âčïž Skipped - page is already crawled
| Filter | Status | Condition | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| HTTP status | PASS | download_http_code = 200 | HTTP 200 |
| Age cutoff | PASS | download_stamp > now() - 6 MONTH | 0.1 months ago |
| History drop | PASS | isNull(history_drop_reason) | No drop reason |
| Spam/ban | PASS | fh_dont_index != 1 AND ml_spam_score = 0 | ml_spam_score=0 |
| Canonical | PASS | meta_canonical IS NULL OR = '' OR = src_unparsed | Not set |
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| URL | https://www.gadgetmatch.com/huawei-matepad-11-5-s-papermatte-hands-on-feature-video/ |
| Last Crawled | 2026-04-10 18:57:23 (4 days ago) |
| First Indexed | 2024-06-27 11:41:02 (1 year ago) |
| HTTP Status Code | 200 |
| Meta Title | Huawei MatePad 11.5âS: iPad killer? - GadgetMatch |
| Meta Description | The Huawei MatePad 11.5âS PaperMatte Edition is a revolution for the tablet market with its PaperMatte display M-Pencil, and Magnetic Keyboard |
| Meta Canonical | null |
| Boilerpipe Text | Doing things for the plot used to burn me badly. It always ended the same way: me lying on the floor, crying over choices I insisted were romantic when they were clearly reckless, while my cat stared at me with a look that suggested regret over choosing me as an owner.
Iâve gone through enough heartbreak that someone my age should have learned by now. I should know when to pause before making decisions that feel thrilling only because they are unhinged.
And yet, I still move through life the way I did in my early twenties, convinced that consequences can wait as long as I feel something in the moment.
I had always wanted to go to Cagayan de Oro. The city feels like a threshold, a gateway to Northern Mindanao, opening up to Camiguin and Bukidnon, two places I have romanticized endlessly through saved TikTok videos and screenshots meant for a future version of myself who finally had the time.
Travel felt like a good enough reason to go. It just wasnât the real one.
It was for love
Four years ago, I noticed
him
after watching at finish line of an ultramarathon on one of the hardest trails in the Philippines.
There was something about that moment â about the way exhaustion and triumph lived in his body at the same time. That single image stayed with me. Attraction and curiosity followed.
After walking away from my âloml
â
, loss of my life, unfortunately, as Taylor Swift would put it, I decided to take a risk to start the year. I wanted to see whether my heart would open again, even slightly.
Armed with nothing but courage I wasnât fully confident in and the
OPPO Reno15
mounted on my Ulanzi tripod, I crossed 800 kilometers to see a âfriend.â
I used the word carefully, knowing how much work it was doing. I also knew this trip would either become one of the best decisions I made this year or one I would have to process slowly over time.
Touchdown with intentions
I was already on assignment in Northern Mindanao. In almost a decade of traveling for work, I had never extended a stay. I flew in, did the job, and flew out because Manila always waited with something urgent.
This time, I rebooked my flight for the next day, telling myself that one more day was reasonable. A stop at Panagatan Restaurant in Opol, Misamis Oriental made it feel like I had slipped into my own
1989 (Taylorâs Version)
-coded vacation.
Blue skies stretched endlessly above a calm sea. The air felt cool against my skin, though there were no birds cutting through the frame.
I sat there soaking in sunlight, staring at the view as it unfolded in front of me. For the first time in a long while, I felt welcomed. I caught myself thinking that life might actually be okay. I could breathe.
Like in the song âClean,â except this time I was twelve months sober from a love that almost broke me.
A table for one
I checked in at Red Planet because every hotel I genuinely wanted to stay at was fully booked. What remained were family rooms priced at over US$150.
The room I ended up with was simple, featuring a queen-sized bed and costing less than US$40. There was barely enough space for my drum-like American Tourister luggage, but the bed was wide and welcoming.
I spread myself out and slept like a starfish, the way you do when no one is watching.
Just under two kilometers away sat Cucina Higala, known for serving modern Filipino cuisine rooted in Mindanao heritage. A friend from Cagayan de Oro had told me never to miss it, no matter how packed it got.
Of course, I listened.
Lunch there felt indulgent in the best way. The interiors made it feel like someoneâs home rather than a restaurant. Even the bathroom caught my attention, tucked into a corner and washed in shaded daylight.
Everything worked together. The low murmur of diners layered with laughter; the smell of food arriving at nearby tables; the clink of cutlery against plates.
There was a sense that time moved slower here, encouraging you to stay longer than planned. I finally understood why the locals insisted going there.
Waiting at six
Before dusk settled in, I headed to Uptown to meet a friend. I wanted to catch up and ground myself. Eventually, I admitted why I was really in the city.
We sat at Milestone Coffee + Kitchen in Uptown, cups of tea and coffee between us. They also have a branch downtown, but Uptown felt easier, more relaxed, like the right place to unravel stories and gossip that carried weight.
The truth was simple: I was there to see someone I had an interest on for years, and we were supposed to meet at six.
I was terrified of being stood up. Crossing land, sea, and sky for a man was something I had never done before. I believed we would meet because he said we would, but I still asked my friend for recommendations on where to go, just in case.
Backup plans felt necessary. I just needed to know there was something to hold onto if my heart cracked open in public.
After sunset
Thankfully, he picked me up at Milestone Coffee + Kitchen and met my friend. We rode back toward downtown through the diversion road, him on his brand-new Yamaha Fazzio in Matte Orange.
His motorcycle had a name. Ophelia. He bought it in October, right before Taylor Swift released her album
The Life of a Showgirl
and the single âThe Fate of Ophelia.â
My
1989
-coded escapade shifted into something âOpaliteâ-coded, as if I had wandered into a version of my own
People We Meet on Vacation
moment and somehow found my Alex Nilsen-slash-Travis Kelce.
We strolled along the boulevard where people walked, ate, laughed, and leaned into the night market energy. Some sat by the riverside, letting the evening pass without urgency.
I drank fresh coconut juice from a stall that stayed busy even at ten in the evening, while everything across the street had already closed. It tasted exactly like the moment felt â unexpected and sweet.
We ended the night drinking beer we bought from a convenience store, like teenagers sneaking alcohol because our parents would disapprove. It was simple and familiar⊠and it tasted like home.
On borrowed time
The next morning, I knew it was already my last day in the city. While he was working, like actual adults and not the versions we see in movies, I packed up, freshened up, and walked to Limketkai to grab coffee and brunch.
I took my morning slowly. I journaled in my pocket notebook, listening to âPast Livesâ by sapientdream and Slushii, sipping my coffee while watching people move through their own lives.
It felt grounding to exist without urgency, even if only for a few hours.
When my beau finally gave the signal to visit his farm, where I could leave my luggage before heading to the airport, I checked out of the hotel and went on what felt like an almost hour-long ride.
The farm was only about a fifteen-minute drive from the airport, which meant we still had time, real time, to spend the rest of the day together.
I toured his farm on foot and watched livestock being cared for with a gentleness that made me feel like I had stepped into a version of life far removed from mine.
I felt like a Disney princess playing with animals, temporarily forgetting that I had a return flight waiting for me.
We ate together, and at some point I fell asleep on the hammock, only waking up when he gently shook me so we could go to his favorite place.
At the edge of the day
The beach was so close to the airport that my heart sank the moment I saw it. Leaving the city suddenly felt very real. Leaving him even more so.
The entire encounter felt
People We Meet On Vacation
-coded, and yet I kept hoping this was not just a vacation fling, that he wasnât merely a vacation boyfriend meant to exist only within a fixed timeline.
I relished the sight of the sea, his favorite spot as he told me, where he went to clear his mind whenever life felt overwhelming.
The water was turquoise, vivid against the rocks, and it was impossible to ignore. The sound of waves crashing against the cliffside rocks and the cool hum of the breeze wrapped around us as we talked.
We pondered about life, about where we were heading, about what this meant, and what it realistically could not be.
That was when I realized there was distance between us, not only measured in kilometers. We were two people meeting at different points in our lives, emotionally and mentally out of sync despite how naturally everything else fit.
