Beyond Bella Poarch’s massive success in her career lies Belinda (as her fans call her), her tagalog-speaking self on Twitter who’s always a whole mood.

With 79.1 million followers on TikTok alone, it’s easy to get intimidated by social media superstar, Bella Poarch. And let’s not forget, she’s thriving in the music scene, too. Just about a week ago, Bella released her second single, Inferno—a song about getting revenge against the wicked that already has 28 million views and counting.

Mas mabuting hindi nila gets ung ibang tweets ku, para sa mga pinoys lng hehe?

— Bella Poarch (@bellapoarch) May 1, 2021

But despite the success, she remains true to herself, connecting with her fans with the funniest tweets only her Filipino fans can relate to. And she doesn’t have a problem with that either. In honor of Bella Poarch’s most viral TikTok, M to the B, a year later, here are all the times she was the fun, relatable friend in the barkada on Twitter.

J3j3j3j3 pic.twitter.com/1qGE9tcTee

— Bella Poarch (@bellapoarch) April 29, 2021

READ MORE: Did We Just Spot Ivana Alawi in Bella Poarch’s New Music Video, Inferno?

1. WHEN BELLA TWEETED NOTHING BUT THIS

Nakakagigil…

— Bella Poarch (@bellapoarch) August 18, 2021

For the record, we still don’t know the context behind this tweet. Is it because of some popular ~sad bois~ in the news lately? Some fans were even assuming that it might be Bella’s way of teasing a new single in Tagalog soon. Same, Bella. Nakakagigil.

2. WHEN SHE HAD JOLLIBEE WITHDRAWALS

Nagugutom nako kaso sarado na si manong Jollibee 🙁

— Bella Poarch (@bellapoarch) August 6, 2021

Let’s face it, Jollibee at midnight will always hit different and Bella Poarch agrees.

3. WHEN PEOPLE TEST US, LET OUR RESPONSE BE…

✨Utot mu✨

— Bella Poarch (@bellapoarch) July 3, 2021

There’s no losing with this clapback. Use it wisely!

4. US AND OUR BFF AT ELON MUSK’S MANSION

?Tara lets✨ @bretmanrock pic.twitter.com/wMAZzc5r6J

— Bella Poarch (@bellapoarch) June 18, 2021

When two swagapinos come together, you know it’s about to go down. Any leads to the missing P15 billion? ?

5. BELLA’S GOT THEM BAD DAYS, TOO

Andami khong pekas mga bhie, any beauty tips por me??

— Bella Poarch (@bellapoarch) May 23, 2021

TBH, more than Bella’s unfiltered tweets, it’s the comments that are sending us. Some were suggesting the “dahon ng bayabas” (soaked guava leaves) routine, or “lagay mo sa bigas,” a life hack where you leave your drenched phone on uncooked rice, while others thought that pekas meant “freckles.”

6. WHEN SOMEONE SAYS, “BUT YOU DON’T LOOK FILIPINO!”

Edi wow pic.twitter.com/TGTwI1LYqS

— Bella Poarch (@bellapoarch) October 24, 2020

Were you expecting some broken English or an accent? No ma’am.

7. BELLA’S INTRODUCTION WHEN SHE JOINS MISS UNIVERSE:

?? pic.twitter.com/IKTY0Es758

— Bella Poarch (@bellapoarch) May 20, 2021

This ain’t build-a-b*tch, sir. She’s definitely made out of 100% banana ketchup from bananas handpicked from the beautiful islands of the Philippines.

8. HER RESPONSE WHEN SOMEONE ASKED HER IF SHE WAS A ROBOT

Di aku mahilig magmura, pramis✋?? tengene

— Bella Poarch (@bellapoarch) May 6, 2021

Can’t blame Bella, we’d react the same way too if someone asked us if we were a robot. The switch from American to Filipino accent was just, ✨seamless.✨

9. BELLA GETS US

✨Sana oil may boi pren✨

— Bella Poarch (@bellapoarch) May 11, 2021

On another episode of God When, you wish that were you, huh?

10. THE REAL “SANA ALL”

Manifestation is very real. pic.twitter.com/NIUcuKAnXR

— Bella Poarch (@bellapoarch) May 25, 2021

Manifestation is indeed, very real. Just ask Bella. She didn’t just break records, she’s since channeled all her energy into making music that most people can resonate with.

BONUS: WHEN BELLA HYPED UP SASSA GURL

Anggaling mo bhie?? @Itssassagurl https://t.co/wcV5vJ4VCS

— Bella Poarch (@bellapoarch) August 22, 2021

We are definitely here for the Bella Poarch x Sassa Gurl connection. Rapping her way into Inferno, content creator Sassa brings all the heat on with hot as hell bars. Bella called it!

CONTINUE READING: Here For It: Bella Poarch’s Signature Beauty Looks To Try

Following the footsteps of her Blackpink sisters, Lisa is poised to blow us away with her solo era, which as she confirmed is “coming soon.”

Blackpink in your area? Well, yes, and much more. Ever since their debut, the girls have been unstoppable together, dominating everything from fashion and beauty, games, and even food. But as strong as they are as a unit, what with millions of views to their name, records broken, and histories made, Jennie, Jisoo, Lisa, and Rosé are even more of a force on their own accord. There is nothing quite like seeing them shine individually, and this is most evident as they pursue their solo careers.

