Lifestyle
Festive foodpanda riders bring holiday cheer to Metro Manila traffic
Sometimes, holiday comfort shows up through a glowing pink reindeer~
If you have spent the past few days trapped in Metro Manila traffic, staring at brake lights and questioning your life choices, you may have noticed something unexpectedly charming slipping through the carmaggedon.
It’s not your imagination. That really is a foodpanda partner rider with reindeer antlers peeking out of a glowing pink delivery box, wrapped in fairy lights like it wandered out of Santa’s workshop and into EDSA.
You will be seeing more of these festive riders around Metro Manila until the end of the year, and honestly, the timing feels ideal.
The holidays have a way of piling everything on at once, especially when work deadlines stretch longer. Commutes also feel heavier, and the city moves at a pace that tests even the most patient among us. In moments like that, a small spark of cheer lands differently.
There is something soothing about that soft pink glow cutting through traffic. It interrupts the noise, even for a second, and reminds you that joy does not always arrive loudly. Sometimes it shows up quietly, on two wheels, while you are stuck at a red light.
For those ordering from foodpanda, the delivery does not feel purely transactional during this season. It arrives carrying comfort and a little emotional exhale after a long day.
When everything feels rushed and overwhelming, having food or groceries show up with a touch of holiday cheer feels strangely reassuring.
What makes it hit closer to home is the people behind it. These partner riders already do so much, navigating traffic, weather, and time pressures so others can slow down, even briefly.
Seeing them bring extra effort and warmth into their work feels deeply Filipino. It reflects that instinct to look out for one another and to find lightness even when the surroundings are messy.
In its own understated way, it is a reminder that someone out there understands how exhausting the season can be. So when a glowing foodpanda delivery bike pulls up beside you in traffic, take it as a small holiday signal. You are not alone in the rush.
Accessories
Soundtrack for the city: HIDDEN.NY x AIAIAI TMA-2 headphones
Living in a big city like New York makes you want to have music on a lot: on the subway, walking between meetings, sitting in a café with your laptop, zoning out on a long walk home, or romanticizing the smallest things. Headphones have become an essential part of my life.
That’s why the HIDDEN.NY x AIAIAI collaboration makes sense. The TMA-2 HIDDEN Edition headphones are reminiscent of early-2000s tech. It’s nostalgic but with New York City character, at least the kind that I encounter and not the one you see in movies.
If you follow either brand, the partnership feels natural. HIDDEN.NY started as an Instagram mood board and grew into a full lifestyle platform rooted in street culture and design. AIAIAI is a Danish company that’s long been part of music culture, known for modular gear that artists use.
The first thing you notice is the colorway. The transparent design with green highlights is subtle. It’s not loud but still stands out.
You can see the structure of the headphones, which makes them feel more like an accessory than just another piece of black plastic tech. Bonus points that they are a conversation starter, too.
In daily use, the headphones are easy to live with. They are light and comfortable, which is important when you’re wearing them for long stretches. They don’t clamp too hard nor do they feel bulky.
Sound-wise, they’re clean and balanced. While it doesn’t have active noise cancellation, it works well for all the ways people actually listen in a big city. I like that you don’t have to think about the sound much.
It’s just good in a way that doesn’t get in your way, whatever mood I’m in wherever I am in the city, these headphones are great company.
AIAIAI’s modular approach also means these aren’t built to be tossed when something wears out. The speaker, headband, earpads, and cable are all replaceable.
So much of the tech we use should grow with us, even if they get outdated. So AIAIAI builds systems that can be upgraded over time. That’s part of why artists and DJs use them.
Especially because it’s a collectible, it feels like a piece you’ll want to keep. As someone who uses his prized possessions for a really long time, I love this about these headphones.
In a city where everything moves fast and feels temporary, it’s nice to have gear that doesn’t feel disposable.
The campaign, shot by photographer Gunner Stahl, probably looks familiar if you’re attuned to hiphop culture. What sets his work apart is his portraits feel more raw and relaxed instead of posed and polished. It aligns with HIDDEN.NY’s aesthetic, the kind of everyday style that feels genuine.
At the end of the day, the HIDDEN.NY x AIAIAI TMA-2 Bluetooth headphones make sense for people who live in cities like New York, where music is part of how you move, work, and think.
