When life gets too much, shutting off the world and retreating to our comfort watches never fails. And true enough, that helped us get through this month with new releases, recent finds, and old gems that made our day serving as some of our favorite media options in July. So, scroll down for the picks and recos that were our top entertainment options of July 2024.
MONTY PYTHON AND THE HOLY GRAIL – MAGGIE BATACAN, EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
This movie reenters my consciousness every couple years and subsumes my personality for weeks. It’s one of the funniest movies I’ve ever seen and never fails to make me laugh. Campy, witty, dark, random – it’s just a good time. My favorite scene is the one where King Arthur meets the autonomous collective of “peasants” who have the most sophisticated system of government I’ve ever heard of. The PH could never (I said what I said).
YAELOKRE – ANDRE CHANGE, CREATIVE AND FASHION DIRECTION
I recently discovered Yaelokre’s music on Instagram, and I was immediately captivated. In just one song, Harpy Hare, their music captures the spirit of the folkloric, fairytale, and medieval-esque, transporting you into an immersive world through their music, illustrations, and characters. That’s an impressive feat!
The group even has its own hand-drawn illustrations of the characters (Cole, who wears a hare’s mask; their stage partner Clémentine with a goat’s mask; Perrine as the moose; and Kingsley representing nature), enhancing the power of their music and storytelling. Their fashion, mirroring the medieval, folkloric, and fairytale styles of the illustrations, combines contemporary pieces and masks, blurring reality and fantasy in an exciting, stylish way. I was pleasantly surprised and proud to learn that the group is from the Philippines!
At the end of the day, people can and will debate if the MCU got its mojo back and if multiverses and cameos have been the downfall of comic book movies as of late. But you can’t take away how Deadpool & Wolverine gives the Fox Marvel movies a proper send-off tied to a message of characters who no longer matter rediscovering their meaning and purpose. As someone who grew up on these movies, it hits extra hard for me. This film is for them, and that’s commendable. To do all that and more in a fun and adrenaline-fueled ride is why I enjoy this movie for what it is.
JULIE AND THE PHANTOMS – NICA GLORIOSO, FEATURES WRITER
I didn’t want to watch Julie and the Phantoms because I knew a cancelled show would only leave me wanting more, but I watched it this July and I fell in love with its charm. It’s youthful and very Disney Channel-esque, but the fun concept, chemistry between the cast, and the music were exquisite. I’m now part of the population that’s begging for a season 2 even though it’s been years since it ended.
RIIZING DAY CONCERT IN MANILA – GELO QUIJENCIO, MULTIMEDIA ARTIST
The most awaited debut stage of RIIZE in Manila set stage last July 14. It was filled with fun and engaging moments with fans. They also incorporated Filipino pop culture moments when they danced to BINI and SB19’s hit songs.
TERRACE HOUSE: BOYS AND GIRLS IN THE CITY SEASON – ZEAN PERELLO, MULTIMEDIA ARTIST INTERN
When it comes to reality shows from Japan, The Boyfriend is a hot topic right now. However, reality shows aren’t new in Japan. One of the best shows produced is Terrace House, specifically Boys and Girls in the City. Its concept and unfiltered episodes make the show interesting to watch. It never gets boring and was extended due to public demand and hype during its time.
The athletes at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games have been doing nothing less than making the nation proud. One such athlete has been making the rounds on social media for being a queer indigenous sports icon—Hergie Bacyadan.
IG/hergiebacyadan
Hergie Bacyadan is a transgender male boxer currently part of Team Philippines, competing in the women’s boxing division. The 29-year old has had over a decade-long career in combat sports, competing in international competitions, earning medals and qualifications, and improving his skills—eventually making his way to France for the much-awaited Paris 2024 Olympics. He joins fellow boxers Nesthy Petecio, Carlo Paalam, Eumir Marcial, and Aira Villegas on the Philippine boxing team. Learn a little bit about the trending athlete below.
HE’S A MARTIAL ARTIST
Hargie Bacyadan has been a combat sport athlete since he started his career. Hergie started his fighting career in martial arts Chinese wushu and Vietnamese vovinam. He first competed in international wushu championships, earning two silver medals, and went on to win a gold medal in the 2023 World Vovinam Championships in the women’s vovinam division, being the first Filipino to do so.
He transitioned to boxing officially in 2019, making his debut at ASBC Asian Grand Slam Boxing Championships in a bid for the Olympics. For the last five years, Hergie’s been making his way up the ranks, and eventually qualified in the women’s middleweight category for Paris 2024, making a dream of his come true.
The boxer has indigenous roots, being a native of Kalinga, which makes him Igorot. Before he went off to Paris for the Olympics, Hergie revealed he received a “warrior’s blessing” from the Kalinga tribe. In an interview, Hergie talked about how he’s motivated by his family and his tribe. He said, “Ang motivation ko yung family ko, tribo ko sa Kalinga, at yung mga taong nagtitiwala rin sa akin na kaya kong mag medal dito sa Paris.”
QUEER ICON
IG/hergiebacyadan
Hergie is a transmasc athlete, and is paving the way for queer Pinoy athletes and aspiring athletes to be unstoppable in achieving their dreams, despite any and all discrimination and negative public opinion regarding their SOGIE. Proud to be part of the LGBTQIA+ community, in a recent interview, Hergie stated no preference regarding his pronouns, but explained that he has always felt that he was a man. He’s also said that he was attracted to women—he’s married to Lady Denily Digo (sorry to disappoint all the people online thirsting over him!).
