When it comes to being an extrovert or an introvert, many see the former as the desirable option and the latter as some sort of weakness. Pop culture often depicts extroverts as the life of the party that everyone wants to be with and can do well in any situation while introverts are the loners at the corner who dislike people. But TBH, the bad rep introverts get is unwarranted. Are extroverts superior to introverts? You bet not.
Both are fine and one isn’t inherently better than the other. Introversion should not be seen as a flaw just because they are normally reserved and prefer to focus on their inner life and solitary or low-stimulating environments. There are benefits to being able to thrive in a quiet life, after all. From not being able to hold a conversation to hating social interactions, we debunk introvert misconceptions below.
The stereotype for introverts is that they are antisocial loners who don’t know how to talk to people. But that isn’t the case. Give them a topic they care about, and introverts can be yappers, so long as they are talking to the right people and under the right circumstances. Speaking may not be as natural to introverts as it is for extroverts, but they can be confident and articulate with what they have to say when the situation arises.
If there is one word that is associated with introverts, it’s shy. And while there’s nothing wrong with being shy, introverts can be sociable. They gravitate towards smaller and more meaningful connections and prioritize deep and personal conversations over quick chats with strangers. It’s not always easy for introverts to open up or approach people they don’t know, but once they meet the right people to interact with, that’s when they can be themselves. It’s honestly a compliment if an introvert talks to you because it shows that they trust you and feel safe to let down their guard around you. And yes, introverts go out, if the right barkada is with them.
If you’re an introvert, there’s nothing wrong with you, and that doesn’t change no matter what people say. Introversion is natural and inherent in many people. Some of the most famous and successful people in history are introverts, so there’s no need to change yourself. Being an introvert only means that immersing yourself in the outer world is not your cup of tea. And guess what? That’s fine.
Yes, introverts may want to recharge their social battery alone and prioritize their personal time, but they also bring a level of passion, enthusiasm, and insight that’s worth hearing, listening to, and being around. Introverts enjoy being around the right company and offer another perspective on life that others may not see. They may not say much, but give them the chance, they’ll often have something worthwhile to say.
People who think introverts make for bad friends or uninteresting partners honestly just haven’t gotten the chance to really get to know them. FYI, being loud or talkative isn’t an automatic green flag. Introverts just would rather do most things alone or be around the right people, and there are benefits to being with people who think first before speaking. They give a different kind of energy, but it’s still a vibe.
From covering court-side to hosting concerts for some of the biggest names in entertainment, Aiyana Perlas is rising fast. Let’s take a look at how she got here and where’s she’s headed next.
Aiyana Perlas scored infinite points in our hearts when she burst onto the scene as a court-side reporter for De La Salle University. Since then, her accomplishments as a host have only multiplied, and include such feats as the highly anticipated BINIverse, as well as the first leg of NYLON Manila’s 2024 Career Fair at her alma mater. Amidst the Career Fair excitement, NYLON Manila got to sit down with Aiyana to catch up with her career so far and what she’s learned.
Congratulations on all of your success as a host so far! Did you see yourself doing what you’re doing now at the beginning of your career?
A: At the beginning of my career, no. I think I always saw myself as a very energetic, talkative person. But then I never really saw myself being able to do the things that I am doing now. At the start, I think I was very closed to a certain idea na “Okay, hanggang dito lang ako.” But the Lord has so many different doors and I’m happy he has opened a lot of different doors for me.
So, out of curiosity, what did you originally picture for yourself in terms of your career?
A: I was supposed to be a doctor. Yeah, legit. Like, here in La Salle, I took up Psychology because I wanted to follow in the footsteps of my Lolo – to be a child psychiatrist. But then I auditioned for the MYX VJ Search in 2018, and then I lost that competition. And then, after three months I auditioned for DLSU Courtside, and then I got the job. The rest is history. Yay!
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Q: What made you decide to try for those things?
A: I think was a bit “sheltered”. Parang, I can say that I’m an extrovert, but then I would never push myself to speak in front of people. But I can talk with people a lot and interact with people. I think the number one thing that really pushed me was my mom, because she knew how when I was a kid I would watch MYX every single day of my life. She pushed me this one time to be like “You’re always watching MYX. Why don’t you try auditioning kaya?” And then I was like, “Yeah, oo nga no. Parang like Heart Evangelista or Luis Manzano, why not?” And then yun. That’s when things started and then I auditioned for MYX.
As a host, do you notice any big differences between the way Gen Zs answer questions versus other generations?
A: I actually never noticed a certain way of answering for the different generations. I do believe naman kasi that everyone has their own level of authenticity. Like, whenever you ask them questions they will always have their own level. So I think that will be the main difference. Kasi, ako for example, if I were to answer a question and this is how I authentically would want to answer it, no matter what generation I’d be, as long as it is understandable, and it is something that people can learn from, no matter what generation you’re from, right? Parang I think that’s what people look for: authenticity and something they can learn from. But I haven’t noticed like a trend naman in answering questions.
Q: So any differences you notice is not tied to generation at all. It’s more about-
A: Personality and how they are, yes.
What is the best and worst thing about sports fan culture?
A: This is not just about sports – I think even entertainment. Number one worst [thing]: cancel culture talaga. That’s evident in both sports and in entertainment, or even music. The best thing naman is really the all-out support – the fanbases and the support talaga of the Filipinos and everything. It’s always overwhelming in a great way. You will always feel the love and the warmth and the support of everyone. But, yun nga, it comes with the catch of cancel culture because of how passionate people are with supporting you. One mistake or one thing you could say could immediately, you know, snap something. I think that’s something I wish people could learn from. Like everyone makes mistakes and everyone is open to change. As long as you learn from it and show that you really want to change. It’s your choice to change as a person and choose to learn from it, and I think it’s okay. I think cancel culture is something we should stop. For real.
