Go digital with BDO Online so you can Bank Your Way!

Related: Enter a New Era of Retail Therapy with the BDO ShopMore Mastercard

You’re all packed and ready for your next big adventure—passport in hand, itinerary set, and a suitcase filled with your favorite outfits. But as you make your way through the airport, a little nagging thought pops into your head: Did you double-check your finances? Whether you’re planning to shop ‘til you drop or just want peace of mind knowing your money’s secure, being financially prepared can make or break your trip.

Enter the BDO Online App—your travel companion for managing your finances on the move. From instant transaction notifications to scheduling payments, the app ensures you stay in complete control of your money, no matter where in the world your wanderlust takes you. With a few taps, you can easily monitor your spending, transfer funds, and tackle any financial hiccups that come your way.

Ready to keep your cash in check and carry on with the BDO Online App? Here are some easy tips for your next trip.

Access the Fun Funds Anytime, Anywhere

Wave goodbye to the days of scrambling for cash or change. With the BDO Online App, managing your expenses has become easier than ever. Whether you’re cruising through the East Coast or soaking up the sun on a remote beach, you can handle your accounts effortlessly from anywhere in the world.

Need to send cash to a friend or family member back home? Simply use their BDO account number, mobile number, or scan the QR code linked to their account. And when it comes to transactions with other banks or wallets, InstaPay has got your back, ensuring your payments are as smooth as your travel plans.

Budget Like a Boss

Before you pack your bags, it’s time to get your budget in order. The BDO Online App allows you to track your spending in real time and monitor how much you’re spending on flights, accommodation, and activities. This way, you’ll dodge the dreaded overspending and make sure you’ve got plenty left over for spontaneous adventures (and pasalubong).

Monitor Your Account Activity

Stay on top of your account activity while traveling. The BDO Online App sends instant notifications for transactions, whether it’s you splurging on a souvenir or something suspicious—you’ll know right away. While you’re out and about, regularly review your transactions to ensure everything is in order and report any discrepancies to BDO promptly.

Plus, you can customize which of your accounts you want to see, so you’re always in control no matter where your adventures take you.

Plan Your Travel Payments in Advance

Picture this: you’re at the airport, coffee in hand, with zero worries because your accommodation and tours are already covered—no last-minute chaos, no stress. With the BDO Online App, you can schedule payments ahead of time and relax knowing it’s all sorted. Plus, if you’ve got subscriptions or memberships you’ll need while abroad, you can effortlessly set up recurring payments. Because who wants to deal with due dates when you’re chasing sunsets?

Stay Safe with Secure Transactions

With the BDO Online app, you can leave those concerns behind, thanks to its security features. You can lock or unlock your credit or debit cards, disable or enable overseas transactions, and adjust your debit card limits—all in real-time. So, whether you’re zip-lining through a rainforest or relaxing on a beach, you can feel confident that your finances are safe and secure, ready for whatever adventure comes next.

Ready to experience hassle-free finances? Check out the BDO Online app today and keep your focus on what really matters—making the most of every exciting moment.

Continue Reading: In The Mood For A Shopping Spree? Here’s How To Maximize Your Credit Card Perks By Shopping More

From a tale of warm, fleeting love to a bitter curse, these viral UP Diliman Freedom Wall posts have our hearts breaking and eyes welling up.

Related: Filipino Pins On Queering The Map, The Digital Atlas That Immortalizes Queer Experiences All Over The World

Freedom walls have now become a staple of not just Filipino university life, but popular culture itself. These social media pages, often found on Facebook, allow anyone to submit an entry anonymously and the page will post it on their behalf for the community to see and respond and react to.

Freedom walls are spaces for members of a certain college community to air out grievances, ask for or give guidance, anonymously admit their feelings to their crushes, tell anecdotes, jokes, cautionary tales, and more. Like anything in the hands of people, it can be a double-edged sword. Regardless, in this case, the UP Diliman Freedom Wall found itself in the spotlight as two entries about love, posted on the same day, went viral and had everyone feeling the feels—in pretty different, yet both bittersweet, ways.

A ROMANCE SO WARM

Gitling (2023) Katipunan version pic.twitter.com/wIA4F42bUS

— skindeep reconstructions (@nagkakapelikula) August 16, 2024

This open letter by what seems to be a Japanese exchange student studying at the Ateneo de Manila University is love in less than 400 words. Addressed to Fine Arts student Carl, OP (original poster) teleported us to a world of sunsets and warm, warm affection. The minute details about UP, familiar to Iskos and non-Iskos alike, the way they laid bare exactly how they felt about Carl through every metaphor, and the gratefulness they carry home despite having to cut their time short are wonderful to encounter—through a Freedom Wall post, no less.

It takes a lot of love to be able to talk about the Metro Manila heat like this! And it takes a lot of courage to lay your heart bare on an anonymous page for everyone to see—and to do it in a language that isn’t your first. Despite OP saying they have “bad English”, the way it was written took people’s breath away. It’s bittersweet, but the feelings are so real, and so resonant. Love is love, no matter how fleeting, indeed. Now everybody’s crying.

GOOD LUCK, BABE!

