Before reading, please beware of spoilers for Quezon.

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Whenever the question of who the best President of the Philippines comes up, a name that often pops up is Manuel L. Quezon. The President of the Commonwealth is credited with numerous reforms during his time and the relentless quest to free the country from the yoke of American imperialism. So, when Quezon was named as the third and final hero in Jerrold Tarog’s Bayaniverse trilogy, it made all the sense in the world.

However, contrary to the hero-making of the past two films, Quezon takes a surprising approach by cutting the former President down to a more human size. It’s the deconstruction of a myth, albeit heavily helped by fictional narratives. Yet, despite the new approach, the film is just what the country needs now, as she faces a period of political strife.

Focus on the message, not the hero

The previous two films in the trilogy, Heneral Luna and Goyo, focus on war heroism hampered by political machinations. Quezon, on the other hand, leaves the revolution behind and transitions fully into political gamesmanship.

After surviving the bloody Philippine-American War, Manuel Quezon (Jericho Rosales) plays the lofty game of politics to eventually bring the Philippines to true independence from her colonizers. However, the President’s righteous ambitions soon fall to the cruder temptations of padrino politicking and brute charm.

Quezon’s method of delivery for his charm is a campaign video, shot by his fictional goddaughter Nadia Hernando (Therese Malvar). Unbeknownst to Quezon, Nadia creates two versions. Throughout the film, audiences are shown the two opposing videos: one shows the President as the handsome savior of the Philippines, while the other reveals him as a smarmy politicking snake.

In a clever bit of cinematic doubling, Nadia’s filmmaking presents the grim reality that attractive politicians might not be as charming behind the curtain. It’s a plot element that reflects well on Tarog’s own intent in capping off his trilogy with the more political Quezon.

Sacrifice the hero

Both Luna and Goyo end in sacrifice. Luna ignores the political game of appeasement to prod the Filipino people into patriotism. His methods irk his contemporaries, causing his assassination by disgruntled Filipinos. Goyo ends his life with a more literal sacrifice, as he gives up his own safety to allow Filipino forces to escape the Americans.

In Quezon, it’s not the President who sacrifices himself for the good of the Filipino people. Rather, it’s Tarog himself, the filmmaker, who sacrifices the mystique of Manuel L. Quezon to present a message topical to today’s Filipinos.

One might feel that Quezon, as a historical figure, was shafted in service of another, especially for those who consider him as the best leader of the country. In a way, their dismay is valid. Quezon is not a character-driven biopic; the President does not have a traditional struggle or a redemption arc. In the end, as he gets carted off into forced exile in the United States, Quezon leaves kicking and screaming, desperately clinging on to the power he’s amassed.

Hope in deconstruction

Much like Luna and Goyo, hope is a scarcity in Quezon’s denouement. The President discovers his goddaughter’s secret films and successfully shuts down his naysayers. Nadia, portrayed as a headstrong filmmaker destined to reveal the truth of Quezon, is ultimately unable to effect any change.

Where is the hope?

Despite his creative license, Tarog doesn’t alter the course of history. Luna and Goyo are both historically killed. Quezon is historically shipped off to continue his term in exile. These aren’t figures who got happy endings. The mistake is seeking hope from the cruel mistress of history. Rather, the hope is in the act of deconstruction.

For fiction writers, a common rule of thumb is to never be afraid to kill your darlings. As soon as you stop worrying over the wellbeing of your characters and allow them to experience harsher realities, that’s when true change can happen.

By killing Quezon’s positive image, Tarog invites his audience to tear down their constructs of Filipino heroes, to kill our darlings. In doing so, true change can finally blossom. By stopping our worship of public figures, we can discern which of our politicians actually have the country’s best interests in mind. And that is where the hope is.

Manuel L. Quezon’s legacy seems like a small price to pay in comparison to the trillions we’ve lost over the years. No matter what you think about Quezon as a movie, it’s undeniable that the film’s message defies convention, but it is what the country needs today: a call for true change.