We both rejected the idea of dating, even after acknowledging how rare it felt to find someone who matched our freak so effortlessly. I knew this could grow into something more if one of us was brave enough to go the distance.
I also knew that maybe neither of us was in the right place to choose someone else when our own dreams still demanded so much attention.
Goodbyes timed by the sky
The sky turned pink and purple as I headed to the airport. He followed behind me riding Ophelia, while I sat inside a tuktuk, a small motorized, three-wheeled rickshaw carrying me and my luggage through the last stretch of the city.
Rain had been forecasted all day. We both knew it. And yet somehow, the universe held it back, letting us have the beach, conversations, laughter, and pauses.
It waited until everything that mattered had already happened.
He made sure I got to the airport safely. Only after I gave him a tight squeeze and finally let go did the rain arrive, as if on cue, like it understood timing better than either of us.
It was an evening flight, and I looked like a deranged person wearing sunglasses, crying while sipping floral tea at Boâs Coffee, staring out at the runway as planes lined up for departure.
I kept asking myself why distance suddenly frightened me when I had already crossed eight hundred kilometers for him.
Somewhere above the clouds, the answer floated heavily. I did love him. I just never said it out loud because I was afraid of what it would demand, and I was afraid of opening my heart again to someone I wasnât even sure I would meet again.
For a moment, I felt loved and desired, and remembered what it felt like to be chosen, even briefly.
When I arrived in Manila, I looked through the photos captured on my OPPO Reno15 and smiled, seeing how a smartphone held on to a fleeting moment of love, written on sand and washed away exactly in time. |
| Markdown | 
[](https://www.gadgetmatch.com/)
- [Videos](https://www.gadgetmatch.com/category/sections/videos/)
- [Reviews](https://www.gadgetmatch.com/category/sections/reviews/)
- [Unboxing](https://www.gadgetmatch.com/category/sections/features/unboxing/)
- [Hands-On](https://www.gadgetmatch.com/category/sections/features/hands-on/)
- [Camera Shootouts](https://www.gadgetmatch.com/category/sections/features/shootouts/)
- [Gaming](https://www.gadgetmatch.com/category/gaming/)
- [Her](https://www.gadgetmatch.com/category/sections/lifestyle/her-gadgetmatch/)
- [Auto](https://www.gadgetmatch.com/category/automotive/)
- [Features](https://www.gadgetmatch.com/category/sections/features/)
- [24 Hours Series](https://www.gadgetmatch.com/category/sections/features/24-hours-series/)
- [Explainers](https://www.gadgetmatch.com/category/sections/features/explainers/)
- [Regional](https://www.gadgetmatch.com/category/regional/)
- [India](https://www.gadgetmatch.com/category/regional/india/)
- [Malaysia](https://www.gadgetmatch.com/category/regional/malaysia/)
- [Philippines](https://www.gadgetmatch.com/category/regional/philippines/)
- [Singapore](https://www.gadgetmatch.com/category/regional/singapore/)
- [About](https://www.gadgetmatch.com/about/)
- [The Team](https://www.gadgetmatch.com/about/)
- [Reviews Policy](https://www.gadgetmatch.com/reviews-policy/)
- [Contact](https://www.gadgetmatch.com/contact/)
- [Blog](https://www.gadgetmatch.com/category/sections/blog/)
- [Careers](https://www.gadgetmatch.com/category/sections/careers/)
Connect with us
[](https://www.gadgetmatch.com/) [](https://www.gadgetmatch.com/)
## GadgetMatch
#### Huawei MatePad 11.5âS: iPad killer?
- [Videos](https://www.gadgetmatch.com/category/sections/videos/)
- [Apple AirTag 2 Review](https://www.gadgetmatch.com/apple-airtag-2-review/)
- [HUAWEI MatePad 11.5 S 2026: The better-than-ever 4-in-1 productivity tablet](https://www.gadgetmatch.com/huawei-matepad-11-5-s-2026-feature-video/)
- [Breaking up with Adobe Photoshop after 20 years](https://www.gadgetmatch.com/apple-creator-studio-pixelmator-pro-adobe-photoshop-cancellation/)
- [Can the REDMI Note 15 Pro+ 5G Survive?](https://www.gadgetmatch.com/redmi-note-15-pro-plus-titan-durability-challenge/)
- [Spotlight: ASUS Zenbook at CES 2026](https://www.gadgetmatch.com/asus-zenbook-duo-zenbook-a14-a16-ces-2026/)
- [Reviews](https://www.gadgetmatch.com/category/sections/reviews/)
- [OPPO Reno15 Pro: Camera Review](https://www.gadgetmatch.com/oppo-reno15-pro-camera-review/)
- [Apple AirTag 2 Review](https://www.gadgetmatch.com/apple-airtag-2-review/)
- [The art of being in and behind the frame](https://www.gadgetmatch.com/oppo-reno-15-5g-review/)
- [Now Playing: Yakuza Kiwami 3 & Dark Ties](https://www.gadgetmatch.com/yakuza-kiwami-3-dark-ties-review/)
- [TECNO MEGABOOK K16s 13th review: No-frills beneath those grills](https://www.gadgetmatch.com/tecno-megabook-k16s-13th-intel-review-specs-price/)
- [Unboxing](https://www.gadgetmatch.com/category/sections/features/unboxing/)
- [POCO M8 Pro review: Goinâ loco over this POCO](https://www.gadgetmatch.com/poco-m8-pro-review-specs-price/)
- [vivo X300 Pro review: Going the X-tra Mile](https://www.gadgetmatch.com/vivo-x300-pro-review-specs-price/)
- [QCY H3S review: Clean sounding, lean pricing](https://www.gadgetmatch.com/qcy-h3s-budget-headphones-anc-ldac-review-unboxing/)
- [Unboxing: Ghost of Yotei Collectorâs Edition](https://www.gadgetmatch.com/unboxing-ghost-of-yotei-collectors-edition/)
- [Unboxing the latest Apple Watch Ă HermĂšs](https://www.gadgetmatch.com/apple-watch-hermes-10-year-anniversary-special-watch-series-11-unboxing/)
- [Hands-On](https://www.gadgetmatch.com/category/sections/features/hands-on/)
- [Match Pulse: OPPO Reno15 Pro](https://www.gadgetmatch.com/match-pulse-oppo-reno15-pro/)
- [I was skeptical about smartphone gimbals, then I tried the DJI Osmo Mobile 8](https://www.gadgetmatch.com/dji-osmo-mobile-8-hands-on-review/)
- [Match Pulse: ROG Xbox Ally X](https://www.gadgetmatch.com/rog-xbox-ally-x-hands-on-review-match-pulse/)
- [Match Pulse: Infinix HOT 60 Pro+](https://www.gadgetmatch.com/match-pulse-first-look-infinix-hot-60-pro-plus/)
- [I brought the JBL Flip 7 on a boat, and now I wonât travel without it](https://www.gadgetmatch.com/jbl-flip-7-review/)
- [Camera Shootouts](https://www.gadgetmatch.com/category/sections/features/shootouts/)
- [Gaming](https://www.gadgetmatch.com/category/gaming/)
- [Capcom to hold Resident Evil Requiem launch event in Jakarta](https://www.gadgetmatch.com/capcom-to-hold-resident-evil-requiem-launch-in-jakarta-event-prizes-cosplay/)
- [Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen are coming to the Switch](https://www.gadgetmatch.com/pokemon-firered-leafgreen-switch/)
- [LG unveils UltraGear evo, redefines 5K gaming with AI Upscaling](https://www.gadgetmatch.com/lg-unveils-ultragear-evo-redefines-5k-gaming-with-ai-upscaling/)
- [PlayStation 6 reportedly delayed to 2029 because of RAM shortage](https://www.gadgetmatch.com/playstation-6-delayed-2029-ram-shortage/)
- [Star Wars: Galactic Racer shows off new gameplay at State of Play](https://www.gadgetmatch.com/star-wars-galactic-racer-new-gameplay-state-of-play/)
- [Her](https://www.gadgetmatch.com/category/sections/lifestyle/her-gadgetmatch/)
