How auto CEOs spend their weekends

After a long week hard at work to increase market share in the fiercely competitive automotive industry, how do the presidents/CEOs of car companies spend their weekends to relax?

In a snap survey run by PDI Motoring, some CEOs answered as follows:

SATORU SUZUKI, Toyota Motor Philippines Corporation

The best way for me to relax on weekends is to play golf and run! I love football and I play with our Toyota football team together with Toyota dealers, suppliers and media friends.

MA. FE PEREZ-AGUDO, Hyundai Asia Resources, Inc.

Weekends are for my family. I make it a point to spend quality time with my big family which Includes my mom, siblings, my kids, nieces, and nephews. We usually stay at home, talking about the goings-on in our lives. Obviously, we love to eat, watch streaming movies, and just enjoy one another’s company. They keep me young since they share the latest on social media, online apps, and other trends. I am also into fitness since my mind and body needs to be at its peak to deal with the challenges that work and life bring. So even on weekends, I try to inject some workout time. A great weekend means a great work week ahead.

PK UMASHANKAR, Ford Philippines

I usually spend my weekends with family and friends. I start the day with a workout or a nice run in the park, and then I drop off my son at his weekend activities in the morning. I catch up on my reading in the afternoon, and end the day with a nice dinner or a movie (or find something else to watch on Netflix.) In between, I also help my son in his school work, call my older son as he’s abroad, and catch up with friends and news from around the world. Nothing extraordinary, just unwinding and recharging for another busy week ahead.

NORIYUKI TAKAKURA, Honda Cars Philippines, Inc.

I like spending my weekends by waking up early and going for a walk at the park near my place. Afterwards, I enjoy a meal at my go-to breakfast place and spend the rest of the day reading books and watching movies. Sometimes I work if there are urgent items that need to be accomplished.

ROMMEL SYTIN, Foton Motors Philippines, Inc.

Saturday I usually play golf with friends or do biking. Sometimes I schedule a meeting in the afternoon. My Sunday is simple. Morning, I attend Mass at Christ the King, lunch with family and my Mother. Afternoon, sometimes I play a round of golf with my son and brother.

FELIPE ESTRELLA, Volkswagen Philippines

Weekdays are usually very busy so weekends are a good break to spend with my family and friends resting, relaxing and enjoying a good meal. Since the National Heroes Day is on Monday, I plan on just being “Daddy” for the long weekend. I might take my wife and kids on a drive out of town in our Volkswagen Tiguan, since I also just had the once-a-year preventive maintenance service done. It will be fun to drive on the highway, away from city traffic, to enjoy the smooth and solid ride without having to worry about my family’s comfort and safety during the trip. The best thing about all this is spending quality time with my family plus getting to enjoy our Volkswagen.

ALBERT ARCILLA, The Covenant Car Company, Inc. (Chevrolet)

I try to make my regular Sundays as slow and easy as I can. I try to catch up with my sleep so I wake up at 7 a.m., have a slow breakfast and read all the newspapers page by page. I hear Mass by mid-afternoon and catch up on my Netflix while answering my emails for Monday.

STEVEN TAN, Bermaz Auto Philippines (Mazda)

On weekends, when I am not doing the family groceries or preparing lunch or dinner for the family (which I love doing), I bring a Miata to the track to get a rush and clear my mind. Other times I grab my gear and head to Anilao for a day of scuba diving.

NOTE: Usually, Japanese car companies operating in the Philippines have a policy of not bringing to Manila the families of their Japanese CEOs.