“Matsuri” is the Japanese word for “festival.” Thus, “Suzuki Matsuri 2025” literally translates to “Suzuki Festival 2025”. This marks Suzuki Philippines’ special way of celebrating its 50th Anniversary.
Held at the Activity Area of SM Mall of Asia on June 14-15, 2025, the two-day festival showcased SPH’s trifecta of mobility products – from motorcycles to automobiles to marine outboard motors.
SPH created a Matsuri Village at the SM MOA venue that was divided into several showcases. The Urban showcase displayed Suzuki’s mobility products for the city such as the Burgman scooter models, and the new Dzire Hybrid 4-door sedan. The Adventure showcase featured the V-Strom adventure bike models, the Jimny 3-door and 5-door models, the XL7 Hybrid, and the outboard motors. The Sports showcase highlighted the GSX big bike models, including a black GSX1300R Hayabusa that was mounted on a leaning position so people could be photographed as if they were banking it into a corner at a race track.
Day One
On Saturday, June 14th, the first day of the Suzuki Matsuri 2025, the opening ceremonies were led by SPH President Koichiro Hirao, Managing Director Norminio “Boying” Mojica, Suzuki Automobile Division General Manager and Director Norihide Takei, SPH Directors, and officers from Suzuki Motor Corporation, all wearing stylized kimonos. The event marked 50 Years of Suzuki in the Philippines, which began in 1975 with the establishment of Antonio Suzuki Corporation, a joint venture between Suzuki and a Filipino company to produce motorcycles. In 1985, Suzuki took full ownership of the operation and renamed the company Suzuki Philippines, Inc.
SPH entered the Philippine automobile market in 1999 with the Vitara SUV and the Carry subcompact van and pickup models. By 2012, SPH was producing around 200,000 motorcycles annually. In 2016, SPH relocated its assembly plant from Pasig to Carmelray Industrial Park in Canlubang, Laguna, and simultaneously established its Marine Division, which sold outboard motors. For their 50th Anniversary at the Suzuki Matsuri 2025, SPH gave a sneak peek of their upcoming 5-door compact crossover SUV, the Suzuki Fronx Hybrid.
Day Two
For several motoring journalists and Suzuki motorcycle and scooter riders, their Sunday (June 15th) started very early. Around 1,300 riders converged at 10th Avenue in Caloocan City, considered the Motorcycle Mecca of Metro Manila, for the start of the Suzuki Big Ride 2025. At 8:30 AM, SPH Marketing Manager/Assistant Division Head for Motorcycle Sales & Marketing Daigo Morikawa flagged off the riders as they rode along Epifanio delos Santos Avenue (EDSA) from Caloocan to the SM Mall of Asia (MOA) grounds in Pasay City.
Upon arriving at the SM MOA grounds in front of Lansom Place Hotel, the 1,300 participating riders were treated to various activities, including test rides of various Suzuki motorcycles and scooter models on site, as well as fun games and several raffle draws at the Suzuki Matsuri Village inside the mall. SPH President Hirao drew the lucky winner of a brand-new 2025 Suzuki V-Strom 250SX, with Managing Director Mojica and Division Head for Motorcycle Sales and Marketing, Jose “Joey” Salavarria, handing the key to the winner. Suzuki rider Eric Palominio was visibly surprised and pleased with his good luck.
It seems symbolic for the Suzuki Big Ride 2025 to pass by the Bonifacio Monument, a rotunda located at the north end of EDSA, and the SM Globe at SM MOA, another rotunda situated at the south end of EDSA. The end-to-end EDSA route captures the essence of the continuous loop that is Highway 54, as EDSA was formerly known. The constant loop also signifies the improvement, changes, and challenges that have traversed this main thoroughfare. For the Suzuki Matsuri 2025, the route symbolizes the continuous progress that Suzuki has achieved in the Philippines for the past five decades. Omedeto gozaimas!