“you will spend the rest of your lifetime looking for me in a woman’s body.” pic.twitter.com/MlGsdehaTE

— ₍ᐢ. ̫.ᐢ₎ khun niho (@dablobbergasted) August 17, 2024

Heaps more crushing than the first, this second viral post on the UPD FW touches on identity and resentment, betrayal and heartbreak. And people do love their angst. Although it seemed “Alfred” seemed like he was accepting that his soulmate was a boy, he turned to another girl for companionship and intimacy. OP, of course, felt betrayed, and though context is lacking, the message, “you will spend the rest of your lifetime looking for me in a woman’s body” was crystal clear. And no matter how true or not it was for Alfred, that line was a gag and a half.

FREEDOM IN THE FREEDOM WALLS

WHY DOES EVERY FREEDOM WALL HAVE DOOMED YAOI?? I'M SO SAD pic.twitter.com/26UqcXr5Xj

— gelly (@achoochiii) August 20, 2024

Whether or not they turn out to be a creative writing exercise for class, a spontaneous fiction, or simply something that the OP felt like it needed to be told, these Freedom Wall posts did exactly what a good story, whether from a stranger or a friend, should do—make people feel. Whether you feel empathetic or inspired, bitter or sad, sharing and learning about very human experience of love in all its forms (even its loss) always brings out something within us. Great tales of love lost will always get us in our feels, and will stay with us for some time.

So if you’re in need of a cathartic release via anonymous social media post, take it from these OPs above—sometimes you just need to let it out. The world will listen. Or if you’re in need of some short yet emotionally-charged stories of love and love lost, and books, Wattpad, and AO3 won’t cut it, apparently you need not look any further than your local freedom walls.

Continue Reading: What College Taught Me About Love

Joshua Garcia and Julia Barretto’s reunion movie came through with the life lessons some of us needed to hear.

Related: Catch These New Movies And Shows This August 2024

Spoilers for Un/Happy For You below

While it might seem hard for some to understand how two people who love each other can suddenly become strangers, it does happen, and it usually involves a lot of undiscussed feelings still bubbling under the surface. That’s the case that Un/Happy For You tries to tell its viewers to general success.

Staring former reel and real-life couple Joshua Garcia and Julia Barretto, the movie centers on Zy (Barretto) and Juancho (Garcia). After the two have a chance encounter at a chili-eating competition in Bicol, they form a bond that turns romantic. Six years pass though and the two have broken up, with Zy now a writer based in New York while Juancho is the head chef at his family’s restaurant in Naga. When Zy returns to Bicol for a story assignment, she reunites with Juancho in a chance encounter as the two ex-lovers unbury skeletons still lingering from their relationship. 

There’s a lot to say about Un/Happy For You with what it gets right (the chemistry between the two leads, the use of Bicol cuisine to help tell the story) and wrong (the underused supporting characters), but more than that, the Petersen Vargas-directed movie comes armed with a few life lessons and truths about the effects of going through an unhealthy breakup and what can lead to a relationship’s downfall. Check out some of them below.  

COMMUNICATION IS KEY IN ANY RELATIONSHIP

INSTAGRAM/GARCIAJOSHUAE

People can say what they think makes a relationship strong. But if there’s no proper communication, then forget about making it work. Proper communication is key for any couple who wants to understand each other and avoid situations that can be resolved by just talking. A lack of communication is one of the reasons why Zy and Juancho hated each other after their split. Each person had a different perspective of why it didn’t work, causing misunderstandings that were only resolved when they got to talk years later.

A lack of communication can lead to assumptions filling that hole, which is what happened to Zy and Juancho as they never fully understood why their relationship didn’t work. So, talk about it with your partner. A sign for any green flag relationship is when you’re free and truthful to your significant other.  

YOUR PARTNER SHOULDN’T BE YOUR ENTIRE WORLD

INSTAGRAM/GARCIAJOSHUAE

When we’re in love, it can feel as if our whole world revolves around our partner. But while it’s one thing to see your partner as a priority, it’s another to make them your only priority. In one of the most poignant scenes of the film, Zy tearfully tells Juancho that she gave so much of herself to see Juancho’s dreams of opening his own restaurant come true that she ended up neglecting her own wants, dreams, and needs. She started to drown while helping keep Juancho up, which ultimately led to their breakup. 

Even if you are in a relationship, it’s still important to have a life outside of your partner. It’s ok, normal, and even encouraged not to end your social life once you’re dating. A singular focus on your main squeeze is not the vibe, and Un/Happy For You isn’t shy about showcasing the pitfalls of this mindset, such as when Juancho missed his restaurant’s investors dinner because he was too consumed with reconciling with Zy. At the end of the day, a real green flag relationship knows how to balance time for each other and the other priorities in their lives. 

RELATIONSHIPS ARE A TWO-WAY STREET

INSTAGRAM/GARCIAJOSHUAE/PHOTO BY STAR CINEMA

Zy and Juancho may have been in love (and probably still in love), but their downfall as a couple became apparent as they lacked clear boundaries with each other. In their desire to build their dreams together, their relationship became more unstable. Zy never felt Juancho gave him the same energy for her dreams that she was giving to him, which caused a rift that became too big to fix.

The moment one side starts taking up more air than the other, then it becomes a problem. There are two people in any relationship, so there should be a balance where both sides are heard and respected. No one is and should be above the other as compromise and understanding should be at the center.

YOU ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE TO FIX SOMEONE

INSTAGRAM/GARCIAJOSHUAE

FYI, no one is supposed to be a “savior” in fixing someone’s problems, that is their responsibility. Sure, you can support and help them in their struggles, but at the end of the day, if the person doesn’t want to help themselves, then that is not your concern. 

