Layout by: Mark Louie Pocot
Published by: Jeliana Atabay
Date Published: January 26, 2026
Time Published: 3:10 PM
"Knock knock. Who’s there? Gout. Gout who? Gout to believe in magic. Nakakalaugh ’to!"
Hangkulet. A word that perfectly captures the essence of influencer @iceeneoo—or, as most know them, Neo. With their mantra, “cringe while you’re young, IJBOL while you can, IDGAF always,” they’ve shown that simply living can be beautiful: in simple thrifted clothes, favorite songs, and even the everyday ways of getting from one place to another.
Neo’s personality is loud, vibrant, and unapologetically unique. Wearing their favorite thrifted orange dress, they tell the story of being a Filipino with humor and honesty, no sugarcoating, just pure genuineness in their craft.
In their everyday videos, countless people have been amused, inspired, and uplifted by the positivity Neo radiates. Now boasting 300,000 followers and over 60 million likes on TikTok alone, the Neo phenomenon is just getting started.
So tell us—can one person, a thrifted orange dress, and a killer playlist really make all of us want to live louder, laugh harder, and see the beauty in the everyday? Neo says yes… but will you? Read on to discover the answer through Neo's daily life.
WALANG BASAGAN NG THRIFT
“Ang sapatos, Howl’s Moving Castle. Ang palda, Lavinia. Ang top, Yubaba. Ang belo, Corpse Bride. Ang mukha, damulag.” Neo really has it all.
Their key fits? Bulky shoes, a maxi skirt, a top, and their essential—a hair accessory. Along with their humor, anything will have a resemblance to one another. Their fit checks aren’t so ordinary, showing every detail as a resemblance to something random—like their shoes being those of a hermit, or their face being likened to Jiro Manio.
But before they can even showcase these vibrant and out-of-the-ordinary fits, they have to search through various ukayan stores from one place to another, documented in a series they call “Walang Basagan ng Thrift,” where Neo and their friends venture to find what seems to be gems, pieces that fit their personalities.
This series has become a sensation on the internet these days, with ordinary people associating vibrant and unique clothes with the influencer.
In a country where thrifted clothes are like treasure hunting, one really is the greatest treasure hunter of all time. Neo’s rise to fame was achieved through simple steps: Reused clothes, humor, and a dream. With these three key materials, Neo has gathered their followers into a bizarre adventure of looking for what seems hopeless, yet becomes a glimmering fashion sensation.
Beyond the clothes, Neo’s presence becomes an art of storytelling—finding beauty in what has already lived. In a society where many choose to be ordinary, following what is accepted and practical, Neo chose to be different—to be odd and unapologetically colorful. Each of Neo’s thrift finds is a quiet work of art: shoes that have stepped into countless places, skirts that have met the wind and the storm, tops that have lived through time, and hair accessories shaped by many past identities. Neo’s love for thrifted clothes is not just a trend; it is the art of being odd and imaginative, redefining fashion as something loud, awkward, and deeply personal.
But wait, oh wait—how would Neo’s fit checks ever be unique without their soundtracks of the century? Wanna know their playlist? Read on and listen to what might just be the best playlist of your life.
THE PLAYLIST CURATOR
Up Dharma Down’s “Indak” Top Listener: @iceeneoo.
It’s not only the fits that Neo can bring to a long travel, but also the role they naturally take on as the designated aux holder—playing songs that make us feel like we’re inside a real music video, all main characters in our own scenes. OPM? Bangsamoro Pop? Budots? Oh yeah—whatever genre fits the situation, Neo already has it curated, tucked into their two-in-one bag and speaker-on-the-go.
Whatever vibe you’re into, just call Neo, and together scream out every lyric as if the road were a stage and the night an audience.
Neo’s personality is highly driven by their music taste. As they continue to spread positivity in their community, they seize every chance to share the unseen, the hidden, and even the forgotten tracks from way back in the ’90s—or maybe even earlier. A real music lover, indeed. As their videos trend, these tracks find their way back into public memory, gaining the recognition they once lost. Neo isn’t just sharing these sounds performatively; they genuinely live in them—moving to every rhythm, memorizing every beat and lyric, and letting the music move through them.
With Neo in the passenger seat, the journey becomes the destination itself. Sharing laughs, shouting choruses, and even crying to sad songs—each trip turns into a memory the road learns to keep. Every road feels like a cinematic setting, transforming every scene into a connection and every verse into a treasured moment. Getting lost is one thing, but another is certain: with Neo, every soundtrack becomes a moment of its own.
