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Events Gather

Shell Fuel Save Challenge

When I 16 years old, I had a car waiting in the driveway for me to pass my driver’s license test. My dad bought me one of the safest cars on the road at that time which was a Saab 900. My soccer teammates would fondly call my car “The Tank”…simply because it was. 

In order for me to enjoy the privilege of driving by myself, I had to learn a few things and pass a few tests in which my dad would determine my grade. My dad had always stressed the importance of being safe and the weight of the responsibility one bears when behind the wheel. Well, when I was young and stupid I didn’t quite fully understand that responsibility and felt as if Dad was being all serious for something that wasn’t that serious at all. 

All of the kids had to learn how to drive a manual transmission, and had to pass Dad's driving tests as well as the requirements for Driver's Ed and the NYS license exams.

All of the kids had to learn how to drive a manual transmission, and had to pass Dad’s driving tests as well as the requirements for Driver’s Ed and the NYS license exams.

Of course, driving is a very serious matter. You just don’t take your life in your own hands every time you get behind the wheel, you are responsible for all who are riding with you and all those people you might encounter on the road. So, in order to drive the car that my parents had gifted me with I had to learn the basics before I could tool around town.

  • I had to learn how to change a tire.
  • I had to learn how to check the oil.
  • I had to learn how to check the coolant and windshield washer fluid.
  • I had to learn how to gas up my own tank.
  • I had to learn how to drive manual.

Ok, driving a stick shift wasn’t the easiest thing on the planet, but that’s how I learned. My father said that a girl needed to know how to drive anything so that at any time…if she needed to…she could get herself out of a sticky situation. You can bet, that when it’s time to teach my kids how to drive, they will need to know all of these things and more because Nino and I take driving and the responsibility of driving very seriously.

Truth:  I don’t drive for myself very much since I moved here.  

BUT…that doesn’t mean that I have forgotten all of the helpful hints and tips that have been passed on to me from my husband now that we are married for over 16 years. In fact, since Nino and I used to own a speed shop (many years ago when we first got engaged to be married) I have learned a lot more about cars and how to maintain them, and of course how to drive safely.

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This is why when I was contacted to team up with another mom blogger for the Shell Driving Challenge I was totally up for the learning that would take place and the fun that would be had with another like minded mom. (Plus, since Sarah is a fashion blogger, I look to her for posts on things like “Where to find Boyfriend Jeans.”)

All the participants enjoyed a hearty breakfast before departing Mango Tree Restaurant for Batangas.

All the participants enjoyed a hearty breakfast before departing Mango Tree Restaurant for Batangas.

The Shell Fuel Save Good Choice Driving Challenge started in Fort at one of my favorite Thai restaurants, Mango Tree.  We were invited to come a bit early to eat a hearty breakfast which was sponsored by Slappy Cakes, get to know the other driving challengers and  prepare for the long haul that we would be taking in our Ford Ecosport. I researched a little about the car and was excited to get behind the wheel because I knew it would be an easy car to drive. 

Fuels Brand Manager, Jeff Chan opens up the event and welcomes us to the challenge.

Fuels Brand Manager, Jeff Chan opens up the event and welcomes us to the challenge.

Seven teams were to compete for the title of the Driving Challenge winner. Two teams were from the media. Two teams consisted of mom bloggers. Two teams were professionals who really drove for a living like taxi and FX drivers. And the last team was made up of Shell Celebrity Endorser, Bianca Gonzalez and one of her twitter followers Rio Umali.

04_SFS Photo 5

Photo Credit: Official Shell Photographer

It was nice to get to know the other personalities who get behind the wheel all in the name of learning and good fun. In fact, I really enjoyed getting to know Lito Cinco who is a sports columnist from one of the leading local newspapers. We talked about team building in competitive sports and everything under the sun from parenting, special needs, and the value and wisdom of experience.

My driving partner Sarah Tirona and I had met once before for another event, and I was excited for the time we would have together in the car getting to know each other. When Sarah and I got into the car and started talking strategy, (YES, we are both quite competitive.) I realized that we were the perfect match to go on this road trip together because we were both willing to do what it takes to win. Sarah had researched on her own, and found some ways to save fuel while we were driving, while I had gotten some tips and tricks from my husband before embarking on our driving adventure. We shared our pointers and together we agreed that we would do our best because we both were “in it to win it.” 

