Looking to celebrate Pride Month in style? Look no further than this new vibrant collection by Converse that will let you express yourselves on your own terms.
Every year, the month of June stands out for its vibrant colors and its celebration of the diversity and unapologetic beauty of human expression and identity. A time to be loud and proud, Pride Month brings together the LGBTQIA+ community and its allies to advance the cause of creating a safe and inclusive space for everyone to live their truths to the fullest.
Amplifying this important advocacy is Converse’s latest collection and campaign, which not only celebrates queer power but also encourages individuals to express themselves on their own terms. With its Proud to Be campaign this year, the popular American lifestyle brand has curated just the ideal selection of shoes that will empower you to slay the Pride season in style.
PROUD TO BE
Converse embraces the limitless nature of the queer community, embodying a vast spectrum of liberating, unapologetic, boundless, and diverse experiences. This is why the brand’s Proud to Be campaign this year aims to showcase the vibrance of the individuals that form this community. Each silhouette in Converse’s 2023 Pride collection boasts a unique aesthetic, crafted to harmonize with any personal style and serve as a canvas for self-expression.
Informing and inspiring the campaign this year are LGBTQIA+ artists, allies, and personalities that Converse Philippines believes powerfully exemplify the fearless and expansive community. Among them are Miss International Queen Fuschia Ann Ravena, drag queen Brigiding, actor and filmmaker Fifth Solomon, DJ Kate Jagdon, writer-stylist Angelo De Cartagena, and influencers Antonio Estevens, Kush Obusan, and Shainna Gayle, who have all taken pride in their unapologetic, unashamed, and extraordinary voices.
The Proud to Be product collection is a testament to progress, symbolized by the stitching of the iconic Progress Pride flag onto the tongue of each shoe. While united by this powerful symbol, every silhouette in the collection stands boldly on its own, embodying individuality and self-expression. What makes it even more special is that these designs were proudly crafted by LGBTQIA+ employees and allies at Converse, ensuring an authentic representation of the community’s creativity and style. To meet the needs of the diverse community, Converse also listened to their feedback and expanded the range of sizing options available.
Within this remarkable collection, you’ll find an array of dazzling choices. The lineup includes the dynamic Run Star Legacy CX, the luxurious Chuck 70 De Luxe Heel, the versatile Chuck 70 Plus, the timeless Chuck 70, the elevated Chuck Taylor All Star Lift, and the classic Chuck Taylor All Star. Alongside these phenomenal footwear options, there’s also a captivating selection of apparel to complete your pride-inspired ensemble. Each silhouette boasts its own unique embellishments, whether it’s the Pride laces intricately weaving through the Run Star Legacy CX, the vibrant rainbow outsoles anchoring the Chuck 70 Plus, or the dazzling chunky glitter upper adorning the newly introduced Chuck 70 De Luxe Heel.
Looking to make a stylish statement this Pride Month? The Converse Proud to Be Collection is available on Converse.ph and Converse stores nationwide.
First things first, NJOMZA is not a stage name, but the first name of musician Njomza Vitia. The Albanian, German-born, Chicago-raised and Los Angeles-residing singer-songwriter had that multi-cultural upbringing that would mirror how global her career would become. She was introduced to R&B through her sister, and later began listening to rock and pop rock music. Initially, NJOMZA got her start in the music scene as part of the band called Scarlett and had a promising career. But when they dissolved in 2011, she decided to go on her own did what many young artists of the 21st century do, post covers on the internet.
THE STAGES OF SUCCESS
Her various hip-hop covers soon caught the attention of the late-grate Mac Miller, who signed her to his imprint of Warner Records, REmember Music, and in the process became the label’s first signee. What followed next was a fruitful career both, as a collaborator, and as a solo artist. On the former, Mac Miller, Skrillez, and even went on tour with Dominic Fike.
Some of you may also know her for co-writing a couple of Ariana Grande’s biggest smashes to date, 7 rings and thank u, next. On the latter, NJOMZA has received praise for her signature sound that updates the atmosphere of 90s R&B with modernized production, composition and subject matter. Such is the case with her latest release, her STAGES EP.
In seven songs and in under a cool 18 minutes, NJOMZA delivers a candid and honest exploration of the personal process of a break-up through collection of late-night R&B, atmospheric dance sonics and synth-pop sensibilities. Through heavenly production, poignant anthems, and sultry vocals, NJOMZA’s STAGESgave us a new perspective on a topic that has been done thousands of times in music.
Following the release of the EP, we got a chance to chat with NJOMZA where she opened up about her new body of work, her career, making music, and more. Read on below for what she had to say.
How would you describe who Njomza is as a musician?
I’m someone who is constantly growing. I’m willing to try new things always and I want that to reflect in my music.
You’re Albanian but grew up in the suburbs of Chicago. Did that cultural mix in your upbringing shape your music or artistry?
Yes! Every place has so much to offer and I think my upbringing definitely shaped my music.
What’s the inspiration behind the Stages EP?
