ONE thing I like with my coverage of the Vios Cup is I get to renew ties each time with friends from the media, ranks of pure race enthusiasts and Toyota Motor Philippines (TMP).
Now on its fifth year after Michinobu “The Rocker” Sugata unfurled it in 2014, the race has never lost its luster, its devoted throng trooping in droves once more to Clark last weekend.
This evening, Ricky Alegre led the pack of well-wishers saying their temporary goodbyes. He was an accomplished journalist before joining the government as tourism assistant secretary-cum-spokesman in the Duterte administration. Ricky was the one who broke the proverbial ice when he ordered beer “as lining” for the main fight: Macallan and Glenfiddich (if you know what I mean). Government power hasn’t changed him one teeny-weeny bit. “Humble to the max,” said Carlo G. Nemo of Ricky.
The Inquirer’s respected adman Pepito Olarte and motoring columnist J. I. Tuason were also with us tonight. Same with Jeff Reyes of Top Gear. Hey guys, you could hold your drink with dignity, huh. Cheers!
But taking the spotlight in our table, of course, were Toyota’s top brass no less, led by TMP President Satoru Suzuki, his chief deputy Kei Misaguchi, and TMP’s stalwarts Jing Atienza and Sherwin Atienza. And how about Raymond T. Rodriguez, the Lexus president? You all made my trip, senseis! Kampei!
It was not until midnight when we hit the sack. What a night.
Till Season 6, fellas!
Yuka a diamond for George—and more
EVER since I saw Yuka Saso play at the Manila Golf Club, I knew at once the hue of greatness is evident in her. That was early this year.
She was introduced to me by George Blaylock, the motoring industry legend, during the Diamond Motors tournament hosted by George himself.
After shaking hands with Yuka, I felt in her soft hand the grip of a champion.
“I can feel it,” I told Yuka. “You will one day become a golf great.”
Astonishingly, it’s happening now.
Only 17, Yuka became the Asian Games golf champion, becoming the first Filipino female to accomplish the feat.
To say that a star is born in Yuka is an understatement. I’m sure Jimmy J. Bautista, the humble PAL president, is proud to have Yuka as a gallant participant in the just-ended PAL Ladies Interclub.
Here’s an excerpt on Yuka’s story about her PAL triumph:
“Asian Games champion Yuka Saso powered Pradera Verde to its second straight Philippine Airlines Ladies Interclub team championship Saturday [September 22], scoring a tournament-best 59 points at the Rancho Palos Verdes Golf and Country Club.
“The 17-year-old Fil-Japanese eagled the par-5, 12th hole and made four birdies against a lone bogey to anchor Pradera Verde’s final-day charge that overhauled Manila Southwoods’s three-point lead.
“Rianne Malixi, showing a lot of promise at a tender age of 11, closed out with 52 points and Malaysian Eliza Mae Kho chipped in 50 as Pradera finished with 161 points for a 13-point victory. Malaysian Vinisha Gunaseelan did not count with a 48.
“We’re going for a three-peat next year,” said Pradera Verde captain Norman Sto. Domingo, who scrambled to form a team after losing six players from last year’s champion team.
“Depending on their availability, Pradera Verde is expected to bring back the Malaysians next year, according to team owner Lubao Mayor Mylyn Pineda-Cayabyab.
“Major sponsors for the 13th PAL Ladies Interclub include Airbus, Bombardier, People Asia, UM Broadcasting Network and Primax Broadcasting Network.
“Other sponsors are TFC, Mastercard, Resorts World, SEDA Hotel, SM Supermalls and Banco de Oro. Donors are Asia Brewery and Philippine National Bank.
“The final Championship Division scores: Pradera Verde 618 [151-156-150-161], Manila Southwoods 605 [156-154-150-145].”
Hey, George, Yuka isn’t just your diamond in the rough. She’s certified gold, if not platinum, now.
PEE STOP
I missed dropping by at Petron’s Hospitality Tent during the Vios Cup’s final race for the season at Clark last weekend. My apologies, dearest Maribelle (Alba). I had to rush back to Manila for an appointment…. Toyota’s Marketing chief Tini Arevalo also readily understood my sneaking out from Toyota’s VIP Room, as always. Thanks, Tini…. I am glad to note the presence of Petron XCS, whose partnership with Toyota for the Vios Cup is very much welcomed. As Toyota hotshot Carlo Ablaza puts it, to the joyful smiles of MJ Llanes: “Toyota highly recommends the use of Petron fuels for our cars based on the fuel type and octane rating of our vehicles.”… Speaking of Carlo, was I likewise gladdened to see him again at the Vios Cup. We reminisced once more about my rather harrowing experience at getting hospitalized in Tokyo last November after a severe flu virus struck me upon arrival—completely shutting me off from covering live the Tokyo Motor Show at the iconic Big Sight. It was Carlo, of course, who stood by me as a liter of antibiotics was being intravenously infused into my quivering, wobbly body, the needle inflicting so much pain on my right arm. At Clark, I told Carlo about his famous words at that Tokyo hospital before I was ordered by the nurse (OK, she was comely and nice) to lie down for the procedure: “Don’t you worry a thing, Boss Al. I’ll be here from beginning to end.” Hearing that, I prayed and next closed my eyes….