Accessories
Confessions of a wishful runner
A young adult’s musings about running, life, and a pair of wireless earbuds that helps keep him moving forward
My relationship with running is on-and-off. Toxic. Addicting. A dwindling high, but not a mercurial one. Sometimes, I love it and the feelings it gives me. But half of the time, I just don’t.
Maybe it was because I still remember the smell of yesterday. Like on tennis courts where the scorching rays of the sun were burning through my bare skin. I remember taking laps in the court when I’m around the age of eight, and the conflicting feelings it gave me. I loved running in the streets, and playing Patintero and Agawan Base with kids I don’t remember now.
But the training I was put through made me wonder if that was entirely needed or if was it punishment. “Was I really supposed to run under the heat of noon?”
There were plenty of questions I wanted to ask but I couldn’t, simply because as a kid in an Asian household, you weren’t supposed to raise concerns or air your grievances.
My envy wasn’t with the people who triumphed; it was for those who tried. I was hanging out with the wrong people, being called a wannabe when you’re simply aspirational.
In high school, I was always a substitute player for Men’s Volleyball and Track and Field. Constantly moving, sprinting, speeding. Running 100-meters is a piece of cake, even if I was a kid struggling with asthma. There’s something about running and the world slowing down that made me enjoy every bit of it.
But life took a different turn. Aside from the rollercoaster of emotions throughout the years, all the running I did was rushing when I’m late, wearing heeled leather boots and dress shoes as I carry my briefcases and luggage I need for my deadlines.
Not to mention my neighborhood and the nonexistent urban planning of my city that makes it difficult to run safely lest you get hit by inconsiderate vehicles.
Maybe these were just excuses. For years, I just look at people standing at the podium, holding their medals. But my envy wasn’t with the people who triumphed; it was with those who tried. I was hanging out with the wrong people, being called a wannabe when you’re simply aspirational. With all honesty, I was a wishful runner. I wanted to run, but I couldn’t.
2022 was a game-changing year for me. Two years ago, I was in a near-death experience where my life started flashing before me after having literally no air to breathe. Yes, it was the dreaded ‘Rona. That slight peek at the Otherside gave me the courage to pursue all the things I’ve always wanted. I pursued them relentlessly, no holds barred. One by one — running included.
In May, I got my hands on the JBL Endurance RACE when it finally arrived in the Philippines. It was the moment when I felt a tugging in my chest. My heart was excited at the idea of a running companion to stick with me. At that time, all the running I could do was on the treadmill, alternating between the Galaxy Buds2 and the Galaxy Buds Live depending on the intensity.
It seemed the stars aligned when GadgetMatch was also invited to partake in adidas’s Run for the Oceans after I received the pair of wireless earbuds. Together with my team, we accumulated a total of 80kms. The sight of almost victory made me want to run more. I was delighted with the fact that I was running towards something, instead of running away.
Years ago, I wouldn’t even consider looking forward and having plans for the future. I just want to survive and get away from it all. All the growth I experienced in almost half a decade changed my perspective on running. It also brought me people who served as my guiding lights when navigating an unknown path.
Life did me wrong, but I got through it all and came out better and stronger.
A month in and I’ve grown accustomed to the Endurance RACE. What seemed like a pair of wireless earbuds for running became a companion for my growth and training. In between my athletic endeavors such as Muay Thai, lifting weights, and running — the pair of wireless earbuds have been with me every step of the way.
The way it was designed, I knew it was made for comfort and durability. And for someone who’s a wishful runner, I rejoiced in how it fits my ears snugly even when I was running at 12mph on the treadmill. The only time it started loosening up in my ears was when I get sweaty from running consistently for more than ten minutes.
But throughout all my activities, the Endurance RACE helped me train gracefully, and even helped me discover myself and explore my love for running.
When I started running this year, I was re-learning my love for the activity. But in almost two months I was living with the JBL Endurance RACE, I’ve grasped what I really love about running. First, it’s sweat and the endorphins that keep my emotions in check. I feel alive and ready to take on the day.
