The 8 Best Moments of EXO Planet #5 – EXplOration in Manila

A spectacular two-night #EXplOration filled with roaring performances and unforgettable moments for Pinoy EXO-Ls and the K-mmunity PH

After almost a year of anticipation, the most-awaited of days has finally arrived when the extraordinarily popular K-pop boyband EXO (they are the only Korean Artists who have over 10 million cumulative album sales in Korea) made their return to Manila with their 5^th world tour, EXO Planet #5 – EXplOration. Originally set as just a one-night concert, #EXplOrationinManila became a two-night affair, thanks to the outpour of requests from the passionate Filipino EXO-Ls.

This year’s installment of the EXO Planet only saw 6 members (Suho, Baekhyun, Chen, Chanyeol, Kai, and Sehun) visit Manila as Xiumin and D.O. just enlisted for their mandatory military service, while Lay is still promoting his mini-album “Honey” in China. Albeit the absence of the three, PH EXO-Ls did not fail to still showcase their undying love and support for the group.

With the hashtag #EXplOrationinManila dominating the top spot of worldwide and local social media trends, there is no question as to how ecstatic PH EXO-Ls are to see EXO in the flesh and see them perform hits such as “Tempo,” “Love Shot,” “Call Me Baby” and “Growl.”

Whether you’re team #EXplOrationinManila Day 1 or Day 2, let Globe and the K-mmunity PH relive the best moments of the boys with their Eris at #EXplOrationinManila.

1.       #TheUltimateStan winners and EXO-Ls enjoying the K-mmunity PH studio booths

     Prior to the two-night concert, Globe and Happee Hour announced the Search for the Ultimate Stan: EXO Edition on the K-mmunity PH Facebook group to look for the best EXO-Ls that can complete a set of challenges. Globe at Home also had a pre-sale raffle for existing customers of Home Prepaid WiFi and even gave out exclusive merch to lucky stans for every purchase of Home Prepaid WiFi or Streamwatch Xtreme Prepaid units.

The winners of the Ultimate Stan received a special VIP experience and a tour of the K-mmunity studio booths, which was opened to the public later on.  The Ultimate Stan winners and the rest of the K-mmunity PH definitely had a blast as they got to sing and dance to their beloved EXO hits; on top of that, everyone who signed-up for the K-mmunity Facebook group took home collectible concert pins, too!

2.       A thrilling opening set

Once the lights and smoke cleared, the six members, clad like speed racers, made their presence felt amidst the sea of roaring EXO-Ls and started strong with their 2018 title-track dance hit, “Tempo.” It was immediately followed by a nostalgic dance rendition of “Transformer,” another chart-topper from their 2015 album EXODUS.  EXO capped off their exhilarating opening set with the spacey retro-funk “Gravity” and electro-pop bob “Sign.”

  

DUNKIN’ COFFEE DAY FOR A LONELY SAILOR

A cup in hand makes all the difference

I have always been a Dunkin Donut baby. My mama would bring home a box of assorted sweet treats and the pin box with orange accent brings much excitement to the little me. My favorite would be the strawberry sprinkles and the Bavarian donut. Thinking about it brings me great smiles. I remember biting the sugar powdered bread and having to wipe my face with my baby hanky just to dust off the Bavarian cream in my cheeks.

So which should we get first?

I remember this one time I was probably 6years old. My mama and I went grocery shopping and there was this Dunkin' Donut stall inside the supermarket. I wanted one. She was in such a rush with all the stuff we brought. I cried because I WANT ONE. She said no. I gave her "the attitude" all through out the ride home. She got fuming mad because I was screaming inside the jeepney making sure that "everyone" can hear me. Telling random people that I am really hungry and she was starving a poor boy. She gave me the stare. I gave her the stare back. She pinched my legs. And the rest, well, was history. *wink*

  

In some of my bad days at work, my only quick fix would be one bunwhich and some cold coffee. Then I would sit in a corner and contemplate about my life, my dreams, aspirations and fantasies. After quite some time, i'm okay again. Ready to face the world. Yep, nothing beats a bad day than just a moment of silence inside a sweet vanilla smelling Dunkin' Donut store.

