CRISTY IN THE CITY

For someone like me, a jaded urban dweller constantly caught between work emails and home responsibilities, being off the grid for a few days felt like a rare luxury — a quiet kind of healing for the soul. Even if my trip to the hinterlands of San Remigio, Antique, was technically work-related, it became so much more than that.

The noise of city life, the endless commutes, and the draining routine of office days can wear you down without you even realizing it. Sometimes, all we really need is a breath of mountain air — an escape that feels like washing the spirit clean.

San Remigio, known as the Summer Capital of Antique, reminds me of a gentler, humbler Baguio. Its highlands, especially the barangays of Aningalan, unfold like hidden worlds waiting to be discovered — full of quiet corners and breathtaking views.

Walking through rolling hills and valleys covered in rain-fed greenery, I found myself slowly unclenching from the tension of daily life. The cool breezes, the soft drizzle at night, and the mist that greets you each morning — they have a way of calming even the most restless mind.

To unplug, to simply exist in the quiet company of misty mountains — that was exactly what my soul needed. Thank you, dear mountains, for the peace and perspective. Until next time.

The Trendtitas Pop-Up Market at North Grove has quickly become Iloilo’s most talked-about bazaar, thanks to its stylish concept and carefully curated line-up of merchants. From artisanal coffee carts, baked treats, and gourmet refreshments to trendy clothes and accessories, it’s a weekend hotspot that perfectly blends shopping, food, and fun.

Adding to the lively atmosphere are photo booths, live music (as they say, if it’s too loud, you’re too old!), plus games and surprise activities that keep the crowd buzzing.

Despite its playful name, the event draws a mainly Gen Z and young millennial crowd. The real Gen X “titas” — those with the actual purchasing power — might feel a bit out of place, as the current mix caters more to youthful tastes in food and fashion.

Perhaps future editions could take a page from the iconic Salcedo Market concept — offering a broader, more inclusive mix of merchants. Imagine healthy food finds, local fashion labels, wellness and skincare products, home décor, travel accessories, art pieces, and of course, plants for the plantitas. A market where Gen Z girlies can happily drag their moms, aunties, or even grandmas along for a shared shopping and lifestyle experience.

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: ⭐⭐⭐⭐