AdCrushes The Cutest Faces in UP AdCore Happy crushes offer a welcome respite from the stressful mountain of acads and org work that an average UP student has to undertake, and the best part is you don’t need to stray far from AdCore’s tambayan to find them. But turning heads left and right isn’t the only thing these heartthrobs are capable of. They are also passionate and talented, with well-rounded personalities courtesy of AdCore’s three core values. Baby, it might be cold outside, but these guys and gals are bringing the heat! Bingbong Austria
Illustrations Rocky Nacpil Photos Paul Domalaon
RAP ORONCE BS Business Administration and Accountancy
Go-to pick up line? I go for sweet subtle sarcasm. ;)
What do you think is your “unique selling point”? Scarcity. Jk. Patience for the right time, naiveté, honesty. Plus points for dancing, yeah?
Describe your ideal date. Anytime, anywhere, basta sincere at heartfelt. No gadgets, better. Hindi kailangan ng picture para maalala.
How would you impress someone you like? I wouldn’t want to impress her, but I’d like her to like me. Mas long-term ‘yung like, so I’ll be myself, bahala na if she likes it or not.
What qualities do you look for in a partner? I don’t necessarily have that “checklist,” but at the very least there must be understanding matched with acceptance and genuine care. ‘Yung unconditional love baga.
Rap fun fact: Rap loves to dance! He’s been busting a move since his high school days in Ateneo de Manila, as part of its premier dance troupe Indayog ng Atenistang Kabataan (IndAK). He is now an active member of the UP StreetDance Club.
ALAN MIRANO BS Industrial Engineering
Go-to pick up line? You don’t wanna ask me that. :)
What do you think is your “unique selling point”? Eyes daw. Ewan, maganda daw e. Pero feeling ko talaga ‘yung jokes ko. Pero feeling lang talaga iyon.
Describe your ideal date. Nakaupo lang sa Quirino Grandstand tapos magpapalipad ng saranggola. Or bumper cars. Basta nothing too serious and nag-eenjoy kami.
How would you impress someone you like? Impress? ‘Di uso sa akin iyon!
What qualities do you look for in a partner? Loving, caring and other things... Pero dapat kaya niya ring sakyan ‘yung sense of humor ko (or lack thereof). :)
Alan fun fact: Despite the number of girls crushing on him, Alan has never had a girlfriend before. He did have a rumored romance with last year’s PRP VP but nothing’s been confirmed. Perhaps one of our readers will be lucky enough to claim the title of “girlfriend”.
DELL YOUNG C Fine Arts (Visual Communication)
Go-to pick up line? Pinya ka ba? Kasi pinyatibok mo ang puso ko.... Teka, naririnig mo ba yung tibok? Tidbits tidbits tidbits.
What do you think is your “unique selling point”? I’m the epitome of jeje and jologs. LOL
Describe your ideal date. I would love to go on unique and adventurous dates! Maybe go hiking, scuba diving, or travel to places we’ve never been to and just get lost. :)
How would you impress someone you like? I think the best possible way to impress someone is simply to be myself!
What qualities do you look for in a partner? Tall. Dark. Handsome. And jeje. HAHAHAHA JOKE.
Dell fun fact: Dell and Miss World 2013 Megan Young are half-sisters! Apparently, beauty, brains and charisma run in the family. It’s no wonder then that Dell was able to bag last semester’s Bet ng Bayan and Besh ng Bayan awards.
IRISH VIGILIA BS Tourism
Go-to pick up line? Ang lampa mo naman! Tatawid ka na nga lang sa isip ko, nahulog ka pa sa puso ko. Chos. ;))
What do you think is your “unique selling point”? “I could lift you up, I could show you what you wanna see and take you where you wanna be.” I can be your Safe and Sound by Capital Cities. :))
Describe your ideal date. Ayaw ko ng formal. Haha. Surprise me. ;)
How would you impress someone you like? I would put more effort on making our conversations more engaging and fun! Talk smart, smile all the time and laugh at every effort of his corny jokes, if they may be.
What qualities do you look for in a partner? Gusto ko ‘yung sinusundo ako sa AIT (Asian Institute of Tourism) para may kasama ako maglakad, chos. Hmm…mahaba dapat ‘yung patience kasi makwento ako sa mga bagay na walang sense? Ayaw ko rin ng palalibre, may pera rin naman ako. Haha. Pero I still find it sweet if the guy shows the effort. But in all seriousness, I admire the guy with the perfect balance of the old school effort and independence of a UP student.
