Life in motion: More than just the drive

For many fathers, a car is more than just a way to get from point A to point B. It is a trusted companion through life’s milestones, a source of pride earned through hard work, and often a place where some of the family’s most meaningful memories are made.

The greatest value of any car lies in the memories created inside it.

— Brian Ochoa

I understand this deeply because my own journey with cars began when I was just 15 years old.

The first car I took care of was a Hyundai Elantra (J2). I  spent countless hours learning about its quirks, maintaining it (which was kinda difficult at that time), and appreciating the freedom it represented.

That experience sparked a lifelong passion that would continue through every vehicle that followed.

But over the years, I realized that the real value of these vehicles was never measured by horsepower, technology, or price tags. Instead, it was measured by the experiences they made possible.

Bonding experiences

Cars have a unique way of bringing families together. Weekend drives across Cebu often become opportunities to disconnect from busy schedules and reconnect with one another. A simple trip to the mountains or beaches, a leisurely drive along the coast, or even an errand can turn into an afternoon filled with conversations that might never happen around the dining table.

As fathers, we naturally become teachers behind the wheel.

Teaching our children to drive is about far more than showing them how to shift gears or park properly. It is about passing on discipline, patience, responsibility, and respect for others on the road. Every driving lesson becomes a lesson in life itself.

With my own sons, those teaching moments have become some of our most treasured bonding experiences. We spend time discussing vehicle maintenance, understanding how engines work, and learning proper driving techniques.

What begins as a car chore often ends with stories, laughter, and sometimes even serious conversations about how taking care of cars relate with life.

These moments become even more valuable as children grow older. Teenagers naturally become busier with school, friends, and their own interests, making uninterrupted family time increasingly difficult to find.

Yet inside a car, everyone shares the same space and the same journey. Long drives through Cebu create opportunities to talk without distractions, reflect on life’s challenges, or simply enjoy each other’s company in comfortable silence (my youngest son’s favorite).

Creating special moments

My love for cars eventually became part of my profession when I became the motoring editor of CDN in 2007. The opportunity to test-drive newly launched vehicles and interact with dealers across Cebu allowed me to explore the automotive world from a different perspective.

But despite experiencing the latest innovations and technologies, I continue to believe that the greatest value of any car lies in the memories created inside it.

Perhaps that is why so many Cebuano fathers remain passionate about automobiles.

For some, the passion begins with restoring an old project car. For others, it grows from years spent maintaining a family vehicle or dreaming about owning one. Many enjoy discussing upgrades, fuel economy, detailing techniques, or the latest automotive trends.

But underneath all those conversations is something more personal—a desire to provide, protect, and create experiences for the people they love.

A family road trip to Bantayan Island, a spontaneous drive through the Transcentral Highway (TCH), or a simple Sunday cruise to Mactan Island often becomes more memorable than the destination itself.

The laughter (or tantrums) during traffic, the roadside food stops, and the playlists shared along the way stay with us long after the trip ends.

Cars may eventually be replaced, but the memories attached to them endure.

That is why, for many Cebuano fathers, the passion for cars never fades. It evolves beyond admiration for machines and becomes an appreciation for the journeys they make possible, the lessons they help teach, and the family bonds they quietly strengthen every time the wheels start spinning.

This article is part of Para Kang Papa, a special CDN Digital Brandroom series celebrating the fathers, mentors, leaders, and father figures whose values continue to shape lives, families, and communities across Cebu.

Para Kang Papa. Para sa mga tatay. Para sa mga tawo nga nahimong amahan, mentor, ug inspirasyon sa atong kinabuhi.