Scout: 2018 July-September

best in class S CO U T M AG . P H

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FREE MA GAZINE!

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IN THIS ISSUE

S C O U T

T U R N S 4

## DonnyForScout

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W W W . S C O U T M A G . P H

group publisher bea j. ledesma editor in chief lex celera creative director nimu muallam graphic artist bryan sochayseng editorial assistant monina chua rogin losa copy editor patricia romualdez contributing artists reynaldo bucal contributing photographers john eric bico, wilson paul co, boris john garcia, czar kristoff contributing stylists vince crisostomo, gian latorre contributing videographer dominic bekaert, jp talapian contributing hair & makeup artists zidjian floro, raffy so interns sebastian almirol, erikah cinco, julia cruz, kiara gabriel, boris john garcia, maria grant, philip jamilla, chelsea madamba, celina medina, kim reosora, pat recto, shawie serrano board chairperson alexandra prieto-romualdez chief investment officer, inquirer group of companies j. ferdinand de luzuriaga

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deputy chief finance officer, inquirer group of companies atty. rudyard arbolado vp/group hr head raymund soberano vp & chief strategy officer imelda c. alcantara senior hr manager ma. leonisa l. gabrieles hr specialist reynalyn s. fernandez executive assistant/ editorial content planner christine joy bernadette angeles head of operations and business development lurisa ann villanueva svp & group sales head, inquirer group of companies felipe r. olarte avp for sales ma. katrina garcia-dalusong key account supervisor angelita tan-ibaĂąez key acounts officer altheia ordiales, sarah cabalatungan senior account executives charm banzuelo account executives kyle cayabyab, ina mateo, anne medina, xenia sebial, andie zuniga sales support assistant rechelle nicdao sales coordinator eleazar andal, chloe diane cartoneros, christine joy galura marketing and events manager jellic tapia marketing supervisor emmanuel domingo

marketing assistant stefhnaie medina resary elizabeth reonisto marketing graphic artist melanie chang bianca pilar production & distribution manager jan cariquitan production assistant maricel gavino final art supervisor dennis cruz final art assistant argyl leones distribution specialist arnulfo naron senior distribution assistant angela carlos-quiambao subscription assistant blue infante liason associate rosito subang

ON THE COVER Photography by Czar Kristoff Styling by Gian Latorre Hair and makeup by Zidjian Floro, Raffy So Shot at Hinge Studio

@scoutmagph #donnyforscout

For general inquiries, email us at scoutmagph@gmail.com scout@hinge.ph

4F Media Resource Plaza, Mola cor.

Pasong Tirad Sts., Brgy.

La Paz Makati City

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scout in Instead of an Editor’s Note, editor in chief Lex Celera discusses Scout’s relatively short but eventful life as a youth culture platform with former editors in chief Cai Subijano, Jed Gregorio, and Romeo “Pepi” Moran, and former art director Martin Diegor in an online interview. Here are excerpts from the roundtable:

LEX: My first question would be an ice breaker: What’s your fondest moment while working with Scout?

CAI: I was afraid Scout just wasn’t going to happen. The managing editor and art director gave notice about two months in. Two weeks before the launch, my laptop went on strike, followed by my phone days later.

Taken together, these all felt like signs that the project was doomed to fail. On July 12, 2014 we set up at the Samsung Hall at SM Aura and waited. Before the doors opened, a line of kids in their best ’90s-themed outfits began to form outside. The crowd continued to trickle in until there were at least 200 people! We had only advertised the party on Instagram and maybe in a small ad in the Inquirer (I can’t remember for sure), but the place was packed.

That night really showed me that Scout was a movement just waiting to happen.

The circumstances surrounding its birth didn’t have to be perfect; the magazine itself didn’t have to be perfect because Scout was setting a precedent. Think about it: It is a free magazine targeted towards the entire gender spectrum of Filipino youth. Even today, there isn’t anything else like it. But I also like to believe that our audience had willed Scout into existence because they had long been ready for it. In that sense, it only feels right to attribute the magazine’s success to them.

LEX: Let’s talk about our own individual visions. Cai, what was your initial vision for Scout when it began in 2014?

CAI: I was heavily inspired by Tavi Gevinson’s Rookie. This clearly shows in the playful DIY aesthetic of the first few issues. I wanted Scout to look like a handmade zine. But more than the design, what I appreciate most about Rookie is that it isn’t meant to be aspirational for young people; it is about exploring and validating the difficulties of being young without discounting or being dismissive of them. I created Scout for the kids who didn’t feel that they were cool or that they fit in. In a time when magazines started to feel like status symbols to be toted around, I was adamant about making something young people could get lost in, seek solace in, and feel seen.

LEX: Jed, what was the appeal of Scout to you personally that made you decide to take the helm?

JED: Scout’s appeal to me–I certainly felt that it was filling a gap not only in publishing but the culture at large. I was drawn to the brand DNA. Like Cai said, it was a radical idea for a magazine brand here.

LEX: Pepi, I think you were with Scout the longest. In your opinion, what has changed throughout all those years? And what stayed the same?

ROMEO: Yes, I happened to stick around the longest. What didn’t change was who we were talking to, as I think we were always clear that we wanted to talk to the young and the young at heart. What did change, I feel, was how we talked to them. The voice changed varyingly with each person in charge, and I think as time went on we managed to nail the way we could get our audience to resonate the most.

Our readers and fans wanted fashion, music, art, social issues, politics, and everything that went on in their lives because I think they wanted someone who could relate to them most of all. I think our drive to talk to them about all that always stayed the same, too.

LEX: Thank you everyone for your answers.

I have two questions that are connected to each that I hope everyone can answer: In your opinion, what is Scout’s biggest struggle in fulfilling its vision? And as other magazine titles fold and the publishing industry is in flux, what do you think should be done to ensure Scout’s “survival”?

JED: Survival–concretely it’s difficult to say, because I think it really depends on how you manage your resources. Of course I’m not talking about just budget, but resources in the broader, deeper sense—your access, your talent pool, your journalistic skill set, etc. But on the abstract, I guess most of the great still surviving magazines have some things in common, which are clarity and authenticity in vision, and a maverick sense of where the friction is at and an intuition for where the zeitgeist is headed next.

CAI: It’s been a while since I’ve set foot in the Hinge Inquirer offices, and living out of Manila, I feel slightly out of touch with the local publishing industry as a whole, so I

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can only speak to my experience from when I helmed Scout. My issue working in Manila publishing is falling into the trap of working with the same contributors again and again. Many publications are guilty of this. Familiarity breeds complacency and staleness. One thing that I never saw realized is the active participation of readers in the production of the magazine.

You know, making it for the youth and by the youth, and all that. I don’t know if that’s something that you guys have accomplished already, but I felt that taking on readers as contributors would keep the title accountable and authentic, especially since I was quickly aging out of the target demographic. A magazine for young people needs to talk to its audience, not at them.

Having actual young people be involved in it is the easiest way to solve that.

Honestly, whenever I see Scout on my Instagram feed, I can’t help but feel that the title has come so far already. Of course, having tens of thousands of followers and getting hundreds of likes don’t account for much when it comes to the magazine’s bottom line, but that kind of following is something I couldn’t have dreamed of in the beginning. Scout’s online presence is so clear and strong, and that’s an excellent foundation to build upon. Keep fighting for the stories that need to be told, involve the youth, and make the right kind of trouble.

I understand how easy it is to fall into the trap of bending over backwards for advertisers or producing whatever gets the most eyeballs, but your role as an editor isn’t to anticipate; it’s to instigate. Scout will always have readers for as long as it doesn’t lose sight of them.

LEX: Martin, Whenever I ask readers what they like about Scout, eight out of 10 people would say it’s because of the design. Why do you think that is so?

MARTIN: I think that aesthetics are very subjective, so if most people respond to its visual identity positively, then it simply means that we’ve done a pretty good job at capturing the readership’s interests and presenting it to them in a way that truly speaks to their lifestyle and culture.

