Going the extra ‘Maila’
As Women’s Month is slowly unfolding, we get to hear amazing stories of women who have shaped history and have inspired many. We have Amelia Earhart, Billie Jean King, Oprah Winfrey, Helen Keller and so many others.
Similarly, in our local motorsports scene, we don’t have to look that far.
Just this weekend, one individual was able to embody that same spirit by facing adversity in the world of motorsports; and thus eventually emerging stronger and better, not to mention finally coming out on top.
Meet 55-year-old Maila Alivia of Toyota Isabela–champion of both Races 1 and 2 of the Super Sporting Class of the Toyota Gazoo Racing Philippine Cup this Race Weekend 1. For starters, the Super Sporting Class is the highest level of racing in the said annual one-make race series, making it the most intense and most competitive compared to the other classes, namely: Novice, Sporting and Legacy.
“It’s been surreal. I can’t believe that I’m already here,” said an elated Alivia during an exclusive interview with Inquirer Motoring.
“It’s always been my dream–to be a champion,” she added.
“I would like to take these two wins as my inspiration for the next races.”
A long time coming
According to the Isabela native, she had to endure a lot of challenges before reaching this kind of level in her racing career.
“My journey has been a lot of tears,” she divulged.
Her inception in the realm of motorsports began with extreme 4×4 races in 2004; and it was not only until 2018 when she started in circuit racing.
“Back then, it took me a long time. For years, I didn’t win anything. I didn’t place on the podium,” she shared.
“Actually, I was about to quit.”
She explained further–however–that somebody made her rediscover the joys of just being there racing.
“Mike Tuason of Tuason Racing asked me if I was having fun–and I said ‘yes’ and that I think made the difference.”
From there, she likewise commended her coach, Bjorn Ongtiabok, of Precision Speed Racing.
“Thankfully, I have a very good coach.”
Nothing to prove as a woman
After being in the Promotional Class for a couple of years, she was promoted to Sporting Class in 2023, eventually clinching the Second Overall plum that year. By 2024, she was elevated to the Super Sporting Class, winning herself a few podium spots.
This year, for the very first races of the season, she was already making a statement–not as a woman, but as a racer.
“I would like others to address me as a racer and not as a woman,” she said.
“Hindi porket babae ka, ganito, ganyan.”
“I’m not trying to prove something with the statement that ‘I’m a woman and can make it’,” Alivia continued.
For her, she capitalized on training simply because she loved racing.
“I just wanted this. It’s my passion.”
As for her advice to other women who want to venture into motorsport racing, she said that they should push for it.
“A lot of women are afraid. But just give it a chance. It’s never too late,” said the ‘Ate’ in a family of seven siblings.
“I guess one plus factor also is that I have a very supportive family.”
Others shining
Other than Alivia, another racer who shined during this race weekend was none other than Toyota Motor Philippines president, Masando Hashimoto, who placed second in Race 1, third in Race 2 and again second in the endurance race of the Novice Class.
“I’m just happy. I feel more relaxed now compared to when I first joined racing last year,” he said to this writer.
Meanwhile, sim racer Luis Moreno was likewise elated, winning a couple of races in his debut in the Novice Class.
Also, fellow sim racer and Sporting Class newbie Russel Reyes left everyone in his class in the dust, not to mention another Super Sporting neophyte Alain Alzona clinching a couple of podium spots.
Overall, it’s been a weekend of overcoming adversities, pursuing one’s dreams and turning them into reality. Here, the power of resilience and the importance of never giving up truly knows no gender.
