It’s not just history that Maria Clara At Ibarra has taught us in its many episodes.

Related: 9 Moments When Maria Clara At Ibarra’s Klay Was A Gen Z Icon

When Maria Clara at Ibarra first entered our radar, its Gen-Z-meets-1800-Philippines premise piqued our interest. And when it premiered on October 3, 2022, the historical fantasy tv series got us hooked with its quality production, gripping story, and adherence to properly telling Filipino history. But the teleserye of a Gen Z nursing student being magically transported into the world of Dr. Jose Rizal’s Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo wasn’t just a showcase of Philippine history.

During the drama series’s often-trending run, it managed to weave in important and relevant lessons, learnings, and nuggets of wisdom that could be applied whether it be the 1800s or the 21st century. As MCI gears up for its finale on February 24 2023, let’s take a look at the life lessons from this GMA network show that are definitely not just staying on the pages of Rizal’s seminal work.

STAND UP AGAINST INJUSTICE

@luhgagoh This might the best tv show in Philippine TV so far 😭 #fyp #foryou #philippines #kdrama #mariaclaraatibarra #gma #mariaclara #netflix #kdrama ♬ Liwanag sa Dilim – Yeng Constantino

The main reason why Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo were written was to expose the ills of the Spanish government occupying the country at the time. And Maria Clara at Ibarra championed that cause with its storyline. But more than just pushing back against the colonial rulers, the series also showed us what it means to push back against injustices. Maria Clara at Ibarra was not afraid to call out the ills of society.

One of Klay’s (Barbie Forteza) defining traits is how she calls out the backward and sexist thinking of the time. Ibarra’s (Dennis Trillo) speech at the church imploring his fellow townsfolk of San Diego to rise up with him was a riveting and powerful scene of resistance inside an institution that would be the first to snuff it out. You don’t need to do grand gestures like Ibarra, but the show teaches us it’s more than okay to go against what is perceived to be the status quo, especially if that system is hurting others.

LOVE CAN COME IN THE MOST UNEXPECTED OF PLACES

@mc_infantes hagulgol ng buong pilipinas abot hanggang china. paninindigan ko nalang ngayon ang “love will find a way” na sinabi ni clarita :(( #filay #filayyyy #fyp #gma #mcipaalam #fidel #klay #nolimetangere #mariaclaraatibarra #davidlicauco #barbieforteza #fyp ♬ Kulang Ako Kung Wala Ka – Erik Santos

Maria Clara (Julie Anne San Jose) and Crisostomo Ibarra’s love story is a central tenant of the story. But love was brewing in other places as well, specifically with Klay and Fidel (David Licauco). The two original characters created for the show started as enemies. But over time, they formed a friendship that turned into something more. Klay and Fidel were definitely not a pairing we were expecting, yet here we are rooting for them to reunite. It shows us that love can find its way into the heart as long as we let it. You may find that special someone in the last place you expected.

YOU CAN ALWAYS BE A BETTER PERSON

Before he became a fan-favorite character, Fidel was a walking red flag. He often flaunted his privilege and was quick to judge others he deemed beneath him. However, over time, Fidel changed his ways into becoming a respectful gentleman who learned to respect women and other cultures. Take it from Fidel’s character growth and know that you can change for the better. There is always time to fix those unsavory traits, turn your back on vices, and strive to become the person you aspire to be. If Fidel can do it, why can’t you?

MISOGYNY AND STEREOTYPING HAVE NO PLACE IN SOCIETY

The way women and minorities were treated back in the 1800s was truly abhorrent. And while things have improved significantly since then, we can still see traces of misogyny and classism in today’s society. Maria Clara at Ibarra is here to tell us that no matter what time it may be, there’s no excuse to treat people poorly.

As soon as she arrived in San Diego, Klay was already clapping back men who stereotyped women as housewives who shouldn’t get an education. She schooled Fidel after he said that the poor were poor because they were lazy. Klay even helped Maria Clara find her voice and become an empowered woman who pushed back against the people who tried to step on her. Klay really is representative of the Gen Z who believe in empowerment, feminism, and a more just society.

DON’T JUDGE A BOOK BY ITS COVER

Two of the most talked about side characters of the show teach us the downfall of judging others who are seen as different. First, Luisa was shamed in a public setting because she was accused of being a sex worker. Later on, just like in the book, Sisa became a laughing stock and pariah of the town because people thought that she was crazy. In reality though, Sisa was having a breakdown over the loss of her children.

Both characters were seen as less than human, and it was Klay who offered a helping hand that humanized their struggles. Klay’s compassion is one we can all try to emulate as we remember that there are real people behind all the hysteria. So, think first before you hit upload on social media if that message is worth it.

REMEMBERING OUR PAST CAN LEAD US TO A BETTER FUTURE

The premiere of Maria Clara at Ibarra introduced us to a jaded Klay who could care less about Philippine history. She was more focused on her future and wanted to leave the country because she felt she had no hope. It turns out though that stepping into the past is what would make Klay a better person. Her time in San Diego changed her life, arguably for the better. The series isn’t just an entertaining history lesson we watch every weeknight, it’s also a reminder of how knowing and understanding our past can help us prepare for a better tomorrow. Society can’t meaningfully progress without learning from its history.

Continue Reading: Maria Clara at Ibarra’s FiLay Finally Gets A Music Video For Their Theme Song ‘Kailangan Kita’

Press play. Alden Richard’s gamer card will never decline.

