Hope it's not a long wait

Metro motorists are still waiting for some significant change in the traffic management as traffic gridlocks remain as a way of life during morning and evening peak hours despite a change in leadership in the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA).

Some areas in EDSA are still seen filled with buses lining up leisurely waiting for passengers to the chagrin of other motorists who would have to wait in line behind these behemoth transporters, whose numbers have been proven to be much more than the commuters that they serve.

Some metro denizens and citizens are beginning to miss the no nonsense iron rule of former MMDA chairman and now vice presidential candidate Bayani Fernando in his covenant to clear the sidewalks for the rightful users – the pedestrians, to use instead of unsafely walking in the streets, as sights of illegal vendors are reportedly slowly dotting the metro.

But we shall be patient in waiting for the continuing improvement of Metro Manila’s traffic management of vehicles and people.

Let’s give new MMDA Chairman Oscar Inocentes a chance. Let’s wait. Hope it won’t be a long one, though.

It may be a MINI but it can be big

Like the new automobile that was recently added to the wide array of prestigious marquees in his multi-brand dealerships, the dapper Mr. Willy Tee Ten, one of the country’s automotive tycoons, was a revelation behind the microphone as he masterfully officially presented the MINI to the country in a short program that marked its launch attended by automobile enthusiasts, industry players and members of the motoring media counted among the long list of invitees, which was headed by British Ambassador to the Philippines, HE Stephen Lillie.

The lively and well-attended launch was held at the MINI Global City showroom, which British United Automobiles, Inc. the authorized importer of the MINI in the Philippines lead by Willy himself as president, said will introduce a whole new world of motoring fun to MINI enthusiasts in the country.

Willy, who’s also the head honcho of the high-profile Auto Hub Group said, “After months of planning, we are excited to open our doors. The MINI Global City is something special, created on the basis of a car that is already very special. The interior is designed with exclusive style to reflect the sophisticated features of the MINI.”

Mr. Tee Ten was joined by Mr. Graeme Grieve, vice president, BMW Group Importers Market and Mr. Johannes Seibert, managing director of BMW Group Asia in officially opening the showroom, which is located at the corner of 5th Avenue and 26th streets of the Bonifacio Global City, Taguig. It was presented as a fully fledged facility consisting of 430 square meters of showroom and state-of-the-art workshop, a one-stop shop offering vehicle accessories, lifestyle products, replacement parts sales as well as after-sales services.

The line up of MINI models currently available range from the MINI Cooper with manual transmission with a price tag of P1.8M to the high-end MINI Cooper S Convertible with automatic transmission priced at P2.995M.

Other models that you can see up close and personal at the MINI Global City with a test drive to boot are the MINI Cooper A/T (P1.950M), MINI Cooper Clubman A/T (P2.150M), MINI Cooper S M/T (P2.3M), MINI Cooper S A/T (P2.450M) and the MINI Cooper Convertible A/T (P2.450M).

Congratulations to our good friend Willy. Way to go, bro.

New youth segment on Motoring Today

Starting this Sunday, January 24 and every week thereafter in 2010 and probably even beyond, the TV show Motoring Today shall have a new portion that’s dedicated to the young people of the land to make them safe and responsible road users.

The Motoring Today “Young Street Smarts Club” is a weekly public service of Toyota Motor Philippines in cooperation with Toyota Foundation. It’s going to be hosted by popular DJ Suzie of the top-rating FM radio station Magic 89.9, whose family name, if I’m not mistaken, is similar to mine.

Considering the myriad of concerns in promoting road safety, Suzie shall be dealing initially with the very basic yet vital traffic and road signs that one can see almost everywhere in the metro but, sad to ay, many people, even drivers do not understand the meaning of.

“I would make sure that what I’ll say in the portion can be easily understood by the young people. I would even venture to go “taglish”, need be just to send the message across.” Suzie (real name Kristine Gamboa) declared when I offered her to host the segment. “It’s a pity to know that many drivers, especially those that drive public utilities are clueless as to the meaning of even the most basic of traffic signs,” she added.

Sunshine Television (STV), the producers of the TV show Motoring Today (Sunday, 4 pm, Solar Sports Channel on Global-Destiny Cable with multiple replays on VIVA Prime Channel) together with other developmental TV shows like Auto Focus and Business & Leisure, are projecting to have at least three traffic and road signs explained weekly until all these basic and even the most complex ones are taken up in the portion. The next topics lined up are “road courtesy” and “right of way”.

Considering that one of the major corporate social responsibility (CSR) concerns of Toyota Motor Philippines is road safety, in tandem with the main objectives of the Toyota Foundation, the sponsorship of the segment did not meet any resistance. It also came timely with the withdrawal of the Toyota Team from the Formula One races, which make the continuing sponsorship of the Toyota Know Your Formula One contest no longer apt.

Changing of the Guard

Speaking of Toyota Motor Philippines (TMP), an official changing of the guard has been scheduled on Monday, January 25 at the New World Hotel in Makati.

The outgoing soft-spoken yet no nonsense TMP president Mr. Hiroshi Ito takes on new challenges back in Japan after finishing his tour-of-duty in the Philippines.

Ito-san started his meaningful management rein at TMP in February 2006 and is leaving with a legacy of sustained market leadership and management innovations that has made Toyota in the Philippines not only a prestigious company but a leader of the industry as well.

To our gentleman friend Mr. Hiroshi Ito, our best wishes for more achievements and success in your future endeavors. You travel back to Japan leaving Toyota Motor Philippines and the Philippine Motoring Media with nothing but fond memories of your significant stay.

God speed, Ito-san.

Motoring Tip of the Week

It is common knowledge that the criminal elements do not take a leave. As long as there’s an opportunity to strike and have the chance to fill their wallets at other people’s expense they would take it.

Living in the city is a life of always being alert. For vehicle-owners the prospect of being a victim of the varied criminal activities is always there while we are on the road and even while we are at home, for that matter.

Let’s not rest our vigilance. Let’s keep alert and keep in mind some basic rules like always park your vehicle in guarded places (don’t scrimp on the parking fees, it’s miniscule compared to what you can part from), don’t stay inside your parked vehicle (stay from a distance to constantly observe the surroundings for anything amiss), don’t leave anything of value in plain sight (that’s an open invitation for a smashed window or windshield) and don’t stay out late at night unnecessarily (this lessens your exposure to the criminal elements that find nighttime more conducive to their trade) and always pray for safety – the Lord is our best guard.

Happy Motoring!!!

For Comments; (E-mail) motoring [email protected].