There have been so many new stuff that came out and my NSA update became so out-of-hand and long that I had to do a PART 2 (Read Part 1 here). Not that I am complaining. It is a pleasure to share these goodies with you (if you are even reading this).

After most of the founding members of the band have left, I have almost lost hope of ever getting to hear a new Paramore song again (Paraless with two members left, we used to joke). But Zac Farro came back and alas, they are back and are sounding more bad ass than ever and come May 12th, they will be releasing After Laughter (the same day as Harry Styles. Should be an awesome day.) and I have never been more hyped up.

They've recently released a single called Hard Times and man, did I miss them. It has that 80's rock/dance vibe into it and it may be different from the older tracks but it is good. While the melody sounded happy, it has that dark side, sadness stripping every line (Sneaky Hayley lyrics as per usual). The lyrics isn't even reassuring (that everything will be alright in the end) but it is a reminder that after all the hard times, the choice is still yours to make, on to whether to go on or decide that you are done.

The album title in itself is genius. After Laughter according to them is that moment when you're done laughing and there is that trace of the laugh that remains before you go on your usual face/stance. What is it that has brought you back in reality? Will it be good, will you smile, will you be laughing up some more? There are a lot of possibilities and that is what's making this album, I don't know, special on its own.

Next is their Monumentour buddies, Fall Out Boy surprising everyone prior to Patrick Stump's birthday with a song, a tour, and an album to be released in September. Seriously, they should have a Monumentour Part 2 and include Manila in it!

Going back, Young and Menace, everybody. 

Pete Wentz explains (on their page),

"The gentle pull of a tide that rolls over and over again and by the sheer nature of its essence it becomes an indestructible will- ripping out sand- eroding what was before it- without a care... a transformational monster-becoming the madness and frenzy of a truly bulletproof wave. I'm not just here for your love, I'm here for all of the love. An overdose of dopamine- we are living inside of M A N I A right now. the never sleeping, never blinking- caught forever in the sunshine riptide."

MANIA. A political album. I am ready to get lost in the chaos. It's been too long.

And there's a madness that's just coursing right through me

And as far as the time, far as the time

Not sure I'm there yet but I'm certain I've arrived

Oops, I did it again,

I forgot what I was losing my mind about

I only wrote this down to make you press rewind

And send a message I was young and a menace

If I am off the deep end

I'm just here to become the best yet

I'm just here for the psych assessment

I'm just here for the, for the...

Fall

We've gone way too fast for way too long.

***

Saving the best for the last is Up All Night by David Archuleta. I know it's not the first song that he has released after his Chilean mission stint but there is something about Up All Night that is so special. We were joking like "WATCH HIM MAKE SOMETHING SO LIVELY OF A BOP (REFERRING TO THE TITLE) INTO A POP BALLAD (JUDGING IT THE COVER ART)" but we just miss David being all active, is all.

It is no secret how David is one of my all-time favourite musicians (albeit his music being different from the genre that I listen on a daily basis) and I am ever glad that he is indeed back. Moreover, I am eternally grateful for the friends for keeps that I have met through all the fangirling adventures that we had all for the love of David Archuleta and his music in the past. The song is catchy and it gives off the vibe of him finally finding his sound and not just the bubblegum pop that labels would push him early on his career. His music sounded mature (well, pop), in the most wholesome way that is totally true to his character. He is never hesitating to voice his heart out and that is what I loved the most about him. There will be a series of EP that he will be releasing in the coming months starting off with Orion which will be out on May 19th. There will also be tours and I really hope he would get to visit us in Asia soon as it has been too long and really, we miss him.

Buy Up All Night in iTunes here!

Feel the magic in the midnight air

Breathe it in, I wanna pass it on

The strength of fighting somewhere you belong

(I'm wide awake with)

Hands so small but I am safe and sound

Where I stand it feels like solid ground

No where else that I'd rather be

No greater gift than what you've given me.

Runner ups (also known as songs I would have featured if I had more time today) are All Time Low with a series of releases (I am yet to hear the latest one, though) with rad merchandises to match, Lana Del Rey's new song with The Weeknd and the Gorillaz' new album (though I am yet to listen to it as well).

