Nexal on Why the New Filipino Routine Is Less About Work-Life Balance

 

Work-life balance once implied keeping professional responsibilities and personal time in defined places. That idea is becoming less reflective of how many people structure their days today. With greater flexibility in when and where activities happen, work can exist alongside personal pursuits, wellness, entertainment, and downtime without each needing its own designated space. Nexal sees this shift reflected in its “Work Freely, Live Fully” philosophy, which places technology in support of the individual rather than at the center of the day.

This also changes how productivity is understood. Getting things done is no longer necessarily tied to a fixed schedule or a traditional workstation. Focus can be directed toward a professional task, a creative interest, personal planning, or making time for something meaningful. The value of flexibility lies not in doing more at once, but in having greater control over what deserves attention at a particular point in the day.

For Nexal, that perspective shapes how its devices fit into everyday use. The Nexal Pad, priced at ₱17,999, reflects the role technology can play when focus extends beyond conventional work. Its 11-inch 2.5K display provides space for planning, creative tasks, research, or entertainment, while its AI features and up to 12GB RAM via DRE* support activities that call for concentration. Rather than assigning the tablet to one particular task, its value lies in giving users room to pursue what has their attention.

That sense of personal autonomy also extends to how people spend active and quieter parts of the day. Priced at ₱3,999, the Nexal OpenSports Pro supports running, workouts, and outdoor activities with Dual Conduction, helping users stay connected while remaining aware of their surroundings, while the Nexal Earbuds, at ₱2,999, bring 53dB ANC and 6-mic ENC to music, calls, and everyday listening. Together, they reflect how technology can support both movement and downtime without either being treated as separate from the rest of the routine.

The lineup reflects a less rigid relationship between technology and daily life. A tablet can support focused tasks and personal interests, while audio devices can move between communication, movement, and downtime. For Nexal, this is the thinking behind “Work Freely, Live Fully”: technology should support how people choose to use their time, without defining what that time should be for.

The Nexal Pad, Nexal OpenSports Pro, and Nexal Earbuds are now available at realme & TechLife Stores.

For the Nexal Pad, customers can get Total freebies worth up to ₱7,998, including a Free Keyboard Case + Watch, from September 25 to October 4.

For more updates, follow Nexal on Instagram and visit its official website.

Okada Manila Named Best Hotel – Manila at the 35th Annual TTG Travel Awards 2026

Okada Manila, the Philippines’ largest Forbes 5-Star integrated resort, has been named Best Hotel – Manila at the 35th Annual TTG Travel Awards 2026. The recognition highlights the resort’s distinctive combination of hospitality, facilities and experiences designed to give guests more ways to make the most of their stay.

The awards are voted on by travel consultants, tour operators and destination management companies across Asia Pacific. With no preset list of nominees, eligible travel professionals choose the hotel they believe best meets the award criteria, including services and facilities, range of value-added benefits, and the professionalism of the sales and marketing team in innovative ideas and servicing.

For guests, the recognition reinforces what defines a stay at Okada Manila: the room is only the beginning. Across its 30-hectare property, the resort brings together 1,001 rooms, suites and villas with more than 40 dining options, wellness, shopping, family activities, entertainment and event venues.

“Being named Best Hotel – Manila is especially meaningful because it reflects the complete experience we create for our guests,” said Nobuki Sato, President and Chief Operating Officer of Okada Manila. “Whether guests come to unwind, celebrate, explore new flavors or enjoy time with family, we want every part of their stay to feel considered and memorable. This recognition belongs to our team members, whose dedication brings that experience to life every day.”

More to Discover in One Destination

Guests can savor a range of cuisines, including MICHELIN Selected Ginza Nagaoka; recharge at The Retreat Spa; and explore The Promenade, The Fountain, The Garden and the resort’s pools. Thrillscape and Okada Kids Club add more ways for families to enjoy their time, while year-round entertainment and flexible event venues make the resort a setting for everything from a weekend escape to a major celebration.

Together, these experiences give guests more than a place to stay. They make it easier to dine, relax, explore, celebrate and enjoy more of the resort within one destination.

Shaped by Japanese attention to quality and detail and genuine Filipino warmth, Okada Manila brings these experiences together for leisure travelers, families and business guests alike.

The Best Hotel – Manila recognition reinforces Okada Manila’s commitment to giving guests more reasons to stay, discover and return—all within one destination. For more information and reservations, visit www.okadamanila.com. 

Media Photos

Okada Manila, the Philippines’ largest Forbes 5-Star integrated resort, has been named Best Hotel – Manila at the 35th Annual TTG Travel Awards 2026.

