Features

These underrated spots are perfect for your me-time

Off the Grid with the OPPO Reno11 F 5G

Published

March 12, 2024

MJ Jucutan

The year started really cray-cray, and I haven’t caught some time to breathe.

Work is piling up, relationships are struggling due to hectic schedule, and the next thing you know, three months have passed.

At a time of a much-needed break, OPPO Philippines gave us an early access launch of the OPPO Reno11 F 5G at Dasmariñas, Cavite, which is an hour away from my favorite weekend destination: Tagaytay City. Heading there is a no-brainer, especially when you badly need some time to recharge.

When in Tagaytay, I always opt for a run-sleep-eat-lounge routine. This time around, I discovered spots in and around Tagaytay, which will definitely make your weekend getaway a real breather.

Bloom at Perlas Ng Silang

When your everyday routine is comprised of seeing cityscapes, traffic jams, and bustling streets, a flower farm might just give you a fresh perspective from everything in your life.

Perlas ng Silang, for instance, is a 3.5-hectare tourist destination owned by horticulturists.

The flower field is less than half an hour away from where I was staying (Taal Vista Hotel), which makes it the perfect first activity in the morning.

Upon entering the flower fields, you’ll see a bunch of vibrant Crested Cock’s Comb (Celosia Cristata) in blazing red and golden yellow. The Celosias hover over other floras, greeting the guests of the Flower Field with their tall, striking bloom.

You can also spot Globe Amaranths, Wishbone flowers, along with Cosmos flowers in Cosmic Red and Yellow Sulfur that make walking inside the field feel like you’re in a K-Drama Rom-Com.

Walking inside the Flower Field can take away all the woes in your present life. The flowers blooming at every sight refreshes your eyes and mind, making it easy to lose yourself in the grandeur of beauty around.

In the middle of the field, you’ll easily spot a vibrant, orange Volkswagen Beetle. It looks like a ladybug sitting on top of the flowers. The Celosias’ colorful petals adorned and complemented the VW Beetle.

That Red-Orange-Yellow combo is just *chef’s kiss*. The designer in me is ~ecstatic~ upon seeing it.

Throughout the field, I also took a selfie with my good friend Colin Chan from UnGeek. He brought along his yellow Louis Vuitton bag that matches the striking hues inside the flower field.

More flowers for you

The vast field acted like a playground for aspiring photographers as well. Every spot is picture-worthy. You just need to find the right perspective to get a picturesque shot.

It requires you to be creative in your framing, since the tourist destination is packed with guests taking their photo-ops.

Just like in life, there are things you can’t control. But you can shift your perspective and look at things differently.

When you’re exhausted, Perlas ng Silang also offers refreshments and fresh meals that will suit your palate. I had the Cucumber Lemonade and it felt like I was cleansed and refreshed at the same time.

Perlas ng Silang is located at 5 Pulong Bunga Rd, Silang, Cavite near the House of Maharlika. It is a short-drive coming from Tagaytay City. For more information, visit their Facebook page.

Fill your tummy at Papa Bolo

In front of the popular Sky Ranch in Tagaytay City, you can find Papa Bolo — a three-story brewpub serving locally produced Filipino craft beer with overlooking views.

Open on Sunday to Monday from 11AM to 9PM and Wednesday to Saturday from 12NN to 12MN, the place is ideal for getting late lunch and day-drinking.

During our stay, we get to try various dishes that really filled our tummy.

Streetfood Platter (PhP 379)

For starters, we delighted at the Streetfood platter. Funny enough, I was craving some Filipino street food like Fishballs the night before. I guess the universe manifested it by offering what I wanted, but more.

The platter consisted of lobster, cuttlefish and cheese burst balls, Kwek-Kwek (Fried Orange Quail Eggs), and Kikiam, drenched in the popular Manong’s sauce.

Goto Bulalo (PhP 989)

Of course, when in Tagaytay, you just can’t miss Bulalô. Papa Bolo’s Goto Bulalo features Tagaytay beef. It was so flavorsome, I had to refill from the soup multiple times. Frankly, this is my favorite Filipino dish, along with Pork Sinigang.

