Isuzu Philippines Corporation (IPC) recently held its Isuzu Service Skills Olympics (ISSO) at the IPC Plant at the Laguna Technopark in Binan, Laguna. On its 14th year, ISSO showcases the service skills and knowledge of Isuzu technicians in a competitive setting.

IPC President Hajime Koso congratulated the participants for being the chosen representatives of their respective Isuzu dealers. In his welcome remarks, he said, “Today, you are also called ‘Olympians’, because you represent the best of our dealership networks, and I predict that you will exceed your own expectations. After this local staging, the world is waiting,” Koso said, referring to Isuzu World Technical Competitions where IPC’s Team Pilipinas, comprised of the winners of the ISSO, has performed consistently and exceptionally well since 2006.

Koso also thanked Isuzu Heart and Smile Project (IHSP) for the invaluable contribution to the development of the IPC Aftersales program through the automotive servicing vocational course program that Mr. Ida started in 2008 in collaboration with the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) and World Vision Philippines—an international Christian, humanitarian, advocacy organization.

For this year’s edition of the ISSO, the winners for the Service Technician Category were:

• Champions: Mark Anthony Arroyo (TESDA Tacloban Alumni) and Jan Michael Manzon, representative of Isuzu Cavite
• First Runner-Up: Arjhay Pulvera (TESDA Tacloban Alumni) and Reynaldo Gepulle (Isuzu Alabang) 
• Second Runner-Up: Harvay Jay T. Ragrag (TESDA Tacloban Alumni) and Gilbert Regis (TESDA Tacloban Alumni), representatives of Isuzu Isabela.

For the Service Advisor Category, the winners were:

• Champion: Kevin O. Oliva (Isuzu Alabang)
• First Runner-Up: Joseph Clarito (Isuzu Cavite)
• Second Runner-Up: Josie James Marilla (Isuzu Cagayan de Oro).

ISSO also had a Parts Staff Category and the winners were:

• Champion: Mark Anthony Rañola (Isuzu Commonwealth)
• First Runner-Up: Cristy Plazuela (Isuzu Iloilo)
• Second Runner-Up: Christopher Garcia (Isuzu Cabanatuan).

The dealer overall champion was Isuzu Alabang.

The annual ISSO serves as the main platform where IPC will develop two teams to represent the Philippines in the annual Isuzu World Technical Competition for CV Division in Japan and the biennial Isuzu World Technical Competition for LCV Category in Thailand. These international competitions are participated in by at least 31 countries. 

Since joining in 2006, IPC teams have performed well in these competitions. A large part of their success has been attributed to the high level of competition at the ISSO, apart from the professional dedication and discipline the IPC dealers’ Parts and Service personnel pour into their daily work.

IPC teams landed no lower than 5th place: 3rd place in Category B (2013); 2nd in Category B (2014); Champion, CV Division in Category B and 2nd in the LCV Division (2015); 2nd in the LCV Division and 3rd in the CV Division (2016); 5th in the CV Division in 2017; 4th in the LCV Division, and champion in the CV Division Category B (2018).