Chocolates and flowers come and go, but quality time stays in the heart.
Do something different this Valentine’s Day and hop on an adventure-filled date with your lover, friends, and family at SM Seaside City Cebu, where ten unique activities await the SM squad.
SM Skating Rink and Ice Bumper Cars
Who said skating dates can only be experienced in romcoms? Head to SM Seaside and skate your hearts out at the SMSkating Rink. And you know what they say: Love can be a bumpy ride, but so are bumper cars! SM Seaside offers a new activity, especially for couples— the Ice bumpers.
Ice Bumpers: Monday to Thursday from 10AM to 9PM
SM Bowling
Let’s roll back to the 70s! Couples can be quite competitive, but of course, it’s all fun and games. And what better way to have a friendly competition than bowling? Knock down those pins, give your partner a high-five, and erupt in laughter. You can even make a bet: the person with the lowest score buys dinner.
SM Cinema
You can never go wrong with an excellent ol’ movie date! It’s quite a staple date idea even before. Lucky for you, SM Cinema has a great lineup of movies you can watch with your significant other. Of course, popcorn, hotdogs, and drinks are also available to complete your cinema date night. Get a free upsize of popcorn and soda for every purchase of Snack Time Combo Meals 1 and 2 from February 10 to 18, 2024!
Lazer Quest
Here’s another competitive game that couples and friends can play! Introducing the newest and coolest laser tag arena in Cebu— Lazer Quest! It brings such adrenaline and excitement.
Virtual World
Step into the world of futuristic VR with your Valentine’s date! It is filled with games and amusement to make your date extra fun and adventure-filled.
Max Rider
3rd rides? Count us in! Max Rider provides interested riders with an immersive and imaginative experience. It’s like riding a rollercoaster but better and safer. Put on those 3D glasses, get ready to scream, and feel as if you are on the real ride of your life.
Life four Cuts
Nowadays, it is a staple for couples to have couple photos on the back of their phones or in their wallets. Life Four Cuts offers adorable photobooth photos. You can even wear quirky accessories to add more cuteness to your photos.
Dear Self
Have fun with a self-shoot experience at Dear Self Studios. Take adorable self-portraits and capture love in every frame as they introduce their enchanting Valentine’s Day-themed layouts.
Wildbow Archery
Cupid’s not the only one with a bow and arrow. Strike through the targets like you struck through your lover’s heart at Wildbow Archery. It is the perfect date idea for those who are sporty or if you just want something new to do on Valentine’s Day.
The Bear Cave
Feeling artsy with your partner? Then Bear Cave is the right place for you. The Bear Cave is your newest creative playground. Pour your feelings out as you pour different colored paint on a bear canvas. Isn’t that adorable? It’s a great date idea for couples who love art.
Additionally, The Skypark at SM Seaside has transformed into an ideal destination for couples, families, and friends to relax, showing a perfect setting for the golden hour, perfectly suited to listening to some love songs.
Experience an enchanting LOVE PLAYLIST by the Fine Rendition Band on February 14, starting at 5:30 PM at The Skypark.
Indulge in a sumptuous Luck in Love Feast from participating restaurants at SM Seaside.
Spending quality time together might be the best Valentine’s Day gift for your significant other. Bonding not only gives you time for each other, but it can strengthen your relationship. Flowers and sweets are cute, but memories are priceless.
What are you waiting for? Make loving memories at SM Seaside today until February 14!
For more details, follow SM Seaside City Cebu’s Facebook and Instagram Page.
HOW TO GET THERE?
Exact Location: SM Seaside City Cebu in South Road Properties (SRP), Cebu City.
BY MYBUS: You can take a FREE MyBus ride from/to BDO Fuente Osmena from 8:20am to 10:00pm. You can also ride any MyBus from SM City Cebu, Talisay, Mandaue City, Parkmall, and any Cibus to get to and from SM Seaside City Cebu Drop-off point is at the City Wing Entrance.
BY CAR/GRAB/TAXI: Navigate with Waze or Google Maps and set your destination to “SM Seaside City Cebu.” Parking space is free.
A new song collaboration of Sza and Paramore is in its works! This was revealed by the Grammy-winning “Snooze” singer, Sza during her interview with Apple Music.
