Features

I played Jose Rizal in Civilization VII, and he’s just a perfect leader

He’s suitable for all playstyles

Published

February 4, 2025

Luigi Leonardo

As I said in my preview for Civilization VII, the first game I’ve ever played was Civilization III. Back then, you could create your own Civ with its own custom name and traits. As a Filipino, it was a no-brainer to create one modeled after the Philippines, led by then-president Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. I had Manila, Quezon City, Cebu, and Davao as custom cities. It was a fun game of make-believe, but it’s nothing compared to the official Civs who got their own custom art, units, and abilities.

More than two decades later, Civilization VII is introducing Jose Rizal as the first playable Filipino leader in the entire series. Now, I don’t usually fall for #PinoyPride things, but it would be remiss of me to skip out on playing Rizal the first chance I got.

What’s different in Civilization VII?

Unlike the past games, leaders are divorced from their respective nations. For the first time ever in a Civilization game, you pick both a leader and the nation they represent. Both come with their own abilities. Besides creating interesting gameplay synergies, mixing and matching leaders and Civs can create weird and wacky historical combinations, such as Confucius leading the American people in the Modern Age.

Unfortunately, the game currently does not have the Philippines as a playable Civ. Rizal can lead only the unlikeliest of nations to victory. And yes, this includes the Spanish, the Americans, and the Japanese.

Winning the game is also different. Though there are still a handful of victory options, achieving one isn’t as straightforward. That’s because the game is divided into three distinct ages: Antiquity, Exploration, and Modernity. Each age has a Legacy Path for each victory condition. Think of it like a checklist for winning in a certain way.

In this game, there are four victory options: Culture, Military, Science, and Economic. Fulfilling the Legacy Path for these options don’t automatically grant victory in the first two ages. Rather, they grant powerful boons for the next age, once completed. Only their completion during the Modern Age counts as a complete victory.

Regardless, completing these Paths throughout all three ages is ideal. Naturally, this means that the historical pacifist Jose Rizal finds himself putting on several hats which historians never imagined him donning. But this is a Civilization game, where Gandhi dropping nukes on other Civs is a normal everyday occurrence.

What can Jose Rizal do in Civilization VII?

Every leader in Civilization VII has a unique ability that can give them a slight edge over the competition. Rizal’s ability focuses on Narrative Events, or randomly generated events that give the player rewards or quests. Each event gives Rizal additional culture and gold, two valuable resources.

Additionally, he experiences 50 percent longer Celebrations and at a much more frequent pace. (Whenever a Civ keeps its people happy, they go into a period of Celebration, which gives bonuses for a set number of turns. Usually, these are percentage boosts to science, culture, or production.)

Because of lengthier Celebrations, Rizal can pair well with any Civ and any victory condition. If Rizal players can keep their Civs happy, they can enjoy increased outputs more frequently.

In my opinion, Jose Rizal is the most versatile leader in Civilization VII. It’s also just entertaining to turn the hero into a colonialist warlord or an exploitative capitalist.

Rizal, a paragon of culture

Given the very slight edge that he gives to cultural playstyles, focusing on a cultural victory seems like the most natural choice for Rizal. While a cultural victory is not new to the series, it did get a massive overhaul.

Instead of the arcane Tourism system introduced in Civilization VI, achieving cultural greatness in the seventh outing is all about accumulation. It’s no longer about being the most popular Civ; rather, it’s about having the most artifacts and wonders. This Legacy Path also eliminated religious victories by turning religion into the primary way to obtain Relics, the keys to progressing the path during the Exploration Age.

I am admittedly disappointed at the system’s removal of complexity. In the past, I had to learn and master a completely different system. It was satisfying to figure out how to entice everyone’s tourists to prefer my Civ over others. Now, in Civilization VII, it’s just about racing to build the most wonders, or rushing missionaries and explorers to reach foreign settlements and archeological digs before the AI does.

Rizal, the good doctor

Because the national hero was also a physician, a science victory is the next best thing, historically speaking. Much like other Civilization games in the past, you can obtain a science victory by becoming the most scientifically advanced Civ and launching a space-themed project. This is my favorite victory condition in the entire series. Researching technologies the fastest also meant having the stronger units compared to less advanced Civ.

