Petron promotes safety awareness through Biker Meet-Up


Petron Corporation, the country's leading oil company, signified its support for safety awareness especially among motorcycle riders by sponsoring the first Biker Meet-Up of Safe-T-Ryders Training Center, held last 18 February 2012 at the Ortigas Home Depot Complex in Pasig City.

Targeted at TODAs, motorcycle clubs and individual riders, the Biker Meet-Up program included an open forum with former LTO chief Alberto Suansing, who is currently the executive director of the Philippine Global Road Safety Partnership (PGRSP). In a lively exchange of ideas, Suansing discussed safety concerns with the biker-participants.

TV-radio host and biker Love-Love Tioseco was the celebrity guest for the Meet-and-Greet portion of the event, and the participants had the opportunity to have their photos taken with her.

Finally, the program concluded with a short presentation on the dangers of riding under the influence of alcohol. In an interactive demonstration using FatalVision goggles, the Safe-T-Ryder team simulated the effects of drinking on visual perception and the damaging consequences that can result in injuries and even death.

The range of Petron Sprint 4T motorcycle oils was also introduced to the participants, with an overview of their specifications and uses. Formulated to meet the different performance requirements of four-stroke motorcycles operating under moderate to severe driving conditions, Petron Sprint 4T is available in three variants—Sprint 4T Enduro for racing, Sprint 4T Rider for riding dependability, and Sprint 4T Extra for reliable performance.

Through its partnership with Safe-T-Ryders Training Center, Petron continues to strengthen its safety riding advocacy, particularly efforts to educate motorcycle riders to become responsible road users.

CAGI elects new officers for 2012-2013


The Car Awards Group, Inc. (CAGI) is proud to present its newly-elected officers for the 2012-2013 season. With an 80% re-election rate, Ferman Lao continues his post as President of CAGI; Andy Sevilla and Bam Olivares maintain their positions as VPs for External and Internal Affairs, respectively; Bess Zamora retains her position as treasurer; and Christopher Kho, Editor-in-Chief of Kotse.com, takes his post as the new Corporate Secretary.

For eight years running, CAGI has recognized the best vehicles in the market, awarding the coveted title of Car of the Year Philippines (COTY-P) to the car with the best value for money for consumers.

Among the awardees of the Philippine Car of the Year are  the Honda Accord (2004), Honda Civic (2005), Mazda 6 (2006), Volvo C30 (2007), Subaru Impreza STI (2008), Subaru Legacy 2.5 Liter GT (2009), and the Chevrolet Cruze (2010-2011). With a varied array of past winners, the next COTY-P is anyone’s guess.

“A lot of [the entries for the 2011-2012 COTY-P] are all-new models, and they’re a big jump from the previous models they’re replacing,” said Lao. He adds: “Essentially, as the years go by, all the cars keep getting better.”

The Car of the Year Philippines 2011-2012 will be awarded on March 29, 2012 at the Manila International Auto Show (MIAS), held at the World Trade Center in Pasay City.

The COTY-P awards is an annual consumer-oriented event organized by CAGI, a non-stock, non-profit organization composed of more than 50 motoring journalists from various print, broadcast, and online media outlets.

The 2011 - 2012 COTY-P awards is presented by the Manila International Auto Show and is supported by the Clark International Speedway, SpeedLab, Caltex Techron, Standard Insurance, BOSCH, Worldbex, Ortigas Home Depot, Automotive Association of the Philippines, Cartridge World, Papa J's Witches n Wings, Congo Grille, MG Madrid & Co., All Terra Cyclery,  Red Rock Travel, Life Line Ambulance Rescue, Winner Graphics, and Victoria Court with media partners Sunshine TV, Auto Extreme, Auto Review, Stoplight TV, Motoring Today, Auto Focus, 99.5RT, Jam 88.3, Wave 89.1, Kotse.com, Motioncars.com, Autoindustriya.com, Sprocket.ph, MotorCycle Magazine, Gadgets Magazine, Speed Magazine, C! Magazine, Power Wheels, Top Gear Philippines, Business World, Business Mirror, The Philippine Daily Inquirer, The Manila Standard Today, World News, The Philippine STAR, Daily Tribune, Malaya Business Insights, Manila Times, and The Manila Bulletin.

Safe-T-Ryders launches Bikers Meet-Ups to promote safety awareness



As part of its safety awareness campaign for motorcycle riders, Safe-T-Ryders Motorcycle Training Center is launching a series of Bikers Meet-Ups, with the first one scheduled on Saturday, 18 February 2012, at the Ortigas Home Depot Complex.

The Bikers Meet-Up program will start with an open forum featuring a well-known safety advocate or a leading personality from a government agency such as the Land Transportation Office or the Metro Manila Development Authority, or from a non-government organization such as the PGRSP (Philippine Global Road Safety Partnership). This open forum is an opportunity for bikers to dialogue on issues related to traffic regulations, safety ordinances, etc.  For February, former LTO Chief and now Executive Director of PGRSP Alberto Suansing will be exchanging opinion with the bikers.

For the Meet-and-Greet portion, a celebrity biker will be invited to participate in the event and personally meet the participants. Views and ideas will be shared, but more importantly, this will give ordinary bikers photo opportunities with a well-known personality in the biking community.  TV host and bike racer Love-Love Tioseco will be appearing in February.

Another key component of the program is a special presentation on the dangers of “Riding Under the Influence of Alcohol”.  Safe-T-Ryders will present educational materials about the very damaging effects of riding under the influence of alcohol, and the severe consequences resulting in serious injuries and even death.

Participants can also expect to take home some exciting raffle prizes and give-aways, courtesy of the Bikers Meet-Ups sponsors.

Clubs, individual riders, TODAs are welcome to join this event, which is free of charge.  The 1st Biker Meet-Up will be from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm on Saturday, 18 February 2012, at the Safe-T-Ryders Training Center at the Ortigas Home Depot complex along J. Vargas Avenue, Pasig City. Confirmed guests will be former LTO chief Alberto Suansing and celebrity rider Love-Love Tioseco.

Corporate sponsors who wish to support the riding safety advocacy are welcomed to pitch in and help in reaching out to as many riders as possible.

Safe-T-Ryders Motorcycle Training Center believes that a sound knowledge base as well as strong riding skills result in safer road users and enhance the enjoyment of motorcycle riders. It is established by Arnel Doria, who was formerly a marketing executive with a leading car brand, and was instrumental in setting up the country’s first integrated vehicle training center.  Safe-T-Ryders is manned by Julius Ballesteros, a TESDA-certified instructor, who has just returned from a two-year stint as a safety driving instructor of a large Saudi Arabian company. He is assisted by Sulfikar Guiabel, an experienced LTO-accredited riding/driving instructor. 

For more information, please contact Arnel Doria (Tel No. 208-8035 // CP No. 0932-872-3389).  Like us on Facebook (www.facebook.com/safetryders) for event updates.