Driving Team No. 4. (aka The Renegade Moms)

Driving Team No. 4. (aka The Renegade Moms)

Sarah had decided she wanted to drive the first leg going to our destination in Batangas, which left me of course driving back to Fort for the second leg, later in the day. We were given tasks and tests along the way to Cintai Corito’s Garden that would foster new understandings on how to save fuel and drive more efficiently…in essence we were taught to make GOOD driving choices while on the road. At each pit stop, Sarah and I, of course did our best, in hopes that we would take home the title of Champion later on that evening.

At each pit stop we were given challenges to accumulate points.  Shell Fuels Brand Manager and Communications Manager, Reggie Regala outlines our task for the first stop.

At each pit stop we were given challenges to accumulate points. Shell Fuels Brand Manager and Communications Manager, Reggie Regala outlines our task for the first stop.

Lunch was followed by a short talk on how Shell Fuel Save extends the life of your engine. While I had developed an understanding of the engine of a car and how Nino and I could make cars faster by changing the exhaust manifold, the intake and of course adding an aftermarket turbo charger or factoring nitrous oxide into the mix, I had very little understanding how the type of fuel you put in the car can help it run cleaner and or even more efficiently. 

When we arrived at Cintai, however, we realized that the real competition would not start until the second leg of the trip. PRESSURE!!!

When we arrived at Cintai, however, we realized that the real competition would not start until the second leg of the trip. PRESSURE!!! L-R Kris De Guzman from OC Mom in Manila, Sarah Tirona from Fashion Eggplant, Jackie Go from Go Jackie Go, and moi.

Before we sat down for lunch we were able to explore the beautiful garden and installations on the premises. There were plenty of photo ops for me and and my other mom blogger friends.

Beautiful nooks and crannies of Cintai offered great photo ops for the mommy bloggers.

Beautiful nooks and crannies of Cintai offered great photo ops for the mommy bloggers.

Enter: Shell Fuel Save Scientist Mae Ascan

Mae taught explained to us how Shell Fuel Save has detergents that help keep the engine clean, and how this type of fuel can not only extend the life of your car, but it can help it run more efficiently. She explained all the work and the study that goes into developing such a superior type of gasoline, and the benefits to using this gasoline in your car.

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She also taught us how to compute fuel efficiency. One can simply divide the total distance traveled by the number of liters of fuel that is consumed on said trip to find out how many kilometers per liter you have used.

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As we explored the Gardens we all kept saying how picture perfect some of the places were…and how nice it would be to get married in a place like this.

There are other things you can do to help run your car efficiently and save on gas, too.

  • Always make sure that your are running the correct psi on your tires. You can find the correct pounds per square inch on the inside of the door of your car on the driver’s side.
  • Eliminate any excess weight in the trunk of your car. If you don’t need it for the trip that you are embarking on, then store it at home. 
  •  When driving, if possible shift to a higher gear and keep your RPM’s below 1800.
  • Make sure your gas tank cap is tightly screwed on! (I never thought of this one, but it can account for evaporation!)
  • Use Shell Fuel Save Gas when possible because it keeps the engine cleaner and runs more efficiently.
  • Run your aircon at a comfortable temperature. Keeping it on high makes the engine work harder. Engine working harder = more fuel consumption
  • Regularly service your car. Check and change the oil based on the kilometers driven, maintain fluids, and have regular tune ups.
  • Maintain a steady speed, (if on the highway 80 km/hr is good) of course we know that when we are in traffic-y situations, we consume more gas because of the stops and starts.
  • Don’t let your car idle. If your car will be idling for more than 10 seconds, it’s better to just shut it off all together.
It was a treat to have a quick massage so that we could relax a bit before getting back on the road! Shell thought of everything!

It was a treat to have a quick massage so that we could relax a bit before getting back on the road! Shell thought of everything!

Truth: I was a bit nervous. Not because I was nervous about driving…I just wanted to do my best to win for my teammate!

Getting back into the car this time, Sarah and I realized this was it! Gas tanks were sealed!

Getting back into the car this time, Sarah and I realized this was it! Gas tanks were sealed!

Of course there were two more stops on the back to Fort from our lovely lunch in Batangas and truth be told I was pretty disappointed after the first stop because I thought I made a terrible mistake when we had to finish one of our challenges. Essentially, I got two of our four questions WRONG in our pit stop. IN FACT, I was so sure that I was right, I even began trying to make my point as to why my answers should be accepted as correct. (Of course to no avail.)

I really love how everything was prepared for us. Can't we have this done for every road trip?

I really love how everything was prepared for us. Can’t we have this done for every road trip?

