It’s the Korean wave, did you wave back? Or just one of those “#food is life” trendsetters.

Because if you did then you probably would love this blog. As Korean culture is starting to dominate the different parts of the world. Here in the Philippines, it’s very evident. You can see Korean restaurants, fan girls/boys over Kpop and K-dramas then people indulging themselves with Korean fashions. But are they worth the hype? The money? The time? Yes, would probably be the answer to some that are open to exploring new things like other countries’ cultures and such.

Or people that have become stans of Korean culture and trends. But for today let’s talk about a specific part of the Korean culture, food! I’ am warning you calm those intestines.

Every country has its own style in preparing and serving for their dishes but Koreans seem to stand out. How, Why? Korean foods are known for its spiciness like their famous and traditional food kimchi, ‘healthy’ as most of their side dishes involves vegetables and samngyeupsal basically a different kind of barbeque. Moreover, because of media, it kind of mainstreamed the way these foods are eaten as it was showed in different K-dramas.

Eventually people were also delighted and wanted to try for themselves or people that were basically FOMO ‘fear of missing out’. Furthermore we went to investigate and see it for ourselves with one of the famous Korean restaurants named “K flavour buffet” located in Baguio’s dubbed as Korean town, also known as Legarda Street. So if you still want to continue on with this blog then definitely click on the video below. Though I don’t see anything wrong with indulging yourselves with other people’s culture yet I must remind to not also forget yours instead, appreciate yours and advertise it as well. Hungry yet? No? Okay bye. Yes? Because is it worth it? Then go check it for yourselves. It was nice meeting you, you may go and watch our vlog now and hope you enjoy. I’ am warning you again, sensitive graphics are shown, if you know what we mean.

(Inspired by Bretman Rock)

By: Abance, Lourenz, Camado, Elizer, Isidre, Lee Anthony, Chu, Jenny, Maquito, Lean

In today’s generation, many millennial and post-millennial are aspiring to be an influencer for good and change. Because of the rapid bloom of social media, applications and sites are becoming open in economic and social. People film themselves, write their personal opinions and advocates, create something and share them to the cyber world knowing 98% of the world’s population has their own social media account. Some became influencers to gain money, especially in youtube and instagram, but most became an influencer because they advocate something and they want to ‘influence’ the people in the social media with their own platforms . With the help of media, people behind different trends and fads are being hyped.

Being an influencer now became a trend for many, they commercialize, they hype fads, they share their opinion, and the main focus of being an influencer is hitting the target of marketing goals of raising brand awareness, and many brands prefer social media influencers because they can create trends and encourage their followers to buy products they promote. Also, influencers existing in social media are people who have built a reputation for their knowledge and expertise on a particular topic. They make regular posts about that topic on their preferred social media channels and generate large followings of enthusiastic engaged people who pay close attention to their views.

Bretman Rock is one of the many influencers, particularly a beauty vlogger, that highly recommend best make up products not only in the Instagram but also in Youtube. He is an Instagram star, Youtuber and Viner who is breaking all norms for all the right reasons. The content of his Instagram is insanely hilarious. His energy levels and sense of humor are unparalleled and no matter how hard you try, once you enter his channel, there is no going back. His contour always on point, eyebrows on fleek and a humor with a hint of expletives and all things sarcasm, Bretman Rock is not your ordinary teenager. High quality make up brands choose him to promote their products for the larger audience.

His only goal is stepping into social media and encourages everyone to embrace their uniqueness no matter how negative the haters might say against them. He started and entered Vine that made his life change for the better. His famous videos like “I’m Prada you’re nada” have received a lot of praise for his sharp humor. Not only Vine but his Snapchat videos also found immense love and threw him into the spotlight for his great sense of humor, that increased his popularity to the large frame. He has a fan base of over 9 million on Instagram, and an attitude of “don’t-care-won’t-care” and let’s not forget about his favorite intro “Hey Bitch!”, and lines like “I’m cute or whatever”, ”You know the drill” and his favorite expression which is “EHE!” that really made him worthy of watching and  is probably why people of all age and gender take an instant liking of him. He is complimented also of how fierce he is physically and mentally, and he also has an attitude of devil-may-care. His line of make-up tutorials with an overwhelming amount of jokes will really leave you on splits for hours. His on-screen charisma will have you gripped for hours and before you know it, you’ve already hit the Subscribe button. Identifying as gay and even receiving hate for it, Bretman Rock is doing everything in his power to help and support the rest like him. This decision has also led him to participate in many anti-bullying initiatives like the ‘#KissAndMakeup’ that is headed by Tarte Cosmetics and Bystander Revolution. He also made videos on hair tutorials, how to do your brows and how to contour. Bretman has gone all out to show that even boys can nail a full, perfect make-up routine. Always on a roll, he decided to shower his YouTube, Instagram and Vine with positivity that would change the society’s perspective is why he is one of the biggest rising social media star. That explains why he has over 9 million followers on Instagram and over a million on YouTube. Bretman Rock also guested at the show, “It’s Showtime” in the Philippines that really made Filipinos head turn and he also brought laughter, inspiration and positivity while he was in the show. He was also a Nominee for People’s Choice Awards for Favorite Beauty Influencer on 2018 and also a nominee of Shorty Award for Break out YouTuber on 2017. Bretman Rock also wants to study Fashion and Textile Merchandising in California one day. Bret is also an entrepreneur and has his own fashion clothing line under his name.

by: Rueben John Cantor, Claire Damitan, Cellica Mariam Langwas, Lloyd Pucti and Adrian Rufino

“Tap your shoe, tap your shoe, cross your leg

Crack it up, Milly rock side to side

We go plaka, plaka, plaka”

That was us while we keep on memorizing the redundant step of Switch it Down. Honestly speaking we looked so stupid while practicing the dance. Having no idea on how to make our right foot coordinate with our right hand synchronizing with the beats was a challenge to us. When we heard of Switch it Down, we automatically asked, “Is that a sequel of the song Switch it Up that broke the internet?”. But unfortunately its not.

