Influence.

Looking back we all had our influences. As you are reading this article, you are probably hooked up in the same addiction with all our fellow enthusiasts. May it be it be your personal satisfaction of owning and tuning your car, probably a high priced VIP sedan, your track weapon on weekends as you make your way to Clark, probably a restoration which you and your dad started years back. A joint project with your brother to combine funds and finally build what you guys have been dreaming of for years as you read countless Super Street magazines, or something simply out of love for cars, or out of hate as you built the best car you could as your girlfriend broke up with you and uttered the words: “buti ka pa, di ka nangiiwan”.

Personal is the word that covers all of these, but what triggered you to be in this hobby? What type or when did the reaction take place as you then decide to enter this industry?

My influence came from a guy named Glen, who I considered much of a brother back then. To put it simply his Civic VTI, with the carbon fiber hood, Spoon sidemirrors, Spoon chin with his Winmax sticker on it. That strange looking Spoon N1 muffler and all the Spoon strutbars looked alien to me. The swan-like sticker looked cool though, so as his matte black Sw388s, yumm. The car was, well lowered by some yellow colored dampers and black springs, firm but not bouncy, or should I say perfect? Everything was original of course.

That as early as the 1996-1997, individuals like him were building Spoon cars in the truest sense. The sparks really flew when I hitched a ride going home to Marikina via Commonwealth, the dazzling display of gauges, and the then, very cool looking VAFC illuminated the dark cabin as we flew across the “unrestricted Commonwealth” of the 90’s past 100kph.  The distinct sound of the Spoon N1 muffler was all that I can hear even when I was in bed, dreaming. To him in a way, I owe where I am today, and the passion for cars.

Pause, Stop, Reflect. switch of that engine, take a sip from your Happy Lemon and take a bite from that glazed donut.

Who was your influence? What pushed you to be who you are today? When did you realize that your really love what you do?