Pata (PhP 899)

While eating the esteemed Bulalô, the waiters served Pata Bolo comprised of crispy fried pork thigh, topped with tamarind, garlic, chilis, and other herbs. So much meat, right?

Taal (PhP 259)

After the main course, Papa Bolo served a dessert looking like the Taal Volcano. The raspberry jam seemed like the lava dripping from the crater, and the whole volcano was made from meringue and sweet pea sponge.

Going down from the roofdeck, you can see the brewery on the other side. There are opportunities to tour inside the brewery, but I opt not to. I was abstaining to prepare for my marathons, and the smell of craft beer might tempt me into day-drinking.

I’m certain there’ll be a next time, because Papa Bolo is worth coming back for.

Papa Bolo is located at the corner of Crisanto De Los Reyes Avenue and Tagaytay-Nasugbu Road, Tagaytay City, Cavite, 4120, Philippines.

Seize the day at Preziosa Farms

With still a long day ahead, heading to Preziosa Farms might be the respite you need from the pressures of the urban life.

When I arrived, I felt the tranquility it offers. It made me want to retreat from the world, away from its noises and distractions.

That’s precisely what Preziosa Farms offers. It’s a 16-hectare Botanic Park and Farm Resort filled with lush greenery. The place is like a sanctuary for those who want to have some laid-back weekends.

The place is designed for people to roam around — by foot or with wheels.

There’s even a gazebo on top of hills, meant for people who want to enjoy the fresh, cool breeze under a shade but with overlooking views of greenery.

How can you not love it here?

There are Big Pedal Go Karts, bicycles, and even e-scooters that you can use to explore the area.

The Go Karts are perfect for healing your inner child, since it allows you to be in your playful state. And there are no one to judge you as you pedal around.

Well-versed with electronic kick scooters, I decided to use one to explore the botanical farm.

Taking selfies here and there for my ‘gram, but also decided not to stay out in the open since the heat was getting unbearable.

During my visit, I learned about the flora and fauna inside the farm. The tour guide shared trivial facts that changed the way I see plants, herbs, and other vegetables I don’t find important.

But what I loved the most about the tour is how guests get to feed the farm’s flock of sheep. It was quite enjoyable to see the rams and ewes rushing to eat the leaves we offer. And it was exhausting to know the fact that they never get full, so we have to stop feeding them at some point.

Somehow, Preziosa Farms made me love what it’s like to be at peace again. The botanical park and farm resort offered me a haven to reconnect with myself, the nature, and my surroundings. It’s a welcome change from the hustle-bustle of my everyday routine.

Preziosa Farms is located at Barangay Sulsugin, Alfonso, Cavite. For more information, visit their website.

Wind down at Mrs. Saldo’s

When you want to continue your peace and quiet, winding down at Mrs. Saldo’s might be the best option. It’s a bespoke private dining restaurant, inside a 5,000sqm property located in Silang, Cavite.

Inside, you can find a vibrant and luscious greenery adorning architectural pieces that are aesthetically-pleasing to look at.

The night was blissful as we tour inside the property. I didn’t get to explore the whole place, but I stayed the most at my favorite spots: art and winery.

Here’s a portrait of me at the cold stock room.

Out of all the spots inside Mrs. Saldo’s, this just might be my favorite. It feels like… home. I’m not an alcoholic, I promise, but if I wasn’t training for my marathons, I could chug a whole bottle of wine in a few minutes.

Every corner is just picture-worthy, but my senses feast at the sight of beautiful decorations, the mixture of nature and design, and the laid-back atmosphere.

Art pieces can be found, mixed with the architectural pieces inspired from various cultures. Mrs. Saldo’s isn’t just a feast for your tummies, but also for your mind, heart, and soul.

It was blissful to be surrounded by beauty in different forms, and I had plenty of time to appreciate what was in front of me. Staying present in these scenarios can be quite challenging, but I pulled through. I forgot about the outside world, lost in my thoughts of wanting to be surrounded by everything pretty.

