Apr 05, 2017


Driving schools must level up

If you would look into official traffic accident reports that are on file you would find out that most of the causes of accidents cited were either mechanical failure or driver error.

In the case of the former, which is mechanical failure, the best but not necessarily the ultimate solution is for the country to have an honest to goodness 'motor vehicle inspection program' working in place that can really ban "rolling coffins" from our roads instead of what we have now, which is close to nothing.

As for the latter, which is the abundance of uninformed and poorly prepared drivers, the best solution is to have a stricter process in giving out driver's licenses and to have driving schools with a lot higher standards than what exist now.

And the Land Transportation Office (LTO) is right on spot with what they intend to do in order to level up the kind of drivers that we have now both for those driving private vehicles and especially those driving PUVs.

The LTO wants to have the following done, namely; to require driving schools to have their own test track and not to use public roads for their students practice and practical exams, to have all driving instructors accredited by TESDA, to require driver's license applicants to undergo simulation driving before undergoing practical exams and to have exams for driver's license applicants for professionals more stringent for non-pros and for those already with driver's license to undergo regular periodic re-exams.

To LTO chief, Assec.Edgar Galvante we say, "Let's do this!"

Petron Blaze 100 is Euro 6 fuel

It was more of an intimate gathering of invited motoring journalists representing varied media at theDiamond Residences in Makati City where Petron Corporation officially launched Blaze 100 Euro 6 to the Philippine market.

The country's market leader now lays claim to have the cleanest and most advanced gasoline in the Philippines, which even surpasses Euro 6 standards. "We are proud that Blaze 100 meets the world's best environmental and fuel technology standards. With the highest octane rating but the lowest sulfur content, it is the best gasoline in the market by far in terms of power, efficiency, engine protection and reduced emissions," declares Mr. Ramon S. Ang, president and ceo of Petron Corporation.

In a detailed presentation during the launch and media briefing, Ronald Chiong, manager for Technical Planning and Development of Petron Corporation stated that due to its pure formulation and very high octane Blaze 100 Euro 6 gives motorists six advantages and benefits, i.e., improved fuel efficiency, powerful engine performance and acceleration, guaranteed cleaner engines on just one full tank, improved combustion with its unique fuel and additive formulation, significantly reduced harmful emissions and reduced maintenance costs.

It may be worthy of note that despite government requirements only presently specify the use of Euro 4 fuels,Petron Blaze 100 is two levels higher at Euro 6.

Suzuki's simultaneous bike-launch

Two of Suzuki Philippines, Inc.'s (SPI) newest bikes were both launched recently at theWorld Trade Center during the staging of the 11 th Inside Racing Bike Fest.

The SV650, which Suzuki started in 1999 as a motorcycle built to deliver "V-Twin Fun" now comes with the latest version-the SV650/A. According to SPI, it comes in light in weight at 195 kg, which makes it more comfortable and easier to ride. Its slim body and developed truss pipe frame also set the new version different from its predecessor making it a rider's "go anywhere bike".

While the GSXR-100R, which is developed from its predecessor, the GSX-R's more than three decade-performance is being presented to come with better and innovated features like an all-new chassis with a lighter frame and an MU working in 6 directions along 3-axis-yaw, roll and pitch. Dubbed by Suzuki as the"King of Superbikes" the new GSXR-100R is launched as the embodiment of the pride, passion and expertise of the engineering team.

Suzuki Philippines currently ranks among the local motoring industry's fastest-developing companies with recently achieved sales milestones both in motorbikes and automobiles.

Chevron Launches Caltex Delo 400 MGX engine oil

The Bonifacio Ballroom of the Shangri-La The Fort was teeming with transport company owners and executives, members of the motoring media and Chevron executives last week for the official launch of the Caltex Delo 400 MGX SAE 15W-40.

In a statement Chevron said that the formulation of its latest premium diesel engine oil constitutes a higher specification and is specially designed to comply with the Philippine market requirements. It will benefit both new and old diesel engines and allow customers to utilize just one heavy-duty engine oil that operates efficiently in both high and low sulfur diesel fuel environments.

"Heavy industry players are grappling with challenges such as excessive occupational heat exposure and maintaining an age-diverse fleet operating in both high and ultra-low sulphur environments. With the local launch of the Caltex Delo 400 MGX, an American Petroleum Institute and American and European Original Equipment Manufacturers standard compliant diesel engine oil, heavy industries can finally experience synthetic-like performance at the cost of mineral products, significantly reducing premium lubrication costs," said Joseph Bronfman, Chevron's Area Business Manager, Finished Lubricants Philippines & Vietnam.

