After 16 seasons on the NBA, San Antonio Spurs guard Manu Ginobili, 41, just announced that he is retiring.

He posted this announcement on Twitter.

He said:

Today, with a wide range of feelings, I’m announcing my retirement from basketball. IMMENSE GRATITUDE to everyone (family, friends, teammates, coaches, staff, fans) involved in my life in the last 23 years. It’s been a fabulous journey. Way beyond my wildest dreams.

Today, with a wide range of feelings, I’m announcing my retirement from basketball. IMMENSE GRATITUDE to everyone (family, friends, teammates, coaches, staff, fans) involved in my life in the last 23 years. It’s been a fabulous journey. Way beyond my wildest dreams. pic.twitter.com/3MLCUtmd6K

— Manu Ginobili (@manuginobili) August 27, 2018

The Spurs were hoping that Manu would come back for another season. However, after having enough time to decide, Manu decided to end his career and not return for his 17th season.

The Spurs also tweeted Manu with a video, thanking him after all these years.

#GraciasManu por todo! pic.twitter.com/8252qgCmvi

— San Antonio Spurs (@spurs) August 27, 2018

Manu is one of the most awarded players not only in the NBA but in the history of basketball. He leaves the league as a four-time NBA champion, a two-time NBA All-Star, an Olympic gold medalist for Argentina, and a Euroleague MVP.

Aw, it’s a sad day for the NBA but yeah… See you around, Manu!

The Department of Transportation (DOTr) announced today that the construction of Bicol International Airport will resume after an 11-year pause.

According to DOTr:

With Mount Mayon as its scenic background, the Bicol International Airport is now 50% complete!

After being put on hold for 11 years, the Bicol International Airport finally resumed construction this year. The construction of the runway, taxiway apron, and perimeter fence has been completed, while land-side facilities, which includes 17 buildings for cargo, air traffic control, material recovery facilities, and the water reservoir is still ongoing with a 30.39% completion rate and its passenger terminal building with a 5.78% completion rate.

Once completed by 2020, the Bicol International Airport is expected to accommodate 2 million passengers annually with the new and higher capacity facilities and enhanced safety of airport operation. This will also boost tourism arrival in Bicol and help Albay become an economic powerhouse.

Despite the long hold on the project, this is still probably a good news to look forward.

The reason why the construction was put on hold was not provided.

Anything to add to this story? Share your thoughts with us.

Photo from: pexels.com

The House of Representatives approved House Bill 4113 on the second reading to increase the number of maternity leaves from the current 60 days (78 days for caesarian deliveries) to 100 with pay.

However, this is in contrary to the Senate version of 120 days.

Earlier, the Senate passed its own version of the bill which seeks to increase the number maternity leaves with pay to 120 and proposes an additional 30 days for solo working mothers.

The bill also seeks to prohibit employers from demoting or decreasing the pay of a female employee on maternity leave.

Still, this bill has a long way to go before becoming a law.

Anything to add to this story? Share with us your thoughts.

The local government unit of El Nido, a municipality in the island of Palawan, released a notice that bans bringing of single-use plastic such as bottled water and any other drinks placed in a plastic bottle when going in an island tour.

This will be implemented starting on September 1.

As an alternative, tourists who go on an island tour will be required to bring their own tumblers and just refill their drinks from the container of purified water in the boat.

Everyone is requested to bring their own trash back to their boat upon leaving the island after the tour.

This aims to protect and preserve the environment.

Here is also the official statement from Mayor Nieves C. Rosento about single-use plastics. He also mentioned their efforts of cleaning up the trash from the ocean called Oplan Linis.

Anything to add to this story? Share your thoughts with us.

Here’s a compilation of rainy season videos that caught our attention in episode 7 of U-LOL! Check out this crazy rich Asian enjoying his yayamaning indoor pool in Manila, this girl who braved through the storm, and an improvised waterslide… only in the Philippines!

WhenInManila.com’s U-LOL is our new YouTube series hosted by Sheila Snow (@iamsheilasnow) and our CEO Vince Golangco (@vincegolangco). Join us in watching some of the craziest, funniest, and best videos online!

Want YOUR videos featured? Send them to us at video.wheninmanila@­gmail.com and don’t forget to SUBSCRIBE to our YouTube channel for new episodes every Thursday!

What’s your most unforgettable experience during the rainy season? Share them with us in the comments section below!

This is probably one of the sweetest posts on social media that we’ve seen recently.

In this post, actor and aspiring filmmaker John Manalo, shared the challenges of dating a med student in a way that is full of amazement and affection.

He posted a selfie of him and his girlfriend stuck in traffic. His girlfriend is sleeping in the passenger seat.

He said on the caption:

Dating a MED student.

