MANIA Magazine

The Reminiscence of Korean Wave

Location Tips for your Social Media Pics

SARILING ATIN: Philippine History in Local Television

The province of Capiz, also known as the Seafood Capital of the Philippines. In their founding anniversary, which is scheduled on the month of April, tourists and locals celebrate a week-long Capiztahan where they both enjoy the abundance of unlimited seafood, a showcase of Capiznon culture and other activities such as outreach programs, sports and of course, tours.

But aside from the festivities the province is known for, the other thing that they are most proud of is how beautiful the sun is when it says hello, also when it says goodbye to Capiz.

The shop will be located at Arcena’s Compound, Arnaldo Boulevard, Bay-bay, Roxas, Capiz, 5800.

A NOTE FROM THE EDITOR Making a magazine, beyond the purpose of fulfilling a final requirement, gave our class a unique opportunity to document the colorful pop culture here in Cebu. With features on some social issues, music, food, and other exciting topics, we were able to immortalize our thoughts, and have them shared with the world. Or maybe at least the immediate world covered by our circulation.

Mania is youthful, enthusiastic, and filled with so much hope for a growing entertainment industry.

Its seven-day format attempts to put the massive idea of popular culture in a scale that a Cebuano millennial can easily understand. Your media consumption in one week? Mania’s got you covered. It brings everyone from the dreadful banality of Monday mornings, to the complete restoration of faith in humanity when the weekend rolls in. Our magazine is a love letter to fellow youngsters, and our collective love for anything and everything that makes us giddy, satiated, and warm inside.

-Tel

THE TEAM Katrina Balmaceda Uy

Adviser

Khalil Redoble Art Director

Christele Basco

Editor-in-Chief

Hannah Yana Assistant Editor

Rhea Maglahus Editorial Assistant

Matthew Sulla Editorial Assistant

Sarah Chavez Layout Designer

Jahzeel Coquico Photographer

Raizza Aliviado Layout Designer

Hanna Tejada Circulation Manager

Moira Zamora Layout Designer

Brandon Ormega Circulation Manager

Jayvee Gulfan Proofreader & Writer

Aubrey Jimenea Layout Designer

Jayhan Bornea Business Dev. Manager

Clyde Piczon Writer

Tanja StĂśckli Layout Designer

Carla Albino Business Dev. Executive

Romar Bulong

Franz Fua Photographer

Seona Dacalos Business Dev. Executive

Micole Tizon Writer

Marlauie Estrella Business Dev. Executive Von Plasencia Lead Writer

Writer

Table of Contents MONDAY BULLETIN

T.G.I.F.

05 APPocalypse Now:

22

Vlogging 101

23

One Up: Filipinos in the Game Dev Industry

Mobile Tools for Academic Armageddon

06

Same-Sex Marriage in the Philippines: Are We Ready?

08

Monday Music Jam

LAAG SATURDAY

TUESDAY WITH MORRIE

26

The Fun Corner

11

Unlearning Histor y

27

The Voice of Three Legged Men

12

Vox Populi - Fox’s Lucifer

28

POSE & SHOOT: Location Tips for your Social Media Pics

HACK WEDNESDAY

SUNDAY FAMDAY

14

MacGyver’s Kitchen

33

Healthy Options

16

Fashion Spells: Wizarding World of Fashion

34

Uni Food Prerequisites

36

Psst! Check These Out

THROWBACK THURSDAY 18

Sariling Atin: Philippine History in Local Television

20

Flashback Hallyu /Halju/

Adulthood is often tied to the shedding of colors that made youth iridescent, but that does not always have to be the case. Mania advocates the best of both worlds, and the adult, professional getup will always have a place in the thrumming, street scene. A cultured mind will find a way to break free – and it will.

Graffiti is a rebellious and expressive form of art – similar to the youth of today. Like the young Cebuano, it is vibrant and free. Not restricted to one form, this art is purposive defiance in colorful lens. It’s encapsulating. It’s intrinsic. It’s culture.

The graffiti in one’s mind will escape and paint the world around it. It’s a visual representation of Mania Magazine. It’s culture for the creative intellectual.

PHOTO BY FRANZ FUA, ART BY KHALIL REDOBLE, MODEL: ALEYA KZARA MANIA magazine was created by AB Communication Media students under the Department of Communications, Linguistics, and Literature of the University of San Carlos. It is a requirement for the completion of the Editorial Management course. Opinions expressed are those of the writers and not necessarily endorsed by the Adviser, the Department, and the University. This project is not for profit; all monetary donations received from advertisers were used to pay for printing.

M O N D AY BULLETIN

There’s a long week ahead, and it’s only Day One. People may be experiencing a little bit of weekend-induced hangover. Fret not. Mondays are a blank canvas with which one can reinvent themselves. It as an opportunity to fall in love with learning all over again, and to dance to the melody of a brand new beginning.

Song of the day SIRENA

by Gloc-9

Food of the day TAPSILOG

ART BY: KHALIL REDOBLE BASED ON A PHOTO BY AARON FAVILA

Meme of the Day

Grid provides clean, safe and affordable homes for students and professionals. Offering a great environment for studying, relaxing, and socializing .

VISIT US AT THESE BRANCHES! Mathhan’s Laundry Hideout Bakeshop Joanna’s Halo Halo and snack bar Orgunique Old gold thrift boutique Loy’s Chicken Delights Food Art Kitchen Plank Café Banana Pancake trail Mang Sugba Queva by league of cebu artist Blind spot

Monday Bulletin

APPOCALYPSE NOW M o b i l e To o l s f o r A c a d e m i c A r m a g e d d o n

BY CLYDE PICZON

// DATA CLASSIFIED // DATA JACK OPERATIONAL //… HACKING COMPLETE … // ACCESS GRANTED The warzone of the dark future takes place in school. Professors dominate the field and you are just a lab rat. However, there is a chance for you to change this. You’ve got a weapon in your hand. Your smart phone – a miniature supercomputer loaded with data. To maximize the potential of this tool, you must get ready to train and dive head first into the West Point of the digital age – the app store.

Merriam-WebsteR Dictionary

With enough words downloaded in your head, you can break any code. The world belongs to those who read, and vocabulary is the arsenal of a good reader.This app is the best dictionary out there and it’s a must-have for any student. It also has a section for games that makes learning fun. Learn new fancy words for the endless essays every professor seems to require, and put it to the test by taking the quizzes this tool has in store for you.

MATHWAY

Math will always be there. It’s a tough virus to delete. With this mega calculator, you can get the right answer even for the most complex of Math problems. Its simple interface makes the app easy to handle. Use this to recheck your answer or buy its premium version to view the solutions. This portable professor can show you step-by-step explanations on how to find the ever-elusive X. The blueprint for all levels of math is contained in this app - ranging from Basic Arithmetic to Chemistry and Graphing. This might just save your life in what most people consider the most lethal subject of all.

myHomework student planner

If you procrastinate a lot, this app organizes your slack pile for you. It’s an effective planner, lighter and even better than a notebook because it allows you to input your homework, reading materials, and class info. It also has an alarm function, which will remind you when things are due. Say goodbye to the lagging and glitching caused by your inability to recognize homeworks for the power ups that they truly are.

Khan Academy

Multiple super AIs that fit inside your pocket. It’s the best virtual teacher for self-learners. This app covers a wide range of topics - from Math, Science, History, and many more. If the library’s too far and you’re in dire need of homework assistance, Khan Academy is the best cyberware to equip yourself with.

money lover

You’re a college student, so chances are you’re broke at least four times a month. Money Lover is an expense tracker and budget manager that can help you for this exact dilemma. It reminds you of the bills you need to pay and because of technological magic, it can foresee your future expenses. So if you still ask “Where did all my money go?” at the end of the week, now you have this app to answer that for you.

END Now you’re wired in. A towering data fortress within the tip of your fingers gives you an edge in this academic warfare. No longer will exam papers, or firewalls programmed by your professors, hinder your mission for excellent grades. //LOG OUT

5

SAME-SEX MARRIAGE IN THE PHILIPPINES: ARE WE READY?

BY VON PLASENCIA AND JAYVEE GULFAN ART BY KHALIL REDOBLE

Monday Bulletin

C

hristianity sees matrimony as a holy sacrament that binds man and wife under the presence and guidance of its God. This is consequently reflected in affairs of the state when marriage is made significant in many legal matters. Among the countries strongly influenced by this doctrine is the Philippines.