I felt that most youth publications back then–even if each title had its own target market—all kinda looked the same and covered the same stories. What sold me to Scout was it celebrated the different, the ones that didn’t fit in, the ones in the cultural gap. This is why we commissioned virtually unknown but very talented illustrators, recruited photographers via Instagram, and collaborated with unconventional artists across different fields—from plant experts to 3-D artists. Design-wise, we were inspired by titles that pushed the

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print magazine as a medium: from the handmade sensibilities of Rookie and considered playfulness of Apartamento, to the boldness of i-D and the experimental nature of Dazed.

I guess a good magazine will be able to hold up a mirror to society and people will either see a reflection of themselves or something they haven’t seen before, and a well-designed magazine will be able to capture that and tell that story even before they begin to read.

In this sense, I’ve always seen magazines as a time capsule.

LEX: My time is up. Thank you Cai, Jed, Pepi, and Martin for indulging me and my need to historicize Scout. I’m very thankful for all of your input. I’m including excerpts of this discussion in the next issue of Scout. I hope all of you are doing fine!

Thank you again.n

“Scout will

always have readers for as long as it doesn’t lose sight of them.

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ADVERTORIAL 5

DOWN TEMPO As part of San Miguel Pale Pilsen’s efforts to empower young Filipinos in pursuing their passions, CRWN conducted a free passion workshop and proved that imperfections will get you far and a track is nothing without a tale.

By Rogin Losa Photography by Boris John Garcia “We are the music makers and we are the dreamers of dreams.”

Remember that line from Willy Wonka? Think of that line now with a sick beat to it. That’s the heart of CRWN’s “Introduction to Music Production.” CRWN schooled everyone on what being a real music producer is all about.

The technical know-how’s are almost secondary. According to him, without a story, there is no track.

Last July 7 at Cosmic Sonic Arts, this workshop presented

by San Miguel Pale Pilsen got music producers flocking to the music production school.

Manila’s electronic wunderkids, like Jorge Juan Bautista Wieneke V a.k.a “similarobjects” and Mich Cervantes a.k.a “bedspacer” were also in attendance.

The stormy weather did not cloud King Puentespina a.ka.

CRWN’s teachings. Don’t let his modified inuman-style workshop session fool you. He got real with everyone even with a cold beer on

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hand. Here’s what he shared on his tricks of the trade.

Story is king.

“Remember that you’re telling a story,” he emphasized from the beginning, making it the heart of the whole session. He even pulled out the classic three-part story diagram of having a rising action, climax, and falling action for your beats. It is the producer’s goal to immerse the listeners in the story intricately embedded in the beats.

Cut and edit.

“Don’t be afraid to erase certain parts,” he made that clear for everyone. He also advised everyone in the room to dissect their track more. This is where the technicals come in to play. The more you cut and edit the track, the more you get serious with it.

Let the song breathe.

“Give your song some time to cook,” he reminded us. “It’s not really procrastination, but you

get more ideas by listening to it.

Let the song breathe.” Hitting a creative wall isn’t foreign to any artist; it happens. When it does, all you can do is back off for a bit and go back to it when you can.

Trust in your peers but trust yourself too.

“Get feedback but also trust yourself with your work,” he imparted. Self-doubt never goes away but confidence in hard work is always a good lesson to learn.

“Perfections are unattainable as artists. As producers, your work will never be perfect, but it’s always great to strive,” he imparts after his causal lecture.

The workshop was beyond music production. Beyond beat structures and technicalities was welcoming mistakes and learning why you do what you do. All of this unfolded through an afternoon of lessons with CRWN and a bottle of the original and classic beer, San Miguel Pale Pilsen.

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6 SCENE

true progress

By Rogin Losa Photography by John Eric Bico and Wilson Paul Co

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Cubao Expo is a place that unites the unlikely. It gathers everyone and favors no one in particular. Everyone who falls for it calls it home, but why is that? Combining oral accounts and personal photographs from its regulars, we aim to answer the question why X marks home for the people in Cubao Expo.

My mother always said to me just go to Cubao when you get lost and all roads will lead to home. She said this for practical reasons: The city is the center of everything.

Every bus terminal, north to south passes by the busy city day in and day out.

Emerging in the ’60s as a mere hub for shoe stores, Cubao Expo has now evolved into a subculture melting pot that knows no age gap.

It’s a place that unites the unlikely.

It gathers everyone and favors no one in particular. Everyone who falls in love with the place’s charm and the people it harbors calls it home. But why is that?

Combining oral accounts and personal photographs from its regulars, we aim to answer the question why X marks home for the people in Cubao Expo.

Ate Letty, Angel Spirits Antiques 14 years in Cubao Expo

s“

it’s for people to just find their comfort zone, you know?

”

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Tells us your history here in Expo.

Noong lumipat kami dito sa Expo noong 2005, parang kami-kami lang [antique sellers.] Dati kasi Marikina Shoe Expo pa ito kaya puro shoes pa ‘yan. Way back 1960s or 1970s, that’s when Cubao Expo started.

You look naman at the place, ‘yung structure ng lugar, panahon ng ’60 or ‘70s nandito na sila. Eh, lumipat na sila sa mga mall ang karamihan at nabakante ‘yung lugar. Kaya kami ang pumalit. Noong kami na ang pumalit, na-maintain naman natin ‘yung dami ng tao.

What are you most proud of during your stay here?

Ako ‘yung unang nagbenta ng vinyl dito sa Expo. Nag-umpisa yan, nakabili ako maramihan dinispose na nung naka-kotse, pinarahan ako kung bumibili daw ba ako ng mga vinyl kasi lilipad na daw sa States.

That time, mura pa. Unlike now, libo-libo na ang OPM. Ang OPM ko noon 3 for 100 lang, eh.

Juan Benjamin Janeo, current owner of Janylin Shoes More than 20 years in Cubao Expo When did Expo’s evolution from shoe stores to a culture hub start?

Around 2010, Expo was reborn. With the development of new tenants and the rise of nostalgia, it was fittingly brought

by Expo’s original stores. The mixture proved to be magical.

It attracted different kinds of people including myself. One of the biggest reasons why I started going was the great Mei Bastes’ MEIDAY! MEIDAY! productions that held legendary events.

How does it feel to contribute to the history of the place?

To be completely honest, it makes me feel very proud. Expo is now basically an institution and to say that you were there since day one is a feat.

Drei, Local Musician More than 10 years in Cubao Expo What was Expo for you growing up?

First memory ko ng Expo noong 5-years-old ako. Ayun ‘yung first time kong pumili ng sarili kong sapatos sa mga stores dito.

Dati puro shoe stores lang talaga, tapos walang scene, na katulad nung scene ngayon. Dati parang mas pang simpleng tao ‘yung Expo. Ngayon, siguro mas malalim na ‘yung culture ng Expo.

Wala pa talaga inuman ‘noon.

When did the “scene” in Expo start?

Mga early 2000 nagkaroon ng shops at bars. May mga tumatambay nang bands dati

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8 SCENE

nakikita ko nung ’di pa sila sikat.

Expo peeps Ian Tayao, Queso, Greyhoundz, tapos dito palagi ‘yung tambayan nila kasi lokal talaga sila sa eksena ng Cubao.

What makes Expo different from other places?

The number one requirement nila is, bukod dun sa presence mo, requirement dito maging mabait.

Noong nagsimula ang Expo, magulo ’yung nangyayari ’di ba?

Minsan ayaw nilang magpatugtog ng metal ngayon sa Expo, not to diss on that scene. May times nga hindi pa siya part ng culture ng mga lokal dito. Hindi nila alam kung pano mag-behave. Ayun ‘yung kaibahan sa Expo, na ’yung scene itself pinu-pulis nila ’yung isa’t isa.

Anjo Joaquin, Four Strings/ guitarist of Nanay Mo Five years in Cubao Expo Do you still see yourself staying here for 10 years?

I just intend to keep going until it’s not worth it anymore, parang I’m doing this mainly out of love.

I think it’s very common din with a lot the spots here, na they do it out of love. As long as there’s something worth going ahead, I’ll just keep going.

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Lord Aduca, Resident of The Four Strings Six years in Cubao Expo What drives people to come back here?

Kaya bumabalik din siguro ‘yung mga tao dito because ‘yung culture iba. Dito ko na-meet lahat ng close friends ko na parang I’d give my life for.

