When the love of my life turned into the loss of my life, driving felt like a chore I couldn’t bring myself to do. Driving wasn’t simply a way to get from Point A to Point B.

Every press on the accelerator once meant I was on my way to see someone I thought I’d build forever with. I could still picture us in traffic jams, singing songs off-key. Those memories made every drive feel alive.

But life doesn’t move according to your route. After that last drive with the Ford Territory Titanium X eight months ago, no other car or trip felt the same.

Everything since felt like errands. Just me, going somewhere, sometimes with people, but never with someone. For months, I stayed busy rebuilding, but healing sometimes feels like a road trip without a destination.

You start over, take turns you didn’t expect, and in the process, you realize others are evolving too. Case in point: the Ford Territory Titanium X, now reborn as a Hybrid.

I first saw it at its launch in Bonifacio Global City, and I didn’t feel any butterflies. But when I finally stepped inside for a drive to Baguio City, it felt… familiar.

It’s like meeting someone you used to know, only this time, they’ve grown softer and wiser. Maybe, I thought, this was my mirror moment. Maybe, I was meeting the better version of myself, too.

Upgraded, inside and out

At first glance, the Territory Hybrid Titanium X looks much like the one I used to know until you look closely.

Aside from the subtle Hybrid badge, it’s longer and wider, and maybe, even grander in presence. There’s a new grille, hood, and fenders, and a coast-to-coast LED light bar that glows (but only for the Titanium X trim).

It reminded me of the small shifts that happen when you heal. You buy new clothes, cut your hair, and even put up boundaries by saying “no” and then one day, someone will say “you look different.”

Inside, it felt like coming home. The cabin welcomed me with its familiar blend of leather. The 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and the 12-inch infotainment display reminded me of the screen we used to play, but now I’ve used it to stream new songs that I enjoy.

It’s got the same creature comforts I’ve always loved, like the hands-free power tailgate that makes it convenient when you’re carrying loads of bags. Except maybe this time, I learned how to pack light and leave the weight I didn’t need to carry.

The difference now lies within. The hybrid powertrain, combined with the electric motor, kept it quiet that I almost consumed my own thoughts. It was calm that you wouldn’t notice the changes unless you listen closely.

But maybe that’s what growth is: changes that aren’t most visible, but what’s quietly working beneath the surface.

New company on the open road

I shared this drive with Kyle and Gab, fellow creators and journalists I met for the first time. We ditched the driver rotation plan, so we could take on the parts of the route we were best suited for.

Kyle handled the never-ending curves of Kennon and Asin roads. With slippery roads, we relied on the Territory’s electronic stability and traction control, especially during sharp turns. Kyle wasn’t too happy with it, but at least we had his steady hands to bring us back safely.

Gab and I swapped seats for the more monotonous stretches: the long, endless freeways. When Gab took over, the Automatic Emergency Braking kicked in twice. It startled us, especially me, as I sat in the backseat without a seatbelt on.

It was an unexpected jolt, but a much-needed one. Even though it annoyed us, it was comforting to know the car was still looking out for us even when we thought we didn’t need it.

Refilling my own tank

When it was my turn, I found myself recharging the hybrid’s battery along a long stretch of road. It was oddly satisfying, especially since I’d done it before.

As Kyle and Gab fell asleep — which I was proud of, or maybe they were just really tired — I thought of all the times I’d felt drained and how I’d learned to fill my own tank again.

Maybe that’s why I love hybrid cars. They remind me of how great I am at pouring love, keeping myself or others moving forward.

In this case, it was when Kyle took the wheel again, using the energy I restored to catch up with the convoy and speed up.

I’m glad we got our hands on the Titanium X trim. Beyond the shared safety suite such as stability control, traction control, hill assist, and 360-degree cameras, this top variant adds layers of luxury that matter.

For someone like me, who trains and races, the adaptive cruise control and lane-centering features are a blessing when exhaustion hits.

Meanwhile, the Blind Spot Information System and Rear Cross Traffic Alert feel like having an extra pair of eyes.