6:56am. Ganito lagi ang sitwasyon namin ni Erika pag hinahatid ko siya papuntang school. Ang saya ko kasi nakakapag pahinga siya pag nasa biyahe kami. Hindi ako experto sa relasyon ngunit ito lang ang masasabi ko, sobrang hirap talaga nang pinagdadaanan nila. Kaya guys pag may rants sila tungkol sa walang katapusan nilang exams, makinig kayo at iparamdam niyong naiintindihan niyo sila kasi believe it or not yun ang pinaka kailangan nila, pang unawa. Dapat parehas rin kayo nang pananaw na ang pag aaral ang number one priority, pangarap na nila yan simula bata pa lang sila at parte na kayo sa pagkamit ng pangarap na yun. Darating rin ang panahon na palagi silang hindi pwede, hindi dahil sa ayaw nilang tayong makasama, kundi dahil sa kadahilanan na kailangan nilang mag sunog ng kilay sa araw na yun. Kaya pag may oras i-date niyo sila, pero alamin niyo muna kung may kailangan ba silang aralin, kasi minsan itatago nila ang stress at ittry ang best na mag aral sa date niyo para lang makasama tayo. Higit sa lahat paramdam niyo na mahal na mahal niyo sila at nandiyan lang kayo anuman ang mangyari. Wag na tayo dumagdag sa stress nila, diba may kasabihan nga na “pag may tiyaga, may nilaga.” Kaya Erika, ipagluluto kita ng Nilagang baboy mamaya bago ako umuwi ng bahay namin. Hehe

P.S. Kanina pa ako nandito sa Dapitan nag extend nanaman ba ang prof niyo? Hahaha.

Dating a MED student. 6:56am. Ganito lagi ang sitwasyon namin ni Erika pag hinahatid ko siya papuntang school. Ang saya ko kasi nakakapag pahinga siya pag nasa biyahe kami. Hindi ako experto sa relasyon ngunit ito lang ang masasabi ko, sobrang hirap talaga nang pinagdadaanan nila. Kaya guys pag may rants sila tungkol sa walang katapusan nilang exams, makinig kayo at iparamdam niyong naiintindihan niyo sila kasi believe it or not yun ang pinaka kailangan nila, pang unawa. Dapat parehas rin kayo nang pananaw na ang pag aaral ang number one priority, pangarap na nila yan simula bata pa lang sila at parte na kayo sa pagkamit ng pangarap na yun. Darating rin ang panahon na palagi silang hindi pwede, hindi dahil sa ayaw nilang tayong makasama, kundi dahil sa kadahilanan na kailangan nilang mag sunog ng kilay sa araw na yun. Kaya pag may oras i-date niyo sila, pero alamin niyo muna kung may kailangan ba silang aralin, kasi minsan itatago nila ang stress at ittry ang best na mag aral sa date niyo para lang makasama tayo. Higit sa lahat paramdam niyo na mahal na mahal niyo sila at nandiyan lang kayo anuman ang mangyari. Wag na tayo dumagdag sa stress nila, diba may kasabihan nga na “pag may tiyaga, may nilaga.” Kaya Erika, ipagluluto kita ng Nilagang baboy mamaya bago ako umuwi ng bahay namin. Hehe P.S. Kanina pa ako nandito sa Dapitan nag extend nanaman ba ang prof niyo? Hahaha.

A post shared by John Vladimir Manalo (@manalojohn) on Aug 22, 2018 at 2:02am PDT

The post went viral on Instagram with 47K++ likes as of posting.

Awwwwww! Anything to add to this story? Share your thoughts with us.

Words by John Peter Himor
Photos by Meghan Sevilla

It goes different for all of us, but university life, in general, can be very stressful. The one thing that binds all of the students from any university together is the crazy workload that we all need to balance while keeping sane during those hellish years. There are those thick readings for that one class, the project proposals for your org, and maybe even the reviewers for that tutoring gig. Sneak in some hours for exercise and a healthy social life, and you’ve got the schedule of a sleep-deprived college student!

ALSO READ: 5 Study Tips and Techniques to Keep in Mind to Stay Sane this Term

And, under all of this stress, here’s another complicated thing to bring into the mix—baon and budgeting!

Budgeting your baon isn’t easy, especially if you’re living in a dorm or apartment away from your family. It becomes extremely difficult to sustain a complete and balanced diet. However, it does not take a fortune to have a full stomach every day while you’re in university. Luckily for you, we have assembled five easy tips to help you master the craft of the kuripot and madiskarte student.

5. Scout your area for the cheapest eats.

175 Noodle Stop in Area 2, UP Diliman offers cheap ramyun noodles.

One of my biggest mistakes during my first weeks in college was solely relying on the cafeteria for lunches. Whatever place you study in, chances are that there are cheaper places to get more food while spending less money.