Related: 5 Times Alden Richards Proved That He Was The Biggest Iron Man Stan

Playing video games is a hobby enjoyed by millions around the world. While some may stereotype gamers as nerds who have no friends, that’s is actually far from the truth. People from all walks of life play video games, such is the case with Alden Richards. Asia’s Multimedia Star is a true and noted gamer with his first exposure to it back when he was seven years old.

Since then, Alden has never forgotten his gaming roots despite being one of the showbiz industry’s top leading men. Kathryn Bernardo even once said that Alden is the type of gamer to not respond to you when he’s deep in the game. It’s safe to say then that Alden is a major gamer, as these following moments prove.   

HE’S A GAMES STREAMER

When quarantine 2020 forced many to find new hobbies/jobs while at home, Alden Richards decided to spend his newfound free time streaming games. He converted his official Facebook page into his streaming page called ARGaming. For a time, he would stream his Mobile Legends matches among other games, often racking up hundreds of thousands of views. Alden still streams to this day, though on rare occasions. But aside from the entertainment value, Alden also used his platform to help others. In one stream, he raised over 220,000 pesos for charity to help typhoon victims.  

HELPING FOUND MYRIAD ESPORTS

Aside from being an actor, Alden is business minded, too. Over the years, his portfolio has included his restaurants and even owning a McDonald’s franchise. But 2022 was a big year for the actor as it saw the launch of his Myriad Corporation. Already, the entertainment company has been making moves, including helping produce the 2022 Eraserheads reunion concert. And under the umbrella of the corporation is Myriad Esports. Founded by Alden in August 2022, the gaming video creator company live streams matches of Mobile Legends and serves as a new hub to help the next generation of gaming content creators.

MYRIAD ESPORTS TOURNAMENT

As this list shows, Alden is a very big fan of Mobile Legends: Bang Bang. He’s such a big fan that he even launched his own MLBB Esports Tournament. Revealed in late 2022, the Myriad Esports Cup is the newest esports tournament in town that is open to all amateur Mobile Legends players. The contest is set to begin this January 28 with a dazzling prize pool of 500,000 pesos. Not bad for an inaugural tournament for amateurs.

STARTING AN ESPORTS TEAM

You have the esports company, you have the tournament, now all you need to complete the trifecta is an esports team. And that’s exactly what Alden Richards did. During the Dark League Studios King’s League tournament in December 2022, Alden shook the local esports scene when he announced that he was launching his very own team. Called the Myriad Esports Pro Team, they will be concentrating on Mobile Legends: Bang Bang. As one of the more high-profile yet unorthodox esports team owners, Alden could very well change the game when it comes to boot camp management, training, and talent acquisition.

HIS IMPRESSIVE CUSTOM PC

When Alden revealed his “Azure” PC setup in 2020, he got social media talking about how much of a dream it looks. Any gamer would be lucky to have that kind of build. Alden didn’t spare any expanse to get what he wanted as he hired the services of Declassified Systems to build his PC. He also didn’t spare any centavo as he reportedly had to shell out around 450,000 pesos for the whole thing. But no price is too high when it comes to building that perfect custom build PC.

DRESSING UP AS ONE OF HIS FAVORITE VIDEO GAME CHARACTERS ON HALLOWEEN

When Halloween 2022 rolled around, Alden wasn’t going to let the moment slide without paying homage to his video games faves. So, for GMA’s Sparkle Spell Gala, the actor dressed up as one of his favorite video game characters, Squall Leonhartt from Final Fantasy VIII. He stepped out to impress and won best-dressed of the night for all his hard work.

SPENDING OVER ONE MILLION PESOS ON GENSHIN IMPACT

In the world of video games, the term “whale” is used to describe someone who spends an absurd amount of money on microtransactions in a game. In that case, Alden can be considered one of the biggest whales out there. According to reports, the actor supposedly has spent around 1.2 million pesos (not a typo) on the uber-popular Genshin Impact to, among other purchases, help unlock all the characters to their highest level. Not only does he play a lot of the game, but he also spends a lot. Alden has never confirmed if this is true, but TBH, we won’t be surprised if it is considering how much he’s spent on his Iron Man collection.

Continue Reading: 13 Filipino Characters You Can Meet Or Play As In Video Games

The new year, new me mantra isn’t easy as just listing down what one hopes to do. This entails a commitment to not just do better, but be at one’s best, especially when it comes skincare resolutions.

When entering a new year, there is a lot of earnest hope that comes with. With a chance for a fresh start, a lot of energy is focused on making things, at least for the most part, better. The tradition of resolutions are at the top of everyone’s mind where most diligently list down what they want to change and challenge. Work and life balance? Check. Day one of a renewed fitness journey? Check. Skincare? Check.

However, no matter how much hope one has at the beginning of the year, resolutions often get sidelined for well, a lot of life that inevitably happens. Factor in being jaded and simmering of that new year, new me energy, these resolves are eventually forgotten. Now, this isn’t unusual by any means. In fact, it is normal to wrestle with the commitment to do and be better. So, before that gets in the way, one has to establish and endeavor a routine to integrate into one’s lifestyle. This rings true, especially for skincare, where diligence and discipline is key to brighter, better, and beautiful skin.

