Pulso ng Bansa

 Every concept begins with an idea, but as Chef Jeng’s story shows, it wasn’t that straightforward. As a college student, she didn’t develop a passion for baking and selling baked goods at a storefront until the COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns hit years later. You see, Chef Jeng initially planned to pursue a career in physical therapy, but life had other plans, and she wasn’t accepted into that field. She eventually studied civil engineering, where she met her husband, with whom she later partnered in several entrepreneurial ventures.   Ultimately, Jeng completed an advanced pastry and baking course at the Academy of Pastry Arts Philippines and continued her training in Malaysia, becoming the chef, she is recognized as today. With boredom setting in, the COVID-19 lockdowns greatly influenced her desire to explore and be creative. She rediscovered her passion for baking. By sharing baking videos on YouTube and social media , her creations quickly gained popularity and attentio...

  It might surprise you to learn that La Vernice Café originally comes from Tarlac. Yes, the farthest branch from the main one is the Parang branch, neatly located at P. Lopez St., along Gen. B. G. Molina St., Marikina, 1809, Metro Manila. It’s just across the side of the Parang Barangay hall and at the back of Dada’s Panciteria .   The name was taken from the owner’s daughter, Vernice, so it's no surprise that the proprietors are a family of food enthusiasts dedicated to providing delectable, well-crafted dishes and beverages at reasonable prices.   The Marikina branch maintains the name's legacy by offering donuts, freshly brewed coffee, and comfort cuisine, all of which are infused with the same warmth and passion. However, this branch operates as a franchise, energized by the vision and drive of young entrepreneurs at the helm.   Known for its handcrafted donuts and specialty espresso-based beverages, La Vernice has a well-loved cafe menu that inc...

  Nestled between the corner of Aquilina Street and the start of Gil Fernando Street to the west in Marikina is an enclave called Lamp Quarters . Upon entering the compound, one is immediately struck by the overwhelming sense that the location resembles historic New Orleans, USA, where food establishments also congregate. Fascinating, right?   Interestingly, this one enclave will provide you with the most welcoming environment, as each establishment in the area supports the others, ensuring a variety of options for consumers, regardless of which shop they choose within the compound. They call it ‘cross-orders.’ In hindsight, they prefer to have customers in rather than going out.   Regarding Marikina establishments, Lamp Quarters immediately exudes an affluent vibe while remaining inviting to everyone. Its atmosphere, privacy, and cozy ambiance create that feel for anyone who walks through its doors.   Though I haven't been there in the evening, the phot...

  Despite the challenges currently impacting the nation, a select number of cities and their leaders are effectively serving their constituents, particularly those in affected sectors. Their initiatives significantly alleviated the populace's frustrations with the national government in anticipation of the forthcoming holiday season.   Marikina, for example, held numerous activities to highlight the city's culture, tradition, and innate fortitude with the Marikina Shoe Bazaar 2025, the Toyota Food Festival at the Marikina Town Center, and the 'Banchettos' in various parts of the city, and just today, December 20, 2025, the city government gave away  Christmas grocery gifts  to its senior citizens courtesy of Marikina's esteemed mayor, Maan Teodoro, and congressman and husband, Marcy Teodoro.   Mayor Maan could've attended the seniors' Christmas grocery gifts distribution event, but left the task to her trusted administration and staff to address more press...

 Launching a food business presents significant challenges, particularly when partners come from non-culinary backgrounds. For Mary Anne, an accomplished writer and an experienced ad agency coordinator, and her partner, John Henry, a young but accomplished architect, the early stages have been demanding and occasionally unpredictable.   The partners occasionally took risks, albeit playfully, by doing surprise taste tests with fellow Rochester Condo residents before testing the products themselves. Was it confidence or simply a 'let's see what happens' attitude? Who knows, but the results were a pleasant surprise, even for them, since the testers liked what they had.   Soon after, they tried it out with family members who eagerly joined the taste test, which continued to win rave reviews. Buoyed by this wave of encouragement, the couple pressed ahead with their true plan without delay.   As it happened, their condo unit became the site of their creations, ...

