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Honda advocates green awareness among the youth
March 11, 2010 - In its non-stop drive for a greener future, Honda Cars Philippines, Inc. (HCPI)
recently gathered almost 100 students from the country’s premier universities like Ateneo de Manila University, De La Salle
University, Enderun Colleges, Miriam College, University of Asia and the Pacific and University of the Philippines to promote
environmental awareness among the leaders of tomorrow. Honda partnered with AIESEC Philippines, a global student organization
that gives importance in world issues and leadership development, to actively face environmental issues that our society is
going through.
In advocating green awareness, Honda organized a fuel efficiency driving competition called Honda Challenge
Cup in the morning and an environmental forum in the afternoon.
Faced with the hurdles of unstable fuel prices, depleting fuel supply and excessive exhaust emissions, Honda
challenged the students to make every drop of fuel matter and to initiate change among them. As novice drivers, Honda taught
these young students the correct driving techniques in achieving better fuel mileage. Honda appealed among the participants to
regularly apply these techniques in their daily trips and eventually turn it into a habit. Driving every drop of fuel may sound
tricky but can be easily achieved by considering three basic factors: vehicle, driver and fuel. A proper vehicle, equipped
with advanced technologies like the i-VTEC engine, which is driven using proper techniques and is powered with high grade fuel
that aids better combustion all contribute in optimizing fuel economy.
To demonstrate these practical driving tips under real-world situations, Honda provided City, Jazz, Civic
and Accord models during Honda Challenge Cup. This fuel economy competition posed various challenges in both city and highway
driving conditions using normal driving style and with a running airconditioning system. Using the basic formula, VEHICLE plus
DRIVER plus FUEL equals FUEL ECONOMY, the students were able to accomplish remarkable results. Joseph Manguiat and Princess
dela Paz of the University of the Philippines posted 30.74 km/li using the 1.3 li City with automatic transmission. Luis
Martinez and Paolo de Dios of the University of Asia and the Pacific topped the 1.5 City class with 19.53 km/li fuel mileage.
As for the Jazz category, Earl Go and Marc Go of Ateneo de Manila University led 1.3 liter class with 21.64 km/li while Vince
Murga and Ico Rivera, also from Ateneo de Manila University, led 1.5 liter class with 25.90 km/li. Meanwhile, the team of
Edmarl Tecson and Brian Lee of Enderun Colleges generated 23.65 km/li using 1.8 Civic AT and Horace Cimafranca and Nadaine
Tongco of the University of the Philippines posted 15.12 km/li with the 3.5 liter Accord AT.
By noon time, a new set of students arrived to witness fruitful exchange of information during the environment
forum. Having “Working together towards environmental Harmony” as theme, the forum not only aimed to provide a situational
background on the environment but also meant to identify the course towards achieving a sustainable society. While it is true
that mankind’s activities have posed severe damage to Mother Nature, humanity is also the key to the solution. Economic
development and environmental preservation can, in fact, exist harmoniously with the combined efforts and commitment of the
three sectors of society namely: the general public, private sector and the government. And in giving a holistic perspective
on this matter, guest speakers of the forum represented different sectors of society. Dr. Gerry Bagtasa of the University of
the Philippines shared the actual situation of air pollution in the country while Mr. Roy Cabonegro of Partido Kalikasan talked
about the Clean Air Act. To represent the private sector, Honda shared its vision and technological advancements that are
geared toward sustainable mobility. Being one of the largest engine manufacturers in the world, Honda takes the lead in
developing products and technologies with minimal impact on the environment.
In conducting an environment awareness campaign such as this, Honda hopes to inspire change and ably equip
these future leaders in facing bigger challenges. Honda always takes pleasure in spending time with the youth. Just like these
students, Honda is driven with youthful passions, dreams and ambitions that have led in the creation of innovative mobility
products for the benefit of society.
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