In a memorable monologue, Zy told Juancho that she felt like his mother by the tail end of their relationship, a problem many former couples have faced. As she sacrificed her ambitions to support Juancho, she became like a parent cleaning up after a child. This ultimately led her to distance herself and eventually leave Juancho. So, if a man ever tells you that you’re supposed to make them get better at whatever shortcomings they have, it’s time to think of an escape plan. 

PEOPLE YOU MEET AREN’T ALWAYS MEANT TO STAY IN YOUR LIFE

INSTAGRAM/GARCIAJOSHUAE/PHOTO BY STAR CINEMA

It’s a hard pill to swallow, but some people really are just meant to be in certain seasons of your life. Juancho and Zy envisioned a life together, but as they got older and eventually settled their differences, they realized that what they wanted wasn’t in each other.

The final scene displayed that sentiment as scenes of Juancho bringing Zy to the airport when they first met were inter-spliced with scenes of him bringing Zy to the same airport as she leaves for New York (all soundtracked to Moira’s Paubaya, a song that means a lot to the JoshLia lore). As the movie went back and forth between a beginning and ending for the two, it showed that they were ready to let each other go. 

It isn’t easy, but the reality is that there are people who show up during specific chapters of your life to teach you a lesson and then naturally move on. What is meant for you will be meant for you. If people leave your life, that is for a reason the universe will let you know when the time is right. 

Un/Happy For You is now showing in cinemas nationwide.

Continue Reading: Life Lessons And Hard Truths We’re Taking From A Very Good Girl

Seeing EJ Obiena get all the love he’s been receiving recently feels correct.

Related: All The Times EJ Obiena Stood Up For What’s Right

EJ Obiena didn’t win a medal at the Paris Olympics. But with the attention he’s been receiving lately, he might as well have won one. His valiant effort at the 2024 Olympics saw the Filipino vaulter finish 4th. And while it was a bittersweet miss from the podium, EJ has taken it in stride, and many Filipinos have been rallying around the athlete to show their support and then some. In case you haven’t noticed, EJ has become Filipinos’ newest bias, with many calling him the Nation’s Boyfriend (yes, he is taken and has been off the market for four years now). 

If those fan edits of EJ soundtracked to Randomatic by James Reid or old clips of Mimiyuuuh simping over him going viral on social media recently have taught us anything, it’s that EJ has been enjoying a deserved lap around the public spotlight as more people see him for the stand-up guy that he is. Scroll down for a few reasons why EJ is an athlete and individual worth the hype.  

HE ADVOCATES FOR THE SPORT 

Pole vaulting is not a popular sport in the country. And with the lack of attention it gets, it would be understandable if people don’t pursue it. But EJ is built different. After taking on the sport from his father, EJ climbed the ranks to be not only the country’s best vaulter but also one of the best vaulters in the world. 

He then parlayed his success in the sport to give back to the community by helping fund and raise awareness for pole vaulting in the Philippines, often talking about the support it needs locally so that future generations can have opportunities. It’s clear this is more than just personal success for EJ, but also the betterment of athletes like him.

HIS TALENTS GO BEYOND POLE VAULTING

EJ being one of the best pole vaulters in the world is already enough, but the fact that his talents extend as long as the poles he uses, ok king. Aside from athletics, EJ is also a talented artist and likes to draw in his free time. He also is a bit of a writer and was even featured as a guest columnist on The Philippine Star. We might have to stan even more now. 

HE KNOWS EXACTLY WHAT TO SAY 

It needs to be said how confident EJ is when it comes to expressing himself. If you read any of his well-written posts or watch his interviews, you can see that he takes his time to say what he needs to say. Those paragraphs he wrote sharing his thoughts following the Paris Olympics were so clear and concise, it read like he was talking directly to us. From how he speaks, writes, and carries himself in general, he has that assuredness that we all aspire to have. 

HE APPRECIATES THE SUPPORT HE GETS

One thing about EJ Obiena, he will always show his love to his supporters and the people close to him. Remember when he wore socks that had the faces of his parents and coach on them at the Paris Olympics? Yeah, EJ’s heart is as big as his achievements. From responding to DMs on Instagram to signing autographs at the stadium, EJ is known to be appreciative of his fans and vocal about how the love he gets motivates him to keep going. We love how despite the heights EJ has achieved (literally and figuratively), he’s still humble and appreciates things as simple as fan messages on social media. 

HE HAS A SENSE OF HUMOR

Do you know what’s better than a tall, smart, athletic, and well-spoken moreno? A tall, smart, athletic, and well-spoken moreno who has a sense of humor. If the cool and colorful socks he wears to competitions are any indication, EJ knows how to have fun and get in on the jokes and memes. It’s this personality that saw him, among other things, share a TikTok video on his Instagram stories of a netizen lightheartedly comparing him to the pole vault zombie from Plants vs. Zombies. 

HE’S A MAN OF PRINCIPLE

All the love EJ Obiena has been receiving has us going “Dasurv!” But it’s important to know that his journey hasn’t always been smooth sailing. From facing accusations from his own sports association, having to defend his name from smear and harassment campaigns, suffering financial woes that affect his participation in international competitions, and more, EJ has been unfairly treated. It reached a point where he was offered the chance to compete for another country. 

