Spotify Spotlights Representation in Queer-Made Content Project ‘Glow Hub’

At first glance, walking around Metro Manila could be just like signing your death sentence — it’s that dangerous. Yet it remains a part of the daily lives of many, those with no choice but to skimp on convenience and those who would like to give Metro Manila’s streets a try.

If you thought that walking from one place to another in Metro Manila was impossible, then a group of students from De La Salle University-Manila (DLSU) would say the contrary.

Meet the "Chinito Walkers" — Irvin Ong, Bon Shi, and Idrian Lim — a trio currently making a case for a more walkable Metro Manila. Initiated by Irvin, who goes by the name JetNekko on social media, these students from DLSU-Manila regularly go on walks from their university to some place within Metro Manila to advocate that you can walk anywhere.

The Beat Manila got a chance to chat with the Chinito Walkers to get to know their motivations, realizations, and their thoughts on a more walkable Metro Manila. Read on to get to know them more and see how they feel about walking the streets of Metro Manila.

Hi Chinito Walkers! What is the motivation behind creating your content on TikTok?

JetNekko: Technically, I would say that I started the idea. We were having lunch on a normal school day — it was a Tuesday. Then, usually, we’d just go home via LRT. The LRT station nearest to DLSU is Vito Cruz, right? Then we’d go back to Bambang. On that day, the line to the LRT was ridiculously long, to the point that it stretched to the outside. What we usually do is walk to Quirino Station, which is a 5-minute walk, then take the LRT from there because the line and trains aren’t too crowded.

But it just came out of my mouth and I said, “What if we walk home?” Just for the experience. Then coincidentally, my song “Aking Sinta” hasn’t been released yet. So I thought, “What if I make a video of us walking from DLSU to Bambang, and then put my song in the background for extra promotions? ” I wasn’t an active content creator then, but I thought, “What if we just give it a try?” Then we did. It started as a joke, and now it’s something that we do.

Aside from being the Chinito Walkers, who are you guys behind the scenes?

Idrian: Well, basically we’re just a group of friends since high school. We all have our own lives — Irvin (JetNekko) does music, and Bon and I have our own hobbies and sports. With what Irvin mentioned earlier, no one really expected this to blow up. The next day after the video was uploaded, my friends were already sending it to me saying, “Why are you on TikTok?” And I asked the same thing because I didn’t know that Irvin was recording at the time.

JetNekko: It was pretty lowkey at the time, even Idrian didn’t know it was for a TikTok and thought that I was recording for personal reasons. It was just a timelapse compared to our videos now.

Idrian: We wanted to ride on the hype our first video got, so that’s why we’re here now.

Can you tell me any stories about your walks? Anything memorable or what you realized while doing your content?

Idrian: We realized a lot, there were also a couple of times when we almost got hit [by cars]. It was scary.

JetNekko: Our walk from DLSU to Ateneo [in Quezon City] was our hardest walk, and our longest walk so far. It was incredibly difficult because we experienced different weather in different hours. The first few hours were so hot, then it rained in the end. We didn’t have umbrellas; we were just walking in the rain. Our things and phones were wet, and we passed everything. There was a time when there was so much traffic, roads without any sidewalks, and parts where there was so much trash. Our main realization while doing this content is that the Philippines needs a lot of work in terms of urban planning and such.

What was the most random comment you’ve received on your social media?

JetNekko: There are people commenting that we should go to extremely far places like Tagaytay, Dasmariñas, [or] Baguio. It’s fun to look at because there are a lot of people talking about it and we have a lot of choices and places to choose from.

Do you receive negative comments about your walks?

Idrian: Only a few, those that say that we didn’t [actually] walk the entire thing. There are people doubting but other than that, none really.

JetNekko: There’s at least one person commenting on our videos saying that we have a lot of time. But actually…We plan it down to the point that we slowly lose our free time because we try to turn this hobby into something more serious.

Idrian: We’re having a hard time.

JetNekko: The other side that people don’t see is that we sacrifice a lot of time and effort for this, especially for editing. Editing takes so much to the point that the time for editing is much longer than our walks. I would edit it continuously because there’s a lot to do. It’s a new learning [experience] for us on how to balance our studies and content creation.

As avid walkers around Metro Manila, do you think that Metro Manila has the potential to become more walkable in the future? Why or why not?