Skincare Resolutions

While self-love is a singular journey, it doesn’t hurt if one gets help along the way. Whether that be from a stable support system or a trusted source, anything that can stack up to the good intention is always welcome. Joining the commitment to self-love in 2023, Y.O.U Beauty is offering empowered and innovative solutions to help keep one on track with skincare resolutions and long-lasting beauty. 

Where looking good is a goal, feeling good is even better. And in this light, Y.O.U Beauty is sticking by your side to get just that and more in the year that is about to unfold. 

SUNSCREEN, SUNSCREEN, SUNSCREEN

Think you’re safe from the damaging effects of UVA and UVB exposure when indoors? Not quite. Even from the confines of your home, light still seeps in, which comes with it an emittance of harmful rays. Couple that with blue light from smart devices, computers, and televisions, your skin is actually being subjected to even more aging with an increase of melanin production that causes spotting, creation of free radicals that subjects the skin to inflammation and breakdown of collagen. 

Y.O.U Beauty Tip: With its SPF 50+, PA++++, and broad spectrum, apply the Triple UV Elixir at the start of the day and reapply as needed. No white cast here. 

INTRODUCING: FACE MASSAGES

Guilty of unknowingly rubbing your face aggressively? Sometimes this happens when applying products. And we all know that unnecessary tugging and pulling of the skin wears down on the elasticity of the skin, leaving it looking harrowed. Being mindful and incorporating facial massages doesn’t only soak up the products better, but it also is that warranted point of relaxation to what is presumably a stressful day.

Y.O.U Beauty Tip: Encourage the flow of blood in the skin and the easing of facial muscles with a facial massage when it feels needed. Adding the Radiance up! Antioxidant Serum helps the gliding motion of the massage during skincare, leaving the skin bright and with little to no dark spots. 

GET TO KNOW YOUR SKINCARE PRODUCTS BETTER 

Admittedly, the skincare market is saturated with products that offer solutions for just about any concern. At the end of the day, it is about reading the fine print and knowing what works best for your skin. This entails a lot of trying and testing, but once you figure out what lays on your skin best, the effects are just life-changing. 

Y.O.U Beauty Tip: Lessen the stress and potential acne breakout with the Acneplus Low Ph Cleanser, a formulation infused with corn mint oil, 4D centella, and herbal fusion actives that gently cleanses and reduces skin inflammation. 

IT’S ALL IN THE EYES

Getting serious with your self-love skincare routine means zeroing in on the eyes, which is a tell-tale sign of aging. As the area is made up of a thin layer of skin, it is the most susceptible for fine lines, dark circles, and puffy eyes, which is something we don’t want. 

Y.O.U Beauty Tip: To further lessen the signs of aging in the delicate area, the Advanced Youth Recharging Peptide Eye Cream works wonders with its inclusion of caffeine and plantide X that help reduce puffiness and fine lines. 

WHEN IN DOUBT, MOISTURIZE

Aside from rest, one of the fail-safe ways to improve skincare is water. Remember when Derek Zoolander said: “Moisture is the essence of wetness, and wetness is the essence of beauty?” He wasn’t wrong. For the best benefit of the skin, hydration is a must. To up the ante, creams, moisturisers, and serums infused with this key ingredient will keep you looking fresh for the rest of the year ahead.

Y.O.U Beauty Tip: Step up your skincare routine and resolution with the addition of Biomecera Advanced Booster Serum for that amped up hydration that smoothens and leaves you glowing. Also, the Radiance Up! Deep Moisturizing Cream, which is built with Ceramide 1-3-6 helps maintain moisture on skin. 

Y.O.U Beauty is avaialable through the Y.O.U Beauty Lazada and Shopee stores. Or visit select Watsons, SM Beauty, Robinsons Department Store, Metro Retail, LCC Department Store, Gaisano Capital Group, Prince Retail Group, KCC, Mart One and The Landmark. 

From one Filipino to another, Patrick Starrr and Liza Soberano gave a few beauty tips and tricks to embody the Miss Universe in all of us.

Every Filipino knows that pageants, especially the Miss Universe pageant, is an event we all look forward to. Each year, we come together to cheer on our beauty queen representative. Can anyone blame us? They’ve got the brains, personality, and the beauty. While we might not have won this year, we can all agree with Patrick Starrr: there’s only one country that dominates Miss Universe, and it’s the Philippines. 

Aside from the yearly pageant, Patrick Starrr and Liza Soberano gave us a little treat that will satisfy all Miss Universe fans out there: a Miss Universe makeover. In Patrick’s latest transformation video, they talk about Liza’s music career, her move to L.A, and so much more while also instructing a step by step guide to achieving the beauty queen look.

@soberanoliza Miss Universe ready with @Patrick Starrr and @onesize ♬ original sound – ㅤ

EYES FIRST MORE THAN ANYTHING 

While most professional makeup artists start with the base, Patrick on the other hand started the transformation by fluffing out and filling in Liza’s brows off camera. The lids were the highlight of this look, so the beauty guru himself focused on the overall shadow technique. 

Remember: eyeshadow is all about the technique. Start with a light and airy stroke to smoke out the shadow, and blend your lid into your darker crease colors to support a smokier wing to add a nice transition from the lid to the crease. Add a fierce winged liner to finalize the look. 

PREP AND PRIME AND YOU’LL BE FINE

To embody that Miss Universe beauty, prepping and priming the skin is an absolute must. Most beauty queens have their makeup on from day to night, so it’s important to use products that will not only photograph well, but will last hours, too. 

