Rated ‘R’ only

It was an evening when the letter “R” was the “A to Z” of motoring, as Volvo Philippines unveiled its R-Design cars, and recognized individuals who are “pillars in their industry.”

 “R” represents racing.

Volvo Philippines’ president and managing director Albert Arcilla said the Volvo R-Design “represents a pioneering spirit, the courage to challenge convention in pursuit of truth and beauty; embodies excellence and the red-hot burning passion that fuels our ambitions and radiates in our creations.”

In launching ceremonies at the edgy Green Sun on Pasong Tamo in Makati City, the debonair Arcilla said that the “R-Design” embraces the character, the individuality and uniqueness that make Volvo’s body of work, “a work of art.”  

As Volvo, which celebrates its 20th year in the Philippines, unveiled its Volvo S60 and XC60 R-Design, it also introduced artists that it believed embodied the R-Design in their works: glass sculptor Ramon Orlina, fashion designer Randy Ortiz, chef Rolando Laudico, singer/actor Raymond Lauchengco and yours truly. We all share the letter “R” in our first or last names.

Arcilla described the “R” artists as “Individuals who represent the soul of our R-Design cars with their character and aesthetics, which they have elevated in their respective fields of endeavors to artistic excellence.” Aside from the Volvo S60 and XC60 R-Design cars, a 1988 Volvo painted by Orlina in 2010 was also an eyecatcher. Orlina dubbed that particular work of his as Homage to Mondrian. Inspired by Piet Mondrian, it won the Best in Mural prize in a car show in 2011. According to Orlina’s wife Lay Ann: “The car is a rare one, with only 8,518 units ever made in Italy and not in Sweden.”

Volvo also paid tribute to the late car racing legend Pocholo Ramirez, named Best Southeast Asian driver during the 1978 and 1979 runs of the Macau Grand Prix.

Ramirez raced competitively until around 2008, when he was 75 and already battling cancer. Shortly before his death, Ramirez was inducted into the Hall of Fame by the Automobile Association Philippines, the national authority on motorsports. Though we are not related, I feel privileged to share a surname with an icon, though in a field totally different from mine. I share his passion to go places, and do better with every new race.

“Volvo is always defined by the people who drive and ride our cars. And with the ‘R-Design’ line, we again validate the distinct quality of the individual — who aspires, works and succeeds,” Arcilla concluded.

Truly, it was a night of R & Rs. It never felt so good to be rated “R.” (You may e-mail me at [email protected].)

Photos by JOEY VIDUYA