Bon: Metro Manila has the potential to be walkable in the far future, as long as the people in charge finally see what’s happening and start doing things to make it better. The infrastructure and urban planning [of Metro Manila] definitely have the chance to become better.

JetNekko: I think there are two sides to this: the government and citizens should help each other out. It has to go hand in hand; it’s a bit impossible in the next five years, maybe in 10 years. We recently walked somewhere, and we didn’t see one clean river.

Idrian: We didn’t see any clean river, and they removed the sidewalks for the cars to have more space. So, I believe that it’s going to be possible in the far future, because it’s not going to take a short time to build sidewalks. For now, walking doesn’t seem to be a priority in city planning, so it will really take a long time.

Any future potential content for your “Chinito Walkers” page?

Idrian: We talked about moving our content to our main page on TikTok because our current walking series is on JetNekko’s. We do plan to make our group content on our page, but so far, we haven’t thought of anything.

Bon: Basically funny videos.

JetNekko: We keep hearing our friends saying that we’ll eventually run out of places to walk to. They keep asking, “Where are you going next? Won’t you run out of places?” From a content creator’s perspective, I feel like any type of content has its time, but we’re maximizing what we’ve created, and I think we’re the only ones doing this long walking series, and as of now it’s working and hyped; a lot of people are still watching. We’ll still continue our content; we’ll talk about creating new ones and we’re open to suggestions.

Where are you walking to next?

As of writing, their walk hasn’t been posted.

Idrian: We’re already struggling to fit three walks in one month.

JetNekko: Actually, we’re walking later. We’re also getting inquiries for collaborations, and as much as possible we try to fit them in our walks. What we can say is that it’s a university but stay tuned!

This interview has been edited for length and clarity. To catch the Chinito Walkers on their next walk, follow JetNekko’s TikTok page, and follow the Chinito Walkers on their Instagram and TikTok pages.

Love is a universal theme. It has transcended time, as well as cultural and individual experiences. It’s no wonder that books about love continue to captivate audiences worldwide, from classic literature to contemporary titles currently taking over #BookTok and various bestseller lists. Romance novels remain in demand within the publishing industry and statistics have shown that it's the highest-earning fiction genre today.

If there’s one person who knows a lot about love stories, it’s Mina V. Esguerra. An editor, publisher, and author known to have penned English-language romances set in the Philippines, Mina’s contemporary romance novellas have won the Filipino Readers’ Choice Awards, and have been featured on NPR, Buzzfeed, and the Seattle Review of Books to name a few.

When asked how she got into writing, Mina told us how it started with a long-running romance story that she wrote on about thirty notebooks, which were passed around among her friends in high school! However, she stopped writing romances by the time she finished college, reasoning how “every path there didn't really include romance genre writing as a craft to hone and study.”

Her passion for the craft reignited a few years later when she decided that she wanted to publish a book before she turned thirty. Her first book was entitled, “My Imaginary Ex” and was published by Summit Books in 2009.

“I don't think I've always thought of this as something I wanted to do or could have as a career, but I've always been writing for fun.” She said.

The rest, as they say, is history, and Mina went on to write several more romances including the Chic Manila and the Six 32 Central series, publishing around 30 novels, novellas, and short stories as of writing. When asked about her favorite work in her collection, Mina shared, “My answer changes every time I'm asked! Right now it's a book called ‘Better at Weddings Than You,’ which is about wedding planners who have to work together to save a troubled wedding. I got to write about Filipinos dating while thirty-something, the wedding industry, a woman who is at the peak of her career, and a man sincerely respecting her for it.”

An Advocate For Filipino Romance Books And Authors

More than a talented writer, Mina is a huge advocate of romance stories, specifically those written by Filipino authors. She delivers lectures regularly about writing and publishing, guiding creative communities towards making the romance genre more inclusive. On top of this, she also works as an editor and is the current editor-at-large for New Adult at Vibal Publishing and the co-founding editor of Komiket’s romance imprint, Blush Books.

Her passion for the craft has even led her to found one of the biggest writing communities in the country called, RomanceClass, which champions Filipino authors who write romance novels in English; guides them through the drafting process, provides editorial feedback, and helps them get published!

