Bianca Gonzales, 3 other foreign celebrities get ready for eco-marathon

MANILA, Philippines – Four celebrities, one car.

Bianca Gonzales, Lisa Surihani, Jean Danker and Alex Rendell took the 1.2 kilometer Shell Eco-marathon track Friday in their Shell prototype cars during a practice session for the automobile race in Manila Saturday.

Bianca Gonzales. Hotaru Niitsu/INQUIRER.net

Representing the Philippines, Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand, the four participants took turns driving the prototype car as some student teams practiced for the races.

Gonzales said that with the car’s sleek and small design, the whole drive was a “sensory experience.”

Sumihari, who represents Malaysia, said after the practice drive around the track, which traverses along the Rizal Park, Manila Hotel and the Quirino Grandstand, she was shaking.

“With the design of the car, you’re very close to the ground,” said Gonzales who drove the car in a near lying-down position.

Despite the physical discomfort, Gonzales said that she would drive all over again.

“I will do this until the end,” Gonzales said.