YLLANA RACING and OKADA Announces MOTORSPORT CARNIVALE 2025

Good looking actor, councilor and pro racer Jomari Yllana welcomed us at the Okada Glass Ballroom this morning for the Motorsport Carnivale 2025 hosted by Yllana Racing and Okada Manila.

"I started underground racing during my teens, but it was quick. I was picked up by Ochoa, managed my career and placed me in Toyota in 1996. I got pro, and my advocacy for safe racing. It's passion for competition, combination of thrill and admiration for machinery. The more you practice, the more better you get from it. I'm half a century old, paving the way to open races which has been banned in the 80's, now we are organizing legal ones to guide more every step of the way. Hopefully to promote and get future champs, and to also host international races soon. We are setting up the platform for the next generation. The circuits are there, the approach we are doing right now is to bring back races in Manila."

He adds "We want to unite, you'll be surprised because they are just waiting for a venue. May 4th will be big, the Filipino motor culture is alive and this will be big!"

They have prepared several motorsports events this year to put Philippines in the world map and found home in the biggest integrated resort Okada Manila. The first event will be in May 4th, then one in the last week of June (TBA on Motorsport Carnivale 2025 social channels). As proud producers who are also in the industry, they want folks to enjoy races first as they are held in Manila. The last one was the Motorsport Carnivale 2023 which they also organized.

Rikki Dy-Liacco the Head of Motorsports at the Automobile Association Philippines says "We are equally excited, we had Motorsport Carnivale in 2023, and after a hiatus, we will have prepared over 2 years, to hopefully accommodate everyone, to have a long term relationship with Okada and do motorsports in this side of the metro. We believe the time is right, it's time to give back to motor sports." 

He adds "As a part of AAP, my dream of putting motorsports back in its hey days, where local and foreign competitors would come and enjoy venues in Manila. This is a big opportunity to achieve that goal, Joms and I want to bring in a race event of international standards, if not this year, maybe next year. We are crossing our fingers to do it now, but if not, we can do it in 2026. This is why we are also focusing on amateurs and children."

Okada's VP for Hotels Robert Scott reiterates "We are proud to partner with Yllana Racing, with passion, local talent, we are building a great tourism event this coming Sunday. Here's to growing it, we are excited for this event!" 

Here's our very candid interview with Jomari Yllana before the launch!

JOMS CUP The 1/8 Mile Challenge 2025 will also happen on May 31st, a drag racing event for Super Cars, Muscle Cars and Vintage Car Categories. They will also have one race specifically for Electric Vehicles, with celebrity drivers to do it. This will all amount to 2400 vehicles, thousands of car fans, same spirit and hopefully a comeback for a Philippine Grand Prix soon. The big awards night will be in November, and this will be a regular thing as they are already preparing for next year!

They also will be spearheading events for the Rally of Paranaque and Rally of Lubang will happen in June (and will have several city roads closed) and the plan is to have the course end in the same boardwalk so folks can see the racers in the finish line.

There are several projects in the pipeline, stay tuned for more updates from Motorsport Carnivale 2025 because they've got a great program lined up for you folks!

Set to Conquer the World Stage: The Victoria Sports Pro Cycling Team

I've never seen so much passion in the sport of cycling than during the thanksgiving event of the Victoria Sports Pro Cycling team (VSPC). I've seen them don podiums in different events, and didn't know how close they were. We found out today that their office is at Quezon City. 

These guys have been working so hard doing races locally and recent ones in Europe, trying their best in international racing circuits, making us all proud, all hoping to bring pride and honor for the Philippines.

For those who don't know, one of their members Ean Cajucom took home the championship for the Ramos Cycling Race (based in PH). At the General Classification and 2nd Stage of Oman's Tour of Salalah, their team member Nicolas Sessler copped these posts. Then Jeroen Meijer took 3rd spot on Stage 4 of the multi day road cycling race in that country. The VSPC team also took home 5th Place overall at the Trans-Himalayan Cycling Race in China versus some of the world's best too. In the land of the rising sun's OITA Urban Classic, Meijers took first place at the Road Race, while Cajucom took second spot. They also did good at the Tour de Kyushu races, much of which they consistently placed as part of the team.  