There are so many options to choose from when it comes to priming the skin depending on your skin texture and overall complexion. Just to be safe, Patrick recommends using a blurring primer to mattify the face, and blur out the pores. 

THE SHADING OF IT ALL

Lighting can make all the difference when it comes to your makeup look. Too much light can wash-out the shadows of your face, while dimmer lighting can potentially make your beat muddy. To avoid this, make sure to apply your cream-based products before setting with a powder alternative. A bronzer or contour stick translates well in flash photography, so make sure to apply an even amount on your cheekbones and blend well.

For a lifted effect, apply your cream blush at the highest point of your cheekbones, close to the under eyes for a lifted and sculpted effect.

BLEND, SET, AND BAKE TO MAKE YOU LOOK MORE AWAKE 

More often than not, most people will set, blend and bake using one powder. For a long-lasting and porcelain effect, Patrick used a three-step approach to powder Liza’s face: the blend, set, and bake technique. 

With a clean sponge, manipulate the sponge in a dabbing motion to make sure that the concealer is blended to avoid creasing. Set the whole face using a fluffy blush and a powder foundation to avoid any product movement and build-up throughout the day. Finally, using a powder puff and a light amount of loose powder, apply the product with a stamping motion to the areas of the face that catch the most light (under eyes and below the cheek bones). Dust off the excess powder using a large fluffy brush. 

SPRAY AWAY TO LOCK IT IN ALL DAY

After all that hard work, go the extra mile by locking in all that product with a dewy skincare mist to melt the cream and powder products together, then spritz on a setting spray for a long lasting, beauty queen-approved look.

Related: 10 Historic Moments At Miss Universe 2022 That Made It Unforgettable

Felip has finally reached his final form with his ROCKSTA music video.

After giving us crumbs for months, Ken Suson of SB19, who goes by his solo stage name Felip, dropped his highly-anticipated music video for ROCKSTA. It’s his third official single after the mythology-inspired song Bulan and it was packed with a lot of references from fashion and music. Set in mostly black and white, we see monochromatic scenes of Ken singing to a blazing microphone while spitting bars, dripped in black paint and wearing an electrifying number of outfits. It’s sort of an homage to different hiphop artists from different generations. From Kanye West’s iconic face masks to Balenciaga’s runway collections, we’ve dissected all the references we’ve spotted in ROCKSTA by Felip below.

READ MORE: Here’s Why Pablo of SB19 Is About To Be One of the Top Filipino Music Producers Soon

KANYE WEST’S YEEZUS TOUR FACE MASKS

In most of the scenes in ROCKSTA, Ken wore an embellished face mask that was reminiscent of rapper Kanye West’s custom Margiela masks that he wore all throughout his Yeezus tour. NGL, Ken wearing them again for his music video made us long for more high fashion rap videos and concerts again. And just like what Ye himself says, “I miss the old Kanye.”

MISSY ELLIOT’S MICHELIN MAN BOMBER JACKET IN THE RAIN MUSIC VIDEO

Ken’s leather oversized bomber jacket reminds us a whole lot of one of the most memorable hiphop MVs in the 90s. Name a soul who has never seen the unforgettable “Michelin man” look OG rapper Missy Elliott wore for her The Rain (Supa Dupa Fly) video. We’ll wait.

THE BLACK TEARS SCENE IN G-DRAGON’S COUP D’ETAT MV

How else can you commit to the rockstar role if you don’t let yourself drip in a puddle of paint? It’s Ken Suson and K-pop artist G-Dragon’s common denominator, as seen on the Coup D’Etat music video he released nine years ago.

THE RUNWAY REFERENCES

Ken is big on fashion with his highly experimental style and it shows. For ROCKSTA, we spotted some runway references in his music video. Of course, it was highly-coded in Balenciaga S/S 2023 and 2022, and a dab of Raf Simons F/W 1998.

KENDRICK LAMAR’S HUMBLE MUSIC VIDEO

In the early scenes of ROCKSTA, we see a masked Ken together with his dancers in formation wearing all black and oversized shades. It’s a moment that reminds us of the part in rapper Kendrick Lamar’s music video for HUMBLE where he’s surrounded by men all bobbing their heads to his every bar.

THE YEEZUS TOUR

Ken Suson’s particular with the choreography obviously because he’s an all-around performer. When it comes to theatrics, we’re pretty sure Kanye West’s Yeezus Tour was on the moodboard. Just rap artist things.

CONTINUE READING: In Palayo, Ken Suson Raps In Full Bisaya and Nails The Cropped Blazer Look

Falling in and out of love is never easy, but we can learn from those experiences, as Maureen Wroblewitz shows us.

Related: Friendship Over? How Outgrowing Certain Relationships Help Us Move Forward

Breakups are never easy. They can often be filled with emotional landmines that may will take a considerable time to process and get through. And with Valentine’s Day just a few weeks away, it will be yet another reminder of a love that perhaps just didn’t work out. But as they say, at the end of the storm is a rainbow, and that is something Maureen Wroblewitz can relate to. In 2022, she and JK Labajo shook social media with the announcement that they were breaking up after years together.

This time around, Maureen Wroblewitz got the internet talking again when she recently uploaded a TikTok of her reacting to Miley Cyrus’ self-love anthem, Flowers. Without singling out a specific person, (in fact, she says it was a cumulation of experience and collective realization), Maureen got real about how love made her change for the worse and that she’s been using the past months to heal from the trauma. It’s a moment of self-reflection that she learned a lot from, and we can too for our own relationships.

