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44 @ The Fort | Philstar.com
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Young Star

44 @ The Fort

- Mayen Juico of the Philippine Star’s YS -
Weeks ago, I wrote an article on Dulaang UP’s bold decision to stage Lorca’s El Publico. This week, I am writing about another event hosted by the "mga iskolar ng bayan."

I take my hat off to the organizers of this event, "44 @ The Fort." It was presented by the UP Economics Society (ECOSOC) with the help of Petron Blaze, GBX, Auto Extreme, Monster Radio RX93.1, Studio 23, NU107.5. Last September 28, a mini alternative concert and car show was held at Pier 1 at The Fort. Passers by could not help but get attracted to the event that even foreigners, students from different universities went inside to check the party out.

Where else could you find good food, great music and plenty of creatively set-up cars all in one place? The unique idea of the ECOSOC proved to be very helpful and beneficial to them.

Shiny cars were lined up as a showcase for those spectators who wanted to see, watch and experience the different features or enhancements done to the automobiles. It was actually a sight for car enthusiasts who found pleasure in luxurious, beautiful and extraordinary vehicles. I am no car enthusiast but the car exhibit really caught my attention and was very enjoyable. The audience was allowed to pick their favorite. The People’s Choice Award went to Caesar Dy Jr. who brought a Honda Civic 2001. Mr. Dy won two trophies, the other for Best Engine Set-up or Display.

All participants received carcare products from Bodykits Unlimited and certificates of participation. The winners received P1,000 Bodykits Unlimited GC and Ultron giftpacks from Petron. "44 @ The Fort" gave away 16 awards. Some of the categories were Best Interior, bagged by Ogie Abastillas (BMW316i e46 ’00), who also took home the Best Car of the Show and Best European Car Awards; Best Car Paint, a BMW 318ic e36 convertible owned by Mark Luakian; Best Sportscar, a Honda s2000, won by Gino Orda. Best Japanese Midsize went to Jonathan Go who brought a Nissan Cefiro ’00; Best Japanese compact size Award went to Marlon Celis who had a Honda Civic EF ’91 in tow. Ogie Abastillas bagged the Chamion trophy and P10,000 cash prize. All the winners received trophies and some took home cash prizes and mufflers from Nodalos.

One of the cars that stole the show was an AMC Hummer that beat the shiny and pretty cars. The Hummer won Pier 1 Car of the Night. The owner, Rodrigo Cantada, brought home a bottle of wine from Pier 1 and a trophy.

Some notables who awarded the winners were JP Tuason of the Tuason Racing School and Brent Co of Autoindustriya.com. Major sponsors for the event were Autoindustriya.com, Bodykits Unlimited, Pulp Magazine, Le Park, Tuason Racing School, Sunrise Paper Products Industries, Mitsubishi Motors, Nodalos, Aspac, Timezone, Diagon Incorporated, Joman Typographics.

I had the chance to speak to some of the student organizers and it was surprising to know how much effort they put into making the event a success, some of them were at The Fort as early as 9 in the morning and stayed gamely until the break of dawn the next day.

Aside from the carshow, a mini-alternative concert was also one of the highlights of the event. Seven bands were there to provide entertainment for the crowd. New bands such as Walrus and Only on Sundays were there to jumpstart the party. Imago left the audience awed at their unique sound, with Aya’s voice completely surrounding the venue. Kamikaze and the Itchyworms provided oomph to the party as they rocked on. Sugar Free, on the other hand, was more tamer yet just as engaging. Bridge serenaded the audience with famous covers by the likes of John Mayer.

UP, in the form of ECOSOC once again proved to me how great a crowd the students are. It is in their diversity that events like this come to life. The event was highly entertaining and enjoyable and not to mention, very unique. The fusion of music, food, and cars was a very nifty idea. I only have congratulations to the staff who came up with 44 and reaped its success. My kudos to our "mga iskolar ng bayan"!!

Pier One Bar and Grill, Fort Bonifacio Global City, Connecticut Speedway, Triplex, Arctic Vodka, Burger King, Coca-Cola Light, Ar’s’, and Gerry’s Grill were also some of the establishments that sponsored "44@TheFort."
* * *
E-mail me at mayen_juico@angelfire.com for comments and suggestions.

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