Kia pulls out all stops

“They said it couldn’t be done. And we said we would. And we did. It wasn’t easy, but we did,” were the proud but relieved words of Ms. Ginia Domingo, the lovely, high-spirited president of Columbian Autocar Corporation (CAC), the exclusive importers and distributors of Kia vehicles in the country during our on-camera TV interview as she was about to flag off the complete array of Kia models that were participating in the ambitious event dubbed “Kia True North Media Drive and Write in Batanes”.

We say ambitious because despite what some auto companies that have made some exploratory efforts to bring the motoring media to far-flung Batanes for a test drive have declared that it was undoable, CAC went ahead and did it.

CAC’s jolly but no-nonsense marketing services top honcho Boying Soriano was describing to me the logistical nightmare that he and his team encountered just to pull the event through. He was saying that on Sunday, a day before we landed at the Basco Airport, he was already contemplating on the prospect of spending three days and two nights of nothing but “spiritual bonding” (meaning a lot of drinking and story-telling) with the entire media contingent if they would not be able to unload the more than 10 Kia automobiles that were shipped to Batanes specifically to be used for the journalists’ test drive and as their staff’s backup vehicles.

Boying was saying that this could be nothing else but “divine intervention” that spelled the success of the venture considering that it was even raining for two straight days right before the 40 Manila-based motoring journalists arrived. “You guys brought sunshine to Batanes,” he happily quipped.

We learned that one of the many challenges that they faced in setting up the event was how to unload all the vehicles from the ship to the pier with the least damage to them considering the ship’s continuous movement with the waves. They found the solution by bringing them down using nets with the vehicles protected by folded mattresses to serve as cushion while airborne and during their actual landing on the pier.

But I guess all the hardships and difficulties that the dedicated men and women of CAC with the support of Joey Avellana, of Avellana & Associates, their very knowledgeable and highly experienced ad agency were all worth it just by listening to all the wows, oohs and aahs from all the invited journalists just by merely watching the awesome views and sights that exotic Batanes has to offer.

Many of us would not have taken this once-in-a-lifetime trip out of own accord, which I now find pathetic in hindsight because we learned first-hand that many of the negative preconceptions about Batanes, like its distance and its supposedly forever-unforgiving weather far outweighed what Batanes has to offer in terms of breathtaking, awesome, “close to heaven” sights and views, impeccable coastline roads and unprecedented warmth of its local populace.

But Ginia and her team made sure that the well-planned event did not start and end with the overwhelming sights of Batanes that “one can see and die after.” They made sure that the motoring journalists imbibed the astounding views while engaging in a competition that challenges their creativity and journalistic talents.

The 40 invited journalists were formed into 4-member teams for each of the 10 Kia automobiles of different models ranging from the Optima, Sportage, Sorento and the Rio. All the teams were required to complete all 10 pitstops that were strategically scattered all over the island, which when completed would literally make each team do a complete tour of most of the significant destinations that Batanes has to offer. Each team is given 20 minutes to compose a photograph of the destination with the Kia model assigned to the team included in the picture. A single team-chosen shot of each of the 10 tourist spots or Pitstops would be submitted together with an essay would form as the team’s entry to the contest. The pitstops are to wit;

Tukon Radar Station where one gets a breathtaking view of the grand Mt. Iraya. Today, it is considered as ne of the must-see places in Batanes and is the only place where you can get a bird’s eye-view of Batan Island, the South China Sea, Basco Proper and the Pacific Ocean. 

Boulder Beach, which is known for its weathered rocks and pebbles that are said to be andesite rocks that came from the volcanic eruption of Mt. Iraya in 1454. Vayang Rolling Hills offer a grand view of the open sea, a world of lush greeneries and cool winds. Basco Lighthouse, which is located in Naidi Islands stands tall as a 6-story building. It offers a clear view of Batan Island, Mt. Iraya, Sabtang Island and Itbayat Island. Mahatao Church is the oldest National Treasure of Batanes. Tayid Lighthouse, which was recently built, is the guiding light to all of Batan’s seafarers. Marlboro Hills has a captivating view of lush greeneries and herds of cows grazing of the grass. Alapad Viewpoint – is a magnificent rock formation made by the elements well-known for its unique diagonal cut. San Jose de Ivana Church was built in 1784 and is located in the smallest town of Batanes. Not far off is the shop with no keeper, the Honesty Coffee Shop, where you can just take whatever item you can find and honestly pay for it yourself based on the prices indicated with nobody to check if you paid the right amount or paid at all—honesty based.

House of Dakay was built in 1887. It is the oldest existing stone house in Batanes and is one of the only 5 houses that survived a strong earthquake in 1918.

