The thrill of a vintage sports car isn't found in a quiet garage, but on the open road, pushed to its limits. This is the spirit of the Tour de Cebu (TDC) Historic Sports Car Rally, which is gearing up for its most ambitious edition yet in November 2025.
Now in its 11th year, the rally will see over 50 participants—nearly double last year's count—navigate the scenic routes of Dumaguete and Negros Island for the very first time. The event was officially launched at a press conference held at Asmara Urban Resort & Lifestyle Village in Cebu City on November 12.
More Than a Race: Camaraderie and Precision
PACE Chairman Jayjay Neri shared the rally's humble beginnings, rooted in friendship. "We're a group of guys from all walks of life who happen to have one thing in common: love for cars," Neri recalled. "It's not only about running classic cars but also friendship and camaraderie. Every year we renew our friendship from all sides of the country."
Modeled after Italy's legendary Mille Miglia, the TDC is not about speed, but accuracy. "People always think races are about speed," said Ceasar Azanza, PACE Executive Director for TDC 2025. "But we realized TDC isn't about that. It's about accuracy." Secret checkpoints are placed along the route to ensure participants maintain a perfect pace—arriving too early or too late incurs penalties.
A Rolling Museum and a Personal Journey
World-renowned designer and PACE co-founder Kenneth Cobonpue describes the event as a "rolling museum," showcasing sports cars predominantly from 1978 and older. "Some of these cars are older than us. Many just stay inside garages around the country. But we choose to drive them as they're meant to be," he said.
Cobonpue also revealed a deeply personal motivation for this year's rally. His 24-year-old son, after surviving cancer, expressed a desire to drive his Alfa Romeo in the TDC. "He survived all the treatments. It was tough, and I found the car. We've been preparing to drive for TDC," Cobonpue shared.
Logistics, Tourism, and Giving Back
Driving 50-year-old machines over 1,000 kilometers is a massive undertaking. A huge support system of mechanics, ambulances, and towing teams is essential, with roughly one support vehicle for every three participant cars.
The TDC has also evolved into a powerful tourism driver, winning "Sports Tourism Adventure Event of the Year" in 2019 and 2023. The 2025 route will highlight four major cities in Negros: Dumaguete, Sipalay, Kabankalan, and Bayawan.
The event kicks off with an official car show on November 26 at Buglas Isla Café in Dumaguete, featuring participants from across the Philippines and international teams from Japan, Singapore, France, and Spain. A portion of the event's proceeds will be donated to the Emergency Rescue Unit Foundation (Eruf).