TOXIC LOVE CAN TAKE AWAY WHO YOU ARE

Maureen didn’t mince words when she talked about changing for the worse when she used to be in a relationship. “I have sacrificed my beliefs and my values and I did things I didn’t like.” Her experience is a sad reality that many have faced where the feeling of being in love and wanting to please your partner can often overwhelm your core values. The fleeting yet euphoric feeling can often cloud your actions, judgement, and behavior, sometimes leading you down a path that goes against what you believe in. And it goes without saying that it’s often not worth it to go against who you are just to satisfy someone.

GUARD YOURSELF

Even someone like Maureen Wroblewitz isn’t immune to losing their way in life, especially when it comes to relationships. Her past relationship proved to be so toxic that she couldn’t recognize herself anymore. It took her leaving for her to realize what went wrong. “I have lost myself over the past few years and I’m finally realizing who I really am.” It’s a reminder of the importance of watching out for yourself even if you may feel safe with that special someone. At the end of the day, you need to check up on yourself to see if you are still happy and healthy. A relationship is supposed to be beneficial for both parties, not just one.

CHANGING YOURSELF FOR OTHERS IS RARELY WORTH IT

Being in a relationship often requires a lot of physical, emotional, and mental work. But that doesn’t mean you need to downgrade yourself. Morphing who you are just to fit the standards of your partner is not worth it. Your partner should be accepting of who you are as that’s the reason why they fell in love with you in the first place.

Sure, you can work on those traits, but not those that make you you. Maureen said that she wasn’t assertive in her past relationship, which is why she wasn’t able to stand up for herself. It’s only now that she’s taking accountability for her past actions and mending her wrongs. And if your partner won’t accept you for who you are, that’s a red flag right there. Time to move on.

DON’T BE ASHAMED ON FOCUSING ON YOURSELF

Breakups can sometimes include a level of shame given how you weren’t able to make the relationship work. But Maureen Wroblewitz is here to remind you that there’s nothing wrong with that. She has been open about facing past trauma but is also putting in the steps to heal them. “I am working on myself and healing from past trauma because I won’t want to make the same mistakes.” If you, like Maureen, want to cry about it, go ahead. But don’t lock yourself in a negativity spiral. We all make mistakes in life and what matters is that we learn from them.

KNOW YOURSELF BEFORE GETTING INTO A RELATIONSHIP

Love can make us do a lot of things. But your life is going to be so much better when you realize that it’s a number one priority to know what you want and who you are before committing to be with someone else. That insecurity mixed with the pressures of a relationship is what often leads to a couple’s downfall. As Maureen shares, she was so young when she got into a relationship that she realized only later in her life what she actually wanted in a man. Now, she’s taking stock of the things that she wants for her next relationship. So, before you get swept away in that romance, ask yourself, is it worth it?

Continue Reading: Maureen Wroblewitz Really Went From Supermodel to Super Queen

This viral TikTok transition is equal parts low-key and exciting.

Related: Trend Alert: This TikTok Challenge’s Cool Factor Is A Sure Thing

One way to boost your TikTok game is to add a nice transition in your videos. Nothing says TikTok pro like a video with a banging song and sick transitions. The thing is though that transitions aren’t exactly the easiest things to do on the platform as they can often take a lot of time and effort to do right. If you’re looking for a transition that looks cool and won’t exhaust you trying to do, then this viral trick might be up your alley. We’re talking about the viral Love me transition that has been going all over TikTok these past few weeks.

All the user has to do is do a few hand moves at the start of the smooth track before the “love me” part kicks in. That’s when the transition enters, whether it be a quick moment or a whole new look. It’s perfect when you want to serve a look or give a sneak peak of that special someone. The transition’s relative ease and the song’s vibe make it prime sound material is, which is no wonder then that it has been used over 1.1 million times and counting. And in that count includes a handful of local stars and content creators. Here are just some transitions we have saved in our favorites.

FRANCINE DIAZ

@francinesaenz_ 🫶🏻🫵🏻:P #fyp ♬ Love me transition – Zuzi

Francine slayed that as per usual. She’s giving us inspo for that glam transition.

ESNYR

@esnyrdump

may glitch

♬ Love me transition – Zuzi

Now that’s how you do a soft launch. Take notes from Esnyr.

MIKA SALAMANCA

@mikasalamanca

♬ Love me transition – Zuzi

We don’t know what we are more jealous of; Mika and HW2O’s relationship or that smooth transition in and out of that kiss.

DAVID LICAUCO

@kathandgene Sarap talaga ng food dito pre #kuyakorea #phoodtour #davidlicauco #fidel #foodventure #kathandgene #mariaclaraatibarra #foodtiktok ♬ Love me transition – Zuzi

We didn’t know what to expect, but it definitely wasn’t that. Is a kiss on David Licauco part of the meal at Kuya Korea?

HEAVEN PERALEJO

@heavenlyanperalejo

♬ Love me transition – Zuzi

She already looked good In the beginning but the transition into the brown turtleneck and bob is what did it for us.

AWRA BRIGUELA

@awrabriguela after how many takes 🤪 @FagaritaTwins👬 ♬ Love me transition – Zuzi

Awra saw the opportunity and she took it. Note to self, do this trend with someone we have a crush on and *accidentally* mess up so they have to do it again.