“It started with a romance-writing class I delivered in 2013. It was free, online, and a hundred people joined!” Mina told The Beat Asia. “It wasn't a community just yet until over a dozen authors finished a manuscript during the class and then went ahead with self-publishing the books on Amazon. Then we realized that hey, we helped put these books out into the world. We should be there and support all of these books! And that's how we've kept it going — for 100+ books by now!”

As of date, RomanceClass has helped over a hundred authors write and publish their romance novels, which are now read in over fifty-two countries worldwide. Mina is also a media adaptation agent, working with LA-based Bold MP to develop romance media by Filipino creatives for an international audience, and has had speaking engagements at several publishing and book fairs across the globe including Frankfurt Book Fair, Manila International Book Fair, and the Korea Publishers Society: Asian Publishers Fellowship Program.

As per the name, Mina provides classes for Filipino romance writers, giving them tips and insights on how to start and finish their first book. During the class, she provides editorial insights, a story structure they can use, and a schedule. Once they finish a manuscript, they have the option to reach out to the RomanceClass community to find beta readers, editors, artists, and printers, as well as receive self-publishing advice.

You can attend one of their classes in person or learn at your own pace through the textbook Mina authored which will help you start and finish your own contemporary romance novella. They also post videos of their previous classes on their YouTube and Twitch channels.

“We now have partnerships with Philippine publishers, so if authors want to see larger print distribution, that's a possibility,” Mina added. “We also have a manager in LA representing our film rights to the world so if authors want a chance at having their work adapted to screen, that's a possibility.”

It’s no secret that even in the local publishing scene, Filipino romances still take up a large number of sales. If the country’s leading book retailer, National Book Store’s monthly bestsellers list has anything to say, it’s that many readers in the country enjoy reading love stories time and time again. It’s also reflected in other forms of media, like in film where the mainstream movies in the Philippines are mostly of the romance genre, starring pairs of actors called “loveteams,” which are beloved by a passionate fan base. Just take the highest-grossing film to date: a romantic drama called, “Hello, Love, Again,” starring Kathryn Bernardo and Alden Richards. The sequel film grossed over P1.4 billion at the global box office as of December 2024, making it the first-ever Filipino film to cross the billion-peso mark. Additionally, it also broke into the US Top 10 box office rankings. 

When asked about her opinion on why Filipinos love love stories, Mina answered, “We don't just love it as individual readers or media consumers, Pinoys love being in communities centered on romance too. It's kilig (feeling of excitement due to love) and connection, and I think the excitement of witnessing someone's adventure and dreams. I hope it's coming from a place of knowing we deserve love and respect and good things happening to us — and being validated when a romance story says: 'Yes, this person who is like you got their happily ever after.'"

She also emphasized the need for Filipino authors in the genre to be recognized as they “bring a fresh perspective to even the most common and popular romance tropes.” She also added that authors shine the brightest when they’re allowed to be themselves.

Having been publishing since 2009, Mina has witnessed the genre evolve through the years. She told The Beat Asia how she hopes publishing would be more inclusive and have a more permanent place for non-Western authors, which still proves to be an issue in the publishing sphere.

“I feel I've been extremely fortunate to have been writing and publishing romance with Filipino characters right at a time when the international romance community was ready and willing to diversify their reading," she said.

“Filipino-authored books were read and recommended by authors I admire such as Alyssa Cole, Courtney Milan, KJ Charles, and Rebekah Weatherspoon, and so many doors opened for so many Filipino romance authors. And then almost abruptly the ‘trend’ shifted away from that — to something less diverse, more Western-coded. It’s rinse and repeat. This is the constant struggle of someone choosing my career: being invisible to the industry because we're not 'Western;' being namedropped once a year when they want to prove they're inclusive. If we have to adapt, it's about learning how to reach the real audience for our books and catering to them, when we find them.”

It's true that Mina is taking steps to make that dream a reality as she assists and guides the future generation of Filipino romance writers through the community she has built — all the while still growing her catalog of novels. The author told us that she’s currently writing the second book in her Café Titas series, which she hopes to release this year.

For aspiring authors, Mina encourages you to join her RomanceClass-es and start your story today. She has one advice to give if you want to pursue being a writer: “It's okay to start with a simple story! The first thing you have to do is learn to finish, and choosing to tell a simple story teaches you that so well.”

