The road to Malacañang

By Tessa R. Salazar April 06,2016

10406tessa (1)From now until May 9, all eyes are on the election candidates wooing our precious votes. They’re out on the streets campaigning, exhorting, explaining, debating and glad-handing anyone and everyone they meet, hoping to make a lasting impression on their constituents.

 

It’s not only about how these political wannabes carry themselves that sways votes their way. Perhaps, it’s also about what carries these candidates to their various campaign sorties. And this is what has caught Inquirer Motoring’s interest.

 

So near, yet so far. The road to Malacañang, or to any desired political office, is paved with tons of good intentions and lofty promises. But before our candidates can walk their talk, they have to show pride of the ride.

 

But what kind of ride would do for a head-turning, vote-earning campaign? Inquirer Motoring asked eminent Pinoy car designers their take on the vehicle that would best suit future public servants on the campaign trail.

Jeepney for Wini

Veteran auto designer Wini Camacho, senior exterior designer of Mercedes-Benz design headquarters in Sindelfingen, Germany, told Inquirer Motoring that if he were to design a vehicle for a presidential aspirant, it would be inspired by a Philippine icon—the jeepney.

 

PASSENGER comfort is a deciding consideration during political sorties.

PASSENGER comfort is a deciding consideration during political sorties.

“This is because the jeepney projects the right qualities: dynamic, tough, durable, persevering, versatile, unpretentious and a showcase of Filipino ingenuity.

 

“These are qualities one looks for in a presidential candidate. My design will be a modern (and timeless) interpretation of the jeepney,” said Camacho.

 

Camacho, whom this author has interviewed frequently the past seven years, is truly Pinoy at heart. He sees the humor in jeepneys flaunting the Mercedes-Benz logo, the symbol of automotive opulence, on their stainless steel hoods.

 

In a 2012 interview, he said, “I don’t think the Mercedes Benz headquarters would encourage that, but I find it flattering.”

Camacho told Inquirer Motoring on Monday that the jeepney of the man (or woman) whose destiny lies in the palace “should be eye-catching, tough and solid without being too grand and intimidating.”

10406tessa (7)“For practical purposes, it will have a four-wheel drive, high-ground clearance, and be bullet-proofed.

“Other features include a removable roof hatch and rear foot holds for the bodyguards. “I’ve attached jeepney sketches I did in 2010. I’ve reworked them to fit the presidential candidate vehicle image better,” said Camacho.

Comfort is key for Atoy

In the tricky trade of auto customizations, Victor “Atoy” Lim Llave can be considered both a jack of all trades, and a master of most of them.

 

He is known for creating quality body kits and customizing vehicles for private companies, show business, and political personalities.

 

He also designed the amphibious tricycle Salamander.

 

THE TOYOTA vans are practical, economical, perfectly sized, and can still fit in narrow roads.

THE TOYOTA vans are practical, economical, perfectly sized, and can still fit in narrow roads.

For the would-be political servant, Atoy would go for the creature comforts.

 

“I will design the vehicle as comfortable as possible. Of course, we will have to ask them what they want before we proceed with the design,” he stressed.

 

“I always ask this question from my clients: How many people will sit inside? Once they give me an answer, that’s the only time I recommend a particular model or type of vehicle,” said Atoy.

 

Atoy revealed that from his experience, the three most common vehicles requested by his clients who belong to the local government are the Foton Traveller, Toyota Coaster and JAC Sunray.

 

Atoy reasoned that the choice for Chinese brands would most likely be economical: “The Foton Traveller is often chosen because it is practical, spacious, economical, and only costs half the price of a Japanese brand.”

 

He added, “LGUs with a big entourage buy the Toyota Coaster because it is practical, economical, perfectly sized, and can still fit in narrow roads.

 

“And one can turn on the air conditioner from morning to night time without any trouble. It also generates a low-profile feel.”

 

Atoy said the JAC Sunray van is popular for its look that resembles, again, Mercedes-Benz, specifically the Sprinter.

 

THE JEEP ni Erap is used again in the Manila mayoralty campaign.-

THE JEEP ni Erap is used again in the Manila mayoralty campaign.

10406tessa (18)A quick research reveals that the Sunray exterior was designed by the JAC office in Turin, Italy, while another team in Tokyo, Japan, took care of the interior.

 

The engineering and testing were carried out in Hefei, Anhui, where the company is based.

“This van is smaller than a Toyota Coaster and bigger than a Foton Traveller. Apart from being economical, it looks elegant, and in fact usually used by famous local actors and actresses,” explained Atoy.

 

Atoy could cite many other fine specimens of his design, but then he said he was not at liberty to disclose the identity of many of his politician clients.

 

Atoy reiterated that his idea of a campaign vehicle “will always look unique,” fulfilling client’s wishes of “individuality and functionality.”

 

And, like Wini, Atoy also looks to the jeepney for some homegrown inspiration.

 

He shared the backstory of his design for the popular Jeep ni Erap for the former president’s successful run for the post of Manila mayor.

 

“Erap’s son JV is my personal friend, and they requested two things: it should look like a jeepney, and it should have a sunroof so that his father can stand up and wave to the crowd.

 

“We suggested that they buy an old Ford E-150 for the reason that it is comfortable and perfect for their request.”

 

10406tessa (21)

DESIGNS for the jeepney project the right qualities for a Filipino presidential candidate.

DESIGNS for the jeepney project the right qualities for a Filipino presidential candidate.

And only Atoy could convert a Ford E-150 into a sleek jeepney.

 

Faux over animal leather

 

Going against the conventions of luxury, Atoy stressed that he prefers using synthetic leather over genuine animal leather, not just because animal leather retains more heat when exposed to the sun for prolonged periods, but also because in the long term, animal leather easily wrinkles and collects more greasy dirt from direct contact with human skin.

 

In the frenzy of the 2016 election season, Atoy said he has already worked on some vehicles for many politicians—some presidential candidates included—for their campaign purposes. He is bound to a confidentiality agreement, though, for the time being.

 

But if the man has done a great job for a former president, we can only surmise that other personalities that (almost) bear the same weight will come a-knocking on Atoy’s car windows.

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