Puregold Hakot Relay to bring 2026 series to a grand close with Manila race and Panalong Sunset Concert

The Puregold Hakot Relay is gearing up for a grand finale as it brings its 2026 series to Manila on December 5. Set at Burnham Green in Luneta, the final leg promises an exciting day of friendly competition, great teamwork, and a robust community spirit, capped by an evening of live music at the Panalong Sunset Concert.

The Manila edition once again challenges running advocates to navigate a race course while collecting groceries at designated stations. More than a test of participants’ speed and endurance, the Hakot Relay puts coordination and solidarity at the heart of the experience, with shared goals and a bounty of groceries on their way to the finish line.

Since its debut in 2025, the Hakot Relay has grown into a nationwide series, looping in participants eager to take on a unique running challenge while getting a chance to haul off groceries for their households. Following successful legs in Iloilo and Southern Luzon earlier this year, the Manila event serves as the culminating celebration of the 2026 series, highlighted by the thrill of competition, the rewards of teamwork, and the camaraderie that have become hallmarks of the event.

For Puregold Senior Marketing Manager Ivy Hayagan-Piedad, the Hakot Relay has always been about giving loyal customers an opportunity to experience more beyond their everyday shopping trips.

“Now on its third and final leg this year, Puregold Hakot Relay continues to inspire us with the strong sense of community it brings together,” she said. “Seeing our customers show up with their families, friends, and fellow running advocates reminds us why we continue to create experiences like this. Their energy inspires Puregold to make every shopping trip more valuable because we want to offer more than just low prices—we want to give our customers meaningful experiences that they can enjoy and remember. This year’s Manila leg is also our way of giving back, as we welcome over 8,000 runners and help them bring home well-deserved groceries this Christmas season.”

Boosting the festivities is the much-anticipated return of the Panalong Sunset Concert, scheduled for 6:00 PM at the Quirino Grandstand. Filipino music favorites ALAMAT and Ben&Ben will headline the celebration alongside rising girl group XONARA, promising an evening of live performances by homegrown musical talents.

The concert extends the revelry beyond the race course, giving music fans another reason to join the Manila event. While registered runners can enjoy the complete Hakot Relay experience, members of the public may secure a free Panalong Sunset Concert Ticket with Sampling Pass on November 15 by purchasing ₱3,000 worth of groceries at either Puregold Cubao or Puregold Qi Central.

Ahead of race day, registered participants may claim their race kits from November 28 to December 3 at five participating Puregold branches: Puregold Cubao, Puregold Paco, Puregold Qi Central, Puregold Tayuman, and Puregold Taytay.

To receive their official event singlets and race bibs, participants must present their claim stubs at the Puregold store where they registered. Finisher’s medals and hakot loot bags, including the grocery sling bag and finisher’s grocery bag, may be claimed on race day.

As the high point of the 2026 series, the Manila leg brings together everything that has made the Puregold Hakot Relay a distinctive community experience: the thrill of running as a team, the excitement of collecting groceries, and the satisfaction of sharing the rewards with family, friends, and fellow participants.

To be sure, the December 5 celebration promises a memorable conclusion to another year of the Hakot Relay, bringing participants and concert goers together in the spirit of Always Panalo.

Stay updated on Puregold’s latest events and announcements. Subscribe to the Puregold Channel on YouTube, like @puregold.shopping on Facebook, and follow @puregold_ph on Instagram and Twitter and @puregoldph on TikTok.

Mockingbird Pictures Brings Japanese Horror Film 'Cursed Meme' to Philippine Cinemas This November 25

Japanese horror takes a terrifying turn as CURSED MEME, distributed in the Philippines by Mockingbird Pictures, arrives in Philippine cinemas on November 25, 2026.

Officially selected for the Bucheon Choice World feature-film section of the 2026 Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival (BIFAN) in South Korea, the film made its world premiere at the festival in July. Directed by award-winning filmmaker Kan Yamamoto, CURSED MEME offers a contemporary take on Japanese horror, turning an everyday smartphone into the source of an inescapable nightmare.  

A CURSE YOU CAN'T DISCONNECT FROM

After losing her best friend in an accident, lonely high school student Yura Sakaki (Ikoi Hayase) begins to see things others cannot. While cleaning an old school building with her classmates, they discover a battered smartphone. When a disturbing video suddenly plays on its screen, they become connected to a cursed device that begins sending them AI-generated videos depicting their own deaths.

