Following the legacy of leaders before him, such as of Sari V. Yap and Archie Carrasco, Suki Salvador rises to steer the company to even greater heights.

“I never thought I was artistic or creative,” discloses Suki Salvador. It is core shaking, especially for someone who is highly regarded for a refined and cerebral sense of aesthetic, as well as for constantly reminding us on calculated increments to “Keep pushing the creative forward.”

While the confession does leave one at the edge of the seat (I almost fell off, to be honest), it isn’t a case of false humility but of a sharp earnest awareness. “I was so allergic to the word artistic or creative or anything like that because I didn’t know how to draw. To me someone who is creative, someone who is an artist is someone who can draw or paint. I was neither of that.”

Let it be known, Suki Salvador is a creative person, it just manifested itself in a way he had yet to understand. Well beyond his early years, he already had an aesthetic, one that banked on clean, minimal, and classic. “I like having the balance of old and new all the time, especially with the work I do now,” he says. “In high school I was advised against taking a medical career,” a path he was decided on very early on. “And I didn’t know why until much later in life, my guidance counselor told me I got the highest marks in my arts class. I got the top marks because of the way I arranged my portfolio. I guess it was decided then that I was made to layout, I was made to put art and copy together.”

Suki Salvador was already curating even before he made sense of it and more notably, even before he actually knew how to do it. “It’s hard for me to admit that it is natural to me because I didn’t take it seriously. No, not at all,” he explains.

This isn’t to say this wasn’t what he wanted; at the time he just thought he wanted something else. But like with any great destiny, it was just there waiting to be reawakened.

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His Aha Moment

It was during his collegiate years in New York when fashion started to seep into his skin and psyche. “I saw this posting for a dresser position at YSL during fashion week and I signed up, got in and I was dressing a presentation and a fashion show,” Suki recalls. “That’s where I got excited…I guess you can say bitten by the bug.”

From then on, that was it. That was that defining moment.

Life would then be a succession of going with the flow and stumbling into where he was eventually actually meant to be. From ushering at musicals and working as operations manager for Raymund Isaac, Suki Salvador would soon interview for Lifestyle Asia and MEGA where he would serve as Creative Director, before eventually handling all things creative for One Mega Group. “When Lorraine told me, I literally ran to the toilet and vomited because this is the Philippines’ best fashion magazine,” he remembers of the day he was told to take over the position 7 years ago. “It isn’t just given to anybody.”

The Continued Evolution of Suki Salvador

As Group Creative Director and eventually, Vice President for Content and Creatives, Suki Salvador has seen almost everything come into fruition not only for MEGA, but for the entire portfolio of brands, platforms, and assets of the company. Over the years, he admits, a lot of learning and unlearning had to take place to get to where he is. It can only be assumed that it would hard-pressed for him to get excited about well, anything. On the contrary, he still finds excitement in everything he interfaces with on the daily.

“Something what really excites me is not knowing what to do next. Half the time the ideas will arrive when I least expect it,” he says. “You never really know what you’re going to come up with until you do. The period between not knowing and the final deadline is the most nerve-wracking. As you approach that deadline that’s when the magic happens—that’s when the beautiful image is captured or that final word is thought of. That is what excites me the most. It’s nice to not know what’s going to happen.”

Crucial to the company adapting to the demands of the time, covering everything from a full embracing of all things digital, as well as of hurdling the creative and content challenges in the midst of a global pandemic, Suki Salvador was meant for more. Much like the concept of change and evolution, which is central to his work and life, bigger adventures now await for him. Today, following the tenure and leadership of Archie Carrasco, he is officially appointed as President of One Mega Group. Under the helm of Suki Salvador, the company is expected to soar to greater heights, seeing a seamless integration of all things creative, content, and commercial in the service of the readers.

Pushing The Story Forward

Together with the employees and editors working towards this goal, the focus and objective is clear: to honor the legacy of the leaders before him and continue being the standard of excellence in all things pursued from here on it. The ribbon on the corner of MEGA magazine is permanently wrapped there for a reason: The Philippines’ Best—and now, Suki Salvador is determined to make sure that it trickles down to last punctuation of every story.

In his professional life and time, Suki Salvador has orchestrated a harmonious symphony of artistic and commercial merits that have taken One Mega Grooup to where it sits today on the stands and on the browser on your computer or smartphone. He will wince and flinch at the accolades and compliments thrown his way, but for what it’s worth, under the skillful flick of his baton, he has always fought for the best. Now, the narrative continues for Suki, this time as Mr. President.

Responsibilities like these aren’t given to anyone, just the deserving and the worthy. For Suki Salvador, with the work in his glowing resume to the what he has yet to achieve, it makes the most sense. Not too shabby for someone who doesn’t consider himself traditionally and by-the-book creative.

The barong has been a symbol of Filipino culture for centuries now and these P-Pop boy band members keep on finding more creative ways to wear and style it.

