Each time she posts bomb photos on Instagram, we can’t help but envy Liza Soberano’sstunning new style and how she owns every look from cute, daring, to grunge just like her favorite girl gang, BLACKPINK.
A bias-wrecker herself, Liza’s visuals have leveled up even more in the recent months thanks to her constant collaboration with stylist Perry Tabora. Her style evolution is one to look out for and we can’t help but wonder, how can she stay so cute yet so kickass at the same time?
Is there anything these girls couldn’t do? Screaming Big Female Energy, here are all the times Liza dressed like an unofficial fifth Blackpink member. We won’t be surprised if one day sasaengs also chase her at fashion week.
In a classic Dior monogram headscarf? There’s a reason why it’s the new must-have this year. Eat your heart out, Kylie Jenner!
BOSSIN’ UP IN BLACK
Photos by @bjpascual/IG, blackpinkupdate.com
Can this be our new uniform? We love the way she paired her Paco Rabanne sports bra and waistband leggings with a leather jacket.
JUST KWEEN THINGS IN TWEED
Photos from @bjpascual/IG, blacpinkupdate.com
With the photo that broke the Internet, we won’t be surprised if one day, Liza also becomes a frequent front-row star at Gucci and Chanel like her faves.
LIKE JENNIE WITH PLATINUM BLONDE HAIR STREAKS
Photos from @blackpinkofficial/IG and @lizasoberano
Of course she had to recreate Jennie’s look. Ditch the usual black eyeliner and dab on some red eyeshadow for an over-the-top selfie.
THE CRAFT IS CALLING
Photos from @bjpascual/IG, blacpinkupdate.com
Step on us! This grunge look straight from 90s catalogue Delia’s is killer.
THE PINK PRINT
Photos from @blackpinkofficial and @perrytabora
Sorry, but only Liza deserves a seat at their table.
BIKER CHIC
Photos from @blackpinkcloset, @bjpascual/IG
Obviously, you can’t take your leather jacket for a spin in Manila (unless it’s the ‘ber months), but there’s something about Liza channeling Jennie in a beret that makes us want to break all the rules.
LOVESICK GIRLS
Photos from @blackpinkofficial, @perrytabora/IG, blackpinkupdate.com
This plaid look holds so much power. Exactly how a modern girl boss should dress like.
ROCKING THE OFF-DUTY CARDIGAN
Sure, this look suddenly had lots of knock offs after Jennie wore it at the airport, but it’s the chic and effortless pairing that made us want to wear this look everywhere we go.
PRETTY SAVAGE
Photo from YG Entertainment, @perrytabora/IG
Loaded with leather and a whole lotta red, maybe this could make a cute Christmas eve outfit.
Navigating a haunting story of loss and love, Kathryn Bernardo and Daniel Padilla access a tender and aching vulnerability in their creative collaboration with Ben&Ben, Jorel Lising, and Juan Miguel Severo for Sa Susunod Na Habang Buhay.
“Sino ang nasa panaginip mo?” asks Kathryn Bernardo, her gentle eyes piercing through Daniel Padilla, who seems to be looking on over her into the distance. While his gaze does not necessarily meet hers, their consciousness however seemingly meet as the emotionally packed, “Ikaw,” tumbles from his lips.
There is barely any sun draping through the contours of their faces in this rather terse exchange, which is a definite far cry from the previous scene that opened up this freshly dropped Ben&Ben music video, Sa Susunod Na Habang Buhay. In the beginning, our premeditated focus is broken by the rumbling of the sea, as well as of the eventual crashing of the waves on the shore. While the forces of nature are hard at work, pulling back the water that tries desperately to cling to the lips of the sandbar, we see Kathryn Bernardo and Daniel Padilla intertwined to each other as they walk against the backdrop of pink and orange. Even with their backs turned, you can sense a strong surge of calm and content from the two, which is a visual that lends itself well to his oral overture.
“Palagi ako nananaginip, at pag gising ko, para akong nagluluksa sa pagmamahal na ‘di ko pa naman nahanap.”
“Palagi ako nananaginip, at pag gising ko, para akong nagluluksa sa pagmamahal na ‘di ko pa naman nahanap,” he says, and then a sharp shift is felt. Suddenly, they are two separate souls; both troubled, but with their sights set on different directions. “May nalimutan yata ako, may naiwan sa daan, may biglang pag gaan ng mga balikat ko na ‘di ko naiintindihan—pero sa sobrang gaan, masakit.”
The orchestration of Ben&Ben begins to fill the scene, this time taking us back to the very beginning. Here begins a journey of clarity and enlightenment, as we see our protagonists at the cusp of a new beginning, clearly in an abundance of love. Kathryn Bernardo and Daniel Padilla are all grown-up, as we have seen them live out in their previous film, The Hows Of Us. But this time, there is an added layer to their relationship as they begin to build their life as a family with the allusion to a baby as realized in a pair of tiny booties and the blissful wrapping of their arms with each other.
“Kaya namang makayanan / Kahit pa na nahihirapan /Kahit lungkot dumaraan /Pag natuyo na ang luha,” the 9-piece band begins to sing. Before it even begins to settle, it becomes clear that the pair is caught in a time loop. However, despite our predilections for the scientific, this one is more feeling. “Parang nahipan / Ang ‘yong kandila / Init ay wala.”
