HIMBON: The Negros Trade Fair Brings Heritage and Innovation to the City

Wazzup Pilipinas!? 

Negros is making its way to the city with HIMBON: The 39th Negros Trade Fair, making its historic debut at the SMX Convention Center in SM Aura from September 23 to 28. This event, one of the country's longest-running provincial trade fairs, is a vibrant gathering that celebrates the rich heritage, creativity, and resilience of the Negrense people. It's a must-experience event for foodies, fashionistas, and lifestyle lovers alike.

A Culinary Journey from Heritage to Modernity

Prepare for a gastronomic adventure that blends traditional Negrense flavors with modern, world-class culinary techniques. At the recent media launch, two rising Negrense chefs, Cara Davis and Luis Locsin, gave a glimpse of what's possible.

Chef Cara Davis of Halong, Makati, trained in Michelin-starred kitchens from New York to San Sebastián. She now masterfully fuses her Mexican culinary background with bold Asian flavors. Attendees can look forward to her inventive dishes, such as uni toast with foie gras and crab aligue pavé.

Chef Luis Locsin, a CIA-trained private dining star, has honed his skills in global kitchens like Jean Georges NYC and Bali. His charcuterie spread at the launch, featuring Negros blue cheese and Don Papa rum pâté, showed a perfect blend of global training and local pride.

Beyond these innovative creations, the fair is a treasure trove of artisan sweet and savory favorites. You can stock up on iconic flavors like Mumshies’ delicacies, Virgie’s home-made mango tarts, and Ereneta-Manaloto’s bottled Chorizo de Bacolod.

The Art of Handcrafted Living 

The Negros Trade Fair showcases the incredible artistry and craftsmanship that define the province. This is where heritage and modernity walk hand-in-hand.

Fashion & Accessories: Discover beautiful Handwoven Hablon and hand-smocked dresses, alongside chic pieces made from tropical fibers. These garments are perfectly complemented by striking local jewelry and artisanal accessories, proving that tradition can be stylishly reimagined for today's wardrobe.

Home & Lifestyle: Negrense artisans transform natural fibers like pandan, bamboo, and buri into elegant accents for the home. The fair offers design-forward décor and furnishings that infuse modern living spaces with timeless Negros craftsmanship.

A Celebration of Culture and Community

More than just a shopping event, HIMBON is a cultural celebration. "Himbon" itself means "to gather," and this fair is a true coming together of food, fashion, and heritage. You can sip on Don Papa rum and locally crafted wines while live acoustic music fills the air, bringing the warmth of Negros hospitality to the city.

The fair also invites you to experience Negros firsthand, with showcases of pristine beaches, heritage haciendas, and food tours that might just inspire your next adventure. As you explore, be sure to capture every moment and share your experience with #HimbonMoments.

Don't miss this opportunity to taste, shop, and celebrate the best of Negros. The 39th Negros Trade Fair is happening from September 23–28 at the SMX Convention Center, SM Aura.

A dramatic reimagining of the SM City East Ortigas East Wing:

Wazzup Pilipinas!? 

The East is Reborn: A New Hub of Art, Food, and Play

In the heart of Pasig City, a transformation has taken place. The new East Wing at SM City East Ortigas is more than just a mall expansion; it’s a cultural revolution, a vibrant sanctuary for every kind of "squad". This isn't just a place to shop—it’s a destination built for making memories, where passions collide and every visit tells a new story.

A Feast for the Senses: A Global Culinary Tour

Step into the East Wing and prepare your taste buds for a world tour. The food court has been elevated to an international culinary passport, offering flavors from every corner of the globe without ever leaving Pasig. From the iconic Neapolitan pizzas of Italy at Rossopomodoro to the authentic Okinawan steaks from Japan's Yappari Steak, the options are as diverse as they are delicious.

But the journey doesn't stop there. Indulge in authentic Chinese hot pot at Jiangnan Hot Pot and Grill, or savor Taiwan's famous Dan Zai noodles at Du Hsiao Yueh. The sweet tooth is not forgotten, with South Korean pastries from Paris Baguette and Japanese soufflé pancakes from Hoshino Coffee. Even local favorites are reimagined, with BEBANG's Halo-Halo offering fifteen different takes on the Filipino classic. It’s a true foodie's paradise.

An Urban Canvas: Where Art Comes Alive

The East Wing has been reborn as an open art gallery. Gone are the blank walls, replaced by massive, colorful murals created by Manila-based illustrator and creative director Kiefsix (Kiefer Indiongco). His bold, basketball-inspired designs turn the space into an artistic adventure. Visitors can get their perfect selfie against these vibrant backdrops, with the fun, sun-inspired character EYO—also designed by Kiefsix—as a playful, selfie-ready guide. This fusion of art and commerce makes the East Wing a truly unique hangout spot.

