Proving that cars aren’t just for big boys, families with tiny tots in tow flocked to the recently held 3rd Philippine International Motor Show (PIMS) at the World Trade Center Metro Manila. They were treated not only to a magnificent display of the latest car models, but also to wholesome and fun-filled family activities, transforming the 15,000- square meter exhibit space into a vast playground.
One of the main draws were Transformers robots Optimus Prime and Bumblebee, who wowed the crowd at the booth of The Covenant Car Company, Inc. (TCCCI), local distributor of Chevrolet. The autobots highlighted the all-new Chevy Spark that appeared in the popular movie franchise. The Chevy Spark is already available overseas in 1-liter and 1.2-liter variants. Its release in the local market will largely depend on the visitors’ reception at the 3rd PIMS, said TCCCI officials.
At the balloon twisting and face painting booths of Toyota Motor Philippines, Inc., 5-year-old Sunny and 3-year-old JP Manese shared bonding moments with their parents, freelance web developer Ronald Manese and wife Aileen, who considered the motor show a special Sunday family date. Their kids were particularly drawn to posing inside the Toyota Hybrid X, a concept car with an open-space motif and futuristic blue exteriors.
“I went all alone to the 2008 PIMS, not realizing that the whole family could enjoy the sights. I made up for it by finally bringing them here. My little girl enjoyed the hybrid cars that looked like they’re straight from outer space,” Mr. Manese said.
Various car club eyeballs also surfaced as a family-oriented affair. Honda Club of the Philippines president Jong Herrera reported that a good 70% of the Club’s 400 members usually bring their families to their meets.
Some kids also shared their old toy cars at the “More Smiles, Less Piles” donation booth of Caritas Manila, the social development arm of the Archdiocese of Manila. The donations would go to the Segunda Mana, a regular Caritas sale that funds scholarships, livelihood and prison restorative justice programs, among others.
The charity box housed not only toy cars and trucks, but also Elmo stuffed toys, plastic trains and educational materials. “It gave us a more special feeling whenever little kids dropped their own toys in the box. They looked so happy sharing a part of themselves to others,” says Donald Villanueva, one of the Caritas volunteers manning the charity booth. Kids who donated their old toys also received a special “good deed” badge each.
