(PHOTO COURTESY)
TACLOBAN CITY — Olympic bronze medalist Aira Villegas embodies the Filipino spirit of grit, determination, and ingenuity.
These qualities also reflect the New Generation Tamaraw, which is why Villegas was invited to the sneak preview of this entirely Filipino-made vehicle, according to Jimmy Yaokasin, chairman and president of Toyota Tacloban Leyte, Inc.
Yaokasin expressed pride in having Villegas attend the event, held last Saturday, September 28.
“Aside from being a true Taclobanon, we invited Aira for the sneak preview of the New Generation Tamaraw because she symbolizes determination, courage, and ingenuity—qualities that the Tamaraw also represents,” he said during the event at the company’s showroom.
According to Yaokasin, the new Tamaraw model is locally manufactured and comparable to foreign-made vehicles regarding durability and quality.
He emphasized that it aligns with the national government’s modernization program for public transport vehicles.
“It is an environmentally friendly and fuel-efficient vehicle,” Yaokasin stressed.
He added that the Tamaraw is versatile and can be reconfigured for various purposes, including serving as an ambulance, people carrier, or patrol car.
“It’s truly flexible and affordable. Prices range from P750,000 to P1.5 million, depending on the vehicle’s configuration,” Yaokasin explained.
The new Tamaraw is a modernized version of the iconic vehicle that dominated the streets of the Philippines in the 1970s and 1990s. It has since become a cultural symbol of the country.
(JOEY A. GABIETA)