As a result of centuries under the Spanish rule, the country is predominantly influenced

by Roman Catholic beliefs. This reality is the reason behind the Filipino people’s perception of marriage and family as part of a sacred and divine law that must be followed.

However, despite recent political turmoil, it is difficult to deny that the Philippines has had many ties to Western culture. The people continue to adopt foreign beliefs and practices, despite the country’s conservative background.

One of these facets is the growing acceptance of members of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender (LGBT) community, and their lifestyles.

In the United States of America, same-sex marriage was legalized after former President Barack Obama signed the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act in support of LGBT rights. It was during this time that the #LoveWins campaign trended on social media, and many claimed that the US had finally given its full support against LGBT discrimination and harassment. Moreover, the US Supreme Court also abolished the Homosexual Conduct Law, which treated LGBT members as inferior or subject to misconduct.

In Hollywood, LGBT personalities and celebrities have also expressed their joy about the milestone, as it is public knowledge that many individuals in the showbiz industry are also LGBT members.

In 2008, famous host and comedian Ellen DeGeneres married her long-time partner, Portia de Rossi. This sparked media attention and was seen as a landmark event in the campaign for LGBT empowerment.

There were also many cases where couples not of the opposite sex had to face the disadvantages of being in an unconventional relationship. In 2013, the case of Windsor vs. United States was a turning point in the discussion on same-sex marriage rights and privileges. Edith Windsor and Thea Spyers, a lesbian couple, had been living in New York when Spyer died, and Windsor was not allowed to have federal benefits and tax exemptions for widowed spouses due to the federal Defense for Marriage Act (DOMA). The case reached the Supreme Court and the DOMA was declared unconstitutional for violating the equal rights and benefits of citizens, LGBT or not, that are provided by the Constitution.

Two years later, the case of Obergefell vs. Hodges declared that the banning of same-sex marriage in any state in the US was illegal, and that states

should legally recognized same-sex marriage.

Today, the US grants every LGBT member their deserved rights and benefits as citizens under the US Constitution. Marriage is free to all who will process and license their union as legal and in the protection of the law.

After the US’s legalization of same-sex marriage, can the same thing be said for the Philippines?

LGBT Community, and House Bill 4982, which prohibits abuse and discrimination on gender, preference and/or orientation.

After the US Supreme Court declared that marriage should be enjoyed by the LGBT community in 2015, lawyer Jesus Nicardo Falcis III filed for a petition of the same purpose to the Philippine Supreme Court, but was delayed for three years.

“Critics believe that this stance from the president himself can strengthen the bills being motioned by lawmakers in the country that aim to empower LGBT rights, including that of marriage. “ Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte expressed his support for same-sex marriage during an LGBT gathering in Davao City in December 2017.

“I am for same-sex marriage, if that is the trend of modern times. If that will add to your happiness, I am for it. Whatever makes the person happy, I will give it. Why should I hold them back?”

“I am for samesex marriage, if that is the trend of modern times. If that will add to your happiness, I am for it. Whatever makes the person happy, I will give it. Why should I hold them back?”

Local LGBT communites were overjoyed by this declaration.

Critics believe that this stance from the president himself can strengthen the bills being motioned by lawmakers in the country that aim to empower LGBT rights, including that of marriage. Among these bills are House Bill 6595, or the Civil Partnership Bill, which recognizes licensed union by members of the

In defense of his petition, Falcis argued that the prohibition of same-sex marriage is not stated in the 1987 Constitution, and that members of the LGBT community should enjoy what the constitution provides, such as not being “deprived of life, liberty, and property without due process of law”. He strongly believes that marriage should not only be limited to the union of a man and a woman.

However, with all the efforts Falcis puts into his petition for the legalization of same-sex marriage, Malacañang dismissed the idea, saying that the Philippines is not yet ready. This was supported by critics against same-sex marriage, with them pointing out that marriage is a compulsory pre-requisite for a couple to start a family, and children adopted by gay couples in this sense will only suffer due to the wrong environment that they will be forced in.

With the lesson learned from the lost battle against the Reproductive Health Law, the Catholic Church is calling its members to fight against the legalization of same-sex marriage, in order for Congress not to dismiss their opposition. Not only are they fighting against gay marriage, but also against House Bill 6027, which offers the option of divorce to Filipino couples.

While the concept of same-sex marriage in the country is more apparent now than it has ever been, there are still many arguments to be made about the extent of Western influence the Philippines permits itself to adopt. Another instance where separation of church and state is examined, the modern mindset of the Filipino today is certainly ushering a time of great discourse, and same-sex marriage is just one of the issues in the front lines.

7

Monday Bulletin

BY JAYVEE GULFAN; ART BY KHALIL REDOBLE

T

he first day of the week is often no one’s favorite, Monday representing the looming shadow of dreaded responsibilities. To keep us from succumbing to this madness, we look for different ways to keep our butts moving. One tried and tested method is sticking your earbuds in and drowning out the world with music.

British electronic band, Clean Bandit, started in 2008 and has collaborated with many famous artists, such as Selena Gomez and Demi Lovato.

Their album New Eyes, released in 2014, features singles like Mozart’s House and Rather Be — songs that reached top charts in UK, and even the Billboard Top 100.

Below are some Mania-certified picks of both new and underrated music from different genres to jumpstart your Manic Mondays.

Recommended songs: Mozart’s House, Rather Be, Come Over

PUNK ROCK Missing the punk rock days of the late 90s and early 2000s? You don’t have to dig up your old Sum 41 and Blink-182 albums. Released on 2017, WSTR’s Red, Green, or Inbetween album features original punk rock tracks that breathe new life into the genre. They can take you back to the 90s brand of punk, yet still manage to sound fresh and modern.

Recommended songs: Featherweight, Footprints, Hightail PINOY POP IV of Spades captivated fans with its pop-jazz style of music. You’re looking for more? Try Oh, Flamingo!. After their debut in November 2015, Oh, Flamingo! released their self-entitled extended play with five songs in it. Their tracks give you indie vibes and the rhythm of alternative rock.

Recommended songs: June, Reflections, Two Feet EDM Mainstream EDM artists – like The Chainsmokers and Calvin Harris – have been dominating the music scene lately. One band, however, while a familiar name, remains criminally underrated. The

8

K-POP Philippines is an undeniable victim of the Hallyu fever, with groups like Momoland, BTS, and Twice among the newer artists the K-POP industry is promoting. However, K-POP is not all about the upbeat music and flashy dance moves.

Akdong Musician (AKMU) and their PLAY album feature different aspects of adolescence, with accompanying acoustic vibes and mellow rhythm.

SHOW TUNES Hamilton, brainchild of composer and playwright Lin-Manuel Miranda, was a Broadway hit. Many considered the color-blind casting and hip-hop twist to the American Revolution a breath of fresh air. While there seems to be no end in sight for the Hamilton fever, Miranda has much, much more to offer. Enter 21 Chump Street. Touching on drugs in the academe, the play features a guy who’s “high” out of love, and gets entangled in the dirty world of cannabis. If musicals with daring narratives that take social issues front and center are your jam, this 15-minuter is for you.

Recommended songs: Give Love, 200%, Melted

Recommended songs: What The Heck I Gotta Do, The Money, One School

Recommended songs: Feel Jah Love, Step Outta Babylon, Fight

R&B Rhythm and blues made the likes of Chris Brown, Childish Gambino, and Frank Ocean household names. Their style of incorporating rich storytelling in their music makes for an entirely different experience. This same approach is an expertise of Brent Faiyaz. His album Sonder Son tells of everyday struggles —consumerism as a stress reliever, being real in a relationship, and going back down memory lane, among others.

INDIE While the definite ‘sound’ of indie music is a bit hard to pin down, it certainly has no shortage of patrons. Considered by many as an obscure twist to alternative rock, songs such as Flourescent Adolescent by the Artic Monkeys has Monday written all over it. For fans of this genre, try listening to King Princess. She’s an up and coming indie artist that started to get recognition after her song 1950. Her Make My Bed extended play contains five songs that will surely make you groove on Monday nights.

