A time to commiserate

The very depressing images of death, injuries, damages and suffering in our neighbor country of Japan have been very much a daily fare on local and much more on international TV channels.

Having been in the motoring beat for over two decades covering motoring events and being always attuned to current developments in motor sports and the auto industry has given me the opportunity to meet up close and personal international and local personalities who revolve in this exclusive circle, including expats that are assigned to the country to represent major international automotive concerns, many of them Japanese and many of them I consider as friends. And seeing these images of distraught I can’t help but feel the anxiety, anguish and torment that my Japanese friends must be experiencing.

But despite this catastrophe and the ensuing misery that many of the Japanese people are currently experiencing, I have no doubt about their fast eventual recovery. The discipline and poise that they have shown even “under fire” can very well take them to where they were when tragedy struck and even way forward to continued progress. This they have shown and proven after their devastation during the last world war.

With all due respect to all my fellow motoring journalists, on behalf of the Philippine motoring media, we offer our prayers to the entire Japanese nation especially our Japanese friends in the country’s auto industry. We all share in your grief. But we are immensely confident that you shall emerge victorious despite this monumental setback.

You shall prevail!!!

Isuzu dealers in the Philippines give their share

If one would take the time to check out previous calamities all throughout the world, Japanese involvement would always be present in the aftermath, whether in terms of cash or logistical contributions or rescue teams.

Now that they are in need, the Filipinos are not far behind in expressing their support in words and in deed.

Take the classic case of the 2010 Dealer of the Year awardees of Isuzu Philippines Corporation (IPC) who were supposed to leave for Shanghai, China in June this year as an incentive as top dealer performers. The trip would have included a mix of 40 delegates from Isuzu Cagayan de Oro, Isuzu Makati and Isuzu Batangas, among others. Instead, through the initiative of the winning dealers themselves, IPC decided to donate the money to the victims of the recent earthquake and tsunami in Japan.

The check was turned over by IPC president, Ryoji Yamazaki together with IPC executive vice president Yuki Kato last March 17 to Philippine National Red Cross chairman and former senator, Richard “Dick” Gordon.

During the turnover the PNRC chairman said, “I commend Isuzu for this exemplary humanitarian act. It proves that even corporate entities can make sacrifices for the good of others. May this serve as an example for others to follow”.

“This sacrifice is sure to result in comfort and safety for more people in need,” was the response of the IPC president.

The Japan donation is just the latest corporate social responsibility effort by IPC, whose tagline is “Your Responsible Partner.” Every year, it has been a tradition at IPC to launch several CSR projects that are environment-oriented. The company also donated to Ondoy victims in 2009 and landslide victims in Leyte in 2006, among others, in its desire to look after the community it does business in.

Watch top-notched tennis for free

The grandest international junior tennis tournament, the Mitsubishi Lancer International Junior Tennis Championship started yesterday and shall be a “free” grand spectacle for all tennis fans up to Sunday, March 27 at the Rizal Memorial Tennis Center – Rizal Memorial Stadium.

Considered as one of the biggest juniors’ tournaments in Asia and the longest-running tennis tournament in the Philippines, it is presented by one of the country’s leading automotive manufacturers – Mitsubishi Motors Philippines Corporation (MMPC).

“It is a privilege for us to become a part of these ‘soon to be tennis superstars’ road to their athletic career. With this year’s line up of layers we are expecting more action, excitement and fun in the hard court”, says outgoing MMPC president Mr. Masahiko Ueki.

For more than 20 years, this tournament has come a long way in producing more and more of the world’s tennis superstars and helping junior tennis players achieve a world ranking. Lleyton Hewitt the youngest male tennis player to rank as number one and recognized as one of the 40 greatest tennis players since 1965 by Tennis Magazine, American Andy Roddick who was currently 6th ranked player in the world and top-ranked in the US, and Leander Paes of India were some of the top tennis players that this tourney has witnessed and likewise produced. And our very own Francis Casey “Niño” Alcantara who gave honor to the country by achieving a Grand Slam in last year’s Australian Open. And this year world’s No. 9 Jeson Petrombon is the country’s bet. To make this year’s MLIJTC more significant, a free tennis clinic will be opened to all, ages 18 years old and below. National coaches Chris Cuarto, Roland Kraut and Karl Sta. Ana will personally share their expertise and train participants. Interested future tennis players may register at the Rizal Memorial Stadium on the day of the clinic. Free tennis clinic is scheduled on March 26-27. Registration starts at 7:00 am. MMPC will also give 20 Ralliart backpacks to the first 20 registrants.

Air 21 responds to road safety advocacy needs

It was a pleasure having breakfast with Air 21 vice president, Jerry R. Jara at the Palms Country Club last week seeing him in the same mold as his boss, Mr. Bert Lina – dynamic, compassionate and with feet firmly on the ground. I had the pleasure to meet Bert when our Breaking Barriers TV show with my brother Rey was still on the air. Having interviewed Bert for an hour gave me enough insights into this business tycoon’s fine character.

Anyway, the purpose of my meeting with Jerry, who is soon to be president of Air 21 was to explore his company’s possible involvement in this year’s Auto Focus Automobile of the Year – People’s Choice Awards. Considering Air 21’s extensive logistics capability and nationwide presence, it could do extremely well in facilitating a more expansive nationwide voting to determine the 2011-2012 most popular automobiles.

In our long conversation, the issue of road safety came into fore and Jerry, showing his dynamism, a great deal of which he surely imbued from his boss, rose to the occasion and immediately expressed his interest to have Air 21 involved deeply into the road safety education for the youth by way of the “Young Street Smarts Club Road Safety School Tour”. This is a series of free seminars/workshops that Social Communications Foundation for Asia (Socio Com) and Sunshine Television (STV) conduct free in different schools in the country to reach students to become safe and responsible road users.

Last year’s seminar/workshops, which were successfully conducted in 9 schools in Metro Manila and adjoining provinces were supported by the Manila North Tollways Corporation (MNTC), Petron and Ropali Corporation with Mitsubishi Motors Philippines donating the official shuttle.

This year a minimum of ten schools shall be chosen and perhaps more depending on additional support and funding that may be pledged aside from that from MNTC, Petron, Mitsubishi Motors Philippines and new benefactors, PGA Cars, CATS Motors, Asian Carmakers (BMW) and hopefully PCSO and PAGCOR.

Let’s all get involved in the efforts to reduce road accidents especially among children.

Happy Motoring!!!

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