Here's why this Baguio theme park CEO bought Discayas' Rolls-Royce for P29 million at auction
Remember that infamous Discaya car with an umbrella in it? It has just been auctioned off.
Igorot Stone Kingdom Founder and CEO Pio Velasco purchased the 2023 Rolls-Royce Cullinan, amounting to P29,026,000 in cash during the Bureau of Customs auction for the embattled Discaya couple's luxury cars.
“First and foremost is to preserve a piece of Philippine history. It is also a form of investment," he told members of the media.
Velasco also emphasized how the luxury car is part of history, particularly the flood control corruption scandal.
"Our first purpose is to save it from eventual destruction, if ever, and to preserve a piece of history, that this car is historical. It opened the floodgates, the interest of the nation to this rampant corruption," he added.
In a Facebook video, Velasco was seen inspecting the car, even popping out the umbrella from one of its doors. He admitted that they are planning to showcase the luxury car to the public as a tourist attraction.
"We hope to entice people to come up and view this car. [It's] a fact na halos karamihan sa atin ay hindi pa nakakakita ng [Rolls-Royce] sa actual o yung iba baka gusto lang makita 'yung mahiwagang Payong na pinagsimulan ng lahat," he said.
"It’s a must. It may bring boon or bane to us, whatever we are ready to face the music."
Igorot Stone Kingdom is a tourist attraction located on Longlong Road, Baguio City. It's famous for showcasing Igorot culture, particularly, riprapping or the art of stone laying in its castle-like structure.
Nine other cars failed to be bid on, according to the BOC. Other bidders for the luxury cars include R33 Car Exchange Corp. and television host Wilfredo Revillame.
Contractor couple Sarah and Curlee Discaya are linked with controversial companies with anomalous flood control projects with the Department of Public Works and Highways.
Twenty-eight of their luxury vehicles were taken under Bureau of Customs custody in September.
The BOC sold three of the confiscated vehicles—a Mercedes Benz G500, a Mercedes Benz G63 AMG, and a Lincoln Navigator L—for a combined total of P38,211,710 in November 2025.