Make it a point to explore your university and nearby places for any hidden gems with cheap offers. For example, there is an eat street called Area 2 at the University of the Philippines – Diliman which is lined with food stalls and hole-in-the-wall restaurants that offer meals for as low as P25. Here you can have ramyun noodles, shawarma, and the gipit student’s favorite: siomai with rice!

4. Take note of the student meals and discounts.

Daily student meals at Cafe Via Mare. 

If you really cannot avoid eating at malls or fancier restaurants, try asking the restaurant if they have any student meals or discounts available. Usually, establishments that are near or inside school premises offer such discounts because they expect some university students to be regular customers. Cafe Via Mare at the Toyota Asian Cultural Center in UP Diliman, for example, offers P70 student meals such as pork adobo and fried pork chop.

3. Bring a baunan.

Bring easy snacks or store your leftovers with your handy baunan.

Even if you live far away from home and/or you cannot prepare your lunches beforehand, it is important to bring a food container or baunan to school for several reasons.

One, you can use it to prepare cheap and healthy snacks like fruit slices so you don’t have to buy from the cafeteria anymore. Two, if you’re not a heavy eater, use the baunan to store your leftovers which you can still eat for later. And three, avoid using paper boxes altogether by using your baunan as your plate. Help save the environment!

Food containers are essentials, okay? Just don’t lose them and risk being disowned by your Tupperware-loving mama.

2. Opt for water.

Bring your water bottle everywhere you go!

In a tropical country like ours, water is your best friend. Instead of spending extra for those pricey juice drinks, just have a refillable water bottle that you can bring along with you around the campus. Usually, there are water fountains or dispensers in every building which are easily accessible. Water keeps you hydrated, has zero calories, and most importantly, it’s free!

1. Budget your way around the week.

Plan your weekly expenses by keeping a journal.

Whether you’re a crazy rich Asian or crazily broke, planning your finances ahead is awfully important if you want to save up some cash. A good habit is to manually write down all of your possible expenses for the day every morning, and faithfully sticking to it throughout the day! In the list, you may also allot a small portion of the budget for your savings. At the end of the day, track down your expenses. If you overspent or if you have extra cash, you can adjust the budget accordingly for the succeeding days.

It takes a lot of self-control and determination to say no to milk teas or maybe that extra rice, but as gipit students, we have to make some sacrifices!

ALSO READ: Want Extra Cash? Here Are 5 Tried & Tested Tipid Tips for Millennials

Those are our 5 easy tips t0 help the kuripot students out there in saving some money and getting by! Do you have any tipid tips that you want to share? Comment them down below!

Perhaps the guy just couldn’t wait to go shopping?

A 32 year old man, Jervy Cordero, was on his way home one night when he saw an odd scene. A guy in a grey hooded sweater was lurking right outside the construction site of a soon-to-rise mall, when all of a sudden he climbs up a ladder nearby seemingly attempting to break into the mall grounds.

Jervy was quick on his wits and captured the incident on his phone camera, including the moment a security guard noticed the trespasser. The guard could be heard in the video blowing his whistle from afar, which sends the trespasser running.

Watch Jervy’s video here:

There’s been talk surrounding this “Mystery Mall” — although still under construction, rumors say that the mall is going to be a mega structure, featuring over 1,000 shops.

As for this trespasser caught on video, perhaps he heard the swirling whispers about the “Mystery Mall” as well, and just couldn’t resist to take a peek.

What do you think is behind that red wall? Have you spotted this place as well? Let us know in the comments! 

ALSO WATCH: U-LOL: A coconut surprise, Bboom Bboom with an extra BOOM, and a brave rollercoaster selfie video!

Article by Camille Geguera 

Given that we live in a conservative society, there is nothing new with strict Filipino parents. Can you relate? Here are 10 things that you’ll only understand if you grew up having strict parents!

ALSO READ: FUNNY: This Guy Documents His First Overnight With Friends

10. When your friends want to hang out but it’s hard to ask permission from your parents. 

The classic.

9. When you have a group activity after class but you already have 15 missed calls from your ‘rents.

“Friend, help me explain to my parents naman”

8. When you ask permission to hang out—and they actually allow you to go.

“Legit ba, papa? Anong nakain mo? May himala nga!”

7. When you do household chores, study in front of your parents, and act like a saint before asking permission to do something.

Pa-good shot muna.

6. When your parents said no but you call your friend, her mom and their whole fam to help you convince them otherwise.

“I’m super safe since I have older people to look after me, too!”

5. When you mentally plan your lakads to make sure there are intervals in between.

A foolproof strategy so that your ‘rents won’t use the “maglalakwatsa ka na naman?” card.

4. When you tell your friends your parents didn’t allow you to go—even though you haven’t actually asked for permission.

‘Coz lol alam mo naman na yung sagot.