The stages of grief. All the different emotions you experience during heartbreak.
What differentiates Stages from your past releases?
Although the subject matter isn’t necessarily the happiest… I’m having a lot of fun on this EP. I think there’s a confidence in myself that is peeking through all of the music.
Which song from Stages are you most excited for fans to hear?
Right now, Forget Me is my personal favorite. It’s nice and petty haha.
How did you come up with the tracklist for the EP and decide to place the songs in that order? Was there a specific theme or story you were going for?
It just felt right. I wrote all of the songs from the same mindset of wanting to heal and sometimes that can be messy!
The production of the new EP is impeccable. Could you share the process behind making the beats for the album?
Thank you! I work with incredible producers. I always have an idea of what kinda vibe I want to emulate when I go into the studio and everyone I work with is super collaborative so we make it happen.
In your opinion, what makes a song single worthy?
It’s hard to tell nowadays! Personally, I think if it’s something that feels honest. People feel things that are real.
Does your mindset change when you write music for yourself as compared to writing for other artists?
I try and channel whatever the artist is going through or wants to talk about when I work with them. When I write for myself it’s definitely more personal.
From having fans from all over the world, being signed by Mac Miller, and writing some of Ariana Grande’s biggest hits, did you imagine your life would lead you to where you are now?
No, and Yes. I like to think I can manifest the life I want.
You’ve been making music for years. How do you manage to keep that creative spark going and not get burnt out?
Life is always going to give you something to write about! You just have to pay attention.
Let me cut to the chase, this movie is hardly the worstTransformers film in the history of the franchise, but this is arguably one of the most uninspired to date, coupled with how terribly-billed it is as a Beast Wars film (if the Beast Wars characters showing up over halfway through the film is enough prerequisite to call this film as such).
DIVERGENT SUB-PLOTS
The premise of the film strains under the weight of different motivations and sub-plots. The Autobots – under Optimus Prime’s leadership – seek a way back to Cybertron after having been stranded on Earth for seven years (picking up from the end of Bumblebee); the discharged army veteran Noah Diaz struggles to find a job that can support his mother and his sickly younger brother; the museum intern Elena strives for appreciation from her fellow academics and workplace superiors; the Maximals themselves, introduced after nearly half the movie has elapsed, are hiding on Earth after a disastrous and fatal encounter with the film’s primary antagonist, Scourge.
Tying all these disparate plot lines is the looming threat posed by Unicron and his Heralds – Scourge, Battletrap, and Nightbird – and the movie MacGuffin the transwarp key, which is described by several characters as a device that can open space-time portals.
The nod to past Transformers media is clear – this is in everything but name a device that can generate a space bridge, which to many older Transformers fans serve as important cosmic gateways and plot devices of their own in other Transformers works. It is also a source of frustration and, presumably, creative fatigue with Transformers.
THE MACGUFFIN
The franchise’s own mythos, pulled together from different writers across different works, has always relied upon these MacGuffins – be they All-Sparks, Matrices of Leadership, and even Planet Keys (which unfortunately share no connection with the film’s transwarp key beyond the name); this does not mean, of course, that a good Transformers story require such plot devices to be told, or to even be good.
This is unfortunately not one of those stories. The transwarp key, having been discovered by Elena hidden within a museum artifact, is inadvertently activated while – elsewhere in the city – Noah attempts grand theft after several failed job interviews and boosts the disguised Mirage in his sleek silver-and-blue Porsche 964 Carrera form.
Optimus and the other Autobots – with Noah in tow after some back-and-forth between the wisecracking Mirage and the taciturn Prime – attempt to seize the artifact, only to be foiled by the three Heralds besting them in combat and killing Bumblebee in the process. The artifact – now in the Heralds’ possession (because I refuse to call them by their marketing name, the Terrorcons) – executes its secondary function of being a MacGuffin within a MacGuffin.
The key was, prior to the events of the film, split into two, and with the first half in Scourge’s possession, the Autobots must now resort to asking for help from a newly-arrived Airrazor – the arrival of whom is so eyeroll inducing one cannot help but feel ill at the prospect of the deus ex machina being overused for the rest of the film’s 134-minute run-time.
WHAT TO DO WITH THE MAXIMALS
After flying to Peru – featuring what can only be described as a hastily-written Uncharted-esque spelunking adventure that takes Noah and Elena under the streets of the unnamed Peruvian city – the Autobots at last meet the rest of the Maximals. That first meeting between Optimus Prime and Optimus Primal – the former a military commander and legendary hero, and the latter a noble warrior named after a timeless figure in galactic history – should have been treated with as much gravitas and drama as the film could leverage; more so considering this is Primal’s first live-action film appearance in the history of the franchise, despite the character’s popularity among Transformers fans.
Primal himself remarks, with some reverence in his tone, that the Optimus in the film was far younger and less temperate than the Prime he was named after – setting the stage for a kind of mentor-student dynamic with interesting implications considering the Maximals had traveled from the future to hide in the past.
None of that happens.