Irish fun fact: Irish is a big Taylor Swift fan! Keep this in mind and she might just write your name on the blank and unoccupied space in her heart.
MADE IN ADCORE
When Art and Business Fall in Love CFA and CBA: two colleges separated by space and field of interest. Yet, somehow, a handful of individuals from these institutions have managed to develop more-than-friendly feelings for each other – all thanks to AdCore. Sam Tamayo
THERESE ASEOCHE VIEL VIDAL
You know the typical romcom plot wherein the two protagonists make fun of each other? With every snarky comment and quick comeback, they unknowingly fall for each other. That’s how everything started for Therese and Viel. Viel said,
“
We were frenemies. We were the types to always either insult each other jokingly or insult other people collectively. However, they weren’t always chummy with each other. In fact, they didn’t even regularly talk until one fateful event: Plansem. “Viel and I became close only at the start of SY 14-15. Prior to that, we barely talked, but there were instances when I would quietly watch him accomplish his plates,” Therese said. Thanks to AdCore, they have managed to get closer to each other. “Maraming nagawa ang AdCore! Many instances and incidents that took place at the tambayan and at various events that actually led us to fall [in love with] each other,” Therese said. One member, specifically, has unsuspectingly become the bridge for the two. “Shout out to Quimpo. If you hadn’t yelled at me for singing with you at the karaoke, then we wouldn’t have started our mafia (against you) and become close,” Viel said.
Luckily for the couple, the boy was not torpe at all. He was, in Therese’s words, “really malandi without meaning to”, and she was receptive. Finally, after weeks of speculations, Viel’s feelings surfaced. During Muertos (an FA event), he unconsciously (or perhaps consciously) delivered a line that changed the state of their relationship. “She was looking at key chains and told me to buy her one, then I said ‘Lilibre lang kita ‘pag girlfriend na kita,’” Viel said. Of course, just like any other couple, they’ve been through issues and problems that challenged their relationship. Nonetheless, they both know that no relationship is perfect. They have identified the three key ingredients in keeping the fire alive: communication, trust and love. As their first Valentine’s Day as a couple approaches, they have heartfelt messages for each other. “Elijah, thank you for all the love, care, and patience you give me. Remember I’ll always be here to laugh at your not-so-funny jokes, listen to your rambles and random stories, and help you become a better person than you already are. I love you,” Therese said. But Viel, being the comedian that he is, added a little twist. “Ay jusko. Alam mo na iyan. Grabe. I love you, honey!”
ICA DUCANES JR GERONIMO Like the moon, JR has always been quietly admiring the Earth from afar. But, like the Earth, Ica does not seem to recognize his presence and importance, and would much rather divert its attention to the stars. JR and Ica have always been around each other’s company. AdCore became the avenue for the romance to blossom between them. “Well, it was a given that we met in AdCore. Haha. Apart from that, AdCore bridges our work fields: design and business,” JR said. From the start, JR always knew he liked Ica. “She was one of my happy crushes then,” JR admitted. Unfortunately, the feelings weren’t reciprocated. “I slowly started to show her affection midyear of 2013. I got rejected twice,” he added. Ever the fighter, JR did not stop pursuing her. After building a stable friendship, Ica discovered she also felt the same way. Ica said,
“
Despite my rejections, we remained to be [sic] good friends and I started to realize that I liked him as well.
By December, the breaking point was reached, or, as JR called it, his “gayuma finally worked.” The organization’s importance was highlighted further because of its vital role in strengthening their relationship. “We know we wouldn’t be like this without the loving support of our friends in AdCore,” Ica added in between laughs. Months into their relationship, they went through a lot of difficulties they would rather not disclose. Fortunately, both are mature enough to acknowledge and understand each other’s shortcomings. “We always talk things out and try to understand where we are coming from,” JR said. They take pride in always apologizing to each other before things get worse. “We always say sorry agad. Add a little cheesiness and we’re laughing again,” Ica said. This coming Valentine’s Day, they have promised to become cheesier than ever. “[I] can’t wait to make even more kiligs than usual this Feb. For valentines and his birthday,” Ica said. But JR is more than grateful for the opportunity granted to him to spend this special day with her. “I always say this to her naman. Thank you for coming to my life, bebelabs! I promise to take care of you 5-ever! I love you!”