Yet, despite it all, not only has EJ continued to compete under the Philippine flag, but he’s also stood steadfast as an icon of true sportsmanship. “I see these statements on social media and active encouragement to switch allegiances. But this is not who I am and why I do this. I want to win for the Philippines and show the world what we can do. I want to win for us,” EJ once said. When it seemed better for EJ to go on a different path, he stood by his principles. An honorable Filipino indeed and a reminder that Filipino athletes do not deserve to be treated the way EJ has been. 

HE’S NOT AFRAID TO OPEN UP ABOUT HIS EMOTIONS

People assume that athletes are tough guys who aren’t supposed to show weakness and project an aura of invincibility. But EJ is proving that showing vulnerability doesn’t make you any less of an athlete. It’s another quality of his that makes him so loved with how he’s vocal about sharing his struggles and thoughts as an athlete. 

EJ doesn’t sugarcoat the good and the bad, like when he opened up about his feelings after his 4th-place finish at the Paris Olympics. “4th place is painful to say the least; and in sports with three podium places, perhaps 4th is the harshest place to be. I am heartbroken that a single failure cost me and cost a nation I so deeply love—the podium,” he wrote. EJ’s been through it, and he’s showing fans that, while it’s normal to tumble, what matters is that you get up and be a better person.

Photos taken from EJ Obiena’s Instagram

Continue Reading: 7 Rising Gen Z Filipino Athletes You Should Know 

It’s about time the UAAP and other institutions show some love to esports and gamers in general.

Related: Game Changers: Four Female Gamers Reflect on Redefining Success and Empowerment in the Esports Arena

Despite the popularity of video games over the past decades, there’s still a stigma associated with the hobby and what it supposedly tells you about a person. This is especially prevalent in video games in the academic setting. Many parents and adults like to link playing video games to bad academic performance. From familiar phrases like “Kaka-computer mo yan!” to thinking that video games are bad for kids, schools and video games have historically never mixed. 

But over the years, there have been a handful of local organizations pushing schools to see video games, particularly esports, as something worth including in students’ school life. And now, esports has taken its biggest leap yet as a sport worth investing in schools with its recent inclusion in the UAAP.   

ESPORTS GOES TO THE UAAP 

UAAP Season 87 is opening this year, and aside from the usual action in the basketball and volleyball competitions, this season also saw the first time the UAAP included esports in its programs. For years, local esports advocates have been trying to incorporate the sport into the collegiate sporting event, with little success. But Season 87 proved to be a breakthrough with esports being included as a demonstration event. 

INSTAGRAM/UAAP.OFFICIAL/PHOTO BY Angelo Rosales & Nicole Hernandez/UAAP Media Team

For its UAAP debut, esports runs from August 13-21 and is held at the Arete in the Ateneo de Manila University. Three games, NBA 2K, Valorant, and Mobile Legends Bang Bang, were selected for the event, with their merits being that they’re popular games among the students. In true UAAP fashion, the first finals match in UAAP esports was between Paolo Medina of Ateneo’s LG Esports and Kegan Yap of DLSU’s Viridis Arcus, and in NBA 2K, no less. Ultimately, the medal went to the Blue Eagles. Though, the Green Archers did rebound as they won the Valorant finals against UST. Closing things off for the esports event will be the finals for MLBB later this week.

THE SPACE FOR CAMPUS GAMING 

Now, for people who wonder why the UAAP would allow “playing video games” as an event, it actually makes sense. Esports is not a niche or just a trending sport, it’s been growing in popularity for the past couple of decades. In the Philippines, there’s a thriving local esports scene with many Filipino esports athletes going on to win in international competitions. Even the International Olympics Committee (IOC) will be holding the first Olympic Esports Games in 2025. If you think about it, the UAAP is finally getting on with the times and seeing value in esports for students. 

Esports isn’t just something where you look at a computer and press buttons. It requires skill and training to play on that level, in the same way athletes train for sports like basketball and volleyball. In competitive gaming, you also learn the value of competition, teamwork, cooperation, discipline, and sportsmanship. FYI, there’s so much more to esports and video games than being a distraction. You can learn good things from it. Seeing esports make its debut in the UAAP is further proof that there is merit in the sport.

NO TO STEREOTYPES 

For students and alumni invested in esports, it means the world to them to see something they love get recognized and be given the platform it deserves. It also opens the doors for more student-athletes to participate in collegiate sports, and potentially see that there can be a future career for them in it. After all, despite what some may say, gaming can lead to opportunities down the line, whether it be an esports player, coach, production, shoutcaster, or the like. Students getting to play the sport that they love that also hones the next generation of talent by helping them grow and figure out potential career paths? Sounds like a bonus to us. 

INSTAGRAM/UAAP.OFFICIAL/PHOTO BY Angelo Rosales & Nicole Hernandez/UAAP Media Team

Yes, like with most things in life, it’s best to do things in moderation and there should be a clear line in a student’s priorities. But in the same way student-athletes can balance their academics with their training, so too can students participating in collegiate esports. Hopefully, this is a good sign for academic officials to stop seeing video games as a scapegoat for the reasons why students are struggling at school. 

Continue Reading: 3 Things We Liked (And Didn’t) About Good Game

Collaborations from Lisa and Rosalia and Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars dropping in the same week? We stay winning.

Related: The Round-Up: Another Serving Of Bangers Just For You

We thought we had it good during the new music that came our way during the first full week of August. But the good times keep on rolling, and we aren’t complaining. From iconic collabs to anticipated debuts, scroll down for some of our fave recent releases. 

