𝗙𝗘𝗔𝗧𝗨𝗥𝗘: "Red Hopes, Golden Prosperities: The Quintessential Chinese New Year Treasures" by Kyla Joy Pontiga

 

Layout by: Edward Tabig

Published by: Keshia Gwyneth Esposa 

Date Published: Feb 17, 2026

Time Published: 12:19 PM

As January ends and February begins, the atmosphere slowly changes. Stores glow in red and gold, lanterns hang by doors and windows, and families begin preparing for a celebration filled with hope and tradition. Ordinary days seem brighter, as a new countdown begins—not just for another date on the calendar, but for a meaningful new beginning.

Rooted in centuries of belief and prosperity, China has shared traditions that continue to influence countries like the Philippines. Today, many Filipinos celebrate two New Years—the global New Year in January and the Lunar New Year that welcomes fresh luck, abundance, and unity. It is a time when families gather, greet one another with “Gong Xi Fa Cai,” and fill their homes with symbols of good fortune.

As the celebration nears, preparations quietly unfold. A glow of red by the doorway, something sweet and something long on the table, a few envelopes set aside, and distant drums ready to echo through the streets—are you ready for it all? To help you welcome the year with prosperity and joy, here are five must-haves for your Chinese New Year celebration—essentials that will make it both memorable and meaningful.

TIKOY

It is common knowledge that when February arrives, it is not only Chinese New Year season—it is finally Tikoy season. This beloved Filipino-Chinese rice cake, known in China as Nian Gao, fills homes and markets with its sweet, familiar presence. From classic brown sugar to peanut or strawberry flavors, Tikoy is more than a festive treat—it is a symbol of sweetness and luck as we welcome another year.

Its name comes from the Chinese words meaning “year higher,” reflecting the hope that life will rise to greater heights. Because of this, Tikoy has become a symbol of growth, progress, and new beginnings. Each slice shared at the table carries a quiet wish—that dreams will grow bigger, goals will come closer, and the coming year will be better than the last.

Made from simple ingredients like water, glutinous rice flour, sugar, and your preferred flavoring, Tikoy is easy to prepare yet rich in meaning. Many Filipinos add their own twist by dipping it in egg and frying it until golden, blending tradition with local taste. Pair it with another Filipino delicacy, and you can celebrate Chinese New Year in your own way—sweet, hopeful, and full of aspirations for the year ahead.

PANCIT

Who would have thought that one of the most common dishes served at every Filipino gathering would also hold a special place during Chinese New Year? Of course—almost all of us. Pancit, in its many beloved versions, becomes more than just comfort food during the celebration; it becomes a symbol of long life and continuous blessings.

The tradition traces back to Chinese influence, with the name linked to the Hokkien phrase “pian e sit,” meaning something conveniently cooked. Served uncut and stretched across the plate, the long noodles represent longevity. To cut them is to symbolically shorten life, which is why they are carefully prepared and shared whole—each strand carrying wishes for health and many years ahead.

Simple in ingredients yet rich in meaning, pancit combines noodles, vegetables, and flavor into one hearty dish. It is quick to prepare but filled with nourishment—just like the many blessings hoped for in the coming year. And once you are full from these festive plates, perhaps it is time to open something else during the celebration… not just gifts, but the lucky red envelopes waiting to be received.

ANG PAO

Perhaps the best gift of all is one that brings financial blessing while also wishing safety for the year ahead. That is the meaning behind Ya Sui Qian, more commonly known as the red envelopes or ang pao. Rooted in Chinese tradition, these envelopes are more than money neatly tucked inside—they are gestures of protection, luck, and goodwill passed from one hand to another.

Giving and receiving them, however, comes with thoughtful customs. The bills placed inside should be crisp and new, and the amount often depends on the recipient. Numbers containing four are avoided, as they are associated with misfortune. When receiving an envelope, it should be accepted with both hands as a sign of respect and gratitude, and opened privately rather than in front of the giver.

Despite these careful practices, the true purpose of ang pao remains simple: to share blessings in a sincere way. It is a quiet wish for someone’s safety, happiness, and prosperity in the coming year. Beyond its monetary value, it carries warmth and intention—sometimes even enough to light up a home, perhaps with a glowing red lantern to welcome brighter days ahead.

