Monday, October 26, 2026
An everyday tech comparison for people who want to keep an eye on their health, sleep, and physical activity
My Apple Watch met its demise in the turquoise waters of Boracay. I had it for a good 6-7 years. I totally forgot to toggle some settings before I took a dip in the ocean. It's supposed to be waterproof but the saltwater probably ruined it for good. A few hours later, it wouldn't power on. I knew it was on the verge of conking out as the battery life was getting shorter by the day.
Anyway, I decided not to get another Apple Watch because based on experience, I don't use much of the features except for the health metrics. I figured I could just use an ordinary yet reliable sports band that can cater to my required health metrics requirements-heart rate, blood oxygen, HRV, stress level, menstrual cycle, sleep, and workout activity.
After researching for an immediate replacement for my Apple Watch, I decided on two devices: Huawei Band 11 Pro and HLTH Band. Both are within my budget range and they satisfy the requirements for a health monitoring watch.
Why two devices?
Because sometimes, one fitness tracker isn't enough. Not because we need more gadgets, but because different wearables can serve different purposes.
The HLTH Band and HUAWEI Band 11 Pro are two devices that approach health and fitness tracking from different directions. One focuses on discreet, continuous wellness monitoring, while the other combines fitness features with the convenience of a watch.
I decided to use both devices, not necessarily to find a winner, but to explore how they might complement each other in everyday life.
HLTH Band: The Quiet Health Companion
The HLTH Band is designed for people who want to collect wellness data without wearing a traditional smartwatch. Its screenless design keeps things simple, while its companion app provides access to health and activity information.
Its advertised features include continuous heart-rate monitoring, heart-rate variability (HRV), blood oxygen measurements, sleep tracking, stress insights, activity tracking, and blood-pressure insights. It also offers an extended battery life of up to 30 days, depending on usage.
Another appealing feature is that it does not require a subscription to access its advertised tracking features. I also like the one key measurement feature on the app that allows you to measure heart rate, blood oxygen and blood pressure with a press of a button.
The HLTH Band is particularly interesting for people who want to observe longer-term patterns in their sleep, recovery, and daily activity without constantly checking a display.
HUAWEI Band 11 Pro: The Everyday Fitness Watch
The HUAWEI Band 11 Pro takes a more traditional approach. It has a 1.62-inch AMOLED touchscreen, a lightweight design, fitness tracking, health monitoring, and smartwatch conveniences.
It supports heart-rate monitoring, blood oxygen measurements, sleep tracking, stress monitoring, and multiple workout modes. It also includes built-in GNSS for outdoor activity tracking without relying on a phone's GPS.
Its 5 ATM water-resistance rating makes it suitable for swimming under the manufacturer's stated conditions.
With notifications, alarms, a visible clock face, and workout information displayed on the wrist, it can serve as both a fitness companion and an everyday watch.
HLTH Band vs HUAWEI Band 11 Pro: Feature Comparison
| Feature | HLTH Band | HUAWEI Band 11 Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Design | Screenless wearable | Fitness band with touchscreen |
| Display | None | 1.62-inch AMOLED |
| Heart-rate monitoring | Yes | Yes |
| HRV tracking | Yes | Check available metrics in the companion app |
| Blood oxygen (SpO₂) | Yes | Yes |
| Blood-pressure insights | Advertised | No direct blood-pressure measurement |
| Sleep tracking | Yes | Yes |
| Stress tracking | Yes | Yes |
| Steps and activity | Yes | Yes |
| Outdoor GPS | Connected GPS through phone | Built-in GNSS |
| Swimming | Check the exact water-resistance rating of your HLTH model | 5 ATM |
| Advertised battery life | Up to 30 days | Up to 14 days in light use; around 8 days typical |
| Smartphone compatibility | iOS and Android | iOS and Android |
| Subscription | Not required | Not required for standard band features |
| Best suited for | Discreet wellness tracking | Everyday fitness and smartwatch convenience
|
Specifications are based on manufacturer information. Battery life varies with settings and usage. Health features and compatibility can depend on firmware, app version, and region.
Can You Wear Both Devices at the Same Time?
Yes. Wearing two trackers can be an interesting way to compare their readings and understand how their features differ.
For example, the HLTH Band could be used for discreet, around-the-clock wellness tracking, while the HUAWEI Band 11 Pro could serve as the everyday watch for workouts, walks, and outdoor activities.
