show Katas ng Kusina, is more than a neighborhood eatery. It’s the story of Joyce Inero, an Ilonggo father, husband, and chef, who built something out of necessity—and turned it into a community […]
The Story Behind Hermie’s Filipino & Canadian Diner
In the heart of Ontario, where winter winds meet warm cravings, you’ll find a place where tapa meets grilled cheese, and pancit shares a table with poutine. It’s called Hermie’s Filipino & Canadian Diner, and it’s more than just a restaurant—it’s a dream cooked slowly over time. In this episode of Katas ng Kusina, we meet Hermie, a Filipina who started her […]