If there’s one investment Max Collins is proud of these days, it’s her decision to switch to a hybrid car.
The actress opened up about this in an exclusive interview with PEP.ph (Philippine Entertainment Portal) on Tuesday, May 19, 2026, during Bvlgari Philippines’ grand launch for Marian Rivera as its newest “Friend of the House,” held at the Grand Hyatt Manila in Bonifacio Global City.
Read: Marian Rivera honored as Bulgari’s newest ‘Friend of the House’
According to Max, practicality played a huge role in her decision, especially amid rising everyday expenses. One of the biggest advantages, she said, is how much she has been saving on fuel.
She told PEP.ph, "It's really about saving money now kasi lahat tayo nagtitipid, di ba?"
Timing also worked in her favor, as she switched to a hybrid vehicle just before fuel prices surged locally due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
Max said, "I'm actually very lucky that it was right before tumaas yung gas prices, so I'm comfortable with my hybrid car."
Asked about the pros and cons of driving a hybrid vehicle, the actress highlighted the savings, smooth driving experience, and comfort it offers.
She said, "A lot of pros because, I've been saving a lot on gas, and then, you know, I have also the option to go electric.
"It's very smooth, like, the BYD. And I'm not an endorser, I'm just saying... It's very comfortable."
While she did not disclose the specific hybrid model she currently owns, Max revealed that she was able to test drive the BYD Sealion 5 DM-i, a plug-in hybrid subcompact SUV.
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Another major factor that influenced her decision is the coding exemption granted to hybrid and electric vehicles.
This non-fiscal incentive is part of Republic Act No. 11697, or the Electric Vehicle Industry Development Act (EVIDA), which classifies qualifying hybrids as electric vehicles to encourage the shift to cleaner energy.
Max shared: "If you have a hybrid car... or an electric car, then you're exempt from coding.
"And that's a big thing because di ba, like, a lot of us need to, you know, makikagamit ng car, makiki-ride or, you know, get another car, which is not practical, especially nowadays.
"So I think that's a big plus as well. So yeah, that's something that I considered when getting a car."
As for the downsides, Max admitted she has yet to find any major drawbacks so far, aside from adjusting to the vehicle’s more technical features.
"The cons, I have not found the cons yet. I'm not so techy, so I'm still, like, figuring some things out with the car.
"But I don't really think of that as a con. I think it's just, like, my age, you know? Yun yun."
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