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You recently hosted at BINIverse – can you tell us what the experience was like?
A: Hosting for BINIverse was so amazing, kasi I’ve seen these ladies grow. I mean, the first time I hosted for them was in 2022, I believe. And I remember we would always talk about it before na parang “Oh, I remember the first time I hosted for you guys, siguro mag 100 lang yung pumunta.” And they were like, “Yeah, para sa amin madami na yun!” And then bigla the next mall show, 8000 people went and I am really happy to be able to see the progress of these girls and how they were able to grow. I can see the passion kasi behind the scenes also, and how they are with their music training. So I’m very, very happy for them. And I am so happy that P-Pop, and OPM in general, is also rising. Thank you, Lord, for that. But yeah, it’s an amazing experience. I think what makes it even more special is that, yun nga, I’m able to see them and how they grow. And I’m part of the process, or I’m able to see the journey of BINI. And not only BINI. Even sila Maki. I was even able to see, like, the growth of SB19 din. So it’s a fun process. Not only as workmates but as friends. It’s nice to be able to support them on that level.
What is your dream hosting gig?
A: PBB – that’s my dream hosting gig. ‘Cause I would always tell Kuya Robbie that he is my dream. Kuya Robbie and Kuya Luis Manzano are the two that I would wish to achieve talaga. It’s my dream to host for PBB, but I know you have to be a housemate to host for PBB. Maybe for like international artists, like if there are fan meets for like BlackPink or Ariana Grande or something like that, I would love to host for them or interview them. Yeah, and more P-Pop stuff hopefully.
If you could do it all over again, are there things you would have done differently in college or in your career, knowing what you know now?
A: Before, I tried my best to please everyone. So much so that I wouldn’t showcase the true me, because of how much I wanted to cater to certain people that I’m with. But then, now, I just realized that: you know what, at the end of the day, if they don’t like your personality then that’s on them. It has nothing to do with you. You can’t be liked by everyone. And I do believe na you really just always have to be yourself and love yourself 100%. Especially because a lot of people will talk talaga and it’s a very critical industry – not only inside but also outside. You really have to have a strong foundation with yourself. So love yourself and be yourself.
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What’s next for you? What can people expect to see from you in the near future?
A: Even I don’t know what’s next for myself! But that’s what makes life fun. You don’t know what’s next and it will always be a great surprise, whatever life throws at you, whether good or bad. I think whatever happens will happen, and it’s part of God’s plan for me. But I do hope to host for more P-Pop groups, artists, and more.
What is the craziest most unexpected thing for you that you maybe want to try this year or next?
A: Music! I want to be a singer – that’s my biggest frustration, legit. I really wanted to be Hannah Montana before. But we’ll see. I always tell people that I want to focus on honing my skills as a host, since that’s really what I love and what loves me back. But, you know, maybe if the time comes then yeah. Maybe music.
Anything you want to shoutout or any causes you are passionate about that you want to bring more attention to?
A: Two in particular, actually. I am an advocate for two things: mental health awareness and also stray animals of the Philippines. We have a lot of stray animals in our house. That is our hobby. If we see a kitten or a puppy on the street we will immediately get it and foster it. We have a total of 20 stray cats and 5 stray dogs. We hope that there will be a way, sana, that the Philippines could minimize that. And then mental health awareness for sure. I hope people can be more open to that topic, because I think it’s still a taboo topic here in the Philippines. Slowly, I think people are being more open naman about it.
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How do you maintain your mental health, as a person who is in the public eye and is subject to a lot of criticisms from people who don’t know you?
A: I always say this to my friends and to myself: I always have to know the difference between something that is “bashing” or criticism. Kasi there’s a fine line. Someone could just be saying pure hatred or could actually be wanting to help you grow. So you just have to know how to distinguish that and, at the same time, have a strong foundation with yourself. You really have to love yourself and remember, at the end of the day, you are your only best friend no matter what. If you, yourself, can’t even love yourself, how will other people love you? I think that’s what makes me very bubbly and happy – it’s because I’m very happy with myself. I don’t know if that’s an egotistical thing to say, but I love myself – my imperfections, my strengths and weaknesses. Yeah, I think that’s the main thing on how you can be 100% happy.
Do you have a message for your fans and/or the NYLON Manila audience?
A: I hope that you will be able to learn how to love yourself. Learn how to love your imperfections, your strengths, your weaknesses. I hope that people would be more open to that idea. A lot of people tend to be hard on themselves, especially with social media and all the criticisms and everything. Self-love, guys! Don’t fake it! You have to make it real. Don’t fake it ’til you make it. Make it real for yourself.
Answers have been edited for length and clarity
Photos courtesy of NYLON Manila and Aiyana Perlas on Instagram
We’ve all been there—heading out on a spontaneous trip, eagerly exploring a new city. or location The sun sets, casting a golden glow over the skyline, and you pull out your phone, ready to snap that perfect shot. With its impressive camera features, you capture every vivid detail—no filters necessary. As the evening continues, you’re cruising through bustling streets, streaming your favorite playlists, and reminiscing over the photos you took earlier. Then, tragedy strikes as your phone battery hits 10%. But there’s no need to stress—you’re back to 50% charge in minutes, ready for the next adventure.
