Provincial bus ban in the metro?

After a couple of futile attempts made by my staff right after he was officially appointed by the present administration, we were finally able to arrange for an on-cam interview for the TV show Motoring Today and likewise for this STAR column with the current top honcho the MMDA or the Metro Manila Development Authority, Chairman Francis Tolentino. Although there were a million and one motoring issues that I wanted to discuss with him, due to time limitations we were only able to get him to talk about plans to finally put up centralized provincial bus terminals on both the north and south corridors of Metro Manila, which according to reports were eagerly encouraged by no less than President Noy Aquino himself.

I couldn’t help but mention to the very busy chairman in our very short interview though that in the almost two and a half decades of producing and hosting our TV show we have had the opportunity to discuss with all the sitting chairmen of the MMDA about such plans, but up to the present, after 24 years to be more precise, they have remained only as such – plans.

I remember that one of the major stumbling blocks of the plan was the difficulty to acquire available real estate, or if there was one, the MMDA didn’t have the funds to purchase it.

I also remember hearing from the grapevine that the real and true reason why the plan never pushed through was the very strong concerted lobby of provincial bus operators, which gave several millions of reasons why the plan was always shelved.

The MMDA chairman was quick to retort and was curt in saying that the plans would push through this time and that he has demonstrated his unwavering resistance to lobby pressure in the way he handled the “colorum bus” issue that met him when he first assumed his MMDA chairmanship.

I had to follow up though that if there would really be centralized bus terminals finally put up, would it also mean a total ban on all these humongous provincial buses from plying the metro’s already congested streets – two difficult feats that don’t necessarily go together?

Another curt answer from the youthful MMDA chairman was, “Yes, they would be banned.”

Well, if that’s firmly established, the next question would be where exactly these bus terminals would be located? And to this we were told that the specific areas being considered north and south of Metro Manila are still confidential or cannot be revealed, the reason for which I can’t seem to fathom. I also recall that for a time the former Food Terminal located south of the metro was strongly considered because, being government-owned, immediate cash availability wouldn’t have been much of an issue. Of course the “doubting Thomases” said that it was precisely why again it didn’t push through, simply because there wasn’t any need for a cash transaction.

MMDA chairman Francis was categorical in saying that the former Food Terminal was not in the list of possibilities. But then the reason for what were in the list being still highly confidential escapes me.

I have had the chance to talk about the prospect of having bus terminals outside of the metro to several people and they were one in agreeing to hopefully see this materialize as it would really decongest areas where these terminals are located. Just to see how difficult and time consuming it is to maneuver these gigantic buses in and out of their terminals is enough reason why they should be confined to the outskirts instead of contributing to clogging up the traffic flow.

I have not been much of a pessimist but this I got to see as I have waited to see the putting up of these centralized bus terminals for as long as my TV show, Motoring Today has been on the air. And we’ll be on our 25th year in a month’s time.

It has been a long, long wait.

Come for one, you get three

That’s the kind of bargain you get when you come to see the biggest event to date of Tradeshow International, Inc. (TSI) at the SMX Convention Center, SM Mall of Asia starting May 26 up to May 29, 2011.

Ms. Sophie delos Santos, president of TSI, also fondly referred to as the “lady dean” of car shows in the country has dubbed the “first ever” in the Philippine motoring scene as a “Grand 3-Ring Motoring Event”, which counts the 20th Trans Sport Show, the 1st Philippine Nostalgic Motor Show and the 4th Manila Sports Car Club Concours d’ Elegance all together in one grand presentation.

The 20th Trans Sport Show holds the record of being the longest running show in the country, which has successfully evolved into a leading brand and becoming a part of the Filipino car enthusiasts’ culture. It has reached an enviable stature that when car buffs think of car shows, they think Trans Sport Show.

The 1st Philippine Nostalgic Motor Show will have over 50 vintage and classic automobiles as well as some motorcycles. Add to these, a vintage race cars display, which will feature 11 collectible pieces like Ford Escorts, MGBs, Mini Cooper S, Alfa Romeo Giullietta, Porsche RSRs, Lancer Box Type and Opel Kadett.

The Manila Sports Car Club (MSCC) Concours d’ Elegance is the most prestigious vintage car competition in the Philippines. Its 4th staging this year is limited to 30 of the best restored and preserved cars in the country. The entries will be judged by experts from Hong Kong, Singapore and Japan to be led by Chief Judge Osamu Hasegawa. This year’s MSCC Concurs d’ Elegance will include several of its best show winners like the 1957 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Gullwing, 1970 Lamborghini Miura and the 1976 Lancia Stratos.

