☼ An intersectional safe space and magazine for the Filipino Gen Z that aims to be a platform for expression, talent, and interests. ♡
how far can Filipinos' "resilience" go in these trying times?
Gabriel in our newest article talks about the call for everyone to finally use Filipino resilience as a stepping stone to speak up and endure the long struggle for equality, to stop tolerating the hard times and take action! 💪🏼
Read more on our medium.
https://medium.com//bahay-kubo-kahit-munti-5a2defae2931
article by gabriele escalante
pub by jezzyrae maglente and lia dimalanta
caption by ally
“wild women don’t get the blues,” 🦋
how does one go about separating their pain and their individuality? 💗 presently, the effect that the content we consume has on our perception of self may be greater than you’d think. 🔍
join raine goco in this reflective take on self-identification 👥 link here! https://medium.com//difficult-woman-the-nuances-of-consuming-every-womans-perpetual-pain-2042db13540d
Article by Raine Goco
Pub by Mieke Dominique Salvacion
Caption by Ines Divinagracia
searching for a new book? 📖 tired of cliche romances from Netflix or mainstream media? 🧐
perhaps Normal People is for you! this book and its adaptation will remind you that love is messy, but it is also real and beautiful ❤️🔥
find out why Cheska Rufo thinks Normal People should be considered a modern classic ✨ https://medium.com//finding-the-extraordinary-in-the-normal-7ff46f0d5393 💗
article by cheska rufo
pub by learra espiritu
caption by daphne cailon
a page a day keeps the doctor away 🩺
reading literally keeps us alive! 🧬who would have thought that picking up a book would not only make you smarter 🧠, but also make you live longer? 💡
find out how and read elyza’s article 💗 https://medium.com//one-more-page-why-bookworms-live-longer-145a65ec2cd
Article by Elyza Fuerzas
Pub by Jane Uda
Caption by Vic Ramos
"i just think that you are what you love." -taylor swift 🤍
have you wondered why we have our comfort characters? or how we tend to gravitate towards characters who share the same qualities as ours? 🫂
apparently, the films we watch and the books we read all contribute to our multifaceted self. the media we consume reflects our personalities–and ultimately, who we are as a person.
🪞 look into the mirror with us in carmela papa's insightful piece– find link here. 💫
https://medium.com//looking-through-a-mirror-unfolding-untold-stories-through-media-representations-6261307581ea
Article by Carmela Papa
Pub by Gab Cruz
Caption by Zazel Espeso
help make dreams real 🌸
attend Thallo Manila’s Open Mic Fundraiser for EJK victims from 4pm to 9pm at Jess and Pat’s, Quezon City 🌠
see ya there!
“if a movie speaks to you, there is one thing that you should do and that is to listen.” ✨️
a filipino film with accurate disability representation? 😱 sign us up!
defying typical representations in the media, director Real S. Florido’s “Bakit Di Mo Sabihin” offers a fresh perspective on how people with disabilities communicate their feelings and emotions. the 2022 cinemalaya entry also features characters using Filipino Sign Language, all while battling the challenges that the deaf and mute community faces.
disability awareness & empowerment is what we need today, and films are a powerful tool to shed light on such topics. ☀️
read the full review– https://medium.com//things-said-in-bakit-di-mo-sabihin-e0dd0d383af4
(don't worry, it's spoiler-free! 😉)
Article by Kenzy Caburnay
Pub by Ma Krisha Nicole Macaraeg
Caption by Zazel Espeso
looking for a fun night out?? 🪩
thallo has partnered with us to present their first in person event!! enjoy the night with some live performances 🎤, drinks 🥃, and more!!
bring a friend or meet some new ones while supporting their cause. 🫶 head over to and register!!
we can’t wait to see you there ⭐️
pub by: lia dimalanta
caption by: vic ramos
just in 📣 we're rebranding!
don't worry, we're still the same plaridel you've always known 🤭 just a little different!