The barong or barong tagalog is the Philippines’ national attire made of sheer textiles, woven piña or abaca. Straightforward as it may be, as it is usually worn with just an undershirt, there is a lot of personality that can be derived from it through decorative embroideries, trimmings, and different dyes. Fortunately, the barong has evolved over the years not only in local menswear, but also for women and no longer has societal reservations behind it. Nowadays, P-pop boy band members from BGYO, SB19 and ALAMAT have also found more creative ways to incorporate the barong in their looks on-stage and during shoots—something that you don’t see everyday! Here are some of our favorite looks so far (cause TBH, we wanna see more).

READ MORE: These Local Brands Are Making The Tsinelas Look Stylish

1. Wear it with a coach jacket in the same color palette like Nate of BGYO

Nate’s spin on the barong reminds us of a lot of ube and we aren’t even mad! He matched the embroidered details of the barong with the same color palette of his Prada coach jacket and sealed the look with a pearl necklace.

READ MORE: Meet BGYO, P-Pop’s Breakout Boy Group

2. Keep it dark and moody like SB19’s Justin by wearing a black blazer over your barong

SB19’s Justin looks sleek in a black barong with off-white embroidery and a blazer, adding silver hardware in his accessories for more edge. If the boys starred in a local animé or manga, this is how we envision them to be. Just imagine seeing Justin walking in a hallway dressed like this.

READ MORE: SB19 as Fashion Designers? Here’s What We Imagine Their Clothing Line To Be

3. Throw a printed button-down on top of it like BGYO’S Akira

One of the most unexpected ways you can style it is to throw in a statement piece whether it’s a colorful print, or has interesting textures just like Akira. The pattern on pattern look is tricky, however he managed to pull it off and juxtaposed his leopard print button down with a checked layering piece.

4. Style it with Statement Accessories Like Mo of ALAMAT

Mo’s look is more contemporary as he opted for shorter sleeves and his barong in form of a polo shirt. Playing with pops of color, he wears it with a red neckerchief and a dad cap. You can also wear colorful beads, pearls and seashell necklaces (even earrings if you feel like it). 

Photo credits: SB19, BGYO and ALAMAT on Facebook

CONTINUE READING: At 19 Years Old, Here’s How This Filipino Designer Made it to Fashion School in France

From an osmosis of Balenciaga, bondage, and banging bops, Alessandro Michele’s Gucci Aria, a definitive retrospective of signatures, will definitely be the talk of fashion town for a while.

Celebrating a history of heritage is no easy feat, especially for a storied and stellar house such as Gucci. Typically, however, one would assume it to be a nondescript narration of humble beginnings to legacy painstakingly built, as is, of course, most worthy of 100 years. “Going through the hour when everything originated is a great responsibility for me, and a joyful privilege. It means being able to open the locks of history and linger over the edge of the beginning. It means soaking in that natal source to relive the dawn and the coming into view,” writes the orchestrator of the Gucci symphony, Alessandro Michele. “I wouldn’t like to sentimentalize a biography though. Gucci’s long history can’t be contained within a single inaugural act. As any other existence, it’s destiny is marked by a long series of ‘endless births.’”

In what would usually relent to dissonance, the retrospective of eras was surprisingly a seamless symphony of definitive points-of-view. Straddling the fine line of pomp and purity, Gucci Aria hit all the right notes. Striking a compelling chord from the neon-lit entrance of the fictional Savoy Club, a necessary nod to the creative genesis of the brand at the Savoy Hotel, the work of precision in tailored red paired with wraparound sunglasses and leather harness was the proper introduction to the flash and function that would course through the singular collection. Cohesive in the many representations of vision across the story of Gucci, from Guccio and Aldo Gucci, Tom Ford, and of course, Alessandro Michele, it was a well-paced and well-balanced sight to behold.

But in as much as it was a study of its illustrious past and distinct present, it was for the most part, a conversation about the future.

Related: WHAT HAS DORAEMON BEEN UP TO THIS YEAR SO FAR? APPARENTLY, A LOT OF FASHION

Listen To Gucci Aria

A response to the times by all means,  Gucci Aria is a reflection of where it came from, where it stands, and where it will go. “In my work, I caress the roots of the past to create unexpected inflorescences, carving the matter through grafting and pruning,” explains Michele. “I appeal to such ability to reinhabit what has already been given. And to the blending, the transitions, the fractures, the concatenations. To escape the reactionary cages of purity, I pursue a poetics of the illegitimate.”

Under the willful baton of Alessandro Michele, the passage of time is realized in an immaculately white tunnel-like runway with lights blasting wildly through its different capacities. In this place of neither here nor there, which were viewed virtually by the likes of Madonna, Serena Williams, Jared Leto, and Miley Cyrus, the signature oddball and quirk still pulses through the Gucci Aria collection.

Steady in stride, it was literally a show of sentiment as models stomped to the soundtrack of Gucci Gang by Lil Pump, Gucci Green Suit by Rick Ross, Gucci Flip Flops by Bhad Bhabie, and Gucci Coochie by Die Antwood, with cystalline anatomical hearts held in their hands. However, unlike the niche of spectrum end peculiar it has managed to make mainstream, there was a compelling case of function to the flash of the brand.