The Maximals instead kind of just appear to guide the Autobots and the human duo to the next MacGuffin – the other half of the transwarp key – and serve no narrative purpose other than blithely and vaguely inspire the Autobots to succeed (along with some fairly poignant questions from Primal that undercut Optimus’s reluctance to be involved in the concerns of Earth while the war for Cybertron raged on).
In their defense, the Maximals are visually striking – they resemble Earth animals while still maintaining a distinct mechanical visage – though the film, again despite Paramount’s marketing insisting that this film was a Beast Wars film, fails to even explain the ludonarrative behind the Maximals’ animal forms. Ultimately, and rather unfortunately, the Maximals only pad out the Autobots’ numbers in a rather uninspired blockbuster final battle with the Heralds of Unicron.
MIXED CHARACTERS
Rise of the Beasts puts an inordinate and exhausting amount of focus on its human characters, though to the writers’ credit Noah Diaz is a much more relatable and charming character than the previous films’ magnets for human disaster disguised as protagonists. Noah, for one, is hardly driven by the kind of action movie hero egoism that seemed to drive Cade Yeager and Sam Witwicky; earlier in the film, Noah and Mirage cut a deal where Noah would help the Autobots obtain the transwarp key, and in return Mirage will allow Noah to “sell” him for much-needed money that can help with medical treatments Noah’s brother needs.
Though this direction makes Noah compelling enough to follow, this leaves his counterpart Elena as something of an afterthought throughout the film. From explaining Optimus Prime’s motivations to driving the story forward in the group’s search for the transwarp key, Elena’s only role – though delivered well by Fishback – is little more than expository. The stars of the film are easily Noah and Mirage – yet another score against Paramount’s increasingly duplicitous marketing for the film.
Mirage and Noah’s dynamic steal the spotlight from the other characters, and this creates uneven characterization that hurts the film’s roster of characters. Optimus for instance is supremely flat in his insistence that Earth be abandoned in favor of returning to Cybertron, and while such motivations are understandable – they are still in the middle of a war – the immature way the film handled Prime’s growth into a leader that also cared for Earth’s fate in the face of Unicron’s arrival was not a narrative conclusion well-earned.
Wheeljack makes a quip about racism after Noah comments on the scientist bot’s accent, Stratosphere is a cargo plane that resembles a British wartime Royal Air Force pilot so jarring and stereotypical that he would fit right in with the older Transformers films and their racially charged design philosophies, and Arcee is hardly ever given more than a few seconds of screentime.
LOOK AND FEEL
After Bumblebee is revived and the heroes turn the tide of the battle against Scourge and his army of generic robots reminiscent of scrapheap messes that defined the visual language of Michael Bay’s five Transformers films, Optimus puts Scourge to task and kills the Herald – a display of robot-on-robot violence that many dedicated fans wished the films would mantle over the jarring emphasis of human characters. It has been said elsewhere and it will be echoed here: the opening scenes of Bumblebee depicting the war on Cybertron are the closest filmmakers have been to giving Transformers fans what they want.
Unfortunately, even this generic final battle sequence does not salvage the film; the Maximals, so heavily featured in the film’s pre-release marketing, barely have an opportunity to shine and even less of an opportunity to show the distinct and fantastic robot modes hidden under layers of animal fur. Instead, the finale focuses again on Elena and Noah trying to get to the transwarp key, while Mirage and Prime take on Scourge in a confusing slurry of camera angles and fight choreography.
Despite praises sung in this review for the Maximals, the Heralds, and even the Autobots’ distinctly G1-inspired designs, nothing about the film jumped to me as striking. The overall aesthetic of the original 2007 live-action film and its sequels are the subject of many jokes on the internet, but on their own even the amalgam of wiry, alien, and near-monstrous aesthetics of the 2007 Autobots and Decepticons were striking in their own way. Rise of the Beasts – and to an extent its predecessor Bumblebee – show off flashy and colorful robots that I find only successfully appeal to Transformers fans who refuse to grow out of Generation 1.
This is not a fault exclusive to the film – Transformers remains a corporate IP designed to sell, and if anecdotal information is to be believed the franchise’s biggest customers remain older fans who never quite appreciated Transformers beyond the original 1984 cartoon. For a franchise all about change and transformation – heck, it’s in the name – it is saddled with so much stagnation and repetition that the film does not fail to be good so much as it fails to matter.
LESS CHANGE, MORE OF THE SAME
Some of the franchise’s most compelling stories embraced change in one fashion or another. Beast Wars exploded in popularity for adapting three-dimensional computer-generated animation and garnered an Emmy Award for it, all the while fleshing out a template and mythos for transformative (pun unintended) storytelling in Transformers about heroism and sacrifice.
The IDW Comics run of the Transformers starting from 2005 picked up the bones of their Dreamwave predecessor and turned the Cybertronian war from one between freedom fighters and despotic evil to a truly compelling narrative about destroying class-based societies and historical revisionism (with some astounding introspection from Optimus Prime about the dangers of hero-worship and the reputation of his name).
