It is not about owning fancy cars.
It is about commitment, service, family and even a touch of nobility.
The very first Land Rover safari in the Philippines 60 years ago was commemorated over the weekend in Pampanga. The gathering of members of Land Rover Club Philippines (LRCP) over the weekend celebrated the event first held on October 7, 1962.
Renowned businessman and civic-spirited Rene Romero played host to the launching of the 2-day event at the Residencia Romero. Lawyers, engineers, entrepreneurs, and even business moguls, momentarily left their titles wherever they came from, for one common objective -- entice people to go out, have fun and thus perk up the country’s tourism industry.
LRCP president Robby Consunji cannot help but share his enthusiasm on how LR owners share a noble undertaking.
“We hope that through what we do and share in our club, other people and other group would come out for adventure travel,” Consunji said.
MEANINGFUL. LRCP members are not your regular car owners. These guys’ “toys” like the Defenders cost as much as P9 million. But they gathered not to show off their fabulous cars. They went out to fulfill a commitment to help out. The event was about sharing their experiences to help various communities.
"LRCP is more than just having fancy cars. It is about helping the community too. We have helped in times of disasters bring some goods and services,” Romero said.
For one too many times, yes, this car club brought relief goods to victims of so many typhoons and disasters – typhoons Yolanda, Ondoy, Odette, earthquakes, storm surges, volcanic eruption. Name it, they served it. Especially hard-hit areas where regular cars can not and will not penetrate. No wonder that LRCP was dubbed as “Most Awesome Car Club” by Top Gear Philippines.
LR owners live up to the nobility lent by the late Queen Elizabeth II who drove and so loved this automobile brand.
The outreaches of LRCP also those conducted during fair weather. Foremost to my mind is the partnership it established for the “Solar Lolas” where a group of aeta women where trained to make solar-powered lamps. Who can forget this noble deed with Diwata group, the Philippine Mine and Safety and Envionment Association when the beneficiaries are from communities around Clark Freeport.
Romero, known for many civic movements and philanthropic deeds, is serious in making the club more responsive as the country reels off from the adverse impact of the global health pandemic.
“In this time when the pandemic is simmering down, we hope that through this safari, people would come out and travel and thus help restart the economy that was affected by Covid," he adds.
REENACTMENT. During Saturday’s event at his residence, Romero was ecstatic to see about 80 LRs – from the vintage ones to the spanking new models --right in his own backyard.
It was a rare spectacle especially so when the cars re-enacted an arrangement of LRs parked during the 1962 safari, complete with a backdrop of trees and set of balloon on the foreground.
This particular safari is but a kick-off for a series of activities slated by the LRCP. While the 1962 and original version lasted for 14 days by 10 LR Series IIa and went through Central and Northern Luzon, this safari is but a start of activities that will run for the next five months.
FAMILY IN MIND. Prior to the start of the race in Mabalacat City where lahar deposits from 1995 was turned into a race area, one speaker made it clear that having LRs is having family bonding too.
Not to overstate it, LR ownership is a way to strengthen family ties as these vehicles can take them places in convenient ways. So many of the members now take to the road and off-roads for glamping, overlanding, adventuring, and of course, touring.
In its website, the LRCP listed as Objective No. 1 this: Organize family-oriented four-wheel drive tours of varying duration to interesting and challenging locations in the company of people with similar interests. Provide safe four-wheel drive touring with reliable backup.
More than just having fancy cars, owning a piece of luxury is also about putting it to good use that encompasses service and dedication to the community and family.