What started out as Rain Matienzo’s vision of what her life would be like as a trophy wife turned into a storyline on TikTok we are invested in.

Sometimes, when you post a video on TikTok, you don’t really think much about it. It’s just another simple post. You wouldn’t think it was a big deal, right? Well, that probably what was going through the mind of Rain Matienzo when she posted a video in late January. It was a POV of how she it would be as a trophy wife. Rain, who is no stranger to going viral on TikTok, made the story feel all too real with the mom’s concerned yet distant care for her son and having the yaya do most of the work. That video went viral but proving once again how unique the internet can be, it then spawned a whole trophy wife multiverse on TikTok featuring more creators.

LIFE AS A TROPHY WIFE

@rainmatienzo

pagod ako yaya, i came from ride rev and then had merienda with my college barkada

♬ original sound – Rain | ig: @rainmatienzo ? – Rain | ig: @rainmatienzo ?

After the original video went viral, Rain posted more POVs of her trophy wife persona such as the one where she dressed up ready to go to Wildflour. The video that you may have come across on your FYP was the one where she visited her son, accurately named Inigo, at his summer soccer camp. With sunglasses, designer bag, faint care for her son, the video was perfect and probably wouldn’t be out of place amongst the moms of the 0.1%. Another fan favorite was the trophy wife on card day with Rain’s acting skills on full display. Low-key it’s one of her best TikTok characters to date.

@rainmatienzo

15 mins lang ako dito mainit eh

♬ original sound – Rain | ig: @rainmatienzo ? – Rain | ig: @rainmatienzo ?

HERE COMES THE HUSBAND   

@rainmatienzo #duet with @landamme ♬ original sound – ig:landammevivas

But what initially would have been another viral series for Rain Matienzo suddenly morphed into a whole storyline featuring different creators. Up first was the role of the husband that creator @landamme took on. From buying their son a PS5 to making tampo with his trophy wife, he played the role to a T. And it all made for a shockingly endearing story. For example, a fan favorite from the series was the trophy wife at her son’s Buwan Ng Wika program. The husband couldn’t make it, but it turns out that he was just secretly buying his wife a bag, how sweet. The two even had time to make a backstory of how they first met and fell in love in college.

@landamme

the reason why I’m always late

♬ original sound – ig:landammevivas

THE MULTIVERSE EXPANDS

@rica.salomon Inigo you want palo????? #trophywifemultiverse ♬ original sound – Rica Salomon

But this wouldn’t be a trophy wife multiverse without more characters. So enters their yaya, Yaya Acir, played by Rica Salomon. And she decided to go above and beyond with her story that went from being Inigo’s yaya to surprisingly dark. Then comes Ayn Bernos who took on the role of the rich and successful single CEO who so happens to be the ex of trophy wife’s husband and current business partner. It’s a telesrye we wouldn’t mind watching, tbh.

@aynbernos Taking a break from walking my dog ? #pov ♬ I am a Socialist – Brandons.Sounds

Finally, you can’t complete the trophy wife story without having Inigo, which was played by user @inigoabaya.

@inigoabaya hi mom @rainmatienzo #trophywifemultiverse #iñigo ♬ original sound – Rain | ig: @rainmatienzo ?

And just to be sure, there’s also Inigo’s gay cousin.

@sky_flakess Reply to @leonahyosalina welcone to the family, cousin lulu! #trophywifemultiverse #fyp ♬ cousin lulu – luis?‍♂️ig: @sky_flakess

The best part about all of this was how organic it was. All these creators just came together randomly to form this surprisingly eventful storyline that we are invested in. And to think this all started from Rain wanting to live out her trophy wife fantasies. These are the things you don’t expect to see but prove once again how special social media can be. But considering how a Rataouille TikTok musical became a reality, it’s honestly on-brand for the platform. Here’s to more stories of trophy wife and her family.

Continue Reading: Vlad Hoshin And Eya Borja Finally Went Live Together And It Was A Moment

Francine Diaz continues to win in life as she has made fans among many Filipino and even international stars.

Francince Diaz is living the dream isn’t she? Starting out with just supporting roles and striving on a daily basis just to make ends meet, she is now undoubtedly one of the biggest stars of the her generation. At just 18 years old, she has attracted many fans thanks to her talent and personality. But it’s not just Filipinos who have been smitten by Francine. Even international stars have noticed the young star and been taken away by her charm. Here are five international stars who have noticed Chin and made us go, sana all.

Related: 6 Reasons Why Francine Diaz Is A Superstar In The Making

YOON CHAN-YOUNG

Yoon Chan-young has been on the up and up as of late thanks to his breakout lead role of Lee Cheong-san in All Of Us Are Dead. And just like you, Francine is a fan of the show and the actor. So, like the appreciative fan that she is, she sent the actor a DM on Instagram. And lo and behold, the actor actually saw her message, which was enough for the young star. But to make it even better, he replied to Chin’s message with a wave greeting. While she never revealed what she told him, it must have been real good for him to reply.

