Lifestyle
Xiaomi Pop Run 2024 draws 2,000 runners in a celebration of fitness and technology
The Xiaomi Smart Band 9 makes its debut, combining fitness and innovation
Around 2,000 runners gathered bright and early at the SM Mall of Asia grounds on August 31 for the Xiaomi Pop Run 2024 .
Runners of all levels showed up, from hardcore athletes to casual joggers, each pushing themselves in their own way.
The 10KM Professional Race category had participants going head-to-head for the top spot. Exciting Xiaomi prizes like the Xiaomi 13T, Xiaomi Watch S2, and Xiaomi OpenWear Stereo earbuds were up for grabs.
Mark Anthony Octimar took home first place with a time of 36:05. On second place was Jose Fabito, Jr. (37:10) and Ronald Salgado (38:26) took the third place.
For those looking to tackle a shorter distance, the 5KM Fun Run category was the perfect fit. Coach and trainer Jason Cunanan was on-site, keeping everyone warmed up and ready.
Take on the race with the Xiaomi Smart Band 9
On another note, during the Xiaomi Pop Run 2024, Xiaomi has unveiled the new Xiaomi Smart Band 9. It’s a sleek fitness band that tracks all your vitals and workouts. With up to 21 days of battery life on a single charge, it’s built to keep up with you.
The Xiaomi Pop Run 2024 wouldn’t have been possible without the support of partners like Red Bull, Salonpas, Gourmet Farms, Dermplus, Fast Aid Kit, SunCoast Brands, Viu, Fitbar, and Yogorino.
If you’re curious about the new Xiaomi Smart Band 9 or other devices, they’re available at authorized Xiaomi stores and on their official Lazada and Shopee stores. You can learn more by visiting http://mi.com/ph.
Accessories
Manila turns up the volume at COVE
Sony Philippines launched its ULT TOWER lineup at Beyond the Beat, with SB19 joining the ULT Squad.
Sound and style shared the floor at COVE Manila in Okada Manila. Sony Philippines opened its doors for Beyond the Beat: The Next-Level ULT POWER SOUND Experience.
The event marked the company’s biggest ULT POWER SOUND launch in the country, and Sony paced the program like an exclusive night out.
Stacked ULT Towers filled the space. Guests styled themselves with designer pieces from Alser Lumawag, and SB19 closed the evening as the newest Sony ULT Squad members.
MySony members from every tier joined industry guests while the new ULT TOWER lineup set the tempo.
The towers take center stage
Shuhei Sugihara, Sony Philippines’ President and Managing Director, opened the program.
Product Marketing Specialist Keira Ambubuyog then introduced the newest additions to the lineup.
Arbie Bandiling of Personal Audio Systems unveiled the latest ULT Squad video. The clip introduced the artists and personalities fronting the campaign.
The lineup features the ULT TOWER 5, ULT TOWER 7, and ULT TOWER MAX. The new series pairs large circular woofers and high-capacity cabinets with ULT DUCT technology.
This design delivers stronger low-frequency bass than earlier models. The ULT TOWER MAX leads the series, described as Sony’s most powerful bass speaker yet.
On another note, Sony pitches the ULT TOWER 7 as stage-worthy sound in a portable frame. Meanwhile, the compact ULT TOWER 5 targets smaller gatherings and features karaoke and DJ capabilities.
Experiential zones bring the sound to life
Guests explored the lineup across several interactive event zones. Step into the Beat paired an arcade-inspired setup with stacked ULT Towers and a dance pad. ULT Selfie Club handled photo ops.
Nearby, ULT Cover Star let guests style ULT Field speakers alongside designer pieces from Alser Lumawag. Here, the speakers served as chic fashion accessories.
The Bass District gave VIPs and influencers a private, nightlife-inspired lounge. Karaoke Lounges invited everyone else to grab a mic and test the party-ready towers firsthand.
The ULT Squad shows up
Fashion influencer and ULT Squad member Angelique Manto-Guison hosted the night.
