What Would You Buy with PHP 1 Million at SM? Pre-Order the HONOR 600S for a Chance to Win

What would you do with PHP 1 million worth of shopping? 

HONOR is giving consumers a chance to make it happen with the new HONOR 600S.

As part of the HONOR 600S pre-order offer, customers can get a chance to win PHP 1 million worth of shopping spree at SM Stores, adding even more excitement to the launch of HONOR’s latest smartphone.

Beyond the exciting prize, the HONOR 600S delivers AI-powered features, 5G connectivity, and long-lasting battery life, making it a compelling choice for consumers looking for an everyday smartphone packed with smart and creative features.

The HONOR 600S is now available for pre-order through authorized HONOR stores and online channels nationwide. Don’t miss the chance to get your hands on the new HONOR 600S—and get a shot at a PHP 1 million shopping spree.

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Puregold Hakot Relay Crosses Finish Line as the Can't-Miss Sporting Event of the Year

Over 4,000 runners felt their hearts pumping and their muscles burning at the latest leg of Puregold Hakot Relay in Imus, Cavite. The highly anticipated running event proved to be a massive success with Puregold shoppers, running enthusiasts, and more driven by the panalo spirit throughout the athletic journey.

Puregold created their signature Hakot Relay as a unique physical challenge for loyal Puregold shoppers, spurring them to showcase teamwork and camaraderie as they sprint to the finish line.

The unstoppable panalo spirit shone through despite the rains. Teams of runners were seen excitedly hauling groceries won in the hakot sections through the course and to the finish line. For some, this meant everyday kitchen essentials like bags of rice, packs of instant noodles, and jugs of soy sauce. For others, it meant singlehandedly carrying home appliances like electric fans on their shoulders through the rain.

Puregold senior manager Ivy Hayagan-Piedad spoke on the importance of the event.

“We started Hakot Relay with a simple idea of bringing our shoppers together through an experience that is uniquely Puregold,” said Hayagan-Piedad. “Seeing everyone show up, cheer each other on, and keep going through the rain was incredible. That’s the panalo energy that makes Hakot Relay so special, and we can’t wait to bring it to more communities.”

Puregold Hakot Relay was more than a treat for families looking to stock up on groceries, however. For those seeking a raw athletic challenge, there was also the 8K Individual Challenge, a new addition to the Puregold Hakot Relay event.

Over 500 runners chose to take on the individual challenge, pushing themselves through a full 8 kilometer course to reach the finish line. Here, the spirit of athletic competition truly came alive, as every runner raced not against the clock or even their fellow runners, but simply against themselves. Making it to the finish line was an achievement in itself, one that was rewarded with a finisher’s medal and a surprise grocery cart they could take home.

Whether pursuing personal achievement or a big win for the family, there was something to be gained for all participants in the Puregold Hakot Relay.

For updates, subscribe to the Puregold Channel on YouTube, like @puregold.shopping on Facebook, and follow @puregold_ph on Instagram and X and @puregoldph on TikTok.

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Spotlight Shines on 26 Shortlisted One-Act Plays for Puregold Teatro Panalo

From 373 original entries, Puregold Teatro Panalo has officially announced its shortlist of 26 one-act plays.

Straight plays and musicals were sent from a whole host of theatrical practitioners, be they respected veterans of the scene or exciting up-and-comers. All of them took the chance to be part of the first ever Puregold Teatro Panalo, and now only 26 have advanced to the next stage of the selection process.

Festival chair and Puregold senior marketing manager Ivy Hayagan-Piedad spoke on the significance of the first ever shortlist. “We received a remarkable level of interest in the first Puregold Teatro Panalo,” Hayagan-Piedad said. “The volume and quality of submissions reflect the depth of Filipino talent and the continued vitality of the country’s theatrical community. Narrowing the entries down was a rigorous process, and the 26 represents a compelling mix of stories, perspectives, and creative voices with the potential to be brought to the stage.”

