“The Shell Eco-Marathon Asia 2014 in Manila will be the first road-track circuit in Asia for the mileage competition and the first time for the competition to be held in the center of a bustling Asian city,” said Ronald Suarez, Shell NGO and Stakeholder Relations Manager.

“For this remarkable undertaking, the Department of Tourism (DOT) is an excellent partner for the Shell Eco-marathon Asia because we want to provide a fun learning experience for all, much aligned to the DOT's 'It’s more fun in the Philippines!' campaign. With the department’s help we can also promote the country and provide a lasting positive reputation of the Philippines to event visitors from all over the world.”

Shell companies in the Philippines (SciP) Country Chairman Edgar O. Chua (2nd from right) and Department of Tourism (DoT) Secretary Ramon Jimenez (3rd from left) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to formalise the two parties’ shared objectives and mutual support as the Philippines takes its turn to host the annual global Shell Eco-marathon.

Also in photo are (l-r) Suiee Suarez, Shell VP for Communications Bobby Kanapi, and Dutch Ambassador Ton Boon von Ochssée.

Manila won the right to host the Asian leg of the competition as the three-year run in Malaysia’s Sepang International Circuit ends in 2013. Manila will host the event from 2014 to 2016. Held in the Americas, Europe, and Asia the contest awards student teams that design and run ultra-efficient cars which go the furthest using the least amount of energy.

The design-build-test challenge promotes innovation and technology among the youth by engaging them in a competition that pushes the boundaries of energy efficiency in the context of smarter mobility. Throughout the event, the best and the brightest student engineers will showcase their creativity through prototype cars that adhere to principles of aerodynamics and fuel economy.

In addition to the contest, the event will launch the first interactive Energy Fair that is expected to gather thousands of local and international visitors, especially the youth, in an environment that encourages the sharing of messages and ideas on the future of energy. A business forum will also be conducted where legislators, policy decision and makers as well as key opinion leaders will be brought together to tackle topics that impact on energy and our future.

According to Suarez, pre-work for the Shell Eco-Marathon in Manila started approximately one year ago when the company started reaching out and working with local stakeholders in preparation for the bid to become the next host city for the regional competition. With the support extended by the Manila City government, the DoT’s National Parks Development Committee (NPDC), the Department of Energy (DoE), and various stakeholder partners, it successfully clinched for the Philippines the honour of hosting the key Shell event from 2014 to 2016.

Additionally, the year 2014 holds special significance for the Shell companies in the Philippines as the year marks their 100th anniversary in the country. Leading up to its centennial celebration, Suarez said that Shell looks to the next generation of Filipinos for inspiration and to be active contributors, inviting youths of all backgrounds and persuasions to “be part of the solution towards a sustainable energy future.”