In 2019, a study reported that Filipinos love Filipino food best. Love your own, as they say, but this was also proof that even when presented with a plethora of flavors from all over the world, Filipinos will still hold our own cuisine closest to our hearts and stomachs.

Years after that study, Filipino food now has its much-deserved place in the spotlight, with more and more Filipino food concepts and dishes gaining popularity abroad. Meanwhile, in the Philippines, we delve deeper into our food culture, exploring more regional flavors, native ingredients, and heritage recipes.

In Arcovia City, one spot not only highlights our cuisine, it also showcases the heritage of our regional food culture, bringing the flavors, techniques, and recipes of Negros to bustling Metro Manila. Buglas Isla Cafe, which takes its name from the pre-colonial name of Negros, is the unassuming bridge between our gastronomic heritage and the contemporary dining scene.

It took the Buglas Isla team nine months to find the perfect spot to house their concept. The Dumaguete-born brand first opened in 2021, and, seeing Arcovia City as “the next big thing” in Manila, decided to open their doors in Megaworld Lifestyle Malls’ riverside development.

This ideal location also came with much-appreciated marketing and moral support. The hands-on approach of the Megaworld Lifestyle Malls team—from their constant presence as early as the pre-opening up to dining regularly at the cafe—has made the Dumaguete-grown brand establish their footing in Manila.

Full of Filipino spirit

The restaurant sits amid the greenery-lined paths of the Pasig township, with glass walls that allow guests to peer into its heritage house-inspired interiors. Elements of ancestral houses like capiz shell windows and carved wooden balusters find new life in the cafe, transformed into tables and wall accents. Rattan lamps, an artisan craft Negros is also known for, light up the space in addition to the stream of sunlight abundant in the cafe.

“Our menu was crafted with the goal of honoring Filipino traditions while presenting them in a way that feels fresh, approachable, and exciting,” says Buglas Isla Cafe’s chef Angelito Bagwan

These homey elements make stepping into Buglas Isla Cafe an instant comfort, but the cafe’s true charm lies well beyond its aesthetics. Embedded in the details of Buglas Isla’s menu, infused into the heart of each dish, is heritage—be it in the form of ingredients, techniques, or flavors.

“Our menu was crafted with the goal of honoring Filipino traditions while presenting them in a way that feels fresh, approachable, and exciting,” says Buglas Isla Cafe’s chef Angelito Bagwan. “We started with familiar favorites—the kind that instantly evoke memories of home—and asked ourselves: How can we elevate this while staying true to its soul?”

While using local ingredients and learning the traditional preparation methods are at the heart of Buglas Isla’s menu, equal importance has been placed on presentation, portions, and pairings, bringing the nostalgic flavors to the present. “Each dish is a love letter to the islands—our way of celebrating our roots while keeping things current for today’s diners,” the chef says.

“We always go back to our core: comfort, culture, and creativity. Innovation for us isn’t about reinventing the wheel—it’s about reintroducing beloved flavors in a way that resonates with today’s customers,” he says.

“We always go back to our core: comfort, culture, and creativity. Innovation for us isn’t about reinventing the wheel—it’s about reintroducing beloved flavors in a way that resonates with today’s customers”

“We’re careful not to lose sight of what makes Buglas, Buglas. Even when we experiment with new formats or flavors, we make sure there’s a cultural or emotional anchor, whether it’s a family recipe, a regional specialty, or a local ingredient with a story. That way, even our most creative dishes still feel unmistakably Filipino and unmistakably Buglas.”

The Dumaguete brand’s creations

Among the specialties at Buglas Isla Cafe is their tocino—but this isn’t the sweet, glazed pork cuts we love having for breakfast. In Dumaguete, tocino refers to pork barbecue, and at Buglas Isla, their pork barbecue isn’t just marinated in-house, it’s also grilled over Japanese binchotan charcoal—a perfect example of traditional flavors prepared with global techniques. 

Friends or family visiting together can enjoy the more festive selection of boards—wooden slabs packed to the brim with a variety of fried and grilled specialties, such as chicken inasal, longaniza de Cebu, fried danggit, and even fried lechon belly roll.

Lechon is also a highlight at Buglas Isla—here, served with rice in puso pockets, atchara, salted eggs, and traditional sauces. But what makes the lechon at Buglas Isla unique is its flavor. In Dumaguete, the main (and perhaps even only) herb to flavor their roast pig is lemongrass. With the lechon cooked and stuffed with lemongrass, each luscious bite of the prized pork carries the lightly tangy and gingery notes of the herb, cutting through the fat. 

Their beef kansi is also a must-try, especially for its rich, red broth infused with all the flavors of batwan, annatto, ginger, lemongrass, jackfruit, and beef shank. The sour broth is also a great choice if you’re looking to cut through the heft of the tocino and lechon.

Despite the rich flavors on the table, Buglas Isla Cafe also prides itself on a “contrasting” quality, shining through their hospitality. True to Dumaguete’s nickname as the city of gentle people, Buglas Isla also highlights the same gentle approach from their staff to their guests.

“For us, a memorable dining experience is one that stirs both the palate and the heart. It’s not just about good food—it’s about the feeling you take with you when you leave,” Bagwan says.

“At Buglas Isla Cafe, we focus on three things: comforting flavors, genuine hospitality, and a space that feels like home. From the moment guests walk in, we want them to feel welcomed, cared for, and connected to something familiar yet special.”

Megaworld Lifestyle Malls’ World of Flavors celebrates the artistry, passion, and compelling stories of culinary visionaries and restaurateurs.