Historic Saturday

Even rally icon and Automobile Association of the Philippines (AAP) Motor Sports Chairman Mandy Eduque couldn’t agree more – the 2010 STV Auto Rally Corporate Rally was indeed a milestone in the history of Philippine motor sports with such a record starting grid of sixty-three automobiles. An across-the-board representation of the Philippine automotive industry was flagged off at the parking lot of the Ortigas Home Depot at a little after seven o’clock early morning of Saturday, March 6 for a transport stage to Subic passing through the NLEX and SCTEX all within legal speeds (part of the rules of the motor sport discipline). The spectacular sight was again repeated at the Pocholo Ramirez Subic International Raceway right after lunch for the 2nd half of the competition, which started with a “special stage” that allowed the participants the feel of driving around the country’s premier racetrack at a slightly faster pace.

Mandy, who was the guest of honor and keynote speaker of the flag off ceremony, was calculating the total amount of vehicles participating in the revival of the “sampaguita rally”. With the Porsche Panamera having the highest price tag at 12M among the similarly high-end automobiles like the Mercedes-Benzes and the BMWs and evened out by the presence of some remarkable mid-end and entry-level models, the whole lot could very well average at around 2.5M – for a total of about 155M worth of automobiles together in one venue and ready to go on the road all together – what a sight!

This is actually my second attempt to revive the “on time – all the time” event that has been known from its glory days in the 60s as the “sampaguita rally”. The first, which was run by Jun Espino was a very successful staging of the auto rallye that snaked through Tagaytay City and parts of Cavite and Batangas. The second one (not run by Jun), which was in Subic was a disaster in terms of handling. Having so many enthusiasts and friends who participated, they just let it go and just encouraged me to have another one. It took me about five years from the last time to recover my wits and guts to try for another revival. My driving force is the knowledge that there are many motor sports buffs like myself who just don’t have the inclination to spend so much for a motor sports discipline like racing, in which depleting expenses for modification and maintenance can cost an arm and a leg. While in this kind of event you can use your everyday automobile and be assured that you’ll be competing in normal roads and streets and only within legal speeds. I say this with all due respect to all racing enthusiasts including my friend and mentor, the late Pocholo Ramirez, who can really go all out just to race and excel. And to my surprise, there were quite a number of speed buffs who joined the rallye last Saturday.

Judging by the demeanor of the guys who participated and as I ventured to talk to most of them after the rallye to find out their thoughts – they were swearing that they had quite a day of fun and they’re looking forward to the next one. Although there were visible signs of birth pains that usually come with a revival of a long before event, I would trust the capabilities of Georges Ramirez, (son of the late Pocholo Ramirez, who was part of the event’s “glory days” and a known consistent winner) and his group, which include Mikko David and Nikko Mapa, son of another “sampaguita rally” veteran and similarly perennial winner and AAP president until his untimely death, the late Tony Mapa. By the way, the father and son tandem of Nikko and Tony was the team to beat in the Dodo Ayuyao Sampaguita Rallyes of late, which were organized by the AAP.

All the participants had their fun last Saturday. I haven’t heard of any broken friendships or engagements (Inquirer writers and known couple Aries Espinosa navigated for Tessa Salazar) or marriages (Business-Mirror motoring editor Popong Andolong navigated for his wife Tet) among the tandems. Now after the fun is the bonus of winning in the competition, which shall be known on Thursday, March 11 during cocktails at the La Colina of the posh Valle Verde Country Club in Pasig.