Here's our interview with them a few days ago:

You could feel their eagerness to improve their skills even at this stage. When they are doing rigorous training in Europe, they said they loved it because they get to concentrate on cycling and the sport. No question about their love for the Philippines, but they said they needed to look out for themselves here because of the traffic, buses, trucks, other motorists that become their number one concern when training. The only drawback is being away from family, friends, and loved ones. The senior members really felt like family because the little things like problems at home do become a normal occurrence in managing their members.

Former QC Mayor and House Speaker Sonny Belmonte was also there to support the cause! It was a pleasure meeting you sir!

The training they receive in EU also gets them to adapt the time tested system of training they do in that side of the world which more or less, doesn't exist in the region we belong. They will also be scouting in different weekly and monthly cycling events to seek Filipino talent that they could further develop like the champions they have in the roster. These 15 members are making the country proud, and in 2025 they promise to do even more to make sure that we as a nation achieve greater heights just like recent champions, Olympians, who have inspired the youth, and even more people to take up the sport. 

They have been fixing their calendar to participate in local tourneys plus a few more in United Arab Emirates (Dubai and elsewhere). They also have some in Spain, and other countries in Europe. This is just the start of hopefully more wins in the world stage, and we hope that more brands, corporations would continue to support their cause and bring the Philippines more wins in the professional cycling sport. 

Congratulations to the whole Victoria Sports Pro Cycling (VSPC) team which includes Carlos Francisco Ochoa, Marcelo Felipe, Ean Cajucom, Alexis Pagara, Nicolas Sessier, Ismael Grospe Jr., Daniel Ven Carino, Edson Carbadora, Miguel Andrei Obmerga, Nichol Pareja, Kenneth Maramba, Jeroen Meijers, Edgar Nieto and more, please continue to do the Philippines and your pro team proud!

Congratulations VSPC! Here's to more victories for the country soon!

Tivoli Royale Country Club Marks 1st Anniversary: Recognizes People on Founders Night

This evening was quite nice as I ventured to a little known place called Tivoli Royale Country Club in Quezon City. It's a couple minutes drive at the back of Ever in Commonwealth. It's a haven especially for those who like sports since it houses facilities that cater to that; amidst a backdrop of fancy neighborhoods, gotti looking pool, and indoor amenities that could rival the best ones in the country.

Today marks their 1st anniversary, and to celebrate that, they held a Founders Night. Tivoli Royale Country Club just welcomed 405 new members during the occasion held at their badminton gym this evening, May 26th. They have spruced up the place and now bares indoor and outdoor facilities where families of club members can enjoy life's pleasures all in the same grounds. The same venue can also double as pickleball, volleyball and tennis courts so imagine the things you can experience as a member, to your friends and family as well.

Aside from the members, executives, VIP's and celebrities graced the occasion, and yes, they started the celebration with the fun antics and comedy of famed comedian Wacky Kiray.

Wacky Kiray also made sure there's some semblance of audience participation. He invited a couple of folks to a game where they would sing, dance, and enjoy his brand of comedy to the delight of the audience. It was fun especially when he had to go to different areas where bald guys were, asking if he was his twin.

Tivoli Royale also has also brought out the guns with really good cuisine from their prime restaurant Royale Lounge. I must say, I've dined twice in different events in this place and the food they served has always been divine.

 

 

Tivoli's Executive Chef Emmanuel Jonnel Roxas made sure the quality of food they serve is top notch, and everyone behind the success of Tivoli Royal Country Club be served with the best out of their kitchen.

Tivoli Royale Country Club also recognized their most loyal members, their very industrious employees and those who have spent years with them. We all saw how proud their peers are especially those who come from their own departments.

I'd like to take this bit to congratulate the men and women behind TIVOLI ROYALY COUNTRY CLUB and the successful mounting of this event. You deserve the awards you got during this Founders Night. If you would like to inquire about membership or like to schedule a visit, please head on to their official site tivoliroyalecountryclub.com or their social channels facebook.com/officialtivoliroyalecountryclub or instagram.com/tivoliroyalecountryclub__.