Shell Eco-marathon Asia 2014 kicks off in Rizal Park; Estrada leads flag-off

(L-R)Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada , to his left (partially hidden) is MMDA Chairman Francis Tolentino and Shell companies in Philippines Country Chair Edgar Chua. Other officials who participated but not in the picture are Manila City Vice Mayor Francisco Moreno, Simon Henry, Royal Dutch Shell Chief Financial officer, Ramon Jimenez, Secretary for Tourism

Over 100 student teams from 15 countries across Asia and the Middle East take sustainability to the streets of Manila as they showcase their fuel efficient innovations in Shell’s biggest mobility competition, Shell Eco-marathon Asia 2014. Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada, along with Shell’s Chief Financial Officer Simon Henry, Country Chairman for Shell Philippines Edgar Chua and Shell Philippines’ Vice President for Communication Roberto Kanapi, kick started the annual efficiency competition with a ceremonial flag off at Kilometer Zero in Luneta Park, Manila.

“We’ve had fantastic support from the mayor and the teams and all of the authorities that have helped stop the traffic in Manila so that we can hold this event here today. I think it’s helped to put Manila on the map as many visitors, great contestants here from fifteen different countries all across Asia and the Middle East, are here with us today. It’s a great event to bring people here together.” said Henry as the ceremony began

“It is just amazing what these teams have done – to be here today, to create the technology and the ideas to create designs that they can bring together. It is even more amazing what they can achieve, how far they can go. If we can all do a thousand kilometers or so that some students will achieve, on the one liter of petrol, just think about how different our world would be.” he adds.

With over 100 student teams from 15 countries across Asia and the Middle East taking sustainability to the streets of Manila, Department of Tourism Secretary Ramon Jimenez welcomes each participant to be a part of the fun in the Philippines

Jimenez tells participants “You are all extremely welcome to the fun in the Philippines and that in fact, that you have the most powerful automobiles in the world. There is no machine more powerful than something that brings us into the future. We have only request, as you race, take the fun of the Philippines into the future as well.”