The search for the Tsuper Pinoy is on

Goodyear Philippines recently launched a campaign that could change the roads we drive in.

The campaign is called Bayani ng Kalsada — it is a search for the Tsuper Pinoy who has performed selfless acts of courage and service to help other people on the road. The launch, which was held at the Hyatt Regency Hotel, was organized as part of Goodyear’s 50th year anniversary of manufacturing tires in the Philippines.

"Goodyear believes recognizing and awarding heroes among drivers and motorists on the road is the best way of celebrating our 50th year anniversary. For the past 50 years, Goodyear has been developing and manufacturing safe, reliable, and efficient tires for everyday motorists, public utility vehicles, and truckers. Goodyear identifies with its customers who keep the industry moving or who understand the value of a good tire to make motoring safer and enjoyable for everyone on the road," says Goodyear Marketing Director Ron Castro.

Event host Cito Beltran pointed out that a similar thing has already worked. When the media started reporting about honest citizens who returned cash and valuables to owners or the authorities, it was the beginning of an honesty campaign which made people realize that recognition is better than temporary gain. From then on it has become easier to find people, even children, who performed acts of honesty.

As Goodyear aims to make the campaign a yearly event, people from all walks of life are hoping that it will be the beginning of the reign of a new breed of drivers.

The culture of the road has somewhat always been a culture of blame, self-centeredness and negativity. Goodyear interviewed people on the streets and it became evident in the video clips that the prevalent notion is that good drivers are hard to find. They are likened to angels. People have faith that they are out there and with a little luck they will come to the rescue at the right place and at the right time.

It is well-known that Pinoy drivers are some of the best drivers in the world. Pinoy drivers are good all right, but it depends on what we mean by good. In this case, good means skillful and clever — not law-abiding and courteous. Yet all that will change if the campaign could draw people’s attention away from the ugliness and towards the goodness that happens on our roads and highways everyday. Goodyear is now in search of angels.

Goodyear President David Joseph Morin, in his welcome speech, recognized the increasing pressures, responsibilities and dangers that drivers face on the roads each day. He sees the campaign as a way to put the spotlight on our local road-going heroes.

The Bayani ng Kalsada campaign emulates the Goodyear Highway Hero campaign in the US and Canada, which during the past 23 years has been recognizing truck drivers who have done heroic acts of courage, sacrifice and service on the road. The finalists for the 2005 Goodyear Highway Hero include three professional truck drivers who battled flames to pull victims to safety in separate accidents and another driver who saved a mother and her baby from oncoming traffic as they lay on a wet and dark Florida Turnpike.

In the Philippines, Bayani ng Kalsada is a nationwide campaign which is open to the public, transport associations, and car clubs who wish to nominate Tsuper Pinoys — that is drivers who best represent civic-minded drivers in the country. There are four categories: Public Utility Jeepney Drivers, Taxi/FX Drivers, Commercial (truck)/ Bus Drivers, and Private Drivers. Nominations may be submitted at all Goodyear Servitek and TyrePro outlets nationwide or you can mail them at P.O. Box 7260, Domestic Airport, Manila, Philippines or P.O. Box 1384 M.C.P.O., Makati City 1251, Philippines. They can also be faxed at (02) 876-4596, 876-4560, 635-2587 or e-mail them at [email protected] until September 30, 2006. The announcement of the results is scheduled on December 2006.

All finalists will receive personal accident insurance from Standard Insurance, a certificate, a cap and shirt, and P3,000 worth of gas coupons. Winners for each category, meanwhile, will receive P10,000 in cash, a two year certificate course scholarship at any STI branch for any STI course offered, personal accident insurance from Standard Insurance, a plaque of recognition, P13,000 worth of gas coupons and special jackets, caps and shirts.

Only a third party can submit an entry so anyone who knows of an angel of the streets and wish to make the whole world know can get nomination forms at Goodyear Serviteks, TyrePro Outlets, LTO branches nationwide, LTFRB Offices nationwide, and Caltex Stations.