Tamiya racers prep their cars on the track at the Tamiya Cup PH 2025 - 2nd Leg in Makati on April 5, 2025. Jed Laudencia, ABS-CBN News Intern

MANILA — What was once just a simple toy car for many children in the early 2000s is now taking center stage again, not only as a competitive sport but as a source of healing and nostalgia. 

Over 400 racers and hobbyists gathered at Circuit Makati on Saturday, April 5, for the Tamiya Cup PH 2025 -  2nd Leg, one of the biggest Mini 4WD races in the country.

While it served as a qualifier for the international Tamiya Cup in Taiwan this June, the event felt like more than just a race. It became a shared space for stories of childhood nostalgia. 

For many participants, the connection to Tamiya started long ago, and its influence continues to resonate deeply in their lives.

Ron Conteno, a racer from Bulacan, was one of the many who found his love for the sport at an early age. 

“Parang na-love at first sight ka [ako] kasi yun nga karera ng kotse, mahilig tayo sa [kotse,] ganun,” Conteno said, recounting the first time he saw Tamiya cars on TV during his childhood.

(It was like love at first sight because it was a race and I am really fond of cars.)

“And ayun, nagpabili pa ako sa nanay ko noon ng Tamiya,” he said. He got his first Tamiya car when he was in Grade 1.

(And so I asked my mom to buy me a Tamiya.)

As he grew older, Tamiya racing became more than just a hobby as it became a passion, something he could always turn to for joy and connection.

Jomaine Lozada, who has made waves in the racing scene after competing and winning the BMAX-GP Force Labo World Cup 2024 in Yokohama, Japan, also found his love for Tamiya as a child.

“Mga 5 or 6 years old, sinasama ako ng Kuya ko dati. Noon, nanonood lang [sa kanya],” he said. What started as simply watching turned into a lifelong pursuit.

(I was 5 or 6 years old, my Kuya would bring me to the races to watch.)

Lozada’s relationship with Tamiya changed over the years. For him, it became more than just building and racing—-it became a therapeutic escape. 

“Gusto mag-grow yung community kasi ansarap sa feeling at tsaka mawawala talaga problema mo.”

(I want the community to grow because it really feels good and you forget your problems for a while.)

Meanwhile, female racer Joyce Ann Faustino, the last woman standing in the XSTOCK category, broke barriers and proved that passion knows no gender.

Despite her joke about pregnancy being her secret to advancing finals, Faustino’s achievement in finishing 4th place in her category speaks volumes about her perseverance.

Joyce Ann Faustino during the final match in the XSTOCK category during the 2025 Tamiya Cup PH | Jed Laudencia, ABS-CBN News Intern“Kilala nung bata pa lang. Pero hindi ako naglalaro…..Ah, buntis din ako…Baka suwerte lang kaya umabot ako ng ganito,” she joked, holding back a proud smile.

(I was familiar with it since I was a child, but I didn't really play. Oh, I am also pregnant, that might be good luck)

And then there’s 12-year-old Joshua Ledesma, one of the youngest participants in the competition and who shares a special connection to the sport through his family.

“Natuloy ko lang po dahil nalaman ko din po family ko nagta-Tamiya dati. Tas na-engganyo po ako. Nagpabili po ako ng isa, tas ngayon tuloy-tuloy na po siya,” he said.

(I found out that my family used to race Tamiyas, so I'm just continuing it. I asked them to buy me one and I have kept at it)

For Joshua, it isn't a hobby but a family tradition. His story also shows that time management is key, as he balances school and his passion for playing Tamiya. 

This sense of nostalgia isn’t just shared by the racers but also by the people behind the event. 

Ferdie Kahn, the founder of The Brickyard and Lil’s Hobby Center, views Tamiya racing as a way to reconnect with people.

Tamiya racers, hobbyists, and collectors gather at 2025 Mini 4WD Philippine Cup on April 5, 2025 | Jed Laudencia, ABS-CBN News Intern.“This sport is really more [of] a hobby…… where you find people with the same interest,” Khan said, emphasizing that playing Tamiya is more than just a hobby; it's a big community. 

“We have some customers who are maybe about 7, 8 years old…… And then we of course have uh all the way till about 60-70 years old,” he added. 

As the event wrapped up, participants shared how the Tamiya Cup 2025 was more than just a competition—it was a chance to relive childhood memories and connect with others who share the same love and passion. 

Christopher Cervantes, the champion of both XSTOCK and STOCK Pro Advance categories, said he started in high school.

“Sobrang saya kasi ito yung pinapangarap ko talaga…”

(I'm very happy because this has been a dream.)

With  racers like Cervantes heading to Taiwan for the international Tamiya Cup this June, the future of Mini 4WD racing in the Philippines looks bright. 

In the end, the event served as more than just a competition; it became a way where racers could rediscover the joy of their childhood, proving that no matter how old we get, the thrill of racing and the joy of play never truly fades.