Coming back to Taipei felt like a reunion with a close, old friend. With memories of friends, coworkers, and a past romantic interest, this city has always held a particular place in my heart.
Despite my intention to only cover COMPUTEX, the largest tech event in Asia, I couldn’t help but remain longer. I wanted to return to my favorite places. In the midst of all, I found an excuse to check off a bucket list item: visiting the Houtong Cat Village.
As a fur parent, it became a recent dream of mine to hop on a place teeming with chonky cats. On the way to Houtong Cat Village, I made up my mind to rely solely on the Fujifilm X-S20 as my travel camera and forgo using my iPhone this time around.
@hemjaye Cats, rain, coffee, and good view? Sign me up 🙋♂️ #HoutongCatVillage Shot on Fujifilm X-S20 🎥 #ShotOnFujifilm #Cats #fyp #fypシ #fypシ゚viral #fypage #fyppppppppppppppppppppppp #foryou #foryoupage ♬ original sound – mj
Racing against the clock
The day began in a whirl of racing feet and frantic glances at my watch as I sprinted through Taipei Main Station, urgently hoping to catch the 9:20 a.m. train going to Houtong. Missing it was not an option.
My Dr. Martens clunked against the station floor as my navy trench coat billowed behind me, shielding me from the drizzle.
I looked out the window, and the gloomy clouds outside echoed my mood and brought back memories. It reminded me of the cloudy days when I used to roam these identical streets, looking for love and moments that had gone through my fingers.
On a rainy Thursday morning, seats were nearly empty, with only a few people commuting to Houtong. I could hear the soft murmur of conversations in Mandarin, drifting through.
Nevertheless, traveling on an antiquated train gave me the impression that I wasn’t a traveler, but a resident returning home to mā and bà.
I pulled out a copy of Brianna Wiest’s book “The Mountain Is You: Transforming Self-Sabotage Into Self-Mastery”.
It was my traveling companion for an hour on the train, hopefully providing enough entertainment for me during the lengthy, dwindling trip.
Welcome to Houtong!
A light drizzle and an opaque veil of fog shrouded the scene when I got off the train, creating a surreal yet ethereal ambiance. The village appears to be fairly rural, with a tranquil atmosphere permeating the area.
The noise of Taipei had already subsided, replaced by the patter of rain and the meowing of the village cats. Today’s Houtong Cat Village is replete with remnants of its past as a coal mining village.
A gentle haze blanketed everything in the village, giving me the impression of entering a whole other world—one that was very different from the busy Taipei I had left behind.
Thanks to the Fujifilm X-S20’s excellent image quality and compact design, I was able to capture pictures and films of the village, even when I was shielding myself from the rain and mist with an umbrella.
Purring through the mist
Houtong Cat Village felt like a peaceful oasis. The gentle meows of the cats blended in with the steady patter of falling rain as they roamed aimlessly. Despite an overcast morning, the neighborhood felt alive.
Inside the cat cafes, I found comfort. These cafes were set on top of a hill, with views of the Keelung River and mining park.
I lingered inside Walk & Taste Café for a while, sipping on their toffee latte and feasting on their brunch.
At that time, Vincenz—a friend of mine—was on Empress Gallery, sipping coffee and eating a personalized cat dessert.
Naturally, I couldn’t resist. After all, it was the perfect excuse to see more chonky cats.
Finding calm in the rain
I headed back to the train station after spending the morning in Houtong. There, I reveled in the pictures and films I had taken during my brief visit.
I felt warm and satisfied as the sound of my footsteps leaving the village was accompanied by splattering raindrops.
The trip to Houtong Cat Village was a delightful diversion from Taipei’s daily hustle and bustle. It gave me the opportunity to calm down and appreciate the small things in life.
I was able to save my recollections of my new favorite place, thanks to the Fujifilm X-S20. I stepped off the train bound for Ruifang, eager to see what awaits me at my next stop: Old Jiufen Street.
Photos were taken using the Fujifilm X-S20 unless otherwise stated.
Cameras
Canon EOS C50 cinema camera price in the Philippines
Smallest, lightest cinema camera made for today’s filmmakers, creators
Canon Philippines is capping the year strong with the release of the Canon EOS C50 in the market. The cinema camera is priced at PhP 189,998 for the body along with an XLR handle.
The Canon EOS C50 is designed for both filmmakers and creators who need mobility and professional-grade quality.
It has the same 3:2 Open Gate recording feature also on the EOS R6 Mark III, which gives users flexibility for post-production.
Creators can extract full 4K footage along with cropped 2K vertical or square versions from the same capture with the Simultaneous Crop Recording feature.
This is ideal for producing multi-platform content, like 16:9 landscape videos for YouTube then vertical shortform videos for social media.
Also, an added edge is the up to 7K 60p RAW recording capability on the C50, compared to just 7K 30p for the Mark III.
