With the break underway, Timothy and Hana excused themselves and were just outside of the conference room.

"This is going to be a massive investment on our part based on the reports the executives just made," Timothy said.

"Yes sir, I am already aware of that," Hana replied. "Though what did you wish to speak with me?"

"Well, we are going to hail the Philippine government on this matter. They have to know we are making a significant investment in the Philippines. I want you to work with our Filipino executives here after the meeting," Timothy said.

"Very well sir," Hana answered with a short nod.

The two stepped back into the conference room. Conversations hushed as the executives realized the meeting was about to resume. Timothy moved to his seat at the head of the table, Hana standing slightly to the side with her notebook in hand.

Timothy glanced down the line of faces and spoke firmly. "Let's proceed. We've covered construction, raw materials, and financing. Now let's hear from marketing. Angela, the floor is yours."

Angela Cruz sat up straighter, a confident spark in her eyes. "Thank you, Mr. Guerrero." She tapped her tablet, and the large screen behind her shifted to a series of high-resolution images Timothy had sent her days earlier.

She gestured at the screen. "These vehicles are our main selling point. And make no mistake—they're not just cars. They're statements."

The slide shifted to an interior view: minimalist dashboards with wide infotainment screens, customizable ambient lighting, ergonomic seating. Then another—sleek pastel hatchbacks designed for city driving, followed by bold crossovers aimed at families.

Angela leaned forward slightly, her tone deliberate. "Filipino consumers have long been stuck with outdated, bare-bones vehicles sold at inflated prices. We change that. TG Motors will launch with EVs that are aesthetically pleasing, modern, and packed with features rivaling Japanese and Korean imports—but at a price point that undercuts them."

The screen split into two: TG's hatchback prototype versus a Toyota Wigo and BYD Dolphin. The differences were stark.

"We're not just competing on technology," Angela continued, "we're competing on aspiration. People don't just want an affordable car—they want one that looks good, feels premium, and makes a statement when parked in their driveway. That's what will win the Philippine market."

Her finger slid across the screen, now showing sample ads mocked up by her team: bright cityscapes, families smiling in their driveways, young professionals charging their cars in sleek urban hubs. The tagline read: "Drive the Future, Built at Home."

"Local pride is also part of the message," Angela said firmly. "These cars won't just be imported. They'll be built here, in the Philippines, by Filipinos. That resonates. It ties the product to the national identity—and gives us the edge over every foreign brand that still treats this market as an afterthought."

Timothy tapped his knuckles lightly against the table, his eyes on the screen.

"Can I ask a question?" Dr. Akira Sato raised his hand.

"Yes?"

"I am going to say, that I am pleased with the design, and also the engineering behind it, thanks to Mr. Guerrero for sending me the bluerprints and schematics for each and one of the vehicles. But there is one concern that gnaws my mind. What are we going to do with the perception among Filipinos that the products made by them are just subpar in terms of quality? You know Filipinos don't trust products that are made locally."

"Colonial mentality," Timothy muttered under his breath.

The room went still. A few executives exchanged knowing looks, because they all understood the weight of those words.

"Dr. Sato, that is indeed the biggest hurdle. Filipinos have been conditioned to believe foreign brands equal quality. It's why Japanese, Korean, and even Chinese cars dominate the market. But that perception can be challenged—through proof, through visibility, and through pride."

She flicked to another slide. A simple phrase appeared in bold letters: "Global Standards, Filipino Hands."

"Our strategy," she continued, "is to position TG Motors as both global and local. We highlight that our engineering is backed by international experts like yourself, Dr. Sato, and our supply chain comes from the same tier-one partners that supply Tesla, Hyundai, and Toyota. But—our assembly lines, our workforce, our final product—those will proudly bear the mark of Filipino craftsmanship. We don't run from it. We embrace it."

Luis Santiago, the CFO of the Philippine subsidiary, interjected. "But Angela, consumers are cynical. Ads alone won't change minds. What if the first batch has even a hint of defect? That could cripple us before we even start."

"That won't happen through quality control," Angela simply replied. "That is an important part and I am sure that the engineering team won't mess it up."

"Well, time will tell and I'm betting a huge amount of money on it," Timothy said. "Now, executives from the TG Motors Philippines, do you have any questions from our executives from the holding company?"

Silence settled for a moment as Timothy's question hung in the air. The Philippine executives exchanged glances, weighing whether to probe further. But the presentation had been thorough—construction, raw materials, financing, and now marketing. The foundation was clear, and the risks were already acknowledged.

Carlos Mendoza spoke first. "On our side, Mr. Guerrero, I believe the reports covered everything we needed to understand. It was comprehensive. At this stage, no further questions."

Luis Santiago gave a short nod in agreement. "I concur. The financial frameworks and supplier strategies are ambitious, but solid. No additional concerns from me."

Samantha Estolas leaned back in her chair, her hands folded neatly. "Operations will adjust accordingly once construction is finalized. For now, I have no questions."

Finally, Dr. Melissa Tan pushed her glasses up and spoke with a small smile. "Marketing was convincing. As long as quality assurance is non-negotiable, I believe the perception challenge can be overcome. No questions."

Timothy let his eyes sweep the table once more, satisfied by the unified response. He gave a sharp nod.

"Very well. Then that concludes our meeting. Thank you, everyone. Now, let's make it official."

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