JimnyFest 2025 brought together hundreds of Suzuki Jimny owners and enthusiasts for what has become the largest gathering of its kind in the Philippines. Held from February 27 to March 1 at The Nest Resort and Campgrounds in Palayan City, Nueva Ecija, the three-day event was organized by The Jimny Hub and co-presented by BFGoodrich and Motul, in partnership with Suzuki Philippines.
The festival opened with a thrilling off-road trail at Calabasa River in Gabaldon, showcasing the Jimny's formidable 4x4 capabilities. This was followed by an opening ceremony attended by Palayan City Mayor Vianne Cuevas and supported by local and provincial tourism officials, highlighting the event's growing significance and popularity.
A total of 180 Jimnys and nearly 500 participants, including guests from Japan, the US, and Thailand, joined the celebration. According to John Ongsiaco, President of The Jimny Hub and Rugged Rigs Performance, this year’s JimnyFest also marked the beginning of Rugged Rigs’ 10th anniversary.
Suzuki Philippines showed strong support throughout the event. Yasuki Nakagawa, Assistant to the General Manager and Sales Department Head, addressed attendees during the Jimny Legends Awards Night, saying, “Suzuki is honored to be part of this amazing event, celebrating the spirit of adventure and the unstoppable Jimny,” Mr. Nakagawa shared. “This year is particularly special as Suzuki Philippines celebrates its 50th anniversary, marking five decades of bringing quality mobility, innovation, and adventure to Filipinos.” Mr. Nakagawa also presented the special award for Most Outstanding Jimny Community, which was proudly accepted by the JB74Force group.
One of the highlights of the festival was the Jimny Legends Awards Night, which recognized standout builds across several categories: the BFGoodrich Best Overland Build, the Motul Best Engine and Performance, and The Jimny Hub Choice Award. This year also saw the introduction of the Next Gen Award, created to honor the best Jimny 5-Door build, placing the spotlight on the model's latest iteration.
Suzuki Philippines also took the opportunity to unveil the Jimny Rhino Edition, a new variant tailored for enthusiasts seeking a rugged, adventure-ready vehicle. Additionally, an exclusive promo for the Jimny 5-Door was made available to festival-goers.
Family-friendly activities played a significant role in the event’s success. There were test drives organized by Wheeltek, a DIY pizza-making demo by Oven Depot, and games and treats for the young Suzuki Safety Scouts. Attendees were also treated to over PHP 800,000 worth of raffle prizes, culminating in a fireworks show to close out the festivities.
Suzuki’s continued partnership with The Jimny Hub shows the full support of the company when it comes to grassroots communities and promoting the Jimny lifestyle in the Philippines. JimnyFest 2025 not only celebrated off-road adventure but also reinforced the camaraderie and shared passion that define the Jimny experience. With backing from major sponsors and a wide network of partners including Front Runner, ARB, SR Performance, Aegis Detailing, Autoclinic, APIO Japan, IPF Lighting, Showa Garage, Bradley, RIVAL, Ridemax, Coleman, Toughdog, THOR, Outlast Battery, Hardrace, and Head & Shoulders, the event served as both a celebration and a rallying point for the growing Jimny community.