Sumptuous meals, anyone?

Striking interiors aside, the actual belle of the ball is the unique dining experience at Mrs. Saldo’s.

We were first served with a sourdough platter with crab dip. Although, I didn’t eat this one due to dietary restrictions. But I can tell from the people who ate it that it was wonderful, based on their facial reactions.

Caesar Salad. Romaine. Croutons. Bacon. Parmesan. (PhP 725)

Next, we were served with Caesar Salads with Bacon and Croutons, topped with Parmesan cheese. It pairs well with the Roasted Sweet Potatoes soaked in Rosemary Butter, adorned with Walnuts and Goat’s Cheese. Eating both was just heavenly, I kept coming back for more.

For the main course, Mrs. Saldo’s served us a pan-seared Pompano with Cauliflower Puree along with a Lemon Beurre Blanc sauce. Then, they served us Braised US Short Ribs along with a Lemon Garlic Pasta.

For that latter meal, I didn’t get to take a photo. When it was served, I dove straight ahead since both meals were my favorite. I mean, how can I say no to ribs and garlic pasta in front of me?

Ooey Gooey Cookie Ala Mode. Chocolate Syrup. (PhP 430)

And when we were full, they served us the Ooey Gooey Cookie Ala Mode with chocolate syrup. I just couldn’t say no to this sweet treat that I tried to finish it even if I was really full.

Everything about Mrs. Saldo’s is noteworthy. From its interiors to its dining experience — there’s a reason why this best-kept secret restaurant is well-loved by gourmands and celebrities. It has that je ne sais quoi that you’ll always remember. No words or photos can showcase its charm. You just have to be there!

The Gear: OPPO Reno11 F 5G

The OPPO Reno11 F 5G proved to be a worthy companion when you’re trying to have a reset from the hustle-bustle of everyday life. Its cameras take gram-worthy portraits, and even landscapes of the destinations you visit.

Off the Grid is a series on GadgetMatch.com, showcasing our trips using different smartphones and cameras. It’s also a documented guide on things to do, what to eat, where to stay, and everything else you might visit the same place.

Features

GadgetSnaps: Huawei Pura 70 Pro in Shenzhen

Fall in love with smartphone photography again

Published

April 30, 2024

Luigi Leonardo

In case you’re wondering, it’s pronounced /pyu-ra/. And it’s more than just a name change. All four models of the Pura 70 series come with a set of cameras that will make your jaw drop. Though it’s not the most impressive Ultra, the Huawei Pura 70 Pro is still capable of shooting breathtaking photos all by itself.

Graphics by Vincenz Lee | GadgetMatch

Arranged like a hidden Mickey, the Pura 70 Pro’s camera island features a triple threat of cameras, highlighted by a vastly improved telephoto lens when compared to the regular model.

50-megapixel f/1.4-4.0 25mm main
48-megapixel f/2.1 93mm 3.5x optical telephoto
5-megapixel f/2.2 13mm ultrawide

A Huawei-filled stay in China

While there are different brands operating in the region, Shenzhen is a much bigger playground for Huawei. The brand maintains multiple flagship stores and a sprawling campus there.

Our first stop was the first global flagship store for Huawei. The building features a huge central area, a lineup of cars, and, of course, spots to try the brand’s latest innovations.

As you’ve probably read from our first impressions, one of the most iconic demonstrations during the entire trip was of a spinning picture disc of a surfer frozen in time by the Pura 70 Pro’s Snapshot mode.

Mixing it up at MixC

While the previous store was impressive, it didn’t show just how popular Huawei was in China. Luckily, our next stop was in the center of a sprawling shopping center called MixC. This location had lots of cafes and shops nearby.

The branch itself features a 24-hour vending machine, a stage for lessons on how to use Huawei’s products, a smart home demonstration, and a third floor for aftermarket solutions (or even just to chill). Take a peep at how many people are in the store to try out Huawei.