For years, Samsung’s Fan Edition (FE) line has been the go-to choice for users who want flagship-level performance without the flagship price tag. This year, that promise is stronger than ever. The Samsung Galaxy S25 FE brings premium design, top-tier performance, and smart AI features from the Galaxy S25 series — all at a lower price point. It’s shaping up to be Samsung’s most well-rounded FE device yet.

Before we delve deeper into the details, here’s a quick rundown of what you’re getting this year.

Samsung Galaxy S25 FE Key Specifications:

• Display: 6.7-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 120Hz, peak brightness up to 1,900 nits
• Chipset: Exynos 2400 (4nm)
• RAM/Storage: 8GB RAM with 128GB / 256GB / 512GB storage options
• Rear Cameras: 50MP (wide) + 12MP (ultrawide) + 8MP (telephoto, 3x optical zoom)
• Front Camera: 12MP wide
• Battery: 4,900mAh with 45W fast charging, reverse wireless charging
• Build: Enhanced Armor Aluminum frame, Corning Gorilla Glass Victus Plus
• OS: Android 16 with One UI 8 and Galaxy AI features
• Other: IP68 water and dust resistance, under-display fingerprint sensor (optical)

Familiar yet refined

Samsung has made subtle but meaningful design tweaks to the Galaxy S25 FE. It now features an enhanced Armor Aluminum frame, offering a sturdier, more premium feel while remaining lightweight at just 190g—down from 213g last year. Despite being an FE model, it feels every bit as polished as a flagship, especially with its refined matte finish and smooth edges.

The phone comes in four colors:  White, Navy, Icy Blue, and Jet Black. All options look sleek and minimal but as a white phone enthusiast, the white variant I have I think looks the best. The overall aesthetic feels more refined and flagship-like than ever before. The IP68 rating ensures protection against dust and water, while Corning Gorilla Glass Victus Plus keeps both front and back safe from scratches.

In the hand, the Galaxy S25 FE feels solid yet slim, giving off that high-end feel you’d expect from Samsung’s flagship series. However, because of its thin profile, it can be a bit slippery. I’ve had it slip a few times when I wasn’t gripping it tightly. Thankfully, I’m still not beyond my quick reflex years. Simply put, it’s one of those devices that feels so smooth and premium, you’ll want to handle it with just a bit more care.

Display: Bright, immersive, and fluid

The Galaxy S25 FE’s 6.7-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display is one of its strongest features. Colors are rich and accurate, blacks are deep, and overall contrast is excellent. With a peak brightness of 1,900 nits, outdoor visibility is more than decent, even under harsh sunlight.

Samsung has also made the bezels slimmer this time. From last year’s 88% screen-to-body ratio, the S25 FE now reaches 89.2%, thanks to a noticeably thinner bottom bezel. It’s still slightly thicker than the rest, but the improvement is clear and adds to the phone’s more immersive look.

The display supports up to 120Hz adaptive refresh rate, which automatically adjusts depending on what you’re doing. You can also switch to the standard 60Hz mode if you prefer to extend battery life. Overall, the Galaxy S25 FE delivers a true flagship experience when it comes to display performance. It’s bright, fluid, and immersive, easily one of the best you’ll find at this price range.

Powerful but runs warm

Under the hood, the Samsung Galaxy S25 FE runs on the Exynos 2400 chipset paired with 8GB of RAM, delivering consistently smooth performance across day-to-day tasks. Multitasking feels fluid, with apps launching quickly and transitions appearing seamless whether you’re browsing, watching videos, or switching between social media apps.

Gaming is also a strong point for this phone. Titles like Asphalt Legends and Roblox run smoothly with stable frame rates and no visible lag or stuttering. The graphics look sharp, and animations remain fluid even during fast-paced moments.

However, one noticeable issue is heat buildup. The phone tends to get quite warm during extended gaming sessions or when used heavily, sometimes to the point of being uncomfortable to hold. Using a case helps reduce the heat transfer to your palms, but if you prefer using the phone without one, it might be something to watch out for.