Photo from People
“Yeah. Soon, soon.”
“It’s in the works,” the R&B singer added.
She also revealed that one of her SOS songs, “F2F” somehow has a “Paramore” connection to the track and confessed that she consulted Paramore’s lead vocalist, Hayley Williams as she branched out to other genres for her SOS album.
Photo from People
“[The album was] literally me checking off goals. Just me wanting to be like, ‘Oh, I can do this. I don’t suck. Is it possible to achieve this specific goal?'”
“And for each of those genres I would text people like Hayley Williams and be like, ‘Does it sound like I’m trying to do something that I shouldn’t be doing, or does it sound organic? Because it felt really natural to me, but you’re the queen of this, how does it sound to you?'” continued SZA. “And be like, ‘This is perfect.'”
Sza is also often in contact with Hayley more than the publics know which she admitted as a reply to her fans on X.
“Hayley Williams x SZA collab when???” a fan posted on X (formerly known as Twitter)
Photo from @sza on X
Given this, do not be shocked if the alternative-pop-punk ban Paramore is listed as a feature for on SZA’s upcoming Lana project. This project is rumored to double the efforts of the Grammy-winning album, SOS.
Are you dreaming of becoming a content creator but don’t quite know where to start? Well, here’s some good news.
The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority has introduced its new content creation course. The course introduces skills that are required for Filipinos to get ahead in the world of content creation.
Photo from Palawan News
Interested students will learn about the concepts of social media content creation and follow the “latest social media trends and related facts.”
Here are other things you can learn from the course:
Editing images, audio, and video.
Mastering digital equipment and platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok.
Photo from Descript
According to Suharto Mangudadatu, the content creation course can help Filipinos make meaningful content.
Photo from Manila Bulletin
“Many of our kababayans are very talented and resourceful. I am confident that if given the right skills, they will be better positioned to create content that resonate better with their audience, foster meaningful connections, and ultimately contribute significantly to society,”
Mangudadatu said.
If you wish to enroll, you can go ahead and inquire at the nearest TESDA Training Center in your area.
From the moment Marsha P. Johnson threw the first brick at Stonewall, it has been quite a long way since many of those who preceded the LGBTQ+ community have tried to give language to identities that have always existed, regardless of the lack of recognition or acceptance by many. But even when homophobia and transphobia are supposedly things of a bygone age, the struggle persists.
Every movement is made possible by collectives who place themselves at the forefront of a cause, continuing the foundations built by the previous generations, having gone through hell and back for the community to become what it is today. The world remains an imperfect and cruel one, but every single one of these people is fighting for it to be a livable and safe space for everyone on the spectrum.
The Cebu United Rainbow LGBT Sector (CURLS) is one of the leading organizations in the city that engages locally and nationally regarding this issue, striving for better policy-making to protect the LGBTQ+ and working in the grassroots to give educational discussions to guide people in their journey of self-discovery, and to simply make the distinctions of the LGBTQ+ known as our country has only ever viewed sexuality as binary.
Last December 1, 2023, Lady Extraordinaire, a pageant competed by multiple transwomen, was made possible by CURLS with Pilipinas Shell Foundation Inc. (PSFI) PROTECTS as one of the sponsors, giving emphasis on fighting HIV and AIDS and the stigma it is so well acquainted with.
Sugbo.ph had the privilege of interviewing three of the women who won in the pageant. We were testimonies of how extraordinary they really are.
Naya Marie (Lady Extraordinaire 2023), Jane Caballes (Lady Extraordinaire Youth Ambassadress), and Vojhn Ilaguison (Lady Extraordinaire Trans Health Ambassadress) are women who have very different paths in life but are all working towards the same goal which is gender equality and trans visibility.
Lady Extraordinaire 2023
Naya, Jane, and Vojhn initially never thought of themselves as being in any pageant. However, when they were informed that Lady Extraordinaire is an event that heavily focuses on advocacies, they knew they had to get their voices heard. 2023 was the third year the pageant was held, having the most contestants in the pageant’s history, with 21 women competing for the crown.
