Automotive

How I discovered my love language through Honda Sensing

Would I drive for you? Maybe.

Published

October 9, 2023

MJ Jucutan

This is not a joke.

As someone in his late twenties, I’m uncovering my love languages while burrowing through deep-seated traumas. I used to think my love language was “quality time,” knowing that I’d love to give someone my undivided attention.

Phones down, ears up, and I’m only looking at you.

But the truth is I’ve been a goldfish the past few years. The people in my life know I’m listening while my face was buried in my phone. That, or I’m busy working on my laptop.

I never gave much thought to the love language that I speak. Not until I got the Honda HR-V 1.5 S CVT Honda Sensing for half a month.

I spent countless times sitting inside the car, parked, and pondering about myself and the life I’m living. Which, in any sense, is filed under things you can’t do when you’re commuting because you can only think on the fly and when the vehicle is moving.

I’ve never been the one to make an effort to drive and pick up/drop somebody off somewhere. I’ve been driving a manual, so combine that with being an athlete, my knees literally scream in pain.

Although there was always a tiny voice in my head, persuading me to make an effort for the people I love.

Still, my stubbornness prevailed. I’m not going to brave the Metro Manila traffic just to make someone else’s life convenient. (Share the struggle with me!!!)

Hello, character development

I live in the far east of the Capital, on an uphill slope where driving and commuting are both a hassle. On a payday Friday, I left early (around 10-ish) for a 2 o’clock meeting in the Fort. Yes, we have to be that early to avoid the traffic and secure parking. Can you imagine the effort to take someone for a ride?

Halfway through, I received a message from my friend Tacia (not Sasha) updating us where she was. The notification popped on the 8-inch floating touchscreen infotainment system, which is compatible with both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

My iPhone was charging at that time, which automatically connected to the screen. I asked my friend to call which I received clearly through the vehicle’s six-speaker sound setup.

After a quick conversation, I realized she was along the way if I took a short detour, which would push my estimated arrival off by 5 minutes.

I decided to pick her up in Alphaland Southgate and instead of just making her tag along for the ride, I decided to drop her off at our friend’s home in Kapitolyo.

There was something magical when driving the HR-V. Call it a je ne sais quoi, but it made me discover something about myself. It was comfortable to drive and it made my passengers (and even yours truly) feel safe and secure while inside the vehicle.

I never would’ve opted to give someone else a ride, but here we are, having a character development.

Long-lasting patience, pls, and thnx

I never went home after my Friday meetings at the Fort, deciding to sleep over at a friend’s place in the scary depths of Pasig City.

If you live in Manila, you’d know how horrible motorists are. Especially in Pasig City where motorcycles, tricycles, and pedestrians decide to cut off a passing vehicle.

No amount of honking can prevent these people or even make them apologize for their abrupt actions. Patience is required, so yes, we pray to have unlimited patience on the days we drive.

In situations like these, Honda’s Collision Mitigation Braking System (CMBS) through Honda Sensing helps alert the driver to avoid a collision. It comes with visual and audible warnings when there’s a possible impact and it automatically applies the brakes when necessary.

I’ve experienced it multiple times when motorists abruptly cut me off and I can only curse inside the vehicle. I have no time to honk since my focus is directed towards applying the brake to prevent crashing from a rider who’d only scratch his head when there’s an accident.

Since I was driving at night, the HR-V automatically turned on the high beams with its Auto High-Beam feature when there were no other vehicles ahead. It’s incredibly useful since some parts of the city remain dark due to towering trees, even with plenty of street lights. (Thank you, Mayor Vico!)

Highways of the East

The majority of my friends live in the east and the south, some even far outside the Metro. I already thought of having a long-distance relationship with my friends since a lot of us would opt to stay in our neighborhood instead of braving hellish traffic.

Trust us, it’d take you two to three hours to get to our destination most of the time.

The HR-V’s compartment is spacious enough to put all our bags

On one occasion, my friend Kalvin joined his first marathon ever. To show our support, I decided to wake up my co-elite athletes Chay and Betty on an early Sunday morning, telling them I was going to pick them up.

