The world of dating evolves by the day. As long as consent exists between all parties involved, dating can happen between persons of different genders and quantities. To reflect on how the world is now, Tinder is allowing users to specify their preferred pronouns and monogamous/non-monogamous relationship types.

The availability of pronoun preference has been a long time coming for the popular dating app. With gender exploration and fluidity being important parts for today’s identity building, defining pronouns, especially on a dating platform, adds a lot of value for people looking for partners. Starting now, Tinder will offer 15 options for users and the ability to choose up to four from that pool.

In addition to more pronouns, Tinder will also allow users to specify what type of relationship they are interested in. Specifically, they can specify if they’re interested in monogamy, ethical non-monogamy, open relationships, polyamory, or are open to exploring. According to a survey from the company, 41 percent of Gen Z users are interested in non-monogamous relationships, prompting the availability of these options.

Finally, Tinder will also allow users to select how long of a relationship they are looking for. Users can now specify if they want a long-term relationship, long-term open to short, short-term open to long, short-term, new friends, or are still figuring it out.

However, the new features are not available everywhere just yet. For now, the United States is getting all three features.

SEE ALSO: Google is potentially banning Tinder from Play Store

A few years ago, I was only dreaming of becoming a Spartan. I took a leap of faith by taking on a Spartan Race back in 2022 in the midst of a hurricane, running through a 10-kilometer muddy trail.

In case you didn’t know, Spartan Race is the world’s premier obstacle course race hosted across the globe. It tests the limits and grit of an athlete, transforming anyone to be their strongest and most unbreakable self.

Three races in and I’ve clocked a total of 36 kilometers, ending the year as a full-fledged Spartan. A 10-kilometer muddy trail in Vermosa; a 5-kilometer trail run inside Timberland Heights; and a 21-kilometer mixed trail in Alviera.

As the 2023 season begins, I was dead-set on taking my first Age Group (competitive) category and a back-to-back race on the same day. All my gears were Spartan-ready, and all that was left was a vehicle appropriate for a Spartan.

Spartan-grade vehicle

In my quest to prepare for my most enduring race yet, Ford lent me the Next-Gen Ford Ranger. The Next-Gen Ford Ranger arrived in a Blue Lightning colorway, emanating strength and speed. It was instantly a head-turner, catching the attention of other commuters and passersby.

Everything about the Ranger screams Spartan. The vehicle exudes the same ethos we live for. It’s battle-ready, extremely durable, and insanely powerful.

Previous races L-R: Vermosa 10K Trail (September 2022), Timberland 5K Sprint (November 2022), Alviera 21K Trail (December 2022)

Not to mention, it has striking looks — which I always exude whenever I take on a race. How can you get noticed by event photographers if you won’t play with colors, right?

It looked strong and it made us feel powerful. “Us” as a collective because the emotional state doesn’t just pulsate with the driver, but also with its passengers. One weekend with the Ranger and we felt like warriors. Ready to take on any challenges that we can conquer.

Made for Spartans

Just because I’m a Spartan doesn’t mean I can’t appreciate the creature comforts the Next-Gen Ford Ranger brings. In fact, I am trained to be uncomfortable but the vehicle’s features allow me to pursue the Spartan lifestyle.

Call it a paradox but we take the convenience of having a comfortable ride and/or drive so we can train our minds and bodies to be familiar with pain and discomfort. As a modern-day Spartan, life isn’t all about battles and preparing for war under the heat of the sun.

We wage our fights through our day jobs, balancing our personal lives, while also developing our bodies to be ready for sports.

Having a tech-infused vehicle enables me to freely pursue the life of a Spartan. If you’re familiar with Ford’s driving experience, which we have mentioned several times here in GadgetMatch, it’s always buttery-smooth.

Even with a humongous body, I can maneuver the steering wheels easily. As someone who drives small cars, I felt the heft and the pain of driving a bigger automobile. But the features packed inside the vehicle made driving smoother — both for rookies and seasoned drivers.

When a smartphone and a vehicle match!

With every technology update to Ford’s lineup of automobiles, it’s becoming more of a tech machine each year. The Next-Gen Ford Ranger is no exception with the ability to use FordPass Connect. If you’ve been living under a rock, FordPass is Ford’s newest technology utilizing remote control functions for the vehicle through an app.

When I was in a hurry and I couldn’t locate my keys, I used the FordPass app on my iPhone to remotely unlock the Ford Ranger. Through the app, I was able to remotely start the vehicle so I can turn on the air conditioner even before I step in. I was also able to stop the engine, lock the car, and check the fuel level — all in one space.

What I like the most is the vehicle locator feature, which allows me to find the Ford Ranger in crowded parking areas. Thankfully, I didn’t have to use the feature when the Ranger was parked in Vermosa’s gravel lot since I was the only one with a vehicle in a striking blue colorway.

Aside from FordPass, the accessibility and ease of use of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto allowed everyone to connect with the vehicle to help in navigation and music playback. We sang “Flowers” by Miley Cyrus while on our way to Alabang so we can hopefully shake our pre-race jitters.

I personally love the bigger, best-in-class 12-inch portrait touchscreen that allows me to see an overview of the map, adjust music playback, and even have a space for responding to calls and messages.

The perfect companion for an endurance race

For a pick-up truck, the Ranger offers extremely comfortable space for its passengers. We picked up Alison — my friend, a teacher, and an elite athlete — partaking in the first race of the weekend. Alison competed with elite and national athletes, hopefully qualifying for the national team.

