Tuesday, December 23, 2025
A shimmering collision of retro funk, Britpop nostalgia, and modern OPM swagger—Andalucia feels less like a comeback album and more like a late-night drive through memory, melody, and youthful longing.
Andalucia—IV of Spades’ reunion album after a five-year hiatus—is easily this year’s most memorable release. True to their funk-rock roots, the album is a refined and mature work of sonic artistry that highlights the band’s mastery of melody and lyricism. Rather than chasing trends, the album’s 12 tracks feel timeless—destined to become OPM rock classics that future generations will continue to enjoy. It’s nostalgia with a twist of millennial exuberance.
If I were to file Andalucia under a specific category, it would be that perfect car song / road trip playlist—the kind you play over and over again, even while stuck in a raging traffic jam.
As someone who grew up listening to ’90s OPM and alternative rock, this album hits me with a powerful wave of nostalgia. Suddenly, I’m transported back to my state university’s flagship campus as a wide-eyed college freshman, enjoying a warm afternoon breeze in baby tees and sneakers. Andalucia gives me all these feels—and more.
TARA (Let’s Go)
The album opens with an infectious burst of youthful exuberance tinged with nostalgia. The guitar intro immediately hooks you, setting the tone for the flirty lyrics of a boy eager to take a girl out on a date. The playful vocal cadence makes this track an instant joy to listen to.
MONSTER
This track revives memories of my Britpop phase—weekends spent glued to MTV Asia, immersed in bands like Oasis, Blur, Suede, and Pulp. Monster is a sonic masterpiece. I can almost imagine Damon Albarn in the room as it plays. When the band chants, “We are the future from the seventies,” it feels like a declaration. Sons of Gen X musicians born in the ’70s, IV of Spades proudly carry the torch forward.
PARU-PARU (Butterfly)
Aww—this one’s just adorable. It perfectly captures that kilig moment: the awkward nervousness of being around the person you love, like butterflies blooming in your stomach from love-induced anxiety. I love that there’s now an IV of Spades song that captures this feeling so well.
NANAMAN
I can’t help but think of Eraserheads when this song comes on. That familiar ’90s guitar work—raw, unpolished, and almost live—delivers a solid punch of nostalgia. The more you listen, the catchier it becomes.
KONSENSIYA
My favorite part is the four-chord intro loop, which vaguely echoes U2’s Pride (In the Name of Love). If Paru-Paru feels like falling in love, Konsensiya explores the foolishness of being the third wheel—all in the name of love.
TAMIS NG PAGKAKAMALI
A song for your favorite mistake. The sweetness of bad life decisions—sorry, not sorry. This track captures that sentiment perfectly, wrapped in classic ’90s OPM sensibilities.
AURA
With a melodic pattern reminiscent of Mundo, IV of Spades’ most popular song, Aura feels warm, nostalgic, and incandescently sincere. It has all the makings of a true OPM classic.
KARMA
This is my OPM counterpart to Taylor Swift’s Karma. While Swift delivers her message with subtlety, this track doesn’t mince words: “Malay mo, matauhan ka, ako ang iyong karma. Gulat ka, ’di ba?”
TANGERINE BOULEVARD
This song has Rico Blanco written all over it. Clearly inspired by him, IV of Spades effortlessly channels the Rivermaya songwriting tradition. For a moment, you might even think Rico himself is singing—when it’s actually Unique Salonga. The lyrics are poetic and rich with meaning, while the soothing progression makes this one of my top picks on the album.
KABISADO
With its distinct ’70s rock flair, Kabisado is smooth, suave, and easy on the ears. It’s the kind of song that quietly grows on you.
REWIND
Upbeat and energetic, this track grooves with a funky ’80s feel. I catch hints of new wave influences particularly Culture Club’s Karma Chameleon or General Public’s Tenderness in the first few seconds of the song. You won’t mind hitting repeat—this song is pure fun.
SULIRANIN
The slowest track on the album, Suliranin leans into the relaxed vibe of ’70s folk-pop—think Apo Hiking Society or The Rainmakers. It’s a gentle, satisfying close to an outstanding album.
FINAL VERDICT
⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
A masterfully crafted record by four incredibly talented musicians with diverse influences, Andalucia is the best album I’ve heard this year. Perfect score. No notes.
Tuesday, December 16, 2025
Healthy Options, the purveyor of all-natural and organic living, has finally opened its doors at SM City Iloilo—and it honestly feels like a long-time manifestation coming to life. It has always been one of the stores I intentionally visit whenever I travel to Manila, so seeing it arrive in Iloilo is incredibly exciting.
For
a city that has long had a limited selection of natural, organic, and
ethically sourced products catering to conscious lifestyle choices, the
opening of Healthy Options is truly welcome news. Its presence fills a
noticeable gap for those of us who value holistic wellness and mindful
consumption.