Recommended songs: Gang Over Luv, First World Problemz/ Nobody Cares, Burn One (Interlude)

REGGAE Bob Marley has always been the face of reggae, with his hit songs No Woman, No Cry, and Buffalo Soldier, among others. But if you’re looking for other similar bops to tune into, try listening to Raging Fyah. His Destiny album features reggae songs infused with modern pop, taking you on a trip to Jamaica without you ever having to leave the confines of your room.

Recommended songs: Talia, Upper West Side, 1950

A T U E S D AY WITH MORRIE

Life is rife with complications – ups and downs, with twists and turns. It can give someone everything they want, or leave them with nothing they deserve. “The unexamined life is not worth living.” – and when best to examine it than during one’s darkest moments? C’est la vie.

Song of the day HALLELUJAH

by Bamboo

Food of the day SINIGANG NGA ISDA

ART BY: KHALIL REDOBLE BASED ON THE WORKS OF ALEXANDER RODCHENKO

Meme of the Day

A Tuesday With Morrie

UNLEARNING HISTORY

BY MICOLE TIZON; ART AND PHOTO BY KHALIL REDOBLE

B

rown Skin, White Minds.

Long after the country has achieved its independence, remnants from centuries under foreign rule continue to be visible in Philippine society.These pervasive relics that shape the nation’s culture go beyond superficial matters like brand preference, or fashion style. If one would look closely, a much deeper narrative of identity crisis and history erasure will manifest itself.

mentality: feelings of inferiority for being Filipino, feeling ashamed or embarrassed for being Filipino, discriminating against lessWesternized Filipinos, desiring lighter skin or other European physical traits, and denying, tolerating, or minimizing the historical and modern-day oppression of Filipinos.

In the same book, David identified colonial mentality among Filipinos as being related to poor mental health, such as low self-esteem and

“... David identified colonial mentality among Filipinos as being related to poor mental health, such as low self-esteem...”

In a research by Ashley Decena entitled Identity, Colonial Mentality, and Decolonizing the Mind: Exploring Narratives and Examining Mental Health Implications for Filipino Americans (2014), colonial mentality is defined as the perception of ethnic and cultural inferiority, and a form of internalized racial oppression. Simply put, it is the mindset that another culture is better than one’s own.

Colonial mentality is very much present among Filipinos. Notable experts and professionals have done extensive research in order to have a concrete understanding of such reality.

In the research Brown Skin, White Minds by Dr. E.J. Ramos David (2013), he used a Colonial Mentality Scale (CMS) to define American postcolonial psychology of the Filipinos. The findings revealed five indicators of colonial

life satisfaction, and more depression anxiety symptoms.

PRODUCTS According to Kantar Worldpanel’s Brand Footprint 2018, only 20 local brands made it to the top 50 list of products bought and used by Filipino consumers nationwide, while 72% are that of imported goods.

ENTERTAINMENT In Billboard’s Top 10 Singles Philippines 2017, only four local songs made the cut, out of the 33 most listened-to songs by Filipinos.

which were: I’m Drunk, I Love You, Kita Kita, and Respeto. None of these films were featured in the Manila Film Festival.

BEAUTY STANDARDS In an article published by GMA News, the fixation with the mestiza beauty is one of the cultural influences that Filipinos got from their Spanish colonizers. When the Americans came, this mindset was only further strengthened.

According to the Global Industry Analyst Inc., the skin lightening industry was valued at $10 billion in 2015, and is expected to triple its market value in the year 2024.

Visual advertising is also one of the major contributing factors to the success of this industry. Messages that promote light skin in a country of darker complexion breed what is known as colorism. Sociologist Margaret Hunter defines it as “the process of discrimination that privileges white-skinned over their blackskinned counterparts”.

Preference is relative, and factors that shape them are difficult to quantify. However, when there is a seemingly collective mindset that speaks of a deeper problem, it is important that as a nation, people can reflect on aspects of the past that helped build what is apparent in the present.

As for films, Spot.ph reported that only six local movies out of the 25 most-watched movies released in 2017 made it to their list, three of

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A Tuesday With Morrie

VOX POPULI FOX’S LUCIFER

BY VON PLASENCIA

L

ucifer Morningstar, the retired King of Hell, goes to Los Angeles to run a nightclub and live his immortal life on his own terms.

Unfortunately for him, he unwittingly becomes consultant to LAPD detective Chloe Decker, who piques his interest by her mysterious ability to resist his powers, and her utter lack of patience for his shenanigans.

Among those swept by the Lucifer charm are Filipino millennials, who, despite living in a predominantly Catholic country with a very distinct view of the fallen angel, found themselves ensnared by the police procedural with a biblical, fantasy twist.

What do you desire?

Part of fans’ desires has already been answered when Netflix picked up the show after its supposed cancellation by Fox. Now, what is left to marinate in is the resolution to the major cliffhanger the current storyline ended with. What will happen to Lucifer and Chloe’s relationship after the discovery of his true visage in the last episode of its season 3?

Lucifer first met Chloe during the series’ pilot episode, where his mortal friend was murdered. He intended to punish the person responsible for it and, in his quest for vengeance, he ended up interfering with Chloe’s investigation.

For most of the next episodes, Lucifer aids Chloe on several other cases as an LAPD consultant. While Lucifer was always fond of Chloe as his partner, the detective, on the other hand, found him irritating and intolerable, due of his eccentricity and claims that he is the devil incarnate.

Eventually, Lucifer finds out that Chloe’s very presence in his life is a result of a divine intervention from his Father, and that her invulnerability to his mind tricks and failure to see his infernal form are a direct product of this. The revelation becomes a major roadblock in their relationship, as Lucifer fears that God is manipulating him through Chloe.

In season 3’s final episode, Lucifer confesses his love for Chloe, a sentiment she returns with a kiss. Not soon after that, Chloe finally witnesses Lucifer’s true form, his “Devil Face”.

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This point in the narrative is a very significant one, and as the audience patiently await the fourth season, some of the Filipino fans ponder on just what the much-awaited revelation will mean for Lucifer and Chloe’s relationship.

INSANITY

and

ADJUSTMENT

Dolph Verallo: The relationship between Chloe Decker and Lucifer Morningstar was portrayed as good girl and bad boy type. With this stark contrast of personalities and belief systems, we can conclude that these individuals may never experience coming to terms or falling for each other. But as we watch every episode, we can witness a development between the two. With the end of Season 3, Chloe was finally able to see Lucifer’s real face – the grotesque facial features of the fallen angel. With this, her whole belief system had been placed in a state of confusion. She will come to question all that she had believed before and may even fear Lucifer for the first time. But I guess she will eventually come to terms with it sooner or later. For the sake of her and Lucifer’s bond, she will also reassess everything and also ask herself the question, will she come to trust and love the Prince of Hell once more?

UNCERTAINTY TO ACCEPTANCE Benedict Remedio: I think that Lucifer and Chloe’s relationship will once again take a downturn. Chloe would probably choose not to have a relationship with “the Devil” at first and have more of those indecisive, overdramatic moments trying to contemplate if she can really accept everything about Lucifer while Lucifer would prove his feelings to Chloe that being the Devil is not all bad/evil at all.

LOVE AGAINST ALL ODDS Kriselda Inferido: I think Chloe will love him regardless. He’s said many times before that he is the devil and she’s always been clear on believing he is not a devil for her. So I think she’ll love him regardless of seeing his true form.

PATIENCE IS KEY Julceasar Casas: Lucifer’s revelation of his devil face on Chloe might frighten her at first, but because of her love for him, she will eventually come to terms with it. It might take time, but I’m sure everything will turn out pretty great for both of them.

DENIAL STAGE Elarni Tinga: On previous seasons, Chloe is the type of character that is firmly set on “reality”. She sees Lucifer as someone who is mentally ill. She actually already saw Lucifer’s Devil Face in the past, when she shot Lucifer by accident. Deep down she already knew but was in denial as it doesn’t match with the way she views “reality”. If season 4 is going to happen, Chloe will be battling against her perceived “reality” and she will go through denial and all that but like what happened in the previous seasons, when she accepted Lucifer, she will slowly accept the real “reality” of him being the Devil and not some insane Lucifer wannabe.

AN ENTIRELY DIFFERENT STORYLINE Mary Robin Quinain: I feel like they will disregard that and make another plot hole or storyline like they always do, because every time there’s progress in their relationship, there’s another looming problem on the horizon.