Switch it Down is a song sung by Ji ar of the Mastermind. Mastermind is one of the most followed, most viewed and influential dance group in the Philippines. They started to hug the spotlight when they made a remarkable mark in the Pilipinas Got Talent Season 5 Grand winner finalist. Not given the probability of winning PGT, they continued to hug the wider spotlight as they continue to do dance covers that highlights their excellence in dancing. They often do dance covers that can hit more than a million like! They often receive a lot of praises from the famous dancers in the local and even international. Hence, when it comes to dancing Mastermind is one of the prominent faces in the Philippines.

There were lots of dance covers that paved the way of social media but this Switch it Down never switched down.

Switch it Down became a virus last February this year and up until now it continuously spreads. This was produced by one of the members in Mastermind, JIAR. Many netizens gave comments to the song. ” It was copied”, “It has no originality”, and such harsh comments are posted online. This was because of Lavaado’s Switch it Up that made the world dance.

Upon hearing both of the songs, you can hear a lot of similarities , the beat, some of the lyrics and the music itself. But hearing properly what JIAR stated on the first lines of Switch it Down, it was obviously not illegally copied.

“Eyy it’s you boy JIAR! haha ! I got a new song. Eyy! LET ME BORROW THIS ONE“

Obviously JIAR recognized Lavadoo’s song and mentioned that he borrowed the song. Browsing on the internet, Lavadoo was not mad on JIAR, instead he appreciated JIAR’s work and even made a dance cover.

This became a fad because there were a lot of people posting on the social media, them dancing the dance craze. Celebrities, kids, teenagers and even the seniors of age danced the craze. People wanted to be part of the craze hence whether they can dance or not they still dance the Switch it Down.

Another ‘trendy’ of today is the clothing.
Bohemian, Street Wears, Hype Beast wherein crop tops paired with high waist pants, floral dresses, sweaters/ blouses tuck in and sando’s top with denim jackets are the clothing of today. These are the common get ups of women you can see anywhere.

Bohemian is usually used during occasions. With your loose and light shirt or dresses with fun prints and an earth colored dress, you can be the Boho chic of today. Add little bangles on your head and accessories in your arm then you truly are a Boho chic that Boho men chases.

These street wears and hype beast wears are observe every day. With the sando top with denim jackets paired with high waist pants, this can make you feel like a gangster in the 90’s.

Observing the clothing today and the clothing of the past, it has similarities. With the styles of the 60’s to the 90’s there were similarities on today’s clothing but we just recreate some of its parts . The Boho wear that we are currently using is the trend in the 60’s. The street wear that women fall in love with are derived from the styles of our lola’s fashion. Some say “eww” with our grandmothers’ fashion but without observing our style was all derived from the past.

The trends that we have today is actually not our trend. It is the trend of the past that was neglected but now we keep on digging. No matter how hard we try not to be imitating the past, the trend will find its way reconnecting us.

This becomes trend because of social media and us people. Through social media we can explore what is happening in the world. Through social media we can learn how to be someone we aren’t. through social media, we depend our lifestyle to the celebrities we look up to. Without social media we cannot make someone viral. Without social media we cannot make something trendy.

Aquino Julianne, Badol Fredelyn, Canipas Martin, Castaneda Kyla Mae, Paloran Ezekiel

This May 13, 2019 marks the start of voting for the upcoming election. This month we can once again observe some posters of the candidates and their party displayed in different places. We can even hear their own election songs coming from cars roaming around the city to advertise their chosen candidates. Surely, this is a busy month for those who are running for political positions and even for their supporters. They will be coming up with new platforms or they might just recycle an old one and improve it a little bit, they will be campaigning like it’s a fiesta everyday just to attract attention and gain more voters. You see, being a politician is not an easy task. Once they entered into this kind of affiliation, they are not only thinking for themselves, or rather, they should not only be thinking of themselves because they are the leaders that we chose to represent us, to be our voices when our own voice cannot reach the others. That is why election is very important, in here we will be able to determine who is the right candidate to vote for although that might not always be the case. But first of all, what is election? According to Collins dictionary, election is a process in which people vote to choose a person or group of people to hold an official position. Another definition by business dictionary states that it is the act of a party casting votes to elect an individual for some type of position. Elections may involve a public or private vote depending on the position. Most positions in the local, state, and federal governments are voting on in some type of election.

We are currently under a democratic government,and election makes a fundamental contribution in this kind of governance. Election creates a bridge for citizens to participate in democratic process. A free and fair election gives foundation for the citizens to build their trust on the elected candidates. The attention of the citizens intensifies as they are intrigued as the election date draws near. However, people participation are actually limited because of political dynasty. Yes we are allowed to vote, but who do we vote?? Are we sure that they can govern properly just because their predecessors come in line of politics before?? Or maybe we vote them because they are famous in the media industry. We should know how to choose our leaders properly, someone who really does what is said not just through words but also through actions.

During election here in our country, the “legit” or well known rich families are having conflics with other political dynasties running for different positions in the government. Where in some of the remarkable names of political families are being sensationalized by their supporters despite their issues and other cases that they are involved in. They will do everything they can to hold the government position, mostly even by way of illegal doings just to earn the votes of the people. Every politician have their own strategy and technique during election campaigns to get sympathy to the people and feign empathy. They join different political party list that claim to give something and change for the country. Some opponents may be oppressed by these big families with the use of their “golden” name and a lump sum amount of money. With their opponents now in the shadows, there is no choice but to vote for those who are well-known. And we Filipinos have this mentality in which we go for whoever has the highest vote even though we don’t really know their stand nor know who they are. If he has the highest votes, we vote for them in lieu of who is actually deserving of the position.

Also, many hidden issues can be brought out. Politicians’ personal lives are sometimes destroyed, with their reputations and families being involved. In our society, politicians are naturally destroying each others reputation especially in this month of election. They say that if you are in the family of politics you are lucky because you are able to have whatever you want and you can be powerful in a way that you carry a name of a powerful family. But not everything is what it seems to be. People are starting to open their eyes to the truth. Being in a reputable family leads you to danger, while you are having the power, you are also attached with the chance of gaining detestation in the future. Being in a family involved in political dynasties, you are entitled to have many opportunities during election campaigns. And also by having a celebrity status signify a good implication or chance to be in top ranking winning politician.

