tRophy - For the love of the red R badge

tRophy - Type R Owners of the Philippines

Without question, the Honda Type R badge represents the brand’s highest-performance, track-focused vehicles, rooted in its rich motorsport and Formula 1 heritage. Unlike other red "R" badges, Honda's symbolizes precision engineering, increased power, enhanced handling, and driver-focused design. Models like the Civic Type R and NSX Type R exemplify this legacy with turbocharged engines, manual transmissions, and aggressive aerodynamics, delivering exceptional performance on both road and track.

It was this shared enthusiasm and deep passion for Honda’s iconic Type R lineage that brought together Mark Luna, Law Go, and Alvin Ang to form Type R Owners Philippines (tRophy) in February 2021. What began as a small community of like-minded individuals has since grown into a thriving group with over 100 active members, united by their appreciation for performance, engineering, and the unique spirit of the Type R badge, as tRophy president Brent Co puts it, “Type R Owners Philippines was born from a shared passion for performance and heritage. From the EK9 to the FL5, the Civic Type R continues to unite generations through a culture that goes beyond just driving; it’s about community and legacy.”

Just recently, tRophy organized a fun drive and breakfast at Someday Cafe in Versailles Town Plaza, Las Piñas. The gathering was organized by fellow tRophy member Macoy Averilla, a prominent figure in the local motoring scene and a passionate fan of the Honda brand as well. The gathering brought together various generations of Civic Type R models, celebrating the legacy and evolution of Honda’s performance icon. One of the standout highlights was the rare opportunity to see the prototype FK8 Civic Type R, proudly bearing the Badge No. R-00000, a symbolic nod to a chapter in Civic Type R history.

Celebrating 28 years of the Civic Type R from the groundbreaking EK9 in 1997 to the cutting-edge FL5 platform of today, tRophy stands as a testament to how these cars continue to bridge generations of enthusiasts. 

The last tRophy drive was attended by over 50 member cars and supported by Honda Cars Philippines Inc. (HCPI), Motul Luzon by Infiniteserv International, Waido Marketing and Distribution, Winterpine Marketing, DZ Racing, J's Racing Philippines, JC Car Audio, GT Radial/Madtracks, Macoydubs, South Cars PH, Red Bull Philippines, AutoIndustriya.com, and Someday Cafe.

More than just machines, these Type R Civics represent a shared culture, where owners come together to celebrate driving, community, and the enduring legacy of one of Honda’s most revered nameplates.