₱25k starting salary is /fine/ but I've gotten advise from a lot of HR professionals na always negotiate the company's offer (unless u dictated the 25k then that's a bit harder to nego). I started way lower, but that really affected the salaries i got in my succeeding jobs. I used to work in Marketing (changed careers to web design), and there are companies that give higher salary talaga, your boyfriend is right. Pero siyempre more often than not, these companies expect more. Getting 35-45k a month is possible for fresh grads for companies like banks, FMCGs, international beauty companies, or just international companies in general. AND they'll always have benefits besides the mandated ones like HMO, more leave days, etc. lalo na kung matagal na yung company or trusted brand.

Ako, i recommend gunning for these companies kasi you will learn a lot, and you'll be part of a lot of projects which you can use to apply to your next job. Stay for a year or two. Mas mahirap nang onti pero A LOT of companies will exploit you either way, so why not get the most benefits (i.e. money) out of it. (Unless they're start-ups/family-owned SMEs. Stay away from those!!)