Magic Bubble? Love Wall? Gargle the Messenger? F.L.A.M.E.S.? Nope, these aren’t titles of upcoming youthful flicks, but rather just some of the giggle-inducing, interactive, online applications, a typical young lass like Miki, 17, would play with in a website that serves as a hip shrine to youthful romance -- www.kiligfactory.com.
“It’s what I and my closest of girlfriends call the “kilig-friendly” website. Everything you find there allows us to indulge on our need to be “kilig” in a fun, yet private way and at the same time spares us from the embarrassment of being found out by other people, especially our crushes,” Miki explains. Whether sweet and shy or confident and outgoing, every girl can relate to what the feeling is all about – the need to relish and recreate it and to abide by the unwritten cardinal rule of not making it obvious to others. “I wouldn’t be caught dead giggling and quivering when the apple-of-my-eye passes a note to me that says I have a beautiful smile. But at the kiligfactory.com, whenever I see the favorable results of love application I used, I can express without the guilt on how kilig I am in 1001 ways, alone or in the company of my girlfriends.”
An example of what Miki refers to is the Magic Bubble application. One types a question—one you wouldn’t in a thousand years ask your object of affection to his face -- on the bubble like: “Does he fancy me?” Click on the prompt, bubble shakes to reveal answers like: “Signs point to yes” or “You can bet on it”. “It’s fun and really kilig because I get an answer I could swoon over without inhibitions!” says Miki. “Right now, I am hooked to F.L.A.M.E.S. It’s this cute random matchmaker where I type both my name and my crush.” Based on the combination of both names, the application will reveal what kind of pair you might eventually become. You could become “Lovers” or perhaps end up as good “Friends.” “Whatever the results are, it brings out that certain excitement because it triggers that warm, romantic thoughts between him and you,” Miki explains with glee.
More than a place to create youthful, romantic reveries, the kiligfactory.com also offers what most young people seek in social situations —a venue to express to others their amorous feelings with confidence. Both the Love Wall and Gargle the Messenger allows one to write what’s fluttering from their heart of hearts. The Love Wall is a cool board where one can post shoutouts. “What’s nice about it is that it doesn’t matter if what you write is sappy or trite. Other users who see it don’t judge you because they after all, understand how it is to be kilig,” says Miki. The Gargle the Messenger on the other hand serves as your “personal messenger” should you decide to send sweet messages to your admired one. Miki describes, “Usually, it’s your friends who act as your “bridge” to you and your crush. This is the “virtual” version. You can be sure the message gets through fast and if you prefer, anonymously.” The more daring ones can also check out the Bubble Talk where you can send either your own version of a love tune or sweet nothings via a recorded message.
Miki is just one of the thousands of other young, sociable and romantic who revel at how kiligfactory.com was able to provide them with a virtual venue to express their need to pour out their inner kilig. “While there’s no substitute to the kind of kilig an actual encounter with your special someone creates, kiligfactory.com is the next best thing. Let’s just say that it’s a site that prepares you to be confident when you finally get up close to that cute guy whose been getting your sweet notes sent through Gargle the Messenger,” she enthused.
