PinoyBuilt — Stories of Filipino America

CHICKEN ADOBO WITH POTATOES 🥔 ANG PABORITONG CHICKEN ADOBO NA MAY PATATAS Posted on November 17, 2025 My Chicken Adobo did not look or taste like Panlasang Pinoy's. It turned out more like chicken adobo soup with potatoes. But it's a wet, cold November night, so all good! I usually don't use potatoes, but I saw a bag from Costco that my bunso bought awhile ago, so... I usually don't even eat potatoes.

40th Reunion Milestone Hogan Sr. High Class of 1985: Dinner at Union Hotel October 18 • Benicia, California Forty years after graduating from Hogan Senior High School , members of the Class of 1985 gathered for a pre-reunion dinner at the historic Union Hotel. Before heading to the main event at Rellik Tavern, our core group of the Filipino-American community came together to reconnect. Front: Arnel Pacanza, Ben Carbonell, Glenn Victa, Gloria Arzaga-Vega, Nolan Highbaugh, Missy Cabrera, J.F. Perseveranda, Jim Abad, Julie Chong-Sinai, Martin Nunez. Back: Tony Magbitang, Rudy Jandoc, Tony Palisoc & Melana Paris. A Generation Coming of Age In the mid-1980s, Hogan Sr. High was more than a school; it was a cultural intersection. For many of us, it’s where our identities were shaped through community and shared resilience. Alternate angle: Union Hotel, Benicia. Sp...

It really is very safe to walk at night in Dubai! But it really is very hottt!!! August 25. Al Muraqqabat Diera

Deira, Dubai • August 2021. We Met Tintin's Friend Grace for Dinner at Chibugan in Dubai. chibugan dubai, filipino restaurant deira, ofw dubai, filipino food uae, pinoy restaurant dubai, fil-am travel dubai. DUBAI • AUGUST 2021 Chibugan na! Dinner with Tintin and Grace at a Filipino Restaurant in Deira, Dubai A plate of home thousands of miles away — J.F. joins friends for a late-night Filipino feast inside the vibrant OFW community of Al Muraqqabat, Deira. August 25, 2021. Deira, Dubai, United Arab Emirates. It was a Wednesday night in Al Muraqqabat — one of those pockets of Dubai that feels unmistakably, undeniably Filipino. The signs are in Tagalog. The aromas spilling out of the restaurants are adobo and sinigang. And the laughter coming from inside Chibugan? Pure Pinoy. My friend Tintin had arranged for us to meet her friend Grace for dinner, and Chibugan was the obvious choice. It's exactly the kind o...

Dinner at Chibugan Restaurant - Deira Dubai Tintin and I got a table on the second floor while we waited for her friend Grace. August 25. Deira, Dubai. United Arab Emirates.  In Tagalog, "chibugan" primarily means "food" or a "meal", but it can also refer to an "eating place". It's often used in the phrase "Chibugan na!", which means "It's eating time!" or "Let's eat!".  As a noun: " Chibugan " can refer to the food itself or a place where one eats.  As part of an expression: The phrase " Chibugan na! " is a common and friendly way to call out to people that the food is ready and it's time to eat.  JF & Tintin Chibugan from Al Muraqqabat Rd Tintin checks out the menu. Address: 789C+7HG - Al Muraqqabat - Dubai - United Arab Emirates

There are a lot of Filipinos in Deira You'll see a lot of OFWs in Deira Dubai, especially after work hours. August 25. Deira, Dubai. United Arab Emirates. 

Happy Birthday Carolyn! On August 8, 1998, we celebrated a birthday dinner to remember. The photo below was taken just outside Mi Piace , a vibrant Italian restaurant located on Colorado Boulevard in Old Town Pasadena. That night was warm and full of life, like the city itself. Dinner at Mi Piace Mi Piace was (and still is) a local favorite, known for its contemporary Italian menu, bustling ambiance, and delicious pastries. The sign behind us read, “Welcome to Mi Piace / Featuring Pasadena Baking Co.” — a nod to the in-house bakery that added European charm to every dessert and espresso served. That evening, we celebrated Carolyn's birthday with her best friends. It was the first time I'd met them. Cancun & Love at First Sight Carolyn and I both had vacationed in Cancun for the Memorial Day Weekend, but we didn't meet there. She was there with her aunt; I went with my buddy A.J. We first saw each other on the flight back from Cancun to Los Angeles. These tw...

February 23 Flashback in Suisun City Hogan High School reunion with Grace and Joe in town, and Rowena back in the country. Grace and Rowena were both in the same class as Joy and Vince. But I was close with both of them.

Congratulations again Ate on your BS Nursing degree! Of course, I'm very proud of you -- as I'm sure are your siblings, Papa, Mama and the extended clan. I still have to edit/post most of the photos from the Pinning Ceremony and the Commencement Ceremony. I ran across your graduation photos while organizing & backing up online to Amazon photos. As per our chat, if you join San Jose Buddhist Judo Club (after your RN and job), I'll really be impressed!   😉 Fuji Buffet. Concord, CA. December 11, 2024

Happy Birthday Dad! This is the earliest digital photo I took of you on your birthday. This was December 2, 2001 at the buffet in Sunvalley Mall in Concord. What was it called before Tomi Sushi and Seafood Buffet? Dad, Mom & Nica. Concord, CA.

Thanksgiving Dinner 2024 I've got lots of photos to edit and post, so THANK YOU for your patience. Please continue to visit Pinoybuilt.com to support us. Happy Thanksgiving! Win or lose, the San Francisco 49ers is still our team.  Happy Birthday Tita Nene! November 28, 2024. As happens from time to time, Thanksgiving Day coincides with Grace Perseveranda-Silvestre's birthday. HBD Tita Nene. Perseveranda-Putong Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving Dinner 2024 I've got lots of photos to edit and post, so THANK YOU for your patience. Please continue to visit Pinoybuilt.com to support us. Happy Thanksgiving! Rosanne & Keo Happy Birthday Tita Nene! November 28, 2024. As happens from time to time, Thanksgiving Day coincides with Grace Perseveranda-Silvestre's birthday. HBD Tita Nene. Perseveranda-Putong Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving Dinner 2024 Great to see you Jake and Brian. Thankful. Grateful. Blessed. Happy Birthday Tita Nene! November 28, 2024. As happens from time to time, Thanksgiving Day coincides with Grace Perseveranda-Silvestre's birthday. HBD Tita Nene. Perseveranda-Putong Thanksgiving