At the last pit stop (which was the Shell station on C5) I even OVER shot the entrance thereby using MORE of our precious fuel which would be measured! Even if Sarah and I were both disheartened at my mistakes we of course wanted to see how much fuel was consumed by my driving skills. We were even more shocked when we saw the best fuel consumption of 4.013 liters drop down to 2.032 liters. 

How the heck could we beat 2.032 liters of gas? That is amazing? And I kept asking myself, how did she manage that AND run the car with aircon the entire time?

How the heck could we beat 2.032 liters of gas? That is amazing? And I kept asking myself, how did she manage that AND run the car with aircon the entire time? I wanted to Congratulate Bianca and her teammate Rio already, but the competitor in me just couldn’t bring myself to do it until it was official.

HUWAT? I was already shocked at the 4 liters…then to drop down to 2 liters? AND on top of that Bianca and her team mate RAN THE AIRCON the entire time. Here my partner and I were sweating profusely looking like messy children on the playground, doing Bikram yoga in the car, and essentially losing weight because we sweat so much. We over shot the gas station. PLUS I got two of our four questions wrong at our earlier pit stop. 

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I was disheartened along the way because I knew that I had made at least two errors that could affect the outcome of our Driving Challenge.

BUT…

The most weighted category was on the fuel consumption from Batangas back to Fort.

When Mae began clicking and fueling our car….I COULD NOT BELIEVE MY EYES. I thought there was no way we could have beaten Bianca and her driving partner.

BUT LOW AND BEHOLD….

1.966

I think even Mae was surprised that we came in just under 2 liters!

I think even Mae was surprised that we came in just under 2 liters!

I know Sarah and I could have been more gracious once we saw our consumption at the gas tank…But gosh darn…we were so happy, high fiving, jumping around, and celebrating in hopes that our consumption would bring home a victory for us…

AND IT DID.

What an incredible learning experience.

Bringing home the title of CHAMPION was a great birthday gift! And to imagine, this gift was given to me here...through my blog...and on my birthday, which is also my blogiversary.

Bringing home the title of CHAMPION was a great birthday gift! And to imagine, this gift was given to me here…through my blog…and on my birthday, which is also my blogiversary.

Thank you Shell, for asking Sarah and I to take the Shell Fuel Save Good Choice Driving Challenge, and for awarding us the title of CHAMPIONS. It not only felt really good to win, but it was equally satisfying to meet new people who took the challenge with us, and to learn more about how Shell Fuel Save is a GOOD Choice when filling up the tank.

SFSDC Culminating Program_Group Shot

ULTIMATE GIRL POWER WITH SHELL FUEL SAVE GOOD CHOICE DRIVING CHALLENGE

One of the BEST realizations of the entire night? The final count being that the honors of First, Second, and Third place were all taken home by GIRLS. TALK ABOUT GIRL POWER!!!

One of the BEST realizations of the entire night? The final count being that the honors of First, Second, and Third place were all taken home by GIRLS. TALK ABOUT GIRL POWER!!!

 

 

 

 

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Comments

  1. Sarah says

    October 23, 2014 at 8:44 am

    woohoo, i still get kilig each time i relive this experience! see you soon!!! 🙂

    • michelle says

      October 23, 2014 at 9:10 am

      Diba? It was so worth the weight in sweat! hahahahaha!!! See you soon, partner!

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Waterside @solaireresort’s BBQ Brunch Buffet has Waterside @solaireresort’s BBQ Brunch Buffet has all the southern fixings and more.

Grilled and smoked meats. Seafood and mixed drinks. Fried chicken and fish and chips. Starters include fresh salads, corn bread, nachos and more. But the kicker comes in the form of a Make Your Own Milkshake bar, and YES, you can order it spiked with your favorite liquor! 

Waterside is only one of quite a few restaurants that you can enjoy  beautiful weekend brunches with your favorite person, the fam bam, or your friends. 

Check out www.mommanmanila.com to see the full menu and what Nino and I enjoyed most.
Creating food together is one of our love language Creating food together is one of our love languages. We flow in the kitchen. I get excited and move too fast, and she grounds me, and slows things down. We can move around one another while still staying in sync. In our own kitchen, there is music that guides us and sets the tone for the meal. Gelli would be in the mix, the boys will set the table, someone makes dessert, and maybe @manila.gent  makes a drink. 

When we prepare our table together there is so much that goes into the process and the ingredients. This mindful movement brings me so much joy when we are all together.