Putting this together and pulling it through was one hell of a Yeoman’s job for Sunshine Television because we simply didn’t have any major sponsor. Thanks to my dedicated staff lead by STV’s vp for production, Jenny Bleza who worked on despite the odds. Oh yes, thank heavens also to Caltex with Techron, the official fuel of the rallye that we gave all the participating teams for their vehicles, which many of them said was not really necessary as many of them actually use the fuel brand. We also gave all participants official event uniforms, which many of the participating auto manufacturers said was not also necessary as it would better enhance the spirit of friendly competition if each team had its distinct uniform but with the official event logo on it. This could mean the competition could be extended to find out which is the best-dressed team during the event. There are also the BCDA, operators of the SCTEX and the MNTC, that of the NLEX to thank for their support for the event, which they realize espouses safe driving within legal speeds, something that they strictly encourage in their world-class tollways. And there’s CA Exhibits who came with an unsolicited support for the staging of the event. The very symbolical trophy for the winning team and tandems are partly courtesy of Momo steering wheels. There’s also Pepsi who went out of its way to help and of course the Ortigas Home Depot, the very willing venue of the flag off.

But most of all we have all our friends from the Philippine auto industry to thank for supporting the 2010 STV Auto Rally Corporate Challenge, indeed one of the industry’s biggest events of the year. Like all of the ventures of STV, expect this to be a yearly event that would last a long, long time.

Let me close by saying that we at STV are dedicating this successful revival of the “sampaguita rally” to my long-time TV co-host, my daughter’s godfather and my very close friend and mentor – the late Pocholo Ramirez – the country’s recognized racing legend. I can see him smiling and saying, good job, Butchie-Baby! For you, Pochie.

Indeed a very affordable transporter

When Isuzu Philippines Corporation (IPC) had its latest grand event for its fleet customers, dealership network, government officials and the motoring media last Thursday, March 4 at One Esplanade near the MOA, there was one vehicle among the notable line up that they launched last night that indeed caught my attention – it was the Isuzu Microbus. Based on the N-Series platform and powered by Isuzu’s 2.8-liter 4JB1-TC with intercooler direct injection diesel engine, it seats 16 passengers perfect for transportation needs of various business sectors. What really caught me by surprise is its value for money attraction at the price mentioned (although unofficial), which is a little over 1M. However, it won’t be available until the second half of this year.

During the event IPC unveiled its marketing and product plans for 2010 that is top billed by the “Isuzu Diesel Mission” campaign, which includes Dura Mission – which seeks to remind the public of the vaunted durability of Isuzu vehicles, Farthest Mission – which is an actual demonstration of Isuzu’s toughness and practicality, Eco Mission – which aims to drum up awareness on Isuzu’s safety, economy and environment-friendliness and the Dyna Mission – designed to showcase Isuzu’s product innovation and development – all hinged on the widely accepted superiority of Isuzu’s diesel technology.

 “We are very excited with the Isuzu Diesel Mission campaign,” said IPC president Keiji Takeda. “We have no doubt that with this campaign, the public will be 100 percent convinced that Isuzu vehicles and diesel engines are simply the best in the industry,” added Takeda-san, the friendly IPC president who always has a ready toothpaste smile for everybody.

Congratulations to Isuzu Philippines for a successful launch.

Mitsubishi’s 2009 Outlet of the Year

Besting all the 41 outlets nationwide, Mitsubishi Motors Philippines Corporation (MMPC) awarded Diamond Marcos Highway, Inc. its 2009 Dealer Outlet of the Year in its annual Dealer Conference toping the various criteria and standards set by MMPC in the areas of retail efficiency, customer service, parts and service targets attainment and dealer facilities.

“We at Mitsubishi Motors Philippines congratulate Diamond Marcos Highway for achieving this prestigious award. This award is a proof of hard work and ceaseless effort in providing excellent products and services with the highest note on customer satisfaction,” was the statement of MMPC president and CEO Masahiko Ueki as the award was handed out.

Aside from surpassing target sales for 2009, MMPC has also retained it strong Number 2 position in the local industry. It was also honored by J.D. Power Asia Pacific for achieving the highest numerical score in their 2009 Philippines Sales Satisfaction Index Study and tied for the highest in J. D. Power Asia Pacific Customer Service Index Study, remarkable feats that Ueki-san attributed through the joint efforts of MMPC and its dealerships nationwide.

Congratulations to MMPC and to Diamond Marcos Highway!

Happy Motoring!!!

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