Do you agree with these theories and opinions? Do you think these conspiracy theories are spot on, or are they just as in the dark as the rest of the fans?

HACK W E D N E S D AY

Problem? Improvise. Hacks may often be taboo, as they encourage people to do things the easy way, but they are haven for people who are in the business of doing things the easy way. In a fast-paced world, there is no place for the bumbling novice.

There are escape plans for every sticky situation – from wardrobe malfunctions, to culinary mishaps.

Song of the day SIT STILL LOOK PRETTY

by Daya

Food of the day SALAD

ART BY: SARAH CHAVEZ

Meme of the Day

MACGYVER’S KITCHEN 10 quick and easy remedies for kitchenrelated emergencies

BY ROMAR BULONG AND JAYHAN BORNEA; ART BY SARAH CHAVEZ; PHOTOS BY MARLAUIE ESTRELLA

Hack Wednesday

T

he kitchen is the place where all the magic happens. To make sure your time preparing food for the people you love is not reduced to endless weeping when faced with a herculean obstacle, these wacky but eminently useful hacks will help you learn how to dodge oven mishaps and outsmart tricky utensils.

1. IF you have that one jar that pisses just about everybody off — the one that you just can’t open without assistance — THEN just put on a rubber kitchen glove or place a thick rubber band around the lid of the jar. You can start opening the jar without struggling. The rubber gives you just the right amount of grip to get the job done without straining your muscle — or your patience.

2. IF you hate peeling potatoes, THEN there’s a solution for your dilemma: boil the potatoes and give them a quick ice bath. The skin will separate from the potato and all you have to do is pick it off.

3. IF your nails are not long enough or you just don’t want to ruin them by digging into the tough skin of an orange, THEN make a few clever cuts using a knife, and peel said orange without making any mess.

4. IF you’re annoyed with the chopping board that just doesn’t seem to stop sliding across the counter, THEN use a wet paper towel or damp hand towel and put it under your board to keep it in its place.

5. IF your oven is not working — or simply nonexistent — and your midnight craving just so happens to be bacon, THEN you can wrap the bacon in foil and cook it using your clothes iron. The foil protects the meat and ensures it cooks well, and the iron is capable of generating enough heat to do the trick.

6. IF you’re having a hard time peeling your ginger, THEN use a spoon when you do the peeling. Just hold the spoon firmly in your hand and scrape the edge along the surface. The skin will peel right away.

7. IF you’re tired of crying because of onions, THEN stocking a peeled onion in the freezer would be a great help. Cold slows the conversion of sulfoxides into those awful eye-stinging gases. The peeling would help the cold better penetrate the deeper layers of the onion. Cry no more!

8. IF peeling garlic is one of your most time-consuming jobs in the kitchen, THEN just crush and shake.

Crush the garlic with any hard object around you. Put it inside a small container and shake it. After that, you can now start peeling the garlic.

9. IF you’re wondering how to stop avocados from quickly turning brown, THEN wonder no more! When you put avocados and onions in the same container, you extend the lifespan of your avocado.

10. IF you run out of sponge, THEN there’s a solution to that: use eggshells to clean pots and pans. Put ground eggshells in soapy water and use the textured mixture on your notorious pots and pans.

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Hack Wednesday

FA S H I O N S P E L L S Wizarding World of Fashion

BY MICOLE TIZON AND RHEA MAGLAHUS; ART BY SARAH CHAVEZ; PHOTOS BY SEONA DACALOS

F

rom finding the best shirt to go perfectly with your favorite jeans, to choosing a shoe that matches a beloved sweater, fashion plays a huge role in our day-to-day life. It is movement, design, and architecture all in one. A person’s fashion sense is a big factor of their identity. However, dressing up can be just as frustrating as it is fulfilling, especially in a fashion emergency.

To be confident and comfortable at the same, a few magic tricks may just save a life.

ACCIO GUM If a gum ever gets stuck on your clothes, Accio Gum is the easiest spell that will get you out of that sticky situation.

Ingredients: Rubbing alcohol Cotton bud Duct tape Procedure: 1. Dip the cotton bud in rubbing alcohol.

2. Apply the wet cotton bud on the gum and let it dry.

3. Put an enough length of duct tape on top of the gum and pull it out.

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PETRIFICUS CAMELUS It’s a lazy day and you decided to wear leggings, but something doesn’t look right. Cameltoe alert!

A line between your legs is formed, making you — and the observant stranger in front of you — really uncomfortable. Dont worry! Petrificus Camelus is the right spell for you.

Ingredients: Panty liner Procedure: 1. Paste the panty liner horizontally on your underwear and you’re good to go.

STAYGARDIUM DESAYA You walk out of your house all prepped and pretty, feeling good with your summer skirt when, out of left field, the wind decides to love you a little more in that very moment.

Staygardium Desaya was specifically made for harsh breezes that literally blow up skirts of cute but unsuspecting witches.

Ingredients: Double-sided tape Six one-peso coins Procedure: 1. Distribute evenly the coins on the hem of the summer skirt.

2. Paste the coins using double-sided tape.

THROWBACK T H U R S D AY

‘I was born in the wrong generation’ is a common cliché among millennials, and while a time machine remains a long shot, there are other ways to relive the glorious past. Entertainment media has a rich history, and it is always a great opportunity to look back and remember the stories and music, both local and foreign, we once enjoyed as a children.

Song of the day PARADISE

by T-Max

Food of the day MORON

ART BY: AUBREY JIMENEA; BASED ON A PHOTO BY SAMUEL ZELLER

Meme of the Day

SARILING AT I N Philippine History in Local Television

BY CHRISTELE BASCO AND HANNAH YANA; ART BY AUBREY JIMENEA; BASED ON A PHOTOGRAPH BY KHRISTIAN ALCANTARA

Throwback Thursday

T

he history of the Philippines is a rich collection of narratives that reflect the journey of the archipelago through its many periods and turning points. This makes for interesting ideas and a wide space for creative liberty when Philippine history is used as source material in entertainment media. From natives that practice animism to colonized communities built after a foreign institution, period stories may range from war drama to full-blown high fantasy.

the kindness, love, and courage of mortals’ hearts.

Later on, Zaijan Jaranilla (Liksi) replaced Andres as the bagani of Laot.

The word bagani came from the Manobos of northern Mindanao and means “warrior.” During the show’s promotional period, Indigenous People’s sector called out ABS-CBN for the misuse of the historical term, stating that the bagani portrayed in the TV show is not on the same level with the real bagani of the Manobo

“Most of the Filipinos believe that historical shows should have a realistic depiction, and one good way to do it is to stop the chronic and almost-innate casting of a Westernlooking actor for a native role.”

Local pop culture has had a history of glorifying Western physical attributes, especially in media.

This is reflected even in movies and TV shows that, in essence, do not even have a space for it.

ABS-CBN, one of two media powerhouses in the country, bore the brunt of this long-standing issue as it announced the casting of a major project they deemed would be a show inspired

by Philippine mythology. Bagani, first released March this year, saw part-white stars Liza Soberano and Enrique Gil at the helm, causing uproar from Filipinos nationwide.

The story of Bagani revolves around five individuals from different areas (Patag, Disyerto, Kalakal, Laot, and Gubat) of the fantasy world

“Local pop culture has had a history of glorifying Western physical attributes, especially in media.

This is reflected even in movies and TV shows that, in essence, do not even have a space for it.” of Sansinukob. These individuals, played by Soberano (Ganda) and Gil (Lakas), along with Matteo Guidicelli (Lakam), Sofia Andres (Mayari), and Makisig Morales (Dumakulem), were appointed as guardians of the said world by Apo (Diether Ocampo), the deity who believes in

tribe. However, ABS-CBN insisted that the show would not be representing any indigenous group and the term is used for fiction and creative purposes only.

Bagani, however, is not the first TV show that took from Philippine history and mythology to create their story.

GMA Entertainment, another major network in the country, also has a track record of producing shows that are branded as having historical inspiration. Their 2011-2012 period show Amaya, led by A-list actress Marian Rivera who is also part Spanish, received praise for its storyline and production, but little backlash on casting controversies. While leaning more towards drama than fantasy, Amaya also displayed whimsical elements expected when your source material is mythology, and its effective sequel, Indio, certainly embraced it, branding the show an ‘epic fantasy’.

