Writer
Writer
Despite the cultural misgivings many have with the “F” word, ours is a reality that’s almost undeniable at this point: In contemporary Filipino cuisine, fusion is king. Smithsonian Magazine has claimed that “Filipino cuisine was Asian fusion before ‘Asian fusion’ existed,” and in a country rich with cultural influences from centuries of colonization, that isn’t […]
October 14, 2018
TV & FilmA pseudo-magical mirror spawns members of a terrorist cell, whom a flamboyant superhero recovering from amnesia fights off with a spear of lipstick in director Bb. Joyce Bernal’s latest offering. If this premise comes off a little too eccentric for you, that’s because it is. The aforementioned superhero is Gandarra (Vice Ganda), who lives with […]
January 8, 2018
TV & FilmIn director Chris Martinez’s latest offering, long-time couple Ron (Vic Sotto) and Andrea Balatbat (Dawn Zulueta) are living the dream in every way imaginable. They have three kids, are financially secure, and live a luxurious lifestyle. In the mornings, they get to enjoy eggs benedict as a family before heading off to school and work. […]
January 8, 2018
TV & Film“I hate this place,” our protagonist moans in Filipino just minutes into Paki. The beginning of director Giancarlo Abrahan’s sophomore production sees a disgruntled matriarch in Alejandra Molina Sanchez (Dexter Doria) getting her vision checked at a hospital. Something about her is endearingly familiar and distinctly Filipino, with most, if not all, of her exuberant […]
November 30, 2017
TV & FilmIt’s 2017, and for the disillusioned millennials of today, it’s becoming increasingly clearer that the band Bowling for Soup had it right in 2006: in a world of survival of the fittest, high school truly never ends. The Breakfast Club (1985) knew it, and so do the four horsemen of Bar Boys, director Kip Oebanda’s […]
August 22, 2017
TV & FilmIn the midst of smartphones and social media, the thought of Philippine mythology seems anything but bewitching. These days, it’s easy to write off certain aspects of culture as archaic and outdated, especially for a generation that grew up saying “tabi tabi po” to ward off the common duwende. This is why attempts to trace […]
August 22, 2017
TV & FilmIn the past two decades or so, Asian cinema has emerged as a driving force in the horror genre, and with masterpieces from Shutter (2004) to The Grudge (2002), it’s not hard to see why. It has been often said in film circles that the secret to Asian horror’s success is that the films invariably […]
August 22, 2017
Theater & ArtsThe collegiate juncture of study more often than not leaves one with a certain degree of disillusionment, cloaked in the perfectly justified veil of logic. Young adult literature (YA) is but one of the many tools of escapism for millennial students looking for a brief respite from the rigors of the academe life, with names […]
June 10, 2017
FoodFusing together culinary concepts should be as simple as putting two and two together, but doing it right is an entirely different thing when marrying cultures is involved. Blending different tastes has always been a common idea and, in recent years, the fusion of cuisines has invaded malls and food parks alike. Here we list […]
June 3, 2017
HypeAmong the many seasons of life that time will take you through, young love, for most, brings some of the most riveting memories of youth. Romance eventually becomes a common goal for most adolescents, which is why the concept is so commonly reflected in our local pop culture. From Jollibee’s tear-jerking ads to the goings-on […]
March 1, 2017
MusicFor a number of musicians, a Grammy award is the ultimate goal. For some, it can also be considered as the endpoint of their career, and for good reason. Taking the stage alongside the music industry’s best and to be acknowledged on international television is unquestionably an immense achievement in its own right, and earning […]
February 12, 2017
MusicRegardless of where you stand in the wide spectrum of music genres, it’s hard to argue that 2016 wasn’t a good year for music. After four years of silence, Frank Ocean unleashed what could be his greatest release to date. Justin Timberlake put out a single that was later immortalized in the hearts of Atenean […]
November 15, 2016
HubFor the general populace, the 31st of October is unofficially touted as the only night in a year where one can dress however they wish without having to worry about scrutinizing eyes. It’s no wonder that people don’t hesitate to let their freak flag fly on this hair-raising holiday by busting out their most elaborate […]
October 30, 2016
MusicAptly titled “Kanta ang Panlaban”, Hansom’s debut offering depicts a war-torn, post-apocalyptic Katipunan Avenue on its front cover. Sure enough, as with any local band, the journey for the Quezon City-based punk act has been nothing less than a fight for more airtime. The same artwork, ridden with rust and corrosion, sees their name scrawled […]
September 29, 2016
Theater & ArtsUpon the conclusion of any theatre production, cast and crew members normally come onstage for one last curtain call. This final bow usually serves as an act of acknowledgment towards the audience’s applause. After almost a fourth of a century of passion and dedication to the art, this call came in the form of a […]
September 24, 2016
HypeFebruary 15, 2015 – the day after Valentine’s Day – saw Dyce N’ Dyne opening its doors to the public for the first time. Situated in a cozy corner in Pasig, the steampunk-themed cafe introduced Manila’s millennials to a concept initially unheard of: the game cafe. A year later, OnBoard Game + Gastropub opened in […]
September 24, 2016