This momentous foray to Batanes organized for the motoring media by Columbian Autocar Corporation to give motoring journalists a hands-on experience of the remarkable performance of Kia vehicles even in far-flung locations in the Philippine archipelago while enjoying the awe-inspiring sights is indeed one for the books. And on behalf of all the motoring journalists invited may I express our deep appreciation for the efforts to make it happen despite the odds and all the forewarning.      

Thank you for having us.

Iconic motorcycle brand now in the Philippines

With P600,000, motorcycle buffs long dreaming of owning a Harley-Davidson can ride out of the showroom of Harley-Davidson of Manila located along EDSA beside Cats Motors with his new Sportster motorcycle.  

Yes, the 110-year-old motorcycle brand has just opened in the Philippines last Saturday its 6th dealership in Southeast Asia in style, aptly with bolt-cutters and steel chains instead of scissors and ribbons representing the tough, rough and tumble yet elegant and distinguished culture of motorcycle buffs and enthusiasts.

American Motorcycles, Inc. is behind the first Harley-Davidson dealership in the country, which is official known as Harley-Davidson of Manila and headed by automobile multi-brand business tycoon, Mr. Felix R. Ang, who in tandem with Mr. Greg Yu head Cats Motors, which imports and distributes the premium luxury brand Mercedes Benz and known American auto brands like Dodge, Chrysler and Jeep.

The presence of Harley-Davison in the country is most welcome by some 800 to 1,000 owners as Harley-Davison of Manila has committed to service all existing units in the Philippines by expertly trained service technicians that were trained in Singapore by Harley-Davidson Asia Pacific.   

The country’s growing economy that supports increase consumerism, leisure and a higher lifestyle has encouraged the opening of this world-renowned premium motorcycle brand in the Philippines.

The motorcycle models that’ll be available in the country include Sportster, Dyna, Softail, V-Rod and Custom Vehicles Operating Models that are equipped with Screaming Eagle parts.

Congratulations to our good friends Felix and Greg for bringing in the iconic motorcycle brand.

Two dealerships up, ten more to go

I remember my good friend and local auto industry icon and pillar, Mr. Felix Mabilog, president of Eurobrands Distributor Inc. (EDI), the country’s official importer and distributor of world renowned automobile marquee, Peugeot boldly promising sometime last year when the iconic brand was reintroduced in the Philippines, that within 2013, twelve dealerships shall open all throughout the country. Now I know it was no empty promise.  

Mr. Mabilog has been gung ho in bringing the Peugeot brand closer to its market nationwide by hastening the opening of these dealerships, proof of which are the opening of Peugeot Las Pinas located along Zapote Road and Peugeot Cagayan de Oro along Mastersons Avenue, one after the other.

Though invited to the twin events, which were both graced with the presence of Mr. Gregoire Olivier, Peugeot’s CEO for Asian Operations, I was only able to attend the official opening of the Las Pinas dealership owned and operated by Agusto “Butch” Camacho, where I met the charming French executive who’s reputedly the second highest in Peugeot’s corporate ladder.

Mr. Olivier’s flying in to the country purposely for the opening of the dealerships that have been recognized  and accepted to fully ascribe to Peugeot’s international standards in providing its famed full ownership experience was viewed as a strong message that the French auto company is seriously considering the country’s promising marketing potentials in this part of Southeast Asia.

The local market first displayed its warm welcome to the French automotive brand’s initial offerings during its official public display at the 2012 Auto Focus Motor Show & Auto Expo at the Mall of Asia last November. EDI’s Chairman, transport tycoon Mr. Johnny Hernandez said that after the twin dealer openings in Metro Manila and Cagayan de Oro, further full blast efforts can be expected in its dealer development program. Mr. Hernandez, who owns the distinguished transport conglomerate Victory Liner have confirmed reports that all four variants of Peugeot made available in the Philippines—the 3008 crossover, 5008 compact MPV, the 508 executive sedan and the RCZ sports car have been getting high marks from those who have experienced driving them most especially those from the motoring media, this writer included.   

A treat for all WRC fans

We have a bit of good news for those who clamor for regular WRC (World Rally Championship) highlights on TV. The TV show Motoring Today, which airs every Sunday, 12 noon on the Solar Sports, Channel 70 on Sky Cable (with digibox) have started last Sunday showing rally action from all over the world as soon and as often it happens. Together with regularly aired highlights of Formula One and Moto GP races, motor sports enthusiasts have weekly treats on Race Weekend, one of the most watched and eagerly-awaited segments of the 26-year old motoring program, the longest-running on Philippine television.  

Happy Motoring!!!

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