going forward, plaridel will be having some modifications. change is a sign of progress, and we want to present you with the very best version of us 🍀
make sure to check out our brand new logo and its anatomy 💗 thank you for sticking with us, and keep an eye out for our upcoming projects! 🧃
Logo by Lia Dimalanta
Pub by Learra Kate
Exciting announcement, we have a surprise! Plaridel Magazine can now be found on medium.com! 😮
As a publication focused on expression executed to the highest level, we have made the decision to publish our full articles using a much more efficient and convenient ~medium~ of reading. Make sure to follow us on medium!
we would like to announce that the application period for plaridel magazine publication 4 is now closed! 😳
to all those who applied, to all those who helped spread the word, and to our lovely members that helped make this possible, we are incredibly grateful 🥰 this was truly an incredible batch of applicants and this makes us so very excited for plaridel's future 🥳
results will be available next week wednesday (august 3). good luck to everyone, and thank you once again!🌟
graphics by zy maglente
want to know more about the plaridel experience? we hear you! 🫡💖
three of our members answer the pressing question: what is the plaridel experience? 🤔🧐
feeling intrigued? sign up using the link in our bio— only 3 DAYS LEFT to apply and send your requirements ‼️‼️
graphics by mieke salvacion
publication 4 applications are now open! 🧃
we’re looking for new contributors and editorial board members of filipino heritage that enjoy writing, creating, or simply expressing themselves 🙌
click the link in our bio to find our carrd! all sign up information and forms are in the “publication 4 applications” button 💖😁
applications and submissions end on TUESDAY, JULY 26, 2022, AT 11:59 PM. for any questions or concerns, don’t hesitate to message us! 🥰
we can’t wait to work with you 🥳
graphics by zy maglente
we are so excited to announce that we will soon be beginning our publication 4 application period! 🙌
swipe to see some new departments and available editorial board positions 👀
stay tuned for more announcements regarding applications! 🫶
graphics by lia dimalanta
On Love, First Impressions, and Singing Utensils 💘
“I’d order love because there’s nothing else on earth that tastes so good”.
That line sums up what I felt when watching Ateneo Blue Repertory’s production of “First Date.” The 30th season production is a dazzling, and well-executed blend of live and online theater. Headed by director Topper Fabregas (Company, Rabbit Hole, This Is Our Youth, Ang Huling El Bimbo), First Date is a musical that takes us through the awkwardness, doubts, and exhilaration of well - a first date. It follows blind date newbie Aaron & serial dater Casey’s interactions on the night of their date. Throughout, we are treated to musical numbers from the other restaurant goers, and pivotal people from their past.
Fair note that this is a musical that does not hold back in portraying the cringe moments that everyone experiences when trying to impress your date. But you won’t even notice it because you’ll be blown away by the massive talent of the leads and ensemble, the stunning visuals, catchy song numbers, and dancing utensils (yes, you read that right).
First Date was originally staged in 2012, and written by Austin Winsberg and featuring music and lyrics by Alan Zachary and Michael Weiner. According to the production team, they did not change much from the script; choosing instead to focus on adjusting it to better suit the hybrid production and filming process. Director Topper Fabregas says “It’s the script from 2012, but it’s not the 2012 that you’re imagining in your head.”
At first, I had a difficult time visualizing how they could execute the musical numbers given the online set-up, but I was not disappointed by Production Designer Tata Tuviera’s talents. He utilized the use of green screens to make sure there was uniformity in the production. The team also had to work around the limits of online theater, and learn how to bend and play around it. Director of Photography Nate Bosano states that they had to think outside the box and learn along the way on how to best achieve the vision of the entire team. When this production team says out of the box, they mean it. The most bizarre ideas that if I discuss it on paper wouldn’t make sense, but when seen on screen it enhances the story, and delivers a performance that is enjoyable. Kudos to the team for the brilliant ex*****on of the song “The Awkward Pause”, and aspiring theater artists- take note!
blueREP has always delivered great performances from its team of talented college actors. The leads of First Date carry the show well, with powerful singing voices and budding acting skills that have the potential to be great. Carlos de Guzman accurately and naturally captures the awkwardness and nervousness of anyone going on a first date; and his voice can make anyone swoon particularly in the song “In Love with You”. Meanwhile audiences can truly feel Julia Santiago’s portrayal of Casey’s doubts and genuineness. She also manages to capture Casey’s yearning and hopefulness in “Safer”. Both of them also deliver a strong opening rendition of “First Impressions”, and closes the musical with the powerful ballad “Something That Will Last”.