IEAN MAÑAGO CARLOS OXALES They say love is always around the corner, and all you have to do is take the plunge. Good thing for Oxy, he was brave enough to enter this unpredictable world of love. His efforts paid off when he was able to quickly find his special someone. “I first saw her during the OrgPres prodwork and practice. She was my mem crush when I was an app,” he said.
“
AdCore is basically the foundation of our relationship. And, our relationship goal is actually based on one of the themes from the AdCore Week celebration – chasing infinity. Despite their differences, their love for each other remains
With a little bit of nudge from the right people, their relationship
unchanged and steadfast. This coming Valentine’s Day, the
began to flourish. “It started when Koy (Baron) and Kyn
couple is extremely thankful for getting the chance to spend it
(Estanislao) started revealing that Oxy had a crush on me and
in each other’s arms in spite of the daily troubles brought about
when they actually kept on pushing for it,” Iean said.
their set-up.
To Oxy, AdCore became his “wingman.” However, he knew this wasn’t “I thank him for simply accepting and loving me just the way I am. No matter what happens, [I know] we’ll always find a way to enough for him to get close to her. Then, one auspicious incident brought them together. “I guess the connection happened when she sprained her ankle during BACBACAN and we started texting since I was somewhat of an expert on sprained ankles,” he said.
chase infinity together,” Iean said. Likewise, Oxy acknowledged his undying love for her by saying, “I want to let her know that I’m here for her through thick and thin.
But, things weren’t always flowing smoothly for the two. For one,
I’m excited to spend more Valentine’s days with her! I’m so proud
the age gap and distance between them became hindrances. “I’m
to be the co-pioneer of the FABA combo! #originalloveteam”
two years older than him and three batches higher than him. So, scheduling meet-ups was really hard for the both of us especially that he didn’t really have the leeway to go anywhere he wanted,” Iean said. However, they both know that what they have is unique and special. And believe it or not, their main aspiration as a couple is actually inspired by AdCore.
*
Trivia: Did you know these three
couples have a Facebook thread named “FABA”? They’re also competitive when it comes to love stuff!
Romance in Advertising: A VALENTINE’S AD COMPILATION
The advent of February also signals the coming of Valentine-themed ad campaigns. Some of them reuse boring old concepts and end up as part of the clutter, hackneyed and ultimately forgettable. Others bring fresh ideas to the table – so brilliantly conceived that they can bring tears to your eyes in the span of a single minute. This time, Juiceletter brings you some of these Valentine’s advertisements that merit a closer look and from which we all can learn a thing or two about creative and intelligent concepts. Bingbong Austria
SMOOTH VALENTINE JWT Paris executed this outdoor ad for razor manufacturer Wilkinson Sword which features a large poster of a man’s unshaved facial hair. At first glance, it seems like another hackneyed advertisement for a razor brand. The twist is the tiny strands of beard are actually rose stems that passers-by, both single or in a relationship, can pluck off and either keep for themselves or give to their partners. The ad also includes shots of gay couples, thus deviating from the traditional heteronormative mold of most Valentine’s advertisements.
click here to watch the video
DATE IN A BOX Some guys equate the softer, tenderer parts of the emotional spectrum to emasculation – a mindset Heineken and ad agency Wieden + Kennedy New York set out to debunk with their #DateInaBox campaign. The premise is pretty simple: tweet to Heineken’s US Twitter account to win a Date in a Box containing a mystery date for two. A couple’s massage, a skydiving lesson for two, you name it. But the catch is the men have to post a photo of the box on their Instagram accounts – a decidedly public and sappy show of affection – to receive the code that unlocks the box. It sounds kind of gimmicky, but the real star of the ad is its message anyway – real men can show off their sensitive side and are not ashamed to do so. click here to watch the video
IN CASE OF LOVE AT FIRST SIGHT, BREAK GLASS For this campaign, the Flower Council of Holland partnered with ad agency Kingsday Amsterdam to install 1,500 little red “emergency” boxes containing red roses all around the streets of Paris. It originally started out as an attempt to boost florist businesses in France, but with its cute and innovative concept, it quickly grew into something bigger. Few people believe in love at first sight nowadays, but giving a rose to a stranger counts as a huge vote of confidence that can either score you a date or, at the least, put a smile on someone else’s face. click here to watch the video
FLOWERS SAY IT BETTER
PARISIAN LOVE
Sometimes, people tend to come up with the most outlandish
Who’d have thought the Google search box would make such
ideas when it comes to Valentine’s gifts. While this isn’t
a great storytelling device? The brains at Google wow us yet
entirely bad, trying too hard definitely is. Grandiose gestures
again with this heartwarming Valentine’s Day ad that tells the
of love are sweet because of the effort one has to go through
story of a male student who finds love in the picturesque cafes
to pull them off. But you don’t need to write a cheesy poem or
of Paris, France (which, on a side note, appears to be a common
buy an exotic parrot to impress your partner; flowers can just
denominator in most of these Valentine’s advertisements). The
as effectively get the message across, and that’s the central
minute-long video cleverly uses Google searches to tug at our
theme of this entertaining campaign from FTD. It also milks
heartstrings as the words weave our faceless Romeo’s tale, from
the clueless-boyfriend-exasperated-girlfriend trope which
courtship (impress a French girl) to language barriers (translate tu
makes it all the more hilarious and relatable.