When asked about how the pageant went, they expressed how fulfilling the journey was as they were given the chance to be on an advocacy-focused platform, highlighting the evolution of pageants. Moreover, they were tasked to encourage 50 people to get tested for HIV and AIDS. Jane impressively exceeded the minimum and was able to convince over 100+ people to get tested.
The Advocacies of Jane, Vojhn, and Naya
Jane – Partnership with Private Sectors for HIV Testing
Jane’s platform centered on partnerships with private sector to help with HIV testing, which is exactly why she was able to convince many people to get tested. Working in the BPO industry, her goal is to destigmatize the industry while destigmatizing HIV and AIDS within it. As a result of her campaign, even non-members of the LGBTQ+ in her company participated in the testing.
HIV and AIDS, since their widespread in the 80s, have always been misconceptualized as a “gay disease,” but it is high time society sees STDs for what they are – obtained by anyone regardless of sexuality and should nonetheless underscore the importance of sexual health.
As Jane said, “HIV is similar to other diseases that we should tag with a matter of urgency.”
Vojhn – SOGIE-SC Education
“No one mentored me, like Naya, during my transition,” Vojhn mentioned as she explained why she works so hard in the grassroots to educate people about SOGIE-SC even before and outside the pageant. Her goal is to educate young transwomen grappling with their identity not only for them to know the steps to take after self-actualizing but to deconstruct the transphobia society has deeply ingrained in their minds that is most likely starting to sound like their own voices. Vojhn wants to let them know that what they are going through is normal, and if they already feel like they are women, then they are women.
Vojhn’s work transcends beyond her first pageant. She is part of the National Children and Young People Planning Forum and gives educational discussions regarding SOGIE-SC both in events and casual encounters to reach more people on the ground.
Naya – Quality Education and Gender Equality
As a student herself, Naya recognizes the importance of everyone getting to exercise their rights, especially in a place deemed as where you “get to prepare for the real world”. Quality education is only achieved when gender equality is also in the equation; students are a school’s constituents, and an institution becomes optimally conducive for learning when all identities are protected.
Naya is an SSC Council in her school, working towards institutional policies that reflect her values and the needs of her community. Although not having had anyone to guide her in navigating her identity in her teens, now, at 21, she has realized that giving what she didn’t receive back then is her purpose.
Women and Hair
Vojhn said that the first sense of pride that transwomen feel in the first stages of their transition is their hair. Even way before they take hormone replacement therapy (HRT), a transwoman feeling her hair grow is a milestone in her identity. In a world filled with all-too-misplaced gender expectations and haircut policies, this is a point of struggle that every transwoman has faced, with some still continuing to.
She recalled how the very first time she organized something was when she led a group of transwomen to ask their institution to let them keep their hair which has grown over the years during the pandemic. The pandemic was a tragic time, but paradoxically, one that has given transpeople freedom in how they choose to present themselves. Vojhn went to lengths to talk to the school administration, asking them to at least just allow them to tie their hair to resemble a haircut, and as a result of the initial failure to convince them, she was able to tap into CURLS for help, which then connected her to a paralegal for better guidance.
What Vojhn underwent for the simple goal of getting to keep her hair was excruciating. Nonetheless, she was able to succeed in living her truth while still being in school despite everyone telling her she can get her freedom once she graduates. Vojhn said, “Yes, we can tie our hair because we can suppress our identities at school, but outside of that, this is our life. It’s part of our identity.”
Naya had a similar issue in her own institution despite it being a state university. As someone in the SSC, she was one of the people who made the first LGBTQ+ organization in her school after the pandemic named “Balangaw,” which is the local term for rainbow. In spite of a lot of people being scared to hold the kind of conviction Naya has in fear of losing their scholarship, she persisted in getting her platform recognized by the school. With the help of the city ordinance employing anti-discrimination laws, it was approved.
In Jane’s school, she and her peers also organized to ask the principal to allow transwomen to keep their hair. They were outright rejected and were told to just look for other schools, which led them to take it upon themselves to speak to the vice president of the university. In a landscape-defining moment, not only did the vice president approve the haircut policy amendment, but also offered to allow transwomen to wear the female uniform of the school.
