AMID the fervor surrounding the ongoing FIBA basketball tournament, two noteworthy stories have emerged in the world of automobiles.
Firstly, our applause goes out to the Ford Everest Club of the Philippines (FECP), led by Jay Cruz and Glenn Manikis, for an extraordinary achievement. They successfully shattered a Guinness World Record, securing the title for the “Largest Ensemble of Car Horns,” a record previously held for a decade by Mini Cooper in Grand Rapids, Michigan, USA. In an impressive display of unity, 1,077 Ford Everest vehicles gathered at the New Clark City Aquatics Center in Capas, Tarlac, and synchronized their horns to the tune of “Philippine Jeepney/Let’s Go.” This triumphant moment, overseen by a vigilant Guinness World Records adjudicator, marked a new record at 1 minute and 6 seconds.
Additionally, FECP orchestrated a monumental convoy, stretching approximately 10 kilometers. This feat, although impressive, was not the one under official scrutiny during the event held in Clark, Pampanga, on August 27th.
Looking back to a press conference in Quezon City just three days prior, the impending record-breaking attempt was already on the horizon. Chief organizer Norie Gotis, FECP’s administrator, revealed their ambitious goal of involving 1,500 Ford Everest cars—an astonishing endeavor given the club’s already substantial membership of 15,000, solidifying its status as the largest car club in the nation.
Amidst the jubilant celebrations and the presentation of the Guinness World Record Certificate, one individual, Elmer Balayan, an FECP member, experienced an exceptional Sunday by winning a brand-new Ford Everest as part of the FECP’s 6th anniversary celebration.
As these records were being set, another intriguing phenomenon unfolded within the local automotive sector. Unlike my previous tenure as a motoring beat journalist from 2005 to 2011, when executive movements between car companies were rare, the current landscape presents a dynamic shift. Today, just one year into my return to the local motoring scene, we observe more than a dozen top and middle management personnel transitioning between different car companies.
The future of this “musical chairs” scenario remains uncertain, but it appears that as long as new car companies continue to enter the country, the quest for skilled automotive executives will persist.