Next, it’s the better headspace. My thoughts are cleared. That, or I get to sort the information I’m processing and come to a better solution or conclusion. It gives me the ability to focus and concentrate on the problem ahead.
Last, it’s the ability to tune out the world with music and the feeling of everything slowing down. With its ambient noise cancellation, I lose myself in my workout remixes of ‘Break My Heart’, ‘Ready for It?’, and ‘Dear Future Husband’.
It doesn’t fully filter the background noise, but I’m completely fine with it since we all need to be alert and aware of our surroundings when we’re exercising both indoors and outdoors.
When running on the road, I can simply turn off the noise cancellation with a press on the left earbud so I can hear the environment. It’s particularly helpful when you don’t notice the vehicles approaching. If someone approaches me, I can activate the TalkThru setting so I can have a decent conversation without removing my earbuds.
I’m no audiophile, so I couldn’t make a comment about the technicalities of the listening experience. I get to enjoy the music and the sound it produced wasn’t even bad, to begin with. I’m honestly okay with that. But if you want to dive deep into fine-tuning your audio experience, there’s an app that’s compatible with both iOS and Android.
When I spoke with the reps of JBL Philippines months ago, they mentioned how they considered ease of usage when they revamped the user interface and user experience, along with Generation Z’s preference to tinker around.
It’s safe to say that even I, a millennial and a self-confessed airhead, can easily understand how to customize the sound parameters. There’s an equalizer with different presets for you to choose from. Jazz, Vocal, Bass, Club, and Studio. You can even make your personal equalizer settings.
Finding the settings that work for you help when you’re getting into running. The sound you enjoy can help you build through the habit until you learn to love every bit of running. Sweat, shin splints, sore legs, and all.
Gestures are all easy to learn, and adjustable. It’s quite easy to learn and remember so you don’t have to keep using your phone when changing your music playback or navigating phone calls. And more importantly, it takes me a week before I charge the pair of wireless earbuds on its chunky case. After all, I only use the device during my athletic activities.
I guess the ease of use in my experience with the JBL Endurance RACE made me focus on enjoying running as much as I can. I’m at a stage where I don’t dread running anymore, and I look forward to finally having the courage to take on a race.
To date, I still can’t call myself a runner. I’m still a person who runs, trying to clock in the distance he always wanted. For now, I’m only trying my best to love running because I know I still haven’t fully embraced it.
Maybe after a few months of learning and unlearning, of sprinting more and forcing myself through inclines, I’ll learn to put all of my heart into it.
Somehow, I can just rejoice in the way the world slows down while I speed through. What I could probably guess is I’m on the right track and the stars are still aligning. After replacing my running sneakers, I got invited by friends to participate in an upcoming race. It’s tougher than the races I’ve been considering. Guess what? I’m excited.
I’m not sure if I’d get to find my way through the podium, or at least complete the race. I don’t know if life will get in the way again, and if it does, I don’t know if I could keep on running towards victory.
But on the occasion that it doesn’t, I’ll put my best foot forward in completing the race, finally call myself a runner, and celebrate the moment with pride. Here’s to hoping I get to do it.
So, if you spot another wishful runner trying their best in little ways, cheer them on. Running towards something is more difficult than running away. It’s tough out here, but it’s already rewarding.
Accessories
CASETiFY Match: Finding the right case for your Galaxy Z8 Series phone
Cases that match your personality
A phone case can be more than protection. It can also be a way to show off your interests, personality, and the little things that make you, well, you.
For our CASETiFY Match for the Galaxy Z8 Series, we asked the team one question: Why was this CASETiFY design your Match?
From Spider-Man fandom and capybara obsession to feline-inspired art and snake motifs, here are the designs that found their way into our team’s everyday carry, plus a couple of bonus picks worth checking out.