HAM SUNG-MIN

First was Cheong-san, and now there’s his best friend, Gyeong-su. Actor Ham Sung-Min, who plays Gyeong-su, sent Pinoy K-drama fans into a tizzy when he started following Francine on Instagram. She’s actually one of just the 229 people he follows on Instagram. This makes it the second time that an All Of Us Are Dead star has noticed Chin. But apparently, there’s more to the story than just him following her.

According to Francine, she sent him a message thanking him for being part of the show and shared love on behalf of Filipino fans. He then replied and the two then exchanged messages for a bit including how he was surprised that Francine is a celebrity. Sungmin then asked Francine to check if the translation of something he was going to post was correct. After that, he asked her what he could do to repay her, and Francine, taking advantage of the moment, asked for a video greeting from him and the cast for her birthday. Sadly, he didn’t give it but he did tell her that if ever she comes to South Korea, they should meet up. Oh, to be her right now.

LOUIS PARTRIDGE

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A post shared by Louis? (@louispartridge_)

Francine has global appeal for a reason. Take this sana all interaction with rising British actor Louis Partridge. In the past, Francine has mentioned how she is a big fan of the actor and has a crush on him. Little did she know that she would get to experience every fan girl’s dream when Louis replied to her IG story. While we don’t know what he told her, Chin did say that when she did see it, her whole house shook due to her screams. TBH, we would do the same, too.  

STRAY KID’S BANG CHAN

remember when bang chan noticed francine diaz?

FRANCINE AMING PARALUMANpic.twitter.com/bulRVwKx1c

— namyeok & cheongjo enjoyer (@kycinemysolace) January 21, 2022

Francine Diaz is a noted K-drama and K-pop fan. And not only has she been noticed by K-drama actors, but she also attracted attention from a K-pop star as well. During one of Bang Chan’s V-lives, the leader of Stray Kids was asked if he saw Chin’s dance cover of their song God’s Menu on ASAP. He replied by saying that he actually did see it and thanked her for a job well done. Chin, can we get a prayer reveal please?

KIM SOO HYUN

@francinecarel_ Francine "sumusobra" Diaz??. #francinediaz #iheartyoufrancine #fyp ♬ original sound – Francine

Back in June, Kim Soo Hyun held a fanmeet in Manila as part of his Bench partnership. He delighted thousands of his fans with his presence, such as Francine Diaz. She was in attendance at the fanmeet and as a Bench ambassador herself, sat at the VIP section alongside other stars like Lovi Poe. During a segment of the fanmeet, a select group of fans lined up on stage to meet and get a poster from Kim Soo Hyun himself, and that included Francine.

Dressed in a beautiful white dress and heeled sandals, the 18-year-old actress lined up like the rest of them and patiently waited to meet the K-drama actor. And when she finally did, she got to briefly meet and talk to him up close. After the encounter, she left the stage excited and emotional all at once, launching a thousand sana alls across social media. And in fairness for Francine, when fans say pumila ka, she did.

AL PACINO’S CHILD

Can we just say Francine’s tastes in actors are *chef’s kiss*. She has said that her number one favorite actor is Chris Evans. But she also has a number zero, and that belongs to Hollywood legend Al Pacino. While she has never met the acting icon, yet, she did get the next best thing. Chin shared that one of his children replied to her message and left her feeling on cloud nine. She also follows Al Pacino’s eldest daughter, Julie, on Instagram, so fingers crossed that she can get to meet her idol one day.

BONUS: HYUN BIN

Francine didn’t technically meet Hyun Bin, but we had to include this moment. During a Bench online fan meet featuring the K-drama superstar, there was a segment where a select group of actresses asked Hyun Bin questions about the Philippines. And one of the lucky ones was Francine who asked the actor what the Tagalog of “let’s eat” was. It may have been a pre-recorded message, but honestly, who wouldn’t jump on the chance to ask Hyun Bin a question? Again, sana all.

Continue Reading: Did You Know? These International Stars Are Fans Of Local Celebrities

So much entertainment, so little time. If you find yourself running out for things to watch, Netflix is peppering 2022 with some of the biggest movies and K-dramas of the year.

Related: The New Must-See Movies And Shows Of February 2022

While we indeed miss the feeling of going out and hanging out with our friends and family, safely of course, a few things beat the experience of watching a good movie at the comfort of your own home. And Netflix is here to give you a good reason for you to stay home to enjoy content that will keep you on that binge-watch situation for hours on end. And it’s not just a select group of titles, Netflix has something for everyone for every week until the end of 2022.

MOVIES GALORE

In 2021, Netflix delivered some of the most popular movies of the year. There was the start-studded action-heist flick Red Notice, 12-time Oscar nominated movie The Power of the Dog, and the much talked about Don’t Look Up. Now, 2022 looks to be now slouch on the movies front for Netflix. In fact, it may be one of their biggest years yet.