You don’t have to be an out-and-out car enthusiast to make this a “must see” event. It’s a 4-day family affair that shouldn’t be missed.

Highlights of SPMJ Invitational Golf Tourney on TV

Many of those who participated in the much-applauded “thank you” golf tournament of SPMJ or the Society of Philippine Motoring Journalists held last April at the very challenging Fontana & Apollon Korea Country Club golf course will have the opportunity to see themselves in their best form while they “drive for show and putt for dough” on television.

Tomorrow at 10 o’clock in the evening on HSN Channel 13 on the Sky Cable Network, the highlights of the SPMJ Invitational Golf Cup Tournament shall be the special hour-long feature of Auto Focus, the weekly automobile show regarded as the country’s premier auto TV news and features magazine that is exclusively dedicated to the automobile and its industry.

The tournament was organized to show SPMJ’s appreciation to all those in the auto industry that have shown their support one way or another for the road safety advocacy of this group of journalists composed mostly of motoring editors and motoring TV show producers and hosts that espouse road safety education for the youth.

Presented by the Fontana Hot Spring Leisure Parks at the Clark Freeport, the industry’s much-awaited golf tourney was a scene filled with golfers with happy faces coupled with highly competitive spirits. 

Don’t fail to watch.

Kia joins exclusive family

Columbian Autocar Corporation (CAC), exclusive Philippine distributors of Kia vehicles recently confirmed its participation in the 2011 Young Street Smarts Road Safety School Tour.

Initiated by the Sunshine Television (STV) together with its benefactor Social Communications Foundation for Asia (Socio Com Foundation Asia), these seminar/workshops on road safety are conducted free in schools for students on the secondary levels with the aim of producing present and future safe and responsible road users and contribute to the global campaign to reduce damages, loss of limb and death due to road accidents.

Several local auto industry players who have recognized and asserted themselves as major stakeholders in this worldwide concern for road safety, set aside keen business competition and join hands to support the advocacy. And CAC, with Ms. Ginia Domingo as president and coo, is the latest to join the distinctive and exclusive family of road safety-conscious corporate citizens.

The seminar/workshops, which focus on significant topics like; understanding traffic signs and road markings, right of way, road courtesy, pedestrian and commuter safety, safe proper motorbike riding and dangers of drunk driving shall start its 2nd year of teach-ins this coming July shortly after school opening.

A total of 10 schools were the beneficiaries of these free seminars in 2010. This year’s target is to have ten schools only as a minimum, while encouraging the participation of parents and the teachers themselves.

The advocacy to educate the youth on road safety has its television counterpart, which is the Young Street Smarts Club segment of the TV Motoring Today that airs every Sunday at 12 noon on Solar Sports, Channel 70 on the Sky Cable Network.

Added attraction to the biggest outdoor motor show

When the gates of the 2011 Auto Focus Motor Show & Auto Expo open on November 10, 2011 at the Concert Grounds of the SM Mall of Asia, the public would not only have the convenient opportunity to see and test drive a wide array of current year automobile models, it would also get the feast full opportunity to see a formidable line up of past car show winners plus the added distinction of being able to judge what’s the best among them in several categories vying for the “People’s Choice Awards”.

Sunshine Television (STV), the organizers of this much-awaited yearly auto industry-wide event first adapted the “people’s choice” concept in 2007, wherein those who come to watch the show were asked to register their choices for the winners in each category of competition by way of electronic voting.

A limited maximum number of 45 automobiles would be vying for categories awards like; Best in Paint, Best in Lowered set-up, Best in Auto Detailing, Best Audio Set-up, Best SUV, Best Sedan, Best Pickup, Best Sports Car, Best in Brand and the ultimate Best in Show.

Due to its format of limited participation, the “lady dean” of car shows in the Philippines, Ms. Sophie delos Santos has graciously volunteered to send invitations only to her outstanding past and current Trans Sport Show winners to join the show.

However, those who feel that their newly set up automobile has got what it takes to capture the imagination of the public, who’ll be the ultimate judge of the car show, you can call STV at 633-44-22 and ask for Wee Gamboa for details of entry registration and screening.

Aside from prestigious trophies, bragging rights and valuable automobile products for prizes, the winners would also be given the enviable opportunity to be on spotlight as an “auto feature” on the country’s premier auto TV magazine, Auto Focus.

Happy Motoring!!!

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