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Filipino team tagged regional champs in Asia Pacific mechanic competition


The Philippines has gained another recognition in the international arena—this time, for showcasing technical skills.

Team Philippines has beat five other countries to bag the Regional Champion title of the Castrol Asia Pacific Bikes Super Mechanic Contest 2018 in Bangkok, Thailand last November 16. Composed of mechanics Julius Maranga, Georekey Cantabaco, and Gabriel Hidalgo Jr. of Cebu-based Drake’s Motorcycle Parts, the Filipino team bested the groups representing India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam after displaying their theoretical knowledge and practical skills about two-wheelers, from maintaining to fixing engine parts and lubricants.

Team Philippines bags the Castrol Asia Pacific Bikes Super Mechanic Contest 2018 in Bangkok, Thailand last November 16, 2018. PHOTO COURTESY OF CASTROL PHILIPPINES.
Team Philippines bags the Castrol Asia Pacific Bikes Super Mechanic Contest 2018 in Bangkok, Thailand last November 16, 2018. PHOTO COURTESY OF CASTROL PHILIPPINES.

“It is our great honor to be the eventual winners and name the Philippines on the first stage,” Team Philippines shares. “Thank you, Castrol, for the Castrol Asia Pacific Bikes Super Mechanic Contest, through, which not only [the] three of us, but all the mechanics participating had a chance to be updated [on] practical knowledge and also [be] recognized.”

More than 120,000 two-wheeler mechanics from the participating countries joined this year’s Castrol Asia Pacific Bikes Super Mechanic Contest, marking its biggest regional event since 2016.

One of the world’s leading lubricant brands, Castrol takes pride in spearheading events such as this, with the company’s Asia & Pacific Regional Marketing Director Shyam Balasubramanian saying, “Through the Castrol Asia Pacific Bikes Super Mechanic Contest, Castrol is proud to be able to be a trusted companion of the mechanic community on the journey of continuous improvement of their service to their customers and their business growth.”

Shortly after Team Philippines’s big win, Castrol had its biggest event in the Philippines—the culminating activity of its Partner for Life (PFL) advocacy program.

Mechanics from all over the country came together at Castrol Philippines's 2018 Super Mechanic Contest at Trinoma Activity Center last November 24. PHOTO COURTESY OF CASTROL PHILIPPINES.
Mechanics from all over the country came together at Castrol Philippines's 2018 Super Mechanic Contest at Trinoma Activity Center last November 24. PHOTO COURTESY OF CASTROL PHILIPPINES.

Held last November 24 at Trinoma Activity Center in Quezon City, the PFL event was grander this year, as it was opened to all mechanics from across the country. Technical competitions on quick maintenance and troubleshooting skills were just some of the activities during the event.

Team Philippines’s win comes ahead of Castrol’s biggest event in the Philippines—the culminating activity of its Partner for Life (PFL) advocacy program, which aims to hail the next batch of mechanics that will represent the country in next year’s Castrol Asia Pacific Mechanic Contest.

Castrol Philippines's annual event tests mechanics's skills and knowledge on motorbikes. PHOTO COURTESY OF CASTROL PHILIPPINES.
Castrol Philippines's annual event tests mechanics's skills and knowledge on motorbikes. PHOTO COURTESY OF CASTROL PHILIPPINES.

Taking the title of 2018 Castrol Super Mechanic Contest Champion is Cebu’s Super Racing Cycle Enterprise. Carcido Automotor Center from Bicol and Baby’s Motorcycle Parts from Olongapo were first and second runners up, respectively.

Philippines Market Development and Technical Service Manager Harry Somera, Castrol Activ Man Jay Taruc, Super Racing Cycle Enterprise mechanic Diomedes Cogay, owner Jonard Tan, mechanics Ernesto Gualiza and Roldan Cogay, Castrol Philippines Country Sales Director Ria Tanada, Castrol Philippines Country Activation Manager Marvin Dancel, and host Richard Labeste. PHOTO COURTESY OF CASTROL PHILIPPINES.
Castrol Philippines with this year's winners of its Super Mechanic Contest. From left to right: Castrol Philippines
Market Development and Technical Service Manager Harry Somera, Castrol Activ Man Jay Taruc, Super Racing Cycle Enterprise mechanic Diomedes Cogay, owner Jonard Tan, mechanics Ernesto Gualiza and Roldan Cogay, Castrol Philippines Country Sales Director Ria Tanada, Castrol Philippines Country Activation Manager Marvin Dancel, and host Richard Labeste. PHOTO COURTESY OF CASTROL PHILIPPINES.

“Our Partner for Life program has continually given us the opportunity to enable our fellow Filipino mechanics with the proper skillset and knowledge to be the best that they can be for their customers,” says Castrol Philippines Country Sales Director Maria Tanada.

Now on its fifth year, the Partner for Life program has been engaging Filipino motorbike mechanics to develop their skills, knowledge, and expertise around two-wheeler mechanics through various courses. It is Castrol’s way to improve the skills of partner mechanics by providing regular training and giving recognition to the mechanics through a competition in the culminating activity.

Learn more about Castrol and its Partner for Life program at www.facebook.com/castrolridersphilippines.

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