John I. Tagabuel grinned as he climbed into the driver's seat of his newest truck-a customized tube-frame dirt buggy that he won in the Budweiser King Off the Road promotion.
“I will bring this home first, show it to my family and drive around for a while,” said Tagabuel during a simple turnover ceremony yesterday at the MARPAC office in Gualo Rai.
MARPAC marketing manager Jojo Camacho, who handed over the vehicle's key to Tagabuel, said the buggy is worth between $28,000 to $40,000.
Tagabuel was among the huge crowd that waited several hours during the grand raffle draw held Saturday night at the Hard Rock Café.
He said could not explain how he felt about winning because he himself was shocked at the turn of events.
“I just kept running around because I was so excited,” said Tagabuel, an employee at the Department of Labor.
He said he dropped 24 coupons during the promotional period from April 13 to July 4 then added three more coupons during the night of the grand draw.
It was the first time he has won in any raffle draw.
Like last year, Tagabuel's coupon was the second to be picked as the first winner was not around.
The dirt buggy was built by 13 people in a period of eight months at the J.Q. Fabrication in Guam.
It is powered by a Toyota engine with a 4-cylinder motor and Toyota axles. Its frame alone cost about $15,000. It has a detachable steering wheel.
However, Tagabuel cannot drive his buggy along Saipan's highways. In fact Tagabuel doesn't know yet what to do with the truck. Mechanics will have to explain to him how to operate it.
Other prizes won included Budweiser gear, cellular phones from Docomo Pacific and items from Boarderline.
The promo was co-sponsored by Hard Rock Café Saipan, Docomo Pacific, Hertz, Boarderline, Power 99, Chalan Kanoa Beach Hotel, Sauza, and Saipan Shipping.
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