Is it just us or is summer getting hotter?

MANILA, Philippines - From ‘Hunger Games’ to Jessica Sanchez, the 37 degrees of cultural heat keeping our summer hot and bothered.

Nothing stirs the summer spirit like the sweltering heat of the unforgiving sun. That, and the ever-so-hostile metropolitan weather. So when the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAG-ASA) recorded a 36.6-degree Celsius temperature on April 30—the hottest day of the year so far—we weren’t really surprised when everyone yearned for a sweet escape from the searing Manila weather.

This season’s feverish temperatures waxed nostalgic on Young Star’s Hotlist last year—37 reasons why that summer had burned us all in a good way. Now we’re making a tradition out of it. Our radar caught a lot of cultural buzz before it started to rain—from the latest Fort Bonifacio hunt to blockbusters to gay marriage getting a presidential nod. Summer might have thrown us a curveball that reached a fever pitch, but hey, here are 37 reasons to forgive the heat.

#1-10:The Fort becomes cool again

You can stop referring to this area as that place where Jamba Juice is. High Street Central’s operations are now in full swing, serving up gastronomic choices beyond oatmeal and a complimentary immunity boost. With establishments like pizza pit stop Nolita, Spanish resto Beso, grill station Cue and dessert places Slice and The Cake Club, High Street Central’s starting to sound more like Food Central. Warm up your palates, folks. It’s about to get good.

#11: Draw Something art-attacks us

Whether it’s the enjoyment of watching your friends screw their heads over trying to guess your drawing or simply the challenge of attempting a Munch-incarnate artwork of Lady Gaga with your index finger, Draw Something for iOS is the perfect time- killer, especially on those blistering summer days. But we know the truth – you don’t play it to pass the time. You pass on other things to find time to play. Don’t worry. We understand your need to accommodate your artistic pangs when they call on you.

#12: Online shopping gets easy

It’s about time. The online shopping experience here gets a facelift (and an efficiency boost) in Zalora, with its free nationwide shopping and cash on delivery options. From swimsuits to home interiors, to large-scale retail brands like Folded and Hung to niche favorites like Proudrace, Zalora is inching its way to being the go-to online gateway for the Internet and fashion savvy.

#13: Obama backs gay marriage

“I’ve always been adamant that gay and lesbian Americans should be treated fairly and equally… At a certain point, I just concluded that for me, personally, it is important for me to go ahead and affirm that I think that same-sex couples should be able to get married.” —US President Barack Obama

#14: Magnum keeps us cool

This summer saw the release of the much-licked and much-liked Magnum ice cream bar. Celebrities like Raymond Gutierrez and Liz Uy backed the brand, with Solenn Heussaff even holding one for Rogue’s April cover. Now, almost all convenience stores seem to keep it in stock. Despite the hype, though, Magnum was popular for what it is: an ice cream bar made from premium ingredients, like the classic creamy vanilla covered in rich Belgian chocolate. It comes in almond, chocolate truffle, and soon, the double caramel flavor.

#15: The Rugby boys make us proud

Graphics by KIT SINGSON

Just in time for the summer sports season, the Philippine Rugby Football Union, more popularly known as the Philippine Volcanoes, has given us inspiring reasons to get more physical and active. After emerging as number one in the Asian 5 Nations Division 1 Championship, they come closer to every Filipino rugby fan’s dream— to qualify for the 2015 Rugby World Cup in England.

#16: Miriam opens her mouth, and Manny Pacquiao gets his Bible-quoting on. Sigh.

When Miriam Quiambao made her comments about homosexuality, perhaps she was just being honest with her own notions of religion, sexuality, and morality. The problem is that her own moralizing backfired on her when she elicited a plethora of enraged tweets, criticisms and condemnation about her remarks. Eventually, she released an apology saying that she’ll do her best to be more sensitive. What’s the lesson of the story? Respect. And also, hell hath no fury like the LGBT scorned.

This was proven again when boxing champ Manny Pacquiao took a one-two punch against Obama’s stand on gay marriage. Let’s hope he can dish it out as well as he can take it.

#17: Hip-hop godfather Jay-Z still has 99 problems, the gay marriage ban being one of them

“It’s no different than discriminating against blacks. It’s discrimination plain and simple. I think it’s the right thing to do, so whether it costs him votes or not — again, it’s not about votes. It’s about people. It’s the right thing to do as a human being.” —Jay-Z on gay marriage

#18: The day the sky turned Instagram

Instagram was trending #nofilter in Manila on the afternoon of May 2, 2012. The Sky was literally burning hot as the Reyleigh phenomenon painted the town a little too orange.