The keys to the new car

And so here we are… For the casual reader, this might seem like any other written piece. But for those who have followed this section religiously, you’re most probably aware that we are all at a crossroads of sorts. With this piece, I end a fantastic run – one that has gone on for at least a decade. Next week, I hand over the keys to this section to Manny de los Reyes. To be completely honest, I cannot think of a man more competent, worthy, gifted, or deserving. Manny has been on this ride since day one. He has been one of the most consistent writers The Philippine STAR’s motoring section has ever had. And from hereon, he will be the best editor this section can ever hope to have.

It is thus with a great sense of fulfillment, gratitude, validation, excitement, pride and anticipation that I move forward with my professional life. By the time you read this piece, I will have officially moved on to the other side of the automotive fence. Who knows? With Manny at the helm, he’ll probably find a ridiculously creative way to tell you all where I’m headed. But all things in good time. Today, the goal is simply to extend and communicate my gratitude to all who have made The Philippine STAR’s motoring section the section that it has become with me at the helm.

First and foremost, I would like to thank our visionary president, Miguel Belmonte, for graciously allowing me to steer the ship for all of 10 years. When I took over, I had no idea how much freedom he would grant me. I did follow in the footsteps of a pretty good editor in Junep Ocampo. But it was Miguel who saw the need for someone driven by untapped passion and with some crazy ideas to take over at the time that I did. Sir Miguel, from the bottom of my heart, I thank you. I do hope I’ve made you proud.

Then there are my other bosses at The Philippine STAR. Isaac Belmonte, Lucien Dytioco, Tammy Mendoza… At separate yet very distinct points during my run, you all pushed the right buttons to help motivate me and my team to strive to satisfy our readership more – and to reach for heights we could not even see, much less strive for. I could not have made it this far without your guidance. Thank you all.

Speaking of my team… Not only do I thank you. I salute you. For rising up to the challenges I set forth in behalf of management, our readers and our clients, you have my undying respect and my applause. So take a bow Manny de los Reyes, Kap Maceda Aguila, Ulysses Ang, James Deakin, Andy Leuterio, Eggay Quesada, Cito Beltran, Ray Butch Gamboa and the girls Angel Rivero and Ria Tanjuatco-Trillo, our ever-loyal layout artist Edward Dangan and of course the one account executive who helped us whether our motoring-related storms, Jeff Reyes. I love you all.

To our business partners who have always believed in our section and have supported it regularly... There are much too many of you to mention – but you know who you are. I thank you all for joining us in this fantastic ride. I do hope that you continue to support Manny and The STAR through all their endeavors. Our promise has always been to be your partner in delivering the messages we all deem important and relevant to our readers. It’s one promise that will be kept far after people have forgotten that I was once spearheading the effort.

Finally to our loyal readers who have been around to egg us on, thank us, validate our work and occasionally slap us silly when they felt we were not performing to the best of our abilities… My profuse gratitude to you all. A journalist’s greatest reward is the knowledge that he has somehow touched his readers by pushing them to think and speak out about what he has written or put together. Well, we at The STAR are truly blessed to have the most loyal, intelligent, observant and eloquent readers out there. Thank you so much for your support.

As I had mentioned earlier, I will be moving forward career-wise. No. I will not move on to some other publication. My career as a journalist has reached its apex. I will literally be moving on. And though I will not necessarily divulge exactly where I’m headed, I think it is but fair that I explain why I made the decision to move. I had stated earlier that I was on high gear as The STAR’s motoring section editor for 10 years. In those 10 years, my wife and I patiently awaited for the arrival of our offspring. Well, the little guy finally came about and burst onto the scene last year. The moment I held him in my hands, I knew that given the opportunity, I’d open myself up to giving him a bigger chance at a brighter future. And when that moment came last year, I grabbed it with gusto. So cheers, Basti Magsajo! This one’s for you.

Before I finally close this chapter, let me leave you with this… That title up above is to be read both literally and figuratively. I am selling my trusted steed, my 1996 limited edition 3.0-liter V6 Nissan Cefiro named Julian. My buddy and I have spent the last decade together. We’ve had some great times and some not-so-great times together. And he’s still as loyal and efficient as he ever was. But 10 years is a long time, and it’s time for us to part ways. Happily. He needs a new guy behind his steering wheel. And someone out there needs the keys to a new car. So get in touch with me if you’re interested. Julian needs his own version of Manny de los Reyes.

Until the next time, everyone… Peace!