In between charming the world over with their songs, visuals, and choreography, each one of them have been blazing individual trails, taking on their dreams such as being a guest fashion editor, game character designer, and drama actress, but despite all that, they will always go back to the music. Following the footsteps of her Blackpink sisters, the solo era of Lisa is fast coming.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by LISA (@lalalalisa_m)

After Jennie and Rosé, Lisa is raring and ready to show the world who she is as a solo artist. (Jisoo meanwhile is going solo in a different way with her role in the upcoming Snowdrop.) After much wishing and teasing, the mystery surrounding this unique undertaking is slowly being lifted. “Coming soon,” and so is stamped across a blurred image of Lisa in what appears to be red thigh-high boots, which she posted on Instagram hours ago. Blessing us with a confirmation, she continues to play coy, leaning on the element of surprise still. If anything, this has the audiences and eagle-eyed fans all the more eager to see and hear what she has up her sleeves.

It has been a long time coming, but finally, this chapter is finally upon us.

Her Shining Moment

Following whispers from the rumor mill, YG Entertainment confirmed the solo debut of Lisa in July, and since then, the anticipation has not waned. Now, while she is more known as the lead rapper and main dancer of Blackpink, she has proven time and again that she can stand with the rest when it comes to singing. A distinct contrast from her fierce rapping and fiery dancing, the sweetness of her singing voice is one to watch out for.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by LISA (@lalalalisa_m)

The details are far and in between for the solo effort of Lisa, but one thing is for sure, we know that she will turn it up. Rapping? Seamless. Dancing? Flawless. Singing? Captivating. If this isn’t enough to hold your attention until the release sometime soon, then a quick internet search will show you how much she has been slaying it all these years. Though she has been long dazzling us with her charisma and talent, this solo spin is when her star will shine the most, because this time, Lisa is defining on her own.

Together with Jennie, Jisoo, and Rosé of Blackpink, all of whom have shown support for their sister, Lisa, the rest of the world will be waiting patiently. Ready when you are, Lisa.

Can’t get enough of her? While we wait, bear witness to the star-making solo spots of Lisa with these performances and dance covers.

To The Stage

Rapper Supreme

Practice Makes Perfect

The Voice Of Queens

The Dance Mentor

Say Her Name

CONTINUE READING: GET READY TO CELEBRATE BLACKPINK’S ANNIVERSARY MONTH WITH A PACKED AUGUST

Artists, YouTubers, and content creators like SB19, AC Bonifacio, Bella Racelis, Niana Guerrero, and more are set to grace the virtual stage of YouTube FanFest 2021.

Related: 8 Of The Top Filipino YouTubers You Need To Be Following

Ever since 2018, YouTube FanFest has been an event for fans around Asia to meet their favorite YouTubers and creators. It is a day to celebrate both the diverse personalities of the platform and the fans. And that also holds true in the Philippines where YouTube Fanfest Philippines has been one of the most anticipated events for creators and fans. Now, YouTube Fanfest 2021 is set to return to the country once more, and the announced line-up already has us excited as it’s a who’s-who of Filipino YouTubers and musicians.

YOUTUBE FANFEST 2021

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by YouTube FanFest (@youtubefanfest)

Because of the pandemic, this year’s YouTube FanFest Philippines will be held virtually for the second year in a row. And even though fans won’t have the opportunity to meet their fave creators in person, the content and performances that they will deliver will hopefully uplift viewers wherever they are and make them feel like they’re right there in the action despite being apart.

YouTube FanFest 2021 will be aired over three episodes live from August 27-29, 6 PM, on their YouTube channel. Each episode of FanFest Philippines is meant to celebrate and highlight local culture, music, food, and more, with main themes of diversity and inclusion. All three episodes will be hosted by Mikey Bustos.

WHAT TO EXPECT

Episode one will be entitled Island Life. The episode will feature a few Cebuano YouTubers like Medyo Maldito, Raphiel Shannon, and Snake Princess. Chef India Allyn, dance troupe G-FORCE, and OPM band The Juans are also set to appear, too.

Episode two of YouTube Fanfest 2021 will be called Everyone Is Beautiful. It will feature a mix of beauty and lifestyle creators. About RAF, AC Bonifacio, Hazel Quing, Claudine Co, Lesha, Madam Ely, Raize Contawi, Bella Racelis, and Tita Krissy Achino are all set to appear in the episode. Expect to see them do a series of performances, challenges, and even collaborations.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by YouTube FanFest (@youtubefanfest)

Finally, episode three of YouTube FanFest 2021 will be aptly called The Finale. Cooking YouTubers Chef RV Manabat and Simpol, teacher and content creator Lyqa Maravilla, and vlogger Benedict Cua are all set to appear. YouTube superstars Niana Guerrero, Ranz Kyle, and Natalia Guerrero have a performance lined up. And musicians Renee Dominique, Zack Tabudlo, and SB19 are set to bring down the house.

And if you really want to meet some of these YouTubers, don’t fret. Some of the content creators will be scheduling their own virtual meet-and-greets in the coming weeks. Stay tuned for more information.

Continue Reading: TikTok Launches New Feature Called TikTok Stories

When the time finally comes that you are at the polling precinct, these are the questions that you should be asking yourself before you vote. This way, according to Comelec Spokesperson James Jimenez, you will make the best choice possible.

Related: Why Vote In The 2022 Elections? Because You Are More Powerful Than The Elected

As of this writing, there is a little more than a month left for voter registration for the 2022 elections. We are now down to the wire to get as many people registered as possible. But while it is nice that you are registered, it’s a whole different ball game to actually show up and vote. People always talk about the importance of voting and how it is your opportunity to change the country but rarely are we taught how to actually prepare for voting. But as with anything of responsibility, make or break efforts such as the power to vote, requires serious thoughts and questions.