The streaming service recently revealed their 2022 movie slate, which comprised of over 86 movies, is more than the 70 they dropped last year. With a new movie dropping every week that span a variety of genres from action, sci-fi, comedy, drama, family, horror, and animation, you won’t be running out of options to watch anytime soon.

SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE  

Some of the standouts from the sizzle reel include the first look at Joe and Anthony Russo’s The Grey Man, Netflix’s most expensive film to date at over $200 million. Starring Ryan Gosling and Chris Evans, the movie follows one of the CIA’s most skilled mercenaries who discovers dark secrets within the organization. This then leads to an unhinged former college to put a bounty on his head. What follows next is a high stakes manhunt with international assassins.

For sci-fi fans, there’s Spiderhead starring Chris Hemsworth. It’s about two young convicts dealing with their past as an eccentric scientist experiments on them through emotion altering drugs. From Free Guy director Shawn Levy comes The Adam Project starring Ryan Reynolds and Mark Ruffalo. The sci-fi flick follows a time traveling pilot who must work with his younger self and his dad to save the future.

If you’re looking for some fantasy, there’s Slumberland starring Jason Momoa. It centers on a young girl who discovers the magical sleep kingdom of Slumberland and can travel through dreams.  The School of Good and Evil, meanwhile, follows two best friends who find themselves in a world where heroes and villains are trained to protect the balance of good and evil.

On the animation front, keep an eye out for Guillermo del Toro’s stop-motion animated take on Pinocchio. Then there are highly anticipated sequels like Enola Holmes 2 and Knives Out 2, as well as some potential award season players like Blonde, which sees take Ana de Armas take on Hollywood icon Marilyn Monroe and White Noise, Noah Baumbach’s latest movie starring Adam Driver. Netflix even has the Christmas season on lock with Falling for Christmas, Lindsay Lohan’s return to acting in movies. 

NO SHORTAGE OF K-CONTENT

If you’re in the mood for K-dramas though, Netflix has got you covered. Netflix’s 2022 K-drama slate includes over 24 titles. Given the success of Squid Game in 2021 and the breakout success of All Of Us Are Dead in January, 2022 is already shaping up to be a great your for K-content on Netflix. This February alone will see the premieres of highly anticipated shows Twenty Five, Twenty One and Forecasting Love and Weather.

Other shows you may want to keep an eye out for are Money Heist: Korea – Joint Economic Area, Black Knight, the story of a legendary delivery driver 5-8 with exceptional battle skills and refugee Sawol who dreams of following in his footsteps in a post-apocalyptic world, Business Proposal, a romantic office drama of how a CEO and employee fall in love, and The Sound of Magic, the next project from Itaewon Class director Kim Sung-youn about a magician and a young girl.

On the K-movies side, don’t sleep on titles such as The 20th Century Girl, a coming of age story of youth in their 20s who learn about life and love, and JUNG_E, the next sci-fi epic from Train to Busan, Peninsula, and Hellbound director Yeon Sang-ho.

Challenged by the many perils that people fall prey to online, Ben&Ben connects with Google and confronts the conditions in their act of advocacy aptly called, Mag-Ingat.

“Naloko na ba kayo online?” asks Ben&Ben on their Twitter page, followed by an account detailing how in apparent haste and mechanical trust, they tagged Google Philippines in their video post on Instagram. Seems routine, right? Well, upon checking, the local arm of the tech juggernaut has no such account. “Ang lesson dito: sa sobrang daming fake accounts ngayon, we always need to make sure na legitimate yung social media accounts that we interact with because engaging with fake accounts makes us vulnerable to scams, hacking and fake information,” the folk pop band says, owning up to the momentary lapse in judgment, which in all honesty, has happened to many of us at one point or another of our existence on the internet.

Naloko na ba kayo online? ? (A thread)

— Ben&Ben (@BenAndBenMusic) February 8, 2022

Following this all too relatable story time, a lot shared their own experiences ranging from easy ways to earn offers, internet phishing, falling prey to fake news and misinformation from parody accounts, false identities, and of course, sketchy sale scams. Of course, no conversation on internet safety is complete without a self-deprecating allusion to love. “Sa pag-ibig oo dati,” replies Paolo Benjamin in jest.

Whether in matters of the heart or interactions online, responsibility, accountability, and safety are of prime important now more than ever. In its ease and convenience, it has made it easier to manufacture personalities, experiences, and opinions, all without a morsel of consequence other than oneself. A lot of the foolery on the internet, if one thinks about it, is rooted in selfishness, and this time, Ben&Ben is not just throwing around words in a matter of lip service, they’re walking the talk by educating and entertaining through song.

