They say things are always better the second time around, even when the first one was a resounding success.
In December 2020, Mazda Philippines turned over a unit of the previous-generation BT-50, a special Pangolin edition, to the Katala Foundation. The latter is a non-profit NGO that aims to preserve endangered animals like the pangolin.
The foundation had been using an old 1996 Mazda Proceed pickup prior to the turnover. Never one to miss a proper co-branding opportunity, Mazda Philippines made a Philippine-exclusive variant, the BT-50 Pangolin Edition, an upgraded version of the Japanese carmaker’s pickup at the time, and lent it to the Katala Foundation to help its advocacies.
A little over three years later, Mazda Philippines brought a small media contingent to Palawan for the sequel to this program. This time an all-new BT-50 Pangolin Edition 2 was set to be turned over to the Katala Foundation to continue with their mission.
The 2024 BT-50 Pangolin Edition is the new-generation Mazda pickup, based on the Isuzu D-Max model. Again it features exclusive 18-inch Rota wheels, with a pangolin-adorned center cap, as well as a rear sports bar with and a lockable rear bed cover.
At the turnover ceremony, attended by local officials led by Roxas, Palawan mayor Dennis Sabando, Mazda PH top management handed the new BT-50 to the Katala Foundation. Representing Katala Foundation was Dr. Sabine Schoppe, an effusive German biologist who has been in the Philippines so long she knows Tagalog slang words; it’s amusing to hear her speak.
The Mazda Philippines management came in full force, including president and CEO Steven Tan, Senior Marketing and communications manager Saul Babas, and PR and activations manager Ira Jornada.
The two BT-50 Pangolin Editions were at the turnover ceremony. The first edition, a white unit with reportedly over 100,000km on its odometer, looked remarkably well-maintained. We couldn’t see any body damage, the wheels didn’t look scuffed, and the paint still looked clean. The only wear and tear we saw was a cracked wheel well cowling.
The new unit is a gray pickup with custom pangolin stickers on its side (the new Pangolin Edition sold to the public doesn’t have stickers), but is similarly equipped to its predecessor. Of course, it now has the advantage of having a newer chassis and powerplant, not to mention advanced safety features like adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, and autonomous emergency braking.
The turnover ceremony was simple. In front of the Roxas city hall, agreements were signed, photos were taken, short speeches were made, and there was a bit of dancing with pangolin mascots, too. That day I learned there is a pangolin song, and it’s quite the earworm.
After the, ehem, grueling day we had, it was time to relax in one of Palawan’s gorgeous resorts. Mazda Philippines was a gracious host, giving us a respite from our punishing schedule. And we slept soundly knowing the pangolin is a little bit safer thanks to its turbodiesel guardian.
