Allure

A car showroom worth showing off

February 22, 2009 | 12:00am

“Greatness is not in where we stand, but in what direction we are moving. We must sail sometimes with the wind and sometimes against it — but sail we must and not drift, nor lie at anchor.” — Oliver Wendell Holmes

The Philippine automobile industry showed no signs of restraint when Lexus Manila recently inaugurated its new car showroom at The Fort. The inauguration was led by Toyota Motor Philippines Corp. (TMPC) chairman Dr. George S.K. Ty, TMPC president Hiroshi Ito, Lexus Manila, Inc.’s top honchos chairman Alfred Ty and president Daniel Isla. The event drew Manila’s A-listers to the ultramodern tri-level Japanese inspired structure that featured an atrium garden showcasing the cynosure of cutting edge luxury sedans and SUVs.

The successful partnership between the Ty family of Metrobank and Toyota Motor Corp. of Japan (TMCJ) with Toyota Motor Philippines Corp. (TMPC) is proof of the country’s optimism despite the global recession. TMCJ senior managing director and Asia, Oceania and Middle East operations group head Akira Okabe, who flew in for the inauguration, lauded TMPC as the “finest auto dealer in the region.” Congratulations and rev it up, gentlemen!

Greetings

Happy birthday greeting to our celebrators today, Lyra Rufino Maceda, Grace Padilla, international star Lea Salonga and architect Jorge Ramos.

Advance birthday greetings to Christopher Lim, Feb. 23; Rhoda Campos-Aldenese, Beaver Ledesma and Ambassador Isabel Wilson, Feb. 24; Asia’s fashion czar Pitoy Moreno and Tess Colayco, Feb. 25; Louie Locsin, German Club past president Gunter Matschuck, Louie Galvez and equestrienne Mikee Cojuangco Jaworski, Feb. 26; Doña Bea Zobel and Biboy Enriquez, Feb. 28;