From childhood, most boys develop a fascination for cars and other automobiles. So many of my friends who have sons tell me that their boys would rather have toy cars than game consoles or iPads and tablets.
This fascination usually never leaves them. I remember my father owning a WC15 Weapons Carrier, which he loved so much. He also had a Land Cruiser, which was more utilitarian than today’s models. Why am I talking about my father? Father’s Day is on Sunday, and I wanted to come up with a list of gift suggestions.
I received an invite to attend the opening of Auto Options’s new office at 21 Timog Avenue in Quezon City, because the owner’s daughter is a friend from work. I thought that if my dad was alive, my brother and I would probably pool our money to get him a Father’s Day gift there.
Auto Options Marketing Corp. started in 1989 supplying American Racing Custom Wheels in unique styles for passenger cars, pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles (SUV) to the Philippine market. Most of the wheel designs are in steel form and came in size 14 inches to 16 inches. The company is the first to offer aftermarket wheels sourced internationally in the Philippines. In 1993 Auto Options opened its doors to the public in Timog, Quezon City. Brands such as American Racing Wheels, American Motor Sport Wheels, Dick Cepek Wheels and Tires, Super Swamper Offroad Tires, Husky Liners Vehicle Protection, KMC Wheels and Bronco Tires by Cooper were some of the brands carried exclusively by Auto Options.
Auto Options is the first company in the Philippines that concentrated on the pickup/SUV segment. Besides offering wheels for that segment, Auto Options was responsible for bringing in the iconic “Torq-Thrust” wheels by American Racing for the muscle-car community in the country. In 2008 Wheelpros USA acquired American Racing, and this paved way for brands, like XD Series by KMC Wheels, Moto Metal Alloy Wheels, Helo Wheels, ATX Series Wheels by American Racing and Asanti Luxury Alloys, to be sold and distributed exclusively by Auto Options.
The new Auto Options office is bigger and more comfortable, so even girls will not feel out of place there. There’s an air-conditioned lounge for customers. Their staff members are all trained to address customers’ concerns.
Alvin Sia, Auto Options’s managing partner, said the prices of wheels and tires could start from P24,000 and go as high as P80,000. Some wheel and tire packages could reach P180,000. That seems like a lot of money but, if you think about it, you would give your mom a bag worth P80,000 and she would love it. So wheels and tires are the dad equivalent of bags.
Anyway, if cars aren’t your dad’s thing, here are other suggestions on how to make Father’s Day special:
- Take him to the Britney Spears concert at the Mall of Asia Arena on June 15. Tickets to Britney Spears’s Piece of Me Manila concert are sold out, but you can still watch the concert, for free, with a couple of other perks thrown in for a Smart Music Live concert experience like never before, brought to you by Smart Communications. Smart Music Live is giving away tickets (and other perks) to lucky subscribers. If you’re interested, here’s how. Go to https://smart.com.ph/Pages/musiclive and register. Smart is one of the concert’s major sponsors. Smart Music Live is also holding a U2 fly-off promo and has an exciting 2017 lineup of concerts. Track #SmartBritneySpears and #SmartMusicLive on Smart’s Facebook, Instagram and Twitter accounts for free tickets, perks and privileges related to Britney’s Manila concert. If you can’t wait, immerse yourself in Britney’s music via Smart 360 (360.smart.com.ph).
- Take your dad to Bruno’s Barbers for a pampering session. It doesn’t have to be on Father’s Day itself, which is on June 18. You can also get him a gift card so he can enjoy some pampering. Aside from haircut, Bruno’s Barbers has other services, like Moustache and Beard Color, Grey Hair Pulling and Mani-Pedi.
- Bring him to Nike Park and buy him a pair of shoes. Most guys love trainers and sneakers, and your dad is probably no exception.
- Prepare a special breakfast for him. If you can’t cook, you can order in and just plate the food so it looks more appetizing. Or it could be coffee, juice and some Quaker Overnight Oats. Here is a recipe you can follow: https://goo.gl/Bb9CkA.