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

Porsche Cayenne Electric launches in the Philippines

Porsche’s electric SUV arrives locally.

Published

October 27, 2026

GadgetMatch

Porsche has introduced the all-electric Cayenne in the Philippines, expanding its flagship SUV lineup with a fully electric powertrain. The new model joins the existing gasoline and plug-in hybrid variants, giving buyers more options as the brand expands its electric vehicle lineup.

The launch also coincides with Porsche’s 30th anniversary in the Philippines, marking another milestone for the German automaker in the local market.

Porsche Cayenne Electric delivers up to 642km of range

The Philippine-spec Cayenne Electric features a dual-motor, all-wheel-drive powertrain paired with a 113kWh battery. It produces up to 325kW (442PS) and 835Nm of torque with Launch Control activated.

Porsche claims the electric SUV can accelerate from zero to 100km/h in 4.8 seconds. It also offers a driving range of up to 642 kilometers based on the WLTP testing cycle.

The Cayenne Electric supports DC fast charging at up to 400kW. This allows for faster charging at compatible high-powered charging stations. For home charging, the SUV comes with an 11kW onboard AC charger.

Digital cockpit and adjustable rear seating

The Cayenne Electric features a 3,023mm wheelbase, providing additional room for passengers. Its rear seats offer 150mm of fore-and-aft adjustment and up to 18 degrees of backrest tilt, allowing occupants to prioritize legroom or cargo space.

Inside, the SUV introduces Porsche’s Flow Display, a curved OLED interface that serves as the centerpiece of its digital cockpit. An optional 14.9-inch passenger display is also available for entertainment and navigation-related functions.

The cabin combines these digital features with a configurable seating layout designed to balance passenger comfort and practicality.

Porsche Cayenne Electric features adaptive air suspension

The Cayenne Electric comes with adaptive air suspension and Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM) as standard. Buyers can also opt for rear-axle steering and an active-hydraulic chassis leveling system.

Its driver-assistance and parking features include Adaptive Cruise Control, Lane Change Assist, ParkAssist with a 2D surround-view system, automated parking functions, and driver attention monitoring.

By offering the electric Cayenne alongside its combustion-engine and plug-in hybrid counterparts, Porsche continues to give customers a choice of powertrains while expanding its electric vehicle portfolio in the Philippines.

Porsche in the Philippines

Porsche Center Philippines has served as the official importer and distributor of Porsche sports cars in the country since 1996. Its offerings include the latest Porsche models, Porsche Lifestyle products, genuine parts, and after-sales services.

Automotive

Psst! You can test drive BYD and DENZA EVs for free this week, but not for long

Four days of EV displays, test drives, and a first look at the DENZA Z9 GT.

Published

October 8, 2026

GadgetMatch

BYD Cars Philippines and DENZA Philippines are opening Super Experience Week to the public starting October 8, 2026.

The event runs until October 11 and gives visitors a hands-on look at the brands’ latest EVs and plug-in hybrids, along with test drives and a few previews. Admission is free.

BYD brings its plug-in hybrids and safety program

BYD’s showcase at the BGC Amphitheater will feature the Sealion 6 DM-i and the Tang DM-i. The brand’s full lineup will be on display at the BGC Garden, where visitors can also take the cars out for test drives.

BYD is also running its “Drive Electric, EV Safety Program” at the event. It’s aimed at helping new and prospective owners learn more about EV use as the community in the Philippines continues to grow. BYD says visitors can also get exclusive offers on all of its models, but only during Super Experience Week.

DENZA shows its premium lineup and a first look at the Z9 GT

DENZA is the centerpiece of the event. The brand is displaying its D9, B5, and B8, positioned as premium smart mobility with an emphasis on design, in-car tech, electrified performance, and comfort.

The main draw is an exclusive preview of the DENZA Z9 GT. The Philippine launch is targeted for the first quarter of 2027, and reservations are already open for customers who want to register their interest before it arrives.

The weekend moves to 5th Avenue

On October 10 and 11, the event expands to 5th Avenue, which will host a dedicated performance and advanced mobility showcase. A special exhibition will feature YANGWANG models, BYD’s ultra-luxury new energy vehicles.