RED LANTERNS

A design that brightens any space while inviting good fortune—red lanterns do exactly that. Once used in ancient China to honor Buddhism and its sacred spaces, these lanterns have grown beyond simple decoration. Today, they stand as symbols of renewal, hope, and positive energy as a new year begins.

Red in color and round in shape, they represent harmony, completeness, and unity. Their glow reflects the warmth of togetherness shared by families and friends during the celebration. Hung by doors, windows, or along streets, they quietly reinforce continuity and shared blessings for the months ahead.

Though simple in form, red lanterns invite creativity across regions—some adorned with elegant calligraphy, others detailed with dragon motifs, and many lovingly handmade from cloth or paper. Each one carries a shared desire for growth and prosperity. And if the glow of lanterns is not lively enough, perhaps all it takes is the rhythmic beat of drums and the grand movement of a dragon weaving through the crowd.

DRAGON DANCE

The grandest spectacle of them all takes us beyond the warmth of home and into the bustling life of the city, where communities gather to witness the dragon dance. What began as a ritual to chase away evil spirits has transformed into a vibrant performance, blending tradition, artistry, and celebration, all while reflecting the hopes and aspirations of those who watch.

Each dragon is a tapestry of color, each hue carrying a distinct wish: green for a bountiful harvest, yellow to honor the empire, gold or silver to attract prosperity, and red to ignite excitement and invite good fortune. Every movement of the dragon is purposeful, weaving intentions for a year of abundance and joy.

To be touched by the dragon is considered lucky, yet simply witnessing its performance is already a blessing—the longer the dragon, the more fortune it is believed to bring to audience and performers alike. For this reason, the dragon dance has remained a central and eagerly anticipated tradition in every Chinese New Year celebration.

Finished the list? The night has come, and fireworks erupt across the sky. As midnight strikes, we don’t just welcome a new year—we set our intentions for a better one.

In simple ways—sharing sweet treats that promise luck, long noodles that symbolize longevity, crisp red envelopes of blessings, glowing lanterns lighting our homes, and the rhythmic sweep of dragons through the streets—we invite prosperity, joy, and unity into our lives. These moments are for us, yes, but also for those we hold close, weaving connection into every celebration.

So step forward, embrace the energy of the season, hang your lanterns, share your ang pao, savor the flavors, and lose yourself in the dance of colors and movement. The Chinese New Year is not just a grand event—it is a chance to celebrate, to manifest, and to make every blessing count.

REFERENCES:

[1] Varona, R. A. (2019, February 6). The story of Tikoy: A lunar new year delicacy turned Filipino favorite - eat & drink. Asian Journal News. https://asianjournal.com/life-style/eat-drink/the-story-of-tikoy-a-lunar-new-year-delicacy-turned-filipino-favorite/ 

[2] China highlights. Red Envelope: Significance, Amount, and How to Give. (n.d.). https://www.chinahighlights.com/travelguide/festivals/red-envelop.htm 

[3] Rao, A. (2026, February 9). Why red lanterns are used in Chinese New Year. Party Ideas & Guides - party.alibaba.com. https://party.alibaba.com/newyear/why-red-lanterns-chinese-new-year 

[4] China highlights. China Highlights. (n.d.). https://www.chinahighlights.com/travelguide/special-report/chinese-new-year/new-year-dragon-dance.htm

𝗡𝗘𝗪𝗦: “Supreme Court Affirms Co-Ownership Rights of Same-Sex Couples” by Renz Andrie Bolor

 

Layout by: Erelah Janika Geniza 

Published by: Shaina Pajarillo

Date Published: February 17, 2026

Time Published:. 7:35 AM

The Supreme Court’s Second Division ruled on February 5, 2025, that same-sex couples may be legally recognized as co-owners of properties they acquired and financed together, in a decision written by Associate Justice Jhosep Y. Lopez under Article 148 of the Family Code.

The ruling clarifies that Article 148 of the Family Code, which governs property relations between couples not legally married, may apply to same-sex partners who jointly acquire property. The decision provides legal recognition to their financial contributions, ensuring that the Court recognizes couples who purchase property together as co-owners.

Jennifer C. Josef, a woman in a same-sex relationship, filed a petition seeking legal recognition of her share in a property after the couple separated.