es tres mignon) and, finally, to fatherhood (how to assemble a crib).
click here to watch the video
click here to watch the video
All You might not know her personally, but chances are you’ve seen
The current theme of the Fair is “Soundtrack Natin ‘To”. “This
Anissa Villaverde’s face before, either on Facebook pubmats (as
year, we wanted to highlight UP Fair as a music event (hence
her orgs’ go-to merchandise model) or in the AdCore tambayan.
‘Soundtrack’) and not merely as a fun fair. It’s one of the things
Most of the time, you can see her wearing a smile while joking
that make it such a special event . . . . Also, we wanted the
around with both mems and future mems. Though she possesses
campaign to be more inclusive (hence ‘Natin’). We wanted people
a cheerful personality, as well as a love life, mind you, Anissa
to know that the UP Fair is a place for friends to enjoy and
is anything but insensitive to the plight of the loveless. Her
experience the local music scene together, with the best OPM
unique brand of humor coupled with her imagination and talent
bands playing their favorite song,” Anissa explains.
for making witty remarks landed her AdCore’s first formal copywriter position, as a Creative for UP Fair 2015.
In line with the campaign, Anissa and the team created content that would strike a chord with a large audience of UP people. They tried
“Siyempre, being someone’s first is always great, ‘di ba?” Anissa jokes but says she feels pressured because of the success the project achieved last year.
“
[P] Everyone in AdCore has been really supportive, my teammates especially. Whenever I feel unsure about my ideas, the UP Fair team is always there to back me up or help me make them better. So far, it’s the best job in the world and I’m really grateful that the ExeCore gave me this chance. With its slew of landi-sawi quotes, patama song lyrics and hugot posts that often hit close to home, last year’s UP Fair account set the social media sphere abuzz and earned a large following
to package the posts as funny and lighthearted but also relatable as these were based on people’s experiences and stories. She says,
“
The team definitely has had input in the UP Fair hugots; hindi lang po si Fritz [Duco] ang may pinagdadaanan. Even AdCore people outside the team contribute to the hugot posts!
Like Fritz Duco, the man behind last year’s UP Fair Twitter account, Anissa shares the belief that forever does not exist. Not in the general sense, at least. “Walang forever. Si Ed Sheeran nga hanggang sa 70 lang naniniwala. #UPFairever lang ang meron,” she says.
on Twitter and Facebook. This year, the love-forsaken character
But one area Fritz and Anissa do differ in is the status of their
makes a comeback – hugot and all – with a slightly different big
love life.
idea and a different person holding the reins.
is Fair
IN LOVE AND HUGOT
When asked where she draws the inspiration for her posts, she says,
“
Thankfully, I currently have a pretty okay love life so not a lot of bitterness comes from there. I draw most of my hugots from my imagination or my friends’ experiences (hi Fritz. jknotjk).
“
I’m not really good at planning things or managing my time, but with all that’s going on with my life, I always make sure I have ways to relieve stress. Having a ukulele and a Twitter account helps a lot.
And finally, to all the broken hearts out there waiting to be mended, the Eponines, the NGSB’s and NBSB’s of the world,
Anissa admits being in a relationship has made her a “generally
Anissa leaves a short but insightful piece of advice from music
happier person than a lot of [her] friends”, though she did have
icon Whitney Houston:
to renounce a few liberties in exchange. “Hanggang sa Hollywood celebrities na lang ako pwedeng magkacrush since I got into a relationship. Wiw!” Anissa jokes.