   Cakes and pastries are dime a dozen when dessert makers troop into one competitive locale, but rare do we see pedigree as much as R Cakes  by Rocelle when it comes to creating designer cakes and pastries. Pedigree isn’t just about where and what culinary school one came from, but how they used that knowledge to create works of art in the symphony of aesthetics and flavors.   Certainly, presentation consistently plays a crucial role in the food and confectionery industry. Nonetheless, it would significantly enhance the effect if that aesthetic were complemented by a comprehensive understanding of how to assemble elements to craft flavors that would captivate the palate.   History: Rocelle began baking in 2017. Initially, she merely wanted to make an elegant birthday cake for her daughter. Over time, she developed a passion for it and aspired to create more artistic cakes. She eventually enrolled in the Lyceum Culinary Institute to pur...

  Fast-rising Singapore-based bands return home to share the stage with Philippine bands Manila, Philippines – Bistro Rising 2025 returns to Manila with a renewed sense of purpose, bringing together some of the most promising Filipino indie artists from Singapore and the Philippines in a cross-cultural music showcase. The highly anticipated event will take place at 70’s Bistro in Quezon City on December 29, 2025.   Co-headlining the show are three Singapore-based Filipino bands that have steadily gained recognition within the Lion City’s underground music circuit: soul-pop act iLaya , indie rock outfit Nostress , and ‘80s new wave-inspired band The Next Wave . The trio will share the stage with Shumi , a Bulacan-based city pop band, and Rooftop Reveries , an indie pop-rock group known for their compelling songwriting and polished live performances.   Bistro Rising 2025 is presented by Mushi Entertainment . The show is part of a broader effort to strengthen creative ti...

  The band brings their most personal and sonically adventurous album on vinyl, reaffirming the enduring value of physical media Award-winning Filipino pop-rock powerhouse IV OF SPADES continues to ramp up the celebration of their highly anticipated comeback with the exclusive vinyl release of their critically acclaimed album, Andalucia . The new record will be available in a thousand copies for its first vinyl pressing, with a few of them already available during the first and second day of IV OF SPADES’ concert, which took place at the SM Mall of Asia Arena on December 12 and 13, 2025. For those unable to attend the concert, worry not! Andalucia will be available starting December 15, 2025, through Backspacer Records via their official website . “ Andalucia feels like a special snapshot of where we are in our lives right now,” shares the acclaimed quartet in a press statement. “This is the first vinyl of IV OF SPADES.  Pangarap din namin ito .” Hailed as one of the most ast...

  Ubiquity is not “What’s Your Flan? / Ube Story – Project 7 EDSA Quezon City” ’s mantra. Yes, they make the usual flan and flan cakes, but they do it with a flourish. Secondly, they don’t just package your flan in the usual container tubs; they pack it in style, and with plenty of flavors to choose from, it would be an effort to choose just one.     “What’s your FLAN?” started in 2016 at Chef Princess Rosario-San Diego’s home kitchen, where our CEO and operator of “What’s Your FLAN?” operates. She’s a graduate and a Chef Instructor at CCA Manila, and the Marketing Director of the American Culinary Federation (Manila). Since starting the business in 2016, it has grown to over 900 franchisees & resellers in more than 14 countries.   That’s how prolific the franchise is.   And as for this franchise , they are on its Project 7 EDSA, QC Branch.   Concept: Creating new variants and innovating the all-time favorite dessert, Leche Flan, consi...

Fascination is what I felt when I first visited Grams Mercato inside this posh condo compound in Ortigas, known as the Sonata Private Residences, believe it or not.   Yes, we're all accustomed to finding specialty cafes/bakeries like this one inside malls, but discovering GM inside a posh condo is really unusual, yet fascinating nonetheless.   And fascination seems to be part of the motif on coverage day, as meeting the owner herself, Ma'am Duday Camus Dancel, was both experientially fascinating and intimidating. She has that striking mestiza look that gives you pause when you first meet her, and it was confirmed when she told us she has Spanish blood but is an Ilocana at heart. But truly, she's cool.   Moreover, the Dancel family name does give you that nagging sense of familiarity, doesn't it? Of course it does, as she's legally related to Ebe Dancel of Sugarfree through her husband. Well, Ma'am Duday does get free promotions from Ebe himself sometimes. Per...