The Philippine motorsports scene has gotten as jam-packed as ever these days, and we have this 14-year-old go-getter to thank. She’s taking the racetrack by storm, and we can’t wait for the world to recognize her fearless fighting spirit.
Photo: Bella Cañete and her team
You may think you’ve already seen it all—the unmatched adrenaline, the swanky vehicles, and the charismatic drivers who light up our screens the minute they rev up their engines. Be it in major professional leagues like Formula 1 or beloved video games like Mario Kart, there’s no denying the sheer thrill of watching the action unfold from afar. But for Bella Cañete, this is real life—a space she’s carving out in the fast-paced world of racing, where she can grow and thrive in her own right.
At the tender age of 14, Bella has found a nurturing space in drifting that she’ll foster well throughout the rest of her teenage years. She feels the freest behind the wheel, having proudly represented the Philippines in numerous competitions alongside her fellow young racers from around the world. She has spent most of her career so far building her competitive streak across Southeast Asia, recently placing third in the Pro2 Class of this year’s Philippine Drift Series.
Bella with her parents, Joni (L) and Erwin (R). Photo: The Bella Cañete team
Beyond the global recognition, however, lies a young dreamer who still has a whole life ahead of her. Bella has sky-high hopes for the future of motorsports, and she has her heart set on making them happen, one race at a time.
She Puts the Fun in the Fast Lane
View this post on Instagram
Bella’s motorsports journey has garnered outstanding results in the past few years. In 2024, she reigned victorious as the first and youngest female drifter in Southeast Asia to secure back-to-back international victories. Not long after, she bagged multiple championships and podium finishes in the internationally renowned Women’s Drift Challenge (WDC).
Beyond her undeniable skills and penchant for racing, Bella’s arsenal of achievements wouldn’t have been possible without a winning mindset. Ever since she first entered the track, she has firmly believed that “you are your own competitor,” approaching drifting as both a discipline and a liberating outlet.
“I don’t let the pressure affect me. My mom never forgets to say, ‘It’s just me, the car, and the track.’ Nothing else matters. My only opponent is myself, and that’s why I focus on my progress,” Bella explained. Despite the sport’s dynamic nature, she prioritizes growth and consistency while leaving ample room for fun with her fellow drivers.
No matter where life takes Bella, on or off the racetrack, she’ll always thank her younger self for taking a chance on drifting and believing in her capabilities before the rest of the world did.
The Online Discovery That Started It All
View this post on Instagram
Who would’ve thought that a simple video online would lead Bella to a remarkable career in motorsports? There are truly no limits to our game-changing internet encounters, and her introduction to the long-standing discipline is no exception.
“I saw a bunch of karting and drifting videos on my feed. So I asked my dad, ‘Hey, can I try this?’ And that’s what sparked my passion,” Bella vividly recalled. At four, her father took her karting, where she instantly got hooked on the speed and adrenaline. She started formal training at seven, and eventually entered the competitive drifting scene at nine.
Compared to karting, which mainly revolves around speed and overtaking, drifting offered Bella a wider playing field to explore. She added, “I feel more amped up in drifting because I get to strategize about lots of elements, like my lines, angles, throttle control, momentum, and grip. It’s also challenging to get as close to your opponents as possible without hitting them.”
The Crash That Made Her Stronger
Even the most fruitful careers aren’t free from obstacles that hinder our growth. Bella faced her most harrowing one yet during her crash in 2024, which brought her back to square one in the sport she had already loved almost her entire life.
“Coming back from my crash was incredibly difficult. I was so afraid of crashing again that I had to start all the way from scratch, back to zero,” Bella explained. “I had to relearn the basics and accept that not all of my runs are perfect.”
Bella’s friends, loved ones, and mentors never left her side through it all. Thanks to them, she found her way back to her larger-than-life dream. And in no time, she was back on the racetrack in tip-top shape, grounded and strong-willed in every risk she had taken.
Amid all the stress and bouts of overthinking that followed, Bella remembers her coach’s words of wisdom, which stick with her before each race: “Don’t be afraid, just think of this as a game. And once you’re on the track, it’s playtime!”
Making a Difference Beyond Her Racing Grounds
View this post on Instagram
Life can get chaotic real quick when you’re a pro drifter, student, and diligent daughter all in one. That’s why Bella finds balance in her everyday life through her personal interests, which include heavy rock music, horror games, and her advocacy program, Accelerate Onward.
Bella and her family firmly believe that “when you have a spare, you can always share.” That’s why they volunteer and help donate school supplies for underprivileged Filipino children. What started as a paper drive between her, her parents, and her tutors is now a full-blown charitable initiative that advocates for our human right to quality education.
“I’ve always wanted to help kids who don’t have much,” Bella explained. “They inspire me to keep improving, learning, and preparing for more major opportunities that they, too, can be part of someday—including large-scale tournaments like Formula Drift and Drift Masters, which I aspire to join before I turn 18.”
What’s Next for Bella and Motorsports in the Philippines
View this post on Instagram
Filipino athletes have been on a roll so far with international achievements that help their respective sports gain the recognition and investments they deserve. Like Bianca Bustamante, Alex Eala, EJ Obiena, Chezka Centeno, and the like, Bella strives for the same breakthroughs to unveil among the country’s motorsports racers and other underrepresented players.
Little by little, Bella is taking every opportunity at her disposal to help motorsports reach wider audiences. Last June, for instance, she graced the Philippine Game Dev Expo (PGDX) as a guest racer for one of its simulation programs. She hopes to meet more of her fellow young athletes in her journey to the prestigious Formula Drift tournament, as well as other international races that come her way.
“There’s no shame in starting small,” she says, “as long as you keep trying and showing up even on your ‘off days.’ Don’t let your dreams be dreams.”
As she gears up for the third and final round of the Philippine Drift Series this October, Bella is certain that the country’s motorsports community will reach new heights in no time, especially if it means more support, funding, and fruitful representation for Filipino athletes on global platforms.
ALSO READ: LOOK: BINI Makes Bretman Rock’s Birthday Extra Special at Their “Signals” Concert in Hawaii
We’re so proud of you, Bella! Are you excited for her upcoming drifting competitions and events? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below!
Do you have a story for the WhenInManila.com Team? Email us at wheninmanila@gmail.com or send us a direct message at WhenInManila.com’s Facebook Page. Interact with the team and join the WhenInManila.com community at WIM Squad, and join our Viber group to stay updated with the latest around the Philippines and beyond!