Are you ready to pen the greatest love story ever written? Here’s where you can catch Mina at some of her RomanceClass and book events in the next few months:

• Blush Books Event: Fully Booked BGC (Feb. 22)
• The Philippine Book Festival 2025: SM Megamall, Megatrade Hall (Mar. 13 to 16)
• Dumaguete Literary Festival (April, more details to be announced)

You can learn more about RomanceClass Books and their latest releases by checking out their website or following them on Facebook, X (Formerly Twitter), and Instagram. You can also follow Mina online for updates on her upcoming books, classes, and appearances.

This February, Manila’s theater scene takes center stage with an exciting lineup of shows. From heart-stirring dramas to spectacular musicals, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. Don’t miss out on the magic and explore the best productions to catch this month!

CCP Pasinaya 2025

Experience the CCP Pasinaya Open House Festival on Feb. 1-2! Enjoy 200+ performances, workshops, and activities across Metro Manila, featuring top artists and cultural groups. Celebrate Filipino creativity and culture, as this festival is para sa lahat (for everyone)!

‘3 Upuan’ Stage Play

Catch 3 Upuan, a gripping play by Guelan Varela-Luarca, returning this February at Areté, Ateneo. Starring Jojit Lorenzo, JC Santos, and Martha Comia, it’s an intimate story of siblings, time, and grief. Limited run only from Feb. 1-13. Tickets at P1,200 via Ticket2Me!

PETA’s ‘Control + Shift: Changing Narratives’ Festival

PETA’s Control + Shift: Changing Narratives Festival returns this February with a dynamic lineup of plays exploring historical, social, and political themes. Running from Feb. 6 to 23 at the PETA Theater Center, the festival features six main stage performances and eight experimental studio shows, offering bold and thought-provoking storytelling.

Control + Shift: Changing Narratives

The Main Theater features key productions such as the restaging of Melvin Lee’s "Kumprontasyon," a collection of three one-act plays by Allan Palileo, Guelan Varela-Luarca, and Joshua Lim, tackling unresolved historical and political issues. Other highlights include Dominique La Victoria’s "Kislap at Fuego," a fairytale set during the 1896 Philippine revolution, and Mixkaela Villalon’s "Children of the Algo," a modern take on social media’s influence on Gen Z content creators.

STUDIO THEATER Set A-D

The Studio Theater showcases four sets: Set A features "Unboxing," an empowering journey, and "The Little Girl in a Box," a non-verbal story of an orphan. Set B includes "Failed Puppeteer," about Filipino values in disaster, and "Noche Buena," following a family through generational change. Set C tackles corruption with "Monit-Oh! Monit-Ah!" and "[email protected]," exploring justice through ethics and technology. Set D reimagines gender and faith with "Ang Kuwento ni Babe" and "Taya Sabay Yakap," focused on resilience and care.

I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change (Re-Run)

Don’t miss the rerun of I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change, directed by theater icon Menchu Lauchengco-Yulo, on Feb. 25! This hilarious musical about love and relationships has charmed audiences worldwide with its witty vignettes and catchy songs. Get ready to laugh and relate. Grab your tickets now! Ticket starts at P2,500.

TOSCA By Puccini

Experience Puccini’s Tosca a powerful tale of love, betrayal, and survival set in Napoleonic Rome. With stirring music and intense drama, it’s an opera classic you can’t miss! Catch it on Feb. 28, 7 PM, at St. Cecilia’s Auditorium, St. Scholastica’s College. Tickets start at P515!

Ballet Philippines: 'Ang Panaginip'

Step into the enchanting world of "Ang Panaginip," Ballet Philippines’ celebration of Filipino dreams and stories through breathtaking dance. With stunning choreography and heartfelt storytelling, this production captures the spirit of Filipino artistry. Catch it at The Theatre at Solaire from Feb. 28 to March 2. Tickets start at P600 via TicketWorld.

The Beat Manila’s Up and Coming is a series where we feature rising talented artists from the Philippines, giving them a platform to share what they’re passionate about and to promote the music they (and us too!) would love for the world to hear. Do you want or know someone who wants to be featured? Email us at [email protected] or slide through our DMs on Facebook or Instagram!

“Let the stars align.”

