Lifestyle

Living unapologetically with the Samsung Galaxy A54

This is what it means to be Awesome

Published

April 19, 2023

MJ Jucutan

I used to live in validation. Maybe it’s because of too much exposure to social media and the little hearts that spark joy when you see them across your notification bars from those vibrant displays in your beloved gizmos.

But I’ve seen it from both generations — Millennials, Generation Z, and even Zillennials (Yes, we exist) — and how a lot of people are struggling with taking control of other people’s perceptions.

TikTok, and the past decade or so, changed the way people behave in social media. While there are still clout-chasers, a lot of people found their voices and their most authentic self. Living unapologetically seems to be the trend nowadays, and a trend that I’m willing to be part of.

In an age of flexing your status symbol, presenting a curated version of yourself, and keeping up with everyone — Samsung disrupts this era with its Awesome campaign rooting back in early 2020. (Right before the world shut down).

Now in its fourth year, Samsung brings out the Galaxy A54 5G, continuing its message that awesome is for everyone. And being awesome, of course, is living on your own terms, unapologetically.

To a new you

It takes a lot of detoxing, unlearning old and learning new beliefs, and creating healthier habits to live my truth.

Samsung’s newest phone is a reminder of what it means to be who you are. When the Galaxy A54 looked similar to its flagship Galaxy S series, I couldn’t fathom the thought of being unable to distinguish which is which, especially for the untrained eye.

But the South Korean company’s explanation, in a press briefing I attended a month ago, appeased my confusion. Like a performer making its way through the fog from a smoke machine.

The goal was to make sure that Samsung users — even if they’re using phones from midrange to flagship lines — have the same design language. Kinda like iPhones.

No matter the price, an iPhone is an iPhone. It evens the playing field and there is no shaming on whether you’re using an iPhone 7, XS, or the latest ones.

So many people are hung up on how their phones would fair against other people, that they forgot that it’s just a tool so you can live the life you want.

BRB, becoming myself

What I love about the Galaxy A54 is how it lets me live my life on my own terms. It’s not a flagship smartphone, of course, but flagship smartphones always made me feel like I’m not using them to their fullest potential.

Midrange smartphones, surprisingly, are enough. They come with powerful chipsets and internals that you can do anything you want.

I mean, come on, dude. I’ve been playing Ragnarok Origin on the A54 from morning until the battery drops dead. Okay, just kidding at the drop-dead part. I don’t do that with my smartphones.

I play at 8 in the morning while AFK leveling during work hours and come back to my phone with a 12 percent battery at 3 in the afternoon. It heats up, but not to the point where it’s blazingly hot that you can’t touch it.

Apart from that, I get to simultaneously use it for chatting with my friends from my sports team and measuring my statistics during training via Samsung Health and my Galaxy Watch4 Classic.

I also play my favorite tunes while connected to my Galaxy Buds2 Pro, use it as a hotspot whenever I’m working remotely at some coffee shop, and even multitask for work-related stuff.

You see, that’s what I like about the A54. I may not binge-scroll on TikTok or watch on Netflix until the wee hours but for whatever lifestyle you have, it’s equipped with enough power to get through your day and night.

Its features are so well-rounded, it doesn’t focus on just an aspect of your life. That’s what makes it awesome.

Record the way you like it

Some people just want to take selfies. Some want to capture their favorite moments during their night outs, travels, and everyday life.

And some would love to record videos and take amazing photographs. Whatever you want to do, the A54 is equipped with the right set of cameras so you can live your most unapologetic self.

Here are some of the snaps I took using the Galaxy A54 for a month.

Live unapologetically

The Galaxy A54, in some way and form, helps you stop caring about what other people think. It lets you embrace your authentic self and encourages you to change what doesn’t work for you.

It’s the quintessential mid-range smartphone; an important device to add to your arsenal as you take on life’s daily battles.

It’s powerful, long-lasting, and takes awesome photos — enough to keep up with you and your preferred lifestyle. Hands down, it’s the best midrange device for any kind of lifestyle. Samsung is true to its promise that Awesome is for everyone.

The Galaxy A54 isn’t just a smartphone anymore, it’s a life companion for a few years or so. (It will have four major OS upgrades and five years of security patches.)

The Galaxy A54 5G starts at PhP 24,990 for the 128GB variant and PhP 26,990 for the 256GB variant. It comes in three colors: Awesome Lime, Awesome Black, and an online-exclusive Awesome Violet.

Entertainment

May 2024 movie checklist: Back to Black, The Fall Guy, IF, more

Plan your next movie trip

Published

April 24, 2024

Levi Verora Jr

Summer season has been nothing short of scorching hot so far. One of the best ways to cool down? Sit comfortably inside a cozy cinema and enjoy watching a movie. To help you plan your next movie trip with friends, family, your loved ones, or even just alone, here are May 2024’s upcoming titles.

There are lots of movies to choose from, covering different genres like action thriller, comedy, horror, and drama. from family-friendly comedies to nerve-wracking horrors, from an Amy Winehouse biopic to the latest installment in a popular franchise, May 2024’s lineup has it all.

Feel free to chow down on popcorn and flush it with ice-cold soda if you want to.

The Fall Guy (May 1)

Ryan Gosling, Emily Blunt, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Hannah Waddingham, Winston Duke, and Stephanie Hsu team up for an action comedy film loosely based on the 1980s TV series of the same name.

Gosling plays protagonist Colt Seavers, a seasoned stuntman who has endured a near career-ending accident. Colt’s ex-girlfriend, Jody Moreno, is played by Blunt. Moreno is working with Taylor-Johnson’s character Tom Ryder for her directorial debut. However, Tom goes missing, and that’s where Colt volunteers to find the actor whom he apparently had also doubled a long time ago.

