NOW that Parañaque District 1 councilor Jomari Yllana is ending his successful, nine-year term in June, the actor-turned-politician is setting his sight on his other passion, which is motorsport.

In the ‘60s, ‘70s and the ‘80s, motorcar racing was at its peak. Unfortunately, however, the sport became less popular in the decades that followed.

Yllana Racing in partnership with Okada Manila brings back one of the country’s most anticipated racing events, Motorsport Carnivale, opening this May 4.

Motorcar racing is not just Jomari’s hobby for nearly three decades, but more of his passion.

“If you remember, in 2023 we announced that we would wake up a ‘sleeping giant’,” said Jomari. “It’s a monster. It’s hungry, thirsty. The masterplan for this year and the years to come, is to put the Philippines back to the world map of motorsport.

“We have awakened a sleeping giant. Through this event, we were reminded of the passion that fuels our local motorsport scene – and we’re just getting started.

“That’s the target this time. We have prepared a few, exciting events for international factor. Given the time, we need this 2025 event to take off. When this one takes off, expect next year that we’ll do international events already.

“We have the venue. We have the city in support of this. Parañaque LGU (local government unit) is here supporting the sport, road safety, tourism and everything that follows.

“We are all excited with the races in the heart of Metro Manila, in the city of Parañaque. We found the venue. We found the home. The layout is simple. In the heart of Metro Manila.

“We got the support of the biggest integrated resort and casino, Okada Manila, the major sponsor of this event. We are proud to be part of it. We found the home of motorsport

“With champion race car driver Rikki Dy-Liacco helping the Motorsport Carnivale, we know we can achieve our goal.

“With a simple set-up and the excitement of motorsport, step by step, we’ll get there. We’ll promote it as much as we can. We’re bringing back the fun and excitement of motorsport in Metro Manila.”

Since the time of the Gwapings, when Jomari was still a teenager and a young actor, he was among the brave ones who joined the group who would go to Greenhills and race for bets.

“There was somebody who would go around and collect the bets,” Jomari recalled. “That ran for two to three years. It was like the first ‘Fast and the Furious.’ I was among those who got caught by Mayor Jinggoy (Ejercito) doing those illegal races.”

Then, in 1996, Jomari was picked by Toyota Team Tom’s to be a professional race car driver. “I learned a lot from that. That started my advocacy for road safety and to promote legal races. That was until 2002.”

His dad (Andres Yllana) urged him to retire when his eldest, Andre, was born. “Sabi ng dad ko, narating mo na lahat,” Jomari shared. “Hindi pa international, I told him. He said ‘wag na. baka diyan ka pa ma-chambahan. May apo na ako. May anak ka na.”

Jomari retired for a good ten years. However, in 2011, he launched Yllana Racing Team, competed in South Korea and became the first Filipino podium finisher at the Yeongam International Circuit in 2014.

“Now, we’re bringing back the available races, local and internationals racers and professional racing teams,” said Jomari. “We’re opening the doors in the heart of Metro Manila.”

Today, Jomari’s team is doing events professionally, in a legal venue sanctioned by an international governing body.

“That is my contribution to society,” said Jomari. “We will do anything legal and safe.”

Jomari is proud that his son, Andre, is also into race car driving. “We are starting Motorsport Carnivale on May 4 and we have activities until November,” informed Jomari. “The aspect is racing but this will be full-blown.

“Each and every category of motorsport that we will include for a venue. As soon as this takes off and becomes a success, we’ll be very, very proud to announce to the whole world that there’s a venue in the Philippines where they can compete, one step at a time.

“So let’s bring back the glory days of motorsport in the sixties and seventies. Tinamaan lang tayo ng law passed during Philippine Parliament banning all motorsport events during the eighties.”

The first event on May 4 is an amateur slalom race, the biggest event since the eighties and nineties, promoted by Super Sprint, the new age, new generation slalom racing at the Seaside Boardwalk behind Okada Manila.

Expected are around 150 to 200 competitors, from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. By 7 p.m., “Grand Car Meets Legends of the ’90s,” promising high-speed thrills and nostalgic charm for car enthusiasts and families alike, featuring iconic cars in the eighties and nineties.