Mag-Ingat Online

Clearly, just like you and I, they have had enough of the asinine, venomous, and most of the time, downright evil world that the internet has become. So, in solidarity for everyone who has had a negative experience online and an expression of active participation, Ben&Ben has connected with Google in its commitment to help Filipinos use the internet safely, honestly, and responsibly. The result is, Mag-Ingat, a bubbly and buoyant song that has all the elements of an endearing Ben&Ben signature: vivid storytelling, relevant lyricism, and a symphony of swinging and swaying instrumentations that is bonded in a colorful exposition that is above everything, authentic.

“Filipinos are highly social people and most of us interact with one another digitally. In such a world, it’s no wonder that while the internet brings so many advantages, it also opens us up to many dangers if we are not careful enough,” explains Miguel Benjamin. “With Mag-Ingat, we wanted to use our music to spread awareness on such a timely and important issue–because all of us are responsible for making sure that the internet is a safe and positive space for everyone.”

Consciously less preachy and more playful, Mag-Ingat is not only catchy, but also is a necessary depiction of what the digital space has devolved into. Far from the ideal of it being an absolute safe space, it has become a cesspool for by-the-second threats such as scams, catfishing, and revisionism. Dangerous by all means, the tune underscores critical thinking, cross referencing, and verifying information to protect oneself and others as well. “The internet is such a communal space,” Miguel Benjamin furthers, dissecting the song through the lens of creativity and community. “No matter where you are from, saan man sa mundo, it’s such a communal space. There are certain responsibilities that come along with it and you can’t just do anything that you want.”

A Safer Internet, Please

Liberty is often thrown around in the framework of opinion and expression, sans the reality of responsibility. And in this act of advocacy with Google, Ben&Ben is challenging that. Confronting this concept that has corroded much of our lives, as well as of the relationships that form its network of lifelines, the band really sought out to compose a good song and good video to really drive the message that is not only timely and necessary, but also close to their hearts, home.

“With songs with themes such as this, there’s an initial tendency to treat it as if it’s not a personal experience. We tend to treat these things and advocacies separate from our personal lives but that’s not the case, especially in terms of Internet safety,” explains Paolo Benjamin. “So to simply put, we tapped into instances of something we’ve all experienced in its simplest forms.” Lifting the veil of their creative process on TikTok, Ben&Ben details the immense responsibility and sense of fun seamed into this collaboration with Google.

@benandbenmusic WAHHH We’re building a song for Google! Ito po yung step by step mga paps #benandbenmusic #musictok #fyp #foryoupage ♬ original sound – Ben&Ben

“It’s a very fun song with the melodies and the lyrics, it’s super playful so we approached it with that kind of mindset and heart,” shares Poch Barretto. “It’s also kind of daring creatively, it’s different in terms of the arrangement. Something I took from [this project] is that in freedom, there’s still responsibility.”

Continuing this conversation, the band says, “We really just wanted to make the song fun, that was another challenge we had. So, we just had fun and played with it. Besides the message of the song, we had a lot of fun creating it. The contrast of having fun with makes it easier for a song with a message as important and profound as this to connect with people.”

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A post shared by Ben&Ben (@benandbenmusic)

The Light Is Coming

Of course, a song can only do so much. What an undertaking of this magnitude needs policies and products that will ensure that the internet inches closer to being the safe space it was built to be, and most importantly, protect the people whose lives exist by extension on the digital plane. In a cohesive action, Google stands by its intentions and dedication to a safer internet with tools and measures to help keep things proper and responsible, you know, before the joy is completely drained off our connections online.

Apart from deepening local partnerships to promote digital propriety, such as the cyberspace peace initiative of local NGO, Teach Peace Build Peace Movement, it also has in place security systems such as two-step verification process, as well as password checkups. This way, the preying forces online will not only be limited but hopefully eliminated completely. It’s an effort of epic proportions, but hey, here’s to wishing that slowly and surely, when Ben&Ben asks, “naloko na ba kayo online,” we can ultimately answer, not anymore.

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A post shared by Ben&Ben (@benandbenmusic)

It’s a long way to go, for sure, but inspired by this sense of duty and their corresponding due diligence, the resonant Mag-Ingat functions as a reminder to really double check and double down on how to properly navigate the tempestuous waters of the internet. “Mag-ingat sa pang-aabuso / Ingat sa pang-aapi / Ingat ka sa nakatago / May balak na marumi,” it warns in the song, before rounding it out in a rousing call to arms. “Nasa ating kamay / Wala nang kakayahan / Suriing mabuti ang nababasa /Na sa ating kamay / Puso ang kakayahang / Na sigurado na tayo’y nag-iingat.”

For now, be safer, internet.

CONTINUE READING: IN THIS HEARTBREAKING BEN&BEN HIT, KATHRYN BERNARDO AND DANIEL PADILLA ARE AT THEIR MOST GROWN UP YET

The summer-y shade gave Heart that golden glow!

