Wednesday, April 9, 2025

Finding the Perfect Balance: Why the HyperX Pulsefire Haste 2 Mini Wireless Mouse Works for Both Mom Life and Gamer Kids

As a work-from-home mom juggling deadlines, Google Meet calls, and the occasional “Mom, the mouse isn’t working again!” meltdown, I’m always on the lookout for gadgets that deliver functionality, reliability, and value.

Enter the HyperX Pulsefire Haste 2 Mini Wireless Mouse — a mouthful to say, but oh, what a game-changer this tiny gadget has been for our home.


A Mouse That Works as Hard as You Do

Let’s be real — between school projects, online classes, and my own digital marketing tasks, our home setup has to do double (sometimes triple) duty. What caught my attention with the Pulsefire Haste 2 Mini wasn’t just the cool gamer aesthetic (which my son loved instantly), but the ultra-lightweight and compact build.




It’s 16% smaller than the standard version, making it ideal for smaller hands — perfect for kids, teens,  and surprisingly comfortable for adults too. I didn’t think I’d like the mini size at first, but it actually reduced wrist strain during long work sessions.

Wireless Freedom Without the Hassle

We’ve all experienced the chaos of tangled wires, especially when sharing a desk with a curious cat or a Lego-building child. The dual wireless feature (2.4GHz and Bluetooth) gave us total freedom to switch between devices — no unplugging, no drama.

Plus, with up to 100 hours of battery life, it’s one less thing to worry about charging in the middle of a busy week.

For School, Work… and Yes, Gaming

Let’s not pretend that when school is over, the kids jump straight into Minecraft or Roblox. The HyperX 26K Sensor offers precise tracking and response time, which my son swears “feels like winning.” I, on the other hand, appreciate the smooth skates and quiet clicks when I’m in a meeting and trying to multitask like a ninja.

Budget-Friendly Without Cutting Corners

As a mom, I don’t splurge unless something truly gives value — and this mouse does. It’s light on the pocket, especially for something that serves both serious work and serious play. No unnecessary frills, just solid performance.

And it’s built to last, rated for up to 100 million clicks. That’s a lot of school assignments and Google Docs.

The HyperX Pulsefire Haste 2 Mini Wireless surprised me. I bought it thinking it would be for my son’s online school setup, but ended up using it myself just as much. Whether you’re a mom managing your remote work life or a parent supporting your kids' learning (and gaming) needs, this mouse offers style, speed, and simplicity in one neat little package.

Sometimes, the smallest tools really do make the biggest difference. 

The HyperX Pulsefire Haste 2 Mini Wireless Gaming Mouse is available in the Philippines for approximately ₱3,495.00. You can find it at retailers such as DataBlitz and GameXtreme.

3 Must-Read Books by Filipino Authors from Local Publishers

Support local and dive into these 3 books by Filipino authors, each from a different homegrown publisher. From kilig romance to magical merboys, there’s something here for every reader.

If you're on the hunt for your next good read and want to support local talent, you're in the right place. Filipino authors have long been crafting powerful, heartfelt, and imaginative stories, and our local publishers have been instrumental in bringing these gems to light.

Here are five books from five proudly Filipino publishing houses that deserve a spot on your reading list.

Credit: Facebook Page

1. You Could Be the One by Ana Tejano

Publisher: RomanceClass Publishing
Genre: Contemporary Romance

If you're into slow-burn, emotionally satisfying romances, this book is the one. Set in the Philippines, it follows the story of a woman trying to move forward—only to have her past come knocking. Quite literally.

Why read it?

Ana Tejano knows how to write real love. The kind that takes time, hurts a little, and heals a lot. This is peak hugot territory, backed by the kilig we all secretly (or not-so-secretly) crave. RomanceClass consistently champions Filipino talent and relatable stories, and this one is a fan favorite for a reason.

Other Book: Unveiling the Power of Womanhoo

2. Si Amapola sa 65 na Kabanata by Ricky Lee

Publisher: Anvil Publishing
Genre: Satirical Fiction / LGBTQ+ / Political Commentary

Si Amapola sa 65 na Kabanata follows the life of Amapola, a gay impersonator who becomes an unlikely hero in a story that blends political satire, mysticism, and Philippine pop culture. Only Ricky Lee can weave a plot this wild and make it hit that hard.

