Get all those iron railing thieves! And the railings back!

There was this picture in The STAR last Monday showing a person who was apprehended in the act of stealing part of the iron railings of the Zamora Bridge in Old Sta. Mesa, Manila and I can almost hear hordes of people shouting in unison to the police, "It’s about time!"

If you’ll notice almost all of the overpasses in the metro have been stripped of their iron or steel railings to the detriment motorists’ safety. The railings are there to help mitigate accidents by preventing vehicles from falling over the overpasses and down to the street below and hitting other vehicles and people.

Take a look at that overpass coming from Ayala Avenue in Makati going into EDSA. I remember it was already bare of these railings just a few months after its completion. And it’s now a similar sight in the overpass from Fort Bonifacio going into EDSA. And all the thieveries are done right under the noses of the police — of course there are malicious minds that would rather say right under the "supervision".

Aside from this wanton or even "challenging" misdemeanor, what bothers me most is that the authorities (MMDA or DPWH or DOTC?) seem to be oblivious to this unsafe scenario developing or has developed — nothing has been done to restore these railings. I think a special budget should be set aside to maintain these infrastructures.

Or is there, but has it already been spent for something else rather than what it was meant to be in the first place? Isn’t that "technical malversation"? Again, what happened to the funds from the road user’s tax?

Just asking.

Toyota gifts the Philippines a Prius

The chairman of Toyota Motor Philippines (TMP), Dr. Georges S.K. Ty together with its president, Hiroshi Ito presented and turned over to no less than President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo one Prius Hybrid vehicle for the Philippine Government.

The momentous event was held during the opening of the 2nd World of Toyota Motor Show at Le Pavillion in Pasay City, which runs from September 22 to 28. The donation of the 2nd generation Prius was described as a testimony of TMP’s support to the government’s efforts in finding alternatives to increasing fuel prices in the country and in promoting awareness on eco-safe vehicles.

Powered by the Toyota Hybrid Synergy System II, the 2nd generation Prius is said to deliver a higher level of eco-friendliness and driving performance. Due to its environmental advantages the Prius has reportedly gained recognition and acceptance in the US, Europe and Japan as proven by its sales, which is more than any hybrid vehicles combined. It was first launched in 1977 in Japan while the second generation Prius was launched in 2003. The 2nd generation Prius has a new type of powertrain that combines the strong attributes of two kinds of power sources: the electric motors and the gas/petrol engine.

Toyota engineers say that although the Prius only has 1.51 liter engine, its acceleration and performance is comparable to a 2.01 gas/petrol engine car.

Aside from the Prius, the 2nd World of Toyota Motor Show also showcases the newest vehicles in its product line-up — the all new Camry, Hi Ace Super Grandia, Innova High-end V Grade and a sneak preview of the upcoming 7-seater Avanza. And to complete its display of its technological advancements, the motor show also placed on the spotlight the I-Unit concept vehicle, a form of personal mobility for the future. This futuristic vehicle was even gamely tried by the country’s Chief Executive during the well-attended opening ceremonies.

Mitsubishi Weekend at the Fort

From September 29 up to October 1 the Bonifacio Global City can very well be called the "Mitsubishi City" as Mitsubishi Motors Philippines launches the all-new Strada.

The 3-day motoring event shall have a showcase of all exciting Mitsubishi vehicles and test drives for the all-new Strada, Galant 240M, Grandis and Lancer 2.0GT.

You can also walk in with your old car (except for 2nd hand imports) and use it as a down payment and walk out with a brand new Mitsubishi vehicle of your choice.

Now for the band music lovers, talented bands shall rock the night away after each fun-filled day.

Top Mitsubishi Motors executives shall be there to welcome you — indeed a very busy weekend for our friends Mel Dizon, Froy Dytianquin and Arlan Reyes.

Aside from the delicious Chinese Food

The culinary offerings at the Little Asia restaurant in Greenhills were undisputedly great Chinese dishes. Delicious as they were, the food was really not the driving force behind the resolve of the motoring journalists who came that Friday evening — heavy traffic and lack of parking notwithstanding. We wanted to celebrate with the very friendly man who’s regarded as the driving force behind the "Bling" phenomena in the country — Sammy Liuson, the man responsible for the success of Wheel Gallery as it celebrated its fourth anniversary, last September 16.

Wheel Gallery, the country’s foremost authority in aftermarket wheels redefined the automotive lifestyle in the Philippines by making consistently available new models of Concept One, Twenty Inches Strong (TIS) and Dropstars brand line-up.

Dropstars and TIS wheels are renowned tend-setters in the aftermarket custom wheels market in both the U.S. and in Europe. Wheel Gallery is known to churn-out the best dressed SUVs and luxury automobiles owned by those who can afford to make a statement by letting their rides be equipped with large chrome wheels.

In welcoming his friends from the media, Sammy stressed in his casual speech, "In observance of our fourth anniversary, we are introducing newer models, from tuner seats down to "bling" wheels. It’s our commitment to provide the local market with the latest products from the US, Europe and Japan." The young, be-spectacled recognized leader of the "Aftermarket Mafia", as this group of young entrepreneurs focusing on automotive aftermarket products are fondly called, also added, "Whatever wheels being sold in the US, Europe and Japan are also available at the Wheel Gallery."

Happy anniversary to Wheel Gallery and congratulations to Sammy!

TV Viewers’ Advisory

If you’re one of the loyal viewers of Auto Focus, the weekly TV magazine exclusively dedicated to the automobile and the auto industry, you’ll have to make two adjustments starting next Thursday, October 5. First is you’ll have to set your dial on Solar Sports (Channel 34 for Sky & Home cable subscribers) and second is you’ll have to track us down at 11 o’clock in the evening, to allow many of our viewers enough time to get home to watch and enjoy the show.

While those who regularly watch Motoring Today, your long-time Sunday viewing habit (now on its 20th year of broadcast), it’s just a change in channel settings but still the same schedule of 4 o’clock in the afternoon, Sunday.

The program realignment is part of the big launch of the new BTV or the Basketball TV Channel of Solar Entertainment Network, where all the top ranked basketball games, lead by the NBA, shall be aired.

The announcement was marked with a big bash held last Monday at the New World Renaissance Hotel in Makati City attended by all the Solar Entertainment Network top executives lead by its chairman, William Tieng, president, Wilson Tieng and COO, Peter Chanliong and its major advertisers and big wigs of the advertising industry.

Congratulations to Solar Entertainment Network for a very successful launch of the BTV or Basketball TV Channel.

Motoring Tip of the Week

Putting on your signal light or making hand signals to make a turn do not give you the "right of way" or the right to make your turn.

When you put on your signal light or put out your arm to signal that you are to make a turn they only manifest or tell the other drivers that you intend to make a turn and to what direction — not the "right" to make the turn. You’ll still have to make sure that the way to the direction of where you want to go is clear and the other drivers have given way before you make your turn.

Happy Motoring!!!

For Comments: (e-mail) [email protected].