Strong political will needed in BF Homes issue

The worsening situation at the gates of BF Homes is really causing a lot of anxiety among many of its residents. Aside from the letters we have received after we wrote that article in this column, “BF Homes – a ticking bomb?” (February 6, 2008), many have called me while others have approached me directly to offer their “two cents” worth to prevent a possible “explosion” of violence at the BF Homes gates.

According to them, passing through the Concha Cruz and El Grande gates is already getting to be untenable, especially to legitimate residents. Many of them are saying that most of the time, the actuations of the guards are already close to arrogance, as they demand the residents to “buy” stickers in order to gain entry “hassle-free” to their own legal abodes.

Many are now supporting the move to urge the Mayors of Muntinlupa and Las Piñas to display their political will and follow the lead of Mayor Jun Bernabe of Parañaque City when he opened the President’s Avenue/Aquirre Avenue gate, in response to the clamor of the majority of the residents of BF Homes.

The other measure that seems to be the consensus of a big number of legitimate BF Homes residents is to all together “dismantle” the umbrella organization that’s supposed to be “supervising” all the smaller homeowners associations. It has been proven that the smaller homeowners associations have the capability to manage their individual enclaves in providing all the services like security, street lighting, garbage collection, etc. It appears, according to many of the homeowners that have offered their views, that the UBFHAI’s only function is to collect fees at the gates and to sell gate stickers both to residents and non-residents of BF Homes – the core of the controversy (aside from the alleged misuse of funds as charged by some quarters). The security and other services that are needed in the “common areas” can aptly be provided by the local governments involved in the areas in question like the gates located in Muntinlupa and in Las Pinas. So, many of the residents ask, “What’s the existence of the UBFHAI for?”

The situation at the “controlled” gates of BF Homes is very explosive. Some of the irate residents have expressed the possibility of some of them ramming the gates when prevented by the guards from going back to their homes and families.

We call again on Mayor Aldrin San Pedro of Muntinlupa and Mayor Vergel Aguilar of Las Piñas to step in and get involved fast. Let’s not wait for a violent incident, which can be prevented by your immediate involvement, to happen and unduly cause useless damage to property, loss of limb and worse loss of lives.

Honda Media Challenge winners get awards

Last year’s staging of the Honda Media Challenge, the longest-running media motor sport event, came different compared to the past. From the circuit format of the previous staging of several years, the 2007 Honda Media Challenge was designed as an Autokhana, combining the Autocross and Gymkhana motor sport disciplines. The novel format was designed to even out the competition since emphasis was on driver skill and vehicle driving, combining both speed and precision driving.

The winners, who were honored last Friday, February 15 at the Forum Hall of the Airport Casino Filipino had Top Gear magazine team composed of Carmela Ortiz, Beeboy Bargas and Paolo Subido crowned as Champions. On second place was team Business Mirror composed of Andy Sevilla, Randy Cabangon and Dino Datu while the third place was won by Team Auto Review composed of Auto Review producer/host Ron de los Reyes, Kit Joaquin and Alvin Ng.

The individual honors went to Paolo Subido as Best Driver, followed by Ferman Lao on second place and Beeboy Bargas came in third. Orly Malabanan of Honda Cars Philippines captured the top slot in the exhibition category.

Conspicuously absent during the ever fun-filled event was Honda Cars Philippines vp for marketing Arnel Doria, who was at the final night’s wake for his departed father – our deepest condolences to Arnel.

So, what’s up next for this year’s Honda Media Challenge – the institution?

Larger-diameter tires for all-terrain applications

The guy that many of us in the motoring beat refer to as the “wheel authority” in the automotive aftermarket business now has something to offer for larger-diameter applications to as big as 24 inches for all terrain applications.

Mr. Sammy Luison, the recognized “Godfather” of the country’s “aftermarket mafia” (for those who have been watching the series “Sopranos”, this reference is far from the fearful “mob life” depicted in the TV series) has announced the availability at Wheel Gallery, the known haven for wheel enthusiasts, Nitto Tires’ new Dura and Terra Grappler series that are specifically designed for light truck and SUV applications. And since these all-terrain tires are also available in load range D and E ratings, tire experts project that they’re an excellent choice for the 8-lug and 1-ton truck owners who are seeking a set of all-terrain tires with load-carrying capabilities.