They sound good, they look interesting and different. They fit into real life without trying too hard.
The TMA-2 Hidden Edition headphones retail for US$220 and is available on aiaiai.audio.
Entertainment
The Super Mario Galaxy Movie trailer shows first look at Yoshi
The premiere was also moved up by a few days.
As a fan of the Super Mario games, I’m still waiting patiently for the next 3D Mario title. In the meantime, we’ve got Mario in 3D to stave off the hunger. The Super Mario Galaxy Movie will premiere on April 1, and it just got a new trailer.
The Super Mario Galaxy Movie was announced quite some time ago, if the first film’s stinger wasn’t enough of a confirmation for you. As in that post-credits scene, Yoshi is set to make his debut. Now, the new trailer reveals the green dinosaur for the first time.
In the trailer, Mario and Luigi head to the Sand Kingdom to investigate a strange disturbance inside a pyramid. The disturbance turns out to be a scared Yoshi. What follows is a short montage of scenes from the movie but doesn’t reveal much of the connection between Yoshi and the movie’s story.
From the previous trailer, Bowser Jr. wants to claim the throne as the universe’s big baddie. It’s still unknown how Yoshi (and even Rosalina) connects to the overall plot.
Still, the trailer has a bunch of Easter eggs for fans of the franchise. For one, the Sand Kingdom is an area from the latest 3D Mario game, Super Mario Odyssey. Heading into the pyramid, you might also hear a subdued version of the “Underground Theme”. Then, when Yoshi finally appears, you’ll hear Super Mario World’s “Overworld Theme”.
The trailer also shows a peek at Birdo.
From the new trailer, The Super Mario Galaxy Movie will premiere a few days earlier on April 1. Previously, it was set to premiere on April 3.
SEE ALSO: Nintendo’s latest toy is Super Mario Wonder’s Talking Flower
Lifestyle
How a low-impact workout can turn your resolution into a habit
Indoor rowing is more approachable than you think
The best fitness habits are the ones that challenge your body without breaking it down. That’s why low-impact workouts tend to stick — they are effective yet kind to your body. They don’t leave you dreading the next session.
One of the most underrated examples of this is indoor rowing. If it’s something you’ve only seen at the gym, or never tried at all, then you’re in for a treat.
The machine can look intimidating but you’ll be surprised how approachable the workout actually is. And when you bring a rowing machine into your home, it can easily be a part of your daily rhythm.
Here’s why getting a rowing machine like the Merach NovaRow R50 can turn your fitness resolution into a habit you actually keep all year.
Low-impact, full body workout 
Just because indoor rowing is a low-impact workout, it doesn’t mean it’s low effort. Each stroke works your legs, core, back, arms, and shoulders in one smooth motion. You get cardio and a bit of strength without pounding on your joints.
That’s what makes it sustainable. Whether you’re just starting out or trying again, indoor rowing meets you where you are on your fitness journey and lets you build progress without wearing you down.
Comfort and stability lead to consistency
There aren’t many workouts where you get to sit down, and that’s the best part about rowing. The Merach NovaRow R50 features an ergonomic, padded seat that won’t make your butt sore after a long session.
Compared to its more expensive counterparts, it also comes with wider foot straps so your feet stay locked in place. Every stroke feels steady and controlled.
Exercise that feels like an experience
Motivation doesn’t come from discipline alone. When workouts are immersive, they stop feeling like obligations.
Built into the free Merach app are guided classes, scenic rows, and games. When you wake up knowing your exercise is going to be fun instead of torture, your resolution can easily develop into a habit that you look forward to.
Better than a gym membership
One sale the Merach NovaRow R50 is $529.99, which is a fraction of what many people pay for a full year at the gym. Unlike a membership, it’s a one time investment that will call to you because it’s already there at home.
Whether it’s raining, freezing, or scorching outside, your new routine will not be dependent on weather conditions. Your habit is set up and ready for you.
At the end of the day, turning a fitness resolution into a lasting habit will always feel like a challenge. But it doesn’t need to be. It’s achievable if you set yourself up with something that fits your budget, lifestyle, and schedule.
Get the Merach R50 on Amazon or if you want an additional 10% discount, use our code GADGET on merachfit.com
SEE ALSO: Trade doomscrolling for these 12 intentional New Year’s resolutions and side quests
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