From Dave Ildefonso, Carl Tamayo, and more, these basketball stars took their talents abroad.

Related: 5 Fun Facts About Rising Basketball Star James Spencer

In the basketball-loving country that is the Philippines, it feels as if we’re being introduced to new sports stars every year. All you have to do is watch the new seasons of the UAAP and NCAA to see which ballers are grabbing people’s attention with their talents. It’s no secret that the country has many talented basketball players who can have an illustrious career in the sport. And while Filipino players can make a living out of basketball by playing pro in the country, some athletes look to other shores to flex their talents.

Over the past year, there have been quite a few star players who decided to move on abroad or give up a promising career in collegiate basketball to turn pro overseas. There reasons for signing to an international team vary, but there’s no doubt that the appetite of international basketball teams for homegrown players is there. Here are just a few young basketball stars who decided to pack it up for the pro leagues in other countries.

DAVE ILDEFONSO

Dave gave the Ildefonso family name justice during his time with the Ateneo Blue Eagles. And he ended his collegiate career on a high note with the boys in blue reclaiming the championship from UP in Season 85. But with his time in Ateneo now over, he decided to expand his horizons abroad. In early January 2023, Dave announced that he was moving to Korea to play for Suwon KT Sonicboom under the Korean Basketball League (KBL).

“I decided to take the challenge of playing in Korea. I believe that my stint in Korea will not only benefit me but will give my family pride. It will be great for both our national basketball program and our professional league for young guys like me to experience first-hand the basketball culture of other countries, and eventually share that knowledge back home,” shared Dave in the caption of his Instagram post announcing the move. Even though he’s only been playing for the team for a few days, it seems that he’s made fans in Korea with how he already has fansites.

CARL TAMAYO

Carl Tamayo had all the makings to be a star in his collegiate career. His rookie debut in Season 84 was explosive and helped UP achieve their first championship win in decades. He had years ahead of him with the Fighting Maroons. But it seems that life had other plans for the athlete as he announced in early January that he was going pro and playing in the Japanese B.League for the Ryukyu Golden Kings.

“Becoming a professional basketball player is a dream I have had ever since I started playing organized basketball. It will allow me to care of my family while playing the game that I love,” explained Carl in his IG post revealing the move. The announcement sent waves in the local basketball community given the promise he had for UP. Regardless, it still is a flex given how he’ll be the second Filipino after Jay Washington to play for the Ryukyu Golden Kings.

SJ BELANGEL

When looking at the Ateneo Blue Eagles over the past few UAAP seasons, SJ Belangel was no doubt one of the team’s stars. But then Korea came calling. The Gilas Pilipinas point guard decided to skip his last two seasons in the UAAP for a stint with the Daegu KOGAS Pegasus for the KBL. While the move was a blow for Ateneo at the time, it was a boon for SJ since he made history as the first Asian import to the KBL. In hindsight, SJ’s time in Korea was set in motion in 2021 when he impressed the crowd with a buzzer-beating three-pointer for Gilas during the FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers in Korea.

RJ ABBARIENTOS

Around the time SJ Belangel announced that he was going to Korea, one of his Gilas Pilipinas teammates made the switch, too. And that was RJ Abbarientos. Despite playing for just one season with the Far Easter University Tamaraws, RJ signed with the Ulsan Hyundai Mobis Phoebus to play in the KBL where he remains to this day.

RHENZ ABANDO

The KBL got themselves a good one with Rhenz Abando. The former Letran Knights player was a star during his time with the NCAA, winning both Rookie of the Year and MVP, as well as helping his team go for a second straight championship in May 2022. He could have given more for Letran, but his athletic career had a different path as he signed with Anyang KGC in 2022.

JUSTIN GUTANG

From Taft to Seoul, Justin Gutang has been making moves. The former Saint Benilde player was one to watch on the court, even having an MVP title to his name. But like quite a few of his contemporaries, the young athlete signed a deal with the Changwon LG to play for them in the KBL.

JUAN GOMEZ DE LIANO

While most Filipino basketball players who go pro overseas go to Korea or Japan, Juan Gomez De Liano decided to stake his path in Europe. Initially, the UP Fighting Marrons veteran played in the B.League in Japan in 2021. But 2022 saw him make history when he signed with the BC Wolves from Lithuania. In doing so, he became the first homegrown Pinoy talent to play in Europe.

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When people call Echo Philippines a powerhouse in the Mobile Legends esports scene, they mean it.

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In just the past few years, the esports scene in the Philippines has grown from being a niche hobby to a multi-million peso juggernaut, especially when it comes to competitive Mobile Legends: Bang Bang. Every year, millions of viewers tune in to watch their favorite Filipino teams battle it out as a new competitive season kicks in.

And when it comes to the most talked about and followed local teams, that conversation includes Echo Philippines. From viral game-winning plays to star players, the Orcas have made a name for themselves as a team to watch out for in the local and international scene. While they’ve had their ups and downs, it’s no doubt they’ve earned their place among the best of the best. Here are just some moments from their career so far that proved their haters wrong.  

BECOMING THE FIRST BACK-TO-BACK MPL PHILIPPINES CHAMPIONS

If and when the history of the MPL Philippines will be written, a chapter on this iconic moment needs to be made. Throw it back to season four of the professional league, and Echo, who was known as SunSparks then, was up against powerhouse ONIC Philippines in the finals. It was a hard-fought match, but in the end, it was the Orcas who came out on top with a final score of 3-2. The win snagged the team their very first MPL Philippines Championship and placed themselves on the map as an ML force.