The Hacking Of Balenciaga

With the wonder and whimsy of Alessandro Michele, as evidenced by the formidable foundation of his silhouettes, styling, and storytelling, there were winks of what built Gucci to be today—gallops of equestrian details through leather riding boots, whips, and riding hats, a sublimation of old Hollywood glamour in shape and shimmer, and lashes of the unapologetic sex and sensibility of Tom Ford. But apart from its overt sense of bravery and bondage, it was the thoughtful appropriation of Demna Gvasalia’s Balenciaga that had everyone at the edge of their seats.

Christened Gucciaga, it was a coming together of two artistic irreverents, positing a tectonic shift that is bound to be game-changing for the future of fashion. Sure, the collaborations of the highstreet and streetwear are aplenty in this day and age, but to bring two of the biggest brands under one non-conforming mash-up of print, patterns, and point-of-view, was unheard of—until now. For Alessandro Michele, who liberally uses the words plunder and sabotage with permission, of course, it is a hacking lab of ideas that defy the dictates of an old-world rigor.

From an abundance of the iconic GG motif and bronzed horsebits in everything from loafers to fetishized detailing, Gucci Aria peaked in an anachronism of the classic and the electric 80s with Demna Gvasalia’s signatures for Balenciaga contrasting the playful essence of Gucci as seen in the smears of colors and tufts of textures. In the coalition of codes, we saw everything from a hybrid of monograms in sparkling suits, chains with the letters of Balenciaga decorating the neck, aggressive square shoulders, and thigh-hugging boots. Divisive as it will stand to be, this offering is already inducted into the hallowed halls of fashion. Meaning, its most ardent pundits will want a piece of it for sure. So, place your bets mindfully, because this is where the new race begins.

The Exhale

“It’s rather like a deep and ecstatic diving in everything we yearningly miss today: a feast of air. A jubilee of breath,” expresses Alessandro Michele of the vision that is Gucci Aria. Instead of just closing the curtains and draping the screen in black, as is standard of the digitally broadcasted presentations as of late, the film continues to the awning of a door that is aesthetically removed from the almost clinical and robotic limbo-like runway. With one big push, the scene extends to a realization of liberty—an expanse of greenery and sky, with bursts of life, love, and laughter coloring the view.

In this principle of connection and existence, Gucci Aria is drawing an exhale, one that many truly is in dire need of these days. “Breath is in fact what every living thing constantly generates, ‘it is the first name of being-in-the-world, it is the vibration through which everything opens up to life’ (E. Coccia). It is a nativity that we honour in its oscillatory motion: ‘inhaling, that is letting the world get inside us, and exhaling, that is projecting ourselves in the world that we are,’” closes Alessandro Michele in this story of traversing time. “To these creatures, my praise. To their being fragile and vulnerable. To their ability to renew and get back to life after winter has passed.”

CONTINUE READING: WANNA CATCH ‘EM ALL? THIS POKÉMON GO CROSSOVER ALLOWS YOUR TRAINER TO SPORT THE NORTH FACE X GUCCI COLLECTION

What’s better than playing Pac-Man? Playing Pac-Man with 99 other people, battle royale style!

Battle royale video games have been around since the early 2010s, but only in recent years has the genre exploded in popularity. Player Unknown Battlegrounds (PUBG) was the first battle royale video game to break into the mainstream and attract millions of players around the world. But it was Fortnite that really launched the genre into the stratosphere. Chances are, you have played a game of Fortnite or know someone who has.

Related: Would You Want to Play A Video Game by Erm… Balenciaga?

Because of an unparalleled success, dozens of games have tried to copy the battle royal style from shooters to action-adventure games. But the trend has also affected the pillar games of the video game community. All-time classics such as Pac-Man, Tetris, and Super Mario Bros. have all had a battle royale spinoff. Here is how they did it:

Pac-Man 99

In a regular Pac-Man game, there isn’t technically a way to win the game. You stop playing after you lose all your lives. The concept works slightly differently in Pac-Man 99. The game, which is a Nintendo Switch Online exclusive, sees you play against 99 other Pac-Man players in an online battle royale arena. The goal is to be the last Pac-Man standing. Whenever you eat a ghost, that ghost will be sent to another player in a form of a jammer Pac-Man that slows player movement when hit. There are also sleeping ghosts where when you eat one, it forms a train behind the bigger ghosts and when you eat a ghost, it will send a flurry of jammer Pac-Man to other players. You also have power-ups and specific targeting strategies at your disposal as well.

Tetris 99

Released back in February 2019, Tetris 99 is a free online battle royale version of Tetris available to those who have a Nintendo Switch Online membership. The goal of the game is similar to the classic one where you have to move falling blocks called Tetriminos (yes, that is what they are called) to complete horizontal lines in an increasingly fast manner and the last player standing wins. You can send Garbage Blocks to other players to make it hard for them to clear lines. There is also a team battle mode where up to four teams fight against each other until only one team is left standing.

Super Mario Bros. 35

Originally revealed during the Super Mario Bros. 35th Anniversary Direct, the game was only available from October 1, 2020 to March 31, 2021. In this battle royale spin on Super Mario Bros., you play against 34 other players where every match is made up of a random collection of levels from the original game. At the start of each match, you only have 35 seconds on the timer so you needed to defeat enemies to increase your time. Defeating enemies would also have caused them to appear at the other players’ level and vice versa. You could also collect coins to buy power-ups to help you in-game.