For some people, voting is just a showing up to your polling place, marking down a list of names, and calling it a day. But it is so much more than that. Voting should require thought, research, and discernment. So, what then do you need to do? To answer that question, we sat down for an interview with Comelec spokesperson James Jimenez who shared the five questions he feels every voter should ask themselves before they vote.  

1. WHAT ARE MY CORE VALUES?

As simple as this sounds, this is the first and most important question you need to ask yourself prior to even sitting down to vote. Before considering who to vote for, you need to know what you believe in and what you stand for. What are the values that you hold dear and the issues you advocate for? This will help you decide on who you want to vote at the polls. “If they don’t know what they stand for, then they will be adrift as they will not know how to navigate the flood of politicians who will be asking for their vote.” You can only make a fully informed decision only when you know and understand what you want.

2. WHAT IS THE STATE OF THE NATION?

Once you know what your core values are, the next thing you need to ask yourself is, what is currently happening in the country? Read the news, talk to your friends and family, see what people are saying online. Do you like what’s currently happening in this country? Or do you want things to change? Look at how your life is and how the lives of other people are. And when you go see things for what they actually are, do not always accept things you see and hear as the cold hard truth. Always dig deeper and know the facts. “You have to question the assurances and the blanket assurances given to you by the people that you have held to be authorities, right? Look beyond the glib announcements, look beyond the ‘we’re doing excellently.’” Answering this question will give you an easier time when you have to finally vote.

3. WHERE DO THE POLITICIANS WHO ARE GOING TO BE ASKING FOR YOUR VOTE STAND ON THE ISSUES?

The next thing you should do is see where the politicians and would-be politicians stand on the issues. This question is meant to help dissuade you from voting for someone just because they are charismatic. Do they agree with the same issues as you? Do they advocate for policies that you agree or disagree with? You have to know what these politicians believe in because the worst thing you can do is vote for someone who goes against what you hold near and dear to your heart and mind.

And more importantly, do not be afraid to ask the politicians about the issues when they are being vague about them on purpose. We sometimes have this tendency to get intimidated by the fact they are elected officials. In reality, we are the ones who brought them into power in the first place. “Do not be overwhelmed by who they are. Do not be overwhelmed by the horse race coverage of media for elections. Figure out if they know what they are talking about.”

4. WHAT ARE THE PROPOSALS OF THE POLITICIANS?

It’s a story we always see time and time again every election season. Politicians promise the world and people vote for them. Yet, they fail to deliver on most of their promises. “When someone said, you know, I’m going to achieve x, And people were just like, ‘Oh, well, achieving x is a good thing. So, let’s see what happens right?’ No.”

If we want to stop being duped by politicians again, then we need to ask the right questions. Know what their proposals are and how they plan to achieve them before voting. And getting an overarching answer is not acceptable, because, at this point, you should know the details and nitty-gritty. Yes, this may seem like such a chore and we rarely do this, but it must be done so that you know whether a politician is telling the truth or it’s just smoke and mirrors. “Find out how they want to achieve x. Find out what that is going to cost you because that is one of the most undiscussed things about election campaigns. No one ever talks about what the price will be. No one ever talks what the bill is gonna be like when it’s gonna be due.”

For example, if COVID-19 will still be an issue by the time the 2022 elections roll around, and it most likely will be, figure out what the politicians’ plans are for curbing the pandemic. And don’t just be satisfied with generic answers. Know what their concrete plans are and if they don’t have any, then maybe you shouldn’t vote for them. It is also important to sift through what they have done as a response to the healthcare crisis. Doing so will certainly enlighten you on the kind of person and leader someone aspires to be. “We all just get so enamored of the shiny potential that we forget to ask how we’re going to get there. And that’s what politicians have to have as well. Not just vision, a realistic roadmap—a roadmap that is grounded in reality, a roadmap that takes into consideration the human cost of these things that you’re promising.”

5. WHO WILL I VOTE FOR ASIDE FROM PRESIDENT AND VICE PRESIDENT?

When it comes to the campaign season, most of the attention goes towards who is running for president. But if the past year has taught us anything, it’s that our attention shouldn’t only be centered on the president or the vice president. The question you need to ask yourself when exercising your civic duty is, who will I vote for all the way down the ballot? When you get your ballot, you’re not just going to vote for the president and vice president, you will also vote for 12 senators, your next congressman, governor, vice governor, mayor, vice-mayor, councilors, and party list. Your participation in the elections will actually be of consequence because you get to help determine who is elected into all levels of government.

Even if the president has the most power, the most immediate change you can see is in your community, barangay, and city. Those changes will be determined by the councilors and the mayor. James Jimenez shared a story of how when he first voted, he only bothered to think about who he was going to vote for president. For every other position, he just marked the first name on the list. It was only when he saw how bad his barangay was that he realized that he should vote wisely for all positions.

So, when you get to your polling place in May 2022, don’t just think that you are voting for one person, because you are voting for every position on the ballot. Your choice does have real-world consequences. You may feel that you are just one vote, but realize that your vote matters and can be the difference between someone winning and losing. Remember, our future is at stake here. So, vote wisely.

Continue Reading: Don’t Skip The Vote: From Registration To The Election, This Is Why You Shouldn’t Ignore Your Impact

P-Pop group BGYO and Liza Soberano teaming up for a music video? The unexpected duo that we never knew needed has arrived in a major way.