You may be asking why the athlete is competing in the women’s division at the Olympics. It’s because while Hergie is a trans man, he has not undergone any hormone replacement therapy. Yes, as people online echo in shock, he’s not on T! He’s trained hard for his physique and skills, and got a shot at the Summer Games because of his hard work. Hergie qualified for the Olympics by winning his quota bouts round in the 2nd World Boxing Olympic Qualification Tournament in Bangkok, Thailand, defeating Venezuela’s Maryelis Yriza.
Though he’s received contention for his participation in matches in the women’s category, particularly during his competition run at the World Vovinam Championship in 2023, he and sports organization Vovinam Pilipinas Federation condemned the protests of opposing teams and stood behind Hergie’s eligibility to compete where he does.
Despite all the challenges he’s had to overcome, including going up the best of the best in boxing at Paris 2024, Hergie’s got a chance to be the first transgender male athlete to win an Olympic medal, and we’re rooting for him hard.
Marvel is no stranger to dropping bombshells at San Diego Comic-Con, but their recent announcement may just be one of their most explosive yet. In a packed Hall H, Marvel pulled back the curtain when they revealed that Avengers: Doomsday was coming in May 2026 and Avengers: Secret Wars in May 2027, both directed by Joe and Anthony Russo. With the reveal comes the official announcement that Victor von Doom, aka Doctor Doom, would finally be making his MCU debut. And who will be playing one of Marvel’s best villains? Why Robert Downey Jr. of course who got thousands of attendees jumping to their feet with his Comic-Con appearance.
TBH, Doctor Doom replacing Kang as the new big bad of the MCU wasn’t that surprising given what’s happened in the past year. But is RDJ the right actor to bring the iconic villain to life? As seen in the reaction online these past few days, RDJ is either the savior the MCU needs or another example of the universe’s downfall. We’re just under two years away from Doctor Doom’s MCU debut, and depending on how things go, it could either make for a new exciting era or further keep the MCU at a low point. Admittedly, the Oscar-winning actor brings pros to the role, but also a few cons, some of which we break down below.
FOR: IT’S RDJ
INSTAGRAM/ROBERTDOWNEYJR
Robert Downey Jr. helped make the MCU what it is today, literally and figuratively. His version of Iron Man/Tony Stark is one of the MCU’s most loved characters. For over a decade, RDJ’s Iron Man was a charismatic cornerstone of the universe. So, to see such a beloved actor back in the MCU is exciting for fans. It’s the return of a king. He lowkey made the MCU, so who’s to say he can’t do it again? And there’s no denying Downey Jr.’s acting skills, something he’s proven in the MCU and beyond. We have a very good feeling he will deliver on the role that’s more than just his Tony Stark persona.
FOR: IT MAKES FOR A COMPELLING TWIST
Whether this is a Tony Stark variant who becomes Doctor Doom or the MCU’s version of Victor von Doom remains to be seen. But regardless, RDJ in his MCU villain era spices things up a bit. In particular, we can already picture the shock the Avengers will feel when someone who looks like their ally is now their greatest enemy. Can you imagine what it would be like for them to fight an old friend? The twist of seeing the MCU’s greatest hero become its destroyer is kinda exciting. The filmmakers have room to play with that emotionally and narratively.
— masc potatoes (Phoenix Era)🐦🔥 (@CertifiedFool_) July 28, 2024
As much as we love Robert Downey Jr., you can’t deny that this news has a bit of stunt casting written on it. One of the MCU’s biggest downfalls post-Endgame is how it relies too heavily on nostalgia and throwbacks to remind audiences of its greatness instead of properly developing its new characters. Casting RDJ, an actor so connected to the Iron Man and Tony Stark mythos, to play Doctor Doom, is giving that energy. Given the epic and heartfelt sendoff Iron Man had in Endgame, it’s a bit questionable why they would want the actor back in the MCU, especially to play a villain.
There’s also the case for Doctor Doom’s mask, one of his most defining features. On one hand, it’s going to be odd for Doom to not wear his mask, but on the other, it’s not going to make any sense to cast such a high-profile actor only to be behind a mask for most of the movie.
Also, this casting brings up the whitewashing of Doom’s Romani heritage, at least with this variant of Doctor Doom. ICYDK, in the comics, Victor von Doom comes from the fictional Eastern European country of Latveria whose mother was a Romani sorcerer and father a leader of a Latverian Romani tribe. His upbringing and heritage are a core part of what makes Doom, and we doubt that will be covered in Doomsday.
AGAINST: HE’S A FANTASTIC FOUR VILLAIN FIRST AND FOREMOST
We know that the MCU’s first Fantastic Four movie, The Fantastic 4: First Steps, is coming in 2025. Yet, this version of Doctor Doom is making his debut in Avengers: Doomsday a year later. Unless Doctor Doom is teased in the Fantastic Four movie, it’s going to make for a bit of an awkward debut.
Doctor Doom to the Fantastic Four is like Joker to Batman or Green Goblin to Spider-Man, so Marvel is dropping the ball here by not having him in the Fantastic Four movie. And even if there will be other Doctor Doom variants in future Fantastic Four sequels (which also plays into the criticism that the MCU relies too heavily on variants these days), RDJ’s casting will unintentionally set up expectations that future Doctor Doom actors probably won’t meet.