“Being named Best Hotel – Manila is especially meaningful because it reflects the complete experience we create for our guests,” said Nobuki Sato, President and Chief Operating Officer of Okada Manila.

Across its 30-hectare property, the resort brings together 1,001 rooms, suites and villas with more than 40 dining options, wellness, shopping, family activities, entertainment and event venues.

TCL Brings Next-Level Display Portfolio with New Monitors Built for Speed and Precision

 

TCL Philippines, the country’s No. 1 Panel TV brand and a global leader in home electronics, is expanding its display portfolio with two new high-performance gaming monitors: the TCL 27P2A and 25P1AD. Built on TCL’s longstanding expertise in display technology, the new models combine speed, picture quality, and responsive performance at competitive price points, giving more Filipino gamers access to advanced display experiences.

Since officially entering the Philippine monitor market earlier this year, TCL has continued to expand its offering for gamers, professionals and consumers whose screens have become an increasingly important part of how they work, play and create. The move into monitors is a natural extension of TCL’s display business, bringing its expertise across different screen technologies into a category where performance, clarity and responsiveness matter.

“Our newest TCL gaming monitors reflect decades of innovation in display technology. By combining CSOT’s world-class panel engineering with TCL’s continuous breakthroughs in gaming performance, we are delivering displays purpose-built for how modern gamers and creators interact with their screens today,” says Maxi Chen, TCL  Senior Product Manager of Browneline.

He continues, “For the Philippine market, our focus is straightforward: to make advanced display technology more accessible while giving Filipino consumers the performance they expect from TCL. Whether they are gaming competitively, creating content, working, or simply enjoying their favorite entertainment, we want our products to deliver an experience that feels meaningful in everyday use. The 27P2A and 25P1AD are part of that commitment.”

Performance Built for the Game

Leading the new lineup is the TCL 25P1AD, a high-performance 25-inch QHD display built specifically for competitive gamers and fast-paced esports. A native 280Hz refresh rate guarantees consistently fluid FHD visuals. For those who push past the limits. Effortlessly unlock 300Hz via the monitor menu and unleash maximum speed. It allows you to instantly spot critical details, keeping you one step ahead of the competition.

The TCL 25P1AD is engineered to give competitive players a decisive edge, pairing a blistering 0.5ms MPRT response time with intelligent Smart Gaming display features that minimize motion blur and optimize target visibility. Built for smooth, lag-free action, the monitor features dual compatibility with both AMD FreeSync Premium and NVIDIA G-Sync to eliminate screen tearing and stuttering during high-stakes play. Complete with HDR support and 400 nits of peak brightness, the 25P1AD delivers vivid contrast, razor-sharp detail, and tournament-grade fluidity for any setup.

Following the monitor hierarchy is the TCL 27P2A, a 27-inch QHD (2560 x 1440) Mini LED gaming monitor. With a 200Hz ultra -high refresh rate,the image transition becomes more natural. During team battles and when swinging the gun, you can quickly capture key details, giving you the advantage of being one step ahead and achieving victory through ingenious strategies.

Powered by Mini LED backlighting and reaching a striking 600 nits of peak brightness, the display delivers deep contrast, vibrant highlights, and 99% sRGB color gamut coverage for lifelike visual fidelity. Engineered for intense competition, it pairs a true 1ms (GtG) response time with TCL’s proprietary TMOC Motion Clarity technology to eliminate motion blur and trailing. Complete with dual AMD FreeSync Premium and NVIDIA G-Sync compatibility, the 27P2A ensures tear-free, low-latency performance without sacrificing color or contrast.

Both monitors 25P1AD and 27P2A utilize CSOT’s proprietary HFS (IPS-type) high-speed panel technology. This guarantees wide 178% viewing angles, rapid response times, and consistent color stability without color shifts.

The TCL 27P2A and TCL 25P1AD monitors are both available through official TCL stores on Shopee and Lazada. For more information, visit www.tcl.com or follow TCL’s official Facebook and Instagram pages.

Putting the true power in portability with the Jackery Explorer 300D

 

How much of your gear bag does your power source take up?

For digital nomads, freelance creatives, and work-from-home workers, staying productive on the move often means carrying around multiple gadgets, cords, adapters, and multiple power banks just to survive the day. 

We have normalized carrying all this extra weight because the alternative of having a call drop in the middle of a major client meeting or losing work during unexpected brownouts is a nightmare. Maintaining continuity is vital, but what if securing your daily energy did not require so much literal heavy lifting?

It is time to rethink how we carry power. 