“
I guess being in a relationship keeps me grounded. My behbehluhvs and I are very different from each other so we balance each other out. But I didn’t really change all that much. Tanggap naman niya ‘ko for who I am. ‘Di ba ganoon dapat sa love? Everyone can agree it’s no easy feat to juggle acads, org work, social life and relationship duties (or lack thereof) without going crazy and having a mental breakdown. But so far, Anissa has managed just fine.
“
Learn to love yourself. ‘Di ka na nga makahanap ng love sa iba eh, at least naman sana mahal mo sarili mo. Or you know, there’s always Tinder. Bingbong Austria
FINDING THE PERFECT
Valentine Date We all have our personal preferences when it comes to envisioning our ideal date. Some may prefer a quiet and peaceful day at the park, while others would like to choose more adventurous options. Because AdCore is a melting pot of people from different colleges and walks of life, our members hold different yet interesting opinions on dating. Who knows? You might pick up some ideas from them. Maybe you’ll even turn these dreams into reality (if you know what I mean). *wink* Sam Tamayo
Koy Baron (College of Home Economics) BEGINNING:
Prior to the date, I’ll probably be preparing the food (whatever her
favorite food is) and other stuff needed for the date. Then maybe we’ll go to a nice garden place (hopefully to ourselves only) and have a picnic there. SETTING:
A nice garden with green grass, flower bushes, and lots of trees. There is
going to be a big picnic mat on the grass and lots of pillows, and with the plates prepared neatly as well as the food and the wine. Chill, mellow music will be playing in the background (probably jazz covers of Sinatra songs). ACTIVITIES:
I do not want lots of activities. I’d prefer a chill lunch/merienda while
sipping on a glass of sweet sparkling Moscato. And then we’ll lie down and just talk about things. BUDGET:
I don’t actually know but I don’t think it matters as long as you’re going to
have fun in the end. Then it would be worth it. ENDING:
I’ll bring her home and get the flowers from the backseat (and end the date
with a kiss? ‘Di naman siguro ‘to first date, ‘di ba?).
Mari Arambulo (College of Mass Communication) BEGINNING:
I flash my date with a very big smile. He looks at me, knowing I might
bolt any moment, but trusts that I’d stay because he knows I like his company—‘cause we’ve known each other for quite some time. He gives me a backhanded compliment. SETTING:
I guess I’d want to be wined and dined at a fancy restaurant you can’t
afford on an ordinary day. ACTIVITIES:
We’d eat something new we probably can’t pronounce. We’d share our
food from each other’s plates. We’ll drink wine and then dance ‘cause we’ve had enough wine to get over the fact that we can’t dance. BUDGET: I
don’t have a specific figure, but it’s probably a lot. First impressions last.
ENDING: He
pays the bill! Haha! He drives me home. Then, when we reach my front
door, he leans in and seals the deal. *wiggles eyebrows* The rest is nunyabusiness.
Katrina Loreto (College of Education) BEGINNING:
I love adventures and road trips, so maybe a
loooooong trip to somewhere would do, accompanied with an awesome playlist. I imagine a perfect date at the top of a cliff, just lying on
SETTING:
the hood of a car, observing the beauty of nature at night while laughing and talking about how life is really amazing and how we are still blessed despite the many problems and stress in life. ACTIVITIES:
While on the road, we could buy any snack or meal
from our fave restaurants. We would shout and sing our hearts out in the car with windows open, look for a perfect spot like a cliff or hill to observe the night sky, and just lie down and have some serious conversation or just joke with each other. BUDGET: Ask
our parents for gas budget. Hihi. And just work with
what we both have for food. ENDING:
Never. We both believe in “forever”. Hahaha. Or maybe
we would sleep until sunrise and go home for acads. Huhu.
Jupa Artiaga (National College of Public Administration
and Governance)
BEGINNING:
I don’t do sundos (mainly because I live very far) so
I’d usually just meet up with my date at the most convenient place. No bouquet of flowers or box of chocolates or any of that traditional, sweet stuff. I’m done with that very expensive phase of my life. Char. SETTING:
I really can’t tell since I don’t have an ideal atmosphere.
