Text and photos by Dino Ray V. Directo III
As part of the month long celebration of former Pampanga Governor Rodolfo “Bong” Pineda, the local government of Lubao staged a unique car show that reflected the passion for cars of Pampanga locals.
Last December 2017, the first Pampanga Car Show was held at the Lubao’s premier tourist destination, Pradera Verde. “We are just testing the waters and this is a pre-event for a much bigger event middle of this year,” says Paulo Nasol of Pradera Verde.
Staged across the golfing resort’s clubhouse and wake boarding facility, the first Pampanga car show attracted car enthusiasts and collectors from across the province, and local aftermarket companies from Manila.
The show had 100 plus cars, most of which were American muscle cars, vintage cars from the early 1900’s, such as the the 1924 Durant and Japanese classics which reflected how car enthusiasts dressed up their cars in the eighties and nineties. The highlight of the display was the car of screen icon, action King of local cinema and former President of the Republic and now Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada. Now owned by veteran journalist and a close Estrada associate Luis “Cito” Beltran, the four-door 1962 Cadillac hard top, was the Mayor Erap’s favorite and it was the car he frequently used with the King of Philippine Movies Fernando Poe, Jr. during their heydays in showbiz.
Also included in the display was the 1948 Buick of Iglesia ni Kristo Founder Felix Manalo, which was in preserved condition. The cars were so clean and pristine that they looked brand new.
Also present during the car show were aftermarket companies such as Blade Autocenter, KYB Shocks, PIAA, Black Rhino, Saffiro, Overland 4×4 Ph, Foilacar and event radio partner Mellow 94.7 FM. The companies displayed the customized Isuzu MU-X, which was film wrapped in Desert Storm gray by Foilacar, equipped with Black Rhino Wheels, plus the SUV sported off-road equipment from Overland Ph. It was also equipped with a Blaupunkt Dash Camera.
“We are very happy with the turnout of visitors and the support of the province. I was surprised that there were this so many vintage and collectible cars in Pampanga. This is just the beginning and rest assured that more tourism related events will be staged here in Lubao,” states Governor Lilia Pineda. The proceeds of the event were donated to the volunteers of Pradera Verde, which is composed of residents and natives of Lubao.