A-Team opened the show with a high-energy routine before Carlos Serrano III took the stage. David Guison and Jacqueline Jala walked the stage with ULT Models in elevated fashion, and Jeremy G followed with a dynamic musical performance.
KAIA brought a youthful pop sound, while Maki delivered a set in his signature style.
SB19 closed the night, making their debut as the newest Sony ULT Squad members. Sony pairs its sound technology with the group’s influence in Filipino music. This collaboration positions the Squad as a platform for artists shaping contemporary music culture.
The ULT TOWER MAX, ULT TOWER 7, and ULT TOWER 5 are now available at Sony Centres and authorized dealers nationwide.
Lifestyle
Nike’s Alphafly 4 is built for the part of the marathon ~that actually hurts~
Made to protect your stride when fatigue sets in.
Every marathoner knows the exact moment the race truly begins.
It’s not at the starting line amidst the early morning excitement, but around the 32-kilometer mark, when your legs begin to feel heavy and your form starts to fall apart.
Nike designed its latest marathon racer specifically for that critical window. The Alphafly 4 shifts the focus away from chasing sheer top-end speed, targeting instead the physical breakdown that happens late in a long run.
By studying how fatigue alters a runner’s mechanics over time, Nike rebuilt its flagship distance shoe to help athletes maintain their stride when energy starts to dip.
Holding the line when fatigue sets in
On the road, the shoe operates as a complete, unified system designed to protect your stride.
A redesigned Atomknit upper wraps the foot with breathable support, using targeted midfoot cables and an integrated heel unit to keep your fit secure without adding unnecessary weight or friction over long distances.
Underfoot, the new ZoomX LT foam layer works alongside Nike’s contoured carbon-fiber Flyplate. The lighter foam returns maximum energy with every footfall, while the plate smooths out your rolling motion.
Together with dual forefoot Air Zoom units and a durable Fast Shot outsole, the setup keeps your cadence consistent and your legs feeling fresh well into the back half of the race.
As Emily Farina from the Nike Sport Research Lab notes, their goal was to help runners stay confident, balanced, and capable from the start line all the way to the finish.
Built on the miles that came before
That focus on real-world endurance stems directly from athlete testing.
Nike developed the shoe using feedback from its Project Dreamweaver initiative and extensive trials with women distance runners, prioritizing stability and comfort alongside high performance.
The lineage carries significant weight. The Alphafly family has grounded some of distance running’s greatest moments, from historic sub-two-hour efforts to major course records.
With the Alphafly 4, that legacy translates directly into everyday marathon training, helping athletes hold their target pace just a little bit longer. Marathoners won’t have to wait long to feel the difference on race day.
The Nike Alphafly 4 drops in an early, limited release on September 17 at nike.com, followed by a wider global release on October 29 online and at select retail stores.
Entertainment
SEGA, Netflix announce Crazy Taxi film adaptation
1st in planned slate of film adaptations, including Sonic and STRANGER THAN HEAVEN
SEGA and Netflix have announced a new Crazy Taxi film adaptation. This will usher in a new collaboration era with the parties also developing adaptations for Sonic and STRANGER THAN HEAVEN.
Such a slate of future adaptations reflects the range of SEGA’s library as it draws on Netflix’s experience bringing beloved game worlds to new audiences.
The first project features Crazy Taxi, which will be written by Dan Gregor and Doug Mand. The beloved writing duo was behind the 2025 reboot of The Naked Gun.
Also on board to help helm the production are the same visionaries behind the Sonic franchise: Neal H. Moritz, Toby Ascher, and Toru Nakahara.
Crazy Taxi has been an arcade hit since 1999, putting players behind the wheel of a fearless cabbie racing the clock through chaotic city streets.
There’s flying off ramps, dodging traffic, and chasing tips with punk-rock energy that has become the series’ signature.
The latest title in the franchise, Crazy Taxi: World Tour, is set for a 2027 release. You can watch its trailer below:
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