But for me, the real stars of the show are the ensemble that take on multiple roles. We see JV Fulgencio, Vicka Valdez, and Nikki Bengzon change costumes so much throughout the show, and playing characters that differ in age and even gender. Meanwhile, Giulia Martinez delivers a poised and sophisticated Allison. But my real favorite has to be Paul Atienza’s Reggie who steals the screen every single time. Those three renditions of “Bailout” are enough to make me see this show a second time, and wish I could make this my ringtone! We all could wish a friend as cool, as hilarious, and as demandingly caring as Reggie.
The only downside in this production is that it is challenging to have a fully harmonized delivery when the ensemble sings together, which showed in the opening song. Musical Director, Rony Fortich, did express that it was challenging directing the actors on how to sing online, and I have to agree it shows (but not too obviously) in some numbers. But, collaborating with movement designer , Franco Ramos, helped a lot especially for the online parts of the musical. We see actors still moving in sync while on their own screens. The teamwork of the entire production is evident in the almost seamless transitions of each actor.
As for the editing and graphics, I was hit with a ton of nostalgia because the color scheme screams Y2K. Graphic Designer, Bea Jose, did not hold back when she said the graphics was a marriage between Y2K and KPop. The bright, pinkish, neon color scheme stands out without blinding the audience. And making Reggie perform “Bailout” in a karaoke style was absolutely perfect!
90 minutes passes by so quickly for this hilariously enjoyable, kilig musical. We all could use some laughs, and a reminder that love is out there, and it can be found if we open ourselves to it. For those going on their first dates, the production team gave timeless advice. “Keep it real, keep it honest” (Franco Ramos). “Don’t take it too seriously, just have fun” (Tata Tuviera). “Don’t overdo your makeup, or your clothes. Be yourself” (Bea Jose). “Relax, don’t collect red flags / be too judgy” (Rony Fortich). “Don’t be a “pick-me” / “not like other people” person” (Nate Bosano). “Everything is worth a second glance” (Topper Fabregas).
Give yourself a treat and watch First Date. Laugh, get the songs stuck in your head for a while, and believe in love alongside the cast and production team of Ateneo blueREP’s 30th Season. And if you didn’t get enamored on your first watch, just remember that first impressions are worth a second chance!
Words by Cheska Rufo
Graphics by Jane Uda
In Collaboration with Ateneo Blue Repertory
As a representative of and platform for the Filipino youth, Plaridel Magazine is compelled to speak out on the current sociopolitical climate of the Philippines as a result of the recent elections. The future of the Philippines and the future of its people, especially the young, are closely tied to one another. As a result, the election of Ferdinand “Bong-bong” Marcos, Sara Duterte, and many others that we fear will do more harm than help to the future of our nation is greatly worrying to us. Nevertheless, we encourage our fellow Filipinos to remain steady and strong, as we all do what we can to create a better Philippines.
To our Plaridel Magazine readers who are nervous and anxious at the current state of the elections we send tight hugs to you. With whatever outcome, we promise to stand with and for you. Also, it is valid to stay off or even delete your social media applications and chats to keep yourself sane even for just a few moments. Now, we can only hope and pray that the leaders who are elected will have the Filipino people in mind.
Plaridel Magazine, as a youth-led publication, has dedicated itself to providing an intersectional safe space and platform for the Filipino Generation Z to express and explore their opinions, ideas, interests, and more. Its members collectively believe that Vice President Leonor "Leni" Robredo and Senator Francis "Kiko" Pangilinan are candidates who will be able to lead the Philippines into more inclusive spaces wherein their constituents will be listened to and heard. Both candidates have exemplified competency, commitment, integrity, and compassion in their service to the Filipino people. Thus, for the 2022 National Elections, Plaridel Magazine fully supports its Presidential and Vice Presidential bids. We will be choosing Leni Robredo and Kiko Pangilinan to lead and serve the people of the Philippines. We believe that with them, our future will be in the right hands.