This is how rookie P-Pop group SY•NC — The Beat Manila’s latest Up-and-Coming Artist — introduces themselves in front of a crowd. Paired with infectious smiles and a vibrant aura you can feel even from far away, Pen, Asa, Jai, Sevi, Lee, Clyn, and Drew are ecstatic to show who they are and what they’ve got.

Having debuted on November 2024, you'd think that they’d have a long way ahead of them before they get noticed by P-Pop and K-Pop stans already. However, they’ve already performed for sold-out crowds and for large fandoms in the Philippines. They’re even one of the brand ambassadors for the South Korean sandwich shop Eggdrop in the Philippines!

The Beat Manila interviewed the budding seven-member P-Pop group, and got to hear their journey to debuting, goals, aspirations, and more. Read on to get to know all about SY•NC and why they believe in the stars.

Hi SYNC! Can you tell us how your group was formed?

Clyn: Our group was formed last 2024, by the second half of the year. We [actually] launched our group social media [accounts] by the end of July, and we had our official debut last Nov. 8, 2024. Before forming the group, we’d already known each other for about one to two years. We wanted to make a group with a collective passion and one goal, which is to create music and art and to offer something for the Philippine public to see.

What’s the story behind your group name?

Pen: [Actually] it was a very fun story! Upon starting, we had no idea what to name our group. We made a list of names, then we tried shouting it [to get the vibe]. But the word “sync” had a different spark for us. So, we decided to go with the name SYNC, and it started without a meaning.

Clyn: Our member Drew actually thought of the word “sync,” but the context before was really different from what it is now. Before it was “connecting words, and cosmic aligned fantasy.” But now, SYNC means, “simple, yet not common.”

Can you tell us a bit about your journey before debuting?

Pen: That would take a while. But like what Clyn mentioned earlier, we’ve already been in the industry for a while, we already knew each other for the longest time, and we’ve been tested a lot. Like, we’ve gone through a lot in our lives before we got into SYNC. And what I can say is the highlight of our journey, is that even if we’ve been shaken before, we’re still solid as seven. Even if the journey is tough, we prepared ourselves as us, as SYNC. Whatever happens, we’ll [wholeheartedly] pursue every obstacle that comes with being independent.

Clyn: For the journey before debuting, being independent is hard. We really had to start from scratch because we didn’t know how. Most of the members live in far places, in Rizal, North Ilocos, Tagaytay, [and] Cavite, so we’re living apart. Sometimes, we even had to live in my house in Makati together, and we had to rent studios to rehearse. It was a different set-up way back then, but our journey was how our bond was formed, as brothers, which made us stronger and molded us as SYNC. SYNC is also derived from the word “synchronize,” because we also believe that everything [really] aligns for us.

What pushed all of you to continue making music?

Clyn: Most of the members are excited to create art and music. But a big factor that motivated us to continue was that a lot of people were supporting and believing in us. To the point that they believe in us a lot more than we do, even if we doubt ourselves. They [push us to] continue making music.

Pen: Based on our experience, being independent, we only know a few [independent] local artists that sustain their passion, because they’re independent and it’s hard. Personally, in our group, my motivation is to contribute to the fight for independent artists locally. That’s why if we make a song that trends or becomes recognized, I feel that would have a good effect on local independent artists. That would boost their “fire” to create more. Because if we could do it, then so can they.

SYNC is known to be a proudly self-producing group. Can you walk us through your group dynamics?

Clyn: Aside from having a dance unit, vocal unit, [and] rap unit, we have roles off-camera, which is very unlikely, very unusual for the common idols. I’m the leader of the group.

Pen: Our self-producing group has a wide range of roles. I’m in charge of choreography, also, I’m part of the ones that lead the creative direction of our group, and also for art direction. If they need ideas, I add to them and give my own feedback. Also, for simple editing and for brand collaborations, I do the editing for the content. I’m also the “kuya” of the group.

Drew: I help with the composing of the music, and for the work side, I’m the one that checks the emails, like an account manager.

Clyn: Drew also arranges the music for our covers, also with [Kuya] Lee. Our bunso is an all-rounder because when we choreograph our performances, he also helps Pen and Sevi out.

Asa: I act as the vocal mentor of the group, where I help with the basic training. When we have mentors and they’re not available 24/7, I help them execute the training for our performances. On the business side, you could say that I’m the finance manager of the group.

