Welcome to the Rolling Stone Philippines Staff Picks. Every other week, our editors and writers share their favorites from what the city and beyond have to offer. From the best restaurants, bars, new product releases, and anything worth your money, this list is a list of everything that’s gotten our attention.
It’s hard not to feel like a tourist in your own country these days. As much as we push local heritage, we rarely get to experience what that truly means outside of our own bubble. Luckily, there are establishments here that are helping us understand the different regions and cultures our country has to offer. Hapag’s latest menu showcases the many culinary traditions of the Cordilleras region with its own unique takes on inspired dishes.
Like most of us, so much of what the Hapag team knew about the region mainly revolved around Baguio, but as they learned on a recent trip, there was so much more than just the regular tourist hotspot. “Once we traveled through Ifugao, Mountain Province, and Kalinga, we discovered a much deeper and more diverse food culture. Every province had its own ingredients, techniques, and traditions,” said Hapag’s executive chef and co-owner Thirdy Dolatre. The menu is a celebration as well as an invitation to take part in lesser-known dishes from the Philippines that hopefully encourages everyone to better appreciate the country’s rich diversity. —Jonty Cruz
We all love a comeback moment, and Nike is having one of its own with the revival of the Moon Shoe, their first-ever sneaker created for the U.S. Olympic Trials athletes in 1972. While the Moon Shoe was relaunched in 2025 and 2026 through collaborations with Jacquemus, it is the first time the footwear label has reissued the shoe with exclusively Swoosh branding and widespread general release.
The updated “Moon Shoe OG” uses modern materials while preserving much of its original design, particularly its slim, torpedo-shaped profile and iconic rubber waffle outsole — one that Nike co-founder Bill Bowerman first created by experimenting with liquid urethane in his wife’s waffle iron. Other enhancements include a lightweight nylon upper with leather accents and a low-profile midsole that recreates its signature heritage look.
The Moon Shoe OG comes in various colorways and is now available in Nike’s SNKRS App and several other retailers, including Atmos Philippines. —Sai Versailles
13 Lucky Monkey makes some of the coolest sculpted rings and custom accessories you’ll ever stumble across. Founded in 2007, co-founders Noli Coronado and Dante Dizon have been sculpting rings for the rock stars since the late aughts. Their signature gritty-looking skull rings are made from 92.5 percent Sterling silver sourced from Baguio, with some of their most unique collections crafted from other bespoke materials that are proudly local.
“We are inspired by the motorcycles we ride, the culture that goes along with it — the rock ‘n’ roll music, tattoos, religious iconography — it all goes hand in hand,” co-founder Dizon says on their website. —Elijah Pareño
Earlier this year, images of pro tennis players like Russian number 2 Karen Khachanov wielding a black Wilson prototype racket during training circulated online. This was before the announcement of the new power-oriented Wilson Blade, which I briefly considered before finding out it came in Milo green. Insiders said Wilson is calling it Python, its answer to the widely popular Babolat Pure Aero (used by our very own Alex Eala) and Yonex Ezone, both preferred for the spin and power they generate.
After months of testing out the blacked-out prototype on tour, Wilson unveiled the new model on July 9 but with a different name and in a different color: the Defyer, which comes in striking Adrenalyn Red — not as discreet as the original Python prototype, but something I can get with since I already have the classic red Wilson bag to go with it, and I’ve been meaning to work on my drop shots and slices anyway.
Defyer comes in 98 Pro, 100, 100L, and 100UL models. It’s currently on pre-order for P18,695. —Christian San Jose
If you ever find yourself at Karrivin in Makati with a craving for sweets but no will to commit to a restaurant just for merienda, the best thing to do is grab a bite at Ritual. Among the jars of baked goods you can get by the piece are Champorado Crinkles and Mango Kasoy Cookies from ‘Derya.
Still in an exciting R&D phase, this Taguig-based home bakery is committed to using local and regional ingredients for more playful takes on beloved treats, like Turmeric Lemon Crinkles and Banana Bread with Kasoy Streusel.
The Champorado Crinkles are a revelation, as the tablea gives these traditionally sweet cookies a bitter and fruity kick. Watch out for ‘Derya’s occasional online drops on Instagram. —Pie Gonzaga