From the realities teachers face during elections in the country to native tribes fighting for their land, here are the movies and stories taking center stage at Cinemalaya 2024.
Cinemalaya, one of the country’s most talked-about film festivals, is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year. For two decades, the independent film festival organized by the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) has spotlighted countless Filipino movies and stories you don’t often see in mainstream cinema, and, in the process, give many local creators a boost to have their craft seen. That continues this year as another batch of 10 feature-length films and 10 short films will be screened at the festival.
Taking on the theme of Loob, Lalim, Lakas, Cinemalaya 2024 aims to showcase films that go into the stories and struggles of everyday Filipinos, and the strength that keeps them going. If you’d like to catch these movies, the festival will run from August 2-11 and screen in Ayala Malls Manila Bay, Greenbelt, Trinoma, UP Town Center, and Market Market. But before you make your movie-watching plans, scroll down for a rundown of the feature-length films playing in competition at Cinemalaya 2024.
ALIPATO AT MUOG
This documentary (and the second-ever in Cinemalaya’s history) from JL Burgos centers on his search for his brother, activist Jonas Burgos, who went missing at the Ever Gotesco mall in Quezon City in 2007. As he searches for the truth, he gets deeper and deeper into the grim realities of forced disappearances in the country.
AN ERRAND
Based on the acclaimed short story by Angelo “Sarge” Lacosta, this movie from Dominic Bekaert and Sarge Lacuesta revolves around a driver named Moroy, whose drive from Baguio to Manila turns upside down when he accepts a unique errand from his boss. Prepare for a film that has been described to contain drama, fantasy, action, and noir elements.
BALOTA
For Marian Rivera’s first Cinemalaya movie, she plays a school teacher named Emmy. When a land-grabbing tycoon and a former male sexy actor turn a mayoral race of a small town deadly during election night, Emmy, a teacher who serves in the election, hides in the wilderness with a ballot box that holds the last copy of the election results. Directed by Kip Oebanda, the filmmaker behind Liway and Bar Boys, Balota looks to delve into the strength of teachers during perilous times and the power of your vote and a free and fair election in the face of harassment.
GULAY LANG, MANONG
A farmer goes to great lengths to save his grandson in this entry from Bc Amparado and Pilo Sabado. When Ricky gets caught up in the cannabis trade with his friend Razer, his grandfather and a policeman work together to rescue him from a local marijuana cartel. Though, don’t consider this a anti-drug film as the movie looks to challenge the misconceptions people have with medical cannabis in the country.
KANTIL
Romance and sci-fi meet in this Davao-based queer film by Joshua Caesar Medroso. Paleng and Eliong are two lovers who sadly have to part ways with the imminent demolition of Paleng’s coastal village. But, when the townsfolk discover an alien shell, things take a turn for the interesting.
KONO BASHO
Jaime Pacena II takes us to rural Japan for a movie about the power of funerals to mend family fallouts. Ella, a 28-year-old Filipina anthropologist, travels to Rikuzentakata City in Iwate Prefecture, Japan, to attend the funeral of her estranged father, Emman. There, she reunites with her half-sister Reina as the two take the opportunity to heal old wounds.
LOVE CHILD
Jonathan Jurilla brings us this heartfelt tale of a family’s unconditional love for their child. Real-life couple RK Bagatsing and Jane Oineza play the fictional couple Paolo and Ayla who drop out of college to start a family due to an unplanned pregnancy. Now, the two must navigate an often hostile world as they raise their autistic son. Fun fact: the movie’s poster, which was made by Justin Besana, incorporates the puzzle piece symbol of autism in the art.
THE HEARING
In a country as religious as the Philippines, it’s commendable to see a movie like this play at Cinemalaya. Lawrence Fajardo and Honee Alipio give us this drama centered on Lucas, a deaf boy from a small town who is sexually abused by Fr. Mejor, an influential priest in the area. As Lucas and his family’s legal battle against Fr. Mejor takes a toll on them, they meet a court sign language interpreter who helps them.
THE WEDDING DANCE
From Julius Lumiqued comes this adaptation of Amador Daguio’s short story of the same name about a love tested by an unwelcoming community. Set in the backdrop of the Japanese invasion of the Philippines during World War 2, a couple from Kalinga, Awiyao, and his wife Lumnay, attend a wedding dance that proves to be more complex than it sounds.
TUMANDOK
A mix of documentary and fiction, this movie from Richard Jeroui Salvadico and Arlie Sweet Sumagaysay platforms the Atis, a Negrito ethnic group living in Boracay, Guimaras, Panay, and Negros Islands. Featuring an all-Ati non-professional acting ensemble from Sitio Kabarangkalan in Barotac Viejo, Iloilo, speaking their native Inati language, the film will follow them as they fight back to reclaim their ancestral land.
2NE1’s reunion just sparked so much hope in a K-pop stan’s heart that here we are dreaming up a list of other idol groups we wish would reunite and come back.
With 2NE1’s groundbreaking reunion and comeback, there’s hope yet for that group you stanned a few years ago but sadly disbanded. The girl group officially disbanded in 2016, and while they have reunited a few times, it’s not in the way they will this year, with a tour!
Plenty of K-pop groups have disbanded, gone on hiatus, or have just been inactive, so we’ve rounded up a list of groups that we want to follow in the trailblazing 2NE1’s footsteps and reunite for a major comeback that’ll get their fans more hyped than ever. These groups don’t necessarily have to be disbanded officially, just inactive for a long enough time that people are hungry for a new comeback. However, we will not want to include idols like Seungri or Lucas, who have embroiled themselves in much controversy.