When your body’s too tired to think, all you need is a reminder that even when you can’t see what’s behind or beside you, the car’s got your back.

Where the road ends (and begins again)

It rained the moment we left Baguio City. The convoy blurred into mist ahead, and all I could see were red taillights. The wipers worked tirelessly while I tightened my grip on the wheel.

Thankfully, the Territory Hybrid Titanium X responded.

I trusted it the way you trust yourself after heartbreak. Not because I’m fearless, but because I’ve been through enough to know I’ll make it out.

At 100 km/h on TPLEX, I kept pace with the storm. Taylor Swift may have said “keep it 100” in her latest single “The Fate of Ophelia,” but I meant it differently.

The drive home didn’t feel like the end of this journey. It felt like closure.

The Ford Territory Hybrid Titanium X wasn’t the same car I fell in love with, and I wasn’t the same person who drove it then.

Both of us transformed, not because we wanted to be, but because life demanded it.

And maybe that’s what love, in all its forms, is supposed to be. Maybe you don’t need to hold on to what was, but you learn to drive forward in the company of new people and what remains.

By the time I parked, I wasn’t thinking about what I’d lost anymore. I was thinking about where I’d go next.

---

The Ford Territory Hybrid Titanium X starts at PhP 1,599,000 while the Trend variant starts at PhP 1,399,000. Both variants come in Oasis Green, Crystal Pearl White, Star White, Blue Panther, and Panther Black. Get it at dealerships nationwide.

At the recent gamescom Asia x Thailand Game Show 2025, Ubisoft also went all-out in spotlighting Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six Siege and its 10-year journey throughout the annual gathering.

There were hands-on demos, experiential zones, and cosplays; Ubisoft even gave away a custom PC. Plus, a Siege esports tournament was held.

The tactical shooter’s creative director, Alexander Karpazis, also graced gamescom Asia x TGS 2025. He appeared for a fireside chat to reflect on a decade of Siege. This included talking about the Siege X update  from earlier this year.

Such pageantries show that the title has come a long way. It’s also hard to imagine given the spectacles that at some point, Siege wasn’t off to a good start.

Slow start

Among the prominent issues Siege players experienced after launch in 2015 were its gameplay inconsistencies like balance issues and bugginess. Ubisoft also struggled with poor initial sales.

Some attribute the game being rushed for modern consoles at the time to it not resonating among gamers initially.

Others felt that the story veered away from the Rainbow Six series since Siege became a reboot after Rainbow Six: Patriots was cancelled.

The title saw low player numbers, hence, slower matchmaking times and longer waiting times for them.

Turnaround

For developers, it’s easy to think about pulling the plug on a game that is not being received well early on. But Ubisoft stuck with a long-term plan.

Fueled by a games-as-a-service mantra, Ubisoft delivered countless free updates, including adding new operators and game modes.

The consistency of post-launch support and updates kept the community glued. And from late 2016 to 2019, there was a tremendous turnaround period.

It started with the Skull Rain DLC from 2016, before Siege doubled its total registered player base by 2017. It was also the year where Ubisoft prioritized overhauled several aspects of the game, from its servers to content.

In 2019, there was also a surge in terms of average concurrent players. This could be credit to the title offering free-to-play weekends, as well as the Six Invitational tournament.

Pieces eventually fell into place, and it’s clear that Siege is here to stay with millions and millions of players.

The Siege X update, of course, sets the game up for the next few years while honoring what has been a decade’s worth of reinventing.

“We want to respect our players that have invested 10 years of their lives into a game like this. We didn’t want to lose any of that. That was the major thing. Siege X also represented more of a long term view, of delivering an update,” Karpazis said.

Commitment to player base the key — Creative Director

Siege has weathered rough patches throughout its 10-year journey, before eventually reaching the pinnacle. Karpazis said it’s Ubisoft’s commitment to its player base and respecting their feedback that has catapulted the tactical shooter to among Ubisoft’s most relevant IPs.

