Claire’s Kakanin Opens a New Home on Wilson Avenue
For many Filipinos in Toronto, Claire’s Kakanin isn’t just dessert — it’s nostalgia wrapped in banana leaves and coconut oil. Known for its soft kutsinta with yema sauce, Claire’s has become a staple at Filipino gatherings, from birthdays to weddings, and now it’s entering a new chapter with its bigger, brighter store at 878 Wilson Avenue. Claire’s story […]
Vernie the Healer: How Hilot Changed Her Life
There’s something deeply Filipino about hilot — that traditional massage passed down through generations, rooted in touch, care, and intuition. For Vernie Hilaro, it’s not just a skill. It’s her calling, her survival, and her success story in Canada. At first glance, Vernie’s life might look like any immigrant’s grind. She cleaned buildings, worked full-time at McDonald’s and […]
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, […]
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 […]
From Bridal Gowns to Ball Pits: How Jacqueline Built Funday Indoor Playground
By Anjo Pallasigui When weddings stopped during the pandemic, Jacqueline’s business did too. She had run a successful bridal boutique in Port Credit, but with events on pause, she and her husband knew they had to pivot. What they didn’t expect was that their next business idea would come from spending time with their two […]
Rah Rah Razila: The Magic of Laughter and Balloons
By Anjo Pallasigui Before the costume, before the magic tricks, before the cheers — Rah Rah Razila was just a guy with clown white, a lipstick, and a borrowed eyeliner. He started back in Southern Leyte, doing magic shows for kids. His first talent fee? Five hundred pesos. A friend was the client. It wasn’t […]
Rosanna of Lui Skin Tech: From Dubai Dreams to Canadian Grit
By Anjo Pallasigui “Sarap mabuhay sa Canada, basta wala kang inaapakan.” That’s one of the first things Rosanna said during our interview — and that pretty much sums up her story. She’s the woman behind Lui Skin Tech, a small clinic in Ontario helping clients (mostly kababayans) feel confident in their skin without breaking the bank. […]
Beneath the Surface: Abraham Reyes and the Art of Hidden Stories
When you first see Abraham Reyes’ art, it’s easy to get lost in its beauty — rough rubies, wild pearls, queen wasps, crushed diamonds. But step closer, and you’ll discover what Tunog Tao uncovered: this isn’t just art. It’s a love letter to the Philippines, written in gems and relics, layered with history and identity. A collector […]
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 […]