3. When everytime you dress up a little too nicely, your parents start giving you life lessons about the dangerous world outside.

Even though you weren’t really going anywhere.

2. When you lose your baunan and don’t know how to explain it to your mom.

Hands up if you sometimes feel your mom loves her Tupperwares more than you.

1. When they assume you have a secret jowa every time you go out, even if you’re just going out with a friend. Who is gay.

There may be times that we feel that they’re being irrational, but we got to admit that they’re doing it for our own good. After all, parents know best (sometimes!).

Can you relate to any (or all) of these? Tell us what you think in the comments!

Written by Joseph Cesar

Photos by Ian Kristoffer 

Natasha is a direct selling company, creating a more intimate and exclusive experience for the customer. Even though direct selling requires a lot more work and effort on the side for the supplier, companies like Natasha pursue it anyway because they hold the convenience and comfort of the customers at a top priority.

Coming from humble and inspiring beginnings, Natasha grew over the years as they expanded their product range and line. Eventually, they were able to sign well-known personalities to endorse their products, some of whom include: Andrew E, Sue Ramirez, Sarah Jeronimo, Liza Soberano, Piolo Pascual, and very recently, Iñigo Pascual.

As a grand gesture of showing their thanks to the Natasha family- customers and employees alike, they held a fashion show-concert at Araneta Coliseum for their 25th anniversary. With a strong lineup of artists both new and old, and a fashion show that showcases their best, the event was jam packed!

Araneta Coliseum was alive! From the ooohs and awhhhs, each and every performance was applauded for, but some just deserved a little more love and so…

Here are the Top 7 Moments the crowd went wild

7. Natasha’s Journey- Shadow Dance

Truly a fitting start to a night of wonders, the shadow dance drove the crowd crazy as they took the form of a soaring plane, high mountains, busy streets, and of course, Natasha herself. The creativity and precision of the performance was an art, and the crowd definitely loved it!

6. Lion Tamer’s Wink

One of the themes of the fashion show was the circus–colorful, resourceful, and overall very entertaining. As the models rolled in and did their poses, the final model of the walk who was dressed as a lion tamer gave the audience a wink that made the girls squeal. They stayed on their toes to see if he’d come back (we would, too!).

5. Serenade From the Stars (Piolo Pascual)

Air Supply’s “Even the Nights are Better” was covered by Piolo Pascual himself. Literally taking the air supply from the audience with his amazing voice, he takes to the sky as he serenades everyone and sets the mood for the models as they walk the runway.

4. Your Love Cover – A Moment to Reminisce (Sue Ramirez)

Sue Ramirez’s appearance in itself filled the crowd with joy, but when she started her cover of Alamid’s “Your Love,” that was when the crowd screamed as they reminisced the popular TV Series Dolce Amore. Her sparkling white dress shone throughout the venue but her singing is what reached the hearts of thousands of people.

3. Dahil Sa’yo (Iñigo Pascual)

The crowd erupted as Iñigo was introduced to stage by his father. His performance of his hit single, “Dahil Sa’yo” was seemingly backed up by a choir as everyone sang along with the upbeat vibe. His youthful smile and killer dance moves brought him to the number 3 slot of this list.

2. Moira.

Moira. Enough said. She has recently made a name for herself through her sweet and gentle voice with thousands of loyal followers. Moira’s cover of Aegis’ “Halik” has a new take on the song with a mellow vibe but “Panalangin” is what took the cake as she peered over at her handsome guitarist, dedicating lines to him. As soon as she finished, the roof of Araneta was blown away with cheers and show of support for the singer.

1. Underwear. Aegis. Wild.

One of the most anticipated events of the night was the underwear and lingerie collection for… obvious reasons. But the walk was so much more. With the initial teaser from Moira’s cover of Aegis’ “Halik,” the audience was blessed with a blast from the past as Aegis performed “Basang Basa Sa Ulan” at the top of their lungs as the male models model the underwear collection one by one.

To everyone’s surprise, however, EJ Falcon suddenly showed up as a winged angel! The surprise appearance of the handsome hunk was well received by the crowd as they applauded and cheered him on.

The event was wrapped up with the announcement of the new Natasha application. Their official launch will be in two months and their goal is to once again, deliver stellar service to their customers in the comfort of their own homes. Natasha’s 25th Anniversary was an amazing event filled with performances and surprises. It truly was… a night to remember. 

Check out their official website by clicking here!

Words by Mara Karniella Sugue

After almost three years of waiting, Troye Sivan released his second album called Bloom. RollingStone describes the album as “full of gentle synths, tender singing, and nuanced coming-of-age sentiments.” When in Manila got a chance to have a one-on-one interview with the Australian singer and here’s what he had to say about his album and what’s next to come.

