Touring Report

What's "PAN-ASEAN TOURING"?

Today's Report

May 16,
Press Conference

Total Mileage
(km)

The press conference to announce the start of the Philippine leg of the PAN-ASEAN TOURING event was held at the Marriott Hotel in Cebu, the country's third largest city and famous resort area. This will be the final leg of the 6-nation PAN-ASEAN TOURING event. Reporters and camera people from 21 local, national and international media companies gathered for the conference. Representing Yamaha on stage were President Luis B. Quismbing and two of his managers from the Philippine Yamaha motorcycle distributor Norkis Trading Co. Inc., President Masanori Kobayashi of Yamaha Motor Asian Center (YMAC) and Mr. Shinsuke Yamaura from the Yamaha Motor Co. Ltd. (YMC) Philippine office and Mr. Masahiko Ariga from YMC in Japan.
After the introductions of the ASEAN riders, and an opening speech by Pres. Quismbing, Pres. Kobayashi gave a talk about the current status of the ASEAN market. This was followed by an explanation of the PAN-ASEAN TOURING event and a summary of the Philippine leg by Norkis representative, Mr. Manuel Gaspar Albos. After a press question and answer period, the three riders who have completed all the legs thus far through five ASEAN countries, Roy Adrianto and Hardi Fadhillah from Indonesia and Chuchat Sohmanee from Thailand, got up to talk about the tour thus far and their impression of the T135 model they have ridden. In the Philippines, the T135 will be marketed with the name Sniper 135.
When the one and a half hour press conference was over, the conference room was reset as a dining room for a luncheon. As the riders dined there was already a familiar mood between them, with continuing riders renewing friendships from the previous legs and new riders introducing themselves. After lunch there was a rider briefing where everyone received a detailed description of the route they would be riding and the things they need to know about the roads and traffic conditions of the Philippines. They also reviewed the hand signals that are used between the riders on the road. Then it was time to choose their riding gear from the prepared stock. Roy and Hardi were happy to find among the helmets the ones they designed and have been using throughout the tour.
That evening there was a welcoming party attended by the mayor of Cebu, Mr. Tomas Osmena, Yamaha dealers from around the Philippines and other guests totaling about 200 people. Serving as the master of ceremonies was former Miss Cebu, Karla Bautista, who made her appearance on stage riding on the back of a T135 driven by one of the Philippine riders, Maico. The ASEAN riders made their entrance led by flag-bearers dressed in the ethnic costumes of each of the ASEAN countries and a troupe of local dancers who began a performance soon after.
The first of the riders to come on stage were Roy and Hardi from Indonesia, who have ridden through all five of the countries toured by the PAN-ASEAN TOURING event up until this point and will be riding on to the finish point in Manila this time. Next, representing Thailand, were Chuchat, who will also be attempting to complete the tour through all six countries, and Phattanasit Thapwon, who participated as one of the support staff members during the Thai leg of the tour and will be participating as a rider for the first time.
Next on stage were the two riders representing Malaysia, Kiong Chun Khee, who also rode the Malaysia leg, and Teik Ghee Tan, who is joining the riders for the first time. They were followed by the two Vietnamese riders, Le Huy Hoa, who has been riding since the Malaysia leg, and a new rider, Guong Hoang Thach. Finally the two Philippine riders were introduced to an extra big round of applause. Maico has participated as a rider in the Vietnam round and Lester Dizon, who will serve as the touring leader this time, has already toured through three of the countries with the rider team. Also introduced as riders who will be joining the ASEAN riders on this leg were the three Japanese riders Ariga, Yamaura and Shinya Hosojima.
After the introductions, Lester led the 13 riders in a rousing toast to Yamaha that go everyone in good spirits and drew a big round of applause from the guests. This was followed by short concert by Maria Donna, a nationally famous singer from Cebu. This livened the party even more and kept spirits high until the end.
Tomorrow will see the start of the serious touring on the final leg of the PAN-ASEAN TOURING, which will cover 2,328 km from Cebu to Manila. The first day of this 11-day tour will run 164 km to the city of Tacloban.