Stories

Culture

With over 7,000 islands, the Philippines is home to a wealth of diverse people and cultures, and we strive to tell as many of our stories as we can. Here are the ones we’ve done so far.

From athletes overcoming summits and seas to conservationists guarding our national heritage, here are the modern odysseys of Filipinos approaching the limits of what is possible.
Feature

The Outliers

From athletes overcoming summits and seas to conservationists guarding our national heritage, here are the modern odysseys of Filipinos approaching the limits of what is possible.

Read More >>
According to John Sherwin Felix of Lokalpedia, an archivist of Philippine ingredients, our heritage worth protecting is much closer to home than you would think.
Feature

What Was Lost in the Garden

According to John Sherwin Felix of Lokalpedia, an archivist of Philippine ingredients, our heritage worth protecting is much closer to home than you would think.

Read More >>
In the world's toughest equestrian race, Solana Perez confronts the wilderness of the steppe and its horses in the Mongol Derby, and emerges with an even greater journey ahead of her.
Feature

The Limits of the Eternal Blue Sky

In the world's toughest equestrian race, Solana Perez confronts the wilderness of the steppe and its horses in the Mongol Derby, and emerges with an even greater journey ahead of her.

Read More >>
One fine day out in the Negros wetlands, a chance encounter with an endangered mangrove species leads scientist, Camille Rivera, MSc., down the path of conservation.
Feature

Lay of the Wetlands

One fine day out in the Negros wetlands, a chance encounter with an endangered mangrove species leads scientist, Camille Rivera, MSc., down the path of conservation.

Read More >>
The craft that produces religious statues all over the world begins in a modest workshop in the town of Paete.
Feature

The Saint Sculptor

The craft that produces religious statues all over the world begins in a modest workshop in the town of Paete.

Read More >>
This August 16 to 20, join Jacob Maentz and his team at the Homelands exhibition and book launch in Manila for talks honoring the Indigenous peoples of the archipelago.
Interview

Photographing Indigenous Landscapes with Jacob Maentz

This August 16 to 20, join Jacob Maentz and his team at the Homelands exhibition and book launch in Manila for talks honoring the Indigenous peoples of the archipelago.

Read More >>
On the rice terraces of Pasil, the tradition of earthenware pottery is kept alive by women, passed down from mothers to their daughters for generations.
Editor's Pick

Made of the Earth

On the rice terraces of Pasil, the tradition of earthenware pottery is kept alive by women, passed down from mothers to their daughters for generations.

Read More >>
The Teatrong Mulat ng Pilipinas has collected over thirty custom wooden puppets in the span of three family generations. Under the steady hands of a puppeteering family, the wooden dolls bring Asian folklore to life.
Editor's Pick

Through Wooden Eyes

The Teatrong Mulat ng Pilipinas has collected over thirty custom wooden puppets in the span of three family generations. Under the steady hands of a puppeteering family, the wooden dolls bring Asian folklore to life.

Read More >>
Where does one begin to restore a forest? For Lolo Toto Malvar, you start by planting in the hearts of people.
Feature

Before the First Seeds are Planted

Where does one begin to restore a forest? For Lolo Toto Malvar, you start by planting in the hearts of people.

Read More >>
Sandwiched between the mountains and the sea, Borongan is spoiled for choice when it comes to their food. Dive into the seaside sweets and salty treats of the city.
Feature

The Surf City Diet

Sandwiched between the mountains and the sea, Borongan is spoiled for choice when it comes to their food. Dive into the seaside sweets and salty treats of the city.

Read More >>
Photography can be a solitary practice. In a conversation with Fotomoto’s Gio Panlilio, Team GRID traces how his journey led him to create platforms for the wider community.
Interview

Building a photographers' community with Gio Panlilio

Photography can be a solitary practice. In a conversation with Fotomoto’s Gio Panlilio, Team GRID traces how his journey led him to create platforms for the wider community.

Read More >>
Manila's glory days may be a distant memory but it doesn't mean that the city is bereft of splendor. Concerted efforts by its dedicated residents ensure that Manila’s colorful history isn’t forgotten.
Editor's Pick

From Past to Present

Manila's glory days may be a distant memory but it doesn't mean that the city is bereft of splendor. Concerted efforts by its dedicated residents ensure that Manila’s colorful history isn’t forgotten.

Read More >>
Weave through the streets of Ermita, Malate, and Binondo on a mouthwatering adventure of the districts’ gastronomic delights that will leave you hungry for more.
Feature

An Appetite for Manila

Weave through the streets of Ermita, Malate, and Binondo on a mouthwatering adventure of the districts’ gastronomic delights that will leave you hungry for more.

Read More >>
After a storied past, the San Sebastian Basilica is given another lease on life, revived by the interplay of heritage conservation and community-driven tourism.‍
Feature

A Basilica Named Baste

After a storied past, the San Sebastian Basilica is given another lease on life, revived by the interplay of heritage conservation and community-driven tourism.‍

Read More >>
Writer Sandie Gillis respectfully paints a picture of life in Lake Sebu, from half a world away.
Feature

Capturing Indigenous Culture with Sandie Oreta Gillis

Writer Sandie Gillis respectfully paints a picture of life in Lake Sebu, from half a world away.

Read More >>
In a year that felt like being stuck in the middle, we buckled down and did what we do best: tell stories.
GRID Recommends

Our Year in Stories

In a year that felt like being stuck in the middle, we buckled down and did what we do best: tell stories.