However, two wearables will not necessarily produce identical readings. Their sensors, measurement intervals, algorithms, and positioning can differ.
For a fair comparison, it helps to wear them consistently and compare similar measurements over several days rather than relying on a single reading.
What to Compare
- Resting heart rate: Look for similar overall trends.
- Sleep duration: Compare estimated sleep and wake times, not just the total score.
- HRV: Check whether both devices offer comparable measurements and reporting periods.
- Steps: Wear both consistently during your usual daily activities.
- Walking workouts: Compare duration and heart-rate trends, keeping GPS settings in mind.
- Swimming: Compare workout duration and other metrics supported by each device.
One important reminder: agreement between two consumer wearables does not prove that either measurement is medically accurate. For blood pressure, use a validated upper-arm monitor rather than relying on a wearable's estimates.
Which One Is Better for Swimming?
For swimming, the HUAWEI Band 11 Pro has a clear specification advantage with its 5 ATM rating. It is designed to withstand the pressure associated with specified shallow-water activities, including pool swimming.
The HLTH Band's published water-resistance specifications have varied across product pages and versions. Check the documentation supplied with your particular device before taking it into the pool.
Water resistance also does not guarantee that every feature will work underwater exactly as it does on land.
Battery Life: Convenience Matters
Battery life is one of the HLTH Band's strongest selling points. Its advertised maximum of up to 30 days means fewer charging interruptions.
The HUAWEI Band 11 Pro offers up to 14 days under light-use conditions, with approximately eight days quoted for typical use. Features such as always-on display and frequent workouts can shorten that time.
For someone who wants to wear a tracker overnight, fewer charging interruptions can make a difference. On the other hand, the Huawei's display makes it easy to check information without opening an app.
Which One Should You Choose?
The answer depends on how you prefer to use technology.
Choose the HLTH Band if you prefer:
- A discreet, screenless design.
- Long battery life.
- Wellness, sleep, and recovery trends.
- A tracker that does not demand much attention.
Choose the HUAWEI Band 11 Pro if you prefer:
- A visible watch face and notifications.
- Built-in GNSS for outdoor activities.
- A convenient display for workouts.
- Swimming and everyday fitness tracking.
Or consider using both. If you already own the two devices, there is no need to force them into a competition. They may serve different purposes in your daily routine.
Final Thoughts: Complementary, Not Competing
Fitness trackers can be useful tools for becoming more aware of our habits, but more data does not automatically mean better health.
The most useful device is one that fits your lifestyle, feels comfortable enough to wear consistently, and provides information you can interpret sensibly.
The HLTH Band and HUAWEI Band 11 Pro offer two different ways to approach that goal: one emphasizes discreet wellness tracking, while the other combines activity monitoring with the convenience of a smartwatch.
Using both may even reveal which device you prefer for different activities. The real value lies not in chasing identical numbers, but in learning more about your routines and finding sustainable ways to move, rest, and feel better.
Disclosure: This comparison is based on manufacturer-published specifications. Add your own usage observations and any relevant purchase disclosures before publishing. Health and wellness trackers are not substitutes for medical-grade testing or professional medical advice.
Tuesday, October 20, 2026
Hello, Autumn 🍂
There’s something special about autumn—the golden trees, fallen leaves, and the quiet beauty of little moments that make an ordinary day feel memorable.
It’s in the simple pleasures: taking a stroll beneath colorful trees, admiring the evening lights, collecting beautiful leaves, or enjoying a warm cup of coffee with a sweet treat. Nothing grand, nothing extravagant—just little things that make life feel a little softer.
Perhaps that’s the magic of the season. It reminds us to slow down, appreciate the present, and find beauty in the things we might otherwise overlook.
Here’s to cozy moments, golden afternoons, and memories worth keeping.
Hello, autumn. I’m happy you’re here. 🍁
Friday, October 16, 2026
Music is a powerful tool to regulate your nervous system at work. Melt the stress away with these Youtube playlists that's perfect for work. Best played on headphones.
Tuesday, October 13, 2026
A serendipitous record-store find and a poem about singlehood remind me that there’s romance in living life on my own terms
If I’m not catching up on laundry over the weekend, you’ll likely find me wandering through night markets and browsing pop-up shops. There’s something lovely about these little excursions—the unexpected finds, the creative people you meet, and the feeling that a perfectly ordinary afternoon might turn into a story worth telling.
