Automotive

When love is in cruise control

The Next-Gen Ford Territory Titanium X gives us the space to love, go the distance, and take the extra mile.

Published

February 7, 2025

MJ Jucutan

Love, like driving, isn’t just about speed or adrenaline-fueled detours.

Sometimes, it’s about quiet moments, effortless miles, and steady pacing. It’s in the knowing that, no matter the distance, you’ll always arrive where you’re meant to be.

Once upon a time, I was a passenger prince, perfectly content with adjusting the air-con, queuing up a road trip playlist, and admiring my reflection in the side mirror.

That was when it hit me: quality time and acts of service aren’t just how I express love. They’re how I feel it, too. And if I love you, I’ll drive for you.

And for the past year, that was what I had been doing. I had plenty of quality time on the road with my beau, turning simple trips into something more. But this time, our plans for a weekend getaway took a different turn when work got in the way.

Love, however, isn’t just about the moments you plan. Sometimes, it’s about the unexpected ones; the quiet in-betweens, the miles shared, and the comfortable silence that speaks louder than words.

That’s what I learned as I took the Next-Gen Ford Territory Titanium X for a weekend drive — running errands, sharing playlists, and simply enjoying the ride with my favorite person in the passenger seat.

Love that moves at its own pace

My beau lives almost 30 miles away, a drive that usually takes over an hour.

Newsflash: I made it in less than an hour, cruising my way to my long-term, long-distance, low-commitment Ken. (Yes, Barbie fans, IYKYK!)

I didn’t have to push too hard. Just like in love, the right support makes things effortless. With 248 Nm of torque, the Territory Titanium X felt smooth, steady, and easy to drive along the freeway.

I pulled up outside his office, and with the power liftgate, he tossed his bags into the compartment with ease. He slid into the leather-upholstered seat, and with a simple push-start button, our adventure began.

Together, we’ll be the greatest team there’s ever been

We had a late lunch planned at Forresta Café, tucked away in the vast grasslands of Dasmariñas, Cavite.

I let the Adaptive Cruise Control take over, slowing down to a relaxed 70 km/h. Less about the rush, and more about enjoying the drive.

With the 12-inch touchscreen lighting up like our personal concert stage and the 8-speaker sound system surrounding us, we queued up our favorite playlist on Spotify.

“Defying Gravity” started playing, and just like that, the car transformed into our very own Broadway stage. Me as Glinda, him as my Elphaba. We harmonized, belted, and completely ignored the fact that we were slightly off-key.

And yes, we were singing in the car, but we’re not getting lost upstate. (I’ll be a Swiftie, through and through!)

Though the Next-Gen Ford Territory Titanium X supports both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, I found syncing my iPhone to be more seamless.

The wireless Android Auto sometimes disconnected mid-drive — unless I plugged it in with a USB-C cable — and that’s not the kind of reliability I expect when I’m cruising with someone I love.

By the time we arrived at Forresta, parking was a breeze, thanks to the front and rear parking sensors guiding me into a tight space under the trees. No tinted windows meant no risking hot leather seats when we got back.

Over plates of spicy Fettuccine a la Amatriciana and Fish & Chips, we caught up. Not just on what was new, but on the kind of conversations that make you feel closer, even without saying much.

I did one thing right

We left Forresta without locking the doors. Fortunately, I had already activated the Speed Sensing Door Locks, which locked the doors as soon as the vehicle detected movement.

I have a propensity of forgetting stuff when I am with him. Sometimes it’s my own thoughts, and other times it’s the next highway exit. But the Next-Gen Ford Territory Titanium X kept me on track — literally.

It took less than 20 minutes to arrive at Vivere Hotel, where we checked in for the night. The basement parking was tight, but the parking sensors made maneuvering seamless. I could’ve used Active Park Assist, but let’s be honest, I wanted to impress my beau.

After freshening up, we took a slow stroll through Westgate, letting the pink skies paint the evening in soft hues.

As athletes, we love moving together — running, walking, even just pacing our steps to match the other. It’s in these quiet moments that I realize: love doesn’t always have to feel like an adrenaline rush. Sometimes, love is just being there. Steady, constant, reliable.

Later that night, we dined at The Nest, Vivere’s rooftop restaurant. Comfort Filipino food, a Strawberry Cinnamon Sangria, under the stars, and skyline sparkling below us.

It wasn’t a grand romantic gesture, but it was ours. And maybe that’s what made it perfect.

No miles between us

We put on our running shoes for the 7-Eleven Run 2025 the next morning, which was a buddy run that required us to start and finish together. I was skeptical after suffering an injury during my most recent ultra-trail marathon.