I first went to Marikina to pick up Chay and have her order my coffee ahead of time. Next, we went through Marcos Highway and C-5 to pick up Betty, which is quite scary when cars speed up since it’s early in the morning. Both highways are notorious for having multiple car accidents because most drivers won’t slow down.

Honda Sensing went into play again with its Lane Keeping Assist System (LKAS). I stayed through the third lane to make sure I wouldn’t miss the exit and whenever I sped up and almost went out of my lane, the steering wheel vibrated to keep me in position.

This works hand-in-hand with the Road Departure Mitigation (RDM) which helped me steer the car back to the center of the lane.

I never got to experience the Lane Departure Warning (LDW) though, since it only works when the driver departs a lane without using the turn signal lights. Of course, this driver likes to announce his turn a hundred meters before actually departing my lane.

From South and back

The marathon was happening at the Bay City, where SM Mall of Asia is located. We waited and cheered for our friend when we saw him near the finish line.

After the marathon, we went to have brunch at Panco Cafe along Don Carlos Palanca Street in Makati, and then we capped our day off at One Bonifacio High Street.

L-R: Hanging out in High Street, Visiting friends in Parañaque, Elevator selfie in Pasig before driving to Mt. Ayaas in Rizal

A full day spent with the people you cherish makes you appreciate the life you’re living. And to be their designated driver, I’m honored and privileged to have them trust me with their safety.

Honda Sensing came with premium safety features that anyone would love to have in their vehicles. It gives an assurance that the vehicle has your back when things get out of your control.

Having this system is what made me realize that I love being a driver more than being a passenger prince. Perhaps I always knew about it, but I never got the opportunity to do so. The experience is worthwhile since it was my first time to actually drive from different locations in one day.

Sometimes, what we really need are opportunities to discover the love languages we speak. Having the HR-V with Honda Sensing for half a month, I realized that my love language wasn’t “quality time” anymore. It’s “acts of service” and I would drive for the people I love because I’d love to.

Related Topics:Honda Honda HR-V Honda SENSING

Automotive

Next-Gen Ford Territory: Free service package, cash discounts

Plus a PhP 20,000 discount

Published

April 2, 2024

Levi Verora Jr

To celebrate the first year of the Next-Gen Ford Territory, Ford Philippines is offering an exclusive service package for new owners of the five-seater SUV.

The Territory 5-Star Care Package will be available for all customers getting the Next-Gen Ford Territory Titanium from April 1 to 30.

On top of a standard 5-year warranty, the package is inclusive of a 5-year scheduled service plan (SSP) and 5-year emergency roadside assistance.

What’s great about the SSP is that it is a prepaid plan, so customers won’t have to shell out more funds from future parts or labor price increases on their periodic maintenance service.

Ford’s emergency roadside assistance, meanwhile, covers 24/7 support, nationwide towing coverage, minor on-site repairs, and other services.

The Titanium model starts at PhP 1,335,000 and is available in the Panther Black, Star White, Lustrous Gray, Ruby Red, and Blue Metallic color options.

The promo also comes with a PhP 20,000 cash discount. To avail, visit this link: Territory 5-Star Care

ALSO READ: Tracing roots across Manila with the Next-Gen Ford Territory

Next-Gen Ford Territory

One of the best-selling local SUVs today, the Next-Gen Ford Territory is crafted according to the highest global quality standards. It features advanced technologies and added safety features.

Some of safety features that are definitely useful for local driving conditions include the following:

Blind Spot Information System (BLIS) with Cross-Traffic Alert
Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop and Go Feature
Pre-Collision Assist with Automatic Emergency Braking
Active Park Assist

The SUV also has a 360-degree camera to aid drivers with their trips. For comfort and convenience especially for long rides, the vehicle has wireless charging and wireless Apple Carplay and Android Auto.

Under the hood, the Territory boasts of a EcoBoost 1.5L engine. It has a 7-speed automatic transmission aided by Ford’s wet-type Dual Clutch engagement system. This system allows for easy acceleration and improved fuel efficiency.