Some politicians uses their title and events like election as their way to hide their true intentions. Some of them might look innocent on the outside but little did we know that it’s a different world on the inside. Their sweet promises to make our country better, their seemingly undying resolve to take action for the citizens, their firm resolve to improve our quality of life, and their mouthful of “matino akong kandidato, hindi ko kayo lolokohin” ended up to be bitter lies they fed to us while they eat away all sweet parts. But you see, it isn’t just their faults. Sure, they are the ones making the bad act but we were the ones who let them did those bad act. How? By voting the wrong person, by going along the bandwagon, by not properly assessing their ability to lead and govern the people and whether they deserve to win their position. What we need is to raise the public discourse. We need to be aware of what is really happening in our government so that we will not be blinded by there words or their platforms that turns out to be just for display. Therefore with these following problems and issues, we, the sovereign Filipino people should vote wisely in accordance with our conscience. Remember, your vote, your voice.

We are inviting you guys to watch our Vlog about election. Just click the video down below, then relax and enjoy!

Just by clicking this, You really are beautiful ! 🙂

“People who can’t see their own beauty are like butterflies trapped in their own cocoons, cannot spread their wings, cannot see their beauty”

Naya Rivera

Every individual wants to look their best at all times, whether it is for someone or to simply feel good about their selves.Beauty and appearance is essential in some aspects of our lives. For instances, jobs that requires good looks such as actors and models. Being physically attractive can also impress people, these individuals have their own ways on how to look good, like plastic surgeries, work out and the most powerful way, makeup. However, beauty can also give a negative impact on people. By looking at the standard of our society of what is beautiful, the considered “beautiful people” are likely to be accepted compared to people who are “not so pretty”. With this situation, some leads to having no confidence and low self-esteem.


Looking your best does not need to be expensive, so here are harmless and healthy ways on bringing out your beauty:

1.)SMILE

On a study by Golle, Mast and Lomaier (2013) shows how emotional expressions of happiness influence the judgement of attractiveness. By simply smiling, people can perceive you as a beautiful human being.

2.)BE CONFIDENT

According to studies, self-affirmation can boost ones confidence. Try to look yourself in the mirror, say to yourself positive affirmation only. Such as “I fully accept myself” or “I know my worth, and no one will take that away from me.” Show everyone what you can offer.

3.) ACCEPT YOURSELF

By truly accepting yourself, everything you see including YOU, will be beautiful.

Real beauty comes within, no matter how beautiful you are on the outside, if your personality can be compared to a dump of garbage; your physical appearance is worthless.

Beauty is subjective, everyone have different perspectives and idea of what is beautiful. For you, what do you think makes a person beautiful?

We are encouraging you guys to watch our video down below. About different perspective of people on how they see beauty, So what are you waiting for? Watch it, It’ll be fun!

References:

liveboldandbloom.com/08/quotes/positive-affirmations

www.thelawofattraction.com/feel-beautiful-with-these-15-top-tips-for-true-inner-beauty/

http://www.thelawofattraction.com/positive-daily-affirmations/

by: Denith Sheen C. Ayangwa, Mykee Ross Abrero, Maria Aleczandra Torio, Irvin Grant Marzan, Ariel Papay

One Direction

Flashback to the year 2010, five spectacular boys beat hundreds of thousands of others contenders to get the sought-after spots in the 7th series of the prestigious television music competition, The X Factor. Zayn Malik, Niall Horan, Liam Payne, Harry Styles and Louis Tomlinson had no idea of who’s who before the audition of the British talent show but they were, by fate, grouped together and achieved fame in One Direction. These five young lads auditioned for solo candidates but unfortunately, did not qualify for “Boys” category. Although, Pussycat Doll member and X Factor judge, Nicole Scherzinger suggested them to from a group, so they could qualify for the “Group” category. Judges felt they were too good to be thrown away, but not just quite right to make it as soloist. Little did they know, being put together as a boy band gave them a lifeline to proceed in the competition. Then BOOM! One Direction was created and mentored by Simon Cowell.  The boys were just between 16 and 18 years old at the time, but their charismatic stage presence attracted substantial attention, especially from young female viewers and no one could deny their talent for singing. Yes, One Direction fell short of winning on The X Factor, the show’s mastermind, and their mentor, Simon, offered the act a recording contract soon after the season ended. But why call them One Direction right? According to CBS Sunday Morning interview with the boys, Harry revealed that he was the one who came up with the band name because he thought the band had to go in “one direction to win it all. Well, they didn’t win the X Factor UK, but they did win the world. After their shenanigans with the X Factor UK, the boys entered the recording studio. 2011, their first ever album, Up All Night was released and went sell more than million copies in the US alone, filled with harmonized pop songs about carefree festivities, first heartbreak and #adultingproblems, UAN made the quickest break through the charts both in UK and in the US, then it spreaded like wild fire. Its popularity was fueled in part by the song “What Makes You Beautiful”, this became THE anthem that topped not just the British singles charts and in early 2012 was dubbed the Best Single at the Brit Awards. The boys extended their worldwide success by releasing their sophomore album, Take Me Home (2012), Highlighting more of the band’s melodic pop. The singles Live While We’re Young, Kiss You and Little Things all found immense success, with Live While We’re Young debuting at #3 on the United States Billboard Hot 100, and Little Things being certified platinum after shipping 1,000,000 copies.  One Direction’s song Little Things has this emotions kind of moving, with the lyrics that make you want to cry because they are so meaningful.Simultaneously, they were being filmed by director Morgan Spurlock for “This is Us”, a mix of documentary and concert footage that proves to be a hit at the box office and became the fourth highest grossing concert movie. when it was released in August of the year 2013. On the same year, while touring, 1D began working on their third album, “Midnight Memories”, released perfectly just in time for the holidays. The album also saw the band creative contributions increase with Louis and Liam each co-writing ten tracks, Harry co-writing five tracks, Niall co-writing three tracks and Zayn co-writing two. With their creative juices combined, together with a new production plus new influences, Midnight Memories almost outdid the past two albums combines. Peaking at number one in seven countries, it spawned the hit singles “Best Song Ever” and “Story of My Life”. To support the album, the group launched “Where We Are” tour in 2014 followed by a second concert-film, “One Direction: Where We Are” and the release of their fourth album, “FOUR”, this album further established the band’s transition into mainstream rock, and again featured each member contributing to the majority of the album’s writing. A pair of platinum singles, “Steal My Girl” and “Night Changes,” helped the album hit number one in nearly 20 countries. In the middle of their “On The Road Again Tour”, Zayn shocked millions of fans when he announced that he quit the band to become a normal 22-year-old boy. Zayn exited the band permanently on March 25, 2015 and went on and pursue a solo career.  The four remaining members continued touring, and in July of 2015 released “Drag Me Down,” the first single from their fifth album, “Made in the A.M”, and it featured the singles “Infinity,” “Perfect,” “What a Feeling,” and “History.” It performed very well commercially, peaking at number one in the U.K.in the U.S. In the eight years since becoming a band, the boys announces hiatus in December 2015 when they last performed as a group on The X Factor 2015 final episode. On August 2016, Niall confirmed on Twitter that the band would take a break from touring, but said they had no plans to split up. Louis also tweeted saying “we’re not going anywhere”.  All four members defined the hiatus as a “well-deserved” break they will eventually return from as a group.

