Specials awards are to be given to well-known personalities on Sunday, Aug. 6, at the first-ever Motorsport Carnivale.
Parañaque City Councilor Jomari Yllana reiterated its importance, noting how the awardees, including Matteo Guidicelli, Richard Gomez, and Michele Bumgarner, contributed a lot to motorsport in the country.
"Kadalasan bulong lang, di ba? Napag-uusapan lang ng nakakaintindi," he said.
Jomari related how prior to Matteo's stardom as singer-actor, the latter was a "big, big part" of the motoring community, same with Richard and Michele.
He noted how Richard was able to compete at one point with Italian professional race car driver Giancarlo Fisichella, who later made his mark in the prestigious Formula One.
"We're looking at the history," Jomari stressed. "We're looking at the background. Kailangan nating tumingin sa pinanggalingan natin para marating yung paroroonan. So we're giving out special awards for celebrities na malaki ang na-contribute sa motorsport."
Note that the event, launched today, Aug. 2 at Okada Manila, will run for five days, topped off by a Rallycross Series that is expected to gather over 50 racers en route to Tarlac and back.
Spearheaded by Jomari, a long-time racing enthusiast, the event is aimed towards bringing back the glory days of motorsports in the country, in reference to the time when the Philippine Grand Prix was being held in Manila from 1973 to 1976. That series of events came to be known for its prestige and grandeur.
Through the event, Jomari wants to encourage Filipinos to embrace the rich history of Philippine motorsports.
Jomari has won and placed in several local races and is the first Filipino podium finisher at the Yeongam International Circuit in South Korea in 2014. He is also the principal driver of pro racing team, Yllana Racing.
According to Jomari, they actually have a long list of competitors that are from showbiz, citing Andrei, his son with former wife actress Aiko Melendez, as example.
The latter will be competing in the autocross category.
Jomari shared he didn't influence his son to follow in his footsteps, maintaining "it's in him."
"It's a gift. It's a special gift given. It's our responsibility, yung magulang, to nourish and develop," he added. "Nandito kami sa sitwasyon na yun. Binibigay yung support kasi we see the potential in them."
He said that even as a kid, Andrei was already into cars.
Andrei has tried drag racing. And he enjoyed it.
Jomari admitted: "I didn't expect na magugustuhan niya."
Some years ago, he passed on his favorite car to Andrei.
"He's very active. He likes the brands that I used to use," he said about his son.
In a social media post, Andrei said, "The car that made me love cars. Still can’t believe it’s mine now. Let this be an instrument for our bonding @jomariyllana (heart emoji) thank you again for giving me not just a car but also something with sentimental value to it. Love you dad!"
Jomari is urging Pinoys of all ages to come and see the event.
"The mission is to make it proper. And the driving force is the passion," he said.
"Let's wake up the sleeping giant! Higante ito na natutulog. Kapag ginising mo, dragon pa rin ito."