Additionally, the Territory has four driving modes: Eco, Normal, Sport, and Mountain. These help drivers to tailor the driving experience depending on the scenario.

Automotive

Tracing roots across Manila with the Next-Gen Ford Territory

Sometimes, you have to look back to enjoy the present and get excited about the future.

Published

April 2, 2024

MJ Jucutan

“He who does not look back from where he came will never reach his destination.”

That’s a Filipino proverb I kept hearing while I was growing up. Nearly three decades later, I started learning what that proverb really meant.

We have to look back in order to move forward. At least, that was one of my takeaways when Ford Philippines invited us to drive the Next-Gen Ford Territory and reimagine the way we tour our cities.

Along with media folks and members of the Ford Territory Club Philippines, we hopped between places that honor the roots of our heritage and culture.

The cars that Filipino presidents used

I was never fond of visiting museums. But there was something alluring in seeing pieces of history and knowing how it all contributed to the present we live in.

Our first stop was the Presidential Car Museum housing the old cars used by the former Philippine Presidents. It is located within the Quezon Memorial Circle in Quezon City, Metro Manila, Philippines.

Inside, you can stumble upon the 1941 Packard 180 that both former President Jose P. Laurel and Sergio Osmena used. Former Presidents Roxas, Magsaysay, and Macapagal trusted a Cadillac, while Quirino used a Chrysler Crown Imperial.

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Former President Ferdinand Marcos’ Lincoln Continental Mark VI grabbed our attention, along with his First Lady’s car — an opulent Rolls Royce Phantom — which is a testament to the opulence and excessive grandeur they exhibited during their reign.

Meanwhile, Aquino up until Arroyo, the former presidents after Marcos Sr.’s regime have used a humbling yet trustworthy Mercedes-Benz instead.

Touring in the museum lit a fire inside that I didn’t know still existed. I thought I was already apolitical, but hearing the stories and reasonings behind the choice of presidential car sparked the angst I’ve long buried.

And if you’re that curious, it’s best to pay a visit to the museum. Maybe you can have a different perspective.

The Presidential Car Museum is open for public viewing between 9AM to 4PM on Tuesdays to Sundays.

Crafts, textiles, and the old script

After our active parking session at the Quezon Memorial Circle and relying on Adaptive Cruise Control while driving through the Skyway, I took the wheels as we approached the City of Manila and its never-ending stoplights.

I may hate Manila’s busy streets and traffic jams, but I know I’m well-equipped to navigate its roads (and find a way to overtake between humongous trucks) as we find our way to the National Museum of Anthropology.

Nestled beside the walled city of Intramuros, the museum found itself on a sweet, easy spot for city-dwellers, park visitors, and foreigners touring the historical city. It was easy to locate, which makes it inviting to a lot of visitors.

Inside, I was mesmerized by artifacts showcasing the chronicles of living in the Philippines — even from pre-historic times. I had a marvelous time staring at battle axes and bolos. I was incredibly drawn! Maybe, just maybe, I was a warrior in my past life.

We also took some time exploring the “Hibla ng Lahing Filipino Gallery” which exhibits the traditional textiles created and worn across the Philippines.

On the next room beside the textile gallery, you’ll find the Baybayin Gallery, which was completed in 2014. The gallery houses the old writing systems used by ancient Filipinos, as well as the continued tradition of writing syllabic scripts.

The National Museum of Anthropology is located in the Agrifina Circle, Rizal Park adjacent to the National Museum of Fine Arts building. It’s open from 9AM to 6PM on Tuesdays to Sundays.

Living like an Ilustrado

Our last stop for the day was Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar in Quezon City. It’s a more accessible space housing replicas of famed Spanish-Filipino houses.

Originally, you can find it in Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar where almost 40 Spanish-Filipino Colonial structures were collected and restored to showcase the heritage of the Philippines.

Upon entering, you’ll be transported back in time — as if you’re back in the 18th century. It wasn’t my first visit, though, as I’ve already tried to play like an Ilustrado a few years back.

The place isn’t just offering a heritage tour, but also an Italian restaurant, a cafe, garden, and banquet hall.

