Princess Erica Esguerra, who’s proud to say that she’s been there and done that exactly, tried to verbalize her feelings, but could only come out with one word: Grabe!
Pedestrian it may sound, but it is exactly how she felt after a week-long sojourn in Varano, Italy when she and four other Filipinos participated in the Marlboro Red Racing School, where they get to learn driving tips from the world’s foremost experts, and on the final day, experience something that is definitely beyond their expectations.
"There is no comparing it to other experiences that I had. Grabe talaga. You’ll feel the force, the sensation while inside the F1 car. Para kang nasa loob ng roller-coaster, but it’s also different from a roller-coaster. You can’t describe it," added the 25-year-old Esguerra, a motorcycle oil brand and trade marketing specialist, when she finally found the words that best describe her experiences.
Other than Esguerra, the other members of the team include Christina delos Santos, Renan Ponce Morales, John Marcelo and Vincent Olindo Fernando Tempongko.
Marlboro brand manager Jasper Evangelista, who accompanied the team to Italy, saw for himself his compatriots’ intense competitiveness. "We really had fun in Italy. We also learned so many things along the way. But we never forgot why we were there, that is, to prove that Filipino drivers are among the best in the world."
For Esguerra, the experience left her with a feeling of complete satisfaction.
"I feel so privileged and so blessed. Kasi sa dami ng gustong makapunta sa Italy para ma-experience ito, kasama ako sa mga napili," said Esguerra, as she recalls the highlight of their trip, including a visit to the Ferrari factory and the Ferrari museum.
But the highlight of that trip, of course, was the exact moment when — one by one — they all stepped inside a Ferrari — protective suit and all — and feel the sensation of being transported into another place at breakneck speed, or to be precise, at roughly 300 kilometers per hour.
Philip Morris Philippines Manufacturing Inc. managing director Chris Nelson is only too happy to share in the experience and lessons learned by the five finalists in their trip to Italy.
"This experience is phenomenal. It’s great to see the excitement in their faces. Only Marlboro can bring that experience to them. I’m sure that after the enthusiasm showed by this team, you can expect more of this experience next year."