But if that wasn’t enough, the team made further history the following season. Once again, they were up against ONIC Philippines, and in a repeat of history, Echo defeated their former rivals with a score of 3-1. With that, not only did they get their second championship, but they also made history as the first team to win back-to-back in the local pro league.

TAKING HOME THE M4 CHAMPIONSHIP CROWN

Late 2022 was a whirlwind for Echo. MPL Philippines season 10 saw the boys the closest they’ve been to getting that crown since season five. All they had to do was defeat Blacklist International, no easy feat as you can imagine. In the end, Echo settled for a second-place finish after losing to Blacklist 2-4. But the Orcas’ redemption arch only just began. After failing to qualify in the past two World Championships, Echo made it onto the M4 World Championship where they once again faced off against Blacklist International.

Blacklist was on a warpath to the finals, which meant sweeping away Echo and bringing them into the lower bracket. Still, that wasn’t enough to stop Echo’s momentum as they barreled forward to a finals placement against their familiar rival. Blacklist was the raining ML World Champion who was gunning for that historic second victory, so to say that this was a battle of the giants is an understatement.

Most expected Blacklist International to get at least one win in the match, but in a stunning turn of events, Echo washed them to a 4-0. Karlitz, Bennyqt, Yawi, Sanford, Sanji, Kurttzy, and Jaypee broke the code on January 15 to become the M4 Champions and take home a cool $300,000 prize. From losing to Blacklist earlier in the competition to beating them in the finals, it’s the kind of stuff that sports movies are made of.

CONTINUING THE PHILIPPINES’ STREAK AS MBLL POWERHOUSE

In a win not just for Echo, but for the Philippine ML scene, the boys in white and purple helped further secure the country’s status as ML gods. Already, the PH vs PH matchup made it the second ML championship in a row featuring two Philippine teams from the upper and lower bracket. Echo’s win also made it the third consecutive championship for a Philippine team in the world championships. And to top it all off, M5 is set to be held in the Philippines later this year, the first time the country is hosting the championship.

KARLTZY’S DOUBLE TROPHY

Echo’s win at M4 is a validation of their hard work, commitment to the game, and dedication to studying the craft. And all their plans were put into motion thanks to their A-list team. Bennyqt’s Lunox and Brody plays were *chef’s kiss* in the first half of the game. It was one of the main reasons why he was named Finals MVP.

But it’s KarlTzy who can say that his name is going to be written in the ML esports history book. The jungler, who initially joined the team in 2021, can humbly brag that he’s the first, and so far, only player to have ever won two World Championships. The first was during M2 when he used to be a part of Bren Esports, and the second came with Echo in M4.

Continue Reading: 5 Life Lessons We Can Learn From Johnmar “OhMyV33nus” Villaluna

Navigating finances can be tricky and complicated. Let these creators give you a crash course to make money more accessible.

Related: Five Money Hacks You Should Know In Your 20s

Whether you’re a student, a working adult, or in retirement, handling your money will always be a constant. Spending, saving, investments, and the like are all questions you ask yourself. But getting that proper answer can sometimes be a brain-racking process. It can almost be paralyzing as to how to use your money wisely with all these questions running through your head.

After all, one wrong move, and you can say goodbye to that bag. Luckily, the professional folks over at #MoneyTok have shared their knowledge to give us the 101 on how to handle those finances and make proper money moves. Let these following finance TikTok creators help ease your anxieties about money with their hacks, tips, and tricks.

CARD IT

@jacquesjax Visa or mastercard #visa #mastercard #creditcard #fintiktok ♬ About Damn Time – Lizzo

Everyone will reach that point in their lives where the need for a credit card is required. But when it comes to the two biggest credit card companies in the world, which should you choose? For Jax Reyes, he feels that both payment networks won’t let you down, but each has its upsides. For Visa, Jax shares that it’s more widely accepted in the Philippines. Mastercard, meanwhile, has more promos and is a slightly better card when traveling abroad.

INVESTING ABROAD

@missinvest Replying to @ilynme ➡️ Investments for Pinoys Living Abroad 💙 #finance101 #moneytokph #eduwow #togetherwecan #missinvest ➡️ Watch #stocks101 here: @MissInvest | Cha Gomez ♬ POP! – NAYEON

Investments are one of the most popular ways to grow your income. But when it comes to actually investing, especially abroad, it can be tricky. Miss Invest herself, Cha Gomez, is here to demystify investing abroad with her useful video about it. She shares that the best way to invest overseas is either through an international stock broker or feeder fund, the latter of which has helped her invest small sums in Apple, Microsoft, and the like. She then goes into detail about other useful tips for putting that cash across the Pacific Ocean.

INSURANCE

@antonetteaquino_ Reply to @mabelldiana #Finance101 #insurancetiktok ♬

Have you ever had a friend, family member, or acquaintance try to sell you insurance? As annoying as it is, insurance is one of the most important things you’ll have to consider getting, especially if you’re a young working adult with a relatively stable job/source of income. Antoinette Aquino is here to offer some tips when it comes to buying insurance.

For her, where you buy your insurance doesn’t matter as long as the plan fits your needs. But the top thing you need to have if you decide to buy is trust. You need to trust your financial advisor. Once you buy that insurance, your relationship with your advisor doesn’t end. Insurance is a life-long thing, and you should feel that your advisor handling your money well and giving you the best advice for your situation.