Stopping right on its tracks, this is no happy ending. Instead, Kathryn Bernardo and Daniel Padilla confront a circumstance that is perhaps beyond their emotional bandwidths outside the Juan Miguel Severo-penned narrative. With a grief much bigger than anything they’ve tackled together before in television, film, and presumably outside the gleam of show business, they keep a firm grip on the decay of what was once ideal and is now being feasted by the anxiety and anger that come with a loss of any sort, much more one that involves an unborn child or in the words of the story, a love that they haven’t met yet.
“It’s always nice to create something with friends,” writes Juan Miguel Severo on social media prior to the premiere. A creative collaboration that is effortless, it definitely shows in the music video of Sa Susunod Na Habang Buhay. Moored by a tender and aching song about the promise of hope and the enduring power of love, this poetic detailing about the complexities and realities of an adult relationship is a fitting next chapter in the continuing story of Ben&Ben, as they now been fully ingrained as a standard in the soundtrack of this generation.
In this profound unraveling of romance in varying frames of time, jumping from different points of beginning, middle, and end, there begins a conversation that many still struggle with today. Who completes the equation of in the capacity to love? The element of time only heightens this understanding, especially with the premise of something that goes beyond the physical bounds, as described in the song and fleshed out by the screenplay of this short film. “Hindi ba, pangako mo nung una / Tiwala’y iingatan / Baka naman sa susunod /Na habang buhay,” the track goes. “At kahit nabago na ng oras / Ang puso ma’y nabutas / Ikaw pa rin / Sa susunod na habang buhay.”
“What if every time one dies, they go back to their first date with one of them carrying memories from their previous run,” and so goes the idea of writer Juan Miguel Severo as he brought it to life with director Jorel Lising and Ben&Ben. It could have been another mishandling of emotional baggage if brought to life by someone else, but in the presence of Kathryn Bernardo and Daniel Padilla, the pain and passion was perfectly balanced, beautifully expressed, and given justice by the compassion they both have in abundance.
As the haunting ballad soared into its final trail and the loose ends were knotted in place in its respective realms, the message of the song was really underscored in the cinematic exposition: “Ikaw pa rin / Ang pipiliin / Kong mahalin / Sa susunod na habang buhay.” Truly, the promise of love knows no bounds—no matter how you see and define its limits.
This time, Daniel Padilla asks Kathryn Bernardo as their last embrace fades out: “Sinong nasa panaginip mo?”
No answer, just an unspoken understanding that somehow pacifies their soul in their great beyond.
It’s been a long time since we were last dazzled by the drama of disco. But what is it with the heavy synth-pop and bright-colored outfits of the decadent era pumping through our screens that made us want to dance again?
This year may have left the most of us in a stretched state of uncertainty, but these pop culture icons brought back trends from yesterday that are equally exciting and yes, full of razzle and dazzle just in time for the holidays. While it’s resurgence in fashion may have started a few years ago with Tom Ford, Alessandro Michele’s Gucci Gang, everybody’s obsession with the living legend Cher, Kali Uchis with her retro nostalgic dreamland themes in music videos, and Tyler the Creator’s blonde-haired music alter ego, IGOR, wearing oversized square glasses and pastel suits, disco truly owned the spotlight in 2020.
DOJA CAT – SAY SO
Of course, starting off this list is the social media anthem of the year. Set in a late 70s Los Angeles scene, Doja glistens in silver chainmail, a rhinestone mesh dress, sparkly jumpsuits, platform heels, and head scarves. The standout look? We’re definitely torn between the pink bedazzled butterfly outfit and the stargazing jumpsuit in the finale.
THE WEEKND – AFTER HOURS
Abel Tesfaye, or better known as The Weeknd, has been undergoing quite a transformation since the year began—literally. Bringing I Can’t Feel My Face to a whole new level, his style was a huge jump from his usual street style to red suits, leather gloves, and tinted sunglasses as his new uniform, similar to Tony Montana in Scar Face and creating a nostalgic atmosphere for this new era. You love to see it.
MILEY CYRUS – MIDNIGHT SKY
We don’t know about you, but we’re sure Miley finally came to terms with herself this year—supercharged with IDGAF energy. Her unapologetic, self-directed video for Midnight Sky made us reminisce through all her eras: from Hannah Montana, Can’t Be Tamed, Bangerz, and now, Plastic Hearts. Miley’s style evolution has been quite the ride, but she’s bringing back glam rock—something we haven’t seen since Avril Lavigne and The Runaways. We love a girl who knows she doesn’t need to be loved by anyone but herself.
The sequinned outfits, the latex hot pants, the roller disco, and all the stunning hairstyles. Where do we even begin? Victoria Monét”s entire Jaguar album is unskippable. Sure you might have heard her on Ariana Grande’s song Monopoly, but the rising singer has been topping the charts with her dreamy visuals and earth-toned outfits. Here’s to hoping an roller disco opens in Manila soon.
