IT’S summer. And so, it’s time for fun in the sun, sea and sand. But this one’s more of the sun; the sea and sand sojourn has got to be shelved for the moment. Yes, you guessed it right: Boracay is in bad shape and it needs rehabilitation. Now.
Oh, well, there are other beautiful beaches and interesting islands out there. Just a little creativity, imagination, and, to your sensational surprise yet, you might be able to catch your own dream getaway—paradise even.
But in the meantime, if you are looking for some truly a momentous moment in the sun, there’s the Vios Cup for you roaring off next month.
Over 50 racers spread in Super Sporting Class, Sporting Class, and Promotional Class are raring to battle it out starting April 28 at the Clark International Speedway in Pampanga.
A new feature is the “One Make Race” that provides for a new three-leg format and a car specifications upgrade exclusively in the Super Sporting Class.
From Clark, the Vios Cup, now on its fifth year, goes to its second leg in Filinvest, Alabang, before it roars back to Clark for the third and final leg.
As always, Toyota’s mission with the Vios Cup is to cultivate a grassroots-based racing program in a bid to inculcate basic motorsports knowledge to up and coming car racers.
But, of course, to add spice to the races flagging off at 10 a.m., which are free to the public and entire families devoted to car racing, a slew of new celebrity racers will grace this year’s edition, to include actors Diego Loyzaga, Sofia Andres, Chie Filomeno and Sam Milby.
Also in the mix are returning celebrities, sportscaster Gretchen Ho, fitness influencer Aubrey Miles, Japanese-Brazilian model Fabio Ide and actor Troy Montero.
Suzuki speech
FOR my undying love for speeches, I just bought the book, Great Speeches of Our Time compiled by Hywel Williams. It contains speeches of many legendary world leaders like Mao Zedong, Winston Churchill, Mikhail Gorbachev, Martin Luther King, John F. Kennedy, Fidel Castro and Nelson Mandela, among others.
I also have the inaugural speeches of Presidents Cory, Fidel V. Ramos, Erap, GMA, PNoy and, most recently, Duterte.
In the Vios Cup launch, therefore, I got hold, again, of the speech of Satoru Suzuki, the amiable president of Toyota Motors Philippines. Here:
“Ladies and gentlemen, a pleasant afternoon to all of you.
“I would like to extend my sincerest appreciation for your presence here today despite your busy schedules.
“Toyota Motor Philippines welcomes you as we launch the fifth staging of the biggest motorsports event in the country, the Toyota Vios Cup.
“We are quite excited to bring again the Waku Doki spirit to the Filipino public through this ‘One Make Race.’
“In the past four seasons of the Vios Cup, the largest selling passenger car in the country has not only proven its quality, durability and reliability, but most especially that it is fun to drive.
“This April, we will kick off the first race at the Clark International Speedway in Pampanga.
“We are also pleased to announce that we will bring back the excitement of racing to Metro Manila in July, with Race 2 set to flag off in Filinvest, Alabang. The season-ender will again be at the Clark Speedway in September.
“With more competitive, new and veteran drivers, and the new celebrity participants, I am confident that this year will be another exciting blast-off for the Vios Cup and for Philippine racing.
“Moreover, I would like to thank our sponsors who have shared vision and passion these past years. To our major sponsors Bridgestone and Rota, and to our other valuable partners Motul, Brembo, AVT, 3M, Denso, OMP and Tuason Racing—thank you for your strong support to the Vios Cup.
“Having said all of these, I would like to invite you, your family, and friends to another round of action-packed races at the Vios Cup.
“Thank you very much and enjoy the rest of the afternoon.”
Concise, brief and direct to the point. Simplicity is beauty, indeed.
Isuzu supports volleyball
MANY car companies now support big sporting events. And Isuzu Philippines Corp. is the recent addition, signing up with the 2018 Philippine SuperLiga (PSL).
The PSL, unwrapping its 2018 Grand Prix in February, is the first volleyball league in the country recognized by both the Asian Volleyball Conferederation and the International Volleyball Federation. It is sanctioned by the Larong Volleyball sa Pilipinas Inc.
Signing the memorandum of agreement were IPC Vice President for Sales Yasuhiko Oyama and PSL board of directors Ariel Paredes and Ginio Panganiban.
“Since 2010 Isuzu has been an avid supporter of sports, starting with our Isuzu D-Max Cycling team,” Oyama said. “We evolved and recently supported a local football club and a Cebu-based triathlon team.”
Oyama added, “Since the PSL is currently the leading volleyball tournament outside the collegiate level, we are proud to be part of this year’s league. Our D-Max and Mu-X are ideal for sport enthusiasts since they can carry multiple passengers and have ample space for their equipment.”
Here’s to Isuzu for being pro-sports, a virtue worth emulating.
PEE STOP This Sunday, will see Jesus Christ rise from death. To the Christian world, it means that for those who believe in Jesus’ resurrection, life is forever. Happy Easter!