Overall, the S25 FE offers reliable performance that feels fast and responsive in everyday use — just be mindful of the heat during intensive tasks.

Reliable shooters, great versatility

The Samsung Galaxy S25 FE carries over the same camera hardware as last year’s model — a 50MP wide, 12MP ultra-wide, and 8MP telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom. While this setup still delivers reliable performance, it’s a bit of a letdown that Samsung didn’t introduce any hardware upgrades. The company also didn’t confirm whether there were any major software or image processing improvements, so the overall shooting experience feels quite familiar if you’ve used the previous model.

That said, the cameras remain solid performers. The 50MP wide camera produces sharp, detailed photos that are processed down to 12MP by default for better dynamic range and noise control.

You can switch to full 50MP mode for higher resolution, but the results often look a bit softer — possibly due to aggressive noise reduction. 

The 12MP ultra-wide lens performs well, capturing expansive shots with consistent color reproduction and minimal distortion.

The 8MP telephoto lens handles 3x optical zoom decently, particularly in well-lit environments.

However, image quality noticeably dips in lower light or indoor settings, where details appear less defined. It’s still very usable for social media and casual photography, but the limitations of an 8MP sensor are clear.

On the bright side, the 2x digital zoom delivers surprisingly clean, almost lossless results, adding flexibility to your shooting options.

 

Portrait mode works as expected — subject separation is good, and the background blur feels natural.

The 12MP front camera is a welcome upgrade from last year’s 10MP sensor, offering sharper selfies with improved detail and color accuracy. It can occasionally oversaturate skin tones, depending on lighting, but overall, it’s a dependable shooter for daily use.

In short, while the S25 FE’s cameras aren’t a big leap forward, they still offer a versatile, reliable setup that gets the job done across a variety of scenarios.

Battery life and charging: Reliable all-day power

The Galaxy S25 FE has a 4,900mAh battery, a small but welcome upgrade over the previous 4,700mAh cell. Real-world performance is solid: it easily lasts a full day of moderate use, including streaming, browsing, and social media.

Heavy users might find themselves needing a top-up by evening, but with 45W fast charging, getting back to 100% takes just a bit over an hour. Samsung claims similar charging speeds to the Galaxy S25+, and while it’s not the fastest on the market, it’s definitely efficient. Reverse wireless charging is another handy addition for powering accessories on the go.

Galaxy AI Features: Smarter than ever

One of the biggest upgrades this year is the inclusion of Samsung Galaxy AI features, previously limited to flagship models. You now get tools like Circle to Search, AI Photo Editing, Live Translate, and Note Assist—all designed to make everyday tasks faster and smarter.

These features genuinely elevate the experience, especially if you’re into productivity or creativity. Having AI-powered tools on a Fan Edition model makes the S25 FE feel much more premium and future-proof.

Price and Availability

The Samsung Galaxy S25 FE is available in three variants:

• 8GB + 128GB – PhP 39,990
• 8GB + 256GB – PhP 44,990
• 8GB + 512GB – PhP 53,990

Is the Samsung Galaxy S25 FE your GadgetMatch?

The Samsung Galaxy S25 FE is a thoughtfully refined Fan Edition device that brings flagship-grade features within reach. Its bright display, sturdy build, versatile camera system, and Galaxy AI enhancements make it a strong all-rounder for daily use.

It’s a no-brainer Swipe Right, recommended for anyone who wants the essence of the Galaxy S25 experience in a more affordable package.

Still, for its PhP 39,990 starting price, it faces tough competition. While it does most things right, I can’t help but feel that Samsung could have pushed a bit further — especially in battery longevity and heat management.

That said, the Galaxy S25 FE delivers a flagship-like experience without going all-in on flagship prices. It’s the kind of phone that gets the essentials right and looks good doing it.

More than a month ago, the MagicPad 3 debuts as HONOR’s largest tablet yet. Unlike other pads by HONOR, this one comes with a premium — both inside and out.

Some three weeks after, I’m here to relay my thoughts on one of the industry’s rarest premium pads to date.

