Shell Rimula Tsuperstar

Shell Rimula Tsuperstar 2019

Shell Rimula Tsuperstar

If there’s something that Pilipinas Shell has learned in 105 years in the Philippines, it’s that the Filipino heart is driven by two strong passions: a love for family, and for singing. In celebration of Filipino culture and the hardworking Filipino driver, Pilipinas Shell organized Shell Rimula Tsuperstar: a nationwide singing competition open to jeepney driver patrons of the oil brand. 

It took five months, from April to October.The initial 300 applicants were trimmed down to 200 official participants, which were further narrowed down to 50 regional finalists competing in Metro Manila, North Luzon, South Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. The remaining 10 finalists, accompanied by their respective spouses, were brought to the Grand Finals at the Sta. Lucia East Grand Mall. 

Talented singers showed off their belting prowess and style (with one contender from Mindanao wearing the all-white sequined costume sewn by his wife), but in the end it was jeepney driver-balladeer Carlito Vergara from Bulacan who bagged the Tsuperstar grand champion title. He also won the “People’s Choice Award” bestowed by online voters. 

Ticket out of poverty 

Winning a singing contest is arguably the “Filipino dream,” with thousands of hopefuls joining any number of competitions each year to attain fame and fortune. As grand champion Tsuperstar, Mr. Vergara received Php500,000 and one year’s supply of Heavy- Duty Diesel Engine Oil and Shell Fuel. 

“I’ll use this prize to secure our children’s education. I don’t want them to be like me that unless I ply my route or accept singing gigs, I won’t have any money,” a grateful Vergara says in the vernacular. “Being a Shell Rimula ‘Tsuperstar’ is going to change my family’s life. That’s why I can never thank Shell enough for this blessing.” 

Vergara has been driving his brother-in-law’s passenger jeep for 16 years but admits this isn’t enough for his family of five. He used his singing talent to help his family by performing in weddings, fiestas, and barangay singing contests. Vergara has even worked as an entertainer in Japan. Singing just wouldn’t pay enough; until now. Vergara’s fiercest rivals also received substantial prizes: Mindanao “Tsuperstar” Rodrigo Belarmino from Davao won 1st runner-up and the “Ka-JODA Choice Award” and received Php 200,000, while Roland Salazar, also from Davao, brought home 2nd runner-up honors and Php 100,000. Consolation prizes of smaller cash value were provided to the remaining seven contenders 

“The Rimula tagline is ang langis na kasing-sipag mo’ [the oil that works just as hard as you]. The brand is really giving recognition to the hard work that the driver is putting in each day. It’s time to make the driver the bida sa kalsada.”

- Recca Menchavez, Shell Rimula Brand Manager

Working class hero

A familiar face, TV superstar and Shell Rimula brand ambassador Coco Martin, presented the award to Vergara. “I have huge respect for jeepney drivers, as I am a jeepney driver’s son myself,” says Martin, in the vernacular. “When I started making money from indie films, the first business I invested in was three tricycles and a passenger jeep. Because I grew up surrounded by that, it was what I knew.” 

Beyond being a marketing event, the Tsuperstar competition is a way for Pilipinas Shell to connect with its most valuable stakeholders, to recognize their gifts, to support their passion, and to reward their trust. It strengthens the partnership between Shell and the jeepney drivers, who rely on the performance of Shell products and services. 

The intent of oil brand is really to support Filipino drivers. “The Rimula tagline is ang langis na kasing-sipag mo’ [the oil that works just as hard as you]. The brand is really giving recognition to the hard work that the driver is putting in each day. It’s time to make the driver the bida sa kalsada. [the star on the road], says Shell Rimula Brand Manager Recca Menchavez. 

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