From disbanded project groups to groups just taking a break, these idol groups have made such an impact that we just can’t get enough of them—so we are hoping, praying, and manifesting new music and new projects together (without any of the issues or trouble that may have caused their breakup in the first place).
GOT7
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First off, GOT7 did not disband—they actually set a precedent for other recent instances where idols can end their contract with their company and still continue to make music and promote as a whole group. Though definitely not the first to do it, their actions were impactful, bringing light to not just the possibility of a group staying together after leaving a company, but also to the limitations in and issues that could occur between artist and company.
GOT7 came back as a group in 2022 with a self-titled EP on their own volition under their own terms after they left JYP Entertainment in 2021. They were able to receive the trademark rights to their name and music, so while the members are under different companies for their solo work, they can still come together as a team.
At present, the members have been focusing on their solo careers, while JAY B and Jinyoung are undergoing mandatory military enlistment. There’s plenty of hope for them to come back, especially after the many times they’ve reassured their fans that they’ve got many things up their sleeve.
I.O.I
Listening to Downpour by I.O.I is a tearjerking experience. Goodbye songs from idol groups always hit different. Even when you know their time is limited because they’re a project group from a survival show, that doesn’t mean their disbandment won’t hit any less painfully. I.O.I debuted in 2016 with members who won the very first season of Produce 101, and disbanded in 2017.
Each member has gone on to pursue their own careers and found success as actresses, soloists, and members of other K-pop groups. I.O.I was supposed to reunite in 2019, but the comeback kept getting pushed back. We’re still holding out hope!
IZ*ONE
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It’s been said that project groups are temporary because the primary goal of shows like Produce are to platform trainees and improve their skills as idols—and it works, if these project groups’ members have anything to say about it.
With a similar story to I.O.I, South Korean-Japanese girl group IZ*ONE was formed through reality competition Produce 48. IZ*ONE’s lineup includes eventual members of current chart-topping girl groups LE SSERAFIM and IVE. The members have remained friends, and have even reunited as such recently. Though a long shot, we’d love to see the girl group take the stage together again!
WANNA ONE
Yet another temporary project group that broke people’s hearts. Wanna One was the boy group winner of Produce 101 Season 2. The 11-member group debuted in 2017 with familiar names in the lineup, like Minhyun (NU’EST), Kang Daniel, Daehwi and Woojin (AB6IX), and Bae Jinyoung (CIX). They were slated to complete their run as Wanna One in 2018 when their contract with YMC Entertainment expired, but management of the group was transferred to newly-established agency Swing Entertainment.
They were able to promote as a group up until 2019, and said goodbye with their final concert Therefore. The members, save for Guanlin, reunited in 2021 for a performance at award show MAMA—meaning things don’t have to be final final for the boy group.
MOMOLAND
Known for their viral songs BBoom BBoom and BAAM, MOMOLAND debuted in 2018 as the winners of reality show Finding Momoland. They found some success, and were pretty big in the Philippines, but they eventually disbanded in 2023 after the members’ contracts with MLD Entertainment expired.
Just as an FYI, MOMOLAND was also a philanthropic group, having donated to and supported causes and charities and become ambassadors for NGOs and health organizations, among others. The members have gone their separate ways, and just this year, former member Nancy signed with Filipino talent management company Sparkle. If they ever reunited, particularly here in the Philippines, whether for an actual comeback or a charity event, best believe they’d get plenty of support.
NU’EST
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Pledis Entertainment’s first boy group NU’EST debuted in 2012 with five members, and had a good, long run of ten years up until their disbandment in 2022 when members Aron, JR, and Ren chose not to stay after their contract was up.
The members then pursued their own solo endeavors, continuing singing careers, taking up hosting or acting, and even going viral for performing at WATERBOMB. Though their disbandment is relatively fresh, and we’d love for them to find success as individuals, we’re hoping one day we’ll see them thrive as a team again.
BIGBANG
Make way for the OGs. BIGBANG, if you’re listening, look at your sister group 2NE1. The group was formed in 2006 and was active until 2018 when they released goodbye song Flower Road before a hiatus due to military enlistment. They came back as a quartet without convicted criminal Seungri in 2022 with Still Life, their last musical endeavor together.
All of the members have since left YG Entertainment and gone on with their lives, and member T.O.P has withdrawn from the group, but that doesn’t mean they can’t get together if they want to! They don’t even have to return to YG! If G-Dragon, Taeyang, Daesung, and maybe even T.O.P came back together, they can show the world again why they were deemed kings in the first place.
SISTAR
SISTAR19’s comeback proves anything is possible for the queens of summer bops. Members Hyolyn, Bora, Soyou, and Dasom debuted as SISTAR under Starship Entertainment in 2010, and subsequently disbanded in 2017 as each member desired to pursued solo careers.
All the members reunited in 2022 on a music show, performing a handful of their hits to show support for Hyolyn’s comeback. Hyolyn and Bora’s sub-unit SISTAR19, which debuted in 2011, also came back after 11 years this 2024, which is giving us major hope for the whole group to get back together.
LOONA
Ah, the complicated and controversial history of LOONA. LOONA’s been through a lot what with the issues the members had to endure under their company. In 2022 and 2023, after member Chuu was removed from the group due to a contract dispute, the members sued BlockBerry Creative for abusive and exploitative contracts, and desired to break free from their contracts and the company altogether.
