Entertainment
Lay Zhang is still TECNO’s grand ambassador for 2025
Continuous partnership of two continuously-rising Chinese superstars
TECNO made Lay Zhang as their global ambassador last 2024. This year, things are looking bright for these two continuously rising superstars.
Solidified Partnership
This year, TECNO has secured its relationship with Lay with more diverse and exciting projects that resonate toward the younger audience.
Lay mirrors the energy of TECNO’s users and is the ideal inspiration to encourage them in pursuing their goals to achieve success.
Along with his established entertainment agency that continues to hone young talents, it also serves as a true testament that the superstar shares the same vision with TECNO of empowering the next generation.
TECNO’s CMO (Chief Marketing Officer) Laury Bai said that they love working with Lay especially by having the same spirit. He continues to be the embodiment of TECNO’s “Stop at Nothing” ethos — or the brand’s mantra in empowering the youth with modern tech.
TECNO’s tech complemented by products with well-rounded price tags will help the youth seize opportunities that will benefit them in having a better and brighter future.
The same can be said with Lay as he said he continues to be delighted with TECNO’s approach and how it aligns to his quest for aspiration and creation.
As TECNO’s Global Brand Ambassador, Lay will showcase the recently-renewed POVA 7 series. It’s the brand’s smartphone line known for its gaming capabilities paired with a sleek and dynamic design.
Lay also told that he is keen to share with his followers how the new POVA phones deliver an overall smoother entertainment and gaming experience.
Moreover, aside from the continuous collab that involves product promotion, fan engagements, and even concert tour support, it’s also promised that TECNO and Lay will make exciting new music along the magic of C-Pop and Afrobeats to international fans.
With this continuous collaboration, TECNO and Lay Zhang share the same commitment in inspring and empowering global consumers to express themselves, be creative, and pursue their passions.
Lay Zhang, ICYMI
Zhang Yixing — or popularly known in his global mononym ‘Lay’ — is a Chinese superstar who also happened to be a member of one of K-Pop’s most popular idol groups. For most fans, he’s known for taking part in SM Entertainment’s widely-popular 3rd-gen multi-racial boy group ‘EXO‘.
Specifically, he made his debut first under EXO-M, or the group’s Mandarin-speaking/singing sub-unit.
After his long K-Pop journey since 2012, he eventually became not just a singer-songwriter, dancer, and actor, but also a pop slash rap artist, even a true fashion icon. Eventually, Lay Zhang is a true superstar both in China and globally.
Prior all that, he’s a true definition of “a star was born” as he’s already a famous child actor in Hunan, China — which is his hometown.
Entertainment
KPop Demon Hunters 2 is reportedly scheduled for 2029 premiere
That’s a pretty long wait.
“Golden” must be the most popular song this year. Months after the launch of KPop Demon Hunters, the catchy song is still an earworm. Capitalizing on the hit’s success, Netflix is already considering a sequel. Now, KPop Demon Hunters 2 has reportedly been confirmed with a distant release window.
After less than a year, KPop Demon Hunters is already Netflix’s most-watched title ever. The platform was even confident enough to release the film (and a special singalong version) in select theaters. Soon after the success, Sony Pictures Animation and Netflix kept a potential sequel in mind.
Now, according to Deadline, Netflix has greenlit the sequel for production. KPop Demon Hunters 2, or whatever it might be called, will reportedly premiere sometime in 2029.
No, it’s not just you. Four years is a lengthy wait for a sequel. Then again, animated films take much longer to make. For example, Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse, coincidentally also coming from Sony Pictures Animation, will premiere in 2027, which is also four years after the previous film.
However, if the Spider-Verse trilogy is any indication, the longer production time can easily churn out a film that tops charts. Both Across the Spider-Verse and KPop Demon Hunters are easily the top animated contenders of its respective years.
SEE ALSO: KPop Demon Hunters is now Netflix’s most-watched movie
Entertainment
Xolo Maridueña cast as Portgas D. Ace in Netflix One Piece Season 3
The Fire Fist joins production later this year
Xolo Maridueña has been cast to star as Portgas D. Ace in Season 3 of Netflix’s One Piece adaptation.