Josh Soriano, son of the owner of Fred’s/co-partner of Cosmic Gorgons Six years in Cubao Expo Why do you think Expo retains its charm after so many years?

I don’t think they want to be part of the gentrification of Araneta or anything. Expo being known as a niche for arts, food, etc., that’s one of the biggest reasons.

That’s why hindi nakiki-ride ’yung Expo sa “modernization” of Araneta. Like Mr. Aquino, the admin, really wants this place na for the arts. It’s for people to just find their comfort zones, you know?

Kyle Salindong, works at Somewhere 1109 More than 10 years in Cubao Expo

to everyone?

Dito sa lugar na ’to, ’di nagmamatter ‘yung class. Walang class, kumbaga. Kung mayaman ka, mahirap ka, parehas tayong nasa gutter ngayon. Dito tayo nagiinuman, so nawawala ‘yung sense of “hindi ko makaka-usap kasi mayaman ‘to” or like you don’t belong in the same class.

What defines the place: the stores or the people?

It’s never been the shops. Marami nang shops dito na nag-come and go, but the people didn’t change. You go here because of the people. The reason why nagstay ka hanggang madaling araw, like up until 3 a.m. is because of the people. Dito wala ’yung class, eh. Like, kung mahirap ka, mayaman ka, or like sikat ka or hindi, ’di nagma-matter. You’re just a nobody here.

Cubao Expo is the most unlikely product of the metro’s continuous urbanization. Here in a place where everybody is a somebody, you’re nobody, which means you can be the most authentic you. It might be the last true blue oasis in the fast-paced urban jungle that is Manila.n

What makes the place so inclusive

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PROFILE 9

Interviews by LEX CELERA, MONINA CHUA, AND ROGIN LOSA Photography and Art Direction by CZAR KRISTOFF Styling by VINCE CRISOSTOMO Hair and makeup by ZIDJIAN FLORO AND RAFFY SO

We put together 20 promising individuals who, at a young age, challenge convention in hopes of foreseeing a future unrestricted and unfiltered. While diverse in execution, they all come from the same intent of finding common denominators in human experience. They use these as timber to fuel their respective art forms, where they announce: It’s time to break the rules. In collaboration with CZAR KRISTOFF, we uncover the loud, the uncanny, and the revolutionary.

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10 PROFILE Top row: ON JANINA: OXYGEN top and romper ON HULYEN: UNIQLO shirt, CARL JAN CRUZ pants Middle row: ON MICHELLE: BENCH top, stylist’s own coat ON JASON: OXYGEN hoodie, UNIQLO pants ON JL: RANDOLF shirt, AVEL BACUDIO coat, model’s own pants Bottom row: ON EUNPYON: BENCH top ON HANNAH: BENCH jacket and pants

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12 PROFILE Top row: ON LAKAN: UNIQLO shirt and model’s own jacket Middle row: ON NIKKA: OXYGEN shirt, RANDOLF top underneath ON SEF: RANDOLF top ON MICH: BENCH top, pants, and hat Bottom row: ON BADJAO: model’s own top and pants ON ZILD: model’s own top, pants, and jacket ON BLASTER: model’s own top and pants

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14 PROFILE Top row: ON RJ: RANDOLF top and pants ON JOHAN: OJK jacket and pants Middle row: ON TREES: model’s own jacket and pants ON HAM: HAMU top and pants ON MAMU: HAMU top and pants Bottom row: ON PAU: BAD STUDENT shirt and jacket, model’s own pants ON DYAM: BAD STUDENT shirt and jacket, model’s own pants ON MAC: BENCH top and jacket

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Who are your greatest local and international influences?

Locally, I feel like it’s the staples like Jess Connelly and similarobjects and Claudia Barretto. Internationally, my biggest influences are Amy Winehouse and Mariah Carey; vocally Mariah Carey, lyrically

Which living person do you most despise?

I’m too unbothered to hate on anybody.

When and where were you happiest?

Last June in Oman, when I dropped my EP.

How would you describe your music? What do you think this brings to the table?

I don’t know, I feel like my music is not that unique, but me as a person, I’m a bad bitch. [laughs] I feel like my music honestly is still different from most and I don’t wanna talk about things people usually talk about and all that. I guess that’s the answer.

Jason is an 18-year-old independent singer whose latest EP “Night In” turned many heads in the local and international music scene. By uncovering his own vulnerabilities, Jason Dhakal announces he’ ll be right here with you. And more often than not, that’s enough.

Interview by Monina Chua

soundcloud.com/jasondhakal

1

Jason Dhakal

What is your greatest fear?

My greatest fear is death. The horrid combination of the uncertainty of everyday life and the fragility of my own mortality creates a horrible mix that makes me feel unsettled and fearful.

What’s the best and worst thing about being young?

Being young is awesome! We have the energy to branch out and explore the world as well

Most of your subjects are women. What makes women the best subjects for your art?

First, I’m a woman so it’s something that I see every

And it has grunge that cannot be depicted in Tokyo ’cause Tokyo is too clean for me. In Manila, you have different sides to it. You have the clean part, which is Makati, but Makati also has its grungy parts. And I think it also reflects the people living in Manila since we’re not always super squeaky clean.

Personally, what’s Manila for you?

I think Manila is the epitome of grungy beauty. Because when you think of beautiful cities, a lot of people would think of Tokyo, the things you see in anime. But when I think of Manila, that’s what comes out: It’s a beautiful city.

day. And most of my friends are also women, and when I draw, I try to show their strengths, the strengths of women in my drawings, and also they’re like the perfect canvas. I love drawing women’s clothes so being able to draw that also in my characters is something that’s super fun for me.

Eunpyon is a digital artist with a signature style that no one can mess with. She places contrasting themes together in a rose-tinted world. This 21-year-old Laguna-based artist is making Manila cute again, and it’s not just for kicks.

Interview by Rogin Losa

@eunpyonart

2 Eunpyon

What’s your biggest goal?

How and when do you know you’ve succeeded?

For me, I feel like this is still the start that I’m probably gonna work more and do more shit and I feel like a biggest goal is just to live off music.

What do you love and hate the most about local music?

I love how it’s so easy to get in it and how accepting it is, yet I think that it’s very competitive and people have cliques.

If you could change something in the local music scene, what would it be?

The idea of people who think you have to be in the pop culture industry to be part of the local music. That is so not worth it.

Amy Winehouse.

Are vlogging and making music the same thing for you?

They’re so different! I’ve been vlogging for three years; it’s like muscle memory to me now. With music it was so different. I had to rediscover myself. I had to know

What are you currently working on?

My EP. It’s like a baby–I’ve been working on it for nine months.

I’m giving birth in August. So I have five songs in there. Three have been released and [there are] two unreleased ones. That’s what I’m working on now. We’re going to do a final recording in a couple of weeks.

Janina is a vlogger and social media influencer with more than 500,000 YouTube subscribers and a record deal under her belt, all before turning 20. She’s at the forefront of the possibilities that lie for the digitally and artistically inclined younger generation.

Interview by Lex Celera

@janinavela

3 Janina Vela

as ourselves. We can really put ourselves out there without the wear and tear. The only real bummer is the feeling of being lost. We are old enough to understand that our actions have consequences and whatever we do will shape our future. Not knowing what to do and what step to take is pretty frightening.

How do you want to be remembered?

I want to be remembered as someone who makes other people feel better.

When my YouTuber status goes down, if my singer status goes down, I’m still Janina. These things don’t really define me. It’s my character that defines me.

You move by your passions.

Next year my passion may not be YouTube. Next year YouTube might not even exist. That’s why it’s very important for me to keep my morals and my heart intact.

What do you say to people who express doubts about what you do?

Next year I might not be vlogging. I don’t know what the world has in store. Five years ago, if you would ask me what I would be doing in 2018, I would have said “I don’t know.” Every day is a new day with a completely new story, like a blank page you can write on. And it’s not like before when you can take [a number of years] to become a doctor or a lawyer. It’s all planned out for you. It doesn’t work out like that anymore.

who I was through music and as I find out I’m a much different person. It unlocked a different side of myself. I would describe it as kind of like a dark violet. If my YouTube would be light pink, [my music] would be dark violet.

It’s a different brain that goes into both. They’re both very creative and they’re both still me.