PROPER MONEY HABITS

@coachyanimoya which one of these do you practice? 🤔 #yourfinancialcoach #moneyhabits #moneytok #financetok #learnontiktokph ♬ Sex and the City (Main Theme) – TV Sounds Unlimited

Having money can sometimes lead to a slippery slope of bad decisions. This is why Yani Moya has a few nuggets of wisdom about the money habits you should be doing. Don’t be aloof about where your money is coming and going, and build that investment portfolio when you can.

INFLATION

@coachpaolocastro ❌WAG KANG MAG-IPON NG PERA❌ #tiktokswkela #usapangpera #foryoupage ♬ original sound – Paolo Castro – coachpaolocastro on IG 👍

Inflation has been kicking everyone’s wallets as of late. But while the initial reaction to it is to save your money, that isn’t the full picture, according to Paolo Castro at least. The financial guru warns that just saving your money will let it lose its value as inflation continues. Instead, he advises you to save and invest it to ensure multiple streams of income.

FINANCE ISN’T ALL ABOUT SAVING

@thesavvypinay Random memory lang that really influenced my finance outlook. It’s all about finding a balance between: wants vs needs & present vs future #Finance101 #learnontiktok #tiktokskwela #adulting #eduwow ♬ original sound – Bea | The Savvy Pinay

When you start earning that monthly check, the first instinct is to save that money. And while it is nice and recommended to have those savings and a liquid emergency fund (meaning you can get from it anytime), that isn’t the complete picture. Bea Pelayo is here to remind us that you work to live, not live to work. So, go set aside that amount per month, but don’t forget to treat yourself here and there. It’s your money, you deserve it.

BEWARE OF SCAMS

@archielim.eth magresell nalang kayo ng white onions baka kumita pa kayo #ponzischeme #scammers #virtualfarmer #lelegold #scam #beefarm #ponzi #fy #fyp #eduwow #learnontiktok #edutokph #keppofarm ♬ original sound – Archie Lim

Cryptocurrency and specifically pay-to-win games have been one of the hottest money trends in the past year. But before you jump into the hype, be warned that not everything you see is the real deal. Aside from talking about pop culture topics, Archie Lim also shares tips and tricks on how to spot red flags in the world of cryptocurrency like pay-to-win games that are scams in hiding.

THE RULES OF THE CREDIT CARD

@annagonzales Your starter guide in using a Credit Card 🤗💸 #financetiktok #creditcard #learnontiktokph #moneytips #moneytipsforteens #financeph #adulting101 #adultingph ♬ Aesthetic – Tollan Kim

So, you have a credit card. What now? Anna Gonzales shares some useful tips for credit card owners on how to use it properly. For starters, don’t reach your credit limit because it’s going to make you and your credit score look bad. Secondly, don’t be afraid to swipe that card, so as long as you have the money to pay for it by the end of the month. Finally, your credit card purchases do not gain interest as long as they are paid on time which will require some responsible budget management on your end.

Continue Reading: On A Student Budget? Say Ready, Set, G! To Your Best Life, Even As A Teenager

From a strong Asian visibility in acting categories to queer representation, here are all the history-making nominations at this year’s Oscars.

Related: Surprises, Snubs, And Slaps: What Went Down During The 94th Oscars

Touted as Hollywood’s biggest night and the most highly-regarded award-giving body in the world of cinema, the Academy Awards, or simply, the Oscars, is one of the most-anticipated pop culture events of the year. Almost in its centennial anniversary, the Oscars put the spotlight on and hero the best artists in the film industry that we should be looking out for, be it well-respected veterans or promising fresh talents. And on January 24, nominations of its 95th edition were finally unveiled, much to the shock, disappointment, and joy of the Oscars’ devoted fans, especially of the online subculture and eternal ranting space, Film Twitter.

From the Dolly de Leon snub (that has to be dealt with, really) and shutting out Black actors (the disrespect for Danielle Deadwyler and Viola Davis) to the weirdly clutch Andrea Riseborough campaign (that worked!) and the love for indie multiverse movie Everything Everywhere All At Once, enthusiasts, cinephiles, or just general observers could not be tamed after the announcement that’s brought shocking snubs and surprises. But apart from these, it’s notable to highlight that this years’ Oscars have also seen numerous historic feats happen. From the first Asian best actress contender to the oldest nominee ever, here are some of the momentous moments that already make Oscars 2023 unforgettable.

ASIAN ACTING NOMINEES

It is a big year for Asian representation at this year’s Academy Awards with a record-breaking four acting nominations. This is the most number of recognition achieved by the oft-snubbed minority group in the Oscars. Michelle Yeoh, Ke Huy Quan, and Stephanie Hsu all got nods from the Academy for their performances in Daniel Scheinert and Daniel Kwan’s dimension-hopping indie darling, Everything Everywhere All At Once. Meanwhile, Hong Chau, who is of Vietnamese descent, is nominated for her supporting performance in Darren Aronofsky’s The Whale. All of them are first-time nominees.

MICHELLE YEOH

Speaking of Michelle Yeoh, the 60-year-old actress just made history earlier this month as the first Malaysian to win a Golden Globe award for her performance as laundromat owner and mother Evelyn Wang in EEAO. And after the Oscars 2023 nomination announcement, Yeoh adds yet another historic feat on her belt as the first actress who openly identifies as Asian to be nominated in the lead actress category of the nearly a century-spanning history of the Academy Awards. Well, we can say that Yeoh is already a winner for that feat alone.