Turns out, I didn’t just keep up. I stayed ahead in the front pack. My legs still knew the rhythm, my stride still had power. And my beau? He was right there with me.

Maybe I wasn’t as fast as I used to be, but love doesn’t measure in PRs. It’s about running the race together, side by side.

We refueled over breakfast at the Vivere Hotel after crossing the finish line, laughing in between bites and making plans for the following journey.

During our drive to Los Baños, the Blind-Spot Detection System and Auto Brake System provided us with quiet protection. One instance was when a motorcyclist swerved in front of me in a traffic jam, the Territory Titanium X responded before I could react.

Somehow, this trip felt different, and every safety feature reminded me of it. Because when you’re driving with someone you love, you drive differently — more cautiously, more thoughtfully, as if their life is your life.

We returned to his house, collected a few items, and then drove to Shore Residences, where I assisted him in checking in for work. Everything was softly glowing in the golden light as I drove him to his head office in Quezon City at dusk.

It wasn’t the extravagant weekend retreat I had imagined. Love, however, isn’t always a wild ride. It’s in the peaceful drives, the steady pace, and the way you go the extra mile just because you want to.

Maybe love isn’t about butterflies or perfectly planned road trips. Maybe it’s about peace. The knowing.

It’s in the stops for takeout, the detours for sunsets, and the safe arrivals after a long drive.

And maybe, just maybe, the perfect car for love isn’t the one that takes you on thrilling adventures. Maybe, it’s the one that makes every errand, every turn, every unplanned moment feel like home.

The Next-Gen Ford Territory Titanium X transformed every drive into a romantic tale. And in some way, I became even more in love with my person.

Automotive

VinFast VF MPV 7 positioned as practical choice for families

Strong performance, lower maintenance costs, comfortable driving experience

Published

May 7, 2026

Manila Connoisseur

VinFast is pushing its all-electric seven-seater SUV, the VF MPV 7, as family-centric choice for modern practicality.

The EV manufacturer has just launched the EV in the Philippines, one of its key markets, as it continues to push for more accessible electric mobility.

Locally, the VinFast VF MPV 7 is priced starting at PhP 1,239,000 (~ US$ 20,096) if you avail of the flexible battery subscription program.

Alternatively, customers can get it for PhP 1,518,000 (US$ 24,621.27) if they opt for the battery-included model.

The launch comes at the heels of VinFast being the top battery EV brand in the market as of early 2026. The Vietnam-based manufacturer also projects that EV penetration will double by the second quarter of the year.

Among the VF MPV 7’s features are:

19-inch alloy wheels
VinFast signature V-shaped LED daytime running lights
R-cut wrapped steering wheel
10.1-inch display
USB-A and USB-C ports
Automatic climate control
PM2.5 air filter
Rear air vents
Up to 1,240 liters cargo capacity
150 kW power, 280 Nm torque

Owners are promised up to 450 kilometers of range on a full charge. The VF MPV 7 has a 60.13kWh battery which can charge from 10% to 70% in just 30 minutes via 80kW fast charging.

VinFast is also throwing in either a 7-year/160,000-km or 10-year/200,000-km battery warranty for those who avail of the EV. Owners can also charge for free at V-Green stations nationwide through March 2029.

Automotive

The VinFast VF6 is perfect for urban travelers

It can handle a Caloocan-Laguna trip easily.

Published

April 30, 2026

Luigi Leonardo

The photo above shows a VinFast VF6 in Mint Green. Today, if you hear about the VinFast brand, you might be more familiar with a different shade of green: the striking turquoise of Green GSM, a local electric taxi-hailing app that primarily uses vehicles from VinFast. But did you know that VinFast offers more than just taxi cars?

The VinFast VF6 is a midsize crossover electric SUV perfect for urban travelers. One look at the car is enough to tell you that it means business. The car’s front profile looks simple enough but still exudes that premium feeling. The rear is just as sharp as the front with strong horizontal lines that give that feeling of width on the road.

A short drive to Laguna

It’s not just pure looks, either. To test out the VF6, we took the crossover for a spin from VinFast Caloocan to Lakehall in Laguna. The 60km trip felt like a breeze with the 210hp electric engine. Add to that, the trip lasted from morning to late afternoon, giving the best of smooth highways and adverse traffic conditions.

The power felt just enough to soldier through the long drive, regardless of the condition. Handling was smooth. It has just enough give for maximum control when turning through tough Metro Manila traffic. But the acceleration unleashed the beast inside for those long and smooth straights.

Range anxiety is also a thing of the past. Despite being a long drive, the engine consumed only 15 percent of the battery each way. In total, the battery can supposedly last 480 kilometers on a full charge, and the results prove it.