It really depends on the person you are with and that person loves to do. Adjust na lang ako. Besides, I usually stop noticing everything when I’m with someone special. Lels. ACTIVITIES:
Watch a movie. I usually pick the movie since I’m kind
of a movie person. Chill somewhere over a cup of coffee, milk tea, or whatever – I think this is the most important activity for me since this is when I get to know the person a little more…and when I usually decide if there will even be a next date. BUDGET:
Depends if the date is a planned or spontaneous one. I usually bring more
money than I think I would spend. Call me galante when it comes to dates (the planned ones at least), but I can be very stingy as a person most of the time. ENDING:
I try my best to make sure that whoever I am with gets to go home safe. So I would usually insist on driving my date home.
Nothing more than that.
Sabrina de Ocampo (College of Social Sciences and BEGINNING:
Philosophy)
Hmm…well, meeting the person on time? HAHAHA.
I think it would really be catching up. I think it would be important to ask the person how they are because…well, it’s something people forget to ask these days and it would open the conversation to a lot of topics. SETTING:
It would be a place or a time when there aren’t too
many people in the area or a crowded place [sic]. There should be a balance of closed and open space. We should be able to hear each other as well, not competing with loud music or loud people. ACTIVITIES:
Going to a bookstore. That has to happen. Sitting
in a coffee shop. I think if you’re on a date you should be able to talk a lot that there’s always something new to discover about the person. Walking around an open space or maybe
Carlos Quimpo (College of Fine Arts) BEGINNING:
At a grocery store, buying snacks
before leaving for the beach. Can a date be a trip? I’m not good at this. Haha. SETTING:
It would be at some deserted beach
somewhere, not far away from Manila. It’ll be really chill, and we could just take in the breeze and listen to the waves. It would be nice if there were a huge hammock, like the ones tied onto the coconut trees. ACTIVITIES:
Eat! Haha. Take pictures. While
we’re at the beach, might as well go swimming. BUDGET:
Not really, as long as I don’t end up
wasting money. Haha. And it really depends where you’ll be going. ENDING:
Dropping her off at her place, maybe a
kiss before saying goodbye. So cheesy. Huhu.
Illustrations Rocky Nacpil
sightseeing/admiring a view would be good as well. BUDGET:
I wouldn’t exactly say that there would have to be
a specific budget but I think it’s something we would have planned and agreed upon. Also I think it would be more of a give and take when it comes to money or budget? Like, okay, the person may pay for this but I will still pay for something else later. ENDING:
It would be nice if I had something to take home. It
could [be] something like a souvenir or even some food that I could take home and maybe share with my family.
Jason Max (College of Architecture) BEGINNING:
It would start off basically in our
own homes, individually preparing for it. Yep, this date needs more time for preparation – physically, mentally, and kilig-ally. SETTING: It
would be a whole day at the
beach, around the month of January (para walang masyadong tao). We would try all the activities offered in that place. ACTIVITIES:
It would include intense activities,
such as riding on a banana boat, parasailing, cliff diving, scuba diving, etc. and EATING. BUDGET:
No. Haha. I guess this time I’ll be
employed already, earning for myself some moolah so…I won’t limit myself from spending since I earned it for myself. ENDING:
It would end with us spending more
time with each other, trying to remember all the moments we shared earlier that day, laughing at how she was so scared before and during parasailing, and how she was so kilig while we held hands during cliff diving.
Daniella Adriano (Cesar E.A. Virata School of Business) BEGINNING:
Meet up in a restaurant then chat a bit about recent
happenings in our lives while having dinner. SETTING:
After dinner, we’ll go to this place: a huge open space,
super chill and quiet (open field, garden or park). ACTIVITIES: Maybe
stargazing and, if there’s a swing set nearby,
we can chat while we’re swinging. And then we’ll just walk around and talk more. BUDGET:
I don’t really think much about the budget. But based
on my previous answers, it’s pretty much low cost so as long as I get to talk to that person and we get to bond more, I’m okay with it. ENDING:
I will thank my date for a great time and make some
plans for our next date if all goes well.
Love
D E T A C I L P M O C IS
N E K O P S E V A H E L P O E P I THE SAW
Love is a peculiar thing. It transforms an individual almost instantly once the notion is deeply ingrained in his or her mind. It inspires the most beautiful creations humans could ever imagine, ranging from heartfelt words to sweet gestures to over-the-top proposals. Unfortunately, it doesn’t always lead to happy endings. Sometimes, it makes one feel broken and vulnerable due to unfavorable situations (i.e. seeing your crush hanging out with another person).