Directioner

Even if they love the group or have their own personal faves among the group, this fanbase always have a connection to the boy band in every possible way they can going to a single direction.

“You and me got a whole lot of history”, Hardcore fans always do know the start of their favorite boy group’s career, they’ve been there since the beginning supporting everyone individually since the competition days. They do know every single details thrown by the boys about everything. Directioners know their boyband from head to toe when it comes to songs, style, food and their favorite’s favorite. But there are fans who will do everything to dig their idols life, they knew their fears and phobias and some would go crazy for their topless pictures.

Going crazy over your idols is not a big thing because most of the fans are really going crazy over them, directioners are worldwide they are all scattered around the globe. It all began because of the irresistible charm of the 1D members that their fans started growing since the X Factor auditions. These fans also grew as their fandom were known and there are fans who will fight anyone who will bash their boys. Also some fans were always there at every concert even if it’s overseas, then there are fans who are crazy enough that they would also get a tattoo similar with their idol. When some fans were gone crazy because of their looks and attitude there were also fans that gone insane because of their songs.

When it comes to their albums and songs, of course their number one would always come from the One Direction, as they tend to have a connection and deep relation from every song, may it be an acoustic sad song to electrifying pop. Directioners do know every single song released by the group from their very first album to their last and final one  and always have their own personal jam. Always streaming and buying every One Direction materials. Fans would go crazy with what their idols will release from debut singles to every baller they get, and a photo with them would be a trophy for a lifetime. Fangirling isn’t an easy task but if you’re really into it there is nothing that would stop you from showing your affection to the group you idolize. Directioners are that kind of fans because every concert 1D produced there is no seats vacant and would always have the room full and have extra outside hoping to have a sight of their idols.

Over the years, these fans always have something to do during chill time and that is listening to 1D music or watching 1D music videos. Almost all of the 1D music videos had reached hundred million views and that’s how massive this fanbase is. Noticing every detail on music videos are also their thing, as they  suspect for any clues and new music coming soon. From “What Makes You Beautiful” to “History”, that timeline of music videos had always been engraved in every fans heart and appreciates it the way it is, and that’s the secret to every music videos hundred million views.

From streams to live concerts, Directioners always sing at the top of their lungs just to sing along with their favorite jam. They always fill the arena not just with their presence but with their huge voice, as every concert the word “sold out” is already in their vocabulary. Knowing the lyrics and singing along with the boys are always their thing.”Let’s go crazy, crazy, crazy till we see the sun.”  Screamin and going insane are just a few of their characteristics, hoping every concert night, with just a look from every boybands eyes would totally warm their hearts and melt them. Even from pricey meet and greet, no one would ditch, instead every space would be filled and be worth it for them.

Following not just their official websites  but in every perspective, this massive fanbase would forever and always have their hearts out directed one direction. The fandom name DIRECTIONERS is the biggest influence of one direction for they have produced a massive fanbase that they would always have on their backs. Whatever part of the globe there will always be a fangirl that an idol should be proud off.

Every song on both of One Direction’s albums has this kind of  personality wherein its in motion like a wind where you just want to be in a group of your friends or be it directioners or not and just laughing and dancing in a blank space. It also has the emotions kind of low, and strong wind because if you’re going to listen with the lyrics, it has this intrinsic deep meaning that just let you on a move on any conflicting emotions you have. Both, every song sang by One Direction is the most extraordinary song ever. The style where you literally move around and dance, and the approach where there are just tons of aesthetic emotions. Both their singing voices and actions can catch anyone speechless. Their voices are so melodious and distinctive, in every single way possible you can hear.

By May 2017, all members of the group had released solo singles. Despite saying the hiatus would last 18 months, the band still are yet to confirm when they will reform. Let’s find out what Zayn Malik, Harry Styles, Liam Patne, Louis Tomlinson and Niall Horan have been up to today. Who do you think would bought a mansion? Relationships? Babies? Had made best for being a father and having a family? Let’s start with Zayn Malik since he was the first to leave the band, announcing his departure in March 2015. Not long after leaving One Direction, Malik launched his solo music career with a demo version of “I Don’t Mind,” which was leaked online by producer Naughty Boy. Official singles soon followed, including “Pillowtalk” and “It’s You.”  Both of these tracks were featured on his first album, ‘Mind of Mine’, which debuted in March 2016. Malik then began a relationship with model Gigi Hadid in late 2015, but the two called it quits in March 2018. Despite the very public breakup again , the couple rekindle their romance months later and were back to posting loved-up pictures together on social media.