The 26 shortlisted one-act plays of the Puregold Teatro Panalo include:

STRAIGHT PLAYS

● “@Home” by Edralin Cabrera, Kathlyn Castillo, Michael Ian Lomongo, Marjorie Lorico, Maria Teresa Jamias, & J. Victor Villareal 

● “Ang Huling Panawagan sa Pagdarasal” by Mubarak M. Tahir 

● “Ang Pagbabalik ng Voltes V” by Neil Arkhe Azcuna 

● “Mga Diwata IRL” by Jay M. Crisostomo IV 

● “Nang Muli Kang Makakanta” by Ma. Angelica S. Chiuteña 

● “Nothing But Dreams” by Ricardo C. Novenario 

● “Palabas/Exit” by Angel Oclarit 

● “Pax Silica” by Robert Arlou De Guzman 

● “Silang mga Bayani’t Banal” by Anthony Kim Vergara 

● “Soap Opera” by Jerry O’Hara 

● “The Boy Foretold by the Stars” by Dolly Dulu 

● “The Girl Scout Law” by Rhain Arabella Alcoriza 

● “Trahedya ng Kamote” by Marjay S. Manalastas 

● “True to Life” by John "Sweet" Lapus 

● “Walang Maliit na Bagay” by Joshua Lim So 

● “Youngstunna” by Jerom Andrei M. Canlas

MUSICALS

● “Ang Maayong Balita Sumala Kang Bibo Bautista” by Jude Thaddeus M. Gitamondoc 

● “At Bumaba Ang Mga Tala” by John Rey Tayag Magin 

● “Baka Mali ang Tamaraw” by Emmanuel Benbinuto Antonio 

● “City in Darkness: A Lockdown Musical” by Senedy Que 

● “Feverish Time” by John Edrick R. Alcontado 

● “Manang-Mana Nga!” by Steven Hotchkiss 

● “Outside Looking In” by Timothy Carlo Racho & Michael Angelo Lopez 

● “Tagpuan” by John Austin Perez 

● “Tala” by Jiezl Virmy Chua 

● “The Fourth Wall Has Fallen” by Heber Justin P. O’Hara

Festival director Vincent de Jesus believes the shortlisted works demonstrate great promise for the festival.

“It was difficult enough narrowing things down to 26 deserving one-act plays,” said de Jesus. “From this bunch, only the very best of the best will make it to the stage in February. The Puregold Teatro Panalo will be a showcase of the many talented Filipinos working in theater today and will be the breeding ground for many great works to come.”

From the 26 shortlisted works, only 12 will be selected to form the inaugural festival’s lineup. Of those 12, there will be 8 straight plays and 4 musicals, all of which will be staged at the upcoming festival from February 20 to March 14, 2027.

The selected playwrights will receive ₱100,000 in financial compensation on top of development and production support from festival organizers Wishbone Collective Inc. At the end of the festival, one straight play and one musical will receive development grants set to turn these one-act plays into full-length theatrical productions.

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EastWest Dream Run 2026 heads to Cagayan de Oro with Donny Pangilinan

After the successful Manila and Iloilo legs which gathered over 9,000 dreamers, the EastWest Dream Run 2026 is heading to Cagayan de Oro City on October 18 (Sunday) - made even more exciting with the Donny Pangilinan joining runners as they take on the scenic route in the City of Golden Friendships.

Organized by RUNRIO, the third of the four-leg run series is part of the Bank’s support for the Department of Tourism's Love the Philippines campaign, showcasing Cagayan de Oro as an emerging destination for sports tourism.

Set at Limketkai Center, the Dream Run 2026 will welcome runners across different experience levels, with 1K Dog Run, 3K, 5K, 10K, and 21K distances available for participants looking for anything from a short and easy run to a longer endurance challenge.

Participants can look forward to exclusive race merchandise and finisher rewards, including a race bib, race singlet, finisher's medal, loot bag, finisher's towel, a 21K finisher's shirt, and a dog bandana for Dog Run participants.

The Cagayan de Oro event continues EastWest’s Dream Run experience of bringing together runners, families, and communities through an event built around an active lifestyle and the personal goals that inspire people to keep moving forward.

“The EastWest Dream Run has always been about encouraging people to go after their dreams and goals. After such strong turnout in Manila and Iloilo, we’re excited to bring that experience to Cagayan de Oro and make race day even more memorable with Donny joining our runners on the course,” said Martin Reyes, Chief Marketing Officer of EastWest.

