Motoring Today Column

May 02, 2018

Rousing start for this year's Vios Cup

The Vios Cup's initial races have always been marked with summer's scorching heat and the past weekend was no exception during its 5^th Season opener.

This year's staging differed slightly from the past considering that as early as Friday a race was already conducted whereas before all of the competition was packed on a Saturday, the idea being most probably to avoid the races ending late, and so with the awarding ceremonies.

But for the media covering the event, it was the usualFriday night sumptuous dinner at the Baccus Lounge of the Midori Hotel with flowing beer and single malts immediately following for the usual bonding and'spiritual' camaraderie with Toyota Motor Philippines execs that evening composed of TMP senior vice president, Jing Atienza, vice president for marketing, Sherwin Chualim, the only 'non spiritual' member of the group (he doesn't drink) and Carlo Ablaza of Lexus-Manila. TMP executive vice president Kei Mizuguchi was there too with his usual friendly smiling face though we missed the company of TMP president, Satoru Suzuki who was to come very late coming from a very important meeting.

A total of 47 cars answered the call for the starting grid to compete in the 3 main categories, namely;Super Sporting Class, Sporting Class and Promotional Class.

Seven celebrity racers suited up like newcomers Sam Milby, Diego Loyzaga, Sofia Andres and Chie Filomeno joining returning celebrities from last season's race-Japanese-Brazilian model Fabio Ide, fitness influencer Aubrey Miles and actor Troy Montero further enhancing the competition, which is by far the country's biggest one-make racing series.

As of this writing no official results have been released by TMP but an official announcement have been made as to the next leg of this year's Vios Cup, which would be held at the Filinvest Street Circuit in Alabang scheduled in July 28 and 29.

Wow, what a card!

That was more or less the common reaction of those who came for the

launch of the Phoenix Petroleum-RCBC Bankard last Thursday, April 26 atThe Eye Green Sun Hotel in Makati City.

During the "Black Party" launch, the Phoenix RCBC Bankard Mastercard, which bears the Phoenix PULSE Technology's wave trademark in its design was aggressively presented as a lifestyle credit card packed with exclusive benefits for motorists, and lifestyle access and points for fulfilling rewards.

Made for the needs and lifestyle of this generation's motorists, it was bannered that the card offers pulse-racing lifestyle perks and privileges, starting with a free welcome gift of Five Hundred pesos worth of Phoenix fuel. Cardholders will enjoy five percent fuel rebate on Phoenix fuel purchases, free towing and roadside assistance, accident insurance, a five percent discount on Phoenix gasoline and diesel engine oils , and conversion of rewards points to free flights, gift vouchers, or cash rebates.

"As Phoenix aspires to be an indispensable partner in the journey of everyone whose life we touch, we are proud and excited to introduce the Phoenix RCBC Bankard Mastercard, which has a full suite of exclusive and personalized privileges to fit the needs and lifestyle of young and hip Filipino motorists. The Phoenix-RCBC Bankard Mastercard is a continuation of our initiatives aimed at bringing our fuel products and services to a higher level and at providing a competitive and credible alternative from that of the majors," Phoenix Petroleum Chief Operating Officer Henry Albert Fadullon said during the launch.

We also learned during the launch that complementing these benefits are other privileges such as real-time SMS alert service that lets cardholders have security and control over their spending, conversion of straight purchases made anywhere to installment, access to cash anywhere in the world, free travel insurance and purchase protection, and a worry-free and rewarding bills payment facility.

It was also announced during the launch that starting April 27, 2018, cardholder motorists could start enjoying their pulse-racing lifestyle rewards when they use their Phoenix RCBC Bankard Mastercard. Card applications can be made at participating Phoenix Petroleum stations, any RCBC branch, or online through the RCBC Bankard website at www.RCBCBankard.com More details and information regarding the features of the Phoenix RCBC Bankard Mastercard are also available at the site.

Happy Motoring!!!

For comments & inquiries (email) sunshine.television@yahoo.com

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Ray Butch Gamboa graduated from the College of Arts and Letters of the University of Sto. Tomas. It was a course that should have been preparatory to a law degree, but the call of broadcasting aborted his plans.

At the age of 16, while still a student, Butch tried his hand at disc jockeying, landing a job at Mareco Broadcasting Network’s AM stations DZBM and DZLM. From there, Butch moved on with his illustrious career as a popular disc jockey, riding the airwaves of Bob Stewart’s middle-of-the-road music at DZXX, and ending his disc jockeying career at ABS-CBN’s DZYL and DZQL.

From there, he stayed on with ABS-CBN, covering live the proceedings at the Manila Stock Exchange and eventually entered into the world of television sales as an account manager for the premier channel of ABS-CBN Channel 2.

In the early 70’s, at the outbreak of Martial Law, Butch was one of the thousands of professionals who woke up jobless when then President Marcos declared the new status of the nation. With the closure of ABS-CBN, Butch ventured into different fields outside of broadcast. He tried his hand and with ease and success at export (Costume jewelry), real estate (brokerage), and restaurants (fast food).

In 1987, after the revolution, with the broadcast industry back to its free state, and with its irresistible call ringing in his ears, Butch made his inevitable comeback and pioneered in a local motoring show, producing Motoring Today on Channel 4 and co-hosting with local motor sports’ living legend Pocholo Ramirez.

After 4 years, he ventured into another pioneering format by producing and hosting Business & Leisure, which was originally aired on ABS-CBN’s Channel 2. The format eventually espoused similar ones in other different channels. But the clones in due course faded away leaving the original staying on airing on Channel 4 and eventually on Shop TV on Sky Cable’s Channel 13.

The following year, the pioneering spirit in Butch spurred him to produce another TV show, Race Weekend, also on Channel 4, covering circuit racing at the Subic International Raceway after the motor sport’s hiatus of 17 years. But when similar shows with duplicated formats sprouted, he decided to give way and ended the program after a year, although still enjoying unparalleled viewership.

In 1998, when the local automotive industry was in a slump, Butch contributed his share to help the ailing industry by producing another popular motoring-related show, this time exclusive to the automobile and its industry—Auto Focus, which became a vehicle for local automotive assemblers and importers to showcase their products and dwell on the industry’s latest technological developments.

In 2003, Butch teamed up with his brother, Rey Gamboa who was a former Shell executive and presently one Philippine Star’s business columnist to co-produce and co-host the TV show Breaking Barriers on Channel 13. It is a talk show that features guests who are in the news and in the middle of controversies. The program ventures to draw deeper insights into current issues to learn how they impact to our daily lives.

Today, Motoring Today on its 28th year of service to the general motoring public still enjoys its unprecedented loyal vierwership nationwide while Auto Focus, after 16 years has firmly established its niche viewership among automobile enthusiasts and on the other hand Business & Leisure is on its 24th year dishing out current business issues and lifestyle features.

Today, aside from writing weekly columns for the Philippine Star (Motoring Today on Wednesdays and Business & Leisure on Saturdays) and executive producer / host of weekly TV shows (Motoring Today, airs Sundays on Solar Sports Channel 70, Business & Leisure, airs Tuesdays on Shop TV, Sky Cable Channel 13 and Auto Focus airs Thursdays on Shop TV, Sky Cable Channel 13, Ray Butch Gamboa is currently the Chairman and CEO of Sunshine Television Production and Marketing Services Corp., President of Gamcor Management and Development Corp., Chairman of Asia-Pacific Realty Corporation, President and Chairman of Socio-Communication Foundation for Asia and Founding Chairman of the Society of Phil. Motoring Journalists (SPMJ)