Redefining what it means to put real power into true portability, the Jackery Explorer 300D is your partner for more productivity, adventures, and freedom. Instead of feeling like heavy equipment, the Explorer 300D was designed for the modern lifestyle. It moves away from the traditional Jackery aesthetic and features a sleek, speaker-like form factor that looks fantastic on a coffee shop table or minimalist desk. 

Weighing 2.5 kilograms, it is also 64% smaller than standard 300Wh units on the market, so it is easy to carry around alongside camera gear or work essentials.

The secret to this ultra-compact size is a smart engineering choice: Jackery swapped bulky traditional AC wall outlets for a highly efficient DC-only and USB-C setup. This eliminates unnecessary idle power loss, making its 288Wh capacity and 300W total DC output remarkably efficient for powering up gadgets. 

The Jackery 300D also holds enough juice for up to 9 power banks. It can keep a Type-C fast-charging work laptop for up to 3 to 4 full cycles, a Wi-Fi router alive for hours, recharge cameras or drone batteries up to 5x for seamless content creation, or charge small gadgets such as portable fans and smartphones up to 22x, making sure you are never disconnected no matter where you choose to set up your mobile office.

Another brilliant touch is its two-in-one shoulder strap that easily unclips to double as a heavy-duty 140W USB-C charging cable. This means you get true hands-free portability and one less crucial wire to remember before heading out the door.

Lightening your everyday carry while upgrading your mobile workspace is now easier than ever. Shop the Jackery Explorer 300D through the Jackery official online stores on Shopee and Lazada, or drop by the official Jackery kiosk at SM Fairview and other partner stores. 

Experience Life Uninterrupted with Jackery and unlock more possibilities for your mobile lifestyle. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok for more updates.

Share Holiday Magic with Family and Friends as the First Snowfall Arrives at “A Disney Christmas” in Hong Kong Disneyland

It's almost that magical time of year when families and friends come together to celebrate the holiday season and create treasured memories. From November 20, 2026 to January 3, 2027, "A Disney Christmas" returns to Hong Kong Disneyland Resort, where Christmas shines in a way unlike anywhere else. Alongside beloved holiday traditions with Disney friends, guests can step into the immersive World of Frozen and journey to the whimsical kingdom of Arendelle, where Anna, Elsa and Olaf welcome them to a heartwarming winter celebration amidst dazzling holiday decorations and magical snowfall, all in true Arendellian style.

This season, guests can look forward to enchanting new surprises while reliving cherished Disney Christmas traditions. To maximize the holiday magic, guests can enjoy the "Non-stop 2-Day Fun Ticket" offer through December 31, 2026. By adding just HK$100 to a regular 1-Day Ticket, guests can extend the festive celebration into a second day and create even more magical holiday memories together. 

Join Olaf for Festive Cheer at World of Frozen

A festive spirit sweeps across the kingdom of Arendelle as Anna and Elsa welcome guests for a heartwarming winter celebration. Adorned with Arendellian-inspired holiday decorations, World of Frozen is transformed into a sparkling winter wonderland where magical snowfall and festive melodies create the perfect holiday setting around every corner.

No one is more excited for the holiday season than Olaf, Arendelle’s beloved snowman ambassador. Guests will be charmed by Olaf’s signature walk, boundless curiosity, and cheerful smile, as he chats and interacts with visitors of all ages, inviting everyone to enjoy the festive magic in World of Frozen. Along the way, guests may discover Kristoff preparing a Sven-tastic Surprise for his reindeer companion and encounter Anna and Elsa in their winter attire, spreading Arendellian holiday cheer and bringing an extra touch of winter magic to the kingdom with magical snowfall.

New this year is the all-new festive winter market that invites guests to immerse themselves in the kingdom's cherished winter traditions. Filled with handcrafted treasures, festive treats to delightful surprises, this charming gathering place captures the warmth and spirits of Arendelle. 

Even after Christmas, the enchantment continues as Olaf brings in Arendelle’s very first Winterfest from January 5, 2027. Featuring an all-new Olaf encounter through a one-of-a-kind storytelling experience, the celebration fills World of Frozen with heartwarming tales, uplifting music, and charming new surprises for old and new friends.

 Join Disney Friends for Heartwarming Festivities

Wherever guests go, beloved Disney friends are there to share the joy of the season.  Dressed in their festive finest, Mickey and Friends, Woody, Buzz and Jessie, Winnie the Pooh and friends, and many more are ready to greet guests with warm holiday wishes throughout every corner of the park.

