The common consumer hardly ever hears from or much less gets a glimpse of the chairman of a global automotive company, yet that is hardly ever the case for Akio Toyoda, chairman of Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC, Japan). Ascending to the role of chairman from CEO just last year, Toyoda continues to personally see through his promises whenever he visits key markets like the Philippines.

Toyoda personally flew to the Philippines to join in Toyota Motor Philippines’ (TMP) 35^th Anniversary celebration. His “gift” for the local subsidiary was a promise to revive one of Toyota’s most storied models, the venerable Tamaraw. Envisioned to be the accessible mobility partner, just like the original dropside pickup, the new model will be built in TMP’s Santa Rosa assembly plant in Laguna and is hoped to serve as a candidate vehicle for the country’s PUV Modernization program.

Corporate obligations aside, Toyoda is also keen to get a personal taste of what excites Filipinos. No surprise then that before the formal ceremonies of the Anniversary, Toyoda’s first stop was none other than Jollibee for a lunch composed of Chickenjoy, a Jolly Spaghetti, and Peach Mango Pie, washed down with a Choco Float. A few days later, he would also personally drive Filipino motorsport fans in his high-performance rally car, thrilling lucky members of the audience who attended the Toyota Gazoo Racing Festival held at Quirino Grand Stand. Few chairmans of multinational companies personally make it their mission to touch their clients’ hearts quite like Toyoda and Toyota.