From NY to ‘New Yaris’
Alex Esteban, 63, is a recently retired US-based Filipino. While he chose to retire in Manila, for three decades he served as a New York-based healthcare administrator, HR director, and compliance officer all rolled into one.
Alex is also a community leader in New York City and continues to serve as the president of a NY-based alumni association. In the Philippines, he serves as the treasurer of a university’s alumni foundation.
He keeps himself busy with medical missions—one of which took him to Antique in February—and entertaining US-based friends visiting the Philippines. A day before this interview, Alex mentioned he had been hosting friends from Jersey City.
High-pressure job
Alex described his former career as a “high-pressure job” where he managed 300 people and oversaw patient care. His responsibilities included addressing patient concerns and solving complex cases, such as fraud.
“That was my job. I enjoyed it, but it was time to retire,” Alex said. He paused a bit, then said with a laugh, “If you are a powerful person in the office, you do miss that sometimes.”
For 30 years, Alex drove every day from his home in New Jersey to New York and back in his trusted German cars. He noted that despite the volume of cars on the road even during rush hours, driving in the States didn’t feel stressful.
Driving three decades in NY
“I drove for 30 years from Jersey City to Queens, taking the Holland Tunnel every single morning. The traffic in the afternoon… it takes about an hour to get through, but you get used to it. Just like here, you sit in traffic and eventually, it just becomes part of the routine,” said Alex.
The Holland Tunnel, which opened in 1927 as the world’s first mechanically ventilated underwater vehicular tunnel, connects Lower Manhattan with Jersey City. It remains a critical, albeit congested, link in New York’s transportation infrastructure, known for its intense traffic patterns.
Last year, Alex moved to Manila with his partner of 9 years, Rod Pangesban, after selling their New Jersey home. Alex fondly described their exchange of vows as “the most fabulous LGBT wedding in NY/NJ,” attended by 12 pairs of godparents, most of whom were community leaders in the New York area.
Well-studied decisions
For someone like Alex, whose professional decisions once spelled the difference between life and death for patients, moving to Manila wasn’t a whim. He and Rod thoroughly researched every aspect of their retirement, particularly healthcare.
“If you are an expat returning to Manila, you have to consider health insurance. It is very expensive to be hospitalized here; it can drain your savings,” Alex explained. “Some HMOs offer coverage, but it’s a significant investment. We chose a UK-based HMO that costs $325 a month but provides $500,000 in annual coverage. My best friend is a doctor who handles all my wellness checks, so I’m well-covered. Many Filipinos abroad don’t realize this until they run into problems, and I always advise them to look into healthcare first.”
Yaris Cross HEV to the rescue
When Alex and Rod settled into their Ortigas condominium in February 2025, they quickly realized the limitations of relying solely on ride-hailing services.
“We were spending P16,000 to P18,000 a month on Grab. A round trip to Cavite or Tagaytay from Ortigas would cost around P5,000. It just wasn’t practical,” Alex said.
On April 10, 2026, they purchased a 2026 Toyota Yaris Cross 1.5 S HEV in Scarlet Red from Toyota North Edsa. They opted for a cash purchase.
When we spoke, Alex, Rod, and Rod’s nephew were on their way to Ilocos Sur to break in the new hybrid, which had just 140km on the odometer. While they had briefly considered the Toyota Raize, the Yaris Cross HEV won out due to the current oil crisis and rising fuel costs.
So far, the decision is paying off; their digital readout shows an impressive fuel consumption of 24.1 to 24.6 km per liter.
Longevity over hype
“I’ve owned German and Japanese brands in the States, but in the Philippines, I chose Toyota,” Alex said. “Aside from dependability, parts are readily available and more affordable than other premium brands. You can find Toyota parts anywhere, even in the provinces.”
Alex observed that many car buyers today are easily swayed by “hype” and make impulse purchases without considering long-term performance.
“They don’t think about how the vehicle will perform five years from now. Many new entrants lack a track record for longevity, whereas Toyota is proven. When it comes to hybrids, I trust Toyota. I didn’t want a pure electric vehicle because my condo lacks a charging station. I love that the Yaris Cross is self-charging; it charges while you drive.”
After years of owning white cars, the couple is enjoying their vibrant Scarlet Red crossover. With its suite of safety features—including a pre-collision system and adaptive cruise control—and a price tag of P1.610 million, the Yaris Cross HEV seems the perfect fit for their new chapter in the Philippines.
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