KarlTzy, A Sports Car, and Getting Honked At

There are many things KarlTzy has defeated in his life—junglers, pressure, entire teams on the biggest stage. But nothing, and I mean nothing, prepared him for his greatest opponent yet:

The gate of his subdivision.

“Takot na takot akong lumabas,” he admitted, recalling his first week as a driver. 

“Noong una, one week akong nagda-drive sa loob ng subdivision. Tapos takot na takot akong lumabas noon sa gate ng subdivision kasi kinakabahan ako sa mga bubusina sa akin!” KarlTzy told ALL-STAR. 

“Pero sabi nila lakasan ko lang daw ang loob ko, kaya tinapangan ko lang.”

Patch Notes: How KarlTzy Became a Car Guy

Once upon a time, KarlTzy did not care about cars. Zero interest. No horsepower dreams. No late-night “top 10 affordable sports cars” rabbit holes.

Then came the M7 World Championship—and, apparently, the algorithm in Indonesia decided it was time to show him some beasts. 

“Noong nasa M7 World Championship kami, sobrang daming lumalabas sa newsfeed ko na kotse,” he said.

That’s how it starts. One scroll. One reel. Next thing you know, you’re emotionally invested in machines you cannot yet drive.

“Nakuha yung loob ko ng magagandang kotse. Sabi ko, bibili rin ako niyan pag-uwi ko sa Pilipinas.”

A completely normal, financially responsible response.

“Iyon na lang ang wala ako para makalabas ako on my own,” said KarlTzy. 

The Google Search That Changed Everything

When the time came, KarlTzy did what any self-respecting modern adult would do before making a major purchase:

He Googled it.

“Tumingin ako sa Google, sa TikTok ng mga affordable sports car.”

And thus, he landed on the Toyota GR 86—a car that looks like it wants to go 200 kph even when parked.

For context, the GR 86 is a proper driver’s car: low stance, rear-wheel drive, and a 2.4L boxer engine that says, “Let’s have fun,” while Philippine traffic says, “Absolutely not.”

It’s the kind of car you buy when you want to feel something.

What KarlTzy felt, initially, was… normal.

“Normal lang po.”

GOAT behavior.

Driving School, But Make It Esports

Every hero needs a mentor. In KarlTzy’s case, his driving teacher was Coach Arsy.

Yes. His esports coach taught him how to drive.

“Yung unang dina-drive ko, yung van ni Ate Mitch… si Coach Arsy nagtuturo.”

On breaks or after scrims, KarlTzy would drive the van around their village in BF Homes, Paranaque. 

“Yung mga basics lang… tapos matututunan ko na lang daw along the way.”

Which is honestly the most Filipino driving curriculum ever.

Speedrun? Not Today

You would think a guy driving a sports car would immediately test its limits.

Nope.

“125 kph pa lang po… hindi ko pa sinasagad kasi bawal po!”

Law-abiding king.

And when asked if he’s interested in racing?

“Ayaw ko po mag racing, hahaha.”

The car: built for the track.
The driver: built for MOA parking lots.

KarlTzy vs. The Kamote Multiverse

Every driver eventually develops enemies.

For KarlTzy, it’s the usual suspects. His pet peeves on the road: 

“Yung mga kamote po… pati yung mga biglaang sumusulpot.”

But he’s also wary of another thing.

Jeepneys.

“Minsan gumigitna… hindi ko alam saan sila lilinya kasi nasa gitna talaga sila.”

This is less a complaint and more a philosophical observation.

Where do they belong? The answer is yes.

Final Boss: Confidence

The Toyota GR 86 is just the skin. The real game is confidence.

And right now, KarlTzy is grinding.

Carefully. Occasionally getting honked at.

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