Even more so when we attend classes together to learn new dishes too.  @themayakitchen1 has regular classes offering cooks of all abilities to learn something new when preparing meals for for our families.

Check out my new article on @rappler for @kitchen143 where Gia and I learned from Chef @cocoyventura a few new Pinoy dishes that will definitely be on rotation for #TeamGellibean.

Link in my profile: 

https://www.rappler.com/life-and-style/food-drinks/kitchen-143-learning-lovelokal-the-maya-kitchens-cooking-classes/
Crispy Pata. Is there anything better than perfec Crispy Pata.

Is there anything better than perfectly brined crispy fried pork? 

@manila.gent and I visited @viicsrestaurantph for simple Pinoy fare that hit the spot. Admittedly, after moving here so many years ago, I took a while to warm up to this dish that is one of Nino’s (and my mom’s) favorites. But every once in a while-I won’t feel guilty about indulging in this deep fried treat.

Happy to learn that we can also order for when Mom arrives through @foodpanda_ph too!
The @admiralhotelmanila M-Gallery has opened their The @admiralhotelmanila M-Gallery has opened their doors! @manila.gent and I were privileged to visit the hotel on Friday night with some new friends and we were both so excited to explore some new digs in Manila.

Looking forward to bringing the family back soon!
We were a little early for therapy this morning, s We were a little early for therapy this morning, so @gelliaventajado got to spend a little time with @grace_loedin!

@thevanguardacademyph is still open for enrollment in their summer program, and has a full staff for all therapies and interventions. We really love her school and all of the faculty and staff. It makes a huge difference when you have confidence in the people you leave your child with for learning!
Whipped Feta #Recipe up on @kitchen143 over @rappl Whipped Feta #Recipe up on @kitchen143 over @rappler now!

Link in my profile!

https://www.rappler.com/nation/kitchen-143-dreaming-greece-try-making-easy-whipped-feta-dip/
Thinking about the day I got off the plane in LaGu Thinking about the day I got off the plane in LaGuardia, was picked up by one of my dearest friends and spent the entire day at the beach just catching up on LIFE.

It was a breezy day. Overcast. A little chilly to be in a suit, but it was perfect to catch up with my girl Candy. Sometimes, if you have chosen your friends well, you can pick up where you left off, as if no time has passed at all. 

Just like I did, sitting in that beach chair, feeling the mist of the Atlantic Ocean, and watching the seagulls pick and the seaweed.

Thank you Candy! For the friendship, for dropping everything to come and pick me up. Drive me around and have dinner with me and Fayth. 

Wishing I was sitting on this beach with you right now!!!
Eggs Benny with BBQ Pulled Pork was just one of ma Eggs Benny with BBQ Pulled Pork was just one of many dishes that we enjoyed during #SundayBrunch at Waterside in @solaireresort .

From cornbread, to mom’s potato salad, melt in your mouth whisky cured short ribs, homemade sausages and more. This #BrunchBuffet had @manila.gent and I rolling each other out the door!

Hard to choose which was our favorite from the feast that was set before us!

Brunch is inclusive of some delicious drinks, some Southern smoked and BBQ Fare, and a most colorful sweet dessert buffet by way of Milkshake Bar!
Movie Night at home with the big screen made easy Movie Night at home with the big screen made easy by @lumosprojector_ph!

Summer Lovin’ ain’t over for #TeamGellibean. Hop on over to www.mommanmanila.com to read my full review on how easy this #homeprojector is to use when you want to watch your favorite family film!!

Gelli and I have watched Sharkboy and Lavagirl, Grease, and BTS Videos. Up next? The Sound of Music! 

Want to have your own #LUMOSRAYProjectoe delivered to your home? Stay tuned for an upcoming giveaway, too!

Link in my profile!

https://www.mommanmanila.com/lumos-ray-projector-review/
Missing my @migaventajado The short time I had w Missing my @migaventajado 

The short time I had with this guy in Florida was definitely something I will look back on. Wish we had more time to explore and do some fun things on our own.

Gah. How is this kid 20 years old already?
I remember when he was little and he loved peanut butter, chicken nuggets, Kylie Minogue, and sitting on my lap. He was squishy, in tune with my feelings, and I was always worried that he might have an asthma attack in his sleep so I would nebulize him every few hours. He always looked at new experiences with gratitude and wonder, much how he did while we were in FL together.😍

Praying he continues to strengthen his faith as he grows. 🙏🏻👨🏻🙌🏻

Miss you Miggy!
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