Next, Harry Styles. The One Direction hiatus saw the loss of Harry’s famous long locks. The singer decided to donate his ponytail to the ‘Little Princess Trust’, a charity that provides real-hair wigs to children going through cancer treatment. Out of all of the 1D boys, Harry has kept the lowest profile. There are various rumors circulating of late – that he’s back with his ex Kendall Jenner, and that he’s working on a new album. Styles’ classic rock-styled self-titled debut peaked at No. 1 on the Billboard 200, and made many critics’ 2017 year-end best-of lists, including Billboard’s staff picks. He’s also proven he can hold his own on the big screen, making his feature-film debut last year with the Oscar-nominated Christopher Nolan war film Dunkirk. Meanwhile, Styles perhaps the most politically outspoken of the group has shown his support for the March For Our Lives movement as well as for LGBTQ rights, and one of his new songs, the recently live-debuted “Medicine,” has fans speculating about his possible bisexuality.

Liam Payne. Cheryl and Liam went public with their relationship back in 2015 before announcing their split in July 2018. But before that, a year after Payne started dating the singer Cheryl Cole in 2016, the former One Direction member became a father of a son named Bear. While the duo called it quits in July 2018, they work together to co-parent their baby boy. From an interview “I’m the strict one; Liam isn’t,” Cole told The Telegraph in April 2019. “[Liam is] much softer than me. But it is what it is, and I’m OK about it. When you have a baby, you are not consumed with just thinking about yourself. It’s your responsibility to keep things settled and happy, so you make the best of everything. And we have.”

Louis Tomlinson. Becoming a baby daddy, weird conspiracy theories and doing business with Simon once again. Tomlinson paved the way for Payne as the first member of the band to start a family in January 2016 when his ex Briana Jungwirth gave birth to their son, Freddie. But, Louis has also rekindled his relationship with his ex-girlfriend, Eleanor Calder. The One Direction star and the fashion blogger broke up in 2015 after three years together but they reconnected in 2017, following his split with Danielle Campbell, and the pair are giving their romance another go. Taking a break from the vocals, Louis has chosen to share his skills and band knowledge by mentoring a new girl group dubbed the ‘Female One Direction’. And clearly the time he has spent with Simon has rubbed off. Louis tried his hand at judging, appearing as a guest on America’s Got Talent in July 2016. He  is now back in the studio recording more vocals. Tomlinson has been then nominated for Top Social Artist for the Billboard Music Awards 2019.

Niall Horan. Who loves going travelling, releasing his first solo song, making a new famous friend and moving into a haunted mansion. Horan also tested out a potential new career path: football player. Playing alongside Louis Tomlinson for a charity match for UNICEF, the duo’s team lost 3-2, but raised over £5.4 million for the foundation – which we consider a win. Horan’s folk-pop debut solo album ‘Flickr’ debuted at No.1 on the Billboard 200 upon its release last October. Since then, he’s been signed to the celebrity division of Wilhelmina Models and embarked on his only solo tour, which has since wrapped. He also became the third 1D member to reach No. 1 on the Billboard Artist 100, following Malik and Styles.

All of the One Direction members now have their own path in pursuing their career in their own unique ways.

By: Aquino Julianne, Badol Fredelyn, Castañeda Kyla, Canipas Martin, Paloran Ezekiel

The song one day by Matisyahu is a remarkable example of how music can aesthetically move and influence an individual. With the combination of its addictive tone and inspiring lyrics, you will find yourself gradually becoming immersed as you listen.

Matthew Paul Miller, known by his stage name Matisyahu is an American Reggae singer who consecutively released studio albums and consistently produced best songs for everyone. No wonder that his third album “Light” written by him and the Smeezingtons, an American record production team consisting of Bruno Mars, Philip Lawrence and Ari Levine was very successful and influential in the reggae world as it topped the billboard reggae album charts and held its spot for 34 weeks. All of his tracks were a fusion of reggae and hip hop or more likely an arrangement of pop, indie-rock, and electronic-based rhythms that mostly advocates peace on earth and how that should be our way of life. We will be able to achieve that if we stop turning a blind eye and if we take the first step to do something for a change, a noble change.

Matisyahu took his time to create his third album especially his song “One Day”. As he said in an interview with Spinner “One Day is the song I’ve been wanting to make since I started my career. It is an anthem of hope with a big beat, the kind of song that makes you bob your head and open your heart at the same time.” Well he definitely was able to reach the hearts of his listeners, including us. His journey of seeking the right combination of influences and inspiration helped him convey a universal message as we dive deeper into his songs. After hearing the song One day, it feels like an eye opener to see ineffable phosphenes despite the darkness around you, it seeks hope to end the day of violence and calls a new era of peace and understanding.

The verses“Sometimes in my tears I drown but I never let it get me down so when negativity surrounds I know some day it’ll all turn around ” expresses that positive mindset or outlook in life is one of the most important things we need to have if we want to strive for something better. The lyrics are very captivating, it stirs something inside you and it makes you realize just how precious human lives and connections are, that is should not be wasted by the continuous war instead we should all put effort to become closer in reaching peace for ourselves and for our country. “Sometimes I lay under the moon and thank God I’m breathing then I pray don’t take me soon cause I am here for a reason” What reason could it be? To speak out against these acts of war, believing that it might be one of his purpose of being alive. We all have freedom to live, but the moment that you took away someone else’s life means that you have already forfeited your own right just like in the verse “It’s not about win or lose ’cause we all lose when they feed on the souls of the innocent”

In the song, we also believe that it latently states that no man is an island, that human connection is definitely important. That we should help one another. Because no matter how different our goals are, we cannot succeed without one another. To be able to make a change, we should help one another, to finally be ” proud to be under the same sun, singing songs of freedom.” He truly possess unique style of singing techniques to share his songs about his desire to have a world at peace. His desire is very clear that “One day, we don’t wanna fight no more, they’ll be no more wars and our children will play”

You can now listen to “One Day” by Matisyahu on Youtube

You can also listen to their album “Light”

by: Akilit Rosheil, Dalutag Aljon, Enano Ferline, Fores Chad, Pinmiliw Nicca, Tequiapo Jeriel

This Is Our Time by Planetshakers

Planetshakers is a Christian Youth Outreach Movement that evolved into a full-fledged Outreach Ministry and Church in Melbourne, Australia. It is under the Leadership of Senior Pastor Russell and Sam Evans. Planetshakers Ministries have released some 30 or so studio and live albums, beginning in 2000s which mixes praise and worship material with a rock approach. The band tours annually to US, UK, Europe, South Africa, Asia, South America, Australia and New Zealand. Planetshakers is passionate to see generations worldwide unite together to worship God. Their heart is to see people encounter God, be transformed by His presence and empowered to make a difference in their world.

