They say the eyes are the windows to your soul. They never lie.

You can always tell when someone is truly thriving because their eyes radiate a certain spark. A glimmer that suggests they are actually winning at life.

But a doctor I once dated (briefly, for research purposes, mostly) told me that eyes are also a sneak peek into your physical survival. A quick check-up can reveal underlying illnesses before they even knock on your door.

The problem is that hospitals and clinics feel intimidating. Most of us avoid check-ups because we’re terrified of what we might find. Ignorance feels like bliss until reality finally catches up.

When I heard Vision Express (VEX) was reimagining eye care through AI, my inner “orange cat” curiosity took over. I dressed up, booked a ride, and headed to Greenbelt 5 in Makati City to see if technology could make health feel less like a chore and more like… well, a treat.

Sanctuary for my senses

The VEX branch in Greenbelt 5 feels less like an eyewear store and more like a prestige lounge. Even with brands like Dior, Gucci, and Cartier shouting from the shelves, the atmosphere remained inviting.

It lacked that “peasant-profiling” energy you sometimes get in luxury boutiques. I just walked in and gasped at the aesthetic. I’d say I immediately felt at home.

While I waited for the Vision7 program, I detoured to the AI Styling Studio. If we’re being honest, shopping for frames is a high-pressure exercise in self-doubt.

You’re constantly asking, “Does this make my face look too round?” or “Is this too much?”

This AI tool acts like a personal shopper with an objective eye. It’s like ordering McDonald’s at a kiosk, but instead of a chicken sandwich, you get a face shape analysis.

The machine measured my jawline, temple, and the gaps between my eyes with the precision of a fitting for a modeling gig. It concluded I have a round face — or oval, if I tuck my bangs away.

The AI suggested square or rectangular frames. Since I’ve spent years badgering friends to tell me if my sunglasses look okay, having a non-judgmental computer give me the green light was a massive relief.

Seeing the bigger picture

Currently, you can access the full Vision7 program for free. I started by filling out my history on a tablet, feeling very much like an official patient (but a fashionable one).

Dr. Daniel, the optometrist, guided me through the process. As a self-proclaimed “professional yapper,” I quickly learned he was VEX’s top doctor for 2025. His expertise (and, let’s be real, his charm) made the technical bits go down smoothly.

We moved through Objective and Subjective Refraction using their state-of-the-art autorefractometer to check for current eye-grade errors. Thankfully, my vision is still perfect after I stopped wearing correction glasses in 2024.

The three-minute miracle

The real magic happened during the Binocular Vision assessment with VisionPlus. In just three minutes, the system used retinal imaging and machine learning to generate a clinical health report.

I’ll admit, I was nervous. Despite my “perfect” vision, family history is a ghost that haunts your medical charts.

I watched as the AI screened for systemic conditions: hypertension, diabetes, and even early signs of cognitive decline or cardiovascular risks.

Surprisingly, the results came and showed I am “Low Risk” across the board. The system even tagged me as “Very Low Risk” for things as serious as cardiac arrest, provided I maintain my current lifestyle.

The report, which landed instantly in my inbox, gave me tailored advice on diet and sports. It turned out my athletic lifestyle and love for good food weren’t just fun: they were working.

Redefining the retail visit

Unlike traditional checks that only care about your lens prescription, this experience felt like a preventive-health intervention hidden inside a shopping trip.

It proved that an eye exam can be a powerful window into your total health, made easy through clinical-grade AI.

In a world where AI can feel cold or intimidating, this is its most human use case: giving us the clarity to live our lives without fear.

I walked out with a clean bill of health, a clear mind, and yes, I might have lingered just a second longer at the Gucci frames on my way out. After all, I needed to celebrate my health in style.

Try out VisionPlus at Vision Express’s branches at SM Cebu, SM City Cebu, Ayala Cebu, Ayala Glorietta 2, Ayala Greenbelt 5, Ayala One Bonifacio High Street, Ayala Alabang Town Center, SM Mall of Asia, SM North EDSA – The Block, The Podium, and Ortigas Greenhills Mall.

Despite all the Filipino actors in Hollywood today, it’s still difficult to feel scene in an industry where Filipino stories aren’t as abundant. Now, it’s time for the Philippines to shine. DreamWorks Animation has just released the first trailer for Forgotten Island, an upcoming animated film based on Filipino culture.

Played by H.E.R. and Liza Soberano, Jo and Raissa are childhood best friends about to go their separate ways after one decides to study abroad. However, during their last night together, they discover a magical portal that takes them to Nakali, the Forgotten Island.

The island calls itself home to an army of creatures from Philippine mythology including The Dreaded Manananggal (voiced by Lea Salonga). Dave Franco also plays a weredog named Raww.

Besides the presence of all these monsters, the island has an even more dangerous quirk. The longer that Jo and Raissa stay on Nakali, the more of their memories are erased until they eventually forget each other. It then becomes a race to find their way home before they lose memories of their friendship forever.

Supporting the main cast, the film will feature the voice talents of Manny Jacinto, Jenny Slate, Jo Koy, Dolly de Leon, Amielyn Abellera, and Ronny Chieng. It will be made by Joel Crawford and Januel Mercado, the prolific team behind the critically acclaimed Puss in Boots: The Last Wish.

Forgotten Island premieres in Philippine cinemas on September 23.

Is the Marvel Cinematic Universe back? After years of floundering through Phases Four and Five, Marvel Studios is poised to get its mojo back from a flurry of much-awaited Phase Six projects this year, including the second season of Daredevil: Born Again, Spider-Man: Brand New Day, and Avengers: Doomsday. And it all started this year with the critically acclaimed Wonder Man. Now, after the success of that series, a second season is officially in the works.

When its first trailer came out, Wonder Man did not look like anything that Marvel Studios has worked on before. For one, it was incredibly grounded, perhaps overshadowed only by Daredevil: Born Again. Second, it was about the reboot of a fictional superhero movie, itself called Wonder Man.

Actor Simon Williams (played by Yahya Abdul Mateen II) wants to energize his career by performing in the upcoming Wonder Man revival from acclaimed director Von Kovak (Zlatko Burić). Helping the former is the returning Trevor Slattery (Ben Kingsley), who you might remember as the fake Mandarin from Iron Man 3.

Despite how different it looks compared to previous Marvel Studios projects, the series is one of the most acclaimed, currently holding a 91 percent approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Because of this, Wonder Man has received the green light for a second season, via Variety.

A second season is relatively rare for Marvel Studios with its history of one-and-done series. There are some exceptions, though. Loki, for example, ended its run with a second season. Daredevil: Born Again will air its second season very soon (with a third one potentially in the works already).

SEE ALSO: Marvel’s Wolverine gets a release date