UPHSD brings PHL back on track in Shell energy-efficient car race

By Roderick L. Abad

THE University of Perpetual Help System-Dalta (UPHSD) made it to

and the Middle East.

Patience finally paid off for the UPHSD’s ALTAS Valor group, composed of Mechanical Engineering students Jacob Moises Torres, Emelito Montano Jr., Mark Angelo Jacinto, Reiven Christian Pagtakhan and Evan Anthony Gindoy. After four years of persistent attempts, they were able to bring the Philippines back on track at the annual global competition that challenges college learners to design, build and test energy-efficient vehicles.

The 2023 SEM Asia-Pacific and the Middle East held at the Pertamina Mandalika International Street Circuit in Lombok, Indonesia gathered 76 team-participants from 13 countries in the regions. As it promoted safe and sustainable mobility, the contest required all vehicles to go through several stages of inspection.

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“This is all about passing the checkpoints. You only do that if you have a thorough and deep understanding of the rules, and you can implement the rules properly,” said Race Director

Pepon Marave. Since the arrival of their vehicle last July 4, members of ALTAS Valor started addressing concerns they discovered with the guidance of team adviser Jo - ebert Guzon. They worked tirelessly to address the said issues for three days.

While having a brake system problem during the final hour of the scheduled technical inspection, they unexpectedly got assistance from S.U. Racing Team of Kazakhstan to have the brakes fixed. This allowed them to prepare and pass the detailed scrutiny, thus making them beat the July 7 deadline, and finally hit the track on July 8.

“We are grateful for the [other teams’ assistance. Despite being rivals], they willingly helped us to pass the technical inspection,” said Torres, who is ALTAS Valor team manager. Winners for the three subcategories of Urban Concept vehicles were all from Indonesia, as Semar Urban UGM claimed the