In this world full of never-ending problems, pop culture has become our way to cope with it all. Trends, memes, films, and music can easily cheer us up during our darkest days.

October 2022 is no exception. With typhoons, political failures, and rising inflation rates, it's hard to call this month a good one. But thanks to pop culture, we were able to smile, laugh, and triumph a lot. Hence, this month has become iconic despite all the bad news surrounding it.

From chicken nugget memes to Taylor Swift's Midnights, here's a recap of the biggest pop culture moments that helped us get through the difficult days of October 2022.

1. The infamous 'Caloocan Boy'

(Photo from Caloocan Famous Spotted/Facebook)

Kicking off this month's pop culture season is the "Caloocan Boy" meme, which, oddly enough, is just a picture of a guy wearing a cap backwards.

Yes, you read that right. The infamous Caloocan Boy is just an ordinary guy --- not a celebrity or anyone known. But because of the power of meme culture, this ordinary guy became an online sensation that netizens got extremely amused with.

For context, this viral picture originated from a post on a Facebook account named "Caloocan Famouß Spotted," which features pictures of boys from Caloocan. Caloocan Boy's selfie happened to be among those pictures. His photo was posted way back in April 2021, but for some reason, it suddenly went viral a year and a half later and got turned into a meme.

As the meme got more and more popular, netizens got more creative. Caloocan Boy's selfie has been edited in various ways, which included him having the hair of anime characters, having cartoonish clothes, and his face being turned into the faces of popular K-pop idols. And to make things even sillier, the song 'Kagome' by Lo Ki was turned into his very own theme song. Hence, every time netizens see his face on their news feeds, they can't help but sing the lyrics "Eh paano kung?" jokingly.

2. The brilliance of Maria Clara at Ibarra

(Photo from GMA Network)

GMA Network may have just found its best teleserye yet.

Last Oct. 3, the broadcasting network premiered its newest historical fantasy series, *Maria Clara at Ibarra, *which, since its release, has been making headlines and taking over Twitter trends. The fantasy series is a modern retelling of national hero Jose Rizal's well-loved novel, Noli Me Tangere. It follows the adventure of Maria Clara "Klay" Infantes (Barbie Forteza), a modern-day nursing student who suddenly gets transported into the setting of Noli Me Tangere. There, she witnesses the novel's events and meets its characters, including Crisostomo Ibarra (Dennis Trillo) and Maria Clara (Julie Ann San Jose).

Maria Clara at Ibarra reimagines the events from Rizal's novel creatively while remaining faithful to the novel. The portrayals of the characters, particularly Crisostomo Ibarra, Maria Clara, Padre Damaso, and Padre Salvi, are spot-on. Their personalities, facial expressions, and dialogues are accurate to how Rizal wrote them. Moreover, Klay, who was not an original character from the novel, brings the much-needed humor and modern feels to the show, making the episodes even more interesting to watch. With her Gen Z-esque personality and comedic dialogues, she makes the reimagined Noli Me Tangere relatable and extremely entertaining to young viewers, who seem to be the show's target audience.

Maria Clara at Ibarra is truly a triumph for the Philippine television industry. Apart from boasting good quality, it succeeds in providing an opportunity for Filipinos to learn more about their own country's history. After all, the show does not only adapt Noli Me Tangere's characters — it also adapts the social realities and issues during the Spanish colonial period that Rizal presented in the novel. The show's cast and crew, who made this greatness possible, rightfully deserve all the praise they're currently getting.

3. Stray Kids brings their A-game in ‘MAXIDENT’

(Photo from JYP Entertainment)

Following the success of their sixth mini-album Oddinary, which topped the Billboard 200 chart, bop-makers Stray Kids are back with MAXIDENT, another record-breaking mini-album. With 117,000 equivalent album units, MAXIDENT debuted at №1 on Billboard 200, becoming the group's second album after Oddinary to reach such a milestone.

In their newest title track CASE 143, Stray Kids delves deep into a concept they've rarely explored in their title tracks: love. Through clever lyrics, energetic instrumentals, and constant shifts in rhythm, the boys depict the feeling of getting attracted to someone but being unable to express that emotion directly due to confusion and hesitation. Certainly, CASE 143 is another iconic Stray Kids bop that will get stuck in listeners' ears for the next months.

But the title track isn't the only gem that MAXIDENT offers. Most of the b-sides, if not all, are just as good as the title track. And to top that off, every member has participated in the songwriting process, each one experimenting with soundscapes they haven't tried out before. This experimental catalogue includes glitch-hop banger Give Me Your TMI, sensual R&B track Taste, bubbly pop-rock anthem Can't Stop, and the diss track 3RACHA, which bravely dips into the drill genre.

With a varied palette of sounds, Stray Kids prove yet again their remarkable creativity and versatility. As one of K-pop's most experimental groups, they are clearly not afraid to challenge themselves and consistently break the mold. Indeed, Stray Kids' genre is Stray Kids.