The Ultimate Playground: Chill, Play, and Compete

For those who believe life is a game, the East Wing is your ultimate arena. The fusion of dining and play is perfected at the Foodcourt + Game Park, the perfect "sweet spot" for any group of friends. After a meal of Thai plates, ramen bowls, or Korean cravings, squads can head to the Game Park to unwind with a friendly match of billiards or darts. It’s the perfect formula for "barkada" bonding, where a shared love for food and a healthy dose of competition create an unforgettable experience.

SM City East Ortigas’s East Wing has masterfully woven together global cuisine, urban art, and spirited entertainment into one seamless, stylish space. It's more than just a mall; it's a dynamic hub that adapts to your vibe, whether you’re there for a coffee run, a mural selfie, a hot pot night, or a gaming showdown. This is the new East, and it’s ready for you to make your mark.

Blame the Poor? Or Blame the System? The Real Root of Our Broken Democracy

Wazzup Pilipinas!? 

“Filipinos don’t know how to pick their leader.”

It was a statement that cut through the political noise like a blade, spoken by Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong. His words sparked outrage, earning a rebuke from Cardinal Pablo Virgilio David, who defended the poor majority of voters, insisting that the real culprit was not ignorance but lack of proper information.

Yet the question remains: Was Magalong targeting the poor? Not exactly. His critique was broader—pointing to a national weakness, an emotional tendency in choosing leaders regardless of class or wealth.

Still, the reaction exposed the deepest fault line in our democracy: who is to blame for the choices we make as a nation?

A Dangerous Blame Game

Cardinal David’s defense may have struck a sympathetic chord, but was it enough? To reduce the issue into a matter of protecting dignity while ignoring the hard truth may serve the rhetoric of the pulpit, but it misses the bigger picture.

Mayor Magalong, for all the bluntness of his words, was right: Filipinos must stop being swayed by the grand promises of political charlatans, by celebrities who have no understanding of governance, and by dynasties whose track records reek of corruption.

But blaming the voters—poor or otherwise—solves nothing. It creates division instead of solutions. What we truly need is not finger-pointing but transformation.

The Root of the Rot: A Broken System

The problem does not start and end with the people. It begins with the very foundation of our Republic: the Constitution itself.

How can we expect competent leadership when the only requirement to run for public office is the ability to read and write? That bar is not just low—it is practically non-existent. The Commission on Elections (COMELEC), for its part, opens the door to every self-proclaimed savior, including those with well-documented histories of theft, abuse, and betrayal of public trust.

Our electoral system is a sieve so wide that it welcomes not just the qualified but also the opportunists, the entertainers, the dynasty heirs, and the shameless plunderers.

And yet, we wonder why we are trapped in this cycle.

The Urgent Need for Voter Education

The lack of information is not accidental—it is systemic. For decades, governments have failed to invest in comprehensive voter education programs that teach citizens not just how to shade ballots, but why their choices matter.

Imagine a nation where every citizen understands how the budget works, how checks and balances are supposed to function, and how local and national laws directly affect their lives. Imagine an electorate that votes not for a handshake, a campaign jingle, or a celebrity smile, but for platforms grounded in truth, competence, and integrity.

That vision is not impossible—but it requires deliberate, mandated programs in schools, communities, and workplaces. Without this, democracy remains fragile, easily hijacked by the cunning and corrupt.

Systemic Change, Not Band-Aid Solutions

But education alone cannot fix a flawed structure. Our party system is a joke—politicians change allegiances as easily as they change barongs. Personalities matter more than policies, slogans more than substance.

If we are serious about ending this budol-budol politics, we need structural change. A shift to a parliamentary system, or at least a more decentralized government, could reduce the stranglehold of personalistic politics. Charter Change, though controversial, might be the only path to correcting systemic errors that our current framework refuses to address.

Yet here lies the paradox: the very leaders who benefit from this broken system are the ones tasked to change it.

A Call Beyond Blame

So, can we blame the poor, who comprise the majority of voters? No. Poverty is not a sin, and ignorance is not a choice—it is a condition created by a state that thrives on keeping its citizens uninformed.

But neither should we sanctify voters as blameless. Every Filipino has a responsibility to demand better, to resist the empty theatrics of politicians, and to vote with conscience rather than comfort.

The greater blame lies in the architecture of our democracy—a system designed loosely enough to allow wolves in sheep’s clothing to rule over us, election after election.

If we are to break free, then we must rise above the blame game. We need to fight for reforms that will create a truly discerning electorate, a stronger electoral system, and a government built not on personalities but on principles.

Because at the end of the day, democracy is not about who we blame—it is about whether we, as a people, are finally ready to change.