One by one, those who receive the videos meet the exact fate shown on screen. As her classmates fall victim to the curse, Yura discovers the existence of Kinosita-san, the entity behind the terrifying phenomenon. But uncovering the truth only leads to an even greater horror. Can she break free from the curse before it claims her, too?  

AN AWARD-WINNING DIRECTOR AND A RISING YOUNG CAST

Director Kan Yamamoto previously received the Best New Director award at the TAMA Film Awards and the New Director Grand Prix at the Takasaki Film Festival for his film The Star I Watch This Summer (Kono Natsu no Hoshi wo Miru).

With CURSED MEME, Yamamoto shifts from a story about young people connecting online to a chilling exploration of how digital connections can become something far more sinister.

Leading the cast is Ikoi Hayase as Yura Sakaki, in her first solo film-starring role, alongside Airu Kubozuka as Rion Kusakabe and Baku Idegami as Kaori Shinomiya. The cast also includes Alisa Sakamaki as Chiaki Kazami, Mamoru Hagiwara as Souma Takatsuki, Masahiro Sunada as Ryusei Hayashi, and Sono Hiramatsu as Kotoha Hanai.

Blending the unsettling atmosphere of classic Japanese horror with the modern fear of AI-generated content and digital surveillance, CURSED MEME delivers a disturbing reminder that some connections are impossible to escape.

The Art of Better Water: Heart Evangelista Unveils VIOMI's Luxury Smart Water Filtration System for Modern Kitchens

VIOMI Philippines celebrated the arrival of intelligent water technology in the world of sophisticated home living with its grand launch on October 28, 2026, at Solaire Resort, Parañaque City, officially welcoming Heart Evangelista as Grand Brand Ambassador. The ceremonial contract signing brought together celebrities, influencers, doctors, entrepreneurs, distributors, founding partners, and VIOMI Global representatives for an exclusive evening inspired by The Art of Better Water. Proudly owned and managed by ZK Summit Holdings Inc., in partnership with VIOMI Global, VIOMI Philippines introduced its vision of transforming an everyday household necessity into a thoughtfully designed smart home experience.

At the heart of VIOMI's innovation is its mineralized under-sink water filtration system paired with an elegant smart faucet, creating convenient access to purified, mineral-enriched water while maintaining the visual simplicity of a modern kitchen. The brand unveiled its Mineral Pro, Mineral, and Vital Pro, featuring advanced technologies such as a 7-stage filtration process, Reverse Osmosis (RO) and PCB filters, enrichment with six minerals, and smart water quality and filter-life monitoring through the VIOMI mobile app. Designed to sit discreetly beneath the kitchen counter, the filtration unit supports a clean and organized space without compromising functionality. From serving a glass of drinking water and brewing coffee to preparing fresh ingredients and cooking meals, VIOMI brings greater convenience into daily kitchen routines.

For homeowners who value beautiful interiors and practical living, VIOMI offers benefits that extend well beyond aesthetics. Having a dedicated smart water filtration system can reduce the need for bottled-water storage, regular water gallon deliveries, and countertop dispensers that occupy valuable kitchen space. Its intuitive maintenance features, including compatible twist-and-turn filter replacement, contribute to an easier ownership experience. With Heart Evangelista representing the brand, VIOMI Philippines introduces intelligent water filtration as a premium home essential that brings together refined design, everyday wellness, and thoughtful innovation.

Elevate your kitchen with VIOMI AI Water Purifier, a smart water filtration system that combines minimalist design with intelligent water technology. Explore the possibilities of a cleaner, more organized kitchen by following VIOMI AI Philippines on Facebook and Instagram, or discover the collection at https://www.viomi.com.ph/.

Lani Misalucha: The Voice That Never Stops Soaring

The Nightingale Lani Misalucha, delivers a spectacular, heartfelt performance at Vpop Live, Ayala Malls-Manila Bay, while introducing her latest album, 'Punong Matibay'

There are singers who entertain, and there are extraordinary artists who leave an indelible impression on everyone fortunate enough to witness their performances. Lani Misalucha undoubtedly belongs to the latter.

Once again, The Nightingale proved why she remains one of the Philippines' most celebrated vocal powerhouses as she captivated a jam-packed, sold-out crowd at Vpop Live, Ayala Malls-Manila Bay.

With her exceptional vocal prowess, commanding stage presence, and remarkable ability to connect emotionally with her audience, Lani transformed the evening into an unforgettable musical experience.

The performance was part of the promotional tour for her latest album, 'Punong Matibay,' featuring five original songs, 'Aking Tatanggapin', 'Di Na Bale', 'Punong Matibay', 'Sana Lang', and 'From the Ashes'.