BTS – DYNAMITE
It would be a crime if we left the biggest Korean group off the list. The way they worn a sun-drenched palette, printed button downs and flared jeans were a visual treat that echoed the funky track and earned them a top spot on the Billboard charts. No wonder colored sunglasses, suspenders and vests have been making an appearance on TikTok videos and Instagram. Who’s to say that BTS has wrapped up for 2020 yet?
DUA LIPA – FUTURE NOSTALGIA ALBUM
Are we hallucinating? Or did Dua Lipa wind up the clock and take the rest of us back in time? Her sophomore album Future Nostalgia was a plethora of amazing style from different eras not just from the 70s, but also from the 80s and the 90s. Break My Heart is more of a nod to Clueless and 90s sitcoms, while Physical belongs to the 80s and Levitate in the 70s. This Dua Lipa multiverse definitely blow our minds.
Before the year ends, we take you to different pit stops as we embark on this mini world tour with some of the best Filipino creatives that made a name for themselves beyond Philippine shores.
Powering Volume 1 of this list are homegrown emerging Filipino creatives whose growth we have witnessed. From a theatre designer who worked on Disney’s The Lion King to a rising menswear icon whose pieces have been worn by the KarJenners and Hollywood’s finest, the finish line doesn’t seem too far from where they stand.
Founder and Creative Director of LA-based Streetwear Brand RHUDE
Photos courtesy of Rhuigi’s Instagram, Rhude
Born and raised in Manila, 28-year old Rhuigi Villaseñor never had any formal training in fashion. As a teenager making his way into the Los Angeles scene, he knew his unique sartorial choices and love for pop culture would lead him to something bigger. After interning for British fashion designer Shaun Samson and learning dressmaking, doors opened for him when rapper and Pulitzer price winner Kendrick Lamar wore one of his early bandana tee designs to the BET Music Awards in 2012.
Three years later, he finally created his own line, R H U D E and slowly became one of Hollywood’s favorite streetwear brands with the KarJenners, NBA players, Bella Hadid, down to musicians like The Weeknd, Alicia Keys wearing his nostalgic pieces. Rhuigi also had his first show at Paris Fashion Week early this year and was listed in Forbes‘ 30 Under 30 in 2019 and Hypebeast’s 2020 HB100 list. Here’s to wishing we could get that JAY-Z co-sign in the future too.
Photos via @rhuigivillasenor on Instagram
Founder and Designer of Lise Laboratory
Photos via @liselaboratory on Instagram
You might have seen Lise Baker’s paisley-printed puffer jackets and reworked Carhartt and Gucci vests on Pinterest or on Instagram’s streetwear-curated accounts, but not a lot of people know that he creates his pieces by hand in Baguio. Each of his garments are intricately handmade and stitched together, no wonder he’s cultivated a following overseas and was unsurprisingly noticed by Complex!
Aside from the handiwork, it’s his choice of vibrant and one of a kind vintage fabrics that make his clothes standout even more. Lise never attended any fashion schools nor worked under the wing of any designer but his background in architecture (like Virgil Abloh) played a pivotal role in the way he cooks up his designs.
Photos via @liselaboratory & @complex on Intagram
Creative Director and Co-founder of Our Recess, Illustrator, Fashion Designer
Photos via @paulinapaige on Instagram
Who else is obsessed with new active wear line Our Recess as much as we are? If you found the colors of the pieces and their feed aesthetically pleasing, you have Sydney-based creative director Paulina Paige-Ortega to thank for it. The Cebuana has collaborated with various brands such as Uniqlo, Barbie, Bench, Araw the Line, TROPA Store, and recently stepped in as co-creative director for Sunnies.
This is a girl who can never sit still. After working for several creative agencies in Manila and Singapore, she decided to immerse herself further in NYC’S School of Visual Arts. Though she may have cemented her place in the creative industry with brands eager to work with her, Paulina never forgets her homeland and her roots—always focusing on self-care, body positivity and sharing a safe space for fellow Filipinas through her colorful world.
Photos via @paulinapaige on Instagram
Internationally Acclaimed Contemporary Visual Artist
Photos via @yeokaa on Instagram
Bursting with vivid hues and hauntingly cute illustrations, welcome to the wonderfully surreal world of Yeo Kaa. If you’ve ever visited Secret Fresh Gallery or the annual Art Fair, there’s a high chance you’ve already seen her works. Contrasting the adorable imagery of her wide-eyed muse, she often juxtaposes it with dark, twisted and disturbing themes—proving that art truly is meant to provoke.
Yeo Kaa’s work is her diary, mirroring her struggles, anxieties and inner feelings beneath the candy-flavoured colors. A concept that most people can relate to from all over the world—having countless exhibitions in Paris, Singapore, Indonesia, Germany, and Finland.
Photos via @yeokaa on Instagram
Artistic Director & Principal Designer at Puppet Theatre Manila Currently in the UK
Photos via @mikayla.teodoro on Instagram
Shakespeare once said, “All the world’s a stage”—and he wasn’t wrong. Working on theatrical sets, costumes, props, and puppets are just some of the things that Mikayla Teodoro does on the daily. Not only is she bringing creatures from fantasy to life, but she’s also out there building worlds. Aside from being the artistic director and principal designer at Puppet Theatre Manila, Mikayla’s currently taking up her masters, Design for performance, at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama.