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“All of the photos of a photographer comes from their personal taste, experience, whatever makes them. So I think, in that way it’s very intimate. A photo is two people: a subject and a photographer,” JL says. His understanding

What’s the most important trait to have in the vlogging industry?

I think it’s authenticity and transparency. I think that it’s so cliché, but it’s cliché for a reason.

Like, you’re only living what is you, so that’s the only thing

@jljavier

Interview by Rogin Losa

5 JL Javier

Will you be pursuing vlogging as a longtime career?

I think of vlogging as a part of the career that I’m pursuing. If it continues becoming a good medium to communicate to people, then I will continue doing it. That’s really what I’m trying to go for—trying to reach people. But I don’t really know what the next big thing’s gonna be like in a few years because the changes are so fast.

What do you think is your trademark?

It’s me being candid and being open. It’s also that I don’t try to hide a lot of things from the camera so you never really know what to expect. Like, oh really, she just put on a random dance cover or like she put out a music cover, like that’s weird. I think it’s just with my YouTube, I never have a routine, so people don’t really know what’s in the content.

that’s gonna set you apart—your individuality.

Do you have any dream collabs?

Collabs? I haven’t thought about that. I feel like I wanna collab with producers. I really like Asch’s music or CRWN’s. Those producers are super good.

What can we look expect from you in the following year?

Well, music. I’m coming out with an EP this year. I play the ukulele, but I feel like we’re missing our sound. Do you know Billie Eilish? Something like that, kind of like low-key music.

I don’t know, like Daniel Caesartype of music.

At the young age of 18, vlogger and social media influencer Hannah knows exactly what she wants in life. Determined, vigorous, and vibrant, there’s nothing stopping her from doing bigger and bigger things. Despite the mountainous journey ahead, the girl in front of the camera is actually downright humble and empowered by a simple, genuine cause: to reach people.

Interview by Monina Chua

@hannahpangilinan

4

Hannah Pangilinan

Among all the photos you’ve taken, what’s the closest one to your heart?

I don’t have one photo, but I think my favorite photos are the photos of my friends. I think it’s very personal and very intimate.

What are you most tired of in the creative industry here?

Well, as a photographer, we’re faced with so many images in a day, and I think we’ve sort of lost the art of creation and being critical with the work.

And we sort of tend to say the same stories, the same things.

We [are] just trying to say them over each other, we try to be louder than each other. I think it would help the industry more if we focus and refine our stories personally.

What is the trait you most deplore in others?

I think what pisses me off the most is self-righteousness, which I’m sure I commit myself.

Being proud and narrowminded is just unproductive and doesn’t solve anything most times, and, while I think it’s also good to stand by one’s beliefs, it’s important to know that we don’t know everything, and to be open and humble.

Who are your heroes in real life?

Women! They have to put up with so much shit from society every day! They’re badass!

of the relationship between photographer and subject makes JL not just a photographer but a powerful visual storyteller.

What are you currently working on?

Right now I’m putting together an EP as BEDSPACER, which is coming later this year. I have a short story compilation in the works. There’s going to be

Mich is a 22-year-old interdisciplinary artist who may be familiar for the following: 1) her awardwinning komiks and graphic novels; 2) her graphic design work, which has been described as “emotional architecture dropout-like”; and 3) her experimental music project named BEDSPACER, personified as a genderless alien whose transmissions back to his home planet translate to us as warm, atmospheric electronic music.

Interview by Lex Celera

soundcloud.com/bed-spacer

6

Mich Cervantes

What is your greatest fear?

I’ve always been afraid of feeling trapped, so I figure my greatest fear is losing my freedom in any way. Whether in physical confinement or in having no means to express myself or even in routine and stagnation.

And parang when you share worlds with someone, it’s easier to take their photo and talk to them. It just makes their stories bigger.

How do you want to be remembered?

As the first-ever person who mixed Red Velvet into Aphex Twin at this one gig at Black Market that one time.

Do you have any struggle with having to explain what you do to other people?

It’s hard to be taken seriously sometimes. Creative jobs aren’t as glorified as noncreative jobs like doctors and lawyers. When you tell somebody older you work in the arts, they make you think that it’s not a noble profession.

Although I want it to be. Maybe the amount of people getting into art now is going to change that. It’s going to elevate the status of an artist a little bit.

What is your most treasured possession?

An original, secondhand copy of the 2006 Japanese GBA game Mother 3, which I found in a retro game shop in Bangkok back in 2012. It’s my favorite game. I wouldn’t be who I am today if I hadn’t played it all those years ago. It feels really special to own an actual copy of it (even though I don’t understand Japanese).

three comics in that one book.

I’m just focusing on comics and music this year.

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When did you start getting into the zine culture here?

Nag-start ako mag-print ng comics ko noong 2014, parang sumali ako ng comic con, nag self-publish ako ng mga comics ko as in pina-print ko lang siya

Do you have a specific target market in mind when you are making comics?

Wala naman actually, pero tinatry ko ’yung language ko ’yung maiintindihan ng “common people” na hindi siya mahirap maintindihan. Usually kasi, may mga works na mahirap, kasi sa internet ko siya nilalabas so parang tina-try ko ’yung dialogue is something na mage-gets ng mga tao. Hindi din ako sure kasi hindi naman ako madaldal as a person, so parang hindi ko alam kung ganito ba magsalita mga teenagers ngayon.

W ho are your heroes in real life?

These are just some artists I admire: St. Vincent, Lisa Hanawalt, Yellow Fang, and Dead Balagtas!

Hulyen has mastered the art of happy sad in her art. In a country where we tend to mask our feelings with a smile, she illustrates the confrontation of life through the absurdity of mixed feelings. There is beauty in the awkward, and she has found the limitless charm of independent comics to be a perfect avenue for that.

@hulyen Interview by Rogin Losa

7 Hulyen

The daughter of former Bb. Pilipinas winner Melanie Marquez is used to dealing with other people’s expectations.

Interview by Rogin Losa

@michelledee

8 Michelle Dee

How do you want to be remembered?

I guess I want to be remembered as someone who makes comics.

But I don’t really mind if people don’t remember me.

What is your greatest fear?

Answering the phone and it’s an unknown number.

I was making a comics page recently and while I was drawing the tiny details in the artwork that no one might even notice, I just realized that “hey, I really love doing this!” I was just drawing tiny rectangles over and over but I was actually having fun.

When and where were you happiest?

I really enjoy making comics.

It’s hard to draw, and sometimes it can be time consuming, but finishing a page makes me happy.

sa Xerox machine. And since then, lagi na akong nagpaparticipate sa mga events, mga zine fair. Through there, may nakikilala na akong iba pang artist then ini-invite nila ako sa mga events nila.

What is your definition of a modern woman in the 21st century?

Why is mental health one of your advocacies?

First and foremost, I have two autistic brothers. And, I really feel bad when people just don’t understand how the environment can affect these people. I also have other family members who are diagnosed with different kinds of mental illnesses and you know it takes a certain kind of [person] to empathize.

If modeling and acting weren’t your career, what would be your second or third option?

Well, I graduated psychology from De La Salle University. I can see myself pursuing that field as well because I take mental illnesses very seriously.

And mental health is one of my advocacies. And so psychology will most likely be my career path. If not, yeah, I can still think I can do it now alongside with it. But if modeling and acting weren’t in the picture, I’d probably be a psychologist now.

What’s the first impression you give off to people?

Usually people say I look mataray. I’m not approachable.

Like I always have that have a resting “hmm” face. Um, yeah, that’s usually the first impression. But it changes after they get to talk to me. After that they get comfortable.

But in the face of people’s assumptions about her is a woman redefining her own path.

Whether in the limelight or out of it, model and actress Michelle Dee is a game changer.

What drew you into fashion?

Ham: I always liked style. I mean I’m always drawn to the idea of street style. But then I wasn’t really paying attention

Which living person do you most despise?

Mamu: I don’t despise anyone.

Ham: Same here. We try not to hate on anyone.

When and where were you happiest?

Mamu: In my old house in Tondo, Manila! Life was simpler when I was there as a kid.

Ham: During our graduation fashion show, at SM Aura. I felt that for the first time, all my efforts in doing something paid off really well.