Jet black hair has always been a Heart Evangelista signature and she preferred to keep it that way. Besides, nothing beats the good ‘ol classic look. We did see her with brown locks before, probably because of her endorsements and roles, but Heart with black hair will always be visually ingrained in our minds. So, when she posted a hair reveal recently of her in a warm shade of blonde, our jaws dropped! She looked even younger and had that certain summer glow.

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A post shared by Heart Evangelista (@iamhearte)

READ MORE: OMG. After Hinting At It For Years, Kathryn Bernardo Finally Goes Red

“Parang naninibago ako sa buhok ko in a very summer shade,” Heart says in a reel that she posted. Aside from the sun-kissed glow that her beige blonde color gave, the lighter shade also made her face appear smaller. (We love the effortless contour!) In the past, Heart has also rocked a platinum version in form of a wig for one of her hosting jobs where she looked like a girl straight from an animé show. Safe to say that a hair transformation for the fashionista and socialite has been much-anticipated over the years.

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A post shared by Heart Evangelista (@iamhearte)

While she did convince us that black hair was fool-proof, we’re re-considering bleaching our hair right in time for summer. Probably throw in some highlights or get a Balayage to those who can’t fully commit to it. You might also want to try shadow roots or bring back the dip dye trend like what the Tumblr girlies did back in the late 2010s. Either way, Heart’s hair transformation just got us more excited for the sunny months to come!

CONTINUE READING: 8 Romantic Makeup Looks To Try In Time For Valentine’s Day

In the latest edition of collabs we weren’t expecting, TikTok stars Vlad Hoshin and Eya Borja finally went live and it was definitely something.

Related: 7 TikTok Stars Who Took Their Viral Talents To Mainstream Success

The thing about the internet and social media is that you can never know what’s going to happen. While you can try to predict possible trends, there is something random or out of the blue happening across social media everyday. Take for example TikTok stars Vlad Hoshin and Eya Borja. Vlad Hoshin, or more commonly known as Hoshin on social media, got his start thanks to his popular TikTok account, which has over 10.4 million followers and counting. You may know the Korean for his distinct tattoos on his face and body. And you may have even come across a comment from him on a video. Then there’s Eya Borja who has built a strong following of 9.2 million on TikTok thanks to her dance videos, lip syncs, and other entertaining skits.

On the surface, Hoshin and Eya seem worlds apart. Which is why the breakout pairing the two have shown since the beginning of the year has caught us off guard. And it reached a climax of sorts when the two finally met each other, at least live. But before we get into their viral TikTok live, let’s give a rundown of how all of this started.

THE BEGINNINGS OF AN UNEXPECTED DUO

@eyavanana Reply to @vlad.hoshin ♬ original sound – Eya

You can rarely expect a plot twist to come into your life. This is something Eya knows all too well when in January 2022, she made a TikTok video showing that Hoshin followed her. She was surprised by it, to say the least and he actually commented on the video, which left her even more shaken. And for the next few weeks, the two had a bit of a back and forth as Hoshin would comment on Eya’s videos and she would make a response to it.

@eyavanana Reply to @vlad.hoshin ♬ original sound – Eya

These cute interactions between the two left many feeling kilig, including Eya herself. Hoshin would even comment in Tagalog with led to many hilarious responses, including one where she asked him what kind of flower she was. While some may say that Hoshin is just doing this to bait Pinoy followers, Eya looked to be enjoying the back and forth they had going on.

GOING LIVE

The world seemingly stood still when the two finally had their first TikTok live together on February 6 and gave us a few memorable moments. From Eya being shy and not knowing how to explain certain phrases in English to Hoshin learning to speak Tagalog, it was something you need to see to believe. If you told us that Vlad Hoshin and Eya Borja would become one of the low-key breakout pairs of 2022, we wouldn’t believe you. Yet here we are.

Here are just a few highlights from the live.

Hoshin asked Eya what her favorite anime was, but she misheard it as favorite animal.

@antuerps #live #vladhoshin ♬ original sound – Tuerp

When the live ended, Hoshin said “mahal kita” to Eya, which caused her to get into her feelings.

@carbonara_ni_svc #ad Dito nalang ba tayo?@Eya @vlad.hoshin #hoshin #eya #hoshinedit #hoshinluv #eyabanana #eyaborja #fyp #fypシ #shaddowbanned #tiktok ♬ original sound – BarbieLiwag

Hoshin and Eya brining the kilig vibes.

@teambinixbgyo Di talaga ako maka move on sa dalawang to !! ?❤️ @Eya @HOSHIN #NANANA #BINI #blooms #eyavanana #hoshin #eyaedits #ppop #kinikilig #opm #binixblooms ♬ Na Na Na – BINI

Eya even showed us a little bit of the behind-the-scenes prep for the live (aka Google Translate).