A young female creative burgeoning with passion for her craft, she has already worked on international plays such as Disney’s The Lion King, Lunchbox Productions’ Potted Potter, Full House Theatre Company’s Annie, and Kinky Boots with Atlantis Theatrical Entertainment group in her bag.
No matter where one’s moral compass points to and perceived correctness lies, it can be said that we are constantly on the pursuit of what is good. Whatever the paradigm may be, and whether you like to admit it or not, there exists a constant chase to be the right one or the best of. Even dogs are reared to this baffling mindset, when in shrill voices that belie our age and maturity, we verbalize: “Who’s a good boy (or girl)?”
It is this seemingly mundane language that inspired and guided artist Brent Sabas in his latest solo exhibit, Good Boys. Rounding out what has been quite frankly a year we generally wouldn’t file as strictly good, the illustrator known for his mostly anthropomorphic (human-animal hybrids) works that essay an underlying assertion of social and moral justice wanted to counter the bad image painted by the pervasive high-horsing of a still conservative and narrow-minded society on queer boys. Here, Brent Sabas isn’t merely drawing the queer image for the mere sake of, but rather, he is, at least to the audience, subverting the continuing conversation of gender that are both ironic and a clear reflection of realities.
“My works are colorful and fun, but are usually born out of our dark realities. A lot of times they are inspired by real people, maybe because I’m more of an extrovert and I like the energy of being surrounded by different characters and personalities,” he discloses. “I’m always interested in someone’s backstory, why did he react that way, or made that decision kind of stuff.” Where Good Boys is a series of imaginations come to life in the illustrated format and rendered in gouache on acid-free paper, it also importantly functions as a truth seeker on the lives of the subjects sketched in a rather surreal sense. From the fine strokes and statement-making personalities he has assembled, Brent Sabas is pitching in the reclamation of the queer narrative by telling the stories of different shapes and points-of-view in varied stages of their lives. “All good. All queer. All normal,” as its host, Space Encounters Gallery, writes on Instagram. “Good Boys frame stereotypes of goodness in a queer context so the viewers realize, it’s the same thing. Good is good and fun is fun whoever you are.”
In a work of active resistance, as is signature to his portfolio of works and exhibits, Good Boys isn’t just a pat in the head for the vibrant and vivacious souls that color the queer spectrum. A necessary shedding of light into the persistent plight of the LGBTQIA+ community in what remains to be an elusive equality, this is a subversion that takes up space in the consciousness of a society that desperately needs to be shaken to good sense. Consider this as an act of barking up the right trees, because for as long as these stories are written, drawn, and expressed in however one desires, our dog days will one day be over, finally.
NYLON Manila (NM): Your work mostly deals with a hybrid of animals and human beings as a singular entity. Why is the fascination with this stroke of surrealism? Is there some sort of overarching statement to this?
Brent Sabas (BS): I still ask myself why I’m so fascinated by these characters. Maybe, one, because I grew up with animals like we had a small “barn” in our backyard in Caloocan when I was a kid. We had pigs, turkeys, ducks, goats, and chickens, apart from our pet dogs and cats. Two, we use animals in idioms or as metaphors to effectively describe or insult someone. Like we use “buwaya” for corrupt politicians, “baboy” as form of disgust, “parang bibe kung maglakad” to describe a guy as effeminate, “parang aso’t pusa” for people who quarrel a lot. It’s ingrained in our language. And, three, animals were part of our childhood. They are always visible in books, comics, cartoons, and kiddie TV shows.
NM: A lot of your works have a social push to them. Why is it important for you that art, especially one of your own, speaks in this kind of language and dynamics?
BS: I was a cartoonist in our school paper in high school so using art to express my opinions in politics is not alien to me, but Nina Simone perfectly captured it. In her documentary, What Happened, Miss Simone, she said, “it’s an artist’s duty to reflect the times in which we live.” That line, for me, (sounds funny) is like the Star of Bethlehem. It gave me a clearer direction of the place of artists in society and made me truly realize that art is indeed political and being an artist is a responsibility. And given our political climate now, we need artists more than ever to speak out and reflect on the times.
NM: What brought about this current exhibition, Good Boys? This time, what did you really want to say in this series of artworks?
BS: For the longest time, we’ve been trying to educate people about how boys can be feminine, and we come in different shapes, sizes, and personalities, and that queer boys are also productive members of society. We’re all normal beings like straight people, you know. For Good Boys, I wanted to highlight us and our personalities, skills, and backgrounds to show that queerness is just a facet of our whole being. It’s frustrating that despite giving a lot of ourselves to the community, some people still put our sexual preference in the spotlight and make us look like we’re the bad guys.
NM: What was the process of essaying this set? How did the diverse and unique assemblage of personalities and alter ego come about?
BS: At the beginning of the process, I know that I wanted the pieces to be inspired by real people and I don’t have to look far away because I am surrounded by queer boys with diverse personalities and backgrounds. I also needed to feature boys who are comfortable and confident about who they are. Truth is I’m kind of frustrated because I wanted to feature more representations across the queer boy spectrum but given the limitations of time, I wasn’t able to do that. Baka I’ll do a “remastered” version of this show in the future. (Wow, very album.)