MY ALBUM BLOOM IS OUT AUGUST 31st cover art by @hedislimane

A post shared by troye sivan (@troyesivan) on May 19, 2018 at 9:34pm PDT

He opened the interview by talking about his single, Bloom, and how the song came about. Troye said that at first, he thought that the single would never make it out since it was “cheeky and super pop” but when he caught himself listening to the song again, he figured that it was a song that he should keep.

Aside from his single, Troye also names his album Bloom, saying that the album title feels like it summed up where he was in his life. “It felt like a celebration, a coming of age moment. It just felt right, and so I ended up naming the album that.”

(We could juuuuss!!)

A post shared by troye sivan (@troyesivan) on Jun 28, 2018 at 6:08pm PDT

Last June, Troye released Dance to This, a song collaboration with Ariana Grande. Following this, he also added that there’s also another song on his album–a collaboration called Postcard. The song features Australian singer Gordi. Troye mentioned how he was a fan of hers for a long time and that the collaboration came about while they were writing the song together.

He also brought up that his dream collaboration would be with singer Taylor Swift, saying that writing with her would be really fun.

dipped in n out of the Philippines this week workin on fun stuff. If I've taken one thing from this trip it's that I can't WAIT to come back

— troye sivan (@troyesivan) June 29, 2017

ALSO READ: Just the Funniest Tweets About Troye Sivan in the Philippines

Troye also recently visited Manila to shoot an ad campaign and, when asked about his trip, he said that he didn’t remember much about the trip since he flew in just to work the entire day. He did say, however, that “the only other thing I remember is everyone being really nice. I have to come back to do some exploring.”

Lastly, Troye said he can’t wait to come and hug everyone and play a show (finally!) for his Filipino fans.

Watch the entire exclusive When in Manila interview with Troye here:

Miss Boracay yet? We know we do! Of course, it’s already expected that things will definitely change once the island reopens. Aside from prohibiting big parties like LaBoracay, the LGU officials of Malay, Aklan is also enforcing an ordinance that prohibits single-use plastic once the island reopens later this year.

This ban will include plastic in the form of straws and plastic bags with hopes of reducing the impact of single-use plastic on the environment. Styrofoam will be prohibited, as well. Businesses on the island are also encouraged to use eco-friendly products, such as dispensers for liquid body soap, shampoo, and conditioner.

Check out these very informational graphics on plastic posted on a Boracay Island Facebook page:

El Nido has also done the same, the ban of which will be put to effect starting on September 1.

Words by Gemma Casimsiman

I think we can all agree: public transportation in Manila is the definition of hell. The moving sauna we like to call LRT, our very own fog machine most known as the jeepney, and the death trap buses are just three out of the many types of machinery we have to endure to “safely” get to our destinations. Yet, one of our problems is also arriving there looking like you’re fresh out of an air-conditioned cab.

SEE ALSO: LOOK: Netizen shares photos of the daily commute life in Manila

It’s not an easy task, but there are some ways you can survive commuting in Manila and still look like a human being. Aside from the usual beep card, money, and umbrella you can use to fend off the enemy, I present to you your commuting survival kit:

8. Battery-powered fan

As much as we want to bring those gigantic fans inside the LRT or even the jeep, only a small, portable one can fit. Always have one! Keep a power bank with you too in case of a long trip and to avoid depending on your seatmate’s hand fan. We all know that face when someone’s trying to gasp for air. Don’t be that person!

7. Water

Stay hydrated, fam! Rainy or sunny, the Philippines is hot. Buses and trains are always jam-packed, that being in there makes people feel like sardines in a can sweating for their lives. Water can save your day!

6. Towel

Don’t you dare settle for a handkerchief! You need those “good morning towels” jeepney drivers always have around their necks to help soak up your sweat.

5. Perfume

Yes, perfume is a must. You don’t want to arrive at school carrying the pungent odor of the streets, do you?

4. Alcohol

Commuting isn’t the most hygienic thing in the world. Bacteria is everywhere! It’s best to keep alcohol around especially if you’re a germaphobe!

3. Pepper Spray

We all know why we need a pepper spray. Not to scare you off, but there’s always that one creeper lurking somewhere…

2. PATIENCE

Okay, having patience while commuting in Manila is a tough trait to develop. BUT losing it won’t make any situation magically better, so might as well try.

Image: Top Gear PH

1. A backup plan

What if things don’t go as planned??? And come on, in Manila, that’s always a probability. Have alternative routes planned out, allot time on your commutes for the unexpected, and prepare what you can. Mabuti nang prepared!

How do you prepare for your daily commutes in Manila? Let us know in the comments!