NEW WOMAN – LISA AND ROSALIA

Okay experimental music. Lisa continues to give us more reasons to be excited for her new solo era with a track that combines her talents as a vocalist and rapper with Rosalía’s sultry vocals and distinctive style. This is what happens when it-girls link up. 

DIE WITH A SMILE – LADY GAGA AND BRUNO MARS

The way we fell to our knees when we first heard about this collab. Gaga and Bruno gifted us the perfect song to listen to during our last moments on earth (or any time really). 

ISA DALAWA TATLO – ZACK TABUDLO

Another emotional bop from Zack, but that’s to be expected. 

APAT NA BUWAN – JANINE

Four months might seem like a short time for a relationship, but it’s enough to leave a lot of lasting memories, as heard in this emotional pop-rock jam. 

LONELY IS THE MUSE – HALSEY

Vocals + rock + moody lyrics will always serve. 

BULAKLAK SA BUWAN – ELY BUENDIA

Ely Buendia said “facts only” in this fuzzy, alt-rock number about challenging listeners to raise awareness for factual truth and combat misinformation.

ROSES – JAEHYUN

Whoever broke Jaehyun’s heart did us a favor lowkey with how this is a bop. 

MY WAY – KATSEYE

This is like those inspirational songs you hear during the climax of a Disney Channel original movie. And that’s a great compliment. 

SUPERSONIC – FROMIS_9

The chorus just gives a kind of buzz that just does it for us.  

NO BROKE BOYS – TINASHE

Tinashe gave us another mantra to keep in mind so that we don’t waste our time. 

DON’T TELL NOBODY – ONE OR EIGHT

This rising J-pop boy group makes an impactful debut with this dance-pop track that boasts catchy melodies and a mix of Japanese and English rap. 

SUMAYAW SUMUNOD – HORI7ON

We didn’t know we needed a K-pop-ified version of this classic Pinoy dance song until now.

WAIT – HYOLYN

If there’s one thing Hyolyn is going to do, it’s deliver island girl bops to shake ass too. 

MEXICO – REYNA

This song captures the essence of healing and moving on from heartbreak to welcome new beginnings.

Continue Reading: The Round-Up: New Bops To Start Of The Month 

Despite a few missteps here and there, Alien: Romulus gets the franchise formula right and, more importantly, is just fun.

Related: Catch These New Movies And Shows This August 2024

The Alien movies have had the fortune of featuring some of the most talented directors in Hollywood such as Ridley Scott, James Cameron, David Fincher, and Jean Pierre Jeunet. So when Fede Alvarez, director of Evil Dead (2013) and Don’t Breathe, was tasked to help the latest Alien movie, it was exciting to see how he’d put his spin on the franchise. The end product is evident that it was a labor of love from someone who understands the franchise. You get the horror thrills of Alien with the more action-oriented vibe of Aliens as told through the POV of a new set of young characters. 

BACK TO ITS ROOTS

From the title, the film plays on sibling dynamics which is the film’s heart. The main setting is split into two: Romulus and Remus station, which fans of mythology would immediately know what it means. Even our characters are mostly siblings from Tyler and Kay to new protagonist Rain and her synthetic brother Andy. We feel for Rain as she yearns for a better life off her colony planet, and we sympathize with Andy who only wants what’s best for his sister despite him being comprised of old and broken technology. It’s characters like these that have made the franchise so memorable; giving us heroes to root for. 

But most audiences came for the carnage and spectacle. So did Alien: Romulus deliver on that aspect? The answer is yes. 

Fede Alvarez has said that he wanted to bring the movie back to the franchise’s horror roots. And he mostly succeeds on that front. There are multiple sequences involving the facehuggers that will put you on the edge of your seat, and disgusting new scenes that will leave you sick. This is a thrilling ride from start to finish, with scenes that serve as callbacks to some of the franchise’s best moments and new takes on horror staples. 

Another strength of the film is its effects. Due to Fede Alvarez’s commitment to practical effects, he employs model ships which makes the settings feel tactile and real and best enjoyed on the biggest screen you can watch it on. In terms of production design, the film, true to franchise roots, captures the retro technology aesthetic of the 1979 original with analog buttons and CTR monitors. Finally, the creature effects are well-made with the Xenomorph and facehuggers looking as good as they did during the series’ heyday.

A FEW MISSTEPS 

That’s not to say that the film is without flaws as one failing of Romulus is its rather forgettable side characters. Despite the cast’s best efforts to bring life into these roles, our supporting players feel underdeveloped which is a shame as the Alien films have always featured memorable personalities like Yaphett Kotto’s Parker, or Hudson and Vasequez from Aliens. 

Finally, the callbacks and easter eggs are also a mixed bag with some feeling earned for longtime fans while others can leave you cringing in your seat. It’s unfortunately a trend that has plagued modern blockbusters with gratuitous callbacks and unneeded fan service that feel distracting rather than organic to the narrative. While it is appreciated that the film surprisingly manages to tie the entire franchise into one neat bow and honors even the less beloved entries, bringing back dead actors through CGI or saying iconic lines are face-palm-inducing rather than the intended positive effect. 

BURSTING WITH ENERGY 

All in all, Alien: Romulus is a fun relaunch of a beloved series that captures the essence of what makes an Alien film so enjoyable. Fans of the movies have a lot to chew on here, but casual viewers can also enjoy Romulus as a straight-up horror action thriller that doesn’t burden viewers too much with deep lore. It does for the Alien franchise what Prey did to Predator in 2022. Despite its hiccups and weaknesses, the movie is a great watch for audiences and is a captivating ride that is both visually stunning and emotionally resonant with its lead protagonists. 