MAXINE TRINIDAD

@maxinetrinidad_

😙

♬ Love me transition – Zuzi

Maxine really said day and night transformation. The way her hair is blowing in the wind when it transitions is so good. If only we can look that good when he swipe our hands across the screen.

NCT’S JENO

@jm._.nct STOP THIS IS SOOO CUTE!! ***credits to original owner*** @official_nct #nct #nctdream #fyp #fypシ #foryou #kpop #kpopfyp #jeno #jenolee ♬ original sound – 𝔧𝔞𝔢𝔪𝔧𝔞𝔪

To the fan who got Jeno to do the transition with him during the fancall, we hope you sleep well at night. She may have just won this trend.

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

Looking for a fresh Gen Z love team that will make your hearts full? Kobie Brown and Andrea Abaya’s KoDrea is here to give that.

Perhaps the most exciting thing that usually comes out of the famed reality show Pinoy Big Brother are the love teams or even at times, romantic relationships, that have developed inside Kuya’s house. From Kim Chiu and Gerald Anderson to KD Estrada and Alexa Ilacad, PBB can very well be described as the Filipinos’ kilig generator, one that produces the next star couples that we’ll be gushing over and screaming our hearts out for. One of the recent love teams that has emerged from PBB and has been melting hearts nonstop with their impeccable chemistry is Kobie Brown and Andrea Abaya, or as their fans call their ship, KoDrea.

During their stint at PBB Connect three years, Kobie and Andi had captured the hearts of many viewers with their bubbly teenage romance and wholesome cuteness that had deservingly led them to the finals’ night where they became the season’s top housemates. After that, the KoDrea ship has sailed and flourished, with the young stars getting their debut appearance in Saying Goodbye, iQIYI’s first Filipino original series starring Andrea Brillantes and Seth Fedelin. Kobie and Andi then continued to spread their magic in an episode of ABS-CBN Entertainment’s YouTube romantic anthology Love Bites, in their first-ever movie together Connected (which they starred in with their PBB fellow housemates), and in the Kumu show To My First, which they top-billed. 

And with the upcoming iWantTFC and Dreamscape Entertainment offering, Teen Clash, KoDrea is expected yet again to bless our year with their adorable on-screen dynamic as Josh and Mandy. It’s a given that when they’re together in a project, Kobie and Andi always ooze with their endearing appeal. But even in their sweet real-life interactions, KoDrea never fails to make us smile. Below are some of those moments that easily make KoDrea your next favorite Gen Z sweethearts.

THAT PBB MOMENT

@kodrea10 #ad 😩💙#andreaabaya #andiabaya #kobiebrown #kodreabuddies #kodrea #foryoypage #foryou #fyp #foryou #foryou #foryou #foryou #foryoypage #foryoypage #fyp ♬ Superficial Love (Single Version) – Ruth B.

Let’s take a cute trip down memory lane and just be amused by the early days of KoDrea that were never short of kilig fuel. In this moment, Andi Abaya asked Kobie Brown to rephrase (as he should) his “we love you very much” statement to one that’s more personal. And yes, not only did Andi need that, all the KoDrea stans needed it as well.

KODREA KILIG CHALLENGE

@kodreathuglyf ay your marupok friend #kodrea #andiabaya #kobiebrown #fyp ♬ Babalik Sa’yo (from “2 Good 2 Be True”) – Moira Dela Torre

In what can be said as the realization of that “rephrase” request, Kobie got the best of Andie in the walang tatawa challenge with their Squadmates. “I love you,” said Kobie, and then Andi’s marupok heart got touched so hard she could not contain her emotions and eventually lost the game. Yeah, we’ve all experienced that—to be like the innocent Angela Ken who has to deal with others’ love expressions. 

ANDI’S BIRTHDAY

January 8 is a special day for both Andi Abaya and Kobie Brown as it is the former’s birthday. The consistent partner that he is, Kobie made a dedication post to Andi who just turned 21. Last year, Kobie even edited an entire video for her with all the favorite KoDrea memories he had captured. Kobie’s a romantic guy for sure.

A MAGICAL COUPLE

At Star Magic’s Star Magical Christmas party last year, KoDrea enchanted all of us with their costumes inspired by Prince Eric and Clara from the animated movie Barbie and the Nutcracker. And yup, they really embodied the magic of the characters with their loveteam’s natural allure.

SELOS MOMENT

@mykodrea ay grabe [ #andiabaya #4u ♬ original sound – 🗨️ – ash | student era

In one episode of PBB: Kumunity Season 10, Andi had a cute interaction with her celebrity crush, Enchong Dee. But Kobie really said, “Well I can do that, too!” and then fixed Andi’s hair afterwards. You can trust KoDrea will be here for a long time because Kobie sure looks like he’ll always be there for Andi, no matter how seloso he gets.

THE BEST PART

We’re not done with the KoDrea feels yet. Here’s Kobie and Andie making all of us swoon with their duet of Daniel Cesar and H.E.R’s collab ballad, Best Part, in one of their interviews for Rise Artists Studio. Just take it all in for the moment.