The 24-year-old actor is known for his roles in Blue Beetle and Cobra Kai. He joins previously announced new cast member Cole Escola, who shall play Bon Clay. Additional cast will be revealed in the future.
Along with this update, Netflix has bared that One Piece will return into production later this year in Cape Town, South Africa. It wasn’t long ago when Netflix confirmed that the live action adaptation is getting another season.
That was when streaming giant also released the trailer for Season 2. Officially titled One Piece: Into The Grand Line, Season 2 features the Grand Line stretch of the bigger Arabasta Saga.
@onepiecenetflix Fire Fist has arrived, Nakama!! 🔥👊🔥 We’re thrilled to welcome Xolo Maridueña to the crew as Portgas D. Ace in ONE PIECE: Season 3! 🏴☠️🔥
Portgas D. Ace joining the Netflix’s One Piece sets up the live adaptation’s expansion with the broader Arabasta Saga for Season 3.
Ace, or Fire Fist, is a crucial character, and briefly appeared after the end of the Drum Island arc to meet Luffy and help the latter’s crew in Alabasta.
His introduction is important to set up the events of Season 3, as well as the future conflict with Marshall D. Teach, or Blackbeard.
But of course, as much as fans want to get ahead of themselves, Season 2 will also set up several events and open the live action world to wider horizons for every stop their favorite Straw Hat pirates make. There’s a lot to look forward to.
Season 3’s co-showrunners, writers, and executive producers are Joe Tracz and Ian Stokes.
Accessories
Samsung Sound Tower, Sound Sessions: When great sound meets great music
OPM takes the spotlight
I grew up surrounded by OPM. I spent years dreaming of being in a band and listening to songs I wish I wrote, which is why I appreciate it when brands highlight local talent instead of relying on specs alone. Samsung’s new Sound Towers arrive with that same approach—powerful audio paired with an even stronger push for Filipino music.
Instead of a standard tech launch, Samsung turned the debut of its latest Sound Towers into a celebration of OPM. Guests didn’t just hear product features; they heard live performances from Over October and The Itchyworms. For anyone (like me) who grew up with the latter, hearing their songs carried by deep, room-filling audio felt like the perfect match between familiarity and innovation.
Built for people who live through music
The ST50F and ST40F are made for moments when sound needs to fill a space and set the tone. The ST50F comes with a telescopic handle, built-in wheels, and up to 18 hours of battery life. You can bring it anywhere and still get the same bold, thumping sound. Its custom bass modes and adjustable party lights let you shape the atmosphere until it matches the playlist.
The ST40F leans into creativity. It has built-in DJ sound effects and samplers, plus ports for microphones and guitars for instant jam sessions. And when you want something bigger, Group Play links up to ten Sound Towers into a shared soundstage that feels like a small concert.
Both towers work with the Samsung Sound Tower App, so you can adjust settings, control the lights, or switch into Karaoke Mode straight from your phone.
Where hardware becomes a platform
Samsung followed the launch with Samsung Sound Sessions, an ongoing digital series that highlights top Filipino artists. The pilot features Over October, with more acts—including The Itchyworms—set to take the stage next.
The idea is simple: pair great music with great audio, then let the artists carry the experience. Instead of showing what the Sound Towers can do, Samsung lets you hear it through musicians you already connect with. For OPM fans, it turns the hardware into a platform that amplifies talent rather than eclipsing it.
Sound built to bring people together
Samsung’s new Sound Towers bring back the feeling of sharing music—whether it’s a weekend gathering or a living room turned into a stage. They can be loud and energetic or warm and intimate. They match the many moods and eras of Filipino music.
Price and Availability
Sound Tower MX-ST50F
- Original Price: PhP 28,999
- Sale Offer: Up to PhP 2,117 off + free microphone
- Available until December 31, 2025
Sound Tower MX-ST40F
- Original Price: PhP 18,999
- Sale Offer: Up to PhP 2,117 off + free microphone
- Available until December 31, 2025
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