What
I love most about Healthy Options is its thoughtfully curated range of
products. My personal favorites include their natural skin and body
care, supplements, aromatherapy oils, and—of course—their selection of
organic snacks and drinks. Every visit feels intentional, with products
that support both personal well-being and ethical living.
Healthy Options is also a meaningful addition to Iloilo’s growing natural lifestyle community, complementing stores such as Simple and Whole,
which is likewise located at SM City Iloilo. Together, these spaces
make it easier—and more inspiring—to embrace a healthier, more conscious
way of living right here in the city.
Seeing
brands like Healthy Options choose Iloilo feels like a positive step
forward, and I hope it encourages even more thoughtfully curated
lifestyle concepts to find a home here.
Thursday, December 4, 2025
When you mix a whole foods market with a cozy brunch café, you get something wonderfully unique—One World Deli. It’s a refreshing concept that blends healthy dining with mindful shopping, offering a shop/bar/café/bakery all in one beautifully curated space.
I visited their branch in Alabang West, and I was instantly charmed by its relaxed vibe, natural aesthetic, and impressive lineup of fair-trade, thoughtfully sourced goods. From organic snacks and beverages to premium meat and poultry, artisanal confections, and clean personal care items, the selection truly celebrates conscious living.
If you’re planning a Manila trip, don’t forget to add this must-visit brunch destination to your itinerary! It’s the perfect spot for good food, good finds, and good vibes.
One World Deli- Alabang
Lot 3, Block 1B New Daang Hari Road, Alabang West, Las Piñas, 1550 Metro Manila
Tuesday, December 2, 2025
Sweet Alison (Lobularia maritima)
This summer, my good friend Cathy from the States sent me a packet of Wildflower Mix seeds. I’ve never considered myself much of a green thumb — certainly nothing like my late mother — but every now and then I manage to weave a little garden magic when it truly matters.
This year, it mattered.
I’ve spent the past months tending my mother’s garden, a place she nurtured with such love before she passed a decade ago. I made a promise to keep her lawn alive and to keep adding to her collection. And so, slowly and carefully, I’ve been filling it with new life: Nerium oleander, Sweet Alison, strawberries, a goldfish plant, kumquat, and a Philodendron “Prince of Orange,” among others.
My favorite, by far, is Sweet Alison — a honey-scented wildflower that draws in pollinators and memories in equal measure. Its fragrance always brings Tom Petty’s song "Wildflowers" to mind, one of my cherished garden-themed songs. There’s something about the lyrics, gentle and reassuring, that reminds me that no matter how life unfolds, we all deserve a place where we feel free.
Tending this garden has become more than a task; it’s a quiet ritual, a way of keeping my mother close. And every time Sweet Alison blooms, I’m reminded that we, too, belong among the wildflowers.
WILDFLOWERS
(Tom Petty/1994)
You belong among the wildflowers
You belong in a boat out at sea
Sail away, kill off the hours
You belong somewhere you feel free
Run away, find you a lover
Go away somewhere all bright and new
I have seen no other
Who compares with you
You belong among the wildflowers
You belong in a boat out at sea
You belong with your love on your arm
You belong somewhere you feel free
Run away, go find a lover
Run away, let your heart be your guide
You deserve the deepest of cover
You belong in that home by and by
You belong among the wildflowers
You belong somewhere close to me
Far away from your trouble and worry
You belong somewhere you feel free
You belong somewhere you feel free
In a garden mood? Listen to my playlist right here.
Saturday, November 29, 2025
A Cebu City itinerary wouldn’t be complete without a visit to the National Museum of the Philippines–Cebu (NMP Cebu) at Plaza Independencia. Just a few steps from the plaza stands the stately Aduana Building, once a bustling Customs House before its transformation into a museum in 2023. Restored to its architectural glory, it now features three permanent galleries on the ground floor and two changing galleries on the second level.
My
favorite corner of the museum is the cartography section—an absolute
delight for a map lover like me. The archaeological, ethnographic, and
maritime historical collections are equally fascinating. With its
expansive layout, soaring ceilings, and blissfully cold air-conditioning
(a welcome contrast to Cebu’s heat and humidity), the museum invites
visitors to slow down, wander, and fully absorb the displays.
Right
beside NMP Cebu is Fort San Pedro, the historic military defense built
during the Spanish colonial period under Miguel López de Legazpi.
Designed in the Italian-Spanish style of fortification, the compact
structure can be explored in under 30 minutes. A small colony of
well-fed resident cats adds unexpected charm to the experience, often
lounging along the fort’s weathered cobblestones.
Both
the National Museum and Fort San Pedro are a short 10-minute walk from
the Basilica Minore del Sto. Niño de Cebu and the Magellan’s Cross
Shrine—making this heritage-rich corner of the city perfect for a
half-day cultural stroll. The Plaza Independencia landmarks are best
explored on weekends after a pilgrimage and mass in the Basilica.
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