CRISTY IN THE CITY

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: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Whenever I travel, I make it a point to take as many photographs as I can. I lean toward a POV (point of view) style when it comes to travel snaps—just a few selfies for posterity, and the rest are scenic landscapes, macro details, and architectural highlights. I shoot with purpose, knowing that these photos will later live on in photobooks, scrapbooks, handmade postcards, desktop wallpapers, or even a travel magazine of my own.

I’ve learned that you don’t need to be in every shot to prove you were there. A handful of selfies is enough to validate your presence. That way, the rest of your shots—uncluttered and wide—become versatile material for creative projects like a DIY travel book. 

For detailed instructions on how to make a soft or hardbound travel book, visit the how-to article on my arts and crafts blog.

Beyond the Hardcover: Try a Custom Travel Magazine

Unknown to many, Photobook offers a custom magazine or booklet option—an exciting alternative to the traditional hardcover or softcover formats. This format is not only significantly more affordable, but also ships faster from Malaysia where it is printed. You can upgrade to thicker paper and enhanced color printing for a more premium feel.

Their A4 or A5 size travel magazines feature saddle-stitch binding, so they require a gentler touch when flipping through pages—but the payoff is a sleek, modern aesthetic. You can either build your magazine from scratch or use one of their pre-designed templates, like the Travel Explorer theme.

Creative Inspiration: Think SMILE Magazine

One of my biggest inspirations is SMILE, the in-flight magazine of Cebu Pacific. While the current issues are more ad-heavy and less photo-centric, the early editions had a strong visual identity—especially in their cover layouts.

Here’s how to channel that look:

• Foreground: the traveler
  You (or your subject) should be in the frame—but not dominate it.

• Background: the story
  The scenery should always tell a larger story. The bridge or mountain behind you should be more prominent than your face.

• Photography tip:
  Use wide-angle shots to create a sense of place. These work especially well across two-page centerfold spreads.

• Image quality matters:
  The higher the resolution, the sharper and more print-ready your layout will be.

  
  

Bonus Content: Make It Magazine-Worthy

To take your DIY magazine from pretty to professional, weave in the following:

• Anecdotes from your travels

• Local recipes you picked up or tried

• Brief historical or cultural notes about the place

• Travel tips or packing lists tailored to each destination

  
  

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!