The vivo V40 is here to elevate every moment of your digital life with its cutting-edge technology and design. Imagine a phone that not only keeps up with your fast-paced adventures but enhances them with every feature. From its powerful camera system that captures memories in stunning clarity to its super-fast charging capabilities that ensure you’re never caught off guard, the vivo V40 is designed for those who live life on the go. Ready for the ultimate upgrade? Here’s everything you need to know about the latest standout in smartphones.
Picture Perfect with ZEISS Technology
Starting strong with its standout features, the vivo V40 delivers everything you’d expect from a next-gen smartphone. If you’re the type who always has your phone out to snap every memorable moment, the vivo V40 has you covered. With its collaboration with ZEISS, this phone brings you an array of professional-grade camera features that ensure every shot is crisp, clear, and picture-perfect.
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ZEISS All Main Camera: Elevate your photography game with the 50MP ZEISS OIS Main Camera, 50MP ZEISS Ultra-Wide Angle Camera, and 50MP ZEISS Group Selfie Camera. These high-performance lenses shine in any shooting condition, turning every photo you take into a vibrant masterpiece. Whether you’re a content creator or simply love capturing the essence of daily life, this camera guarantees sharp, colorful shots every time.
ZEISS Cinematic Portrait Video: Turn your videos into cinematic experiences with the ZEISS Cinematic Portrait Video feature. With bokeh effects and smooth focus transitions that give your videos a professional touch, it’s perfect for those who want to add a touch of movie magic to their content, all from the convenience of their phone.
ZEISS Multifocal Portrait: Level up your portrait photography with the ZEISS Multifocal Portrait feature. With focal lengths of 1x, 1.5x, and 2.2x, capturing the perfect shot is a breeze. Whether you’re going for a casual snap or a pro-level portrait, it’s like having a personal photographer in your pocket—minus the small talk.
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ZEISS Style Portrait: Unleash your inner artist with ZEISS Style Portraits. Choose from an array of styles like Biotar, Planar, Distagon, and Sonnar, each offering its own unique effect.
Battery Life for the Non-Stop Life
How many times have you been caught out with a dead phone? The vivo V40’s 5500 mAh BlueVolt battery with 80W FlashCharge is a game-changer for those who live life in the fast lane. Traditionally, making batteries slimmer has meant sacrificing power, but not with the V40. Thanks to a cutting-edge second-generation silicon-carbon anode, it boasts an impressive energy density of 808 Wh/L, offering around 1000 mAh more capacity than standard batteries of the same size. Despite its power, the V40’s battery is 16.5% smaller than conventional ones with similar capacity, proving that big things can come in slim packages.
Whether you’re gaming, streaming, or bouncing between apps, this smartphone ensures you stay powered up longer. And when you need a battery boost, the 80W FlashCharge and Fast Charging Mode have got you covered—no more twiddling your thumbs while waiting for a recharge.
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Durability Done Right
Durability is essential when choosing a smartphone, and the vivo V40 truly delivers. Engineered with a Comprehensive Cushioning Structure and high-performance Schott α glass, this phone is your reliable sidekick for the everyday bumps and drops life throws your way. With its raised corners and reinforced frame, the V40 isn’t just sturdy—it’s practically built to shrug off impacts and resist twisting.
The vivo V40 also comes with IP68 and IP69 dust and water resistance, meaning it can handle anything—from a rain shower to accidental drops in water. It’s designed to be submerged in up to 1.5 meters of water for up to 30 minutes and can even withstand hot water, high temperatures, and pressure. Whether it’s static freshwater or unexpected spills, the V40’s slim design doesn’t compromise its ingress protection capabilities.
And it doesn’t stop there. The V40 undergoes over 70 rigorous tests, including 500 simulated distortion trials and 10,000 plugging and unplugging cycles. This thorough testing ensures that your V40 won’t just survive your busy life—it’ll thrive through it. It’s like having a phone that’s not only ready for anything but also laughs in the face of everyday chaos.
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Smooth Performance with Smart Features
The vivo V40 isn’t just about its sleek looks and impressive camera; it’s also a powerhouse of smooth performance. Under the hood, the Qualcomm Snapdragon® 7 Gen 3 ensures lightning-fast app launches, buttery-smooth scrolling, and optimized graphics for gaming. With up to 12GB of RAM plus an additional 12GB of extended RAM, bringing the total to a whopping 24GB, you can seamlessly juggle multiple apps and store your entire media library with ease thanks to its 512GB of storage.
But performance isn’t just about speed—it’s also about staying cool under pressure. That’s where the V40’s Ultra Large VC Smart Cooling System comes in. Equipped with a sizable VC cooling plate and 10 temperature sensors, it intelligently manages heat to keep your phone stable and smooth, even during the most intense tasks. The best part? This smartphone is designed for the long haul. With a promise of a 50-month smooth experience, it’s built to maintain consistent, top-tier performance over the years.
Sunshine-Ready Screen & 3D Sound
Imagine scrolling through your feed under the bright sun, where every post and story pops with crystal clarity. The vivo V40’s 1.5K Ultra Clear Sunlight Display makes this a reality, boasting a peak brightness of 4500 nits. This means you’ll have no trouble viewing your screen outdoors, and with a 120 Hz refresh rate, every swipe is smooth. Plus, the display is gentle on your eyes with its low blue light, low flicker, and low motion blur certifications, ensuring a comfy and easy-on-the-eyes experience.