NM: How did your art evolve (if at all) in 2020, and what will we expect to see more of in the year to come?
BS: I used to work with pen and ink so my works were mostly black and white and sometimes with a pop of color details. I might go back, who knows? But I just started exploring and getting serious with (gouache) painting this pandemic. I’m still exploring the medium and I don’t have a solid look yet that’s why my show before Good Boys, Brighter Corners at Galerie Stephanie, which was held three months prior, had a different approach, because until now, I’m still clueless about what I’m doing. But I needed to get my ass moving, so I just did the work. I really wanted to move away from realism and be more playful with the colors and elements and also incorporate stronger symbolisms in my visuals. Hopefully, I’ll achieve that sooner.
GOOD BOYS runs until January 4, 2021 at Space Encounters Gallery, Unit 7D, 7/F, Padilla Condominium Building, F. Ortigas Jr. Road, Ortigas Center, Pasig City
Even local Filipino celebrities aren’t immune to the charms of artists we usually fangirl over. But how can the, when time after time, these artists and actors, produce quality content that is just impossible not to love.
Whether it be for K-Drama, the biggest boy and girl groups in the world, down to the solo pop musicians hitting the charts, here are the personalities who are unapologetically proud of who they stan.
Anne Curtis
Pretty much everyone has accepted that Anne Curtis is a resident fangirl for all things pop culture. Her enjoyment of the K-wave is endearing to fandoms, especially when she shares her experiences of meeting her celebrity crushes. Anne has been vocal on social media about who she stans. From meeting K-drama actors like Goblin‘s Gong Yoo to buying official merch from artists like Taylor Swift. Recently, she went on a Zoom call with Grammy-nominated artist, Dua Lipa, where she couldn’t contain her excitement. Tbh, we would be ecstatic, too. And let’s also not forget her legendary picture with BLACKPINK where she practically looked like the fifth member of the girl group. (Oh to be blessed like Anne Curtis.)
Vivoree Esclito
Quiz Vivoree Esclito with any question related to BTS and she can answer it in a heartbeat. We know ’cause we watched her one-on-one battle with Chantal Videla (who’s also a die-hard ARMY) on YouTube. Though Vivoree’s bias is Jimin, trust that she’s a full OT7 stan who knows these seven boys by heart.
Liza Soberano
It’s no secret that Liza Soberano has had her “y/n” moments. She is literally the living, breathing “y/n” as even The Vamps’ James McAvoy got a little crush on her while meeting her back then. Even Jennie winked at her at the BLACKPINK concert she attended. Let’s be real: Liza Soberano just stands out in a sea of people. Still, Liza remains to be a humble fangirl. She would line up diligently on concert day, as witnessed by fans who attended concerts abroad, and she collects official merch of her BTS boys (which you will see decorated inside her bedroom.)
If you’ve ever attended a long-awaited concert or live festival, then there’s a high chance that you’ve caught this young rising star there, too. Always one step ahead, Andrea likes to discover new artists before they even become mainstream. On her free days, you’ll see her freaking out on TikTok about BLACKPINK’s latest music video drop, or gushing over Japanese anime.
During the prime of One Direction, Lorin Gutierrez was one of the few known personalities who were actually in the One Direction fandom. And no, she wasn’t just “bandwagoning” as some would call it. Play any obscure One Direction song and she’ll be able to sing the lyrics with her eyes closed.
Syd Hartha
Syd Hartha has been reigned as Filipino One Direction Stan Twitter’s Most Successful Fangirl. Before her rise to the indie music scene, she was part of One Direction stan Twitter, too. Who knows, maybe you’ve even seen her in one of 1DPH’s fan parties before she became famous?
AC Bonifacio
AC Bonifacio is a fangirl of many things, but she was lucky enough to meet Ariana Grande several times, and even perform with her on stage, too!
Kyline Alcantara is part of the Beyhive. She would be blasting Beyonce’s song in the studio, bopping to Queen Bee’s music, or singing her heart out as well. Some of her outfits are also inspired by Beyonce, which Kyline proudly shares on her Instagram page.
Bela Padilla is also one certified fangirl at heart. She’s an avid fan of EXO, K-Drama actors like Lee Jong Suk, and above all, Harry Styles. She would often tweet her appreciation for Harry Styles and One Direction’s music, and posting her own cover of Harry’s songs on her guitar. It’s no surprise then, that her boyfriend reveal was met with comments like, “he looks a lot like Harry Styles.” Care to explain, Bela?
One of the most entertaining things we’ve seen in this quarantine is Denise Laurel’s expertly photoshopped pictures with Park Seo-Jun. If we didn’t know any better, we would think her photos with the ultimate Oppa were real, too. Luckily, she credited the editors of the photos.
Rei Germar is also unapologetically a Directioner since she was 15 years old. She knows all the fetus One Direction inside jokes, attended the concert last 2015, and at one point, had the One Direction standees in her living room. You might have also seen her wearing her Harry Styles t-shirt on TikTok if you follow her there. She’s one of us, you guys!