After the couple separated, a dispute emerged over the property they had acquired together. Despite an earlier agreement to sell it and divide the proceeds, one partner later refused to recognize the other’s share, prompting Jennifer Joseph to seek legal relief.

The Quezon City Regional Trial Court (RTC) initially denied Jennifer recognition as a co-owner of a property she shared with her long-term partner.

However, the Supreme Court later overturned the ruling and recognized her right to claim co-ownership under Article 148 of the Family Code.

“Having rightful interest over the subject property, petitioner has the right to demand the division of the subject property,” the Court stated.

Senior Associate Justice Marvic Leonen, in a separate concurrence, cautioned that a different ruling would leave certain legitimate intimate relationships ‘legally invisible,’ adding that ‘to be different is not to be abnormal.’

Associate Justice Amy Lazaro-Javier likewise expressed support for the decision, saying Article 148 is broad enough to apply to same-sex cohabitation and should not be confined to heterosexual unions.

Lazaro-Javier also noted the “prevailing values in modern society” and the “glaring yet unjustified” disparity in the treatment of same-sex couples compared with their heterosexual counterparts.

Congress continues to debate legislation granting same-sex couples marriage or union rights, while the Commission on Human Rights said recognizing such partnerships is a step toward a more inclusive and respectful society.

REFERENCES:

[1] Ayalin, A. (2026, February 10). Supreme Court recognizes co‑ownership of property in same‑sex relationships. ABS‑CBN News. https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/2/10/supreme-court-recognizes-co-ownership-of-property-in-same-sex-relationships-1134

[2] Laqui, I. (2026, February 10). Supreme Court: Same‑sex couples can be recognized as property co‑owners. The Philippine Star. https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2026/02/10/2507065/supreme-court-same-sex-couples-can-be-recognized-property-co-owners

[3] Supreme Court of the Philippines. (2026, February 10). SC recognizes co‑ownership of property in same‑sex relationships [Press release]. https://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/PRESS-RELEASE-SC-Recognizes-Co-Ownership-of-Property-in-Same-Sex-Relationships.pdf

𝗙𝗘𝗔𝗧𝗨𝗥𝗘: “La La Lovemarks: Valentine’s Date Ideas Worth a Happily Ever After” by Kyla Joy Pontiga

Layout by: Reynald Tan

Published by: Keshia Gwyneth Esposa

Date Published: February 14, 2025

Time Published: 4:22 PM

Have you ever caught yourself spending hours deciding who to invite this Valentine’s Day—or wondering where to go if you choose to spend it alone? Maybe you’ve felt the quiet pressure of making February 14 feel special, even when you’re not quite sure what that means for you.

Don’t fret. You’re not alone.

This February 14 is, at its core, just another day—only this time, the air feels heavier with romance, and ceilings everywhere seem to bloom with cupids, roses, and hearts. Love wanders freely during this season, especially in the most ordinary places: in simple cups of coffee, in worn pajamas, in old streets and hidden gardens. Sometimes, love even lives between the pages of books, waiting patiently in libraries for someone to stumble upon it.

Love is everywhere. But choosing to see it—in the simple, quiet moments, whether alone or with people you cherish—makes it all the more meaningful.

Here are six Love Marks you can visit this Valentine’s Day: places where fantasy gently meets reality, where solitude feels comforting, and where everyone—partnered or not—can feel a little like the main character in their own one-of-a-kind happily ever after.

OLD TOWNS

Love can be found in places that have learned how to endure.

Old towns carry stories already lived, yet they continue to breathe alongside the present. Walking through them feels like holding hands with history—slow, intentional, and full of meaning.

Play Parokya ni Edgar’s “Pangarap Lang Kita” as you wander Binondo’s bustling streets. Taste unfamiliar delicacies, admire aging facades, and trace the cracks time has left behind. In every corner lives sonder—the quiet realization that everyone around you is living a life just as full as yours. Perhaps this is love, too: witnessing the devotion that keeps people returning to this timeless meeting of Chinese and Filipino culture.

Switch the soundtrack to Sugarcane’s “Leonora” and step into Intramuros or Calle Crisologo. Suddenly, you are part of a story—echoing with love that was forbidden, love that demanded sacrifice. These streets remind us that some loves are powerful enough to shape a nation.

