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Manila Bulletin devider Drive devider Manila Bulletin's Pinky Colmenares honored with Henry Ford Awards Butch Gamboa Lifetime Achievement Award

Manila Bulletin's Pinky Colmenares honored with Henry Ford Awards Butch Gamboa Lifetime Achievement Award

Drive section editor and regular contributor honored with Silver Mile Luminary Awards

Published May 6, 2026 09:59 am  |  Updated May 6, 2026 02:06 pm

At A Glance

  • Manila Bulletin's former executive editor, Cecilia 'Pinky' Colmenares recieves the first-ever Henry Ford Awards for Journalism Butch Gamboa Lifetime Achievement Award.
  • Manila Bulletin Drive's regular contributor, Eric R. Tipan and Manila Bulletin Drive motoring section editor, Inigo S. Roces awarded Silver Mile Luminary Awards.
From left: Ford Philippines managing director, Pedro Simoes, presents the first-ever Butch Gamboa Lifetime Achievement Award to Cecilia 'Pinky' Colmenares.
From left: Ford Philippines managing director, Pedro Simoes, presents the first-ever Butch Gamboa Lifetime Achievement Award to Cecilia 'Pinky' Colmenares.
Ford Philippines celebrated the 25th edition of the Henry Ford Awards (HFA) for Journalism, the industry’s longest-running awards program that celebrates excellence in Philippine motoring journalism.
To mark this milestone year, Ford Philippines awards the first-ever Butch Gamboa Lifetime Achievement Award (BLAA). The BGLAA is a special award presented to a Filipino motoring journalist who has made a significant impact among his or her peers, colleagues, brand leaders, and the industry in general with his or her profound work in automotive journalism in the Philippines, upholding the legacy of Philippine motoring journalism icon, Butch Gamboa.
This year’s first-ever BGLAA was awarded to Manila Bulletin’s former executive editor, Cecilia ‘Pinky’ Colmenares. Colmenares has worked with Manila Bulletin for 43 years and was the former section editor of the Manila Bulletin’s Drive motoring section, and former editor-in-chief of Cruising magazine before taking up her role as executive editor.
Even as executive editor, Colmenares continued to promote her advocacy for road safety through her regular column as well as recognize automotive companies for their outstanding public service through her role as the president of the Society of Philippine Motoring Journalists (SPMJ), a post she was elected to after the passing of her predecessor, Ray ‘Butch’ Gamboa. Colmenares brought home the award after a multiple-phase selection process.
During the same awards night, Ford also recognized 19 Silver Mile Luminaries—15 esteemed journalists and 4 media outlets who have garnered the most awards throughout the 25-year history of the HFA. These luminaries are the most decorated motoring journalists and publications that have received the most Henry Ford Awards throughout its 25-year run.
From left: Manila Bulletin Drive regular contributor, Eric Tipan; Manila Bulletin former executive editor, Cecilia 'Pinky' Colmenares; and Manila Bulletin Drive section editor, Inigo S. Roces.
From left: Manila Bulletin Drive regular contributor, Eric Tipan; Manila Bulletin former executive editor, Cecilia 'Pinky' Colmenares; and Manila Bulletin Drive section editor, Inigo S. Roces.
Among those recognized were Manila Bulletin Drive’s regular contributor, Eric R. Tipan and Manila Bulletin Drive motoring section editor, Inigo S. Roces. The pair have won multiple Henry Ford Awards in the past, among them were articles written for Manila Bulletin Drive.
Other Silver Mile Luminaries incude Jason Ang, Ulysses Ang, James Deakin, Manny de los Reyes, Ronald de los Reyes, Junep Ocampo, Vince Pornelos, Tessa Salazar, Vernon Sarne, Paulo Rafael Subido, Dinzo Tabamo, Niky Tamayo, and Steven Edward Yu. The recognized Silver Mile Luminary publications were BusinessMirror Motoring Section, Philippine Daily Inquirer Motoring Section, Fast Times of The Manila Times, and Top Gear Philippines.

More than just celebrating the stalwarts of the automotive industry, this year’s HFA also recognized the impact of the new breed of motoring media and content creators in the automotive industry. The esteemed Board of Judges took part in evaluating close to 100 entries submitted for the Industry and Ford categories, and have named the following winners in the five categories. Automotive Vehicle Review of the Year (Article) – “What the Mazda Miata means to my family despite never having owned one” by Carlo Chungunco for Top Gear Philippines, Automotive Vehicle Review of the Year (Video) – “2025 Nissan Z NISMO Review | Sharper, Faster, Greater” by Earl Lee for AutoDeal, Ford Launch Story of the Year – “What happens when the car you once loved returns as a Hybrid?” by MJ Jucutan for GadgetMatch, Ford Automotive Video Feature of the Year – “2025 Ford Bronco Review | The Best Off-Roader Yet?” by Jack Gutierrez for AutoDeal, Ford Automotive Short-Form Video of the Year – “FORD BRONCO: Can you tame this beast?” by Roy Robles for Zigwheels Philippines
“The Butch Gamboa Lifetime Achievement Award is a tribute to the legacy of Butch Gamboa, one of the Philippine automotive industry’s most revered figures. We are honored to present this award to Ms. Pinky Colmenares, a pillar of Philippine motoring journalism in her own right. She has been a beacon of inspiration where her excellence, professionalism and passion to serve have paved the way for the continued success of motoring journalism and its impact to the broader automotive industry,” said EJ Francisco, Communications Director, Ford Asia Pacific Distributor Markets and The Philippines.
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