Even Bumblebee was all heart – it spun a fine narrative about the pain of losing a loved one and being left behind and remains the franchise’s best outing on the theatrical scale (don’t let the box office performance be its sole metric for success).
If you are looking for an escape from the drudgery of life with some robotic action packed with an interesting story, you will not find it here. Pick up any copy of the IDW Comics Transformers anthologies; rewatch Beast Wars, which are available for free on YouTube via official Transformers channels; give even the new animated show EarthSpark a spin. Your time will be better served elsewhere.
In case you didn’t know, we’re in the middle of graduation szn as thousands of students around the country take their next step in their education, from moving up ceremonies, graduating from high school, or getting that college diploma. All those years of hard work, study sessions, and notes taking for many students comes down to wearing that toga and walking on stage to be recognized for their efforts. It’s a euphoric feeling, one that quite a few young stars and personalities are experiencing this year.
Despite their busy schedules, careers, and pressures of having a public platform, these famous names still found the time to focus on their studies. They also remind us that, even with the benefits of fame, nothing beats getting that education. Here are just some of the celebs who read the readings, did the projects, and wrote those papers to join the graduating class of 2023.
ZAIJAN JARANILLA
Santino is all grown up and is now a high school graduate. Zaijan recently put on his light blue toga when he finished senior high school at Colegio de San Juan de Dios. And, in case you were wondering, he came from the HUMSS strand.
SAM CRUZ
Who says working students can’t graduate with honors? Not Sam Cruz. The budding musician recently finished high school at La Salle Santiago Zobel, where she received 2nd honors in the first and second terms, and 1st honors in the third term.
KENDRA KRAMER
Even if Kendra Kramer is on the fast-track to becoming a sought-after model and endorser, the former NYLON Manila cover star is still prioritizing her education. Case in point, Kendra recently finished grade 8 and is set to move on up and become a high school student.
In between competing around the world, Alex Eala is also getting that education. And last June, she achieved her latest academic milestone yet as the 18-year-old tennis star graduated from the Rafa Nadal Academy, where she received her high school diploma.
In between booking acting projects and slaying the ASAP stage with her powerful vocals, Sheena balanced that with her studies as she got her head in the books. And, despite the challenges she faced with her career, Sheena persevered for her studies and recently completed junior high school at the University of Cebu.
LANCE CARR
Former PBB housemate and now actor Lance Carr made sure to put in the work for his studies. The recent Ateneo de Davao alumni and basketball varsity player obtained a Bachelor of Arts in Communication, graduated Cum Laude, and was even named a Blue Knight Awardee. Talk about impressive.
RYZZA MAE DIZON
It seems as if it was just yesterday that we first saw Ryzza Mae Dizon on Eat Bulaga. Now, she’s one step closer to completing high school as the young star recently had her moving-up ceremony to senior high school for Eton International School at the PICC.
Completing college is already hard as it is. It gets even more challenging when you add having a career as a rising actor. But River Joseph worked through all of that now that he official earned his bachelor’s degree in business management from De La Salle University. Fun fact: River has been studying in La Salle all his life, from grade school, high school, and now, a college alumni.
Aside from being one of our favorite members of the Laude family to watch on Small Laude’s vlogs, Allison is also college-bound. She recently got her senior high school diploma from International School Manila and is set to move to California to begin her freshman year in Claremont McKenna College.
RITA GAVIOLA
Rita Gaviola, who you probably remember as the viral Badjao Girl, didn’t let the haters stop her from achieving her goals. After revealing in 2022 that she became a mother, Rita’s latest milestone came when she graduated from senior high school and shared a sweet post dedicating her achievement to her family.
MIEL PANGILINAN
Big things are ahead for Miel Pangilinan as the LGBTQIA+ advocate and NCTzen recently graduated from high school and even bagged a loyalty award. Now, Miel is set to take a gap year before heading off to New York for college, just like her big sister Kakie.
Currently basking in the glory of their PAGTATAG! era, the P-pop kings are once again poised to dominate 2023 with their newly-released bangers and their upcoming second world tour. GENTO, the first single from SB19’s latest EP, has already made a significant impact and continues to captivate listeners with its irresistible appeal.
With the release of the full six-track slate ofPAGTATAG!, the immense talent and creativity of Pablo, Stell, Ken, Justin, and Josh take center stage. This is especially evident in their latest music video for the soulful single I Want You, where SB19 delivers a mesmerizing visual and aural experience.
I WANT YOU
Written by August Rigo (the same Filipino producer behind ON and Black Swan) and SB19’s leader and main rapper Pablo, I Want You differs from the energetic and explosive energy of GENTO and instead takes on the R&B route that is at once slow, sensual, and soulful. Released under SB19’s own management company, 1Z Entertainment, this is a unique offering from the boys who will wrap you in some passionate emotions and leave you burning with desire.