“Only we can identify what our SOGIE-SC is and no other person … It takes courage for us to be able to present ourselves to the world, but having someone to talk to us is so helpful, as well as finding the right community … Listening and being open to SOGIE-SC helps the community so much. Listening to peers who are not like you is so important in having a different worldview that makes you a better person.”
–Vojhn Ilaguison
“Despite the happenings in our society, I’ve always believed in one word: padayon. Layo pa ‘ta pero layo na.”
–Jane Caballes
“Take the risk or lose the chance. Do something that you really want and go for the things that make you feel alive and happy because life is too short to be taken away by other people in life.”
–Naya Marie
The triumphs of the community are incremental and slow, but steadfast are the actions of those in the LGBTQ+ community who have gone past the struggle of self-identity and are now fighting for the world to see them as they are. Reversing the conclusions made by a hateful past is hard, but if enough of us are shouting, then there will be no other choice but for our trans sisters and brothers to be heard. The SOGIE Bill protects us all. Destigmatizing HIV and AIDS protects us all.
The world is only as good as how it is able to be systematically fair to everyone. May we all embrace the spectrum and celebrate diversity. Live. Work. And pose.
Valentine’s Day is the day that we lovers express their love through greetings and gifts. More often than not, Valentine’s Day is often celebrated by couples by going on dates such as dinner dates, movie dates, and museum dates.
Photo from MarryFromHome
But what about couples in a long distance? Worry no more because we gotchu! If you want a Valentine’s LDR date that goes beyond the usual virtual movie dates, why not try video games? It has been found that the act of play can be essential to maintaining a healthy, loving, long-lasting relationship.
Would You Rather
This game is most of the time played in groups but this doesn’t mean that it can’t be played by long-distance couples. Whether you have been together for a time or just recently, knowing your partner more in a fun way is never a wrong move.
For those unfamiliar with this game, all you just need to do is ready questions that start with “Would you rather…” An example of this is, “Would you rather I visit you there or you visit me here?” and you can further escalate this question and start being flirty. You can also utilize Would You Rather question prompts for free online.
Wordle is such an inclusive game. This means that couples in a long-distance can do it too! Wordle is an online game that tests your vocabulary, especially in English. So if you want to play a game that needs several brain cells, or both of you love to challenge yourselves, World is the best for you!
Photo from The Times
To play Wordle, you need to install it first. It is available on Google Play or Apple Store.
Paired
Paired is an app that allows you to know your partner deeper and brings you two together. You can test your partner’s knowledge about dreams, beliefs, childhood, and even intimate moments.
Photo from sextechguide
If you wish to play Paired, you can access the application on Google Play or Apple Store.
Scrabble
Scrabble has the same concept as Wordle, and in this time and age, Scrabble is now not only limited to face-to-face scrabble games because online scrabble games have also been recently developed. And just like all other online games listed here, it is also for free!
Photo from Games.lol
Pokipet
If you want to take care of a pet of your partner together but cannot because of the distance, then worry not! While you are still long-distance, you can temporarily use co-parenting online games such as Pokipet!
Photo from iTunes Gift Card
If you wish to take good care of a virtual pet with your partner, you can download Pokipet on Google Play or Apple Store.
Celebrating Valentine’s Day is different for each and every couple which shows that no matter how you celebrate it, what matters most is that you are with your person and you are enjoying your company.
The emergence of technology and its fast progression enlighten and help us live easier. The once-traditional practices are now incorporated with various technological tools that aim to make lives easier.
In contemporary times, communication recognizes no boundaries, time, and space. With the help of social media, loved ones can be contacted with just a few clicks. This is also applicable in looking for a potential romantic partner.
Photo from New York Post
Gone are the days when men visited women’s homes or serenaded them in front of their yards because of the popularity of online dating sites that in just one swipe and one click, might lead you to the love of your life.
With Valentine’s Day spirit roaming around the neck and cranny, I assure you that it is too late to find yours. And we have listed the 5 best dating sites you should try.
Bumble
Known for its feminist features, Bumble is one of the few apps that puts the power to women. Launched in 2014 by a former Tinder employee, it has similar swipe features as Tinder where swiping is based on your attraction to the user. Swipe right is for accepting/liking and swipe left is for rejecting. But what makes Bumble different from Tinder is that women must message first within 24 hours to keep the match.