It’s a fine way to experience dining in a Spanish stone house at the 2-storey replica of Casa Monroy, while looking at the beauty of St. Joseph Chapel brimming with intricate brick and woodworks.

Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar in Quezon City is located at 134 Roosevelt Avenue, San Francisco Del Monte, Quezon City, Philippines 1105. It’s open from 11AM to 9PM.

One step forward, three steps back

As the day ends, we drove back to Quezon Memorial Circle where we started. It was bewildering to bridge everything that happened — from looking back to learning how to appreciate the present, and becoming excited to what the future holds.

These were just my thoughts as we navigate the dimly lit roads with the help of the Next-Gen Ford Territory. We progressed so much that we’re enjoying a vehicle that can keep us comfortable in long rides. Imagine if we still have to travel by foot or by riding a calesa!

The museum-hopping tour around Manila made me appreciate riding a smart, safe, and feature-packed vehicle. It gives me the peace of mind needed to explore a vibrant, busy city.

For your peace of mind

Customers who purchase the Next-Gen Ford Territory will receive a complimentary Peace of Mind service package. This includes free inspection that can be availed within 2 months of 2,000 kms (whichever comes first). You also get two (2) free labor on periodic maintenance schedule (PMS) services.

This is on top of the 5-year warranty — ensuring a worry-free ownership experiences.

Customers can visit any Ford dealership to get more information on the available 5-year scheduled service plan (SSP) and a 5-year emergency roadside assistance with a Territory purchase.

Automotive

Nissan launches Note e-Power in Singapore

Start your journey on the right note

Published

March 22, 2024

GadgetMatch

In 2020, Nissan unveiled the Kicks e-Power, which the car manufacturer touted as not just one’s conventional hybrid vehicle. Four years after, Nissan is back with a new fully electric motor-driven offering released in Singapore: the Nissan Note e-Power.

The successor to Kicks e-Power, the Note e-Power also harnesses Nissan’s second generation e-Power technology. The electrified hatchback uses fuel to power its electric motor. This motor then drives the car for a smoother, quieter, and more efficient run each time, minus the need for charging.

Price, availability

The Note e-Power dons a simplistic Japanese hatchback look with a more curved roof compared to typical SUV designs. This is accentuated by a signature V grille and slim-line headlights.

The car is available in Vivid Blue/Black Star (two-tone), Opera Mauve/Black Star (two-tone), Brilliant Silver, Dark Metal Grey, and Burgundy Red. It is available for booking starting at SG$ 143,800 until 12 noon of April 3.

Customers shall also get a 10-year lithium-ion battery warranty and five-year unlimited mileage vehicle warranty.

Enhanced safety features

The Note e-Power comes packed with enhanced safety features. For the first time on a Nissan vehicle, a 1,470 MPa ultra-high tensile steel has been adopted in the vehicle chassis. This contributes to weight reduction and improved passive safety performance.

To aid drivers throughout their rides, the car also comes with intelligent systems, such as:

Intelligent Emergency Braking
Intelligent Lane Intervention
Intelligent Rearview Mirror
Intelligent Trace Control
Intelligent Forward Collision Warning
Intelligent Driver Alertness
High Beam Assist
Electronic Parking Brake with Auto Hold

When parking, the system on dashboard shows the vehicle’s distance to an obstacle by green, yellow, and red indicators. Should they forget locking and unlocking, the car also automatically locks when the driver walks away, and unlocks when the driver approaches.

Futuristic interior

Inside, the Note e-Power has a Mizuhiki-themed dashboard for a modern and elegant appearance. On the driver side, there is a seven-inch display interface, an LCD monitor, and a USB Type C port. There is also a two-tier glovebox on the passenger side for ample storage.

In the middle, the gearshift sports a futuristic design that looks more like a mix of a jet plane’s center stick and a computer’s mouse, rather than a traditional knob. Furthermore, there is enough space to place a phone or wallet beside the gearshift.

The seats offer large armrests and plenty of leg room. At the back, the car has a spacious boot that can be expanded up to 670 liters when the rear seats are folded down.