When the opportunity for a long weekend presents itself, you take it as a break from your busy work week. It's a great time to go on a road trip or catch up with friends. That’s precisely what I did with my recent Hyundai Stargazer test unit on loan. It was the perfect opportunity to test if the South Korean 7-seater had what it took to be the ultimate “barkada” mobile and if it had what it took to be a proper multi-purpose vehicle. The road trip we would embark on would start in Quezon City and

The Toyota Yaris Cross is set to launch on August 4, 2023, with Toyota Motor Philippines already releasing teaser images and car spotters “spotting” a convoy of the crossover in various locations. Toyota has also released an essential list of specifications on its official website to give curious buyers a general idea of what to expect before the official launch of the Yaris Cross in BGC. Here are a few things we noticed with the “spotted” photos of the Toyota Yaris Cross from Joaquin's Photogra

Can you imagine a day without using your smartphone? I find the mere prospect absolutely tantalizing – no social media, no emails, no instant messaging. It will feel like 1998 all over again! But the stress that we get from our smartphones is actually a consequence of how immensely capable mobile technology has become. Instead of having to carry a cellphone, a camera and a laptop for work (as we did in the olden days), the smartphone has integrated all essential functions into one handy unit. An

For many, Metro Manila’s increasing pace to "Carmageddon hell" means that relocating or moving permanently outside the capital is proving to be a better and much more refreshing solution. That can mean settling in an urban center, not within Metro Manila, and retaining your work orientation there. That can also mean putting up your own farm and being self-sustainable by growing the food needed for personal consumption. The latter option has been a go-to choice for many an urbanite. And putting u

The 2023 Toyota Wigo is a reasonably new hatchback to the segment; its seen launches across the ASEAN region, with each new version bringing something new. We have the likes of the Toyota Agya, a more basic version of the hatchback with more power, and the Perodua Axia, which retains its old 1.0-liter gasoline engine but is upgraded with better safety and more technology. While the new Toyota hatchback is a compelling vehicle, it is still unavailable in the Philippines. However, based on its spe

Electrification is the future and Toyota is well aware of that. The Japanese manufacturer is reportedly planning to electrify the next-generation Toyota Vios, codenamed D92A. A recent report from Philippines media AutoIndustriya mentioned that Toyota has plans to fit the Daihatsu-developed e:Smart Hybrid powertrain into the next-generation Toyota Vios, as well as the equally-new Toyota Avanza. Why Daihatsu’s e:Smart Hybrid and not Toyota’s THS? The next-gen Toyota Vios will adopt the simpler, le