Rodneil: A little New York energy for a certified web-head
If it wasn’t obvious enough, I’m a certified web-head. I love anything and everything Spider-Man, especially the iconic red-and-blue motif. Though, if we’re being honest, I’m more partial to the red.
I had my eyes on the Spider-Man suit design for the Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra and the Spider-Man Mask Snappy Grip Stand. Unfortunately, those designs aren’t available for the Galaxy Z Fold8.
So, I went with a design that gives off a bit of New York energy instead. It still pairs nicely with the Spidey Snappy Grip Stand, letting me bring a little of that Spider-Man vibe to my everyday setup.
V: Keeping it cool with capybaras
I’ve been a capybara stan since 2020, long before the world finally caught up with just how cute and chill these animals are. Seeing them get the recognition they deserve has been a source of much excitement.
Finding cool and cute capybara cases and accessories for the phones I use every day, however, hasn’t always been easy.
That’s where Deville Dewil’s capybara collection comes in. It fills that gap while making my Galaxy Z Fold8 feel like an even more personal accessory.
At this point, I’d like to identify as a capy/bara.
Luigi: A cat design that’s playful without being too loud
There’s no shortage of cat-themed cases out there. If you’re a cat lover like me, chances are you’ve considered one at some point.
The tricky part is finding a design that isn’t too whimsical or loud. I love the little furballs, but I still want something sleek and clean.
CASETiFY’s cat collection speaks to that balance. In particular, this design by Catwheezie blends artistry with a touch of whimsy. It lets me show off my personality without being too flashy.
MJ: A little reputation energy
I’ve always had a soft spot for snake motifs, and CASETiFY’s Transparent Kingsnake case gives me Taylor Swift’s reputation era energy.
I love how snakes symbolize transformation. As someone who’s always evolving and never afraid to reinvent himself, that meaning feels personal.
The black-and-white design also brings a sleek, rebellious edge. Paired with my Galaxy Z Flip8, it’s giving statement accessory with a little bite.
Bonus Match: Sunglasses at Night
Sometimes, keeping it simple is the way to go. The Sunglasses at Night design is tasteful and understated, letting me show off the actual color of my phone without competing with it.
Bonus Match: Pink Weekly Planner
For the girls (and gaes) who plan their days–and life–ahead. And of course, for when they need to keep their Wednesdays pink.
Find your Match
There’s no single way to find a phone case that feels right. It might be a favorite character, an animal you’ve loved for years, a piece of art, or a symbol that means something to you.
For our team, the right CASETiFY design is the one that brings a little more personality to a device we carry every day.
So, which design would be your Match?
As one of the wisest sages of the 2000s once said, “He was a punk, she did ballet. What more can I say?” Sometimes, opposites attract. Now, two of those opposites in the audio space are coming together: the punk Skullcandy and the ballet-loving Bose.
Today, Bose has announced its acquisition of Skullcandy. The latter will continue to operate as a separate brand but now officially under the Bose umbrella. Although, it’s not a new collaboration as the two brands have previously worked together on devices before. Skullcandy will just have more access to Bose’s technologies moving forward.
Alternatively, Bose will now have access to Skullcandy’s more varied audience. Compared to Bose’s focus on premium products, Skullcandy caters to more alternative lifestyles. Though the brand has since mellowed from its more radical roots, it is still known as one of the alternative brands.
Bose, on the other hand, is still a household name for home audio and noise-cancelling headphones. The new relationship between two polar opposites might be seen as a weird one, but it’s ultimately beneficial to both parties. Besides, both brands were very strong in the 2010s. Keeping both brands going is a boon to audiophiles of the past decade.
Accessories
Fujifilm’s new instax Pal 2 and Link WIDE 2 make room for more creative memories
A new pocket camera and a collage-making printer join the instax family.
Seeing a memory take shape beyond your screen changes how it feels. A favorite photo becomes a print you can tuck into a journal or pin beside your desk, and the everyday moments you capture get a little more room to live.