Continue Reading: Listen, Voice Actress Jisoo Is Too Cute For Words As Chichi, The Queen Of KartRider Rush+

They come from different backgrounds, study in different schools, and take different subjects, but they all agree that online learning was anything but a walk in the park.

RELATED: This Is What The Workplace Thinks About The Gen Zs

Online learning has become the new norm ever since the start of the pandemic. This of course brought its own set of issues and struggles such as academic loopholes and students who do not have access to stable internet. For students who had access to the internet, they soon realized that online learning was a whole different kind of ride. Stories started to spread on social media about burnout and calls to have academic breaks. Recently, some schools and universities have announced an academic break, but others have not, which furthered the debate on student wellness. To see what it’s really like to go through online learning, we reached out to some students to ask them their thoughts on online learning.

“I initially thought that I’d be able to handle it.”

The students we talked to had a mix of excitement and nervousness when they learned that classes were going to be continued online. Sam, an Industrial Engineering major from UP Diliman, was curious about what kind of experience online learning would be like. “I was excited about the prospect of purely online learning as I thought things such as asynchronous class would be an opportunity for me to have more flexibility with my time,” she says.

Ralph, who is taking his master’s degree in Applied Mathematics at the Ateneo de Manila University, says that he was “quite worried as a lot of our course work requires students to work in groups in preparation for our capstone project.”

As the semester went on though, those initial feelings soon turned into tiredness and trepidation.

Jay, a former 1st-year law student from the UP College of Law, described going through online learning as “debilitating, and considering the method of instruction, almost dehumanizing.” Ralph adds, “There were several times during the past year where I lost motivation doing schoolwork and thought of settling for a passing grade, which I usually don’t do.”

Sam described a semester in which he had a 21-unit load and PE as incredibly challenging detailing, “I would usually spend most of the week doing schoolwork and chasing the next deadline. It felt like we had to complete 5 months’ worth of requirements in 3 months.”

It wasn’t all doom and gloom though as there were some things the students did enjoy about online learning. Mikey, a Biology major from UP Diliman, liked that he could “learn on my own terms and at my own pace relative to the other people.”

In this virtual setup, Sam could spend more time with his family and dog since he’s just home, while Ralph didn’t have to spend an hour traveling to school and could just re-watch the online sessions if he didn’t understand any part of the lesson during the synchronous session.

But it was clear that online learning had more challenges than benefits. Since he was just home, or as he describes it, “trapped just studying for all my waking hours,” Jay hated how he would wake up “with a headache of some sort, or that I’d begrudgingly attend online class waiting for the inevitable humiliation thrown my way by my professor.”

Mikey disliked how professors would just give him the readings but never meet with the class. Sam, meanwhile, believes that online learning “doesn’t give an equal opportunity for everyone to learn” and that there were students who were struggling because of COVID-19 and the lack of
equipment to participate in online classes.

He also points out that he had a difficult time because of the sheer amount and difficulty of the requirements. “There are times where I spend several days straight studying for one subject, only to deal with an immense backlog the following week.”

“No one is having a good time.”

The difficulties they had in online learning were not unique to them as their classmates experienced it as well. Sam and Ralph both felt that they adapted better to the online set-up than their classmates, but knew of classmates who struggled. Ralph had a classmate who was busy with tasks given to her by her parents every day, which made it hard for her to focus on her academics.

“A lot of my classmates struggled with internet issues or having too much noise in their homes to concentrate on online class,” Sam says. Mikey furthers that among his classmates, “no one is having a good time.” Jay felt that the scorn and embarrassment he received when he would make a mistake during recitation was shared amongst his classmates.

It wasn’t just students who had a hard time adapting to the new online environment, but so too did the teachers, which Sam noticed. “It’s been much harder for professors, especially those who are unfamiliar with how to use online tools such as power points or videos.”

This struggle to adapt negatively impacted the students as Sam comments “[The shift to online learning] has affected the quality of their teachings which is awful for students and faculty…it has really taken a toll on our workload.”

With almost a year being spent online learning, they all agreed that there was a change in how they see and handle online learning now compared to when they began. At first, Ralph would feel exhausted just after listening to two lectures and then be very unproductive afterward. Now, he says that he has “gotten used to the set-up as I know how to study more efficiently.”

Sam meanwhile had the opposite experience. “When online learning first began, it seemed like there was potential for things to work out and for the semester to be a good one,” he explains. However, it became much harder to balance the workload, to a point where you really needed to sacrifice your time that was being spent on other things to catch up on the backlog.”

The experience has also changed the way Mikey approaches his studies. “At first, you think it will be fun, but once all the exams and papers start piling up, you end up asking for deadline extensions every week.”

“Studying just enough to pass is better than trying to excel but end up feeling burnt out.”

For better or for worse, the pandemic and the new setup have greatly changed the way they looked at and approached their education. The online set-up made Ralph “laxer not because the classes felt easier (because it actually is harder than usual), but due to my lack of motivation to do anything academic-related.” He adds, “I felt that studying just enough to pass is better than trying to excel but end up feeling burnt out.”

