Motoring Today Column: Ready for Road Trips?

Jul 07, 2021

Ready for Road Trips?

The Inter-Agency Task Force for Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases , better known as the IATF, has released IATF Resolution 124-B, easing interzonal travel of fully vaccinated people.

This should make people itching to go on road trips happy.

They should be able to motor to places of the same community quarantine classification-whether General Community Quarantine (GCQ) or Modified GCQ- as where they reside without having to undergo RT-PCR testing.

This new rules also apply to fully-vaccinated seniors.

All they need to do now is to present a Covid-19 domestic vaccination card signed by a legitimate vaccinating establishment.

The Bureau of Quarantine has also been authorized to issue certificates of quarantine completion, although the system for this certification may not be set yet.

Many question this new relaxation of rules. Are fully vaccinated persons - defined as having had their second doses a full two weeks before traveling-truly safe from being a carrier of the Covid-19.

Some have read or heard experts say that being vaccinated doesn't mean you'll never be infected by the virus. It just means you are protected against being seriously ill by the virus. And may be one of the so-called asymptomatics.

The urge to go motoring may be too hard to resist for those who've been cooped up long inside homes or within closed communities.

While relaxing the rules and making Covid-19 vaccination cards a passport for local travel within GCQ and MGCQ zones, authorities still mandate the compliance for health protocols.

Those on road treks are still required to undergo health and exposure screening protocols that may be enforced on arrival by LGU s at destinations.

Meanwhile, the further easing of travel restrictions should also make automotive sector happy.

Already the signs are good for a strong rebound in sales as reported by groups such as AVID.

Many auto makers and distributors are putting plans to introduce new models or model upgrades on the fast-track.

Chevy Tracker

The latest to launch an all-new crossover/SUV for those itching to go on road treks is Chevrolet Philippines.

This is the Chevrolet Tracker, the latest model in Chevy's new-generation, global SUV lineup.

Says Albert B. Arcilla, president and chief executive officer of Chevrolet Philippines - TCCCI : "We are excited to introduce the all-new Chevrolet Tracker to the Philippine market. This highly acclaimed crossover is a welcome addition to our refreshed model portfolio."

The subcompact crossover/SUV combines practical functionality, modern athletic design, intelligent connectivity features, refined engine technology, advanced safety features, and smart cargo space, says Chevrolet Philippines.

Aston Martin SUV

For those in the higher end of the automotive spectrum, there's a new Aston Martin perfect for a luxurious road adventure.

The DBX, Aston Martin's first ever SUV first launched in 2019 is now available locally.

Says Marc Louie Y. Tagle, chairman and president of Aston Martin Manila : "We are confident that this move of Aston Martin will be warmly embraced by the Filipino market. Admittedly, we are an SUV nation - we love to cruise with our adventurous spirit, and bring family, friends, and loved ones along for the ride. Aston Martin captures this passion and adds its trademark luxury and beauty for the ultimate driving experience."

Being an Aston Martin, the DBX drives like a sportscar, says Fiel Tan, Marketing Head of Aston Martin Manila.

It is powered by a 550 horsepower 4-liter, twin-turbocharged V8 engine that also generates 700 Newton-meters of torque, the same power unit found in the DB11 and Vantage.

The DBX can go from 0 to 62 miles per hour in 4.5 seconds and has a top speed of 181 mph.

"Aston Martin owners are those who love cars that are not just jaw-dropping to look at, but also thrilling to drive, and the DBX lives up to these qualities. This is a pivotal moment for the brand, and we could not have been more excited to showcase this to the Philippine Market," says Tan.

LRT-2 East Extension

The LRT-2 East Extension is finally operational along with two new stations, the Marikina-Pasig and Antipolo stations.

And for two weeks, commuters get a free ride the LRT-2 East Extension.

According to the DOTr, the LRT-2 commuters going to Pasig, Marikina, and Antipolo can now enjoy a more comfortable, convenient, and faster travel.

Beginning on July 5, commuters can board a shuttle train taking them from the line's Antipolo Station to the Santolan Station, and vice versa.

Passengers can board at the Antipolo Station or at theMarikina-Pasig Station and alight at the Santolan Station.

From the Santolan station they can transfer to another train that can take them all the way to the Recto Station.

The LRT-2 East Extension will allow commuters to travel from Recto in Manila toMasinag in Antipolo in just 30 to 40 minutes.

Happy Motoring!!!

For comments & inquiries:

(email) sunshine.television@yahoo.com

(website) www.motoringtoday.ph

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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)