Sammy offers the information that the heart of the new Dura and Terra Grappler series is Nitto’s unique tread design, which provides all-season performance on the road with all-terrain traction on dirt. Staggered shoulder lugs according to him ensure solid traction in deep sand, loose gravel and even in the mud.

“On road, the Grapplers are remarkably quiet even during high speed runs. Turning the steering wheel from side to side, the tires offer solid-handling and good manners, even in wet conditions. On dirt, Nitto’s Grappler tires come alive, offering positive traction under a variety of conditions, including sand, silt and gravel even at street pressures.”

With the popularity of the SUVs in the country supposedly not showing any let-up, this new series may just offer SUV buffs and wheel enthusiasts a combination of good looks and a wider range of performance.

SPMJ conducts workshop

A workshop with the purpose of further fine-tuning the teaching modules that are being used in the road safety seminars being conducted by the Society of Philippine Motoring Journalists (SPMJ) was held last weekend in Anilao, Batangas, at the Vistamar Beach Resort & Hotel.

As some of you may already know, SPMJ, an association composed of the country’s motoring editors, motoring TV show producers/hosts and motoring journalists, is promoting the advocacy of educating our youth to become safe and responsible road users. This is being pursued by conducting seminars and workshops on road safety and responsible road usage both for teachers and students in different schools for free. At the start, these free seminars were held with the cooperation and support from Toyota Motor Philippines and Ford Group Philippines. The group feels that with all of us being stakeholders in this vital concern of keeping our children safe while on the road and of producing more disciplined and better informed future motorists, business competition should be set aside. This attitude is also fortunately being shared by the entire automotive industry as they realize that the goal of educating our youth on road safety and responsible road usage is so high and lofty that it should be considered as a responsibility of everyone regardless of business or industry affiliation.

One of the specific aims of the workshop is to pinpoint which parts of the seminar should be supported by more audio/visuals (graphs, still photos and video) in order to make the lectures greatly interesting and more importantly, highly effective and yet cost efficient.

The other target of achievement of the working conference is to finalize the format of the multi-media quizzes (radio/TV and possibly even print) that shall be held starting this year, which shall center on traffic rules and regulations, traffic signs, correct reactions to given situations and other facets of road safety.

Also discussed extensively is the holding of the yearly SPMJ Invitational Golf Tournament, which has become an eagerly awaited event by the auto industry executives. They look at it as a rare opportunity for them to meet, mingle and have fellowship with the rest of the shakers and movers of the very progressive business sector while engaging in a very friendly yet highly competitive golf tournament – a very popular sport among industry leaders. In the last staging of the fund-raising tournament, the proceeds were earmarked to support the logistics needed for the “audio-visualization” of the seminars, which I mentioned earlier. As we promote further our advocacy, the needs never cease.

It was a very fruitful convergence of minds that share the same level of passion to do something about the present sometimes chaotic state of motoring in the country, close to being anarchic by working on the young minds of our youth, seeding the right values and forming the right frame of mind to make them become future highly informed and well-disciplined members of the motoring public.

Voting for “most popular automobiles” starts soon

Next week, February 29, Friday to be exact, voting for the 2008 Auto Focus People’s Choice Awards shall be officially launched during fitting ceremonies at Valle Verde Country Club. The awards seek to determine the most preferred vehicles in the country in the individual categories, ie., SUVs, sports cars, sedans in different sizes, AUVs, pick up and vans and ultimately the “Automobile of the Year” through a public poll.

On its 4th staging, the voting for the Auto Focus People’s Choice Awards takes a much larger scope as auto enthusiasts and the motoring public from major parts and cities of the country shall have the opportunity to cast their votes for the vehicles they prefer. An audio/visual booth that shall show the different present year models and their specs to guide the public in their choices as well as an electronic voting booth for the actual casting of votes shall be found in the BPI Auto Madness motor shows that shall be held in Cebu, Bacolod, Iloilo, Davao, Cagayan de Oro, Pampanga, Baguio, etc. allowing a much wider representation of the public in this selection process.

Aside from having the facility to vote “on site”, the public can also vote “on line” via the voting website, www.autofocus.com.ph. Now, this year the voting public will not only be allowed to voice their preference but also the chance to win prizes through raffles to held during the BPI Auto Madness motor shows and also electronic draws for those who shall vote “on line”. Watch for further announcements.

Happy Motoring!!!

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