He also says that he saw his studies as “a coping mechanism to distract me from the sad reality out there,” but “as the semester progressed with requirements piling up, it made me see my studies as simply fulfilling
requirements rather than focusing on the quality of learning of the students.”

The online learning set-up was so intense on Jay that he “definitely felt the pressure bearing down on my mental health to an almost unbearable degree.” The pressure was too much on Jay to handle that he eventually decided to call it quits. “After I carefully considered how the stress had impacted me, I decided to withdraw from law school altogether.”

But Jay does see a silver lining as leaving law school meant that he could “pursue other graduate degrees much earlier than I had planned.” He’s currently thinking of taking a master’s in history in the future.

“Just because it’s online doesn’t mean it will be easier.”

Online learning is a divisive topic, to say the least. When asked what they wanted people to know about online learning, they had a variety of responses.

“It certainly isn’t easy. Having to wake up in the morning beside your workstation—knowing that you’d be sitting in the same seat where you were grilled and humiliated by your professor…is demoralizing enough to make you want to quit,” says Jay.

“Just because it’s online doesn’t mean it will be easier. Expecting more load compared to regular classes is unfair because it not only increases the difficulty of a course but decreases the time spent for yourself even further” adds Mikey.

Sam shares that “In order to create an online learning experience that is beneficial for students and professors, it really takes time, coordination, and patience. Students need to give feedback and faculty need to continue working on improving course materials for us to be able to make the system better for everyone.”

“You are not beholden to anyone.”

Finally, burnout is a sadly relevant topic among students with stories on social media of students who can no longer focus on studying and feel worn out. The students we talked to expressed how it’s okay to take a break if you need to. Sam feels that “students and professors need to be given the time to be able to take a break and spend time to take care of themselves as online learning can be very taxing for an individual’s mental health.” Jay adds, “You are not beholden to anyone in choosing to delay your education for the sake of self-preservation. If you think that online learning isn’t for you, I highly recommend meditating on this feeling.”

Ralph wants people to know that “It is okay to take a lot of breaks when you do not feel like doing anything academic-related as if you force yourself when you are unmotivated nothing will be absorbed by your brain. Also, resting for a whole day is still being productive.”

Continue Reading: The State Of Education: Is The Blended Learning Approach Working For The Filipino Youth?

The Attack On Titan characters know how to kick ass, but they also know how to take care of their skin as well.

Every since the Attack On Titan manga was first printed in 2009 and the anime aired in 2013, the property has become one of the most popular and hottest in recent years. The show’s unequalled popularity has catapulted Attack On Titan to be a fan favorite all over the world, from Tokyo to Paris, and Los Angeles. In fact, the manga is still selling out in Japan while the anime is currently on its 4th season with the 1st half-season finale recently airing.

While fans wait in anticipation for the second half of the 4th season to air, they have new Attack On Titan content to devour, but it comes from an unlikely source.

Related: Mic Drop! BTS Soundtracks The Trailer Of The New Netflix Animated Film, The Mitchells Vs. The Machines

Japanese cosmetics and skincare brand, Shiseido, recently tapped Attack On Titan characters, both humans and Titans, to be the face of their men’s skincare line, Shiseido uno.

Repurposed Commercials

Aside from promo pictures that show off the characters with smooth and supple skin, there were also four videos released featuring different Attack On Titan characters. There are 15 seconds, 20 seconds, 30 seconds, and 1-minute commercials that feature actual scenes from the 4th season of the show, but with new lines as the characters talk about their skincare issues like dry skin. Check them out below:

15 second commercial featuring Erin

20 second commercial featuring Levi and Zeke

30 second ad featuring Levi and some Titans

1 minuted commercial featuring Reiner, Erin, and Falco

CONTINUE READING: What Has Doraemon Been Up To This Year So Far? Apparently, A Lot Of Fashion

With 8 million views and counting for their “WHAT?” music video, SB19 is soaring. Now that’s a flex.

It’s only been a month since SB19 released the music video for their comeback single, WHAT?, yet the masterpiece has already gotten 8,034,619 views and counting as of this writing. As we continue to appreciate their talent, especially on the global stage, here are some of the major milestones they’ve achieved for this release. No fluff, no bluff—just spitting facts.

READ MORE: SB19 as Fashion Designers? Here’s What We Imagine Their Clothing Line To Be

1. “WHAT?” had 2 million views in less than 2 days.

This is precisely what happens when you give an artist creative freedom. Along with an all-Filipino cast who brought their vision to life, the boys of SB19 were all hands-on in the production.

2. It has already entered the Top 500 of the Most Commented Music Videos in the World on YouTube.

Since its release, WHAT? currently has more than 500,000 comments already. Usually, we’d see different opinions of people, especially towards the new wave of OPM, but SB19’s comments section is full of facts and achievements of the group. What’s not to celebrate?

3. “WHAT?” has surpassed 11.4K Shazams.

Shazam is an app that can identify music in a matter of seconds. Just play the song on the app and the software will instantly recognize the title and the artist. As of today, WHAT? already has 11.4K shazams, giving the track more radio plays.

