FILIPINA DRIFT DRIVER BELLA CAÑETE MAKES STRONG DEBUT IN KOREA DRIFT SERIES
(PHOTOS:) Top – Ambassador Bernadette Therese C. Fernandez (left in black dress) and Cultural Attache Anthony Z. Cornista warmly receive Mr. Erwin O. Cañete – Father/Manager, Ms. Lara Vivienne Corpus – Team Bella, Ms. Bella Cañete, and Mrs. Bienvenida Joni K. Cañete – Mother/Manager.) (Below – Ms. Bella Cañete in her Hyundai Genesis Coupe at the start of the competition.)
10 September 2026, Seoul – The Philippines’ and Asia’s youngest international drift driver, 15-year-old Ms. Jannah Isabella Celestine K. Cañete, known as Bella Cañete in motorsports circles, paid a courtesy call on Philippine Ambassador to the Republic of Korea Bernadette Therese C. Fernandez today, following her impressive debut in the Korean drift racing scene.
Bella competed in the Korea Drift Series (KDS) held on 5–6 September 2026 at the Belle Foret International Moto Arena in Chungcheongbuk-do, South Korea, marking her first appearance in the KDS Pro Category.
Ambassador Fernandez warmly congratulated Bella on her outstanding debut and commended her for proudly carrying the Philippine flag in an international motorsports competition. She expressed her admiration for Bella’s determination, discipline, and composure in competing against experienced professional drift drivers.
Ambassador Fernandez also congratulated Bella for becoming the lone Filipina motorsports athlete competing in the Korea Drift Series. She likewise congratulated Bella’s family, team, and supporters for their important role in nurturing her talent and helping her reach the international motorsports stage.
Upon the invitation of the Korean team No:MAD, Bella took on the challenging Pro Category, driving a stock Hyundai Genesis Coupe against seasoned professional drift drivers. Despite competing in a highly competitive field and navigating an unfamiliar course, she delivered an outstanding performance, qualifying third overall and advancing to the Top 8.
Bella’s strong performance, exceptional driving skills, composure, and ability to manage the technical and demanding course earned the admiration of fellow drift drivers and the respect of the KDS panel of judges.
The Ambassador extended her best wishes to Bella and further recognized Bella’s participation as a meaningful contribution to the Philippine Embassy’s sports diplomacy program, highlighting how Filipino athletes can help build stronger people-to-people connections between the Philippines and the Republic of Korea. END
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