How do we even begin to describe Abraham Guardian and Mamuro Oki’s child Ha.Mu? As a fashion brand, it is young, concerned, aware, yet unapologetically loud.

Their style is colored with all kinds of daring that it’s unmissable. As an entity, Ha.Mu embraces youth and everything that comes with it — eccentric, erratic, and energetic.

Interview by Monina Chua

@_ha.mu_

9 Ha.Mu

Strong and independent. Gone are the days when women were just housewives. Now, I feel women are more determined to make a name for themselves, to stand up and stand out. Strong and dedicated. Determined to reach their goals.

What’s your biggest goal?

How do you know if you’ve achieved it?

Ham: Our biggest goal is to branch onto the international market. How do you know if you’ve achieved it… I feel like the past is repeating itself.

Because I remember exactly around this time last year we were preparing for our grad show. Now same situation, we are preparing for another big show. So I feel like in that span of just one year there’s a lot of growth happening for the brand. So as long that there is progress and you can feel and see that you are really moving slowly that is a sign you are progressing talaga.

Mamu: For goal, go more international and be stronger as a brand since we are still learning.

We’re still new. We’re beginners.

We still want to learn a lot more about design from other designers; to know how things are and how they got there.

to it until Lady Gaga and her huge influence to an era. I would see paparazzi pictures of her wearing all those crazy outfits. I was thinking “Shit, that’s actually possible. Okay.

I wanna do fashion because of that.” I wanted to create really interesting pieces but I still had no idea what to do back then.

So yeah, street style.

Mamu: For me it was a very hasty decision because I started sketching when I was in high school. I applied for scholarship in CSB. I passed the scholarship, so I got a 100 percent scholarship. I’m drawn to Ivania Carpio (@love_ aesthetics). I like her.

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What’s your advice to young creatives who also want to pursue fashion?

Just relax. ’Yun din ’yung problem ko before, masyado akong focused to create, create, create. When I finally chose to let it go, to relax and always look back on the reasons why I wanted initially to start this—

How would you describe Randolf?

Basically, Randolf is about poking fun at pop culture. I find it funny na pop culture can get so obsessive, especially with social media. I developed Randolf to make fun of what’s happening.

What’s your favorite meme?

“Crying Kim,” only ’cause it helped me earn money.

Who are your heroes in real life?

My parents and MTV.

It was during the era of No Doubt Gwen Stefani and peculiar music videos by The Chemical Brothers when RJ fell in love with bold and loud fashion. Today, it’s the unspoken nostalgia that lets us see beauty in the weird, unconventional style of his fashion label Randolf. And this is precisely what RJ aims for: to be able to relate to people through clothes.

Interview by Monina Chua

@randolphclothing

10 RJ Santos

a fashion show in more or less a year in the industry, teen designer Johan Kyle is not the little engine that could. He is a tour de force in motion, a Gen Z-er with potential resting on his shoulders. But he’s

Having a collection or two and

Interview by Lex Celera

@johan__kyle

11 Johan Kyle Ong

What’s your biggest goal? How and when do you know you’ve succeeded?

Of course, my biggest goal is to have a physical store and to have a company. But my ultimate goal is to be able to actually employ people, provide a living, so I could support more people. I also want to work with people with disabilities like Tahanang Walang Hagdanan.

What can we look forward to in the following year?

I’m working on my spring/ summer collection 2019. More prints. I don’t want that to end.

Basically, more skin.

ideas will eventually come.

Don’t rush into it.

Always know your brand.

Especially now that there are a lot of brands, young designers, and social media—parang nakita mo na lahat. So ’yung challenge is your branding. You should know how to position your brand, and you should know what your brand is talking about.

What are your thoughts on the creative community you’re in right now?

I believe in the creative scene here that many creatives are focused on the “now.” Everyone seems to be trend-centric.

What other people are doing in other places, we kind of just want to do that because they know people will like it. I think that the creative scene here has so much potential but they are looking at references that are outdated, or maybe that they’re focused on getting a positive reaction rather than what they really want.

Is OJK different from Johan Kyle?

I named my brand OJK because it’s my name. Whatever work I put out in OJK will also be Johan Kyle. OJK is whatever I’m feeling. But I try not to put everything of myself on OJK so there’s always something new when people meet me. OJK is a part of me. Probably my morbid and experimental side.

What are you currently working on?

I’m working on a new campaign.

We have a really interesting location for the shoot. I’ve been working on it really hard. I’ve been working on getting my clothes silk-screened. I’ve been making my own hoodies. I’m trying my best to expand my own market, get a little bigger.

Make the standards higher.

not special; he just plays his cards right and at the right time, all while disrupting the fashion landscape.

What is your most treasured possession?

Pau: Riso drums.

Dyam: Our Riso machine, McKenzie.

Bad Student is known as one of the risograph art printmakers here in the Philippines.

Risographs produce quality prints on a shoestring budget, and while known printmakers here are in their 50s or 60s, founders Pau Tiu and Dyam Gonzales are 20-somethings at their peak. Together, they are attempting to bring back forgotten forms to sustain the art of today.

Interview by Rogin Losa

@badstudent

12 Bad Student

What’s your favorite meme?

I don’t want to end my career this early.

How do you w a nt t o b e re me m b e re d?

The future can decide.

I did this experiment where I would look at these random pages of photographers. Their work would all look the same.

They’re not even cohesive, they just look the same. I believe that if you’re going to die and the work you leave on Earth looks like everything else, then what’s the point?

What’s the best and worst thing about being young?

Pau: The freedom to make mistakes, and knowing that failure is inevitable.

Dyam: Same.

Kaya Bad Student kasi selftaught kami. ’Yung budget namin into learning, napupunta doon sa talagang, doing something, and if everyday mali, it’s unique. ’Yun ang ginagawa namin.

What’s the hardest part about learning an old art form?

Pau: Wala kaming enough resources. Maghahanap kami online. Lalo na ’yung riso sa Pinas, parang ine-equate lang siya sa Xerox. Since mayroon kaming kaunting knowledge na pwede pala ’tong i-expand itong medium na ’to, kailangan namin mag-reach out sa ibang bansa.

Dyam: Gusto namin magkaroon ng enough credibility behind risography, na siya ’yung bridge between digital. New form of printmaking in an old format.

What do you think is the place of Bad Student in contemporary Filipino art? manamin Gusto Pau: acknowledge as printmakers.

Like printmakers na nagsimula ng Risograph as an art. As far as we know, kami ’yung first risograph art press. And at the same time, share ‘yung printmaking techniques sa younger audience. We want to have that place na kami ’yung nag-offer ng Risograph dito sa Philippines as an art alternative.

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I heard you were releasing a new album.

Zild: Nagre-record kami.

Pero wala pa kami sa kalahati so hindi namin alam kung kailan [lalabas].

How are you g uys?

Zild: Masaya, okay lang.

Laging sagot sa mga ganitong tanong [ay] “okay lang,” ’no?

The boys are busy. Like real busy. Since we first met them over a year ago at one of our Scout Socials, Zild, Blaster, and Badjao have changed. And who wouldn’t? Boasting more than a million monthly listeners on Spotify, dozens of millions more in streams across different platforms, and packed calendars for shows, promotions, and everything in between, they’re set to overcome almost all expectations— their own ambitions notwithstanding.

Interview by Lex Celera

@ivofspades

13

IV of Spades

Are you concerned with legacies?

Badjao: Not concerned, like that’s [not] our [main] concern. Our concern is what we’re putting out now.

Blaster: ’Yung epekto

Do you feel any pressure in releasing something?

Zild: Actually meron na wala. No pressure kasi you don’t really care.

Blaster: Pati wala ka pang nasimulan. Laging may pressure sa second or third mo nang ginawa kasi may expectation sa’yo eh. Kung anong ginawa mo before, you have to top that.

Zild: They say insecurity will fade once you reach into something. Pero minsan nagiging aware ka at ’yun ’yung kakalabin mo. Hindi tao ang kalaban mo o ’yung kasama mo sa small, cruel world. Kalaban mo ’yung battle sa’yo.

How would you describe your album?

