Motoring Today Column

Feb 22, 2018

In a span of 15 years Phoenix Petroleum has grown literally in leaps and bounds starting with 5 service stations in Mindanao to an expansive network of 530 nationwide and still growing, and how.

It has established a unimpeachable reputation as the fastest growing oil company in the country presently leading all independent entities in the sector. From its oil industry beginnings it has evolved into a gigantic corporate conglomerate that has broadened its portfolio to include LPG with the acquisition of Petronas Energy Philippines, Inc., now Phoenix LPG Philippines, Inc., and convenience retailing with the purchase of Philippine Family Mart. It will soon venture into the bitumen business.

Just recently, with all the befitting fanfare it launched its upgraded fuels powered with Phoenix PULSE Technology.

Available in all its fuel products, Phoenix PULSE Technology is bannered as an innovative formulation with advanced cleaning and protection properties for enhanced power and acceleration. It is presented as being made with cutting-edge fuel technology by world-class fuel experts, exclusively for homegrown brand, Phoenix Petroleum.

Phoenix PULSE Technology was launched in time for Valentine's Day as it aims to bring pulse-racing excitement to Filipino drivers by giving more life to their everyday drive.

In a brief but impressive technical briefing, the present management team of Phoenix, which comes as a reunion of the experts coming from the different major oil companies presented that the upgraded fuel products promise three main benefits. It avoids fuel filter blockage in diesel-powered vehicles, removes deposits from fuel injectors, valves, and piston surfaces, and provides engine protection. Phoenix PULSE Technology also helps result to better fuel economy when used continuously.

"The launch of Phoenix PULSE Technology is in fulfillment of our goal to be the most credible alternative to the major brands. We enhanced our fuel products and improved our formulation not only to be able to compete with bigger players in the oil industry, but more importantly, to add value to every peso fueled up at Phoenix," said Phoenix Petroleum Chief Operating Officer Henry Albert "Bong" Fadullon.

The well-attended launch, which was held at the City Kart Racing, regarded as the"karters' mecca" in Circuit Makati last February 12 featured an actual kart race among guests interested to compete and a host of valuable prizes for raffle winners, which appeared to be everyone that came.

Although Phoenix Petroleum's top honcho, President and CEO, Dennis Uy failed to come for the launch, he graciously managed to release the following statement, "As a homegrown brand, we aim to be the Filipinos' top choice not only for their fuel needs, but also for fueling their dreams and aspirations. We work hard and continue to grow our business not only so we can bring our vision of being an indispensable partner to life, but also because as the next generation company, we want to provide this generation with the best products and services at the best value."

The narrative regarding the meteoric rise of this business conglomerate is stuff that legends are made of. Indeed a hard act to follow.

Until last year, many laudable efforts of the country's automobile manufacturers and importers to improve the lives of Filipinos and their communities have gone unnoticed, unannounced, underappreciated and without their apt recognition.

Last year, a group composed of publishers, editors, TV producers and hosts, print, broadcast and online journalists known as the Society of Philippine Motoring Journalists (SPMJ) decided that the long years of public indifference should end and came up with the 1^st SPMJ Driven To Serve Awards. The objective is to shed light on such best practices from the members of the auto industry. It is hoped that by recognizing such outstanding efforts, the industry will be encouraged to continue and do better and for those who have not engaged, to join the bandwagon of fulfillment.

Now on its second staging, all entries have been submitted and subjected to intense scrutiny by a tough panel of judges composed of a power cast of exponents in business, government and the academe. The judging was held at the posh Palms Country Club in Alabang saw nine (9) car companies submitting a total of fifteen (15) entries, which were categorized into four (4), namely; Environment, Education and Training, Community Development and Road Safety.

The Board of Judges for the 2^nd SPMJ Driven To Serve Awards was composed of the following, in alphabetical order. Please note that each member has actually a kilometric list of attributes and those listed here have been shortlisted due to limited space.

1. DR. MICHAEL ALBA

President and member of the Board of Trustees, Far Eastern University, Inc. He is President concurrently of East Asia Educational Foundation, Inc., East Asia Computer Center, Inc., Nicanor Reyes Educational Foundation and Governor, Nicanor Reyes Memorial Foundation. Obtained his AB (Economics) degree from the ADMU, MA (Economics) degree from UP School of Economics and PhD (Applied Economics) degree from Stanford University.

2. MARITES DAGDAG

The first woman President and General Manager of the Southeast Asia Region (SEA) of the Clorox Company. She leads the SEA region to build the brands that consumers love across the Philippines, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand and the Pacific Islands. She's an active member of the Filipina CEO Circle and was awarded as one of the most influential Filipina Women by the Filipina Women Network for her role as a Builder.

3. ENRIQUE DA ROZA

A veteran marketing practitioner who first work for an ad agency and was later hired by its main client, Philip Morris Asia, makers of Marlboro and Philip Morris. He was promoted as Marketing Services Manager of the company's Asia Regional Hong Kong office and later on headed its marketing and corporate affairs department. Upon retirement he entered the academe as Lecturer and Assistant Professor of the Marketing an Advertising Department of De la Salle University.

4. ROD FRANCO

President and Chief Executive Officer of Metro Pacific Tollways Corporation (MPTC), the toll road development and operation arm of the Metro Pacific Investments Corporation. Concurrently President and CEO of NLEX Corp., the developer and owner of the NLEX. He is a graduate of the Ateneo de Manila University with a degree in Management Engineering and a Masters in Business Administration. He isan alumnus of the Philippine Science High school.

5. ASEC. DANTE LANTIN

In the government service for about 31 years he's currently Assistant Secretary (Asec) for Administartion and Finance, DOTr. A former Chairman of the Land Transportation and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) and head of the Law Enforcement Service of the land Tarnsportation Office (LTO). He holds the following degrees: Master of Science in Industrial Economics, Master in National Security Administration, Doctor of Philisophy in Peace & Securite Administartion to name some.

6. SERGIO ORTIZ-LUIS, Jr.

Reconized by many as the "father of Philippine exports", he's the President & CEO of Philippine Exporters Conferderations, Inc., Honorary Chairman/Treasurer, PCCI, Honorary Chaiman, Past President, ECOP, Founding Director, Intenational Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines, Chairman, Rotary club of Green Meadows Foundation, Chairman, Eastridge Golf Club, Inc.

The recognition night shall be held at the Yuchengco Museum in March with the top executives of the country's automobile industry in attendance.

Happy Motoring!!!

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