Teenager pa lang pala si Jomari Yllana ay hilig na niya ang car racing. Way back ‘90s pa, panahon ng “Gwapings” days group nila nina Mark Anthony Fernandez at Eric Fruoctuso.

Naalala pa ni Jomari na hinuli siya noon ng mayor ng San Juan that time na si Sen. Jinggoy Estrada dahil sa pagsali niya sa illegal car racing sa Greenhills.

“I started very young, but underground, illegal,” natatawang pagre-recall ng aktor sa presscon kahapon para sa upcoming Okada Manila Motorsport Carnivale 2025, isang motorsport festival na in-organize niya with his Yllana Racing Team in partnership with Okada Manila.

“I used to race for bets. I remember, hinuli pa ‘ko ni Mayor Jinggoy no’n. ‘Yun ‘yung time na ‘yan, ‘yung mga illegal drag racers na nandiyan sa creek side in Greenhills,” aniya.

“Nakapila kami sa presinto,” natatawa pa niyang sabi.

Nakilala raw siya ni Sen. Jinggoy dahil that time nga ay nag-aartista na siya. Tinanong daw siya kung siya ba ‘yung kasama ng anak ni Rudy Fernandez na si Mark Anthony. Pinakawalan naman daw siya agad pero sinabihan na huwag na siyang uulit.

Naging isang malaking lesson din daw sa kanya ‘yun and from then on ay hindi na siya nag-join pa sa illegal o underground car racing.

“I went professional na after that,” aniya.

“I was picked by Toyota Team TOM’S in 1996 to be a professional race car driver. I learned a lot from them. That started my advocacy for road safety and to promote legal racers,” kwento ni Jom.

Nag-retire siya noong 2002 matapos ipanganak ang anak nila ni Aiko Melendez na si Andre. In 2011, muli siyang bumalik sa car racing and went international.

“I launched Yllana Racing Team and we competed in Korea, nakatsamba naman, nanalo. And then, two or three years ago, I tried rally sprint, we became the first diesel-engine powered car that won in a rally,” kwento niya.

“And now we’re doing events professionally,” dagdag pa niya.

Magsisimula sa May 4 ang Motorsport Carnivale 2025 sa Okada Manila.

“In partnership with Okada Manila, our major presenter, we’re proud to bring back this celebration of speed, style and Filipino pride.

“We want to rally every racing enthusiast, family, and fan into one inclusive and passionate motorsport community,” saad ni Jom.

The action starts early with a Super Sprint from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., followed by the much-awaited Grand Car Meet: Legends of the ’90s at 7 p.m.

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

A special EV car showcase with guest celebrities will be held during intermissions, adding a modern, sustainable twist to the day’s events. Other major motorsport events will be announced soon.

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Vinia Vivar