Automobile Central Enterprise, Inc. (ACEI), the official importer and distributor of Volkswagen cars in the Philippines, formally turned over the new 21st Century Beetle to eight-year-old Cherub Nikolai Bedaño.

Cherub was the lucky winner drawn out of thousands of raffle entries during the People’s Car Celebration in Greenbelt Park. The raffle culminated the re-launch of the Volkswagen brand and highlighted the European automaker’s much-awaited return in Manila.

“We think that a young 7-year old winning the 21st Century Volkswagen Beetle is very symbolic. The body certainly represents aspiration and optimism,” says JP S. Orbeta, President of ACEI.

Cherub, an 8-year-old boy from Marikina, was with his family when he toured through Volkswagen’s two-day public display in Greenbelt Park. He was one of several thousands of participants who registered in a website exclusively made for the event. Each participant had to journey through the seven exhibit areas of the Volkswagen People Car’s Celebration to find clues to the trivia questions.

“We feel very fortunate to have won the raffle, and like all kids, Cherub is ecstatic about winning. I’m sure he will grow up with fond memories about this experience,” says Bella Bedaño, the eight-year old boy’s mother.