Another iconic fantasy TV show, the Pedro Penduko duology that ran from 2006 to 2007, was based on local mythos. Originally written

by National Artist for Literature Francisco Conching, the storyline follows a young man, Pedro, as he fights the evil, mythological creatures through a mutya, commonly known as an agimat or an amulet. The show starred Matt Evans, who is half American, as Pedro. The role proved to be Evans’ big break, and his portrayal was well praised by the viewers.

Despite this apparent edge, both GMA Entertainment and ABS-CBN have been slammed with “white-washing” feedbacks from their audience, disapproving how historical shows were casted. Most of the Filipinos believe that historical shows should have a realistic depiction, and one good way to do it is to stop the chronic and almost-innate casting of a Westernlooking actor for a native role. This remains a challenge to the networks, considering that most of the country’s actors look mestizos and mestiza.

Similar to the other mythology-inspired shows, characters who were supposedly native Filipinos in Bagani were portrayed by actors with Western roots and features. This sparked outrage from the Filipinos, especially online.

The casting problem of historical shows is a continuing product of the colonial mentality in the Philippines, most especially in terms of beauty perception. Soberano, taking the role of Ganda (beauty), represents a solid example of how the media continues to set Caucasian features as the standard of beauty.

While the vocal protests are testament to the changing times, it is important to understand that such cases are not exactly new, and that the Philippine entertainment media has had quite a history in warping source material to fit an established media culture. One trip down memory lane is enough to support just that.

“The casting problem of historical shows is a continuing product of the colonial mentality in the Philippines, most especially in terms of beauty perception.”

Among the two media giants in the country, GMA Entertainment is more experienced in presenting historical TV shows. Aside from Amaya and Indio, it also aired non-fantasy historical shows like Katipunan and Ilustrado, which received both local and international awards.

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Throwback Thursday

FLASHB

CK Hallyu /Halju/

( n . t h e re m i n i s c e n c e o f K o re a n Wa ve )

BY JAYVEE GULFAN; PHOTOS COURTESY OF KMUSIC

W

hen the seven-member male band Bangtan Sonyeondan (BTS) first won the Billboard Music Awards in 2017, it meant that K-POP had finally reached the pinnacle of its goal: to go global. Now, similiar groups like Momoland, Twice, and Blackpink have taken center stage in the industry – their slick dance choreography, distinct music style, and colorful aesthetic an echo of what originally captivated fans all over the world.

After many years of steady rise in popularity, K-POP has well and truly become a pillar in pop culture. World tours and foreign TV show guestings are among the usual activities K-POP groups do to boost publicity and gain traction in the international scene.

In the Philippines, dramas like Lovers in Paris and Full House introduced South Korean stories through TV series. All major local TV channels even went as far as having some of these shows dubbed in Filipino, pushing the assimiliation of this new and foreign culture in the country. This K-Drama fever paved the way for what people call the ‘Korean Wave’ in 2009.

Apart from TV shows, KPOP – or Korean Pop – also had music videos of their homegrown artists shown on a daily basis in local music channels.

Groups like Girl’s Generation, Super Junior, and Wonder Girls were among the ones that quickly gained a following in the Philippines. Songs such as Sorry, Sorry (Super Junior), Gee (Girl’s Generation), and Nobody (Wonder Girls) became the most requently played in MYX and many

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FM radio stations. From the blaring boom box of jeepneys, to elementary dance presentations, the catchy rhythm and hip dance moves KPOP is known for found a home among the Filipino people.

However, like many trends, K-POP hit a roadblock after the audience showed a sudden decrease of

Kris, Luhan, and Tao leaving EXO and Jessica Jung signing off from Girl’s Generation resulted in many dismayed fans. Other groups even disbanded, like Wonder Girls, 4Minute, Miss A, and SISTAR. Beyond official albums of idol groups, the original soundtracks (OST) of K-Dramas, performed by K-POP artists, are also part and parcel of the

“After many years of steady rise in popularity, K-POP has well and truly become a pillar in pop culture.” interest the following year, halting what seemed then as an endless rise to fame. Moreover, the Western music scene also produced equally popular songs. The likes of Boom Boom Pow (Black Eyed Peas), Fireworks (Katy Perry), and Tik Tok (Kesha) took some of the spotlight away from idols.

Fortunately for the K-POP industry, it knew how to make a comeback, as 2013 saw the debut of EXO, BTS, and Red Velvet, to name a few. These groups brought back another wave of the Korean fever, and started a serious following in the global community.

K-Dramas went back on track as well. Dramas like Goblin, Weightlifting Fairy: Kim Bok Joo, and Descendants of the Sun were instant hits in the Philippines.

But just as the people are beginning to recreate the KPOP hype, news of members leaving in some beloved groups hit the media. Idols like

whole Korean music culture. Songs like Stand By Me (SHINee) and One More Time (Tree Bicycles) never fail to invoke memories of Boys Over Flowers, the 2009 Korean adaptation of Japan’s Hana Yori Dango. Other OSTs, like Stay With Me (Chanyeol and Punch) from Goblin, For You (EXO-CBX) from Scarlet Heart: Ryeo, and It’s You (Henry) of While You Were Sleeping were some of fans’ favorites.

With only about one thousand miles of ocean separating the Philippines from South Korea, it comes as no surprise that the Filipinos are among the first to embrace the Korean Wave. While tourism and foreign relations play important roles in the two countries’ current relationship, the overall appeal of their entertainment media, both in music and TV, remains just as significant a factor. Hallyu in the country has had quite a journey, and it doesn’t seem to show any signs of stopping just yet.

T. G . I . F.

Everyone wants to be a cool kid, and for cool kids, Friday is the next best thing to chicken sandwich. School is in the distant past, and weekend is one sleep away. In the digital age, there are myriad ways to spend the next two days of freedom. One is either outside, experiencing the world firsthand and taking the rest of the people with them, or inside, immersed in a world beyond their television screens, slaying dragons and serving kings.

Song of the day LAST FRIDAY NIGHT

by Katy Perry

Food of the day FIRE NOOODLES

ART BY: TANJA STOCKLI; BASED ON A PHOTO BY KATE ROWE

Meme of the Day

T.G.I.F.

Vlogging 101

BY ROMAR BULONG AND BRANDON ORMEGA; PHOTOS BY MARLAUIE ESTRELLA; ART BY TANJA STÖCKLI

V

ideo blog, or vlog, is a form of blog in a video format. Lately, vlogging has become a way to both share experiences on an intimate level and ensure that detailed aspects of these events are recorded for posterity. It immortalizes moments better than a photograph ever could, and has proven to be a worldwide sensation. Travel vlogs technically comprise a whopping 48% of YouTube content, compared to official travel brand channels with (19%), travel tours/footages (16%), reviews/ tips/how-to-content (11%), and official travel networks & publications with (7%). The digital age is being swept away by the enticing concept of vlogging.

For anyone who may be interested to join this trend, here are some of the basic tools a beginner in video blogging must secure.

least two 16GB cards to store a decent amount of footage. Unlike traditional production, vlogging requires the camera to keep on rolling all the time because one will never know what will happen throughout the recording. In case of insufficient memory, external disks (hard drives), usually 1 TB of storage space, are available as back up.

AUDIO INPUT Vlogging usually happens in an outdoor setting.

This means that sound quality is often at risk, either by the physical nature of the activity being recorded, or other inevitable distractive elements, such as the engines of passing cars, voices of passersby, and even the wind. A decent audio recording device, such as a lapel or headset microphone, would help subdue noise and bring the focus back to the desired audio subject.

CAMERA It goes without saying that the camera is a vital part of starting a vlog channel. Any video recording device will do – from fancy DSLRs to the basic point-and-shoot camera. It doesn’t have to be expensive. One can also use the built-in camera in any smartphone, as there are several companies in the market now offering excellent camera quality and sufficient internal storage.

TRIPOD For stationary shots of the vlogger, or aesthetic time-lapses, a tripod is a game changer. Aside from being a stand, this three-legged friend has a lot to offer, such as improving the quality of tracking shots — where the tripod is flipped upside down and the camera moves alongside the object it’s recording — to stand-uppers, where the host can stand in front of the camera and speak without having to worry about Bourneesque shaky footage.