SIGURADO

@kobiesarchive_ Happy Valentine’s Day !! Sigurado by Andi Abaya ft. Kobie Brown #KoDrea endgame 💙🥺 #kobiebrown #andiabaya #fyp #foryou #happyvalentinesday #fypppp ♬ original sound – kobiesarchive📁

The love season is just around the corner, and KoDrea has got just the perfect moment to help you imbibe it. Here’s Andi Abaya making wonders with her rendition of Belle Mariano’s Sigurado featuring Kobie Brown and his surprise bouquet of flowers and romantic gifts. 

KODREA ENERGY

@kobierbrown

ready to dance battle with the brazilian kids 🇧🇷

♬ Tubarão Te Amo – DJ LK da Escócia & Tchakabum & Mc Ryan SP

Enough with the charming singing and let’s look at KoDrea’s other energetic side with their video taking on the Tubarão Te Amo by DJ LK da Esocia dance challenge. Even in their playfulness, you really can’t deny how cute they are together. 

IT’S A LOVE STORY

@kodrea brown eyes fmv kodrea #kodrea #pbbkodrea #andreaabaya #kobiebrown #fyp #foryoupage #PBB #xyzbca #pbbconnect #edit #pbbabscbn #pbbhousemates ♬ original sound – kodrea 💙 – kobie and andi

Capping off this list on a fluttering note, here’s a fan edit of all the sweetest KoDrea moments during their PBB days together. Kobie Brown and Andi Abaya have always been consistent with their relationship and by the looks of it, and as the KoDrea stans all wish, it looks that the sweethearts really are each other’s endgame.

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With a diverse lineup of cinematic delights that feature everything Japanese, the Japanese Film Festival 2023 is a cultural showcase that will transport you to the land of the rising sun.

Are you planning to go to Japan, but your wallets and busy schedules stop you from doing so? Do you dream about that ultimate experience among the cherry blossoms, bask in the view of colorful kimonos, or taste authentic ramen? Well, get transported to the land of the rising sun without having to pay those pricey fares and leave the country with Japan Foundation’s Japan Film Festival. Also known as EIGASAI, the Japan Film Festival holds an enriching cinematic experience that for 26 years, has been giving Filipinos the chance to experience Japan with their diverse cultural offering.

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A TRIP TO JAPAN

Launched in 1997, the Japanese Film Festival (JFF), or more popularly known locally as EIGASAI, has grown to be one of the Philippines’ largest cultural showcase that has attracted audiences and curated countless cinematic delights that range from dramas, romance, thrillers, and of course, animes.

The Japan Foundation, the global organization responsible for carrying out cultural exchange programs around the world, will present the Japanese Film Festival in Manila; a task that the institution has been steadfastly fulfilling for over two decades already. And this year, its mission of fostering “friendship, trust, and mutual understanding through culture, language, and dialogue” remains at the core of the festival.

From its fully virtual and journey-themed celebration last year, Japanese Film Festival 2023 returns to on-site screenings and involves more cinemas across the archipelago with a thrilling ten-film lineup. This includes Hosoda Mamoru’s animated sci-fi feature Belle, which premiered at Cannes Film Festival in 2021. The Beauty and the Beast-inspired film also opened this year’s festival and follows the emotional and epic quest of a high-school student trying to discover her true self.

Following a college student as she finds her passion in the Japanese tea ceremony, Tatsuo Omori’s drama Every Day A Good Day will make you appreciate life’s complex seasons. There’s also a Yoshida Keisuke double-bill at this year’s Japanese Film Festival, featuring his intense thriller Intolerance and his sports feature Blue. Maeda Tetsu’s And So The Baton Is Passed, on the other hand, is a family drama based on a bestselling Japanese novel and stars some of the country’s most popular actresses, Nagano Mei and Ishihara Satomi.

More Japanese animated movies you can enjoy at the fest are Tachibana Masaki’s Blue Thermal, which features a coming-of-age story about competitive gliding, and the Golden-Globe nominated musical feature Inu-oh by Yuasa Masaaki. Meanwhile, Kohei Yoshino’s Anime Supremacy! tackles the pressures and stresses of making a successful anime. The film is produced by Toei Company, the Tokyo-based company behind iconic anime series like Voltes V, Kamen Rider, Slam Dunk, and Dragon Ball. Finally, Takahisa Zeze’s suspenseful crime drama In The Wake and Shiraishi Kazuya’s mystery thriller about a serial killer will surely put you at the edge of your seat. 

The Japanese Film Festival will run until February 3, 2023 and will screen in Shangri-La Red Carpet Cinema, SM Cinemas (Baguio, Cebu, Davao), and in Film Development Council of the Philippines’ cinematheques in Manila, Negros, Iloilo, Nabunturan, and Davao. Head over to the festival’s website to know more about the schedule of events.

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Celebrating its eighth anniversary, the Wish Music Awards gathered the best of OPM in its live event comeback.

Welcoming a brand new year with a bang, radio broadcast station Wish 107.5 held the eight edition of its Wish Music Awards on the night of January 22, which made a comeback to the live stage after years of being an online event due to the pandemic. In almost its decade-spanning run, the Wish Music Awards are known for heroing the best of OPM and foregrounding philanthropic causes by awarding monetary prizes to the major-category winners and their chosen beneficiaries.

In this charity-meets-music celebration, Pinoys get to share their love for music and witness how music can impact change and how local artists can pay it forward. This year, 53 musical acts competed across 19 major categories. Hosted by Gretchen Ho and Christian Bautista in a jam-packed Araneta Coliseum, the WMAs saw Filipino music icons, emerging, promising local artists, and of course, the passionate and loyal fans gathering in a night filled with great music, compassion, and optimism for the future of OPM. Here are some of the highlights.