Ella Cruz is one of the biggest and luckiest Filipino Blinks and she made sure for everyone to see that. She once performed in front of BLACKPINK and shocking Lisa with her impressive dance moves at a dance competition during the Samsung Awesome Live fan meeting with BLACKPINK in Jakarta, Indonesia. Even after that lucky encounter with the girls, she would actively show her love for BLACKPINK on social media through her unboxing videos, covers, and more.
The brand with the three stripes is back at it again with a 12 Days of Christmas sale where you can get up to 50% off! Streetwear fanatics and lovers of the game should all check this out because there is literally something for everybody. adidas has lined up sneakers, apparel, bags, belts, and everything in between to be part of their sale. Since this is the 12 days before Christmas, it is the perfect opportunity to do some last-minute Christmas shopping for yourself or your loved ones. You can drop by a participating Adidas store near you or even just shop through the adidas Viber store where a store representative will assist you.
If you want a full line-up of what’s up for grabs each day, then follow them on their socials so you won’t miss a beat. However, if you’re eyeing for something in particular, then you should check out our sneak peek of what’s in store for the next 12 days.
Day 1: For Mom and Dad A couple that twins together, stays together. Let your parents bring out their ultimate couple streetwear fits on by gifting them matching tracksuits and Ultraboosts. They’ll be the cutest couple in the gym for sure.
Day 2: For Bro Tired of seeing your brother wear the same sweats and graphic t-shirts? Then buy him a cool kuya outfit. On day 2 of the 12 days of Christmas, Adidas has a variety of tracksuits, sweatpants, and the like for all brothers out there.
Day 3: For Sis Let your little sister channel her inner Adidas for Blackpink by buying her a few pieces from Day 3. You’ll be able to score some colorful Gen Z fits from bodysuits to chromatic backpacks. You can even borrow some of these from her after you give them.
Day 4: For Someone Special Nothing says I love you more than matching sneakers. Take it from our favorite K-Drama leads who love to match with their significant other. Whichever type of couple you are, you’ll surely be able to find the right pair of kicks to twin in.
Day 5: For The Kids
Hype babies are too cute. Whenever I see a kid rocking Stan Smiths or Continentals in the mall, I’m blown away. If you’re a godparent to a few young ones, it’s time to be the cool ninang and get them a pair of Adidas kicks.
Day 6: For Relatives It’s always a hard time picking out gifts for relatives during the holiday season. What does your awkward cousin want? What will your loud titas say? Well, you can alleviate this situation faster by gifting them any of the items from Day 6. They’ll surely appreciate it.
Day 7: For The Barkada There’s something for all your friends on Day 7. Get your sporty barkada matching jerseys or your fashionista friends matching belt bags. You can even mix and match a few other items in your list of gifts to give.
Day 8: For The Sneakerheads How about something exclusive for all the sneakerheads? adidas is adding in their Superstar x Run DMC collaboration sneakers and the QMT Quiccs Day shirts into the 12 Days of Christmas mix. If you weren’t able to cop these drops before, now’s your chance.
Day 9: For The Officemates Even if we are currently under a pandemic, it shouldn’t stop us from thanking the ones who have been with us through thick and thin in the industry. The best way to show your appreciation is through your annual Christmas exchange gift. Get your officemates a pair of socks or a new cap.
Day 10: For Fitness Buffs This is for your friends who have been hitting the home workouts non-stop since the quarantine started. After months of indoor training, they must be looking for something new to wear or use for their daily workouts. Day 10 has everything they need just for that.
Day 11: For Yourself Self-care doesn’t stop during the holidays; rather it’s even more necessary than ever. After all the gift wrapping and Christmas shopping, reward yourself with a new pair of sneakers from Adidas.
Day 12: For Last-Minute Christmas Shopping Oh, snap! You forgot to buy a gift for someone a day before Christmas… what do you do? You could check out the last selection of goods on the 12th day of Adidas Christmas. Buy any bag from this collection and it won’t even look like you forgot.
Like a lot of people, singer-songwriter Taylor Swift also let a ton of creative juices flow throughout the quarantine. Being cooped up at home for months eventually led to the unexpected release of folklore last July 24, 2020, less than a year after the birth of the Lover era. That was already a massive surprise in itself as she usually waits for two years before launching a new set of songs. This is why the announcement of her latest full-length album, evermore, just last December 10, 2020, created a colossal shock in and out of the music industry.
Announced on her Instagram and other social media accounts mere hours before evermore went live on all streaming platforms, Swift said, “it feels like we were standing on the edge of the folklorian woods,” and that her and her team of producers and artists “chose to wander deeper in.” While her previous albums largely existed as individual eras, she believed there was something rare and unorthodox with folklore. “I felt less like I was departing and more like I was returning. I loved the escapism I found in these imaginary/not imaginary tales […] So I just kept writing them.”
Considered as the sister record to her 8th album, the differences are still pretty evident despite the undeniable similarities. folklore showed a completely different side of Swift that no one saw coming, while evermore expanded that world while elevating it with more experimentation at the same time.
no body, no crime features HAIM in a dark country revenge song that initially sounds like Should’ve Said No from her self-titled album, while cowboy like me presents a soft touch of the blues that flawlessly complements a man’s back-up vocals that come once the first minute hits. Swift concludes the album (the standard edition, that is) with evermore featuring Bon Iver’s Justin Vernon’s vocals once again, as well as William Bowery’s (*ehem, Joe Alwyn’s*) piano accompaniment. Closing off the album with the title track perfectly provides a slight glimmer of hope as we’re nearing the beginning of another year. With the lyrics, “This pain wouldn’t be for / Evermore,” who wouldn’t want to believe there’s a silver lining waiting for us?
