Features
Taking the vivo V25 Pro on a date night in Boracay island
Fine sand, good food, love, and nightlife
The first time I went to Boracay, it was in the midst of a raging pandemic. The island was gorgeous but there was something amiss. Believing that things are sweeter the second time around, I chose to come back for a more relaxed and steady trip with my special someone.
I didn’t over-plan my itinerary for the trip. Instead, I listed down a few restaurants and new activities to try. Together with the vivo V25 Pro, I captured my favorite moments and how I fell in love with Boracay during this return trip.
Chill by the beach
After taking a quick nap, we decided to go from Station 2 — where we stayed — to Station 1. It was less crowded and had more space so you can take in the ocean breeze.
I had a marvelous time basking in Boracay’s fine and milky-white sand.
The weather condition was erratic so we had to find a nearby restaurant when it started pouring. It’s a good thing that Coco Mama was just a few steps away. I finally tried the creamiest coconut ice cream that I’ve been wanting to taste.
Date night at Two Seasons Boracay
I’ve been perpetually curious about the Two Seasons’ famous Four cheese pizza so we decided to give it a try. The buzz I heard from social media is definitely true: this is worth the waiting time!
Tourists were flocking and lining up when we arrived.
Breakfast at Orchard Cafe Henann Park Resort
We didn’t miss our brunch during the trip. I just love complimentary hotel breakfast! I have more reasons to wake up and prepare early.
What I loved most about the Orchard Cafe is how they serve different dishes every day. We get to indulge ourselves in heavy yet appetizing meals during our three-day stay.
Taking each other’s self-portraits for our happy memory bank
What’s a beach trip without adorable beach photos? We had to strike every pose we can because there was no telling when we will be at the beach again.
Thankfully, the Vivo V25 Pro has a 256GB storage capacity which is perfect for photo maniacs like us.
Check the behind-the-scenes of my photoshoots here.
Afternoons by the Pool Barw
Location: Henann Park Resort
I had some time to soak in the pool while sipping cocktails before heading back to our room
Trying out Spicebird’s Seafood feast
Location: D’Mall Station 2
Our island experience wouldn’t be complete without a seafood feast. We capped our dinner date night with these sumptuous crabs and shrimp flavored with special Spicebird sauce. The weather is inviting us for some wine and so we toast!
Couple Photos: Achieved!
On our last full day, we started our plans a bit earlier.
The sun finally went out to greet us, making it a great time to take selfies. Since we rarely get the chance to have photos together, we maximized the self-timer of the vivo V25 Pro’s front camera.
It’s not bad for a self-timer quality. The vibrance and the details are superb. I can post it straight away even without post-processing.
Welcomed by a resident lizard at Puka beach
Ticking off my bucket list
Nightlife
Coming alive at night
Ending the stay
My second visit to the island that never sleeps has been the most relaxed, calm, and spontaneous trip I’ve ever had.
Packing light allowed me to enjoy every moment, since I didn’t have to consider bringing bulky stuff like a mirrorless camera, tripod, and anything that might feel like a liability — which is what happened during my first visit.
Having a reliable smartphone that can last a whole day at its maximum usage is such a real game-changer. It may be for taking photos, updating my social media, and using maps for directions. With Vivo V25 Pro’s camera features, be it during the day or especially at night, I am excited to bring this on my future trips.
Apple Pay is officially in the Philippines!
Pushing the country forward into a cashless and cardless future, Apple has now brought its contactless payment system to the Philippines. As with other countries, Apply Pay will work seamlessly and easily even for those who have problems with technology.
Now, despite how easy it is, sometimes we need to be pointed in the right direction. Here’s how you can set up Apple Pay on your iPhone:
Everything starts with the Wallet app. First, open your Wallet app. Tap the “+” button on the top and select “Debit or Credit Card.”
Normally, this is where you can input your card details (which you can still do, by the way), but the default method now is to just tap your card on the back of your iPhone. Your phone does the rest. You might need to confirm with your bank, but it’s as easy as a single tap.
Pick which cards to use. Once you have your cards online, you might need to change which one is the default card. Again, it’s easy. Just drag your preferred card to the front.
Afterwards, you can tap to pay in supported stores by priming the Wallet app for use. Tapping to pay is also available for Apple Watch. Meanwhile, online transactions can also work on MacBook.
Secure, all the time. If you’re worried about your security especially with online transactions, Apple keeps your information only between you and the seller. They don’t store your data.
Also, it’s not easy to make a transaction without your consent. You need Face ID, Touch ID, or your password. If you lose your phone, you can easily shut your phone down with the Find My app to prevent malicious parties from making transactions.
DJI’s smartphone gimbals have always chased one goal: delivering cinema-smooth footage without forcing you to carry a heavy rig.
The Osmo Mobile 8P (OM 8P) makes its priorities clear right out of the box. This is not a simple refresh. DJI rebuilt how you control the gimbal, and that decision shapes the entire shooting experience.
Freedom behind the lens
The biggest change is the FrameTap remote, and it’s the kind of upgrade that fixes a problem you didn’t realize was slowing you down until it’s gone.
On the standard OM 8, adjusting your framing meant reaching for your phone every time, which broke the flow of shooting and pulled you out of the moment.
