Fashion Frugal: Inside the Ford Fashion Challenge

MANILA, Philippines - There was a time in the younger years of my parents, when owning a car was a major status symbol. To a certain degree, it still is – but today’s economy has made it possible for more people to finally afford their own set of wheels. And in these last sales-record-breaking years, with a vast plethora of models to choose from, people have begun to become more finicky, putting larger premiums on elements such as design and usability for the product to best fit into their routines and individuality. I have even come across people who now describe their cars as extensions of themselves, and consequently, as an important part of their overall style. I guess the sense of fashion is truly inescapable for many of us.

But can I just say that, alongside that sense of fashion is the quintessential Filipino quest for the ultimate in value for money. You got it right – this fetish for scoring a ‘bargain’ extends into many-a-person’s mindset when shopping for anything under the sun, including their personal vehicles.

Now I’m no hardcore power-shopper; but I do like taking a challenge. So when Ford Philippines recently invited us to participate in a friendly game that would test our shopping prudence, I told them I was totally in. It was sufficiently challenging to me, as I am not a year-round shopper, to be honest; but I do recognize a bargain when I see one! And the given objective: to shop for a complete summer outfit (including shoes, mind you!) at Mall 168 in Divisoria.

But wait...there’s more! To up the ante, we were given a budget cap of a frugal P1,200, all-in! Does that not sound challenging enough? Well, remember – we had to drive to the wonderful world of Divisoria, too!

Our mode of transportation could not be more appropriate: Ready for us outside were units of the Ford Ecosport – waiting to be driven into the crazy streets of old Manila (and in the morning, on a weekday, is an adventure in itself).

As anyone who lives here knows, the drive going there was not a walk in the park. Our route traversed tight roads, amid the frequent flash mob of unruly motorists, over ill-maintained pavement. ‘This is exactly what Ford wanted us to experience,’ I told myself. We are testing their golden boy in the environment it was designed to thrive in!

Let’s do a quick review. The Ecosport is Ford’s clever bet in that blurred category between compact car and SUV. It’s subcompact-sized on the outside – so it’s a good size for our tight city streets – but surprises you with an alternate personality from the inside, because it’s got the spaciousness that mimics an SUV (705 liters of boot space, to be exact). It is generally oriented in such a way that you turn a little schizo because you almost believe that you’re in a crossover or small SUV, because you still get to enjoy that awesome high seating position that gives you a good command of the road (and a better estimate of your dimensions, for the occasional gitgitan), and a very useful ground clearance of 200mm.

In fact, 200mm makes a significant difference in your driving versatility – it can mean the option to go right over a rock, instead of circumventing it; it can also mean more confidence while driving amid roads that are just beginning to flood. And although I have not yet found myself in a situation where I could test it, Ford does claim that the Ecosport could wade through up to 550mm of water.

Combine that with Ford’s proprietary hands-free voice technology called SYNC, it gets one more problem off your back once the government starts reinstating its Anti Distracted Driving Act. (and hey – you’re not supposed to be staring at your cellphone while driving anyway)

So long story short, I fought my way through to Mall 168, Divisoria driving the Ecosport Trend – and even managed to find parking! The smart storage compartments were also convenient for stowing my paraphernalia on the fly – like the sunglass compartment overhead; and the sliding drawer under the front seat, for things I’d rather keep out of sight.

Ultimately, I made my rounds across the mall, and came up with my very own ensemble worth a whopping P750 total! (woot woot!) This included my summer dress (P250); my summer hat (P170); and open sandals (P330 – I couldn’t buy the cheaper models because my feet are sensitive; but this is still a good price) which you see me wearing beside the Ecosport in the photo.

Frankly, I did not expect my budget to go this far – but I guess if you look hard enough, you’re bound to find little surprises!