Tag: Culture
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In Vancouver, My Brother Finally Found His Place
My brother Joseph has built his life in Vancouver, navigating Granville Island, Stanley Park, and city streets with ease. On a visit for his graduation ceremony, we see how he has woven himself into urban Canada, reflecting a life rooted in the city’s unique mix of culture and nature.
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Tayabas, Quezon: A Heritage Road Trip and the Joy of Seeing Again
Through Tayabas, Quezon’s colonial streets, iconic basilica, and the timeless Puente de Malagonlong, we embark on a heartfelt road trip that becomes my mother’s first after cataract surgery. It’s a journey of healing, gratitude, and rediscovery through family and faith.
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Abra in a Weekend: A Group Adventure Through Bangued and Beyond
A weekend adventure takes our group through Abra’s sights—from the green waters of Lusuac Spring to Bangued Cathedral, weaving traditions in La Paz, a modular bridge, and scenic Victoria Park views. Along the way, shared laughter, jokes, and camaraderie turn the journey into a memorable experience beyond the landmarks themselves.
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Batu Caves: A Quick Climb on a 10-Hour Layover in Kuala Lumpur
Batu Caves is one of Malaysia’s most iconic sights, and can be visited (even climbed) on a 10-hour layover in Kuala Lumpur. From KLIA, I take the train connections to Selangor and scale the 272 rainbow steps, turning transit time into a mini-adventure.
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George Town, Penang: What the Kids on a Bicycle Taught Me About Traveling at 40
In George Town, Penang, a mural of two children on a bicycle becomes a mirror into a journey of history, food, and reflection. From clan jetties to kaya toast, colonial forts to Peranakan mansions, I explore the city’s layered past and how modern travel shapes changing perspectives.
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Flavors of the Philippines: Mindanao’s Regional Dishes in Metro Manila
Mindanao offers a diverse and colorful culinary heritage—from satti and sinuglaw to tuna and pastil—each dish telling the story of the island’s rich culture. In this final installment of the three-part food crawl, discover where you can enjoy these Mindanaoan flavors without leaving Metro Manila. Kick off your Mindanaoan food journey here.
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Lipa City, Batangas: A Barako Coffee-Fueled Day Trip Through Culture, Lomi, And A Big Red Barn
Lipa City is often seen as just a stopover on the way to more popular destinations in Southern Calabarzon. On a weekend, we give it the attention it rarely gets, visiting its heritage structures, trying its barako coffee and lomi, and exploring its quieter pockets of nature like the scenic Old Grove Farmstead.
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Flavors of the Philippines: Visayas’ Regional Dishes in Metro Manila
Visayas boasts a vibrant culinary landscape—from La Paz batchoy and chicken inasal to lechon and humba—with each dish representing the islands’ rich heritage. In the second installment of this three-part food crawl, explore where you can savor these beloved Visayan specialties right here in Metro Manila. Begin your Visayan food journey here.
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Flavors of the Philippines: Luzon’s Regional Dishes in Metro Manila
Luzon’s diverse regional cuisine—from Ilocos empanada and pancit Malabon to Batangas bulalo and Bicol Express—can all be found in Metro Manila. In the first installment of this three-part food crawl series, discover where to sample these iconic dishes without leaving the capital. Start your culinary journey through Luzon here.
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Revitalized Manila: A 70s-Style Photowalk From Pasig River Esplanade to Intramuros and Back
Manila’s Pasig River Esplanade and Intramuros are leading the city’s cultural and urban revival. On a photowalk one damp afternoon, model Mary Grace and I explore revitalized spaces, from riverside promenades to heritage cafes, showing how Manila is weaving its past into its future, one restored walkway at a time.
The Tourist Gaze 