“Dominic Ochoa: My Consultant”

Dom, as we call him comes to the set with reading materials. Magazines featuring cars, the latest models and how to maintain them are the stuff he is reading while waiting for takes on the set. This interest in magazines about cars has something to do with his hobby: collecting cars!

Yes, if some people are into collecting stamps while others are into collecting bottles, Dom is into collecting cars for a hobby! He does not simply collect cars, as in buying it and displaying it in the garage but he makes sure that all of them are in good running condition. One time he related to us that he has to buy from an exclusive importer of spare parts for his imported cars like his Range Rovers. By the way, I had the chance to ride one of his Range Rovers. It was during one of our appearance in ASAP 09 when he offered us a short ride from the ABS-CBN parking to a restaurant nearby where we ate late lunch!

One time, an office mate at the Social Security System asked me a favor to tell Dom that their group of Volkswagen owners will have an event in Camp Crame and if Dom would have the time to be the host for said event. Dom is an active member of the group of Volkswagen owners. When I relayed the message to Dom, he was giving it a serious thought. He wanted to attend the event but that time, we were so busy taping three times a week for the show and it was physically impossible for him to attend that car collectors event!

By the way, aside from acting, Dom is also a good host. In the past, he was so popular as one of the hosts of a noontime show in ABS-CBN. Dom related to us his fun memories everytime the noontime show went out of the country for a remote telecast. He told us that it was the normal practice that fans will shower them with gifts but it was always Bentong – another host of that defunct noontime show who would receive the most number of gifts!

Now that the show is about to end, I will have fun memories with the stars of the show. With Dom, I will never forget the advises he gave me everytime I have problems with my car. There was a time my radiator broke down. I was coming home one early morning from taping in Bacolor in Pampanga when I observed that the temperature reading of my car went up to the hottest point in the temperature gauge. It was a blessing that I was only a few kilometers away from my house when it happened. When I opened the engine hood, I noticed that my radiator broke down.

I canvassed for a replacement of my radiator. While doing my canvass, I realized that there are now several types of radiator. The original radiator on my Ford Lynx 2005 is made of plastic material. It is disposable and non-repairable. An auto supply told me he has a replacement also made of plastic material and made in China. Another auto supply told me he has a replacement made also of plastic material but made in Malaysia.A third auto supply told me he has a radiator made of metal and manufactured in the Philippines. He said since it is made of metal, it is not disposable but repairable. Of the three types, the locally made is priced at P7,500 and the Made in China is the cheapest at P5,500.00. Faced with the dilemma on what type of radiator to buy, I texted Dom to consult him and to ask for his opinion.

After a while, Dom called me up apologizing of his not being able to text back immediately. He advised me to buy the made in China plastic radiator citing that with the price at P5,500.00 it is the best choice the fact that China-made products are now durable. Plus the fact that it is only P5,500.00 he said that by the time it will break down, if ever, I would have already used it to the fullest to recover its cost!

 I am planning to buy another car on May this year. Again, I consulted Dom on what he would recommend to buy between an Isuzu D-Max pick up 4 X 2 and a Toyota Hi Lux pick up 4 X 2. His advise is to go for the one with the highest resale value, and its the Toyota Hi Lux. I am however contemplating on buying the Isuzu D- Max with one consideration: Isuzu is the oldest in diesel-fed car making. Hope I will make the right choice.