THE 2023 Rolls-Royce previously owned by contractor couple Sarah and Curlee Discaya will first undergo a religious blessing and an indigenous cleansing ritual before being parked or displayed, according to its new owner.
Pio Velasco, founder of the Igorot Stone Kingdom, purchased the luxury vehicle during a Bureau of Customs (BOC) auction on Feb. 11 for more than P29 million, saying he wanted to preserve its history.
In a report, Velasco said he plans to bring the Rolls-Royce to a church before transferring it to an undisclosed garage.
The vehicle will also be subjected to a traditional Igorot ritual known as daw-es, to be led by a mambunong, or native priest, which involves prayers and offerings such as chicken, pig, or dog.
“Darating ‘yung mga Igorot elders natin at mambunong, mga am-ama to cleanse the car para hindi natin idating sa ating lugar ‘yung curse niya if ever,” Velasco said.
He added that the car is intended to be displayed at another tourist attraction he is building in Benguet after plans to exhibit it at the Igorot Stone Kingdom did not push through.
Velasco also addressed questions about his finances, admitting he previously led PG Construction and worked as a contractor for about 20 years.
“Hindi po galing sa masamang pera ‘yan, galing po sa clean money ‘yan, galing sa hirap at sa malinis na paraan. ‘Yung mga lumabas na contractor ako, opo contractor ako, small time lang for the past two decades,” he said.
“Pero noong 2017, tumigil na kami sa pangongontrata. Maliliit ang project namin, wala pang P50 million… kami ‘yung good contractor at honest contractor,” he added.
