MANILA – Teen Filipino prodigy Bella Cañete etched her name into the record books and took the Southeast Asian drift scene by storm, claiming dominant back-to-back victories in the recent Indonesian Drift Series (IDS).

Driving for the Akuma Drift Team, the 13-year-old ruled both the Women Drift Challenge (WDC) Pro-Am and the IDS NewGen categories held in Tangerang City, Banten province on May 3 and 4.

The WDC Pro-Am division, known for its high-pressure solo runs, saw Cañete deliver a seamless performance. She secured the best qualifying run on her way to the title.

Indonesians Wendy Walters of the Franchi x ARDF Drift and her teammate Karina A. placed 2-3.

The win was a powerful comeback following Cañete’s crash at last year’s WDC Special Stage in Meikarta.

She then carried her momentum into the mixed-gender IDS NewGen category, which showcased solo runs from the region’s most promising young talents.

Once again, she impressed with high-scoring, technically precise runs that outclassed her male and female counterparts.

Male Indonesian bets Athariz Fairrel of ASC Monster Drift and Deni Hernando from Dumasari Spirit of Race, and Walters occupied the next three spots.

Known online as “BabyDrift,” the San Fernando City, La Union native Cañete started as a karting champion.

Two days after the competition, the Philippine Embassy in Indonesia welcomed Cañete’s team, including her teammate Kingston Effendi and team owner-coach Felix Effendi.

The team was received by Chargé d'Affaires Gonaranao Musor.

On May 19, they also paid a courtesy call on Philippine Ambassador to Singapore Ambassador Medardo Macaraig.

“Ambassador Macaraig congratulated me for my courage, sportsmanship, and commitment to excellence. He highlighted how young Filipinos in non-traditional fields can break new ground and inspire others. His words served as a powerful reminder that our wins are never just our own, they are shared with every person who dares to dream,” Cañete wrote on Facebook.

She said the meeting, more than a celebration of success, reaffirmed her purpose.

“Every race I join and every challenge I overcome is about creating space for others, especially young women, to enter arenas where we are still underrepresented,” she said.

“As I continue my journey in motorsport, I remain proud and grounded in my identity as a Filipina. My story is still being written, but I hope it stands as a testament to grit, grace and the unstoppable power of community.” (PNA)