RACING THE ‘EXTRA MAILA’
“Never give up. It’s never too late. I’m 56, turning 57.”
The way Maila utters that second sentence sounds like she’s just about to complete another grueling lap in a much bigger race.
But that has been the mantra of Maila M. Alivia ever since she discovered her passion for racing well into adulthood. You might have seen her frequent the podium in several Toyota Gazoo Racing Philippine Cup over the past few years. The lady has worked her way up from the Promotional Class to the Sporting Class, and finally to the Super Sporting Class. In a sport hogged on all lanes by males, she has managed to cross the finish line many times. This 2026 Gazoo Racing season might be her Vios’ final run, and her aim is nothing less than an overall championship win. Which is easier said than done, considering this year’s racing field.
Outside of her Vios and track suit, Maila is a true-blue farmer in Isabela managing her father’s rice fields and the family’s agribusinesses. She didn’t start her racing career young. A lover of the outdoors, she first tackled extreme sports like the Cordi5 Challenge (a premier mountain bike event) and competed in 4×4 races in Davao and General Santos City.
“My passion started in my late 30s. I was tagging along with my cousin who was competing in 4×4 races until I convinced myself that I could do it, too. Eventually, I built my own 4×4 vehicle. It was still male-dominated; I was still the only woman. It’s not that I didn’t excel, I was never the champion, but I often placed as first runner-up. I didn’t really treat it as a career back then. I just enjoyed it, whether I placed or not, until a friend invited me to join the Vios Cup because I really love driving,” she said.
Maila was then under the National Association of Filipino Offroaders, led by President Ramon Toong of 199 Off-Road House.
“I guess I’m lucky to be able to do this, and that I can financially support myself. I don’t have sponsors. After a race, I go home to the province, work hard again, save up, and then race again. It’s expensive. And I guess, at my age, no one thinks to sponsor me.”
‘Late start’ still finishes 1st
Since 2018, she has been competing, and winning, in Toyota Motor Philippines’ Gazoo Racing Philippine Cup. She doesn’t mind her “late” start in the sport.
“I’ve had quite a few wins. When I was in the Sporting Class, I won 7 out of the 9 possible races. That was in 2023, the year I finished second overall. Last year, I only got four wins—two championships, one second place, and one third. That’s okay. I’m proud that I can reach the podium next to (champion racer) Iñigo Anton. I first stood on the podium with him in 2024. In the endurance race, I placed third.”
A privilege at this age
Asked if it somehow feels strange that she’s competing against much younger drivers, Maila admitted: “Sometimes, yes. My competitors are in their late teens or early 20s. It’s quite late for me to start circuit racing because my rivals are often former karters who started when they were 8 or 9 years old. So yes, I find it special. It’s a privilege, actually, to be healthy enough to race at my age. Before I can secure a license from the AAP (Automobile Association Philippines), if you are 45 or older, you must pass a stress test. I can’t just ‘want’ to do it; I have to pass that test, ideally with flying colors. I do that every year to renew my license.”
Asked about being a woman in a male-dominated field, she shrugged. “At my age, I don’t think about those things anymore. I like what I’m doing and I’m happy. In fact, Mike Tuason, back when I was under his OTR team, asked me when I wanted to quit: ‘Are you happy?’ I said yes. He told me that’s what matters. The winnings will come, but being happy is the priority. When I entered motorsports, even with 4x4s, I knew sponsors would be hard to come by.”
‘Rice’ against time
Maila’s college path was originally a preparation for Medicine, but the family business called her back to the land.
“I’m a farmer. I manage the fields. I actually want to go home now because I know it’s harvest time. And I’m hands-on; when it’s time to harvest, I am there. I make sure the sacks are ready. I buy them myself. I handle the fuel and the food for the workers. I’m not the type to just let others handle the farm percentages. As the boss, I go there and inspect the crops. I check the condition of the rice. I’m the one who sends the fertilizer and the medicine, and instructs them when to spray. The land isn’t mine; it’s my father’s. He’s older now, so he asked me to manage it for a percentage.”
While Maila’s family is supportive, she still makes sure to tell her mother and siblings when the races are streaming so they can watch online.
In Isabela, her daily driver is a 2012 4×4 Hilux. For trips to Manila, she switches to a hybrid Camry. She represents Toyota Isabela, which provides partial sponsorship including her car’s livery, mechanics, food, fuel, and parts like brake pads and filters during race weeks. She also receives up to 25 percent discounts on auto parts. However, Maila bought her own Vios for the competition.
“When I started, there were three classes: Promotional, Sporting, and Super Sporting. To move up, you have to finish in the top three of your class. Some people choose to jump straight to Super Sporting after placing in Promotional, but I chose to go through every level. I’m really proud to be in Super Sporting now. In 2021, I was third overall in the Promotional Class, which promoted me to Sporting. In 2023, I was second overall in Sporting. I’ve now spent two years placing fourth overall in Super Sporting. This could be my last chance to win the overall title. I want to aim higher than what I’ve already achieved.”
Maila believes circuit racing is a journey of never-ending learning. Now training under veteran racer Edgen Dy-liacco, she is eager for new insights. Even after the Vios era ends, she looks forward to the next challenge.
“I hope there’s a car available that I can afford. That’s my journey. I’ll keep fighting. I’m ticking off my bucket list. Some might call it luck, but I can’t really say it’s just luck because I really worked hard for it. I trained hard. I show up, and I go to the race prepared. I make use of whatever I have. I have fun!”