- [Razer fully unwraps these limited BLACKPINK Edition gaming gear](https://www.gadgetmatch.com/razer-blackpink-edition-gaming-accessories-2026/)
- [Trade in your old device and switch to Dyson at SM Podium](https://www.gadgetmatch.com/dyson-trade-to-upgrade-november-2025-sm-podium/)
- [How the HUAWEI Active Rings run inspired my next streak](https://www.gadgetmatch.com/huawei-active-rings-run-november-2025-feature/)
- [Takashi Murakami and CASETiFYâs new collab is in full bloom](https://www.gadgetmatch.com/takashi-murakami-and-casetifys-new-collab-is-in-full-bloom/)
- [These Dyson drops are the home upgrades you didnât know you needed](https://www.gadgetmatch.com/dyson-ifa-2025-announcement/)
- [Auto](https://www.gadgetmatch.com/category/automotive/)
- [VinFast updates battery subscription policy for large upfront savings](https://www.gadgetmatch.com/vinfast-updates-battery-subscription-policy-for-large-upfront-savings/)
- [BYD expands PH presence with entry of DENZA luxury EVs](https://www.gadgetmatch.com/byd-expands-ph-presence-with-entry-of-denza-luxury-evs/)
- [Ford Philippines kicks off the year with Drive Now, Pay Later](https://www.gadgetmatch.com/ford-philippines-drive-now-pay-later-program/)
- [NAVEE expands smart mobility beyond the city at CES 2026](https://www.gadgetmatch.com/navee-ces-2026/)
- [The price I paid for trusting my car too much](https://www.gadgetmatch.com/the-price-i-paid-for-trusting-my-car-too-much/)
- [Features](https://www.gadgetmatch.com/category/sections/features/)
- [24 Hours Series](https://www.gadgetmatch.com/category/sections/features/24-hours-series/)
- [Explainers](https://www.gadgetmatch.com/category/sections/features/explainers/)
- [Regional](https://www.gadgetmatch.com/category/regional/)
- [India](https://www.gadgetmatch.com/category/regional/india/)
- [Nothing opens first India store in Bengaluru](https://www.gadgetmatch.com/nothing-opens-first-india-store-bengaluru/)
- [TECNO POVA Curve 2 5G packs an 8000mAh battery](https://www.gadgetmatch.com/tecno-pova-curve-2-5g-8000mah-battery-india-specs-price/)
- [The vivo V60 is a rebadged vivo S30 for international markets](https://www.gadgetmatch.com/vivo-v60-specs-price-availability-india/)
- [Marshall Minor IV earbuds price, availability in India](https://www.gadgetmatch.com/marshall-minor-iv-earbuds-price-availability-in-india/)
- [India imposes a ban on imported laptops, tablets, and PCs](https://www.gadgetmatch.com/india-restriction-imported-laptops-tablets-pcs/)
- [Malaysia](https://www.gadgetmatch.com/category/regional/malaysia/)
- [Philippines](https://www.gadgetmatch.com/category/regional/philippines/)
- [HUAWEI launches Mate X7, MatePad 11.5 S 2026, FreeClip 2](https://www.gadgetmatch.com/huawei-launches-mate-x7-matepad-11-5-s-2026-freeclip-2-price-philippines/)
- [ACMobility Launches ChargeFleet: Seamless solution for businesses](https://www.gadgetmatch.com/acmobility-launches-chargefleet-seamless-solution-for-businesses/)
- [vivo V70 to release in PH with Pop Mart ZSIGA Golden Hour colorway](https://www.gadgetmatch.com/vivo-v70-to-release-in-ph-with-pop-mart-zsiga-golden-hour-colorway/)
- [HUAWEI FreeClip 2 launching on February 19](https://www.gadgetmatch.com/huawei-freeclip-2-launching-on-february-19-philippines-open-ear-audio-design/)
- [OPPO Reno15 Series 5G Philippines price, availability, preorder perks](https://www.gadgetmatch.com/oppo-reno15-series-5g-philippines-price-availability-preorder-cameras-specs/)
- [Singapore](https://www.gadgetmatch.com/category/regional/singapore/)
- [Get a chance to win an iPhone 17 Pro with the ECOVACS 11.11 sale](https://www.gadgetmatch.com/get-a-chance-to-win-an-iphone-17-pro-with-the-ecovacs-11-11-sale/)
- [OPPO Find X9 Series: Price, availability in Singapore](https://www.gadgetmatch.com/oppo-find-x9-series-price-availability-singapore/)
- [Sonyâs mobile motion capture system, mocopi, is coming to Singapore](https://www.gadgetmatch.com/sony-full-body-mobile-motion-capture-system-mocopi-singapore-launch-3d-avatar/)
- [Apple introduces the powerful new iPad Pro M5](https://www.gadgetmatch.com/apple-ipad-pro-m5-specs-price-availability/)
- [Apple unveils new 14-inch MacBook Pro M5](https://www.gadgetmatch.com/apple-14-inch-macbook-pro-m5-specs-price-availability/)
- [About](https://www.gadgetmatch.com/about/)
- [The Team](https://www.gadgetmatch.com/about/)
- [Reviews Policy](https://www.gadgetmatch.com/reviews-policy/)
- [Contact](https://www.gadgetmatch.com/contact/)
- [Blog](https://www.gadgetmatch.com/category/sections/blog/)
- [Careers](https://www.gadgetmatch.com/category/sections/careers/)
 
### [Features](https://www.gadgetmatch.com/category/sections/features/)
# Huawei MatePad 11.5âS: iPad killer?
PaperMatte and NearLink are this tabletâs greatest weapons
Published
on
June 27, 2024
By
[GadgetMatch](https://www.gadgetmatch.com/author/gadgetmatch/ "Posts by GadgetMatch")
> [@gadgetmatch](https://www.tiktok.com/@gadgetmatch?refer=embed "@gadgetmatch")
>
> Huawei MatePad 11.5âS: PaperMatte and NearLink are this iPad killerâs greatest weapons đȘ
>
> [⏠Superficial Gesture â DJ BAI](https://www.tiktok.com/music/Superficial-Gesture-6991885915513686018?refer=embed "⏠Superficial Gesture - DJ BAI")
***
Nothing is quite like a perfect tablet. And thatâs because nothing in the market today is a perfect tablet.
Well, almost nothing.
Today, weâre taking a look at the new **Huawei MatePad 11.5âS PaperMatte Edition.**
Before that, how would you define an average tablet experience today? Glare! You always need an anti-glare screen protector. Terrible accessories! Itâs always a struggle to find the perfect keyboard or stylus. Uninspired apps! The greatest options are almost always pay-to-use.
What if I tell you that the MatePad 11.5âS solves all of that?
### PaperMatte Display
Letâs talk about the PaperMatte Display first. It has 27 layers of nanoscale anti-glare etching and magnetron optical layers. Basically, it looks and feels amazing.
Even under direct sunlight or fluorescent lighting, glare and reflections arenât a problem. Oh, and another thing: When you apply an anti-glare screen manually, it usually sacrifices image quality. The MatePad does not have this problem. The image quality is still perfect when reading or watching.
Itâs also pleasing to the touch and to write on with the M-Pencil. It feels like youâre writing on paper.
Speaking of the M-Pencil, letâs look at the accessories you can get.
#### Magnetic Keyboard
First up: the Magnetic Keyboard. The MatePad comes with a convenient keyboard that you can magnetically snap on. Because you can separate the case from the keyboard, you can set the tablet up in different layouts. It also connects with NearLink, not Bluetooth. It should work even from afar. And yes, I mean far.
#### 3rd-gen M-Pencil
Now, letâs check out the 3rd-gen M-Pencil. It comes with 10,000 pressure sensing levels. Like an actual pen, the stroke changes depending on how hard you press down. Thereâs also a replaceable tip thatâs more suited to writing. It also connects with NearLink technology. And if youâre not using it, the M-Pencil snaps into place on the tabletâs side.
