Whoever said the motorcycle manufacturers in the country are only after selling their products?
Well, understandably, that may be their main goal. But unbeknown to many, the Motorcycle Development Program Participants Association (MDPPA), composed of Honda, Kawasaki, Suzuki, and Yamaha (aka the Japanese ‘Big Four’), has been promoting road safety through various programs. Most of their projects are not publicized, but they religiously conduct these noble undertakings as part of their corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives.
This month, the MDPPA is launching a new project that will hit two birds with one stone: promoting responsible motorcycle riding and advancing moto-tourism in the country.
MDPPA vice president Lizette G. Fajardo of Suzuki Philippines believes these two objectives can be accomplished through a photography contest that’s open to every Pinoy who is passionate about motorcycles, cameras, and road travel. With her at the launch event were Vicelyn V. Layno and Virgilio Montano, both MDPPA committee heads.
The theme of the photo contest is ‘My Motorcycle, My World!’ It doesn’t matter whether you use a digital SLR camera, a point-and-shoot, a tablet, or a smartphone for taking photos—more important are the message of the photo and the caption (not more than 100 words), both of which should jive with the MDPPA’s two objectives.
The top winners will receive cash prizes of P25,000, P15,000, and P10,000 for first, second, and third place, respectively. The MDPPA is willing to give out P5,000 as a consolation prize for special categories.
That’s not all: The top photo will also be the entry of the MDPPA to the Federation of Asian Motorcycle Industries’ (FAMI) photo contest, which will be held in September 2019 in Bali, Indonesia. At the regional level, the Pinoy entry has a chance to take home SG$4,000 (around P154,000) for first place, SG$3,000 (P114,000) for second place, or SG$2,000 (P76,000) for third place.
Our representative will be battling it out with the best-of-the-best entries from six other FAMI members from Taiwan, Japan, Malaysia, Vietnam, and Indonesia. And sorry, guys, but the MDPPA has made it clear that the owner of winning photo will not get to join the FAMI contest in Bali, but only his outstanding piece will actually be sent there.
Interested parties may download contest mechanics here. Do note that in order for an entry to qualify, the rider must not forget to wear proper riding gear when posing for a photo with his motorcycle at a scenic spot in the country.
So guys, go ahead and take those selfies!
