New names emerge as winners of Subaru Palm Challenge: Philippine face off

September 26,2018

FROM left, Motor Image Pilipinas, Inc. marketing manager Uzzi Asuncion, Mark Albert Guballa, John Kris Ilagan, Juntie Flores, Filmark Bernante, Karl Joseph Sarenas, Rey Balintucas, Angel Lou Grospe, Alec Karol Ebuen, Carlo Talahib, Daniel Sabas, MIP National Sales Manager Joey Picadizo and Gerry Hernandez, MIP General Manager

Out of almost a hundred aspirants, 10 competitors emerged victorious at the 2018 Subaru Palm Challenge: Philippine Face-Off held recently at the Bonifacio High Street, Taguig City, and are now set to gear up to represent the Philippines in the regional finals in Singapore next month.

The aspirants were flagged off at 9 a.m., ready to outlast each other in this test of will and endurance organized by Motor Image Pilipinas, Inc., the exclusive distributor of Subaru vehicles in the Philippines

The challenge was to keep their hands on one of the four Subaru XVs with EyeSight, with no protection against the heat of the sun or the discomfort of rain, whichever the day offered.

After more than nine exhausting hours, the final 10 contestants were finally known.

However, each of them still hung on, vying to be the ultimate Filipino winner and the local leg’s last man standing.

This year, contest newbie Rey Balintucas emerged the winner.

This 2018’s challenge also brought about some interesting twists.

Juan Furiscal and Jaspher Galaura, both part of last year’s top 10, fell early in the competition. Rheden Pinoliad, last year’s runner-up, and Alex Neblasca, 2016 Regional Palm Challenge strongman, also didn’t make it past through the local leg.

Veteran Carlo Talahib, who was also last year’s Philippines team captain, and Filmark Bernante, last year’s Regional Palm Challenge country winner, booked their slots for the Singapore trip, but in the end, the battle came down to Rey Balintucas and Juntie Flores, the defending champion.

Eventually, Flores’ bid for back-to-back wins was spoiled by Balintucas, who outlasted him by merely three seconds.

Participants going through the challenges

The Philippine team is now complete and set to compete against the teams from other Asian countries in an even more difficult arena from Oct. 26 to 31, 2018 in Singapore.

Over the past years, the closest podium finish the Philippines reached was third place in 2016.

Should a Filipino finally claim the crown, he or she would drive home a Subaru, the grand prize offered to the event winner.

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