Filmmakers can also record at up to 4K 120fps should they need high frame rate captures. Recording in 4:2:2 10-bit is also available for rich color and flexibility in post-production.
In addition, the EOS C50 features dual CFexpress and SD card slots. 7K RAW can be saved to CFexpress while other formats can be saved to the SD card.
Different format, resolutions, and color sampling can be assigned for backup, distribution, or quicker edit-ready files.
Photo performance
For stills, users can take advantage of the 32MP CMOS sensor for capturing up to 40 shots per second (with electronic shutter).
The camera also supports pre-continuous shooting and AF performance improvements with its Dual Pixel CMOS AF II.
Enhancements include Auto setting, animals, vehicle priority, and eye AF, as well as the new left/right priority.
Moreover, the camera features Dual-Base ISO with Auto Selection, automatically switching between ISO 400 and ISO 3200 depending on the scene.
This ensures the highest signal-to-noise ratio while maintaining a wide dynamic range. Users can also manual select the ISO to match lighting conditions.
Professional interface
Onto its controls, the EOS C50 has a TIME CODE terminal, which is perfect for seamless multi-camera setups. It also features two XLR terminals and a handy control dial for professional audio input.
There are 14 assignable buttons, each thoughtfully positioned for quick, instinctive access while filming. There are about 100 customizable functions available so the camera can match a user’s workflow.
During the launch event, Canon Philippines demonstrated a wide range of scenarios for the EOS C50, including multi-angle live broadcasts with just one camera.
Are you still wondering what to get yourself for Christmas? If you have a good amount of leftover money after shopping for everyone else, Sony has a new camera just for you. Right on the cusp of the holiday season, the Sony Alpha 7 V is here.
The Sony Alpha 7 V is the fifth generation of the aforementioned series. The full-frame mirrorless camera uses a partially stacked Exmor RS CMOS image sensor to take photos with 33.0 effective megapixels.
Further, the new BIONZ XR2 image processing engine uses the Alpha series’ AI technology to deliver better imaging, Real-time Recognition Auto-Focus, and Real-time Tracking. To add to this, Sony is also launching the FE 28-70mm F3.5-5.6 OSS II full-frame zoom lens to support the camera.
For connectivity, the camera supports Wi-Fi 6E GHZ for data transfers. It also supports USB-C connections for wired transfers.
To ease usage no matter the scenario, the Alpha 7 V comes with vertical format support and an adjustable electronic shutter sound. It also has a 4-axis multi-angle monitor for shooting in various angles. Finally, it has a better grip for stability.
For those long shoots, the camera has better power management. It also has a Monitor Low Bright mode to preserve the battery.
The Sony Alpha 7 V body is available from the end of December. Meanwhile, the kit and the lens will be available on February 2026. The body costs SGD 3,699. From now until December 31, customers will get a free 240GB CEA-G Series CFexpress Type A memory card.
SEE ALSO: Sony’s mobile motion capture system, mocopi, is coming to Singapore
Cameras
DJI Osmo Action 6 review: An adventurer’s best friend
This might be the best action camera yet?
My life as an athlete with a love for adventure often throws me into days that move faster than I can track.
One moment I am at the gym before sunrise, convincing myself that today I will stretch properly. Next, I am sprinting through airports or packing for a weekend race that I definitely did not plan for (but signed up for anyway because that is who I am).
When the DJI Osmo Action 6 entered my life, it felt like finding a piece of gear that immediately understood the mess I willingly put myself through.
I have always wanted a camera that could move with me (and survive me), preferably without making me feel guilty every time I jump off something or run through something.
I wanted a camera that did not need pampering. Something that would not make me pause my life so I could “protect the gear.”
Then suddenly, there it was. I had an entire month with the Osmo Action 6, and it almost felt like the universe handed me something that finally matched my pace. It followed me through unexpected moments that felt too good not to capture.
Made for those who ~really~ move
The first thing I noticed was how easy it was to hold the Osmo Action 6. It felt secure even when my hands were wet or drenched in sweat from training, as if it wasn’t bothered at all that I was already exhausted at 7 a.m.
Most of its controls are placed so intuitively that it felt like the camera was gently guiding me, saying, “Don’t overthink it. Just press this. Go live your life.”
The user interface was so straightforward that even people who have never touched an action camera would know what to do.
The screen reacts quickly and the settings are easy to reach. Its layout feels like it was made for people who move first and think later.
It removes every excuse to miss a moment because you were too busy trying to understand how the device works.
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Out of the box, the Osmo Action 6 gives you everything you need: a 1.5m extension rod, three Extreme Battery Plus units inside a multifunctional battery case, two locking screws, a curved adhesive base, a USB-C 3.1 cable, and two Dual-Direction Quick Release Adapter Mounts.
Depending on your lifestyle, accessories like the floating handle, the dual direction mini extension rod (which doubles as a tripod), the 360-degree wrist strap, and the hanging neck mount all serve one purpose: keep you hands-free so you can focus on living your story.