Weeks after announcing P-Pop group BGYO’s hiatus to prepare for their comeback, they’re finally in the eye of the storm again with their newest single, The Baddest. Spitting bars, killing it with their visuals, and their choreo, BGYO is indeed back. The teasers alone for The Baddest were enough to get us hyped up, with not just one but three concepts. BGYO’s new look and braver sound had us at the edge of our seats. Below, read up on 5 of the best moments on BGYO’s The Baddest MV that had us on edge until the very end.

READ MORE: See BGYO Reimagined in the Latest Designer Collections of the Season

1. THEIR NEW MOVES

BGYO’s new choreo is more subtle and suave this time around that you can’t even pinpoint who the main dancer is. The answer? ALL OF ‘EM. In sync and on beat, BGYO has been making a lot of major moves.

2. SPITTING BARS IN FILIPINO

Finally, hearing BGYO rap in Filipino? Sounds pretty bad-ass to us, and we’re expecting to hear more and more bars like this in their upcoming EP.

3. WHEN THEY FLEXED THEIR BARONGS

Again, suave and subtle has always been BGYO’s game. Flexing their roots, the boys walked like don’t-mess-with-’em mafia bosses in matching suits and barongs.

READ MORE: Things That P-Pop Made Even Cooler: The Barong

4. LIZA SOBERANO’S CAMEO

“Hello boys.” Aces have been tweeting their conspiracy theories the moment BGYO dropped their teaser. At the end of their song title reveal video, a female voice can be heard asking if they’re “ready.” Lo and behold, the mystery is no more as Liza joins BGYO for The Baddest MV as one of the head “secret agents,” Binibining Haliya.

5. THE POST-APOCALYPTIC CGI AND CLIFFHANGER

You know your MV’s gonna be fire when you have explosive effects, fashion on point, and yes, the CGI. BGYO’s been dancing with danger more than ever with The Baddest, and honestly, we can’t wait for more. For now, we’re just waiting for the second part, because we have so much questions with that cliffhanger ending.

You can watch BGYO’s The Baddest MV below:

CONTINUE READING: It’s About Damn Time We Recognize These P-Pop x Fashion Collabs

From Red Velvet, BGYO, Shawn Mendes, and more, we list down some of our favorite new music releases of the week.

Related: The New Song Releases Of The Week

The past week finally gave us some highly anticipated releases. From the return of one of the premier K-pop girl groups to the release of a much anticipated (and memed) studio album, and the comeback of a fast-rising P-Pop boy group, here are some of the new music releases of the week.

Mood Ring – Lorde

Finally, after years of waiting and thousands of memes, Lorde has new music out with the release of her third studio album, Solar Power. To celebrate the release of the album, she also dropped a music video for Mood Ring, which sees the Kiwi singer go blonde.

Summer Of Love – Shawn Mendes and Tainy

Shawn Mendes finally released his first new song this year with Summer Of Love. The track was produced and is in collaboration with Tainy that shows off a more pop side to Shawn. The official music video, meanwhile, was shot in Majorca, Spain, and was directed by Matty Peacock, who previously directed Shawn’s Wonder video.

Queendom – Red Velvet

After nearly two years, Red Velvet finally released new music with the release of their comeback single Queendom. The track sees the girls return to their summer and bright concept and it is exactly what we needed. They also dropped their sixth mini-album of the same name.

LOSER=LOVER – TOMORROW X TOGETHER

TOMORROW X TOGETHER has given us yet another pop-rock bop with LOSER-LOVER. Their new song sees the boys let out their emotions as they want to be liberated from a world holding them down. The track serves as the lead single to their repackaged album, The Chaos Chapter: FIGHT OR ESCAPE.

Visiting Hours – Ed Sheeran

If Bad Habits featured a pop-centric sound, Ed Sheeran’s new single, Visiting Hours, sees the singer return to his roots in a more laid-back self. In Visiting Hours, Ed plucks on the heartstrings as he sings about missing someone who is no longer here. And let’s just say, we miss this side of Ed.

The Baddest – BGYO

BGYO sheds their boy-next-door image with the release of their comeback single, The Baddest. The gritty yet smooth pop track sees the boys sing about being attracted to a special someone, the aforementioned baddest. While the music video has the group go through training to prepare for their next secret mission under the lead of Binibining Haliya, played by Liza Soberano.

Don’t Go – Skrillex, Justin Bieber, and Don Toliver

Justin Bieber seems to be everywhere these days as he just released a new collaboration with Skrillex, and Don Toliver called Don’t Go. Justin’s voice suits the track well and this is one of Skrillex’s most refined production in years.

Dulo – The Juans

OPM band The Juans have new music out this week with the release of their comeback single Dulo that has gotten us all in our feelings.

Cerberus – Pentagon’s YUTO, KINO, and WOOSEOK

The maknae line of Pentagon released new music this week with the digital single, Cerberus. The hip-hop track makes reference to the three-headed monster guarding the gates of Hades in Greek and Roman mythology. It also talks about how when the three youngest members come together, they are as strong as Cerberus.

A Little Space – Pentatonix and ATEEZ

Pentatonix and ATEEZ is a collaboration we didn’t know we needed but are absolutely happy it’s real. Pentatonix joins forces with ATEEZ’s Yunho, San, and Jonhgo for this upbeat love song, and both groups’ sounds mix so well together.

Okay Lang Yan – Isang Manlapaz

The Voice Teens Philippines season two Isang Manlapaz is ready to make a splash in the OPM scene with the release of her debut single, Okay Lang Yan. The mid-tempo R&B track shares the message that life isn’t a race and everyone does things at their own pace.

never mind, let’s break up – LANY

LANY refuses to miss with their new single, never mind, let’s break up. The track has an addicting beat as they sing about not giving a toxic partner another chance and breaking up with them.