Photo from Medium
SIGNUP PROCESS
If you are new to Bumble, signing up is easy.
Registering your email/phone number, and setting up your password only takes a few minutes. Once done, you will need to verify your account via phone call. After creating an account, it then allows you to personalize your profile by adding prompts and including further unique information that sets you apart from others.
UNIQUE APP FEATURES
Except that Bumble gives women the power to make the first move once finding their match, it also offers other unique features.
The Questions Game – for those users (especially new ones) still trying to learn in striking conversations, the question game is the best fit for you. From the chat screen, you can select the “questions game” on the right-hand side of the text box and then shuffle through the questions until you find one you like or type your own. You and your match both have to answer before the results are revealed.
Bumble BFF and Bumble Bizz – Bumble is not exclusively a dating app. It also prides its non-dating features. If you are looking for new friends, you may join Bumble BFF. Meanwhile, if you’re looking for potential business partners, you may join Bumble Bizz.
Want to know more? You may visit Bumble’s Website for more information.
Tinder
Launched in 2012, it has swipe features based on your attraction to the user. Swipe right is for accepting/liking and swipe left is for rejecting. Unlike Bumble, Tinder allows anyone from the matched parties to initiate the conversation.
Photo from tinderpressroom.com
SIGNUP PROCESS
If you still don’t have a Tinder account, setting up one is just easy.
Once you’ve downloaded the app from the Play Store or Apple Store, click “Create Account” and enter your phone number to register. A text message will be sent to your phone containing the verification code. Once done, you can connect your Google or Facebook Account. Once the technical registration is completely set up, you can already personalize your profile.
Filipino Cupid is one of the earliest online dating sites to exist in the Philippines. Established in 2001, it has helped Filipino singles connect with their potential partners around the world.
SIGNUP PROCESS
Creating an account is just as easy as looking for your perfect match on FilipinoCupid.com. You just need to register here which only requires your Name, Age, Gender, Dating Preference, Email Address, Password, and a confirmation of the site’s Terms and Conditions. After a successful registration and account verification, you can further personalize and complete your profile.
Photo from @FilipinoCupid on X
This dating site has member levels which are Standard, Gold, and Platinum. In Standard, you can already customize searches, send interest to profiles, and communicate with all users including Gold and Platinum members.
What FilipinoCupid.com draws from other dating sites is that it has audio/video chat. However, this feature is only available to premium members.
To learn more about FilipinoCupid.com, you may visit their official website.
AsianDating.com
Similar to FilipinoCupid.com, AsianDating is also under Cupid Media Network and has connected thousands of Asian singles worldwide. AsianDating prides its wide scope of membership from the USA, Europe, Philippines, Thailand, China, Japan, Vietnam, and other countries.
Photo from Gridinsoft
SIGNUP PROCESS
Because AsianDating.com is under the same corporation as FilipinoCupid.com, creating an account for AsianDating is just as easy and similar to FilipinoCupid.com. You just need to register here which only requires your Name, Age, Gender, Dating Preference, Email Address, Password, and a confirmation of the site’s Terms and Conditions. After a successful registration and account verification, you can further personalize and complete your profile.
Similar to FilipinoCupid.com, AsianDating.com also has member levels Standard, Gold, and Platinum with each level having different features to enjoy.
Running succesfully for ove 40 years, this makes Blossoms the veteran dating site among all dating sites in this list. This is a popular pay site in the Philippines and is ideal for the guy looking for serious relationships or who is ready to settle down. And becaause this has been running for over 40 years, many successful stories has been witnessed already. So if you’re the kind of guy or girl who wants to make things and relationships serious, this is the best option for you!
Photo from Telegra.ph
SIGNUP PROCESS
Similar to other dating sites, creating an account on Blossoms is pretty much easy. All they ask in the registration is the name, email, gender, and password. To further verify, it requests its users to enter their basic information, birthday, age, location, a brief information about you, and they also ask for your photos (12 max). You may also participate with their top 10 feature, which basically asks for 10 things you want people to know about you, and 10 things you want to know about other people.
If you wish to know more about Blossoms.com, you may visit their website.
