CRISTY IN THE CITY

The old and once-dilapidated wet markets of Iloilo City are finding their second lives.

What used to be crowded, worn, and often overlooked spaces are now being reimagined through redevelopment initiatives that aim to breathe life back into these familiar corners of the city. Jaro, La Paz, Super Terminal, and Central Market have all been redeveloped almost simultaneously. After what felt like a long wait, these cultural institutions are finally open again—reborn, but not entirely changed.

So what is there to see and experience?

Plenty.

I personally gravitate toward Central Market along Rizal Street, City Proper. That area has always held a special place in my memory. Back in the ’80s, it was my stomping ground. I studied in a Catholic school nearby, and after classes, I would wander into the market—usually in search of snacks, comics, or small toys that felt like treasures at the time. The place was messy, chaotic, and alive in a way only wet markets can be.

It was never pretty—but it was real.

As the years passed and adulthood quietly took over, my reasons for visiting changed. I found myself returning for more practical things—fresh flowers, native crafts, rice cakes, and of course, fruits, vegetables, and fish. The market, in its own way, grew with me. It adapted to my needs without losing its essence.

On one particularly hot Saturday afternoon, fresh from an indoor pool swim at a nearby hotel, I decided to check out the newly redeveloped Central Market.

And I was genuinely surprised.

The space now hosts cafés, froyo kiosks, and charming little gift shops—things I never imagined seeing in a place I once associated with muddy floors and makeshift stalls. It felt lighter, more curated, more intentional. And yet, it didn’t feel unfamiliar.

Because tucked within all that newness were the things that mattered most.

The native craft shops were still there—quietly holding their ground. Small remnants of childhood, still present despite the gloss of modernization. Seeing them felt like running into an old friend who hadn’t changed much at all.

That, to me, is the beauty of it.

Redevelopment often risks erasing the past in favor of something shinier. But here, it feels more like a layering—where memory and modernity coexist. Where the city evolves without completely letting go of who it used to be.

And in that space, somewhere between old and new, I found something familiar.

It still is my city, after all.

Put your headphones on and explore Iloilo City on foot with a Spotify playlist made for slow walks and golden hour moments. From sun-drenched afternoons to breezy twilight strolls, this curated mix of gentle OPM and energizing indie beats is designed to help you fall in love with the City of Love—one step at a time.

Languid strolls can lift a sour mood.  Picking up the pace can untangle an overthinking mind. 

As you move, inhale the city’s calm, unhurried energy. Let the good vibes sink in while a heady mix of gentle OPM melodies and energizing indie beats sets the rhythm of your walk. There’s something about the cadence of the music blending with the city’s pace—it settles into your soul before you even realize it.

Feel it already? Do a gentle warm-up, press play, and let the streets, skies, and familiar corners unfold around you. This is your time to slow down, look up, and rediscover the quiet charm of Iloilo City—one step, one song at a time.

Don’t forget to save the playlist on Spotify. See you around the City of Love. 

Cloud Dancer (Pantone 11-4201) feels like a held breath—quiet, weightless, and reassuring. It lives in that liminal space between white and sky, where blue and gray dissolve into something barely there. Like almond milk poured into tea, it softens without erasing, calms without dimming. It is a color that does not ask for attention, yet creates the perfect atmosphere for everything else to be seen more clearly.

To bask in its contemplative softness, imagine pairing Cloud Dancer with a sound bath—tones that drift, linger, and gently fade, much like clouds themselves.

---

Cloud Dancer Sound Bath

A calming Spotify playlist for rest, reflection, and gentle becoming

You can search these tracks directly on Spotify or build your own playlist inspired by them:

• ✨ Opening – Light & Air
• Marconi Union – “Weightless”
• Brian Eno – “An Ending (Ascent)”
• Hammock – “Turn Away and Return”
• ☁️ Floating – Dreamy & Spacious
• Nils Frahm – “Says”
• Ólafur Arnalds – “Near Light”
• A Winged Victory for the Sullen – “Steep Hills of Vicodin Tears”
• 🕊️ Resting – Soft Piano & Ambient Calm
• Joep Beving – “Sleeping Lotus”
• Max Richter – “Dream 3 (in the midst of my life)”
• Hania Rani – “F Major”
• 🌙 Closing – Stillness & Breath
• East Forest – “10 Laws”
• Julianna Barwick – “Look Into Your Own Mind”
• Sigur Rós – “Samskeyti”

If there’s an album that can accompany us through the stormiest and darkest of days, it has to be rising Pinoy experimental pop band Cup of Joe’s seminal full-length release, Silakbo. Dropped on January 17, 2025, the album’s Filipino title translates to “emotional outburst” or “roused-up feelings.” Its black-and-red cover art symbolically represents the five stages of grief—or alternately, the five talented Gen Z members that make up the band.

