Why is it that the moment a man starts using skincare, people question his masculinity?  In a patriarchal and conservative society like the Philippines, when a man begins to use skincare, he would be suddenly labeled as “girly,” “metrosexual,” or “too vain.” But why has men’s basic grooming become so controversial?    This mindset isn’t just outdated –– it’s rooted in sexism. “Girly” hobbies have long been considered inferior to their male counterparts. We’ve seen it in how boyband fangirls are seen as “crazy” and “rabid” and yet equally enthusiastic male sports fans are called “passionate” and “loyal.”    But...

  This year has utterly embezzled the fun from us — and while Christmas is just around the corner, there’s no reason for us to cancel the celebration and excitement during the Yuletide season. In fact, Health Secretary Francisco Duque said on Tuesday, December 1, that he sees no need to place the region under a “more stringent lockdown” during the Christmas season. He instead told the public to continue following minimum health standards. Although the Octa Research Team has warned of a possible rise of COVID-19 infections during the holiday season, as people are expected to gather for parties...

Asia’s Romantic Balladeer and NYMA co-managed talent Christian Bautista recently visited Indonesia, igniting a whirlwind of musical nostalgia and creative exploration. Initially in Bali to grace and perform at a high-profile wedding, his trip eventually turned into a reacquaintance with the vibrant Indonesian music scene and a homecoming of sorts.   The pinnacle of his visit was a remarkable triumph in a virtual sing-off with talented Indonesian artist Fabio Asher in the Trebel Versus battle in the Trebel music app. Voted in by millennials, Bautista’s original “Since I Found You” from the 2005 EP ‘Completely’ ranked higher than the hometown...

First impressions might not be everything, but electronic soul duo Bajula shows inimitable promise with the release of their debut single “Catching You” a few months ago. The irresistible slow jam, whose retro-inspired R&B shows no signs of withering away, received consistent airplay at Jam 88.3 for weeks, and even gained traction online—thanks to its hilarious music video and sultry, infectious vibe. Two months after the maiden song became available on various streaming platforms, Alvin “Vertigo” Guanlao and Jolo “Frazier” Juatco return with a follow-up track that blends bedroom R&B/pop confessionals with homemade instrumentation. Their sophomore single “Bad Man” is...

Every election is crucial. Campaign paraphernalia, commercials aimed at persuading audiences, and speeches centered around visions and proposals on different societal issues—these are just some of the elements that make the 2025 National Election significant and worth watching.   With 18,280 seats open, many aspirants are seizing the chance to lead and serve the Filipino people. However, surprisingly expected, well-known political family names are still vying for various positions. This has sparked discussions about what these same figures will do with the same issues that have remained unresolved by past officials. Will they bring something fresh and effective? Or are...