We need to talk about MIAS 2026

The first day of the annual Manila International Auto Show (MIAS) never comes easy. We know that based on past editions. 2026, however, took it to a new level. 

Opening on a holiday, the venue was packed like it was a Saturday with people of all ages looking for a new vehicle that can help insulate them from gas prices through electrification. To be honest, I've never seen a MIAS as packed as this.

To say the lines to get into the venue were long is an understatement. At one point, it was extended under the brutal sun; that was not good. That frustration goes double for the people who paid in advance (and thus had QR codes for easy entry), yet they still had to stay in line because the organizers weren't equipped, or the people at the door didn't get the memo.

Inside, it wasn't much better. The venue was fine for the events of 1996 when it was built, but it is woefully inadequate for the events of 2026. The size of the crowd was difficult to navigate for anyone there. The lights were dim, meaning showgoers had to see cars in darkness or use their flashlight functions on their phones to see the car they wanted to buy.

I was a bit concerned at the volume of people, so much so that I was making sure I could access an exit at any given time, just in case. Even some of the brand displays with sharp metal corners on the elevated floors were concerning. Aesthetics and commercial considerations must hop on the back seat when practical safety is concerned.

If you wanted to test drive, it was difficult too. Long lines were the norm at this packed first day, and there weren't many smiling faces at the test drive areas and pavilions outside, given the volume and the heat.

Of course there were some that lamented how the M in MIAS became Mainland and not Manila, given that only Kia was the sole non-Chinese auto brand there.  That didn’t seem to matter though, as the volume of people highlighted the shift towards China for automotive mobility; a clear indicator of how the actions and words of orange dude drove interest and purchases to buy electrified. And guess which country had a lot of that?

For us in the media, the situation at MIAS was frustrating too. The passes went missing for some. The darkness inside made shooting and filming impossible to get right. The overcrowding made it impossible to get any kind of clean shot.

The media center -the place where we go to write, process photos, edit, rest, and upload- was partially occupied like a dressing room for the dancers. On the topic of uploading, there was no wifi there either. When we got hungry, the stubs we had for lunch were not accepted at the only lunch venue; clearly, a problem of organization and coordination. 

These issues were not new, and many of us have voiced them to the organizers before. Perhaps the frustrations stem from our experience seeing motor shows abroad as press. We know what a true international-grade auto show can be like, where the press gets a whole day or even two to shoot content before the show opens to the public. The venues are bigger, with ample parking, and are easily accessible by train, and with an organization that enhances entry and exit, maximizes light, cuts noise completely, features no song and dance routines, and brings no celebrity endorsers. 

Why can't we have that? 

So there were jokes about a walkout. Of course those were just jokes, yet I know some toyed with the thought that it might be better to just go back to the office, call it a day, and just wait for the post-launch press release and images.

As I went about my motor show routine to do the walkaround and presentation at each pavilion for our channel, my perspectives changed. The frustrations of the event went away when random people started to come up to me.

These showgoers -enthusiasts and customers alike- walked up to me for a handshake, a chat, or even a photo. Most are those who watch my (amateurish) reviews regularly. Many bought cars because of my opinions and assessments. One couple said they bought a car I reviewed, then bought another I reviewed two weeks later for his wife. A 10-year old kid walked up with his dad and wanted a picture with me. One guy even walked up and thanked me for my review on a car that I have no recollection of. Then he remembered that it was my funnier, more handsome, and supremely fit but vertically-challenged colleague from another channel.

And you realize we can't really complain as members of the press; which is why I prefer making my observations and points for improvement on the spot to the organizers via DMs. What matters more is the experience of the average showgoer who probably walked longer distances, left their cars under the sun in a dusty parking lot far away, waited in those long lines even though they had a paid QR code and those that paid money to get in the show on the spot, only to experience all of the above. We in the press walked in with passes free of charge, had a room to stay in and relax, eventually had a buffet lunch (when the SNAFU was sorted out), were welcomed at the booths by industry friends from the different brands, and offered coffee, drinks, and a snack, yet there was a lot of grumbling among my peers. The sentiments are all understandable, but we are far from being the holders of the shorter straws.

I truly appreciate those who came up to greet me, and shake my hand. It really did make my day and put a smile on my face, no matter how tiring the day got. It's a reminder that our articles and videos are for real people who find our advice and reviews useful or even life-changing in this increasingly complex motoring and e-motoring world, and events like the Manila International Auto Show and the Philippine International Auto Show (if it pushes through in June) are chances for us to meet and connect. It was truly a pleasure, and is a reminder that we make content that is important for you just as much as it is important for the brands we work with.

The bottom line: the show has to do better. For now, there is nothing can be done about the venue, but the organization and managers must do something if they are to maintain their lead as the most attended industry automobile event in the country. There is a need for event management that thinks about the needs of the visitor just as much as they cater to the paying brands within. 

Changes shouldn't be made solely in response to the grumblings of us in the press. It is our job to point it all out not to receive privileges but to make a mark to help improve it for every attendee whether they are showgoers like children, parents and seniors, industry executives and personnel, staff that work the show, and the press.

Sure, we in the media desire a better motor show of true international caliber, but it is the regular visitor that deserves it more than us.