Planetshakers band is composed of 11 members: Russel Evans – Senior Pastor, Sam Evans – Senior Pastor and Lead Vocalist, Joth Hunt, BJ Pridham, Rudy Nikkerud – Lead vocalists , Andy Harrison – Drummer , Josh Ham – Bass Guitarist, Joshua Brown – Keyboardist, Zach Kellock – Electric Guitarist , Chelsi Nikkerud and Steve Sowden – Background Vocalist.Numerous albums were released, numerous songs were released and one of these, is the song ‘This is our time’. This is our time was released on 2014, composed by Aimee Evans, Josh Ham, Andy Harrison, Steph Ling, and Mitch Wong. This is our time is known for the upbeat tempo and the rock approach of the song. For the lyrics, it motivates the people to go back to their creator , which is God. By the beat of the song a rock approach is more likely for young people because by the generation today the post millennials or I mean almost all of the young ones today love fast beat tempo. When they hear this song it brings the people go with the flow the music turns the hearers to stamp their feet and join the song, sing the lyrics. This is our time is waking up these young people by its beat and its lyrics. The message of this song will wake the young once to open up their eyes and let them realize to remember their God who loves them very much. It’s like making us stand up and dance, it’s like saying “it’s nice to be back to His presence”. All the bad deed that we did before, is being erased because of this song. It gives us the opportunity to encounter, and to be restored. This album is about our time to rise up, our time to make a difference, and our time to impact the world by the use of God’s words.

This is our time by the Planetshakers is a very exquisite track for all, for the People who loves to listen to it, for the Young ones and for the Young adults for everyone. A song that will open the minds and heart of the people who loves to listen. A song that will awaken the soul of the listeners and it will be full of life, energy and excitement. This is our time is made to inspire the listeners to bring out joy to their faces. “This is our time” is to encourage people that no matter what circumstances we have we must stay alive and continue and this is our time to approach the God who helps, and the God who loves us so much!.

You can now listen ‘This Is Our Time’ by Planetshakers on YouTube

By: Boongaling, Micko, Hilario, Dana Marie, Kidsolan, Jiovanni, Tenenan, Humfrey, Viteno, Paulin Faith

“Please me, baby turn around and just tease me baby” is the new seductive and sexiest music for the year 2019 that stayed in Billboard 100 for two months. It stands as the 2nd collaboration solo album released by Cardi B and Bruno Mars on February 15, 2019, a year after their first collaboration debut “Finesse” last January 2018.

With Cardi B, a well-known rapper who is not afraid to spit fire to her music debuted on June 16, 2017, with her “Bodak Yellow” that turned street unto lava. “I don’t dance now, I make money moves” It’s a bildungsroman in two lines, a lyric that’s both a useful summary of Cardi B’s career arc. People are on the kneel for praising the queens dominating music which turned #1 on Spotify and billboard after the release. Her successful music leads her to collaborate with one of the famous artist Maroon 5 “Girls like you” that was released a year after her debut. And who knew that she would be collaborating too with the King of Pop music Bruno Mars.

Everything is pop, R&B, and retro music when we are talking about the young singer-songwriter and producer Bruno Mars. Listening to his famous hits comes a soulful melody that brings us to the groove and mixes it together with Cardi B, they brought a wild wise winning work of performance to another level. Though Bruno Mars has also collaborated and worked with other famous Rap song artist like Eminem, Lil Wayne, Gucci Mane, Kodak Black, and Travie McCoy he still performs the best genre of music.

From their previous music together “Finesse”, they gave us the retro vibe from the past. A mixture of the past and the future of music styles. Michael Jackson too was famous for using retro from his music “Billy Jeans”.  Retro style is like reviving someone from the dead and turning it into a robot while maintaining its appearance. Messed up right? But it is a privilege that is given to make people remember the past music that we used to know and combining it with today’s modernity of songs. “Please me” is also considered as the music of retro vibe the slow and fast beat of the rhythm of the song creates a wave like a river and the wind.

No wonder why people are dancing to this music duos blended style of performance. Because after listening to the song, don’t mind the lyrics as the body moves to the beat and melody. The reaction of nodding our heads for the dance, flicking our hands, shaking the hips with grooving the feet. Shakes off the whole meaning of the song. That is what the music is all about, we aren’t memorizing the whole damn lyrics but the tune and the melody that was created.

Two lines are enough to have the last song syndrome from the music “Please me, Baby turn around and just tease me, baby. You know what I want and what I need baby” and don’t mind the rest just continue with the humming. And it gets repeated in the head like Bruno and Cardi are literally inside the head doing the dance and the lollipop gone wild in their music video. So much from their previous Collab “Finesse” showing how clever they truly are at handling a situation by dancing it away and remembering no lyrics, but only singing the title, touché. The song also does not only play on the single language on Cardi B’s part she improvised to consider others language, which adds to the unique elements of the song.

The song is representing how powerful both Cardi B and Bruno Mars not just as an artist but also as an individual that they created entertainment for the people who not just criticize the whole meaning of the artistic vision but also appreciate every beat and sound that the music has provided for its listeners. It is how they deliver their impact of creativity that could show how far they have come to rewrite the whole music industry’s history.

To think that a young man such as Bruno could present a retro vibe through his music have taken us all to the origins of music itself. “Please me” could have highlighted too many sexual meanings but also it has requisites that all combines art from the past and heighten it from today’s modernity. A watershed jurisdiction that says anything is possible if we think creatively.