“We are mainly driven by the community. Things like modernizing our maps to make them look more visually rich and up to date with great lighting, that comes from the community itself,” he shared.

“Things like destructible ingredients, these are tactical things that players would expect us to keep on evolving … As much as we always have our own ideas of what we want to do, the first place that we look for ideas is from the community.”

In terms of key numbers, Siege is right up there with some of Ubisoft’s most beloved franchises like Just Dance, Assassin’s Creed, and Far Cry, to name a few. A Reddit thread even argued that Siege is Ubisoft’s most important game.

Siege keeps surprising

Rainbow Six Siege officially turns ten (10) this December. For Karpazis, the title has stood the test of time with its uniqueness. And part of that includes how developers have invested a lot into continuously improving all aspects of it.

“It is a tactical, strategic shooter even though it’s PvP. For us, the big thing is we do want to continue respecting our things like the characters that are found all over the game, the destruction that is so unique to our game as well, compared to other competition,” he said. “Ingredients like that sets us apart. It makes for an interesting discoveries.”

And yet, Ubisoft still owes it to the fans to keep surprising them with new updates. In fact, creators thoroughly planned the Siege X update before it was released, with a blueprint for the next decade in mind.

“The big part is it’s a brand new foundation for the game where we can say, alright, we’re ready for the next 10 years of Siege as well,” Karpazis said of the title’s biggest update.

“That means making sure on a technical level, we can deliver new surprises to the players. Even on a creative level, it lets us start playing with new ingredients, gameplay mechanics, and modernized gameplay that players would expect today versus 10 years ago when it first came.”

The decade that lies ahead

Not only is Siege here to stay; it continues to rewrite its pages. And that’s what resonates with its massive fanbase.

“One of the elements that we think about more and more today is how to continue injecting innovation into the game design,” Karpazis added.

“There’s Year 11. I think we have some great surprises, things we’ve never tried before, big things that players will still get excited about … I think it shows the promise the team still has for Siege for the next 10 years.”

Amid all the times I’ve tried and tested wireless earbuds, I don’t get to do the same with headphones.

Though I have tried playing some songs through my colleagues’ Sony WH-1000XM6, JBL Tour One M3, and Dyson OnTrac, none of them comes close to how extensive I did with Lenovo’s Yoga ANC last 2021.

As a a matter of fact, this is only the second pair of headphones I got to intimately try as a GadgetMatchmaker for seven long years.

Cutting all that slack, let’s go straight to my in-depth review of the all-new QCY H3S headphones.

Gleamingly clean

I sound like a broken record for always telling this in my write-ups: despite having a dominantly black wardrobe, black devices are my least favorite.

Thankfully, the QCY H3S pair I have comes in this pure, off-white colorway.

Aside from this classic color plus the subdued black shade, there’s also one in gray just in case you want something in between.

Going back to the unit I possess, I’m obsessed with how clean it looks — near and afar.

If you wanted it to pair up with your daily OOTD, you can never go wrong with this color choice.

Not only does it fit perfectly with your unplanned Mix n’ Match, it also stands out from the crowd regardless of the fabric color you prefer to wear.

The headphones are mostly composed of plastic materials — an understandable compromise to further cut down overall product cost.

From its adjustable (or extendable) levers all the way to its buttons, they all come in one singular material and shade.

Only time will tell though how clean or dirty it will get over continuous wear and tear.

One minor detail that I truly love about this pair is how QCY decided to differentiate the material of its neck band.

That stainless steel choice felt premium despite the majority of rubber parts the headphones have.

At the opposite side is still that plush, padded material that’s comfortable enough when the pair rests on your neck.

And, before I forget, the QCY H3S has rotatable and twistable cups so that they can be folded and fit perfectly in small bags or third-party headphone cases — as this pair doesn’t have a bundled one.

Mind you, Sony’s WH-1000XM5 can’t even do this 🤷🏻

Favorable and comfortable

Looks are one thing, but comfort is for another.

Despite being *spoiler alert* priced in the same range as generically smaller on-ear headphones, the QCY H3S is actually an over-ear type of headphones.