Old towns symbolize love passed down through generations—beautiful, weathered, and enduring. Walk slowly. Let these moments become keepsakes in your own museum of memories.

MUSEUMS

Love takes many forms—and sometimes, it hangs quietly on a wall.

If old towns preserve lived history, museums protect emotion. They hold nationalism, longing, pride, and identity—fragments of who we were and who we are becoming.

At the National Museum of Fine Arts, every brushstroke speaks. Paintings whisper stories of struggle, resilience, and beauty—inviting you to reflect on your own connection to Filipino life.

The National Museum of Anthropology offers love in another form: artifacts that tell of survival, conflict, and devotion across generations. Meanwhile, the National Museum of Natural History celebrates a quieter romance—one found in forests, fossils, oceans, and time itself.

With free admission, these museums gently remind us that understanding our past should never come at a cost—only curiosity, presence, and love for where we come from.

GARDENS

Flowers are Valentine’s Day essentials—but beyond bouquets are gardens where love grows freely and without urgency.

The Baguio Botanical Garden rewards those willing to travel. Winding paths, vibrant blooms, and cool mountain air slow time itself. Whether with loved ones or a camera in hand, love here feels unhurried—carried softly by every breeze.

Closer to the city, Ayala Triangle Gardens offers a quieter kind of romance. Surrounded by towering buildings, its open lawns and trees create calm amid motion, proving that even in busy spaces, love can still breathe.

Greeneries and flowers remind us that love doesn’t always arrive loudly. Sometimes, it settles in silence—found in the shade of trees, a gentle breeze, or the warmth of a nearby café, where moments linger just a little longer.

CAFÉS

Maybe love comes in simple brews and acoustic plays—where effort is shown in small gestures, and feelings are felt without needing to be said.

Coffee and music have always been inseparable, like soulmates. Warm cups and live melodies invite people to linger, to listen closely, to feel more deeply. In these spaces, love doesn’t rush—it hums softly and waits for the next song.

At Jess & Pat’s, an indie café tucked in the city, this kind of connection comes alive. OPM artists fill the room with raw, heartfelt performances. The lights are dim, the coffee strong, and the air vibrates with emotion. Strangers sway to the same rhythm, lyrics land a little closer to the heart, and love feels shared—between artist, listener, and moment itself.

For those who crave it louder, Hard Rock Cafe offers a different romance. Gritty guitars, pounding drums, and familiar anthems turn every night into a release. It’s love that’s bold, unapologetic, and performed at full volume, where passion takes center stage.

And when the last note fades and cups sit empty, love quietly shifts. It moves toward spaces where stories are read instead of sung, where hearts connect softly between the pages of a book, and imagination takes the lead—sometimes even flickering into the glow of the silver screen.

LIBRARIES

Love transcends the ordinary and the world itself—so why not let it travel, not just across countries, but across dimensions of memory, ink, and imagination?

In the heart of Manila, the National Library of the Philippines opens like a quiet universe. With over two million books and records, its shelves hold stories of longing, resistance, hope, and devotion. Here, love lives in poetry, in history, and in the soft silence of readers who treat every page as something sacred.

Reading Club 2000 in Makati offers love in a freer form. No IDs, no memberships—just books under open skies. Pages flutter in the wind, strangers become companions, and stories are shared with ease. It’s raw, communal, and alive, reminding us that love, like reading, thrives on presence.

These spaces show that love doesn’t rush. It lingers, listens, and unfolds slowly—one sentence, one shared moment at a time.

And when words begin to seek motion, when stories yearn for sound and faces, love gently shifts—turning the page toward the glow of a screen, where stories begin to move.

MOVIES

There’s nothing quite like sinking into the cozy corners of your room, wearing your favorite pajamas, nibbling on comfort food, and letting love unfold on the screen. It’s the kind of self-love that tastes like popcorn, feels like a warm blanket, and smells faintly of cinematic magic.

For a dose of playful romance, How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days delivers chaos, charm, and clever pranks. Andie Anderson and Benjamin Barry’s whirlwind of competing schemes—her to drive him away, him to make her fall—turns into something unexpected: a story of connection, laughter, and love that sneaks up when you least expect it.

10 Things I Hate About You offers love with a sharper edge. In this modern teen rom-com, a new student must win over a clever, guarded older sister to date her younger sibling, only to find romance hiding beneath sarcasm, schemes, and witty exchanges. It’s a reminder that love often thrives where walls exist, patiently waiting to be discovered.

