Ford Philippines marked a historic milestone as it celebrated the 25th anniversary of the Henry Ford Awards (HFA), the country’s only awards program dedicated to recognizing excellence in motoring journalism.
With the theme “Stars and Stories in Silver,” this year’s HFA paid tribute to the individuals and publications that have shaped the motoring media landscape over the past quarter century. A total of 25 winners were honored with a special edition trophy — a design that blends classic tradition with contemporary flair.
Pedro Simoes, Managing Director of Ford Philippines, underscored the importance of the awards: “As we celebrate the 25th Henry Ford Awards, we are proud to recognize 25 outstanding journalists and outlets whose gift of storytelling, integrity, and professionalism have made a lasting impact on the automotive industry. The motoring media have always been an invaluable part of our industry — helping bridge automotive players like Ford with the Filipino public.”
Silver Mile Luminaries: Honoring the Icons
In this landmark year, Ford Philippines recognized 19 Silver Mile Luminaries — 15 journalists and 4 media outlets who have consistently excelled throughout the 25‑year history of the HFA.
Journalists: Jason Ang, Ulysses Ang, James Deakin, Manny de los Reyes, Ronald de los Reyes, Junep Ocampo, Vince Pornelos, Iñigo Roces, Tessa Salazar, Vernon Sarne, Paulo Rafael Subido, Dinzo Tabamo, Niky Tamayo, Eric Tipan, Steven Edward Yu.
Publications: Business Mirror Motoring Section, Philippine Daily Inquirer Motoring Section, Fast Times of The Manila Times, Top Gear Philippines.
Celebrating New Voices
Beyond honoring stalwarts, the HFA also spotlighted the new generation of motoring media and content creators. Close to 100 entries were evaluated by the esteemed Board of Judges, with winners named across five categories:
- Automotive Vehicle Review of the Year (Article): Carlo Chungunco, Top Gear Philippines — “What the Mazda Miata means to my family despite never having owned one”
- Automotive Vehicle Review of the Year (Video): Earl Lee, AutoDeal — “2025 Nissan Z NISMO Review | Sharper, Faster, Greater”
- Ford Launch Story of the Year: MJ Jucutan, GadgetMatch — “What happens when the car you once loved returns as a Hybrid?”
- Ford Automotive Video Feature of the Year: Jack Gutierrez, AutoDeal — “2025 Ford Bronco Review | The Best Off-Roader Yet?”
- Ford Automotive Short-Form Video of the Year: Roy Robles, Zigwheels Philippines — “FORD BRONCO: Can you tame this beast?”
Lifetime Achievement: Honoring Pinky Colmenares
The highlight of the evening was the Butch Gamboa Lifetime Achievement Award, presented to Pinky Concha‑Colmenares, Executive Editor of Manila Bulletin. This award recognizes a journalist whose body of work has profoundly shaped the industry, inspiring audiences while elevating the standards of automotive storytelling.
EJ Francisco, Communications Director for Ford Asia Pacific Distributor Markets and the Philippines, shared: “The Butch Gamboa Lifetime Achievement Award is a tribute to the legacy of one of the industry’s most revered figures. We are honored to present this award to Ms. Pinky Colmenares, a pillar of Philippine motoring journalism whose excellence, professionalism, and passion have paved the way for the continued success of the craft.”
A Legacy of Excellence
The 25th Henry Ford Awards not only celebrated the past but also looked to the future — recognizing the evolving role of motoring media in a digital age. By honoring both established icons and emerging voices, Ford Philippines reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the storytellers who continue to drive the conversation on mobility, innovation, and Filipino motoring culture.