It’s time to succumb to the sky and the sea because Moana 2 calls us to join her in a new adventure!
Disney’s CEO Bob Iger announced on CNBC that Moana 2 is set to grace the cinemas this November 27th. Iger revealed that Moana 2 was supposed to be a TV series, but because he was impressed with the footage, it was turned into a feature film instead, especially with its popularity.
Photo from Disney Movies
“We can’t wait to give you more of Moana and Maui when ‘Moana 2’ comes to theaters this November.”
According to Disney, Moana 2 offers new adventures for Moana, Maui, and a brand-new crew of unlikely seafarers.
“After receiving an unexpected call from her wayfinding ancestors, Moana must journey to the far seas of Oceania and into dangerous, long-lost waters for an adventure unlike anything she’s ever faced,”
Disney added.
PEOPLE BEHIND MOANA 2
Dave Derrick Jr. will direct Moana 2. Meanwhile, the music for the sequel will be by the duo Abigail Barlow and Emily Bear. Abigail Barlow and Emily Bear, who worked on the first film’s music, will also contribute to the sequel’s music.
Photo from David Becker
However, the songwriter of the remarkable “How Far I’ll Go,” and “You’re Welcome,” Lin-Manuel Miranda is not expected to return for the sequel.
Moana was a success when it was released in 2016, generating $ 680M at the box office. At present, it can be streamed on the online streaming service Disney+.
No one should feel embarrassed for what their race is.
However, Korean YouTuber Tzuyang did otherwise, which earned her viewers’ ire.
Photo from @tzuyang on Youtube
In a YouTube Mukbang Video on January 28, Tzuyang is seen in a restaurant with her “Pinoy guest” named Ni Tong claimed to be one of Tzuyang’s Filipino subscribers. When it was Ni Tong’s time to speak and introduce herself, she was speaking in broken Korean with a thick Filipino accent, translating to, “Hello. I am Ni Tong, and I have a beautiful smile. I was formerly the wife of a farmer, but now I am a comedian,” in English.
Photo from @tzuyang on Youtube
However, it was found that Ni Tong was not Pinoy and the real name of the guest in the vlog is Kim Ji Young, a South Korean comedian pretending to be a Filipino and mocking the Pinoy accent, which is a clear racial mockery to Filipinos.
FILIPINO REACTIONS TO TZUYANG’S RACIAL MOCKERY
This revelation caused Tzuyang to receive numerous criticisms, especially from her Filipinos, whether subscribers or nonsubscribers.
Netizens aired their disappointment for poking fun at the Filipino accent, which should not be done in the first place.
“As a Filipino, I [felt] so proud at first when I saw that she is a Filipino. But the moment that it is revealed that she is not and she is copying or mocking Filipino accent, it made me bothered. Our accent is not a joke and should never be laughed at. Hope you all understand my point, thank you,”
Screenshot from Preview.ph
VIDEO TAKEN DOWN AND TZUYANG’S APOLOGY
The mukbang YouTube video, originally “[Philippine Flag Emoji] The Philippine Subscriber (?) was surprised [laughing emoji] Beef tripe rice noodles,” uploaded on January 28 was changed a week after in February to “Vietnamese restaurant where you eat in line [smiling emoji] Beef Gopchang Rice Noodles Mukbang,” after receiving heavy criticisms from Netizens. Sooner, the Mukbang Video was set to private.
Screenshot from Preview.phScreenshot from Preview.ph
Except for taking the Video down, Tzuyang also issued a public apology statement in three different languages (Filipino, English, and Korean).
“I want to extend my sincere apologies to our Filipino viewers and subscribers for any concerns caused by the video uploaded on January 28th with a Korean comedian,” she began.
“I hold great respect for the Philippines and feel genuinely grateful to the many viewers in the Philippines who enjoy my videos. However, it was a huge oversight on my part not to realize that the content we produced might unintentionally cause emotional pain, which was not our intention,” she continued.
If you want enemies to lovers, a trope yet a forbidden love that conquers all kinds of things, you’ll like Red, White, and Royal Blue.
