A 'must see' event

I thought of not doing a column this week because of the myriad things I needed to make sure were done and done right and those that I had to do myself as I get together the staging of the country’s biggest outdoor motor show.

But then I realized that I have the best people to work with and they are very capable of “putting the dots on the letters “I” and crossing the letters “t”, so why not? I’m writing this column at the Concert Grounds of the Mall of Asia, the wide expanse of its grounds where we are staging the motor show, and I’m watching the crew complete the giant jigsaw puzzle and put everything in place, quietly and efficiently, as we launch the motor show tonight, Nov. 4.

Later today, at 6 p.m., when all the exhibitors have pitched their tents and put all their vehicles in place for their grand display, there will be a little merrymaking, a lot of good cocktail food from our caterer Congo Grille (their menu is so varied and reasonably priced), drinks will be flowing, and our friends from PGA Cars will be sending a lechon in addition to the one we already have that’s courtesy of Foton Motors (both unsolicited, of course and so is the wine from Kia Motors — bless their kind and generous souls) for this big gathering of industry colleagues and media friends.

We will have a night of music from musician RJ, a one-man band who I heard play at my good friend, Lexus-Manila president, Danny “Sir John” Isla’s recent birthday celebration. RJ is visually challenged, but his talent at the keyboard is amazing, his repertoire spanning the decades between the sixties to present (as Sir John puts it, “from Elvis to Lady Gaga”), his sense of rhythm and timing simply impeccable, and his voice lively, cajoling everyone to sing with him or just enjoy his music. I’m pretty sure the guys will have a good time tonight. We may even squeeze in an “all-in” session, who knows? Nothing’s on the program, it’s an anything, everything goes kind of night.

The Auto Focus Motor Show and Auto Expo is the country’s biggest outdoor motor show, and this year’s event will not fail the public’s expectations, judging from the number of exhibitors who joined the 2010 fair. Virtually all the manufacturers and importers of vehicles will be at the MOA tonight, showing off all their latest models, some of them to be made available in early 2011 yet, but tantalizing the buying public to visually check them out, get their hands on the wheel and take them out for a quick spin around the spacious grounds. Yes, it’s a one-stop shop for the buying and viewing public, one big fair where the manufacturers and importers can show off their vehicles with pride.

I’d like to think that it is a two-way street of service, both to the automotive industry and to the motoring public. This biggest outdoor motor show allows a prospective buyer the chance to test drive his automobile of choice for a first-hand view of the automobile he is eyeing for himself or his family. All the possible choices will be on display, and the motoring public will not want for anything else. The tents will be fully and ably staffed to answer all your queries on the vehicle’s specifications. One does not have to make the rounds of several dealers across town just to narrow down your choices.

The automotive industry, on the other hand, will have a convenient venue to showcase their latest models, a one-stop shop where their hand-picked models will be on display to view and to test drive. In all of the motor shows we have launched (this is the sixth year, by the way) the car companies have reported multiple on-the-spot sales, not to mention the follow-up sales a week or two after. Serving both heads of the hydra in one fell swoop, what more can an organizer hope for?

 And to complete the package, BDO Auto Loan, now the leader in auto loans in the country because of their easy and liberal terms, will also pitch a tent with a comfortable lounge to accommodate the motoring public’s need for auto loan assistance during the four-day fair. Not to mention special interest rates for those who will purchase their vehicles thorough the motor show. Check out their terms and their very friendly staff.

The 2010 Auto Focus Motor Show and Auto Expo is on-going as you read this and will run up to tomorrow, Sunday, Nov. 7 at the SM Mall of Asia’s Concert Grounds. Bring the wife and kids for a day’s treat at the fair and later, at the mall. The choice of SM Mall of Asia as this year’s venue was hailed by virtually all the exhibitors as a great one because the mall offers other options for the public after the motor show. Going to the expo can indeed be a great weekend treat for the family. See you there.

Mabuhay!!! Be proud to be a Filipino.