When I was young, it was hard for me to understand why mom had to go to work every day. I would tell myself, I would never be like that. I would promise to be present at all times. Now that I’m a parent, I never thought I’d believe in the adage that motherhood is the most noble job in the world because what we do for our children is priceless. We set aside our own happiness and, even though, we’re itching to go places, we just can’t. Thankfully, brands like AirAsia, are now more mindful of its consumers. Being cited as “The World’s Best Low-cost Airline” for a decade, they truly live up to it by providing affordable airfare tickets so now, everyone can fly.

In their latest tear-jerker video entitled “Magnet,” the video is about the story of a resilient mother whose dream is to visit South Korea.

But because she has a lot of “mommy duties,”

I’m sure everyone could relate to this!

… she had to wait for the right moment.

Finally, the son was able to give back, so he bought tickets to Seoul Korea as his way of saying “thank you” for his mom’s sacrifices.

The video serves as a reminder for us to not forget about the people who truly love us, and it was perfectly conveyed in the video. Watch it below:

I commend AirAsia for this heartwarming video. The first time I watched it, I was ugly crying at 2 in the morning. I never got the chance to give back to my mom. More importantly, encourage ourselves to try and give back, even in the simplest manner by saying “thank you.”

AirAsia wouldn’t be named as the “Best Low-Cost Carrier” for years for nothing. Thank you for reminding us that achieving our travel goals with you is “sky is the limit.”

Can’t wait to see the second episode!

Who else can relate? If you were to take your parents somewhere, where would it be and why?

Words by Hannah Angelique Bacani

High School Musical got us to believe that school’s super cool with all that singing and dancing and handsome basketball athletes. But let’s be real, that’s not how it is. Especially if you’re in a public school where proms are held at the school grounds instead of fancy hotels, and some students double as school workers. But although you may not be allowed to wear anything cooler than your school uniform, some public school experiences are actually just so great, you can’t keep them private. ;)

Here are seven things only people who ever went to a public school can understand:

7. Lots of classmates, lots of names

I’m one of those few people who can actually remember people’s names quickly and match it with their faces. What can I say, studying in public school has given me years of training. Public schools are ooover populated. That means each class has at least 50 students. If, in college, you can survive a whole semester without knowing your seatmate’s name, that ain’t gonna work in public schools. If you want to be their friend and earn that space in their slam book, you gotta know their names, sis.

6. School is also your resident health care provider

Never ever forget to let your parents sign those waiver forms and permission slips. Or else, you don’t get to have those free deworming chewable tablets. Or that vaccine shot for flu. Sometimes, you also get free check-ups and dental exams. Gosh, you really feel like you’re being cared for in public schools. Or at least your health is…

5. Hand-me-down books

Public school students don’t get to own books; you only get to borrow them. At the end of the school year, you return it to the school so the next set of students could use them. So don’t freak out if you get a book that’s yellowing, has a lot of dog-eared pages and has been used by ten other people from ten years ago. Also, don’t write anything on the book. And never, ever lose them or you’re going to have to pay for it.

4. Calling all underweight students, get your free lunch at the school canteen

This is something I personally never got to experience. As an overweight kid, I never got to be a part of that feeding program for the underweight students in school. Every year, all the student get to compute their body mass index (shout out to our MAPEH teachers for teaching this), and if you’re underweight, the school will prepare a free meal for you. As if that one meal can help you gain some weight. But still, FREE FOOD!

3. Sorry, was agriculture part of the curriculum?

School’s the perfect place for learning and discovering new things. And learning’s not limited to only Math, English, and Science. In public school, learning expands to farming and agriculture—digging, planting and land tilling are required for students, usually under the heat of the Philippine sun. Nobody said the schoolyard doubles as a vegetable garden?

Only to find out that, a year later, all that kangkong we planted and have started to grow will be ripped up because the mayor’s finally constructing a running track. :(

2. The worst day of the week is the day you’re a cleaner

Because school is our second home, as teachers say, you also have to learn to do household chores in school. So bring that broom, bunot, and floor wax to school and start polishing that floor, or else, your section won’t win the cleanest room award at the end of the month. AND! Wear a foot rug. We don’t want all that floor shine to disappear.

1. Tuition is not the only thing that’s free

One of the main reasons parents opt to send their kids to public schools is the free tuition. One less thing to fit in the tight budget. But more perks of being a public school kid is, really, free bigas. Yes, rice! We get to take home kilos and kilos of rice. It may be NFA, but it’s enough to last for a whole week. And if you’re lucky, you also get to have your uniforms and school supplies for free. Gotta love your city mayor.

READ ALSO: Attention, high school seniors! Check out this amazing guide to applying to different colleges!

Class size might be a struggle, ‘cause you always have to fight for that seat near the electric fan, but the truth is, the experiences and memories you make in public school are things that are hard to trade for anything.

Did you go to a public school too? What did you enjoy most about it? Tell us in the comments!