Thoroughly field-tested in trucks using up to 5000ppm diesel fuel sulfur levels, Chevron reports that Caltex Delo 400 MGX has demonstrated an exceptional performance capability in neutralizing harmful acids and retaining alkalinity in extended-drain operations.

This newly launched premium diesel engine oil from Chevron is currently available in drum and gallon packaging through its appointed distributors.

Websites for motoring and auto enthusiasts

They are all there in the net waiting for you to click on - www.motoringtoday.ph and www.autofocus.com.ph for the latest in motoring as well the latest about the automobile and the auto industry.

Happy Motoring!!!

For comments & inquiries (email) sunshine.television@yahoo.com

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Ray Butch Gamboa graduated from the College of Arts and Letters of the University of Sto. Tomas. It was a course that should have been preparatory to a law degree, but the call of broadcasting aborted his plans.

At the age of 16, while still a student, Butch tried his hand at disc jockeying, landing a job at Mareco Broadcasting Network’s AM stations DZBM and DZLM. From there, Butch moved on with his illustrious career as a popular disc jockey, riding the airwaves of Bob Stewart’s middle-of-the-road music at DZXX, and ending his disc jockeying career at ABS-CBN’s DZYL and DZQL.

From there, he stayed on with ABS-CBN, covering live the proceedings at the Manila Stock Exchange and eventually entered into the world of television sales as an account manager for the premier channel of ABS-CBN Channel 2.

In the early 70’s, at the outbreak of Martial Law, Butch was one of the thousands of professionals who woke up jobless when then President Marcos declared the new status of the nation. With the closure of ABS-CBN, Butch ventured into different fields outside of broadcast. He tried his hand and with ease and success at export (Costume jewelry), real estate (brokerage), and restaurants (fast food).

In 1987, after the revolution, with the broadcast industry back to its free state, and with its irresistible call ringing in his ears, Butch made his inevitable comeback and pioneered in a local motoring show, producing Motoring Today on Channel 4 and co-hosting with local motor sports’ living legend Pocholo Ramirez.

After 4 years, he ventured into another pioneering format by producing and hosting Business & Leisure, which was originally aired on ABS-CBN’s Channel 2. The format eventually espoused similar ones in other different channels. But the clones in due course faded away leaving the original staying on airing on Channel 4 and eventually on Shop TV on Sky Cable’s Channel 13.

The following year, the pioneering spirit in Butch spurred him to produce another TV show, Race Weekend, also on Channel 4, covering circuit racing at the Subic International Raceway after the motor sport’s hiatus of 17 years. But when similar shows with duplicated formats sprouted, he decided to give way and ended the program after a year, although still enjoying unparalleled viewership.

In 1998, when the local automotive industry was in a slump, Butch contributed his share to help the ailing industry by producing another popular motoring-related show, this time exclusive to the automobile and its industry—Auto Focus, which became a vehicle for local automotive assemblers and importers to showcase their products and dwell on the industry’s latest technological developments.

In 2003, Butch teamed up with his brother, Rey Gamboa who was a former Shell executive and presently one Philippine Star’s business columnist to co-produce and co-host the TV show Breaking Barriers on Channel 13. It is a talk show that features guests who are in the news and in the middle of controversies. The program ventures to draw deeper insights into current issues to learn how they impact to our daily lives.

Today, Motoring Today on its 28th year of service to the general motoring public still enjoys its unprecedented loyal vierwership nationwide while Auto Focus, after 16 years has firmly established its niche viewership among automobile enthusiasts and on the other hand Business & Leisure is on its 24th year dishing out current business issues and lifestyle features.

Today, aside from writing weekly columns for the Philippine Star (Motoring Today on Wednesdays and Business & Leisure on Saturdays) and executive producer / host of weekly TV shows (Motoring Today, airs Sundays on Solar Sports Channel 70, Business & Leisure, airs Tuesdays on Shop TV, Sky Cable Channel 13 and Auto Focus airs Thursdays on Shop TV, Sky Cable Channel 13, Ray Butch Gamboa is currently the Chairman and CEO of Sunshine Television Production and Marketing Services Corp., President of Gamcor Management and Development Corp., Chairman of Asia-Pacific Realty Corporation, President and Chairman of Socio-Communication Foundation for Asia and Founding Chairman of the Society of Phil. Motoring Journalists (SPMJ)