What gracious hosts!

The success or failure of the staging of the Caltex 2013 Sunshine Television (STV) Auto Rally Corporate Challenge (ARCC) last Saturday, March 23 largely hinged on the cooperation of the local governments of the areas in which the participating vehicles would be driving through and on the commitments of cooperation of its host, Tagaytay City.    

And how they graciously rose to the occasion!

As the organizers’ main figures, rally director Georges Ramirez and me, as chief organizer, prior to the actual staging dutifully made courtesy calls on the local government heads or their representatives of the localities that the projected 60 plus vehicles would be passing through during rally day.

The municipality of Silang in the province of Cavite was one of those we visited and what warm welcome we were afforded by its top Municipal Councilor and daughter of its sitting 3-term Mayor, the Honorable Clarito Poblete. The very young and pretty Councilwoman Emilia Lourdes “Omil” F. Poblete, upon learning of the road safety advocacy that the event was espousing hastily gave instructions to clear of road hazards and traffic flow impediments all the narrow Silang roads that the rally vehicles would drive through especially during rally day. She gave us a firm assurance that all participants would be safe as they pass through their humble municipality. Small wonder the lovely lady’s quest to become the next mayor of Silang is viewed by many as “a given”, considering her past record of similar decisive actions and distinguished political lineage identified with selfless public service.        

The snaking, zigzagging roads from Tagaytay to Talisay, Batangas and back were considered as the most exciting part of the road rally for the drivers and most challenging for both route and time navigators. Not being part of the host-city, we likewise made a courtesy call at the Talisay Municipal Hall and were met by its Administrator, kindly assigned to us by Talisay’s Mayor, the Honorable Zenaida Mendoza. Municipal Administrator Alfredo Ordinario met us with apparent eager anticipation to show Talisay’s support for the road safety-oriented motor sport. But make no mistake about it. This gentleman’s name does not reflect his kind of dedication and commitment to service, which is definitely not ordinary. We learned that with police and all, he was on top of things—traffic order and whatever needed—all throughout the day of the rally. Kudos to Administrator Alfredo Ordinario—you are no ordinary public servant indeed.        

And how about host Tagaytay City’s promised support for this motor sport that strictly adheres to traffic laws and regulations and promotes safety and responsibility while on the road?

The Honorable Tagaytay City Mayor Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino made good all his commitments and much, much more as host of the Caltex 2013 STV-ARCC. His very capable City Administrator Engr. Gregorio M. Monreal, upon the kind endorsement and strict instructions of Mayor Bambol, made sure, up to the minutest detail that what we would need to successfully conduct the rally, we would have—and how.

Prior to the actual rally, Engr. Monreal made sure we were accompanied in our final ocular inspection by the PNP’s Tagaytay Component City Police Station Officer-in-Charge (Police Chief), Colonel (Police Superintendent) Danilo Berber Buentipo and Tagaytay Rescue Head Clyde Yayong. The objective was for these people of authority see first-hand whatever problems or possible problems there may be come rally day. And did they do a very good job at it, considering the hitch-free staging last Saturday. The only hitch that came out a just a few minutes before flag-off was a small landslide that covered part of the road that was in the rally route, which they were able to do something about immediately without causing considerable delay. I know if they could only predict landslides, they would have done something to stop it. That’s how efficient these Tagaytay City government personnel are. Actual rally day saw PNP Col. Renato Bergado calling the shots in making sure that the rally flag-off went smoothly as the participating vehicles went out to the Aguinaldo Highway along the Tagaytay Ridge seamlessly merging with the mid Saturday morning traffic.         

STV-ARCC – a major auto industry event

Considering that the entire auto industry in the Philippines was aptly represented by the 17 participating teams that had the option to field and showcase 4 of their current-year models in this only motor sport event that brings together all keenly competing automotive companies in a day-long of fierce but friendly, fun-filled competition, it was only fitting to have the top leaders representing both automobile manufacturers and importers/distributors to be present at the opening ceremonies of this always eagerly-awaited major industry event. And indeed they obliged—we had the honor of having the presence of Hyundai Asia Resources, Inc. (HARI) president Ms. Fe Agudo, president of AVID (Association of Vehicle Importers and Distributors) and Toyota Motor Philippines Corporation (TMPC) vice president Atty. Rommel Gutierrez, president of CAMPI (Chamber of Automobile Manufacturers in the Philippines, Inc.) who, after making brief remarks during the opening ceremonies also jointly flagged-off the rally. Indeed a clear message of the two major industry organizations’ unity and unqualified togetherness in this now institutional auto industry event.

The continued support and recognition of the STV-ARCC as an institutional auto industry event and as a road safety awareness major endeavor was also visibly demonstrated by Chevron Philippines not only by its continued sponsorship of the event but also by the mere presence of Caltex with Techron brand manager, Ms. Veronica “Vero” Pangilinan together with brand coordinator, Ms. Charisse “Chai” Mendoza during the opening ceremonies. To begin with, these two lovely ladies are always busy, busy and secondly, not necessarily in this order, the sun was up and hot and bad for their flawless skin—yet they stayed on and flagged-off the event. Thanks ladies, ang lakas ko sa inyo.