And then there’s La La Land, a story of love in motion. An aspiring actress and a jazz pianist chase their dreams across the sunlit streets of Los Angeles, falling for each other while learning that passion can be both uniting and demanding. Their romance is a bittersweet waltz of ambition, creativity, and the delicate balance between following your heart and chasing your dreams.

Together, these films show that love is never one thing—it is playful, messy, fleeting, enduring, and transformative. It sneaks into your laughter, your heart, your dreams, and even your quietest moments, reminding us why it is always, undeniably worth experiencing.

Have you decided how to spend this Saturday? Don't rush-there's still time to let the day unfold like a story waiting to be discovered.

Perhaps you’ll step into the world of Maria Clara, draped in tradition and quiet devotion—a reminder that love can be gentle, patient, and deeply rooted in grace. Or maybe you’ll choose a peaceful corner with a book or film, letting that same soft romance linger around you.

Make every day your Valentine's Day. Give love freely to others, but save the deepest part for yourself. Love is not a holiday; it is the heartbeat in ordinary moments, the warmth in your chest, the spark that turns a simple Saturday into something unforgettable.

REFERENCES:

[1] The 10 best philippines gardens (updated 2026) - tripadvisor. (n.d.). 

[[https://www.tripadvisor.com.ph/Attractions-g294245-Activities-c57-t58-Philippines.html](https://www.tripadvisor.com.ph/Attractions-g294245-Activities-c57-t58-Philippines.html)](https://www.tripadvisor.com.ph/Attractions-g294245-Activities-c57-t58-Philippines.html)

 

[2] 10 libraries in the Philippines for avid readers and knowledge-seekers. TripZilla Philippines. (2026, February 6). 

[[https://www.tripzilla.ph/best-libraries-in-the-philippines/9061](https://www.tripzilla.ph/best-libraries-in-the-philippines/9061)](https://www.tripzilla.ph/best-libraries-in-the-philippines/9061)

 

[3] Best romantic comedy movies ever made. (n.d.-a). 

[[https://www.imdb.com/list/ls058479560/](https://www.imdb.com/list/ls058479560/)](https://www.imdb.com/list/ls058479560/)

𝗟𝗜𝗧𝗘𝗥𝗔𝗥𝗬: “Jack of All Trades” By Angela Garilao

 

Published by: Shaina Pajarillo 

Date Published: February 9, 2026

Time Published: 7:55 AM

Category: Prose

Subject: The inner struggle of chasing many passions yet mastering none. 

There are so many things I know how to do, and sometimes I wonder if that’s even a good thing. I’ve spent years learning how to do everything—writing, singing, painting, crafting little pieces of myself into a hundred different things—and yet here I am, still feeling like I’ve mastered 𝘯𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨.

Being a jack of all trades but a master of none feels less like a gift and more like a curse—like holding so many doors open, only to realize I can’t step fully into any of them. It’s like standing at the edge of a finish line I never seem to cross. I begin with excitement burning in my chest, only to feel the fire fade before I reach the end. I try again, and again, and again, yet each time I’m left falling short, chasing a version of myself that always slips away.

And it’s hard not to compare myself to others—the ones who seem so certain of their place, who cradle their passions like trophies and polish them until they gleam. I look at them and wonder, why can’t I be like that? Why do I keep chasing everything and mastering nothing? It’s maddening, knowing I can do so much and yet never be the best at any of it. I feel like a puzzle with too many missing pieces, no matter how many times I try to put myself together, I always end up incomplete.

But maybe there is nothing admirable about being this way. Maybe reaching for so many things only shows how easily I let them slip through my hands. Perhaps I was never meant to be defined—not by one passion, not even by all of them—but only by the fragments I’ve left scattered in my wake, pieces of unfinished attempts that never found their place.

On quiet nights, the weight of it keeps me awake. I lie there wondering if I will spend the rest of my life like this—scattered, unfinished, a collection of almosts. The saddest part is that I am beginning to believe this is who I am meant to be: a 𝘫𝘢𝘤𝘬 𝘰𝘧 𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘥𝘦𝘴, a 𝘮𝘢𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘰𝘧 𝘯𝘰𝘯𝘦, a person 𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢 𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘮𝘴𝘦𝘭𝘷𝘦𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘺 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘯𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘤𝘢𝘵𝘤𝘩. 