ANGELA BASSETT

One of the only two Black acting nominees this year, Angela Bassett makes superhero movie history as the first actor playing a character in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) to get an Oscars nod, thanks to her portrayal of Queen Ramonda in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. The veteran actress also remains to be the frontrunner in the best supporting actress race, already winning trophies at the Golden Globes and Critics’ Choice Awards, and with nominations from the Screen Actors Guild (SAG) and the British Academy Film (BAFTA) awards. This is Bassett’s second Oscar nomination following her 1994 lead actress-nominated performance as the legendary Tina Turner in the biopic, What’s Love Got To Do With It.

STEPHANIE HSU

You probably have seen Stephanie Hsu’s jaw-dropping audition tape online and have been amazed by her double performance as conflicted daughter Joy Wang and multiverse-destroyer Jobu Topaki in EEAO. Now, we can all call her Academy Award nominee Stephanie Hsu. Known for her award-winning stint at the comedy series The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel and Broadway musicals Be More Chill and The Spongebob Musical, Hsu not only gets her first-ever Oscar nom, but also becomes the first queer actor playing a queer character to be nominated since Ian Mckellen in the 1998 film Gods and Monsters.

ANA DE ARMAS

Also making history is Knives Out and Blade Runner 2049 star Ana de Armas, who is the first Cuban actress ever nominated for an Oscar. While Andrew Domnik’s divisive NC-17 adaptation Blonde has been widely panned by critics and audiences, de Armas’ compelling performance as Hollywood icon Marilyn Monroe proves to be worthy of recognition. This makes de Armas the fifth Latina to be nominated for best lead actress and will be the first winner should she be handed that golden statuette on March 13.

OLDEST OSCAR NOMINEE

At 90 years old, decorated composer John Williams becomes the oldest nominee to compete in the Academy Awards history. Steven Spielberg’s collaborator for 50 years now, Williams gets his most recent—and 53rd—Oscar nomination this year for his original score in The Fabelmans, Spielberg’s coming-of-age drama based on the filmmaker’s childhood. With 48 Best Original Score and five Original Song nominations thus far, Williams has the most Oscar nominations ever of any living person and holds the record for the second-most nominations of any artist (just behind Walt Disney, who had 59 nominations).

INDIA

Bollywood is surely rejoicing for the historic nomination of Naatu Naatu, an original song from S. S. Rajamouli’s Telugu-language comedy-action movie RRR. Composed by M.M. Keeravani, Naatu Naatu is the first song from a homegrown Indian production to be nominated in the Oscars’ Best Original Song category. It’s also proved to be a hit among audiences and critics alike, having already won accolades from the Golden Globes and Critics’ Choice Awards. India’s representation at this year’s Oscars is present across other categories as well, with documentaries All That Breathes and The Elephant Whisperers getting nods in the Best Documentary Feature Film and Best Documentary Short Film categories, respectively.

LEAD ACTOR NOMINEES

Usually, the Academy lauds veteran artists and former nominees in its acting categories. So, it is noteworthy that for the first time in decades, all of the actors nominated in the Lead Actor category are first-timers. This year’s Oscars lineup includes respected industry heavyweights Brendan Fraser (The Whale), Colin Farrell (The Banshees of Inisherin), and Bill Nighy (Living), whose nominations are, to be honest, long overdue. Younger breakouts Paul Mescal (Aftersun) and Austin Butler (Elvis) also join the star-studded bunch for their breakthrough performances.

ALL QUIET ON THE WESTERN FRONT

After stacking up an astonishing 14 BAFTA nominations last week (the most this year), German feature All Quiet on The Western Front continues its strong momentum in the festival circuit with nine nominations at the 95th Academy Awards. An adaptation of  Erich Maria Remarque’s anti-war novel, the Netflix-backed film becomes the first German-language movie to be nominated for Best Picture at the Oscars.

KAZUO ISHIGURO

British-Japanese novelist and Nobel Prize for Literature winner Sir Kazuo Ishiguro becomes the first Asian ever to be nominated in the Academy Awards’ Best Adapted Screenplay category. Ishiguro penned the screenplay for Oliver Hermanus’ Living, an adaptation of Akira Kurosawa’s 1952 philosophical film, Ikiru. For his nomination, the Never Let Me Go and Remains of the Day author is also the sixth Nobel Laureate to be an Oscar nominee.”So honored to be nominated alongside people of such lavish talent!” celebrates Ishiguro. “For a life-long movie fan like me, this news has been just as thrilling as the time I heard I’d won the Nobel Prize!”

MANDY WALKER

Best Cinematography is the Oscar category that is unfortunately, still always dominated by men. But this year, breaking the mold and representing female power proudly is Australian cinematographer Mandy Walker for her work in Baz Luhrmann’s Elvis. Take this, for 95 years, Walker is only the third woman recognized in the category after Rachel Morrison (for Mudbound in 2017) and Ari Wegner (for The Power of the Dog in 2021). We’re looking at you, the Academy.

BEST PICTURE NOMINEES

For the first time in the history of Oscars, more than one best picture contender has grossed more than $1 billion globally. This is courtesy of two tentpole sequels: Top Gun: Maverick and Avatar: The Way of Water. The Tom Cruise-starrer, which has also nabbed five other nominations, has earned nearly $1.5 billion worldwide. Meanwhile, the four-time nominee James Cameron blockbuster has already passed the $2 billion mark, making it the fifth highest-grossing film of all time. This is a promising sign for the Oscars if we’re talking about show ratings and viewership which, unfortunately, has been in a decline in recent years.

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A new year means a new way for NewJeans to make an impact. And this time, it’s on another level.