In Civilization VII, the science-focused Legacy Path is less straightforward. In the first age, it’s all about accumulating the most Codices, items created primarily by researching certain technologies. It feels a bit too similar to the accumulation mechanics of a cultural path.

On the other hand, the Exploration Age is focused on city management. You need to build up five districts to produce at least 40 yields. In my opinion, this is a rewarding way to teach players how to maximize their cities. It also gives an alternative option to becoming a colonialist during the Exploration Age. It’s a bit inconsistent with what a science path should look like, but I am enjoying what we got.

Space comes into play only in the Modern Age. This is when it becomes a race to launch the first manned spaceflight. Veterans of the series should enjoy the final step of this Legacy Path.

Rizal, the capitalist

Now, it’s time to get into alternative history. I don’t think any historian can imagine Rizal as a capitalist. Historical facts don’t really matter in Civilization, though. Turning the national hero into a exploitative capitalist is just par for the course.

An economic victory is entirely new for the series but not unwanted. Even before the announcement of this game, players clamored for a way to win by becoming the richest nation in the world.

Contrary to the name, achieving an economic victory means more than just hoarding the most gold. Instead, it’s all about managing the most resources. Second only to a military victory, the economic legacy path is the most consistent victory condition throughout the ages.

In the Antiquity Age, it’s about grabbing and using 25 resources throughout your entire empire. In the Exploration Age, you create Treasure Fleets, periodically spawning ships created by settling near prized resources in other continents. Finally, in the Modernity Age, you accumulate Railroad points, obtained by manufacturing resources in factories and connecting settlements with railroads.

The economic path is a worthy addition to the series. It’s the perfect playstyle for expansionists because victory can be accomplished with or without a powerful military. If you prefer building up your empire peacefully, creating early settlers and settling in unclaimed lands is viable. Alternatively, taking competing settlements by force is another option.

Rizal, the colonialist war freak

It’s time to address the elephant in the room. Can you turn Rizal into a warlord? Absolutely.

One of the most enduring victory conditions throughout the series, a military victory naturally involves building the biggest army and capturing other nations with it. However, while you can always just completely eliminate other nations from the game, it’s not the only way anymore.

To achieve a military victory, you need to accumulate enough settlement points, obtained by owning enough cities and towns. Captured settlements from other nations count as two points. This increases even further for captured cities following the same religion or a different ideology.

Combat has been revamped, too. Instead of just throwing bodies at the problem, Civilization VII makes army commanders necessary. While you can still just stockpile enough units, trainable commanders enable strategy. That’s because only commanders can earn experience by being beside units that engage in combat. In turn, these commanders provide meaningful combat bonuses.

Capturing cities is also different. Instead of a single-tile capture point, cities can wall off more than one tile. Doing so necessitates invading armies to capture all walled tiles. Invading cities is a much more involved effort, and I love it.

Plus, there’s a weirdly satisfying schadenfreude at turning Jose Rizal into a colonialist war freak intent on seeking vengeance against historical colonial powers.

While other leaders add abilities that sway your playstyles towards specific victory conditions, Jose Rizal is a true all-rounder that can fulfill any legacy path using his sparse kit. Lacking a significant focus, Rizal is the perfect leader to learn the ropes of Civilization VII.

If you’re starting off on Civilization VII as either a newcomer or a veteran, Rizal is a great option.

Related Topics:Civilization VII specials

Features

Why the OPPO Reno15 5G series is a creator’s essential

4K Ultra-Steady, 50MP groufies, and AI edits in one device.

Published

March 19, 2026

MJ Jucutan

There are two kinds of travel essentials: the ones you pack because you have to, and the ones you pack because they make the story better.

Often, we feel forced to choose between traveling light and bringing the bulky gear necessary to document the trip properly.

On your next trip, the OPPO Reno15 5G Series eliminates that compromise. With a thoughtful mix of hardware and software, it becomes your pocket-sized production crew, ready to capture life as it unfolds.

The crew in your pocket

The first rule of travel is to keep things light, but for a creator, “light” cannot mean lower quality.

Whether you are navigating crowded night markets or chasing the golden hour on a steep, adventurous rooftop, the 4K Ultra Steady feature ensures your footage looks composed even when the environment is chaotic.

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This stabilization changes the energy of a travel vlog, turning handheld montages into polished, cinematic clips that are ready for a Reel the moment you hit save.

