I HAVE to raise a glass to Art Macapagal. After decades of being in the business, retirement is farthest from his mind.
“This is the only job I’ve ever known and I have fallen in love with, and it seems it will remain that way till the end of time,” said Art, the night his new babe was inaugurated.
I refer to the recent unveiling of Art’s Toyota Global City, which is situated right at the heart of Global City that is Taguig, the fastest-rising city in Metro Manila.
Before the opening of Toyota Global City, Art, the great and handsome son of the great Philippine President Diosdado “Cong Dadong” Macapagal, has had Toyota dealership forays in Mandaluyong and Makati.
When the industry thought Art would call it quits after being a brilliant breakthrough author of successful dealership for Toyota Motor Philippines alongside such dealership bigwigs like Cesar Lee (Alabang), Joey Laurel (Batangas), Rene So (Dagupan, Baguio and San Fernando City-La Union), Boyet Lim (Davao), Wellington and Frankie Lim (Commonwealth and Quezon Avenue), Leo Ferreria (Cubao), Robert Uy (Bacolod-Iloilo) and Rey Oben (Balintawak and Otis), they got the shock of their lives—happily, that is.
Overcoming the odds
ART fought the skeptics, overcoming tremendous odds that included seven locations to choose from before finally finding the choice of his heart—a dealership that is practically within spitting distance of Lexus Manila Inc. (LMI) at The Fort not far from the famous Market! Market! and plush Serendra.
The design of the glass-laden building, with its magnificent cathedral ceiling, and the convivial concept of its layout, have drawn raves from the star-studded crowd that attended the by-invitation-only event, including Lexus president Danny Isla, TMP EVP Yuji Goto, Japanese Ambassador Toshinao Urabe and Dexter Pasion of May Bank.
“I would say it has both symmetry and the synergy needed in this fast-advancing scope of global technology,” said Alfred Ty, the TMP vice chairman of Art’s Toyota Global City building. “The layout alone of the departments is well thought out and augurs well for coordination and interconnectivity that surely looks sound for a lively business activity reflective of the area.”
But if the birth of Toyota Global City was such a smash hit that evening, architecture-wise and, yes, food-wise likewise, the speeches delivered featured gems worth remembering.
Vice President Jejomar C. Binay, the guest of honor no less, waxed poetic in his talk.
“I congratulate Toyota Motor Philippines for its long-awaited entry to Bonifacio Global City,” he said. “Your inauguration tonight reminds me of a phrase that hangs in the home of Sakichi Toyoda:
‘Endure a hundred times
Strengthen yourself a thousand times
And you will complete your task in short order.’”
Yes, indeed, it was a night of admiration for Art’s new work of art, but it was also an evening of well-meaning speeches not only from Binay but from several other well-distinguished personalities as well.
Fascinated with speeches
SINCE I was a kid, I have always been fascinated hearing—and reading—speeches.
Know what?
I own a book of the compilation of speeches of the presidents of the United States, from Washington to Clinton. It is one of my most treasured books in my humble library.
Now with your kind indulgence, your honor, I now give the floor to three more speakers that night.
“The inauguration tonight of the Toyota Global City is another proof that our beloved City of Taguig is on the right track, that it is fast-becoming the haven of big companies out to make Taguig their home to build a future for our generations to enjoy and derive livelihood from,” said Laarni Cayetano, the charming mayor of Taguig.
From Alex Macapagal, Art’s handsome son who happens to be the president of Toyota Global City: “Just like Team Toyota’s road to the 10th Triple Crown in 2011, the road to the opening of Toyota Global City was equally, if not more, challenging. Our chairman, Mr. Arturo Macapagal, and the late Col. Coronado Munasque, were awarded the franchise for Fort Bonifacio as early as 2002. The task of finding the proper site for a Toyota dealership turned out, however, to be what could be described like a Facebook status, complicated. Our chairman explored several candidate-sites that had to meet the Toyota customers’ high standards, an exercise that turned out to be more taxing than expected. His bullishness on the prospects of Bonifacio Global City and commitment to the Toyota brand kept him on track, so did the continued support of Toyota Tsusho Corp. and Toyota Motor Philippines.”
Sugata speech
FROM Michinobu Sugata, TMP president: “We have witnessed the rapid construction of commercial and residential buildings in Taguig City, and amazingly fashionable establishments especially in ‘Uptown Bonifacio’ area. That is why we definitely needed a representation of Toyota here, and today our wish became a reality. This new Toyota dealer will surely become a flagship figure in the district.”
Art’s fitting encore
AND then, of course, Art Macapagal’s obra maestra for the night:
“Sixteen years ago, our guest of honor [VP Binay] attended the inauguration of Toyota Pasong Tamo, graciously escorting then Mayor Dra. Elenita Binay. It is providential that we are again honored by his presence tonight.
“There are two provisions in the Philippine Constitution which require priority attention by our national leaders as they address the needs of a great number of our countrymen who still live in poverty. One requires the state to promote a just and dynamic social order that will ensure the prosperity and independence of the nation and free the people from poverty. The other mandates the state to promote social justice.
“The public life of our guest of honor as leader of Makati for a generation is testimony to his commitment and ability to make reality for Filipinos these two constitutional imperatives.
“Not only is he proud of his being rooted to the poor, he labors to serve them. In partnership with the business community, he transformed Makati to a model metropolis. When he ran for vice president, the resounding message and success of his egalitarian policies in Makati catapulted him to national victory.
“Even now he continues this preferential service for the poor, for as the nation’s vice president, he has chosen to care for our overseas workers and lead the housing program of the government. Like the promulgation of sound land ownership, a forward-looking and far-reaching housing program is evidence of our country’s social justice.
“In our history’s post-war era, five of the 11 presidents were formerly vice presidents. With the blessing of Divine Providence, it can very well be that tonight we have with us the next President of our country.
“Dear friends, ladies and gentlemen, His Excellency, Jejomar C. Binay, Vice President of the Philippines.”
All rise, please.
Pee stop. Today is the 34th day of year 2012 and the dismantling of the concrete traffic blockers fronting the entrance gate of Don Enrique Heights along Commonwealth Avenue in Quezon City has yet to begin. They pose hazards both to pedestrians and vehicle drivers and the MMDA ought to remove them Asap. Paging MMDA chief Francis Tolentino…Happy birthday to Ching Juvida-Fernandez (February 1) and Bonnie F. Juvida (February 2). Cheers!