Related: NewJeans Is Already In The Running For Best K-Pop Debut Of 2022

Ever since HYBE Corporation’s subsidiary ADOR (All Doors One Room) dropped the bomb that was NewJeans in the middle of 2022, lives were inevitably changed. Needless to say, their unconventional, risky, yet refreshing debut made a resounding impact and impression among all the K-Pop stans, stunning us all with their distinct Y2K visuals and catchy, youthful music that brightened up the past year.

And they’ve just kept on shining after that, releasing viral hits (we know you’ve danced to Hype Boy for an unhealthy number of times) and visually compelling music videos (watch THIS) that have made everyone destroy the replay button. A record-breaking debut EP, millions worth of viewership, and countless awards later, it seems that winning is par for the course for our rookie idols even in their nascent career. But Minji, Hanni, Danielle, Haerin, and Hyein are just starting, and this 2023, they’ve already made history on the charts. 

NEW YEAR, NEWJEANS

Six months after their surprising debut, NewJeans first made a historic feat when their newly released retro hit Ditto made it on Billboard’s Hot 100 chart and took the 96th spot on January 17, 2023. It’s the fivesome’s first-ever career-entry at the said chart that made them the fastest K-Pop group to do so. They’re only the fourth girl group (after Wonder Girls, BLACKPINK, and TWICE) and the fifth K-Pop act overall (including BTS) to make that achievement.

The Billboard Hot 100 Chart tracks the week’s most popular current songs across all genres and are ranked according to streaming activity from digital music sources, radio airplay audience impressions, and sales data.

.@NewJeans_ADOR‘s “Ditto” debuts at No. 96 on this week’s #Hot100.

It earns the group its first career entry on the chart.

— billboard charts (@billboardcharts) January 17, 2023

Co-written by NewJeans’ main dancer Minji with Hongchul Cho, Yiva Dimberg, and Oohyo, Ditto explores the existential themes of teenage feelings, desires, vulnerability, and coming into terms with one’s coming-of-age. Part of the group’s first single album OMG, it was first released in December of last year and now has over 100 million streams on Spotify. The Baltimore club-infused and nostalgic track went on to reach as far as the 85th spot in the Hot 100 chart.

.@NewJeans_twt‘s “OMG” debuts at No. 91 on this week’s #Hot100.

— billboard charts (@billboardcharts) January 24, 2023

And just a week later, NewJeans bested themselves and nabbed another spot at the Billboard chart with their latest hip-hop and R&B gem, OMG. The Daesang awardees made history again just a couple of days ago when OMG debuted at spot no. 91 on the chart just three weeks after its equally record-shattering release. This makes NewJeans now the fastest K-Pop act ever to land multiple entries on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and just the third K-Pop group ever to enter the list with more than one song, just after BTS and BLACKPINK. 

And with their 2023 single album OMG already exceeding the sales of their game-changing debut mini album last year, selling more than 480,000 copies just on its first day of sales, NewJeans has undoubtedly made a successful comeback. It’s just the start of the year and our Y2K queens are already winning. Who knows what historic tricks they will pull off in the following months? 

Continue Reading: Trend Alert: Paligoy-Ligoy X Newjeans Is An Actual Thing—And It’s Amazing

When it comes to embodying Pinoy culture, P-Pop boy group ALAMAT always shines the brightest. And this is true for their latest romantic ditty, Maharani.

Whether you’re a longtime supporter or a newbie looking for a great P-Pop experience, listening to or watching anything from ALAMAT always feels like you’re treated to a distinctly Filipino offering that’s brimming with talent and bursting with history, culture, and pride. Since being thrust into the Philippine music scene a couple of years ago, the diverse and multilingual six-piece boy group has been killing the game with their groovy music, buoyant visuals, sleek choreography, and sharp style that all scream Pinoy. And welcoming the 2023, ALAMAT has released yet another well-crafted music video for their R&B ditty, Maharani, that for sure will resonate once more.

Related: 8 Moments When Alamat Blessed Our FYPs With Their Talent

LET ME BE YOUR KING

Reminiscent of the sensuality of Say You Love Me and the sentimentality of Sa Panaginip Na Lang, ALAMAT’s Maharani sees Taneo, Mo, Tomás, R-ji, Alas, and Jao channeling their hopeless romantic selves yet again. Their latest track is part of their debut seven-track mini album Pasulong, and tackles an admirer’s passionate and relentless pursuit of love from someone who’s in a complicated relationship.

“Hindi niya batid ang kaniyang sinasayang / Habang ako dito’y naghihintay lamang / Gaya ng mga iilang / Tagahanga mong nasa gilid lang / Pangako ‘di ako nahihibang / Ikaw ang aking nag-iisang, Maharani.” Capturing the essence of modern romance in graceful melody, Maharani blends neo soul energy with Filipino and Southeast Asian inspiration, using instruments like kanun, gamelan, and gangsa. Couple this with some smooth R&B and trap vibes and Maharani becomes a masterful amalgam of traditional and contemporary music.

Composed by award-winning singer-songwriter and producer Thyro Alfaro, Maharani is a Sanskrit term which refers to the wife of the Hindu royalty Maharaja and simply translates to “great queen.” Alfaro reveals that the melodious and pleasant sound of the word first became his inspiration for the song and built the entire music and lyricality around it. Marahani is also inspired by the Filipino folk and bamboo dance singkil, which Alfaro explains is the influence behind the track’s wooden sounds and beats.

MAHARANI MUSIC VIDEO

As featured in Maharani’s music video that had its world premiere on January 24, singkil is the Filipino element that ALAMAT primarily spotlights in Maharani. A cultural dance distinct to the Maranao ethnic group of Lanao del Sur, singkil has taken on various forms throughout the years. 