Zild: There’s a lot of story and experimentation but still we’re trying to be popfriendly. So ‘yung lyrics na sinasabi namin, mainternalize ng mga tao. Yan ‘yung way para tumagos sa puso ng mga tao, eh.

What are your thoughts about the situation after his departure?

Blaster and Badjao: Respect.

Zild: At the end of the day, we all create art as artists.

Do you guys want to talk about the guys who left?

Blaster: Depends. What’s your question?

How do you guys want to be remembered?

Zild: However people want us to be remembered.

Blaster: Ah, ’yung… ’70s na disco! Na may umalis.

Siguro ’yung bandang walang takot. ’Yung hindi natatakot mag-risk sa music.

Zild: ’Yung bandang walang pakialam sa sinasabi ng iba.

Kapag sinasabing ’70s, Led Zeppelin; ’80s, Michael Jackson.; ’90s, Nirvana, or Eraserheads. Gusto ko pag naalala nila ’yung era ng 2018 onwards, maalala nila ’yung IV of Spades.

namin sa mga listeners.

Zild: Kaya hindi kami nagse-settle sa “puwede na yan.”

Blaster: Gusto ko pag namatay ako mamaya, may maiiwan ako sa mundo.

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What’s the best and worst thing about being young?

Existential choice and existential burden.

If you weren’t a musician, what career path would you have chosen?

Film. Yeah, that’s actually what I’m pursuing next. Me and my girlfriend are actually going to Spain in September for film school. So I’m gonna be out of the country for two years.

Which living person do you most despise?

The corrupt Philippine government. Sex offending bastard pieces of shit.

What’s your main goal as a musician and as an artist?

Connecting with people—that’s my main goal. In a deep level, like they go home and they’re still talking about it and they tell their parents about it.

If we sum up everything we can learn from Eazyhead, it would be that being a risk taker while upholding authenticity defies all conventions. In whatever soulful and sinister dimension his own being took him, Trees Ortega brought it upon himself to create. Now, we are left with a relic—discovered yet not fully understood. And that’s the beauty of it.

Interview by Monina Chua

@eazyhead

Trees 14 Ortega

Lakan Umali is full of love and full of hate, in the most justifiable way. He is an activist, a poet and fictionist, and a visionary whose view of the future lies in democracy, liberty, and equality. He is currently an assistant professor

Interview by Lex Celera

curatormagazine.com/ author/lakan-umali/

15 Lakan Umali

What is your greatest regret?

No regrets. Life goes on.

Who are your heroes in real life?

My ever-loving grandmother.

What’s something you want to change about local music?

What a question. What I wanna change? I guess giving small independent labels with no big records more attention would be cool, I guess. That’s fine, though, I believe whichever music relates to anyone will reach them anyway, so I guess it’s not a big deal.

How would you describe your music?

I don’t know. It’s pretty personal, but everything’s universal anyway. I just put whatever’s in my head and soul in the record. That’s my main thing.

What’s your main goal?

I just really want to teach until I can’t teach. I want to be able to participate in discussion.

I want to study history and literature until hopefully they

What is the trait you most deplore in others?

If you accumulate vulgar amounts of wealth through the exploitation of others– who you actively keep at a level of disgusting poverty–I will hate you.

What is your most treasured possession?

My books—I can’t pick a favorite.

I love most of them very much.

I can’t live without my phone, though it’s less out of affection and more out of need. But ultimately, I think the things I love most are things I can’t exert ownership over—I shouldn’t be the only one to love them.

What is your greatest fear?

My greatest fear is irreversible environmental collapse brought about by rampant overproduction and consumption to sustain the massive greed of the ruling elite. I don’t want to live underwater, or witness all the creatures—animal and human— suffer and die from the endless pursuit of profit. I’ve also had this dream where I woke up to something terrible, which killed me and caused me to wake up to the same terrible thing, over and over again—around 30 times. That was pretty scary.

in UP Mindanao, teaching literature and creative writing.

Who are your heroes in real life?

My mom and my lola. I grew up being surrounded by these strong women and I’ve seen how passionate and willing to risk

So what’s the most fun thing about blurring the lines between femininity and masculinity?

You get to enjoy the best of both worlds. Especially when shopping. You’re not really boxed into one section. Let’s say you’re not satisfied with one section.

You can explore the women’s.

The art of creating a new identity and even a signature wardrobe sort of reminds us of what a superhero is. Sef Loseo doesn’t know about fighting crimes, but he does know that his drag persona Victoria brings him out of his shell.

Interview by Rogin Losa

@potatoesef

16 Sef Loseo

How do you want to be remembered?

I don’t want to be remembered as an individual, but as a member of a community that worked for a more democratic and egalitarian society.

find something I didn’t realize until they teach me. And to write also, of course.

What is your greatest regret?

It would probably be the years I spent holding back because I thought I wasn’t capable ofbigger and better things in life.

What do you want to be remembered for?

I want to be remembered as someone na who wasn’t scared to go out there to put himself to go out there, to influence people.

I want people to remember me as someone who really worked his way up. Someone who didn’t give up on his goals kasi when I started everything, it’s all just therapy to me, and now, I get to inspire people because of it.

Where do you think the drag scene in Manila is heading?

I think it’s doing really well. I feel marami na rin nagda-drag these days. I think helpful din na may representation sa media like RuPaul’s Drag Race. And I just noticed lang na parang more and more kids on social media, nakikita nilang may nagda-drag, so they get to try it. I feel like mas maraming na-i-influence, mas maraming nagiging brave to do whatever they want.

Why is it time for men, regardless of gender, to just try makeup and not to be bothered about it?

Now. It’s just makeup. Unless your masculinity is really fragile, but I feel it’s time. It proves to people that if it makes you feel better, why not?

everything they have when it comes to protecting our home.

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What are your thoughts on creative communities?

I can definitely say that whenever

How would you introduce yourself to someone?

Mas kilala ako as Asshulz so like ’yung web comics ko before. Sa artist bio: “Mac Andre Arboleda, also known as Asshulz on the internet.” Zinester? ’Yun ’yung most powerful term na puwede ko i-ascribe sa sarili ko. Puwede ring “artist,” but mostly still “student.” I don’t do things professionally. Also an organizer of Zine Orgy and other events.

When you search “Mac Andre Arboleda” on the internet you will see the following: 1) his zine, “The Face of a Marcos Apologist,” which critiqued a botched attempt at historical revisionism; 2) his work for events like Zine Orgy and Munzinelupa; or 3) his numerous other art projects, namely “Fictional Instagram Feeds” and his short films on YouTube. He is well-versed in using parody and internet language, turning them on their head to prove a point.

Interview by Lex Celera

cargocollective.com/asshulz

17

Mac Andre Arboleda

What’s the best and worst thing about being young?

The best thing is the many opportunities you’re bound to have and all the things you can do and learn. The worst thing is how we live in a system that favors only the people who can afford those privileges.

Who are your local and international influences?

Locally, it would definitely be my dad, Jeff Dizon, who is also an artist. He was the first person

What do you think you’ll do five to 10 years from now?

Gusto ko siguro mag-pursue ng graduate studies in internet studies.

Who are your heroes in real life?

My parents. Every comfort I’ve had in life is mostly because of my parents and the privilege I grew up with because of them.

At a time of political crisis, our generation needs more artists like Nika Dizon. A rebel with a cause, she uses bizarre and uncanny paintings as a medium for advocacy.

Inspired by expressionism and surrealism, her poetics and subtexts lie in the depths of details, the easily missable, and the deliberate subtleties.

Interview by Monina Chua

@nika.dizon

18 Nika Dizon

Do you want to change the rules?

I don’t make the rules. It’s a community, so we decide together. And I don’t claim to represent the Los Baños community. I just really want to include everyone in the conversation. Not just sa process ng art-making but also sa criticism and organizing.

So since sa Los Baños wala kami masyadong writing courses or creative writing o fine arts ang courses makikita na different ’yung content. And siguro mas amateur ’yung sa Los Baños.

Alam namin ’yung audience namin. Estudyante siya. Hindi kami gumagastos ng 100 pesos or more for a zine. Nakikita namin na sa other venues mas mahal. Mas kaunti ’yung kopya.