After the songs released many think this music would just go bunkers like the others because of its music video. But got to admit it no one can resist the powerful duo. The way they create noise in their talented performance could make people follow them to the moves. Other music like “Sucker” by Jonas Brother,” 7 rings” by Ariana Grade, and “Mine” by Bazzi has no difference as for the others too. But their commonalities are that they are all some modern music that is presented for today’s generation. Not in a bad way, it just shows how the essence of music has already been truly modernized.

But in this music, a big difference happens. Lyrics or no lyrics it symbolizes other generations melody and rhythm. An element was elevated as a painting turned unto a piece of digital art. And still the painting is there, but it was conceptualized as how technology is today. Music is too, an artist like Brun Mars, Cardi B, Michael Jackson and others who remember the old fashion genres of music have delivered a new piece of art not just for today’s generation but also for the past generations making it a retro style.

Kids won’t tell the difference of what’s not and what’s to listen nowadays. The more they get the hype of what is the trending music today it doesn’t matter. Because music can be everyone’ thoughts, feelings, and story. As the greatest choreographer George Balanchine once said “see the music hear the dance”  we see what it could do to people and how music can change lives.

by: Rueben Cantor, Claire Damitan, Cellica Langwas, Lloyd Pucti ,Adrian Rufino

“Hallelujah! Praise the Lord!”, that was automatically registered when we hear the word Hallelujah. No jokes but seriously we turn to something more serene and gentle when we chose Leonard Cohen’s Hallelujah. “ I don’t know but look at the lyrics, it’s not suitable to be a religious song”, that line from one of member of us caught our attention. This song has a lot of interpretations.

In order to at least understand the song, we start from the original writer no other than Leonard Norman Cohen. Most of his are about politics, religion, and social issues. He won a lot of awards such as a two-time Grammy Awardee last 2007 and 2018, sounds like a big time singer-song writer in his time. No doubt cause he was one of the most distinctive voices of 1970’s pop music. A famous singer during our grandmother and mother’s era. His best-known song Hallelujah that did not receive much attention but because of an artist cover it became popular. Cohen was a a poet which is visible on the structure of his Hallelujah.

For the first timers who do not give much attention on the lyrics, they do not notice some intriguing words used but when looking deeper on it, it says something. Cohen used some of the biblical events and used symbolism to hide its message. This causes some misconceptions about the real message of the song. Well honestly, we lived believing that hallelujah is a religious song because of the biblical passages used. Researching some articles about the song, literally looked like fools upon knowing we believe on something that it is really not.

Cohen used the women in the bible stories like Delilah and Bathsheba. These women are known on how they made the strongest men in the bible turn into obedient dogs. Delilah was the woman who cut the hair of Samson – his hair was his source of strength – she turns the strongest into weakest. Bathsheba was the woman whom King David was tempted. In the lines “ You saw her bathing on the roof, her beauty and the moonlight overthrew ya, she tied you to her kitchen chair, she broke your throne and she cut your hair and from your lips she drew the Hallelujah”. Those lines explains everything how these women overpowered the greatest men. Cohen was lit. He blends the notorious women in the bible and of his own experience. Well cause there was no kitchen chair encounters in some of the biblical passages. But both of the men return to God and ask for forgiveness. How about seeking atonement after the destruction they still can say hallelujah.

We all have different interpretations on Cohen’s lyrics cause he was an expert in making symbolical lyrics. He used hallelujah – praise the Lord – and made a new meaning on it. Holy or broken hallelujah it is still hallelujah. His hallelujah depicts positivity despite the negativism when we look beyond his lyrics.Others may say it is a song about broken love. Nevertheless we all have different interpretations depending on who interprets it. With the lyrics, it can be identified under inspirational song but not as a religious song.

We said that his Hallelujah did not receive much attention until an artist made a cover. That was Jeff Buckley. When he sang Cohen’s hallelujah leads to the widespread popularity of the song. Cohen was given little attention. That was his song but little care and attention return. Listening to the original Hallelujah and Buckley’s Hallelujah, a giant step below the original. Some of the original lyrics was replaced, tho just a minor revisions. The adding of ‘well’, ‘but’ and ‘and’. Other artists such as Alexandra Burke, the Pentatonix, John Cale and Rufus Wainwright used in the movie ‘Shrek’ made a cover on this song

Talking about vocals, the original singer of the song has a deep and husky voice. Imagine someone singing you a love song with his deep and husky voice, another heart captured by that man. Then here comes the covers, with their manly, soft voices that made the song into ballad. The original genre of the song is folk rock. Listening on how Cohen delivered the song was far too different on the covers.
Cohen sang the song as if he was just telling a poem literally but then when we heard the covers they made the song into a more gentle and a song like song.

A Leonard Cohen’s song entitled Hallelujah, released last 1984 still makes its way on the 21st century. This was an example that music has no expirations, neglected but can be remembered, and may be an old but it’s gold. With all the different interpretations on the song one thing can be drawn. You can have your own meaning of Hallelujah, it may be something with religion that all depends on how you had a connection with that HALLELUJAH!.

By: Lourenz Abance, Elizer Camado, Lee Anthony Isidre, Jenny Chu, Lean Marlette Maquito.

Piercing the Veil: Collide with the Sky.

Many singers and song writers compose songs based on their personal stories and start playing words out of poetry scribbled down in their notebooks. One of these composers is Vic Fuentes, the lead singer of an American rock band ‘Pierce the Veil’. One of their hit songs on their 2012 album Collide with the Sky is entitled ‘Bulls in the Bronx’; it sounds something that is confusing and people think that it is a nonsense song just combined with good rhymed words and dressed with a playful tone of guitars and drum. Behind this song is something beyond your expectation. The lead singer Vic received an email from his fans whose friend at the age of 16 head recently committed suicide. Upon receiving the email, he said that “It was one of the most haunting things I’ve ever seen. There were things on there where she would say how she thought she was worthless, ugly, all of this crazy stuff. That whole thing really stuck with me for a while, and I wrote this song about her”.