Recently, I found myself at a pop-up event at Neighbor Cafe, where Eulvintage Recordstore and the Iloilo Typewriter Poets Collective offered two very different kinds of nostalgia: Japanese and US-pressed vinyl records for music lovers, and personalized poems composed on an old-fashioned typewriter for the romantics among us.
Naturally, I was drawn to both.
When the Vinyl Finds You
Among the records, I spotted a John Waite album featuring Missing You, one of my all-time favorite songs. I didn’t think twice about buying it. Finding a copy had always seemed like the sort of thing that would require a little luck and a great deal of searching. Yet there it was, waiting for me among the stacks.
I have a soft spot for discoveries like this. In a world where almost everything is available at the tap of a screen, stumbling upon something you’ve long wanted feels wonderfully old-fashioned. There’s the thrill of the hunt, the joy of holding your find in your hands, and the quiet satisfaction of knowing you didn’t have to chase it after all.
The vinyl found me. And somehow, that made it all the more special.
A Poem for the Solo Romantic
At the same pop-up, the Iloilo Typewriter Poets Collective offered personalized poems for a small donation. You could share a thought, a feeling, or a little piece of your life and have it transformed into something written just for you.
I requested a poem about singlehood.
Perhaps it was curiosity that prompted me, or perhaps I simply wanted to see what a stranger might make of this particular chapter of my life. Whatever the reason, I didn’t expect a few lines typed on a sheet of paper to leave such a lasting impression.
What I received was a gentle reminder of the freedom that comes with being on my own. Singlehood, after all, need not be defined by what is absent. It can just as easily be about the life you choose to create: the places you explore, the interests you pursue, the quiet weekends you enjoy, and the decisions you make entirely for yourself.
There is a certain romance in that kind of independence, too.
The Beautiful Thing About Being on Your Own
Perhaps that is what I loved most about the experience. I arrived looking for little treasures and left with something more meaningful than a record and a poem. Both reminded me that life has a way of surprising us when we leave a little room for spontaneity.
One brought back the familiar ache of a favorite love song; the other offered a fresh perspective on a life lived independently. Together, they made an unexpectedly fitting pair.
I still believe in romance—in the songs that stir old feelings, the handwritten notes we keep, and the little things that make an ordinary day feel extraordinary. But I’ve come to appreciate that romance doesn't always have to revolve around another person. Sometimes, it is found in a record you weren't expecting to find, a poem written just for you, or a weekend spent following your own curiosity.
And if that isn't a lovely way to spend a Saturday afternoon, I don't know what is.
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Sunday, October 11, 2026
On Boracay, where the days are often measured in beach parties, sunset cocktails, and the familiar rhythm of island life, there is another side to discover—one that is quieter, more secluded, and best enjoyed slowly.
Boracay has never been short on beautiful places. Its powdery white sand, impossibly blue waters, and legendary sunsets have long made it one of the Philippines' most beloved island destinations. But beyond the lively beachfront and the familiar buzz of Station 1, there are pockets of the island that invite you to experience Boracay at a gentler pace.
Shangri-La Boracay is one such place.
Set amid lush tropical greenery, with sweeping views of the sea, the resort feels like a world unto itself—a secluded hillside sanctuary where nature and understated luxury come together. It is a different kind of Boracay, far removed from the crowds and the bustle, where the pleasures are found in the details: the shifting colors of the sky, the rustle of leaves in the tropical breeze, and the simple luxury of having nowhere else to be.
And the lovely thing is, you don't necessarily have to check in to experience a little of this island escape.
A Window to Paradise
At Vintana Asian Café, the resort's all-day dining restaurant, the experience begins with the view. Vintana, a word that translates to "window," is an apt name for a restaurant that frames the surrounding seascape so beautifully. Here, the ocean becomes part of the experience, changing character with the passing hours and lending every meal its own particular mood.
The menu brings together Filipino and Asian favorites alongside international dishes, offering something for different tastes and appetites. Whether you're stopping by for lunch, settling in for afternoon tea, or planning a leisurely dinner, the setting encourages you to take your time.
There is something especially appealing about an afternoon spent this way. A table overlooking the water, a good meal, and the luxury of watching the day unfold without feeling the need to rush off to the next destination. In a place as beautiful as Boracay, sometimes the best thing to do is simply stay put for a while.
The Art of Slowing Down
Part of the appeal of Shangri-La is the sense of distance it offers from the island's more energetic side. The lush surroundings and expansive ocean views create an atmosphere that feels private and restorative, making it an appealing choice for travelers who prefer their tropical escapes with a little more breathing room.