#### GoPaint App
But if you are using it, the best way to maximize it is HUAWEIâs own GoPaint app. GoPaint is honestly one of the best sketching and painting apps Iâve ever used. Even if youâre just a beginner, GoPaint is so easy to use.
It comes with more than 100 brush presets, layers, and gestures. Oh, and it comes with tutorials, so youâll never feel lost. The best part: Itâs free, unlike Adobe or Procreate.
#### Performance tablet
If thatâs not enough, you also get all the performance youâll need from a tablet. Including a Kirin 9000 chipset. And the Pro version of WPS for free. And an 8800mAh battery to keep the tablet, keyboard, and M-Pencil powered for a long time. Whether youâre going back to school or trying to get a leg up on your career the MatePad 11.5âS is such an amazing tablet to have.
### Price, pre-order details
The HUAWEI MatePad 11.5âłS 8GB + 256GB in Violet and Space Grey is worth PHP 29,999
[Pre-order Freebies (from June 28 â July 4):](https://www.gadgetmatch.com/huawei-matepad-11-5s-specs-price-availability-philippines/)
- HUAWEI Smart Magnetic Keyboard worth PHP 6,999
- HUAWEI M-Pencil worth PHP 5,999
- HUAWEI Bluetooth Mouse worth PHP 1,899
- PC-Level WPS Office worth PHP 4,999
Available on Shopee, Lazada, TikTok, HUAWEI Online Store, and HUAWEI Experience Stores nationwide
***
### Buy Links
- HUAWEIâs official website:
[https://bit.ly/3xlWQQZ](https://bit.ly/3xlWQQZ)
- HUAWEI Online Store: <https://bit.ly/45ud1s1>
- Shopee: <https://bit.ly/45BGgJp>
- Lazada: <https://bit.ly/4brdP2p>
Related Topics:[featured](https://www.gadgetmatch.com/tag/featured/)[Huawei](https://www.gadgetmatch.com/tag/huawei/)[Huawei MatePad 11.5 S](https://www.gadgetmatch.com/tag/huawei-matepad-11-5-s/)[MatePad](https://www.gadgetmatch.com/tag/matepad/)[MatePad 11.5 S](https://www.gadgetmatch.com/tag/matepad-11-5-s/)
#### You may like
### [Dating](https://www.gadgetmatch.com/category/sections/lifestyle/dating/)
# Crossing an island to see if love would show up
A 24-hour detour in Cagayan De Oro, captured on OPPO Reno15
Published
on
February 12, 2026
By
[MJ Jucutan](https://www.gadgetmatch.com/author/mark/ "Posts by MJ Jucutan")
Doing things for the plot used to burn me badly. It always ended the same way: me lying on the floor, crying over choices I insisted were romantic when they were clearly reckless, while my cat stared at me with a look that suggested regret over choosing me as an owner.
Iâve gone through enough heartbreak that someone my age should have learned by now. I should know when to pause before making decisions that feel thrilling only because they are unhinged.
And yet, I still move through life the way I did in my early twenties, convinced that consequences can wait as long as I feel something in the moment.
I had always wanted to go to Cagayan de Oro. The city feels like a threshold, a gateway to Northern Mindanao, opening up to Camiguin and Bukidnon, two places I have romanticized endlessly through saved TikTok videos and screenshots meant for a future version of myself who finally had the time.
Travel felt like a good enough reason to go. It just wasnât the real one.
### It was for love
Four years ago, I noticed *him* after watching at finish line of an ultramarathon on one of the hardest trails in the Philippines.
There was something about that moment â about the way exhaustion and triumph lived in his body at the same time. That single image stayed with me. Attraction and curiosity followed.
After walking away from my âloml*â*, loss of my life, unfortunately, as Taylor Swift would put it, I decided to take a risk to start the year. I wanted to see whether my heart would open again, even slightly.
[](https://www.gadgetmatch.com/oppo-reno-15-valentine-special-feature/gadgetmatch-20260212-oppo-reno-15-5g-valentine-special-cagayan-de-oro-feature-2/)
[](https://www.gadgetmatch.com/oppo-reno-15-valentine-special-feature/gadgetmatch-20260212-oppo-reno-15-5g-valentine-special-cagayan-de-oro-feature-3/)
Armed with nothing but courage I wasnât fully confident in and the **OPPO Reno15** mounted on my Ulanzi tripod, I crossed 800 kilometers to see a âfriend.â
I used the word carefully, knowing how much work it was doing. I also knew this trip would either become one of the best decisions I made this year or one I would have to process slowly over time.
### Touchdown with intentions
I was already on assignment in Northern Mindanao. In almost a decade of traveling for work, I had never extended a stay. I flew in, did the job, and flew out because Manila always waited with something urgent.
[](https://www.gadgetmatch.com/oppo-reno-15-valentine-special-feature/gadgetmatch-20260212-oppo-reno-15-5g-valentine-special-cagayan-de-oro-feature-4/)
[](https://www.gadgetmatch.com/oppo-reno-15-valentine-special-feature/gadgetmatch-20260212-oppo-reno-15-5g-valentine-special-cagayan-de-oro-feature-6/)
[](https://www.gadgetmatch.com/oppo-reno-15-valentine-special-feature/gadgetmatch-20260212-oppo-reno-15-5g-valentine-special-cagayan-de-oro-feature-7/)
This time, I rebooked my flight for the next day, telling myself that one more day was reasonable. A stop at Panagatan Restaurant in Opol, Misamis Oriental made it feel like I had slipped into my own *1989 (Taylorâs Version)*\-coded vacation.
Blue skies stretched endlessly above a calm sea. The air felt cool against my skin, though there were no birds cutting through the frame.
[](https://www.gadgetmatch.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/gadgetmatch-20260212-oppo-reno-15-5g-valentine-special-cagayan-de-oro-feature-5.jpg)
I sat there soaking in sunlight, staring at the view as it unfolded in front of me. For the first time in a long while, I felt welcomed. I caught myself thinking that life might actually be okay. I could breathe.
Like in the song âClean,â except this time I was twelve months sober from a love that almost broke me.
### A table for one
I checked in at Red Planet because every hotel I genuinely wanted to stay at was fully booked. What remained were family rooms priced at over US\$150.
The room I ended up with was simple, featuring a queen-sized bed and costing less than US\$40. There was barely enough space for my drum-like American Tourister luggage, but the bed was wide and welcoming.
I spread myself out and slept like a starfish, the way you do when no one is watching.
Just under two kilometers away sat Cucina Higala, known for serving modern Filipino cuisine rooted in Mindanao heritage. A friend from Cagayan de Oro had told me never to miss it, no matter how packed it got.
[](https://www.gadgetmatch.com/oppo-reno-15-valentine-special-feature/gadgetmatch-20260212-oppo-reno-15-5g-valentine-special-cagayan-de-oro-feature-9/)
[](https://www.gadgetmatch.com/oppo-reno-15-valentine-special-feature/gadgetmatch-20260212-oppo-reno-15-5g-valentine-special-cagayan-de-oro-feature-10/)
[](https://www.gadgetmatch.com/oppo-reno-15-valentine-special-feature/gadgetmatch-20260212-oppo-reno-15-5g-valentine-special-cagayan-de-oro-feature-11/)
Of course, I listened.
Lunch there felt indulgent in the best way. The interiors made it feel like someoneâs home rather than a restaurant. Even the bathroom caught my attention, tucked into a corner and washed in shaded daylight.
Everything worked together. The low murmur of diners layered with laughter; the smell of food arriving at nearby tables; the clink of cutlery against plates.
[](https://www.gadgetmatch.com/oppo-reno-15-valentine-special-feature/gadgetmatch-20260212-oppo-reno-15-5g-valentine-special-cagayan-de-oro-feature-8/)
[](https://www.gadgetmatch.com/oppo-reno-15-valentine-special-feature/gadgetmatch-20260212-oppo-reno-15-5g-valentine-special-cagayan-de-oro-feature-12/)
There was a sense that time moved slower here, encouraging you to stay longer than planned. I finally understood why the locals insisted going there.