Tarot (May 1)

Filipino-American Jacob Batalon returns to the big screen, this time headlining a supernatural horror film. His character is part of a college group of friends, including Avantika, Harriet Slater, and Adain Bradley.

Like how most horror film stories develop, the group commits a reckless mistake when they violate the sacred rule of Tarot readings. Unknowingly, they unleash unspeakable evil trapped within the cursed cards. One by one, they come face to face with fate and end up in a race against death to escape the future foretold in their readings.

IF (May 15)

Real-life couple John Krasinski (writer, director) and Emily Blunt are back, this time exchanging thriller for a family-friendly live-action comedy. They are joined by a star-studded ensemble that includes Ryan Reynolds, Cailey Fleming, Steve Carell, George Cloonney, Matt Damon, Bradley Cooper, and Blake Lively.

IF is about Blunt’s character who discovers that she can see everyone’s imaginary friends. She embarks on a magical adventure with that power to reconnect forgotten IFs with their kids.

Monkey Man (May 15)

Dev Patel, who played Jamal in the revered Slumdog Millionaire film, makes his directorial debut in this action thriller. Monkey Man is about a man’s quest for vengeance against corrupt leaders who murdered his mother and victimize the poor and powerless.

Also the main protagonist Kid, Patel takes on the role of a vengeful monkey mask-wearing grown up who wants to exact revenge on Baba Shakti. As Monkey Man is also co-produced by Patel, it features a predominantly Indian cast in key roles in a story set in the South Asian country.

Back to Black (May 15, Ayala exclusive)

Back to Black is a celebration of the most iconic homegrown star of the 21st century. The film chronicles the life and music of the late Amy Winehouse. Viewers will get to know more about Winehouse’s family background, her path to success, as well as her demons. Marisa Abela stars as Winehouse in the powerful tribute to a once-in-a-generation talent.

Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga (May 22)

The fifth installment of the Mad Max franchise takes viewers back in time with a spin-off and prequel to Mad Max: Fury Road. The film puts focus on a young Furiosa (Anya Taylor-Joy). She is snatched from the Green Place of Many Mothers and falls into the hands of a great Biker Horde led by the Warlord Dementus (Chris Hemsworth). Furiosa needs to survive many trials as she plots a way back home through the Wasteland.

The Garfield Movie (May 29)

Lastly, everyone’s favorite Monday-hating, lasagna-loving cat is back for another outdoor adventure. Voiced by Chris Pratt, Garfield has a new journey to undergo in this animated film. This, after an unexpected reunion with his father Vic (Samuel L. Jackson). The fresh new story puts more focus on Garfield, Odie, and Vic, instead of him with Jon and Liz.

Entertainment

Transformers One trailer: Get to know Optimus Prime, Megatron’s origin stories

In cinemas September 18

Published

April 19, 2024

GadgetMatch

Paramount Pictures has released the trailer for Transformers One, the upcoming latest installment of the Transformers film franchise.

Before fans get excited for the Transformers and G.I. Joe crossover, this animated film focuses first on Optimus Prime’s relationship with his adversary, Megatron.

The origin story is set in Cybertron, long before the transformers land on earth in the chronological timeline.

The trailer reveals Optimus Prime’s previous name, Orion Pax. On the other hand, Megatron was previously known by D-16.

Joined by Elita-1 and Bumblebee, the two main protagonists journey to Cybertron’s surface, which hasn’t been explored beforehand due to the dangers it is said to have.

On the surface, the crew realizes that right away, but are bestowed the power to transform. After some figuring, they manage to utilize this ability to defend Cybertron from intruders.

Overall, the three-minute trailer gives a lighter and funnier vibe. That’s in contrast to the previous iterations where the story is more serious from the get-go.

The transformers’ appearance also looks simpler and more toned down, giving an old school feel which is appropriate, considering this movie is set an earlier time when Cybertron was more intact.

Transformers One is showing on Philippine cinemas on September 18. The voice cast includes Chris Hemsworth as Optimus Prime, Brian Tyree Henry as Megatron, Keegan-Michael Key as Bumblebee, and Scarlett Johansson.

Lifestyle

IKEA launches a new gaming collection that looks great everywhere

Launching in September

Published

April 17, 2024

Luigi Leonardo

Gaming furniture remains one of the gaudier things you can own. While the market has mercifully moved away from unnecessary frills and an obsession with RGB lighting, everyone can still see the vestiges of a gaming lifestyle. If you’re looking for something subtler, your options are sparse. IKEA is thankfully adding a splash of color for your gaming rig.

If you wanted neutral furniture that looks good in any home, IKEA is the place to go. It’s still hard to imagine that the Swedish furniture maker can do something about the gaming market, but then again, this isn’t their first rodeo. Building on its previous partnership with Republic of Gamers, the brand is back with a new line of furniture for gamers tired of sticking out like a sore thumb.

The new BRÄNNBOLL collection includes pieces of furniture that goes well anywhere. It includes a comfortable inflatable chair, a versatile gaming station, a subtle castor on wheels, and convertible chairs. You’ll also get a complementary set of throws, rugs, and mousepad for your new setup.

The collection will launch in September 2024.

Today’s gaming furniture market is still obsessed with dark brooding colors and a tiny-but-stark neon accent. You know the look. Thankfully, other brands, IKEA included, are coming up with new collections to add personality to the market.

Sure, there’s nothing wrong with showing off your personality. But it’s also cool to look good while doing it.