Last February, OPPO released the R15 Pro and I flew to China for some hands-on time with the Chinese version of the device. Finally, the international version has rolled out and I finally got to take this baby out for a full ride.
Notch exactly looking new
The latest R-series device from OPPO jumps on the 2018 bandwagon with a gradient back and a notch — things we’ve seen on at least two other smartphone releases this year.
Of course, this doesn’t take away from the fact that the gradient on this thing looks good. Admittedly, it’s a pretty phone. It feels solid, and the glass back is definitely more premium compared to its predecessors that sport aluminum backs.
The phone has a tiny chin, and of course, a notch. Unfortunately, there’s no option to hide the notch. Fortunately, so many phones have come out with notches that I’ve gotten used to them and it doesn’t even bother me that much anymore.
A fingerprint scanner is still found on the back of the device, and the phone’s facial unlock is pretty precise.
Performance
Heavy social media use and my daily dose of playing Pocket Morty was no problem for this phone. I cruised through my day with this in hand and had no problems whatsoever. It does have the same processor as the OPPO R11s’ so anything that it can do, this device can most probably do, too.
Though this phone takes the top 2018 trends in terms of looks, in some ways, it’s still stuck in the past: It sports a micro-USB port and there’s no wireless charging. It’s equipped with OPPO’s VOOC charging, which gives you zero to 91 percent in an hour. This isn’t bad as the phone’s 3400mAh battery lasts me a whole day of use.
This year, Google decided to let phones other than the Pixel get in on the Android fun by allowing certain devices to take part in the Android P Beta program. The OPPO R15 Pro is one of those phones so if this is any indication, Android P will probably be available on this device soon, too.
Instagram Challenge
Another 2018 tech obsession is AI which promises to make your smartphones even smarter. Of course, the OPPO R15 Pro wanted in on that, too. The phone’s rear cameras are equipped with tech that can recognize different scenes, though it’s not the quickest to do so. In my experience, AI scene detection usually takes a little bit of time and while I do see a little automatic adjustment to the photos when it comes food shots, there’s barely any difference in other scenarios. That’s if and when the camera even recognizes the scene.
Nonetheless, the dual-camera setup on the back featuring the same shooters found on the R11s are pretty capable cameras. Images are good to go straight to your Instagram feed.
Trust me, this phone is a pretty capable IG tool. I was pretty happy just shooting with this for quick on-location #OOTDs. Exhibit A:
There’s also a Portrait Lighting feature on this device — yes, it’s almost exactly the same as the iPhone’s portrait lighting feature.
It’s a nice add-on, but honestly, I don’t know anyone who uses this feature on their iPhone so I’m not about to start doing so either.
Selfie time
Yet again, the AI beauty mode did not disappoint. OPPO’s beauty filter still remains to be one of my favorites and with good reason: It gives me fresh selfies without looking too fake.
- Fresh faced every time, everywhere
- Beauty mode may be too much for guys who opt for an even more natural look, though
Of course, OPPO added fun AR stickers to the selfie camera because, why not? There’s also the video beauty mode that I love using and it’s available on both front and back cameras.
Verdict
The R15 Pro is more or less the R11s in an updated package. Aside from a few new features, it packs the same cameras and processor on a more premium-feeling body.
It’s a capable device and a great selfie machine, but I can’t help but feel that this phone missed the wow factor. In the sea of 2018 smartphones, it feels like it’s just another notched device.
Is it worth upgrading to? If you’re on the R11s, you might want to consider holding out for the next release. If you’re craving for OPPO R-series features and that 2018 notched form factor, however, this might be the phone for you. The OPPO R15 retails for CNY 3,299 (US$ 525).
SEE ALSO: OPPO R15 Pro hands-on review: The screen is notch the same
Lifestyle
What being a Superbod looks like in 2026
Century Tuna is finally turning fitness into a community movement.
For the longest time, the Century Tuna Superbod competition felt like something I admired from afar. As someone who spends weekends chasing finish lines, logging kilometers on Strava, and squeezing training sessions between deadlines, I always associated Superbod with fitness models, perfectly sculpted physiques, and the bright lights of a competition stage.
That perception is changing. Standing at the recent Superbod Life community run, surrounded by runners, walkers, gym-goers, and people simply trying to become healthier versions of themselves, it became clear that Century Tuna is redefining what it means to be a “Superbod” in 2026.
The focus is no longer solely on how you look. It’s about how you move and how you fuel your body. More than anything, it’s about how you show up for yourself every day.
Fitness is becoming more connected
Over the years, I’ve noticed how much fitness has become intertwined with technology, both as an athlete and as someone who covers tech for a living.
Training used to mean showing up and hoping for the best. Now most of us track our runs, monitor our recovery, analyze our workouts, and share milestones online. Fitness has become more connected, more measurable, and surprisingly more social.
Century Tuna’s recent Superbod Era Strava Challenge tapped directly into that reality. More than 58,000 Filipinos joined, turning individual workouts into a shared movement. Whether you were chasing a race goal or simply trying to hit your daily step count, everyone found a place in the challenge.
I rely on Strava myself to stay accountable, so I understand the appeal. Seeing progress on a screen sounds simple, yet it often becomes the extra push that gets you out the door for one more run.
A community beyond the competition stage
What stood out to me most is that Century Tuna is building something that extends beyond a single competition season.
The newly launched Superbod Life Community on Facebook creates a space where fitness feels more approachable. Instead of focusing solely on transformations and trophies, the community centers on three pillars: Move Super, Fuel Super, and Live Super.