Cheers to music and more.

April x

Not only did the month of April comes in epic proportions because apparently it is my birth month but it has been a great time for new music releases as well! I would post a lot of separate blog updates for my NEW MUSIC ALERT tab for but I don't have that much of time to do so here's a rundown of the singles and stuff that came out in the past month.

Let's start this one off on April 7th with the most anticipated Harry Styles debut single, Sign of the Times. I will be totally honest, sometimes I feel like he's over-hyped and just plain lucky that he's got the opportunity, the A-list connection and the huge following but I admire the honesty that he wants to share with the world through pursuing the music that is closest to his heart (One Direction is One Direction and I love their stuff as a band but it is also nice to hear their works individually). In Zayn's term, "real music", or so what he's felt that is real to him. He is talented, well-trained and equipped and he knows what he wants so he just goes for it (Harry has just worded it better, hence, lesser backlash). 

Also, among the five (even though Zayn has always been my favourite One Direction guy), Harry's music genre is actually the one that I dig the most. Having said that, I like the song and the whole package.

He may have gone a bit over dramatic with the glam rock production (my friends have more colorful words to say, mostly negative but, well), he struggles on live shows (SOTT is a pretty hard song to sing but sorry Haz, let's be brutally honest, the nerves card can only work once. And although I admire the passion, you have to deliver, hit the notes, work even harder because you are a singer /performer and you should be able to, you know.) and it didn't have to be five minutes long but the message has been heard. Welcome to the rockstar Harry era. I am delighted and excited for him. I even like the other song Ever Since New York that he's performed on his Saturday Night Live guesting. Ten songs. Slick aesthetic (I am loving the vintage feel of it). The album will be out on May 12th and he has already released his intimate show/tour dates. Who knows, I might get to see him. We'll see about that.

***

April 7th is not done being amazing as it is also the release date of The Maine's Lovely Little Lonely. I am so buzzing! It is everything my emo self has ever wanted (if the previous post about the singles off this album isn't enough of a proof). It has been years of great music and there is just no stopping them. The cohesive theme, the aesthetic, the heartfelt, hauntingly honest lyrics, the impressive song/instrumental transitions: twelve tracks of pure bliss. It is one of those records that you just cannot help but play from track one up to the last. That is how good it was and I am not even exaggerating.


It is hard to pick a sole favourite song from the album but I have been listening to Lovely and Black Butterflies and Deja Vu (in that order because A++) the most and I would definitely want to hear them perform Taxi and The Sound of Reverie come this June. I am totally sold with How Do You Feel? being the closing track because it is nothing but fitting to the whole listening experience. After reliving the heartaches, heartbreaks, the joy of falling in love, staying in love with life and love and everything in between, here goes a track that sort of reminds you that there is someone who is listening (albeit through their music) and you don't have to go through everything alone anymore.

***

Another April 7th explosive (honestly, you guys are spoiling me) is from my girl Michelle Branch, releasing a banger of an LP after 14 years with Hopeless Romantic. It's been a long time coming and it is, well, worth the long wait. 

The Fleetwood Mac and Lana Del Rey vibes of this record is something that I really enjoyed a lot. Long live pop rock! I miss the times when music is this honest and although she is not as mainstream sounding and will not probably as successful on the radio as her previous works were, I am totally fine with it. Self-indulgent, one would say. 

Best You Ever, the lead single off the album is gold. Michelle Branch has not lost her touch with coming up with the most impressive and straightforward lyrics. I could listen to Knock Yourself Out and Not A Love Song for days. I live for the angst and chill emanating off Fault Line and Living A Lie. I love everything about this record and I just could not get enough.

***

I have at least a few to add so I decided to just post a Part 2 for the April releases. Should be fun, right?

April x

All I know is "today is all we've got and today is all we'll ever have," so let's live. 

This collage could pass as a puberty challenge in a span of nine years but there really isn't any major glo up except for me probably gaining weight? Hahahaha and me knowing my best angle (if there is such) so I won't look too fat (not that I am ashame of my body or what. Flaunt it, yeah?). But if there's anything that's constant it's me smiling through/after anything. 