In The Dark – Swae Lee and Jhené Aiko

Rap star Swae Lee and R&B icon Jhené Aiko released a new collaboration called In The Dark. The song is included in the official soundtrack for the upcoming Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings movie.

Sakay – LOIR

Filipina R&B artist LOIR released her debut solo single Sakay. Featuring luscious beats and deep, laid-back grooves, the song touches on the playful, romantic side of getting to know someone during a road trip in the countryside.

Ben & Jerry – salem ilese

In celebration of her 22nd birthday, Salem Ilese released new music this week in Ben & Jerry. While it is in reference to the famous ice cream brand, the electro-pop track also serves as an ode to not settling for less in relationships and honoring your self-worth.

Something in the Water – Boys World

Rising girl group Boys World is out with a new fun pop love song called Something in the Water.

XL – SILVY

Thai-Italian singer, songwriter, influencer, and actress SILVY debuts her first single called XL. The track is an uplifting anthem for body positivity and rising against adversity.

My Father’s Daughter – Olivia Vedder

Olivia Vedder just released My Father’s Daughter, the theme song to Flag Day. The movie directed by and starring Sean Penn along with his daughter Dylan Penn.

Continue Reading: The New Music Releases Of The Past Week

If anything, she is THAT b*tch. So, it’s no surprise that Lizzo was dressed by one of the edgiest Filipino designers in the country, Thian Rodriguez.

Singer, songwriter, rapper and overall bad b*tch, Lizzo is the 3-time Grammy Award winner that you shouldn’t mess with, really. Aside from her IDGAF attitude and no-holds-barred music, she’s also been a staunch advocate of body positivity and women empowerment. So, when you’re finally part of her circle, you’ll radiate the same energy, too. Now, isn’t that good as hell?

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Lizzo (@lizzobeeating)

Just ask Filipino designer, Thian Rodriguez, who was commissioned by Lizzo’s stylist, Jason Rembert to make a custom look for her. Most of you are probably familiar with Thian’s work, probably because you’ve seen his designs on Nadine Lustre’s scorpion look for her birthday shoot last year, on the cover of Harper’s Bazaar Vietnam featuring four of Philippines’ Power House Queens, and Ivana Alawi’s outfit for her cameo on Bella Poarch’s MV. Below, we were able to have a quick catch up with Filipino designer, Thian Rodriguez, on how it feels to collaborate with Lizzo.

READ MORE: These Are The 8 Filipino Designers That Will Dominate Japan Soon

How did the collaboration happen?

It started when Lizzo’s stylist, Jason Rembert, DMed me on Instagram. He asked me if I can create a custom piece for Lizzo. Of course, without second thoughts I said YES right away. After sending a couple of sketches and sample photos we decided to do an all-black ensemble with silver metal details.

How long did it take to create the piece? Were there any challenges? Feel free to share any funny experiences.

Time was one of the major challenges, because the whole piece should arrive in LA before August 15, 2021. Jason messaged me a month before, however, I was able to start the production 12 days before the said deadline mainly because I had to wait for their approval and source out all the materials. So, I had to finish the whole ensemble in 8 days to allot 3-4 days for the shipping. (Thanks to coffee for the full support!) Plus, I have to make sure that I purchased all the needed and possible materials before all the suppliers closed for the August 6, 2021 lockdown. Very Amazing Race! LOL.

How does it feel working with Lizzo and how long did you have to keep that a secret?

“NAKAKALOKA” is the best word to describe my whole experience with this project. Working with Lizzo, Jason Rembert, and her team, and the chance to showcase my craft and Filipino talents is an amazing and memorable opportunity. Believe me, keeping a secret for like a month is not easy! Even my closest friends didn’t know about it.

What were the lessons you’ve learned while working on this project?

One of the lessons I’ve learned while working on this project is to truly believe in your vision. You are your best support in times of doubt. When you think you can’t, tell yourself you can. Lastly, coffee is your best of best friends!

Any advice you’d like to share for upcoming Filipino fashion designers?

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by BJ PASCUAL ?️‍? (@bjpascual)

A piece of advice for all upcoming Filipino fashion designers, have a concrete vision and embrace your story, these two major factors will make you different from the others. So, good luck! ?

(Photos exclusively shared to NYLON Manila by Thian Rodriguez)

CONTINUE READING: At 19 Years Old, Here’s How This Filipino Designer Made It To Fashion School In France

They say a picture is worth a thousand words, but is it really worth anything without true emotion? 

With OPPO’s latest DNA in its highly-renowned Reno series now sporting one of the most cutting-edge, yet affordable camera setups in the market while also being fully equipped with a handful of exciting features, we couldn’t miss the chance to test out one of these stunning smartphones before it officially comes out this August. Sit with us as we unveil the endless possibilities that the brand-new OPPO Reno6 Z 5G can deliver to your digital lifestyle, while also having a little bit of fun along the way.

More than meets the eye

Just like pretty much anything you can buy, my first impressions upon the arrival of the new gadget were made the moment I set my eyes towards the package for the first time. As someone who’s gone through quite a collection of smartphones in my life, I was quite delighted to see a phone box that for the first time, was not colored with the conventional white or black. Plus points for creativity!

The contents within OPPO’s teal rectangular prism weren’t abundant, but they were practical. A rigid, clear jelly case and a handy pair of white earphones come with the phone, and its standard USB-C charging cord and power brick are considerably heftier add-ons than what most smartphone brands are willing to offer these days within a single purchase.

