https://www.scmp.com/rss/326978/feed Jayson joined the Post in 2022. He is Filipino-Chinese, born in Manila and raised in Hong Kong. Jayson previously worked at Reuters where he first dabbled in field production and broadcast television. He has produced award-winning stories around Asia, from India and Sri Lanka to the Philippines. He also likes cats. en https://assets.i-scmp.com/static/img/icons/scmp-meta-1200x630.png https://www.scmp.com Jayson Albano Jayson Albano Chiharu Numata had a lot to celebrate when his store turned 100 in 2024. Masatoyo Knives had been in his family for four generations and had spent decades in the same location on the second floor of a commercial building in downtown Shizuoka. “Japanese kitchen knives are truly excellent products with high quality,” he says. “But in Shizuoka, there are no other speciality shops like ours left any more.” Unlike Japan’s world-renowned draws like Tokyo, Osaka or Kyoto, Shizuoka’s economy is largely... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/travel-leisure/article/3346701/shizuoka-japan-needs-more-tourists-how-does-it-attract-them-and-boost-its-economy?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/travel-leisure/article/3346701/shizuoka-japan-needs-more-tourists-how-does-it-attract-them-and-boost-its-economy?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 16 Mar 2026 09:15:09 +0000 Jayson Albano Jayson Albano In the middle of a rice paddy on a warm summer day, Sho Nakano bends over to where water meets his ankles, showing how weeding is done by hand. Once a week, he and his wife Shoko open their farm in the hills of Yokosuka, an hour south of Tokyo, to volunteers interested in organic agriculture or urbanites looking for a change of scenery. “We like to make space for people to gather and be in touch with nature and farming,” Shoko says. Commercial farms typically favour large fields of a single crop... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/travel-leisure/article/3335558/japanese-farm-homestay-lets-you-get-involved-producing-organic-food?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/travel-leisure/article/3335558/japanese-farm-homestay-lets-you-get-involved-producing-organic-food?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 08 Dec 2025 08:15:09 +0000 Jayson Albano Jayson Albano IndiGo’s flight interruptions began on December 1, 2025. So far, more than 1,200 flights have been cancelled, leaving thousands stranded. https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/south-asia/article/3335379/passengers-indias-biggest-airline-indigo-stranded-days-mass-cancellations?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/south-asia/article/3335379/passengers-indias-biggest-airline-indigo-stranded-days-mass-cancellations?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 05 Dec 2025 11:15:55 +0000 Jayson Albano Jayson Albano December 3 was the one-year anniversary of then-President Yoon Suk-yeol’s temporary declaration of martial law in South Korea. To mark the occasion, more than 200 people were led on a tour of the National Assembly, which was seized by troops during the political crisis that shook the country. https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/article/3335215/south-korea-parliament-hosts-dark-tour-martial-law-crisis-anniversary?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/article/3335215/south-korea-parliament-hosts-dark-tour-martial-law-crisis-anniversary?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 04 Dec 2025 10:15:36 +0000 Jayson Albano Jayson Albano Until recently, Lin Lo commuted daily to her nine-to-five office job in Melbourne, Australia. Any big travel plans often consisted of visiting her home in Taiwan every two to three years. The digital marketer’s company, however, has now ditched its office in favour of a co-working space. “Once they said we were allowed to work remotely, the first thing I thought was, ‘Where could I go?’” Lo said. “Outside Melbourne, outside Australia.” She decided on a two-week “workcation” in Tokyo, Japan,... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/travel-leisure/article/3329326/japan-eyes-boost-digital-nomads-despite-overtourism-crisis?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/travel-leisure/article/3329326/japan-eyes-boost-digital-nomads-despite-overtourism-crisis?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 19 Oct 2025 01:00:15 +0000 Jayson Albano Jayson Albano Hongkonger Bryan Lee and his wife Cris cried when they heard the lease for their restaurant, Cinta-J, would not be renewed after being in business for more than four decades. Serving authentic Pinoy food and offering live karaoke, Lee’s family has run Cinta-J and its predecessor Cinta in Wan Chai for 42 years, making it a home away from home for the Filipino diaspora in Hong Kong. The sole branch for over two decades, Cinta-J’s impending closure on September 30 came as a surprise to many... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3325427/cinta-j-restaurant-filipino-favourite-hong-kong-close-september-30?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3325427/cinta-j-restaurant-filipino-favourite-hong-kong-close-september-30?