And yet, even in the midst of it all, a small part of me refuses to let go. It clings to the thought that maybe there is a reason for every misstep, every fragment. Perhaps, one day, these scattered pieces will find their place, and I will finally see the shape they were quietly trying to form all along.

𝗕𝗔𝗟𝗜𝗧𝗔𝗡𝗚 𝗟𝗔𝗧𝗛𝗔𝗟𝗔𝗜𝗡: "Galaw ng Dekada 2000: Sexbomb Girls, nagbalik-hataw sa entablado" ni Yannah Descalso at Jhaebilyn Pallorina

Disenyo ni: Reynald Tan

Inilathala ni: Jeliana Atabay

Petsang Inilathala: Enero 6, 2026

Oras na Inilathala: 4:07 PM

"𝘓𝘢𝘣𝘢𝘯 𝘭𝘢𝘣𝘢𝘯 𝘰 𝘣𝘢𝘸𝘪 𝘣𝘢𝘸𝘪." Hindi lang bawi, kundi panalo. 

Lubos ang pasasalamat ng Iconic Filipino Girl Group na Sexbomb Girls sa natanggap na suporta sa kanilang dalawang araw na Reunion Concert na "Get, Get, Aw! The Sexbomb Concert" mula sa kanilang mga taga-suporta nitong nakaraang Disyembre.

Labis ang galak ng SexBomb Girls sa pag sabay ng fans sa galaw at enerhiya ng kanilang old at iconic na mga sayaw noong rAWnd 1 at 2 ng concert na naging dahilan upang bumalik ang Girl Group at mag plano ng susunod na concert.

Kaya sa muling pagbabalik nila sa entablado, na tampok ang 20 miyembrong nagtanghal, muling ibinalik ng Sexbomb Girls ang musika at sayaw ng dekada 2000.

𝗿𝗔𝗪𝗻𝗱 𝟭

Sa unang araw ng concert noong December 4, 2025 sa Smart Araneta Coliseum, Quezon City ay ipinakita na ng grupo ang kanilang naturingang iconic at nostalgic performances na pinantayan ng mataas at walang tigil na enerhiya galing sa mga manonood.

Lalong kinasiyahan ng mga fans ang pagtatanghal ng ilan sa pinakamalalaking hit ng Sexbomb Girls tulad ng "Bakit Papa," "Pretty Little Baby," "Halukay Ube," at "The Spaghetti Song," na sinabayan ng malakas na hiyawan at sabayang sayaw ng mga tagasuporta sa loob ng coliseum.

"Walang gustong mag-produce. Walang kasiguraduhan. Pero tinuloy namin kasi hindi naman pera ang hangad namin," saad ni Rochelle, na nagbigay-diin sa dedikasyon ng grupo at sa tunay na dahilan ng kanilang pagbabalik sa entablado.

Bunsod ng napakaraming tagasuporta, agad na naubos ang mga ticket para sa unang araw ng concert, na sinundan pa ng Day 2 sa MOA Arena na dinagsa rin ng mga "pinalaki ng Sexbomb."

𝗿𝗔𝗪𝗻𝗱 𝟮

Sa kanilang Day 2 concert noong December 9, 2025 ay dinaluhan naman sila ng iba't ibang Filipino Artists katulad ng Rock Band na "Mayonnaise" sa song performance na "Jopay" kasama si Jopay Paguia-Zamor, na dedikado mismo ang kanta sakaniya.

Kasama rin nila ang special guests na EB Babes at Sexballs na nakasama nila sa parehong industriya at nagsagawa rin ng performance bilang sorpresa.

Hindi naman nagpahuli sa performance ang ibang artists na sina Dingdong Dantes at Arthur Solinap kasama ang Abztract Dancers, isang iconic dance group noong 90s. 

Isang ‘throwback’ ang naturang dalawang araw ng concert para sa mga pinalaki ng Sexbomb, kung saan dagsa ang mga millennials na buong magdamag nakisayaw, nakihataw at naki-"Get get Aw!"