The most popular of them is the choreography created by National Artist for dance, Lucrecia Reyes-Urtula, and the Bayanihan Philippine National Folk Dance Company where they incorporated a male dancer into a traditionally all-female ensemble, as inspired by the Maranao epic poem, Darangen. Here, diwata or guardian spirits orchestrate the meeting of Prince Bantugan and Princess Gandingan. When the diwata causes an earthquake in a forest, Princess Gandingan jumps, hops, and leaps from rock to rock to save herself; her graceful and light movements ultimately making Prince Bantugan fall in love.

Alfaro notes in a video feature that in terms of the lyrics, he wants to explore the themes of singkil and make a reversal of roles: where instead of a woman dancing for the approval of a king, men are dancing and seeking the attention of a queen. In the music video, the ALAMAT boys are classmates rehearsing for a performance of singkil where, in another P-Pop collaboration, ALAMAT Taneo and BINI Jhoanna play as Prince Bantugan and Princess Gandingan, respectively, and as two people looking for love that will never come.

Produced by VIVA Records and Nuno Media, and directed by ALAMAT’s frequent collaborator and filmmaker Jason Paul Laxamana, the Maharani music video has got everything: vibrant colors, shimmering and golden costumes, relatable storyline, a choreography that’s waiting to be the next viral hit, and just that signature ALAMAT effect that on the one hand, fills you with P-Pop pride, and on the other, makes you wanna hit your best moves and sing your heart out. Needless to say, ALAMAT does not disappoint with Maharani, both musically and visually, and proves that when it comes to embodying P-Pop, they’re really the one to beat.

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Here’s a list of ‘fit ideas in case you’re having a little trouble deciding what to wear for school.

Is it just us or the two pandemic years kind of halted our dress up days? Well, now that face-to-face classes are finally back, it got us racking our brains for what outfits to wear. Building a closet on a tight budget isn’t easy at all, but trust us when we say, you don’t have to go through it alone. When all else fails, you can always take a trip to the ukay and score some rare, closet staples. From knitted vests to cool trousers, we’ve listed down some outfit ideas for school that you can easily copy.

READ MORE: 5 Filipino Brands That Have Been Reinventing The Maong

PLEATED SKIRT AND LOAFERS

Give your old-school pleated skirts a little spin and pair it with a long-sleeved top or cardigan. Secure the look with some chunky loafers and white or statement socks.

CROPPED TOP AND NECKTIE COMBO

Live your cool school girl fantasy with a cropped top (any shirt will do,TBH), baggy trousers, and a belt bag for when you need to pack your pens or wallet.

CROCHET TOPS

When the heat doesn’t permit you to layer up, you can always rely on crochet tops for some warmth.

AN OVERSIZED BLAZER

Feel like an absolute boss by putting on an oversized blazer styled with some sneakers for that effortless vibe.

CUT-OUT TOPS AND CHAIN BELTS

A hint of skin is always welcome (save the hubadera ‘fits for your hangouts!), especially for cutout tops with intricate details as seen on Barbie Ferreira’s floral, embroidered top. The chain belt gave us the contrast to an otherwise monochromatic look.

A VEST LAYERED ON TOP OF A SHIRT

When you’re feeling a bit lazy, throw on a vest or sleeveless top over a plain tee, paired with corduroys and sneakers.

PRINTED TOPS

If you’re in a funky mood, printed tops no matter how graphic will always do the trick.

MIDI SKIRTS

Midi skirts are finally coming back as seen on Mimiyuuuh and Ashley Garcia. Fitted tops for the humid weather, but you can always bundle up in a hoodie if you’re feeling a bit chilly.

COZY SWEATERS

Make the most out of the breezy weather by wearing crew neck sweaters as seen on Bella Racelis.

STATEMENT PANTS

For the maximalist who wants to keep it low-key, style your statement pants with an interesting pair of shoes like Shaira Luna.

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After many scrolls online, it doesn’t take long to realize that these babies are the real stars.

Related: All Grown Up: These Cool Kids Have Style And They Know It

There’s just something about babies that puts a smile on our faces. The cute smiles, chubby cheeks, and wide-eyed wonder as they learn about the world for the first time make them a joy to watch, that is unless you have to change their diaper. It’s no wonder then that many have taken a liking to quite the few doses of happiness on social media.

Although they are still at an age where they can’t comprehend their internet fame, these kids have fans who can’t help but root for them thanks to their personalities, silly antics, and the general happiness of watching them grow up. That and the fact that they have an entire life of possibilities and potential to explore. Here are just some of social media’s favorite babies that are already breaking the internet in their diapers.  

BABY JU

@jubiandxian RUBBERJU #juxifam ♬ Sure Thing (sped up) – Miguel

While her parents may do all the dancing, it’s Xanaya Reiss, more commonly known as Baby Ju, who is the real star of the videos. TikTok Philippines’ first family has built a following in the millions thanks to their dance moves. Then there are also Baby Ju’s viral facial expressions and moments with Benedict Cua. We can already see them being a dancing trio a few years from now.

VITO BACARRO

You really are that social media star when you have viral memes while still in diapers. Saab Magalona and Jim Bacarro’s youngest son has earned a fanbase online thanks to his bubbly personality and penchant for music. The love for this baby just grows as Saab shares with us Vico’s latest developments on social media. And it also warms the heart with how Vito is the best brother to Pancho.