Thankfully, the members won their lawsuits, and the call to #FreeLOONA was heeded. LOONA members have since gone on as soloists, some have come together to form Artms, some resumed their activities as sub-unit ODD EYE CIRCLE. As we know, a company is not the only thing that holds a group together, so Orbits can still manifest a LOONA comeback without any of the trouble they’ve experienced or the hardships they’ve had to endure when they were together.
MAMAMOO
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MAMAMOO’s still an active group (as they should be, because those harmonies are once-in-a-lifetime), but the members have hit the brakes a little and are focusing on their solo endeavors, which is great! Member Wheein left their company RBW in 2021, but remained a member of MAMAMOO—while her solo endeavors will be managed by a new label she signed with, she’ll still be able to participate in group comebacks until December 2023—which was last year.
While MAMAMOO’s group activities are still in the air, and Hwasa, Solar, Wheein, and Moonbyul are thriving in their soloist era, we hope there’s still a big chance to see all of them together for a new comeback soon.
HONORABLE MENTIONS: Wonder Girls, WINNER, Pristin, FIFTY FIFTY, Weki Meki, SUPERM, X1, VICTON, Girls Generation, After School, Orange Caramel, BTS (just waiting for them to be discharged from the military!)
It’s always interesting, to say the least, to see trends explicitly tied to a subculture all of a sudden go viral to a wide audience—case in point: Budots. Before there was Gangnam Style, there was budots, which is slang for “slacker” in Bisaya. Since the late 2000s, budots has been ingrained in Philippine street culture. But as of late, the genre has found a new audience around the world with its latest social media virality. Is that a bad thing? No. But as we see, when people hop on a trend for the trend’s sake, it washes out what makes it special in the first place.
BUT FIRST, WHAT IS BUDOTS
In case you need a refresher, budots is a type of Filipino electronic dance music that traces its origins to the streets of Davao in the late 2000s. Internet cafe manager Sherwin Tuna, commonly known as D.J. Love or Lablab, is credited as its creator, who envisioned the genre as a way to keep street kids away from partaking in vices.
From 2000s era graphics, freestyle dances that take inspiration from native dances and often boil down to getting as low as you can on the ground, and catchy af electronic beats and mixes that sound like the essence of a jeepney in music form, budots quickly took hold of Pinoy pop culture to become something that is quintessential Filipino.
It’s so attached in the Pinoy zeitgeist that it’s seen as a dance almost everyone knows, like the Otso-Otso. But from the streets of Davao, budots has now found itself in the company of being a global viral trend as people co-opt it for something that is distinctly not budots.
THIS IS AN EMERGENCY
Budots is no stranger to going viral or being embraced in mainstream pop culture. In 2008, Pinoy Big Brother Celebrity Edition 2 grand winner Ruben Gonzaga brought the dance and genre to a national audience when he did the dance steps on the show. It was the subject of a segment in Kapuso Mo Jessica Soho in 2012 and a documentary in 2019 called Budots: The Craze. In February 2023, Manila Community Radio won Boiler Room’s sixth Broadcast Lab grant and used the funds to hold a budots-themed event.
But if you’ve been on TikTok recently, then you’d see that budots has found a new audience outside the Philippines. In particular, the track Emergency by DJ Johnrey, which samples Gloria Estefan’s Dr. Beat, has been going viral on the app for the past months with K-pop idols, content creators, and regular social media users attempting to do the dance. Even US Presidential candidates have hopped on the trend. But budots has also been co-opted by the West for a trend about *check’s notes* changing outfits while skipping in place, basically transition music. In other words, it’s a very Caucasian-coded downgrade, bland, and lacking in seasoning.
It goes without saying that this gentrified version of budots is just not the vibe. Budots is so uniquely Filipino with its own style and energy, so to water it down to a basic trend leaves budots, and especially the dance, as something that is far removed from what it is supposed to be. When you think of budots, you think of street culture. The trend budots is currently associated with on TikTok, at least on the other side of the world, is giving whitewashed budots. You would think that the West colonized enough of Asia already, but here they are. All the nuance and context of the popular street dance go away, and it’s just not fun.
Seeing budots go viral isn’t inherently a bad thing. The genre’s creator himself has said that it should be free and for the people, so we shouldn’t gatekeep this from others. But at the same time, let’s also not reduce or repackage budots as something that it is not. There’s a rich culture and history behind the genre. So, before you see budots as “just” a viral sound or trend on TikTok, remember that it’s Filipino cultural expression that makes Pinoy pop culture as special as it is.
Depending on how you spent the month, July felt like just one week or a whole year. But regardless of how time flew (or didn’t) this month, we can all agree that the end of the month is always an exciting time for new music. So, scroll down for the recent song drops that will help you close out the month.
TWIN FLAMES – DENISE JULIA AND THUY
When two R&B baddies come together to maximize their joint slay, you get this bop.
SOMETHING AIN’T RIGHT – XG
Can someone turn this up?! Merging a 90s-inspired beat and their distinctive originality, XG gives us retro vibes built on a Garage rhythm and minimalistic soundscapes.
LUCKY – HALSEY
Halsey gets honest and sentimental in this Y2K-coded single that samples a Britney classic.