A post shared by Rachelle Ann Go (@gorachelleann) on Aug 29, 2018 at 5:59pm PDT

Rachelle Ann Go, the country’s pride in international theater, just met Prince Harry and Meghan Markle at the Hamilton gala to benefit the prince’s charity Sentebale, which helps youths living with HIV in Botswana and Lesotho.

Even if she has met tons of celebrities, meeting actual royalty is something else and her reaction is all of us: in an Instagram story, she shared that she “tried to be calm.”

Of course, we’ll try to be calm but we don’t think we’ll have Go’s poise and finesse!

Go started her music career when she won in the TV competition Search for a Star. She has seven multi-platinum albums under her belt, but she became an international theater star in 2014 when she was cast as Gigi van Tranh in the West End revival of Miss Saigon. The following year, she was cast as Les Miserables‘ Fantine, a woman who turns to prostitution so she could provide for her daughter Cosette. Go essayed the role when the musical was staged in Manila.

She has also performed the role of Gigi in the Broadway revival of Miss Saigon. She now portrays the role of Elizabeth Schuyler-Hamilton in the West End production of Hamilton.

What do you think? Share your thoughts below!

Follow When in Manila Koji for more stories like this!

Less than a year after the success of Marvel Studios’ Black Panther, the King of Wakanda is getting the animated treatment in an upcoming TV series!

Watch the trailer of Marvel’s Avengers: Black Panther’s Quest below:

In the series, T’Challa must balance his duty as King of Wakanda with his duty as a member of the Avengers, as the mysterious Shadow Council attempts to challenge Wakanda. If you loved his sister Shuri in the film, she plays a more prominent role here.

Black Panther is the alter ego of T’Challa, the king of the fictional African nation of Wakanda. For generations, the kingdom has sought to keep their source of power and wealth a secret. By posing as a third world country, they successfully hide vast amounts of vibranium to develop advanced technology. Its film, released earlier this year, was met with critical acclaim, scoring 97% on Rotten Tomatoes.

Marvel’s Avengers: Black Panther’s Quest is set to premiere on September 23 on Disney XD.

What do you think? Share your thoughts below!

Follow When in Manila Koji for more stories like this!

Words by Gemma Casimsiman

It’s tiring to pretend.

I have to pretend it’s okay to be ignored. It’s fine if my words fall on deaf ears. It’s fine if people don’t notice what I do, whether it’s for them or for anybody. It wasn’t always like this, though. I didn’t use to worry about grabbing anyone’s attention.

Backtracking to grade school, I was known for many things—teacher’s pet, “feeling close”, and even got called germs and dirt nicknames due to my name and color. That’s how I learned to keep my mouth shut. Up until high school, I blended into the crowd, my presence going unnoticed. Even the teachers won’t notice my absence. There was one incident where my math teacher asked why I didn’t submit my homework, but that was because I was confined in the hospital for a week. Nobody noticed I was gone.

My friends then delighted in my absence. Told me they learned independence during my confinement all the while asking me to buy them burgers from the school canteen. Yet, as years passed, I tried so hard to gain back the attention I needed.

SEE ALSO: Surviving Depression: How I Battled The Phantom Killer With A Pen And A Notebook

Call me an attention-seeker all you want, but I was getting lonely. I thought being invisible was a good thing. For a while, I was proud of what I had become. I’d tell people it’s one of the reasons why I can easily make my way past the bustling streets of Divisoria. I didn’t mind being unnoticed, as long as the attention wasn’t on me. Well, that was the case, until I had enough.

My mom would get mad if I’d interrupt her during a conversation. She’ll ask me, “Are you asking for attention?” The safe answer was no, but I wanted to say yes. I realized I was in a bad position. It came to the point where I’d take any title I was given, whether it was being this person’s friend or for doing something embarrassing mid-year.

Then, I had an idea. If I couldn’t get back the attention by being me, maybe I could gain that by being someone else. In church, there was this one group of girls everybody loved. So, I tried being like them. I did what they did, dressed how they dressed. When I dressed like myself, my insecurity would get the best of me.

When that didn’t work, I rose to the peak of my self-crisis. Negativity ate me up, frustrations wrapping my head—I knew I had to cry for help. I’d tell my mom and my friends I wasn’t okay, but I was either ignored or told I was the problem. I, then, turned to social media, directly tweeting my problems away. I asked for help, but nobody came.

My being invisible was too powerful. My presence was null, my cries fell on nobody. I would cry myself to sleep, praying for someone to feel my emotions.

So, I realized, if nobody can see me, I’d make them.

At this point, you’d probably ask, “Did you conquer the problem?” My answer would be no because, up until now, I’m still trying to overcome that. On my own. Every day. One step at a time. You can’t hear me? I’ll yell. You can’t see me? I’ll stand in your way. If I’m too invisible for them to see, I’ll roll around in the dirt for you to at least see a figure.