Even if you get caught out with a low battery, the VinFast VF6 can juice up to 70 percent (from 10 percent) in only 25 minutes. With gas prices still wreaking havoc on every fuel powered car owner’s budgets, having a vehicle that can charge up at a cheaper price per kilowatt and at a quicker rate is an absolute must.

Driving in comfort

Inside, the VinFast VF6 offers a spacious cabin for driver and passenger alike. Both trips going to and from were luxurious.

First of all, the air-conditioning system hid an insane amount of power behind the car’s vents. Being under the sun, the car was naturally hot before use. However, after only being on for a few minutes, the air-conditioning cooled this inferno to much more comfortable levels. By the end, my companion and I were freezing.

Both the front and backseats had enough legroom to help drivers and passengers stretch out their legs. I didn’t feel the crippling claustrophobia of staying inside a car for hours.

The car also had a sizable 12.9-inch infotainment system angled towards the driver. Though the angle seemed too obtrusive if you’re a passenger princess, the system itself connected seamlessly to our phones for that entertainment so crucial to long drives.

Keeping safe in dangerous streets

Comfort should go hand in hand with safety. True enough, the VinFast VF6 comes with a vast suite of ADAS conveniences for safer trips. Of course, you’re getting the standard fixings present every car today, including airbags, but the beauty also lies in those tech-infused features.

First up: cruise control. Normally, I don’t use cruise control because I prefer having maximum control over a drive. However, the VF6’s system is easy to use even when on the go.

For lengthy highways drives, it also has lane departure warnings, which can jerk you back to the right lane if you drift too much onto the next lane. Forward collision warnings and automatic emergency braking keeps your car safe from accidentally rear-ending cars in front.

Finally, the VF6 can automatically detect if you’re too drowsy or tired to drive. The system detects both your behavior inside the cabin and how you drive. For example, if you’re starting to drive erratically, the car will sound an alarm to hopefully prod you for a driver change or a short nap. Thankfully, we didn’t need this feature during our trip, but it’s nice to have.

Price, availability

The VinFast VF6 does not cost too much. The Plus version, which comes with 150kW of max power, sells for only PhP 1,699,000. Meanwhile, a competitively priced Eco version, which has 130kW of max power, sells for PhP 1,499,00.

Both models will come in Jet Black, Infinity Blanc, and Crimson Red.

Automotive

DENZA expands the electrified market with the all-new B5 and B8

Redefining the SUV experience through refined comfort.

Published

April 28, 2026

MJ Jucutan

Following a successful preview at the Manila International Auto Show 2026, DENZA Philippines has officially launched the all-new DENZA B5 and B8.

These electrified SUVs represent a significant step in the brand’s expansion, offering modern drivers a blend of efficiency and real-world capability designed for the complexities of modern life.

DENZA B5

The DENZA B5 is a midsize plug-in hybrid that addresses the common anxieties of transitioning to electrified driving.

It utilizes DMO Super Hybrid technology, pairing a 1.5-liter turbocharged engine with a dual-motor system. This setup delivers 425 kW and 760 Nm of torque, providing plenty of power for both city streets and open highways.

Range is often a concern but the B5 offers a combined NEDC range of up to 975 kilometers. This capacity allows for a full week of commuting without the constant need to recharge or refuel.

Inside, the cabin serves as a sanctuary, featuring massage and ventilated seats. It also has a panoramic sunroof and a 360-degree camera system that makes navigating tight spaces feel intuitive and safe.

DENZA B8

For those who require more presence and capability, the DENZA B8 arrives as a full-size SUV available in Dynamic and Premium variants.

It’s built for extended journeys, offering a combined NEDC range of up to 1,040 kilometers. This allows drivers to focus on the road ahead rather than the nearest charging station.

The standout feature of the B8 is the DiSus-P Intelligent Damping Suspension. This system continuously monitors the road and adjusts the stiffness of the ride in real time.

The technology works in the background to ensure the ride remains composed and stable.

Inside, the B8 leans into luxury with dual wireless chargers and a built-in refrigerator.

Confidence across any terrain

Both the B5 and B8 are engineered for real-world off-road capability.

They feature four-wheel drive and front and rear electronically controlled locking differentials. Specialized modes for mud, sand, rock, and water wading give drivers the confidence to handle unpredictable conditions.

The inclusion of “Leopard Turn” technology allows for sharper maneuvering in narrow trails or tight U-turns.

The experience is completed by the DENZA App. This tool allows owners to monitor fuel levels, charging status, and location from their smartphones, ensuring that the vehicle is always ready for the next adventure.