Xiaomi Holds Xiaomi Pop Run 2023 at Bridgetowne in QC

It was certainly a great morning to have a few of my blog friends and different health enthusiasts join the XIAOMI POP RUN 2023 which was held last October 28th at the Bridgetown grounds in Quezon City. I'm quite familiar to the place because when I had a blue collar job my previous corp opened an office nearby. There were a lot of people from nearby corps who joined in plus some of Xiomi's very own employees, friends and family who participated in this event.

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Around 5am, warm ups were done first by instructors to make sure we had blood rushing through our veins before the actual 3K and 10K runs. This is the first Xiaomi Pop Run event being held in the country and it has been a tradition in other parts of the world, it was a glad addition to the already big runs happening elsewhere (they were being done simultaneously in several cities around the world and Manila just got it). This all started in China via the Orange Run in 2018 which was well attended by Xiaomi fans.

When the race started, the 10K Run was done first. I thought it was going to be relatively easy, but no, the run had some several pros in them. There were also a lot of participants that had their Xiaomi Bands with them, which was also a good thing as they were launching the latest one the Xiaomi Band 8.

I wore one too, the White version while there were other runners that had the Black. The night before, I wore it to monitor my sleep (and saw I only had an hour in it lol #badboy). The Xiaomi Band 8 had other features to monitor the distance they ran, the time, heart rate, even blood oxygen levels (which I did during the pandemic often). There's also a way to monitor the route because it had GPS capabilities, so when the race started, they switched it to that as well. What I liked most about the Xiaomi Band 8 is the really clear 1.62 inch AMOLED display and the long lasting batteries it had (which promised 16 days, and I have yet to charge it since I've worn it that day). I also had the opportunity to take photos with several Sparkle teens and Sparkle artists as well who joined the 3K Xiaomi Pop Run, particularly Will Ashley,  Keisha Serna, James Graham, Abdul Raman, Ella Cristofani, Jade Tecson, Aidan Veneracion, Tanya Ramos, Lianne Valentin, and Raheel Bhyria. They were a fun bunch!

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Winners were given a brand new Xiaomi 13T smartphone a Xiaomi Smart Band 8 depending on the distance and time. The other sponsors like Redbull, Viu, Salonpas and Fitbar made sure lucky participants were given prizes through the on the spot raffles before the event ended. They also thanked their partners at Bridgetowne Destination Estate and Robinsons for doing the same. They also promised more things to come in the next Xiaomi Pop Run, yes there will be one next year! If you want to know more, make sure to follow Xiaomi Philippines social channels and their official website. See you then!

MYMP Releases "Di Mo Lang Alam" Under PolyEast Records

I've been an MYMP fan for a couple of years now. I'm not afraid to admit, I'm obsessed with the acoustic and heartbreaking songs they dished out in past albums, and hearing they're releasing a new single made my MYMP heat quite happy. For starters, they've got sisters Juliet Bahala and Ethyl Bahala singing for the band. This means it's a whole new plethora of music that they're going to do as it won't sound the same if they only had one vocalist. They're already awesome individually and since they're singing together, it's something different which Chin Alcantara welcomes. He says much of their music revolves around the singer, and the recent single they released called "Di Mo Lang Alam" had a more pop hopeful love song vibe. We met them at the SUPERSAM branch here in Scout Tobias in Quezon City.

Juliet is a very spirited songwriter, and she's got more songs in the pipeline which they plan to release in the near future, to hopefully complete an album. They have been working hard after renewing ties with PolyEast Records. The new music will certainly earn them another generation of fans, while hopefully not alienating those who love the previous songs they released. This is what Chin believes is his responsibility as a Producer, and I think he's done a remarkable work with this.

Here's our interview with the band last night, please enjoy!

"Di Mo Lang Alam" was something that has spurred from imagination, funny that it came from a day she forced herself to write. Juliet asserts that much of the upcoming songs they plan to release would be something relatable, with efforts to concentrate on what people go through at a certain stage in their lives. It's also about vulnerability, to allow yourself to muster up the courage to tell the one you love how you feel and the sacrifices you did for them. The band also has plans to make songs in English to cater to those who are outside the country and prefer it in that language. They also don't have concert goals yet, but much of the success they've achieved in the past few years have always been that way, and hopefully, the same happens in the next couple of months.  