@zlyn0000 Eyavanana HAHAA tawang tawa ko dito ??kilig yorn♥️?? #eya #hoshi ♬ original sound – Maikiiii

And because this is 2022, Oli London somehow got himself involved in this.

@olilondon #stitch with @eyavanana Kamusta mahal na mahal kita ??❤️? #olilondon #eyavanana #filipino #pinoy #philippines #kpop #fyp #aot #anime #fypシ ♬ original sound – Oli London

Never stop surprising us 2022.

Continue Reading: Attention: Charlie Puth Dropped His New Single, Light Switch, And TikTok Heard It First

In just a few years, SB19 has become one of the most awarded artists in the history of Wish 107.5 Music Awards. And these performances are proof of their icon status.  

Related: SB19’s Bazinga Is Now The Longest Running Number One Song On Billboard’s Hot Trending Songs Chart

Another day, another slay for SB19. Just recently, the 8^th Wish Music Awards was held, which saw SB19 have a great night. They took home four awards, including Wish Pop Song of the Year for WYAT, going 4-0 in their nominations plus and extra two wins for FELIP. The clean sweep made the group the most awarded artist of the night and actually makes this the third year in a row SB19 won the most decorated at the Wish Music Awards. Their total wins at the awards show jumped to 15, which helped them make history as the most awarded group in the show’s history and the second most awarded artist, ever, only being edged out by Morissette Amon.

This shouldn’t come as a surprise, because come on, it’s SB19 we’re talking about. No doubt their recent success in the Wish Music Awards helped bring the group to near legendary status amongst Wish 107.5’s listeners. Because of this, we decided to take a stroll down memory lane, looking back at some of SB19’s best and most memorable performances that helped solidify their place in Wish 107.5’s Hall of Fame. Some of these you may know, some you may not. But one thing is for certain, these all entertained us thoroughly.

WHAT? AT THE 7^TH WISH MUSIC AWARDS

SB19 really said the mics are on. The voices were clear, stable, and crisp, and we felt every word they were singing and rapping. The stage presence and choreography was on-point as well. Even though there was no live audience, they performed as if there were tens of thousands right in front of them. And can we talk about their fits? It screams expensive. They looked so good.

TILALUHA AT THE WISH 107.5 BUS

SB19 were bold to release Tilaluha as their debut single and it was truly a gamble for them. But time has only proven that Tilaluha deserved more love than it got. It remains one of their best ballads to date and this performance proves why. The vocals and emotions were unparalleled, especially when they reach the final chorus. And Stell’s high note in the end? He did that, as usual. The category is vocals and SB19 gets 10s across the board.

HANGGANG SA HULI AT THE WISH 107.5 BUS

While some people may just see SB19 as a group that releases upbeat and hyper songs, they also know how to slow it down. Case in point, this performance of Hanggang Sa Huli. They showed us a more mellow and sentimental side to them as they sang this romantic ballad.

LOVE GOES AT THE NOTES OF HOPE CONCERT

To the casual listener, Love Goes usually isn’t on top of the list of the songs they know from SB19, which is a bit of a shame because it slaps. It’s an underrated bop to say the least, and that is why we have an appreciation for this performance. Energy, stage presence, vocals, and choreo were on-point once again. But it’s something about how all of them are wearing all-black fits that makes this performances hit different.  

GO UP AT THE 5^TH WISH MUSIC AWARDS

SB19’s first time at the Wish 107.5 Music Awards was an all around success. The boys bagged three awards including Breakthrough Artist of the Year. And they also performed their breakthrough hit, Go Up. They didn’t miss a single beat, step, and line. They proved to many that night they were here to stay and not just be a one hit wonder.  

IKAKO AT THE WISH 107.5 BUS

What we love most about this performance was how wholesome it was. It just felt like a group of friends who were having fun and jamming out to an uplifting song. The fact that they had a mini dance break during the song should tell you as much. And while everyone did well, we have a soft spot for Justin here, especially during his parts in the chorus. It hits in all the right places.  

Continue Reading: To The Moon And Back: SB19’s Pablo Unleashes The Inner Alpha In His Powerful Debut Solo Single, La Luna

Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the process of voting will be markedly different from past elections when you exercise your right to vote on May 9.

Related: 5 Questions To Ask Yourself When You Exercise Your Power To Vote

Election season is here once again. Whether you go on social media or outside, you would be hard-pressed to not come across at least one piece of campaign material. And the 2022 election season in the Philippines is in full swing as today, February 8, 2022, marks the official start of campaigning for national positions (president, VP, senate, and party-list). It lasts until May 7, two days before voting on May 9. Campaigning for local positions (such as mayor, congressman, etc.) meanwhile, will begin on March 25 with the same end date.

