If you’ve spent any time scrolling through automotive content online in the Philippines, there’s a high likelihood that you’ve come across Mark Averilla, or, as he’s better known on social media, Macoy Dubs. Known to many as a content creator who blends car culture with humor with a distinctly Filipino comedic flavor, Macoy currently has over 1.4 million followers on Facebook, a million on TikTok, and close to 300,000 on Instagram.
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What sets him apart from other popular content creators isn’t just his laugh-out-loud reels or the uncanny role-playing of everyday characters we all know, but his authenticity as a true car lover: Macoy lives and breathes automobiles. Whether he’s talking about the meticulous restoration of a ‘90s Honda Prelude or the raw excitement of owning a modern Civic Type R, his passion speaks louder than the punchlines.
PHOTO: Kieffer Carrascal
We already featured Macoy back in 2022 as part of the new breed of comedy royalty in the Philippines; this time, we sit down with him to talk about his journey as a motoring creator and the challenges he faced as a member of the LGBTQ community, navigating the often tight-knit, and sometimes skeptical world of local car culture. He also opens up about his philosophy in car collecting, his love affair with Hondas both classic and modern, and why emotional connection trumps specs sheets and hype.
Esquire Philippines: Let’s start with your bagong-bagong old car. Tell us the story behind your classic Honda Prelude.
Macoy Dubs: So, this is my 1993 Honda Prelude VTEC. This is our project car that we've built for almost eight months. Initially, I was looking for a Honda Integra Type R because I'm a fan of this car. I started to post on Facebook around September 2024. It's really hard to get a stock and fresh Integra, so when a friend named Auric Go commented that he has a friend who has a classic Honda Prelude, I said, "Wow, why not?" Because the Prelude is such an iconic car from the Gran Turismo 1 on the PlayStation and for me, it's a childhood dream car that came true.
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PHOTO: Kieffer Carrascal
On a scale of slight retouch to a major glow-up, how intense was the restoration?
It's really considered a major glow-up because the process of restoring the car was very intensive. The hardest part for us was the suspension bits because there were no suspension parts or even parts that's dedicated to the Prelude because it was never launched here in the Philippines. So, I would say it was a major glow-up and we really restored everything from the rims and, of course, by getting a surplus engine.
You decided to keep it stock? Or are you planning some mods to it?
Macoy: Initially, I wanted to keep it stock because I want to experience the car (in stock form) first for a year. It's just an OEM all the way. The car has been with me for almost three months already but now I want to change some parts. For modifications, it’s just slight. For example, right now, I'm waiting for a header and an exhaust system and some strut bars. But after that, I think I'm already good with the setup.
You also own the current model Honda Type R. What drew you to this particular model?
Initially, I wasn’t really keen to get a Type R. Because, number one, I don't know how to drive a manual. And number two, it's really quite expensive, right? But it was because of the Japan Mobility Show, when Honda invited us to be there to join the media contingent, that I saw the Type R at the headquarters of Honda Motors. I got in and it felt good. I said to myself, “I like this car.” And then when I came back to the Philippines, I called the bank and then I asked for a pre-approved loan.
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Kieffer Carrascal
What is it about Hondas, classic or modern, that resonates with you the most?
What resonates with me the most with the brand is the prowess in terms of engineering. And I believe the manufacturer is an engine builder. It's an engine company first and then it just trickled down to certain products like cars and motorcycles. For me, it's the engine. It's high revving, it's easy to maintain, and as long as you have the parts, you can do anything.
On car collecting and taste, are you more of a “preserve-the-classic-beauty” type of guy or “make-it-faster” type?
Macoy: I have a purist side to me. So as much as possible, I want to keep it classic and keep it original. But, of course, sometimes there are parts that are hard to find so you'll have to force yourself not to stick to the OE brand. But for me, as long as its form and function are still usable for daily driving or depending on how you will drive the car, I think it’s okay. But I still would like to keep it classic. The modifications should be period correct. For example, for the rims, it should be period correct. Example, since this is 1993, if I'm going to change the rims, it has to be in the 1990s range.
Kieffer Carrascal
What are the factors you look for when choosing a car to buy or restore? Is it performance, history, rarity, or emotional connection?
For me, the important aspect when it comes to collecting is emotional connection with the car. That’s why I bought the Honda Prelude. It's because it's my childhood dream car. And for me, the nameplate is underrated. Not everyone likes it, not everyone recognizes it. Because in the sea of Civics, Integras, NSX’s and S2000s, the Honda Prelude is the misunderstood kid. So, for me, when it comes to collecting, it's all about emotional connection but also rarity.
Do you have a special message to the people at Honda Cars Philippines?
I'm really hoping that Honda Cars Philippines will decide to bring the 6th generation Honda Prelude. It would be fitting, and it would be a dream come true to see both the fourth generation and also the upcoming sixth generation here. Then, I would be a proud owner of both old and a new Prelude. They’re 30 years apart when it comes to technology and innovation, and I want to experience the best of both worlds.
