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Binondo, the country’s Chinatown and the world’s oldest, continues to brim with pride. It held its fort from its humble beginnings when it was all just a flat, marshy land until it erected buildings and establishments of cultural relevance. Binondo’s heritage can be traced back to the Spanish colonial era when Chinese immigrants were restricted […]
We have entered a new era in OPM or Filipino music. For years, even decades, mainstream music was dominated by novelty songs. We can’t help it – Filipinos are simply happy people. It’s one of the reasons why novelty songs almost always reach our households and communities faster than the speed of light. Who doesn’t […]
Flickering lights, fair-goers moving at a glacial pace – I stopped. The mini-Octopus ride next to me starts spinning. As the riders shout on top of their lungs for the temporary high, the familiar sound of the first piano key of ‘Oo’ started playing. Behind a sea of blurry heads nodding and hands waving, that moment, […]
Paintings have been around for a long time. During prehistoric times, nomadic humans used paintings to mark caves they lived in with their stories. These paintings are our only proof of how they lived and where. The oldest paintings can be dated back to 42,000 years ago. How did it start? The motivation or inspiration […]
“There are monsters among us, and some of them are human,” If you haven’t seen the Netflix Pinoy animated series, Trese, why? Just kidding. Over the last two weeks, Pinoys have found a new reason to glue their eyes on TV. Thanks to the release of the much-awaited animated series, Trese, there is now another […]
You may have noticed this old, forgotten, and decaying building when you pass by Ermita in Manila. Despite the wear and tear of this old building, it manages to show the intricate details and art that form this archival structure. If you look closely at the glass windows, the carvings on the walls, and the […]
Zero. Two. One. Three. One. Zero. If you’re a Filipino, you would be familiar with a sequence like that, said in a robotic voice. This number sequence leads to a song when entered into a karaoke machine. Karaoke is a big part of Filipino culture. A lot of our celebrations have music and singing. Machines […]
Let me straighten my back. Breathe. Ready? Hit play. Now, don’t be fooled by the title. While I’m a staunch Eraserheads fan, we’re not going to focus only on them. Let’s see how this will pan out. I’m currently playing the first song in the Pinoy rock playlist I’ll feature below while typing. Let’s find out […]
Tinikling is one of the best-known folk dances in the Philippines. It originated in Leyte during the Spanish occupation of the country. Tinikling was born out of the need of local Filipinos to survive the punishment of standing between two bamboo poles, which were then clapped together. The word tinikling came from the name of […]
Acting, dancing, and singing. That exhilarating feeling when the show reaches its closing scene. These are the things theater enthusiasts long to experience again. Although canceled shows and live-streamed plays are scenarios theater faces today, most theater organizations must adjust and innovate in this time of the pandemic since mass gatherings are forbidden. By defying all odds, […]