One of the biggest surprises I’ve had is the lack of proper – let’s emphasize that: proper – accommodation for those heading to many parts of Laguna. Often, you are forced to stay at tacky hot spring resorts, or are forced to book entire private houses if you’re spending some nights there.

But then in sleepy San Pablo, there’s a surprise waiting – that’s Sulyap, which had already been extensively covered by mainstream media as a must-check hotel that brings you back to the olden times. Bet mo mag-stay sa hotel na Spanish era ang vibe? This one is for you.

But also deserving of coverage is Sulyap’s resto, where we headed to have breakfast.

@outragemag #LGBT traveling to #sanpablolaguna and looking for #breakfast #brekkie? Try the not-cheap but yummy #silog ♬ original sound – Outrage Magazine

Una, the venue is picturesque. Kung sana marunong mag-alaga ng historical buildings ang nasa government natin, sana buildings like this still abound in the country. You get well-preserved wooden structures, classic artworks, and so on.

Ikalawa, the people working here are attentive naman; though this is to be expected because this is not exactly a cheap place.

Ikatlo, the place actually has an extensive menu, usually catering to groups. Ang breakfast menu, in particular, has items from ₱395 to ₱420. And oo, must-try ito. We got the beef tapa and fried bangus.

Ika-apat, taste-wise, wala kang irereklamo. Using their original recipe, the beef strips are really tasty; hindi lasang de lata. The ¼ bangus, meanwhile, was crunchy… and garlicky, so masarap din. The accompanying atchara and suka were also good, and could be ulam on their own. With food, if there’s one complaint, it’s the size; medyo small ang servings considering the asking price.

Is it worth heading to San Pablo just to check out Sulyap and its breakfast offerings? Not naman, since this is quite far din. But if you’re already in the area – and if you have spare budget for what may just be an expensive version of silog – then by all means, drop by.

But off we go again, as we look for more lafang venues.

Sulyap is located at the Cocoland Compound, Del Remedio, San Pablo City, Laguna. For more information, call (049) 260-0560 (Globe landline), (049) 300-4508 (Globe landline), or 0917-182-1483; or email sulyap.net@gmail.com.

If you’ve tried batchoy the way many locals in Iloilo prepare it, hahanap-hanapin mo siya. And this is how this non-pretentious restaurant in Bacoor, Cavite came to our attention. Passing by some highway in the middle of the night, we came across Old Recipe, which boasts to sell “original” (open and close quotation) Ilonggo food, including batchoy.

@outragemag The #LGBT search for #Ilonggo ♬ original sound – Outrage Magazine

As FYI: This is supposedly an old resto, opening in 1988, though at first as Ilongga House. The name change happened in 2018, though the resto owned by Rufino Gallo must be doing something right since it now has a handful of branches.

The branch we went to was… nothing grand, even if it can seat around 80 pax. Old tables, old seats, and so on. You get the drift.

The staff was at least friendly; they even provided the info I sought for this quick review.

But the wait time was sobra. And to think we just ordered batchoy (the supreme sells for ₱198, and if you add extras, you pay ₱15 for an egg and ₱18 for chicharon or bawang), as well as pansit molo (₱168 for solo size). They have a sizable menu; this is one of those restos that has too much to choose from.

But to be extremely blunt, the food wasn’t great.

For the batchoy, you don’t get a lot of noodles and sahog. And it was too watery so that the batchoy taste was just not there. The pansit molo, at least, had okay broth; but the pork dumplings tasted like they just came out of the freezer.

This isn’t the Ilonggo resto I – personally – can see myself regularly going to. But I understand if others may like it, whether for after-inuman sabaw, or for those wanting to try Ilonggo offerings particularly if they live nearby. To each his or her own, sabi nga.

So off we go pa rin, as we look for more lafang venues.

OLD RECIPE is located at Greenfields Commercial Bldg., Mambog IV, Bacoor, Cavite.

From its humble beginnings in 2020, Calliah Fashion has quickly risen to prominence on TikTok Shop and evolved into a well-loved local women’s fashion brand. Founded by Divine and McAnthony Aguilar, Calliah draws inspiration from their daughter and symbolizes beauty, strength, and individuality–values that are now reflected in their designs and business operations.