Smiling even when hurting.

When I'm failing myself. And has disappointed others.

When achieving something I've worked hard for.

When people appreciates me for being me.

Whenever I would finish reading a good book.

When I listen to the music that I like.

When I get to meet the people that I admire.

Whenever I thought of a good (or probably bad) pun.

When I am at my worst and yet knowing that one day it will only get better.

When I am with the people that I value the most.

When I get to experience life at its fullest.

When God gave me opportunities (too much that sometimes I get anxious if I could handle all of it) to make an even better woman out of me.

When God has blessed me more than I would ever deserve.

Life will not always go your way, but you can choose and act on how you want to see it, on where you would want it to lead. You can choose to pick which battles that you are going to fight for and then graciously let go of the others. You'd know who amongst your relationships are for keeps. At the same time, it is okay to allow yourself to grieve for the time and the people that you have lost in your quest for love and maturity. I may be saying this every year but only because is it not what life is about? There may be no definite answer as to getting to be who we wanted or where we wanted to be because we always only end up wanting for more. But we can always do something about our happiness.

We are living. 

We are loved. 

It is never too late to give that love back.

It is never too late to empower each other.

And that's what's making me happy.

That is what I am grateful for.

Year twenty-six, I am embracing you with all my heart. I am stoked as to what you have for me and the people around me.

Here's to more of life. 

April x

For today's VERSUS, as promised, let me take you to these two interactive 3D museums in the metro, Art in Island in Cubao and the Upside Down museum in Pasay City!

Visiting museums seemed to be a trend for millenials these days. Not only because are they so aesthetically pleasing and Instagram-worthy (hashtag feedgoals), they are almost everywhere and are easily accessible. One will definitely enjoy them especially if you are into arts and stuff most especially these days when they are even interactive as inspired by our neighboring countries'works (Malaysia, Thailand and Korea who are the pioneers of this kind of art museums.)

Both AII and USD are accessible as they are located in the metro! It's an easy treat to your group of friends or family if you're sick of the usual weekend at the mall bonding. The entrance fees are also affordable and they are giving discounts for children, students and the senior citizens.

Ticket prices for AII are P500.00 for adults and P400.00 for students, senior citizens and PWDs. Do take note to bring your ID to avail the said discount. Children below 3 feet are FREE of charge. (What a treat, right?) 9:30AM to 9:30PM.

Art in Island

175 15th Ave. | Cubao, Quezon City, Luzon 1109, Philippines

Upside Down Museum

AII is huge in land area and there are so many artworks and pieces for you to choose from: 

It is even hard to pick one from the amount of photos that you will definitely taking once you go to this place. The only downside is that, more people actually flock to this place so it is a must to go early for you to be able to experience every single thing.

I remember not taking photos of some pieces because of the number of people lining up. Also, you feel rushed and that you don't get to fully enjoy everything. This also make you miss the best angle for the optical illusion that is needed for the artworks to actually be 3D-fied. (THE BEST ANGLE is the key for better photos, apparently or it may seem like a typical photo on a museum and you don't want that, of course.)

USD is relatively smaller with only 15 galleries/features but whatever that USD lacks in land area (1,700 sq. ft only), they made up with the services. Also, lesser area means lesser people for you to be able to take your photos in peace.

There are people (actual people!!) assigned to every gallery to assist you in achieving your perfect photos. They even give pointers for you to come up with the best pose that even if you decided to go experience this place alone (in which there is nothing wrong, although it's more fun if you are to go with a company), you will still be able to go home with your Instagram-worthy portraits.

The Floating Corner, Upside Down House (my favourite!!), Mirror House, Giant Sneaker, Giant Headset, and the Inverted Steel Bridge are just some of the areas that you will definitely enjoy seeing.

I've been to AII in 2015 and they might have new features that I am yet to see so it's exciting if we ever decided to come back. 

