The famous Ysalina Bridge, or commonly called the Carmen Bridge, is the first bridge in Cagayan de Oro built around the 1930s.

There are places you visit because they are beautiful, places you return to because you had a great experience, and then there are places that will always feel like home no matter how far life takes you. For me, that place is Cagayan de Oro City. I may be based in BGC, Taguig today, surrounded by skyscrapers, busy streets, restaurants, offices, and the fast-paced lifestyle of Metro Manila, but a big part of me still belongs to CDO. I completed my schooling there, from elementary to high school and eventually college, so when I think about Cagayan de Oro, I am not simply thinking about a destination on a map. I am thinking about the place where I grew up, made memories, met people who became part of my life, and slowly became the person I am today.

Transform your living room into Westeros with PLDT Home Fiber Unli All Plan 2499, which comes with an HBO Max standard subscription for your home entertainment, among other inclusions!

The battle for the Iron Throne has never been more intense. With House of the Dragon Season three promising to deliver more jaw-dropping drama and dragon action, fans across the country are back at it – gathering every week to witness the fate of Westeros.

Some experiences entertain you for a night.

Others stay with you for a lifetime.

Last November 23, 2025, I had the opportunity to attend Day 2 of BLACKPINK’s “DEADLINE” World Tour in Manila. After many years of being a fan, I finally saw the group perform LIVE.

The Five People You Meet in Heaven is a philosophical and emotional novel published in 2003. The story explores life, death, purpose, forgiveness, sacrifice, and the invisible connections between people. It asks one major question:

I didn’t expect RAYE’s “This Music May Contain Hope” album to hit me this hard. As a first-time listener, this album feels less like a playlist and more like a story—one that moves from pain to healing across 17 tracks.

I knew Raye was talented—everyone talks about her voice—but I didn’t realize she could make an album that feels like a whole life story. This Music May Contain Hope isn’t just something you play in the background. It’s something you sit with. It’s heavy, dramatic, sometimes messy… but also beautiful.

Mindanao, Philippines (October 28, 2025) – Big Bad Wolf Books is making its highly anticipated return to Davao, teaming up with the community from November 13 to 24, 2025, at The Tent, Azuela Cove. More than just a book sale, this event is a warm invitation to gather, read, share, and rebuild through the magic of stories.

Photo by WeTV

The Beauty Inside (2018), starring Seo Hyun-jin and Lee Min-ki, will always be my top pick when asked what K-Drama Series I've ever loved. This drama series is one of the best instances of how a romantic comedy doesn't have to reinvent the wheel to win your heart, despite the fact that some people will roll their eyes and call it "too cheesy" or "predictable."

Photo screen-grabbed from Umaaligid music film on YouTube

I’ll be honest—ever since Umaaligid dropped, it’s been living rent-free on my Spotify playlist. I was at the gym when it was released on YouTube, and as a long-time Popster, my world stopped for a moment. Sarah Geronimo teaming up with SB19 already felt like a once-in-a-lifetime collab, but what I got wasn’t just a song or a music video. It was a full-on ten-minute music film that left me feeling both thrilled and unsettled.

The music film kicks off with chaos: a destroyed house party, Victor’s lifeless body on the floor, and red sirens flashing against the walls. The camera shifts to the suspects—Sarah and the five members of SB19—standing in line at the police station. Each recounts their version of the night’s events. The twist? Every story is different, but each one quietly suggests, “Maybe I did it.”

As the story unfolds, I feel trapped in a swirl of conflicting flashbacks that never seem to fit together. Was it jealousy? Betrayal? Pride? With every retelling, the truth feels just a little further away. And while the mystery deepens, Sarah’s soaring vocals and SB19’s harmonies keep the whole thing glued together with tension you can actually feel.

By the time the final frame fades, we don’t really know who killed Victor. And that’s the point. The music film isn’t about giving us clean answers—it’s about making us sit with the mess: guilt, pride, rage, and the way memory can twist when emotions run high.

Watching Umaaligid is like being at a live concert, diving into a crime drama, and scrolling through a heated fan forum debate all at once. It’s a mix of performance, mystery, and a psychological game that challenges you to question: do we really crave the truth, or just the version that fits our understanding?

At the end of the day, Sarah Geronimo and SB19 didn’t just give us a collaboration. They gave us an experience. One that makes you press replay, not just for the music, but for the questions it leaves behind. And let me talk about the music—because wow. SB19’s intricate sound creates a haunting atmosphere, and then Sarah’s ad-libs just cut through everything like lightning. The tension, the emotion, the energy—it’s a performance that you feel as much as you hear. And honestly? That’s why it’s still sitting proudly on my Spotify playlist, on repeat.

"The latest track from both Filipino pop icons has just made an impressive debut on Billboard’s World Digital Song Sales chart, positioning itself at No. 4 on the chart. This chart-breaking achievement from both Geronimo and SB19 was achieved with only two days of tracking on the chart, given that it was only released Wednesday, July 30, 2025." -Billboard PH

To close, as a longtime Sarah Geronimo fan, seeing her join forces with SB19 in something this ambitious feels special. It’s not just a collab—it’s a piece of art. One that shows how far OPM and P-pop can go when artists are bold enough to experiment.

YouTube link:

UMAALIGID - Sarah Geronimo & SB19 [Official Music Film]

BLACKPINK, photo courtesy of YG Entertainment

Hey, this one's for you, Blink family. Even though I've been following BLACKPINK since their debut—can you believe that's been over ten years?—I still feel a rush whenever they release a new song. I was thus prepared—and thrilled, perhaps a little nostalgic as well—when I heard "𝕵𝖚𝖒𝖕," the first time it was released following a protracted three-year GG hiatus.

The Premiere Moment

They sang it live at the Deadline World Tour launch in Goyang, South Korea, on July 5. Imagine stadium lights, spectators screaming, and suddenly the beat hits. I had goosebumps as if we were all newborn Blinks again.

This Sound Has a Unique Hit

I hit play when the complete single came out on July 11. And those hard-style dance-pop beats, amazing. Instant adrenaline. Sharp and powerful, the chorus is designed to evoke a club or performance atmosphere. It's not subtle or gentle, and that's precisely why I found it so BLACKPINK.

It's Not Just About Energy

"𝕵𝖚𝖒𝖕" signifies a genuine reconnection. Every member—Jisoo, Lisa, Jennie, and Rose—had been traveling alone, pursuing acting, music, and other endeavors. However, even after some time away, this song reinforces their strength as a group and their harmony. Plus, it’s a monster on the charts. Topped the Billboard Global 200 and reigns across Southeast Asia and more. In South Korea, it grabbed eight music show wins. That’s domination. | -Wikipedia

Not everyone is crushing it, though

Not all fans are head-over-heels. Some think it ends too abruptly or lacks depth in the chorus, missing a memorable bridge. Still, others are all in—calling it a banger and praising its fresh energy. A few say it’s more like a fun club track than a full comeback sound, but hey—that’s exactly why it stands out. | From a random Reddit post

Final Thoughts

FULL LYRICS HERE from Genius Lyrics

BLACKPINK - 뛰어 (𝕵𝖚𝖒𝖕) (Romanized)