When I received the invitation to attend #GalaxyUnpacked2026 in Makati City, my heart was filled with gratitude. As someone who has been part of the Samsung Team for years, being invited again to witness the launch of the newest Samsung Galaxy S26 Series felt like a blessing.
This wasn’t just a simple trip. It was a fully hosted 2-day experience — roundtrip plane tickets, hotel accommodation, food, and exclusive access to the event. But more than the perks, it was the memories that made it priceless.
🌅 February 19 – Departure Day (Davao to Manila)
Our original flight was scheduled at 12 noon, but it was rebooked to an earlier 8:00 AM flight with a 5:00 AM call time. I prepared myself by sleeping early… or at least I tried to.
At 11 PM, I suddenly woke up because there was a fire near our place. I couldn’t go back to sleep. Instead of stressing, I decided to go to the airport super early — like 3:00 AM early. Hahahaha! Better early than late, right?
At the airport, I did a self bag drop and stayed inside the quiet lounge. Since it was too peaceful, I managed to nap for a while.
When I woke up, the place was already bustling with travelers. I grabbed something to eat and stayed at a café while waiting for boarding.
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| #GalaxyUnpacked2026 Davao Team |
Soon enough, I saw my colleagues arriving one by one. Despite the gloomy Davao weather — rain coming and going — our flight pushed through smoothly. There was turbulence along the way, but we arrived safely in Manila around 10:30 AM. 🙏
🍽️ Lunch at MOA & Hotel Check-in
From the airport, we went straight to SM Mall of Asia in Pasay for lunch at Manam. While waiting for our reservation, we strolled around the vicinity.
MOA is HUGE. Waaahhh! Touring it in 15 minutes? Impossible! Hahahaha. So we just enjoyed the quick walk before finally sitting down for a satisfying meal.
After lunch, we checked in at Savoy Hotel Manila, conveniently located right in front of the airport. We were all exhausted (haggard is the term 😅), so we decided to rest and recharge.
Dinner was scheduled at 6:30 PM at Bom Gosto. We were refreshed and ready by then. Good food, good company, and laughter filled the night.
We initially planned to swim, but since we finished dinner almost 9 PM and the pool closed at 8 PM, we decided to sleep early instead. Big day tomorrow — The Galaxy Unpacked!
🌟 Day 2 – The Galaxy Unpacked Experience
I woke up at 6 AM, prepared for checkout, and headed down for breakfast. The main dining area was packed with guests, so we were advised that breakfast was also being served near the pool area on the 2nd floor.
So yes — we had breakfast right in front of the pool we originally wanted to swim in! Haytz… maybe next time. Hehehe.
After breakfast, we went back to our room, finalized our packing, and checked out by 9 AM. By 10 AM, we were at the exclusive media preview.
Seeing the Samsung Galaxy S26 Series and Buds 4 Pro unveiled live was surreal. The innovation, the technology, the energy in the room — everything felt elevated. Being part of that moment, not just as a viewer but as invited media, made me so grateful.
Lunch was served at Whitespace Makati, and during our free time, we quickly went to Glorietta 2 to buy pasalubong before heading back to the hotel where our van was waiting.
✈️ The Flight Back Home
By 4:15 PM, I was doing self bag drop again. Boarding time was 5 PM. Thank God — no flight delay!
However, Davao weather welcomed us with rain once again. The turbulence was overwhelming this time. Hahahaha! Intense flight indeed. We arrived in Davao City almost 9 PM.
It was exhausting. It was intense. But it was absolutely worth it.
💙 Gratitude Above All
This trip may have been just two days, but it was packed with unforgettable moments — from sleepless excitement and airport naps to turbulence stories and tech innovation.
More than the launch, more than the luxury, what I treasure most is the opportunity to represent, to witness innovation firsthand, and to be trusted again.
Thank you, Samsung Philippines and TARO AOX, for having me once more.
Truly, tech meets passion — and I am just grateful to be part of this journey. 🙏✨