“I wanna fall on my knees beg for your body on me / ‘Cause I want you / You know how I like it / Girl, I want you.” Every word and verse in I Want You is layered with a romantic intensity that will definitely put you in the mood for love. The sentimentality might remind you of SB19’s debut ballad Tilaluha or even Love Goes from their debut album, Get In The Zone, but I Want You’s sound and melody are refreshingly new from the P-pop group.
And we all know that when SB19 releases a song, its music video always does not disappoint. This is the case for I Want You, where the visuals abound with sensorial images that match the thematic sensuality of the song. Directed by Jed Regala, the I Want You music video’s artistry hits right in the feels, from the underwater shots to the seductive stills that capture the boys in an alluring and pensive mood.
FANS’ REACTIONS
Similar to the song’s message, A’TIN also couldn’t help but get addicted to the I Want You M/V, gushing over the visual feast online. One fan describes it as “poetically beautiful.” Another stan exclaims, “This is not just a music video. This is art!” Others have expressed their admiration for their mains, from Justin’s tantalizing shots to Josh’s magnetic stare.
Another thing fans couldn’t stop talking about is the I Want You choreo, which was first performed in the PAGTATAG! media launch and was also performed by SB19 live for the first time on the ASAP Natin ‘To! Stage last weekend. Sexy and incredibly groovy, the choreo had the fans on a chokehold online, swooning hard over SB19’s sensual yet sleek moves.
Ever since its release on June 9, the I Want You music video has been watched almost a million times (as of writing) and has been on the top spot on Youtube’s trending music topic for days now. The track has also been performing well in the music charts alongside the PAGTATAG! EP taking the sixth spot on iTunes’ Worldwide Album chart. The kings of P-pop are definitely back!
It’s been busy days for SB19, but honestly, when hasn’t it been? Later this month, they are set to embark on their world tour beginning this June 24 and 25 at the Araneta Coliseum. Also, SB19 is embracing a newfound freedom of self-management and exploring other career opportunities under their company, 1Z Entertainment, that could potentially expand to signing and nurturing other artists. And, this is on top of the recent release of their highly-anticipated new EP, PAGTATAG!, with the two-year wait since their last release being solidly worth it.
The album signaled a new era for SB19, which is highlighted by a more mature and captivating mix of music. The EP is a musical testimony of the group’s journey and transformation since their humble beginnings in 2018. The six-track EP may just be SB19’s boldest release yet, offering audiences unexplored genres and musical styles, going from pop, hip-hop, R&B ballad, and more. As we look forward to what this new era of SB19 has in store, we break down the songs of their new EP as each track gives a vibe perfect for a variety of situations.
GENTO – FOR WHEN YOU WANT TO REMEMBER HOW FAR YOU’VE COME
GENTO places SB19’s bold talent and confidence into the spotlight, highlighting their strength and versatility. It served as the first single of the era because it narrated, in creative terms, SB19’s journey and how they’ve refined themselves over the years to be solid gold. With catchy wordplay, a beat that will get you dancing, and a strong message, GENTO is that kind of track for those who want to embrace their glow-up.
I WANT YOU – FOR WHEN YOU WANT TO GET IN THAT SENSUAL MOOD
SB19 really got us shook with this August Rigo-produced R&B jam. After the high energy of GENTO, the group slows things down in this number about stating your desire to be with that special someone. They confidently slip into the R&B genre and serve listeners a soulful, heart-stuttering song. This immersive track unveils a deeper dimension of SB19 and puts on display their raw passion and emotions for the world to see. I WANT YOU is for when you want to turn down the lights and get the mood just right as you see your aspirations tantalizingly in reach.
CRIMZONE – FOR WHEN YOU WANT TO PUMP YOURSELF UP
If there was a hype song of PAGTATAG!, it would be CRIMZONE. The song is as if the adage of “no pain, no gain” was turned into a track as CRIMZONE shares a story of where excellence is never achieved without blood, sweat, and tears. SB19 practically pounds the floor with their hard-hitting beats as they deliver a homage to their struggles and triumphs as artists. The overwhelmingly heavy beats deliver a vibe of when you’re ready to go hard in your next challenge.
ILAW – FOR WHEN YOU WANT TO DROWN OUT THE NOISE
Come through vocals! We often associate light as a positive and healing force. But sometimes, too much light can be blinding to the point where it can overwhelm you. That’s where this acoustic track takes us as SB19 delivers a poignant message of the need to protect our peace and take a step back when needed. ILAW is a raw and personal rendition of authenticity, vulnerability, and emotions that will have you pressing play when you need to step out of the light.
LIHAM – FOR WHEN YOU WANT TO TAKE TIME TO REMEMBER YOUR BLESSINGS
If SB19 thought that we would listen to a six-minute-long ballad, they were right. With LIHAM, the group enters power ballad territory as they deliver an honest expression of love and blessings. This number not only showcases how SB19 are practically pros at making ballads but also captures the profound feeling of wanting people you hold dear in your heart to know how special they are. Vocally rich and brimming with emotions, LIHMA is for those wanting to vocalize that vow and intimate declaration of devotion.
