The Mercedes-Benz Club of the Philippines was likewise represented by its President, Tippee Yaptinchay and its officers Junnie Crisostomo and Michael Genuino. Having seen the success of Star Drive in Chiang Mai, there were already talks about the possibility of conducting our very own Philippine Mercedes-Benz Star Drive in the near future.
Events like the Star Drive promote not only motoring interest but also regional tourism as well. The Chiang Mai Star Drive was heavily supported by the governor of Chiang Mai and the Tourism Authority of Thailand. Hundreds of Mercedes-Benz enthusiasts all over the region participated in this first-ever event of its kind in the region.
We Filipinos can really learn something from the Thais. This event shows that the Thais have learned to set aside political difficulties and strenuously move forward towards the common good. The recently concluded Bangkok Motor Show last March shows that despite its current difficulties, its tourism and automotive economy has remained resilient and buoyed by nationalistic Thais.
In a recent reunion of the tri-star marque, the Mercedes-Benz Club of the Philippines had a club display in the highly successful Manila International Auto Show last April 6 at the main driveway of World Trade Center. Officers and members of the club paraded their beloved Mercedes-Benzes as they enjoyed the various classic and new vehicle displays inside the main exhibition hall.
Judging from the finely restored classic cars on display during the show, the passion for motoring is very much alive in the Philippines. It is the very same passion that fuels every motoring enthusiast to “reach for the stars”.
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