If one had to be the main character in Juana’s “Reyna ng Quezon City,” it would undoubtedly be them. For they have everything required: the fits, the sound, the vibe, and a presence that turns any moment into a scene worth remembering. So come on, drive off in the best truck, and get Neo on for some track. Where to? Guess Neo got some suggestions as well!
LAKWATCHA
“Tara na! Saan? Sa Luneta!”
With Neo, a day is never boring; instead, every sunrise brings a spontaneous surprise, as the clouds seem to wait for a glimpse of the day’s destination.
From the city heights and monuments of Manila, to a walk through the Slipper Capital of the Philippines, Liliw, Laguna, to the vintage charm of Calle Crisologo in Vigan, Neo has already taken us to some of the most colorful parts of the Philippines—in the last two months of 2025 alone. Who knows where they’ll take us this year? Maybe Cebu’s Camp Sawi, Tagaytay’s Picnic Grove, or even Batanes’ Basco Lighthouse.
These travels have made Neo even more lovable and relatable to the masses, as they consistently salute and support local workers and products while showcasing the beauty of Filipinos and the country itself. This genuineness in their craft has slowly turned Neo into an unofficial Philippine tourism ambassador—well, perhaps one day, that title will come true.
With every travel comes a city’s story. Every shot captures a fragment of history behind the destination. Every interaction with people reveals a life worth knowing. And with every craft comes love. Neo is not only the comedian many people know, but also a discoverer, a traveler, and a Filipino driven by pride and purpose.
Want to travel the country? Neo might just be the perfect guide. Not only do they have the fits, the aux, and the destinations on hand, they also carry lived experience—as an ordinary citizen who understands all the struggles, joys, and realities that this country has to offer.
#DANAS
Neo’s 10 PM finds on their bus ride home: Sweet Couple + Rivermaya’s “Olats” #Danas
Well, the show’s over, and Neo has to find their way back home somehow. Amidst the city’s cacophony, they still manage to find moments of happiness—whether in commuting, studying, or simply navigating everyday life in the Philippines.
Instead of getting frustrated with the long-rotten systems of their country, Neo documents these struggles, using their now-iconic hashtag #Danas to symbolize the lived experiences of a Pinoy—empathizing with countless fellow Filipinos who strive to make a living.
From crossing construction sites on campus to huddling in the last train on the MRT to lining up for a bus terminal ticket, Neo has experienced it all. Their posts show that despite the vibrance they radiate on camera, reality tells another story: stress, fatigue, and the daily drain of energy are part of life from sunrise to sunset.
But this is Neo. By documenting these everyday moments, Neo has opened the eyes and ears of many to the realities of life in their country—and in doing so, they show why grassroots movements and the active participation of citizens are crucial to shaping a better Philippines.
Finally. Back at home.
Time to slip into our comfiest clothes, listen to slow songs, and once again reminisce about the moments with Neo—the places we’ve traveled, the laughter we’ve shared, and the memories that feel timeless, even though we’ve only known them through screens.
In vibrant outfits, with unique soundtracks, in countless places, and carrying an endless supply of positivity, Neo has shown the world the beauty of their beloved country—and yes, even its imperfections and realities. Through their lens, we are reminded that every corner has a story, every street a heartbeat, and every life a rhythm worth noticing.
So may we not only like Neo on social media, but see them for who they truly are—a storyteller, a painter, and a guide turning the ordinary into extraordinary. And may we take a page from their book: to live boldly, embrace our quirks, and color our own lives unapologetically.
The journey doesn’t end here. Step outside. Explore, discover, and let your own story unfold—loud, messy, colorful, and entirely yours. Be Neo in your own way.
REFERENCES:
[1] Neo, I. [@iceeneoo]. (n.d.). Cringe while ur young, IJBOL while you can, IDGAF always [TikTok profile]. TikTok. https://www.tiktok.com/@iceeneoo
[2] Neo, I. [@iceeneoo]. (2026, January 18). yan inyo komedya ba na sa? ayun [Video]. TikTok. https://www.tiktok.com/@iceeneoo/video/7596666030559169799
[3] Neo, I. [@iceeneoo]. (2024, September 20). WATCH TIL THE END!! [Video]. TikTok. https://www.tiktok.com/@iceeneoo/video/7416691514773998856
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