Alison, together with other competitive athletes, gleefully took some rest in the back seat while in transit. They loved the leg space and the coziness the couches offered. The same experience goes for the front passenger seat, which I took as I was playing with the car’s features while my friend Betty took on the wheels.

When female Spartans are lovin’ it

Perhaps, the people who enjoyed the Ranger the most are Spartan women that I befriended after my first race. Jomi and Betty, competitive athletes who are consistently part of the Top 10 of their respective age groups, took over the wheel while I was exploring the Ranger’s features and technology.

Recently, I have learned that the Next-Gen Ford Ranger is officially the best 4×4 and pick-up according to the Women’s World Car of the Year judges. It won for a multitude of reasons; the same reasons that Jomi and Betty loved when they experienced driving the Ranger.

From excellent ride and handling, a suite of advanced driver-assist technologies and other safety features, an upgraded chassis and suspension, and the bold and confident look that resonates with strong, independent women. What more can they ask for?

Fostering a sense of community

What I love about the Next-Gen Ford Ranger is how it builds a sense of community, the same way a Spartan race brings people together. Parked in the gravels of Vermosa, the Ford Ranger became a holding area for my friends and teammates.

We used the cargo box to house our bags, equipment, and food. We were able to gather behind, passing jokes and drinks after an exhilarating day.

I used to do things alone and now, I’m surrounded by like-minded people — which was the best plot twist I’ve had so far. And even if it’s just for a weekend, I’m grateful that the Next-Gen Ford Ranger helped in making my first competitive and back-to-back race memorable.

Even with an aching body, the Ranger offered a smooth, safe, and reliable ride on our way home. It’s definitely a Spartan-grade vehicle, made for modern-day Spartans.

The Next-Gen Ford Ranger comes with a 5-year warranty. The longer warranty offering will cover the Next-Gen Ranger for up to 5 years or a total mileage of up to 150,000 kilometers, whichever comes first.

For more information, visit the Ford Ranger page on the website to reserve the next-gen Ranger through www.ford.com.ph or check your nearest Ford dealer.

Watsons recently held its Race for Wellness last March 5, 2023. Over 6,000 participants have joined the race — from casual and serious runners to fitness enthusiasts, and even groups of friends and families.

The event solidifies the brand’s commitment to becoming the ultimate health and beauty partner for every Filipino. After all, Watson’s enables Filipinos to achieve a balanced lifestyle through its holistic solutions, products, and services.

The race for wellness

After a long flight from Spain, I headed to the Mall of Asia Concert Grounds where the race took place. Instead of just attending the event as a part of the media, I also participated even though my body wasn’t in the condition to take a race. What a brave soul, aren’t I?

The Race for Wellness offered different categories: 5K, 10K, and 21K. Each distance has plenty of surprises along the way, from drum beaters and cheerers to Filipino-themed Wellness zone obstacles. Foam and water fest stations were also set up, which got me sprinting when I passed through them on my 5K race.

Of course, your boy crossed the finish line swiftly, ranking 30th overall with a 28:53 chip time and 29:03 gun time. On another note, an awarding ceremony was held for the winners per category. For 21KM, Welfred Esporma topped the males with 1:14:51 gun time while April Rose Diaz finished strong at 1:36:20.

Alfrene Braza swiftly ran through other males at the 10K race with 0:34:20 gun time, followed by Saltanat Simbina topping the women with 0:48:27 gun time.

Meanwhile, the 5K race was dominated by Mark Angelo Biagtan (0:17:08) and Princess Valerie (0:25:38).

Wellness is for everyone

Watsons believe that wellness is for everyone, inviting anyone to join the race. Aside from runners, fitness enthusiasts, and even celebrities, Cancer survivors from the Philippine General Hospital have also participated in the event.

“The fun run is one of Watsons’ many ways to wellness, with the ultimate goal of encouraging everyone toward a healthy journey of always looking and feeling their best. Good health is a right and is needed to lead happy and productive lives. It, however, requires effort and making the right lifestyle choices,” says Jared De Guzman, Watsons Director for Customer Division.

Medical Associations namely, the Philippine Foundation for Vaccination (PFV), the Philippine Physical Therapy Association (PPTA), and the Philippine Alliance of Patient Organizations (PAPO) were also present at the event to bring their support and amplify the call for health and wellness.

Revolutionizing health and wellness

While fun runs are one way of promoting good health and an active lifestyle, Watsons takes it up a notch with expert care, advice, and a platform for health literacy.

As a celebration of over 1,000 stores in the Philippines, Watsons launched its self-checkout counter. It also brought SkinFie lab, a  scanner that gives free skin assessment.

In an interview with Jared De Guzman, the executive discussed with GadgetMatch its plans to promote the Watsons Health Hub. It’s an online one-stop shop offering subscription plans, laboratory and diagnostic tests, teleconsultations, and more.

De Guzman also discussed how medicines and other essentials are now easily accessible, thanks to Watsons mobile app. Customers can now purchase and pick up their orders from selected stores in just 30 minutes or less through Click & Collect. For those who want to receive the orders directly at their doorsteps, there’s also the Home Delivery Express.

The company is also driving health and wellness literacy, partnering with the Department of Health (DOH) and medical associations.

When asked when is the next Race for Wellness, Watsons hinted that in the coming months, it will focus on other forms of being active such as biking, dancing, and so on.

For your beauty and health needs, go to your nearest Watsons branch, visit the official website at watsons.com.ph, or download the official website on the App Store or Google Play. Visit the Watsons Health Hub for more health information and tips.