But it’s not just about looking good; the V40 sounds incredible too. For the first time, it’s equipped with Dual Stereo Speakers that deliver rich, 3D stereo sound. Whether you’re diving into a new movie, tuning in to your favorite tracks, or getting lost in a game, the balanced bass and lifelike audio make every moment come alive.
The Next Style Staple
The vivo V40 doesn’t just deliver on performance—it does it in style. Choose from three eye-catching colors that are sure to match your personality:
Nebula Purple: Channel your inner stargazer with this cosmic-inspired shade. It shifts with the light, giving off a mesmerizing, almost magical effect that’s truly out of this world.
Sunglow Peach: Bask in the glow of this warm, glossy hue that mirrors the serene beauty of a sunrise, turning your phone into a soothing, eye-catching accessory.
Stellar Silver: Elevate your tech game with this sleek, sophisticated silver. Combining elegance with practicality, it features an anti-fingerprint coating and AG technology, making it as durable as it is dazzling.
The Verdict: Is the vivo V40 Right for You?
If you’re on the lookout for a phone that marries powerful performance with cutting-edge camera technology, the vivo V40 is a top contender. With its extended battery life, stunning display, and a camera setup that’s ready to capture every moment in the best light—literally—you’re set for stellar shots every time. And with distinct styles and colorways catering to every personality, it’s not just a tech powerhouse—it’s a statement that lets you express yourself while staying on top of your smartphone game.
Ready to make the ultimate upgrade? The vivo V40 is set to hit stores soon and will be available in two variants: the 12GB + 256GB model, priced at Php 26,999, and the 12GB + 512GB model, priced at Php 29,999. You can purchase the vivo V40 at concept stores and kiosks nationwide, or conveniently shop online through Lazada, Shopee, or the official vivo website.
Excitingly, pre-orders will run from September 17 to September 27 with a Php 500 downpayment to secure your unit. Pre-order customers will enjoy a Php 2,000 discount off the SRP, and a voucher will be provided upon pre-order, which is required when claiming your device from September 28 to October 16. As a bonus, pre-order now and receive a free TWS 3e worth Php 1,999!
From the era-defining BTS and Halsey collaboration on Boy with Luv to the summer anthem Ice Cream by BLACKPINK and Selena Gomez, global collaborations are definitely not few and far between. Artists all around the world love to collab, y’all! And each collab can very well be a showcase of some real talent—talent that reaches the far corners of the globe.
No matter how well-versed you are as a K-pop stan in global collabs, no matter how many tracks have made it to your Top Songs, there may be some more collaborations out there that deserve more attention and love. Learn your K-pop history! From remixes to stages, remote features to full-on collaborations, these unexpected collabs may just make it to your faves list, too.
GDRAGON X MISSY ELLIOT
Talk about unexpected! A stage of rap superstars. BIGBANG member and Hallyu icon G-DRAGON and Missy Elliot shared a stage on South Korean music show MCountdown back in 2013. They performed G-DRAGON’s Niliria in a history-making collab.
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BTS X CHARLI XCX
Long before Brat summer, Charli XCX collaborated with BTS on Dream Glow, a track off the K-pop supergroup’s official soundtrack for their mobile game BTS World. The entire soundtrack included more epic collabs, like A Brand New Day with Zara Larsson and All Night with Juice WRLD.
WENDY X JOHN LEGEND
Let this duet by John Legend and Red Velvet’s Wendy put you into a romantic mood. Part of SM Entertainment’s STATION X 0 music project, the global collaboration was unexpected and totally works. Underrated classic.
RED VELVET X ELLIE GOULDING
English singer-songwriter Ellie Goulding released a few versions and remixes of her song Close To Me—including one where Red Velvet put their own spin on it! Members Wendy and Yeri are even credited as composers and lyricists!
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HWASA X DUA LIPA
Baddies on baddies. After sharing the stage at the 2019 MNET Asian Music Awards, Dua Lipa and Hwasa maximized their joint slay by collaborating on a version of Dua Lipa’s Physical!
SNOOP DOGG X MONSTA X
Don’t knock it ’til you listen to it. The Snoop Dog x MONSTA X collaboration for none other than The Spongebob Movie: Sponge on the Run (2020) is an unironically fun, chase scene-worthy techno dance track. Truly the collab we didn’t know we needed, but we did.
LOONA X GRIMES
Two names we never thought would be put in the same sentence, much less the same song. LOONA sub-unit LOONA yyxy tapped musician Grimes for a collaboration on their track love4eva back in 2018.
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RM X FALL OUT BOY
Emos-turned-K-pop-stans rise!
PENTATONIX X ATEEZ
ATEEZ’s San, Yunho, and Jongho joined Pentatonix for a version of the American a cappella group’s A Little Space back in 2021. Pentatonix’s first collab with a Korean group, A Little Space is a fun, catchy collaboration between some great musicians vocalists.
LAY X NCT 127 X JASON DERULO
LAY, NCT 127, and Jason Derulo prove three isn’t a crowd in this grand collab of all-rounders. The singers, dancers, and rappers showed up and showed out with their entire skillsets in Jason Derulo’s track Let’s Shut Up & Dance.
PINK SWEATS X SEVENTEEN’S DK & JOSHUA
In a track that wants to make us fall in love, singer-songwriter Pink Sweat$ enlisted the vocals of SEVENTEEN vocalists DK and Joshua in crooning about a love so beautifully deep.