The story follows Alez, the son of the US president and Prince Henry of the United Kingdom. The two are forced to be “friends” after crashing the Prince’s older brother’s wedding. But, as the pair grow closer, their love for each other blossoms, which pushes them into a whirlwind of a secret romance.
Photo from IMDb
Past Lives
Past Lives revolves around the story of a woman who tries to remember and reconnect with her crush back when she was a kid. Although the movie dwells more on romance than comedy, it’s still a good watch.
Photo from IMDb
Anyone But You
We can’t get enough of the beautiful Sydney Sweeney. The Euphoria actress stars in this romance-comedy called Anyone but You. The story is about Bea and Ben, who went on a first date yet didn’t quite have a blossoming romance. However, fate decided to play with them when they meet at a wedding in Australia and play “girlfriend and boyfriend.”
Photo from IMDb
Ghosted
It’s great to see Captain America back on screen again, this time in a romantic comedy. Chris Evans plays Cole, who falls in love with a woman named Samie, played by Ana de Armas. Unbeknownst to him, Sadie is a secret agent. In this tale of love, Cole finds himself saving the world with his crush.
Photo from IMDb
Elemental
This is an adorable story of yet another forbidden love that knows no bounds. Elemental follows the story of Amber, a woman of fire, who befriends a water guy. Despite being of different elements, they actually have a lot of things in common.
Photo from IMDb
Third World Romance
Pinoy romcoms, anyone? Third World Romance is a glimpse of reality. Charlie Dizon plays an outspoken cashier who falls in love with a chill grocery bagger. The couple navigates relationships in a world where everything comes at a cost.
What a lot of people don’t realize is that being single is amazing. With the premium given to relationships (and marriage as an extension), it’s not their fault that they may see singlehood as a sad fact, or one that constitutes “being left behind”. Recently, more people are embracing it, giving it a laugh, and practically echoing the 2015 “forever alone” rhetoric. While it’s fun to witness, it’s still sad to see that people defaultly deem singlehood as a phase, like a tragedy people would say “You’ll get over it soon” about.
Photo from Unsplash
Personally, I would say the happiest years of my life were when I only had myself to worry about. Of course it’s not a blanket policy, and I do see the value in relationships. But we all just have to understand that we shouldn’t hinge our happiness upon being with someone. You are perfectly fine being alone.
Now, a recent study has shown that long-term singles share common values such as creativity, independence, and freedom. The research uncovered that individuals who aren’t in a relationship prioritize things that might be overlooked because of society’s emphasis on romance and the necessity to make it your #1. Not being constantly boggled by the traditional notions of romance, single people, as per the study, have their minds on personal goals, family and platonic relationships, and mental and physical health.
Photo from Unsplash
Currently, 40% of adults in the U.S. are single, actively choosing the life of riding solo. This is a significant increase compared to previous years. Bella DePaulo, a 69 year old residing in Santa Barbara California, has spent her entire life unpartnered and mentioned that embracing one’s individuality brings an unparalleled fulfillment and psychological richness. Even today, singlehood is still stigmatized, but the study behind embracing what should be a moment of self-discovery and seeing the world in a way that no one is directly in your periphery helps people realize how much of a blessing being alone is.
Photo from Unsplash
Making your lover your everything is never a good way to go. What this dive into singlehood shows is the importance of tapping onto the different realms of life that involve love, just not a romantic one. The research further showed how singles have stronger social ties and involvement with their communities, and this is the very thing relationships are likely to blindspot people. Depending on a partner for everything cannot satisfy your needs and will most likely burden them while making yourself unable to stand without their presence. Building communities is something that is often overlooked because of how romantic love lies to us and makes us feel that it is all that we need.
This is in no way a cautionary tale that tells you to break up with your lover if you have one. It is very possible to be in a healthy relationship where both individuals have their own life and respective support systems outside of each other. What both the study and this article is telling you is that if you’re taken, you can learn a thing or two from single people who truly embrace a life that is not in conjunction with another person. A relationship is not a leash. And if you’re single, you don’t have to keep waiting. Enjoy yourself. Life is so big.
Photo from Unsplash
If you stop your fixation on looking for it, it’s more likely going to come to you at some point. And if it doesn’t, cite the great philosopher Ariana Grande and say “yes, and?”