An all-new daytime castle stage moment makes its debut this Christmas, bringing guests together with Mickey and Minnie for a special Christmas party in front of the Castle of Magical Dreams, complete with festive music, laughter and even a playful surprise from Stitch. Led by Santa Goofy, the fan-favorite holiday tradition “A Holiday Wish-Come-True” Tree Lighting Ceremony returns, illuminating the night with music, lights and holiday wishes, before glorious snowfall and twinkling drone effects paint the sky. 

The beloved “Disney Christmas Live in Concert!” will once again fill the resort with holiday magic across two weekends on November 21-22, 2026 and December 5-6, 2026. As Disney friends, live musicians and stunning castle projections bring cherished Disney classics and festive melodies to life.

Welcome 2027 in unforgettable Disney style with Mickey and Friends at the one-of-a-kind “New Year’s Eve Countdown” in front of the Castle of Magical Dreams. Make every holiday moment count with Disney Premier Access, including priority admission to designated attractions and entry to the designated viewing areas for “Momentous” and the New Year’s Eve Countdown! 

Starting September 28, 2026, guests can reserve their spot for both “Disney Christmas Live in Concert!” and the “New Year's Eve Countdown” celebration, unlocking the first chapter in a holiday season filled with wonder, cherished traditions and magical moments waiting to unfold.

As the only Disney destination set between majestic mountains and the sea, the resort's breathtaking natural surroundings blend seamlessly with Disney magic to create a truly unique festive celebration. Start planning your family holiday getaway today and make the most of the season with the “Non-stop 2-Day Fun Ticket” festive offer and turn your visit into a magical holiday escape with “2 Nights Plus Special: 30% Off” at one of the resort hotels:

Limited-Time Offers
Offer	Non-stop 2-Day Fun Ticket	2 Nights Plus Special: 30% Off
Details	Enter the park two days in a row by adding just HK$100 to the price of a regular 1-day ticket.	Enjoy 30% off Flexible Rate when you book two or more consecutive nights at Hong Kong Disneyland Resort Hotels.
Booking URL	https://www.hongkongdisneyland.com/offers-discounts/non-stop-2-day-fun-ticket/	https://www.hongkongdisneyland.com/offers-discounts/two-nights-plus-offer/

Christmas and New Year’s Eve Countdown Events
Offer	Disney Premier Access - “Momentous”, 8 Attractions and 2 Shows (New Year's Eve Edition)	Seating Area Pass Packages – “Disney Christmas Live in Concert!”
Details	Including: One-time entry to “Momentous” Nighttime Spectacular designated viewing area One-time entry to “New Year's Eve Countdown” designated viewing area One-time priority admission to all 8 selected attractions One-time priority admission to the designated Theater Show "Mickey and the Wondrous Book" at selected showtime One-time entry to Castle Stage Show designated viewing area	Access to the designated zone of the reserved seating area for “Disney Christmas Live in Concert!” on the selected date Opt for VIP Packages to enjoy festive treats before the show
Booking URL	https://www.hongkongdisneyland.com/hkdl/disney-christmas-intl/
Purchase Date	Starting from September 28, 2026

Park Dining
Offer	Explorer’s Christmas Dinner Buffet at Explorer’s Club Restaurant and Admission to “Momentous” Nighttime Spectacular Designed Viewing Area Package
Details	Guests who purchase this package can enjoy Nighttime Spectacular castle show in designated viewing area as well as the Explorer’s Christmas Dinner Buffet at Explorer’s Club Restaurant.
Booking URL	https://www.hongkongdisneyland.com/book/general-dine/explorers-christmas-dinner-buffet-momentous-package
Purchase Date	Starting from September 28, 2026

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*Guests are required to purchase their tickets in advance and have a valid park reservation for their visit. 

Please refer to the latest visit arrangements on Hong Kong Disneyland’s official website: https://www.hongkongdisneyland.com/

Familiar and Fresh: How URC Continues to Surprise Filipinos After 70 Years

Some favourites never go out of style—and they continue to delight in new ways. For 70 years, Universal Robina Corporation (URC) has been a constant companion in Filipino households through quality and well-loved brands such as Jack ‘n Jill Piattos, Maxx, Cloud 9, Cream-O, C2 Cool and Clean, and Great Taste, among others. Staying true to its purpose of delighting everyone with good food choices, URC constantly evolves alongside the tastes and lifestyles of consumers.

Today, the company continues to excite generations of consumers by introducing fresh flavours, new formats, and exciting product experiences that prove innovation can come from the brands Filipinos already know and love. 

