Actor and former Parañaque City Councilor Jomari Yllana opened up about a lesser-known part of his youth during a press conference for the upcoming Okada Manila Motorsport Carnivale 2025, an event he is organizing through his Yllana Racing Team in partnership with Okada Manila.
Long before turning pro, Jomari revealed he started his racing journey underground — and even got arrested for it.
“I started very young, but underground, illegal,” he said with a laugh, recalling the time he was caught drag racing in Greenhills back in the ‘90s, during his Gwapings days with Mark Anthony Fernandez and Eric Fructuoso. “I used to race for bets. I remember, hinuli pa ‘ko ni Mayor Jinggoy no’n. ‘Yun ‘yung time na ‘yan, ‘yung mga illegal drag racers na nandiyan sa creek side in Greenhills.”
Jomari recounted being lined up at the police station after the incident. “Nakapila kami sa presinto,” he said, chuckling. Then-mayor Jinggoy Estrada of San Juan recognized him and asked if he was the actor who hung out with Mark Anthony Fernandez. “He let me go but told me not to do it again.”
That moment became a turning point in Jomari’s life. “I went professional na after that,” he shared. “I was picked by Toyota Team TOM’S in 1996 to be a professional race car driver. I learned a lot from them. That started my advocacy for road safety and to promote legal racers.”
@lionheartv #JomariYllana inalala ang paghuli sa kanya noon ni #JinggoyEstrada na Mayor pa lamang noon dahil sa pagsali niya sa illegal car racing sa may Greenhills! #EntertainmentNewsPH #TiktokTainmentPH #BestOfTiktokPH #NewsPH #LionhearTV #RAWRNation
After taking a break in 2002 following the birth of his son Andre with actress Aiko Melendez, Jomari made a racing comeback in 2011. “I launched Yllana Racing Team and we competed in Korea—nakatsamba naman, nanalo,” he proudly said. “Two or three years ago, I tried rally sprint. We became the first diesel-engine powered car that won in a rally.”
Today, Jomari is focused on organizing professional, family-friendly racing events. Motorsport Carnivale 2025 kicks off on May 4 at Okada Manila with a full-day Super Sprint event from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., followed by the Grand Car Meet: Legends of the ’90s at 7 p.m.
On May 31, the Jom’s Cup 1/8-mile drag race will take place at the Boardwalk and Gardens of Okada Manila, featuring Super Car, Muscle Car, and Vintage Car categories.
Adding a sustainable twist, an EV (electric vehicle) showcase featuring celebrities will happen during event intermissions.
Jomari emphasized his mission behind the motorsport revival: “We want to rally every racing enthusiast, family, and fan into one inclusive and passionate motorsport community.”
The former actor-turned-public servant says his goal is to bring back the glory days of Philippine motorsport, “to put the Philippines back on the world map of motorsport.”