SCOTTIE YOUNG

Kryz Uy and Slater Young are goals, both as a couple and as parents as seen by how adored Skyfam is. Scottie really takes after his parents with his inquisitive mind and outgoing personality. And now that he has Sevi to watch over, Scottie is becoming the breakout star of his mom’s YouTube videos.

JUDE PATERSON

JANE GREETING JUDE A HAPPY BIRTHDAY 🤍🤍
plus her giggles while watching janella and jude goofing around🥺🥺 pic.twitter.com/lAQZUGJjMG

— (shontong)🐍 (@janenellaluvr) October 20, 2022

Baby Jude is just too cute for words and having a proud and supportive momma Janella Salvador by his side makes it even better. Even though he’s just two years old, he’s already taking after his mom in the showbiz department as seen in his recent campaign with H&M. And let’s not forget those wholesome moments when he’s with Tita Jane.

THE ARELLANO SIBLINGS

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A post shared by Drew Arellano (@drewarellano)

The kids of Drew Arellano and Iya Villania are proof of the saying “the more, the merrier”. Primo, Leon, Alana, and Astro always get in the most random of situations but do so cutely and wholesomely. Watching the four of them grow up is just making us feel all good inside.

KIDLAT CORTEZ-VELASQUEZ

As the first child of YouTube stars Cong TV and Viy Cortez, Kidlat Cortez-Velasquez was destined for stardom. And it also does help that your name is Kidlat. Ever since Viy shared with the world the birth of Kidlat, we’ve looked forward to each update we get of him as he grows up with his very famous parents.

DAHLIA HEUSSAFF

@dahliaameliee #dahlia #annecurtis #annecurtissmith #fyp #foryou #fypシ #trending ♬ original sound – Dahlia Amelie Heussaff

Anne Curtis’ acting legacy is more than secure if ever Dahlia decides to follow in her mom’s footsteps. Despite her young age, Dahlia already has a few memorable moments courtesy of her parents sharing her latest life adventure on social media. It doesn’t matter what she does, we’ll always be rooting for Dahlia and her relatable moments.

THYLANE BOLZICO

When your parents are Solenn Heussaff and Nico Bolzico, you know you’re going to be someone special. And sure enough, Thylane, or Tili, is just that. She’s a ball of sunshine always giving us feel good and wholesome moments whether it be with Pochi or her dad. And now that Maelys Lionel is here, we can’t wait to watch Tili become a big sister.

MAVI ILIGAN-VELASQUEZ

For fans of Team Payaman, Mavi is a familiar sight. The eldest son of Junnie Boy and Vien Iligan-Velasquez is often featured in their content and rarely fails to put a smile on our faces with his surprisingly mature demeanor.

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Collaborating with a South Korean music company that’s worked with no less than BTS and Blackpink, P-Pop group 1st.One is set to make a comeback like no other.

Related: 1st.One Joins SB19 As The Only P-Pop Groups To Top A Billboard Chart

With the unstoppable growth and power of the Pinoy Pop genre comes the evolution of the Filipino music scene. We witness how the advent of P-Pop groups does not only let us discover new and incredibly talented local artists, but consequently, raise the standards of the music industry. It consistently ups the ante in terms of musicality and production quality that tops charts, breaks records, and ultimately, put the country on the world stage of music.

This is precisely what the six-member boy group 1st.One strives to achieve with their fierce comeback where they’re set to release their latest track, Problem Child, accompanied by an extraordinary music video that’s said to be the most expensive ever by a P-Pop group to date. Yes, the hype is on!

BREAKING THE NORM

Even before their official debut in July 2020, 1st.One had already proven their capabilities as a boy group, being hailed as the grand winners of Seoul Music Awards Philippines’ Dance To Your Seoul dance battle in 2019 and the first Filipino boy group to perform at the Seoul Music Awards in January 2020. And so when Ace, Max, Alpha, J, Joker, and Jayson were finally introduced months later with the release of their first-ever track, You Are The One (Ttak Maja Nuh), they brought with them years of training and hardwork. It was quite clear that 1st.One was going to be a new force to be reckoned with in the P-Pop world.

Named after and formed under Seoul-based music label, FirstOne Entertainment, 1st.One went on to prove their worth and mettle as a fresh music act in a very competitive genre, releasing music that blends rousing beats with relatable lyrics as evident in their hits One Dream, OH, Turn Up, and Shout Out. 

The latter of which topped the Billboard’s Hot Trending Songs Chart the same time it debuted on the list, making 1st.One only the second Filipino act to top the said chart after SB19. 1st.One also collaborates with both Filipino and Korean artists, so with every musical arrangement or music video, you’ll see how everything is crafted with utmost creativity and passion. 

And a year after their last release, 1st.One is set to return with a fiery comeback track, Problem Child. Showcasing their wild side as manifested in the teaser photos, it seems that 1st.One will be going for a different tone and style this time, highlighting their so-called alter-egos. Problem Child tackles the concepts of effecting change in our own ways and “breaking the norm,” wrestling with a defective system that’s rife with inequality and disorder. 

“You can think of Robin Hood and Batman as vigilantes, and many more heroes being misdirected as villains by a corrupt system,” shares the group’s rapper and maknae Jayson. Without glorifying bad deeds, Problem Child highlights the willingness to sacrifice oneself to make things right, “Nevertheless, they remain as heroes within themselves still willing to sacrifice continuously even if they are considered the bad ones.” 

THE MUSIC VIDEO

Another reason to get excited about 1st.One’s comeback is their latest track’s history-making music video. For one, it is helmed by South Korean music company CHECK, which is responsible for some of the biggest names in the music industry including, among many others, Blackpink, EXO, BTS, and Cha Eunwoo. Not only that, the Problem Child MV is also worth 20 million pesos in budget, making it the highest ever for a P-Pop project.

