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Here’s Where You Can Have Your Pre-Nuptial Photoshoot

Pre-nuptial shoots are the trend for soon-to-be-newlyweds. Here are some of our top picks for the perfect shoot location.

Weddings are a momentous occasion. Couples would love to have something to look back on later on in their marriage, and pre-nuptial photos are a great way to remember the past. In this post, we list some of the many beautiful locations where you can have your pre-nuptial photoshoot.

Temple of Leah

Transcentral Highway, Cebu City, Cebu

This Roman-inspired location was built as a symbol of Teodorico Adarna’s undying love for and ceaseless devotion to Leah Villa Albino-Adarna, his wife of 53 years. The regal statues and structures can stun you with their grandeur. The Temple of Leah is perfect for the soon-to-be-wed couple who wants a royal-themed pre-nuptial photo shoot —  and what better place to have it where the whole place itself was built because of love?

Chateau de Busay

Transcentral Highway, Cebu City, Cebu

Nestled on a hill with a breathtaking view of lush green mountains and the cityscape beyond, Chateau de Busay Inn and Restaurant offers a rejuvenating break from the humdrum of urban living. With its lush green gardens and amazing view of the Queen City of the South, couples can have their tea party-themed or fairytale-themed photo shoot here.

La Vie Parisienne

371 Gorordo Ave, Cebu City, 6000 Cebu

What started out as a French cafe is now one of the most popular photoshoot locations in Cebu — whether it be for a pre-debut, a pre-nuptial and whatnot, La Vie Parisienne’s interiors are a recreation of a European wine cellar cum old hotel in France that narrowly treads the fine line between classic and gothic with his clever use of elements.

Cebu Yacht Club

Lapu-Lapu, F. Martir St, Lapu-Lapu City, 6015 Cebu

The Cebu Yacht Club has a charming marina with restaurants, shops and a stunning view of the water. As the sun sets and bathes the marina in soft changing hues, it’s ideal as a backdrop for a couple in love.

Circa 1900

Sanjercasvil Road, Gorordo Avenue, Lahug, Cebu City 6000 Philippines

The old-house-turned-restaurant is reminiscent of the Spanish era in the Philippines. Its charm lies in its colonial-style architecture and interiors. Emulate a Don or Doña as you schedule your photo shoot at this location. They even have a pool, too.

Plantation Bay

Marigondon, Mactan Island, Lapu-Lapu City, 6015 Cebu

One of the most popular resorts in Cebu, Plantation Bay is known for its saltwater lagoons that take up most of the resort’s 11-hectare area. Couples can have their photoshoot on the wooden walkway right in the middle of the lagoon.

Terrazas De Flores Botanical Garden

Budlaan – Busay Rd, Cebu City

Cebu’s first flower terraces are a superb location for couples who wish to capture their romance with an enchanting backdrop. Bits of inspiring quotes and  beautiful pieces of literature are scattered all over the area, adding romance and drama to the garden. Meanwhile, the fresh mountain breeze, exquisitely arranged flowers, and cozy cabanas will surely relieve the pre-wedding jitters. 

Tieza Botanical Garden 

Budlaan – Busay Rd, Cebu City

A scenic garden of celosia flowers by the lake, Tieza Botanical Garden offers an exquisite view for couples who want to have outdoor pre-nuptial photoshoots. Located at the foot of Sirao Peak, this hidden paradise in Busay is home to some of the gorgeous flowers perfect for that authentic romantic setting.

Azienda Milan

Talisay City, Cebu

With an alluring pool and a garden sitting on the top of the hill that overlooks Talisay City, Azienda Milan truly is a picturesque venue for couples. The intimate vibe partnered with the well-tended garden creates an enthralling moment sure to be remembered. 

Big Q Farm

Sitio Cantipla, Barangay Tabunan, Cebu City

An escapade in the forest on a foggy afternoon, with tall trees hiding a cute little wooden cabin sounds a little dreamy — but we assure you, it’s real! For outdoor and fantasy-loving couples, Big Q farm is the spot for you. Achieve that enchanted pre-nuptial set-up in the center of wilderness and with a white horse just like in fairytales. 

Arts & Culture

Queer Coding in Cinema: The Best Shows to Binge for Pride Month 2025

compiled by Edge Javier

As Pride Month 2025 goes into full swing, the best way to celebrate LGBTQIA+ voices is with a binge-worthy lineup of shows that center queer stories, joy, love, resilience — and yes, of course, drama. From groundbreaking recent series to must-watch staples and fan favorites, here are the top shows to stream this June that reflect the vibrant spectrum of the queer-coded experience.

1. Heartstopper – Season 3 (Netflix)
Nick and Charlie are back, and the coming-of-age sweetness is stronger than ever. Season 3 explores deeper emotional territory while keeping the wholesome tone fans adore. Expect more queer joy, nuanced relationships, and tearjerker moments that feel like a warm hug.

2. Drag Me to Dinner (Hulu)
Hosted by Neil Patrick Harris, this chaotic culinary competition pairs drag duos in a battle to throw the most fabulous themed dinner party. With outrageous challenges, surprise twists, and plenty of camp, queens serve up equal parts food, flair, and fierce shade. It’s RuPaul meets Top Chef—served with a side of sequins.

3. Queer Planet (Apple TV+)
Hosted by Janelle Monáe, this visually stunning docuseries dives into queerness in the animal kingdom and parallels in human identities. It’s smart, groundbreaking, and perfect for those who want to feel seen—and informed.