Inside a race course
During the Spartan Race’s Asia-Pacific Championship in Alviera, Porac, Pampanga, I joined the open category simply because I wanted to film my moments inside the course.
I could never join the Age Group Championship wearing a red band only to slow down for content. My competitive self would revolt.
I have always raced in the front pack with elite athletes and seasoned racers. Content creation is a blessing until you’re in a race and your pride says absolutely not.
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So my friend (also an elite athlete) and I became last-minute racers thanks to Mang Inasal Philippines. We joined the Sprint Category, which covers 5 kilometers with 20 obstacles (plus three extra because championship vibes).
Armed with only the Osmo Action 6 on a dual direction mini extension rod, I climbed walls and nets, carried sandbags, passed through hanging obstacles, and ran under an open trail where the sun genuinely felt personal.
Alviera is hot. We call it Hellviera for a reason. Yet the camera kept going despite direct sunlight and constant movements.
I dialed the resolution down to 2.7K because long 4K recording will always test thermal limits. Even then, it stayed reliable.
Like a scene straight out of an adventure documentary
The stabilization was genuinely magical. The frame stayed clean and level even when my hands were doing a million different things, like swinging my arms, gripping nets, adjusting grip, and bracing for impact.
Whether you choose RockSteady or HorizonSteady, your running sequences will look cinematic and documentary-level.
When we climbed or jumped, the shots had that adventure-film energy. There were no jitter or weird warping. No “Sorry, can you do that again?” moments.
We did not need retakes, and we did not need to check footage mid-race. The Osmo Action 6 kept up with the pace of an endurance athlete.
The built-in microphones even picked up our voices clearly. Pair it with DJI’s wireless mic and you get clean commentary that feels like the behind-the-scenes of your own sports film.
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Calm moment underwater
One of the most meaningful moments came when I lent the Osmo Action 6 to GadgetMatch’s Account Manager and Resident Host, Noela Amparo-Oro, for her birthday.
She wanted to celebrate by freediving, which honestly feels like the most poetic thing you can do for yourself. So I handed her the camera and said, “Go live your birthday moment. Capture it.”
Action cameras deserve to see actual action, not city sidewalks pretending to be adventures.
Noela had fun descending into the clear blue water. The footage she brought back made my heart stop for a moment. It was surreal. Like she had slipped into another world and returned with proof that it existed.
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I have seen plenty of underwater clips from action cameras that turned murky or desaturated, requiring heavy color adjustments. The Osmo Action 6 did not do that. Underwater, it preserved colors beautifully.
The details of her movements; the subtle shimmer of light across her skin; and the calm flow of bubbles. Everything was captured with clarity that felt emotional.
The Osmo Action 6 handled depth and shifting light with ease. Watching the clips felt like I had been there beside her, suspended underwater.
Even Noela could not believe the footage. And the fact that the camera does not need an underwater case up to 20 meters makes the experience feel even more freeing.
A picture quality to love
The Osmo Action 6 uses a large 1/1.1-inch square CMOS sensor that lets in more light, allowing underwater clips to remain balanced and detailed even in low-light environments.
With 10-bit color support, gradients in the water and sky looked vivid. The variable aperture paired with the sensor gives you the flexibility to shoot under harsh sunlight or underwater without losing depth or mood.
Exposure transitions also felt natural, and the highlights stayed controlled while the shadows held detail. The Osmo Action 6 preserved the emotional tone of each scene without flattening the story.
As James Rusameekae from Physical: Asia said, it is simply “Wow!”
Is the DJI Osmo Action 6 your GadgetMatch?
The DJI Osmo Action 6 excelled in every environment I threw it into. Water, low light, heat, fast movement, and unpredictable conditions? It handled everything with ease.
I collected footage filled with emotion and energy, and everything remained steady and sharp.
The clips felt complete even before editing, like they were already telling a story. (I uploaded some of them straight to my Instagram Story!)
If you live an active life and thrive outdoors, the Osmo Action 6 will meet your needs. You will appreciate how quick it is to use, and you will love the size, durability, and picture quality.
It feels like the kind of gadget you bond with, which makes it a Swipe Right!
Anyone who wants a companion for adventures will find comfort in the Osmo Action 6. For me, it is a Super Swipe.
With the experience I had, and the ease it brings to my life whenever I am out and about, PhP 24,390 for the Standard Combo feels like an investment in moments that matter.
The DJI Osmo Action 6 deserves the GadgetMatch Seal of Approval.
If you do not live an active lifestyle, the Osmo Pocket Series or Osmo Nano might suit you better since it is built for city travelers. But if you want to look adventurous — and you have the budget — who am I to stop you?
The DJI Osmo Action 6 retails for PhP 29,990 for the Adventure Combo, giving you all the accessories you may or may not need.
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