Toyota helps the poorest of the poor

In business jargon it’s called "corporate citizenship", for Toyota Motor Philippines Corporation–its compassion.

And I was there in Barangay Pulong, Sta. Rosa, Laguna last April 5, a real hot and humid Saturday, when more than 1,500 of its residents came in droves to avail of Toyota Motor Philippines Foundation’s Medical Outreach Program.

It was a sight to see Toyota executives, volunteers, as well as doctors, dentists, nurses and other medical staff from the Makati Medical Center, Manila Doctors Hospital, Manila Doctors College and Makati Dental Society dedicatedly attended to the medical needs of some of our country’s poorest of the poor.

I saw entire families being given free direct quality health care services such as medical treatment in skin care, EENT, general surgery (Being summer vacation, circumcision had a long line) OB-Gyne, ECG and dental services.

Aside from the free medical services, which all the doctors participating find very fulfilling to extend (as attested to by all of those I personally interviewed), free medicine were also provided by one of the country’s biggest pharmaceutical companies, Drugmaker’s Laboratories while refreshments for all the volunteers and participants of the event were generously provided by Coca Cola Philippines.

I had a short chat with retired General Angel Kanapi, presently the vice president and executive officer of Toyota Motor Philippines Foundation (TMPF) and he was so proud to say that, "The medical outreach program is just a part of Toyota’s total commitment to initiate and develop educational, medical, cultural and environmental programs geared towards the total advancement of the Filipino people."

I was further apprised that the TMPF, a non-profit organization put up in 1990, aims to be the social and humanitarian arm of Toyota Motor Philippines Corporation sharing its benefits and blessings for being the number one automotive company in the Philippines.

Its ‘Educational Program’ includes scholarship grants in Engineering courses and social sciences, scholarship grants in technical and vocational schools, engine equipment donations for automotive training courses, to name some.

While its ‘Cultural and Environmental Programs’ include musical instrument donations to the Boy Scouts of the Philippines and the University of the Philippines Conservatory of Music, construction of Public Waiting Sheds, participation in the Clean and Green projects, etc.

Toyota senior vice president Mr. Serafin Pantaleon confided while showing us the different services that were being performed that, "Toyota’s Medical Outreach Program has already benefited more than 63,000 residents of Paranaque, Taguig and Sta. Rosa, Laguna since it started in 1992".

The eagerness of Toyota volunteer executives together with its rank and file to help and be involved was visible all throughout the event and Toyota official spokesperson Mr. Ariel de Jesus was quick to declare that, "All of us really always look forward to these occasions, where we are not only given a break from our daily grind but also the rare and blessed opportunity to help the less fortunate in our society."

It is heartwarming to see in actuality business firms like Toyota share its corporate blessings with those who have less in life.

How about you? When was the last time you did your share? Or have you ever at all? Don’t you think it’s about time?

Have P3.2 M will get BMW Z4

I just came from taping an episode of our TV show Auto Focus (11 pm Channel 4 Manila and nationwide on the National Broadcasting Network) last Thursday at the Manila Southwoods Golf and Country Club, as arranged by our good friend and Southwoods golf director and top-notched golfer, Jeric Hechanova, and I knew I still had a car launching to go to and was ready to change costume to the traditional monkey suit when my ever-reliable vp for production and program continuity director, Jenny Bleza, informed me that the affair would be held at the poolside of the InterCon in Makati.

Indeed a poolside event on a hot and humid summer evening is the last place you would want to be in a suit. Especially when the car to be launched is "top-down" sportscar, a dream to many–the BMW Z4.

My brother Rey, (Who’s also been bitten by the TV bug appearing daily on IBC news) has a Z3 but I’m sure his passion for speed and "porma" would be stirred when he sees the Z4 in all its splendor of 2.5 cc Inline 6 192 horsepower 5-speed automatic (also available in manual). A zooming top speed of 227 and a neck-snapping acceleration of 0 to 100 kph at 7.5 seconds would make the package a lot more mouth watering. The Z4 has still a mouthful of other features and amenities that would best be appreciated when you check it out yourself.

BMW also launched that evening its ‘BMW Assistance’, a complimentary to those purchasing a new BMW from an authorized Dealer (not the gray market), where they would be entitled to Roadside Assistance, Concierge Services and Domestic Medical Assistance.

Mark Gilbert, top honcho of BMW Philippines, came properly dressed with a light blazer for his speech but eventually shed it off later when the sweat probably started cascading, also took the opportunity to present to the motoring media present a real macho-looking BMW motorcycle that’s also now currently being offered by BMW to the local market. A biker’s dream I suppose.

Formula One Notes

I was late for work Monday morning (Unfortunately TV production outfits have no holiday vacations) because the Brazilian Grand Prix kept me up until 3:30 am. Although I have to admit that having eye bags for a day was worth it. That was, by far, the most exciting Grand Prix I have seen in recent memory. It dripped with drama and controversy to the very last second!

First, the race was delayed due to heavy rains. In the duration of the race, Star Sports commentator Steve Slater has changed the name of Turn 3 from curba del sol or curve of the sun to curba del agua or curve of water because more than just a handful of drivers found their race ending as they rounded up the slippery curb: Jos Verstappen, Antonio Pizzonia, Juan Pablo Montoya, to name some and even Michael Schumacher. Shortly after Schumi retired, Rubens Barrichello soon followed due to technical problems. It looks like Ferrari’s woes aren’t over yet. This was Rubens’ 9th straight retirement in his home grand prix.

It was in the 54th lap that Giancarlo Fisichella of Jordan-Ford pulled a splendid overtaking maneuver on Kimi Raikkonen of West McLaren Mercedes. Jordan’s pit crew was visibly elated with the move. Shortly after that however, Mark Webber of Jaguar spun, lost control of his car, and collided with the side barriers. This left quite a large amount of debris on the track, and unfortunately Fernando Alonso of Renault hit one of Webber’s wheels and took a spill of his own, this one much more serious. Fortunately it was reported that both drivers escaped from their respective accidents unscathed save for a few bumps and bruises. It was at that point that the race was stopped. As the race had covered more than 75 percent of total distance, the results were declared (in accordance with the regulations) from the 53rd lap, so although Fisi was already in the lead, the win was awarded to Kimi. It was his 2nd win in 2 races and McLaren’s 3rd straight.

Raikkonen now leads all drivers with 26 points, closely followed by his teammate David Coulthard (who finished 4th in Brazil) with 15. Fernando Alonso, who unfortunately missed celebrating for his 1st podium finish because he was in the infirmary, is impressing everybody with 14 points. Fellow Renault driver Jarno Trulli is at 4th with 9, and Schumi, Rubens, and Montoya are tied at 5th with 8 points apiece.

Even more startling is the Constructors Championship. McLaren leads with 41, Renault is a distant second with 23, and the formerly invincible Ferrari is at a distant 3rd with 16.

It looks like the rule-changes spelled a major difference this season. It certainly makes the races much more exciting and unpredictable! Who would have thought that Fernando Alonso would be at third place at this point in the season, scoring even more than defending champion Schumacher? Who would have thought that McLaren would regain its lost glory and lord it over all the other teams? Renault is an even bigger surprise!

Imola would be a different story altogether however, since it has always been known as Ferrari’s home track. I guess we’ll just have to wait 2 more weeks to find out.

Happy Motoring!!!!

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