“There will be no competition, though. You will be seeing cars you don’t see on the road every so often,” said Jomari.

Weather is not a problem for the rally. “Rain or shine ang design ng rally,” said Jomari. “Rally races abroad even had snow, gravel on the tarmac. Different terrain.”

Racing continues on May 31 with Jom’s Cup, an 1/8-mile drag racing event to be held at the Seaside Boardwalk Gardens of Okada Manila.

Expect intense competition across super car in the morning, muscle car in the afternoon and vintage classic car categories in the evening. There are 40 participants per category.

In between, a special EV (electric vehicle) car showcase with guest celebrities will be held during intermissions, adding a modern, sustainable twist to the day’s events.

“They’re exciting and they are different,” Jomari said of the EV car showcase. “My wife (Abby Viduya) is very interested. She wants to be the first to join. Ibigay natin ang hilig.”

On June 21 and 22, Motorsport Carnivale will stage the biggest rally event in the Philippines and close down main roads in the area of Entertainment City, where a special stage will be built for rally, similar to the style of Monaco.

“It will be a night race,” said Jomari. “Rikki (Dy-Liacco) is looking at 25 to 40 maximum participants. So they will be cream of the crop in a super special stage. We will have to close roads and end on the boardwalk also so spectators will see.

“The event will be streamed live, give away raffle prizes to attendees who are mere spectators,” added Jomari.

“The event doesn’t end in June. In the Ber months, we will have something towards the end of the year.”

Motorsport Carnivale is inspired by the glory days of Philippine motorsports, including the Philippine Grand in Manila from 1973 to 1976, a series known for its prestige and grandeur.

Jomari hopes to rekindle that today, especially among younger audiences and new fans.

“We want to rally every racing enthusiast, family and fan into one inclusive passionate motorsport community,” he said. “We’re proud to bring back this celebration of speed, style and Filipino pride.”

On June 28, professional rally teams will hop on a barge for the main rally event converge in Lubang Rally in Mindoro, with professional rally drivers and teams to compete in eleven stages.

“We are proud to announce that will be the biggest rally event and biggest slalom event in the Philippines to be participated by locals and a few foreigners based somewhere in Clark, Subic and Manila,” said Jomari.

“All the races are designed to be safe. We will gather all the racers and take care of them, teach them how to set up everything.

The public will have to register, follow and like to be able to watch the events and the races for Okada Manila and Motorsport Carnivale 2025.

“It’s a family affair,” said Jomari. “Okada will be ready for a family-friendly and family affair. When we invite, you can bring your whole family, Las Vegas style.”

The Philippine Drag Racing Federation is the organization who will handle marshals, with specs from the NHRA (National Hot Rod Association) from America.

“We will also implement highest standards of safety,” said Jomari. “With the rally, we have the support of the Automobile Association of the Philippines (AAP).

“Since we launched Motorsport Carnivale in 2023, we were able to conceptualized this right after, so this new one is two years in the making,” said Jomari. “It took a while. We wanted to do a 2024 event, but we couldn’t make it. So we took our time.”

“Motorsport Carnivale 2025” is co-led by Rikki Dy-Liacco, a respected champion racer and head of Motorsports at Automobile Association Philippines (AAP), the country’s official representative to the Fédération Internationale l’Automobile (FIA) from France.”

Rikki brings international racing standards and experience, having served as race steward at elite global eve including the 24 Hours of Le Mans, GT World Challenge Asia, Formula 4 Middle East and the Macau Grand Prix.

“We’re raising the bar and bringing Philippine motorsports closer to international levels,” said Rikki.

“This partnership reflects our commitment to supporting local partners in creating diverse tourism experiences within Entertainment City,” said Byron Yip, Okada Manila President and COO (chief operating officer).

“Motorsport Carnivale adds a dynamic and family-friendly dimension to the vibrant range of activities we offer, celebrating automotive culture, community and local talent.”

With its unique blend of adrenaline, nostalgia, and premium entertainment, Okada Manila Motorsport Carnivale 2025 is shaping up to be a landmark experience for families, fans and future racers.

AUTHOR PROFILE

Leah C. Salterio