### Waiting at six
Before dusk settled in, I headed to Uptown to meet a friend. I wanted to catch up and ground myself. Eventually, I admitted why I was really in the city.
[](https://www.gadgetmatch.com/oppo-reno-15-valentine-special-feature/gadgetmatch-20260212-oppo-reno-15-5g-valentine-special-cagayan-de-oro-feature-13/)
[](https://www.gadgetmatch.com/oppo-reno-15-valentine-special-feature/gadgetmatch-20260212-oppo-reno-15-5g-valentine-special-cagayan-de-oro-feature-15/)
We sat at Milestone Coffee + Kitchen in Uptown, cups of tea and coffee between us. They also have a branch downtown, but Uptown felt easier, more relaxed, like the right place to unravel stories and gossip that carried weight.
The truth was simple: I was there to see someone I had an interest on for years, and we were supposed to meet at six.
[](https://www.gadgetmatch.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/gadgetmatch-20260212-oppo-reno-15-5g-valentine-special-cagayan-de-oro-feature-14.jpg)
I was terrified of being stood up. Crossing land, sea, and sky for a man was something I had never done before. I believed we would meet because he said we would, but I still asked my friend for recommendations on where to go, just in case.
Backup plans felt necessary. I just needed to know there was something to hold onto if my heart cracked open in public.
### After sunset
Thankfully, he picked me up at Milestone Coffee + Kitchen and met my friend. We rode back toward downtown through the diversion road, him on his brand-new Yamaha Fazzio in Matte Orange.
His motorcycle had a name. Ophelia. He bought it in October, right before Taylor Swift released her album *The Life of a Showgirl* and the single âThe Fate of Ophelia.â
[](https://www.gadgetmatch.com/oppo-reno-15-valentine-special-feature/gadgetmatch-20260212-oppo-reno-15-5g-valentine-special-cagayan-de-oro-feature-16/)
[](https://www.gadgetmatch.com/oppo-reno-15-valentine-special-feature/gadgetmatch-20260212-oppo-reno-15-5g-valentine-special-cagayan-de-oro-feature-17/)
My *1989*\-coded escapade shifted into something âOpaliteâ-coded, as if I had wandered into a version of my own *People We Meet on Vacation* moment and somehow found my Alex Nilsen-slash-Travis Kelce.
We strolled along the boulevard where people walked, ate, laughed, and leaned into the night market energy. Some sat by the riverside, letting the evening pass without urgency.
[](https://www.gadgetmatch.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/gadgetmatch-20260212-oppo-reno-15-5g-valentine-special-cagayan-de-oro-feature-18.jpg)
I drank fresh coconut juice from a stall that stayed busy even at ten in the evening, while everything across the street had already closed. It tasted exactly like the moment felt â unexpected and sweet.
We ended the night drinking beer we bought from a convenience store, like teenagers sneaking alcohol because our parents would disapprove. It was simple and familiar⊠and it tasted like home.
### On borrowed time
The next morning, I knew it was already my last day in the city. While he was working, like actual adults and not the versions we see in movies, I packed up, freshened up, and walked to Limketkai to grab coffee and brunch.
I took my morning slowly. I journaled in my pocket notebook, listening to âPast Livesâ by sapientdream and Slushii, sipping my coffee while watching people move through their own lives.
It felt grounding to exist without urgency, even if only for a few hours.
When my beau finally gave the signal to visit his farm, where I could leave my luggage before heading to the airport, I checked out of the hotel and went on what felt like an almost hour-long ride.
[](https://www.gadgetmatch.com/oppo-reno-15-valentine-special-feature/gadgetmatch-20260212-oppo-reno-15-5g-valentine-special-cagayan-de-oro-feature-19/)
[](https://www.gadgetmatch.com/oppo-reno-15-valentine-special-feature/gadgetmatch-20260212-oppo-reno-15-5g-valentine-special-cagayan-de-oro-feature-20/)
[](https://www.gadgetmatch.com/oppo-reno-15-valentine-special-feature/gadgetmatch-20260212-oppo-reno-15-5g-valentine-special-cagayan-de-oro-feature-21/)
The farm was only about a fifteen-minute drive from the airport, which meant we still had time, real time, to spend the rest of the day together.
I toured his farm on foot and watched livestock being cared for with a gentleness that made me feel like I had stepped into a version of life far removed from mine.
[](https://www.gadgetmatch.com/oppo-reno-15-valentine-special-feature/gadgetmatch-20260212-oppo-reno-15-5g-valentine-special-cagayan-de-oro-feature-24/)
[](https://www.gadgetmatch.com/oppo-reno-15-valentine-special-feature/gadgetmatch-20260212-oppo-reno-15-5g-valentine-special-cagayan-de-oro-feature-22/)
I felt like a Disney princess playing with animals, temporarily forgetting that I had a return flight waiting for me.
We ate together, and at some point I fell asleep on the hammock, only waking up when he gently shook me so we could go to his favorite place.
[](https://www.gadgetmatch.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/gadgetmatch-20260212-oppo-reno-15-5g-valentine-special-cagayan-de-oro-feature-23.jpg)
### At the edge of the day
The beach was so close to the airport that my heart sank the moment I saw it. Leaving the city suddenly felt very real. Leaving him even more so.
The entire encounter felt *People We Meet On Vacation*\-coded, and yet I kept hoping this was not just a vacation fling, that he wasnât merely a vacation boyfriend meant to exist only within a fixed timeline.
I relished the sight of the sea, his favorite spot as he told me, where he went to clear his mind whenever life felt overwhelming.
[](https://www.gadgetmatch.com/oppo-reno-15-valentine-special-feature/gadgetmatch-20260212-oppo-reno-15-5g-valentine-special-cagayan-de-oro-feature-25/)
[](https://www.gadgetmatch.com/oppo-reno-15-valentine-special-feature/gadgetmatch-20260212-oppo-reno-15-5g-valentine-special-cagayan-de-oro-feature-27/)
The water was turquoise, vivid against the rocks, and it was impossible to ignore. The sound of waves crashing against the cliffside rocks and the cool hum of the breeze wrapped around us as we talked.
We pondered about life, about where we were heading, about what this meant, and what it realistically could not be.
That was when I realized there was distance between us, not only measured in kilometers. We were two people meeting at different points in our lives, emotionally and mentally out of sync despite how naturally everything else fit.
[](https://www.gadgetmatch.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/gadgetmatch-20260212-oppo-reno-15-5g-valentine-special-cagayan-de-oro-feature-29.jpg)
We both rejected the idea of dating, even after acknowledging how rare it felt to find someone who matched our freak so effortlessly. I knew this could grow into something more if one of us was brave enough to go the distance.
I also knew that maybe neither of us was in the right place to choose someone else when our own dreams still demanded so much attention.
### Goodbyes timed by the sky
The sky turned pink and purple as I headed to the airport. He followed behind me riding Ophelia, while I sat inside a tuktuk, a small motorized, three-wheeled rickshaw carrying me and my luggage through the last stretch of the city.
[](https://www.gadgetmatch.com/oppo-reno-15-valentine-special-feature/gadgetmatch-20260212-oppo-reno-15-5g-valentine-special-cagayan-de-oro-feature-31/)
[](https://www.gadgetmatch.com/oppo-reno-15-valentine-special-feature/gadgetmatch-20260212-oppo-reno-15-5g-valentine-special-cagayan-de-oro-feature-28/)
Rain had been forecasted all day. We both knew it. And yet somehow, the universe held it back, letting us have the beach, conversations, laughter, and pauses.
It waited until everything that mattered had already happened.
He made sure I got to the airport safely. Only after I gave him a tight squeeze and finally let go did the rain arrive, as if on cue, like it understood timing better than either of us.
It was an evening flight, and I looked like a deranged person wearing sunglasses, crying while sipping floral tea at Boâs Coffee, staring out at the runway as planes lined up for departure.
I kept asking myself why distance suddenly frightened me when I had already crossed eight hundred kilometers for him.
Somewhere above the clouds, the answer floated heavily. I did love him. I just never said it out loud because I was afraid of what it would demand, and I was afraid of opening my heart again to someone I wasnât even sure I would meet again.