More reasons to join the run

Participants can also make the most of their Dream Run registration through EastWest’s group registration promos. Groups that register 10 runners can receive one free slot through the 10+1 Promo, while groups that register 15 runners can receive two free slots through the 15+2 promo.

EastWest credit cardholders can likewise enjoy a P500 rebate when they use their EastWest credit card to register, giving cardholders another reason to join the Cagayan de Oro leg.

Beyond the race route, runners can also look forward to a lively race village, with exciting raffle prizes, giveaways, and special treats from EastWest and its partners: Filinvest, FDC Misamis Power Corporation, Filinvest Land Inc., Visa, EastWest Ageas, Ford, Nature's Spring, Yakult, Monde Nissin, Toby's Sports, Nutribullet, Dyson, Columbia, Saucony, Mogu Mogu, Colgate, Palmolive, Chlorelief, Salonpas, Ponds, and Clear.

With race day set on October 18, interested runners are encouraged to register for the EastWest Dream Run 2026 at https://www.eastwestbanker.com/dream-run-2026.

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Two Decades Later, Zsazsa Zaturnnah Remains The Queer Icon the Philippines Deserves

What happens when a gay beautician swallows a magical stone from outer space? A queer icon in Zsazsa Zaturnnah is born.

First bursting onto the scene in 2006 in Carlo Vergara’s graphic novel “Ang Kagila-gilalas na Pakikipagsapalaran ni Zsazsa Zaturnnah,” Zsazsa’s beauty, power and irrepresible spirit remain as inspiring in 2026 as they were when she first made her fabulous debut two decades ago.

While Vergara created the story from a very personal perspective, he has found the themes to be enduring. In an interview with When in Manila in 2020, he said, “May timeless quality siya. A lot of the concerns sa libro about LGBTs, not just LGBT, but also about women, about love — favorite topic natin yung love — nandiyan pa rin siya. Hindi siya nawawala.”

“Sad to say, habang nandiyan pa rin yung mga problema, hindi talaga mag-eexpire yung relevance ni Zaturnnah,” said Vergara.

The story of Ada, a gay man, that can transform into the stunning superheroine Zsazsa Zaturnnah adds a fantastical twist to the true-to-life experiences of Filipino members of the LGBTQIA+ community every single day. Ada’s experience as a gay man gets regularly highlighted in the Zsazsa’s adventures, including the search for love and the struggles against homophobia from society and family, even when that family is a zombified version of his father.

Alain Tavita on the Witech Blog writes that, “Zsazsa has proven herself as an everlasting symbol to the LGBTQ+ members and their mass fights for representation, equal rights, and survival in the casually cruel Filipino society.”

The fantastical transformation into Zsazsa highlights other aspects of the queer experience as well. The design of Zsazsa herself takes inspiration from, and has since in turn inspired, many drag queens locally.

Zsazsa’s deep roots to the gay community and the broad spectrum of experiences she demonstrates has lasted through every iteration of the character. Whether it be on Carlos Vergara’s meticulously realized pages or being brought to life on the big screen in live action by namesake Zsa Zsa Padilla or even depicted on stage in her titular musical, Zsazsa Zaturnnah remains an important piece of Philippine pop culture’s representation of the local gay experience.

Among the things Zaturnnah highlights across every adaptation is a distinctly Pinoy sense of humor as well. More specifically, it showcases the “bakla” humor for audiences both domestic and global.

“Siguro comedy…that’s how we deal sa mga problema, concerns,” said Vergara in his 2020 interview. “So in a way, it’s a means for us to process things.”

Zsazsa Zaturnnah’s humor, spectacle, and undeniably proud queerness is set to make a triumphant return to the stage in the coming year. A revival of the hit musical “Zsazsa Zaturnnah Ze Muzikal” will be coming to Shooting Gallery Studios from April to June of 2027.

Produced under Wishbone Collective, the production is spearheaded by an all-star team of acclaimed creatives, including renowned playwright Chris Martinez, on the theatrical adaptation; award-winning lyricist and composer Vincent A. DeJesus, who serves as musical director; and director Chris Millado, former artistic director of the Cultural Center of the Philippines and director of numerous award-winning productions.

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