Lagi't Lagi Para sa Bayan! ☀️
Outgrowing the YA Dystopian Genre 🧐✨
Reading the Divergent series after so many years feels like seeing my childhood pictures, the kind that makes me blush and ask myself “was this really me before?” In the mid-2010’s almost every bookish adolescent has heard the names Katniss Everdeen and Tris. If you weren't bookish, then you would have heard them still because they were in equally famous movies. The year 2014 alone was enough to make every teenage fangirl swoon. It was the year of “Divergent”, “The Fault in Our Stars”, “The Maze Runner”, and more popular books turned into movies. In those days, Tumblr was filled with fanart of these fandoms, Fanfiction was full of bizarre stories, and Pinterest was just booming with inspiration on how to fully embody your fandom.
“The Hunger Games” and “Divergent” still hold a dear place in my heart, but I can’t deny how easily it faded from everyone’s mind. As soon as the movies ended, so did the fandoms, it seemed. Tumblr, Pinterest, and Fanfiction all quickly moved on from the mania of the YA Dystopian genre. All the fun and important memories from that time make me sad nowadays because I can never go back to that time again. The world has moved on, and I have moved on. This special time, if you were a part of it, feels like a brief shooting star that will not return again to brighten our lives.
One of the reasons for this is because the teenagers that loved these books and films have grown older, changed interests; and yes, most have matured enough to realize that (and I hope you don’t hate me for saying this) these stories were repetitive. The story of a teenager having qualities no one seems to possess, and manages to save an entire nation (plus get an equally handsome boyfriend along the way) are the main gist of these YA Dystopian books. And while we laughed, cheered, and cried our hearts out, we can’t deny that we became hungrier for something new, something to break free from these stories, something more relatable as we grow to be adults.
Not to mention, there was a distinct lack of representation in the YA Dystopian Genre. They were all set in the United States, with white people as the main characters, while characters who were black, indigenous, people of color (BIPOC) were barely getting a notice. If BIPOC characters were present, they were almost always the side characters; even worse, the ones that die right away. Anyone remember Rue from “Hunger Games”? What also fueled the decline of the YA Dystopian genre is the stubbornness of film producers to not be faithful to our beloved books. I still remember sitting in the theater watching “Divergent” and shaking my head at how many scenes were cut, especially some of my favorite scenes from the book. This was problematic because it not only made the movies boring or stereotypical, but the loyal fans themselves lost interest, and eventually the rest of the world too.
Over the years, we’ve seen fresher, more thrilling YA books and films without the dystopian setting. A more reality-based genre took the place of the dystopian. This new front of YA became more relatable as more LGBTQ characters were introduced to us, and more and more stories of BIPOC teenagers facing problems that we ourselves face in our daily lives. With BookTok, BookTube, and Bookstagram churning book recommendations faster than we can read a sentence, we get more exposed to different genres - to so many diverse stories that makes reading a more enriching and lively experience.
“Surviving High School” (which is a dystopia in itself) showed me the importance of change, of being open to new experiences, and reading more books. Just as Katniss and Tris reached the more peaceful world they suffered so much for, I too have achieved the peace that awaits the end of the awkwardness of puberty. That’s simply life I guess - it changes as we change. Even Katniss had to grow old and have kids for heaven's sake. But, no matter what, I am proud of that 12 year old girl reading “Divergent”, and being obsessed with what faction she would have wanted to be. Any Dauntless members reading this?
I like to think of these books as indeed photo albums, not of my appearance, but of my mind and my soul. They were for a time what I believed in, and what I embodied. If ever you pick up books you used to love, don’t hate yourself because you used to love reading cringey materials. Remember them fondly, and tell yourself that not so long ago, these words were a lifeline, a comforting blanket that brought happiness in your teenage years. If you are lucky enough to see the bright shooting star of the YA Dystopian genre again, I hope you enjoy all the important nostalgia they brought to you, and will hopefully bring to younger generations to come.
Words by Cheska Rufo
Graphics by Anka Delos Reyes
Voter Apathy: Another Reason to Fight 🇵🇭
Last February, I was strolling through the city of Vancouver when I overheard two Filipino women gossiping over May 2022 – the events that may transpire, candidates who may rise and fall, and my attention was caught. I heard one of them nonchalantly, and unregrettably, announce their disdain for politics, how it made no sense to discuss or partake in such matters in a foreign country.
