The 2013 Manila International Auto Show Press Launch

I was finishing my Novice Drift Series article in Monday when Mark Tare of Brand Speaks Asia, a PR agency managed  by a group of young communications professionals, sent me a Facebook message inviting me to the Press Launch of the Manila International Auto Show. Without hesitation, even if my car is coding on the day of the event (well, I still found a way to use my car even if it is in Makati), and had a bad experience with Writer's Edge last year regarding the Philippine International Motor Show because of their employee who had a hard time understanding my intention to cover (Pinoy Loves Wheels was not yet founded that time, I was working for Cool Fast Wheels back then), I said yes right away to the invitation with a big smile. It's nice to know that someone like Brand Speaks Asia recognizes us bloggers equally like how they recognize traditional media entities like those from newspapers, traditional websites, TV, radio and magazines.

So with this privilege I received from Brand Speaks Asia together with BPI Family Savings Bank and Worldbex Services International, Pinoy Loves Wheels will cover the upcoming Manila International Auto Show this coming April 4 - 7, 2013 at the World Trade Center in Pasay City.

The MIAS press launch last March 19 was hosted by Model / DJ Bianca Saldua formerly with DZRH and Magic 89.9, the special guests of the press launch were BPI Family Banks President TG Limcauco, BPI Family Savings Bank Senior Vice President for Auto and Motorcycle Loans David Sarmiento Jr. and Joseph Ang President of Worldbex International Services.

BPI Family Auto Loan and the Manila International Auto Show

For 3 straight years BPI has been in partnership with Worldbex Services in hosting the Manila International Auto Show. For this year BPI will be improving that partnership by presenting a special program for the first time car buyers called the First Car Plan. This is a special car plan for first time car buyers who can't afford a brand new car in cash. Anyone with a minimum gross income of 30 thousand pesos a month will have a chance to be qualified in two special loan programs of the first car plan. 1. A client can give a 10% downpayment for the car and pay it for 60 months or 2. A client can cash out 20% of the car's SRP and pay the rest of it for 72 months. Now, with BPI Family Savings bank, anyone who is working with a middle class income can own a car. Since 1985, BPI has been very active in the Auto Loan business, giving their customers satisfaction in owning a car. BPI is working out to include all cars with an amount of Php400,000.00 and above to be able to get a loan approval for the 1st car plan, but the cars included in this special program are the Mitsubishi Mirage, Ford Fiesta, Hyundai Eon, Toyota Vios, and the Honda City.

On the 3rd day of the MIAS that's on April 6, Saturday, BPI will also hold the BPI day. All BPI Express Teller and Credit Card holders can enter the Auto Show for free from 10am - 10pm.

All interested BPI Family Auto Loan clients are welcome to go to the BPI booth and have loan consultations. All BPI employees will gladly serve everyone especially the first time car buyers.

“We see continued interest in Filipinos to bring home their own cars during the yearly Manila International Auto Show. Thus, we are thankful for our continuous partnership with Worldbex for MIAS as it is in line with our commitment to make it easy for Filipinos to own their brand new cars. Our team will be on-site to assist our clients and ensure they get the most out of what we can offer during this special event,” says Mr. David Sarmiento, Jr., Senior Vice President and Auto Loans Division Head.For more details on how to easily attain your dream of driving your own car, just log on to www.bpiloans.com and click on the First Car Plan. “

We are very excited to introduce our First Car Plan at the 2013 MIAS. We want to effectively respond to the needs that we see in the market and encourage our young professionals to bring home their dream cars at this time in which the country is experiencing a stellar economic performance,” says Mr. Teodoro Limcaoco, BPI Family Savings Bank President.

WHAT'S UP FOR THE MANILA INTERNATIONAL AUTO SHOW THIS YEAR?

According to Joseph Ang of the Worldbex International, this year's Manila International Auto Show will be showcasing over 3 hectares of car display from over 30 car manufacturers. That includes high quality brands like Kia, Ford, Honda, Isuzu, Mazda, Mitsubishi and Toyota. MIAS will also feature luxury brands like Audi, Bentley, Jaguar, Lamborghini, Land Rover, Man, Maserati, Mercedes Benz, Mini, Neo Plan buses, Porsche and Peugeot. Chinese brands like Byd, Chery, Foton, Great Wall, Jac, Jinbei, JMC, Joy Long, Kama and King Long are going to be there. 

It's sad to find out the Hyundai and Lexus are not going to have display areas there. But on the other hand motorcycle fans will also be catered by MIAS as Harley Davidson will launch local dealerships in the Philippines. Harley Davidson will be debuting at the Manila International Auto Show on April 4.

Some manufacturers will be allowing spectators to test drive their cars available in the market. Everyone who has a valid driver's license can test all the cars in the test drive area. Just don't forget that Macapagal Ave. has a 60kph speed limit.

There will also be a Classic Car competition in the tent area. Fully restored classic cars in the Philippine are going to be in display there. My good friend Manny Martinez, founder of Old Schooler Auto Club, will be displaying some of his precious rides together with other members of the Old Schooler Auto Club.

The Car Awards Group Inc. will also be presenting the Car of the Year in the Philippines for the year 2013. The gala night of the Car of the Year awards will be in the evening of April 4.

On the second night of MIAS that's on April 5 (this is where I am very excited about because I am hoping that my personal ophthalmologist Dr. Peewee Mendiola will become the Slalom Driver of the Year) AAP will be presenting the Driver of the Year awards. This is an awards night where Automobile Association of the Philippines will be awarding the best motorsports drivers in the Philippines. I am dreaming of getting an award here someday as I expand my motorsports career. Of course, I think I must need to secure an AAP racing license first before going further in my racing career.

And last but not the least, the most exciting feature of the Manila International Auto Show will be the car stunt exhibition of the world's greatest  stunt driver Russ Swift. For the past years of MIAS, Russ showed us his skills using all variants of the Subaru Impreza, whether it's a plain Impreza, a regular WRX or a WRX STi. For this year, Russ will be doing drifts, donuts and stunts in a Subaru BRZ. Calling all Filipino professional drifter out there, I dare you to challenge Russ Swift in the same car!

Expect everything written here to happen in the biggest car show in the Philippines! Be one of the 100,000 expected visitors in the Auto Show! See you at the Manila International Auto Show on April 4 - 7, 2013 at the World Trade Center in Pasay City!



(ALL PHOTOS ARE EXCLUSIVELY OWNED BY PINOY LOVES WHEELS)

Peugeot is one of the car manufacturers who will be displaying their cars on the next MIAS

Audi will also have a display on MIAS

Steph Asi and Tracy Carpena of Top Gear Philippines

Bianca Saldua, with the guest of honors,. Joseph Ang, TG Limcauco and Jun Sarmiento