Lani opened the show with the soulful classic 'Neither One of Us', followed by 'Inseparable', immediately showcasing the vocal excellence that has distinguished her throughout her illustrious career.

She then delighted the audience with a medley of her beloved hits, including 'Tila', 'Tunay na Mahal', and 'Malaya Ka Na', as the entire venue enthusiastically sang along.

These familiar favorites reminded everyone of the lasting musical legacy she has created through the years.

The spotlight then turned to her new album. She performed 'Aking Tatanggapin', 'Di Na Bale', and 'Punong Matibay'.

The title track was written and composed by her husband, Noli Misalucha, while 'Aking Tatanggapin' and 'Di Na Bale' were penned by Freddie Saturno for Lani.

'Di Na Bale' features lyrics by Tommy Katigbak, with composing and arranging contributions from Tommy Katigbak and Lani herself, and arrangements by Tommy and Rea Katigbak.

One of the evening's most moving moments came with 'From the Ashes', which Lani dedicated to her beloved older sister, veteran theater actress and singer May Bayot-De Castro, who passed away on October the 26th, 2026, after battling primary myelofibrosis.

Performing with a heavy heart, Lani delivered the song as a deeply personal tribute to her sister. The emotion was unmistakable, bringing both the singer and members of the audience to tears. It was a poignant reminder that music can express love, grief, remembrance, and the courage to rise above life's most difficult moments.

She also performed 'Muli' and 'Sana Lang', further showcasing the emotional depth of her new material, before treating the audience to one of her biggest signature songs, 'Bukas Na Lang Kita Mamahalin'.

With a fresh arrangement, she delivered the beloved ballad with remarkable vocal command, demonstrating that despite her partial hearing loss, her passion, determination, and musical artistry remain undiminished.

The audience, clearly unwilling to let the evening end, called her back for an encore. Lani responded with 'I Say a Little Prayer', the timeless classic originally recorded by Dionne Warwick and famously popularized by Aretha Franklin.

She also delighted the crowd with snippets of Whitney Houston classics, including 'Run to You', 'I Will Always Love You', and 'I Have Nothing'.

She eventually concluded the show with 'Hey', by Swedish pop singer Fatima Rainey.

Throughout the evening, Lani demonstrated the qualities that have made her an exceptional concert performer: extraordinary vocal versatility, emotional interpretation, musical sophistication, and an unmistakable stage presence.

She effortlessly moved between international classics, Filipino favorites, powerful ballads, and original compositions, making every performance memorable.

More than a showcase of her vocal abilities, the concert was a celebration of resilience and artistic excellence. Her continued determination to perform despite personal challenges and profound loss speaks volumes about her dedication to music and her love for her audience.

And there is certainly no stopping Lani Misalucha.

On December the 12th, 2026, Saturday, at 7:30 o'clock p.m., she will perform with the Manila Philharmonic Orchestra at the Proscenium Theater, Rockwell Center, Makati City, for 'Symphony of Hope', a benefit concert for Bounty Cares Foundation, Inc.

On December the 19th, Saturday, at 8:00 o'clock p.m., she will headline 'An Evening with LA NIghtingale' at the Teatro ng GSIS, JW Diokno Boulevard, Pasay City, a fundraising concert for Saint Anthony School Manila, Batch '86.

Lani Misalucha's performance at Vpop Live was a triumphant reminder that true artistry goes far beyond hitting extraordinary high notes. It is about touching hearts, creating memories, and making music that speaks to the soul.

Like the title of her new album, 'Punong Matibay', Lani remains steadfast, rooted in her passion, strengthened by life's challenges, and continuing to rise above every adversity.

Some voices are heard, some voices are admired, but only a rare few are remembered long after the music fades. Lani Misalucha possesses that rare gift. At Vpop Live, she did not merely sing for her audience, she gave them an evening to remember, a reason to celebrate, and a powerful reminder that the heart of a true artist never stops singing

WICKER: A Love Story That’s Not What You Expect

Not every love story unfolds the way you imagine, and WICKER proves just that. With an unexpected narrative and a story that goes beyond the usual romantic formula, the film takes you on an emotional journey filled with surprises.  

What makes WICKER interesting is how it challenges your expectations of what a love story should be. It’s not your typical romance, so the best way to experience it is to go in without knowing too much about the plot and let the story unfold.

If you’re looking for something different to watch, WICKER is worth adding to your movie list. Catch the unexpected twists and discover what makes this love story unlike any other!

NOW SHOWING! Watch WICKER exclusively in SM Cinemas starting today, November 4!