[](https://www.gadgetmatch.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/gadgetmatch-20260212-oppo-reno-15-5g-valentine-special-cagayan-de-oro-feature-32.jpg)
For a moment, I felt loved and desired, and remembered what it felt like to be chosen, even briefly.
When I arrived in Manila, I looked through the photos captured on my OPPO Reno15 and smiled, seeing how a smartphone held on to a fleeting moment of love, written on sand and washed away exactly in time.
[Continue Reading](https://www.gadgetmatch.com/oppo-reno-15-valentine-special-feature/)
### [First Look](https://www.gadgetmatch.com/category/sections/first-look/)
# Match Pulse: OPPO Reno15 Pro
My first time with a Reno phone is more than just a charm
Published
on
February 11, 2026
By
[Vincenz](https://www.gadgetmatch.com/author/vincenz/ "Posts by Vincenz")
Believe me or not, I only had one encounter with an OPPO Reno phone, and it was the [Reno10 Pro from 2021](https://www.gadgetmatch.com/gadgetsnaps-oppo-reno10-pro-5g-taiwan/). However, my time with it was very short.
Almost five years in, I was finally given the chance to hold the Chinese brandâs latest and greatest Reno.
Without beating around the bush, hereâs my first time with the **OPPO Reno15 Pro.**
### First Look
The moment I unsealed its sturdy packaging, the OPPO Reno15 Pro greeted me in this shining, shimmering blue backing.
[](https://www.gadgetmatch.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/260211-GadgetMatch-OPPO-Reno15-Pro-Beauty-Aurora-Blue-Set-B-2a.jpg)
Dubbed as the **âAurora Blueâ** colorway, it instantly reminded me that Iâm still not over that Aurora Borealis scene in the latest hit K-Drama *âCan This Love Be Translated?â* starred by Kim Seonho and Go Younjung.
I said it before and Iâll say it again, flashy finishes are the least of my options when choosing for a new phone. Still, this finish wins over the less impressive *Dusk Brown* shade.
[](https://www.gadgetmatch.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/260211-GadgetMatch-OPPO-Reno15-Pro-Beauty-Aurora-Blue-Closeup-OPPO-Logo.jpg)
Just like that dazzling northern lights, the Reno15 Pro shows off its aurora accents depending on how the sun hits it.
In the faintest of light, that aurora simply vanishes. Even so, the OPPO Reno15 Pro still shines through with its specks of glitter.
[](https://www.gadgetmatch.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/260211-GadgetMatch-OPPO-Reno15-Pro-Beauty-Aurora-Blue-Set-C-2-Animated.gif)
Thatâs more evident when you bring the OPPO Reno15 Pro indoors â be that your cool room (literally) or a warmly-lit cafĂ©.
[](https://www.gadgetmatch.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/260211-GadgetMatch-OPPO-Reno15-Pro-Beauty-Aurora-Blue-Closeup-Cameras-1b.jpg)
Its camera cutout may not be the most unique out there, but itâs uniformed enough to look clean. After all, a phoneâs camera arrangement isnât what defines the overall performance of its cameras.
### First Date
Although 8.13mm isnât âthinâ in todayâs standards, holding and keeping the OPPO Reno15 Pro for prolonged periods never felt a sore. Its aerospace-grade aluminum frame may just be one among many factors.
[](https://www.gadgetmatch.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/260211-GadgetMatch-OPPO-Reno15-Pro-Beauty-Aurora-Blue-Handheld-1a.jpg)
One after another, that **6\.32-inch AMOLED 120Hz display** is a huge complement to the hands. It fits my huge palms, more so, pockets of all sorts. This sweet screen size is also a breath of fresh air in a vast world of large slabs.
When hit by that harsh sunlight, itâs more than brightâ **up to 3600 nits of peak HDR brightness** if I must insist. And, no matter what kind of content I consume, itâs truly crisp, clear, and even color-accurate.
[](https://www.gadgetmatch.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/260211-GadgetMatch-OPPO-Reno15-Pro-Beauty-Display-ColorOS-16-Android-16.jpg)
Being powered by **MediaTekâs Dimensity 8450** SoC alongside **OPPOâs ColorOS 16** is what made me stuck longer. It honestly felt like Iâm in a smooth ride without any road traffic.
The OPPO Reno15 Pro has a great harmony between its software snappiness and fluidity. Animations flow without feeling rushed â much like enjoying date nights without being pressured to catch the last bus trip back home.
[](https://www.gadgetmatch.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/260211-GadgetMatch-OPPO-Reno15-Pro-Beauty-Aurora-Blue-Handheld-Closeup-Cameras.jpg)
Speaking of staying out late for a date, the Reno15 Pro lasted me more than enough. And, despite its petite form, it managed to fit in a **6200mAh battery** inside.
The screen size to battery ratio is just a perfect match. Not only it fits in most (if not all) hands and pockets, it also meant being able to squeeze in more battery to make the most out of your day, night, and even midnight.
If juice gets squeezed out, its **80W SuperVOOC charging** will truly save the day\!
[](https://www.gadgetmatch.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/260211-GadgetMatch-OPPO-Reno15-Pro-Beauty-Aurora-Blue-Handheld-2b.jpg)
That doesnât even end there. With **triple IP ratings (IP66, IP68, IP69)**, youâre more than assured that itâs durable enough in occasional (and accidental) phone drops.
### First Impressions
The OPPO Reno15 Pro, despite being categorized as a midrange device, already feels like a solid vanilla flagship.
Much like any other first dates, its overall appearance is just on the surface level. What made me invested more to know the Reno15 Pro further are none other than its intrinsic qualities.
[](https://www.gadgetmatch.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/260211-GadgetMatch-OPPO-Reno15-Pro-Usage-Lifestyle-Generic-1.jpg)
That includes that screen size (or form factor) on the sweet spot plus oh-so-fluid ColorOS. Moreover, its powerful core paired with a humongous battery that will truly last you long.
While I may not have included any photo sample in this early look, I can already assure you that it has one of the greatest camera performers for its class. And actually, it is for another story đ.
[](https://www.gadgetmatch.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/260211-GadgetMatch-OPPO-Reno15-Pro-Usage-Lifestyle-Generic-Closeup-Frame-IR-Blaster-Mic-2b.jpg)
My first time with an OPPO Reno smartphone not only made me impressed. This phone also enticed me to consider switching to the OPPO system when another review opportunity arises.
[**SEE ALSO: OPPO Reno15 Pro: Camera Review**](https://www.gadgetmatch.com/oppo-reno15-pro-camera-review/)
[Continue Reading](https://www.gadgetmatch.com/match-pulse-oppo-reno15-pro/)
### [Features](https://www.gadgetmatch.com/category/sections/features/)
# HUAWEI MatePad 11.5 S 2026: The better-than-ever 4-in-1 productivity tablet
Designed to do it all
Published
on
February 9, 2026
By
[GadgetMatch](https://www.gadgetmatch.com/author/gadgetmatch/ "Posts by GadgetMatch"), [Luigi Leonardo](https://www.gadgetmatch.com/author/luigi/ "Posts by Luigi Leonardo") and [Deric Claveria](https://www.gadgetmatch.com/author/deric/ "Posts by Deric Claveria")
***
Do you ever get tired of carrying a heavy laptop and all its accessories every single day? Compare that with something as light as this. HUAWEI is back once again with the latest better-than-ever **HUAWEI MatePad 11.5 S 2026.**
HUAWEI calls this a 4-in-1 better-than-ever productivity tablet because itâs got four components in one convenient package.
You have the tablet itself, the Smart Magnetic Keyboard, the Mouse, and the M-Pencil 3rd Gen.
With the free Smart Magnetic Keyboard, you can use the MatePad in a variety of ways like laptop form, studio form, and split form. The Mouse completes the PC-like experience by letting you work in split-screen views. Finally, the M-Pencil 3rd Gen features 10,000+ levels of pressure sensing and ultra-low latency.