Blueberry milk nails, glazed donut makeup, and black honey lip shade, beauty trends have gotten deliciously sweet and, frankly, overwhelming that we don’t know where to start!
But let’s go back to simpler times. Do you remember that first walk-in at a Korean makeup store at your local mall because the K-pop boy group you are so totally in love with as a tween is the ambassador of said brand? Ah, those were the days. It was even through these brands that probably helped kickstart your love of makeup. And while new brands, both Korean and elsewhere, have entered the scene and subsequently taken over makeup drawers, that doesn’t mean the OGs have left us. Before TIRTIR had the girls obsessed with their foundation, these K-brands from the 2010s were what everyone wanted in their kikay kits. When it’s good, it’s good.
Below, check out five Korean makeup brands that will take you back to those nostalgic memories and maybe even rekindle a forgotten love.
Girls cluster together at their nearby Etude House like a wrapped gift in pink. Possibly your first experience with Korean makeup, given that they housed the iconic SM muses Krystal and Sulli, Y2K queens Jun Ji Hyun and Song Hye Kyo, and now SM entertainment’s hottest boy group, RIIZE, Etude House was founded as early as 1966 by Amore Pacific.
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Well-known for their Wonder Pore toner, Dear Darling water tints, and Moistfull cream, Etude House’s branding continues to be the patron makeup brand fitting for the girly-girl, coquette aesthetic unfolding day-by-day.
How could anyone forget the OG Aloe Vera Soothing Gel from Nature Republic? We know we didn’t. EXO was promoting their repackaged album with the title track Growl when they became models for the product. Highkey was obsessed in that era!
Founded in 2009, Nature Republic was first widely regarded for its skincare products, extending to its splendid makeup line incorporating newer trends today, such as lip oils and sunsticks.
Hailing from the same cosmetics company as Etude House, Innisfree, founded in 2000, carries itself with a pristine and sophisticated glow that prioritizes eco-friendly options. Fun fact: Innisfree’s name is derived from W.B. Yeats’ poem, The Lake Isle of Innisfree. From their Dewy Lip Tint Balm, Cherry Blossom Jam Cleanser, and more, Innisfree ensures their Clean Girl branding is top-notch.
No one does formidable cool like Moonshot. Because Moonshot was YG Entertainment’s cosmetic brand at its peak, they had Epik High’s Tablo make a quick sound filled with high fashion beats and witty verses relating to planets and the stars for their first-ever trailer; Moonshot was a supernova!
Though a little behind when it came to the other brands of its kind, Moonshot, which was founded in 2014, made comeback headlines with their cushion product, Microfit Cushion.
Not to be mistaken with BTS’ song and debut album 2 Cool 4 Skool, Too Cool For School is student-friendly makeup with their novel packaging that mimics school supplies. We’re talking products that look like crayons with their Too Cool Art Class and Break Time Lip Color Balm.
Founded in 2009, Too Cool For School is pretty rare these days, so shopping their products is like finding a rare Pokemon these days.
ICYMI, some of the most notable names in the fashion world recently descended on Milan, aka Italy’s fashion capital, for Milan Fashion Week. Held from September 17-23, it was a non-stop showcase of looks and shows. And among the stars who got the cameras flashing at Milan were a handful of Filipino stars, such as Heart Evangelista. As expected, the Fashion Week staple came through with the ‘fits as the icon that she is.
But what we loved even more was how she used Filipino songs to soundtrack her Instagram Reels to her Fashion Week looks. From OPM classics to recent hits, Heart came through with the bangers as she combined outfits from global fashion houses with local jams (which she picked herself, BTW). It honestly reminded us of her MYX VJ era and a lowkey reminder that Heart has always been that girl. So, the next time you’re picking a track for your IG Reel, take a page from Heart’s book and try looking for something local. Scroll down for the OPM songs she featured in her Milan Fashion Week Reels.
With the Halloween season just around the corner and the air getting (infinitesimally) colder, the urge to see a horror movie grows stronger. While Filipinos don’t necessarily revere Halloween as much as Christmas, you can’t deny that Halloween is still fun and is something you wouldn’t want to miss out on– whether that comes in the form of visiting scary rides in theme parks, watching slasher films with friends, or going to a Halloween party.
And you know what? It’s ok to feel the chills run up the spine and cower in fear under a blanket before we head into full-blown holly jolly Christmas mode. So, before the parols get hung and Mariah Carey is on blast in malls 24/7 (which, TBH, is already being done), here are six horror movies, from horror comedies, horror romances, to full-on nail-biters, to jumpstart the Halloween excitement.
LISA FRANKENSTEIN (2024)
To start things off light– a rom-com and a horror movie rolled into one. This one is for those who want to have someone match their freaks. Lisa Frankenstein made rounds earlier this year for being Liza Soberano’s first Hollywood film. But aside from how she ate her role up, this Cole Sprouse and Kathryn Newton starrer is the perfect film to watch for kicking off your Halloween watchlist.
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Directed by Diablo Cody (yes, the same director who birthed another iconic horror flick, Jennifer’s Body), Lisa Frankenstein follows teenager Lisa (Kathryn Newton), who inadvertently summons a zombie boyfriend (Cole Sprouse) one night after a disastrous party with her step-sister Taffy (Soberano). What ensues next is a bloody hilarious story.