Lee: I’m one of the video editors of the group for our content, and I’m also the head stylist of the group, where I plan our outfits for events.

Sevi: Just like Pen and Drew, I help out in choreography, and I’m also the social media manager of the group. Sometimes I’m also the “bodyguard” and one of the “kuyas” of the group.

Jai: I’m one of the songwriters of the group; I write rap verses. I’m aiming to be a future composer and producer, but right now I’m in the learning process. I also help with cleaning and keeping the wardrobe.

Asa: Lee keeps our clean and stylish concepts, while Jai is in charge of our rugged looks. When the two of them work together, they create some of the best looks.

Your first song is a ballad titled “Balang Araw.” Debut songs are usually high-spirited and choreo-centric. Why did you choose to debut with a slow ballad?

Clyn: That’s an interesting question! Fun fact: we already had another song planned originally for our debut song. But after a lot of consideration, “Balang Araw” really felt right to be our debut song. It feels right for us because we wanted to go out and show who we really are first, to show that independent dreamers like us have something to offer to the public and the P-Pop scene. It is also a song of healing for our fans and families, and for us.

Pen: We wanted to make it different and to set ourselves apart from what many are doing. And it’s a good idea for us to start with this song because we’ll have something to look back on when we’re feeling tired or unmotivated, to be reminded of why we started in the first place, and to remember our dreams and our “balang araws”.

Drew: In addition, we didn’t want to put a façade that we’re okay. We started with “Balang Araw” to show who we are first as artists.

Any future releases you’d like to tease to your fans?

Pen: In all honesty, we’re already preparing. We’re in the middle of the last parts of our preparations. But, wait for it!

Drew: It’s going to be different from our debut song, we’ll be dancing.

Clyn: You can expect something new, something not common. We will be different from our ballad but will also be different from the rest.

What’s going to be the genre of the song?

Pen: I can say that it’s more synth-pop. It’s pop, but there will be other genres too. It’s a very interesting track.

Clyn: Very pop and hip-hop.

What are you most looking forward to in your career? In 2025?

Asa: Just like the other P-Pop groups, of course, we’re looking forward to bigger stages we can perform at in the future. Also, collaborations with other P-Pop groups and artists that we can be with at performances and content. And, we’re also looking forward to “world domination.”

Clyn: All of the successes we received last year were unexpected. This 2025, I believe that this year is the year of growing and blossoming. I’m expecting that we’ll be having more blessings, we’re already claiming everything that we’ll be receiving this year, and we’re very excited about it.

Any P-Pop groups you’d like to collaborate with? Who do you consider your idols?

Pen: I want to collaborate with SB19. That won’t go away because they’re the seniors that everyone looks up to. Personally, I want to work with Josh Cullen. In terms of performing, I want to collaborate with our batchmates like ECLYPSE, so we can do a fun stage performance together.

Clyn: I want to collaborate with either Felip or G22. Even Patrick from VXON.

Drew: Personally, I really want to collaborate with Maki for a song. Because I like his genre, and because that’s also the kind of music I want to do.

Jai: I look forward to working with Ken from SB19, because I can already imagine us releasing a song with a "punch.”

Sevi: I want to collaborate with SB19 and perform with Justin.

Lee: I want to collaborate with Pablo because I like his ballads. I’ve also become inspired by his songs, and everyone relates to them.

Asa: It’s everyone’s dream to collaborate with SB19, because they paved the way for P-Pop. But I also want to collaborate with my friends in other groups like HORI7ON. Because I want to reconnect and reunite with them, maybe even just through a meal out. That would be fine with me.

Any words you’d like to leave to your fans, Starbursts?

Pen: We want to thank our Starbursts who have been tirelessly supporting us through ups and downs. Even if our journey is still long, I hope you guys can stick with us, and to new fans, you’re very welcome to join our family, and hope you’ll like our songs. Hopefully, we can inspire you to chase your passions.

Asa: I want to thank Starbursts because we met them, and we want to be with you on the long journey. Thank you.

Jai: Without Starbursts, we wouldn’t be able to continue this career. Thank you.

This interview has been edited for length and clarity. To learn more about SY•NC, follow them on their Facebook, X (Formerly Twitter), and Instagram. Stream their song “Balang Araw” on Spotify, Apple Music, or YouTube.

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