That was the spirit of Fujifilm’s instax Playhou2e launch in Makati, where visual artist Jill Arteche brought her signature illustrations into the event space.
Her artwork surrounded the latest additions to the instax family, the instax Pal 2 and instax Link WIDE 2. Both devices treat photography as a form of personal expression, from the snapshots you take throughout the day to the printed memories you want to keep close.
A pocket-sized camera that goes wherever you do
The original instax Pal made the case for carrying a camera without a full-sized setup. Its successor, the instax Pal 2, builds on that with a refreshed design and improved image quality.
The palm-sized camera is built for everyday adventures and can capture angles that are awkward to get with a smartphone. Its compact body also makes it easy to bring along if you like documenting your day as it happens.
Fujifilm gave the Pal 2 a semi-matte finish. A new monitor on top lets you review shots right after you take them, and the added viewfinder, control dial, and lever give it a more tactile feel to shoot with.
The specs have moved up, too. The Pal 2 captures 10-megapixel images, double the original’s five megapixels, and its internal storage holds up to 100 images compared with 50 before. A separately sold microSD card adds more room.
The creative options are where the Pal 2 gets playful. It offers 30 effects, so you can give images different moods without editing each one from scratch. Its instax Animation mode strings up to 10 consecutive shots into a flipbook-style animated video.
Transferring your photos is straightforward. The Pal 2 supports wireless Bluetooth transfers, and a USB Type-C connection offers faster transfers to compatible smartphones. From there, you can edit the images and post them to social media or keep them in your camera roll.
Because the Pal 2 is part of the instax ecosystem, its digital photos can also be printed on instant film through compatible instax printers. That means you can shoot first and decide later which moments deserve a physical copy.
Turning your camera roll into something worth keeping
Taking photos is only half the fun. The other half is deciding what to do with the hundreds of images that pile up on our phones.
The instax Link WIDE 2 is Fujifilm’s answer for anyone who collects travel photos or documents celebrations. As the brand’s WIDE-format smartphone printer, it prints at twice the image area of the instax mini format, which leaves more space for group photos and landscapes.
Its biggest new feature is Photo Mixer, which builds scrapbook-style collages from multiple images you pick in the dedicated app. Instead of printing a single photo, you can combine highlights from a trip or a gathering into one larger keepsake.
The app suggests layouts based on your chosen photos and adjusts image sizes, angles, text placement, and fonts to keep the design cohesive. You can then add your own text and stamps. A cutout function identifies people and objects in your photos so you can layer them into the collage.
With Photo Mixer, printing becomes part of the creative process, and your camera roll turns into material for building a visual record of an experience in a single print.
The Link WIDE 2 also gets a design refresh, with two-tone finishes in Duo Beige and Duo Blue. The light and dark surfaces give it a polished look on a shelf or desk, and an illuminated instax logo glows while it prints.
Connectivity has expanded, too. Beyond smartphones and tablets, the printer works with PCs, Fujifilm X Series cameras, and the instax Pal 2, so digital artwork and other compatible images can become physical prints.
A more personal way to keep your memories
The instax Pal 2 and Link WIDE 2 share the idea that photography is a way to express yourself. The Pal 2 makes it easy to capture moments as they happen, and the Link WIDE 2 gives those images a place in the physical world.
Jill Arteche’s artwork at the launch backed that idea up. Her illustrations filled the space with personality and showed how photos and art can make an environment feel more personal. The event also made a case for revisiting and reinterpreting the images we collect.
Taking a photo takes seconds, and printing one can make the memory feel more special. The instax Pal 2 and Link WIDE 2 bring that into everyday life and give your snapshots room for creativity, from the moment you press the shutter to the moment you find a place for the print.
In the Philippines, the Fujifilm instax Pal 2 retails for PhP 10,599, while the Fujifilm instax Link WIDE 2 is priced at PhP 10,999. Both devices are now available on Fujifilm’s authorized stores and retailers nationwide.
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