I Am Canadian. And I Am Filipino.
In this spoken word piece from Anjology, Anjo delivers a proud, poetic declaration of identity—one that stands firmly in two worlds. He isn’t a lumberjack, doesn’t own a dogsled, and still doesn’t know how to skate. But he can brave a snowstorm, wait eight hours in the ER, and say “po” when ordering a double double. […]
From Kitchen to Skincare: How H’s Beauty Studio Found Its Glow
When Helen started offering facials from her home, it wasn’t part of some big business plan. It was survival. A mother of three and a former baker, she needed a way to earn income while staying close to her children. What began as a side hustle during maternity leave slowly grew—fueled by late nights, word-of-mouth, […]
Why “Lovely Pau”? A Story of Siopao, Survival, and Serendipity
“Who’s Lovely?” That’s the first thing many customers ask when they walk into LovelyPau. The answer? There’s no one named Lovely behind the counter. Lovely, it turns out, is the siopao. What started as a humble recipe shared between cousins has grown into one of the most loved siopao spots in Toronto. But this isn’t […]
Cherie Picks: A Library That Feels Like Home
In the heart of Toronto, just steps from the busiest subway hub in the city, stands a quiet sanctuary: the Toronto Reference Library. Cherie walked in not just to borrow books, but to step into possibility. It doesn’t take long to feel the weight of the place—not heavy, but grounding. Designed in the 1970s by […]
Decal Bros: From Struggle to Stickers
Kabuhayan | by Anjo Life in Canada was tough for Anthony Sabala. There were days he couldn’t pay rent. Sometimes, his income would be seized because of debt. “Wala silang pakialam kung may pambayad ka. Kinuha nila,” he says. But in that low point, something sparked. Anthony and his brothers started small. During the pandemic, they bought […]
Ryan Benjamin Started From Failure
Kabuhayan | by Anjo Ryan Benjamin never dreamed of coming to Canada. His lola told him about life here. His parents made the move. But Ryan knew it wouldn’t be easy. “I was the last to arrive,” he says. “I knew how hard it was. I knew I’d end up doing hard labor.” And he […]
Discovering Sye: The Filipino Frontman I Never Expected
By Anjo The first time I saw Bernie Carlos at a gig in Black Swan Tavern back in 2007, I could already tell—he wasn’t just some regular in the crowd. The long hair, the quiet confidence—he had that legit metal vibe. We ended up talking music, and instantly clicked. But even then, I had no idea just […]
From Apartment Stove to Toronto’s Favorite Chicharon: The Mang Mars Story
Before the storefront, before the frying stations and the delivery trucks, there was just a man in his apartment kitchen—frying pork rinds and peanuts, one batch at a time. Mang Mars (Mar Pablo Mallari) came to Toronto in 2008. A Kapampangan-Bisaya from Guagua, Pampanga, he never planned to become a food entrepreneur. His life revolved […]
Chasing Magic: How Jhap of Spades Turned Tricks into a Thriving Career
What if the trick was never the card flip or the disappearing coin, but the belief that you could make a living doing what you love? Meet Jassfer Paiso, better known as Jhap of Spades. Before he was one of Toronto’s most in-demand family entertainers, he was clocking in at McDonald’s and doing sleight-of-hand magic tricks […]
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 […]
