Entrepreneur Lorenzo Vega attributes the original concept of the “Siklesa” to his late grandmother Carmencita Ongsiako Reyes.
One Sunday, while on a trip to Binondo, Carmencita told Lorenzo an idea she had in mind: a “Kalesa style” where a motorcycle replaced the horse. She originally intended to use it for a parade but could not find the right people to make it for her.
Lorenzo described the moment as a “light bulb moment.” He added, “It’s one of those things that we feel and I felt right away that it was something that is very special.”
He saw his grandmother’s idea promising. He said, “I thought this is going to be amazing, It’s something that is really spectacular.”
Lorenzo did not wait longer. There, at that moment, he asked his grandmother if he could work on it.
Her answer: “Sure hijo, no problem.”
For the next 3 years, Lorenzo worked on the Siklesa—with a help this time with partner Ar. Jaime Recto.
Lorenzo and Jaime launched Siklesa in the 2018 Manila FAME.
Despite passing away in 2019, Carmencita was still able to see Siklesa.
Reflecting on their innovation, Lorenzo deems Siklesa as “an evolution of transportation.”
He claims that it has been a while now since anyone invented something for the transportation sector, and it is high time, with Siklesa, to emerge as a part of the sector.
Lorenzo shared that their very first client was Manila Hotel. “Back in FAME, Manila Hotel was there and they approached us and they wanted to purchase units,” he recalled.
Manila Hotel keeps a display model for guests to appreciate Siklesa, according to Lorenzo. But more than that, Siklesa is being utilized for its true purpose: transportation. “They use it as an actual transportation module throughout the Manila area and beyond,” he said.
That was only the beginning of Siklesa’s journey, as now, Siklesa is also being used by other hotels and institutions such as the Department of Tourism and Ayala Corporation.
Further developments, new improvements
But innovation doesn’t stop there.
Siklesa originally started being run through gas. But Lorenzo realized the environmental footprints of gas, and decided to switch the engine being electrically run.
“We have to make that shift to electric vehicles to be environment friendly, zero carbon emission,” he said.
“It’s not just about making money. Of course, making money is very important because money allows you to do more things ‘di ba? But how can you create things that have integrity?” he reflected.
Siklesa is not about replacing jeepneys, Lorenzo said. He said it’s for bigger things, like more ways of transportation and a better tourism experience. “It’s being greeted by an amazing and new innovation that represents the Philippines,” he added.
“It’s a beautiful thing and it’s not just that, it rides fantastic,” he said.
Interview by Edwin P. Sallan, Photos by Bernard Testa
Image credits: Entrepreneur Lorenzo Vega and his Siklesa, Bernard Testa
