Driving has been the foundation of my relationship, ever since my girlfriend and I got together in 2018. I was a sophomore in college at the time, and I never really had a suave demeanor—I would just try especially hard to be the funny guy. Perhaps my only pickup line was, “Do you want a ride home?” And thankfully that—and a couple of jokes—was just what my girlfriend was looking for. Almost every day after school for the next few years, we would get into my 2009 Honda CR-V and I would drive her home.
We would talk nonstop on those drives along Katipunan Avenue. Conversations about our classes and our mutual friends eventually led to the ‘the conversation.’ Thankfully, after that talk, I wasn’t just dropping her off anymore—I met her family and, some time later, we drove to my house for her to meet mine.
Cut to seven years and countless drives later, it’s the week before Valentine’s Day and I hopped into a Ford Territory to pick her up. Over the years, our drives, while romantic, have not been not spared from the frustrations of traffic and rogue drivers. She has been with me through my best on-road behavior and worst fits of road rage. We drove to Tagaytay for an early Valentine’s Day lunch, enjoying clear roads and breezy weather.
We headed to Sinta upon the recommendation from our friends at Ford Philippines and Top Gear Philippines publisher Carlo Chungunco.
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While I was excited for the food, I was equally excited for the drive. The Territory has always piqued my interest, and my friends have always been curious about it. Ever since its arrival in 2020, it has spoken to drivers my age with its aesthetics. The current-generation Territory takes some executive style cues from Ford’s design language while maintaining some rugged impressions. Visually, it definitely punches above its price range.
It seems like drivers in their mid-twenties (myself included) are constantly looking for the best overall crossover, and the Territory has been a mainstay in those discussions. Upon sitting in the driver’s seat, I immediately understood why. It’s a premium feel, with a mix of wood and leather. Even my girlfriend noticed and then complimented the combination of materials across the dash.
Shortly after expressing her appreciation, she quickly fell asleep. I guess that means she found the ventilated front passenger seat cool and comfortable.
As she snoozed away, I enjoyed a comfortable cruise on a mostly empty expressway. The advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) were not intrusive, unlike other applications on the market today. My girlfriend eventually woke up, and the ADAS was able to promptly warn me of incoming vehicles as I was switching lanes, without halting our conversation.
When we arrived at Sinta, it felt like a motorist’s dream. A wide driveway led to a huge parking area. There is a sloped parking lane right outside the driveway, but head down a bit more and a big, flat parking space is your car’s resting area. Thankfully, we got to park right in front of the restaurant.
Sinta is a beautiful property that almost feels like an art gallery. We were greeted by a kind staff member who quickly offered us welcome drinks and a tour of the restaurant. The art around Sinta was thoughtfully curated with some pieces made especially for the place. It’s a celebration of Tagaytay and its storied heritage. The unobstructed view of Taal Lake feels like a dynamic art piece in its own way, with the clouds rushing over and around the volcano. And that was all before we sat down.
Carlo praised Sinta’s Caesar Salad, and that was the first thing we ordered. It was made tableside, and the waiter even offered a sample before serving us the entire bowl. The salad was light with the mustard carrying each flavor through.
However, my girlfriend and I both agreed that the Four Cheese appetizer was the tastiest item we ordered. Raclette, cambozola, gruyere, and brie were melted down and broiled on a single platter. We were given toasted bread to run through the various cheeses, and it was delicious. The potatoes and onions provided good flavors along with the bread, and we could not get enough of it.
We carried over our conversation from the Territory into the restaurant. We ended up staying at Sinta for over three hours wining and dining. That was also largely due to the thoughtful service from Sinta’s waiters. They kept a keen eye on our plates to properly stagger our dishes. Our table was never crowded, and our glasses were never empty.
After coffee and dessert, we made our way back to the car and checked the traffic for our drive home. Luckily, the roads were still relatively free, and the Territory still had three-quarters of its fuel tank full. We averaged about 11km/L from Quezon City to Tagaytay, which prompted us to take a side quest on our way home. We drove through Silang and stopped by the outlets to do some shopping. We picked up a few things and it all fit in the trunk with lots of space to spare.
Even with those extra kilometers, we arrived back in Manila with more than enough fuel to spare. We maintained that same fuel economy as well, which gives joy to a designated driver like me.
From start to finish, we had an immensely comfortable Valentine’s Day celebration. The car, the restaurant, and our luck with traffic really uplifted what my girlfriend and I are all about: drives and conversation.
