A blessed event

Some say it’s a whole lot of luck. For some, it was mere coincidence. For me, it could be nothing less than Divine Providence – clear skies and sunshine during the Auto Focus Motor Show & Auto Expo.

It was pouring last Wednesday morning when I woke up. That was the day of ingress. I was telling myself the good Lord was reminding me to pray for good weather for the motor show, and I did – and how.

By Thursday, it was still raining quite a bit but the skies stopped the drenching at around 5 o’clock, just a few minutes before the start of the ceremonial opening and ribbon-cutting for this much-awaited industry event for 2009 – the year’s biggest grand display and test drive of current-model automobiles. And the fine weather held during the entire weekend. Our prayers were heard (never a doubt) and so was the most revered and often-practiced, “offering of eggs” admittedly done a day before the event by the well-loved and hard-working Kia Motors go-to guy, Chut Velasquez.

By the grace of the Almighty everybody was walking on dry ground and clear skies (the whole of Sunday had blue skies) while eagerly finding out what the market has to offer in a convenient one-stop shop for automobiles complete with ready-to-assist and friendly staff of BDO Auto Loan for any financing needs in the comfort of an air-conditioned lounge specially put up for those who may have auto financing inquiries.

Not only was the event’s setting perfect, with the weather’s cooperation, the timing was also flawless being the end of the year when year-end bonuses have been or about to be given, a historically proven time for automobile shopping.

Tony Peña, BDO senior vp, who heads auto loan and his staff were seen by some buyers as heaven-sent, to help them out in their auto financing needs, especially those who have decided to buy new automobiles instead of waiting for their vehicles to be placed back in working condition after being damaged by recent floodings.

According to Dominic Timbancaya, brand manager of Chevron, even the Caltex booth was not spared by those who came to the motor show who wished to be better briefed regarding E10 and the other high quality Caltex products, many of who went home with gift items like jackets, etc., just for spinning a fortune wheel.

My conversations during the motor show with close friends from the local auto industry, who had gladly participated, proved that all of them had very serious inquiries that they confidently expect to close within a week or two, while many had closed quite a number of actual sales during the event. Everybody was happy with the motor show – both buyers and sellers. And for me that only meant – our mission was accomplished.

And many were surprised to see an array of firearms displayed by Armscor, the country’s foremost manufacturer and distributor of quality firearms and ammunitions that not only caters to the domestic needs but also exports their products to other countries, including the US as well. And judging from the number of people that visited their booth, which was just beside our secretariat, and the positive observations that were volunteered to me – indeed cars and guns do have a magnetic crowd-drawing chemistry. This is a conclusion that would indeed excite Armscor chairman and president Bolo Tuason and his trusted hard-working and very dynamic SVP for corporate planning and business development, Ms. Gina Marie Angangco, who both ventured to experiment with me. This first ever attempt, which proved to be successful, could lead to a wider participation of the firearms industry in next year’s event.

The participation of the automobile aftermarket sector, though limited, seemed to be quite beneficial to the group, if I were to judge the number of people who flocked to their booth, which was similarly located next to our secretariat. But many of the people who bought knew had they had a steal of a bargain considering that the products were on “clearance sale” prices.

Through the 2009 Auto Focus Motor Show & Auto Expo we were able to do our little part in creating more awareness to the importance of “skillful driving” to ensure our safety and that of others while on the road. The Caltex Techron Auto Focus Precision Driving Challenge proved to many participants that they were not as good drivers that they thought they were. The unforgiving course designed by HSDC (Honda Safety Driving Center) experts under the tutelage of their GM, Arnel Doria, which ran and managed the contest was really meant to challenge the participants’ driving skills. Emerging as champion for this year’s competition, who skillfully maneuvered the Kia Soul, the official competition vehicle was Juan Paulo Flores. He went home with 10,000 pesos worth of gas coupons, 5,000 pesos in cash and a set of brand-new tires. Second was John Defensor, who won for himself 5,000 pesos worth of gas coupons, 3,000 pesos cash and a set of tires and 3rd was Joseph Antonio Rene Lopez, Jr. whose prizes included 3,000 pesos gas coupons, 2,000 pesos cash and a set of tires. The gas coupons were courtesy of presenting sponsor Caltex Techron while the sets of tires were from Goodyear Philippines, the official tires of the competition. No less than Goodyear’s marketing top honcho Mon Barredo came to the awarding ceremonies to present the prizes. The other qualifiers (from 4th to 10th) include Norman Santos, Bob Sajot (last year’s runner-up), Dennis Tablan, Paulo Lorenzana, my son Ray Louis (Wee) Gamboa and Bart Venus.

Aside from the sudden timely ceasing of the downpour just a few minutes before its start, the formal opening of the 2009 Auto Focus Motor Show & Auto Expo offered another pleasant surprise. After not having attended the ceremonies in the last 3 years, for varied reasons like being out of the country (she’s a jet-setter) and others, Ms. Beth Lee, evp of Universal Motors Philippines graciously accepted our invitation to attend the event and even to speak on behalf of the CAMPI (Chamber of Automobile Manufacturers of the Philippines, Inc.). In her speech she manifested the full support of the CAMPI for the motor show and her recognition of the event’s role in perking up the industry especially during these challenging times.

The other speakers during the opening ceremonies included Tony Peña representing BDO, the event’s cooperating sponsor, who said that he looks at the motor show as an opportunity for BDO to further support the local auto industry by providing affordable and easy financing for automobile buyers. While Dominic Timbancaya, representing title sponsor Caltex Techron, expressed that Chevron is looking forward to being always a part and staunch supporter of major industry events like the motor show.

Aside from the other top honchos of the local auto industry and their associates, who braved the intimidating weather, to count among them Danny “Sir John” Isla, president of Lexus-Manila, Atty. Albert Arcilla, president of Viking Cars and the soon to be officially announced Chevrolet Philippines, Benedicto Coyiuto of Audi Philippines, Nicky Mariano, the newly-appointed COO of Motor Image Group covering key countries in the region, there was also Rolly Tanchanco, evp of BDO Consumer Lending Group together with marketing head Nanette Regala. Present too were Art Balmarid of Isuzu Philippines, Froy Dytianquin of Mitsubishi Motors, Boying Soriano and Chut Velasquez of Kia Motors, Lyn Buena of Chevrolet Philippines, Jing Atienza of Toyota Motor Philippines, Glen Dasig and Anika Salceda of Ford Group, Loi Concepcion of Volvo, Tin Tin Reyes of Honda Cars Philippines, Paeng Batuigas of Hyundai, Nick Lagmay and Amado del Rosario of PGA Cars and Carlo Chungunco of Lexus-Manila.

The motoring journalists were lead by members of the SPMJ, Society of Philippine Motoring Journalists and the CAGI, Car Awards Group, Inc. and other esteemed members of the media.

To all those who participated and those who supported the 2009 Auto Focus Motor Show & Auto Expo, from STV, Sunshine Television, our heartfelt thank you and see you next year.

Happy Motoring!!!

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