They do have plans to make a music video for the new single, but for the meantime, you can go to the MYMP Facebook page to know more about where they are regularly performing. The single is now out on Spotify, Deezer, YouTube Music, Apple Music and other streaming platforms where available. You can also head on to the official PolyEast Records social channels to see where MYMP's music is going, because as far as what I've seen last night during their gig, it's going to be awesome!

@kumagcow MYMP Vocalists Juliet and Ethyl Bahala Performs Always Forever at Supersam Scout Tobias #TikTokHalloween #halloween2023 #music #mymp #tiktoktainment ♬ original sound - John Bueno

 Here's a little more chat about the time we talked about the health issues that Juliet went through and have been able to overcome,

 

I'd like to take this bit to thank the men and women from PolyEast Records and the MYMP management who hooked us up so we could talk to them. Again, thank you!

(Their performance are now all posted on my TikTok account, follow @kumagcow there too please!)

Book A Hotel, Create Content and Earn with TRAVEREEL

Spent a few hours with the people from the travel industry and a couple media outlets as they launched TRAVEREEL in the Philippines. It's a social media and booking app all in one. It can even get you to earn by sharing your experience, earning through the bookings that others make too.

Travereel's Founder Ricky Sy says "I'm a tech-preneur. We could be seeing a revolution happen in the next few years. When we make travel plans, I make my kids pitch ideas and see for ourselves where that is, ask the other users which seem a little stalkerish. It's a new way of booking, you get to also share your experience when you travel and get perks in the process. We hope you get to try it too."

Vicky Rada Travereel COO adds "This is in the best position to capture a new generation of travelers. Globally, travel has already surpassed the percentages in the last three years (prior to pandemic). The millennials and zoomers are still the leading travelers, and they also spent even more time doing it. They also are digital savvy, and very active posting in social media. They also value convenience and even go through travel agencies. More people in between means more expenses, we're trying to solve that here."

15 year old Maddigan Sy says "Gen Z prefers video, instant gratification, and decisions are partly from social media. Online travel apps make it convenient for the travel hungry Gen Z's and it continues to grow year on year."

Debby Nevata the travereel CEO says "For us to validate this idea, we need to target the travelers, hotels and the content creators. Doing consumer research, we have noted there is a need to have targeted and relevant content, privacy, security, clickable links and a sign up procedure that is seamless and free. Travereel is a new booking experience that revolutionizes the way you book, meet, create content and earn as a user. You also discover and meet like minded people in the app, with the aim of helping travelers from all over the world to decide where to go next! This is an online travel agency, where you can book, with flexible payment terms, and a chance to earn from the content you share. The app currently have 3 Million partner hotels."

Lizard Global CEO Terrence Ridder talks more about it and says "We need to go somewhere, and there are so many apps out there. This makes you welcome, help you feel the true hotel experience especially if you are into scenic trips. If you are demanding, you want to see it right away. Registration should be fast, no fuss, know what the app does and its purpose. You can also use a voucher as a welcome gift, and follow people who are also into destinations you love (including those in your bucket list). This social aspect makes it tangible, you can book through it too, and share the experience with friends as well. Those things you record with the beautiful views, amenities, would come into good use. It's all user generated, validated and keep track what users are doing to keep the app updated."

Deepak Kumar of Paymongo shared information about their payment system and adds "Transactions online should be safe and secure, it allows businesses to accept from various payment methods online. We heavily invest in the technology and now include e wallets, online banks, also work with disbursements and capitals. It is convenient and smooth, easy to transfer and sync plus use conveniently on websites through secured channels. We are your partner against hackers and fraudsters. We have machine learning engine and do fight fraudsters in real time. We also have one dashboard, so the platform is easy to manage payments, disbursement and your transactions in one place."