TSUNAMI – NIKI
You can always count on NIKI to soundtrack a lush and breezy summer romance fantasy. Here, falling in love is compared to a roaring tidal wave as NIKI is swept off her feet and ready to embrace it.
SUPERPOWER – KISS OF LIFE, MARK TUAN, AND VALORANT
That was thoroughly epic. And once again we have Riot to thank for these collabs we never knew we needed.
MISS – DARREN ESPANTO
Sadoi hours begin now.
FREE – CALVIN HARRIS AND ELLIE GOULDING
We know the club is about to be lit!
ROOM FOR YOU – GRENTPEREZ AND LYN LAPID
Two talented Filipino musicians together make for an anthem of dealing with long-distance relationships and holding those connections close to your heart.
TOUCH – KATSEYE
It’s giving Y2K earworm about a potential lover who just doesn’t match the vibe.
SUBMOTO – ZAE
Bars on bars on bars!
TRUST ME – ENA MORI
Do you know those songs from teen movies that reflect the main character’s thoughts of wanting more trust and autonomy? That’s what Ena’s new single is giving, in the best way possible.
GOLDEN – AUGUST WAHH
“Approvingly snaps fingers and taps toes*
LOVED FOR ONCE – JAYDA
Just like you, Jayda wants to be loved for who she is for once.
BES I LUV U – AJAA
Thank you AJAA for giving us a shoot your shot anthem for taking friendships to the next level.
LAMPARA – PRESS HIT PLAY
It’s lowkey criminal how Press Hit Play drops bop after bop yet doesn’t get the attention they deserve.
BAD4US – SORN AND J.TAYLOR
The song explores the allure of a forbidden love, capturing the thrill of indulging in something that feels good despite knowing it’s bad for you.
NO CHANGING MY LOVE – CLAUDIA BARRETTO
When it’s a vibe, it’s a vibe.
ULAN – KYLEAUX
If you ever need a new song to listen to when looking out of your window when it’s raining, this track, about the bumpy hills of being in a relationship, has you somberly covered.
Ever since K-pop girl group STAYC smashed onto the scene with their iconic debut, SO BAD, the six-member girl group has never been one to rest on their laurels. With every new comeback and mini-album comes not just new bops, but also new sides to the group and members. Three and a half years together as a group has given STAYC the room to grow and hone themselves as artists. With the release of their first-ever full-length studio album, Metamorphic, STAYC signals a new era filled with change and exciting releases that have seats reserved in the playlist.
THE METAMORPHOSIS
Metamorphic, which is the group’s first new music in nearly a year, is a beefy body of work that clocks in at 14 brand new songs consisting of group and unit tracks. Led by the playfully titled title track Cheeky Icy Thang, which sounds like a baddie’s go-to anthem to strut down the sidewalk, the album captures the story of their evolution and musical development.
Understandably, the members had a bit of an adjustment period when it came to working on the LP given how different it was from their past releases. “In the previous albums, we didn’t have that many songs so I think we finished recording quickly, but this time there were so many songs so even if we finish one song, it was like, ‘Oh? We have more?’ More?’” admits Seeun to NYLON Manila.
But it didn’t deter them as the members expanded their “TEENFRESH” genre for a distinctly confident and cool attitude that welcomed this new side of themselves. As Sieun puts it, “This time, of course, through this album, it’s true that we want to give you positive energy, but more than healing, positive messages, we wanted to show our honest and confident selves.”
We recently had the chance to speak to Sumin, Sieun, ISA, Seeun, Yoon, and J as they opened up about embracing what’s new, feeling the love of SWITHs, and more. Read on below for what they had to say.
Your new comeback is all about metamorphosis and transformation. For each member, what do you think is different about you now compared to when you first started on your journey with STAYC?
SIEUN: First of all, I think I found all my colors much more than debut. Not only did I find my color but I also got to expand my spectrum a lot. I feel that way a lot, so I’m not just showing one side of myself but in a very diverse way, even if there’s a vocal theme I got to show different colors in it. That seems like a big change.
SUMIN: I think it’s naturalness. In the beginning, everything was new to me and I was awkward and clumsy so I was rough in a way but now I can naturally enjoy the promotions or performances. So I think that’s the biggest change.
What is each member’s favorite track from the album and why?
YOON: First of all, my favorite song is I’m sure it’s the same for everyone, but it’s so hard to choose one song. If I choose my favorite song of the day, for today, Gummy Bear is my favorite song of the day. That song is very hip and cool so I think it fits well with today’s attitude
SUMIN: My favorite song is always changing too but today I will go with Fakin’. These days I’m into Fakin’ so I’m only listening to Fakin’. I’m listening to everything but I listen to Fakin’ a lot.
ISA: I like all of them too but I can’t wait to meet SWITH today so I choose Stay WITH me.
SEEUN: The title song of this album is Cheeky Icy Thang and it’s always good to listen to and it keeps lingering in my head. I think it’s’ Cheeky Icy Thang today.
SIEUN: I will choose Twenty today. I was going to choose Cheeky Icy Thang, I was thinking between the two but Twenty definitely has a reason why it’s the first track. It gives off a peculiar and very attractive vibe so it’s very good, you can’t stop listening.
J: I suddenly thought of Beauty Bomb, which is perfect for summer. I think it’s a song perfect for the season.
What was new about preparing for your first studio album compared to other previous releases?
