The Luxury Car

Cruising down the highway after a tiring trip with my immediate circle in Subic, I noticed the signs saying 80 kph. I was the driver that time. I didn’t really expect my other companions to volunteer and sacrifice sleeping instead. So, being the responsible driver, I chose not to attract heat from the patrol and just simply follow what the sign said. Besides, the car didn’t really have the look of a law-breaker. We were riding my friend’s battered Isuzu Fuego pick-up truck, a vehicle adequate enough to perform to our needs.

As a good driver, I remembered the fundamental words I had learned from my mentors: to check out the mirrors as much as possible. Then, I suddenly noticed in the mirror that this silver piece of metal was swiftly approaching me. It’s a rule breaker! It must be going around double my speed. I grinned remembering the tales I heard that the cops are more active in catching speeding cars nowadays. I just hoped that they catch this one.

Before I knew it, the speedster was on my left side. Hearing its noise, one of my asleep friends was forced to wake, look and say, “shit pare!” Thus, I glanced as well and suddenly I felt my eyes bulge as well! What the hell?! I was so star struck in recognition of what I witnessed. It’s a Ferrari! A rare silver Ferrari F430 whose shimmer was trying to lure me out of the car. It’s a vehicle any hopeful automobile enthusiast like me will be willing to lick simply for satisfaction. My friends and I stared at it for a long while (or did its presence just make it long?). It also took a while until the “woahs” and the “wows” disappeared from us. After this experience my lust towards luxurious cars were upgraded.

The luxury car. Of course, who wouldn’t want to own one? The market offers several tempting brands such as the Benz, BMW, Audi etc. which for most of us are very present in dreams. Even if you are not so much into cars, you understand the value and prestige they offer with their name and their expected quality. I can’t wait for that day when I’ll be able to park my own Ferrari in my garage, if ever it still comes.

Then I ask myself, is there really such thing as a luxury car? After my philosophy got better, realizations between me and the real world just got better. I concluded, luxury cars do not exist (even though it was hard for me to proclaim this, I guess this is the truth). Why? Simply because, rationally speaking, every owned vehicle IS a luxury. Toyota is a luxury. Even the owner-type jeep is a luxury! I guess that simply owning any kind of vehicle is a luxury because owning a car in general already means going over what we really need.

Obviously, people need to move from point A to point B. If it’s not walking distance, we’ll need the help of a car. Basically, the need here is just transportation and that is why public transportation was invented. I could call this a second order form of need, probably staying in the same level as clothing and social life. I believe we can survive the present world without really considering of owning our own vehicle (not minding the picky).

I’m speaking in line with economics. There is no such thing as a luxury car, because every owned car is a luxury. Now this is what the rational person would say. Yet honestly, when it comes to cars, I become too irrational. This is where my own preferences and utils would come into play. If someone out there can understand me, luxury cars such as the BMW are better than the ones economically manufactured by Kia Motors. It’s always best to keep rational because you’ll be able to save a lot of money, but when it comes to things you love and desire, you’ll do anything to acquire it no matter what. These personal desires come with a force which pushes us to the limit. It enhances our ambitions which should encourage us to work harder. Thus, sociologically, if everyone has desires to make them work harder, thus, making them work harder, then good this means good news for our country’s economy. Ayos ba? Wahahaha.

So, I guess it’s not all good to be rational at all times. We need our liberal expressions and desires create ambitions for the better.

-Jon Gancayco

The Markati Palazzo Wing

As an avid shopper and admirer of fashion, I make it a point to visit various retail stores on a regular basis – whether to window shop or purchase an actual item. I am a true fan of shops such as Mango, Zara and Topshop which never fail to update styles and influence modern takes on classic looks.

However, I am still a student limited by my weekly allowance constraint. Recently, I felt the need to start saving up my money for future use. Realizing that each item I purchased from one of my favorite stores never fell below two thousand Pesos, I decided to challenge myself and see how well I could maximize my budget while continuing to satisfy the growth of my personal style.

I have actually long admired young Filipino designers that have gained popularity through various bazaars and exhibits. Sadly, these were very seasonal and those that are already established were quite pricey as well. Recently, one designer I had gotten to know quite well (from frequenting the Fort bazaars) told me about this new place at the Podium where she was planning to put up a shop. Once this new wing on the fourth level of the mall opened, I immediately checked it out. To my surprise and amazement, all my favorite bazaar labels were available with all the latest styles and with the comfort of a fitting room! Brands like Gaupo, Wisdom by Gail Angeles and V by Vanessa were all right next to one another.

There are many benefits that come with purchasing products from such stores. For one thing, you support the growing industry and the young Filipino talents behind it. In addition, clothing sizes and lengths can be customized to fit your preference. Prices are reasonable and come up to be just a fraction of a dress from an international retailer. Furthermore, it is highly unlikely that you can bump into another person wearing the exact same outfit since these designers produce only about five pieces of each design. Quality is surprisingly good as well. Truly, this to me is a perfect alternative or “substitute” to purchasing pricier dresses from bigger retailers. Wearing dresses from V, which average from

Php 800 to 1250, make me equally happy and allow me to explore a variety of takes on fashion, while making sure I stick to my budget. In this case, I am still able to shop while being able to putting away some money in the bank.

Shopping in the new Markati Palazzo Wing allows me to satisfy my desire for clothing and updating my looks, while sticking to what my allowance can afford. My happiness or “level of utility” (in more technical terms) remains constant, although the goods I purchase are now different. Everyone should check this place out for it isn’t just for the fashion forward. Indeed, this is a hub of new ideas and growing talent which speaks well of the Filipino and where we are headed.

- Karissa Herrera

Photos from http://leaflens.multiply.com & http://cinemapicadizo.multiply.com