Especially in laptop form, one of the best ways to use the MatePad 11.5 S is WPS Office 3.0. I wish I knew about this sooner, because I still pay every year for Microsoft 365.
On the other hand, WPS Office 3.0 is a completely free suite of productivity apps. Plus, itâs 100% compatible with 42 filetypes, so you donât have to feel that youâre switching to something new. You can work on documents, spreadsheets, presentations, and PDFs, just as you would a PC.
And you can handle them all at the same time.
In the Philippines, it gets really sunny. Using a screen outdoors or even by a window is impossible. Thankfully, HUAWEI is back with the improved 11.5-inch Ultra-Clear PaperMatte Display.
Itâs also much clearer. You can hardly see the pixels even when you zoom in. Glare and reflections have been reduced by 50 percent, so you donât strain your eyes after a long day.
Using the tabletâs screen is a breeze, since itâs compatible with the M-Pencil 3rd Gen and the M-Pencil Pro. And thereâs so much you can do with the M-Pencil. It also feels and sounds like writing on actual paper.
You can also fulfill your need for creativity with the free GoPaint app, which even has pro features. Iâm not even an artist, but this app can bring all my doodles to life. It features realistic brushes, an intelligent color card to grab the perfect colors, and an animation frame to liven up static images.
When youâre on break, the MatePad 11.5 S is just as good for entertainment.
The Ultra-Clear PaperMatte Display makes everything so alive whether youâre watching a show or playing games.
The new cooling architecture helps keep things in perfect shape for heavier tasks.
Finally, you donât have to worry throughout the day because it has an 8800mAh battery and 40W SuperCharge. And it has all that juice even if itâs only 6.1mm thin and weighs only 515 grams.
Its premium metallic unibody design comes in two colors: green and gray.
With the HUAWEI MatePad 11.5 S, you donât need to keep bringing a heavy laptop with you anymore. This can do everything already.
This 4-in-1 productivity tablet is all youâll need to work, learn, create, and play.
***
###### *This feature is a collaboration between GadgetMatch and Huawei Philippines.*
[Continue Reading](https://www.gadgetmatch.com/huawei-matepad-11-5-s-2026-feature-video/)
#### Gadget Reviews
[  Camera Walkthrough2 days ago OPPO Reno15 Pro: Camera Review Why is this even considered a "Reno"?](https://www.gadgetmatch.com/oppo-reno15-pro-camera-review/)
[  Accessories1 week ago Apple AirTag 2 Review Range, Sound, and REAL-WORLD Tests\!](https://www.gadgetmatch.com/apple-airtag-2-review/)
[  Reviews1 week ago The art of being in and behind the frame An OPPO Reno15 5G review](https://www.gadgetmatch.com/oppo-reno-15-5g-review/)
[More Gadget Reviews](https://www.gadgetmatch.com/category/sections/reviews/)
- [Latest](https://www.gadgetmatch.com/huawei-matepad-11-5-s-papermatte-hands-on-feature-video/#mvp-tab-col1)
- [Popular](https://www.gadgetmatch.com/huawei-matepad-11-5-s-papermatte-hands-on-feature-video/#mvp-tab-col2)
- [Videos](https://www.gadgetmatch.com/huawei-matepad-11-5-s-papermatte-hands-on-feature-video/#mvp-tab-col3)
[ Luxury Smart Home Dyson PencilWash makes wet cleaning feel effortless](https://www.gadgetmatch.com/dyson-pencilwash-announcement/)
[ Accessories Jackery portable power solutions makes appearance at Doraemon Run](https://www.gadgetmatch.com/jackery-portable-power-solutions-supply-charging-philippines-doraemon-run/)
[ Camera Walkthrough OPPO Reno15 Pro: Camera Review](https://www.gadgetmatch.com/oppo-reno15-pro-camera-review/)
[ Events Capcom to hold Resident Evil Requiem launch event in Jakarta](https://www.gadgetmatch.com/capcom-to-hold-resident-evil-requiem-launch-in-jakarta-event-prizes-cosplay/)
[ Gaming Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen are coming to the Switch](https://www.gadgetmatch.com/pokemon-firered-leafgreen-switch/)
[ Apps Breaking up with Adobe Photoshop after 20 years](https://www.gadgetmatch.com/apple-creator-studio-pixelmator-pro-adobe-photoshop-cancellation/)
[ News TECNO will showcase the CAMON 50 and POVA 8 series at MWC 2026](https://www.gadgetmatch.com/tecno-mwc-2026-camon-50-pova-8-series-ai-ecosystem/)
[ Gaming PlayStation, LE SSERAFIM Chaewon team for the âLove of Playâ campaign](https://www.gadgetmatch.com/playstation-chaewon-lesserafim-love-of-play-campaign/)
[ Gaming New DRAGON BALL game project âAGE 1000â for 2027 announced](https://www.gadgetmatch.com/dragon-ball-game-age-1000-2027-bandai-namco/)
[ Automotive VinFast updates battery subscription policy for large upfront savings](https://www.gadgetmatch.com/vinfast-updates-battery-subscription-policy-for-large-upfront-savings/)
[ Accessories Apple AirTag 2 Review](https://www.gadgetmatch.com/apple-airtag-2-review/)
[ Features HUAWEI MatePad 11.5 S 2026: The better-than-ever 4-in-1 productivity tablet](https://www.gadgetmatch.com/huawei-matepad-11-5-s-2026-feature-video/)
[ Apps Breaking up with Adobe Photoshop after 20 years](https://www.gadgetmatch.com/apple-creator-studio-pixelmator-pro-adobe-photoshop-cancellation/)
[ Features Can the REDMI Note 15 Pro+ 5G Survive?](https://www.gadgetmatch.com/redmi-note-15-pro-plus-titan-durability-challenge/)
[ CES 2026 Spotlight: ASUS Zenbook at CES 2026](https://www.gadgetmatch.com/asus-zenbook-duo-zenbook-a14-a16-ces-2026/)
#### Trending
[](https://www.gadgetmatch.com/)
- [About Us](https://www.gadgetmatch.com/about)
- [Reviews Policy](https://www.gadgetmatch.com/reviews-policy)
- [Terms of Service](https://www.gadgetmatch.com/terms-of-service/)
- [Privacy Policy](https://www.gadgetmatch.com/privacy-policy/)
- [Disclaimer](https://www.gadgetmatch.com/disclaimer/)
- [Contact Us](https://www.gadgetmatch.com/contact)
Copyright © 2020 GadgetMatch Pte. Ltd. |
| Readable Markdown | Doing things for the plot used to burn me badly. It always ended the same way: me lying on the floor, crying over choices I insisted were romantic when they were clearly reckless, while my cat stared at me with a look that suggested regret over choosing me as an owner.
Iâve gone through enough heartbreak that someone my age should have learned by now. I should know when to pause before making decisions that feel thrilling only because they are unhinged.
And yet, I still move through life the way I did in my early twenties, convinced that consequences can wait as long as I feel something in the moment.
I had always wanted to go to Cagayan de Oro. The city feels like a threshold, a gateway to Northern Mindanao, opening up to Camiguin and Bukidnon, two places I have romanticized endlessly through saved TikTok videos and screenshots meant for a future version of myself who finally had the time.
Travel felt like a good enough reason to go. It just wasnât the real one.
### It was for love
Four years ago, I noticed *him* after watching at finish line of an ultramarathon on one of the hardest trails in the Philippines.
There was something about that moment â about the way exhaustion and triumph lived in his body at the same time. That single image stayed with me. Attraction and curiosity followed.
After walking away from my âloml*â*, loss of my life, unfortunately, as Taylor Swift would put it, I decided to take a risk to start the year. I wanted to see whether my heart would open again, even slightly.
Armed with nothing but courage I wasnât fully confident in and the **OPPO Reno15** mounted on my Ulanzi tripod, I crossed 800 kilometers to see a âfriend.â
I used the word carefully, knowing how much work it was doing. I also knew this trip would either become one of the best decisions I made this year or one I would have to process slowly over time.
### Touchdown with intentions
I was already on assignment in Northern Mindanao. In almost a decade of traveling for work, I had never extended a stay. I flew in, did the job, and flew out because Manila always waited with something urgent.
