AS I keep saying, there is no saying that isn’t true. Like this one: “Time flies.”
It seems only like yesterday that the Lexus Invitational had had its baptism of fire. But last week, the much-admired golf tournament had held its sixth edition. Already. As always, venue anew was Santa Elena, that magnificently maintained course in Cabuyao, Laguna (take a bow, Junie Ledesma). And, as in its first five years of staging, the latest Lexus event was another smashing success.
“I couldn’t ask for more,” said Danny “Sir John” Isla, the founding president of Lexus Manila Inc., who started the Lexus Invitational a year after the global brand was opened here.
He acknowledged the “invaluable help” of his entire Lexus staff led by Spencer Yu, who even emceed the awarding ceremonies with stunning poise, boasting: “Everything here at Lexus is homegrown. We rely on our own in-house talents because we believe in ourselves all of the time.”
Lexus Chairman Alfred Ty heartily applauded, together with, among others, Satoru Suzuki, the newly minted president of Toyota Motors Philippines.
Even the Lexus drivers, Isla was of profuse praise “for their help before, during and after the Lexus International.”
Here’s Sir John’s speech:
“Let me start by saying that I sincerely appreciate your participation in today’s golf day. This occasion serves as both a thanksgiving to all of you and a celebration for making Lexus a well-respected brand that it is today, not just in the automotive luxury category but across the industry. Thank you for making it happen.
May I also take this opportunity to acknowledge the support of the Santa Elena officers and staff in making every Lexus Invitational worth remembering. Thank you for always making your wonderful club our golfing venue. Thank you Junie Ledesma, Mary Grace Estuesta, Edward Tiu, Bryan Cockrell, Chef Joseph and, of course, Mr. Rico Tantoco.
We started the Lexus Invitational six years ago, a year after Lexus Manila opened. In the first two years, the Invitational winners were given recognition with trophies. Every golfer is happy to receive a prize trophy. In the last four years, however, we have sent the winners abroad to participate in golf fellowships with other Lexus owners from different countries. We shall continue with this practice.
This is not a mere case of levelling up. Rather, this is an expression of our recognition of your capability to compete and our pride that a Lexus owner in the Philippines is also a golf player to reckon with.
Hindi lang may kayang mag-Lexus, may ipagyayabang pa!”
Of the other car-sponsored golf tournaments in the country, only the BMW World Cup is peer level to the Lexus Invitational.
Well, Demosthenes “Bobby” Rosales isn’t a BMW biggie for nothing. He makes sure the annual BMW golf event is world-class always. And, sure, Sir John knows that only too well.
Honda loves nature
JUST as 2015 was about to bid adieu, more than 200 volunteers from all Honda companies, dealers, Philippine Army members from the 59th Infantry Battalion, 2nd Infantry Division and the media climbed 733 meters above sea level on the rolling landscape of Mount Banahaw in Rizal, Laguna. A total of 5,000 seedlings were planted in support of Haribon’s Rainforest Organization and Advocates to 2020.
For more of this, here’s Honda’s May Alitagtag:
“This advocacy plans to restore 1 million hectares of Philippine rainforests in 10 years. As of its sixth year, Honda Foundation Inc. has planted 18 hectares of land with 30,000 seedlings in Laguna and Quezon.
Honda has long been at the forefront of the automobile industry’s efforts to improve the environment. This is evident with projects like the Blues Skies for Our Children Campaign, which is a collaborative effort with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources [DENR], Climate Change Commission, Clean Air Initiative for Asian Cities, Philippine Business for the Environment, Department of Energy, Haribon and Honda’s extensive list of corporate fleet partners.
Similar initiatives include projects that improve fuel efficiency and reduce vehicle emissions. The recent Euro 4 certification for Honda models Brio, Brio Amaze, Mobilio, CR-V, Civic, Jazz, HR-V, Accord, Odyssey and CR-Z attests to Honda’s mission to produce products that are safer for the environment and for its users in accordance with the DENR’s Administrative Order 2015-04.
It is a principle anchored to Honda founder Soichiro Honda. Honda knows the grave effects of climate change and will continuously seek to reduce greenhouse-gas emissions. From development to disposal, Honda’s environmental efforts go beyond corporate social responsibility.”
Here’s a glass to all the nature lovers of the world.
PEE STOP. The winners of the sixth Lexus Invitational are: Overall champion—James Albert Dichaves; Low gross champion—Don Juan Miguel “Cosco” Oben; Division 1 champion—Philip Santos; Division 2 champion—Benjamin Y. Go; Ladies division champion—Gaile Laude; and, Guest division champion—Shawin Chua Lim. Congrats! After Rey “Senor” Pacheco of dwIZ won it the last time out, the Vios A/T raffled off last week during the annual SMC Media Invitational at Wack Wack was captured by Ding Marcelo of Manila Bulletin. The giveaway vehicle was in celebration of the birthday of Ramon S. Ang, the SMC president and CEO, who turned a new leaf on January 14. Cheers!