They also allow Travel Now Pay Later options through BillEase. According to Kurt Molina, their consumer app helps  you pay it through credit limes especially if you don't have a credit card yet. There are over 4 Million users on their platform and you can use the Buy Now Pay Later options to avail services like travel so you don't go through financial strain right away. It's one of the mode of payments available at the travereel app." 

travereel is indeed a new booking experience which you can do today. Go download it on Google Play or iOS and see what wonders your wanderlust can do! 

Scenes from GMA's SPARKLE SPELL 2023

If you've been seeing them all over social media, here's a glimpse on what happened last October 22 at the SPARKLE SPELL, the heavily anticipated and star studded Halloween party of Sparkle GMA Artist Center. Donned in their Halloween costumes, they went to a grand venue called XYLO at the Palace in BGC.

Mind you, each individual GMA star actually thought about what they wanted to wear, getting to fulfill their Halloween fantasies for one night, much to the amusement of their peers, GMA executives and the media. They all got to the Black Carpet where hosts Martin Javier, Shuvee Etrata, Migs Almendras and gorgeous Janeena Chan were tasked to ask about what they wore in detail that evening. This was all broadcasted in Sparkle's social channels such as TikTok, Facebook and on YouTube. It was the talk of the town, and got Sparkle Spell 2023 in the day's trending topics as fan groups also cheered on their favorite stars that night.

Of course, the night wouldn't be complete without seeing Sparkle's brightest like 5 Breakups and a Romance star Alden Richards. For those, who are BarDa fans, they came in their best Anime and GOT characters, pretty good to see them in one place (be sure to also watch their show!). Aside from them, your favorites Julie Anne San Jose (who just came back from Israel OMG), Kyline Alcantara, Voltes V's Jamie  Ysabel Ortega and good looking Miguel Tanfelix (Mad Hatter) plus the sexy and sultry Sanya Lopez who just went in the venue and had fun with their co-stars.

Much of them who really made an effort didn't go empty handed as various awards were given to them. I AM Worldwide gave Miguel Tanfelix and Jillian Ward (aside from the Urban Smile Most Spooktacular Smile Award) the I AMazing Looks of the Night. Sanya got Juju Glow's Enchantingly Fresh Star of the Night, while Kyline Alcantara got the O Wow! Outfit from food brand Oishi (and yes she looked awesome!). Teen loveteam Sofia Pablo and Allen Ansay had a Barbie and Ken themed costume, which got them TikTok's Crowd Favorites. Miguel and Ysabel took the Fabulously Scary Costumes of the Night award with their Alice in Wonderland themed costumes, it was a fitting Voltes V Legacy reunion out there too. Real life lovers Rayver Cruz and Julie Anne San Jose did a Scooby Doo number, it was fun to se Fred and Daphne personified (if you grew up watching the series, they did good!).

Using his muscles to good use, Derric Monasterio got into character and did Achilles, complete with a shield, sword, leather and a live horse OMG, which also won him Black Carpet Stunner Award that night. That was super deserved!

Giving multiple Stars of the Night awards to Barbie Forteza, Liezel Lopez, Martin Del Rosario, Joaquin Domagoso, and the incomparable Sassa Gurl was just a lovely gesture, they did the work with the outfits they made and yes, with a socially relevant statement on some of them, it was all so impressive! Voltes V Legacy stars Miguel Tanfelix, Ysabel Ortega, Radson Flores, Matt Lozano and Raphael Landicho planned well wearing the Alice in Wonderland themed outfits, making them a fitting winner for the Sparkle Stars of the Night Award. They did their research well, and seriously did crazy good!

This event wouldn't be possible without the help of the countless presenters and sponsors like Oishi, Juju glow, Caltrate, Urban Smiles, IAM Worldwide, Avignon Clinic, JLA Seafoods, Sweet Comfort Events Management (who coordinated the actual event), TikTok Philippines, the fabulous Gideon Hermosa and his team from the House of Hermosa, Niceprint Photos (where these shots came from). They also send their thanks to Air Asia, Cebuana Lhullier, Clinique, Premier Drip, Kemans, Merlion Entertainment and Philip Stein, everyone who made Sparkle Spell 2023 a resounding success!

Thanks for letting us see SPARKLE SPELL this 2023! :) This was really so much fun! So, which one was your favorite?