Alien: Romulus is now showing in cinemas nationwide

Photos courtesy of 20th Century Studios

Continue Reading: Kingdom Of The Planet Of The Apes Is A Lesson On How To Do Sequels Right

Yes, this is yet another sign to try out the game you’ve been seeing everywhere—Dress To Impress. Don’t worry about being new to it! We got you.

Related: NYLON Manila Picks: Tech Faves That Made June 2024 So Much Better

From your younger siblings or cousins playing it all day to the memes you see online, Roblox game Dress To Impress has taken over the public consciousness, growing into a massively popular game (relative to its niche)—and with good reason! The fashion game is a classic dress-up game, Project Runway, and America’s Next Top Model rolled into one.

The game is user-generated, created and maintained by Roblox players themselves. It’s well-made, though, with a great, simple concept executed in style. Dress To Impress (or DTI) has grown so popular that they’ve actually partnered with Charli XCX for a special BRAT X DTI collaboration this August! To play, you have to download Roblox, create an account, and play the specific Dress To Impress game. If you need some help to start, we’ve got a comprehensive guide right here.

DRESS TO IMPRESS BASICS

Basically, Dress To Impress is a fashion competition games in which players have a limited time to, simply, dress to impress. Once a round starts, a theme will be given to all the players in that server, and you have 325 seconds to roam around the Dressing Room to put on items to create an ensemble that not only fits the theme, but also slays. Themes range from “Retro” to “Dark Academia,” “Lost at Sea” to “Zombie Apocalypse.”

@pinkkorduroy dressing for the dress to impress scene theme #dti #dtiroblox #dresstoimpress #dresstoimpressrobloxgame #dresstoimpressoutfitideas #robloxstories ♬ original sound – pinkcorduroy

The Dressing Room offers plenty of tops, bottoms, dresses, shoes, accessories for you to customize. You can dress up as a girl or a guy, but the girl model has way more outfit options. Besides having the colors and patterns to change it up, many items also have “toggle” options that allow you to change its look. For instance, the wide-leg denim jeans can turn into cargo pants, and the thigh-high stiletto boots can turn into ankle boots or knee-high boots.

Besides the clothing, you can change your skin color in the “tanning booths” near the bottoms, and change your hair, makeup, and nail color in the salon.

Once you’ve put together an outfit and the time runs out, the runway starts. Each player has ten seconds on the runway. Vote on other players’ outfits by tapping how many stars you want to give them and hit a few poses once it’s your turn! You’ll get ranked based on votes at the end, and you have a chance to end up on the Top 3. The higher your rank, the more stars and cash you have. Make your way up the ranks from New Model (0-49 stars) to Top Model (25,000+ stars) to prove you’re an ultimate fashionista.

HOW TO PLAY SLAY

@dtiyumi How to play Dress to impress Tut #robloxfyp #dresstoimpress #fyppp #fypシ゚viral #robloxtiktok #dresstoimpresscombos #dresstoimpressroblox #fyp #fypシ #fyppppppppppppppppppppppp #viral #blowup? #dtihacks #tutorials #loveyou ♬ in this darkness – zi

You can walk using the WASD keys on your keyboard, or if you’re on a mobile device, the bottom left side of the screen has an invisible joystick you can use to maneuver your model around. You can also change the camera angle with two fingers on your trackpad or swiping on the middle-right part of your screen. When you’re near the tanning booths, makeup chair, or hair station, press E or click/tap the heart to change what you want changed. Jump (spacebar or the arrow on the bottom right of the screen) to leave.

On your screen, there are six buttons, three on each side, as well as your cash count and your star count (where you can see the progression of ranks). The in-game money or pink cash can be used to purchase clothing pieces like the summery dresses near the swimsuit, the teddy bear, or the dresses inspired by what Kim Kardashian and BLACKPINK’s Jennie wore to different Met Galas. BTW, you get to keep these items even after the round!

The buttons on the left, from top to bottom, include settings, in-game purchases, and the codes section, which we’ll get to later.

On the right, there’s an option to pay to walk faster, the “currently wearing” button (which shows you what you have on as well as give you the option to remove it), and the poses menu. Click to choose a pose and tap again to stop doing it. Click the star beside each pose to add it to your favorites. The heart on the top of the poses menu has even more poses you can purchase with pink cash.

VIP & Premium Stuff

@leahashe Is The VIP ROOM Worth It In Dress To Impress?! #roblox #dresstoimpress ♬ original sound – Leah Ashe

There is, of course, a VIP package that costs Robux, which costs real money. The 799 Robux VIP package currently costs 569 PHP. If you choose to go VIP, you have access to a whole new section of the dressing room with exclusive items. You can also opt to play in VIP-only servers. But you don’t need VIP to own that runway—it’s all about the creativity and how well you put what you have together.

DRESS TO IMPRESS CODES

There’s a button on the left screen on Dress To Impress where you can input codes created by the game creators and moderators to add special items you can’t find in the dressing room like a long gown, a mermaid tail, bags, shoes, jackets, and more to your closet.

Below is a list of all working DTI codes (because some get discontinued). Use all caps, and make sure to check if certain letters are numbers. Code items are now in the dressing room directly across the tanning booths.