Work Flow, Hustle Game 💪🏼

Honestly, I’ve never been the tablet kind of guy. I wasn’t born in the generation of “iPad kids” or of tablet-dependent Gen Alphas (I’m under Generation MZ, BTW).

Moreover, tablets don’t really handle the kind of work I do.

While others make clickbait titles like how “tablets can totally replace your laptop”, there are simply stuff that a tablet is incapable of doing so — no matter how powerful its internals are.

Still, I’ve focused on what the HONOR MagicPad 3 can do for some work and how it has managed to do so.

🎨 Color-grading stills

It’s hard to resist editing photos on a massive screen like this. To be specific, the HONOR MagicPad 3 boasts a 13.3-inch screen.

For the most part, it’s color-accurate with DCI-P3 wide color gamut and support for 1.07 billion colors. It even has IMAX Enhanced certification.

Its 3.2K display resolution isn’t limiting with ample sharpness.

For what it’s worth though, an LCD display can either be a hit or miss.

The unit I have displays some backlight bleeding along some bezel corners and edges.

It might just be me nitpicking. As both a creative and a tech nerd, I know how OLED displays are superior above everything else.

I do commend how HONOR managed to bring these thin bezels, though.

Fortunately, with plethora of photo-editing apps such as VSCO, Snapseed, and even Adobe Lightroom for Android, color-grading on the MagicPad 3 has been a breeze.

Pair that with the all-new HONOR Magic-Pencil 3, it enables pixel-perfect precision even on the smallest of detail.

✂️ Splicing clips

With apps such as CapCut or Canva, video editing has always been achievable on Android.

And with the MagicPad 3, everything felt expansive especially that it has a screen closer to that of an actual laptop (or MacBook).

It can fit in more segments and directories with a longer viewable timeline, more visible stacks of layers, as well as selection of texts, effects, even transitions.

Although it’s not anywhere near Adobe’s Premiere Pro or the Apple-exclusive Final Cut Pro (that I mainly use for editing GadgetMatch’s YouTube videos), these still get most of the job done — especially if it just requires splicing without many more artistic fuss.

With a single USB-C port, it can also read my external SSD where most of my large Full HD 1080p / 120p work footages are stored.

Then again, don’t expect desktop-grade editing on this pro-grade machinery as the software hinders the experience and can only do so much.

📝 Up for some write-ups

While most Android tablets aren’t very different in offering a separate keyboard accessory, the version for the MagicPad 3 steps it up a notch with its built-in trackpad.

Not only it saves you extra money for not having to buy a separate wireless mouse, it also frees up your bag space — especially if you’re not into bringing heavy bags.

Much like the MacBook I use heavily for work, using the trackpad on this so-called “Smart Touch Keyboard” felt familiar. It recognized all the recognizable touchscreen gestures from scrolling all the way to pinching.

It was also fluid and responsive regardless of how I use it when scrolling through my itinerary plan, scrubbing through albums, even swiping across various websites.

The keyboard itself isn’t mediocre as well.

Keys were responsive enough when I type. They’re also neither clicky nor too mushy. Typing on it feels and performs just right especially considering the slim profile it has.

I even tried writing one of my review articles using this premium pad.

Having the ability to type and/or write on one side while referencing on the other is often a luxury for small screens.

Now, this is where I can confidently say split-screen multitasking with that pop-out window feature makes full sense on big-sized panels like what we have here on the MagicPad 3.

✍🏼 Visualize to realize

Unlike my imaginative 8-year-old self who’s very addicted to drawing and sketching of what he sees (or tries to visualize), it’s the opposite 20 years apart.

But, to relive my faded skills, I still tried using the Magic-Pencil 3 to its utmost potential.

Although HONOR pioneers the brightest smartphone displays, this tablet only maxes out at 700 nits (and 1000 nits under HBM or High Brightness Mode).

That might be a dealbreaker if you want to tag along the MagicPad 3 and draw out in the park under broad daylight.

Still, I applaud the responsiveness of HONOR’s specialized stylus. There’s little to no latency at all — like I’m writing on  paper.