They had “escaped” the alleged hellhole that is Philippine politics, and were glad to leave it behind.
I remember one of them saying something along the lines of, “Bahala na sila diyan. Wala na ako sa Pilipinas, ‘la na akong pakialam kung sino ang magiging presidente”.
Needless to say, I was shocked. The two continued their conversation, quickly dismissing the upcoming elections as some daily happening, and went on with their lives. One would hope that overseas Filipinos would express concern over their countrymen: to not leave one another behind, to work towards a better future for each individual. There is that looming guilt when you’re away from your homeland. You fear that you are not doing enough, and there’s a mix of confusion and hurt when you realize others do not share the same sentiment.
The guilt of being away from the Philippines wore me down. It clings like a ball and chain and its weight only continues to grow heavier as election day looms. I regrettably was not able to register as a voter for the 2022 elections as an overseas Filipino, as I had missed the deadline, and was absolutely destroyed to know that I was not doing my part. Of course, to most of us, May 2022 is highly regarded as a personal, historical event in the making. I realized, however, that there are also those who are simply apathetic to current events.
Why? What causes others to feel the need to “escape” from the state of our nation? The more I reflected, the more I figured that those who are apathetic cannot be blamed. I cannot bring myself to consider those who are apathetic as people who turned their backs on their home. In fact, their attitude is exactly the reason why competence and a fully employed and productive administration is sorely needed.
With a track record of dirty politics and bad governance, it’s safe to assume the growing pains that have been ever-present in Filipinos since Marcos’ regime still persist now. Former President Ferdinand Marcos may have been ousted by the Filipino people during the historic People Power Revolution, but the fact remains. These people have not been done justice. When generations before us fought to oust the Marcoses, only to land in the same ballpark (No thanks to Ferdinand Marcos Jr.) as they once were in, nearly forty years later, who can blame those who decide to adopt voter apathy? With the hill of political failures glaring upon us, voter apathy is sure to impact a significant number of Filipinos, perhaps including those abroad who are glad to have “escaped” the tumultuous hell of politics.
Regardless, let the rest of us remember to fight for them as we fight for our desired candidates. Fight for the hope they believe has been lost. When we support our chosen leaders, we support their decision to (hopefully) create a much more fruitful future than the one handed down to those before us. This is not to defend apolitical stances and blatant apathy towards current affairs, but to extend a hand towards those who have lost all hope.
To them, their vote doesn't count. To them, one man allegedly cannot change the course of history, but hope can cause people to band together and say otherwise. These people have been worn down, led on by empty promises, and corrupt administrations. No matter how much they say they have turned their back on our country, we cannot turn our backs on them. We cannot turn our backs on hope.
Words by Alex Sahagun
Graphics by Pjane Uda
Waking Up from a Kafkaesque Dream of Becoming an Ungeziefer 😟🌙
👉Before we start anything else, just a disclaimer: I do not intend to spoil anyone with the plot, the theme, motifs, and symbolism included in Franz Kafka’s “The Metamorphosis.” I would highly recommend you read the novella first before hopping in. Otherwise, if you think you can handle a bit of a spoiler, I’d be happy to welcome you. Either way, I’m going to try my utmost best to avoid spoiling much of the twists Kafka has in store for this novel. Enjoy!
“One morning, as Gregor Samsa was waking up from anxious dreams, he discovered that in his bed he had been changed into a monstrous bug…”
- Franz Kafka, The Metamorphosis
The short story “The Metamorphosis” is a masterpiece created by one of the greatest authors in the 20th Century, Franz Kafka. Originally written in German, it was published in 1915 by Kurt Wolff Verlag. The short story revolves around its main protagonist, Gregor Samsa, a traveling salesman that was the sole income source of his family. Everything unfolds into full chaos when Gregor Samsa wakes up from a dream only to find out that he was transformed into a vermin (sometimes translators would use “bug” due to the vagueness of the German word “ungeziefer”). The short story plays with the themes of alienation, discord between mind and body, identity, and limits of sympathy with multiple motifs about metamorphosis, sleep and rest, and money. With those themes and motifs intact, Kafka once more never failed to create a story that will devour its readers into what we now call the “kafkaesque” world.
