Words by Leslie Sy
Traffic jams are a daily reality for anyone who drives around Metro Manila. Day or night. And it only gets worse even if it rains ever so slightly. With today's technology and internet connectivity, there should be some way of knowing which roads are free and which ones are to avoid altogether in real time, right?
There are those like MMDA's Traffic Navigator that does well to inform its users of the traffic condition on major roads in the Metro. But what about the thousands of kilometers that are not covered by the MMDA's system? Fortunately there is a solution and it's an app called Waze - available for both iOS and Android devices. Best part is, it's free.
Published in
Features
Words by Leslie Sy
Metro Manila's traffic congestion has been a problem for everyone in the region for at least the last two or three decades. The major highways that connect its 16 cities turn into parking lots as vehicles come to a virtual standstill during the morning and evening rush hours. In a bid to help alleviate this problem, President Benigno Aquino III proposed in late 2010 a driverless, fully-automated guideway transit system simply known as the Automated Guideway Transit (AGT) to improve public transport and hopefully, lessen cars on the road. But is it really the answer to Metro Manila's traffic problem?
Published in
Editorials
05 April 2013
Mitsubishi Mirage and Mazda BT-50 newly-crowned 2012 - 2013 Car and Truck of the Year Philippines
After the long search, the 2012 - 2013 Car of the Year Philippines (COTY-P) has finally been revealed last April 4, 2013 at the 9th Manila International Auto Show (MIAS) held at the Philippine Trade and Training Center (PTTC). Following the footsteps of last year’s winner, the Hyundai Elantra - of which we see many of on the streets - this year’s champ is none other than the all-new Mitsubishi Mirage GLS MT.
Published in
Car of the Year
Words by Christopher Kho | Photos by Mikko David
As some of you might already know, one aspect used to determine a new Car of the Year Philippines (COTY-P) are the results gathered from the Technical Test performed at the Clark International Speedway (CIS). And for the 2012 - 2013 edition, all 80 nominees had to subjected to acceleration (0 to 100 km/h), braking (100 to 0 km/h), and handling (slalom) tests.
Although the Technical Tests have been performed every year since the award-giving body was formed, this is the very first time we could remember that the Car Awards Group Inc. (CAGI) published the official performance results for public viewing. Not only will this help in guiding consumers choose which car to buy, but it will finally put to rest claims of which one's the fastest.
Published in
Car of the Year
Words by Christopher Kho | Photos by Mikko David
After spending nine days for Qualitative Tests at ETON Centris, Quezon City and another four days for Technical Tests at the Clark International Speedway (CIS), it all comes down to this. On the eve of April 4, 2013 at the Manila International Auto Show (MIAS), there will be a newly-crowed Car of the Year Philippines (COTY-P) for 2012 - 2013. But before last year's COTY - the Hyundai Elantra - hands over its throne, the Car Awards Group Inc. (CAGI) has published this year's final nominees.
The list includes 80 vehicles competing in 20 Categories, plus the coveted Car of the Year Philippines title. But new for this year is a Truck of the Year Philippines (TOTY-P) award that separately recognizes the bigger cars in the bunch.
Published in
Car of the Year
Words and photos by Christopher Kho
I think I've been in the motoring industry long enough to know that Hondas are supposed to be fun, feisty, but frugal. Don't you agree? But for some reason, they focused on the last trait so much in the past few years, they've forgotten the first two. Then there was the Japan tsunami and Thailand floods in 2011 that practically froze their supply line, leaving them with no cars to sell for a good few months. I guess that finally woke them up and made them rethink their strategy.
So to celebrate the new Honda, its local distributor - Honda Cars Philippines Inc. (HCPI) - invited us to a road trip up north to show that they're fun again. (We all know that Hondas are aggressive; it just depends on how hard you step on the gas pedal.)
Published in
Road Trip
Although the 2012 - 2013 Car of the Year Philippines (COTY-P) isn't quite over yet, the Car Awards Group Inc. (CAGI) had to elect a new set of officers once again for the upcoming 2013 - 2014 season. And after the votes were tallied, Kotse.com's very own Editorial Director, Ferman Lao, and Editor-in-Chief, Christopher Kho, reassumes their position as CAGI President and Corporate Secretary, respectively.
Likewise, Bam Olivares from the Daily Tribune was re-elected as VP - Internal Affairs as well as Bess Zamora from AQ Magazine who retains her position as Treasurer. There is, however, a newcomer to the group. Mikko David from Top Gear Philippines effectively replaces Andy Sevilla as VP - External Affairs.
Published in
Car of the Year
01 February 2013
Car of the Year 2012 - 2013 Day 9: The Last Hurrah
Words by Jade Lu | Photos by Hans Gerald Chua
Last Saturday, January 26, 2013, was the final day of the qualitative testing for the 2012 - 2013 Car of the Year Philippines (COTY-P). It was a day for big brutes once again, as Hyundai sent the Santa Fe R-2.2 GLS 6AT 2WD and Premium 4WD, which were matched by Toyota’s Fortuner 4x2 G DSL AT and Hilux 4x2 G MT and Mazda’s CX-5 and BT-50. The Honda CR-V made its reprise with the 2.0 S and 2.4 SX variant, this time made in Thailand with local specs (Honda sent the Japan-made CR-V last time).
It was the fitting ending for this chapter. The cars weren’t too exciting to leave us done and fulfilled at the end of the day; they were mellowed down to leave us wanting more. Of course, “more” would come to us during the technical testing at the Clark International Speedway on February 25 to 27, when the cars will once again converge for the acceleration, braking, and handling tests. But until that comes, we were satisfied enough with the cars we’ve driven to keep us at ease until the end of February. Hopefully, the sky will stay clear of rain clouds and strong winds until then.
With that last hurrah, here are some final words from our writers about the cars of Day 9:
Published in
Car of the Year