Pierce the Veil is a band that hides the truth on their released songs. The ‘Bull in the Bronx’ is the lead song in the band’s 2012 album that didn’t actually based on the composer’s self-experience. Words filled with emotions plus meaningful rhythm is Pierce the Veil’s style. The band’s name actually came up from Vic Fuentes’s sociology class, his professor mentioned ‘piercing the veil’ meaning going directly to the root of the problem and removing it’s source. He liked the concept of stopping things that hurt you before they have the chance to crumble you and build up. According to Vic Fuentes the title ‘Bulls in the Bronx’, introduces being able to find a way to distance yourself from all the chaos in your life, he explained on his Tumblr account. The intro of the song played a similar tone with the intro of Disney Channel’s Gravity Falls that gives you a mystery vibes. The drum beat on the beginning thrills the soul of the whole song. The bull in the Bronx is written from the point of view of an anonymous narrator that tells a story about her efforts hunting and seeking the beauty and love in the world and she forgot that cruelty and sadness exist. The lyrics are well imprecise and universal, also the words used by Vic are full of imagery yet it led to the grim and more depressing message.

On the verse of the song, lines “I’ve been having this dream that we can fly. So maybe if we never wake up, we can see the sky. Oh, alright. Please don’t take this out on me. Cause you’re the only thing that’s keeping me alive”. Emphasize how the narrator and the girl who inspired the song saw how the world works. Among the other lines, this line is the most chilling line that makes you wonder what specifically is happening to the narrator. Questions aroused when listening to this kind of lyrics, people thought that the song is about a couple who has a sad ending relationship. Yet it is more than that, it is a tragic story of a girl that caught up with depression and people neglecting her. The lyrics of the song narrated clearly the heavy emotion and tragic concept of the young girl’s experience. The band did not just focus on the same pattern of their songs. In the Bulls in the Bronx, symbolism played its part. They have inserted a short sound clip of a tango, the rhythm started from slow and later become fast. According to many fans, the short sound clip symbolizes the quotation ‘Tango with Death’ and so when he mentioned those words, the girl had finished her tango with death.  “Please don’t take this out on me. ‘Cause you’re the only thing that’s keeping me alive. And I don’t want to wait for the down-set date. ‘Cause I would rather end it all tonight. And if I mean anything to you. I’m sorry, but I’ve made up my mind…” This is the part where the narrator might have got tired of pulling herself together and stopped begging, you can feel how heavy the emotions from these lines. Similar to the band’s 16 year old fan, she have decided to quit and end her own life by committing suicide.

Year 2017 when a YouTube channel named Ibbh sugar released a vocals only version of the Bulls in the Bronx, the comment section explode into different opinions and reactions on what they have heard. Part of Olivia’s (the young girl who committed suicide) message was included on his lyrics, although it is not audible on their original song with instruments. In the bridge of the song you can here Vic murmuring these messages, “I don’t know how much longer I can stay here on this earth; I’ve lost all touch with everything, nothing seems to work and I’ll never be the person we both want me to be. I don’t deserve to be alive…” and it was haunting.

Music and songs are the other gateway of some composers and singers to lay out messages to their listeners. Pierce the Veil 2012 Collide with the Sky Album is a collection of mind blowing songs that is meant for the world to hear. However, their lead song Bulls in the Bronx is the most chilling and heart breaking song that is listed on their album. It is true that songs and music makes us happy, however, some are beyond our expectations and hides the key on the door of reality.

You can now listen ‘Bulls in the Bronx’ by Pierce the Veil on YouTube

You can also listen to their vocals only version

Have you heard the latest hits? Is it any good? Well, we might not be experts, but we know good music.

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Editor-in-Chief: Channel Palangdao

Associate Editor: John Menard Cañeda

Photo References: shutterstock, kisspng, Faith Viteño, Vexy Madrid (IG: @vexymadrid), Viacom, Google

by: Cañeda John Menard, Junio Clyde Ishmael, Tudlong Homer, Gines Erika, Lagsaman Zyneth

Norem by Gloc 9 ft. Abaddon, J.Kris and Shanti Dope

Famous rappers of today’s Generation, Their songs being heard by anyone over anywhere. Gloc 9, A rap artist whos known for his Compositions reflecting on the societal problems of the reality in the Philippines that is still seen on today’s time. “Upuan” , “Serena” , “Hari ng Tondo”, “Magda” and a lot more. That even hearing his songs for the first time, You would say “Oo nga no” over running on the fast lyrics of his song. Gloc 9 paired up with the contemporary rap artists here in our country today makes their composed song entitled “Norem” a wide eye opener of the filipinos who are still blinded with the mistakes of these ‘Higher’ people. Gloc-9’s “norem” music video is reminiscent of the government’s bloody war on drugs. “Norem,” which features vocals from his protégé Shanti Dope, J.Kris and Abaddon, explicitly depicts the current Philippine administration’s controversial anti-illegal drugs campaign that saw thousands of alleged drug suspects dead. Within four minutes and forty-five seconds of its run, the visuals left no stone unturned when it comes to the retelling of a suspected drug dealer’s death by the hands of the police. “Napariwara na ba ay ilan, sagot laging tanong ay kailan / Ilan pa bang buhay ang dapat masira’t kailangang hanguin sa putikan,” Gloc raps while Abaddon reasons, “Handa kong mamatay dahil may dapat na buhayin / Pamilyang umaasang matulungan sila / Buo kong nilunok ang kaba kahit maputol ang paghinga”. Within the lyrics we also observed that Gloc 9’s verse is the public’s Point of view, Abbadon’s verse is the drug pushers POV and Shanti Dope’s is the drug user’s POV. This song reflects the issue on our society. Even though the rap is fast, the lyrics and message is easily understood. “Norem” has a tempo of 148BPM (beats per min.). its chorus is catchy and the transition of verses has small but fast intervals, which make the song much more impressive. It has an intense and powerful beat matching it with the lyrics, it has a heterophony texture with occasional variation of individual voices. It’s a combination of Contemporary and Pop music as well as film music.

You can listen to ‘Norem’ now on Youtube.