𝗙𝗜𝗡𝗔𝗟 𝗿𝗔𝗪𝗻𝗱𝘀

Nakilala ang Sexbomb Girls dahil sa kanilang mga iconic hit songs katulad ng "The Spageti Song," "Choopeta," "Halukay Ube" at "Bakit Papa?" simula sa unang bahagi ng 2000's sa TV at sa Variety Show na Eat Bulaga na itinanghal din nila sa kanilang concert.

Dahil sa kasikatan, ang kanilang mga kanta ay maituturing patok at uso noong kanilang panahon, kinakanta sa videoke, tugtugan sa mga okasyon, at patuloy na nagbibigay aliw kahit sa bagong henerasyon. 

Bilang pagpapatuloy ng alaala at kasikatang tumawid sa iba’t ibang henerasyon, kinumpirma ng Sexbomb Girls ang “rAWnd 3: The Finale,” na gaganapin sa Pebrero 6, 2026 sa SM Mall of Asia Arena. Tampok sa concert ang isang 360-degree stage upang mas maramdaman ng fans ang kanilang presensiya.

Matapos ang ilang araw, inanunsiyo rin ng grupo ang karagdagang rAWnd 4 at 5 ng kanilang concert, na gaganapin sa magkasunod na araw sa Pebrero 7 at 8, 2026.

Higit pa ito sa isang reunion concert dahil muling pinatunayan ng Sexbomb Girls na ang galaw ng dekada 2000 ay buhay na buhay pa rin sa puso ng maraming Pilipino. Ang bawat performance at bawat kantang kanilang inawit ay nagpapaalala sa mga henerasyong lumaki sa kanilang musika kung bakit sila naging iconic.

Hindi lamang aliw ang hatid ng kanilang musika, kundi isang kolektibong alaala na nagbuklod sa mga henerasyong minsang sabay-sabay nakihataw sa telebisyon, mga okasyon, at ngayon ay sa mga kilalang arena. 

Sa bawat sabayang indak at hiyawan, muling naibalik ang saya at sigla ng isang panahon na hindi madaling makalimutan. Isang malinaw na patunay na ang kulturang popular ay patuloy na umuusbong, ngunit ang pinagmulan nito ay nananatiling buhay at hindi kailanman malilimutan, kahit pa dumaan ang bagong henerasyon.

MGA SANGGUNIAN:

[1] Llemit, K. (2025, December 10). Mayonnaise performs song “Inspo” for “Jopay” at SexBomb reunion concert. Philstar.com.

https://www.philstar.com/entertainment/2025/12/10/2493288/mayonnaise-performs-song-inspo-jopay-sexbomb-reunion-concert

[2] GMA Integrated News. (2025, December 5). SexBomb Girls deliver night of nostalgia at reunion concert. GMA News.

https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/showbiz/chikaminute/968557/sexbomb-girls-deliver-night-of-nostalgia-at-reunion-concert/story/

[3] Visayan Daily Star. (2025, December 16) SexBomb Girls reunite at sold-out concert. https://visayandailystar.com/sexbomb-girls-reunite-at-sold-out-concert/

[4] Trapane, K. (2025, December 11) Mayonnaise surprises fans with “Jopay” at SexBomb concert’s rAWnd 2. DZRH. https://dzrh.com.ph/post/mayonnaise-surprises-fans-with-jopay-at-sexbomb-concerts-rawnd-2

[5] De Guzman, A. (2025, January 3) SexBomb Girls to hold ‘rAWnd 3’ finale concert with a 360-degree stage in February. ABSCBN. https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/showbiz/events/2026/1/3/sexbomb-girls-to-hold-rawnd-3-finale-concert-with-a-360-degree-stage-in-february-0926

[6] Almazan, F. (2025, January 10) SexBomb Girls announces 'rAWnd 5' of 'Get, Get Aw' Concert. GMA Entertainment News.

https://www.gmanetwork.com/entertainment/showbiznews/sexbomb-girls-announces-rawnd-5-of-get-get-aw-concert/129413/

𝗣𝗔𝗡𝗜𝗧𝗜𝗞𝗔𝗡: “Lapit o Layo” ni Gee Anne Robles

Dibuho ni: Erika Yohanne Coronel

Inilathala ni: Jadelynn Arnigo

Petsang Inilathala: Pebrero 5, 2026

Oras na Inilathala: 4:10 PM

Kategorya: Tula

Tema: Tungkol sa pagpili ng sarili sa gitna ng kalituhan ng damdamin, paglapit at paglayo ng puso.