For me, these quieter experiences are part of what makes traveling worthwhile. Beyond the usual sightseeing and the obligatory photographs, there is pleasure in discovering a place that allows you to pause—to enjoy a meal without watching the clock, to appreciate the landscape beyond the camera lens, and to let a destination reveal a side you might otherwise miss.
Luxury, after all, doesn't always have to mean an overnight stay in a beautiful suite. Sometimes, it is an afternoon well spent in a lovely setting, with good food and an uninterrupted view of the sea.
A Different Side of Boracay
For those planning a visit, Vintana Asian Café offers a way to experience Shangri-La's distinctive atmosphere without committing to a resort stay. Reservations for dining experiences can be made online, although it is worth checking current availability, menus, and visitor access arrangements directly with the resort before your visit.
Boracay will always have its lively beach scene, its sunset crowds, and its spirited island energy. But there is also a quieter side to discover, one that rewards travelers who are willing to venture beyond the familiar.
And sometimes, all it takes is a reservation, a window overlooking the ocean, and a little time to yourself.
A small indulgence, perhaps, but a lovely way to experience the island anew.
Friday, October 9, 2026
An overdue seaside escape, captured in little moments
It’s been ages since I last set foot in Boracay.
Long enough for the memories to feel a little hazy. Long enough for me to forget just how beautiful this island can be.
And then, suddenly, there I was again—standing by the water, watching the waves roll gently onto the shore, wondering why I had stayed away for so long.
A Little Escape
Boracay · October 2026
An overdue beach holiday.
For someone who is instinctively drawn to mountains, forests, and cooler places, I have to admit: the sea was exactly what I needed.
No grand plans.
No packed itinerary.
Just a few days of sunshine, saltwater, long walks, good food, and nowhere urgent to be.
Sometimes, a holiday doesn't have to be complicated.
Emerald Hours
The water was impossibly clear.
Crystal-clear emerald stretching toward the horizon, shifting shades with the changing light.
I spent far too much time simply looking at it.
There is something about the sea that makes everything feel a little less heavy.
The deadlines can wait.
The responsibilities can wait.
Adulting can wait.
For now, there is only the sound of the waves.
Beach Walks & Barefoot Days
There were no particular destinations.
Just walking.
Stopping whenever something caught my eye.
A boat floating quietly in the distance.
A coconut tree leaning toward the sea.
Clouds gathering above the horizon.
The occasional burst of laughter from somewhere along the beach.
The kind of ordinary moments that somehow become the best parts of a trip.
Sky Notes
Things I remembered to notice:
☐ The color of the water
☐ The clouds changing shape
☐ The warmth of the afternoon sun
☐ The sound of waves after sunset
☐ How good it feels to have absolutely nothing to rush toward
I think I needed this reminder:
Life isn't always supposed to be productive.
Sometimes it is enough to sit by the sea and watch the sky change colors.
Golden Hour
And then came the sunsets.
Dreamy skies painted in soft afternoon light, slowly turning warmer as the day faded.
Boracay sunsets really do have a way of making you stop whatever you're doing.
So I did.
I stopped.
I watched.
I took pictures.
And for a few quiet minutes, I wasn't thinking about work, plans, responsibilities, or what comes next.
Just the sunset.
Postcard from Boracay
Dear future me,
Remember this.
Remember how clear the water was.
Remember the warm breeze.
Remember walking without anywhere to be.
Remember how good it felt to step away from the noise for a little while.
And remember that you are allowed to take a break.
Even from your own life.
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A Few Days Later...
I left Boracay feeling lighter.
Not necessarily refreshed in the dramatic, new person kind of way.
Just... lighter.
Sometimes that's all a holiday needs to accomplish.
A little less stress.
A little more sunshine.
A few beautiful photographs.
And enough memories to carry home with you.
Until next time, Boracay.
I have a feeling it won't be another few years before I come back.
— Christy
Thursday, October 8, 2026
The cozy months are here. Celebrate the change of the seasons with one of the most famous autumn inspired poems from English poet and romanticist John Keats.
TO AUTUMN
John Keats (1795-1821)
Season of mists and mellow fruitfulness,
Close bosom-friend of the maturing sun;
Conspiring with him how to load and bless
With fruit the vines that round the thatch-eves run;
To bend with apples the moss’d cottage-trees,
And fill all fruit with ripeness to the core;
To swell the gourd, and plump the hazel shells
With a sweet kernel; to set budding more,
And still more, later flowers for the bees,
Until they think warm days will never cease,
For summer has o’er-brimm’d their clammy cells.