Why read it?
Because it’s unlike anything else. Bold, hilarious, and deeply rooted in Filipino identity, it challenges the norm while celebrating the richness of queer and Filipino narratives. This is modern literature with teeth—and heart.

Other Book: Moymoy Lulumboy

3. Marvin the Merboy 


Publisher: Inteligente Publishing
Genre: Children’s Literature / Fantasy

Meet Marvin—a curious merboy with big dreams and even bigger questions. In a world that says “stay in your lane,” Marvin wonders if maybe… there’s more. This children’s book is both whimsical and grounding, with beautiful illustrations to match.

Why read it?

It’s inclusive, magical, and so full of heart. Inteligente Publishing has been pushing for more diverse, representative stories, and Marvin the Merboy is proof that we’re heading in the right direction. A perfect bedtime story that sparks bigger conversations.

There’s something so special about seeing ourselves, our stories, and our culture in the books we read. These titles—each from a different local publisher—remind us that Filipino voices are vibrant, diverse, and very much worth celebrating.

So the next time you’re building your TBR pile, make sure at least one of these local reads makes the cut.

Tuesday, April 1, 2025

Why We Need More Philippine Book Festivals—And Why They Should Happen Quarterly

Because one weekend isn’t enough to celebrate a lifetime love of reading and to give Filpino authors the spotlight they deserve. 

If you’ve ever been to a book festival, you know the feeling. That warm, giddy mix of excitement and comfort as you walk through rows of books, bump into favorite authors, and discover titles you didn’t even know you needed. You go home with a bag full of stories—and a heart full of inspiration.

And then it ends.

One weekend. Once a year.

For a country as rich in stories and talent as the Philippines, that’s just not enough.

Stories Deserve More Space

Our country has so many voices, but most of them don’t get the spotlight they deserve. With only one major book festival each year, things get rushed. There’s not enough time to explore niche genres like Philippine mythology (my personal favorite), discover indie authors, or dive deep into new releases from small publishers.

If we had book festivals every quarter, we could slow things down. Give more writers the chance to shine. Let more readers actually sit, listen, learn—and fall in love with books all over again.

More Than a Trend—It Should Be a Habit

Reading is a habit, not a holiday.

Book festivals create moments where people remember how fun and meaningful it is to read. But imagine if we had four of these moments in a year. That’s four chances to build excitement, grow young readers, and keep the book-loving energy going all year long.

Families could make it a tradition. Schools could time their reading programs around it. Communities could come together more often—not just for book sales but for shared stories.

Our Local Creators Need Consistent Support

Quarterly festivals mean local authors and illustrators get more visibility and more sales. They get to launch books on their own timeline instead of waiting for a once-a-year slot. And they get to connect with readers in a more personal, sustained way.

As someone who has worked in media, marketing, and content creation for years, I’ve seen how regular exposure can make or break a creative’s journey. It’s not about viral hits—it’s about showing up repeatedly. Quarterly events give them the space to do that.

Stories Should Travel, Too

Book festivals shouldn't just live in Metro Manila. Our stories come from every corner of the country, so our celebrations should, too. Let’s bring these events to Cebu, Davao, Iloilo, Baguio, GenSan—everywhere. A rotating quarterly schedule means different regions get their turn, and more people can join.

No one should be left out of the magic of books.

Let’s Keep the Stories Alive

Books are more than paper and ink—they’re part of our identity. Our history, our dreams, our healing. Philippine mythology, poetry, essays, and fiction all carry pieces of who we are. And when we gather around books, we’re not just reading—we’re remembering, rebuilding, and reimagining.

This is why I believe we need more Philippine Book Festivals. Not just once a year. Not just when there’s a budget. But regularly. Purposefully. Proudly.

Let’s create more space for stories. Let’s make room for more voices.

Let’s make book festivals a part of every Filipino’s year—every single quarter.