That's my very good friend A Not so Secret life who is so
effortless when it comes to posing for a good shot

Growing up, I have become a habitual coffee drinker. My work days would consist of daily lunch routines to be capped off by a nice sweet smell of Dunkin Donuts coffee. The ladies in the Dunkin store already knew what I wanted. One cup of black coffee and two sugar. No donuts on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. And on Tuesdays and Thursdays, three butternuts.

Yup, my afternoon is fueled by the caffeine boost. Not only that it costs lesser than other brands, the sweet smelling vanilla scent when you enter the store brings back a lot of good memories.

COOL OFF YOUR STRESSFUL DAYS AT MALUMPATI COLD SPRING, ANTIQUE

This post might be long overdue but let me tell you a little story. There are times when I imagine myself floating in a river of ice and drifting towards an ice castle. Further down, a row of white polar bears would wait in line to welcome me in their kingdom. I am a king there.

And then I wake up.

Some days, I lose myself dreaming about mundane things, and other days, I am planning on unexpected weekend getaway with friends.

This particular trip, I was with a good buddy Joebert. He is a seafarer and just gotten off from a 9-month contract. A trip we both needed. It was a three day travel from Aklan to Antique which eventually led us to this cool spring water resort.

One of the cleanest river in the country

Malumpati Cold Spring is located in Brgy. Guia Pandan Antique. The resort is known for its pristine spring water popular for the family. From Aklan, we took the bus going to Antique and instructed the driver to drop us off in the transportation area going to the cold spring.

I had often wondered where the word MALUMPATI came from. But through some thorough research, it has come to my conclusion that it is actually a local word which means “Malumpat and Ati” or the Aeta will jump. Talking with the locals, it was believed that before, when the resort was not as known as it is today, many aeta or atis used to jump and take a clean bath in the crystal clear blue waters. Thus MALUMPATI had its name.

The eraly morning view of the resort.
People would usually flock on Saturdays and Sundays at 8AM

A lifeguard is on watch the entire time to make sure that no accident will take place

The resort has a lot of photo worthy spots you can lounge on

One of it's exciting adventure is jumping on this 7ft ledge

How to get there:

1. From Iloilo City, ride a jeep to Molo Terminal. Ride a ceres bus going to Pandan, Antique. Bus fare is at P100

2. Drop off at Pandan Plaza and ride a motorcycle going to Malumpati Cold Spring. Fare is at 250 one way

Things to take note:

Opening Hours: 7:30AM – 4PM

Admission Fee:

P40- Adults

P30- Senior Citizens and PWD’s

P10- Kids

Accommodation:

Cottages- P200-500

Overnight rooms- P1200-1800

Activities:

Water Tubing- P200/person

Trek- P200

Food- 1,000 for 3 pax depending on appetite

The serene set where the preparation and briefing happens
before you do the water tubbing

Us not minding the happy people doing their jump shots

Us doing the mandatory jump

When in Antique, do what the tourist do

The very sturdy floater

Skincare essentials at Zensuals Beauty and Nail Lounge

Please don't judge me. I seldom do my skincare sessions and this is the first time I am sharing it in public. You see, I do not do any steps when taking care of my skin. And to pamper myself daily, I usually follow these simple routine:

1. Wash your face before sleeping

A must for me since I usually spend my time outdoors. This would give you some breathing space to clear out all the pollution and dirt that got stuck in your pores.

2. Sleep

Yep. As much as I am a night person, I make sure to get enough sleep and that would range from 6-7 hours of total rest. I get all cranky if I tend to receive less of it.

Yup, that's basically my skincare process. But hey, i do not have the perfect skin and that is because of my poor time management and being lazy in applying all these inorganic chemicals. My therapist would tell me that I have a very bad case of uneven skin tone. I totally agree with her. With forceful perseverance, I tried Zensuals Beauty and Nail lounge. And so, my skincare sessions begins.