This time, I rebooked my flight for the next day, telling myself that one more day was reasonable. A stop at Panagatan Restaurant in Opol, Misamis Oriental made it feel like I had slipped into my own *1989 (Taylorâs Version)*\-coded vacation.
Blue skies stretched endlessly above a calm sea. The air felt cool against my skin, though there were no birds cutting through the frame.
[](https://www.gadgetmatch.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/gadgetmatch-20260212-oppo-reno-15-5g-valentine-special-cagayan-de-oro-feature-5.jpg)
I sat there soaking in sunlight, staring at the view as it unfolded in front of me. For the first time in a long while, I felt welcomed. I caught myself thinking that life might actually be okay. I could breathe.
Like in the song âClean,â except this time I was twelve months sober from a love that almost broke me.
### A table for one
I checked in at Red Planet because every hotel I genuinely wanted to stay at was fully booked. What remained were family rooms priced at over US\$150.
The room I ended up with was simple, featuring a queen-sized bed and costing less than US\$40. There was barely enough space for my drum-like American Tourister luggage, but the bed was wide and welcoming.
I spread myself out and slept like a starfish, the way you do when no one is watching.
Just under two kilometers away sat Cucina Higala, known for serving modern Filipino cuisine rooted in Mindanao heritage. A friend from Cagayan de Oro had told me never to miss it, no matter how packed it got.
Of course, I listened.
Lunch there felt indulgent in the best way. The interiors made it feel like someoneâs home rather than a restaurant. Even the bathroom caught my attention, tucked into a corner and washed in shaded daylight.
Everything worked together. The low murmur of diners layered with laughter; the smell of food arriving at nearby tables; the clink of cutlery against plates.
There was a sense that time moved slower here, encouraging you to stay longer than planned. I finally understood why the locals insisted going there.
### Waiting at six
Before dusk settled in, I headed to Uptown to meet a friend. I wanted to catch up and ground myself. Eventually, I admitted why I was really in the city.
We sat at Milestone Coffee + Kitchen in Uptown, cups of tea and coffee between us. They also have a branch downtown, but Uptown felt easier, more relaxed, like the right place to unravel stories and gossip that carried weight.
The truth was simple: I was there to see someone I had an interest on for years, and we were supposed to meet at six.
[](https://www.gadgetmatch.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/gadgetmatch-20260212-oppo-reno-15-5g-valentine-special-cagayan-de-oro-feature-14.jpg)
I was terrified of being stood up. Crossing land, sea, and sky for a man was something I had never done before. I believed we would meet because he said we would, but I still asked my friend for recommendations on where to go, just in case.
Backup plans felt necessary. I just needed to know there was something to hold onto if my heart cracked open in public.
### After sunset
Thankfully, he picked me up at Milestone Coffee + Kitchen and met my friend. We rode back toward downtown through the diversion road, him on his brand-new Yamaha Fazzio in Matte Orange.
His motorcycle had a name. Ophelia. He bought it in October, right before Taylor Swift released her album *The Life of a Showgirl* and the single âThe Fate of Ophelia.â
My *1989*\-coded escapade shifted into something âOpaliteâ-coded, as if I had wandered into a version of my own *People We Meet on Vacation* moment and somehow found my Alex Nilsen-slash-Travis Kelce.
We strolled along the boulevard where people walked, ate, laughed, and leaned into the night market energy. Some sat by the riverside, letting the evening pass without urgency.
[](https://www.gadgetmatch.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/gadgetmatch-20260212-oppo-reno-15-5g-valentine-special-cagayan-de-oro-feature-18.jpg)
I drank fresh coconut juice from a stall that stayed busy even at ten in the evening, while everything across the street had already closed. It tasted exactly like the moment felt â unexpected and sweet.
We ended the night drinking beer we bought from a convenience store, like teenagers sneaking alcohol because our parents would disapprove. It was simple and familiar⊠and it tasted like home.
### On borrowed time
The next morning, I knew it was already my last day in the city. While he was working, like actual adults and not the versions we see in movies, I packed up, freshened up, and walked to Limketkai to grab coffee and brunch.
I took my morning slowly. I journaled in my pocket notebook, listening to âPast Livesâ by sapientdream and Slushii, sipping my coffee while watching people move through their own lives.
It felt grounding to exist without urgency, even if only for a few hours.
When my beau finally gave the signal to visit his farm, where I could leave my luggage before heading to the airport, I checked out of the hotel and went on what felt like an almost hour-long ride.
The farm was only about a fifteen-minute drive from the airport, which meant we still had time, real time, to spend the rest of the day together.
I toured his farm on foot and watched livestock being cared for with a gentleness that made me feel like I had stepped into a version of life far removed from mine.
I felt like a Disney princess playing with animals, temporarily forgetting that I had a return flight waiting for me.
We ate together, and at some point I fell asleep on the hammock, only waking up when he gently shook me so we could go to his favorite place.
[](https://www.gadgetmatch.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/gadgetmatch-20260212-oppo-reno-15-5g-valentine-special-cagayan-de-oro-feature-23.jpg)
### At the edge of the day
The beach was so close to the airport that my heart sank the moment I saw it. Leaving the city suddenly felt very real. Leaving him even more so.
The entire encounter felt *People We Meet On Vacation*\-coded, and yet I kept hoping this was not just a vacation fling, that he wasnât merely a vacation boyfriend meant to exist only within a fixed timeline.
I relished the sight of the sea, his favorite spot as he told me, where he went to clear his mind whenever life felt overwhelming.
The water was turquoise, vivid against the rocks, and it was impossible to ignore. The sound of waves crashing against the cliffside rocks and the cool hum of the breeze wrapped around us as we talked.
We pondered about life, about where we were heading, about what this meant, and what it realistically could not be.
That was when I realized there was distance between us, not only measured in kilometers. We were two people meeting at different points in our lives, emotionally and mentally out of sync despite how naturally everything else fit.
[](https://www.gadgetmatch.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/gadgetmatch-20260212-oppo-reno-15-5g-valentine-special-cagayan-de-oro-feature-29.jpg)
We both rejected the idea of dating, even after acknowledging how rare it felt to find someone who matched our freak so effortlessly. I knew this could grow into something more if one of us was brave enough to go the distance.
I also knew that maybe neither of us was in the right place to choose someone else when our own dreams still demanded so much attention.
### Goodbyes timed by the sky
The sky turned pink and purple as I headed to the airport. He followed behind me riding Ophelia, while I sat inside a tuktuk, a small motorized, three-wheeled rickshaw carrying me and my luggage through the last stretch of the city.
Rain had been forecasted all day. We both knew it. And yet somehow, the universe held it back, letting us have the beach, conversations, laughter, and pauses.
It waited until everything that mattered had already happened.
He made sure I got to the airport safely. Only after I gave him a tight squeeze and finally let go did the rain arrive, as if on cue, like it understood timing better than either of us.
It was an evening flight, and I looked like a deranged person wearing sunglasses, crying while sipping floral tea at Boâs Coffee, staring out at the runway as planes lined up for departure.
I kept asking myself why distance suddenly frightened me when I had already crossed eight hundred kilometers for him.
Somewhere above the clouds, the answer floated heavily. I did love him. I just never said it out loud because I was afraid of what it would demand, and I was afraid of opening my heart again to someone I wasnât even sure I would meet again.
[](https://www.gadgetmatch.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/gadgetmatch-20260212-oppo-reno-15-5g-valentine-special-cagayan-de-oro-feature-32.jpg)
For a moment, I felt loved and desired, and remembered what it felt like to be chosen, even briefly.
When I arrived in Manila, I looked through the photos captured on my OPPO Reno15 and smiled, seeing how a smartphone held on to a fleeting moment of love, written on sand and washed away exactly in time. |
| Shard | 84 (laksa) |
| Root Hash | 465863427503920884 |
| Unparsed URL | com,gadgetmatch!www,/huawei-matepad-11-5-s-papermatte-hands-on-feature-video/ s443 |