“It was definitely a blast working with them [CHECK],” says Jayson of the challenging yet fulfilling feat. “I’m very thankful because they gave us a unique experience compared to the past music videos that we have done. We are very grateful that they took care of us so well.” 

Meanwhile, 1st.One’s main dancer and main rapper Alpha urges the P-Pop community to not miss out on their comeback that marks the first collab between Filipino and South Korean directors for a music video that fans “haven’t seen before.” With all the extensive planning and preparations, Alpha vows to give everyone “the best MV of all time” and assures For.One that their return is the boy group’s way of getting out of the box and pushing themselves to their limits.

ON FUTURE COLLABS

Regarding future projects, 1st.One’s dream is to take things to greater heights and work with fellow Pinoy Pop artists including Alamat, BGYO, BINI, VXON, KAIA, G22, and PHP. 1st.One Alpha enthuses, “Initially, of course, we’d love to kick things off with our dream collaborations within the P-Pop industry, and that would be with DIONE and SB19. We go way way way back just with these 2 groups. We think it’s going to be an explosion.” A music project featuring 1st.One and some of P-Pop’s greatest acts? Surely, that’s one we should look out for.

1ST.ONE will release Problem Child on January 31, 2023 and can be streamed through Spotify, Apple Music, and other music platforms. Meanwhile, its high-budget music video will be uploaded on 1STONE’s official YouTube channel.

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May we all find that partner who supports our fangirling or fanboying the way Mikael Daez supports Megan Young.

Related: With Yet To Come, BTS Shares An Ode To Their Future And ARMY In The Most Sentimental Way Possible

Not only is Megan Young an actress, model, and a former Miss World, but she also is an out-and-proud ARMY. She doesn’t shy away from showing her love for BTS. But while this unapologetic stanning might be uncomfortable for some, that isn’t the case with Mikael Daez. He isn’t the type of partner that asks Megan to tone it down. Instead, he actively supports her in her fangirl lifestyle like the dream husband that he is. He’s so supportive that he is slowly becoming an ARMY, too. It’s a kind of relationship we hope we could all have. Here are just a few times when Mikael had us wishing for that supportive partner in our ARMY lives.

HELPING MEGAN FEEL THE CONCERT EXPERIENCE

@beefbelly

When your army wife cant go to the BTS concert, bring the concert to her 🫰🏽💜😂

♬ MIC Drop (feat. Desiigner) [Steve Aoki Remix] – BTS

Like many ARMY, Megan wasn’t able to secure a ticket to BTS’ concert in Busan last October 2022. She resorted to watching it on Weverse. So, Mikael made sure that Megan had a great time and brought the concert experience to their home with a personal lights show. Sana all.

JIN LOOK-ALIKE

@madambonez Nalilito na talaga ako guys @Mikael Daez ♬ Moon – BTS

Imagine being married to someone who looks like your bias. Megan Young, you are a lucky woman. He’s even wearing the same pajamas as Jin.

GOING TO A BTS THEMED CAFÉ

@beefbelly Hindi ko na matanggap ang pagiging army ni Bonez. Mukhang may napili na talaga siyang iba…
…at dahil dyan, pumili na rin ako ng iba kagaya niya!! 😀 😀 😀 hindi na ako pwedeng maging asawa ng army lang. level up na! hahaha. #JinVSSuga
But in all fairness, I can’t wait to take bonez to a BTS concert. I think it’s going to be super fun. She supports me in all my computer building endeavors, so i’m happily supporting her army vibes 😀 lezzgo!!! #AprubBaSaBiasKo? @madambonez ♬ original sound – Mikael Daez

Mikael’s bias is Suga? Great choice. We just love how he’s so encouraging of Megan and her ARMY life since she’s so supportive of him in his PC-building endeavors. He even wrote in the caption that he one day hopes to take her to a BTS concert. That’s a healthy relationship right there.  

FLEXING HIS BTS KNOWLEDGE

@madambonez Kilala mo pala lahat ha @Mikael Daez ♬ original sound – Megan Young

Spend enough time with an ARMY, and you’ll soon be familiar with BTS. Sure, Mikael may have forgotten J-Hope, but 6/7 isn’t bad. Impressively, he even mentioned some of the unique aspects of the members such as RM’s love of art and Jin serving in the military.

FOFO

@beefbelly Nakateleport ako sa harap ng pila! #AsawaNgArmyFTW@Megan Young ♬ original sound – Mikael Daez

Mikael was truly blessed when Jungkook said Fofo, which also so happens to be Megan’s term of endearment for her husband. Jungkook’s line suddenly got shorter.

GUESSING JIN’S PHOTO

@beefbelly Asawa ng army ftw 😎 @Megan Young ♬ Permission to Dance (Instrumental) – BTS

That fact that the Jin-biased in the relationship wasn’t able to guess his photo, Mikael is indeed learning.

MERCH SPLURGE

@beefbelly Sino ang guilty dito?! Magpakita na kayo 😂🤪🫰🏽@Megan Young ♬ Tokyo Drift – Xavier Wulf

When that new merch drops, you have no choice but to support your partner in their splurges.

MEGAN’S NEW JOB

@madambonez

Applying for a new job hahahahaha

♬ Our Island (Prod. SUGA of BTS) – Original Soundtrack – BTS Island: In the SEOM

This video is made even better by the fact that Mikael was the one who shot and directed it. Megan, how does it feel to live our dream?

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