Of speed & balance

Some people love cars. And some people love it big. Jolina Magdangal, Angel Locsin, Rufa Mae Quinto, Tito Dolphy are big stars I know who have big cars because it is in the nature of their job that cars double as mobile dressing rooms for them. I also know of some stars who have several cars — one for shooting or tapings, one for “gimmick” and one for family use. To some, a car is like home. Everything that they need is inside. A Road Trek for example is complete with a sala, bed, and even a kitchen. When you are in the business of show, you want to be comfortable with everything you need just within your reach. A comfortable car/dressing room makes a lot of difference for an actor who works day and night and day. Some stars study their script, read or tinker with their computers inside their cars. Some take a cat nap. Others just relax while waiting for “eternity.”

To some, collecting beautiful cars is a hobby. Luxury, one once said, is the child of hard work. Two of the choice luxury cars are Porsche and Audi. Locally, Porsche and Audi are exclusively imported and distributed by PGA Cars, Inc. These are top-of-the-line luxury cars that boast of German technology. These German-made cars are known for luxury, durability, style and comfort. This year’s Audi’s slogan “A century of new thinking,” harkens to an authentic era that capitalizes on the German’s propensity for technical advancement and expertise, or “Vorsprung durch Technik.”

With the “Vorsprung” trademark, Audi has once again proved it is a global leader. Thanks to the introduction of a new range of models, 2008’s end-of-year sales soared beyond expected figures (a concrete 16 percent increase in sales in the Asia-Pacific Region in December), and hit the one-million mark worldwide. Despite the economic climate and global automotive withdrawal symptoms lately, Audi is looking forward to improve on those positive markers in 2009.

“A century of new thinking” was the same theme that carried the PGA-sponsored Enrique Zobel Memorial Polo Cup (EZMPC). It was a twin celebration of sorts. The Manila Polo Club commemorated its 100th year, completing the facility renovations just in time for the “centennial” polo season.

PGA’s cars were assembled along the driveway to the Manila Polo Club’s main entrance drawing much attention from the audience. Defined by speed, agility, brawn and muscle, these symbols of luxury are representative of everything polo stands for.

The Enrique Zobel Memorial Polo Cup (EZMPC) went off to a good start. The weather was good and cooperative, and guests were served Bellagio wine from Home Depot. More than 200 of who’s who from the sports, motoring, business, retail lifestyle industries and the diplomatic circles attended the fourth of the 13 games of the 2009 Polo season.

The Low Goal teams were headlined by crowd favorites like Jake Zobel on the Porsche Whites team and Vince Bitong on the Porsche Blacks team kept the audience riveted to their seats.

Presiding over the festivities were Jack Clark Jr. and David de Padua, the masters of ceremonies, who went on to introduce the High Goal players, umpires and referee.

The horses and their riders then paraded onto the field — a polo custom. Joining them were the beautiful Bianca Zobel and Thorsten Hagel, Porsche Training and Recruitment Center Headmaster of Asia, who made for a grand entrance in a gleaming Porsche 911 Cabriolet. Following the parade was the salute and Ceremonial Throw-in by Dee Zobel, widow of the late Enrique Zobel. She was accompanied by the Manila Polo Club president Ramon Dimacali and Audi operations director, Benedicto Coyiuto.

The party hosts, the Zobel family together with PGA Cars chairman Robert Coyiuto Jr., made their rounds saying hello to their polo enthusiasts and car aficionado friends like taipan Henry Sy and his sons (Henry “Big Boy” Sy Jr. and Harley Sy), Gov. Ferdinand “Bong Bong” Marcos Jr., Greggie Araneta, San Juan Mayor JV Ejercito and Louie Ysmael. Also seen on the party were Anchor Land chairman Stephen Lee and PGA Cars publicist and Masterminds-Asia president Sunny Ku.

The High Goal game with the Audi Reds (Jefri Bahar, Iñigo Zobel, David Stirling, Mark Field) pitted against the Audi Greys (Cole Aguirre, Santi Laborde, Anthony Garcia, Alejo Taranco), was exhilarating. It was peppered with heart-stopping offense and defense maneuvers. Audi Reds went home with the Cup after a final score of 13-8.

Dee Zobel, Ramon Dimacali and Thorsten Hagel were on hand to give awards to the winners. A parade of Audi’s and Porsche’s stars, the Audi TT, A4, A6, Q7 and the Porsche Cayenne, capped off the highly-successful event. Sharing the elements of strength, power and luxury all at the same time, the spectacular “rides” on display were the fitting complement to the equally spectacular High Goal game. Racer Dante Silverio was all admiration for the slick Audi R8.

For details, call Sunny Ku at 637-7388 or 637-7379 or e-mail [email protected].