4. “The peso is weak because the dollar is strong”

(Photo from Yahoo Philippines)

"The peso is not weak because the peso is weak. The peso is weak because the dollar is strong." That was Ilocos Norte 1st District Representative and presidential son Sandro Marcos' answer when asked about the peso's weakening performance. Upon giving that answer, the presidential son immediately became the butt of jokes and memes, as netizens found his logic questionable and laughable.

"Totoo naman," one netizen said sarcastically. "Kaya nga ang gutom ay hindi talaga gutom. Ang gutom ay gutom dahil hindi sila busog." Another netizen joked that Marcos' logic can be used as an excuse in work, saying: "My work is not late because my work is late. My work is late because the deadline you gave is early." Singer Elha Nympha also joined the conversation. She tweeted: "It's giving hindi ako panget, panget ako kasi tumabi ako kay Pia Wurtzbach. Ganoin!"

Although some economists have remarked that Marcos' statement is technically correct, albeit oversimplified, netizens' reactions remain priceless. The multitude of satirical jokes and memes that have spawned from this incident is absolutely hilarious and gave us a lot of good laughs this month.

5. First season of Drag Race PH comes to an end

(Photo from Rosette Adel/Interaksyon)

Last Oct. 12, the first season of Drag Race Philippines finally reached a spectacular conclusion. The winner was decided through the finale's main event, an intense and emotional lip-sync battle between the top four contestants.

After delivering a flawless performance of Gloc-9 and Ebe Dancel's Sirena, a song that tackles the struggles that LGBTQ+ Filipinos experience, Precious Paula Nicole gets crowned as the first-ever Filipino Drag Race Philippines superstar. She receives a crown, a cash prize of one million, and a one-year supply of Patrick Starr's ONE/SIZE Beauty Cosmetics.

Although the finale was satisfying and truly one for the books, viewers are saddened that the show that entertained and empowered them for the past weeks is over. Within ten episodes of stunning performances, meme-worthy speeches, and tear-jerking moments, they've been propelled into a wild rollercoaster of emotions. More importantly, the show highlighted the brilliance of the LGBTQ+ community. It served as a platform for Filipino drag artists to flaunt their artistic talents, freely express themselves, and inspire others to follow their brave steps.

Check out TomasinoWeb's compilation of the series' most memorable moments here.

6. We love chicken nuggets!

(Screengrab from Melason Family/Youtube)

We all love chicken nuggets. But who would've thought that one of the most viral memes of the month would be about --- chicken nuggets?

This meme originated from a now-viral Youtube vlog posted by actress and comedian Melai Cantiveros, wherein she featured her two children Mela and Stela, who have just returned to face-to-face classes. At some point in the video, Melai tells her kids that she cooked them their favorite dish, chicken nuggets. In response, Mela ecstatically declares her love for chicken nuggets, saying: "You know that I love chicken nuggets!" Stela joins her and says, "Me too, mama!"

And it looks like it wasn't only Melai's kids who love chicken nuggets. The clip of Mela saying she loves chicken nuggets went viral and birthed countless memes. Everywhere on Facebook and Twitter, netizens expressed their reactions about the clip, finding the conversation between Melai and her kids hilarious and adorable. And according to some, it felt like Melai was talking to mini-versions of herself.

Eventually, the meme turned into a viral TikTok challenge, where TikTok users have to reenact the video clip and mimic Melai and her kids' hilarious conversation. As expected, many netizens joined the challenge and declared their love for chicken nuggets, including famous celebrities. Some of the famous celebrities who rode the trend are Ivana Alawi, Andrea Brilliantes, Ricci Rivero, Cong TV, Viy Cortez, Niana Guerrero, KZ Tandigan, and TJ Monterde.

For sure, Melai and her girls did not expect to go viral just because of chicken nuggets. But people really loved Mela's line. There's just something about the way she said "You know that I love chicken nuggets" that makes it too unforgettable.

7. LE SSERAFIM is more ‘fearless’ than ever in ‘ANTIFRAGILE’

Among girl groups who made comebacks this month, the biggest standout is arguably LE SSERAFIM, who have been making waves since their successful debut with FEARLESS in May 2022. Six months later, they returned with their first comeback, ANTIFRAGILE. And they did not disappoint at all.

In the empowering title track ANTIFRAGILE, the quintet continues to declare their unflinching confidence and fearlessness, which they have strongly expressed in FEARLESS. With reggae beats and brisk percussion, the girls sing about the power of resilience, inspiring listeners to remain persistent and unfazed against adversities. The catchy "anti-ti-ti-ti-fragile" hooks, addicting whistle synths, and the girls' bright vocal tones exude an atmosphere of unrelenting positivity that will have listeners constantly bopping their heads and smiling confidently.

Furthermore, the album's b-sides maintain the impactful message of ANTIFRAGILE. In The Hydra, Impurities, and No Celestial, the girls boldly proclaim their determination to conquer future challenges and ignore the public's unrealistic expectations of them. And in the mellow closing track, Good Parts (when the quality is bad but i am), co-written by members Sakura and Yunjin, they remind listeners of the beauty of loving and accepting one's own flaws.

