Arts & Culture

Experiencing Avant Garde Sounds with Meltdown 3.0

Music as an art form is created or composed by various reasons; it may be for aesthetic pleasure or expression. Different kinds of genre have emerged through the years and surely enough, here in Cebu, music has evolved into something more. Noise/Experimental Music has made a kick around the music scene with Meltdown 3.0.

Sound has always been a part of human interaction. We produce sound whenever we want to express something but how does something as simple as sound become music? Music as an art form is created or composed by various reasons; it may be for aesthetic pleasure or expression. Different kinds of genre have emerged through the years and surely enough, here in Cebu, music has evolved into something more. Noise/Experimental Music has made a kick around the music scene with Meltdown 3.0.

“Meltdown is a collaborative platform and series of concerts conceptualized by Cebu-based MELT Records showcasing the most prolific sound practitioners who dabble in noise, experimental and sound art,” says Pj Ong, Co-Founder of MELT Records & Creative Director.

Together with these genres, they also add visual aesthetic videos projected behind the artists to complement the sound they produce. Melt Records, an independent record label based in Cebu, also aims to produce and release music from both up-and coming and more established independent artists from Cebu. They created this event to determine and explore unlimited possibilities of multi-genre music.

Paolo Gàiba Riva

“[It’s] A good balance between good indie music and more progressive forms to further art,” adds Dexter Sy, Co-Founder of MELT Records.

We can’t deny that mainstream music in Cebu has made progress this year, so Pj thought that there was a need to create an outlet for Art and Rebellion.

“Manila has been doing this since the 80’s, and we believe it’s time to bring it to Cebu on a bigger scale.” He says. He adds that although experimental music has been around in Cebu since the 90’s, it has never been formally recognized or documented. It was when he participated in a dialogue with Souther Asian Artist through the WSK Music Festival in Manila last year that he realized there was a need to establish an avenue for the avant-garde, exploratory sound scene here in Cebu.

“Because of its interdisciplinary nature, the discipline of sound art has definitely earned it’s reputation as an artform.” This specific genre has been applied in other fields too.

Existing in a hybrid form, it can be combined with other elements too, such as visual art and performance art. And as how MELT really wants to push the boundaries of the music scene, Meltdown 3.0 and the combination of artforms challenges Cebu’s music audience in terms of their audiovisual and live event experience. Dexter also notes that “As diverse as our local music is, there’s still a “comfort zone”, hoping that these kind of events opens up Cebu to other new forms of music and art.

Kazehito Seki

In terms of opening up Cebu for more exciting form of music, MELT also paved way for local artists that for most people, didn’t know that they created these kinds of sound. They were linkage that MELT already had. Some of the local artist that played where Future Teenager, Budoy, Chris Murillo, John Caing & Sam PipeBomb. They also had artist from Manila from their partnership with WSK and Noisebath PH—Joee & I, Lush Death, Sigalot.PJx and Small Town Press.

“Each artist brings something new to the table. Art is very personal and highly-subjective, and this unique sense of individuality is reflected in each of their sets,” says Pj.

Les Belles Noiseuses

Even if the scene has its ups and downs compare to bigger cities, Cebu’s music scene still progresses and continue to innovate; sub communities offer something for everyone, supporting music venues and artists too.

“There’s a lot to be improved on with regards to how we generate interest and income for our independent artist, but at the moment, things have been decently sustainable and people are enjoying themselves, which is an essential factor to keep the music scene alive.” Dexter states.

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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! 🏳️‍🌈

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.

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.