FREEDOM – FOR WHEN YOU WANT TO CELEBRATE THE PEOPLE WHO LOVE YOU
Closing out PAGTATAG! is FREEDOM, an upbeat track dedicated to the fans. It’s a song that celebrates breaking away from trials and challenges and stepping into a new era in life. And, of course, these celebrations wouldn’t be complete without the people who stuck around for the long ride. FREEDOM embodies the feeling of feeling, well, free, with the people who support you. For SB19, that’s A’TIN. But for any listener, it can be the ones who have always had their back, be it family, friends, a loved one, or more. Consider this the party anthem for your besties.
With more than a decade of experience in the industry, Andrea Brillantes has been running the game and cashing checks for years. Given how big of a name she is, though, Blythe has experienced her fair share of haters who try to bring her down. Some even base their opinion of the Gen Z star on her private life, often trying to drag her based on who she is and isn’t seeing, and headlines that exaggerate her personal life.
But Andrea doesn’t let all that get to her and has proven time and time again that she will always be at the center of her success. We’ve rounded up a few moments where Blythe unapologetically embraced her independence like the queen that she is.
BEING CEO OF HER OWN COMPANY
While most young adults in their early 20s are still thinking about what they want to do, Blythe is busy running her own company. In 2022, she made headlines when she became the youngest celebrity CEO in the Philippines and expanded her business portfolio. While managing a business is nothing new to Andrea, she achieved her biggest career move to date this year when she finally launched her very own makeup brand, Lucky Beauty. It’s giving girl boss.
THRIVING WITH HER SOLO CAREER
While the Philippine entertainment industry is often driven by the ebb and flow of love teams, it is still possible to succeed with projects that aren’t based on having a partner. Such is the case with Andrea’s current career moves where, after spending years in projects tied to a love team partner, she’s branching out on her own. She’s also made it no secret that she enjoys being out of her love team phase, as seen with her first solo series, Drag You & Me. We can’t wait to see more diverse roles for Blythe as she continues to explore her freedom in acting.
BEING THE FAMILY BREADWINNER
While Andrea Brillantes is seen as a star these days, that wasn’t the case when she was on the come-up as a child actress. Since she was 10 years old, Blythe served as her family’s main breadwinner, putting in the work not just to advance her career, but also to provide for her family. Now, her family lives a good life, and Blythe can take pride in the fact that it was mainly through her efforts. What Andrea and her family enjoy today is because of Andrea’s determination.
THROWING A-TIER CLAPBACKS
While Andrea is used to people throwing hate comments her way, that doesn’t mean she won’t defend herself when need be. Over the years, Blythe has flawlessly clapped back at people who criticize her for just being herself. From what she wears, who she stans, what she does with her love life, and more, Blythe has made it known that she’ll never catch strays and change the way she lives her life.
While there’s nothing wrong with traveling the world with the people you love, there’s a joy to be found in exploring destinations alone. That’s a joy Andrea experienced during her recent trip to Spain as she celebrated her independence by exploring the country’s wonders by herself. If Andrea Brillantes can get those solo travel miles and enjoy her life, so can you.
BUILDING HER DREAM HOUSE
Andrea has been hustling since she was a kid, and all that hard work came to fruition as she achieved big things before she turned 18. Case in point, she built her dream home when she was just 17 years old. Mind you, she wasn’t even of legal age then, yet she already had the resources to achieve a goal that many can only dream of.
Vivoree Esclito is back to give us the feels with the new music video for her latest romantic track, Dalawang Isip. And while the singer-actress-model aims to play with our hearts again with her vocal power, Vivoree is also responsible for the music video’s story and concept that will leave you wanting more.
LALAPIT, LALAYO
Released under ABS-CBN Star Music, Dalawang Isip takes a different thematic route from Vivoree’s Matapang. Whereas the latter delves into the enchanting nature of falling in love, Dalawang Isip takes on a more pensive mood, wounding us with the song’s heartbreaking heft and some romantic drama.
Written by Danielle Balagtas, Dalawang Isip finds Vivoree reunited with fellow actor and on-screen partner Brent Manalo. Spanning four chapters chronicling different years, the five-minute music video is set in a library where a special love is born. Vivoree plays an aspiring author while Brent is his number one fan. Some broken promises, hard decisions, and tears cried later, the two cross paths once more, ready to continue the romantic tale they started.
In other words, the Dalawang Isip M/V can stand as a short film of its own and if anything, it’ll just make you want more from the promising ViBrent tandem. What makes Dalawang Isip special is that this also marks a first for Vivoree. This is the first time she made the concept for her own music video, creating the story with Chapters by Mayad, writing the script, and even co-directing it with Karlo Calingao.
“I’m here still floating… ‘cause another first just happened,” shares Vivoree in her Instagram post. “i was able to conceptualize and co-direct this music video with team @chaptersph 🩶 really grateful for my whole management especially @starmusicph for allowing me to sprinkle some of my creativity into this project.” While acting, directing, and scriptwriting seem to be daunting tasks, Vivoree adds that going out of her comfort zone “was definitely worth it.”