I go to different art expos or zine expos in Manila, parang iba talaga ’yung feeling. For example, Vinyl on Vinyl,’yung venue mismo is a gallery. ’Yung mga artists talaga doon, ganun rin yung training. They’re formal. Mas premium ’yung mga nilalabas nila. Sa Los Baños, we do our best na cheaply made.

What’s your biggest goal?

Success for me is having an impact on society. That’s when I’ll consider myself successful, but as of now, I’m still starting as an artist. I want people to look at my art and feel something—a spark, or inspiration to change.

Having said that, would you say you believe that the personal is political?

Art is totally political. The personal is political. Everything is.

Would you say that you incorporate your own same politics in your art?

Oh yeah, definitely. My art is how I feel, how I was raised, or how I am. But I think like all of me is just like its how society brought you to be.

What are you currently working on?

I’m working on a solo exhibit this year. And then next year, I kind of want to venture into sculpting. Just be more adventurous with my art.

who got me into art. Growing up, I would just watch him paint. I would be like “Dad, teach me how to do that, teach me how to paint.” International would be Frida Kahlo. I really like her art and I like her as a person as well.

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After the shoot, I waited for him at the door of the restroom to change. After taking the denim jacket he wore, I couldn’t help but ask: “Unique, hindi ba talaga kita puwede ma-interview?”

He looked at me, said no, and walked away. The label representative apologized. I told her she didn’t have to.

On the day of the shoot, a representative from his record label arrived an hour early to the photo shoot to kindly remind me of the special circumstances they wanted.

Unique arrived on time, barefoot and clad in black, like what he wore in the music video for his single Midnight Sky. He was less frigid than I thought he would be in person, politely replying to my questions with a yes or no.

The week prior to shooting Unique, his manager, Kean Cipriano, called me a few times asking for reassurance: Will he be interviewed? Will he be asked about his muchpublicized falling out with IV of Spades? We settled on an email interview and no group shot.

Interview by Lex Celera

@unique

19 Unique Salonga to

Which living person do you most despise?

Secret.

What is the trait you most deplore in others?

Taong magnanakaw.

What or who are your inspirations?

Inspirasyon ko ang lahat ng mga tao sa paligid ko.

What are you focusing on in this next chapter of your life?

Music pa rin. Nagsusulat din ako ng script at balak ko ring i-pursue ang pagpipinta.

When and where were you happiest?

Kapag kinukulong ko ang sarili ko sa kuwarto.

What is your greatest regret?

Paulit-ulit ang pagsisisi ko araw-araw at walang greatest.

What is your greatest fear?

Ang greatest fear ko sa buhay ay ang i-reveal ang mga kinatatakutan ko sa mga taong hindi ko naman kakilala.

Who do you want collaborate with?

Bullet Dumas.

What is your current state of mind?

Magulo.

These are the answers from the email interview:

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Actor Donny Pangilinan represents everything we like about Generation Z: steadfast ambition, a conscientious approach to life, and an effortless sense of normalcy that we millennials just don’t get.

Interview by Lex Celera Photography by Czar Kristoff Styling by Gian Latorre Hair and makeup by Zidjian Floro and Raffy So If Donny and I, by some stroke of time travel magic, had been classmates in high school, we probably wouldn’t have been friends. He was everything I wasn’t: a well-dressed, popular kid with good posture who was also part of the basketball varsity team (worldwide, the basketball varsity team is arguably the most popular varsity team. Don’t fight me on this). He can also dance well. Obviously.

While I hovered between social circles, trying out for the table tennis and badminton varsity team and joining the book club in an attempt to gather any—what do the kids call it? clout?—I would imagine people gravitated towards him without any effort on his part. He’s pretty much void of any problems at a moment’s glance, save for what I imagine would be the minor school misunderstandings or semi-secret relationship mishaps normal in high school kids.

And I know this because although

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he’s already in college, taking up multimedia arts in UP, and it’s been approximately eight years since I was in high school, I can see the difference between us. It’s the difference between millennials (I’m 23) and Generation Z (he’s 20). And the biggest difference was that Donny isn’t a humble person.

Let me explain: humility and confidence are two different, mutually exclusive things.

Both are valued in our society.

Juxtapose the two in social settings and you would see that humility is valued above confidence. Humility makes confident people more likeable. But it also makes them disingenuous. When we want to be humble, we abase ourselves and distance ourselves from our own self-respect to hopefully gain the respect of others. A confident person who isn’t humble can be seen as arrogant.

Arrogant: probably the most reductive word uttered to the youth of today.

So while I hear Donny talk about his ambitions in life, his desire to be an actor, and his desire to make 2018 his year, as I take a good, hard look at

Donny’s career—scratch that, his life online—I feel old. While the rest of us millennials preoccupy ourselves withwhat people think of us, Donny and the rest of his fellow Gen Z-ers have figured out how to live, truly live, in a time of social media.

It’s by ingraining in themselves the progressive values our generation, the millennial generation, has fought for. Gen Z-ers are living in that world, and though there is much left to be done, it’s comforting to know that they’re off to a good start. It’s due time that “youth” be separated from the millennial milieu while ushering in the era of Gen Z. We can’t all be privileged with a well-off, emotionally secure family with good genes. But it’s what we do with the privilege we have that matters. Donny has his eyes on being a good influence in everything that he does. Fresh from a Hillsong United event in Australia, five minutes into our conversation, Donny shares his foray into public speaking as coaxed by his father, TV show host Anthony Pangilinan.

How do you start your speeches?

I feel the crowd first. It depends on how I feel the crowd is going to be. If I feel it’s going to loud, I’d probably start with a joke or something. [talks to his cousin] That one in Iloilo? [A gruadation speech for a city high school in Iloilo.] That was my first ever school speech. I had dengue that time and I didn’t even know. I still did it, dude. You know when everyone was just waiting for you to say something for a long time and you’re not going to say anything? So I just had to do it.

And later, I found I had dengue.

So you just wing it with your speeches?

I do. My dad wouldn’t let me go up unprepared. That’s who he is, a speaker. He knows everything about those kinds of stuff. My dad is probably my number one advisor and supporter in terms of speaking, or with anything in life.

How would you describe your relationship with your parents?

It’s not perfect. I know at the end of the day, they’re going to have my full support and I’m going to have their full support. They co-manage me, so in everything they do , I know that at the end of the day they’re going to do this for me because they love me and not because of business or any of that stuff. There’s a more personal attachment to the management but it can also get to the point between parents and managers, so we do have fights sometimes. But I would say, I’m pretty close to my parents and they brought us up really well.

You mentioned that you want to pursue acting more this year. How’s that going?

Just keep on learning. Keep on improving your craft. At the end of the day, are you getting better at what you’re getting better at? Every time you wake up, every single day, you ask yourself: “What can you do to get you closer to what you want to achieve?”

You’re only as good as your last work. So you think when you’re already on top, then the more down you are.

Get what I mean? You have to keep that mindset that you’re not there yet. There’s

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still a lot you have to do. I just want to keep improving at the stuff I’m getting into and to meet new people. I’m still fairly new in this industry. And just be yourself and have fun. If you don’t like what you’re doing, then it’s not worth it.

Last time we talked, you did say 2018 was going to be a big year.

I just claimed it. There’s nothing wrong with claiming something. If you claim it, then you believe it. It’s important to know where you want to be. Thankfully, all these blessings are coming in and I’m super blessed to be in this position to be an inspiration to some people.

How did you explain to your parents that you wanted to be an actor?

I didn’t! It just happened slowly. They kind of got the idea that I wanted to do it. When I was growing up I was the least expected to enter showbiz.

How come?

I was quiet. I was an introvert. I had to know the person if I had to talk to them.

It would take a lot for me to talk to you or be open to you. Slowly, I grew out of my shell through school, through sports, and meeting a lot of people. But before I was interested [in becoming an actor]. Especially when visiting my mom’s sets.

When my mom actually saw that it was turning out on social media, and that I was actually serious about these workshops, they thought it was a joke.

But I really wanted to do it.

What’s the best piece of advice they’ve given you?

Don’t let your head get big and keep your head on the ground. Keep giving God all the glory. What else? Keep improving your craft. You can never be the best but you can be known as someone who does his best.