It’s not an exaggeration to say that this upcoming elections will be the most consequential in years. Whoever is elected as our next leaders will help lead the country into a post-COVID-19 future. Given everything that has happened in the past two years and then some, your choice on May 9 will be important. Most of the discussion has centered on the candidates, their platforms, and how campaigning is going to change due to COVID-19. But change has also come to how the actual process of voting will be like during the 2022 elections.

With over 65.7 million registered voters for the 2022 elections, including millions of first-time voters, the process will be different and new for many. In accordance with COVID-19 safety rules and regulations, COMELEC unveiled a set of guidelines and steps for how voting will be done on election day. Here’s what you can expect when you head to the polls on May 9, 2022.

HEALTH AND SAFETY RULES

First, you must wear your face mask when entering your local voting site. Don’t forget to bring a government issued ID and a pen with you just in case they ask for one. No face mask, no voting. Physical distancing will be implemented at all times. Next, you have to go through a health screening procedure where they check your temperature and other symptoms for COVID-19. If flagged, no need to worry as you will be cordoned off to an isolated voting place where you will still be able to vote. Everyone else will proceed to the Voter’s Assistant Desk (VAD) to secure your precinct and sequence numbers and assigned room or clustered precinct for the voting.

IN THE VOTING ROOM

Once in your assigned voting area, say your name, precinct and sequence numbers to the COMELEC officials to get your ballot, ballot secrecy folder, and marking pen. COMELEC staff will be on-hand to disinfect the marking pen after every use. When voting, make sure to completely shade the oval appearing before the name of the candidate you want to vote for. Do not over or under shade. Once completed, feed your ballot to the Vote Counting Machine (VCM). Make sure to check your voter’s receipt to make sure your vote got counted and that it matches to who you voted for. Then deposit it in the receptacle. Finally, have your forefinger nail blotted with the indelible ink (the purple ink) and then you’re done. You just now have voted in the 2022 elections.

Rember that no photos or videos are allowed to be taken inside the voting area. So, save that “I voted” selfie once your done and out. According to COMELEC, when they held their mock elections in 2022, the actual voting took around 5 minutes while the whole process from start to finish reached around 30 minutes. But with tens of millions of voters voting on the same day, it’s best not to procrastinate. Voting time begins on 6:00 AM and ends on 7:00 PM. If you can go early, then do so because you may never know what could happen. COMELEC also suggests that you vote during off-peak hours, which is 10 AM – 3 PM. Meanwhile, here are guides for local absentee voting and overseas voting if you are applicable for either.

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

Whether it be for a S.O. or even just yourself, Ola Bakes is set to make your Valentine’s day even more memorable with its range of dainty and delectable cakes that you will definitely be forking bite after bite.

With mere days before Valentine’s day, there is a collective sense of dread and exhilaration that is making a strong presence felt. Whether it be a mad dash to cook up something special for one’s significant other or the all-too relatable “kaya pang maghabol” quips on social media, nothing quite gets us riled up than the day of hearts. It’s true that when it comes to expressing one’s love, there should be no strict timeline set to it. However, it has to be said, there is just something about February 14 that makes it extra swoon-worthy.

In a day set to be inundated with flowers, chocolates, and stuffed animals, as well as of a deluge of sweet, syrupy declarations of romance on social media, it may not be intentional, but let’s be real: the pressure is real to make sure Valentine’s day is special, unique, and memorable. After all, who wants to be a cliché?

Now, there is no set way to share and show how you feel on Valentine’s day, but if you’re on the lookout for something practical, passionate, and personal, then here’s a filling treat that you might have already seen on Instagram. Meet Ola Bakes, the thriving local cake business that is making many hearts flutter and mouths water on social media with their selection of cute and colorful cakes. And just in time for the red-letter day, they are set to make Valentine’s memorable with their special cake menu.

Sweet Disposition

Baking cakes for you and your friends, Ola Bakes is a passion project that actually began in the midst of the pandemic. Inspired by her mother’s cakes and grandmother’s baking, Noelle Uson has taken to the practice as well, expressing creativity on Instagram with swirls of whipped cream and swatches of eye-catching colors sometime in September 2020. In fact, the family is very much hands-on in this small business, with her grandmother, who is now 76 years old, still baking all of the orders, including the best-selling light-as-air Lime Chiffon. Trust us, you and your loved one will be forking bite after bite of this treasured family recipe.

Decorated in the spirit of Valentine’s day, Ola Bakes is offering its brand favorites, such as the Palette, Bouquet, Funfetti, and Vintage cakes, as well as of seasonal inclusions like the Heart, Very Cherry, and Cupid cakes. From the selection of round and heart-shaped pastry treats, they are also releasing a limited flavor, Pink Velvet Chiffon, which is a lighter version of its classic chiffon with whipped cream cheese frosting. Yum!

Now, if you want to take the extra step and make it even satisfying, there is the DIY cake up for grabs. Plain as it may seem, a lot is left to the imagination, as well as of special sentiments, because with three icing bags and an option of additional cherries and sprinkles, you can express your love as creatively as you can. And there is nothing more touching and moving than something that comes straight from the heart.

