Copycat ‘bikini’ car wash gone

Fear of losing his business license reportedly prompted car wash shop owner Roderick Fernandez to immediately stop his "bikini car wash" gimmick in Alabang, Muntinlupa.

According to Tez Valencia, Muntinlupa information officer, Fernandez copied the bikini car wash gimmick in Iloilo City and hired two girls to work at his Rodji Carwash located on Kilometer 22, Barangay Cubang in Alabang.

The two girls, clad in bikinis, washed cars at Fernandez’s establishment for at least three months, Valencia said.

But Muntinlupa Mayor Jaime Fresnedi saw a television report about the gimmick, which started in Iloilo, and how it was criticized by militant women’s groups. Fresnedi was incensed to see that somebody from Alabang had copied it, Valencia bared.

"The mayor immediately called up the Bureau of Permits and Licenses Office (BPLO) and inquired if Fernandez had a valid business permit," Valencia said.

The mayor was told that the car wash was legally operating. According to Valencia, word reached Fernandez that the mayor had threatened to have his license suspended if the businessman continued with the gimmick.

Valencia added that the mayor has also received a letter from Bayan Muna partylist Rep. Liza Maza bringing to his attention the ‘bikini" car wash in Alabang.

Fernandez, Valencia said, stopped the bikini car wash, immediately.