Entertainment

Arcane Act II: Whirlwind of emotions, understanding

It’s like an emotional check-up!

Published

November 15, 2021

MJ Jucutan

Arcane

Act I: A treat for every League of Legends player

Act II: Whirlwind of emotions, understanding

Act III: Gobsmacking finale

This article contains spoilers. Read at your own risk.

URGH. That’s the last screech I let out in front of my Samsung The Serif TV when I was hooked watching Arcane’s Act II. It was the sound of frustration from someone who wanted more.

The second act progresses the series with world-building scenes, side stories, and the foundation for that one big finale. Instead of scattered introduction from the first act, Arcane gets to expand the lore for every champion and significant character in the story.

We got glimpses of the characters’ lives and what they’ve become after the time jump. But I’m not going to spoil you with the fun that you can discover while watching Arcane. Instead, let me share with you all the emotions felt.

Processing deaths and loss

The element of grief is prevalent in the story’s major characters. They say time heals everything, but not with grief — or at least for those who didn’t process them well.

For Powder, Marcus, Vi, and even Caitlyn — losing people can take a toll on your mental health. Similar to our waking reality.

The pandemic has taken the lives of some of my friends. Even parents and families of colleagues and loved ones. And I would admit: I haven’t even processed my emotions fully. I barely gave myself time to cry and surrender to the void I’ve felt.

Arcane presented the reality of grief and mourning. Even though you seem fine on the outside, and even if you look like you’ve already moved forward, the void is still there until you ought to address it properly.

Marcus and Caitlyn remembered Grayson, the enforcer killed in Act I. While Marcus sees Grayson as a good woman, he continued her path but became severely corrupted in the process.

Caitlyn, on the other hand, remembers fond memories with Grayson and how the enforcer helped her believe in herself and her skills as an excellent marksman even at a young age.

For Powder and Violet, the circumstances are different. Powder became a madwoman in the streets of Zaun, working for Silco as Jinx. But she’s a harrowing account of trauma and broken inner child.

Everywhere she looks, she gets haunted by her memories: Accidentally killing her friends, hurting her family, blaming herself for being abandoned.

She became unstable caused by her guilt. And she badly needs a therapist. But I’m sure she’s going to shoot and bomb anyone who’ll try to get her treated.

Vi spent years in a locked cell, treated like a dangerous criminal that needs to be isolated. After being released and traveling back to Zaun, her memories started haunting her. However, Vi is embattled with repressed emotions, and sometimes, it gets the best of her.

Arcane presented how loss and grief manifest differently in those who were left in the living.

Relationships are tricky

Arcane magnified relationships — business, platonic, romantic, and sexual connections — throughout the second act. Jayce, who’s stepping up to be the next shiny thing in Piltover due to the progress he’s making in the city, realizes he has to be careful.

Being in the public eye and the brain behind the innovation, everyone can be his enemy or an ally.

This is true even in waking life, where we need to play our cards right. When gaining status and power, depending on how you deliver and present yourself, you can choose your friends and foes.

With the help of Councilor Mel Medarda, Jayce got investors to back his Hextech research and even gain the favor of other Councilors. This helped him establish dominance in the Council and got support when he pushed for Heimerdinger’s retirement.

Concurrently, Jayce and Mel Medarda are knocking boots. After a vulnerable moment was shared, the two ended up kissing and having sex — sharing a passionate night while Viktor collapsed due to his illness while working on the Hextech.

Though Jayce slightly felt torn between his friend and his girl, Mel Medarda asked Jayce to spend time with Viktor and to put him first. The lady knows the code: bros before hoes.

Not all reunions are worth celebrating

Vi and Powder got a tearjerker reunion. Though I got real emotional, the reunion was cut short when they were attacked by the Firelighters — a gang that Jinx ambushed earlier in the second act.

If Taylor Swift could sing in Arcane right now, it would’ve been “All Too Well”. Especially that line “you called me up again just to break me like a promise” because that’s how Powder probably felt. Once more, Vi is leaving her again.

On another note, Vi saw how much Powder has changed. Years of being in survival mode had turned Powder into Jinx the madwoman. Or in the game’s data, “The Loose Cannon.”

There were no exchanges shared regarding how much they’ve changed, but their eyes and facial expression have shown the disconnect between the two sisters. Separated by fate, ripped by strife, torn by the events that changed their life.

Arcane Act III will premiere on November 20, 2021.

Entertainment

Netflix does the unthinkable: Mayweather-Pacquiao II set for September

Streaming globally on the app

Published

February 25, 2026

Manila Connoisseur

Netflix has done the seemingly impossible: a Floyd Mayweather-Manny Pacquiao mega fight rematch is set for September 19. It will stream globally on Netflix with no additional cost for standard subscribers.

The historic bout will be the first-ever boxing match to be held at The Sphere, the 20,000-seater modern indoor venue in Las Vegas known for its immersive, 16K wraparound LED display.