Dazzlingly durable

With the peripherals out of the way, we’re now able to get a taste of the main course of this review which would be the phone itself. Wrapped under a cozy plastic film, the OPPO Reno6 Z 5G seemed like some sort of ethereal moon rock waiting to be unravelled. Once unwrapped, the Reno6 Z 5G instantly became the center of my living room’s attention as it shimmered with iridescence through its signature Reno Glow finish under the elegant Aurora colorway. 

With such a spectre-like finish, one would expect this cool-looking smartphone to feel at least sort of delicate, right? Apparently not, as this 173-gram smartphone felt extremely compact and rigid in my hand despite being a fairly thick handheld device at 7.97 millimeters. Quite a comfortable and ergonomic phone to hold that never gives you any sign of flimsiness, at all! You will also not have to worry about leaving fingerprints or hand sweat behind as both the phone’s steel-like outer case material and 6.4 inch AMOLED display feels completely stick-proof and moist-resistant to the touch. 

Capture the soul of your memories

Perhaps the Reno6 Z 5G’s most talked about aspect so far has been its extremely competitive, ultimate AI-powered camera setup, which includes a triple-lens rear camera as well as a 32 megapixel front camera that comes with a litany of cool features for us to try. 

Upon opening the phone’s camera app, you are immediately presented with a wide variety of shoot options and neat buttons to try out, apart from just your regular video and photo modes. One cool feature that we immediately gravitated towards is the Dual-View video feature as displayed above, which allows you to simultaneously record videos with your front and back camera. This is quite handy for travel or reaction vloggers who might want to capture their rawest reactions to the eventful scenes that they’re taking a video of, all at the same time. 

Right off the bat, we can see that the Reno6 Z 5G’s primary camera obviously packs a powerful punch in terms of resolution and sharpness with its 64 megapixel capabilities in these landscape shots displayed above. One amazing thing to note about the Reno6 Z 5G’s camera is its ability to display depth in a more sophisticated and detailed manner in comparison to other camera phones. Such high quality angling can only be taken with the Reno6 Z 5G due in part to the phone’s built-in ultimate AI imaging algorithm, as well as the Flash Snapshot feature, which allows you to take crisp, clear, and clean photos the moment you turn on the camera.

Another great feature that the entire Reno6 Z 5G camera setup is equipped with is the Bokeh Flare Portrait, which adds the gorgeous “Bokeh Flare” effect to your images. This feature adds a nice touch to photos with crisply-lit backgrounds and can be used with both your rear and front cameras. The setup delivers images that do not look unnatural or forced at all, creating a dramatic mood for photos taken at night or outside.

Finally, what good is a phone camera if you can’t take selfies or videos of yourself looking your absolute best for TikTok, Instagram, or YouTube? Luckily enough, the great innovators at OPPO chose this as their number one priority when they decided to reinvent and recalibrate its Portrait Beautification feature apart from the litany of unique add-ons that the Reno6 Z 5G camera setup has in its arsenal.

As you can see from my sister’s set of selfies taken with the Reno6 Z 5G, the camera’s facial recognition works with pin-point accuracy in its ability to detect up to 193 key facial feature points, allowing the Reno6 Z 5G to truly encapsulate every smile, laugh, and expression at its most natural state; a true reverberation of the phone’s slogan: “every emotion, in portrait.” To top it off, you can even augment the power of the phone’s facial recognition feature using OPPO’s highly-acclaimed beautification effect for a truly picture-perfect selfie. With such immersive technologies all packed in one brilliant camera setup, there’s no doubt that each moment you capture with the Reno6 Z 5G will never lose its essence.

Personality and performance

The moment you turn on the OPPO Reno6 Z 5G, you are instantly treated to an enchanting array of animations, visuals, and displays that only OPPO’s Android-based ColorOS 11 operating system can provide. You get an exciting new OPPO boot-up animation, as well as two quirky, sparkling animations upon plugging the phone for charging, and upon accessing the phone with its fingerprint security feature. Overall, the phone’s user interface feels as modern as it can be given the current state of Android technology, but the phone’s powerful 8-gigabyte RAM plus 128-gigabyte expandable ROM capacity and octa-core MediaTek Dimensity 800U processor makes every sort of motion you see on the screen buttery smooth and easy on the eyes. If there’s one tiny tidbit that I would point out, it’s that the Reno6 Z 5G is furnished with only a single speaker at the bottom portion of the phone.

Such powerful hardware would be a waste without trying out its full potential, so we gave the Reno6 Z 5G a real run for its money with a picture-in-picture video playback from the built-in Youtube app, while leaving a few applications open in the back to truly give the multi-tasking abilities of the phone some mettle to test. After a couple of videos, we found no issues and no lagging errors under all of Youtube’s playback resolutions—including 4k—as everything remained as snappy as it was when we first turned it on.

After passing its first test, we moved on to another touted major aspect of this phone; its top-of-the-line gaming capabilities as powered by the superb Mali-G57 MC3 graphics processor. What better way to do that by trying out a few games of Mobile Legends: Bang Bang? I played on the highest graphic settings while also leaving a couple of apps running in the background and found no issues with the game’s frame rates and graphics. I even picked up a couple of wins to boot. Thanks, OPPO!

The verdict

Most smartphones these days want to be known for being strong in one single suit, and not much else. Once I tried out this smartphone, I immediately noticed that the OPPO Reno6 Z 5G wasn’t built to be a one-trick pony at all. The sleek, on-point interface, reliable specifications, and highly immersive and most especially the highly-adaptable camera setup allowed me to have the most balanced, all-around digital experience in my lifetime so far. Of course, there are always spaces that gadgets can improve upon, but I believe that if you’re in the market for a balanced, solid, no-nonsense Android phone with a camera setup that is easily able to let you to take the most professional-looking content at the press of a button, the OPPO Reno6 Z 5G is the perfect companion for your digital lifestyle.