BODIES BODIES BODIES (2022)
A classic whodunit. Or is it? A24’s essence is found all over Bodies, Bodies, Bodies, a modern take on the whodunit genre starring a slate of actors who portray different archetypes of Gen Z, including the queen Rachel Sennott, Amandla Stenberg, and Pete Davidson. A staycation gone wrong, the movie takes place in a remote mansion during a storm while a group of rich 20-somethings try to figure out who is a murderer in their midst. A sharp, yet tasteful take on how Gen Zs react to the world around them, Bodies, Bodies, Bodies is a top-tier sleepover flick with an A-tier ending.
BONES AND ALL (2022)
Cannibalism as a metaphor for love. The desire to fully consume the person you love, bones and all, in an attempt to forge the compositions of your bodies into one whole, grotesque, creation. After creating the now cult classics, Call Me By Your Name and Suspiria (yes, another horror flick!) Luca Guadagnino cannot get enough of casting Timotheeé Chalamet in (arguably) tragic romances.
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Bones and All sees two cannibals, Lee and Maren, on a journey across rural America, trying to survive as outcasts who have a taste for human flesh. A morbid take on love, Bones and All is best paired with listening to Ethel Cain’s 2022 album, Preacher’s Daughter, whether before or after the film, to maximize the cannibalistic Southern gothic vibe.
FENG SHUI (2004)
Who wasn’t utterly terrified by this movie as a kid? This iconic Kris Aquino (our fave local scream queen!) starrer is a classic Filipino horror movie. Feng Shui follows Joy (Aquino), a mother of two and wife to a cheating husband, who finds a Bagua, which at first seems to bring her family luck, turning their lives around. That is until a slew of deaths follow them. Feng Shui also features Lotus Feet, a horror movie icon that scared a generation of Filipino children. This movie will never fail to draw you further into the rabbit hole of horror flicks.
A NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET (1984)
This one will keep your eyes peeled all night. Wes Craven’s (the director of the Scream franchise) Halloween classic will have you sipping coffee until 3 AM while fighting for your life to stay alive. Set against the funky backdrop of the mid-80s, this classic supernatural slasher has seen many iterations of the movie throughout the decades, including a crossover with another horror franchise, Friday the 13th.
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The story follows a group of high schoolers tormented by their town’s ghostly past, slowly clawing its way from their subconscious into their realities. This iconic piece of cinema has withstood the test of time, and the ability to give people nightmares (lest they actually sleep after watching this movie).
SCREAM (1996)
Wes Craven just never misses. For those who haven’t seen it yet, the first Scream movie will have you literally screaming at the screen the entire time, wanting to reach into the movie itself and yell, “Mama a killer behind YOU 💜!” With layers of horror meta, Scream is one of the top slasher movies in Hollywood.
Featuring an ensemble cast with stars like Neve Campbell (one of our fave scream queens and final girls), Skeet Ulrich, Matthew Lillard, David Arquette, and Courtney Cox, the first of the many (now up to seven) Scream movies follows Sydney (Campbell) finding herself at the center of a string of gruesome deaths while reeling from her mother’s murder a year ago. Oh, and watch out for that shocking twist at the end.
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BONUS: PORTRAIT OF GOD (2022)
This chilling short film might only be seven minutes long, but it will stay with you for much, much longer after you finish it. Portrait of God, a short horror film directed and produced by Dylan Clark, sees a girl preparing for her presentation on a painting entitled, “Portrait of God,” which allegedly causes people to see the image of God within a canvas of nothingness.
As her presentation progresses, she realizes the image might be of something else entirely. A masterclass on keeping the audience at the edge of their seats, this short film packs a punch despite its minimal runtime. Be careful staring into the darkness after it though, you never know what will appear and stare back at you.
Internet trends, memes, and platforms may change—but one thing’s for sure: we love ourselves an adorable animal. You think only people can earn the title of Internet icon? Well, let the newest viral sensation be the latest legend that proves you wrong.
Introducing Moo Deng, a perpetually moist, screaming, yet lovable menace of a baby pygmy hippo living at the Khao Kheow Open Zoo in Si Racha, Thailand. Moo Deng, whose name means “bouncy pork” (because of course it does) and shares it with a Thai dish (Mu daeng), has captured the hearts of people all over the world.
Moo Deng was born in July 2024 to mother Jonah and made her social media debut this September. Very quickly, the hippo’s well-documented behavior and antics has earned her titles like “icon,” “queen,” and “the most beautiful girl in the world.” As she should! Though often ornery and always hilarious, the playful baby hippo has amassed herself a following in the form of hundreds of thousands of strangers all across the globe who would go to war for the big, slippery baby. As we should.
She’s a meme, she’s an icon, she’s a moment, she’s even got fanart! She was on TIME, she was on Vogue, she is everywhere. In just two weeks, Moo Deng has become the talk of the town. The hippo, who’s just learning about this whole new world to her, is popular for bouncing, screaming, splashing around, biting her caretaker’s knees, imitating her mother, and generally being a force of chaos.
Zookeepers at the Khao Kheow Open Zoo often post about the animals under their care, but Moo Deng stood out—perhaps because she was destined to be the viral queen we all needed.
moo deng is a lifestyle icon and i need all of yall to get onboard:
– inexplicably moist at all times – slightly blurry in most photos – probably screaming or sleeping – round pic.twitter.com/VtgOPf1PAS
She screams when she’s being picked up, she screams when she’s joyfully playing with water, she screams when she’s being woken up, she screams when she’s with the zookeepers. TBH, she’s just like us. She represents our innermost desires—to just sleep, scream, eat, and vibe. No wonder she’s a crowd favorite.