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 13 Sep 2025 06:48:40 +0000 In Laos, the art of traditional hand weaving is passed down by women from generation to generation. Boutsaya Viengviseth is among those on a mission to ensure the art form continues to draw attention in the modern era. She began her design career in 2011, when she sold a few garments via Facebook. That was just a side hustle then – she had been working full-time on a project related to a hydropower plant. But her love of traditional dress began long before that. “When I was in high school, I... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/arts/article/3302402/women-designers-adapt-traditional-laotian-hand-weaving-modern-era-gorgeous-garments?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/arts/article/3302402/women-designers-adapt-traditional-laotian-hand-weaving-modern-era-gorgeous-garments?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 15 Mar 2025 03:15:07 +0000 The makeshift house of Jocelyn De Los Santos sits atop a mausoleum in Manila North Cemetery, one of the oldest and largest graveyards in the Philippines. She must use an elevated tomb as a stepping stone whenever she wants to leave or enter her home. The sprawling cemetery in the Philippine capital houses the final resting places of some of the nation’s wealthiest, from presidents to movie stars and artists. However, these hallowed grounds are also prime real estate for the city’s poorest... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/lifestyle-culture/article/3294286/meet-poor-filipinos-living-manilas-cemetery-rich?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/lifestyle-culture/article/3294286/meet-poor-filipinos-living-manilas-cemetery-rich?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 12 Jan 2025 09:00:09 +0000 Satellite images from Monday, showed a thick smog covering several South Asian cities, including the Indian capital New Delhi and the Pakistani cities of Lahore and Karachi. The region’s blanket of smog is an annual crisis blamed on farmland stubble burning, factories and car exhaust. Authorities have imposed restrictions to curb pollution, but many residents still face severe health risks. https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/article/3287208/satellite-images-show-toxic-smog-over-south-asia-visible-space?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/article/3287208/satellite-images-show-toxic-smog-over-south-asia-visible-space?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 19 Nov 2024 08:15:50 +0000 At a cockfighting ring in Metro Manila, a crowd huddles around where two roosters are being readied for a brawl. However, as the birds’ handlers release them to begin the fight, the spectators are uncharacteristically quiet. Before Covid-19, the start of such a fight at the Dampalit Cockpit Arena would have been met with yells from the crowd and the kristos, or betcallers. Kristos would typically shout out the winning odds in the ring and keep a tally of bettors who owe money. As traditional... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/economics/article/3286733/philippine-cockfighting-still-soars-even-feathers-are-ruffled-over-job-losses?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/economics/article/3286733/philippine-cockfighting-still-soars-even-feathers-are-ruffled-over-job-losses?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 16 Nov 2024 09:00:08 +0000 A series of wolf attacks in India’s northern state of Uttar Pradesh has left around 10 people dead and dozens more injured since July 2024. The pack of wolves seem to be targeting young children since only one of the victims killed was an adult. Panic has spread through more than 30 villages in and around the locations of the attacks. Local officials have organised an armed team to hunt for the wolves and at least four of the animals have been captured. https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/article/3277780/indian-authorities-hunt-down-wolves-killed-10-people-including-children?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/article/3277780/indian-authorities-hunt-down-wolves-killed-10-people-including-children?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 09 Sep 2024 09:30:08 +0000 Cathay Pacific Airways has hit several rough patches in recent years, leading to some of the biggest challenges the Hong Kong flagship carrier has faced since the company’s soaring start in the 20th century. Cathay was among the hardest-hit airlines as Covid-19 spread around the world and the airline had to delay until the first quarter of 2025 a return to full capacity it had initially planned for the end of 2024. https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/article/3277541/headwinds-holding-back-cathay-pacifics-post-pandemic-recovery?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/article/3277541/headwinds-holding-back-cathay-pacifics-post-pandemic-recovery?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 07 Sep 2024 01:00:17 +0000 For China, giant pandas play a dual role as symbols of soft power as well as icons of global conservation. In a similar way, China’s panda diplomacy signals Beijing’s favour with other countries at the same time as it upholds a commitment to save the species from extinction. The Post takes a look at how panda diplomacy has evolved through different eras of Chinese leadership, and the hard cash that goes into the practice. https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3274805/how-chinas-panda-loans-work-and-diplomatic-role-bears?