Do you have any definition of success?

Just that if you fulfill the purpose you are meant to fulfill. That’s it.

How do you figure that out? [laughs] Let me think this through.

How do you figure out your purpose? I think my parents have a lot to do with the way I see things. Growing up they made it clear to us that at the end of the

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day, we’re your parents but you get to choose what you want to be. They gave us a lot of freedom and growing up they would think we’re not normal kids. But we were super normal. We would play in the streets, all that stuff. Finding your purpose? It just reveals itself.

You’ll know. Listen to your heart.

Did you have a hard time looking for that purpose? You did mention that you wanted to be an actor when you were younger.

Not naman an actor, I just want to be somebody people can look up to. When people message me on Instagram they say “Because of you, I didn’t do this…”

Those messages mean a lot to me.

That’s the biggest reason why I do what I do. I want to put a smile on their faces.

You’ve never been shy in talking about your faith. You’re probably more vocal than most. Do you think that’s a problem now with people your age?

I think in the presence of social media today, everyone wants to compare. The likes, the followers, everything. It’s come to the point that you want to be accepted in society. It gives them some sort of a filter when they post. You see people online that aren’t what they seem in real life. I don’t even think about it’s posting, it’s more about posting and portraying who you are in real life. Is it a problem? I don’t know with the generation now. Everyone’s online.

Do you think that’s a bad thing?

Bad and good. There are so many advantages that social media gives us. I started out on social media. If you’re there 24/7 you forget what real life is. You just have to have limits in everything you do I guess.

What are you most afraid of?

My parents growing older.

When you grow old, how do you want to be remembered?

You’re making me think today, ha? [laughs]Someone who wasn’t like anyone else. Someone who was different, I guess.

time. So much time to do what you want, so much time to experiment, so much time to start what you want to start. What’s the worst thing? That we take it for granted. That we know we’re young, so we take too much time starting on what we want to start on. I love being young. I’m not a teenager anymore, but I’m still young.

Do you believe in magic?

Do I believe in magic? You mean the magic in Philippines Got Talent or something? I believe that we’re blessed and we all have a purpose. The magic we watch online, they’re really good at it, but I don’t believe in that. For magic in terms of miracles, I believe in that 100 percent. It happens everyday.n

“

There’s nothing wrong with claiming something. If you claim it, then you believe it.

”

What’s the best and worst thing about being young?

The best thing is you have so much

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SUPREME jersey from SEASON PASS, stylist’s own button down shirt; stylist’s own suspenders and rings

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SUPREME jersey from SEASON PASS, stylist’s own button down shirt; stylist’s own suspenders and rings

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OXYGEN hoodie, ADIDAS jacket and shoes, O’NEILL pants

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By Monina Chua Art by Reynaldo “Steve” Bucal

We explore the world of Filipino graphic design through the vernacular—the hand-drawn typography we see on jeepneys, taxis, and storefronts.

Subliminal Strokes Signs are everywhere. We see them on the holy painted jeeps, the unresponsive LTFRB numbers on taxis, the random street sign that reads “Bawal umihi dito,” and in your occasional town fiesta’s perya.

And yet, we ignore it thanks to normalization. It seems like a forgotten—or perhaps, snubbed—fact that these common signs are by artists and designers.

We accept hand painted signs as part of our culture without question.

The “kitschy” signs we see in the palengke, the “ugly” graffiti behind the worn-out seats in public buses, and even the “tacky” tarpaulin greetings from politicians every voting season, are all indicative of how we treat design in our country. Their Filipino-ness is naturally distinguishable, but whether or not we find them aesthetically pleasing is where it gets tricky.

Filipino Folk Foundry (“FFF”), a 310page book about “vernacular aesthetics” published by the now-defunct artist platform Office of Culture and Design, sang about the dying art of Filipino hand-drawn typography in excruciating length. With barely any academic papers or research written about the subject, the writers meticulously documented hand-drawn signs in the country, interviewing the painters themselves in the process.

In FFF, they used the terms “slow type” or “slow typography.” As opposed to “fast type” or “hyper type,” this kind of typography is handmade, known for carefully measured spaces and beauty in proportion.

Last 2016, the head of the Office of Culture and Design, Clara Balaguer, released a digital project on the history of Filipino graphic design entitled “Tropico Vernacular.” She writes, “Here, minimalism can be understood as a sign of poverty, only surfacing when the designer

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For the majority of us, the “taxi” style is easily recognizable. Local sign painters call this “sans serif” or “gothic.” The same digital source described the style as letters with pinched corners–the result of “de-rounding” brush work. The sharp-tipped and single stroke forms usually seen on taxis result from finishing a stroke with a brush and a slight flick.

Page 46: In Carl David Graham’s enumeration in his website made for his dissertation at DLS-CSB, the title-style “Pancy Letter” was described as the most distinctive style of Filipino sign painting. It is done “either with a single stroke of the brush or made with the former’s style of sharp letter endings.

They come in a variety of ‘waviness,’ some being tame and upright and others quite curvaceous.”

does not possess enough technical or financial prowess for the addition of borloloy (lavish ornamentation), and fills the gaps with decorations that cost time and signify money.”

Perhaps the Americanization of our culture is what contributes to this generation’s subjectivity in aesthetic.

Western elements of design are part of our formal education and in turn, form a hierarchy of what constitutes as “good” and “bad” design. The inclination toward Western standards slowly kills the literally loud expressions of our vernacular and the explosion of colors in both our trash-filled Metro Manila and flowery landscapes in provinces. The minimalist black and white, colors we associate with lament in the Philippines, are taking over. *** Mr. Reynaldo Bucal a.k.a. “Steve” comes out of his house and profusely apologizes for the environment: Debris.

Grit. Cigarette butts on the concrete floors. There is a hand painted image of the Virgin Mary on the wall, drawn by Steve himself about ten years ago. He’s been painting since high school. He’s now 55.

There’s catharsis of authenticity in the process of hand-lettering as Steve carefully measured the spaces that would go in between. He traced the letters with a pencil while frequently erasing any inaccuracy before applying the paint.

After two hours, he shows us his work, which you see now in these very pages. Art is everywhere but we refuse to clap unless it’s framed and hung on the walls of a prestigious museum. In the modern world where fast living is a cold-blooded thief, humans continue to dig their own graves by letting the purest kinds of creativity die one by one.

So, I write.n

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WHAT IS SCOUT EVEN? No holds barred. Unfiltered, unbiased opinions on what our publication is all bout.

“Scout magazine is one of the few local publications that, in my honest opinion, has the power to shape the current generation of creatives. They continue to inform, influence, and inspire as well as steer the direction of the youth in terms of what’s hip and whats fresh in the world of art, music, fashion, and culture.”

– Jor ge W ieneke, music educator/ musician

“A youthful magazine–ever-changing, radical, unconventional and juvenile.”

– Marvin Conan, editor in chief, Purveyr

“It’s an amalgation of youth pop culture in Metro Manila. Like whispers of information. What’s the word on the street? Who’s dropping that new line of clothes? And what’s the latest government scandal rocking our millennial feelings.”

– Patrick Segovia, freelance photographer

“Scout magazine explains a lot of things to the youth, while showing the rest of the world who the youth actually are. If weed was the gateway drug perhaps Scout is the potential gateway to discovering a whole lot of ideologies.”

– Christina Lopez, artist

“Ad space.” – skinxbones, writer/musician “Scout magazine is the voice of the youth. The publication focuses on today’s tastemakers, trends, and in-depth look into different subcultures.

One of the only publications out now that speaks to both the street and fashion culture.”

– George Balobalo, manager, Commonwealth & Bawal Clan

“[A] platform for emerging talent.”

– Tammy David, marketing manager

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“A magazine for creatives in Manila.”

– Bret Jackson, musician “For me, Scout magazine is a voice that represents a generation of young creatives, thinkers, and future leaders. It’s always been at the center of the Venn Diagram of everything the youth cares about—and that’s not to say it’s all fluff. Yes, it’s all about music, style, and culture. But don’t think they’ll close their eyes on the injustices in our society. Scout will run their mouth and call people out if they have to—as any voice from this generation should.”

– Paulo Reyes, creative

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