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Capturing everything and everyone

Travel stories are built on shared memories, but too often, the person behind the lens is left out.

Group shots often become a messy scramble to squeeze everyone into a tight frame. The 50MP Selfie Camera changes that outcome with its 0.6x ultra-wide-angle mode

It captures the entire group with sharp detail across the frame, ensuring no one is relegated to the blurry edges.

Even if you need to crop the image later for a specific social media layout, faces remain clear and the background stays defined.

The result is a “groufie” that feels complete and professional

Scroll-stopping memories

We often summarize our trips through collages: layered photos that tell a single story.

The AI Motion Photo Popout tool brings a new dimension to these memories. With a few taps in the Gallery, the subject separates from the background to create a sophisticated, layered effect.

These edits serve as the perfect foundation for Instagram Story covers, Reel thumbnails, or high-quality personal wallpapers.

It’s a subtle digital adjustment that makes a visible difference in how your audience experiences your journey.

Reliability for the modern creator.

A smartphone is no longer just a gadget; it is a creative partner. The OPPO Reno15 Series 5G features a sleek design that looks at home beside a passport or a boarding pass.

It’s light enough for long days of exploration but polished enough for high-end city trips. The reliable battery life supports early flights, full-day itineraries, and even late-night uploads.

You’ll spend less time searching for an outlet and more time capturing the moments that matter.

Which OPPO Reno15 Series 5G is your GadgetMatch?

The series offers variants designed to fit your specific creative style.

Pick the OPPO Reno15 5G if you want a balanced everyday companion, and if you want flexibility and reliability without overcomplicating the process.

There’s the OPPO Reno15 Pro; the choice for creators where photography and videography are the main event, offering enhanced tools in a compact form.

But if you’re a value-conscious traveler who wants a practical entry point that provides core camera and AI features, then the OPPO Reno15 F 5G is your GadgetMatch.

Whichever you choose, the series proves that a travel accessory can do more than complement an outfit. It preserves your stories because it doubles as a content creator’s must-have tool.

The OPPO Reno15 Series 5G is now available in OPPO stores nationwide and the OPPO Online Store.

SEE MORE: The art of being in and behind the frame | OPPO Reno15 Pro: Camera Review

Features

Galaxy AI on the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra

So you can focus more on what matters

Published

March 13, 2026

Rodneil Quiteles and JP

@gadgetmatch A phone that does more… so you can focus more on the moments that matter. The Galaxy S26 Ultra lets Galaxy AI handle the small stuff so you can stay present for the moments that matter. Also great for the occasional KPop concert video. Pre-order until March 17 and get double storage worth up to PhP 14,000. https://www.samsung.com/ph/smartphones/galaxy-s26-ultra/buy/ #GalaxyS26Ultra #EverydaywithGalaxyAI @samsungph ♬ original sound – GadgetMatch

Here’s the dream: a phone that helps you stay on top of things, so you can focus more on what matters.

That’s basically the idea behind Galaxy AI on the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra.

Instead of adding more things to do, the phone helps take care of the small stuff for you. Things like reminding you what’s next, or surfacing the information you need right when you need it.

So you spend less time digging through apps and more time actually doing the things you planned to do.

Editing photos is easier too. With Photo Assist, you can just describe the change you want… and Galaxy AI fills in the rest.

And if you’re cleaning up a video, Audio Eraser can reduce background noise — even from clips on third-party apps like Instagram or YouTube.

The point isn’t to make your phone the center of attention. It’s to make it helpful enough that you can forget about it for a while. Until something worth capturing happens.

And when things get a little chaotic — like concerts, street performances, or just life moving fast — Super Steady Video helps keep your shots level.

That’s definitely coming with me to the next K-pop concert.

The Galaxy S26 Ultra. Smarter phone. Slightly less stressed me.
Pre-orders are open now — with double storage for early buyers, plus additional discounts and installment offers from participating banks.

Which is great… because apparently I shoot way too many videos.

Features

Samsung is done chasing specs, says TM Roh

Samsung shifts beyond spec wars

Published

March 9, 2026

Rodneil Quiteles

For more than a decade, the smartphone industry has been defined by a familiar race. More megapixels. Faster processors. Bigger batteries. Thinner designs. Being first. Being the most. And being the fastest.

The industry rewarded brands that appeared to be chasing specs. Bigger numbers meant progress. At least on paper.