Now, before we get lost in the sweet disposition of Valentine’s day, excuse us as we sink our teeth into this even sweeter treat. Hey, self-love is valid, too.

With slots for Valentine’s day (February 12-15) filling up fast, make sure you secure that order before it’s too late. Check out their page here for more details.

CONTINUE READING: FROM DANCE TO FOOD, THIS CREATIVE COLLECTIVE IS IMAGINING A UNIQUE TAKEAWAY EXPERIENCE IN HAIN

Maris Racal is on a roll. Not only has she have time to release pop bangers, but star in a slew of varied acting projects as well.

Related: For Maris Racal, This Is Why Calling Someone “Payatot” Is Still Body-Shaming

Ever since her time in PBB, Maris Racal has worked her way to becoming one of her generations biggest stars. Whether it be through her ever-evolving music career or her many acting roles, Maris has done it all. And even years into her career, the young star is still very much in-demand. Just take a look at how she just began shooting her third series of 2022. And this is on-top of her extensive foray into her P-pop era. With the bag firmly secured and her acting chops on full display, prepare to see more of Maris Racal this year. And it’s only February, so who knows what other projects Maris will get involved in later down the road.  

THE KANGKS SHOW

Maris’ domination into the field of digital series started with Antoinette Jadaone’s The Kangks Show. Starring Angelica Panganiban, the show follows Doktora Kara, a sex guru who hosts the titular talk show. Problems arise though when her show suddenly sees a drop in viewership. At the same time, Cassandra (Racal), a TikTok star, sees her social media sex show go on the rise. Kara then goes to extreme lengths to get back her viewers as Cassandra starts to upstage Doktora Kara.

On the surface, it might just seem like an raunchy comedy, but in fact, the show has been praised for its much-needed discussions and conversations on sex in the Philippines. The series was lauded for its themes, as well as the acting of Angelica Panganiban and Maris Racal, the latter of whom received positive attention for her extreme yet vulnerable portrayal of Cassandra. The show technically began airing in December 2021, but aired most of its episodes in 2022. The Kangks Show is definitely a worthy watch on WeTV not just for Maris, but because it’s a genuinely well-made and great show. The fact that Maris teased a new project with director Antoinette Jadaone means that this won’t be the last time we’ll see of this duo.

THE GOODYBE GIRL

Up next for Maris is another digital series, this time for iWant TFC, where she reunites once more with Angelica Panganiban. Based on the book by Noreen Capili, The Goodbye Girl follows Yanna (Panganiban), a woman who gets her heart broken. This then leads her to making videos where she cries over her failed relationship. Her videos then goes viral, leading her to be called the goodbye girl on social media. This then eventually lands her a book deal. For the book, Yanna chronicles the real stories of women whom she helps through their own heartbreaks. The series then divulges into the lives of these said women and their own experiences with heartbreak.

Maris plays the role of Ria, a young woman who develops feelings for a guy, played by Rico Blanco. But her world starts to spin when she realizes that he likes someone else. She must now decide where her heart belongs when a new guy enters the picture. If The Kangks Show was an exploration of sex, The Goodbye Girl is more melodramatic filled with hugot. And this also is the first time that Maris will be working alongside her boyfriend Rico Blanco in a show, which already makes this exciting. Featuring an all-star cast that includes Loisa Andalio, Barbie Imperial, Elisse Joson, RK Bagatsing, Joshua Colet, Ronnie Alonte, and Turs Daza, The Goodbye Girls lands on iWantTFC on February 14, just in time for Valentine’s Day.

HOW TO MOVE ON IN 30 DAYS

As for Maris Racal’s latest project (so far), she joins the cast of this history-making digital series as the lead actress. ABS-CBN and YouTube recently announced that the two were teaming up for a partnership as part of ABS-CBN’s continued efforts to expand their digital presence. And as part of this collaboration, the network would create exclusive content for YouTube for the first time ever. Up first in this deal is a romantic comedy, How to Move On In 30 Days.

Serving as the first ever team-up between Maris and Carlo Aquino, the web series follows Maris’ character who gets dumped by her ex-boyfriend. She then tries to move on from her previous relationship within 30 days. She documents her moving on process in her vlogs. Eventually, she hires Carlo’s character as her fake boyfriend to prove that she has fully healed from the heartbreak. Other cast members include Albie Casiño, John Lapus, Jai Agpangan, Sachzna Laparan, Kyo Quijano, Sherry Lara, Poppert Bernadas, Hanie Harrar, Elyson De Dios, and James Bello. Benedict Mique and Dick Lindayag will direct the series. The show just began production, so it will be a while before we get to see this on YouTube. But it already has us curious to see how this YouTube show comes together.

Continue Reading: The New Must-See Movies And Shows Of February 2022