The country’s biggest motor sports event

“We’ve never seen and experienced such a huge Sampaguita (Tulip) Rally starting grid during its glory days back in the 60s,” was the complement of one of the country’s “winningest” auto rally drivers, Mandy Eduque, AAP (Automobile Association of the Philippines) Director for Motor Sports just before he administered the Oath of Sportsmanship last Saturday. “This is indeed the biggest motor sport event in the country today,” added the veteran and well-respected sportsman who made true his promise to travel early morning to Tagaytay just for the event. 

The site of the huge SMDC property development in Tagaytay, the WIND Residences was perfect for the auto rally’s flag-off, flag-in and lunch cum merienda venue. The expansive parking area for this remarkable “overlooking the Tagaytay ridge” condo had much, much more than enough parking slots to accommodate the 60 plus vehicles of the participants, organizers and guests. During the opening ceremonies, SMDC’s marketing manager for content and media with 16 years of marketing communications experience, Mr. Ali Espina welcomed everybody to their huge SMDC property development and expressed SMDC’s delight to be part of the prestigious event. Mr. Sandro Javier, avp of WIND Residences, who pushed for SMDC’s participation concedes that the up close exposure of their prestigious WIND Residences to the more than 200 participants, team managers, auto industry top executives, automobile enthusiasts and the like who are all part of the market of this outstanding SMDC condominium project, is indeed unquantifiable.   

Perfect weather

In contrast with Friday’s weather that poured unexpected rains in Metro Manila including Tagaytay City, which caused flash flooding in some areas, Saturday’s was cool and sunny. It was perfect for any kind of outdoor activity like a car rally and of course, golf, which to my good friend, Isuzu Philippines Corporation senior vp, Art Balmadrid was so irresistible. So swinging at the fairways he went after he made sure that his Isuzu Rally Team, composed mostly of Isuzu vehicle owners and fleet customers was well on its way to a great day of auto rallying. 

But for Lexus-Manila president Danny “Sir John” Isla the lure of a fine and expensive bottle of “single malt” whiskey, which I uncorked right after the flag-off was far more appealing especially when shared with friends like Business Mirror motoring columnist and accomplished writer, Al “Sir Paul” Mendoza, Mazda Philippines’ vp for customer relations and auto industry veteran, Dave “Mr. Mac” Macasadia, BMWs Carl Magsuci who was later on joined by his boss, BMW marketing director Glen Dasig. After the launch and just before the 2nd leg was about to be flagged-off our table of “impertinentes” was joined in by some members of the Lexus Rally Team; magazine editors Vernon Sarne of Top Gear, Ira Panganiban of Power Wheels and The STAR’s veteran account executive Jeff Reyes who were all just about ready to give in to the temptation of the “single malt”. I had to make my stand that considering that the STV-ARCC is a road safety event, they would have to make a choice—they join us for a drink or they flag-off for the 2nd leg, “it’s one or the other and will never be both”. The trio, being what they are—responsible motoring journalists and motor sports buffs, readily opted to postpone the enjoyment of the “single malt” for the exciting and more challenging competition of “being on time all the time”.        

Defending champion’s woes 

Willy Tee Ten, one of the major “multi-brand” players in the local auto industry and owner of the MINI Rally Team, last year’s Corporate Team Champion of the STV-ARCC was convinced to be the time navigator of one of the participating vehicles of his team owing to his known wizardly with figures, indeed an edge in the competition. Even before the flag-off he admitted to me the mounting pressure he was experiencing faced with the scenario of defending his team’s title while being a participant in the difficult quest.  

When I asked him how he fared after the rally as he joined us in our ever-growing table of “single malt” enthusiasts he can only mutter, “We unfortunately missed one checkpoint. We failed to see it as we overtook a big truck that was slowly running at that exact instant in front of the checkpoint”. That indeed was unfortunate as missing a checkpoint merits 300 demerits equivalent to being off time by an average 30 seconds or half a minute for every one of the 10 checkpoints. As the scoring of the competition allows for the combination of the best score to the worst in the case of having only three vehicles in the team or the combination of the best and 2nd best, dropping the 3rd and combined with the worst for 4-vehicle teams, there’s still a chance of retaining the championship.   

The Caltex 2013 STV-ARCC has two legs. This Tagaytay leg scores 30 percent of the aggregate scores together with the 2nd leg scheduled to be held in Subic, which will account for 70 percent of the aggregate score to determine the year’s champion.

The results of the Tagaytay leg would be announced after the Holy Week on April 2 in fitting awarding ceremonies at Valle Verde Country Club.

By the way, all those who joined have received part of their awards, which was the fun of participating in the “on time all the time” rally.

Happy Motoring!

For comments, email motoringtoday-star@stv.com.ph or sunshine.television@yahoo.com.