DANNY “Sir John” Isla, the founding president of Lexus Philippines, writes about his vacation in his birthplace. He has been living with his entire family in Auckland, New Zealand, since he retired some years back. Here:
“AFTER living in New Zealand for over two years now, I finally made it back to Manila for a short stay to look after a number of unfinished business. My wife, Joy, and I did not plan to be away for a long time but NZ closed its borders as a fast response to the pandemic. No regrets being locked down there—we were with family, it was safer and it gave us a sense of security knowing that whatever happened, we would be well taken care of.
“While NZ is comfortably cool even in summer, Manila is hot and humid that even a short stay out of the house makes me feel very exhausted.
“Driving here is not so pleasant with people unmindful of road courtesy and discipline (it’s right-hand drive in NZ). Here, I have to anticipate people crossing the street anywhere they please, motorcycles overtaking left and right, drivers staying on the wrong lanes when turning.
“The benefits that Manila offers, however, far outweigh the inconveniences. We have a kasambahay who looks after us and the household chores, and there are people whom we could readily call for errands. Food is so much cheaper here, especially the senior discounts applied on meals.
“Malls in NZ are much smaller that they can easily fit into major malls in Manila boasting of more stores and product assortments. Five-star hotels in Manila are bigger, grander and more imposing.
“Social life in Manila is more bustling. This is not to say, though, that there is no social life in NZ but you would have to go to the city to enjoy it. Mostly, it would be the young people staying out unlike here in Manila where social life cuts across all age groups.
“Life in NZ is more quiet and conservative. You’d see people spending time with family having picnics in the parks and by the beaches, just about anywhere.
“A significant difference I see is, in the area of golf. Over there, I play regularly with a group of friends. In NZ, however, a golf game ends just as fast as a round is completed. Unlike here, when my golf game with my Alabang 515 Club buddies is over, the fellowship that follows will last longer than the 18-hole game itself.
“But NZ wins hands down insofar as providing us health and medical benefits is concerned.
“Now, do I like one country over the other?
“Honestly, I must say I have the best of both worlds and I am extremely grateful.”
You can say that again, Sir John. Joy, the love of your life, must be in eternal bliss, too—but, of course.
Campi pitch
ROMMEL Gutierrez, the lawyer-president of the Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines, Inc. (Campi), writes to say they support the proposed suspension of Most-Favored Nation (MFN) tariffs on completely built-up electric vehicles (EV).
“It is consistent with and complementary to Republic Act No. 11697 or the Electric Vehicle Industry Development Act (Evida),” Gutierrez said, adding he also supports all EV technologies including hybrid electric vehicles (HEV), plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEV) and battery electric vehicles (BEV).
Gutierrez said Campi is looking at the gradual electrification of the private vehicle segment with its members offering a whole range of OEM EVs.
He said Campi has been promoting the adoption of all EV technologies since 2009 and participating in various government-industry fora on EV.
“The zero percent tariff proposal puts the automotive industry in the right direction in terms of vehicle electrification,” Gutierrez concluded.
Campi is the leading automotive industry organization in the Philippines founded in May 1995. It has 20 members representing 24 global automotive brands that account for 85 percent of the total market sales in 2021.
PEE STOP A humble friend of mine, a fellow Beatlemaniac, invites you to transact your driver’s license needs at SM North Edsa, SM Southmall, SM San Jose del Monte, SM Marilao, SM Cabanatuan, SM Masinag, SM Angono, and SM Seaside Cebu. When you do, I swear you’ll enjoy a public service treat of a lifetime…Hooray to the opening of Abel Manliclic’s famous Tiong Bahru, the famous Michelin-awarded Singapore restaurant noted for its Hainanese boneless chicken, whose BGC branch is at Uptown Place Mall, 9th Ave. cor. 36th St. Cheers!