Credit where it’s due

I don’t personally know the gentleman but I think the current head of the LTFRB (Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board) is doing a hell of a job. If he keeps this up and doesn’t get distracted by a couple of million of reasons, someone who heads this government agency that’s mandated to keep land transport in the country organized and running well may have finally gotten its act together.

The guy appears to have the political will to act swiftly on transport safety concerns by getting off the road transport operators whose vehicles get involve in fatal accidents and similarly those that are found to be illegally operating public utility vehicles or colorums. Although the latter would need to be more visibly implemented by having EDSA loosened up with half-empty buses running most of the day spewing deadly emissions, wasting fuel with drivers dangerously out-maneuvering each other for those precious passengers that are far outnumbered by the vehicles that are there to transport them, but at least now the efforts seem to be less tentative that they have been in the past. 

Of course the LTFRB head’s job in ridding our roads of colorums would be a lot easier if new legislations that would be more definitive and carrying a lot stiffer penalties would be passed. Speaking of, word has it that one such legislation is already being introduced in the lower house that would dramatically increase the penalties and fine for those caught illegally operating vehicles from the measly six thousand pesos, which can easily be earned in one day of illegally plying the streets, to a whooping million pesos—serves them right. 

We would just need the cooperation of other legislators to see this legislation passed into law and help alleviate the present traffic woes of the metropolis, which, some studies show amount to billions of pesos lost daily.

To the present LTFRB head—go for it!

Be ready or be sorry

Many would surely be venturing out for their yearly summer trips especially for the next few days of the Holy Week. And many trips have been spoiled due to some basic vehicle problems that may have been avoided if only ample preparations were made prior to the trip. Let’s look at some of them.

Before going on a trip, your vehicle’s tires should be thoroughly checked to find out if their grooves are still deep enough to safely produce traction while turning, especially when breaking. Never venture to take long trips with kalbo tires. You should also make sure that all your tires have the proper inflation. Over-inflated tires can unsafely reduce your grip of the road while under-inflation can cause heavy steering aside from unnecessary wear and tear and more fuel consumption.  Now while you’re checking on your tires’ inflation be sure to include that of your reserve tire. It can cause you a lot of aggravation to find out that it doesn’t have air when you need it to take the place of a deflated tire or a blown out one.   

It’s also prudent to check on your cooling system before venturing into the countryside. It’s summer and engine overheating can be commonplace not only due to the weather but also because of the tremendous traffic that goes with traveling during the Holy Week. If you have the time, and you find no leaks in your radiator that would need some plugging job, drain your radiator and replace the water with the proper coolant to ensure a well-cooled engine. It may not hurt you any if you bring some electrical tape that can be used to temporarily plug leaks that may suddenly spring from your radiator hoses. It would not really stretch your caution should you decide to bring an extra hose just to be sure.

Sometimes, busted fuses cause unwelcomed electrical problems that crop up during a trip. Bringing spare fuses won’t add up that much to your load.   

And don’t forget to always have a first aid kit in your vehicle all the time, whether going on a long trip or not. You’ll never know when it can come in handy.

There are other situations that you can try to anticipate to happen during a trip that can cause to spoil it. Just think and be ready to have something for it. Just don’t bring so many things that can cause you to overload your vehicle and cause other problems.

And most of all observe road safety and road courtesy at all times all throughout your trip. You’ll get to your destination faster and with the least aggravation with such a frame of mind.  

Kia’s in!

I called Ms. Ginia Domingo, president of Columbian Autocar Corporation, the official importers and distributors of Kia vehicles in the country to congratulate her for their successful entry to the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) the most popular professional basketball league in this part of the sports world.

Ginia was candid in saying that “we still have a long way to go until 2015 getting a competitive team together.” Although I remember my poker peers, the iconic coach Joe Lipa and the newly designated UP coach, Architect Rey Madrid saying that the Philippines can never be short of basketball talents although sometimes it takes some patience and logistics to source them from far-flung provinces. But Kia Philippines’ alluring lady president was quick to add, “With our entry into the PBA, expect us to live up to Kia’s marketing axiom as the brand with the Power to Surprise.”

It was retired BMW Philippines president (who’s still a very active top executive of the Palawan Governor Pepito Alvarez-lead Columbian Autocar group), Bobby Rosales who mentioned to me in strict confidence months ago of their move to bring the Kia brand closer to local sports than they are presently, which is as a strong supporter of football in the country by getting into the PBA.

Bobby, always the wily poker player was very confident in saying that Kia’s entry has something substantial to bring to the PBA table by way of an increasing Korean community in the country that are all future PBA fanatics, what with the prospect of bringing in Korean basketball imports to play in our professional league’s hard court.

This entry of Kia into the PBA is a win-win for both. Congratulations!

The VW Beetle is back!

There were 21.5 million units Volkswagen or People’s Car (the literal translation of the German word to English) or Beetle as it was fondly nicknamed due to what it looked like since its first production in 1939 up to 1997.

Recently, the third generation of this iconic automobile officially came back to the country in a symbolic ceremony by its exclusive importers and distributors, Ayala Auto Holdings Corporation and Automobile Central Enterprises, Inc. with top executives, Fernando Zobel de Ayala and brother Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala and JP Orbeta in attendance.

There are two variants of the Beetle that are currently available, namely; the Beetle 1.2 TSI that’s priced at P1,590,000 and the Beetle 1.4 TSI that goes for P1,790,000. 

I sat down in one of the Beetle models on display during the launch held at the Mind Museum at the Bonifacio Global City and I told our good friend Arnel Doria, who’s on top of marketing of Volkswagen Philippines that “it was nowhere near the Volkswagen I knew of the 60’s—this one’s larger, it’s more comfortable and a lot more beautiful”.

Welcome back, Herbie!

You’ve seen them on display, now it’s time to drive them

Last week automobile enthusiasts were given a visual treat of some of the remarkable brand-new models during the highly successful Manila International Auto Show at the World Trade Center.

Next week, you’ll have the chance to see more brand new models from the country’s major automobile manufacturers and importers and even get the chance to freely test drive them at the SM Mall of Asia.

The Caltex Auto Focus Summer Test Drive Festival happens from April 24 to 27. Within the event area shall be a test drive course that would have a slalom drive to check the vehicle’s maneuverability, a breaking test for its safety, a simulated off-road course to check on its riding comfort and parking maneuvers to test its handling. And this test drive course shall be open from 11 o’clock in the morning and well lighted up to 9 o’clock in the evening.  

Test drive your dream car from any of the following participating brands, namely; BMW, Lexus, Peugeot, Ford, Chevrolet, Hyundai, Mitsubishi, Honda, Kia, Isuzu, Nissan, Toyota and new kid on the block, BYD.

Happy Motoring!!!

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