Frontmen Gian Bernardino and Rapha Ridao provide soulful, contrasting-yet-blending vocals, while Gabriel Fernandez (lead guitar), CJ Fernandez (rhythm guitar), and Xen Gareza (keyboards) craft a sonically layered soundscape drawing from retro, indie, folk, and pop ballad influences. Cup of Joe’s strength lies in their romantic Tagalog lyricism and dreamy imagery, a powerful medium for connecting to their growing legion of fans. Listeners will find themselves immersed in the album’s expressive sensibilities and its heartfelt confrontation with grief’s thematic cousins—denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance.

Prepare to have dormant feelings resurface at your most vulnerable moments, as Cup of Joe invites you to sit once again with emotions that may never have found closure.

DENIAL: “Bagyo” and “Wine”

The opener Bagyo begins with the swirling sound of an impending thunderstorm, mirroring the emotional turbulence of circumstances beyond one’s control. Its metaphor of a falling sky and rising tide of misfortune highlights the inevitability of pain. No matter how hard we resist, the rain still falls, and the world still turns dark.

Meanwhile, Wine—the only track with an English title and chorus—delivers disbelief and disappointment at losing a lover to someone else. Minimal instrumentation and Ridao’s warm, sensual vocals make this haunting ballad unforgettable.

ANGER: “Kanelang Mata” and “Bubog”

Kanelang Mata (Cinnamon Eyes) simmers slowly before escalating into a full storm of anger. Bubog (Shards), however, cuts deepest—it’s raw, nerve-hitting, and emotionally devastating, driven by self-doubt, inadequacy, and self-blame.

Bernardino and Ridao deliver lines with such piercing emotion that listeners are left asking: Is the mirror broken, or am I the one who’s broken? From a songwriting perspective, Bubog is easily a standout.

BARGAINING: “Siping” and “Pahina”

Grief shifts into longing in this section. Siping (To Lay Beside) flows like a serenade—a final warm embrace before letting go. Pahina (Page), meanwhile, aches with the desire to rewrite life’s chapters and cling to promises etched in memory. Its lyrical strength lies in its poetic imagery, repeating the inevitability of returning to the same person, the same page.

DEPRESSION: “Multo” and “’Di Maari”

Despite its heavy theme, Multo is the most popular and heavily rotated song on the album—thanks to its catchy riffs and relatable lyrics about missed connections, lost chances, and unfulfilled dreams. It’s poised to cement Cup of Joe as a household OPM name.

’Di Maari, on the other hand, is a stripped-down gem. With bare-bones instrumentation and lyrics that feel like a whispered love letter or apology, it is deeply healing in its intimacy.

ACCEPTANCE: “Hinga” and “Silakbo”

The final stage of grief comes with renewed energy and hope. Hinga provides a collective pause to breathe, lifted by exhilarating drum beats and soaring falsettos. Its message is clear: even darkness allows stars to shine.

Finally, the eponymous track Silakbo closes the album on a high. Upbeat, danceable, and vocally dynamic, it encapsulates the band’s versatility and emotional journey. Even if sung a cappella, the power of these songs would remain undeniable.

Final Verdict

Silakbo is a musically mature release overflowing with lyrical depth and emotional resonance. Each of its ten tracks stands out in its own style while contributing to a cohesive narrative arc. It’s a beautiful balance of pain, reflection, and catharsis—an album that speaks to both new and long-time OPM listeners.

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Here's one of my favorite mild tempo playlist. Chill enough to relax me while working and upbeat enough to keep me  alert and awake. Check out Heehee playlist. Have a productive day!