STORAGE SD cards and external hard drives are important as well. Videos take up more space than image files, and a beginner in vlogging would need at

LIGHTING Lighting equipment is essential in shooting indoors. This tool is critical because it could either make or break the entire vlog’s look.

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Lighting gives the face a flattering depth if utilized well, but could also make the features flat and shallow if used haphazardly. This also ensures the viewers can see what the host and the camera are seeing, when adequate lighting isn’t accessible.

(Quick tip: If there is no fancy lighting equipment available, one easy, low-tech solution is to have the camera face against a well-lit window.)

VIDEO EDITING SOFTWARE Editing is the final and one of the most vital parts of producing a video blog. To complete a full, creative online diary, editing is a must. A decent video editor is essential to enhance and stitch the clips in seamless manner. Excellent editing software can be easily downloaded from the Internet, such as Apple Final Cut Pro X and Adobe Premier Pro. Adobe Premier Pro requires an ongoing Creative Cloud subscription of around Php 1,000/mo with an annual plan, or around Php 1,600/mo on a month-by-month basis. Apple Final Cut Pro X requires a flat, onetime price of around Php 16,000.

T.G.I.F.

ON E U P :

Filipinos in the Game Dev Industr y

BY CLYDE PICZON; ART BY TANJA STÖCKLI

f you’re going to take a leap of faith, make sure you do it on the wings of passion and skill. This was the case of Felix Marlo Flor, the Filipino Senior Art Director at Ubisoft Singapore.

I

for the PC, and led the Singapore Environment Team for Ghost Recon Online. He also worked as an Assistant Technical Director for Ghost Recon: Future Soldier and Art Director for Assassin’s Creed: Origins.

Being exposed to video games at an early age, Felix’s love for gaming made him decide to pursue a career in game development after he graduated as Cum Laude at the University of the Philippines. Although he studied Development Communication, major in Educational Communication, it did not stop him from doing what he loves.

Having over 10 years of experience in the art department of the game development industry, Felix developed major skills in art direction, environment art, texturing, painting, drawing, level design, game design, and 3D rendering.

Felix still works at Ubisoft today. Julien Carron, a game development manager who formerly worked

“He’s dependable, talented and humble.

(Felix) is a fantastic asset to any team.”

Felix started his gaming career in 2005 with Anino Entertainment, a small Philippine game development company based in Makati City, considered the pioneer game development studio in the country. They’re responsible for award-winning originals, most notably Anito: Defend A Land Enraged, an adventure role-playing game designed entirely

by Filipino game developers. Anito is said to be responsible for the birth of the game development industry in the Philippines.

In 2008, Felix left his post as Lead Environment Artist in Anino to join Ubisoft as part of the pioneering batch of game developers in the Singapore Studio.

Ubisoft is a French gaming giant known for iconic games such as Prince of Persia, Assassin’s Creed, Watch Dogs, and Far Cry. Felix worked as an Art Director on some of Ubisoft’s biggest games. He provided high-level art direction for Assassin’s Creed: Syndicate, led the art teams to ship Ghost Recon: Phantoms

with Felix for five years, said Felix is a role model to his entire team, and they look up to him with deep respect. Julien also commended him in his ability to deliver above and beyond expectations.

“He’s dependable, talented and humble. (Felix) is a fantastic asset to any team,” he said.

Felix isn’t the only Filipino that found a second home in Ubisoft Singapore. His fellow Filipino peers at the company include Crisanto Tarce III, a senior UI artist, and Beej Paz, a sound designer.

Ubisoft just opened a studio in the Philippines and Filipino game developing veterans from Singapore will be leading the studio to train the newcomers.

According to statistics gathered by bigfishgames. com, the Asia-Pacific has the most number of gamers (477 million) in the world — beating North America (192 million), and Europe, Middle East, and Africa (446 million). The Asia-Pacific also makes the most sales in video games ($25 billion).

The Philippines, a country where jobs are scarce and talent and skills are plentiful, is part of the latter region. Because of this, multinational video game development companies show interest in investing in the country. Big shot companies like Level Up! and Ubisoft already have sectors in the Philippines.

Furthermore, data gathered by Newzoo shows that global video game sales will keep increasing in the years to come. Like television and the Internet, video games won’t be disappearing any time soon.

With that being said, jobs in the gaming industry are also expected to expand. This doesn’t only cater to programmers and tech wizards either.

The development of video games is open to a wide range of positions and professions. Artists, engineers, architects, and writers, even voice actors, composers, and teachers all have a chance of making it in the industry.

Local game development teams are also making a name for themselves by showcasing their titles on international video game expos. Six PH game teams represented the country at the Tokyo Game Show 2016 in order to break into the international gaming market. Keybol Games, Monstronauts, Moocho Brain, Popsicle Games, Squeaky Wheel Studio, and Unlibox were the teams that displayed their impressive works at the event. Their creations ranged from strategy games to shooting games.

Lithium City, a game by Filipino developer Nico Tuason, was already picked up by Sony at that time. Lithium City was presented in Sony’s indie showcase booth.

If you’ve got the passion and the drive, and a plan to pursue a career in video games, then the stars favor you. The future of the gaming industry in the Philippines is bright and full of promise.

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L A A G S A T U R D AY

Anyone home? If it’s Saturday, there is probably none. The first day of freedom is often spent getting as far away as the five-day banal cycle the weekdays are. However, when either time, or budget, or both, is a problem, it is important to have a list of goto places and activities that will still ensure we enjoy what little break we are given.

Song of the day MIDDLE

by Zed

Food of the day LECHON

ART BY: MOIRA ZAMORA; BASED ON A PHOTO BY JOSHUA RAWSON HARRIS

Meme of the Day

Laag Saturday

THE VOICE OF: T h re e L e g g e d M e n

BY MICOLE TIZON; PHOTOS BY FRANZ FUA AND THREE LEGGED MEN

S

imple, average guy, and a full-blooded Cebuano.”

That was how Micmic Kindica described himself during our talk. From a kid who dreamt of being a concert pianist to a young adult who is now considered a rock star, let’s get to know more of the 25-year-old vocalist of Three Legged Men, as he shares his experience as an artist in the local music scene.

Micmic started to love music at the age of three.

Inspired by his grandfather, a former cruise ship pianist, and classics like Beethoven and Chopin, he learned to play the instrument.

However, his plans changed when he transitioned into playing the guitar in high school, and began expressing a desire to form his own band instead.

The primary reason? Guitar Hero.

Honing his guitar skills in his school’s church ministry, Micmic was soon able to form his own crew— a punk band inspired by Greenday and Goldfinger in early high school years, a heavy metal band in his junior year, and a blues and rock ‘n roll band called Purple Kush in college.

Setting up a band was a trial-and-error process for Micmic. When Purple Kush disbanded due to some misunderstandings among the bandmates, he decided to let the music dreams take a backseat and give his studies the focus they deserved. He soon graduated from the University of San Carlos with an architecture degree.

It was in 2014 when he was asked by 22 Tango Records to perform in the University of the Philippines-Cebu’s Cookout. Amazed by the opportunity to perform again, he formed a

temporary band, composed of both high school and college friends, to go on stage with him in the said event.

“After the gig, nag-expect na ko nga (I already expected that) ‘okay, we’re done,’ but they were

confusion,” and continued writing from there. I finished the song right then and there in that class.

Q: What are the challenges of your band today?

A: At present, I think it’s the busy schedule of each member, but I think we overcome that challenge

“When people can relate to our music, listen to it, and share it, it makes our heart full.” like, ‘okay, when’s the next practice, when are we doing song writing?’” Micmic narrated, reminiscing what happened after the Cookout.

He also added that it was his brother who gave him the idea to call his band Three Legged Men. “I’m like, ‘okay, so let’s push through with the band!’”

Thus, the Three Legged Men, a temporary group for a one-night gig, turned into what is now a four-year old band.

Q: What were the challenges in forming the band?

A: You have to have cohesion. When you’re in a band, you can look for amazing musicians, but it’s really different when you’re cohesive, and I think we have that as far as I’m concerned…as far as viewers are concerned. I think that’s the challenge in looking for bandmates. You really have to start off as friends — that’s really important.