FrameTap puts that control back in your hand. You can reframe shots and manage the gimbal without touching your phone at all, and for anyone shooting solo, that alone changes how usable the whole setup feels. Tracking has taken a real step forward too.
ActiveTrack 8.0, paired with Module 2, held onto its subject even after they stepped out of frame for a moment, then picked them back up without much fuss.
It also lets you sit off-center in the shot instead of forcing you into the middle every time, which gives you more room to compose something that doesn’t look like every other gimbal video.
None of that would matter much if the gimbal itself wasn’t solid, and it still is. The OM 8P holds onto the same foldable design, magnetic phone clamp, and built-in tripod that made the OM 8 easy to live with.
And it remains one of the better compact options for stabilization, tracking, and portability in one package.
The tripod legs are a touch wider this time, and that extra width does make a noticeable difference on uneven ground.
The trade-offs in touch
The trade-off for all that new remote functionality is a control scheme that takes more getting used to. More of the gimbal’s functions now live on the FrameTap touchscreen, the joystick is smaller, and switching between shooting modes takes a few extra taps compared to the OM 8. It’s not a dealbreaker, but it’s a learning curve you’ll need to budget time for.
DJI also removed the zoom and focus wheel, so if you leaned on that dial for quick adjustments, you’ll feel its absence here. Module 2 no longer lets you plug a DJI wireless mic in directly either.
You’ll need to connect it to your phone instead, which adds a step to a setup that used to be simpler. Phone compatibility is still a limiting factor as well. DJI lists support for phones up to around 300g and 11mm thick, so bigger phones or ones in chunky cases may not clamp in properly.
Finding your ideal workflow
The OM 8P makes the most sense for solo creators who want dependable tracking and the freedom of remote framing without stepping up to a dedicated camera like the DJI Osmo Pocket.
If you’re already shooting on a phone with a solid camera, this fills the gap nicely. It’s a tougher sell if you prefer physical buttons over touchscreen menus, or if your phone runs on the larger and heavier side, since fitting it onto the clamp might be a problem before you even get to shooting.
Price, availability
DJI is offering the OM 8P in three combos, so how much you pay depends on how much of the ecosystem you actually need.
- Standard Combo (PhP 7,499): the gimbal itself, with 8th-gen stabilization and the detachable FrameTap remote included.
- Advanced Tracking Combo (PhP 9,199): adds the Multifunctional Module 2 for the improved subject tracking we tested.
- Creator Combo (PhP 11,099): the full kit, built for creators who want everything DJI bundles in from the start.
Is the DJI Osmo Mobile 8P your GadgetMatch?
The DJI Osmo Mobile 8P asks you to relearn a few habits in exchange for a gimbal that finally lets go of your phone. If hands-free framing and steadier tracking matter more to you than a dedicated zoom dial, this is worth the adjustment.
If you’d rather keep things exactly as they were on the OM 8, that learning curve might be the deciding factor.
Swipe right if you shoot alone often and have been waiting for a gimbal remote that actually works. The FrameTap remote alone justifies the upgrade if reaching for your phone mid-shot has been slowing you down.
Consider this if reliable tracking matters to you, especially if you’ve had a subject wander out of frame and stay lost on older gimbals.
And of course, get this if you already own a capable phone under the weight and thickness limits, and you’d rather invest in a smartphone rig than jump to a dedicated camera like the Osmo Pocket.
Swipe left if you lean on physical dials for zoom and focus, and moving those functions to a touchscreen sounds like a downgrade rather than an upgrade.
This is not for you if you use a DJI wireless mic and want it plugged directly into the module without routing through your phone first. Or, your phone runs heavier or bulkier than DJI’s limits allow, since no amount of enthusiasm fixes a clamp that won’t close.
Features
GadgetSnaps: Westminster Abbey
A thousand years of history, unfolded with the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra
Westminster Abbey isn’t just another stop on the London tourist trail.
It’s the stage for coronations, royal weddings, and burials that span nearly a thousand years, all still playing out under the same vaulted ceilings that have been standing since before most countries had names.
Once you get past the crowds and the audio guides, a quieter version of the abbey starts to show itself: worn stone steps, poets resting a few feet from kings, light that shifts across the nave like it’s in on the performance too.
While losing track of time in Poets’ Corner (yes, me, playing amateur historian for an afternoon), I unfolded the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra and decided the abbey deserved more than a quick tourist snap.
All photos captured using the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra.
-
Automotive1 week agoVinFast debuts two-wheeler models, opens 21 e-motorcycle showrooms
-
Computers2 weeks agoAMD launches Radeon RX 9050 graphics card
-
Automotive1 week agoXiaomi debuts SkyNomad Series featuring new Kunlun platform
-
News6 days agoOnePlus officially leaves the United States and Canada
-
Gaming2 weeks agoNBA 2K27 gameplay trailer showcases new dunk mechanics, Rucker Park, and more
-
Gaming1 week agoCall of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 clip shows Losing Ground 1st look
-
Automotive2 weeks agoBYD Atto 2 launches with EV, plug-in hybrid options
-
Automotive1 week agoGAC launches new trio of MPVs







































































