Nineteen (19) journalists named as Silver Mile Luminaries, five (5) winners recognized across Industry and Ford categories, and one (1) recipient awarded the Butch Gamboa Lifetime Achievement Award
Manila, Philippines, May 6, 2026 — Ford Philippines celebrated a major milestone as it marked the 25th anniversary of the Henry Ford Awards (HFA), the country’s only awards program dedicated to recognizing excellence in motoring journalism.
Carrying the theme “Stars and Stories in Silver,” this year’s HFA honored individuals and media outlets that have helped shape the local motoring media landscape over the past 25 years. A total of 25 awardees were recognized, each receiving a specially designed trophy that reflects both heritage and modernity.
“As we celebrate the 25th Henry Ford Awards, we recognize 25 outstanding journalists and media outlets whose storytelling, integrity, and professionalism continue to influence the automotive industry,” said Pedro Simoes, managing director of Ford Philippines. He added that motoring media plays an important role in connecting automotive brands with Filipino audiences, with the HFA serving as a platform to honor their dedication.
As part of this milestone, Ford Philippines also recognized 19 Silver Mile Luminaries—15 journalists and 4 media outlets who have received the most awards in HFA history.
Silver Mile Luminaries (Journalists)
Jason Ang
Ulysses Ang
James Deakin
Manny de los Reyes
Ronald de los Reyes
Junep Ocampo
Vince Pornelos
Iñigo Roces
Tessa Salazar
Vernon Sarne
Paulo Rafael Subido
Dinzo Tabamo
Niky Tamayo
Eric Tipan
Steven Edward Yu
Silver Mile Luminaries (Publications)
BusinessMirror Motoring Section
Philippine Daily Inquirer Motoring Section
Fast Times of The Manila Times
Top Gear Philippines
Beyond recognizing long-standing industry contributors, this year’s HFA also highlighted the growing influence of new motoring media and content creators. The Board of Judges reviewed close to 100 entries across Industry and Ford categories, awarding winners in five key categories:
- Automotive Vehicle Review of the Year (Article) – “What the Mazda Miata means to my family despite never having owned one” by Carlo Chungunco for Top Gear Philippines
- Automotive Vehicle Review of the Year (Video) – “2025 Nissan Z NISMO Review | Sharper, Faster, Greater” by Earl Lee for AutoDeal
- Ford Launch Story of the Year – “What happens when the car you once loved returns as a Hybrid?” by MJ Jucutan for GadgetMatch
- Ford Automotive Video Feature of the Year – “2025 Ford Bronco Review | The Best Off-Roader Yet?” by Jack Gutierrez for AutoDeal
- Ford Automotive Short-Form Video of the Year – “FORD BRONCO: Can you tame this beast?” by Roy Robles for Zigwheels Philippines
One of the highlights of the event was the presentation of the Butch Gamboa Lifetime Achievement Award to Pinky Concha-Colmenares, Executive Editor of Manila Bulletin. The award recognizes a journalist whose work has made a lasting impact on the industry, shaping how automotive stories are told and understood.
“The Butch Gamboa Lifetime Achievement Award honors the legacy of one of the most respected figures in the Philippine automotive industry,” said EJ Francisco, Communications Director of Ford Asia Pacific Distributor Markets and the Philippines. He noted that Colmenares’ excellence, professionalism, and passion have contributed to the continued growth of motoring journalism in the country.