• M0T0PRINCESSWAV: Crown
• BELALASLAY: Off-shoulder biker jacket with an optional top
• KITTYUUHH: A cat!
• KREEK: Beanie with ears
• FASHION: Mermaid-style strapless gown
• LANATUTU: Bubble dress
• ITSJUSTNICHOLAS: Sporty/biker jacket
• M3RM4ID: Mermaid tail and top
• C4LLMEH4LEY: Teddy bear ears headband and ruffled minidress
• ASHLEYBUNNI: Bunny slippers
• IBELLASLAY: Big half-dye pigtails
• SUBM15CY: Pearl choker and lashes
• LABOOTS: Chunky boots
• TEKKYOOZ: Lady Dior-inspired bag
• LEAHASHE: Tracksuit jacket and pants
• LANABOW: Hair bow
• LANA: Ruffled shirt, shorts, and leg warmers
• UMOYAE: Sparkly floral dress
• S3M_0W3N_Y4Y: Scythe/axe
• CH00P1E_1S_B4CK: Jacket, skirt, boots
• 4BILLION: Corset top and flouncy short balloon skirt
• MEGANPLAYSBOOTS: Silver boots
• B3APL4YS_D0L1E: Doll toy accessory
• 1CON1CF4TMA: Preppy school girl outfit

HOT TIPS

@hailey_dti This obby is actually very easy though #roblox #dti #dresstoimpress #dtiroblox #fyp #foryou #viral ♬ Backstage Passes – cupcakKe

• Fair warning, it can get frustrating when people you think don’t deserve to podium get the top spots—especially if they’re not even on theme! But as long as you know you ate up an outfit, those top spots won’t matter as much. Be patient, don’t be like the mean players, and try not to lose your cool on kids, especially.
• There is a typical Roblox obstacle course (or “obby”) in the lobby area which changes among a few options after every round. If you make it through the obby, you can collect a whole bunch of cash to be able to pay for cash-only clothing items and posing packs.
• Explore the free play server if you’d rather get a feel for things first or if you don’t want to participate in themed, timed events. If you just want to dress up, practice, or host your own themed rounds, choose to go to Freeplay Mode. You can find the server menu on the wall beside the entrance of the salon in the main dressing room, and near the exit to the beach in the lobby.
• Team up! You can play with your friends by joining them when they’re on DTI from the Roblox menu. Compete against each other or give each other five stars all the time.
• Be chronically online! Playing DTI can get so serious because it’s so fun and addicting, so make use of social media to stay updated on new updates (like the newest Dress To Impress holiday update), which may include new clothes, new codes, new themes, Lana lore, and more. You can also find ensemble inspiration, combinations, tips, hacks, and more online.

Continue Reading: BRB, Time To Hit The Skatepark City In Vans World On Roblox

ITZY, be honest, are you secretly Pinoy? These moments are telling us you might just be!

Related: 10 Must-See Interactions From ITZY’s Latest Fanmeet In Manila

If we work hard enough, we’ll turn our idols into honorary Pinoys themselves. And to be fair, so many of them are on the way there on their own! From dance trends to “mahal ko kayos,” we love it when our own culture and trends create a bridge that connects us with our idols, and it’s even better when they do these trends or say local slang so naturally.

K-pop girl group ITZY brought their BORN TO BE World Tour to Manila this August, and not only proved they were born to be idols, but also, perhaps, born to be honorary Filipinos? Jokes aside, the girls of ITZY, Yeji, Ryujin, Chaeryeong, and Yuna, and Lia (who was unable to tour with them due to health issues) have shown how much they appreciate their Filipino fans time and time again. From TikTok to real life, here are a few moments where we can hand them their honorary Pinoy badges.

ISLAND GIRLS

@itzyofficial #WHAT_MIDZY_WANT_2024 𝕊𝕒 𝕚𝕤𝕝𝕒𝕟𝕘 𝕡𝕒𝕟𝕥𝕣𝕠𝕡𝕚𝕜𝕠˚ෆ*₊ #ITZY #MIDZY #ITZY_BORNTOBE #ITZY_WORLD_TOUR #ITZY_in_MANILA ♬ Pantropiko – BINI

ITZY not only danced to BINI’s viral hit Pantropiko on TikTok, but also performed it real quick right on stage!

Eyyy BINI ITZY taking us to Islang Pantropiko as Yeji, Ryujin, Chaeryeong, and Yuna dance BINI’s Pantropiko tonight at the #ITZY_BORNTOBE_MANILA!@livenationph pic.twitter.com/cP7rl5gQOX

— Philippine Concerts (@philconcerts) August 3, 2024

Also, from BINI covering ITZY to ITZY covering BINI, the tables have totally turned—yet another indication of how the P-pop girl group is taking over the world. With the amount of artists performing the dance, maybe it’s time to make a quick Pantropiko performance a requirement for every concert.

EYY

@hyunjini_by yeji / yuna EEEEYYYY 🤙🏻🤙🏻🤙🏻 meanwhile chaeryyy: YAAAHHHH😂 @ITZY #ITZY #MIDZY @ITZYofficial #ITZY_BORNTOBE #ITZY_WORLD_TOUR #ITZY_in_MANILA ♬ original sound – ItzStayGene

BINI strikes again! The “eyy 🤙” trend started by BINI’s Sheena during a fanmeet has taken over the nation, infiltrating everyone’s consciousness, and ITZY is no exception. Echoes of “eyyy” and the accompanying shaka hand sign took over the Mall of Asia Arena, amusing both artist and fan.