ISA: Because there were so many songs there was a lot to record. Also, there are 4 choreographed songs. We filmed a lot of performance videos to show you the choreographies. Everyone worked really hard with the staff. We talked a lot and prepared a lot.
SEEUN: In the previous albums, we didn’t have that many songs so I think we finished recording quickly, but this time there were so many songs so even if we finish one song, it was like, ‘Oh? We have more?’ More?’ The recording was scheduled longer. It was scheduled longer than usual. Other than that, I think everything else was prepared the same way as usual.
YOON: In this album, we have a fan song where the members participated in writing the lyrics. I think that’s most new about it.
What is a moment you remember from when you were younger that reminds you of why you are pursuing your dreams?
SUMIN: I think it’s the fans. Since I was a trainee, I thought ‘’What would it feel like when I see the fans after I debut?’ I had these expectations and hopes so when I’m going through a hard day or need strength, I gain energy looking at the fans and I always think I should keep working hard in the future.
YOON: That’s right, I think most of the singers feel the same way too. I think our fans are our driving force. I always feel grateful for that. What I wanted to do when I become a singer was Just like I actually received from many singers, I wanted to give comfort and inspiration to the fans. So the fans who felt that told me ‘I was very comforted by you’ and I feel like it reminds me of my dream more.
J: I always go up on stage, look at SWITH and think that I love singing itself. I want to keep doing this for a long time.
Metamorphic marks a new chapter for STAYC given that it is your first studio album. What are some of the lessons you’ve learned over the years as artists that you’re applying to this new era of yours?
SIEUN: In my opinion, technically, experience performing on stage. Having a lot of experience recording. How detailed should you be when recording for the recording to come out successfully. How well the details of the overall performance have to be adjusted so the level of completion can increase. How can the stage be presented better. Such know-hows were accumulated naturally by experience.
Rather than saying that it was helpful to express the new concept, I was glad that I was able to literally make a change this time. Previously, we had tried to convey a lot of positive messages. This time, of course, through this album, it’s true that we want to give you positive energy, but more than healing, positive messages, we wanted to show our honest and confident selves. We wanted to show our greed and desire STAYC had as it is in the studio album. As if we’re finally becoming very mature, we can finally be honest. We’re finally ready to show you. Yes, that’s the difference of the concept
ISA: We have fellow artists and the fellow artists attempt changes too. We learn a lot from them too. ‘This concept suited them very well.’, ‘How did they get to do this so well?’ ‘How did they pull this off so well?’ I think we prepared for this album thinking about this.
Also, while we are on tour, we meet a lot of overseas fans. Thinking about both the energy of our overseas fans and our Korean fans and thinking about how hard we worked on the tour, we tried to express that energy in it.
If someone close to you is changing in a bad way, or developing bad habits or characteristics, how would you address it?
SEEUN: I think I’ll try not to talk emotionallY. I won’t talk emotionally and I think I’ll try to understand that person somehow.
YOON: I feel so sad just thinking about it. I think I’ll be honest about what I think. If that person is a close friend of mine, I’m not sure which direction it is but if it’s a bad direction in my opinion, I think I’ll cry and stop it. If it’s a very precious friend of mine because, it will be great if a person very close to me always develops positively but there may be times when that isn’t the case. So I’ve never imagined it before. I just did and it makes me so sad. I think I will speak honestly while crying.
You have been growing up together as a group for a while now. How do you encourage each other to improve and grow?
SUMIN: I guess now we don’t have to say it. We just looked at each other and think, ‘Something is going on with her’. We all spend time talking about things. We talk about things we weren’t able to talk about eating delicious food. We take time to do that and I feel like those times are very precious
ISA: In my case, I found this new side of this person recently which made me think, ‘She had this in her?’ I told her about the good things again like, ‘The fans will love it if you show them’. I try to tell them about the good sides.
YOON: It’s a way of growth but there are times when we feel down during the promotions. There are tough times. At that time, the members don’t just be impressive and encourage each other going, ‘Are you okay?’. We just give each other a pat on the shoulder for a moment or just hug each other for a second and that gives a lot of encouragement for each other. By doing so, I get to feel, ‘Yeah, I’m not alone, I have the girls, let’s keep going!’
It felt like it was just yesterday that we watched the finale of Dream Maker. Now, here we are as HORI7ON has officially surpassed their one year anniversary in the industry. As the first all-Filipino boy group to debut in South Korea, their mere presence was historic. But Jeromy, Marcus, Kyler, Vinci, Reyster, Kim, and Winston proved that they were more than just the hype.
Despite the struggles and challenges they faced, HORI7ON came through each time with their wit, charm, looks, and talent. As the boys are slowly leaving their rookie era, let’s take a trip down memory lane for some of the Year One moments that future ANCHORs (the name of their fandom) will be looking up.
THEIR DEBUT
Wow, what a moment. July 24, 2023, is a special date for many, much so for these seven boys who made their official Korean debut with the release of their debut album, Friend-SHIP. And it wasn’t just a five-track EP, but 12 songs long that included the tender Tagalog ballad Mama (which the members co-write), unit tracks, and even features from Lapillus’ Haeun and TFN’s Noa. Leading the way was SIX7EEN, the title track that combined the group’s talents and youthful energy.
PERFORMING ON KOREAN MUSIC SHOWS
We never thought we’d see Filipino representation on Music Bank, but here we are. As part of their promo activities in Korea, HORI7ON performed on some of the country’s biggest music shows like MCOUNTDOWN and Inkigayo, often making history as the first Filipino boy group to perform on those shows. They even got to close their performances with an ending fairy. It’s a moment and breakthrough for Pinoy pop groups and one of the best ways to kick off a debut era. Manifesting a music show win in Year Two.
