<strong>Honda</strong> AND YOU: Owner’s StorySYNCHRONISEDDREAMS04 | with dreams
“He’s a bit colour blind,” says Grace Ong, PublicRelations Manager, about her hubby Francis Tan. “He painted a paneon our wooden gate a completely different shade of brown from whatwe wanted.”As always, Business Director Francis, 40, has <strong>the</strong> last word. “She’sjust exaggerating. It wasn’t so bad really, except that I had accidentallybought a teh tarik coloured paint instead of a ‘kopi’ shade.”“See? That’s why he needs to have me tag along everytime we buysomething,” counters Grace.Indeed, KL-ites Francis and Grace, who have been married for almostten years, enjoy ‘taking <strong>the</strong> mickey’ out of each o<strong>the</strong>r throughout <strong>the</strong>interview, as With DREAMS talks to <strong>the</strong>m about <strong>the</strong>ir life with <strong>the</strong>ir<strong>Honda</strong> cars. Francis drives a <strong>CR</strong>-V while Grace enjoys getting behind<strong>the</strong> wheel of her Civic.“I’m a really practical person and I enjoy <strong>the</strong> great outdoors,” saysFrancis, who goes on outstation fishing trips with his family and a fewfriends at least once every two or three months. He tells us that his<strong>CR</strong>-V is <strong>the</strong> perfect partner for his kind of lifestyle, which also includesmountain biking and nature walks. “I love its road handling, especiallywhen I take <strong>the</strong> smaller country roads,” he says, adding that amongo<strong>the</strong>rs, he especially enjoys playing Morissey, Depeche Mode and TheKillers over his car stereo to which he connects his iPod.“I prefer R&B and especially those 80’s tunes. It picks me up especiallywhen I have to put up with <strong>the</strong> daily traffic. It takes me about an hour toget home to Bandar Sri Damansara from my office in <strong>the</strong> city centre in<strong>the</strong> evenings, but <strong>the</strong> Civic makes it bearable. And I really love its look,especially from <strong>the</strong> front,” says Grace.They are joined at <strong>the</strong> photo shoot by young Ryan, <strong>the</strong>ir 18-monthold toddler who isn’t taking to <strong>the</strong> bright lights and strange facesaround him very well. But soon, after much cajoling and being givenhis favourite toy car and duck by <strong>the</strong> camera crew, Ryan manages tocalm down and have his photo taken.“Our priorities went topsy-turvy after Ryan came along, but once wegot used to it, it’s been a real joy,” says Grace. Most days she pickshim up from his Aunty Jean’s house in her Civic which is fitted with achild seat.“He’s just beginning to speak and I kid you not thatone of his favourite words is car,” she adds.The Tans spend most weekends at home, with Francis laying claimto being <strong>the</strong> master chef in <strong>the</strong> family. “I do a mean baked fish,” heannounces. “Yes, yes. The one where it came out steamed you mean,”laughs Grace. “But I must say I do enjoy his Pandan Leaf Chicken andCantonese noodles.” Francis beams as Grace goes on to explain tha<strong>the</strong>r husband is so proud of his kitchen exploits that he even takesphotos of his dishes. “So it’ll be easier to place my order next timewhen it’s her turn in <strong>the</strong> kitchen,” quips Francis.Though seemingly opposing characters, <strong>the</strong>y do share a lot incommon. “We both love to travel, especially overseas. In fact, we’replanning a trip to England with Ryan at <strong>the</strong> end of <strong>the</strong> year,” saysGrace. They both also enjoy a trip to <strong>the</strong> bowling lanes every nowand <strong>the</strong>n. “Of course I always win easily,” says Francis. Ano<strong>the</strong>r thing<strong>the</strong>y have in common is <strong>the</strong>ir love for <strong>Honda</strong> vehicles. “I used to owna City previously while Francis had an Accord. I guess it comes downto trust and familiarity. And we feel that way toward <strong>Honda</strong> cars,”explains Grace.“Of course, <strong>Honda</strong>’s advanced technology like <strong>the</strong> i-VTEC engine iscomparable with <strong>the</strong> best in <strong>the</strong> world but to us it’s things like safetyfeatures that are more important now with Ryan on-board,” saysFrancis. “Totally agreed,” says Grace. “Ah for once! See, <strong>the</strong>re’s hopefor her yet,” says Francis as he playfully nudges his wife and <strong>the</strong>yproceed to strike a pose for <strong>the</strong> next photo.Francis, Grace & baby ryan’s wardrobe is courtesy of GaP, styled by GraceKue. make-up and hair by shu Uemura and L’Oréal Professionnel, as styled byKenji Kim and su Zen (from miko hair studio & academy) respectively. <strong>the</strong>irstylish makeover is made possible by honda malaysia.Log on to www.honda.com.my/makeover today andstand a chance to share your own unique story as a <strong>Honda</strong> owner.You will also receive a professional makeover and photo shoot!with dreams | 05
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