Apart from the previously released Matapang and Dalawang Isip, fans can also get excited about Vivoree’s solo EP to be released later this year. And just as Dalawang Isip is that ideal track for when you want some mellow and sentimental tunes to accompany you in the rain, we can surely expect more achingly beautiful offerings from Vivoree. Or perhaps a new ViBrent movie with the soundtrack entirely made by Vivoree herself? Fingers crossed.
According to PAGASA, June signals the official start of the rainy season. But who says the cloudy skies and frequent rains should dampen your spirits? And with the new movies and shows premiering this month, June isn’t looking one bit gloomy. From blockbusters to highly-anticipated seasons, drama, action, romance, sci-fi, and more, we’ll be needing to make some room in the watchlist for the new titles of the month. Here are fresh shows and movies to keep an eye out for this June.
THE CATTLEYA KILLER
Helmed by Dan Villegas with screenplay by genre master Dodo Dayao, Cattleya Killer is a thriller that follows the investigation of a series of murders by a serial killer whose murderous antics (like leaving Cattleya flowers on his victims) are similar to an infamous murderer believed to be long dead for decades. Anton dela Rosa (Arjo Atayde) the son of a cop who solved the original case, becomes more and more of a suspect as past traumas and long-buried secrets are brought to the fore. If you’re itching to catch a good Filipino thriller, you can stream this series now on Prime Video.
DRAG YOU AND ME
In a time when drag queens are increasingly portrayed in a negative light around the world, it’s nice to see ABS-CBN invest in this drag series that came out during Pride month no less. From director JP Habac comes this story of a young woman (played by Andrea Brillantes) who decides to enter the world of the local drag scene and compete in a drag competition to win money for her family’s business. There’s nothing quite like this show on TV as it gives the proper spotlight on the queens and what goes on behind the shimmering curtains. You can stream the series now on iWantTFC.
MISSED CONNECTIONS
Are you that type of person to obsess over a seemingly random stranger that you might think is the one? Then this movie is for you. Starring Miles Ocampo, Kelvin Miranda, and Chie Filomeno, the film follows a young woman, Mae, who goes on an app to find a man she had a chance encounter with. Luckily for her, she finds the guy, Norman. Unluckily for her, his relationship status is complicated. You can stream the film now on Netflix.
THE IDOL
Listen, we know this show is a hot mess. But we’ll still be watching, at least just for Jennie’s scenes because she’s eating her five minutes of screen time. If curiosity gets the better of you, The Idol is airing on HBO and streaming on HBO GO.
TRANSFORMERS: RISE OF THE BEASTS
The Transformers are back, and this time, their headed to the 90s. The latest iteration of the blockbuster series sees the Autobots teaming up with the Maximals as they fend off the latest threat threatening the planet. Given how much of a step-up Bumblebee was from the original trilogy, we have our hopes up for this. The film rolls into local cinemas on June 7.
BLOODHOUNDS
This upcoming K-drama centers on two friends, up-and-coming boxer Gun-woo (Woo Do-hwan) and fellow competitor Woo-jin (Lee Sang-yi). Due to their similarities and shared experiences, the two form a friendship. But one day, a close family member is victimized by a loan shark. Now, the two, along with a friend, enter the shady world of loan sharks to get justice for their loved one. The series streams on Netflix beginning June 9.
LUV IS: LOVE AT FIRST READ
The second entry of GMA’s Luv Is adaptations is dropping this month. Based on the popular Wattpad by Chixnita, the show follows a young man named Kudos (Mavy Legaspi) searching for love. He comes across the diary of a young woman whose entries reveal that she shares a lot of similarities with him. He eventually meets her, Abby (Kyline Alcantara). Happy ending, right? Well, that is until he also meets Angelica, who seemingly is the exact opposite of Kudos yet something develops between the two. And topping this crazy love triangle is the fact that Abby and Angelica are the same person. Come through twist! The series premiers on GMA on June 12.
THE FLASH
This movie has as many twists for the DCEU as lead star Ezra Miller has had legal troubles. But controversies of the star on the side, early reviews of The Flash have been glowing, so we’re excited to see the time travelling shenanigans on screen. The film speeds onto local cinemas on June 14.
ELEMENTAL
Pixar is back with their inventive magic with Elemental. Set in a world of elements, specifically water, fire, land, and air, the film follows Ember and Wade. While the two come from different elements that aren’t supposed to mix, their love for each other proves otherwise. The questions is though, will the two get their happily ever after? Find out for yourself when the film screen in local theaters beginning June 14.
EXTRACTION 2
Consider your Saturday night action movie slot filled with this Netflix blockbuster. Tyler Rake is back, and this time, he travels to Russia to free an imprisoned family from a ruthless gangster. What could possibly go wrong? It arrives on the streaming platform June 16.