Minsan, ang ngalan mo’y

dumadampi sa dibdib ko—

banayad, tulad ng gabing

nagbubukas muli ng alaala

na matagal ko nang isinasara.

Maamo ka,

mahinhin kung magsalita,

at may lambing na madaling paniwalaan.

Pero natutunan ko na

hindi lahat ng mabait

ay tahanan para sa pusong pagod.

Naalala ko pa ang isa—

‘yung nagsabing ako ang kanyang tahanan

ngunit ako’y iniwan sa gitna ng katahimikan.

Binigay ko ang lahat noon,

hanggang wala nang natira

kundi mga pangakong hindi tinupad.

Kaya nang dumating ka,

dala ang salita at pag-aalagang

tila handang maghintay,

naging madali ang matakot;

baka sa dulo,

ako na naman ang maiiwan.

Gusto kitang lapitan—

may init kang nakakaengganyong umuwi.

Pero sa bawat hakbang,

paalala ng sarili kong paghilom:

Hindi sapat ang lambing

para punuin ang aking halaga.

Minsan gusto kita,

minsan hindi.

At ngayon, doon ako nakatayo

sa pagitan ng paglapit at paglayo,

ng pag-ibig at paghilom—

sa espasyong hindi sigurado

pero totoo.

Dito ko natutunan:

may mga damdaming hindi kailangang ipilit,

may mga taong dadaan lang

para ipaalala

kung paano unahin ang sarili.

Sapat ka, marahil.

Ngunit ako—

ako muna.

Hanggang matutunan kong magmahal muli

nang hindi ko kailangang iligtas ang sarili ko.

𝗕𝗔𝗟𝗜𝗧𝗔: "RTC Laguna, naglabas ng Warrant of Arrest laban kay Atong Ang” ni Bridget Berin

Inilathala ni: Shaina Pajarillo 

Petsang Inilathala: Pebrero 5, 2026

Oras na Inilathala: 7:22 AM

 Naglabas ang Regional Trial Court Branch 26 sa Sta. Cruz, Laguna noong Miyerkules, ika-14 ng Enero ng warrant of arrest laban kay Charlie “Atong” Ang at 17 iba pa dahil sa kidnapping with homicide at serious illegal detention kaugnay ng kaso ng missing sabungeros, na walang posibilidad ng bail.

Ayon sa opisyal na pahayag mula kay Philippine National Police (PNP) acting chief Police Lieutenant General Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr., sinisimulan na ang implementasyon ng warrant of arrest at paghahanda ng mga tauhan at koordinasyon sa iba pang lokal na yunit ng mga polisya, habang sinusubaybayan ang posibleng lokasyon ni Ang at iba pang akusado. 

“Ang pagpapatupad ng warrant of arrest ay sumusunod sa itinatakdang proseso, at lahat ng kasali sa operasyon mula sa PNP ay obligadong sumunod. Titiyakin nila na maayos itong maisasakatuparan,” dagdag ni Nartatez. 

Samantala, ang Department of Justice (DOJ) ay matagal nang naghain ng mga reklamo laban kay Ang at ang iba pang akusado noon Disyembre 2025 matapos makumpirma na may sapat na ebidensya upang ituloy ang kaso. 

Nananatiling at-large o hindi pa nahuhuli si Atong Ang, habang ang 15 sa 18 na iba pang akusadong kaugnay ng kaso ay nasa kustodiya na ng Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) ng PNP.

MGA SANGGUNIAN:

Untalan, S. (2026, January 14). Arrest warrant issued vs. Atong Ang, 17 others for kidnapping homicide. GMA NEWS https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/regions/972765/arrest-warrant-issued-vs-atong-ang-17-others-for-kidnapping-with-homicide-no-bail-set/story/

Rita, J. (2026, January 14). PNP starts implementing arrest warrant vs. Atong Ang, others. GMA NEWS https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/972794/atong-ang-missing-sabungeros-pnp-arrest-warrant/story/

Laqui, I. (2026, January 14). Atong Ang's 17 co-accused now in police custody. Philstar https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2026/01/14/2500964/atong-angs-17-co-accused-now-police-custody