Read More >>
For Frankfurt Book Fair 2021, we've got stories on crime, climate, indigenous textiles, and Philippine cuisine.
GRID Recommends

What’s on our reading list? — Myth, Magic, Cities

For Frankfurt Book Fair 2021, we've got stories on crime, climate, indigenous textiles, and Philippine cuisine.

Read More >>
What does one need to prepare for a historic expedition, apart from men, weaponry, and big ships? Fruits and vegetables.
Editor's Pick

The Battle of Mactan Was A Food War

What does one need to prepare for a historic expedition, apart from men, weaponry, and big ships? Fruits and vegetables.

Read More >>
Pinoy Pop is an emerging music genre that excites audiences with unique sounds and explosive performances. But can it be counted among the waves of K-Pop’s influence, or does it belong in the roster of OPM?
Feature

My Girlfriend Keeps Talking About P-Pop

Pinoy Pop is an emerging music genre that excites audiences with unique sounds and explosive performances. But can it be counted among the waves of K-Pop’s influence, or does it belong in the roster of OPM?

Read More >>
On the eastern side of Oriental Mindoro sits Pola: a small, coastal town full of ancestral homes that no one's paid attention to—except the residents who want to keep the town alive.
Hometown Stories

The Houses They Left Behind

On the eastern side of Oriental Mindoro sits Pola: a small, coastal town full of ancestral homes that no one's paid attention to—except the residents who want to keep the town alive.

Read More >>
One taste of this quintessential Filipino snack can make a bad day a good one. What's in a cup of taho that makes it so magical?
Editor's Pick

The Magical Properties of Taho

One taste of this quintessential Filipino snack can make a bad day a good one. What's in a cup of taho that makes it so magical?

Read More >>
Dave de Vera has been working with indigenous communities for over 30 years; and he vividly remembers his role in the landmark legal victory that gave the Tagbanwa of Coron their home back, from ridge to reef.
Hometown Stories

Where the Water is Home

Dave de Vera has been working with indigenous communities for over 30 years; and he vividly remembers his role in the landmark legal victory that gave the Tagbanwa of Coron their home back, from ridge to reef.

Read More >>
Some dishes just taste like home. Unearthing a family recipe for pancit molo has writer Denise Gonsalves thinking about her hometown in Iloilo.
Hometown Stories

My Grandfather’s Molo Soup

Some dishes just taste like home. Unearthing a family recipe for pancit molo has writer Denise Gonsalves thinking about her hometown in Iloilo.

Read More >>
The filmmaker tells us why we need to share more stories like that of the Bontok.
Interview

Behind the Scenes of “Walang Rape sa Bontok” with Director Lester Valle

The filmmaker tells us why we need to share more stories like that of the Bontok.

Read More >>
A photographer returns home to Sulu after 13 years, and rediscovers the heritage of his people through food.
Photo Essay

Home Is a Bowl of Warm Soup

A photographer returns home to Sulu after 13 years, and rediscovers the heritage of his people through food.

Read More >>
In a tropical country, a group of players and fans spend after hours in a mall, making the case for ice hockey.
Editor's Pick

Stories From the Rink

In a tropical country, a group of players and fans spend after hours in a mall, making the case for ice hockey.

Read More >>
The Litas break motorbike stereotypes and show us how they ride.
Feature

Meet The Litas

The Litas break motorbike stereotypes and show us how they ride.

Read More >>
Films are more than just a means of escape. Legendary screenwriter Ricky Lee shares his thoughts on the intersection of storytelling, film, and Filipino heritage.
Interview

Philippine Cinema Through the Eyes of Ricky Lee

Films are more than just a means of escape. Legendary screenwriter Ricky Lee shares his thoughts on the intersection of storytelling, film, and Filipino heritage.

Read More >>
To commemorate Women's Month, a list of our favorite GRID heroines, and the powerful women who wrote them.
Editor's Pick

The Women We Want You to Read About

To commemorate Women's Month, a list of our favorite GRID heroines, and the powerful women who wrote them.

Read More >>
In honor of the 35th EDSA Day, we ask a long-time history professor at the University of the Philippines to recall his experience of People Power.
Interview

Remembering EDSA Revolution with Dr. Ricardo Jose

In honor of the 35th EDSA Day, we ask a long-time history professor at the University of the Philippines to recall his experience of People Power.

Read More >>
Philippine rowing is finally on the come up, thanks to a passionate community who are steering the sport in the right direction.
Feature

Across Still Waters

Philippine rowing is finally on the come up, thanks to a passionate community who are steering the sport in the right direction.

Read More >>
Pitbulls are much more than what they're made out to be. CARA Welfare’s Pat Gayod takes us through the mysterious Laguna Pitbull Sanctuary.
Interview

The Laguna Pitbull Sanctuary with Pat Gayod

Pitbulls are much more than what they're made out to be. CARA Welfare’s Pat Gayod takes us through the mysterious Laguna Pitbull Sanctuary.

Read More >>
What sets one gallery apart from the others? As creative agency and gallery Tarzeer Pictures launches its sophomore exhibition—we set out to find out.
Interview

30 Mins. With Tarzeer Pictures

What sets one gallery apart from the others? As creative agency and gallery Tarzeer Pictures launches its sophomore exhibition—we set out to find out.

Read More >>