MANILA, Philippines—The country’s summer capital is becoming a less feasible place to go to. Well, not because it’s any of the city’s fault. Point the finger to a desert region half a planet away, where much of the world’s oil supply comes from. Political and civil unrest in many Middle Eastern countries has jacked world fuel prices up so many times since the start of the year. This week, another round of fuel price increases is scheduled.
So who’s going to brave the extreme mountain passes going up to Baguio and burn even more precious fuel? Two groups: Those who can afford it, and those who can burn the least fuel going there. Team Celerio belongs to the second group. This 360-member group knows that it couldn’t have picked a better time and place to showcase an “oil crisis” car.
Headed by Team Celerio captains Francesco Kiko Ongkiko and John Anthony Robles, the group proved how remarkably fuel miser a Celerio could really be. On the 270-kilometer route from Manila to Baguio, including the killer ascent starting from La Union, one of the members nearly registered a jaw-dropping 20 km per liter. In fact, on the fuel gauge, only three bars were consumed for the trip.
Team Celerio’s Baguio Fuel Challenge yielded the following results: First place yielded 19.88kms/liter, awarded to member Paul Timoteo (on a Celerio Automatic); second place was 19.72kms /liter, which Ongkiko actually achieved, but since he was the organizer, relinquished his place to owner Vian (on a manual). Third place was 19.39 kms/liter with a manual tranny Celerio driven by Van Manalo (club secretary).
“Everyone was unsure, at first, if the Suzuki Celerio could meet the required power to move its body up (to Baguio). To our surprise, our Celerios demonstrated some serious pulling power! One by one, we opened our windows in disbelief, then we started enjoying the climb. Maybe it was the cool Baguio weather that did it. But we all had fun indeed,” Ongkiko gushed.
The team’s destination was Camp John Hay. There, members discussed driver’s safety and other good driving habits.
“We also discussed what we learned on the trip, and shared tips on how to manage fuel consumption.”
Team Celerio members are composed of young professionals aged 21 to 35. All of them are proud of the car’s performance, and are convinced that there’s more value in it, especially now in the time of crisis.
“As group captain, I advise members to keep their Celerios in top condition by following the recommended PMS [periodic maintenance schedule]. The Celerio is for keeps. I see my kids using my “Cindy” (Ongkiko’s term of endearment for his Celerio) as their everyday car and look forward to maintaining her for the next 50 years or so,” Ongkiko smiles.
Team Celerio history
Team Celerio was founded by Robles on May 10, 2010. Its members, who come from various backgrounds, are as equally proud of their dealership and club as well as their Celerios, as they laud Suzuki Philippines for its responsiveness to customer concerns, maintaining a website helpful for motorists, and for having accommodating staff, and the Club where they can share experiences, and in return be helpful to others as well.
Team Celerio’s wishlist include: more quality parts for the Celerio to be available locally; additional discounts for Team Celerio members; and for Suzuki Philippines to support the team in its events.
Ultimately, members chose Celerio over other cars in its category because it had the “best sporty look” and “great performance from a 1000-cc engine”. The trip to Baguio evidently took the oxygen out of the doubters.