SECRET INVASION
The MCU continues along with a series that has the potential to deliver some of the biggest shocks for Phase Five of the MCU. Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson) and Maria Hill (Cobie Smulders) team up once more as they try to stop nefarious forces from undermining the world from within. The show is described as the MCU’s take on a political thriller, which already has us excited as schemes that only Nick Fury can solve start to unravel. The show is slated to drop on Disney+ on June 21.
INDIANA JONES AND THE DIAL OF DESTINY
Indiana Jones is back for his fifth, and final, adventure as the legendary adventurer puts on his fedora once more to stop the Dial of Destiny from getting into the hands of the wrong people. It’s an end of an era as Harrison Ford has said that this will be the last time he’ll play Indy on film, so his last adventure may be his grandest yet. Discover the secrets of the Dial of Destiny beginning June 28 in local theaters.
RUBY GILLMAN, TEENAGE KRAKEN
DreamWorks knows how to deliver films that breaks expectations. Such is the case with their latest offering. The film centers on Ruby, a sweet, awkward 16-year-old who is desperate to fit in at Oceanside High, but she mostly just feels invisible. She’s math-tutoring her skater-boy, who only seems to admire her for her fractals, and she’s prevented from hanging out with the cool kids at the beach because her over-protective supermom and has forbade Ruby from ever getting in the water.
But when she breaks her mom’s #1 rule, Ruby will discover that she is a direct descendant of the warrior kraken queen and learn about their sworn enemies, the mermaids, with the most popular girl in school so happening to be one. Mermaids being the bad guys and krakens being the heroes and all told through the eyes of a teenage girl? Consider our tickets booked. You can catch the film in local cinemas beginning June 28.
CELEBRITY
If a K-drama about the world of the Korean entertainment industry is what you want, then this series might be for you. Celebrity is centered on influencer Seo A-ri and her foray into the wild world of the industry that isn’t as perfect at it seems. It streams on Netflix beginning June 30.
NEW SEASONS
New shows? No. But are they new seasons that should be on your watchlist? Absolutely. Never Have I Ever Season 4 (June 8), Black Mirror Season 6 (June 15), The Bear Season 2 (June 22), And Just Like That Season 2 (June 22), The Witcher Season 3 Volume 1 (June 29).
Graduation is one of, if not the most anticipated events any student waits for in college. After four or so years of hard work, papers, restless nights, and cups of coffee, college has come to a close as you head on stage in your cap and toga and get that degree. But while graduation is a whole moment, what happens after you take off the toga is a whole other beast.
Now that your formal schooling years are officially over, what do you do now? Usually, life post-university means getting a job. But entering the workforce and becoming part of a statistic isn’t all that’s waiting for you out there. Sure, you can go on the job hunt and get needed government documents like SSS, TIN, and an NBI Clearance, but your path in the “real world” has many branches you can take. Here are a few you may want to consider.
REST
As simple as that. Turn on the AC, close the blinds, and get some shut-eye. You’ve spent who knows how many nights doing school work, cramming papers, or studying for exams, so you shouldn’t deny yourself the much-deserved R&R. After years of school, there’s nothing wrong with taking a long vacation and recharging your energy. Get on that movie marathon, play video games, hang out with friends, or just do nothing at home. The last thing you need is to jump into work and not give your body, mind, and spirit enough time to recover from your college years.
GET THAT EXPERIENCE
College is supposed to train and prepare you for the real world. But the reality is, most of us feel that even with our degree, we don’t feel ready to enter the workforce. That’s a completely normal feeling and a valid reason for feeling anxious about entering a 9-to-5. Instead of going straight into a full-time job, you can use your post-college days to apply for internships or apprenticeships to build experience and hone your skills further.
Pursuing side hustles and freelance work is another good way to practice your craft while managing your hours, not to mention a path for you to make some money on the side. Consider it as dipping your toes in the pool before diving off the board.
GO BACK TO SCHOOL
Going back to school after graduating college? Yes, and it’s a natural next step, especially for those going to medical and law school. Your post-college days could be the time to think about pursuing a master’s or post-graduate degree, whether locally or abroad. You may also want to consider going to a vocational school, like culinary or film school, or taking extra courses to hone certain skills you want to apply in your ideal job. And, if the situation calls for it, you might also want to enroll back in college to get a second degree if you feel like your life’s path is rearing you towards a different career than what your initial degree intended.
TRAVEL
Your days of sitting in classrooms for hours a day is finally over. So, why not celebrate by getting those travel miles? As a fresh grad, it’s time for you to explore and discover the world to its fullest, with travel being one of the best ways to do that. Whether alone, with family, friends, or that special someone, traveling can serve both as a much-needed vacation and an opportunity to reflect on what the rest of your life has to offer.
START THAT PASSION PROJECT
It seems as if we never have the time to do what we want because of how much energy school takes. But now that that’s over, your schedule is free to do what you want, such as bringing that passion project to life. If starting your own business has always been on your bucket list, your post-college days are the time to do it. Not only will you be doing something you enjoy (and make money from it), but it will also be a nice addition to your resume. Who knows, you may even turn that passion project into your full-time job.
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