Saying thank you on a beautiful golf day

Waking up at four o’clock in the morning is a rarity for a night person like me. There are very few instances or events where I reserve doing such a huge sacrifice—and saying “thank you” is one of those very few. 

A now, much awaited and looked forward to event among golfers of the auto industry and those among my friends is the STV Golf Cup Invitational. As a matter of fact many of those who make it a point to accept the invite to the fun tourney say that they already consider it an institutional yearly event.

It all started when Motoring Today, the flagship program of Sunshine TV celebrated its 25^th anniversary in 2012 when we were all wracking our brains as to how to celebrate such a milestone for the longest running motoring program on Philippine television. We wanted something out of the ordinary, not only to mark such a rare celebration for a TV show but also to say thank you as well to many of those who have given support to its exceptionally long meaningful existence as an informative public service-oriented television program.

In past celebrations, the most memorable of which was on our 10^th year, my co-host, the late Pocholo Ramirez, then otherwise referred to, as the “living legend of Philippine motorsports” was still very much around. We invited all those who have supported us in the past and present with their advertising or sponsorship and those who have been part of the show, whether as a guest we have interviewed from the government, business or private sectors and those engaged in motorsports or those who have provided us information that we passed on to our viewers.

Similarly, our 20^th anniversary was all food and drinks and merriment for a reunion of telling and retelling of old stories of the past glory days of motorsports and coverage of transport and traffic management problems and proposed solutions that all seem to be a “deja vu” experience every time the government administration changes.      

But to mark a “quarter of a century” milestone we had to come out with something out of the ordinary eat, drink and talk routine and golf, being a similarly common denominator among most of our friends and supporters topped the list.           

Organizers and winners of the 7th STV Golf Cup Invitational

So, an invitational golf tournament at the Riviera Golf and Country Club and lunch even for those who didn’t play golf was how we marked Motoring Today’s 25^th anniversary on Philippine television.

But the story didn’t end there. When all those who came back from the golf game came looking happy, satisfied, in high spirits and eager to play again, to include those who really played badly that day—I decided and boldly made the announcement that this Invitational Golf Tournament among friends and supporters should happen every year henceforth—and that started the tradition and my “out of character” and delightful waking up at four o’clock in the morning to say “thank you” to my friends and supporters.  And last March 9, Friday was no exception—the 7^th staging of the STV Invitational Golf Cup.

The weather was threatening when I left the house that early morning but I was telling myself that for most golfers (who I was for a time until I wrongly felt it was taking a lot of my time) nothing blocks their path to the golf course for a game except bolts of lightning, not even a storm for many. But the very slight early morning drizzle at the Riviera proved to be a blessing as it gave everyone a very comfortable and cool entire day of golf.

Every one who came was saying thank you for being invited that I had to emphasize before the tee off that it was I and all the men and women of Sunshine TV are the ones that are sincerely thanking everyone not only for all the support they have given to keep us doing what we have been doing now for over three decades—service to the general motoring public—but also for honoring us with their mere presence.

The top executives of the auto industry who traditionally do the ceremonial tee off were led by Toyota Motor Philippines president Satoru Suzuki, gamely followed to the tee off area by Mutsuhiro Oshikiri, president of Mitsubishi Motors Philippines; Hajime Koso, president of Isuzu Philippines Corporation; Raymond Rodriguez president of Lexus Manila; his newly retired and past president, Danny Isla; and BYD’s managing director, Mark Tieng.

SsangYong Philippines managing director Dave Macasadia begged off due to a sore shoulder while CAMPI president Rommel Gutierrez just flew in from Bangkok only to be present and join auto industry peers and friends (sorry for the senior moment, my friend). My son Wee, my traditional pinch-hitter for the ceremonies begged off too for reasons I can now understand because he was to tee off right before our ‘guest player of honor,, Ms. Majonie Pulumbarit, who’s part of the Ladies Asian Golf Tour, the Ladies Philippine Golf Tour and the Professional Golfers Association of the Philippines. She was also the head coach of Xavier School and Immaculate Conception Academy Team. And dude, did she show them.

We thank all those who came to play and also those who went out of their way not to play but just to show their support like Peugeot president, Glen Dasig, Mitsubishi Motors Philippines SVP, Dante Santos and BMW’s Assistant to the Chairman Spencer Yu.

The media was there too lead by the widely read syndicated sports and motoring columnist, Al ‘Sir Paul’ Mendoza and TV and radio celebrities, Rey Langit and Deo ‘Bubuwit’ Macalma plus the former auto executive that recently jumped over the fence to join the ranks of the media, Arnel Doria.  

Guys, thank you for the privilege of having your esteemed presence and to the winners—Congratulations!

See you again next year!

Happy Motoring!!!

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