Q: What inspires your music?

A: It’s cliché, but (it’s) emotions, for sure, and thought-provoking life situations — something relatable to people and experiences. I wrote Keep based on my experience when I was having a difficult time. During a math class, it just happened.

I just wrote that song, like randomly, in a yellow pad paper. I started with the line, “there’s so much

many times. We always find time to be together with the band at some point.

Q: What is your vision for the Three Legged Men? A: I think one of the many visions of Three Legged Men is we want to share our music not only in the local scene, but also nationally and maybe internationally. Apparently, we have listeners from Canada and Europe as well. I don’t know how our music reached there, but it’s a good thing because I’ve always wanted to write songs and produce our own songs.

Q: What is your message to your fans?

A: Fans…we don’t— do we have fans? (Laughs) I think I’d just like to say, I hope they keep supporting us through ups and downs. I hope they enjoy our music and that’s why we keep on playing because of them who listen to us. When people can relate to our music, listen to it, and share it, it makes our heart full. So…thank you for listening to Three Legged Men, even if we’re kinda “wa-il” here in Cebu.

Currently, Three Legged Men is going to Manila for tours. They come back home for a short break and then leave for Manila again. They also just finished recording a song, which we will soon be hearing on Spotify.

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POSE & SHOOT Location Tips for your Social Media Pics

BY ROMAR BULONG AND CARLA ALBINO; PHOTOS BY FRANZ FUA AND JAHZEEL COQUICO

Laag Saturday

O

utfit? Check. Hugot Caption? Check.

Background? Well…

Your social media persona is a fusion of many different aspects — from your strategic comments on trending videos, to the careful selection of the best display photo. Every post is a different facet of your online image. Sometimes, however, you may just really want to look pretty.

Instagram is for the exercise of harmless vanity.

You can post an #OOTD entry, or have photos of friends and family… next to a deliciouslooking plate of waffles. Twitter, on the other hand, is for vague shitposting and images of your best recreated memes. Facebook, where all your real and virtual friends — as well as real and superficial relatives — are gathered, is the home of many snapshots. From tourist spots of your weekend getaway trip, to a ‘stolen shot’ of yourself looking stunning in a well-lit café.

Looking to bump your social media photos to AASMI status (Almost A Social Media Influencer)? Metro Cebu has got you covered.

J CENTRE MALL FOOD COURT After its renovation, the Jmall Food Court quickly gained attention. It now showcases colorful mini-houses – structures that provide quirky elements for a solid profile picture. The food court’s vibrant colors can also be utilized as instant background material. They have a skypainting ceiling perfect for a makeshift Sistine Chapel-esque photo. Just look up!

BALAI CAFÉ PLUS Balai Café, named after the Cebuano word for house, lives up to its name by making sure guests feel at home. The place is also surrounded by trees, suited for nature-themed photoshoots. The

shoes-off ambiance is very laid-back, suitable for shots where you can appear relaxed and in your comfort zone.

THE PYRAMID Found in the heart of IT Park Cebu, this restaurant looks like a lost piece of Paris. Decked with metal and glass windows from floor to ceiling, its distinct architecture can be great for when a background must be as stylish as the model. Its exterior decor and lights can be an advantage for snaps at night. Trip to the Louvre still a long shot dream? Check out The Pyramid.

SUMMERS SOFT ICE CREAM AND DESSERTS This ice cream store in Ayala recently opened, and has become a go-to place for people in the business of profile pictures that are on point.

It features an indoor swing, giving a summer twist that complements their product. Not unike a professional studio with all the neon lights and ornaments, this ice cream joint looks like it was made for casual and cute photographs, where you can have summer-themed snaps all year round.

CAFÉ TALK LIBRARY Looking for a place to highlight your nonprescription glasses? This café in Escario has enough books to achieve that chic and scholarly vibe. From the artsy murals to metal pipes for ladders and stairs, this place has a lot to offer, visual-wise.

ESCARIO GRAFFITI WALL To achieve the peak graffiti greatness of the magazine’s own cover, this place is the perfect spot. Some people may still think murals and street artworks amount to vandalism, but there’s no denying their aesthetic appeal. The Escario graffiti wall extends to the main road on the way

to Ayala, useful for wide-angle shots great for cover photos.

CRAB ISLAND After a jeepney-tricycle combo ride and a 15-minute walk from the highway, you can find a beach that has its own island. Isla shots will never go out of style, and discovering your own ‘beach spot’ ensures photos that no one else will have.

The trek to this place also allows you to pass by abandoned buildings and open water with just as much visual value.

GG BLUE RESTAURANT Not only is this restaurant the place to go to for an extravagant dinner with loved ones, it also has a boardwalk lined with lamp posts. The sunset is picture-perfect, and the night time even more so. You may need to be a dining customer to take pictures, but it is entirely worth it if you’re going for a local version of Atlantic City.

PARADISE (A CLIFF-JUMPING SPOT) Is there anywhere better than a place called ‘paradise’? Given the name by locals who saw the place for the beauty that it was, this relativelyunknown cliff-jumping spot is available to the public. The great view of the ocean is a solid background, even for those who may not go through with the dive. The ledges and rocks are also good for support when you do your signature pose.

ROCK ISLAND 10 pesos? Five stars. Rock Isand is an on the rise beach that only people with intimate knowledge of Mactan are aware of. The visual of large rocks submerged in water is a staple in beach shots, and this place has them in spades. A photowalk along the shoreline during low tide can also give you great shots.

GG BLUE RESTAURANT 29

Laag Saturday

THE PYRAMID

PARADISE

ESCARIO GRAFFITI WALL 30

CRAB ISLAND

S U N D AY F A M D AY

The best way to enjoy a spontaneous movie marathon, or a home-cooked dish, is with family. Sundays are either spent in church, in a mall, or at home, under the covers and delaying the coming week through sheer force of will. Whatever the plans are, it is important to acknowledge that once in a while, everyone needs to come home.

Song of the day TOP OF THE WORLD

by Carpenters

Food of the day SINUGBANG BABOY

ART BY: RAIZZA ALIVIADO; BASED ON A PHOTO BY JAY LEE

Meme of the Day

SERVICES OFFERED ORTHODONTIC Dentistry RESTORATIVE Dentistry PROSTHODONTIC Dentistry ENDODONTIC Dentistry COSMETIC Dentistry

Sunday Famday

H E A LT H Y O P T I O N S

BY VON PLASENCIA AND JAYVEE GULFAN; PHOTOS COURTESY OF BRENDA GODINEZ

P

inoys love food. That’s a fact.

However, Filipinos often take for granted the things what they are currently eating is made of. This is common in a country of fastfood patrons and deep-dish lovers. Chances are, calorie content and the nutrition table are only acknowledged when someone is on a bikini-body diet, or forced to cut on sugar after a trip to the hospital.

“Eat now, worry later”, while a hip mindset, can be a dangerous approach to life. To ensure a good time without regrets a couple of hours – or years – later, it is good to look into alternatives for our favorite yet sadly unhealthy cravings.

MEAT BARBEQUE TOFU BARBEQUE

JUNK FOOD: POTATO CHIPS SWEET POTATO WEDGES

Is it really a street in the Philippines when there is no barbeque stand at night? Pinoys love the charred and grilled taste of meat and vegetables on a stick. Just about every part of pig and poultry has been shish-kebabbed. Unfortunately, studies show that barbeque should only be eaten once or twice a week. The chemical reaction of grilling meat on hot coals is believed to cause cancer. To satisfy your BBQ cravings, tofu can come in and take center stage. Tofu contains protein, and has all eight essential amino acids. It is made from soybeans and has zinc and Vitamin B.

Like the rest of the world, the Philippines is helpless against the indisputable pull of junk food. They can offer the entire range of flavors – from the sweet-to-spicy standard, to articifial versions of known dishes. They are the original guilty pleasure. Still, junk food is the way it’s called mostly for high amounts of monosodium glutamate (MSG) they contain, which could cause hypertension and trigger other health problems. As an alternative, one can always try sweet potato wedges. Sweet potatoes are low in calorie content and contain vitamins C and B6, which are good for the health as they help avoid cancer and cell damage.

“Sweet potatoes are low in calorie content and contain vitamins C and B6, which are good for the health as they help avoid cancer and cell damage.”