However, the panel is reflective. So, if you want Apple’s Nano Textured Glass or HUAWEI’s PaperMatte, just buy a third-party matte screen protector (which I did).

And before it slips off my head, both the keyboard and pencil attach magnetically (through pogo pins + frame’s magnets, respectively), making everything wire-free and hassle-free.

This means not having to charge one separately via USB-C or go through the conventional Bluetooth pairing that causes stir-ups most of the time.

No one asked but…

The HONOR MagicPad 3 possesses a 13MP f/2.0 rear camera with an extra macro camera on the side.

While using the tablet’s cameras have little use in a creatives’ PoV, this could be useful for taking not just quick snaps as mementos, it could be more beneficial for document-scanning and AR-related tasks.

As for the 9MP front camera, its existence is valuable for video calls, work meetings, or even social media live streaming that are either for personal or business purposes.

And while we’re at it, I thought the MagicPad 3 was equipped with a fingerprint sensor beneath its power button the first time I used it.

However, this “premium” tablet relies only on the less-secure facial recognition system based on that front camera alone.

If that makes you anxious enough, the only other ways are setting a PIN, pattern, or alphanumeric password — like it’s a 2011 Android.

What A Chill Kill 🎶🎵

Much like the tablet itself, I can only do so much as a human being.

Stepping aside all the work-related madness, the MagicPad 3 is more enjoyable as it could be for viewing various content.

I’ve enjoyed and cherished the last episode of Bon Appétit: Your Majesty in MagicPad 3’s superior screen.

Chef Yeon and King Yi Heon’s final moments during the Joseon period were extra tearful as opposed to watching it on my “large” 6.78-inch smartphone.

This massive tablet also means it’s equipped with more than four speakers. To be precise, the HONOR MagicPad 3 boasts an eight-speaker surround sound setup.

Amping out its volume between 80 percent ’til the limit, you instantly get a loud portable speaker.

When you play songs in Lossless Audio, the output is richer and fuller than what one would expect.

There’s a fine line between its treble and mids. Bass is quite deep for a device like this.

And as an Apple-ogist of Apple Music *pun intended*, I love how tablet-friendly the layout is.

Songs being played with better-looking lyrics show on the right side. All while giving you the ability to scroll through your thousands of songs (or hundreds of playlists) without uninterrupted music playback.

Slay Some Play 💅🏼🎮

What makes the HONOR MagicPad 3 stand out from usual tablets is mainly the hardware it rocks.

Baked inside is the 4nm Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 SoC. If you’re not tech-savvy, that’s simply a pro-grade chipset found in most top-performing smartphones of late 2023 until mid 2024.

Paired with a config combo of 16GB memory and 512GB storage, you get plenty of power and performance for a tablet this size.

The MagicPad 3 running the latest MagicOS 9.0 with HONOR AI will make prospective users take full advantage of those rich AI tools in mind — very helpful as a productivity powerhouse.

Google’s Gemini is even built-in just in case you need AI more than ever.

It would be a huge miss though, not to test it out for gaming.

As much as I prefer playing my fave game titles on bigger screens (like choosing a foldable over a regular smartphone slab), that also means I have to deal with its heavy battery hog and lack of system cooling.

Admittedly, using a tablet for games is a pretty enjoyable experience — which I think is a massive understatement.

First and foremost, driving my best sports cars on Racing Master never felt this immersive.

While it’s very possible to play the game on a larger screen with screen casting via my 55-inch TV, it doesn’t do justice at all.

Not only there’s some display delay, on-screen controls can only imitate the look, never the feel of an actual controller.

Unapologetically, I was able to play around two hours without feeling sore. Its 5.79mm slimness plus the right amount of heft at 595 grams are factors why the experience was more enjoyable.

However, I’ve struggled quite a while when I played Ranked Matches in Call of Duty: Mobile (CoDM).

The only “fix” I did was to re-adjust controls and pull it towards the farther ends of the display so I don’t need to stretch out my thumbs just to forcibly reach them.

For less demanding games, the MagicPad 3 is a real pleasure to play with.

