Slouch a little, live a little.

I wonder what does it mean to be alive, driving back home with the windows down, hearing the sound of the engine and the quick bursts from the muffler. The BOV signaling your hesitation on a few bumps and curves on the road. It was one good night after all, at the bar with some of our good friends from the industry celebrating their 3rd anniversary. Our friends from the photog-industry have always been good to me. More than anything, they have helped us in many ways and have also given me a wider perspective on things in our own industry. 

The very pretty singer clearly knew what songs to sing, and our friends couldn’t help but relate, add to that the intoxication from overflowing booze and a couple of hard drinks. And most importantly, a level of controlled despair, as much of them, still single, hopeful, hopeless, loving, loveless and still aspiring for that one girl to turn their world upside down. This I guess is living, to give in the our weaknesses as humans, to live and let go, to move away from the daily stresses and simply sit down, slouch, relax and open a few drinks with friends. Let a few good songs be the soundtrack of your life from time to time. 

I live alone. The projects greet me in the garage with open arms. I opened my door, NBA games left open in the TV to keep the air a bit noisy, I pack up for Tagaytay. Going up very early in the morning reminds me of long trips outside Manila as a kid. The hint of breakfast being cooked at the nearby houses warms the heart, the Christmas decor still lit, people lining up for church reminds me its a Sunday. I settle down in a small cramped wooden house to grab sleep for a few hours. 

That was a wild week by the way, but as you’ve always known me, I couldn’t afford to be caught up in the mind with all those things. The last 2 weeks of Autosalon and now the B2BX was so busy, and I was going back and forth different shops and individuals to bring them their parts. I’ve always believed in parts though, more than the “stickering”, a new term which I have developed for people putting stickers on client’s cars even if in essence does not give it really any true value. I’m proud to say that we have provided the main stuff to a couple of Manila Auto Salon participants, from seats to brake kits to suspension and such. Those are the “mains”, period. 

A few trips outside Manila keeps me sane, an early morning breeze, a book to read and writing. That I love and it keeps me grounded. 

Pasko na huy! Pakinggan mo ang mga tugtugin sa radyo, sa kapehan, ang mga himig sa simbahan. Langhapin ang amoy ng bibingkang niluluto ni aling Nena sa kanto, masdan ang mga makikinang na ilaw sa mga bahay at lugar-pasyalan. Ilapit ito sa iyong damdamin dahil hindi mo mamamalayan na ito’y lilipas na din. So what better way is to indulge yourself in such. Have a good week guys, be good. Keep safe. :D

There is more to it, go search for it...

Two quick voluntary trips to Tacloban has taught me what no experience has taught me ever before. That there is more to life. More than the cars, or the glamorous places, or the lavish dinner and wine or basically the things we take for granted. It will, in many ways, like the girl that you met in college or you took to the prom, will turn your world pretty much, upside down. 

Believe it or not as it will come from me, there is so much "deep" beyond this industry of ours. Go search for it. 

When you need to take a pee or a number two on a floating CR by the shore on stilts, you know you’re down to the basics if you know what I mean. When the military planes that harbour you to and from Manila has that lingering stench of the dead, recognise that clearly, devastation has hit, albeit the strongest in history. Manong Lidio, a local is kind enough to lend me his Barako so I can get to the Barrio’s faster and more efficiently. With him as my back rider, nearly 1 year after such impact its hard to believe the news reaching Manila that Leyte has completely recovered because here is a deep kind of sorrow still surrounding the area. The smell of the air is different, though is may be only in my mind, coupled of the earlier images I saw of the town months ago, it will always present that eerie feel. The town of Guiuan, as one of the hardest hit, though a different face of the news is being sent in Manila on how it has recovered, I completely disagree with it. I dare the lawmakers to ride a plan and go there. The same way I disagree with life style checks and simplicity amongst the lawmakers whereas everyday as I come from my house, I pass by the intersection which leads to the main gate of the House of representatives, Porsche’ LC’s, and a couple of Lexus’ coming in? Truly, the Phippines will always and will be only as good as the morale of its representatives. 

Habang nilalakad ko ang kahabaan ng Ortigas upang masdan ulit ang ningning na bigay ng mga panahon o araw bago magpasko, nakasalubong ko ang mga iba’t ibang pamilya, bitbit ang kani- kaniyang mga pinamili, ang mga bata, sunod sunuran sa mga magulang na tila may gusto pa ipabili, yumayakap at umaasa, na sa bawat ngiti nila ay lalambot ang puso ni Tatay para sa isang pang laruan mula sa Toy Kingdom. Ang Pasko nga naman talaga any para sa mga bata, kung saan sila pa ay bulag sa piit at hirap ng mundo nating ginagalawan. Ang imahe ni Santa, ang Christmas tree, ang mga bituin, regalo and ngiti ay siya lamang tumatagos sa kanilang murang isipan, at wala ng anuman.

This scene or moment draws me back from my Facebook conversation with a very good friend named Lawrence. We were talking about things which I told him to delete afterwards so as not to offend anyone but basically its about fatherhood and how it changes the landscape for a majority of car enthusiasts. How fatherhood changes one’s priorities and a developed instinct to provide and fend for the children. Hey Interstellar is so good by the way, they had a couple of points there that we need to ponder on, rarely does a movie exhibit such emotional content beneath all the CGI and science mumbo jumbo. 

Going back, I believe that there are phases, such as easing off a bit from the cars and the parts and moving the priority to the kids, and when business is good and everything is settling for the better, its only natural for an enthusiast to go back to his roots and maybe go a bit all out once again. It's not as if he's not enjoying, the good man owns a couple of businesses, an original Evo5 and a daily, so what's to ponder on? :P

Thats it for now, I seriously need to grab dinner, have a great week ahead everyone, I’m thankful we had a loaded Sunday, I almost feel not working tomorrow but thats impossible haha. Good night everyone. :) Be good.