MOVIEGOER: Jomari heats up sleeping motorsports scene
At A Glance
- Jomari, a long-time racing enthusiast, hopes to bring 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.
As Jomari Yllana winds up his third term as Paranaque City councilor in July this year, he’s looking forward to events production and a possible directorial film project.
One of these forthcoming events that excites him to the max is what is considered the biggest motorsport event to be mounted in the Philippines in years, which is gearing up for a comeback to Okada Manila in Paranaque City starting on May 4.
Known as Okada Manila Motorsport Carnivale 2025, the event kicks off with a Super Sprint from 6 AM to 6 PM, followed by a Grand Car Meet (Legends of the 90s) at 7 p.m.
Jomari, president of Yllana Racing, announced that the May 4 opening is just icing on the cake.
“In partnership with Okada Manila, our major sponsor, we are staging a series of high-profile motorsport events this year,” he says.
Revving up on May 31 is Jom’s Cup, a Drag Racing 1/8 mile challenge to be held at the Boardwalk and Gardens of Okada.
There will be different categories consisting of Super Car, Muscle Car, Vintage Car. Each category shall have from 30 to 40 participants.
An added attraction during intermission is an EV car showcase with guest celebrities. Other forthcoming major motorsport events will be announced shortly, according to event partner and champion racer Rikki Dy-Liacco.
Jomari’s first directorial project, a docu-series, is about the rebirth of motorsport in the country. He calls it a sleeping giant, one that Yllana Racing overwhelmingly awakened in 2023 with the successful initial venture of Okada Manila Motorsport Carnivale.
For five days in 2023 (Aug. 2 to 6), the milestone event celebrated the glory days of motorsports in the country.
The event gathered various racing organizations, paying tribute to racing legends, showcasing the talents of celebrity racers, and highlighting the promise of the next generation of racers, creating an exciting celebration of motorsport excellence.
Motorsport Carnivale’s debut in Entertainment City drew an impressive total of 2,400 cars in attendance over the weekend, creating huge traffic snarls on the streets leading to Okada.
Okada Manila Motorsport Carnivale 2023 was hailed as the biggest motorsport event to be mounted in the Philippines in years.
Jomari, a long-time racing enthusiast, hopes to bring 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 became known for its prestige and grandeur.
“I want to encourage Filipinos to embrace the rich history of Philippine motorsports by rallying all racing enthusiasts into one community,” he told a media conference in Okada on April 29.