RYUJIN THE NATION’S PRINCESS

@solacesrj never beating the filipino allegations! ryujin domingo! 😎 ryugeng geng 키키키 #itzy #ryujin #kpop #fansignvideocall #fancall #fyp #류진 ♬ original sound – jayjoseph.j2x

OP was right—Ryujin’s never beating the Pinoy allegations! A frequent flyer of Pinoy trends (because the fans love and ask to see it), the ITZY member has done her fair share of Pinoy-originated challenges, from the We Made It trend to the Marikit sa Dilim trend, and we can feel her Filipino energy getting stronger with each one.

@solacesrj pinoy pride, ryujin domingo is baaack! #marikitsadilim #itzy #있지 #류진 #ryujin #kpop #fyp ♬ Marikit sa Dilim – Carl & Angela

FLUENT IN MAHAL KO KAYO

@itzy.random_edits I can’t include the last clip so on part2 I will be including clips where they spoke in Tagalog. 😆✌🏼@itzyofficial #ITZY #kpopfy #fy #fyp ♬ original sound – ItzyRandom Edits – ITZY.Random Edits

One of our biggest linguistic contributions to the world might just be “mahal ko kayo,” FR. It’s great to watch idols communicate their love to their fans, and “mahal ko kayo” is one of those phrases that’s in every idol’s pocket, ready to be brought out in livestreams, in fansigns, and in concerts. From their first world tour, the first time they set foot in the Philippines, to their most recent one, ITZY never forgot to tell their Filipino MIDZYs they love them in their own language.

FLUENT IN GENERAL

@spotifyph

ITZY PINOY KWEENS! Diba, no need for subtitles? Watch the full clip at This Is ITZY on Spotify.

♬ original sound – SpotifyPH

That’s not all, though! ITZY has put in the work to connect and communicate with their fans across the world, and Pinoy MIDZYs are grateful. From learning slang phrases (Yuna going “hindi ako pabebe” in the sweetest voice is equal parts comedic and adorable) to making references only the most steeped in Pinoy lingo and culture can, ITZY’s on their way to being fluent in Filipino.

"Hay naku!" I'm shoookt!! What if may lahi ka talagang Pinoy, Yuna???

IT'Z MORE FUN IN THE PHILIPPINES#ITZY_CHECKMATE_MANILA#ITZY_WORLD_TOUR @ITZYofficial pic.twitter.com/GMhDiVGeSy

— 🦊 (@chaerchryng) January 15, 2023

Hahahaha this is so funny 😭🤣 Chaeryeong with her EYY fever 🤙🤙 and Yuna being so Pinoy 🤭🤣 I really love them. #ITZY you are always welcome here in the Philippines and just have fun 🤗💗 pic.twitter.com/jAn1htRgsd

— Dani 😺≷👑 We Love You Lia 🩵 (@Dani413_) August 5, 2024

Yuna is right up there as one of the most Pinoy-coded, picking up phrases and using them as she goes. She even imitated the concert translator’s “at siyempre”! We love when idols make the effort to relate to their fans across the world.

@ryu.rj DAY2! Itzy introducing themeselves in tagalog. MAHAL NAMIN KAYO! 🫶🏻#itzy #itzy_world_tour #itzy_checkmate_manila #itzyinmanila ♬ original sound – 🫶🏻 – ryu

Continue Reading: Highlights That Made Us Go Loco For Itzy During Their Weekend In Manila

Like many young women, Niana Guerrero is entering young adulthood by exploring her sense of beauty and style while having fun along the way.

Related: 7 Ways Niana Guerrero’s 18th Birthday Party Was Not Your Typical Debut

Turning 18 is more than a sign that you’re a year older, it opens the gates into your young adulthood era. For many, being 18 means a new chapter in discovering who you are, and that includes experimenting with different styles, looks, wants, and interests. At this point, you’re allowed to not have things set in stone yet as you find yourself by trying out new things. Such is the case for Niana Guerrero, who turned 18 this past January. 

We all know Niana as the Gen Z social media dancing star with her signature style. But these days, Niana has also been exploring a new era as a bubbling fashion girl. And it doesn’t stop there as she’s also been on a journey to take makeup more seriously recently, some of which she shared with NYLON Manila.   

+1000 AURA POINTS 

Niana may not be known for having the craziest makeup, but when she serves face, she serves. However, what matters most for the TikTok star when it comes to her look is what goes on before it. “A must-do step for every makeup routine is probably skin prep so that you have a moisturized face and very hydrating so that the finish of the makeup is going to be flawless,” she shares. For Niana, skincare takes center stage, which is another reminder that even your faves know the importance of having good skin for the makeup look.

INSTAGRAM/BYSCOSMETICS_PH

This is just one of the new tips and tricks Niana has learned with her first serious foray into beauty as she admitted that she just started doing makeup late last year. Still, there’s no required start date when it comes to exploring makeup, and Niana has been using her new chapter to go beyond and experiment with what she wants. 

Niana may have just started getting into makeup, but she’s excited to see where her journey goes. And, at the end of the day, what makes a face card give isn’t what you put on it, but how you carry it. For Niana, it’s all about the confidence and aura points, something she has plenty of. “Having a good aura I think is really important for a face card para confident.” 

Continue Reading: Science Says This Is The Best Way You Can Take Care Of Your Sensitive Skin