SPMJ to award outstanding CSR projects of PH auto industry

Driven to Serve

The Society of Philippine Motoring Journalists (SPMJ), an association of automotive writers, editors, media personalities in broadcast, print, and online in the country, are looking to honor the most outstanding practices in corporate social responsibility in the automotive industry.

“We are journalists and we aim to use our skills and network to help communities by inspiring automotive companies to continue to be ‘driven to serve’,” said Ms. Pinky Concha Colmenares, Executive Editor of The Manila Bulletin and SPMJ President.

While automotive news, test drives and new model launches grab headlines, the many success stories of CSR projects undertaken by automotive companies -manufacturers and distributors alike- have been largely unknown to the general public.

The Society of Philippine Motoring Journalists will now undertake this new task to recognize the many CSR programs and efforts of automotive companies in the Philippines. In the past, such projects have revolved around the preservation of the environment, education and training, and community development.

“I have worked with the industry for almost three decades and I am aware that many players are seriously involved in CSR initiatives, choosing to do those projects without much fanfare,” said Ray Butch Gamboa, Founding Chairman of the SPMJ and CEO of Sunshine Television. “SPMJ strongly feels that it is about time that such laudable efforts be recognized to further inspire others to do the same.”

The SPMJ has already laid the groundwork for the CSR awards project. The programs undertaken by the many automotive manufacturers and distributors in the Philippines will be evaluated by the committees and will be judged by a panel of respected experts in their fields of specializations.

SPMJ Logo

The Society of Philippine Motoring Journalists was founded in 2002 by a group of automotive writers, editors and broadcasters who shared the same intention to help people. Its first project was the “Road Safety for Children” which conducted workshops on the safe use of roads to students and teachers. The project also produced a manual for teaching road safety to children which were given to schools after workshops were done.

SPMJ Members

Brian Afuang - Motoring Editor, BusinessWorld

Kap Aguila - Columnist, The Philippine Star

Ulysses Ang - Columnist, The Philippine Star / EIC, CarGuide.PH

Jenny Bleza-Pineda - VP Production, Sunshine Television

Brent Co - GM/Editorial Adviser, AutoIndustriya.com

Pinky Colmenares - Executive Editor, Manila Bulletin

Robby Consunji - Contributing Writer, Top Gear Philippines

Manny delos Reyes - Motoring Editor, The Philippine Star

Ron delos Reyes - Producer/Host, Auto Review and Malaya

Dino Directo - Writer, The Standard

Ray Butch Gamboa - Chairman and CEO, Sunshine Television