4. Fellow Travelers (Paramount+)
This period romance-drama set during the Lavender Scare continues to grip audiences with its tragic beauty and sharp historical insight. If you missed Season 1, now is the perfect time to catch up before the highly anticipated Season 2 lands later this year.

5. The Buccaneers – Season 2 (Apple TV+)
The unapologetically queer period drama returns with more scandal, sapphic yearning, and feminist rebellion among American heiresses navigating high society in 1870s London. Think Bridgerton, but with more edge and better sapphic representation.

6. Our Flag Means Death – The Finale Special (Max)
This fan-favorite pirate rom-com wraps up with a one-hour finale special airing this June. Whether you’re rewatching from the start or jumping into the last hurrah, this show remains a shining example of queer love told with heart and humor.

7. This Is Me Now… The Series (Prime Video)
Following Jennifer Lopez’s genre-blurring film-musical hybrid, the series version delves into themes of love, identity, and self-acceptance, and features cameos by queer icons and allies. It’s campy, messy, and made for Pride Month mood-boosting.

8. Sort Of – Final Season (Max)
This critically acclaimed dramedy about a gender-fluid millennial navigating love, grief, and identity in Toronto comes to a close with an emotionally rich final season. A thoughtful and often hilarious story that never loses its beating heart.

9. Red, White & Royal Blue – Limited Series (Prime Video)
After the hit film adaptation, the beloved queer romance returns in a serialized format, expanding on Alex and Henry’s story with new twists and deeper character arcs. It’s romantic escapism, elevated.

10. POSE: The Legacy (FX/Hulu)
This documentary miniseries honors the cultural legacy of POSE and the real-life ballroom legends who inspired it. Featuring interviews with cast, creators, and icons from the scene, it’s a must-watch tribute to queer history and resilience.

Whether you’re looking for laughter, tears, romance, or revolution, these Pride Month picks for 2025 offer it all—while honoring the complexity and beauty of LGBTQIA+ lives. So press play, turn up the volume, and let queer stories shine this June and beyond. Happy Pride! 🏳️‍🌈

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Arts & Culture

Chaos and Clarity: Zen Aesthetic in Oj Hofer’s Art

by Jing Ramos |

Oj Hofer, our fashion contributing editor, is a Fine Arts graduate from the University of the Philippines. Though he began painting at the age of eight, his artistic journey took a transformative turn in 2013. While volunteering as a costume designer for Siddhartha: The Musical, he encountered Venerable Master Hsing Yun’s One-Stroke Calligraphy, sparking a deep devotion to Japanese sumi-e painting and kanji calligraphy. Over the years, he refined his craft, using his art to share the Dharma through exhibitions while supporting the Hsing Yun Educational Foundation. In 2022, his spiritual path deepened at Nan Tien University, where he embraced Zen and Humanistic Buddhism, shaping his artistic philosophy.

“Plum Blossoms in Moonlight.” Serigraphy on abaca.

In his recent works, Hofer merges traditional calligraphy with serigraphy, drawing inspiration from his friend Charles Lahti—an internationally recognized New York-based painter and printmaker. Lahti, known for his collaborations with post-war American artists like Robert Rauschenberg, Donald Judd, Andy Warhol, and LeRoy Neiman, introduced Hofer to silkscreen techniques. Through a workshop Lahti conducted in Cebu—arranged by their mutual friend Greg Urra—Hofer integrated silkscreen into his Zen artworks, particularly those on abaca.

“The Circle of Harmony” Serigraphy and Calligraphy on abaca.

Hofer’s cross-disciplinary approach challenges conventional Zen aesthetics. His layered paintings on abaca may seem far from tranquil at first glance, but closer contemplation reveals a meditative core. His serigraph of an Enso circle, for example, initially appears chaotic, filled with Tang Dynasty poetry and overlapping, repetitive forms. Yet, by focusing on a single calligraphic element, the viewer experiences a moment of clarity—a glimpse of awakening within the visual complexity.

“Monkey Mind” Serigraphy and Calligraphy on abaca.

Even more engaging is his diptych Monkey Mind. At odds with the traditional Zen emphasis on negative space, this piece is deliberately busy, reflecting the restless nature of the mind. A distracted viewer may struggle to find a focal point, but one attuned to emptiness and presence will perceive clarity amidst the seeming disarray.

Ink and intention—creating calligraphy in support of one of my advocacies.

By fusing Zen philosophy with the discipline of serigraphy, Hofer invites his audience to look beyond surface impressions and discover stillness within movement, balance within complexity. His art does not merely depict Zen—it embodies the paradoxes at its core, offering a path to mindfulness through the act of seeing and the experience of doing.

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Arts & Culture

What is Sappia? The Rice Myth Goddess of Bohol Who Helped Feed the People During a Great Famine

by Emma Gomez

The story began when the people of Bohol started to experience hunger and famine. All the livestocks were inedible and the fields were dried out leaving only weeds planted on the ground. The people prayed to the goddess of mercy, Sappia, to ask for food.

Sappia, the rice myth goddess of Bohol

Sappia, from the heavens, heard the cries of the people. She saw the dense population of weeds and offered to help them. Sappia thought of nourishing the weeds to be edible and healthy for the people of Bohol. Straightaway, she sprinkled the weed with milk from her bossom. She emptied each breast until blood came out. Before she left, she whispered to the weeds that they may be nourished and be able to feed the people.

When harvest season came, the people of Bohol quickly gathered the nourished weeds. They observed that the ones sprinkled with milk were white, while the other were red. They called the new plant rice and they replanted these in honor of Sappia, and for the people to devour.

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