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 […]
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 […]
Ribs, Memories, and the Last Hooters in Toronto
Anjo took a nostalgic trip downtown to the Hooters at Adelaide and John—the last remaining location in Toronto, and one of only three left in Canada. The reason? A surprisingly good deal: $11.99 for half a rack of ribs with fries. In a time when combo meals elsewhere can cost $17–20, it’s a steal. But […]
Arthur Navasero: Beat the Odds, Ball Anyway
For Arthur Navasero, basketball isn’t just a game — it’s therapy, family, purpose. He grew up in love with the sport, drawn to the brotherhood, the competition, and the way the game could instantly lift his spirits, even on the hardest days. When his father passed away in 2020, Arthur made a promise: to chase […]
Jessyka Maliksi: All Heart, All Game
Basketball wasn’t just something Jessyka Maliksi picked up — it was part of her family rhythm. Her dad, her brother, the tournaments she tagged along to as a kid — it all built into something bigger. Something she never let go of. Like many young Filipino girls, Jessyka once juggled dance, piano, even singing lessons. […]
From Potlucks to Packed Events: The Story of Tummy Fillers
In this episode of Katas ng Kusina, we head to Brampton to meet Cherry and Erwin Bansil, the powerhouse couple behind Tummy Fillers, a Filipino catering business that has grown from humble backyard potlucks into one of the most trusted names in the community. What began as word-of-mouth orders from friends and family has turned into a full-blown […]
Sarabasab Getaways: A Flavor Trip to Bistro Manila with Jeff & Christia
There’s something magical about discovering a dish for the first time—especially one that’s smoky, spicy, and sour all at once. In this episode of Crave and Company, Jeff and Christia take us to Bistro Manila, a cozy Filipino spot that dares to reintroduce Sarabasab—a grilled pork dish hailing from the northern provinces, known for its tangy twist and bold flavor […]
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 […]
Wrapped in Warmth – Aling Zenaida’s Suman sa Lihiya
In a quiet Canadian kitchen far from Tacloban, the comforting aroma of sticky rice and coconut wafts through the air. It’s here where Aling Zenaida Singson-Alex, with a pot in one hand and memory in the other, recreates the suman sa lihiya of her youth—one leaf-wrapped bundle at a time. In this episode of Lutong Kapitbahay, we’re […]