Moo Deng’s popularity has not just brought attention and support to the zoo—it’s also become a way for people to learn about pygmy hippos, which are an endangered species. Numbers of pygmy hippos have fallen victim to human activities like hunting, logging, mining, and land conversion. Moo Deng and her family are safe and protected at Khao Kheow Open Zoo, with the zoo assuring that their animals are well taken care of.
Regardless, it’s important to note that not all zoos operate the same, and we should still keep a critical eye out on any possible mistreatment and ensure we advocate for the welfare and humane treatment of animals wherever they are.
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After seeing this assault I’m convinced that Moo Deng deserves her own secret service pic.twitter.com/ObaO12gBF6
In any case, Moo Deng has faced some challenges in her still-short life, like a monkey that whacked her for no reason, and rude visitors that throw things at the hippo. Since then, more security has been enforced and more limitations have been set so that visitors don’t disturb Moo Deng and the hippos.
But trust, there’s a whole global community out here that would defend this precious icon wholeheartedly. From celebrities to artists, brand pages to sports teams, everybody has fallen in love with Moo Deng, and all they want is more Moo Deng, all day, every day. They cheer her on, laugh at her antics, and hit like on every post about her.
There’s even a CCTV livestream where you can watch Moo Deng go about her very important daily activities, like sleeping.
So basically, we can watch Moo Deng take over the world wherever we are in the world. She can do no wrong, and she’s got throngs of people rooting for her to live her best life and cheering her on as she grows up and asserts her dominance. All hail our new princess.
While it may not be as thriving as it is in other countries, the Filipino zombie subgenre still has its gems. There’s the 2011 horror cult classic Zombadings 1: Patayin sa Shokot si Remington, and 2020’s Block Z that gave a somewhat Gen Z spin on the genre, to name a few. And this 2024, a new entry is entering the collection with Outside.
First revealed during the Netflix APAC Southeast Asia Showcase earlier this year, Outside has made the rounds online after its recent trailer drop went viral on social media. It is, after all, not every day we get Filipino zombie movies, especially ones of this caliber. And with a release date of October 17, it drops just in time for Halloween szn. Curious to know more about the newest Filipino horror movie that’s got netizens talking? Scroll down for the deets.
THE PLOT CENTERS ON A FAMILY WITH SECRETS
Outside is set in a world during a violent and devastating zombie outbreak. In this bleak reality, we follow a family of four led by its unstable patriarch, Francis (Sid Lucero). Together with his wife Iris (Beauty Gonzales) and sons Josh (Marco Masa) and Lucas (Aiden Tyler Patdu), they flee to Francis’s secluded and abandoned farmhouse in the province to seek refuge and restore some semblance of normalcy. But what is supposed to be a haven turns out to be something worse as they unearth an old secret that becomes a greater threat. All this to say, Outside styles itself as a gripping psychological horror experience.
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THE MOVIE IS SET IN AND INSPIRED BY NEGROS
Most of the movie is set in the province and was specifically shot in Negros Occidental. But this is more than just a stylistic choice as the movie’s director, Carlo Ledesma is from Negros and took inspiration from his experiences growing up on the island and his feelings of isolation during the pandemic, a period when the idea for the film began to take form. As some have pointed out, Negros’ local folklore has creatures akin to zombies, so it will be interesting to see how the movie blends native culture with the personal story.
THE CAST IS PRETTY LOADED
Leading Outside is a talented A-list cast that includes Sid Lucero and Beauty Gonzales, who are joined by Marco Masa and Aiden Patdu, and with the special participation of Enchong Dee and Joel Torre for good measure. It’s lowkey giving powerhouse acting, and special mention goes to Sid Lucero playing the father not only because he’s a great actor, but that he can also deliver on the unreliable lead role, which makes you question if he’s someone to be believed or trusted.
IT COMES FROM AN ACCLAIMED DIRECTOR
Bringing Outside to life is Filipino-Australian TV commercial and content filmmaker Carlo Ledesma. He first earned acclaim for his thesis feature The Haircut, which clinched the Mini Movie Channel Award for Best Short Film at the 2007 Cannes Film Festival. Carlo is also no stranger to the genre, and horror buffs may know him as the director of the underrated 2011 found-footage film The Tunnel, which served as his feature debut. He followed that up with Sunod in 2019 and the horror-comedy short The Kapre. With an eye for highlighting compelling human characters, their intricate connections, and conflicts, all while portraying the uniqueness of Filipino narrative to the world, Outside might have an interesting perspective to tell.
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IT TELLS A PERSONAL STORY
Outside is no Dawn of the Dead (the 2004 remake, to be exact). But what the movie lacks in action, it makes up for it in psychological horror. The film is described as more than your typical zombie film as Carlo Ledesma sees the movie as his most personal project to date. “More than anything, Outside is a story about family,” he said. “It explores how a family could fall apart, and it played out my worst fears as a father.” At the core of Outside is a movie about a family’s survival, and honestly, unhinged family secrets are just as scary as a zombie horde.
Outside streams exclusively on Netflix beginning October 17.
As a manager, you need to look out for the wellbeing and output of the people in your charge. And it lives up to the hype – both in terms of level of stress and fulfillment.
At the beginning of this year, I started a new job at a new company. Not just any job, mind you – a supervisory one. I now manage a small team of creatives and, oh boy, has the last half a year really been something. Beyond the chaos that the media industry is notorious for, the learning curve for being in a position of leadership has felt less like a roller coaster and more like a drop tower.