What's your criteria when you say, "Yes, I will buy that car?"
For me, it's more of the rarity. It's nice to have nameplates or models of cars that were never released in the Philippines. Maybe because you want that kind of exclusivity. Also, you want to have that sense of pride and joy that you own a certain piece of automotive history.
In the case of the Honda Prelude, it was never released in the Philippines. It was also never built as a performance coupe that carves the road or the track. It's really more of a grand tourer. And for me, for example, the FL5 Type R, the reason why I also decided to get one is because I believe that would be the last ICE-powered Type R. I have a feeling that this is the last one. If we won't get one now, when will ever we get one? And if we can, why wouldn’t we?
PHOTO: Kieffer Carrascal
What's your ultimate dream car, or your “holy grail,” so to speak?
If there could be only one, it would be the Porsche 911. For me, the Porsche 911, of course, we all know that it's the quintessential sports car. And I’d like to have one because it's all-in-one. You can daily it, it's comfortable, but you can also race it on the track. And if you want to be one with yourself and discover new roads, I think the Porsche 911 would be a great addition to the lineup.
How did you go from entertaining online to being part of the motoring scene?
It all started in 2021, when I started posting contents about my Honda Civic because, technically, that was my first car, the (older generation) Honda Civic FC. And then the PR person from Honda Cars Philippines reached out to me on Instagram and asked me if they could lend out models for review. It was also my first automotive event, the launch of the City Hatchback. So, I think the brand also trusted me in a way; they knew that I like cars. At the same time, they believed that I could review their cars nicely.
Eventually, Toyota also came in. And then so on and so forth. I just started attending events. And then I got lend-outs. And then, I also did YouTube reviews.
Kieffer Carrascal
Kieffer Carrascal
What's the most fun thing for you about being in the local car community?
The fun part of it is you'll be able to meet different kinds of car people. There are purists, there are some who are into modifications, there're also the “respect the build” type, and the ones that're “my car, my rules” type kind of people.
It's also the exchange of knowledge in the community. For example, you help each other to find parts. Of course, I like the sense of inclusivity for this community because I never felt discriminated being me.
Have you ever joined a track day or a motorsport event yourself?
Macoy: Yes, we were able to join the Toyota Gazoo Racing Philippine Cup back in 2023. We participated there as an autocross racer. And it's really fun, because who would have thought that Vios can be used for a race? That was a fun experience. But also, that day, Hyundai Philippines invited us to join the N media trip (in South Korea) where we drove the Ioniq 5 and the Elantra N.
PHOTO: Kieffer Carrascal
You mix your content with a lot of humor. How do you keep it fun and still maintain credibility?
For me, observation is very important when it comes to getting ideas; observation and nuances from other people. The characters that we createon social media, it's all because of inspiration from past experiences. So, for me, the authenticity part is there, because I experienced it firsthand. For example, I had this kind of boss, and this kind of auntie.
My experience as a car enthusiast, you also get inspiration from the ones who help you build cars.
What's the funniest thing you've ever heard at a car event?
Well, it's pretty common. "Can you get to Baguio with that car?" (laughs) That's what the questions are always like. I would tell them my car can take me to Baguio. It won’t overheat.
Kieffer Carrascal
Kieffer Carrascal
On a more serious note, being a member of the LGBT community, have you ever felt discriminated against within automotive circles?
To be quite honest, at first, I have. I would hear people say, "Why is he here?" or "Is he really into cars?" I also heard (people say that) “maybe he's just after clout.” At first, there was hindrance. It was a closed-door situation.
But along the way, I've learned how to adapt. And you will meet people who really understand you as a person. And I believe that (the LGBTQ) community is also interested in automotive and motorcycles. What's very important to me is inclusivity. Along the way, I felt welcomed. Especially when I went to car meets. (The discrimination), it's all gone now.
What’s your next car project?
Right now, I'm taking a break from building a project car again. But if there will be a budget again and, of course, time to build again, maybe I want a Toyota build. I would want a Celica because the Celica wasn't released here in the Philippines. It's also rare. So maybe if given a chance, I want to build a Celica GTS.
PHOTO: Kieffer Carrascal
How do you see yourself evolving in the motoring industry in the next few years?
I'm looking forward to be more active in the automotive scene. Also looking forward to build more relationships and make the relationships now even stronger. Eventually, I also want to drive rare cars in other countries. I want to get the chance to drive a wagon in (Germany’s) Autobahn or maybe a GTR R34 in Japan.
Any advice for young enthusiasts who want to get into classic car restoration or performance car ownership?
Macoy: For me, my advice would be that a project car is forever. It's there forever. That's why it's a project car. But at the end of the day, you need to have patience. And time. And the most important thing: budget! You need that.
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