Making History

A Journey Across the Sea:

History in Motion 🚢

When ferries carrying rally cars departed the Batangas port for Lubang, the excitement was palpable. Mechanics, drivers, and co-drivers stood on deck as their machines glistened under the tropical sun, ready for battle on unfamiliar ground.

As participants joked, the event felt like the Isle of Man TT — only this time, set against the backdrop of Philippine beaches, farmlands, and fishing villages. “This is something we’ve all dreamed about,” one competitor remarked. “It’s not just a rally — it’s a voyage.”

Lubang’s coastal roads and winding tarmac routes provided a breathtaking setting: elevated stretches overlooking the South China Sea, curves lined with palm trees, and long straights cutting through rice fields. For many, the sight of rally cars storming through this remote paradise was unforgettable — a historic spectacle blending nature, engineering, and human grit.

A Community United:

The Warm Welcome of Lubang 🤝

At the heart of this success story stood Hon. Mayor Michael Orayani, whose leadership and hospitality turned vision into reality. Mayor Orayani and his team coordinated logistics, security, and local support, ensuring both safety and seamless operations across the two-day event.

“We wanted to show the world that Lubang is ready — ready for tourism, ready for motorsport, ready for history,”

Mayor Orayani said proudly as he watched the cars launch off the starting ramp at the town center.

From the municipal officials to the barangay volunteers, the island came alive with unity. Schoolchildren waved flags. Farmers paused their work to cheer. Entire families lined the streets to witness the thundering arrival of rally cars that had traveled by sea just to race through their home.

The result was a community transformed — proud, inspired, and already asking when the next rally would be held.

The Visionaries Behind the Rally:

Building Philippine Motorsport ⚙️

Behind the seamless execution stood two names long respected in Philippine rallying: Ronnie Trinidad and Olson Camacho. Together, they have produced motorsport events since 2014, including the highly successful Philippine Rallycross Series.

“Olson and I have been producing world-class rally and rallycross events in the Philippines for over a decade,” Trinidad said.

“Our goal has always been to provide safe, affordable, and high-quality rallying that Filipinos and our Asian neighbors can enjoy. Rallying here isn’t just motorsport — it’s tourism, it’s culture, it’s passion.”

Their commitment to quality and safety, in partnership with the Automobile Association of the Philippines (AAP), elevated the Rally of Lubang to world-class standards. Every checkpoint, marshal station, and service area was meticulously planned — ensuring a safe and organized event that mirrored international rally operations.

The Rally of Lubang:

The Race That Made History 🏎️

The rally featured two rounds — a Night Rally on June 27 and a Day Rally on June 28 — each testing the endurance, precision, and teamwork of every competitor.

While the roads of Lubang were smooth, their curves and gradients demanded absolute control and confidence from the drivers. It was an all-tarmac rally, meaning precision was key — braking points had to be exact, lines had to be perfect, and co-driver calls had to be flawless.

The rally’s diversity of machinery — from Toyota Yaris and Corolla E11s to BMWs and Subaru STIs — added color to the competition, showcasing the broad enthusiasm within the Philippine rally scene.

🌊 The Spirit of Lubang:

Passion and Pride

More than just a competition, the AAP Rally of Lubang became a festival of speed and solidarity. Crowds gathered by the roadside, their cheers echoing through the valleys. Children waved rally flags. Local food vendors set up stalls near service parks.

“The community loved it,” said a rally marshal. “You could see it in their smiles. The sound of the engines, the smell of rubber, the sight of these cars racing by — it was something new and exciting for everyone.”

Safety remained the top priority. No spectator incidents occurred, a testament to both the organizers’ planning and the cooperation of the local government and residents.

🌏 Motorsport Tourism and the Road Ahead

Events like the AAP Rally of Lubang are more than motorsport milestones — they’re economic catalysts. With participants, crews, and fans traveling from across the country, local businesses benefited from increased tourism and exposure.

As Trinidad emphasized, rallying in the Philippines offers an affordable yet world-class alternative for regional drivers and teams:

“The Philippines can become a motorsport tourism hub,” he said. “It’s cost-effective compared to places like Japan or New Zealand, yet just as beautiful and challenging. We’re ready to welcome more international competitors.”

With Mayor Orayani already inviting the PNRC to return for March 2026, the future looks bright for Lubang and Philippine rallying as a whole.

🏁 The Road to the Future

The AAP Rally of Lubang proved one undeniable truth: when passion, organization, and community unite, history is made.

What began as an ambitious idea — to host the nation’s first inter-island rally — has now set the stage for a new chapter in Philippine motorsport. From the roar of the engines to the waves crashing on Lubang’s shores, the spirit of rallying has found a new home.

As the sun set on June 29, the words of one competitor captured it best:

“We came here for a rally, but we witnessed history.”

When the dust settled and the engines went quiet, one name stood above the rest — Paul Santos.

Known for his precision, calm confidence, and relentless pace, Santos has become the first-ever Rally Master in the Philippines, a title that cements his place in local motorsport history.

From slalom racing and circuit competition, Paul Santos honed his reflexes early on, mastering tight corners and technical discipline. But despite success on asphalt, he found his true passion in rally. “It’s the dirt, the shifting, the unpredictable terrain,” he shared. “And the people — it’s like a family. You race hard, but you camp, you laugh, you help each other. That’s what makes rally special.”

This camaraderie became the foundation for his rise in the Philippine Rallycross Series (PHRX). Over the last eight years, he became one of the sport’s most respected competitors.

The Rally Master title was introduced to unify the Philippine Rallycross Series and the Philippine National Rally Championship. Drivers’ points and combined fastest times across both series determine the winner. In its inaugural year, Paul Santos emerged at the top. Driving his 1990 Honda Civic 4-door, he dominated across Group 2, Group 3, Group 4, and Open Class with speed and consistency.

In 2023, his achievements earned him the Automobile Association Philippines (AAP) Driver of the Year award, as well as the Golden Wheel Award for his contributions to the Philippine Rallycross Series.

Off the track, Paul Santos is a businessman, but when race weekends come around, he trades the boardroom for the driver’s seat. In rally, he finds not just competition, but freedom, family, and fun.

His journey from slalom and circuit racing to the rally scene is one of passion and perseverance. As he looks to the future, Paul Santos remains a symbol of what Filipino rallying is all about.

He’s not just a champion—he’s the Philippines’ first-ever Rally Master.