Bangku: From Sandwich Struggles to Sisig Stardom
Before Bangku became known for sizzling sisig and hot-off-the-pan silog, its story began far from home—in the back kitchen of a sandwich shop in Australia. “I didn’t even know what Swiss cheese was,” the owner laughs, remembering his first job abroad in 1999. With no culinary background from the Philippines, he started from scratch—literally. From learning the difference between breads […]
CRISPY, JUICY, UNHINGED: My Obsession with Mom’s Pan-Fried Buns in Toronto’s Chinatown
By Anne Wong Look, there’s this sizzle I can’t get outta my head. It’s like the soundtrack to my cravings. I’m talking about that glorious, golden crackle from Mom’s Pan Fried Bun on Spadina. The place is tiny, but honestly, it’s where dough gets a PhD in delicious. Every bite? Like being bear-hugged by your […]
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 […]
Dionela Has Landed in Canada—Don’t Miss This
By RanzelSinger-Songwriter, Call In Sick I’ve never seen Dionela live. But today, that changes. As a Filipino singer-songwriter based in Toronto, I’ve been to countless concerts—but rarely do I get to witness an artist who feels this close to home. Dionela isn’t just performing. He’s redefining modern OPM—and thanks to Tala Entertainment, he’s bringing it here to Canada. I […]
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 […]
The Bay: End of an Empire
by Anjo It’s quiet on Queen Street. No more window displays. No more last-minute shoppers trying to catch a “One-Day Sale.” Just silence—and dust-covered signs that read Everything Must Go. Hudson’s Bay is officially closed. But as I stand in front of this iconic building—once the crown jewel of downtown Toronto—I still feel the weight of […]
Our Lady of Lourdes: The Church That Held Us Together
By Anjo | Anjology In the middle of Toronto’s ever-changing skyline, where high-rises compete with the clouds and people rush from subway to shift work, there stands something still. A church. Not just any church, but a home for the tired, the hopeful, and the newly arrived. “Tahanan ng dasal, tagpuan ng luha, sentro ng […]
The Wait Is Over: Urbandub Is Officially in Canada
Written by Anjo | Filipino TV It’s finally happening. Urbandub, the iconic Cebu-based band that defined a generation of Filipino rock fans, is bringing their music across Canada—and after years of hoping, trying, and waiting, I’m finally getting to see them live again. Back in 2018, we at Filipino TV tried to bring Urbandub to Toronto. […]
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 […]