‘What?’ by @SB19Official has now surpassed 11.4K Shazams. Continue Shazaming for more radio plays. The more you Shazam the more Radio Plays it gets! #SB19 pic.twitter.com/2IYnVpOMU0

— Team Shazam | SB19 Voting Team (@SB19Shazam) April 14, 2021

4. “WHAT?” is now one of the most liked Filipino music videos of all-time on YouTube.

In one of their interviews, the boys of SB19 knew there were going to be attempts to “tone down” the concept for WHAT?, but from the very beginning, they knew they wanted to share the feeling of empowerment they got from the song not only to their fans, but for every Filipino. So, again, what’s not to like?

“What?” by SB19 is now the fifth most liked Filipino music video of all-time on YouTube after surpassing 1096 Gang’s Pajama Party.

Requesting What? by @SB19Official @88risingRadio @sosupersam #SUPERFANFRIDAY #SB19 pic.twitter.com/SeWAX0Lxgp

— warrior (@SB19WARRIOR) April 13, 2021

5. Local and international awards for SB19’s “WHAT?” MV isn’t impossible.

Imagine a reality post-pandemic where the MTV VMAs and Billboard Awards would present a rightful recognition to SB19 and invite them to rock the stage? The performance outfits, the choreo, the fan chants. That’s enough to drive the A’Tins and even the casuals crazy.

Watch the full video of WHAT? below:

CONTINUE READING: In the Zone of Their Own, SB19 is Set to Fire Things Up With a New Era

These young people were some of the earliest members of Gen Z to get a shot of the COVID-19 vaccine in the Philippines.

Ever since the first vaccines were approved for use late last year, the whole world has been in a race to vaccinate as many people as possible against COVID-19. The first vaccines arrived in the Philippines in late February with priority given to healthcare workers, essential workers, senior citizens, and people with comorbidities. Near the bottom of the list though are young people, Gen Z, and Millennials who do not fit into any of the special conditions.

It is expected that most young people would have to wait a little while to get vaccinated. However, some young people have gotten the vaccine whether they are a healthcare worker or meet a special condition. Here are some of their stories and experiences to inform other young people about what it is like to get vaccinated.

Related: There’s A Reason Why You Will Have To Wait For Your Turn To Get Vaccinated

Thoughts On Vaccines

Miguel is 22 years old, and his job classifies him as a healthcare worker. He is required to visit different clinics on a daily basis and attend to the logistics and operations of the clinics to make sure that they are up and running properly. This kind of exposure would make you think that Miguel wanted to get the vaccine as soon as possible, but he was actually hesitant about it. “I was iffy about the brands of vaccines. I didn’t trust the ones coming from lesser-known countries,” he says of his early preferences. “There was also the fear of the after-effects of getting vaccinated, as well as the possible long-term effects.” He says that he wanted to wait and see first what the experiences of others would be like. This way, he thought, would help him prepare for what to experience in the days after his vaccination.

Amanda, a 21-year-old college student, has allergic rhinitis, which makes her eligible under the A3 priority group. She saw the vaccines as something she needed to get. “I knew that receiving the vaccine was a necessary precaution I should take, to help curb the transmission of the virus, and of course, protect myself, my family, and the people I come in contact with.” She furthers, “I did not mind having to wait, however I wanted to get vaccinated as soon as possible, if that makes sense. So, I thought it best to register as soon as possible to not encounter problems with regards to vaccine brand and availability.”

Signing-up And Pre-Vaccination Feelings

Miguel’s local LGU was already informing local healthcare workers about the vaccine, as well as of the company he was working for. Miguel applied to get the vaccine in late March and was soon scheduled for right after.

Since both of them live in Quezon City, they signed sign up via the ezConsult app. The first time Miguel tried to do it, the app glitched, but he was able to get through. Amanda meanwhile was able to get her vaccine schedule for early April the day after she submitted the requirements after struggling to get proper documents.

The day before Miguel was scheduled to get the vaccine, he couldn’t sleep. “I was researching on possible side effects for the long term. No one knows what this vaccine will do years from now to our bodies, but if I can prevent hospitalization and death from COVID-19, then it’s okay.” He was able to calm down because he felt that the pros of getting the vaccine outweighed the cons.

Amanda has a mix of emotions. On one hand, she felt relieved that she was able to get an appointment. But on the other, she felt frustrated for those do not have the same resources as her even though she and her family did struggle a bit with the process. She goes on to say “I couldn’t help but think, ‘Do other people know this as well? Do they have the means to access these sites and the documents being required of them? What are LGUs doing to ensure that the less privileged are not left behind?’”

Mixed Experience

Miguel went to his vaccination site in Cubao and brought his medical IDs and his phone for the QR code. He got there at 8:00 AM and was scheduled to get the AstraZeneca vaccine at 9:00 AM, but he got injected at 12:00 PM.

Amanda got the Sinovac vaccine because it was both recommended for her age and it was the only one available at the vaccination site. She brought a valid ID, a medical certificate, and an email confirming her vaccine slot. “The center had many stations that I had to pass through to confirm my slot, identity, checked my vitals, and medical history, briefed me on the vaccine and possible side effects, etc. After [the injection], we were asked to stay in an observation room for 30 minutes where they checked our vitals again, and then we were good to go.” The whole process took Amanda one hour.