Am I an attention seeker? No. I’m an invisible girl shaping myself to be known, not by how can people see me but by how I can see me.

A post shared by Kristina. (@itskcconcepcion) on Aug 29, 2018 at 9:33pm PDT

Just two weeks after announcing her relationship to the world, actress and TV host KC Concepcion just wrote a sweet letter to her boyfriend, Frenchman Pierre Emmanuel Plassart, on Instagram.

Read the letter below:

“HAPPY BIRTHDAY to the truest gentleman I know. He taught me how to be a lady & allow a man to pour the bottles of water or wine, he eats AFTER I take my first bite, he still kindly opens doors, speaks gently, argues fair, is wildly affectionate & respects all that I am. Chivalry is NOT dead!”

As of posting, the letter has more than 120,000 likes on the platform.

According to reports, the couple met in 2011 at a gala dinner for former U.S. President Bill Clinton.

Concepcion has been hinting at the relationship, saying last month that she’s dating a foreigner with “pusong Pinoy” (with a Filipino heart) in an interview with ABS-CBN. Last July, she also posted a photo of Ecuadorian roses in her hotel room, with the caption about timing for everything.

What do you think? Share your thoughts below!

Follow When in Manila Koji for more stories like this!

If you consistently struggle to find the motivation to go to work, it may be time to explore other options. Taking control of your own destiny and never having to work for someone again is a dream that most people have at some stage of their career. This can be extremely difficult to do. It involves a careful assessment of your strength and weaknesses, your position in life and your financial situation. But when? To help you, here are some signs when it’s time to quit your job.

How to Know When It’s Time to Quit Your Job

You feel bored with your workload.

Feeling stagnant or bored at work is a sure sign you are not challenged enough, or it could be that you really have no interest in the work you are doing. We even find troubles getting to work. Even the commute to work is now a heavy task. If you feel this way look for a role where you can have a mentor of your own that gives you the opportunity to work on projects who will be excited for.

You don’t feel recognized for your hard work.

Everyone has a different motivator for the work they do, but for many it is simply being recognized for the hard work they do. A simple “good job” from time to time or getting a monetary bonus goes a long way. Whatever it is, being recognized for a job well done is a great motivator-and without it, it’s easy to become burned out.

You don’t get along with your co-workers.

Toxic co-workers can make you dread going to work. You spend most of your day at your job; if you don’t like the people around you, it is understandable why you wouldn’t want to be there. This shouldn’t be the sole reason for you to leave your job, though (unless, of course, the person you do not get along with is your supervisor). This could really be a deal breaker.

When you’re doing more work for the same pay.

If you are in a role where your responsibilities are increasing, but your pay is not; then it’s time to either ask for a raise or find another job. Don’t let someone take advantage of your work ethic. There are plenty of other jobs that are willing to pay you more for your hard work or you could be making more if it were your own business.

Dreaming of becoming your own boss.

Daydreaming is normal; but when you’re daydreaming about being the boss of a company, chances are you really don’t like following orders anymore. You would rather be managing your business than going to a regular 8-to-5  job. If you have reached this point, then you are long ready to start your own business.

You’re not learning anymore.

If your job is not helping you grow anymore, it might be time to turn in your resignation. When you’ve outgrown your position and there is no opportunity for advancement or you seem to work the same job every single day without any opportunity for growth, maybe it’s time to leave.

What if you turn your passion into a profitable startup? Or if you already have a small business on the side, why not go full-time? Imagine you could travel more, have a great ownership of your time and work in your PJ’s. No more annoying co-workers, no more dreadful commutes and no more boss! In fact following your passion has been scientifically proven to make you happier. Passion provides the spark for you to focus on what you love to explore. Dopamine rapidly kicks in to sustain your focus over long periods of time and during increasingly challenging tasks, actions and goals that are in the service of your passion.

If you plan to start a business soon or if you already have one, don’t forget to make it legal. It is often tempting to postpone or think that business registration can wait or is not really important. The truth is, you may be building something that could become very big and popular in the future. However, if you don’t do something as basic as registering your business, all your hard work could easily be wasted, or worse, taken over by somebody else.

Business registration is tiring, can cost you a lot of time, money and effort but guess what? There is someone who is more than willing to assist you in all the dreadful procedures of registering business here in the Philippines. Enter Company Incorporation Philippines. CIP offer instant offices that help startups to have a professional business image to clients and work associates, legal and company incorporation services such as sole proprietorship, domestic corporation and even foreign corporation.

Timely, they are having a PHP 10k off promo on business registration, and up to 50% off promo for instant offices valid until end of August. This is your chance to register your business and avail an instant office at the most affordable rate ever!

CIP can help and assist you handle the details so you can handle the rest. Start your business with ease! Call CIP today at +63 2 2244 330 or visit https://companyincorporation.com.ph/v3/