Buti pa sa prerog may chance ako, sa iyo wala. Buti pa wifi hinahanap-hanap mo, ako hindi. Buti pa pamasahe sa LRT nagmamahal, ikaw hindi.
— Anissa Villaverde
It sucks, I know. To avoid the build-up of pain and sorrow, people often seek an avenue to express their feelings. Many create fictional stories about how they’d magically end up with the person they have secretly (or not-so-secretly) liked for more than a year now. Others find comfort in singing love songs with tragic endings. For some of AdCore’s members, the perfect way to verbalize their emotions is through the articulation of carefully thought-out statements filled with wit and angst, also known as hugots. Sam Tamayo
Hindi ka niya pinaasa. Umasa ka lang. Kung ‘di ka nasaktan, ‘di ka nagmahal. Lumandi ka lang. ‘Di umiikot ang mundo sa broken heart mo.
— Rei Gonzales
— Bela Cruz Being asked to do this is a tragedy in itself, my relationship status notwithstanding.
— Fritz Duco
Ang love parang CRS. Lahat na binibigay mo pero walang katiyakan kung may babalik sa iyo. Ang love parang pagpila para sa MST. Dapat handa kang maghintay, umasa, at masaktan. Ang love parang TOKI kung ikaw ay choosy. Marami na ngang IKOT pero ikaw todo hintay pa rin kasi alam mong darating... ‘di nga lang alam kung kailan.
— Peter Olivar
— Josh Lumawig
The AdCore Garden Many singles (the author included) bristle at the thought of celebrating Valentine’s Day which some people have bitterly come to label as “Single Awareness Day” or SAD. It’s easy to be upset over being single, especially when you see flocks of couples posting date pics on Instagram while you enjoy a lovely evening hunched over a desk, with only a massive pile of books and readings to keep you company. We here at Juiceletter believe love comes when it comes. All depressing imagery aside, all of us know the happiness checklist does not require a love life. In fact, romantic independence gives us different avenues for growth, as these AdCore members can attest to. Bingbong Austria
Illustrations Rocky Nacpil Photos Paul Domalaon
BEVERLY CHING BS Business Administration and Accountancy
How do you respond when people ask about your love life? No reaction.
Do you believe in the idea of a soulmate or a better half? I think so.
Any plans of finding love soon? No. Career muna.
What keeps you busy right now? Acads and org.
What lessons have you learned from being single? Masaya maging single.
MAGGIE LEE CHUY B Fine Arts (Visual Communication)
How do you respond when people ask about your love life? I filter my answers depending on who I’m talking to, but I try to avoid some questions by diverting the attention. Heehee.
Do you believe in the idea of a soulmate or a better half? Sure, but does “better half” mean one of us would be the “worse half”? :\
Any plans of finding love soon? I’ve got other priorities for now, but it’ll happen when it happens.
What keeps you busy right now? Acads (opcourse), commitments and improving my haggard lifestyle.
What lessons have you learned from being single? Emotions are like drugs that drive you crazy before you know it, so before you start convincing yourself that someone’s for you to pursue, ask yourself first if you’d still want to be with this person even when you’re old and boring. Your relationship can either help you or keep you from becoming a better person.
FRITZ ABARCA BA Broadcast Communication
How do you respond when people ask about your love life? Love life? Ano iyon?
Do you believe in the idea of a soulmate or a better half? Yeah? As long as we are both happy then I guess we can be considered the better half of one another.
Any plans of finding love soon? Acads na lang muna before love life.
What keeps you busy right now? Acads, orgs, friends and family.
What lessons have you learned from being single? I learned that I need to set realistic standards and that patience is key in everything. Dadating din siya, eventually.
NATALYA NG BS Business Administration and Accountancy
How do you respond when people ask about your love life? I usually just keep quiet about it and try to shift the conversation to a different topic.
Do you believe in the idea of a soulmate or a better half? Not really. I think that you should be able to learn how to feel complete with just yourself instead of looking for someone to be your “better half.”
Any plans of finding love soon? Not at the moment; it isn’t at the top of my mind, at least.
What keeps you busy right now? Academics and orgwork!
What lessons have you learned from being single? Being alone and being lonely are very different from each other. Be comfortable in being alone with yourself.