UAAGI’s ON THE MOVE ROADSHOW: Filipino Finds and Family Time

United Asia Automotive Group, Inc. (UAAGI) February 20, 2025 Fashion Hall, Megamall

I found myself rushing to the UAAGI Roadshow at SM Megamall. Ten-thirty in the morning, which is like the break of dawn with the old me (ha! ha!). But past is past and duty called, and I was running late. Of course, I missed my parking and circled the mall like a lost pigeon… you know, the usual.

I’m blessed to have arrived just in time. The vibe? Relaxed. Surprisingly so. Not the usual frenzied car launch energy. More like a friendly gathering. A lot more people were smiling, chatting, and actually looking at the cars. It was… warmer, a pleasant change from the usual impersonal, laser-light, boom-boom extravaganzas.

In her usual fashion, my AUTOCAR lady boss refuses to waste time keeping me fed with who’s who and what nots. She whispered that FOTON is a Filipino brand. Filipino! Who knew? I mean, I’ve lived here my whole life, and I had no clue. Shows you what I know.

The cars themselves were… okay. Not bad, not mind-blowing. Just okay. You know how things are in these super-polished car events. People crisscross as they walk around. So, we sat near the stage, at a distance good for farsighted people. It’s interesting how UAAGI has brought these diverse brands together: Foton, BAIC, Chery, and Lynk & Co. BAIC is known for its rugged SUVs and off-road appeal. Foton focuses on reliability in business and practicality for families. Chery brings in a range of modern, tech-focused vehicles for the ‘comeback’, while Lynk & Co adds a touch of premium and stylish flair.

The air felt more inclusive than the other events I’ve been brought to. And while it might sound a bit like marketing-speak, it did feel like they were trying to connect with a broader audience. I surprisingly found myself genuinely curious, which is saying something.

Speeches. Oh, speeches. Usually, they’re my cue to mentally check out. But these were a little bit different. I sensed an elegant conviction peer through from a couple of executives. It is a bit refreshing. You can’t always fake that.

There was one car (yes, another one), that caught my eye (again). The one that converts into a camping setup with an awning. Now, I’m not exactly an outdoorsy person. Road trips? Not really my thing. But… it did spark a little something in me with my two teenagers in mind. I remember enjoying a huge tree’s cool shade with the afternoon breeze a few times. Between malling and the simple peace of mind being under a tree brings, you know my easy choice, even if I had to ‘man-up’ for the heat and the occasional bugs.

Kids are growing up fast. Too fast. Soon, they’ll be off on their adventures, and I’ll be left with an empty nest and a whole lot of ‘remember when’ stories I did not get to make. So, the idea of a camping-mobile is about squeezing every drop of ‘us’ time out of them before their lives become completely their own. It’s not just about the car. It’s about those moments now, while I still (sentimentally) can. Make more unusual memories with my kids.

And here’s the thing: I like learning more about myself in different situations with my teenagers because they say the most unusual things. Similarly, just as each car brand dips its careful but future-forward toes into the hybrid or electric pool, it’s not just about the bells and whistles; it’s about what’s under the hood and how it impacts our pocket, convenience, and the things we want to do. If these vehicles are lucky, they might be in your vision of the moments you want to create. So, while we compute options that fit our lifestyle, from the low downpayment to the zero interest and the one year to pay options, it seems that (hum it like the jingle) ‘they’ve-got-it-all-for-you’.

UAAGI, thank you for the warm welcome. While I appreciate the invitation to the Lugang lunch reception, I’m going to have to pass. My conscience and waistline says, ‘thank you, ‘til next time, and bye-bye’ with a smile.

(photo courtesy of Neil Pagulayan)