Our OPPO Reno6 Z 5G unit was provided by OPPO Philippines for a total of two weeks for testing.

Both the OPPOReno6 Z 5G and OPPOReno6 5G in colors Aurora and Stellar Black are now officially available in the Philippines for Php 19,999 and Php 26,999 respectively via OPPO Brand stores, partner dealers, and exclusive e-commerce partners Shopee and Lazada.

From Royals to renewable energy, the self-confessed shape-shifter of sound, Lorde, returns with decidedly cool, calm, and charming chapters in Solar Power, proving that as with anything in life, less is definitely more.

And just like that, Lorde has come again. Emerging from a self-assigned sabbatical, one that followed the release and worldwide tour blitz of her last musical effort, Melodrama, she went off the grid. No, really. Promptly shedding her pop star extension, the Kiwi singer and songwriter retreated to her hometown in New Zealand, even going as far as Antarctica to reconnect with herself. “I realized that I’m always going to be someone who needs to retreat from being a pop star to be able to make something and undergo a transformation that makes me want to write something new,” Lorde says, recalling how the idea of her latest release, Solar Power came to be. As with any spark of creativity, it happened out of nowhere, just the idea manifesting in her consciousness—no music, no lyrics, just the guiding light of the words and of nature itself.

Of course, there is a lot to it than just a stringing of haunting melodies, sharp storytelling, and heaps of self-awareness. A catharsis years in the making, roughly two in her pace, she decidedly strips her sound down, filtering through the angst, grit, and reckless abandon that has been signature to her adolescent ruminations. Centered and conscious, Lorde significantly scales things back in Solar Power, reducing this chapter to just the bare essentials. This shift in gears is definitely jarring for someone who holds an almost religious reverence to her music, dutifully caterwauling to the progression of Pure Heroine and Melodrama. However, just like changes that are part and parcel of life, it takes time to settle.

Just like the light that Lorde has taken quite a liking to, Solar Power trickles in slowly and surely, warming up the senses with its cast of yellow and gold. “I really wanted everything to feel like it had the sunshine in it,” reveals the singer. “There’s a couple of like greens and blues. [But] for the most part, it’s a gold record.” Once coddled in the cocoon of comfort, it begins to hit you, this is the soundtrack of spiritual awakening.

A Conversation With Lorde

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Lorde (@lorde)

“It’s lots of thinking about my past and my future…thinking about my family, about loss and sort of moving on from loss. It’s pretty deep,” details Lorde of the journey that is Solar Power. “There’s a lot to it and lots of different emotions for sure, some sad songs, you know, but it all sounds like nature to me that’s the unifying feature.” Parallel to the passive and peaceful resistance of the Flower Power era, Lorde documents her evolution from tenuous to tranquil in a collection of chapters that are cool, calm, and charming all at once.

As if catching up with a long-time friend who you haven’t touched base with for a while, Lorde essays Solar Power like a conversation from start to finish. Brimming with evocative details, delicate emotions, and visceral imagery, the 12-track album is, if we were to sustain the biblical predilections of her name, a testament of self-discovery. While it in no ways stands in for a therapy session, a lot of self-help is outlined within, which isn’t indicative of the big, buoyant, and banging sound of some of her previous singles, it certainly makes up for it in depth.

In a broad stroke, Solar Power is still, solemn, and somber, which if you think of it, is a reflection of the times we are in. However, it isn’t an Eeyore moment of gloom and doom on after another, especially each track is primarily a guitar-driven offshoot inspired by Abbey Road by The Beatles, “a bit of the 60s-70s, California, kind of folk sound,” and a reference to early 2000s radio pop. Here, we get reacquainted with Lorde on her own terms. “I really just wanted it to feel light and free, those were my thoughts,” she says of crafting the spectrum of Solar Power. “Everything I just wanted to be lighter and lighter, you know, feels like you can just float away.”

And Suddenly A Quiet

Detaching herself from the big city sounds of her previous undertakings, one that were a mix of electronic pop and 80s music, Lorde liberates herself in Solar Power, this time with the unequalled joy of being outside in nature during the daytime. Carrying its own definition of variety, she strums through her stories with ease and grace, but not without a sense of joy and quiet woven within.

“I think of myself as a real shape-shifter, you know I try and come back with a really different sound each time, because I think that’s how you excite people, challenge them, and kind of freak them out. I really want to be someone who you know you can’t necessarily predict where I’m going to go,” Lorde explains of her conscious decisions in Solar Power. “I think I have become someone who sees the world a little bit more clearly…I feel like I have seen so much and have a much better understanding of different things, all sorts of things. So yeah, I guess my world is a lot broader now, and I try to be a lot more understanding. Now, I try and be open to, you know, lots of perspectives on things.”

This understanding is manifested clearly as Lorde walks the tightrope of dissonance in Solar Power. With standouts such as the titular track, California, and Stoned At The Nail Salon, and Secrets From A Girl (Who’s Seen It All) that make up its big sound, and meandering on the other, illustrated in the likes of Fallen Fruit, Leader Of A New Regime, and Oceanic Feeling, the entire transmission is an act of restraint that finishes with a flourish that is characteristically Lorde—cheeky, well thought of, and explicit in feelings.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Lorde (@lorde)

The Gospel Truth

It is fairly easy to draw conclusions on the indications of change. Whether it be as tangible as a hair cut and color, a drastic assumption of a different sound, or an extreme departure from social media, a lot of questions will be raised. Furrow brows all you want, because for people going through this conscious transition, they aren’t the least bit bothered.