With the cards laid out, we’ll now focus on the theme of discord between mind and body, identity, and the motif of metamorphosis. This is provided by the reason that as members of the adolescent population of the country, nothing is more confusing and baffling than encountering new experiences and opportunities in life as we grow old. In this particular scenario, we can already pinpoint the allusion between the motif metamorphosis and the two themes mentioned a while ago, and the scenario that most of us currently face right now: entering adulthood.
Becoming an adult is something that we all worry about. It’s like leaving our bubble and facing a newer, harsher reality. We become more exposed to things that we aren’t warned about when we were kids. During this period, we face life without any manual or guide to help us out in facing challenges brought to us by time. Adulthood surely does scare us with multiple responsibilities, difficult life challenges, and unsolvable and inescapable problems. These things seemingly form adulthood into a dark cloud that looms over us. That’s why whenever we hear it, our bones shake. We fear it. This is what Gregor Samsa felt when he first realized that he is now a vermin after he woke up from his slumber. However, his first thought is how he could wake up, and go to work without being late. It’s the same thing that one would do whenever faced with such change; how to get back to what used to be. Due to the pressure of being the income source of the family, regardless of what body he is in, all he still thinks about is how to get the work. This then created discord between his mind and his body. It is somehow, to me, an allusion to the tendency of a person to be close-minded to such changes. The whole story is laced with multiple symbols of the reality of adulthood. In its bare form, the story is about a person that is unaware and not open to changes brought to him over the course of his life.
As we grow old, we undergo lots of modifications and revisions in our bodies and identity. But what has “The Metamorphosis” got to do with adolescence and entering adulthood? It’s the lesson or the moral hidden beneath the kafkaesque world created by the author itself. The lesson, if we’re to examine the masterpiece through the lenses of the motif of metamorphosis, is to be open to changes. Samsa, after being confronted by a monumental change in his life (i.e. his metamorphosis) wasn’t able to embrace it fully leading to a clash between his mind and body. His metamorphosis or change into a vermin is an allusion to great changes brought by life. The same thing applies to us and adulthood. Adulthood will undeniably test our worth as a whole; it will bring a myriad of obstacles that will challenge our values, principles, and ideals in life. It will bring changes in the little things and the big things in life as we know it. And to keep up with the demands of life, we have to be flexible with all these things thrown at us.
The novel is there to remind us of how important it is to be a bamboo stalk in life’s greatest typhoons: bendable but unbreakable. Kafka’s work is somehow a reminder to us to be open to changes in life, as we dig deeper into the mysteries of uncovering our identity and fate, we might change along the process. Changing doesn’t mean losing ourselves, it just means that we have to be flexible to the ever-so-swaying circumstances of life. Meaning to say, we are opening ourselves up to new experiences which give us valuable lessons to safeguard in our treasure box; our minds, and heart.
Words by Patrick Ulibas
Graphics by Jezzyrae Maglente
Separating Hobbies from Hustle: How Not to Feel Guilty About Having Fun 😅☀️
I’ve been feeling guilty about doing my hobbies, and it’s social media’s fault. What’s the point in crocheting if I don’t take on big projects and turn them into a small business? Why write poetry if I can’t create regular posts for an organized Instagram account? Even reading for pleasure feels unproductive if I don’t use these for content on BookTok or BookTube. The truth is, I only have the energy to do so much. Shouldn’t my hobbies be activities I can enjoy without the pressure to put everything I have into these? Being exposed to the glamorous endeavors of our peers has us asking ourselves, “Is having fun a waste of time?”
Social media makes us self-conscious—not only about our looks but also about our habits. Hustle culture has everything revolving around the concept of productivity, which is often defined by profit. The saying “time is gold” is being twisted and redefined, making us think that any time not spent working for wealth is time wasted. The pressure to profit off our hobbies, along with the fear of being mediocre in a sea of talent in social media, ends up reducing the enjoyment we get from these. Rather than using these as sources of relaxation, social media frames these as a competition.