But if you ask Samsung, the days of chasing specs may no longer define the future of Galaxy smartphones.

During a regional roundtable following the launch of the latest Galaxy devices, I asked TM Roh how the company decides when it’s time for a major hardware upgrade if it isn’t simply chasing specs.

His answer revealed how Samsung now approaches the future of its flagship smartphones.

According to Roh, hardware upgrades are increasingly tied to how well they support Galaxy AI.

“To make Galaxy AI run smoothly, it must be backed by strong hardware,” Roh said during the session, speaking through a translator. He added that Samsung develops its hardware, software, and AI capabilities together — and that major upgrades tend to arrive only when the company reaches what he described as the “desired level of excellence.”
(Quotes are approximate translations.)

“To make Galaxy AI run smoothly, it must be backed by strong hardware.”
(Approximate translation from TM Roh during the roundtable)

In short, Samsung says it’s no longer chasing specs for the sake of winning spec-sheet battles. Not anymore.

Samsung CEO TM Roh answering questions at a media roundtable in San Francisco

When hardware stops chasing numbers

Hardware innovation still matters. But Samsung increasingly frames those improvements as tools that enable smarter software experiences.

During the roundtable, Roh pointed to Samsung’s custom application processors, which now include stronger neural processing capabilities designed to handle AI workloads more efficiently. Dedicated hardware is also being introduced to strengthen privacy and security — including technologies embedded directly into the display. (See: Privacy Display)

Even cameras, historically one of the biggest battlegrounds for smartphone innovation, are evolving in the same direction.

Roh noted that while sensors and lenses remain important, modern smartphone photography now relies heavily on AI-powered image processing working alongside the hardware. This could also explain why, as of writing, Samsung has resisted the extra telephoto lens accessories that is prevalent with other brands.

The shift is subtle but important. Instead of emphasizing bigger numbers on spec sheets, Samsung positions hardware upgrades as part of a broader system designed to support intelligent software.

Why Samsung gets dunked on online

That philosophy, however, exists in tension with how smartphones are often discussed online.

In a landscape driven by benchmark charts and viral comparisons, incremental refinement rarely generates the same excitement as dramatic hardware leaps. Over the past few years, the Galaxy S series has occasionally become an easy target for criticism — especially as rival Android manufacturers compete to deliver the biggest numbers, the fastest charging speeds, or the thinnest designs.

The temptation in tech media, particularly on platforms like YouTube, is often to dunk on Samsung rather than examine the nuance behind its approach. Spectacular upgrades and dramatic spec sheets make better thumbnails.

Yet listening to Samsung executives across multiple briefings reveals something interesting: the messaging is remarkably consistent. Whether discussing cameras, processors, or ecosystem features, the company repeatedly returns to the same principle. Hardware innovation matters most when it unlocks a better overall experience.

A company that knows its role

That consistency suggests Samsung knows exactly who it is in the smartphone industry.

As the largest Android smartphone manufacturer globally, Samsung occupies a position where competitors often measure themselves against it. Many brands differentiate by pushing aggressive specifications or experimenting with bold hardware changes.

In many ways, everyone else is punching up.

Scale changes priorities. When you’re building devices for hundreds of millions of users, the focus shifts toward reliability, ecosystem integration, and increasingly, AI-powered experiences that work consistently across products.

Why Southeast Asia matters in Samsung’s AI strategy

During the roundtable, Roh also emphasized the importance of Southeast Asia and Oceania to Samsung’s AI strategy.

According to the company’s internal research, the region ranks among the most receptive markets for AI-powered mobile features. Younger demographics and heavy social media usage are driving adoption.

In markets where smartphones are central to communication, content creation, and digital services, AI-powered tools — from translation features to image editing — have found strong traction.

That context helps explain why Samsung continues to position AI as the defining layer of its next-generation devices.

Is the smartphone spec race ending?

For years, smartphone makers built their identities around chasing specs.

Bigger numbers meant better phones. Faster chips meant progress.

Samsung, it seems, is chasing something else.

Whether that bet ultimately reshapes the smartphone experience remains to be seen. But if Roh’s comments are any indication, the next major leap in Galaxy hardware won’t happen simply because the numbers can go higher.

It will happen when Samsung believes the experience — not the spec sheet — is ready to move forward.