At just 240 grams, the QCY H3S is lightweight — given the materials the headphones are made of.

Admittedly, I’m not someone who has a petite facial structure. Given that I have a bobblehead, it’s also understandable I have an ear size bigger than an average individual.

Its large ear cups seemingly fit well on most (if not all) ear shapes and sizes.

Even with my earrings on my left ear, I felt nothing but utmost comfort as the cups totally go over my ears.

QCY H3S’s ear cups are composed of protein leather that are soft to the touch.

The inner part is then covered by a canvas-like (or cotton-like) material that enables smooth and steady audio output.

Having to know which side is which is easily identifiable thanks to that large L and R markings on the actual ear pads.

Once worn, controls are placed at the right side of the device where they are not fiddly and are easily reachable.

Those buttons in various shapes surely help as you won’t accidentally press something you didn’t intend to change:

• Top: ANC modes (short rounded rectangle)
• Middle: Power On/Off (circle)
• Bottom: Volume (long rounded-rectangle)

Immaculate sound

Resting beneath those ear pads are the dual-driver architecture of the H3S. Aside from a 40mm mid-bass driver, it also has a 13mm dedicated tweeter with crossover.

But, here’s the thing: It’s hard to describe how good or bad a sound is just with hardware specs and an editorial piece alone.

Part of my journalistic integrity though is to tell viewers my honest and transparent views.

And, to make that judgment not one-sided and as unbiased as possible, I let GadgetMatch’s Senior Editor, Rodneil, try the pair out.

After that listening sesh with several songs in the list, he told me that these can be on par — or even beat — midrange offerings produced by JBL and Bose.

If only I was able to document his shocked reaction, you’d know that this isn’t some marketing speak.

He also told me it’s a far cry from Soundcore’s output — despite QCY being its direct competitor.

For a better grasp, I also need to reference MJ’s Dyson OnTrac.

While we’re out in one fine shooting day, the team was able to try his pair out.

All of us had one response: flashy looks CANNOT make up for its very underwhelming sound quality.

Dyson OnTrac’s metallic aesthetics goes well with its sound quality — a muffled, deafening one that sounded like an inside of a tin can.

It’s just so flat, the layers are barely there at all.

Believe me or not, QCY H3S is heaps superior.

Even just on YouTube with a compressed audio format, I was able to cherish H3S’s superb sound.

The same can be said when streaming titles on Netflix or Disney+.

Aside from that audible and fuller dialogue, drama OSTs are also well-appreciated the moment they kick in.

LDAC that doesn’t lack

Putting one surprise on top of another, the QCY H3S also boasts the best imaginable sound experience.

Aside from the ability to play tracks in both Hi-Res Lossless and Dolby Atmos audio formats (through Apple Music of course), it has LDAC audio codec as well.

In layman’s terms, it’s simply the best audio tech one could get via Bluetooth without losing a track’s truest sound quality.

Its closest counterparts are either stuck with AAC or aptX at the very least. Worse of all? None other than the SBC codec.

Just a precaution: turning on LDAC means you’re disabling its Dual-Device Connection ability.

If you prioritize high-fidelity (like I do), you have to always disconnect the headphones from one device before you can connect it to the other.

Additionally, its upgraded Bluetooth 6.0 connectivity made me enjoy latency-free streaming — which meant playback without delays in simpler terms.

And, despite the lack of a 3.5mm audio port, wired listening is still very possible through its USB-C port without compromising that Lossless experience.

Lastly, I didn’t dare to try it but, the QCY H3S also has an IPX5 rating. Meaning, the pair will still be protected even if you’re suddenly caught in the rain.

EQ-uality For All

Admittedly, I wasn’t a fan of its default sound presets.

Unlike my experience with the Heavy Bass preset of QCY’s wireless earbuds I tested out months ago, the bundled presets of H3S weren’t totally bad. It’s just that I felt like overall sound output could be improved further.

