Brief history: In my seventh learning project, I decided to make kare-kare. This dish is considered a showstopper—one that grabs attention—because it’s not commonly served and is usually reserved for special occasions like weddings or milestone birthdays. The ingredients can be quite expensive, which adds to its rarity and prestige. According to Esquire, kare-kare is […]
Author: Katrina Untalan
Unseen Scars: The Silent Toll of Cyberbullying and Sextortion
Striking Thoughts About Amanda’s Story: This documentary reminds me of Emman Atienza. She was a Filipino-Taiwanese social media personality and a mental health advocate. She had sent some nude photos to a guy, and he forwarded them to his friends, which led to the photos being leaked. This became a prominent issue in her life. […]
Chicken and Pineapple in a Pot
Brief History: Pininyahang Manok, or Pineapple Chicken when translated into English, is a beloved dish that many Filipinos enjoy preparing. As its name suggests, the main ingredients are chicken and pineapple. Some people substitute the chicken with other proteins such as pork or beef, which is perfectly acceptable. Since pineapples are abundant in the Philippines, […]
Layers of Colors: Sapin-sapin
Introduction: Sapin-sapin is a traditional Filipino delicacy made from glutinous rice, coconut milk, sugar, condensed milk, latik (toasted coconut curds), and flavorings such as ube and jackfruit. Because this delicacy is not easy to make, it is not very common in Filipino household. Instead, it is often reserved for special occasions like birthdays, weddings, baptisms, […]
Best of Both Worlds
Reflection of the changed world: I remember when I was in 9th grade, I went to one of my classmate’s houses just to ask what I had missed at school because I had an appointment that day. Since I easily get anxious when I miss any schoolwork, that’s something I’ve continued doing ever since. I […]
Chili peppers unleashed their fiery power!
Brief History: Are you a fan of spicy coconut stew? Then this dish might be for you! For this week’s learning project, I learned how to cook Bicol Express. While it’s commonly known as a dish from the Bicol region of the Philippines, Esquire Philippines notes that it was actually popularized by Cely Kalaw—a native […]
Teaching Moments: Grade 3/4 Lesson Plans
Last winter of 2025, I was able to complete the first part of my pre-internship. I was assigned to St. Michael Community School, one of the smaller schools in Regina’s Catholic School Division. I worked with a split class of Grades 3 and 4. It was a short but sweet experience for both me and […]
Creamy Kaldereta powered by Clipchamp
What’s the dish? My menu for today is none other than Kaldereta. It is made with garlic, onions, beef cubes, bell peppers, potatoes, carrots, and green peas. To enhance the flavor, liver spread is added alongside tomato paste, water, laurel leaves, a Knorr beef cube, peanut butter, cheddar cheese, sugar, salt, and pepper to taste, […]
Adulting in My 20s with Techies
Working in an insurance company means I heavily rely on my work laptop and two extended monitors. My day starts at 7:00 AM and ends at 3:00 PM, Monday to Friday. If overtime is available, I work until 6:00 PM—and sometimes even on weekends for five hours. After work, I prepare for my night class, […]
Biko: Sweet Memories of Home
Why Biko? The aroma of glutinous rice soaked in coconut milk and melted brown sugar will always have a special place in my heart. It reminds me of hot afternoons spent with family, filled with stories and laughter. Biko was typically served during celebrations—birthdays, weddings, and fiestas. Locals even earn from it by selling it […]