Being in the middle of the city, it was also the perfect spot to try out the smartphone’s impressive zooming capabilities. Zooming into the city’s buildings, the camera captured far-away balconies to virtual perfection.

A little bit of nightlife

Speaking of the city, what would a trip be without some local nightlife? Early in the night is filled with commuters going home, night vendors peddling their wares, and lots of motorcycles.

Though the city sleeps earlier than more bustling metropolises, Shenzhen’s late night still makes for some subdued scenes and gentle nightscapes.

Oh, and how about some astrophotography?

Huawei’s campus or a European wonderland?

The next day, we went to Huawei’s massive headquarters in Shenzhen. Now, to call it “massive” is still an understatement. Supported by its own transit system, the campus features multiple “regions” inspired by architecture from different European countries.

Oh, and in case you missed it, yes, it has its own train. Excuse us; it’s time to head to Hogwarts.

There’s a big lake that boats can pass through. And, if you’re lucky enough, you might be able to spot a few black swans swimming around.

Goodbye, China

Unfortunately, all good trips must come to an end. We’re not saying goodbye until we use the Pura 70 Pro up, up in the air, though.

How impressive can a camera get?

A few years ago, I used the Huawei P20 Pro as my daily driver. Since then, I’ve moved on to the Google Pixel 6, a capable shooter in its own right. However, the Pura 70 Pro just made me fall in love with smartphone photography — nay, photography, in general — all over again.

The camera is just a beast in most shooting conditions. Plus, the AI-based enhancement is the cherry on top. Because the enhancements take a second, you can quickly see a before-and-after comparison. Some adjustments are minute, but they’re all substantial enough to make all the difference. Plus, you can barely notice the manipulation.

Okay, granted: it’s not perfect. There are some shots where the AI enhancement is more blatant. It also favors warmer hues in some conditions. But overall, it’s an amazing camera that I’m having a blast experimenting with.

Features

DUO more with the ASUS Zenbook DUO 2024

Make things easy

Published

April 25, 2024

GadgetMatch

We are fans of what ASUS did with their latest dual screen offering — the ASUS Zenbook DUO 2024. The Zenbook Duo isn’t exactly new. ASUS has been adding extra screens to their laptops whenever they can — but never quite like this.

You see, ASUS managed to put a literal second display but still make it compact enough to fit most bags with provision for 14-inch laptops. As cliché as it sounds, the Zenbook DUO 2024 is an engineering marvel.

However, it’s more than just a gimmick. In our review, we noted how the form factor lent to a slight boost in productivity despite us not maximizing the product just yet. With that, let us share with you our favorite things about the ASUS Zenbook DUO 2024.

A unique mode for every scenario

A built-in, sturdy kick-stand unlocks the many possibilities available to the Zenbook DUO 2024. Some of the modes are: Laptop, Dual Screen, Desktop, and Sharing.

Each one lends itself nicely to different work and media consumption scenarios. Don’t feel like showing off? Keep things discreet and save some battery life with laptop mode.

Need two screens? Switch to either Dual Screen or Desktop mode to take advantage of more screen real estate.

Presenting something to someone across the table? Sharing mode lays the laptop flat allowing for easier viewing.

The ability to morph to different modes depending on your needs is astounding. The best thing is that it is both functional and can serve as an ice breaker.

TWICE Momo and LE SSERAFIM Chaewon <3

Oh and we’ll never tire of sharing how the Desktop mode is perfect for watching two K-Pop fancams at the same time.

Screen Xpert for the dual displays

This form factor won’t work without the right software support backing it. To that end, ASUS made Screen Xpert. What it does is essentially let you adjust the layout of the apps according to your needs.

You can have up to four (4) apps live viewed at the same time. For our part, we usually only divided the screen to two, using one to reference a review guide or press release while writing news articles and/or reviews.

But if you’re monitoring certain things, this will be pretty helpful having multiple windows laid out right away to get a quick overview of things is a godsend.

The best thing is that a lot of these functions work intuitively. There’s a single button you can press to easily switch what’s displayed on the two screens.