Miguel shares that he felt the side effects within the first 24 hours. “Within the first 10 hours I was still able to work with migraines and body pain, however, I contracted a high fever on hour 12. I filed a sick leave and spent the next day in bed.” He says that his co-workers who got the vaccine at the same time as he did also experienced side effects. By day 3, he felt better and by the end of the week, he was no longer experiencing any side effects.

Amanda had the opposite experience. “My injected arm hurt a little whenever I moved it in doing tasks such as writing, dressing up, or lifting things. Otherwise, I experienced no other side effects,” she details.

These days, Miguel and Amanda are feeling fine and are both thankful for different things. For Miguel, it’s that he and his fellow healthcare workers were prioritized, and for Amanda, she didn’t experience any of the serious side effects. Both expect to get the second dose of the vaccine from around the second half of April to the first half of May.

Post Vaccination Feeling

Those who have been vaccinated may feel more at ease when they go out knowing that they have protection, but Miguel and Amanda do not see it that way. “It hasn’t made me any less cautious. I still disinfect all my things and wear my mask at all times. The fear is 30% for myself and 70% fear of infecting my loved ones who aren’t vaccinated yet,” says Miguel. For the time being, Miguel isn’t going out of the house like he used to pre-COVID. Amanda agrees, saying: “The best way to curb the transmission of the virus is to still stay at home and avoid contact with others.”

Most people around Miguel and Amanda’s age will most likely have to wait a little bit longer to get a vaccine, which might seem unfair to some people, but Miguel thinks that it’s okay, with some caveats though. “In any mass distribution, if this isn’t done, then things will get messy. It was good doing this since exposure is highest among healthcare workers. It’s a good balance of vulnerability and exposure, however, I hope that things can be sped up a bit. It’s inexcusable for this to reach 2022.”

Amanda feels though that there should be more exceptions for people her age. “I am well aware that there are those my age who have to constantly go out due to work or other essential matters, and so they need the vaccine more than others. There are also those with already affected family members. I think aside from the current priority groups, these people should also be taken into account. Their circumstances should also be considered. I think there are many things in the current system that determines how soon one gets their vaccine that can be improved.”

Their Advice

As young people continue to wait for their turn, some may become anxious to get it, which Miguel understands. “I can’t blame them, but doing research is optimal. And asking close friends who got vaccinated help,” he advises.

Information is also something that Amanda sees as a way to help dissuade nerves. “Fear mongering is so easy to do in a digital age where personal contact is minimal, so protect yourself from fake news by staying knowledgeable and verifying your sources. Please do check first if your concerns are not products of misinformation, and learn about the importance of vaccines in this pandemic.”

As for the rest of the population who are waiting to get vaccinated, he wants people to know that getting a COVID-19 vaccine is “like any other vaccine, and the more vaccinated people there are, the earlier we can return to pre-COVID life.”

Amanda adds, “We should always still err on the side of caution and not only think about ourselves since COVID-19 is something that affects us as a nation.”

CONTINUE READING: Should We Take The Vaccine? A Debate That Became Too Personal

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In over a year, a lot has happened in the Philippines due to the pandemic. Here are some facts and stats you should be aware of.

What initially started out as just a mysterious virus that was causing people in China to get sick turned out to be the worst global pandemic in decades. No country was spared by COVID-19 and the Philippines is no exception. With everything going on in the news like record cases and the roll out of vaccines, it may be hard to fully understand what has happened in the past year or so. Here are then some numbers that you should be aware of when it comes to the pandemic in the Philippines.

Related: So, You Want To Party Amid A Pandemic? Don’t.

450

That is how many days it has been since COVID-19 was first detected in the Philippines.

On this day in 2020, the country confirmed its very first case of COVID-19 from a 38-year-old Chinese national.

She arrived in the Philippines last January 21, 2020 from Wuhan, China via Hong Kong. pic.twitter.com/VNG8EixMs5

— The Philippine Star (@PhilippineStar) January 29, 2021

January 20, 2020, was when the first case of COVID-19 was reported in the country.

395

That is how many days it has been since the country was put on lockdown.

President Rodrigo Duterte will place Metro Manila on lockdown for at least 30 days to contain the spread of the novel coronavirus in the Philippines. He also raises Code Red Sublevel 2 Thursday, March 12
Full story: https://t.co/IPJOE0HMOw pic.twitter.com/bTf0vArXBt

— Rappler (@rapplerdotcom) March 12, 2020

Announced on March 12, 2020, the government mandated that the country was going into lockdown on March 15, 2020 to stop the spread of COVID-19. Ever since then, Metro Manila has been under some form of lockdown from EQC to GCQ.

27

That is the ranking of the Philippines in terms of countries with the most COVID-19 cases.

Ngayong 4 PM, Abril 14, 2021, ang Department of Health ay nakapagtala ng 8,122 na karagdagang kaso ng COVID-19. Samantala ay mayroon namang naitalang 501 na gumaling at 162 na pumanaw. pic.twitter.com/H9eZ2OYrM5

— Department of Health (@DOHgovph) April 14, 2021

As of April 14, 2021, the country ranks behind Belgium with over 927k cases and after Sweden with over 876k cases.

