Driving alone can be therapeutic. You have the freedom to blast your favorite songs, and decide wherever you want to go. All is well until you realize you have an elephantine 7-seater SUV like the Next-Gen Ford Everest Titanium+, all to yourself.

Driving from Manila to Clark and back was filled with nostalgia; the day turned poignant even if the skies were vibrantly blue.

I still remember how a year ago, I was driving the same vehicle with four more passengers, and a dog. Circumstances weren’t in my favor, since my support system was completely virtual. I was the only one who took the Spartan Race’s North ASEAN series for 2024.

Next-Gen Ford Everest Titanium+ | May 2023

I decided to press on for a two-day endurance race, and I didn’t realize that a weekend drive will give me learnings about myself and my vehicle. For two days, the Ford Co-Pilot 360 technology helped me survive, even if I was extremely fatigued and ill.

Let go for a moment

I set off early Friday to evade the weekend traffic going in and out of the freeway, which meant I skipped breakfast so I’ll be in Clark City by morning.

With only a flask of hot coffee, I decided to stop over to a nearby McDonald’s and have a quick fix of Chicken Sandwich. I didn’t have my best friend on the front passenger seat, so I had to eat my meal on my own while driving across the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX).

Since the Next-Gen Ford Everest Titanium+ I was driving came with an Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) with Stop-and-Go and Lane Centering, I turned it on so I can let go of the pedals momentarily. I used my left hand to keep the control on the steering wheel, while I ate the sandwich with my right hand.

Having your hands on the steering wheel activates the Lane Centering feature. This ensures you keep your vehicle centered. It only works when the ACC is turned on, which is a technology that allows you to maintain a set speed and distance from the vehicle in front.

If you want to have full control, it automatically cancels when you press the ACC button or when you step on the brakes.

Cruise fast and safely

A lot of times, we get in a time crunch so we speed up our vehicles. With a 100kph limit on the expressway, I set the Adjustable Speed Limiter to 99kph.

I was still traumatized when we were hailed at the end of the freeway half a year ago for over-speeding up to 127kph. We got a ticket for reckless driving, and it wasn’t a good memory.

This time, I had to make sure I don’t get into any violations, especially since I’m alone and I might just cry if I get another ticket.

During the weekend, I had to drive across Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX). It is the only freeway that has access to the race venue, Montclair Destination Estate. It is an upcoming 216-hectare destination estate by Robinson’s Land Corporation.

RLC Residences, a subsidiary brand under Robinson’s Land Corporation, was one of my sponsors for the back-to-back Spartan Race held in their estate. It was my second time racing in their venue, and the views are always spectacular. It really is worth the drive.

That weekend, I had to take on the Spartan Super, a 10-kilometer endurance with 25 obstacles, for the first day under my team Bring Your Game. The second day, I raced under RLC Residences, completing the Spartan Trail 10K in one hour and two minutes.

Don’t crash and burn

Caffeinating and dining out was my go-to every time I’m in Clark. The food and beverages are just sumptuous and worth the price.

However, for the traffic going in and out of Clark, as well as in Angeles City and the neighboring town of Porac, a driver must bring extra patience.

When I have to switch lanes, the Blind Spot Monitoring System (BLIS) with Cross-Traffic Alert helped me to make sure I don’t crash into another vehicle.

Often, rude drivers speed up when you turn on your signal to change lanes. The BLIS helps with changing lanes safely, even if you’re driving fast. Sometimes, you just need to pour in extra patience when other drivers won’t give way. Let’s not add rage to an already cruel world.

Equally disturbing is the disrespect of traffic rules, both for other drivers and pedestrians. I had to deal with the dashboard alerting with pre-collision assist whenever a vehicle suddenly stops to alight their vehicle and drop a passenger.

The Automatic Emergency Braking also takes over when a pedestrian suddenly crosses the street, completely disregarding the vehicles passing through at 60kph.

Thankfully, the Next-Gen Ford Everest Titanium+ came with such features. It also has Dynamic Brake Support, Evasive Steer Assist, Forward Collision Warning, and Post Impact Braking.

I don’t wish for a situation where I have to use all those features. I’d rather have the peace of mind of having it just in case, but I really do hope I don’t ever need to use them.

A tiring moment with one of my tires

After placing 61st out of more than 300 trail runners, I decided to stop by El Kabayo, a western-themed cafe operated by an old friend of mine, located near the Clark Nature Park. I knew I deserved good coffee and brunch after that exhausting race.

I ordered the Gold Rush, a honey-shaken espresso with soy oat milk and honeycomb, as well as Naked Longsilog. Right after, I went to check the Clark Nature Park where some people were camping and frolicking to pass time.

The misfortune happened when I drove past a metal wire that was inconspicuous in the grass. After parking, the Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) alerted that the left rear wheel is losing pressure. From 32 PSI, it suddenly dropped to 23.

Panicking, I hurriedly left the park and took a 7-minute drive to the nearest gas station. Even for a seasoned Spartan, the Everest Titanium+’s spare tire was too heavy for me to lift.

It took three men to lift and change the tire I had. Unfortunately, even the spare tire has a low pressure. It just meant I have to get my tire fixed as soon as possible.

It was nearly impossible to find a vulcanizing shop open on Sundays, but luck was still in my favor.

Learning to get some help

After having it fixed, I realized later on that there was an Authorized Ford Dealer in Clark Global City.

Due to panic, I completely forgot that Ford Philippines offers a 24-hour Emergency Roadside Assistance program. Most vehicles sold starting January 2020 have free basic plan coverage for the first three years.

The basic plan allows you to get help for minor on-site repairs with a PhP 5,000 limit on their services. This includes changing of tires, battery boosting, and fuel delivery.

They can also do personal assistance in the case of accident, and offers towing services to the nearest Ford dealer.

Hold on, we’re going home

The last stretch of an extremely testing weekend was the drive back to Manila. I was extremely fatigued, both from the race and the switching of the tire.

Over an hour driving in the freeway, I started feeling sleepy. Thankfully, the Driver Alert System monitors the level of your alertness, based on your driving behavior.

The system detected my irregular pattern, which prompted an audible and visual warning in the instrument cluster. Since it asked me to take a break, I took the nearest stopover to take a nap and get good coffee.

Instead of pushing through for two more hours, the 30-minute nap along with the caffeine boost helped energize me.

You’re on your own, kid

Reflecting on what just happened, I realized how my mettle and quick thinking was tested that weekend. It felt desolate, having no one by my side as I powered through countless obstacles — in Spartan race and in life.

It prompted to play “You’re On Your Own, Kid” by Taylor Swift, after having an epiphany that it has been my anthem for nine years now.

I’m on my own. I always have been. But this time around, the Ford Co-Pilot 360 technology and Driver-Assist Features packed in the Next-Gen Ford Everest Titanium+ helped me fly solo. It may be sad, but it was a proud moment for me to overcome everything, all by myself.

It just gave me the confidence that I can handle whatever life throws at me.

For more information, visit the Ford Everest page. To reserve the Next-Gen Ford Everest through www.ford.com.ph or check your nearest Ford dealer.

SEE ALSO:

Creating core memories with the Next-Gen Ford Territory | Tracing roots across Manila with the Next-Gen Ford Territory

My first long drive with the Next-Gen Ford Ranger Wildtrak 4×4

Home away from home: Next-Gen Ford Everest makes long trips cozier

Why the Next-Gen Ford Ranger is a Spartan-approved vehicle