If you want more granular control, you can have the Screen Xpert floating bar ready at your disposal. Here you can control the brightness level of each screen individually. You also have the ability to change the orientation of each screen to your liking.

There are also App Switcher and App Navigator functions to give you a better, more seamless way to layout the apps you use so that it’s most efficient for your needs.

AI, Copilot, and more

Something we didn’t mention much in the review is how the laptop is built with the AI age in mind. Powered by Intel Core Ultra 7 155-H, this thing is equipped with an NPU chip to aid in on-device AI tasks.

There’s stuff that happens in the background like making sure the AI-related tasks are processed with the NPU while the main CPU handles the rest. In the simplest terms, the Intel Core Ultra 7 is smart enough to delegate a task to the chip that will best execute it. That results in a more optimized overall performance.

Copilot is one of the biggest AI additions to any Windows machine. The possibilities are close to limitless. For our part, we’ve only really played around with Copilot Designer. But there’s so much more that you can do with it. Just remember to always check the results. Every AI output still needs a human touch.

AI is also present in other functions like noise cancellation and the camera. AI Noise Cancellation makes sure you can hear and be heard no matter what scenario you’re in. It’s perfect for remote workers who do not exactly have control over their immediate surroundings.

Meanwhile, AiSense Camera works not only as a Full HD IR camera. It also automatically detects the lighting levels in your environment and adjusts brightness levels accordingly. You also get functions like auto-framing and background blur. Lastly, there’s the slightly creepy Eye Contact feature that locks your gaze to the camera. It can be a bit disorienting so maybe pick the occasions when you’ll use it.

GlideX

Working beyond this dual screen laptop? ASUS also made sure to equip the Zenbook DUO 2024 with software that makes adding even more screens a no-sweat task.

With GlideX you can easily connect your Zenbook DUO 2024 with smartphones, tablets, or even another PC. Even better, it’ll give you the option to control everything from a single device.

DUO more

For a first-of-its-kind device, the ASUS Zenbook DUO 2024 is pretty darn polished. That’s thanks largely to the company experimenting with dual screens long before releasing this dual screen machine.

The Zenbook DUO 2024 literally lets you do more, providing options for flexibility that will help you optimize your workflow so you can finish your tasks more efficiently. This is more than just a gimmick device, it’s actually helpful and that’s because ASUS took the time to fit it with the proper software support.

More on the ASUS Zenbook DUO 2024 here.

This feature is a collaboration between GadgetMatch and ASUS Philippines.

Features

GadgetSnaps: Malaysia shot on the Infinix Note 40 Pro+ 5G

Beyond charging tech

Published

April 24, 2024

GadgetMatch

The Infinix Note 40 Pro+ 5G prides itself in its charging technologies. But what about its camera capabilities? Well, here’s a quick round-up of the many photos we took around the time the Note 40 series was launched in Kuala Lumpur Malaysia.

The NOTE 40 Series features a 108MP main shooter with 3x Lossless Superzoom. It also has OIS for steadier shots when taking videos.

The edits applied to the photos here only some resizing and cropping to make the page easier to load. Take a look at all these sample shots

Infinix Note 40 Pro series launch day

Kwai Chai Hong/ ‘Little Ghost Lane’

Petaling Street (Chinatown)

In and around Central Market

Bank Negara Malaysia Museum and Art Gallery

Istana Negara entrance

Merdeka Square

Malaysian Bak Kut Teh and more

Petronas Twin Towers at night

Steady shooter

The Infinix Note 40 Pro+ 5G isn’t a stellar shooter. But at its price point, it’s pretty darn decent for capturing different scenarios. Take these photos into some editing software and you can certainly elevate their look.

The NOTE 40 Pro+ 5G is priced at PhP 13,999. It may be purchased through Infinix’s Lazada, Shopee, and TikTok Shop platforms, where customers can get up to PhP 2,000 off. Additionally, the first 100 buyers can get an S1 smartwatch or XE23 earphones. Alternatively, customers may opt for the Shopee-exclusive NOTE 40 Pro (4G variant) for PhP 10,999.