THEIR FIRST CONCERT
INSTAGRAM/HORI7ONOFFICIAL
Just a few months into their career and already HORI7ON achieved the feat of holding a solo concert in the Philippines, and in Araneta Coliseum, no less. Their first-ever concert titled Friend-SHIP [Voyage To Manila] was full of stellar performances, surprise appearances, emotional moments, and instances that made the group’s and fans’ night one to remember forever. As they made the evening their own, they showed a love for music, each other, their identity, and their ANCHORs.
ATTENDANCE AT AAA 2024
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The 8th Asia Artist Awards was a big deal considering the guest list and the fact that it was held at the Philippine Arena. Among the few Filipino acts to attend and participate in the ceremony was HORI7ON. Aside from their attendance, HORI7ON also performed and won the Focus Award for music, leaving a few non-fans shook when they learned that they were Filipino during their acceptance speech. Bonus points for the fire TikToks we got that night.
You can take the Gen Z Filipinos out of the Philippines, but you can’t take the Philippines out of them. While they are currently based in Seoul, HORI7ON is still very much a Filipino group. Case in point: Reyster and Kyler recreating the viral confrontation scene from the teleserye Ika-6 na Utos, toy gun and all. The fact they’re the more introverted members of the group made it even better. At over 8.1 million views and 1.4 million likes, it’s their most popular video on TikTok to date and lowkey inspired others to start a mini-trend.
Three years after the Tokyo Olympics, we find ourselves again amid the biggest sporting event in the world. We are of course talking about the 2024 Paris Olympics. Athletes have spent years training for this moment, and their time has finally come with the latest edition of the Games happening in and around the French capital.
Among the hundreds of athletes competing are 22 Filipino athletes who proudly represent Team Philippines. July 26 to August 11 is set to be filled with all kinds of news, moves, and hopefully achievements for these Pinoy athletes. If you’re looking to show them support at the 2024 Olympics, see some of the ways you can below.
WATCH THEIR GAMES
First and foremost, you can support Team Philippines at the Paris Olympics by watching their games. The country’s biggest delegation yet to the Olympics will be competing across nine sports in a packed schedule that lasts the entirety of the Games. You can keep up with the events via updates on social media, or you can catch the action live via free TV, cable TV, and livestream in the Philippines. Some ways you can watch the Games live include the Smart Livestream App, the Pilipinas Live streaming app, and OneSports.
The first event featuring a Filipino athlete at Paris 2024 will be in rowing as Joanie Delgaco will compete in the women’s single sculls heat at 4 PM, Saturday, July 27, Philippine time. The final one, meanwhile, will see golfers Dottie Ardina and Bianca Pagdanganan compete in the women’s individual stroke play round 4 at 3 PM, Saturday, August 10, Philippine time.
It isn’t just news sites and livestreams that you can keep up with Team Philippines at the Olympics. Olympic athletes have been using social media, and TikTok in particular, to go beyond the spectacle and showcase what life is like as an athlete at the Paris Olympics. Some Filipino athletes, such as Aleah Finnegan and Levi Jung-Ruivivar, have taken to TikTok to give us behind-the-scenes Olympic content, such as the free merch they get as being part of Team Philippines, those infamous cardboard beds, room tours, what is inside the Olympic Village (they have a salon and grocery), and what athletes can do inside the massive complex (they can bake French baguettes).
Aside from how these videos bring fun and lightheartedness to a high-pressure competition, they also allow the athletes to let loose, have fun, and be themselves.
COP THE TEAM PHILIPPINES MERCH
Nothing says “team spirit” quite like wearing the merch of your favorite team. Lucky for us, there is Team Philippines merch we can cop. adidas, the official outfitter of the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC), recently dropped an exclusive fan merchandise collection featuring a whole range of apparel, shoes, and accessories. Proudly support Team Philippines with this limited-edition collection. And the best part? A portion of the proceeds from the adidas fan collection will also benefit the Philippine Olympic Committee’s Athlete Incentive Fund. You can shop the collection here.
With the sensation that often surrounds the Olympic Games, the Filipino athletes representing the Philippines in Paris have been getting a lot more attention as of late, and that’s great. But if we really want to support our local athletes, let’s keep up that attention and support even after the Games are over.
It is great and we hope to see our athletes have podium finishes considering the fame, honor, and multitude of prizes that come with it, but even if they lose, let’s not ignore them just like that. History is sadly filled with moments of many Filipino athletes not getting the support they deserve and even being mistreated despite their athletic achievements. Win or lose, these athletes, and countless more out there, deserve our support.
It needs to be said that the athletes representing the Philippines at Paris 2024 come from sports that you don’t often see get mainstream attention. From gymnastics to weightlifting, fencing, and more, these sports aren’t given much attention locally. The Philippines isn’t sending athletes to compete in basketball and volleyball at the Olympics, but some of the least-supported sports in the country.
Clearly, there is Pinoy athletic talent to be found outside the usual suspects, something people in positions of power sadly often don’t recognize. As the Tokyo Olympics taught us, we shouldn’t just support different sports when Filipino athletes win in them, but it should be there regardless. So, let’s hope Paris will be another reminder that all sports in the Philippines are valid.
