Hive

Slant
‘The Eras Tour’ and the Combined Spectacle and Endurance of Taylor Swift’s Aptitude for Shaping Culture
Li Marie Meso | May 25, 2023

The ever-evolving titan of the music industry, Taylor Swift, has made a return to the stage with her above-and-beyond performance with 44 songs spread across more than three hours in what is now globally known as the historic “The Eras Tour”. The 33-year-old icon has since positioned herself as the soldier ready to lead her troops of Swifties into the great musical journey through the 10 eras of her 17-year career.

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Slant
What Makes ‘Maria Clara at Ibarra’ Your Engaging–But Eerily Accurate–Reflection of Today’s Society
Allysa Esperida | May 23, 2023

It is not new to hear from Filipino students how historical subjects can make them doze off. From numerous names to events that occurred during unfamiliar times, these really send some to sleep. With younger generations losing interest in this country’s roots, GMA Entertainment Group revives the languishing Filipino spirit with their historical fantasy series reimagining Jose Rizal’s famous novels Noli Me Tángere and El Filibusterismo. With its success, the contemporary take does not just invite the young audiences to revisit history, it also significantly mirrors the current state of the country.

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Insider
‘Gusto Mo Bang Sumama?’ ‘Ang Huling El Bimbo Musical’ Soars Back to the Stage with its 2023 Run
Li Marie Meso, Jamilla Ledda & Jedidiah Valenzuela | May 17, 2023

The cherished ensemble of ‘Ang Huling El Bimbo’, years after it last made its way to the live stage and after reintroducing the beauty and power of the theater to a larger audience in its momentous streaming event amid the pandemic, recounts their personal journeys in bringing the beloved narrative to life in the highly-anticipated return of the musical hit.

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Insider
The ‘Baklang Parlorista’, the ‘Salot’, and Making the ‘Bida’ in the Flight of Zsazsa Zaturnnah
Li Marie Meso & Mike Bryan Agcalis | March 22, 2023

On representation, Phi Palmos, who plays the role of Ada in Ateneo Blue Repertory’s sold-out staging of Carlo Vergara’s iconic superheroine ‘Zsazsa Zaturnnah’, stands firm on the notion that there’s something intrinsically wrong when people call to ‘break the stereotypes’ when they refer to the queer community being represented in media because more often than not, they refer to and look the loud, effeminate, ‘baklang parlorista’ stereotype, as if this is a wrong representation of the LGBTQIA+ community. While he makes the case that it rings true that this should not be the only way to represent queerness, it is a “lazy advocacy” for representation when they say this and fail to recognize the realities and truths anchored on these stereotypes, thereby inadvertently erasing the existence and lives of those who are loud, flamboyant, and effeminate. To which, he points out, “Instead of saying ‘break the stereotypes’, why don’t we ‘humanize the stereotypes’ and not use them as a punchline, a joke, or worse, an insult?” Palmos, along with the cast of fresh and established movers in theater behind ‘Zsazsa Zaturnnah The Musical… Yun Lang,’ take us on the journey of bringing an iconic gay character to today’s audiences.

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Insider
New Heights: Inside the [He]Art of Human Connections on kumu
Mike Bryan Agcalis | February 22, 2023

As kumu strives to successfully expand throughout the world, countless people, particularly, but not limited to the younger generations, have nabbed its magic and are gearing up to access and ultimately, thrive on the landscape. Three rising streamers, Kelly Canoza, Lawrence Balbuena, and Algeleth Mika Pardo, took a seat with Rank Magazine to describe the beauty of stepping into the realm of streaming.

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Next
New Heights: Natalie Xynia is Poised to Take on Anything Beyond her Realm
Mike Bryan Agcalis | February 22, 2023

Virtual gamer-turned-consistent streamer Natalie Xynia sits down with Rank Magazine and talks about the road to her hard-earned triumph as a streamer on the social media platform kumu. Xynia speaks passionately about her turnaround to becoming the person she is now and she will be next.

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Slant
John Prats: A New Lens
Tifany Soringa | February 6, 2023

Similar to everyone on and off the spotlight, John Prats, who began his career in show business at a young age, has also gone through a phase of questions, in search for what he was really meant for. Now a man of 38, Rank Magazine talks to Prats in time for his birthday month, and travels back in time to chart his evolution from his storied life as one of the most visible child actors of his generation, to becoming a certified television heartthrob, to now a well-celebrated concert and television director.

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Mastermind
The Ballad of Arman Ferrer
Mike Bryan Agcalis | November 18, 2022

The 34-year-old musical and theatrical performer, Arman Ferrer, has been winning numerous recognitions for his extraordinary skill on stage. Now, slated to take the stage to mark a career first, Ferrer talks to Rank Magazine on his upward trajectory, while making the case on bridging classical music to listeners of today.

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Narratives & Perspectives
Coming Out of the Closet and Why It’s None of Your Goddamn Business
Mike Bryan Agcalis | November 16, 2022

Online slurs targeting “Heartstopper” actor Kit Connor of queerbaiting compelled him to come out as bisexual, later on pushing him to leave Twitter. If truth be told, this disquietude has been entrenched not just in our society, but in actuality, within the LGBTQIA+ community and it appears that many are still acting insensitively toward it—forgetting that no one should ever have to explain their sexuality to anyone. It takes time, otherwise it is detrimental, and here’s why.

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Review
Review: What Makes realme 10 a Lightweight Creative and Lifestyle Tech Marvel
Tifany Soringa | November 7, 2022

Realme is well-known for delivering high-quality mid-range phones that are ideal for daily use. Following the success of the photographic powerhouse realme 9, the brand has recently introduced the new realme 10. Rank Magazine took the realme 10 to the test to discover what makes it an incredible everyday creative and professional ally.

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