And who says this column’s main concern is to be an MMDA basher?
I just call it as I see it and the MMDA’s continuing sidewalk clearing operations, as I see it, are doing the metro citizens and passers through a great service.
Many of our countrymen have shielded themselves from the law and what it dictates behind the overused excuse, “for the sake of making a living.”
We would often hear people who are caught breaking the law saying, “Naghahanap buhay lang kami. Mas gusto nyo ba na magnakaw kami?” (We are just trying to make a living. Would you rather that we steal?)
This is tantamount to making a dare for the authorities to make a choice between two misdeeds. Many rationalize by claiming to do a lesser evil.
We commend the leadership of the MMDA, Chairman Bayani Fernando, for the relentless pursuit of their admirable goal of clearing the metro’s sidewalks so that they can be used by their rightful owners – the pedestrians.
Go for it, Mr. Chairman! I’ll be behind you in this distinguished undertaking all the way.
Unique concept for Lexus Flagship Dealership
The ceremonial ground-breaking has been held – the die is cast. After a few years of speculation and loose talk, Toyota Motor Philippines (TMP) finally officially announced the commencement of their preparations for the formal entry of the Lexus brand in the country’s luxury automobile market last Saturday, December 15.
Select invited members of the motoring media donned their suits and formal wear, despite being a middle of the day event (thank God it’s a cool December affair) to witness the ground braking ceremony for the Lexus Flagship Dealer facility that’ll rise in a 4,500 square meter lot in the Global City – the first locator in the North Bonifacio development plan. It is bruited that its new Design Concept of quality, exclusivity and warmth with the use of natural materials, is the first in Toyota’s history and the first in Asia for Lexus, entirely different from Lexus concepts in the US, Japan and even the most recently launched Lexus dealership in Thailand.
TMP First Vice President for Marketing, Daniel Isla guided us through the scale model of what would be a modern and ultra luxurious 3-level dealership facility, which will have 10,500 square meters of floor area that’s projected to be one of the best-designed vehicle showrooms in the country. “Sir John”, as close friends would fondly call this top-caliber marketing executive in the local auto industry, pointed out, “It is envisioned that with a “forest-like” central area, people inside wherever they may be would always have a generous sight of greenery making it indeed a uniquely designed overall architecture.”
In one of my rare “on cam” TV interviews with Alfred Ty (to be shown on the TV programs Motoring Today & Auto Focus), the boyish-looking TMP Vice Chairman said, “Aside from making sure that everything is in place for the grand entry of Toyota’s top-of-the-line brand, we also feel that the current rosy economic scenario that the country is presently enjoying would be sustained in the coming years and the presence of Lexus in the Philippines would help further spur growth in the automotive industry.”
As a backgrounder, Lexus made it debut in 1989 with the LS400 premium luxury sedan. Within a few years, in 1993 to be precise, it became the top-selling luxury import brand in the US and this distinction Lexus has kept to this day. With 11 models in its luxurious line, Lexus is currently being distributed in 57 countries in 7 regions crossing Europe, the Middle East, Asia, Oceania and Africa with some of the latest countries in the list include China, Malaysia and earlier this year Indonesia.
Several top government luminaries that came to be a part of this milestone in the history of Toyota Motor Philippines include the local government head of Taguig City, Mayor Fred Tinga, Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita, DTI Secretary Peter Favila, DOTC Secretary Leandro Mendoza and BCDA head Gen. Narciso Abaya. There was also Japanese Ambassador to the Philippines, His Excellency Makoto Katsura, Mr. Antonio Abacan, Chairman of Metro Bank and of course, Dr. George S.K. Ty, Group Chairman, Metrobank Group of Companies, Chairman, Toyota Motor Philippines.
The construction of the facility will start next year, in time for the formal brand introduction targeted on the fourth quarter of 2008.
Congratulations to Toyota Motor Philippines!
PGA Cars/Coyiuto Group of Companies gives back
Unknown to many, PGA Cars, the sole importer and distributor of Porsche cars in the Philippines, has long always been supportive of industrious, resourceful and promising marginalized youth and has had the Scholarship & Apprenticeship program with Don Bosco Technical Institute (DBTI) since years back.
“When Robert broached the idea of expanding this program into Porsche’s training and recruitment mainstream, I immediately agreed and that’s why we are all here now,” said Porsche Managing Director for Asia Pacific, Christer Ekberg during the TV “on cam” interview I had with the very animated German executive during the event launching the Porsche Training and Recruitment Centre Asia held over lunch at PGA Cars in EDSA last Wednesday, December 12.
The creation of the Porsche Training & Recruitment Center Asia, the first and only Porsche training and recruitment facility outside Germany, is a salute to the skilled and hardworking Filipino worker who is easily able to adapt to learning the English language and to foreign cultures.
According to Don Bosco’s Salesian Bro. Elmer Rodriguez, “DBTI’s Out-of-School-Youth Program has long been reaching out to financially challenged but discerning youth by offering vocational skills training with courses that include automotive mechanics, machine shop operation, computer engineering and basic electronics”.
Around 15 selected youth will form the first batch of trainees of the Porsche Training & Recruitment Centre Asia who may find themselves working in the local automotive industry or be deployed to work as Porsche-certified mechanics to Porsche’s worldwide dealership network a rare chance to secure an outstanding future for themselves and their families.
“This new breed of Porsche technicians is a source of pride not only for PGA Cars but also for the country,” PGA Cars Chairman Robert Coyiuto, Jr said. “Helping tap these talented but financially challenged young people for a better future is our own little way of giving back to society, the support that our countrymen has given to our products and services,” the business tycoon who’s also very active in the country’s securities exchange added.
We gathered further that 30 students shall be trained annually and they will be able to obtain not just technical training but also access to the Porsche information network, which is exclusive to Porsche partners.
Those who are interested to learn more about this program may just visit the Don Bosco Technical Institute in Makati and look for Bro. Elmer for more details.
Congratulations to brothers Robert and Mike Coyiuto for this very laudable and worthy endeavor.
Motoring Tip of the Week
People get maimed or die in the streets because of irresponsible and mindless drivers who only think of themselves having fun drinking to their hearts delight to the point of being drunk and then getting themselves behind the wheel and drive.
When you’re drunk your eyesight gets blurry, your judgment impaired and you are not in the right and sage physical and mental state to drive – so don’t!
These are days of merriment and parties and drinking. I’m not here to pontificate on the dangers of drinking. I’m not going to say don’t drink. You can drink yourself to whatever state you’d be happy to be but just don’t touch that steering wheel!
Be merry, be happy and drink to your contentment during the holiday season, but don’t spoil it for you or the others.
Just don’t drive when you drink. It’s that simple.
Happy Motoring and Merry Christmas to all!!!
For Comments: (E-Mail) motoringtoday-star@stv.com.ph.