Power Wheels Magazine A Notch Above
A celebration of classic style, the Distinguished Gentleman’s Drive or DGD, is an on-road motoring fundraising event, involving classic cars that were built 40 years ago or earlier. Thus, owners, drivers and passengers of classic cars built from the early 1900s to 1984 around the world are encouraged on the last Sunday of September every year to dress in style and drive their cherished classic cars to raise awareness for men’s health.
The Distinguished Gentleman’s Drive website
Founded in 2021 during the height of the pandemic, DGD raises awareness and funds that are invested for research and programs for prostate cancer and men’s mental health. Over 5,084 drivers have participated in 183 drives in 60 countries around the world and have raised US$385,746 (around P21.5 Million) through the DGD. This year, the 2024 DGD was held on September 29th, the last Sunday of the month.
DGD’s achievements
Gathering at QCup Café West Avenue
On an overcast Sunday morning, a 1928 Ford Model A coupe with rear rumbles seat, a red-and-white 1959 Ford Fairlane, and a red 1959 MGA sports car, all owned by businessman Rodger Yu arrived at the QCup Café along West Avenue in Quezon City, where DGD Manila organizer Neal Medrano was already waiting. The author was invited by Rodger Yu to drive his vintage Fairlane for the event but respectfully declined and opted to simply cover the event instead.
The “early birds” at QCup along West Avenue in Quezon City included…
1928 Ford Model A coupe with rumble seat of Rodger Yu
1959 MGA sports car of Rodger Yu
The MGA’s interior
1987 Mitsubishi Lancer GT of Manny Martinez
1962 Mercedes-Benz 190 of Don Robert
1959 Ford Fairlane of Rodger Yu
Rover Mini of Raul Reyes
Among the early participants who arrived at QCup were Manny Martinez and his well-preserved 1987 Mitsubishi Lancer GT; Raul Reyes and his son in his pristine Rover Mini; and Don Robert and his classic 1962 Mercedes-Benz 190 (W120) ponton sedan. Succeeding arrivals included Walter & Chester Gaw in Walter’s Lancer SL; a dapper Darwin Angeles in his 1955 Porsche 550 Spyder along with his 1963 Mini Cooper S; and Illac Diaz in his 1953 Volkswagen Beetle convertible; followed by a group of air-cooled VWs among several others.
Lancer SL of Walter Gaw
1955 Porsche 550 Spyder of Darwin Angeles
The 550 Spyder’s interior
Darwin Angeles checks on his 1963 Mini Cooper S…
…while Illac Diaz parks his 1953 Volkswagen Beetle convertible…
… which he later moves to another spot to join fellow air-cooled VW owners.
A two-tone silver/black Karmann Ghia coupe with rare wheels…
… sandwiched this gorgeous red Karmann Ghia convertible…
… with another stunning two-tone white/black KG coupe.
Dave Galvez 1965 VW Beetle convertible looks like it’s ready for some fun in the sun…
This 1957 oval window Beetle of Michael Arguelles was truly spectacular…
… with an intact interior that featured a period correct flower vase! Where’s an Eidelweiss when you need one?
Rugged 1970 VW Beetle of Romuel Castro
Sunday Drive to the Filling Station
Before 9:00 AM, Neal invited the participants to go into the café for a briefing. He spoke about the objectives of the DGD and its beneficial goals. Illac Diaz shared a profound thought about how it is fortunate for successful people like the present participants to have the time, money and energy to indulge in their passion for vintage cars, and that the DGD allows them to indulge in their passion with like-minded individuals while sharing their success for a worthwhile cause.
Vavavoom! Alfred Perez’s 1946 Buick Super Eight Convertible
The Super Eight convertible’s super interior
1948 Chrysler Town & Country 4-door woody
Oliver Herrera’s Coast Guard Grey 1954 Mitsubishi Kamikaze 4×4 looks like it’s still ready to do battle.
Pal Ordoñez parks his sporty red 1989 Toyota MR2 (AW11)…
… followed by this classic 1969 Ford Escort Mark 1 of Obet Roldan.
Jone Ong’s 1987 Lancer Box Type later won “The Photographer’s Choice Award”
This white Lancer Box Type is another contender for The Best of the 1980’s
Luis Jarabelo’s Toyota Corolla 1.8 SR-5 Levin looks great!
Tale of three starlets – MJ Herrera’s 1980 KP62…
Jimmel Sacapano’s red 1981…
… and Gian Karlo Serafica’s grey 1981.
At 9:00 AM, the convoy of classic cars started heading out of West Avenue and turned right into Epifanio delos Santos Avenue (EDSA) while being led by Jess Nuñez and his racy 1972 Datsun 240Z. The convoy drove all the way on EDSA from Quezon City, passing through San Juan City, Mandaluyong City, and into Makati City. The convoy then turned to Gil Puyat (formerly Buendia) Avenue and then to Jupiter Street, where they regrouped before heading into Burgos Street, where popular the Filling Station Bar & Café is located.
All the DGD 2024 participants were briefed about the drive route and the day’s activities.
DGD Manila lead organizer Neal Madreno shared his appreciation for the record number of participants this year.
Illac Diaz spoke about contributing part of the success that everyone enjoys to a worthy cause.
After the briefing everyone was raring to do the drive, like the owner of this Mini pickup…
… and this green 1976 Galant 2-door hard top.
Jess Nuñez led the convoy with his 1972 Datsun 240Z.
Getting ready to take off…
… and away they go!
It’s not every Sunday that you see a view like this through your rear view mirror…
… or like this with two vintage Fords behind you turning right from West Avenue to EDSA.
Of course, the best view of the highway is inside the classic car you’re driving! (Phot: Darwin Angeles/The Distinguished Gentleman’s Drive FB Group)
Kenneth Santos’ 1977 Lancer 2-door sedan turns right from EDSA into Gil Puyat Avenue…
… followed by Dennis Carpio’s all-original 1987 Nissan Sentra 1.5 SGX.
The convoy regrouped along Jupiter Street in Makati before proceeding into Burgos Street.
The whole Burgos Avenue from Makati Avenue to Kalayaan Avenue was blocked until High Noon… uh, 12 noon, for the occasion. The participants experienced the warm and fun reception of the Filling Station, where they stayed and had a great time. The 2024 DGD was a resounding success that was able to raise a significant amount of money for the awareness of prostate cancer and men’s mental health. It was also such a fun way to spend a Sunday morning with like-minded classic car enthusiasts that made this author resolve to have his 1971 Chevy Camaro Z28 or 1974 Volkswagen Super Beetle 1303S ready for 2025 DGD!
People loved the 1946 Buick Super Eight convertible as it glided over Burgos Street. (Photo: Gian Cayetano/The Distinguished Gentleman’s Drive FB Group)
The Filling Station ladies pose with Darwin Angeles and his the dimunitive 550 Spyder parked between the 1946 and 1951 Buick behemouths.
The ladies in period Rock n’ Roll attire gathered over Jerico Dulalia’s 1951 Buick 8…
… and then moved to the Karmann Ghias and the Ford Mustang coupe.
This 1967-68 Ford Mustang GT coupe is a beauty!
Burgos Street in Makati turned into an impromptu car show venue that wonderful Sunday morning…
…made more festive by the Filling Station and its attractive ladies plus the camaraderie of the DGD 2024 participants.
The DGD 2024 participants posed for a group photo.
Alfred Perez’s 1946 Buick Super Eight Convertible was awarded 1st Place…
… while Rodger Yu bagged 2nd Place with his 1928 Ford Model A.
DGD 2024 participants enjoyed the good food, lively music, and colorful vibe offered by the Filling Station.
