Subaru Impreza Challenge Crowns First Back-to-Back Winner!

MANILA, Philippines – Twenty-nine hours was the final record time it took for 2009 winner Apple Joy Lee Balibado to overcome the harsh physical and mental hardship to win the 2010 Subaru Impreza Challenge-Manila Leg at the Eastwood Citywalk, Libis during the weekend. The petite Apple Joy edged out 94 other challengers to obtain the title of first Back-to-Back winner of the Impreza Challenge, and a slot to represent the Philippines in the Regional Finals of the Subaru Impreza Challenge in Singapore.

Apple Joy emerged as the strongest from the event’s biggest ever number of participants on its third year running. Rounding-up the top three with Balibado are Danilo Biadog and Chrizzar Mallari with both also part of the last year’s team in Singapore. The top three finishers received the cash prizes of P15,000, P10,000 and P5,000 respectively. The seven other finalists are Ahris Dindo Lindo, Alex Vercasca, Ronald Carizo, Joseph Soledad, Roberto Toma, Darriane Mercado and Arlene delos Santos All ten of them will fly to an all-expense-paid trip to Singapore for the regional finals where they stand the chance to win a brand-new Subaru Impreza WRX 2.5L Turbo worth P1.728 million.

Endurance was the key as the Subaru Impreza Challenge Manila Leg lasted through scorching heat and extreme humidity with the contestants’ right palms firmly placed on the palm decals strategically located on the Subaru Impreza cars. The grueling conditions however, took the best of many of the participants including repeat challengers from the past Impreza Challenge events.

The ten finalists will aim to last more than the record time of 81 hours and 32 minutes set by the 2008 winner George Lee from Singapore, who beat 399 other participants including the 10 Filipino representatives who qualified in last year’s Manila Leg. The last Filipino survivor in the competition lasted 62 hours and 53 minutes.

This year, a stronger and tougher Filipino contingent is expected considering the more challenging rules and regulations for this year’s event. Motor Image Pilipinas general manager, Nicky Mariano said, “We are extremely happy and ecstatic with the turnout of this year’s Impreza Challenge. With the resilience and perseverance of this year’s top ten finishers, we are hopeful to that this may be the year for the first Filipino to win the regional finals of the competition.”

As promised, the Subaru Impreza Challenge Manila Leg filled the air with excitement as 99.5RT broadcasted live with their 24k weekend playing through the duration of the event, and featuring bands including Roots of Nature, 3rd Avenue, Sid, Shift, Alamid and True Faith. Adding to the festivities were Smokey’s Hotdogs, Outbox Rice Meals, San Mig Coffee, Magnolia Ice Cream, Castrol Motor Oil and Red Rock Travel, who offered their products and services exclusively for the event. Motor Image also featured on display for its first time the 2011 Subaru Impreza STi Sedan and Hatchback.

The Subaru Impreza Challenge Manila Leg ran for a total of 29 hours flat which started twelve o’clock noon of Saturday September 18 and ended at 5 o’clock in the afternoon of Sunday September 19. Contestants were allowed only five minute breaks every six hours for the duration of the challenge where they were allowed to eat, drink and go to the restroom after which, they were to return to their designated locations on the cars.