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3274805/how-chinas-panda-loans-work-and-diplomatic-role-bears?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 16 Aug 2024 10:27:43 +0000 Indonesian speed climber Desak Made Rita Kusuma Dewi starts training at 8am every day in hopes of winning gold for the country at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Speed climbing was first included as an Olympic event during the Tokyo Games in 2021 as part of the climbing competition. In Paris, it will be featured as a separate event. Indonesia has won only eight Olympic gold medals, all in badminton. https://www.scmp.com/sport/paris-olympics-2024/article/3272295/paris-olympics-indonesian-athletes-race-speed-climbing-gold?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/paris-olympics-2024/article/3272295/paris-olympics-indonesian-athletes-race-speed-climbing-gold?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 29 Jul 2024 08:00:16 +0000 Manila’s “Home for the Golden Gays” was among the few brick-and-mortar care facilities for the elderly LGBTQ community in the Philippines. However, when the facility closed in 2012, most of its elderly residents were left homeless and struggling in their final years. The surviving Golden Gays have since been trying to build a new permanent centre for themselves and future members. The group has been accepting donations from sponsors, but they insist on performing in drag in shows of... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/lifestyle-culture/article/3266849/philippines-elderly-golden-gays-their-drag-shows-and-search-forever-home-manila?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/lifestyle-culture/article/3266849/philippines-elderly-golden-gays-their-drag-shows-and-search-forever-home-manila?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 17 Jun 2024 03:13:32 +0000 In Macau, a Filipino bakery is still going strong after 20 years. While the price of its signature product hasn’t changed over the years, its customers have — with the shop now drawing more than just the city’s Filipino community, but also other locals and many tourists. Around the bakery, others have set up their own businesses that cater to Filipinos, creating an unofficial “Philippine street” in the heart of Macau. https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/article/3250137/macaus-philippine-street-and-anak-bakery-are-home-away-home-local-filipino-community?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/article/3250137/macaus-philippine-street-and-anak-bakery-are-home-away-home-local-filipino-community?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 29 Jan 2024 07:33:28 +0000 Distinct, delectable, but disappearing: streetside hawker stands in Hong Kong known as dai pai dongs and the classic comfort food they serve are an iconic part of the city’s history, offering up a striking contrast to the modern polished skyscrapers that throng the city skyline. While many have closed down over the years, others have adapted to the times. From the classic food stands to cooked food centres to mushroom pavilions nestled in public housing estates known as dung gu ting, this... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3242924/hong-kongs-traditional-dai-pai-dong-street-food-stalls-fight-stay-open?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3242924/hong-kongs-traditional-dai-pai-dong-street-food-stalls-fight-stay-open?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 27 Nov 2023 05:37:17 +0000 Jayson Albano Jayson Albano Kraiz Kayastha has had a difficult six years of primary school. The 12-year-old is enrolled at a local school in Hong Kong where his lessons are taught in Chinese. In Primary One, Kraiz, who was born in Hong Kong with Nepali roots, had little to no command of the Chinese language. Now in Primary Six, Kraiz struggles through two sentences of a self-introduction in Cantonese before switching back to English. He is among the 33,000 non-Chinese-speaking – classified by the government as NCS –... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/education/article/3221240/give-me-opportunity-have-hong-kongs-society-and-schools-failed-ethnic-minority-students?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/education/article/3221240/give-me-opportunity-have-hong-kongs-society-and-schools-failed-ethnic-minority-students?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 24 May 2023 01:00:15 +0000 When Hong Kong hosts the Gay Games in 2022, it will be the first time the Olympic-style sporting event has been held in Asia since the Games’ 1982 inauguration in San Francisco. Same-sex unions are legally recognised in all the Games’ previous host cities. In Hong Kong they are not. Hong Kong beat the United States’ capital city, Washington, and Guadalajara in Mexico to secure the Games – held every four years – even though those countries have far more comprehensive laws in place to protect... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/article/2143252/gay-games-hong-kongs-chance-show-citys-inclusivity-will-it-recognise-same?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/article/2143252/gay-games-hong-kongs-chance-show-citys-inclusivity-will-it-recognise-same?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 26 Apr 2018 11:15:00 +0000