892,880

That is how many cases of COVID-19 the country has recorded until today, April 14, 2021.

This means that around 1 in every 120 Filipinos has tested positive for COVID-19. This amount puts the country just second to Indonesia in terms of the highest amount of cases in Southeast Asia.

15,447

That is how many people have died of COVID-19 as of April 14, 2021.

BREAKING: DOH reports 8,122 new cases, bringing the national total to 892,880, as of April 14, 2021.

Total recoveries have reached 704,386 (+ 501 new) while death toll is now at 15,447 (+ 162 new). pic.twitter.com/0ducZajN4D

— Manila Bulletin News (@manilabulletin) April 14, 2021

Around 1 in every 6975 Filipinos have died from COVID-19. This number puts the country second to Indonesia in terms of the highest death toll in Southeast Asia. There is a chance that the actual death toll is higher since some people who had COVD-19 may have died at their homes instead of the hospital and their death was not reported.

1

That is the percentage of the population of the Philippines that have received at least one vaccine shot.

LOOK: Makatizens aged 18-59 with comorbidities get their Sinovac COVID-19 vaccines at the Makati Coliseum. Vaccination program of Makati LGU continues. | @tinaarceodumlao pic.twitter.com/UFwbB7xMEu

— Inquirer (@inquirerdotnet) April 8, 2021

Ever since the first vaccines arrived in the country in late February, 1,093,651 people have received a vaccine shot as of April 13, 2021. In order to achieve herd immunity, 70 million Filipinos need to get vaccinated.

0.15

That is the percentage of the population of the Philippines who have been fully vaccinated.

TINGNAN: Pagbabakuna ng senior citizens ngayong araw, April 10, 2021. Apat na vaccination sites ang bukas ngayong araw para mabakunahan kontra COVID-19 ang halos isang libong senior citizens. pic.twitter.com/pZ21FdDL5W

— Pasig City Public Information Office (@PasigInfo) April 10, 2021

162,065 people have received their second dose as of April 13, 2021. This amounts to a little under 15% of people who have received a vaccine.

5

That is how many years it will take for the Philippines to achieve herd immunity through vaccines.

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A post shared by Bloomberg Opinion (@bloombergopinion)

Based on the current rate the country is going, it is estimated that country will achieve herd immunity through vaccines in around 5 years.

2,500,000,000

That is how much readily available money there is in the national budget to buy vaccines.

BREAKING: President Rodrigo Duterte signs the ₱4.5-trillion national budget for 2021.

It’s touted as the recovery budget as it provides additional funding for COVID-19 response and sets a ₱72.5-billion allotment for vaccine purchases. https://t.co/sDo55hwVGt pic.twitter.com/yC0XEgmmKW

— CNN Philippines (@cnnphilippines) December 28, 2020

In the 2021 national budget, only 2.5 billion pesos in immediate cash were allocated for vaccine purchases. Another 70 billion pesos is to be used to buy vaccines, but those funds have been placed in an unprogrammed fund and can only be used until the government funds it through loans.

23%

That is how much the budget cut is for the Department of Health in 2021.

Over 40 billion pesos was cut from the budget of DOH from 2020 to 2021. Not all government entities saw budget cuts though as NTF-ELCAC, which has been known to red-tag activists and other critics of the government, saw a 2974% increase in budget to P19.5 billion while the DPWH had a 58% increase, or 255 billion pesos, in the budget for their infrastructure projects.

9.5%

That is how much the GDP of the Philippines dropped in 2020.

The last time the country saw a big drop like this was during the final years of the Marcos dictatorship. The nearly 10% drop made the Philippines the worst performing country economically in all of South East Asia in 2020.

4,500,000,000

That is how many people are unemployed in the country.

Unemployment has worsened in the Philippines with 4.2 million jobless in February 2021, slightly higher than the 4 million recorded unemployed in January, the Philippine Statistics Authority reports | @gleefjalea pic.twitter.com/nBHheIOZcY

— CNN Philippines (@cnnphilippines) March 30, 2021

From 2019 to 2020, the number of unemployed people in the country nearly doubled from 2.3 million to 4.5 million. Some experts believe that this number is an underestimation of the actual number of unemployed people, and it could be as high as double the official count.

38,000,000,000

That is how much unspent money is in the Bayanihan 2 funds.

President Rodrigo Duterte has extended the validity of appropriations under the country’s 2020 national budget and the Bayanihan to Recover As One Act or “Bayanihan 2.” | @KAguilarINQ https://t.co/kkK5UlXUs1

— Inquirer (@inquirerdotnet) January 6, 2021

When the Bayanihan 2 Bill was signed into law last year, it allocated over 165 billion pesos to boost the government’s pandemic response. The law says that all the money must be spent by December 2020, however over 25% of the fund has yet to be spent. Because of this, lawmakers have extended its validity until June 2021.

Continue Reading: Choosing To Live: How Writing Saved This Student From Loneliness In The Pandemic