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L-R Japeth Aguilar, Fumio Sekiguchi, Yasushi Okamoto, LA Tenorio, Jimmy Alapag Standing Masakazu Kawai, Gene Paralisan, Beth Alejandro, Jomel Jerezo, Jason Garabiles
June 28, 2014 marked one of the biggest partnerships that Honda Philippines Inc. has ever formed– Honda Philippines Inc. (HPI) and the players of Philippines’ national basketball team, Gilas Pilipinas.
Out in the city of Tanauan, Batangas, HPI held a contract signing with the nation’s top sports heroes – LA Tenorio, Japeth Aguilar, and Jimmy Alapag. The partnership between HPI and Gilas Pilipinas involved the launch of Honda’s latest bike, the Honda Wave 125 Alpha. “A powerful bike, matched with a powerful team. A partnership we believe fits the spirit of every Filipino,” said Yasushi Okamoto, the President of HPI.
Right after the contract signing, Yasushi Okamoto, toured the Gilas players around the manufacturing plant to show how these powerful machines are made; from the stylish contour of the Wave 125’s design to the intricate working of its 125cc engine. The team also got a chance to meet the people on the ground that design, build and sell the bikes. The excitement of the different Honda teams was evident as they all kept cheering and applauding the players that every Filipino has come to idolize and admire. And of course, there was an autograph signing and photo op for the Honda employees with the basketball superstars. Everyone took the opportunity to take their dream selfie, wacky shot, and “Swak sa Gilas Mo” pose with the three players.
But what’s better than getting LA Tenorio’s autograph? Playing with LA Tenorio. HPI held an exhibition game, where the Honda employees got the chance to test their mettle against LA Tenorio, Japeth Aguilar, and Jimmy Alapag. Even President Okamoto joined in on the game. 3’s from Tenorio were answered with lay-ups from the HPI team. Jumpers from Okamoto were countered with dunks from Japeth. It was truly an entertaining treat for all the Honda employees and the press who were present.
After a round of shooting hoops, the Glias players headed to Waltermart Tanauan where hundreds of fans were waiting to get a glimpse of their idols. The audience roared as the Gilas players walked up on stage. A group of fans would chant the name of their favorite player while another group would have their phones up to get a chance to capture that perfect photo. Fans lined to get their selfies with the players, autographed memorabilia, and get up close to these sports heroes in the flesh.
The meet & greet was a success thanks to HPI’s partners – Motorpro, Abenson, and Waltermart – who made everything possible. The event was capped off with a quick speech from LA, Japeth, and Jimmy where the crowd, still cheering and applauding, clearly couldn’t get enough of their favorite basketball superstars.
That Saturday marked the start of a great partnership between a brand that has been loyal to providing Filipinos with excellent products that are a part of their everyday lives and team that continues to inspire the nation to strive for greatness. The top five Gilas players – Mark Pingris, Jimmy Alapag, Jayson Castro, La Tenorio and Japeth Aguilar – make up the roster of the HPI and Gilas Pilipinas partnership.
You can get your own Honda Wave 125 Alpha priced at just Php 55,000. Swak sa Gilas Mo.