Located at the 2nd floor of Festive Walk Mall, Iloilo Business Park

But to sum it all up, let me show you my very first attempt to VLOG. hahaha

Unplugged 101: Tell me something I needed to hear

Dear 29-year- old self,

How are you doing? It’s been a while since my last attempt to get in touch with you. I know you are scared right now and things will be scarier in the coming days. Hold on tight, life is meant to be scary and terrifying and dark at the same time. That is the reason why outliving life is even more special.

Never forget that you were born strong, and no amount of fear or rejection nor hurt can ever bring you down. You have been through the worst and maybe some of the most down you can ever be. Did you remember the time when you had nothing but a dime in your hand a head full of dreams and possibilities? You never gave up then. You saw the future as a bright glittering universe ready to be conquered. You were hopeful, and nothing can ever come between you and your victory. It was wonderful how you vividly planned and spun the web of success in your spinning wheel.

But reality is cruel and mean in its own way. You fell hard into that corporate stream of heartbreaks crushing your innocent spirit away. Yes, you have experienced rain, and it was just not the usual drizzle, it was a hurricane of tears and disappointments taking the very hope of your life. But did you give up?

No, you did not give up. Not even when your mama gave her permanent goodbye leaving you lifeless and lost. Not even when you took over the baggage that needed to be carried when she left. You did not give up. You took the stand with dry eyes and a hard cold heart. I know you have given a piece of yourself away in that process, and you were ok to willingly give it anyway. You had no choice. Its either you move forward, or you lag and sulk with the shallow misery. Remember this: You did not give up.

Think again how sweet the taste of success felt like. How addicted you were to its honeycomb sweetness and how it became your ambrosia to strive more and become the man you were meant to be. Can you remember the determination in your eyes every time you wake up in the morning? Your eyes, oh how scary your eyes looked then. Mischievous and cunning, sharp and ravenous. But people would not understand why you were hungry. They would never comprehend your desire because it was disguised as greed for recognition and validation. Your silence has made them think it was true. 

Unplug 101: A guide to sailing life

Hey everyone!

Now that I get to have more time creating words out of my imagination, I have come to create on board diaries. I'll try as much as I can to write creatively and hopefully inspire some random readers that what we actually experience everyday is normal.

That crying your hearts out is normal. That living is normal. That waking up feeling down and bitter is normal.

YOU ARE NOT ALONE.

Because in this sea of words and realizations, life is a one great ocean wave of adventure.

So happy sailing guys!

And tune in to the next feature on thursday!

AGITOY- A LITERARY CELEBRATION

Kasing-kasing press is making waves with its new publication of a gay literary anthology of poems collected and edited by Mr. Noel Deleon. 

Here are some of the most fearless voices among West Visayan writers. The poems mirror not only the writers' craftsmanship in language, but also their awakened sensibilities in tackling social issues such as kaagian. May the voices and the poems in this collection serve as guide to understanding ourselves, the others, and our nation. May these poems make way for the literature from the region to continue to thrive, while at the same time recognize and respect gender and identity. -Noel G. de Leon

Inday

Sa imu pag kiay-kiay

Gainit ang ulo ni tatay

Abi mag hinayhinay

Kay daw ma rumpag ang balay

Inday

Untati ang make up ni nanay

Indi pag hampangi ang pamaypay

Kay daw lab-on ka ni maninay

Inday

Ano sagad mo pang hai-hai

Daw indi madrawing imo kilay

Nagadugang ang imu kalaw-ay

Inday

Kalimti na nga isa ka ka lin-ay

Hikapa ang imu nga laylay

Kay basi dira ka malipay

Magbugtaw sa ayahay

Nga indi ikaw inday

This is one of the two pieces I sent which was not approved by the body. The comment was that it wasn't empowering enough as as I come to realize, isn't aligned with the advocacy of this publication. I wanted to highlight repression and social pressure. But the end part was problematic as . I was to lazy to fix it up so I just let it go. Maybe someday, when I am feeling different, I would further improve and change this.

But for now, I'll just let it be.