BURGER MEAT PORTOBELLO BURGER

STREET FOOD: TEMPURA VEGETABLE TEMPURA

Burgers, while a Western staple, is present in just about every fast food joint in the country.

However, burger patties contain high levels of sodium — which gives them their distinct salty taste — and can lead to high blood pressure and other heart diseases. To avoid this, one can try using Portobello mushrooms instead. These mushrooms are low in sodium, saturated fat, and cholesterol. They are also a good source of protein and other nutrients, such as vitamin B6 and zinc.

Another street household name is tempura. This instant version of the Japanese food is sweet and spicy, a combination Filipinos are often crazy about. However, the usually unknown food processing system and questionable hygiene protocol employed in the preparation of this dish makes them a big health risk. As a substitute, vegetables can join the mix. Greens such as okra, carrots, and string beans — which provides vitamin A, C, and other amino acids — are great alternatives of the beloved processed seafood sticks.

ARTIFICIALLY-SWEETENED SHAKES ORIGINAL FRUIT SHAKES A meal is incomplete without the beverage.

Diagnosed with a collective sweet tooth, Filipinos are patrons of sweetened drinks, including instant fruit shakes. Unfortunately, these can be dangerous, as some refreshment stands use “magic sugar” – sweeter and cheaper than the artificial one . While magic sugar results to less sugar intake and is often used as a weight loss alternative, it also changes taste perception. Nonnutritive sweeteners are more potent than table sugar and may alter the tongue’s receptiveness to sweet things. To avoid this, using real fruit for shakes is always the best alternative. By using honey in the place of non-nutritive sweeteners, one can enjoy a sweet beverage that is healthy at the same time.

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UNI FOOD PREREQUISITES Life as a university student would be incomplete without trying these iconic foods

BY MICOLE TIZON; PHOTOS BY MARLAUIE ESTRELLA

Sunday Famday

U

ni student ba gyud ka?

Canteen food can often be tedious, especially when they serve the same dishes over and over again. Because of this, students tend to gravitate towards restaurants and carinderias outside school, and sometimes, they find one particular place to go to.

Below are some of the food places near universities in Cebu that not only serve delicious meals, but also stand as identity markers of a true, Cebuano uni student.

1. Di ka taga-Cebu Normal University (CNU), kung wa pa ka kasuway og kaon sa Fidel’s ug Silogan Ni Gian in Ramos. Your life as a Normalite wouldn’t be complete if you haven’t eaten the famous fried chicken and porksilog just a few blocks away from outside campus.

2. Di ka taga-South Western University (SWU), kung wa pa ka kasuway og kaon sa Hideout Grill ug Refill by Manang’s Café. If you’re a Southwesterner, it is a default to love eating in this mini food park, where you can always rely on the familiar meals and beverages.

3. Di ka taga-University of San Jose-Recoletos (USJ-R), kung wa pa kaadto sa Ngohiong Express, ug kasuway og kaon sa kamote cue, banana cue, ug hilaw nga mangga beside the campus. While walking to school, the irresistible, mouth-watering smell from the stalls along this famous walkway would make it impossible for a Josenian not to try at least one of the street food mentioned.

4. Di ka taga-University of San Carlos-Talamban Campus (USC-TC), kung wa pa ka kasuway og kaon sa Siomai Madness ug Popoy’s Grill.

Truly you are a Carolian, specifically a TCnian, if you have tried and enjoyed the delicious and affordable siomai-and-sisig combos of these joints.

5. Di ka taga-University of the Visayas (UV), kung wa pa ka kasuway og kaon sa Purple Panda.

You’re missing half of your life as a Visayanian if you haven’t tried their affordable and well-loved Chinese food.

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Sunday Famday

PSST! CHECK THESE OUT!

BY VON PLASENCIA; ART BY RAIZZA ALIVIADO

If you’re a fan of: BLACK MIRROR Premiere: December 2011 Status: On-going Given the title after the reflection that can be seen through a turned-off device, Black Mirror is an anthology series that features stories about “the collective unease of the modern world”. This Netflix hit pushes the bounderies of speculative fiction, and successfully typifies the Twighlight Zone, this time in an age that makes for more sinister narratives.

Check These Out: FRINGE Premiere: September 2008 Status: Completed (January 2013) The Fringe Division, a joint Federal Task Force supported by the FBI, handles cases relating to fringe science – or pseudoscience, which deals with theories that walk the line between empirical and paranormal. From failed transhumanist experiments to bridging parallel universes, the show follows Agent Olivia Dunham as she reconfigures her orientation of reality and the physical world.

KILLJOYS Premiere: June 2015 Status: On-going Quad, a gravely populated solar system, is shaken by a revolutionary war against its tyrant ruler, a corporation called The Company. With this crisis, three Killjoys – bounty hunters from an interplanetary organization of assassins and retrieval experts – relearn their humanity as they carry out warrants for lethal, galactic micreants.

If you’re a fan of: GAME OF THRONES Premiere: April 2011 Status: On-going In the vast lands of Westeros, great and noble houses fight for the Iron throne and the control of the Seven Kingdoms. HBO’s flagship, based on George RR Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire books, beautifully balances political turmoil and age-old blood feuds, all while an ancient evil returns and heralds the coming of winter.

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Check These Out: THE SHANNARA CHRONICLES Premiere: January 2016 Status: Cancelled (November 2017) In a mythical land built from the ruins of a postapocalyptic world, a part-elf country boy, an elven princess with a grave destiny, and a smuggler saddled with a dark past, set out to protect the dying Ellcrys – a magical tree that serves as the only barrier between the Four Lands and the demon realm.

LEGEND OF THE SEEKER Premiere: November 2008 Status: Cancelled (May 2010) Taking place in a world from the book series The Sword of Truth, Richard Cypher – after learning he is a Seeker upon his father’s death – is accompanied by a Wizard of the First Order and a Confessor, to defeat Darken Rahl who threatens the welfare of the people and peace in the Midlands.

If you’re a fan of: SUPERNATURAL Premiere: September 2005 Status: On-going After their mother’s unnatural death, brothers Sam and Dean Winchester follow in their father’s footsteps in hunting down supernatural creatures that “go bump in the night”. From demons to gods of religions long gone, CW’s longest-running TV show follows the Winchester’s quest for vengeance, which ties their destinities even to angels of the Lord.

Check These Out: GRIMM Premiere: October 2011 Status: Completed (March 2017) Portland Homicide detective Nick Burkhardt learns he is part of a line of guardians known as Grimms, whose duty is to maintain the balance between humanity and mythological creatures known as Wesen.

BEAUTY AND THE BEAST Premiere: October 2012 Status: Cancelled (September 2016) Detective Catherine Chandler demands answers to the secrets she discovers about her family, all while trying to keep her relationship with ex-soldier Vincent Keller intact.As they both struggle with his beastly abilities, they must also keep their lives under the radar of the ominous organization that is hunting them both.

If you’re a fan of: BROOKLYN NINE-NINE Premiere: September 2013 Status: On-going The stern and upstanding Captain Raymond Holt takes charge of the Brooklyn 99 precinct, which proves to be a massive game changer for the talented but carefree NYPD detective Jake Peralta.

Together with a ragtag team of colorful individuals, NBC’s newest addition to their lineup features the solving of crimes with wit, ingenuity, and a healthy dose of snark.

Check These Out: THE GOOD PLACE Premiere: September 2016 Status: On-going The selfish and self-absorbed Eleanor Shellstrop arrives at what seems like heaven shortly after her death. Although she thinks she was mistaken for someone else as her life of bad behavior could not have landed her there, Eleanor intends to keep her spot in town. Along with her new, ‘good’ friends, she tries to correct her mistakes and earn her spot in The Good Place.

PARKS AND RECREATION Premiere: April 2009 Status: Completed (January 2015) After having elected as a new official in the Indiana Parks and Recreation Department, Leslie Knope hopes to beautify her town against all odds - namely, the government’s red tapes, her rival’s schemes to taker her down, and other forces at work to see her fail.

Enjoy the serene view of the sea and the captivating sunsets while basking in their infinity pool. Spend your vacation with the one closest to you where it always feels like summer!

Find us at Bunga, Baybay City, Leyte Contact 09151380082 for reservation and visit our facebook page “Aqua Azul