MINISO is the store that makes you realize there are cutesy things that you do need.

Not want. Need. There’s a huge difference between the two. Want is for non-essential items. Need is for the basics, like food, clothing, and shelter.

Even clothing has to be further divided into want and need — you want a long formal gown for ninang duties at a wedding; you need comfortable clothes to protect you from the elements.

But once you enter Miniso, forget about the difference between wants and needs. Everything there instantly becomes a need. You need the Bubbles notebook and hand towel. You need the Stitch hand towel. You need the Minion piggy keychain. You need the Harry Potter floor mat. You need the piggy stuffed toy.

Flying Tiger Copenhagen is another store where wants and needs can be confusing. You suddenly need the sign that says “#!*@%#!” And you need one more piggy stuffed toy — so cute and pink and it’s wearing a tutu!

Once upon a time, the younger me went to Gift Gate each time I was in Manila for Sanrio items. My sis Joan’s favorite was Little Twin Stars, so that’s where I bought pasalubong for her.

These are the stores that you should visit if you’re feeling down, having the blues, tired of the 2025 political campaign season, weary of the political candidates’ campaign promises, having enough of the fake news aimed at these candidates.

And all these are happening while you’re paying the withholding tax on April 10, the annual income tax on April 15, the 2025 second-quarter business permit on April 20, and the value-added tax on April 25.

There’s this viral video where Niña says, “Parang nag-imagine ka, nakikita mo sa imagine mo, Wow ang taas ko na. Gano’n. Makikita mo sa imagine mo, Sakses ka eh. Bigla kang sumakses eh. Pero step by the step pala bago ka sumakses. Pero yong na-imagine mo, bigla kang sumakses.”

Nowadays, whenever I see that video, I imagine the word “taxes:” “Taxes ka eh. Bigla kang tumaxes eh. Pero step by the step pala bago ka tumaxes. Pero yong na-imagine mo, Bigla kang tumaxes.”

Xavier-Ateneo Central Student Government’s Pag-ila for Cagayan de Oro’s 2025 political candidates is part of the university’s voters’ education program not only for its students but also for CDO’s voters. The forum for the city council candidates was held on March 29, and that for the congressional candidates was on April 12. The candidates for mayor and city mayor will have their turn to shine on April 26.

While listening to the candidates’ answers in the Q&A, I couldn’t help but imagine that video, with the word “sumakses” replaced by “tumaxes.”

Still, as one of Namfrel-CDO Mis Or’s core team members, I remain hopeful that CDO’s candidates are indeed running for genuine public service in their hearts, and not for private interest in their pockets.

It’s the Commission on Elections inviting candidates to Pag-ila 2025. It’s supposed to hold fora and debates for the candidates but due to its limited number of personnel who are now busy preparing for Election 2025, it’s grateful for other groups who are willing to organize such events.

I’ve been voting for so long now, I can only wish that the candidates I’m voting for will be as cute as the fictional characters whose merch I love to collect.