In the fourth quarter of 2024, Calliah Fashion became one of the Top 20 Womenswear Sellers on TikTok Shop, driven by strong Self-LIVE GMV performance. Through their strategic use of TikTok Shop’s ACE Indicator System—Assortment, Content, and Empowerment—Calliah Fashion has built a successful e-commerce presence, driving substantial growth in just a few years.

Thriving with Assortment and Strategic Product Launches

Calliah Fashion’s journey on TikTok Shop has been powered by a carefully curated assortment of products that resonate with their audience. They gained significant traction with monthly exclusive releases, especially highlighted during campaigns like Buy Local, Shop Local, where they introduced compelling deals such as Buy 1 Get 1 offers and high-discount product listings. These moves helped boost their Shop Tab GMV significantly.

Their strategic product bundling also contributed to rapid growth. The Chinese New Year 3-Pax Shorts Bundle, for example, saw an incredible 333% year-over-year (YOY) GMV growth during the December 2024 Buy Local, Shop Local campaign, compared to the same period in 2023, as shoppers prepared for Chinese New Year 2025. This success is just one example of how Calliah’s ability to create thematic bundles quickly captured the attention of TikTok Shop users and became top-selling items during livestream events.

“Our brand has always been about empowering women to embrace their own style, and TikTok Shop has provided us with an incredible platform to do just that,” said Divine Aguilar, co-founder of Calliah Fashion. “The platform’s tools and the strong community of women on TikTok Shop have helped us reach new heights, especially with our exclusive product launches and bundles that truly resonate with our customers.”

Content-Driven Success: Livestreams and Affiliates

Content has been key to Calliah Fashion’s success on TikTok Shop. By strengthening their affiliate relationships and creating themed PR packages, the brand maximized the impact of livestreams and product features. Calliah’s livestreams gained notable traction during special events, including an exclusive collaboration with fellow Buy Local, Shop Local seller Josefina’s Kitchen, further elevating their visibility.

Through strategic use of TikTok Shop’s in-app resources and social media promotions, Calliah was able to amplify its reach. The result was a 17% increase in LIVE GMV in November 2024 and an even greater 49% increase in December 2024 during the Buy Local Gems feature. Their efforts in optimizing livestreams were mirrored in their Affiliate GMV, which saw an uplift of 100% in October 2024 and 165% in December 2024 as they tapped into their growing affiliate network.

“Calliah Fashion’s success on TikTok Shop is a testament to the power of authentic connections,” said Franco Aligaen, Marketing Lead of TikTok Shop Philippines. “By embracing livestreaming and exclusive product launches, they’ve built a strong community of empowered women, turning creativity into growth. We’re proud to support brands like theirs in shaping the future of Philippine fashion on TikTok Shop.”

Empowering Growth Through Learning and Leadership

Beyond product strategy and content, Calliah Fashion’s success is also a result of their commitment to personal and professional growth. Calliah Fashion was one of only two Philippine-based sellers invited to represent local craftsmanship at the ASEAN Business and Investments Summit in Laos in November 2024. This prestigious event gave the brand an opportunity to showcase its products to international organizations and world leaders, including Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

Additionally, Calliah was featured in the #SarilingAtin docuseries on TikTok Shop, where they were able to promote their commitment to local craftsmanship and share their journey as a Filipino seller. These empowerment initiatives, coupled with their participation in campaigns and seminars, helped propel Calliah Fashion to achieve a remarkable 87% quarter-on-quarter growth, making them one of the fastest-growing womenswear brands on TikTok Shop in early 2025.

A Bright Future for Filipino Fashion

Calliah Fashion’s remarkable growth on TikTok Shop showcases how a local brand can leverage digital tools to connect with customers and scale rapidly. From their product assortment to content strategies and empowerment efforts, Calliah has become a prime example of how e-commerce can drive success for small businesses in the Philippines.

“Our journey is just beginning,” Aguilar added. “We’re proud of what we’ve accomplished, but we know that with the support of TikTok Shop and the community we’ve built, the future is even brighter. We are excited to continue growing and empowering women through fashion.”

To discover more of Calliah Fashion’s latest styles, visit their official TikTok Shop page.