Automotive

The price I paid for trusting my car too much

A minor crash forced me to confront how technology and misplaced trust can erode the responsibility every driver still carries.

Published

December 28, 2025

MJ Jucutan

I never imagined I would be the kind of person who crashes into someone else’s car.

I drive slowly and gently, and practice restraint when another car provokes me on the highway. I’ve made it a habit to pray right before I roll out of the garage. It’s my small ritual asking for protection and patience.

I’ve watched countless videos of drivers making terrible decisions, caught in road rage, accidents, and violations that somehow get tolerated by culture and circumstance. Years of driving and I never thought I would be one of them.

It was a Wednesday morning when I decided to drive south to meet colleagues for a project in Tagaytay. I was already carrying an aching heart, passing through my own version of Cornelia Street along the long stretch of the South Luzon Expressway.

Grief and memory sat beside me in the passenger seat. What was meant to be a coffee run, heavy with nostalgia, became something I wish I could undo.

While reversing out of my parking spot, my right leg twitched. In a flash, my rear bumper hit someone else’s car.

I know that sound. Anyone who drives knows it. I froze before my brain even caught up. My stomach dropped and my chest tightened. I sat there, eyes flicking between the screen, the side mirror, and the rearview mirror, trying to understand how this had happened.

What unsettled me most was the silence.

There were no warning beeps. No flashing icons and no alerts telling me to stop. The sensors that had trained me to trust them went quiet all at once. In that moment, there was no one else to blame. It was only me and a mistake I failed to prevent.

I was lucky. The people whose car I hit were around my parents’ age. They were kind and willing to settle things without turning the situation into something heavier than it already was.

Their brunch was interrupted by my carelessness, and that thought stayed with me longer than the dent itself.

The damage was minor. Their front bumper was dented and the radiator cover cracked. My car only carried scratches on the plastic stepper.

Still, my heart pounded harder than the situation seemed to warrant. The inconvenience stretched on for months through insurance and repairs, unfolding at the same time my life was already unraveling from heartbreak and forced transition into a new home.

It took me months to recover emotionally. I stopped driving the way I used to. Driving once gave me relief when my thoughts felt too loud. After that day, it only reminded me of how easily I failed to be present.

My mistake was allowing technology to take over a part of my responsibility.

I had grown comfortable believing that if something was behind me, my car would tell me. If danger was close, the system would sound the alarm.

Somewhere along the way, I let my awareness be filtered through cameras and sensors instead of relying fully on my own body and judgment. That comfort cost me time, money, and peace of mind.

We live in the most advanced era of driving the world has ever known. Cars can see farther than mirrors ever could. Brakes are designed to react faster than human reflexes. Our car’s systems warn us when we drift or speed up, and when something approaches from the side.

These features save lives, and I am deeply grateful for them. Still, assistance is not replacement.

Without realizing it, I behaved less like a driver and more like a supervisor watching a machine do the work. Even though I checked behind me, I failed to be more careful.

I relied on expecting a warning and trusted that the car would intervene before I had to.

When systems fail and sensors miss angles, there’s no safety net waiting for you.

There’s only the person behind the wheel.

I was lucky that day that I hit a car, and not a person. No one was walking behind me and no child crossed at the wrong moment.

The consequences were small enough for the world to forgive, though my conscience hasn’t fully done the same. I know how easily this could have been worse.

I should’ve done the simplest thing a driver can do. I should have turned my head and looked again. No matter how advanced a vehicle becomes, the most important safety system is still human attention.

Because when the warning never comes, you’re responsible for what happens next. And sometimes, it only takes one missed glance to remind you how fragile everything really is.

Related Topics:Driver Assist Technology specials

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.