Move Super encourages members to stay active through expert-led discussions and accessible workout routines. Fuel Super focuses on practical nutrition tips and healthier eating habits that fit into real schedules. Live Super highlights the importance of sustainability, recovery, and building habits that last.
As athletes, we know consistency is the hardest part of any fitness journey. Motivation comes and goes. Community is what keeps many people moving.
The first Superbod Life community run, held in partnership with Megaworld and led by brand ambassadors Atasha Muhlach and Emilio Daez, made that clear. What started as conversations and shared progress updates online became real-world connections on the road.
Fitness can feel intimidating. Seeing people of different ages, backgrounds, and fitness levels show up together was a reminder that wellness doesn’t belong to a select few.
Fueling the lifestyle
If there’s one challenge I constantly face, it’s finding enough time. Between covering events, producing content, attending meetings, and training for races, meal preparation rarely goes according to plan.
That’s where convenience becomes important. Century Tuna recently introduced the Super Bowl, a ready-to-eat tuna and rice meal designed for people who are always on the move.
Packed with protein, Vitamin B3, and Omega-3 DHA, it offers a quick option for days when cooking isn’t realistic and skipping meals isn’t an option. At PhP 29 per can, it’s an easy add to a packed schedule.
I’ve eaten countless post-run meals in cars, airports, press rooms, and race venues, so I get why products like this exist. The goal isn’t perfection. The goal is making better choices easier to sustain.
How to join the community
If this resonates, you don’t need a stage to start. The Superbod Life Community lives on Facebook, where members trade workout tips and keep each other accountable. You can find it at facebook.com/groups/superbod.life.
For those still chasing the stage, the on-ground casting call for Superbods 2026 happens at Space at One Ayala, Makati City, on June 27 to 28, from 9 AM to 5 PM. Pre-registration is open at bit.ly/2026-superbods-pre-registration, in case you’d rather skip the line.
The Superbod era looks different now
The biggest takeaway from all of this is that the Superbod journey is no longer reserved for people chasing a title. It can start with a morning walk, a first 5K, a healthier lunch, or simply deciding to move more than you did yesterday.
Technology is making fitness more accessible. Communities are making it more welcoming. Brands like Century Tuna are recognizing that wellness isn’t a destination reserved for a few. It’s a lifestyle more people can participate in.
Perhaps that’s what being a Superbod means today. Not standing under stage lights. Sometimes, it’s showing up for yourself, one workout and one healthy choice at a time.
Sony Pictures has released a new trailer for Spider-Man: Brand New Day, giving fans their most extensive look yet at Tom Holland’s next outing as the web-slinger.
The trailer explores Peter Parker’s life after the events of Spider-Man: No Way Home, where the world was forced to forget his identity. While it reveals several new characters, returning faces, and a looming threat, it still keeps the film’s central story largely under wraps.
Peter Parker faces a new reality
The trailer shows Peter living a lonely existence as Spider-Man. With nobody remembering who he is, Peter appears to be fighting crime on his own while watching his former friends move on with their lives.
Sony’s official synopsis describes Peter as a full-time Spider-Man struggling in a world that no longer remembers him. Seeing his old friends move forward without him sparks a change that may be beyond his control.
The footage also hints that Peter is dealing with a mysterious physical transformation. Brief moments suggest something is changing within him as he continues carrying the burden of protecting New York City alone.
Familiar faces and new allies appear
Several notable characters make appearances throughout the trailer.
Tom Holland returns as Peter Parker alongside Zendaya, Jacob Batalon, Jon Bernthal, Tramell Tillman, Michael Mando, Mark Ruffalo, and Sadie Sink.
The trailer offers a closer look at Mando’s return as Mac Gargan, better known as Scorpion. Bernthal’s Frank Castle, also known as The Punisher, also makes an appearance, teasing a more street-level side of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Meanwhile, Mark Ruffalo’s Bruce Banner appears to play a role in helping Peter understand what is happening to him.
Despite showcasing these characters and multiple action sequences, the trailer avoids revealing how they connect to the film’s larger conflict.
A threat no one can see
According to Sony, Peter will face “a powerful villain no one can even see.”
The studio’s synopsis suggests that Peter’s personal struggles and the arrival of this mysterious threat will drive the story forward. However, the trailer stops short of revealing exactly who or what he is up against.
That leaves plenty of questions unanswered heading into the film’s release.
For now, Spider-Man: Brand New Day appears set to explore the emotional consequences of No Way Home while introducing new challenges that could push Peter Parker further than ever before.
Spider-Man: Brand New Day dawns in Philippine cinemas on July 29. Tickets are now available.
The first leg of Spartan Race’s Philippine National Series doesn’t wait for anyone.
We joined an OCR team, BGY BYG aka Bring Your Game, at Bridgetowne Obstacle Park as they put themselves through an obstacle course race simulation. I brought the Canon EOS R6 Mark III to document every athlete giving their best.
Shooting under direct midday sun is its own challenge. The 32.5MP sensor handled the harshness of open daylight without blowing out detail. The 40fps electronic shutter and Pre-continuous shooting meant we were already in the frame before the moment fully happened.
Athletes were moving fast and in every direction, but the 8.5-stop IBIS kept every shot steady as we moved alongside them.
The Dual Pixel CMOS AF II stayed locked mid-sprint, mid-climb, and everywhere in between.
This is what race prep looks like up close.

Abegail Manzano, UAAP Season 85 Rookie of the Year in women’s athletics at UP Diliman, leading the warm-up session.
SEE ALSO: What HYROX Hong Kong looks like up close
Words and photos by MJ Jucutan.
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