Overall, ANTIFRAGILE is a strong showcase of LE SSERAFIM's potential. It's a lyrically and sonically cohesive album with a clear message of resilience, which the girls' talents and natural charisma have further elevated. With their fearless personalities and impressive abilities, they are slowly cementing themselves as a major force in the K-pop scene.

8. Album of the Year: Taylor Swift’s ‘Midnights’

(Photo from Republic Records)

At exactly midnight ET of Oct. 21, Taylor Swift released her 10th studio album, Midnights. And it might just be one of the best albums of 2022.

In this thirteen-track album, the singer-songwriter reverts back to her synth-pop sound, which she left in her 1989 and *Reputation *eras. With moody synths, synthetic drums, and ethereal vocals, Swift masterfully chronicles a compelling story of "13 sleepless nights" throughout her life, which include the struggles, insecurities, and heartbreaks that she experienced as a pop star. As expected from one of the best lyricists of this generation, she expresses her vulnerability with relatable lyrics and intricate storytelling. Lyrics like "it's me, I'm the problem" from Anti-Hero and "'cause karma is my boyfriend, karma is a god" from *Karma, *have been living rent-free in listeners' heads and will soon become famous Instagram captions.

Three hours right after the album's release, Swift surprised fans by dropping a deluxe version, which features a trove of seven bonus tracks. All seven bonus tracks are unsurprisingly masterpieces, and some of them have also become fan-favorites, including Bigger Than The Whole Sky and Would've, Could've, Should've.

Within its first week of release, 'Midnights' has already broken records left and right, including being the most streamed album in 24 hours (184.6 million streams) on Spotify and debuting at №1 on the Billboard 200 with 1.578 million equivalent album units. This is Swift's eleventh album to notch the №1 spot on the Billboard chart.

Check out TomasinoWeb's in-depth review of Midnights here.

9. BTS’ Jin pays emotional tribute to ARMY in ‘The Astronaut’

(Photo from Big Hit Music)

Following the official announcement that K-pop juggernauts BTS will enlist in South Korea's military, all eyes have been on the oldest member Jin, who was confirmed to be the first member to enlist. According to Big Hit Music, the group's label, the BTS singer is scheduled to enlist right after completing his solo activities.

On Friday, Oct. 28, Jin finally released his debut solo single, The Astronaut, a sentimental pop-rock track that he co-wrote with British rock band Coldplay. This marks the second collaboration between BTS and Coldplay, following the 2021 platinum hit, My Universe.

The Astronaut is Jin's heartfelt tribute for ARMY; his parting gift to them before he enlists in the military. The lyrics express his genuine love and gratitude for the fandom, who have supported him in every step of his career and helped him achieve his dreams. "Just as the Milky Way shines upon the darkest roads / You were shining towards me," Jin sings endearingly. "The only light found in the darkness / On my path to you."

Moreover, the track is also accompanied by a cinematic music video. The video stars Jin as an alien astronaut who crash-lands on Earth after a journey around the galaxy. During his stay on Earth, he forms a friendship with a little girl, and they spend a lot of time together. Later on, when he was about to return to his home planet, he suddenly thought of the little girl, who has become his new-found family. Not wanting to leave her, he decided to stay on Earth.

Through this meaningful music video, Jin wishes to tell his fans that he will stay with them forever. He may be enlisting in the military, but that doesn't mean he's leaving them. Just like the little girl in the music video, ARMYs have become his found family --- no matter what happens, he will always come back to them.

10. Celebs turn the spook on with iconic Halloween costumes

(Photo from Yahoo News)

And finally, capping off this month's pop culture season in true October fashion is none other than Halloween itself.

One of the highlights of this year's Halloween celebration is the showcase of Halloween costumes. As expected, celebrities stood out with their eye-catching costumes. From homages to superheroes to just plain spookiness, these celebs churned up their creativity and turned this year's Halloween into one of the most memorable yet.

Some celebs went all out with extravagant outfits to embody famous movie characters. Among these are Kim Kardashian, who donned a grandiose blue suit to transform into Mystique, Chlöe Bailey, who unleashed her superhero side to become Storm, and Latto, who completely nailed her Corpse Bride look. Others paid homage to beloved pop stars, such as Lori Harvey, who recreated Beyoncé's look in her Me, Myself and I music video, and Addison Rae, who emulated Lady Gaga's iconic meat dress look during the 2009 VMAs.

Meanwhile, there were also some who donned only simple costumes but still rocked. These include Jennifer Garner as a spooky ghost, Sarah Michelle Gellar as a Do Revenge student, and Doja Cat in a creepy bat costume. Indeed, these celebs understood the assignment. They truly slayed, and we can't get enough of their iconic looks. With their stunning looks and absolute elegance, they kept the spirit of Halloween alive.