Here’s how some of URC’s popular brands are continuously evolving to excite and delight everyone:

The iconic tasty hexagon snack keeps offering exciting flavours

As a staple in daily snacking moments of Pinoys, Piattos is widely loved for its signature hexagon shape, satisfying crunch, and classic flavors such as Cheese, Sour Cream & Onion, Roadhouse Barbeque, Nacho Pizza, Roast Beef and Spicy Cheese. To excite today’s adventurous palates and satisfy evolving snack cravings, the brand continues to introduce more flavor options—from limited-edition creations like Beef Bulgogi and Truffle Cream, to exciting flavor combinations like its latest Cheddar & Sour Cream variant.

Alongside Piattos, other Jack 'n Jill favorites—including Nova, Mang Juan, and VCut—as well as classics like Chippy and Chiz Curls, continue to roll out exciting new flavor profiles, giving Filipinos even more reasons to look forward to snack time.

From sandwich cookie to full chocolate experience 

Cream-O has long been the go-to treat for chocolate lovers, but URC has reimagined the brand to go way beyond the traditional cookie format. To satisfy modern cravings for premium and indulgent textures, the brand has expanded into an entire ecosystem, featuring Cream-O Cake Bar, Cream-O Cakewich, and Cream-O Premium. Its newest is the Cream-O Dark Choco, an indulgent cookie sandwich that offers a rich and bold chocolate experience. 

The spirit of variety extends across URC’s biscuit favourites with Dewberry, Presto, and Magic Crackers, continuously adapting their formats to fit every kind of modern snack craving.

Reimagining the chocolate enjoyment with a new crunch 

Known for its signature combination of nougat, caramel and peanuts, URC’s Cloud 9 chocolate has been a go-to treat for several chocolate lovers. The brand has been introducing new ways to satisfy sweet cravings by offering products like the new Cloud 9 Crunchies that bring a fun and crispy texture to a familiar favourite.

Alongside Cloud 9, other fun treats like Nips chocolate introduce vibrant flavors and formats, proving that chocolate moments can make any day a little sweeter.

Fruity freshness, now with a chewy twist

Maxx has always been a pocket essential for on-the-go freshness. Recognizing a growing consumer preference for playful, chewy textures, URC expanded its candy lineup with Maxx Chews. This chewy menthol candy comes in a convenient, value-packed three-piece stick that is tailor-made for the fast-paced routines of modern commuters and professionals.

Together with URC’s other candy favourites like XO, Dynamite and Lush, Maxx offers something for every candy craving and every moment that calls for a refreshing treat.

Offering refreshing tea favorites, and flavor innovations 

As the pioneer of ready-to-drink green tea in the Philippines, C2 Cool and Clean introduced a refreshing tea experience to Filipinos. Alongside its Classic Green Tea, Apple, and Lemon variants, C2 continues to evolve its product lineup, introducing flavor innovations such as Raspberry, Dalandan and Peach. Its latest flavor, C2 Freeze Melon, brings an innovative twist on fruity tea with a delicious melon flavor and a refreshing coolness that lingers in every sip.

Brewing modern coffee moments, one cup at a time

As one of the country's most chosen beverage brands (based on Kantar's Brand Footprint report), URC’s Great Taste has a history of delivering innovative products - most notably by introducing White Coffee in the Philippines. 

URC continues to elevate Pinoy’s daily coffee ritual with the new Great Taste Premium roast, a coffee mix that’s designed to give everyone a delicious afternoon coffee break companion with its Tapang-Sarap blend of dark-roasted robusta coffee, palm sugar and real milk - para Balik Lakas Sigla.

Bigger, bolder flavours for instant happiness 

Payless continues to redefine value-for-money meals by giving consumers MORE at a sulit price, through its delicious range of instant noodle variants and bold innovations. 

Its newest Payless Chili Garlic Mami offers a flavorful twist on a Filipino comfort food favorite. Made with rich chili oil and real garlic bits, this crave-worthy meal delivers a balanced blend of Anghang-Linamnam that elevates your everyday noodle cravings. Experience the kakaibang Anghang-Sarap na Tumatatak goodness of Payless Chili Garlic, available in Beef and Chicken flavors.

Moving into modern pet care

Beyond making everyday snacking moments more enjoyable for Filipinos, URC also supports joyful moments shared by pet parents and their fur babies. Through its award-winning pet care brand, TopBreed, URC has been supporting fur parents’ journey by offering quality pet care products including dog and cat food, and other pet essentials. This 2026, TopBreed brand started expanding its portfolio from dry dog and cat food to other formats like wet and treats, also TopCare cat litter.

Always something new to discover

For 70 years, URC has grown alongside generations of Filipinos—evolving with changing tastes, lifestyles, and everyday moments. As a lifestyle companion, URC stays true to what it has always stood for: bringing quality, flavor and everyday delight to Filipino homes.