The current context of the pandemic has heightened this phenomenon even more. The divide between work and personal life continues to blur, upholding the illusion that staying at home means having more free time. Instead of promoting healthy boundary setting, capitalism feeds off the guilt of stagnancy and pressures people to always be on the move in planning their next source of profit.
💫 Remembering Why You Started
The glorification of leisure on social media makes it easy to forget the importance of having hobbies in the first place. Here are some benefits hobbies can provide:
1. These help us cope with stress and benefit our mental health.
Hobbies serve as an escape from the monotony of our daily schedule, allowing us to choose how to destress. Recreational activities serve as dopamine boosters and have been observed to help relieve symptoms of depression.
2. These allow us to reconnect with different aspects of ourselves.
The hobbies we indulge in can say a lot about our personalities, reminding us that there is more to us than our academics, work, and achievements. These provide avenues for self-exploration in a pressure-free environment. When feelings of self-doubt in our capabilities arise, reconnecting with other aspects of ourselves can be a reliable source of comfort.
3. These boost our self-esteem.
Having hobbies encourages self-improvement on our own terms and at our own pace, especially activities that are more personal than social in nature. These boost our confidence through small accomplishments that generally take less mental energy to achieve.
💫 Separating Hobbies from Hustle
“Do what you love, and you will never work a day in your life” is a lie, and here’s why:
1. You deserve the option of taking a break.
Hobbies aren’t supposed to feel like requirements; an important aspect of enjoyment is having the option to choose what you want to do. You should be able to stop at any point if you’re not enjoying yourself as much as you’d prefer to without worrying about external consequences.
2. There is less creative freedom when you are doing a hobby for work.
Making a business out of your hobby means having to appeal to customers’ demands rather than your own preferences. Your creative freedom is also restricted by deadlines and available time, rather than allowing you the privilege of setting your own pace.
3. You can’t effectively be productive if you’re out of energy.
Hobbies are supposed to alleviate stress, not become a new source of it. Having no activities to re-energize you would make it more challenging to do your best in other tasks.
💫 Forming Healthy Relationships with Hobbies
Here are some reminders to help you deal with the guilt that sometimes comes with having fun:
1. Remember that life isn’t a competition or a race.
Despite the pressure social media places on us, be kind to yourself. Remember that each of us has different priorities, responsibilities, and situations in life. It would be unfair to compare ourselves to others who have lives we can’t see behind the screen.
2. Set personal boundaries.
Choose which hobbies to keep separate from your work life and honor the divide. Preserving the balance between work and recreation involves recognizing personal limits to care for your own health.
3. Treat recreation and rest as essentials, not rewards to be earned.
Much like rest, hobbies are forms of recreation that are essential in achieving a healthy mind and body. Rather than having to “earn” time to do your hobbies, remind yourself that you have a right to have fun.
The nature of social media conditions us to feel as though we need to justify pastimes with greater reasons as if doing these for the sake of enjoyment is not reason enough. Whenever you find yourself questioning the worth of your hobbies, remember how the saying goes, “The time you enjoy wasting is not wasted time.”
Life is more than just a measure of our productivity—it is also about finding joy in the small things, whatever these may be.
Words by Helen Nicola Noche
Graphics by Luis De Mesa
Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Plaridel Magazine posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.
Send a message to Plaridel Magazine:
kaluluwa out now on our issuu! 🧃 🌤 haven’t read our first zine yet? don’t worry, it’s not going anywhere! 60 pages full of content await you in our bio. in this gif: excerpts from “the tagalog patheon,” “pagsibol, a godly parent quiz,” “magnifiying our skeletons,” and “musings on the tarot” 🪐 #youthmagazine #youthinaction #blogph #magph #zine #plaridelmag #siningph #artph #artistsofinstagram #youthph
kinaiya out now on our issuu! 🧃 🌤 haven’t read our second issue yet? don’t worry, it’s not going anywhere! 160 pages full of content await you here: https://issuu.com/plaridelmag/docs/kinaiya_plaridel-final in this gif: excerpts from genpub (PH.Paraluman), stem (Kallisto), humss, and our frankie pangilinan article! 💫 also: keep your eyes peeled for a special announcement soon 🥸
Want your business to be the top-listed Media Company?