Prolific and tireless as she clearly is, she really is the gift that keeps on giving. Well, it’s time to get caught up in the feelings once more as it proves to be an enduring theme for one Miss Taylor Swift.
Yes, we sat through the entire Disney Investor Day presentation, and this is what storytelling and streaming on Disney+ looks like over the next few years.
Proving that the end of the world is nowhere near the foreseeable future, the gods of pop culture have been hard at work on this fine, foggy Friday. No matter what time you managed to wake up, you will most likely have been met with Taylor Swift’s surprise release of evermore (the sister to her earlier release of the cozy album, folklore), the out-of-nowhere resurfacing of Matches by Britney Spears featuring the Backstreet Boys (a lost track off her previous album, Glory), and the premiere of the local flick, Four Sisters Before The Wedding on iWant. While all these are truly noteworthy, it doesn’t quite come close to the deluge of drops orchestrated by entertainment juggernaut, Disney on its all-too important investor day.
From the dizzying overview of business presentations, commercialization strategies, and creative content updates, it is clear that there now exists a paradigm shift to the direct-to-consumer-first focus of streaming, which is a pivot obviously encouraged by the pandemic. Dusting off the unyielding rigor of the traditional, the star of the presentation from among the innovative services of Hulu and ESPN+ was of course, Disney+. Following its first day sign-ups of 10 million, the subscriber count of the streaming service has gone up to 86.8 million this December, which is well within reach of its 2024 target of 90 million. Clearly, it is a massive hit as it already is, but Disney is setting it sights to even greater heights.
“We’re incredibly proud of how much our stories have been embraced by people around the world.”
-Bob Chapek
“Given that storytelling is at the heart of everything we do at Disney, we’re incredibly proud of how much our stories have been embraced by people around the world,” says CEO, Bob Chapek, who on top of creative excellence now accounts for data-driven insight to propel Disney as an even more formidable stronghold in the future. “This is especially important now given the consumers rapidly changing consumption behavior and the prolonged uncertainty due to the pandemic. As circumstances change, we will continue to consider these and other critical factors when determining what steps we may take to most effectively distribute our programming. Our goal is to serve consumers in the best way possible.”
Guided by the enduring wisdom of Walt Disney, the multimedia company that is rooted in exceptional entertainment that is deeply rooted in emotional connection is evolving, growing, and reinventing right before our very eyes and at our fingertips. “We keep moving forward, opening new doors, and doing new things, because we’re curious, and curiosity keeps leading us down new paths,” the trailblazing legend said. Bob Chapek underscores this in the contemporary context, especially since the concept of normal has been pulverized by the pandemic. To further illustrate, its big-ticket summer blockbuster entry, Mulan, could not be pushed further, premiering on Disney+ early this year, which is the same template that the upcoming release of Soul is set to take on come Christmas Day. “I strongly believe it is this perpetual willingness to constantly challenge the status quo, to be visionary in our thinking, to take smart, bold risks, and to make strategic investments in our future that allows our company to thrive in increasingly dynamic environments.” On the verge of setting into uncharted territory, Disney is going all out with over 100 projects in the pipeline, which includes 10 Marvel series, 10 Star Wars series, 15 Disney and Pixar series, and 15 Disney and Pixar features covers ground until around 2023.
Clearly, Disney has no chill at all, and with good reason. With its five-year plan accelerated within a truncated few months, the dismantling of the gatekeepers and overlords of age-old habits are about to get a rude reckoning, because the future of entertainment is here and there is nothing they can do about it. There is no more messing around, because this time, it’s full stream ahead for Disney.
Be prepared to catch your breath, because we are consolidating every mind-blowing announcement, confirmation, and matters of fact from Disney Investor Day 2020 that you should definitely keep a close eye on from here on out. However, there is still no word on when Disney+ will be available in the Philippines. But they did say that there will be a bigger push for foreign markets next year, with announced launches in Hong Kong and Singapore. Besides, they can’t premiere a Disney animated film about a Southeast Asian warrior princess without docking on local shores, right?
We’ll be waiting, Disney.
