Last May 5th, I attended the 24th Henry Ford Awards for the very first time. While I have knowledge already of the yearly award event, experiencing it for the first time gave me a different perspective for the purpose of the event.
For context the Henry Ford Awards is an annual event where the industry of motoring media is given spotlight and recognition to their craft that created impact and positivity. Additionally only Ford is the only brand doing this kind of awarding, which shows leadership given their more than 120 years of existence as a brand. So in short, Henry Ford Awards is like the Anvil Awards of the Motoring Industry particularly for the media.
There are two categories within the awards, one is the industry award which is open to even competitor brands. Yes, you can see other brands in the list below but it shows volume that Ford is dedicated to this award ceremony.
INDUSTRY CATEGORY
Among all the winners above, two struck my mind and stick on to me. One is is the Nawalan ng preno’ not a reason for road crashes” by Raymond Gregory B. Tribdino for Malaya Business Insight and and Luisa’s Journey: A Life on an Electric Three-Wheeler”. These two stories that that prominently common especially in 2024 with the rise of electric bikes and trucks always in the news for allegedly “Nawalan ng Preno”.
These are two powerful articles that shows light and perspective to growing concerns to commuters and motorists that not that being focused by the government especially for E-Bike Regulation. While ownership of E-Bikes is easy, the article from Motortech.ph shows purpose and someone who relies on mobility through e-bikes. While vehicle accidents in news always allegedly saying “Nawalan ng preno” is just a front and, there are more underlying causes behind the accidents that is ignored or not probed that much.
Also, Ford also has a dedicated category for the brand and the stories that won this year didn’t disappoint as they all showed the deep connection of a Ford vehicle to the lifestyle and story they are telling. One of the winners is Mj Jucutan from Gadgetmatch did exactly this by integrating his passion as an athlete to the features of the Next-Gen Ford Territory.
FORD CATEGORY
Awardees for the Ford Category (L-R: Kiko Santos for AutoDeal, MJ Jucutan for GadgetMatch, and Carlo Chungunco for Top Gear Philippines)
Top Gear Philippines clinched the Automotive Outlet of the Year award after bagging four (4) wins. Carlo Chungunco was named Automotive Journalist of the Year with two (2) awards won. This shows consistency recognition to the Philippine Motoring Journalists of their craft and making their voice given spotlight.
“We congratulate all the winners of the 24th Henry Ford Awards for their excellent and impactful storytelling. Their outstanding work are definitely worthy to be recognized and celebrated by the industry and their peers – ultimately elevating the craft of motoring journalism in the country,” says EJ Francisco, communications director, Ford Philippines and Asia Pacific Distributor Markets.
Also next year the 25th Henry Ford Awards will include a new award with the introduction of the Butch Gamboa Lifetime Achievement Award. Butch is one of the first and passionate motoring journalist behind the show Autofocus, the weekly motoring show that definitely you remember from your childhood, Personally for me this is the show my father always watch every Sunday before, so this definitely is a grand gesture to recognize the valuable contribution of Butch Gamboa to the Philippine Motoring Industry.
One cool thing as well for the Ford Category winners are also given their name plates to mount into the wall of winners of Henry Ford Awards. This gesture is traditional and indeed makes the achievement even more powerful and memorable.
Overall, the Henry Ford Awards isn’t just another awards event in my perspective. As a motorist myself not just a motoring blogger, I see the significance and impact of this endevour Ford is doing especially after seeing all the nominated / finalist articles that we’re chosen. Definitely more than just highlighting the latest vehicle features (Review / Content), this also gives opportunity to raise the bar within the industry by encouraging the motoring industry to level up by giving credit to powerful, impactful and time-relevant stories.