“I think it was a bit of a process or a moment, and I just sort of moved through it. It was different, as with anything when you maybe quit something or make a change. At the start, it can feel like that just became something that I got used to and grew to really love you know. I think it’s like a full time job staying connected, as I’m sure you know,” shares Lorde, coming full circle into the becoming of Solar Power. “So, once I kind of removed myself from that a little bit, I ended up feeling really good and made me feel okay about, you know, not necessarily being the person with a finger on the pulse. It’s a small price to pay for, for feeling free and content, and you’re not, you have to be doing something.”

In her return to fine form in Solar Power, Lorde is firm in what lies ahead: she is expelling her energy when and where it matters—through her pockets of quiet and in the focus of her music. “As I get older making pop music, I realize that so much of it. and this is why I love it…it’s about context. So, you know, these projects don’t exist in a vacuum. They’re in conversation with culture and current events, and everything else that’s happening. That can be a good thing as an artist, or it can be a weird thing,” she says. “I feel like as I get older I understand that more. I am able to take it all as it comes in terms of, you know, I can’t decide where people are going to be at, when they get an album of mine, but I just trust that eventually, they’ll be in the right zone for it and you know, it’ll do what it needs to do for them.”

Now isn’t that the gospel truth?

CONTINUE READING: LORDE JUST BLESSED US WITH A LOOK INTO HER SACRED NOTES APP

From the saturated space of social media apps, a soon-to-be fave emerges, one that is primed and poised to dominate with its dedication to a major of the Internet: the fandom.

With a lot of our lives extended on the Internet, it doesn’t take much to figure out that these days, one of the aggregators of pop culture, lifestyles, and social movements, among many other facets of humanity is the social network. Yes, we are talking about pretty much what has dictated every trend and conversation of our modern lives, social media. This development of the new millennium is so central to our day-to-day that despite its notorious origins, the revolution of Facebook, even in its challenged state now, what with the misinformation and decay of morals littering timelines as thoughts and opinions, it has spawned a whole universe of carved out virtual spaces that exist to match every passion, routine, and yes, even whims. And in these focused and dedicated apps, there emerged a sense of connection and community so concentrated; it compelled the culture of fandom unlike ever before.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by BTS official (@bts.bighitofficial)

Behind that active Facebook group, Twitter trending topic, or viral videos on YouTube are fiercely loyal super fans that despite having their own lives, commit a portion of their day to contribute to the relevance and success of their idols. Persistent in their desire to propel the stars they look up to into super status, these fans have fostered friendships and well, families, within their respective fandom across apps.

Brought together by their mutual love of BTS or Taylor Swift for example, these individuals realize that beyond the pages of fan fictions, piles of merch, and tabs of content, there is more that they relate to. And this isn’t just limited to a fandom either, because in some cases, these focused groups communicate with each other, proving that while some would accuse them of obsessing over trivial things, their power cannot be denied.

By Fans, For Fans

Realizing that they are true forces to be reckoned with, Jacquelle Amankonah Horton introduces the world of fandoms to her start-up app, Fave. And at its most essential, Fave is a safe space dedicated to passionate fans where you can both find and join a fandom, link with fellow fans, and share your love for the one you stan through messages, videos, and photos. In these channels of good conscience and good intentions, you can create or continue conversations within a fandom or jump to others as well, and even shop fan-made creations in an Etsy-inspired buy and sell marketplace.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Fave: For passionate fans! (@faveforfans)

“We [at Fave] want to know the story behind the heart. These people are creating extensions of entire worlds; we want to empower them to share their perspectives of their broader worlds, instead of only consuming,” expresses Horton, a self-confessed Eminem fan, in an interview with Rolling Stone. Here, fans are not jumping on a bandwagon, they are helping build and sustain it. Engaging the obsession with the obsessed in a more functional and progressive way, the culture of fandom is further streamlined and legitimized in what is bound to your fave app soon.

Before you bemoan the prospect of yet another social media app to cram your phone memory, Fave is here to make sure you can be as free as you want to be the fan that you really are. “I was the girl in her bedroom who knew every lyric of every song, how many freckles they have, and fell asleep to the movie every single night just to hear the sound of his voice,” details Horton, proving that here, they really get you.

The True Superstars

Fresh off its beta stage, which is counts HYBE as one of its many early backers, the easy to navigate and use interface indoctrinates us to the fandoms of Taylor Swift and BTS, the Swifties and the ARMYs, with more on the way soon, of course. Moving around the purple-tinted fandom app, the goal is earnest: better fan-to-fan relationships, help you connect and cope, and most importantly, let you enjoy things as you wish with like-minded people. After all, as much as the fandom is about the idol you train all your energy to, it is the experience with fellow stans that make it all the more fun. With Fave, everyone wins, your idol included.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Taylor Swift (@taylorswift)

Made by fans for the fandom, Fave does not necessarily perpetuate celebrity culture in the glossy finish we are often led to believe on many apps. Setting itself apart from the saturated plane of platforms, the culture-led and backed safe space puts premium on the stories and people that make the idols you champion the phenomenon that they are. You are the true superstars.

Tap, tap, tap. Sign us up for this, quick.

CONTINUE READING: EVEN TAYLOR SWIFT REALIZED THAT POLITICS IS PERSONAL. HOW ABOUT YOU?