Who hath not seen thee oft amid thy store?
Sometimes whoever seeks abroad may find
Thee sitting careless on a granary floor,
Thy hair soft-lifted by the winnowing wind;
Or on a half-reap’d furrow sound asleep,
Drowsed with the fume of poppies, while thy hook
Spares the next swath and all its twined flowers:
And sometimes like a gleaner thou dost keep
Steady thy laden head across a brook;
Or by a cider-press, with patient look,
Thou watchest the last oozings, hours by hours.
Where are the songs of Spring? Ay, where are they?
Think not of them, thou hast thy music too,—
While barred clouds bloom the soft-dying day,
And touch the stubble-plains with rosy hue;
Then in a wailful choir the small gnats mourn
Among the river sallows, borne aloft
Or sinking as the light wind lives or dies;
And full-grown lambs loud bleat from hilly bourn;
Hedge-crickets sing; and now with treble soft
The redbreast whistles from a garden-croft,
And gathering swallows twitter in the skies.
Tuesday, September 15, 2026
Inside an almost-empty IMAX theater, Oasis turns a rainy Saturday into a two-hour trip back to the ’90s.
There are movie experiences, and then there are the ones that make you forget you're sitting in a movie theater.
That was Oasis for me.
On a rainy Saturday, I booked an IMAX screening of Don’t Look Back in Anger through the SM Cinema app, taking advantage of the first National Cinema Day in the Philippines. With movie tickets deeply discounted nationwide, it seemed like the perfect excuse to spend an evening with one of the bands that defined my musical coming-of-age.
What I didn't expect was to have the theater almost entirely to myself.
There were just four of us in a 407-seat IMAX auditorium.
But once the lights went down, those hundreds of empty seats disappeared. The enormous screen came alive, the Dolby Atmos system kicked in, and suddenly I wasn't watching a concert film.
I was inside one.
For a docu-concert, IMAX is hard to beat. Every guitar riff had weight. Every drumbeat seemed to move through the room. And when thousands of Oasis fans erupted on screen, their collective roar filled the theater as though the entire arena had somehow been transported into it.
The film's visual language makes the illusion even more convincing.
Grainy, gritty and deliberately unpolished, Don’t Look Back in Anger captures the rough-edged aesthetic of the ’90s without turning nostalgia into a costume. The concert footage feels raw and intimate, while the editing gives the film the energy of an extended Oasis music video—part documentary, part spectacle, part time capsule.
Then come the cities: Cardiff, Seoul, Brazil, Mexico and the other stops on the reunion tour.
And suddenly, four people in an almost-empty cinema become irrelevant.
On screen, thousands of fans are crying, singing, dancing, hugging, drinking beer and completely losing themselves in songs they have known for decades. The emotion is infectious. This isn't simply an audience watching a band; it's an audience reconnecting with a version of itself.
That's where the cinema experience becomes something more than cinema.
From my seat, I felt as though I was moving from arena to arena with them. The scale of IMAX made the crowds feel enormous, while the sound put me right in the middle of the music. For two hours, Cardiff could have been Manila, Seoul could have been London, and that rainy Saturday outside the theater might as well have belonged to another lifetime.
And maybe that's the real power of Oasis.
The Gallagher brothers' famously turbulent relationship may have supplied decades of rock-and-roll drama, but watching the reunion unfold, I found myself less interested in the old conflicts than in what survived them.
The songs survived.
The fans survived.
The memories survived.
For those of us who remember Oasis at the height of Britpop, the songs aren't simply songs anymore. They're bookmarks in our lives—attached to friendships, romances, late nights, youthful ambitions and that particular ’90s feeling that the world was still wide open.
Watching an entire generation—and the generations that followed—sing those songs together makes that connection impossible to miss.
By the time the credits rolled, the petrichor scented evening felt almost poetic.
I had walked into the cinema on an ordinary Saturday and spent two hours somewhere else: in another decade, surrounded by thousands of strangers, with Oasis playing impossibly loud.
It was nostalgic without being sentimental, chaotic without being exhausting, and immersive in exactly the way a great cinema experience should be.
On a rainy Saturday, Don’t Look Back in Anger was quite literally an oasis.
And for two glorious hours, I didn't look back in anger.
I looked back with a smile.
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