LUCASFILM
Rogue One prequel, Star Wars: Andor (Diego Luna)
Star Wars: Obi-Wan Kenobi (Ewan McGregor, Hayden Christensen)
The Acolyte (Written by Leslye Headland)
Lando Calrissian Series
Star Wars: Ahsoka (Rosario Dawson)
Star Wars: Rangers of the New Republic (Jon Favreau and Dave Filoni)
Star Wars: The Bad Batch
Star Wars: Visions
Willow (Warwick Davis, Directed by Jon M. Chu)
Children And Bone
The Droid
Rogue Squadron (directed by Patty Jenkins)
Indiana Jones (Harrison Ford, Directed by James Mangold)
DISNEY FILMS AND DISNEY+ ORIGINALS
Flora & Ulysses
Mighty Ducks: Game Changers (Emilio Estevez, Lauren Graham)
Turner & Hooch (Josh Peck)
Big Shot (John Stamos, Yvette Nicole Brown, Jessalyn Gilsig)
The Mysterious Benedict Society (Tony Hale, Kristen Schaaled)
Beauty & the Beast Prequel (Luke Evans, Josh Gad)
Swiss Family Robinson
Percy Jackson And The Olympians
Hocus Pocus 2 (Directed by Adam Shankman)
Three Men And A Baby (Zac Efron)
Chris Paul Biopic
Cheaper By The Dozen (Gabrielle Union)
Diary Of A Wimpy Kid
The Ice Age Adventures Of Buck Wild (Simon Pegg)
Night At The Museum
Jungle Cruise (The Rock, Emily Blunt)
The Lion King (Directed by Barry Jenkins)
The Little Mermaid (Halle Bailey, Daveed Diggs, Javier Bardem, Melissa McCarthy, Jacob Tremblay, Jonah Hauer-King, Awkwafina)
Rescue Rangers: Chip N’ Dale (John Mulaney, Andy Samberg)
Disenchanted (Amy Adams)
Peter Pan & Wendy (Jude Law, Yara Shahidi)
Pinocchio (Tom Hanks, Directed by Robert Zemeckis)
Sister Act 3 (Whoopi Goldberg)
Cruella (Emma Stone)
DISNEY ANIMATION STUDIOS
Raya And The Last Dragon (Kelly Marie Tran)
Baymax!
Zootopia+
Moana Series
Iwaju
Encanto (Music by Lin-Manuel Miranda, Directed by Byron Howard and Jared Bush, Co-directed and co-written by Charise Castro Smith)
Tiana The Series
PIXAR
Inside Pixar
Pixar Popcorn
Dug Days (Bob Peterson)
Cars The Series
Win Or Lose
Luca (Enrico Casarosa)
Turning Red
Lightyear (Chris Evans)
MARVEL STUDIOS
WandaVision (Elizabeth Olsen, Paul Bettany)
Doctor Strange In The Multiverse Of Madness (Benedict Cumberbatch)
Spider-Man 3 (Tom Holland, Zendaya)
The Falcon And The Winter Soldier (Anthony Mackie, Sebastian Stan)
Loki (Tom Hiddleston, Luke Wilson)
Black Widow (Scarlett Johansson)
What If…?
Shang-Chi (Simu Liu, Tony Leung, Michelle Yeoh, Awkwafina)
Ms. Marvel (Iman Vellani)
Captain Marvel 2 (Brie Larson)
Eternals (Angelina Jolie, Richard Madden, Gemma Chan, Salma Hayek)
Hawkeye (Jeremy Renner, Hailee Steinfeld, Vera Farmiga)
She-Hulk (Tatiana Maslaney, Mark Ruffalo)
Moonknight
Thor: Love And Thunder (Chris Hemsworth, Natalie Portman, Christian Bale)
Guardians Of The Galaxy: A Holiday Special (Written and directed by James Gunn)
I Am Groot
Blade
Ant-Man And The Wasp: Quanumania (Paul Rudd, Evangeline Lilly, Michael Douglas, Michelle Pfeiffer)
Black Panther II (Directed by Ryan Coogler)
Armor Wars (Don Cheadle)
Ironheart (Dominique Thorne)
Secret Invasion (Samuel L. Jackson, Ben Mendelson)
If you’re looking for a change in aesthetic or feeling bold, then perhaps one of these e-girl hair trends might grab your attention.
It’s everywhere on TikTok. It’s also inspired by your favorite pop artists. It’s the 90s hair trend coming back in a fearless fashion. Whatever the point of access be, there is no better time to explore a different style personality than now. So, if you’re feeling experimental, then we rounded up these e-girl hairstyle ideas that’s all over social media right now.
We’re calling this the Narcissa Malfoy hair, because she did it first before it was cool. Now, you’ll see Lisa of BLACKPINK rocking the same hairstyle. Think you can rock this e-girl look, too?
CURTAIN STREAKS
Bleach your hair any color you want. Go neon or ash blonde, or whatever fits the mood you’re in. Curtain streaks are for those who aren’t afraid for a little pop of color. This is how Jennie of BLACKPINK did hers.
FROM THE ROOTS
The party of color is far from over when it comes to our girl, Billie Eilish.
BRING BACK DIP-DYE
Remember when everyone had their hair dip-dyed? What a time.
MODERN MULLET
Now this once-upon-a-time ultimate no-no has made quite the remarkable comeback. A look that is meant to make you stand out, follow the lead of Miley Cyrus—who probably took notes from her dad, Billy Ray Cyrus.
THAT ONE STREAK
That one streak could literally be anywhere in your hair. On your bangs or a random part of your hair, it’s enough to make the people give you a second glance. Do it like Beabadoobee, who has a random black and red streak on her hair.
INVERTED SURPRISE
The cool thing about inverted hair is that it’s barely noticeable until you tie your hair up or flip your hair. This is how TikTok star, Charli D’amelio did hers.
HALF AND HALF
Torn between what color you want your hair to be? Go half and half and get the best of both worlds.
