Islas Filipino Bbq and Bar

06/10/2026

Dear Islas Family,

Happy Filipino Heritage Month!

When we shared our temporary break last November, we were in the middle of deep loss and exhaustion. The months since have been about family, grief, and quietly rebuilding our courage.

We're not "back to normal," and maybe we never will be — and that's okay. We're returning in a smaller, more intentional way.

Chef Marc is cooking again. We're saying yes to meaningful demos and pop-ups. And we're slowly building something we care deeply about — tools, stories, and community for small food founders like us.

Chef Marc is also working on his book Finding Islas. And Mariel is writing The Invisible Co-Founder — a project
to support the real emotional and financial lives of chefs, bakers, and food entrepreneurs.

Thank you for giving us space to heal and for still being here. If you see us at an event, please come say hello.

We're nervous. But we're here. And we're grateful.

With love,
Marc & Mariel

Meet Chef Marc on Day 2 of Halal Expo Canada 2026!

Join us for an exciting live cooking demonstration with Chef Marc as he showcases innovative halal cuisine, culinary expertise, and creative recipes on the Cooking Demo Stage.

Whether you're a restaurateur, caterer, retailer, food entrepreneur, or simply passionate about halal food, don't miss this opportunity to learn from one of our featured culinary experts.

Watch Chef Marc in Action�
- Discover New Flavors
- Connect with Industry Professionals
- Explore the Latest Trends in Halal Cuisine

Join us and experience the excitement of live cooking at Canada's premier halal business event.

Halal Expo Canada 2026�
Register: www.halalexpocanada.com

Visit: www.marcbuen.com

11/02/2025

A TEMPORARY BREAK ANNOUNCEMENT

Dear Islas Family,

After almost nine wonderful years of serving you, we, Marc and Mariel, have made the heartfelt decision to take a temporary break effective November 1, 2025.

This past month has brought profound grief with the loss of two amazing fathers that are close to our hearts — Marc’s dad and Marc’s sister father-in-law. Their passing within just 40 days has deeply impacted us, and we want to take this time to honor their memories and the incredible legacies they left behind.

Mariel has been away from her home since 2013, and after 12 years, she hasn’t had the chance to see her father. It’s time for us to embrace this moment, reflect, and cherish family — something we hold dearly.

During this break, we’ll be heading to the Philippines to reconnect, heal, and spend some much-needed quality time together, honoring our fathers and the love they taught us.

We appreciate your understanding and support as we take this step. Thank you for being part of our journey. We look forward to reuniting with you soon, stronger and ready to create more beautiful memories together.

💖,
Marc & Mariel

09/05/2025

Join Ice Aquino this weekend at Kapihan, Saturday & Sunday from 9AM-11AM at iSLAS.
Book your table at www.islasto.com..