All posts tagged: Philippines

The Philippines

Lola Helen Panciteria in Marikina

Lola Helen’s Panciteria: The Marikina Pancit House That Made the Michelin Guide

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The Michelin Guide Philippines didn’t have to go looking for Lola Helen’s Panciteria. Marikina found it first, a long time ago, and has been going back for 25 years. There’s no spectacle here, and none is attempted. The Marikina eatery serves Filipino-Chinese stir-fried noodles to regulars who know exactly what they came for: honest food, generous portions, and flavors that taste like somebody’s family kitchen. In 2025, that plainness earned it a place in the Michelin Guide Philippines, the first edition of the famous French restaurant guide to cover the country. It’s a reminder that the guide’s inspectors aren’t only looking at tasting menus. Sometimes the thing worth recognizing is a cook with a well-worn wok and a plate that comes out the same way every time. Why Pancit Carries So Much Weight In the Philippines, pancit is less a dish than a ritual. It shows up at birthdays, family milestones, and town fiestas, and just as often on ordinary weeknights. The long noodles stand for long life, a belief inherited from Chinese tradition that …

Where to Dance in Taguig: Imperial Dance Studio Opens at Venice Grand Canal Mall

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If you’re looking for unique things to do in Taguig, there’s a new creative spot right above the iconic gondolas of Venice Grand Canal Mall. Located on the second level of the San Marco Wing, Imperial Dance Studio is the newest addition to McKinley Hill’s growing creative community. This 100-square-meter dance hall first opened on October 15 and officially held its grand opening on November 22, complete with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. ⸻ Who’s Behind Imperial Dance Studio? The studio is led by Milai Imperials, a former member of the UP Filipiniana Dance Group in Diliman, and of Douglas Nierras Powerdance, one of the country’s most respected contemporary dance companies. She later performed professionally at Hong Kong Disneyland. Her husband, Franz Gerald Imperial, is a theater actor and international performer who also performed at Disneyland Singapore. Together, they bring decades of performance experience into McKinley Hill’s newest creative space. ⸻ What Classes Do They Offer? Imperial Dance Studio offers one of the most multi-disciplinary programs in Taguig. Their lineup includes: • Jazz • K-pop • Ballet …

Abra - Hidden Treasures

Discover Hidden Treasures in Abra

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ABRA IS BEST ASSOCIATED with the Abra River, the biggest, longest, and most popular of the many rivers crisscrossing the valleys of this northern Philippine province, and the point where all its rivers and streams converge. Unknown to many, Abra is also rich in hidden treasures. So don’t be surprised if your timeline gets flooded in the next few days with paradise-like waterfalls that have long been kept secret from the outside world — the hidden treasures of Abra have finally been found, thanks to the netizens and photographers who don’t keep the beauty of previously unknown Philippine destinations to themselves. Or at least the places we used to care less about.