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SB19

After dominating the Wish Music Awards last year, P-Pop kings SB19 are back at the top this 2023 with four accolades. For their chart-topping hit Bazinga, they clinched the Wishclusive Pop Performance of the year, which they also won in the 7th WMAs for Ikako. The record-breaking pentad, who’s also fresh from their world tour last year, also nabbed the Wish Pop Song of the Year trophy for WYAT, their third consecutive win in the category. 

Since 2020, SB19 has consistently been the winners of the WMAs’ Wish Group of the Year and Wishers’ Choice (voted by the fans) awards, a testament to the pentad’s sheer musical talent and influence. While Ken, Justin, Stell, Pablo, and Josh were not present at the event, A’TIN’s support was overwhelmingly loud as the trophies were received by Sony Music Philippines General Manager Roselyn Pineda. SB19 also chose the Autism Society of the Philippines as their partner charity, which was awarded P100,000.

FELIP

SB19’s Ken Suson, who goes by the name FELIP in his soloist career, also won big at the eighth Wish Music Awards. Having just released the music video for his new banger of a track Rocksta, FELIP continued to start the year right with the R&B performance of the year award for his comeback single Palayo, as well as the breakthrough artist of the year honor. “I am happy that through my music, I am also able to help other people,” shared the proud Bisdak singer-rapper who chose to pay it forward by supporting the nonprofit organization, A Home For The Angels Crisis Home For Abandoned Babies Foundation, Inc.

Ben&Ben

The nine-piece folk pop band that’s responsible for music that tugs at our heartstrings also won big with the Wishclusive Ballad Performance of the Year and the Wish Contemporary Folk Song (their fourth already) awards for their tender track Magpahinga and love song Paninindigan Kita, respectively. Also in a cute moment that melted the hearts of the fans, Ben&Ben was seen cheering for SB19 in the group of the year category, which the latter won and the former was nominated in. Ben&Ben also serenaded the audiences and capped of the night with their live renditions of their recent hits, The Ones We Once Loved, Langyang Pag-ibig, and the award-winning Paninindigan Kita.

Moira dela Torre

Just a little over a week before her concert at the same place, the hugot queen Moira dela Torre triumphed at the Big Dome with two major awards: the Wish Ballad Song of the Year for the 2 Good 2 Be True theme song Kumpas; and the Wish Artist of the Year award, winning it for two years in a row now. Moira, who chose the nonprofit organization for disadvantaged childien, Virlanie Foundation Inc., as her beneficiary, also gave the attendees a tease of the feels that you’ll get in her third major concert with performances of her hit singles Babalik Sa’yo and Kumpas.

Regine Velasquez-Alcasid

Asia’s Songbird Regine Velasquez-Alcasid graced the event, too, much to the celebratory cheers of the crowd. The OPM stalwart received the highest accolade of the night, the KDR Icon of Musical Excellence award, which recognizes her inimitable contributions to the Filipino music scene. “I dedicate this award to my husband and our children,” the music icon said. “To all the artists who are here too, keep creating music. Kayo ang future ng OPM.”

Adie

One of Spotify’s most streamed local artists, Filipino singer Adie also scored two honors at the Wish Music Awards. For Tahanan, Adie won the Wishclusive Contemporary Folk Performance of the Year while he shared the Wish Song Collaboration of the Year honor with the Tawag ng Tanghalan alum Janine Berdin for Mahika. The artists chose Resources For The Blind, Inc. and the Philippine Cancer Society as their partner beneficiaries. Adie and Janine did not leave without giving a special performance for their fans, singing their hearts out to the LSS-inducing Mahika and Adie serenading the fans with his sentimental single Paraluman.

Zack Tabudlo

Another Filipino music act who did not leave empty-handed from the Wish Music Awards was Zack Tabudlo. Spotify’s most streamed male artist in the country last year, the Habang Buhay and Binibini hitmaker took the Wish Rock/Alternative Song of the Year for his upbeat and romantic ditty, Asan Ka Na Ba. Not only that, the chart-topping artist also sported a new look and performed his new unreleased track, Akin Ka.

Flow G

One of the breakout hip-hop artists last year, Filipino rapper and Ex Battalion member Flow G received the Wishclusive Hip-hop Performance of the Year award for his fiery Praning. The G WOLF and Ibong Adarna singer-songwriter also opened the Wish Music Awards ceremony with a performance of Moon together with his fellow Pinoy rapper Nik Makino. Flow G then joined Pinoy rap icon Gloc-9 as they lit up the stage with a live-band version of Ibong Adarna.

James Reid

Thank you @wish1075 and thank you for all your votes!✨

Congratulations again @tellemjaye for “Hello” winning the Wish Music Contemporary R&B Song of the Year award! 👋 pic.twitter.com/0JNvRYTtuH

— CARELESS MUSIC (@CARELESS_PH) February 6, 2022

Filipino multi-hyphenate and Careless co-founder James Reid took home the Wish R&B Song of the Year for the remix of his summery bop Hello 2.0 Legends Only which he created with Korean superstar, Jay B, and Taiwanese-American hip-hop artist, ØZI. James won in the same category three years ago for Filipina Girl, which he shared with Billy Crawford and Marcus Davis.

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