I’ve used it for making confusing pizza orders of indecisive customers on Good Pizza, Great Pizza. The stylus functionality adds precision whenever placing toppings before you slide it through the oven.

It’s also beneficial when organizing goods, scanning purchases, and doing cash changes (or inputting card charges) in My Supermarket Simulator 3D.

Lastly, fixing my good ol’ city in SimCity: Build It (that I honestly haven’t opened since 2019, until just recently).

Massive for a reason 😱🤩

A bigger display comes with a greater battery capacity.

What lies beneath this gargantuan tablet is its 12,450mAh Silicon-Carbon battery. And it’s not large just by the numbers.

For some light to moderate usage, it (unsurprisingly) lasts around 2 to 4 days. Even longer when running just in idle.

Kick in some draining and daunting tasks such as streaming, video editing, or even gaming, the narrative completely changes.

Though for the most part, it would still last me at the end of the day with some room left to spare.

One bummer though is that, it doesn’t have a bundled fast charger. Or maybe it’s just the European model I have.

I tried using my 100W UGREEN Uno GaN Charger, thinking it supports USB-C PD with PPS, but it can only do so much to fill it to the very brim.

From 0%	START TIME: 10:45PM
3 minutes	3%
5 minutes	4%
10 minutes	6%
15 minutes	10%
20 minutes	14%
30 minutes	23%
45 minutes	30%
1 hour	43%
1 hour 15 minutes	47%
1 hour 30 minutes	57%
1 hour 45 minutes	64%
2 hours	75%
2 hours 15 minutes	84%
2 hours 30 minutes	93%
2 hours 45 minutes	99%
100%	2 hours, 46 minutes END TIME: 1:31AM

The only way to maximize that 66W fast charging is to buy an authentic 66W HONOR SuperCharge adapter.

Is the HONOR MagicPad 3 your GadgetMatch?

Without a doubt, the HONOR MagicPad 3 is an ideal pad partner you can rely on — for loads of creative and editorial work, some Netflix and chill, even heavy playing in between.

It’s a Swipe Right for all things considered — a ginormous display that’s truly poppin’, Pro-grade chipset without the “Pro” name, reasonably massive battery capacity.

Coupled with a smart keyboard and magical pencil combo, what more can you ask for?

So, where did that “almost perfect” sentiment came from?

Well, aside from that frowned upon LCD display (over OLED), having an SRP of PhP 49,999 / SG$ 1099 / GBP 599.99 is a legit tough ask.

Furthermore, the Malaysian MagicPad 3 is being offered at RM 2999. Considering conversion, that’s roughly around PhP 40,000 / SG$ 900 / GBP 530 — which is still big in savings.

Not only the inconsistency in pricing felt unfair, it also plays a factor whether or not it will sell well.

In this economy, especially in a third-world country like the Philippines, that price is too much to pay for. But hey! At least you get the keyboard and pencil for free when you purchase one.

Pad–emonium

Its cousin, the HUAWEI MatePad Pro, is being sold for the same price with a slightly smaller 12.2-inch screen but greater than ever tandem OLED display tech plus PaperMatte coating.

All that with the limiting ecosystem of HarmonyOS (globally, at least) alongside sideloading Google Play that most won’t even bother doing with its sheer complexity.

Another would be Samsung’s Galaxy Tab S10 FE+ that rocks that same 13-inch display size and LCD tech but has a pocket-friendlier pricing at just PhP 27,992. While it has a 5G version plus a microSD card slot, its built-in configuration is limited to 8+128GB. Chipset is quite on the mid side as well.

Lastly, its closest Apple rival, the 13-inch iPad Air, is heaps pricier with its PhP 54,990 / EUR 969 / SG$ 1199 / RM 3699 price tag.

But, in return, you get a more powerful and more efficient Silicon chip, better host of third-party accessories.

Most of all, iPadOS’ rich diversity of professional / creativity software that Android tablets still lack (such as Procreate, Davinci Resolve and Final Cut Pro for iPad, among others).