Asia's Super Mechanics

Filipino team tagged regional champs in Asia Pacific mechanic competition 

GMA News

21 November 2018

The Philippines has gained another recognition in the international arena—this time, for showcasing technical skills.

Team Philippines bags the Castrol Asia Pacific Bikes Super Mechanic Contest 2018 in Bangkok, Thailand last November 16, 2018. PHOTO COURTESY OF CASTROL PHILIPPINES

Team Philippines has beat five other countries to bag the Regional Champion title of the Castrol Asia Pacific Bikes Super Mechanic Contest 2018 in Bangkok, Thailand last November 16. Composed of mechanics Julius Maranga, Georekey Cantabaco, and Gabriel Hidalgo Jr. of Cebu-based Drake’s Motorcycle Parts, the Filipino team bested the groups representing India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam after displaying their theoretical knowledge and practical skills about two-wheelers, from maintaining to fixing engine parts and lubricants.

“It is our great honor to be the eventual winners and name the Philippines on the first stage,” Team Philippines shares. “Thank you, Castrol, for the Castrol Asia Pacific Bikes Super Mechanic Contest, through, which not only [the] three of us, but all the mechanics participating had a chance to be updated [on] practical knowledge and also [be] recognized.”

More than 120,000 two-wheeler mechanics from the participating countries joined this year’s Castrol Asia Pacific Bikes Super Mechanic Contest, marking its biggest regional event since 2016.

One of the world’s leading lubricant brands, Castrol takes pride in spearheading events such as this, with the company’s Asia & Pacific Regional Marketing Director Shyam Balasubramanian saying, “Through the Castrol Asia Pacific Bikes Super Mechanic Contest, Castrol is proud to be able to be a trusted companion of the mechanic community on the journey of continuous improvement of their service to their customers and their business growth.”

Team Philippines’s win comes ahead of Castrol’s biggest event in the Philippines—the culminating activity of its Partner for Life (PFL) advocacy program, which aims to hail the next batch of mechanics that will represent the country in next year’s Castrol Asia Pacific Mechanic Contest.

Happening this November 24 at Trinoma Activity Center in Quezon City, the PFL event is special this year, as it is now open to all mechanics from across the country. Technical competitions that highlight one’s quick maintenance and troubleshooting skills are just some of the activities participants can join.

“Our Partner for Life program has continually given us the opportunity to enable our fellow Filipino mechanics with the proper skillset and knowledge to be the best that they can be for their customers,” says Castrol Philippines Country Sales Director Maria Tanada.

Now on its fifth year, the Partner for Life program has been engaging Filipino motorbike mechanics to develop their skills, knowledge, and expertise around two-wheeler mechanics through various courses. It is Castrol’s way to improve the skills of partner mechanics by providing regular training and giving recognition to the mechanics through a competition in the culminating activity.