The DENZA B5, DENZA B8, and BYD Shark 6 DMO will also be on show in a street exhibition throughout the weekend.

Test drives across both the BYD and DENZA lineups will be available for the duration of the event, so visitors can check out the tech, performance, and comfort of each model firsthand.

Automotive

Electric luxury reimagined: XPENG launches next-gen EV lineup

XPENG’s PH lineup spans the X9 MPV and the L03, with prices starting at PhP 1,548,000

Published

September 28, 2026

MJ Jucutan

XPENG has officially entered the Philippine EV market. Over 3,000 guests attended the brand’s grand local debut. During the launch event, the automaker introduced a six-variant lineup.

The lineup features the flagship X9 MPV and the sleek L03 SUV Coupé. Prices start at an accessible PhP 1,548,000.

Brand ambassador Anne Curtis joined the celebration on stage, while XPENG showcased its X2 Flying Car and IRON Humanoid Robot. These futuristic displays highlighted the company’s “Physical AI” vision.

XPENG X9: First-class travel for seven

The XPENG X9 serves as the brand’s flagship seven-seater MPV.

It turns luxury mobility into a private lounge experience. Buyers can choose between two Long Range variants. The base X9 Long Range costs PhP 3,858,000. It features zero-gravity second-row seats with a central aisle. This layout ensures quick access to the third row. The Premium Seat Package costs PhP 4,058,000.

It upgrades the middle row to individual captain’s chairs. These chairs feature four-way powered headrests and 16-point massage.

Both variants share identical mechanical hardware. A front-wheel-drive motor produces 235 kW and 450 Nm of torque. A massive 110 kWh battery provides up to 615 km of range.

A compatible DC fast charger boosts power from 10 to 80 percent in 12 minutes. Active rear-wheel steering delivers a tight 5.4-meter turning radius. Dual-chamber air suspension ensures maximum ride comfort.

A powered third row folds completely flat beneath the floor. Color options include Midnight Black, Arctic White, Matte Gray, and Silver Frost. Inside, buyers can select Meteorite Black or Coffee.

XPENG L03: Sleek versatility meets electric freedom

The L03 SUV Coupé blends striking aesthetics with daily utility. XPENG offers four distinct variants. Three models use pure battery-electric powertrains. One model features a range-extended electric setup (REEV).

The L03 EV Standard Range costs PhP 1,548,000. Its 58.3 kWh battery delivers up to 445 km of range. The L03 EV Long Range costs PhP 1,698,000 and offers up to 520 km.

The top-tier Long Range Ultra costs PhP 2,058,000 with 480 km of range. This Ultra trim adds front-seat massage, upgraded audio, and intelligent driving tech.

The L03 REEV costs PhP 1,598,000. It uses an onboard gas engine as an electric generator. Its 37.2 kWh battery delivers 215 km of pure electric driving. Total WLTP combined range reaches up to 1,017 km.

All L03 models feature rear-wheel drive. Fast charging takes roughly 20 minutes to reach 80 percent. Every model includes a 15.6-inch touchscreen and 539 liters of cargo space.

Available colors include Arctic White, Midnight Black, Rock Gray, Silver Frost, and Phantom Purple.

Ownership packages, reservation details

XPENG pairs each model with generous ownership perks. X9 buyers receive five years of free preventive maintenance. The package includes five years of roadside assistance.

XPENG adds a five-year bumper-to-bumper warranty. An eight-year warranty covers the battery and motor. X9 buyers also receive a complimentary 7kW wall charger.

L03 buyers receive two years of free preventive maintenance. The L03 includes identical roadside, bumper-to-bumper, and battery warranties. L03 EV buyers get a 7kW wall charger. The REEV variant comes with a 3.5 kW portable charger.

Reservations cost PhP 25,000 for the X9 and PhP 10,000 for the L03. Buyers can reserve through @xpengphilippines on social media.

XPENG showrooms in Greenhills, Makati, North EDSA, and Cebu are accepting reservations now. Local customer deliveries will begin in the fourth quarter.