I just recently came from Bacolod City arriving there last Sunday and back in Manila the next day, Monday. Taking a cab from the airport to our hotel I immediately noticed, while seated up front with the driver, that I was alone busy buckling myself up for the 40-minute ride from the new and impressive airport of Bacolod. Of course, I couldn’t help myself from asking the cabbie whether the seatbelt law was being implemented in this premier city of the south. And his answer floored me.
“Ok lang sir, Sunday ngayon, walang nanghuhuli pag Linggo. Day-off nila ba.” (It’s ok, sir, today is Sunday and nobody apprehends violators on Sunday. Its their day-off.)
Well, I can only retort back, “Mabuti na lang day-off din ang aksidente dito pag Linggo.” (It’s a good thing accidents also have their days-off here during Sundays.)
Well, if it’s any consolation for our friends, Asec. Bert Suansing of the Land Transportation Office and Police Superintendent Rey Butacan of the Traffic Management Group, according to the cabbie, the local police are not so keen about the enforcement of the Seatbelt Law and only the LTO and the TMG are the ones who are zealous on apprehending violators – but never on Sunday?
However, according to the cabbie, drivers in Bacolod really make sure they put on their seatbelts during weekdays, which I indeed proved true on my way back to the airport Monday morning.
A scene common all over the country
In Bacolod City, not unlike Manila, you’ll see quite a number of policemen in uniform riding motorcycles without helmets.
So, how can we effectively promote the use of helmets among bikers nationwide when they see helmet-less policemen and other persons of authority riding around with impunity all over the country?
Risking being repetitive, I would like to mention once again that our legislators should hasten the passing of the law requiring everyone to wear a “certified helmet” while riding motorbikes. An added provision of the law should give a harsher punishment to people belonging to the police or the armed forces who are caught violating.
And maybe a further provision in the law should require motorcycle manufacturers and distributors to include a “certified helmet” for every unit of motorbike sold. That would address the problem of many bikers who can’t afford to buy helmets.
A test drive on a well-filled stomach
Mitsubishi Motors Philippines invited a number of lucky members of the motoring media to a test drive last Thursday, March 27, but only after having to partake of a sumptuous, eat-all-you-can lunch at the now very popular buffet at the Spiral of Hotel Sofitel.
Our friends Mel Dizon, Mitsubishi Motors Philippines senior vp, together with Froy Dytianquin, avp for marketing services and ad & promo manager Arlan Reyes also took the opportunity to proudly announce that Mitsubishi in the Philippines has reached the cumulative sales of 500,000 units since it started in the country in 1971.
Mitsubishi Motors Philippines, which has always been regarded as one of the top automotive assemblers and distributors in the country started as Chrysler Philippines Corporation. It then marketed models that now bring back a lot of memories from the past such as the Dodge Colt, Minica F4, Lancer, Cimarron and they also dealt with Fuso trucks.
Today, more than three and a half decades later, their model line up spans from passenger cars, light commercial vehicles and trucks and buses that include latest models like their flagship model Pajero, Strada, Outlander, Grandis, Lancer, Adventure, Fusion and the time-tested L300.
Mitsubishi Motors Philippines is also very proud of having the most extensive dealer network in the country. At 42 outlets spanning almost the entire archipelago, it indeed makes for very accessible after sales support.
All-new Audi A4 – very soon in the Philippines
It was indeed a very busy day for motoring journalists last Thursday. The Mitsubishi Motors Philippines presentation, test drive and a stomach-bellowing lunch was followed in the evening by the invitation from Robert Coyuito, Jr., chairman of PGA Cars for the launch of the all-new Audi A4 at the PGA Cars Audi Center Philippines Showroom in EDSA. For members of the Society of Philippine Motoring Journalists (SPMJ), a board meeting to discuss the up and coming SPMJ Invitational Golf Cup scheduled by the end of April, in-between the two events made the day’s schedule more of a nightmare. But that’s another story.
The Audi A4, the next generation of what’s considered as the marque’s best selling car is projected to hit Philippine roads by the middle of this year.
While viewing the new PGA Cars offering together, Pocholo Ramirez, the country’s racing living legend and my co-host on the TV show Motoring Today and I were sharing the same observation that European automobile manufacturers seem to be paying added attention to aesthetics now than before. And the Audi A4 is a perfect example of such a change in total appearance. The A4 looks a lot more beautiful than its predecessor and that’s not talking yet of what’s inside the hood and other technical design changes.
Well, the awesome automobile was shipped to the country only to be viewed for a limited time. According to Robert after the PGA Cars Showroom appearance, it will have a short mall tour and then back to Europe it goes before it is finally made available to the drooling local auto enthusiasts. I guess the car’s tires won’t even touch the ground during its stay here – there goes the rare test drive.
But I guess if you are an enthusiast with a deep pocket, it’s worth waiting for.
Pit Lane Notes
It’s the 3rd Leg of the 2008 World Formula One Series that’s lined up next this Sunday – the Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix.
After bouncing back from their Australian Grand Prix debacle, all eyes would be on Ferrari to find out if the team’s showing in Malaysia is a preview of things to come in the entire series this year, and the Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix, tough as it is can be the barometer of future performances of all the teams.
I’ll be there as a guest of Gulf Air, thanks to its general manager for the Philippines, Mr. Bobby Hukom. I’ll try to get as much TV footage as I can to be shown on our TV show Motoring Today, but I guess coming up with an entire show, like my co-host Pocholo Ramirez and myself did in Adelaide, where the Australian Grand Prix used to be held, is something doable a good 20 pounds and 18 years ago. I remember I used to do two 1-hour episodes all by myself (producer, director, cameraman, etc.) but then that’s history.
I used to do the Malaysian Grand Prix several years back, but then that was with the help of a producer, director, production assistant cum cameraman, all rolled into one – our vp for production Ms. Jenny Bleza. But this time I’ll be by my lonesome.
But I’ll see what I can manage in terms of insights and observations and also some footage for the TV show and this column.
And for those who are going to watch the race – see you in Bahrain.
SPMJ honors those who consistently support their advocacy
After showing unwavering support for SPMJ’s (Society of Philippine Motoring Journalists) advocacy to educate the youth to become safe and responsible road users, some members of the local automobile industry, the staunchest supporters, shall be feted to a “day and evening” of fun-filled but competitive golf.
We say “day and evening” because tee-off starts mid afternoon with the final holes being played in the early evening at the Intramuros Golf Club course on April 30 for the 4th SPMJ Invitational Golf Cup Tournament.
It’s still a “golf-for-a-cause” tournament despite treating our friends from the industry to this kind of “night golf” tournament, which is novel to most of them. To begin with we are still in dire need for sponsors to pull this through and the first-timers would still have to pay (donate) to play.
Funds from the tournament shall help support logistic requirements for SPMJ’s projects to further promote its advocacy, like a nationwide quiz on road safety, which is on the pipeline.
Happy Motoring!!!
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