When you’re an individual contributor, your primary concern is your assigned work. Once you take a step up the ladder and go from junior employee to middle manager, what you have laid out at your table is a full course meal consisting of: ensuring the quality of output of your underlings, your own assigned projects, defending your team’s output to management without throwing anyone under the bus, and explaining upper management’s position to your team without them thinking you’re a slave driver.
It’s a lot, truly. Some of it expected, and a lot more of it either not so or not to the degree initially thought of. Here are a few things I’ve learned over the past few months.
Rule no. 1 of being a leader: everything that happens is now your fault. Being given a position of leadership is a great honor. And in the famous words of Uncle Ben: with great power comes great responsibility. Since you have the power to call the shots, naturally when shots are missed it’s your lookout. Not everything is within your control, of course. But the ability to foresee trouble areas and plan for them, or otherwise learn from your mistakes and implement procedures to prevent similar occurrences, is part of what a manager is meant to know how to do.
You’ll get the beatdown every time something happens. Most of the time it will feel like you can’t do anything right. But as long as you’re giving it your best and creating an environment where your team feels comfortable enough to operate with guidance, you’ll at least accomplish part of your ever-growing to-do list.
A High-Stakes Game of Telephone
The ability to give clear and timely instructions might be the single most important skill of being a manager. Directing work and resources depends on it. When your people are unclear about their marching orders, they will waste time making mistakes. Then deadlines are missed, money is lost, people are miserable.
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So be clear, be decisive, and be consistent. We’ve all experienced having a boss who changes their tune every time a project is up for discussion and then gets mad at you for supposedly “not following their instructions” or for being late as a result of directions changing while deadlines remain static. Don’t be that boss. Nobody likes that boss.
Even as a Manager, you need a Makers Schedule
via tylerdevries.com
If you’ve been working as a professional for a while or spent any amount of time on LinkedIn, you may have come across the “Makers vs. Managers schedule” concept. In case you haven’t, the idea is that the way workers carve out their time is going to be drastically different from the way their superiors do. With the former, large chunks of uninterrupted working time is best. For the latter, the need to be able to shift quickly between tasks is emphasized. This is because supervisors normally oversee a wider scope of projects that are not always related to one another, and you’ll need to be able to provide input or clarity as needed.
This is one of the biggest differences you first notice when you make the shift from junior employee to supervisor. The number of times you get interrupted in a day and the number of things you need to hold in your head all at the same time is not even funny. The biggest favor you can do for yourself? Mix the makers/managers schedule. Especially if your job description includes some creative output on your end, you need to block off time in your calendar where you don’t entertain interruptions so you can focus. When I first started, I hadn’t realized that, for a time, I’d lost the ability to go on work benders – my mind would constantly wander about, wondering if there was something I’d inadvertently left hanging. Giving yourself a part of the day where you handle administrative tasks and then another part where you can really sit down and get creative is the best way to manage both ends of your workload.
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The Emotional Labor
For the longest time, it felt like I wasn’t accomplishing nearly as much as I was when I was an individual contributor. A part of that can definitely be attributed to learning on the job. But a good chunk of it had to do with the “invisible time” spent on mitigating my team’s stress.
Media can be an extremely demanding job, and one of the things you need to actively fight against is people quitting as a result of the stress. As a manager, the authority afforded to you to direct work must be wielded responsibly – you have to plan things in such a way that people don’t feel like they’re up against a wall all the time. But, alas, things rarely ever go according to plan and people end up getting squeezed anyway for a variety of reasons.
So you have to set aside time to talk to your team and listen to their concerns, then act accordingly to address them. You have to show them empathy and also motivate them. And when there’s the added complication of in-group fighting where you have to remain objective while also making sure everyone feels heard. And this part of the job may not be productive per se, because there isn’t a tangible output you can point to when all is said and done. But it’s just as important and just as exhausting as the rest of it.
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Having Difficult Conversations
If you’re a pathological people pleaser, the idea of giving orders and providing feedback and setting boundaries – basically anything that may involve even the slightest bit of friction – can make you want to cry, scream, and throw up. But it has to be done. The best way to go about having a difficult conversation? There isn’t one.
Getting to know your team on a level deeper than you would ordinarily go if you were on the same level is a non-negotiable. You have to learn how everyone works, what their strengths are, how they best respond to critiques, and pay attention to the small things about their working personalities that will help you work better with them. And every person is different, so you’ll have to change your approach accordingly.
Some things that remain the same no matter who you’re talking to: respect, honesty, and empathy. If you come from a position of understanding and explain from a place of sincerity, you will survive that difficult conversation.
You’re still an employee
At the end of the day, unless you are the owner of the company you’re working at, you are ultimately an employee. You are accountable for things and answerable to things. You have to take input from various places and make decisions on the fly. And even if you were the owner, you would still be accountable to stakeholders – and accountable to your employees to make good business decisions so they don’t lose their jobs!
So is the lesson here that we are all slaves to late-stage capitalism? Maybe. But greater than that is learning that you don’t have control over most things you touch. There’s a famous Zen proverb that goes “Let go or be dragged”. While being a manager can fool you into thinking that you have more control over how things happen – and to an extent, sure – sometimes you have to let stuff happen and then just react as needed.
You might also feel a very pronounced sense of personal responsibility for things. And, again, yes. But you also need to stay connected to who you are outside of your identity as a manager. If you find yourself constantly thinking about work even when you’re lying in bed at the end of a long day – and even having nightmares about potential work crises – then it’s a sign you need to relax, bestie.