Arguably two of the greatest icons in boxing history, Floyd “Money” Mayweather (50-0, 27 KOs) and Manny “Pac-Man” Pacquiao (62-8-3, 39 KOs), will square off in an official, professional rematch.

The development comes on the heels of Mayweather announcing coming out of retirement an almost decade-long hiatus.

Meanwhile, it will be Pacquiao’s first professional fight since July 2025 when he and Mario Barrios fought to a majority draw. At the time, he also came out of a four-year retirement.

During the span, both fighters have been active in exhibition boxing matches. Notably, Mayweather fought against Tenshin Nasukawa and Logan Paul, whose brother Jake popularized novelty exhibition boxing matches. Pacquiao, for his part, fought against DK Yoo and Rukiya Anpo.

Interestingly, both Mayweather and Pacquiao

The upcoming rematch follows the two protagonists’ 2015 “Fight of the Century” wherein Mayweather outpointed Pacquiao via a unanimous decision.

A rematch had been sought for so long, especially with both fighters having encounters with each other numerous times.

Full details regarding undercard and ticket availability will be announced in the coming weeks.

Netflix taking over sports broadcasts

The Mayweather-Pacquiao rematch comes just a few days after Netflix announced a Ronda Rousey-Gina Carano MMA super fight.

This match is a collaboration between the streaming giant and MVP promotions, which is co-founded by Jake Paul and Nakisa Bidarian.

On the other hand, the upcoming boxing slate in September is primarily more of a broadcast for Netflix.

The platform has actively been getting into broadcasting premier sporting events, including the Canelo Alvarez-Terence Crawford fight last year.

Unlike pay-per-views (PPV), Netflix does not require extra payment for viewers to be able to watch such sporting events. A standard subscription to their platform is already enough.

Entertainment

Neon Genesis Evangelion is getting another anime series

Nier’s Yoko Taro is helming the project.

Published

February 24, 2026

Luigi Leonardo

For an anime franchise that surely belongs in greatest-of-all-time lists, Neon Genesis Evangelion seems to thrive on controversy. From the polarizing ending of the original series to the controversial introduction of Mari Makinami in the Rebuild trilogy, there’s a lot to talk about between Evangelion fans. Now, the series has something new coming. Neon Genesis Evangelion is getting yet another series.

Most recently, the Rebuild of Evangelion completed its arc of rebooting the entire franchise with a more conclusive ending. It was a near conclusion, especially for those who grew dissatisfied with the previous attempts’ endings. Now, an upcoming series might take the franchise to new grounds.

To celebrate the franchise’s 30^th anniversary, Neon Genesis Evangelion is getting a new series helmed by Nier’s Yoko Taro, which you might also know as the guy who wears a creepy moon on his head. Kazuya Tsurumaki, who directed the Rebuild films, will return to direct some episodes. Series creator Hideaki Anno is, unfortunately, not writing this story.

Right now, no one knows what story the series will tell. The franchise is notorious for retelling the same story over and over but with different endings. It’s unclear whether the upcoming series will do the same, tell an entirely new story, or pick up where the series left off.

Entertainment

Apple brings HLS video podcasts to Apple Podcasts

Video podcasts arrive

Published

February 17, 2026

GadgetMatch

Apple is adding a new video podcast experience to Apple Podcasts this spring, powered by HTTP Live Streaming (HLS).

The update lets users switch seamlessly between watching and listening inside the app. They can watch in full screen, rotate to horizontal view, and download episodes for offline viewing. HLS automatically adjusts video quality based on network conditions, whether on Wi-Fi or cellular.

Video episodes will also integrate with existing features. That includes personalized recommendations and editorial curation in the New tab and Category pages.

Apple says the move gives creators more control over distribution and monetization. Participating hosting providers and ad networks will support HLS video at launch, including Acast, ART19, Triton Digital, and SiriusXM.

For the first time on Apple Podcasts, creators can dynamically insert video ads, including host-read spots. This opens access to the broader video advertising market while keeping creative control in the hands of publishers. Video integrates into existing shows without affecting followers or downloads.

Apple does not charge hosting providers or creators to distribute podcasts on Apple Podcasts, whether via traditional RSS/MP3 or HLS video. However, the company will introduce an impression-based fee for participating ad networks that deliver dynamic ads in HLS video later this year.

The feature builds on Apple Podcasts’ existing reach across more than 170 countries and regions. The app supports features such as Enhance Dialogue, adjustable playback speeds from 0.5x to 3x, auto-generated chapters, timed links, and transcripts across more than 125 million episodes in 13 languages. Users can also subscribe to premium channels for exclusive content and ad-free listening.

HLS video podcast support is available starting today in beta versions of iOS 26.4, iPadOS 26.4, and visionOS 26.4. The feature will roll out to iPhone, iPad, and Apple Vision Pro users, as well as on the web, later this spring.