Columns
Read our columns and features on life in the Philippines.
Some older columns may still be available only in Japanese while their English editions are being prepared.
The Philippines’ ‘Spaghetti Wires’ Are Real: A Fallen Utility Pole That Reminded Me of Ramen JiroOn a local street in Pasay, I came across an entire utility pole lying on its side. Why do the familiar tangles of overhead cables develop, and what is Manila doing about them?2026-09-26
Bentley, Porsche and Lamborghini on One BGC Block? Calculating the Prices on Its Luxury-Car Window-Shopping StreetAround 28th Street and 11th Avenue in BGC, Bentley, Porsche and Lamborghini showrooms sit within walking distance. We looked at Japanese new-car prices and worked through the Philippine vehicle excise tax to understand the price gap.2026-09-26
Torikizoku Is Coming to BGC! What Might Japan’s Famous Flat Pricing Look Like in the Philippines?Torikizoku is set to open at Serendra, BGC, on October 12. We look at the history of its uniform prices in Japan and its prices in Taiwan and Hong Kong to make an unofficial estimate of what one order might cost in the Philippines.2026-09-24