As an electric vehicle critic, I have always believed that the most interesting EVs are not necessarily the most expensive or the fastest. Sometimes, the cars that matter most are the ones that solve ordinary family problems better than conventional vehicles. That is exactly why the VinFast VF MPV 7 caught my attention. The VF MPV 7 is a fully electric seven-seater designed primarily for family transportation. More importantly for Filipino buyers, VinFast has positioned it at a price that puts it directly into the conversation with mainstream gasoline-powered MPVs. The Philippine market is particularly interesting for this type of vehicle because MPVs are already popular with families, businesses, and ride-oriented owners. After examining its specifications, pricing, ownership package, efficiency, practicality, and design, I see the VF MPV 7 as one of the more interesting affordable electric family vehicles currently available in the Philippines. It is not perfect, and because it is st...

As an electric auto critic, I have always been interested in vehicles that try to bridge the gap between traditional gasoline motoring and the rapidly changing world of electrification. The BYD eMAX 9 DM-i is particularly interesting because it does not attempt to be a conventional electric vehicle. Instead, it takes the plug-in hybrid approach and combines electric driving with a gasoline-powered generator, giving buyers the quietness and efficiency of an EV while retaining the long-distance flexibility of a conventional powertrain. In the Philippines, I think this formula makes a lot of sense. Charging infrastructure is improving, but long-distance family travel still demands flexibility. The eMAX 9 DM-i is designed precisely around that reality: seven seats, luxury-car comfort, substantial electric range for daily driving, and a gasoline-assisted system for longer journeys. As of July 28, 2026, the official Philippine price list places the BYD eMAX 9 DM-i Advanced at ₱2,778,000 and ...

As a history researcher and student of Philippine numismatics, I consider the 1904 5-centavo Philippine proof coin one of the most fascinating small-denomination coins from the early American period in Philippine history. At first glance, it may look like an ordinary old copper-nickel coin, but its history, limited proof mintage, design, and connection to the establishment of the American Philippine monetary system make it considerably more interesting to collectors. The 1904 five centavos belongs to the first generation of United States Philippine coinage, produced during the period when the Philippines was under American administration. What makes the proof version especially important is that only 1,355 proof sets were struck at the Philadelphia Mint in 1904, making the proof issue dramatically scarcer than the regular circulation version. In this article, I will examine the history of the 1904 5-centavo proof, its design, specifications, production, rarity, authentication, grading,...

As a car critic, I have always found the Tesla Model Y fascinating because it sits at the intersection of practicality, technology, performance, and mass-market electric mobility. The original Model Y became one of the world's most recognizable electric SUVs, but Tesla has now taken the formula in a more family-oriented direction with the Tesla Model Y L. The “L” stands for Long, and that is the fundamental idea behind this vehicle. Tesla has stretched the Model Y, added a third row, introduced a six-seat configuration, improved rear-seat comfort, and given the vehicle more space without turning it into a traditional oversized SUV. For families who want an electric vehicle with genuine passenger capacity, the Model Y L is arguably one of Tesla's most interesting products yet. I have looked at its pricing, specifications, design, practicality, performance, technology, comfort, and reliability, and my conclusion is straightforward: the Tesla Model Y L is much more than a longer M...

As a history researcher and student of Philippine numismatics, I have always been fascinated by the way a small piece of metal can preserve an enormous chapter of a nation's past. Among the many coins connected with Philippine history, few have captured my attention as much as the 1907 Philippine Proof 1 Peso coin. It is not simply an old silver peso. It is an extraordinary numismatic rarity, with only two known examples documented by major numismatic references. One is preserved in the collection of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Money Museum, while the other is reportedly the only example known to remain in private hands. What makes this coin even more remarkable is the reported valuation associated with the privately owned specimen. A figure of approximately US$960,000 has been cited as an assumed or potential value for this extraordinary rarity. I emphasize the word assumed because this figure should not automatically be interpreted as a confirmed public auction sale. In...