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by Aezel Eugenio

Dadum! Netflix is a streaming service that offers a wide variety of award-winning TV shows, movies, anime, documentaries, and more on thousands of internet-connected devices.

You can watch as much as you want, whenever you want without a single commercial – all for one low monthly price. There's always something new to discover and new TV shows and movies are added every week!

When I'm not too busy, I always watch Netflix. It is something that recharges my energy after a long and exhausting day. Something I enjoy doing at night, something I find addictive. This is how I spend my time alone.

But, even before the pandemic, my friends and I used to watch Netflix when class was too boring. We usually sit near the back of the room or near the wall, and because the students in our room have a table for two and open storage under the desk, we keep our phones under the table. It's perfect for Netflix and chill. We got the aircon on, had our hoodies on, snacks are ready under the table, and ready to hit the play button.

When I watch Netflix in bed with the lights turned off, I find it very relaxing. It serves as both a stress reliever and a pain reliever. This is where I go when I have a problem and need to take a break. I was always captivated by the movies or television shows I watched and developed an attachment to them.

I enjoy talking with my friends about the shows I've seen and ranting at them if something I don't like happens on the scenes. This may be a common hobby, but it is an important part of my life that I cannot give up. Watching great and good series or movies relieves my boredom and provides me with pleasure.

by: Aezel Eugenio

Photo by: GMA Network

A mother has been locked up inside a cage made of bamboo, metal, and wood by her own family. A small cage being accompanied by chickens inside. This story has been featured in Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho.

 According to the KMJS episode on May 9, 2021,  “Maya,” 33, has been locked for almost a year in a small cage in Antique. Maya has been being fed and taken care of by her young daughter. She eats and sleeps inside even urinating and defecating.

 She is been suffering from a serious mental disorder called Schizophrenia. She sometimes destroys the lock of her cage and runs away. She often talks to the chickens inside as if they are her child. She sometimes talks loudly as if she was arguing with someone.  Her father said he is afraid that she can hurt them seriously that’s why they locked her. 

 Maya has been abused in her previous job in Saudi Arabia. When she got back to the Philippines she told her father she was lucky she made it alive. Her condition worsened when she gave birth to her youngest child. Her father claimed she induced labor and severed the umbilical cord herself. Fortunately, her family was able to get her and the baby to the hospital as soon as possible. 

 She was released from the hospital, but her baby had to stay in the hospital due to premature birth and this has caused her to go berserk. The barangay in Parañaque brought her to a mental hospital, where she stayed for more than a month and got better. Maya and her husband are divorced, and her three children have moved in with different relatives. That’s where she begins to worsened her condition to the point she destroy the roof, hit electric wires, attacked people, that’s why they had to lock her up.

 Maya's family stated that she had previously been able to consult with a doctor, but they were unable to continue her treatment because they could not afford it. Fortunately, Maya was given financial assistance and transported to the West Visayas State University Medical Center in Iloilo, which was six hours away from her town, with the help of the KMJS team. The Safe Haven stated that it would cover the medical costs of  Maya and the other patients in her town.

by: Aezel Eugenio

Photo by: powestation_

Visuals. Talents. Vocal. Dance. Rap. and Concept. These are the main reasons why people love and support K-POP. Korea does not succeed only in K-POP groups but also in K-Dramas. Their consistently growing fashion sense is the origin of today's trendy clothes. From Korean skincare regimens dominating the cosmetics industry to delicious and popular Korean foods.

While global pop has traditionally been dominated by Western styles of music, South Korean K-pop is now challenging its supremacy. Due to its unique and addictive songs, slick choreography and production values, also the performers who spend years in training to sing stably while dancing in perfect synchrony, K-pop has become a truly global phenomenon. In the last five to ten years, K-pop, in particular, has grown in popularity among global audiences.

Electronic, hip hop, pop, rock, and R&B are just a few of the musical genres explored by K-pop artists. K-pop music videos are known for their visual effects and storylines. Wearing colorful and matching costumes and having a perfectly synchronized choreography are always included in the artists’ performances.

However, K-pop fame and glory do not come easily because K-pop artists are frequently recruited at a young age by different entertainment agencies, enrolling in schools that specialize in vocals, dance, rap, acting and language classes. They frequently go through several years of rigorous training before being sorted into groups and making their debut. SM, YG, and JYP are the 3 biggest company in K-pop industry also known as the “Big 3”. 

BTS became an unbeatable US phenomenon in 2017 up until now, with songs hitting on the Billboard Music Award, having a massive performance at the American Music Awards, New Year's Eve performance in Times Square and so much  more!. BTS won the Billboard Music Awards' Top Social Artist award, breaking Justin Bieber's streak of winning every year since the award's inception in 2011. They made history by becoming the first K-pop group to top the Billboard 200 chart in the United States. BTS's massive international success highlights how K-pop has reached millions of American fans from around the world.

