(23 May 2019, Manila) MITRA 56 entry of Games and Amusement Board Chairman Abraham “Baham” Mitra came out the solo champion with a perfect score of 6 wins in the recently concluded Thunderbird Manila Challenge Extreme held at the Smart Araneta Coliseum, May 22. Besting 51 entries from all over the Philippines, Mitra’s oriental blends beat their opponents in a real master breeder fashion. Baham was assisted by Mr. Vic Setias of Palawan in putting up the entry. Mitra 56 was also co-champion in last year’s Manila Challenge, sharing the trophy with the newly proclaimed Vice Mayor Engr. Expedito Taguibao of Enrile, Cagayan, making this latest win a back-to-back feat.
Aside from the pot prize, a brand-new red Toyota Hilux Type-G pick-up was also won by the champion. Runners up and top scorers also won Motorcycles, Bicycles, Tari Sets and more than 1 million worth of Thunderbird products.
The Manila Challenge (Extreme) is the culmination of Thunderbird’s annual (Challenge) tournament for endorsers. Since the first Thunderbird Challenge held in Boracay in 2010, it has also been held in Dakak, Palawan, Bohol, Ilocos, Davao, Iloilo. Last year saw the Challenge held in Manila as part of Thunderbird’s celebration of its 25th year.
The Challenge went extreme this year by including entries from all over the Philippines. Twelve (12) regional eliminations were held in various areas where Regional Endorsers and Thunderbird Loyals competed for a slot in the finals and face the National Thunderbird endorsers in Araneta.
Truly, the Thunderbird Challenge has already evolved from a grueling battle for prestige among National Endorsers to a nationwide competition among Thunderbird users to promote camaraderie and understanding.
In previous years, after each Challenge, endorsers were treated to some leisure by the company. These were R and R local tours where the Challenge was conducted. But for the past three (3) years, endorsers and the Thunderbird Team have been traveling abroad: in Bali, Indonesia; a Southeast Asian Cruise to Japan and Taiwan; and recently, a 5-day tour in Vietnam and Cambodia.
Will the Thunderbird Challenge eventually reach Beijing and New Delhi? Hopefully, in the coming years, the number one brand in the Philippine Gamefowl Industry will go on and capture the imagination and passion of the whole of Asia.
Francis Ong’s Post in FB:
Humble Beginnings
10 years ago when the idea of an Endorser versus Endorser Exhibition Derby was conceived as a means of creating deeper ties between the then growing Thunderbird Team, it was as hands-on as ever. A week ahead in Boracay, Our consulant Rolando Luzong was busy taking care of the fight details, Albert Irving Uy was busy booking and rebooking flights for all participants while I was busy looking for hotels that can accommodate the entire contingent and making sure that the derby entertainment and the fellowship night in the form of a Bikini-Open in Club Paraw will push through. There was no travel and no events agency to help us back then but the entire team delivered and the rest became history.
We have since brought the Challenge to Palawan, Dapitan, Bohol, Ilocos, Davao, Iloilo, -Bali Pitstop- and finally 2 years in Araneta.
The Challenge has also evolved from being a fight between the National Endorsers, to a double-derby piggy-back format with 2 derbies happening at the same time, to having regional eliminations between Regional Endorsers and Thunderbird Loyals in 12 areas nationwide and a culminating Finals at the Araneta Coliseum for all Regional Champions and the National Endorsers.
Before it was plainly a battle for prestige but this year, we made it a bit sweeter by offering Additional Prizes in the form of Motorcycles, Bicycles, Tari sets, more than a Million Pesos worth in products and a Red Toyota Hilux Type G that went to the solo champion, Chairman Baham Mitra of the Games and Amusement Board.
From a local Rest & Recreation trip to foster good relations between Endorsers and the Thunderbird Team – we have been traveling abroad for 3 years now – Bali, Indonesia; a Southeast Asian Cruise to Japan and Taiwan; and the recent 5 day sojourn in Vietnam.
Thanking everyone who has taken part in this endeavour – Unahco Management for all the support and approval; the entire Thunderbird Brand Management and TMG team who has been tirelessly working for the success of this program since Day 1, Rolando Luzong who has been one of the prime movers of this activity; the winningest endorsement team in the industry – Team Thunderbird and our Industry Partners for helping us send out the message of a Winning Formula; Truong Vi, Claire Buiser Gamez, Thắng Nguyễn for making sure that Vietnam became “Home” for everybody; Vhangie Dela Pena and Siritrvl Srvcs for all of those constant calls and sleepless nights; Lyfe Marketing for the brilliant executions; the different media outlets on tv, radio and print that has been helping us inform the public and of course, Ang Bayang Sabungero that is our main inspiration for crafting ideas that will celebrate the Passion of the Filipino Nation!
Para din ito sa lahat ng ating mga hindi na kasama – Otec Geroso, Freddie Yulo, Mayor Bobby Clemente, Bugsky Ngsuy, Mako Lagmay at Doc Teddy Tanchanco.
Excited na para sa susunod na taon!
XIN CHÀO VIETNAM! CAM ON!