Fortunately, you can configure your own settings through Custom EQ in QCY’s proprietary app. Your personal preference can even be saved multiple times.

I’m not a devoted audiophile for all we know. But, my ears don’t lie.

After manually fine-tuning each and every bit of frequency I hear, I was finally able to balance out the three fundamentals: bass, treble, and mids.

Not only I was able to hear the thump and oomph of every K-Pop song I listen to. Instrumentals, adlibs and even hidden backtrack vocals (that are often under-appreciated) were all heard and layered like a luscious piece of tiramisu cake.

Heavenly ANC

All the great stuff don’t end just with its clean looks and superior sound.

From the perspective of both an introvert and commuter, ANC is a true gift from the gods.

The moment I wore the headphones and turned on ANC, it felt like I’m in my own, distant world.

Annoying chit chats were instantly silenced. White noise was barely heard.

It’s the perfect device for appreciating summer-studded songs like WJSN Dayoung’s “body” or divine albums like TWICE’s 10th-year Special.

More so, for that uninterrupted and focused gameplay. A better gaming headset minus a dedicated mic, if I must say.

Still, its 7-mic array (with six ANC mics) plus three (3) anti-wind mics should be more than enough for calls even in noisier environments.

Again, when you go inside the QCY app, there are multiple ANC presets for you to choose.

Personally, I choose commuting by default as I use it entirely for avoiding rowdy crowds whenever I’m indoors or out.

You can also turn ANC off completely to preserve that battery life. Unapologetically, I never turn this feature off even under severe battery anxiety.

Battery that’s immortal-like

Already introduced in the last section, the battery and endurance of the QCY somehow felt immortal. It’s so hard to kill in just one sitting.

For instance, I’ve used it for repeatedly streaming NMIXX’s ethereal Blue Valentine and band-worthy Spinnin’ On It. All while writing several review backlogs (including this one) for five long hours.

From 100 percent, it depleted to 75 percent — a measly 25 percent decrease.

Another example is when I wore it during my two-hour commute going to the metro. Shockingly, it consumed only around 8 to 10 percent of charge.

In another use-case, I edited our very lengthy M5 iPad Pro review for YouTube.

From 3:30 in the afternoon up until past 11 in the evening, the QCY H3S went from 30 percent down to 10 percent.

If you do the math, that’s 7.5 long hours of non-stop usage — which BTW, adds up to the comfort testament I stated earlier.

Lastly, I took it on a streaming spree one fine day while I was working on launch articles inside a café.

From the moment I wore it at exactly 9:15AM up until I removed it seven minutes past 3PM, that 10 percent charge was unchanged and unfazed.

Mind you, ANC was turned ON all of the time as I can’t bear hearing at least a tinny noise and wanted to focus solely on its audio prowess.

Even when I’m writing this part of the piece, I was only able to charge the device twice.

Although I’m not having any type of 10+ hours worth of flight any time soon, this might just be the best companion to bring for those long-haul travel up in the air.

Is the QCY H3S your BudgetMatch?

As mentioned quite a few times between the lines, the QCY H3S is meant for the budget class. It’s priced at a shockingly affordable price of only US$ 49.99 / SG$ 43 / RM 299.

Even more surprising, the Philippines has the cheapest price tag of as little as PhP 1779.

Just like me, you’re probably wondering how on earth was it possible for QCY to deliver excellent sound and affordable price tag at the same time.

It’s something only the company can answer. For me though, my answer is as crystal clear as how the pair sounds.

If my key points stated above aren’t clear enough, let me frankly say that the QCY H3S is definitely and definitively a Swipe Right and a Super Swipe.

It’s not just about its minimalist looks or the sole hardware specs on paper.

My honest first-hand experience with the QCY H3S, together with my colleagues’ impressions, further solidify my main point that a great pair of headphones doesn’t always need to have an exorbitant price tag.

Given, the QCY H3S may not be the flashiest and most elegant of the bunch. However, its clean aesthetics, mean sound punch, and even lean pricing all make this pair a deserving recipient of the GadgetMatch Seal of Approval.