I don't get to update the blog as often as I would like / should, so whenever I get back on and the internet at home is not as crappy as it usually is, I try to introduce new things on the blog (and hope to be able to get on with the concepts  for a long time). 

On a quite unrelated note (but somehow it is), Zayn is going to work with Donatella Versace for a campaign/line that will be released in June, I think and it is called Versus x Versace. Actually, it has sort of inspired this concept. But instead of going on about fashion, in which I knew nothing, really, I decided to put up two almost similar things, places, food and the likes up versus each other to emphasize its good points and points for improvement and rave about what I loved the most about them. Also, to give insights if you are to try them as well.

Basically, this part of the blog is a huge excuse to share some of my experiences as we travel and devour anything edible, being a certified foodie that we all are. So for the first ever edition VERSUS, I am going to go for the staple comfort food whenever life gets too stressful, at least for me: RAMEN!

Ramen is a Japanese noodle dish served with meat, eggs and vegetable topping in fish-based, soy sauce or miso broth. To be totally honest, I cannot differentiate them aside from the color of the broth (Ramen Nagi has black, red and green broth, I think?) and the obvious fish-meat difference and I do not have a specific toppings preference. I personally would choose laksa (Singapore's authentic noodle dish) over ramen in a heartbeat but I love ramen as another person does. The heat may be on for most parts of the year but the ramen craze is here to stay even on summer days! Recently, my friends and I have tried Ippudo Ramen and Hokkaido Ramen Santouka in Manila and it's now time to see how they fare against each other!

IPPUDO RAMEN

versus

HOKKAIDO RAMEN SANTOUKA

A little background:

Ippudo first started in Fukuoka by Shigemi Kawahara, the CEO of Chikaranomoto Company. "Ippudo" means "one wind hall". The restaurant got its name because at the time, there were dark clouds over the Kyushu ramen industry, and the founder CEO Kawahara intended to "blow wind and revolutionise the era". (Straight off of their Wiki page)

The Place

Do note that this may vary depending on the branch that you may visit. Ippudo in SM Megamall is fairly okay, if you are into submersing to the actual culture and Japanese ambiance. They have long tables in which you could share with strangers who share the same cravings as you. The Hokkaido Ramen Santouka Mall of Asia branch has smaller area but it has separate tables, if you are more of the private type AND they have better lightings which also means: better selfies and photos taken.

Point to: Santouka (because of the better lighting, haha come on.)

The Food Aesthetic

* service charge not yet included

Point to: both (I cannot choose, really)

Value for the Money

Both are worth its price although if you are on a budget and you also want side gyoza and full bento rice dishes, Santouka may have an edge on this one. It gives you more value for your money. Maybe it's just me who prefer a spicier broth but I had to add some spices to my kara-miso ramen. But of course, preferences. 

Point to: Santouka

The Service

Santouka people are more accommodating but considering the size of the place and the number of  hungry customers during our visit, I guess the Ippudo staffs are nice as well.

Point to: both

Overall Tally

Ippudo: 2

Hokkaido Santouka Ramen: 4

But I love both and would 100% recommend. Also, RAMEN is life so let's try more ramen dishes and eat as much as we can!

And in Japan, too, soon... hmm? ;)

***

The next VERSUS post is about museums! I am excited to share them though I really hope I'd get to finish the post within the month. It's been a loaded one, being the birthday month and all but we'll see.

x

It's that time of the year again, to create some playlists to set to mood before we head to the beach! (as if the hot weather isn't enough to figure. Anyway.) Summer is almost kind of here! I might have indulged a bit and some are probably included on my previous playlists but here are some of the songs that are on loop on my player at the moment. Also, expect a lot of Instagram captions off of these songs for our summer escapades this year.

Here's a bunch of new stuff from Ed Sheeran, Computer Games, The Maine and oldies from One Direction, James Reid (I dare you to judge me) and a couple of random old and new mixes. Enjoy!

PS: I've made a Spotify playlist in here but our internet connection has decided to be a bitch today that I cannot add all of the songs from my actual list. But I will be adding them as soon as this technical mishap is fixed. Check out the few that I have added for now!

Cheers to the summer!

x