MANILA, Philippines - Motor Image Pilipinas Incorporated, the exclusive distributor of Subaru in the Philippines recently celebrated Earth Day by supporting the Cordillera Challenge organized by Globe, one of the country’s leading telecommunications company. The 40-kilometer cross country bike ride event aims to help raise public consciousness of the need to reforest the Cordillera Mountains. Motor Image was represented by the Subaru Team consisting of motoring media personalities, Subaru owners and technical support crew of All Terra Cyclery.
The Globe Cordillera Challenge was held last April 24 and gathered around 75 bike riders from the Globe Adventure Team, Subaru Team and members of the Cordillera Conservation Trust. The grueling bike ride went through 40 kilometers of scenic mountain passes and rugged terrains in Benguet. Complementing the bike ride was a fund raising effort initiated by the Globe Adventure Team and the Subaru Team to buy the seedlings that will be used to reforest denuded areas in Cordillera. Globe employees were able to raise P300,000 which will be used to plant around 15,000 Trees. The Subaru Team augmented by turning over an additional donation of P10,000 during the event.
Subaru has been known all over the world as an automotive brand that promotes the outdoor lifestyle and eco-tourism. The Globe Cordillera Challenge was an event that is consistent with Subaru’s objectives to raise the public awareness on the importance of caring for the environment. Last year’s typhoon Ondoy raised the consciousness of Subaru owners as some were affected by the floods that came after the heavy downpour. Experts have attributed the floods from effects of global warming. Through the Globe Cordillera Challenge, Subaru has primed itself as a proactive environmental advocate in the auto industry.
With the partnership of Globe and Subaru, the Cordillera Challenge spearheads the campaign for a cleaner and greener environment. “We are grateful to Globe Telecom for having invited us to a worthy cause. Being a brand which embraces the true value of nature, it is a wonderful opportunity for Subaru to strengthen our commitment to give back to the community and our environment, especially as it coincides with the celebration of Earth Day. We hope that through this, we may be able to further motivate the public to look after our natural resources,” stated Nicky Mariano, COO for Marketing and Sales – Motor Image Group.
All throughout the journey, the bikers were followed by the Subaru Tribeca that served as the official support vehicle of the Cordillera Challenge. Equipped with the latest Thule bike racks, the Tribeca carried the support crew and equipments helping the riders complete the event.
Subaru and Globe aim to rebuild the deteriorating Cordillera Watershed which is known as the lifeline of Northern Luzon. Supply for clean water consumption, food production, irrigation, and electricity generation are just some of the few benefits brought about by the Cordillera region not just to itself, but to Region I, Region II, Region III, and even NCR. Through the Cordillera Challenge, Subaru and Globe intend to alleviate these problems through rehabilitation and public awareness.