romantic reflections (part one)
In this issue, the romanticist in chief asks their contributors: "What is the most romantic thing that has ever happened to you?"
“I once went overseas for a tryst without anyone knowing — it was all secret and clandestine but because of that it was all so hot and romantic. We spent a week together in a hotel and… didn’t really do much.”
“Being both an artist and lover of art has been the most romantic thing that’s ever happened to me. Its constant presence has shaped the person I am today, and has given me a sense of euphoria incomparable to anything I’ve experienced with another human being.”
“I didn't want to spend my friend's 30th birthday at a sleepover with a bunch of people I'd never met, and neither did he. But we ended up talking about angels, stars, and DnD until the night drained from the sky. We watched the sun paint the clouds from a high-rise roofdeck with the city splayed open around us, my heart giggling polyrhythms in my chest because being awake felt better than dreaming. It was the best thing we never wanted to do, and the first of many shared sunrises.”
“We slow danced to the Cars soundtrack in his room.”
“At the time, we had labeled what we had as "no strings attached," swearing that neither of us would fall for the other. But as insane as I am, I found myself visiting him at his aunt’s house in Cebu, meeting his closest relatives.
I was supposed to leave to meet a friend, but I was having so much fun with his family that I couldn’t bear to go. Tipsy on wine, I threw a little tantrum in the street, grumbling about having to leave. In a moment of unguarded sincerity, he muttered, "I love you," and before I could even react, he pulled me into a kiss while the rain lightly fell around us. That night, we stayed up drunkenly talking about the possibility of being together, playfully debating how we’d make the "best couple,” and how no one could stand a chance (we’re both deeply competitive.)”
“Someone sent my friend a video to show me: it was them serenading me for my birthday.”
“He sang to me while we were on a hotel balcony during the night in his sometimes offkey-voice, saying that it's a private concert for me. The guest in the other room reported us and we were asked to stop.”
“The closest experience I have is when my best friend memorized my café order and got it for me before I arrived to meet them.”
“I was having a really bad day at work and he comforted me by saying he was talking to God and asking him to remove all my burdens. Another time, I laid my head on his chest… and we recited our favorite prayers together. I’m not religious at all, but I think the thought of having someone pray for you is really romantic.”
Contributors (not in order of quotes on this page… to make you guess whose romantic reflection is whose!)
Niqui Belen (@intellectual_itch) is a bookstore lurker and armchair philosopher who spends more time glued to a computer than in the outside her bedroom.
Michiko Nina (@michikonina) is always making things with her hands when she doesn’t have the vocabulary to say what she feels. Her greatest mission in life right now is to go through her list of 'bands to see perform live' before she turn 40. It's a pretty long list, so wish her luck!
Silke (@sourmilk.e) is an artist. Beyond their nostalgic, and unapologetically online visual style, Silke enjoys creating interactive and experimental works that aim to immerse end users to a multitude of experiences that explore eccentric and introspective themes. Their works mainly manifest in print material, integrating various amalgamations of graphic design, illustration, and photography.
Danielle Olavario (@danielleolavario) is a writer and content creator born in the Philippines and currently based in Ireland. A Tell Tale Heart is one of her most re-read stories. She’s been known to spend hours in front of Eugene Delacroix’s Liberty Leading the People. Her favorite composer is Chopin. All this to say: Danielle Olavario is a true romantic at heart.
Victoria Tanquerido (@vctanquerido) is an Ilongga artist. She is in her final year of the Bachelor of Fine Arts Studio Arts program at the University of the Philippines Cebu. She has joined several exhibitions and contests since coming to Cebu to study. She participated in the 45th Jose Joya Awards and 54th Shell Art Competition (NSAC). Victoria is currently the Head Gallerist of the Joya Curatorial Team. She is also a contributing writer and Feature Editor for LANOG, the official student publication of the College of Communication, Art and Design in UP Cebu.
Celina Quintos (@celvasana) is a hobbyist poet, artist, singer, and photographer. She started drawing the moment she could pick up a pencil, writing when Tumblr was invented, and taking photos when the first Samsung FE came out. Professionally and creatively, she considers herself a jack of all trades, master of none, but better than a master of one.
Julia Paredes (@juliatrishia) is literally just a girl in her 20s passionate about writing and learning. She embraces her childlike wonder as she tries to navigate this messy yet beautiful world!
Cholo Salonga (@itscholowhat) is a recruiter of experiences. He usually writes to tell silly and funny stories.
Celine German Lagundi (@celinelagundi) is a writer and artist with a chronic tendency to romanticize everything. With ‘The Unrevised Romanticist,’ she aims to spread this agenda to everyone who needs a little romance in their lives.
oh love ! so beautiful
this is so beautiful and heart clenching 🥹