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ASIA CAME… HPI HOSTED… TEAM PHILIPPINES CONQUERED. Filipino Mechanics Bags Gold Award in the Asian Skills Contest
November 13, 2007
After participating in the prestigious competition four times for the past seven years, Team Philippines was named as the Champion of the 4th Asia Motorcycle Technician Skills Contest held last October 24, 2007 in the manufacturing Plant of Honda Philippines Inc. in Tanauan City, Batangas.
The Filipino delegation, composed of technicians Blas Dimaano from Star Honda Inc. and Mitzheval Condino from Power Cycle Inc., bested eight (8) other teams from seven (7) Asian countries composed of India, Indonesia, Korea, Malaysia, Pakistan, Thailand and Vietnam. Dimaano, the Champion of the National Skills Olympics in 2006 was joined by his teammate, Condino, after the latter bagged the same title in this year’s National Finals. Both have undergone rigid training and coaching to help them prepare for the competition.
The Asia Motorcycle Technician Skills Contest is a competition for Honda motorcycle technicians in the Asian Region whose main objective is to showcase the technical expertise of these distinguished gentlemen and promote prime service to achieve Total Customer Satisfaction. The competition was facilitated by Honda Motor Co. Ltd., and its Regional Office, Asian Honda Co. Ltd., in cooperation with Honda Philippines Inc.
4th Asia MC Technician Skills Contestants with Contest Officials Msrs. T.
Hiroki, R. Gener, S. Yamada and M. Shoyama
Since the first ever Skills Olympics in 2001 held in Thailand, the much coveted Gold Award has successfully eluded the hands of the HPI delegation. Then HPI representative only placed first runner-up to his colleague from Vietnam who won the Gold Award. In 2003, hopes to bring home the title were overcastted by the fervent efforts of other delegations pushing HPI’s standing down to the bottom half of the list. However, optimism and hard work paid off once more in 2005 when HPI representative took home the Bronze award in the Skills Contest held in Jakarta, Indonesia. This year, with HPI as the host of the competition, the home court advantage added both pressure and exhilaration to the HPI delegation.
All seventeen contestants competed in the two categories, the theoretical and practical tests. Individual points of team members on the theoretical exams were added to the team’s scores during the practical tests. Team Philippines scored the highest points in both categories, placing them well ahead their competition – the Top. Following Team Philippines are the First Runner Up, Team Vietnam and Second Runner Up, Team Indonesia, previous champions of the 2003 and 2005 Asia and Oceania Mechanic Skills Contests, respectively.
 Silver Awardee Team Vietnam and ASH MC Customer Service Bloc Manager Mr. Shigeru Yamada |  Bronze Awardee Team Indonesia With HPI Vice President – HRMD, Mr. Rene Gener |
The Bronze awardees brought home 1,000.00 USD while the Silver awardees received 2,000.00 USD. And for the winners of the competition, the champions were awarded an all expenses paid trip to Japan for one whole week worth more than 3,000.00 USD. But of course, more than the material prizes, they received the honors of being named as Asia’s finest.
HPI takes pride in hosting this important event. It was a grand opportunity to showcase not only our country’s exquisite heritage, but more importantly, its skilled, talented and committed people. Spearheaded by the Service Department, under the leadership of one of HPI’s newest officers, Mr. Takatsugu Hiroki, the event was indeed a big success. Victory, both in conducting in the event and in the competition proper, is attributed to the collective efforts of all the persons concerned, from the Top Management led by HPI President Mr. Kazuhiko Ikezoe, members of other departments, HPI suppliers until the constant assistance of the service masters. This event was when teamwork was as tangible as the trophy raised by the winners.
Once again, Honda Philippines has proven that it is indeed the leader of its pack. It never falters to improve itself, may it be in technology or in manpower. It is during these times of stiff competition, that Honda continues to empower itself by excelling in its field, thus, gaining the confidence of its market and the society. Along with its goals to further develop the market and create a motorcycle culture in the Philippines, HPI never tires of creating new means and finding fresh avenues to offer Total Quality Products and Services. With this as our commitment, expect Honda Philippines not to rest on the laurels of its victories in its quest to be named as the crème of the crop in motorcycle technical expertise --- for today we conquered Asia, perhaps soon, we conquer the world! Service Department
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