Moreover, BLACKPINK was the first K-pop girl group to perform at Coachella and the first to reach 1 billion YouTube views — they are now the most subscribed music group on Youtube. They've sat front row at runway shows and been the faces of major brands such as Chanel,  Dior, Louis Vuitton, and Puma. There are many more K-pop artists who have risen to the top of the industry, including TWICE, ITZY, RED VELET, EXO, NCT, SNSD, 2NE1, and more! 

by: Aezel Eugenio

photo by: Lester Ledesma

One of the Seven Wonder Cities of the World! According to UNESCO, Vigan is the best-preserved example of a planned Spanish colonial town in Asia and has been added to the list of World Heritage Sites. Vigan City has a unique attraction that everyone would appreciate, as it’s one of the best-preserved Spanish colonial cities in the world. This place is worth visiting if you want to experience its famous heritage houses, cobblestone streets, kalesas, historic attractions, and delicious cuisine.

There are two ways to get there, the first is to travel by bus or private car from Manila, which will take 8 to 10 hours depending on traffic.  Second, you can book a plane ticket from Manila to Laoag City and it will only take an hour. Once you get there you will be greeted by the nostalgic scenery way back to the 1500s.

photo by: Lester Ledesma / Dan Lundberg

The most popular tourist attraction in Vigan is Calle Crisologo. The grounds are made of cobblestones, and you can see ancestral houses that have been meticulously preserved throughout the years. You can ride a kalesa or simply take fun walking around with your friends or family. Next is the Syquia Mansion Museum, its antique furniture, paintings, and exhibit from the time of President Elpidio Quirino will truly fascinate you. In fact,  this mansion was owned by his wife from the Syquia family.

photo by: Lester Ledesma / Jinger Cabillen

You can also pay a visit to the Vigan Cathedral, which is based on a Baroque architectural design to strengthen the structure against earthquakes. It is located just in front of Plaza Salcedo, where you can take a sit for a while or relax and watch the dancing fountain at night for free! As a result, many tourists enjoy posing for pictures between these two iconic structures.

photo by: Lester Ledesma / Cielo Fernando

Here are the other things you can do in Vigan, you can try pottery making! You can visit Pagbunaryan Jar Factory as it is open for tourist who wants to experience making pottery with their own hands. Abel cloth is a traditional woven product in Vigan that is known for its distinctive beauty and durability. Many families pass down Abel cloth to future generations as heirlooms because it represents their culture. Cristy's Loomweaving, Rowilda's Loomweaving, Vigan Public Market, and Calle Crisologo are all worth a visit.

photo by: Cielo Fernando / Lester Ledesma

If you get hungry, try their famous Vigan longganisa and empanada! Vigan longganisa is bursting with flavor, with garlic, salt, paper, and special herbs and spices. Tourists who visit Vigan never leave without purchasing this delightful treat for their family and friends back home. You should also try the Vigan empanada. Their empanadas are filled with meat, vegetables, and eggs, and are served with the best vinegar sauce! 

photo by: Hotel Luna Vigan

If you felt tired from exploring and start looking for good hotels in Vigan, upon request, The Arce Mansion can host a special dinner and book a room for you. This is a living experience, where you can also dress up during those periods to portray various classes of people. In Grandpa’s Inn & Restaurant, The inn has its own notable restaurants, along with sizzling delights in Uno Grille, or local Ilocano dishes at Kusina Felicitas and Cafe Uno, and you can choose from family, economy rooms, or one of their astounding themed rooms. Paradores de Vigan is ideal for both business and leisure travelers as it offers tastefully furnished rooms and suites, this is the perfect choice if you want to stay in Vigan longer. You can also try the 4-star Hotel Luna, the Philippines' first museum hotel that serves Spanish-Filipino cuisine with an option for al fresco dining, and it has a rooftop terrace with panoramic views of the city.

The city of Vigan is a place to remember and to understand what Filipino culture really is. The well-preserved, refined Calle Crisologo of the Ilocanos is living proof of our best ability to restore and conserve culture among many other countries in the world. It will allow you to see the past, as it is a structure rich in history.

by: Aezel Eugenio

Photo source: Sunstar

 “Lumipad ang aming team”, every Pinoy's ears was filled with these familiar words. A multi-awarded broadcast journalist host who loves to share topics that are very interesting to the viewers. That’s the one and only, the famous Jessica Soho.

 Jessica Soho is a Filipina broadcast journalist known as the host of the news magazine program Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho on GMA Network and she has formerly anchored the newscast State of the Nation with Jessica Soho on GMA News TV. She was born in La Union, Philippines on March 27, 1964, and finished Mass Communication in UP Diliman. Her career started in January 1985 when she joined the GMA News to voice over a feature story.

 She is the first Filipino to win British Fleet Journalism Award and New York Film Festival.  She also received the Ka Doroy Valencia Award and Grand Prize from the Asia Pacific Broadcasting Union for her coverage of a breaking news story. She is included in the list of 100 Filipino Women of Distinction chosen during the centennial celebration of the Philippines. And receive a lot more awards and achievements with her hard work and perseverance in the industry.

 Her personality is defined by her desire for freedom. She enjoys adventure, meeting new people, and she aspires to see the world. She also enjoys being involved in multiple activities. She has an inspiring personality that makes it easy for her to make friends and attracts people. She has a way with words and a great ability to motivate others.

 She is multi-talented and possesses a wide range of abilities. Discipline and focus are the true keys to her success. She will not be able to fully benefit from her abilities without these. Her ambition is to settle down in one place and develop her skills well enough to earn a living and achieve success through hard work and perseverance. Through her journey, she hopes to discover the true meaning of inner freedom.