‘I-O-U’ this IOS, dad
May 8, over a month ahead of Father’s Day, was a special occasion. A daughter went up the stage and paid tribute to a father who built the establishment inaugurated that day.
The father was Dominic Edgard Angeles Cabangon, 61, who passed away exactly two months ago (March 8). D. Edgard—Chairman of Isuzu Gencars Inc., one of Isuzu Philippines Corporation’s (IPC) longtime, trusted dealer partners—was supposed to inaugurate the Isuzu Sta. Rosa dealership in Laguna as a physically and operationally transformed Isuzu Outlet Standard (IOS) facility, at par with the Japanese brand’s global outlets. He was also the chairman of the ALC Group of Companies.
But it was not meant to be. Isuzu Sta. Rosa completed its transformation, but D. Edgard passed on before he could present the dealership to the public. The two months since had become a time to grieve.
Mourning gave way to a celebration of life with a more meaningful purpose when, on May 8, we witnessed Giannina Eunice A. Cabangon, D. Edgard’s daughter and operations executive of Gencars Inc., take the podium to acknowledge her father’s dedication to the values of relationship and connection.
“Last year, we underwent a full IOS transformation that has brought us a refreshed showroom, improved service areas, and a more elevated customer experience overall. Today, we gather not only to mark a milestone, but to give meaning to this moment,” Giannina said. “We take this occasion to offer everything we have achieved here to the man who made all of this possible… the man who helped build Isuzu Gencars into what it is today.”
Giannina continued: “Gencars was always very close to Dad’s heart. He was there from the early days, building it alongside our late founder, my grandfather, Ambassador Antonio L. Cabangon Chua. Throughout the decades, Dad grew and expanded Gencars with a vision deeply rooted in nurturing relationships. For Isuzu Sta. Rosa, Dad saw this IOS construction project as a way to honor the Isuzu brand and to provide our clients with the global standard of service they deserve.”
TRSALAZAR)
Giannina narrated that, even as D. Edgard was receiving medical treatment abroad, his focus remained on the project. “While Dad was in Singapore for his treatment last year, I would always give him updates regarding this construction. We had originally hoped to relaunch on Gencars Sta. Rosa’s 8th anniversary last December, but since he was still abroad, I suggested that we move the relaunch to a later date until he was back in Manila. He agreed because he truly wanted to be here to celebrate with all of us. But in late January or early February, when I brought up this event again and tried asking about possible dates, he just told me: ‘Don’t hold the schedule anymore just for me. Proceed with the inauguration.’
“We would have all waited for him for as long as it took,” she added. “But even in his most difficult moments, he was looking out for us, making sure that we continued to move forward. While we mourn his passing and still deeply feel his absence, we also hold on to the belief that he is with us today, watching and celebrating with us as we finally officially relaunch Isuzu Sta. Rosa.”
Giannina said that her father lived by a simple principle: “Relationship first; the rest will follow.”
“He taught us all that success is built on genuine bonds, and that to truly grow, we must keep those connections at the heart of everything we do. Today, we don’t just relaunch a building; we renew our promise to uphold those values. And to Dad, this is for you. Today is more than a relaunch. It is a tribute, a continuation, and a commitment to carry forward your legacy. We will do our best to make you proud.”
The modernized Sta. Rosa dealership elevates IPC’s presence in South Luzon and reflects its ongoing dealership modernization program. This initiative aims to refresh the brand’s presence nationwide and elevate the overall customer experience, from vehicle purchase to after-sales service.
Located in one of South Luzon’s key growth corridors, the Isuzu Sta. Rosa dealership spans a total floor area of 6,798 sqm. It features a 539-sqm showroom capable of displaying three light commercial vehicles and two trucks. The facility includes a new sales lounge, a dedicated vehicle handover area, and an improved body repair and paint area. Additionally, a 2,198-sqm service facility is equipped with five service bays for LCVs and two dedicated truck bays.
IPC President Mikio Tsukui said: “At Isuzu, our commitment goes beyond expanding our reach. We are equally focused on continuously improving our dealership facilities to ensure that every customer receives the same high level of service and care, wherever they may be in the country. With the opening of Isuzu Sta. Rosa, we move closer to delivering a consistent and enhanced ownership experience across all our 50 dealerships nationwide.”
Gencars Inc. President Lerma Nacnac expressed optimism about the new facility’s impact: “This dealership represents our continued investment in providing better service to our customers. With improved facilities and expanded capacity, we are confident that we can further elevate customer satisfaction and meet the growing demands of the Sta. Rosa and nearby communities.”
IPC added that the company’s strength lies in its robust after-sales support and extensive nationwide network. This system reinforces Isuzu’s reputation as “Your Responsible Partner,” delivering durable, fuel-efficient vehicles backed by reliable service standards. This commitment has enabled Isuzu to maintain its leadership as the country’s number one truck brand for over two decades.
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