What makes us human..

As we finished at around 8pm at the Paranaque shop, I gathered my staff for a simple dinner at nearby Jollibee. It was truly a tiring day since it was basically non stop the moment I drove off from the house to QC, the tasks keep piling up that I had to designate a few other tasks to the secretary for us to cover a few request from the nearby clients. Jollibee, for all intents and purposes is the symbol of the working class. When you say Jollibee, its something thats already marked in everyone’s mind as “I love you Sabado”, or the Chicken joy which Aga Muhlach and some kids would bite off effortlessly in front of the camera even though it was basically steaming hot which I do not underhand still now how that is possible. A sort of reward, a light at the end of a dark tunnel and the easiest way to please crying kids. 

Anyways, there are certain things that have made a mark to each of us, especially during our childhood that as it tears and labours through time, it will, and always be an item which enables us to quickly look back and remember the past. The same goes for songs and places, say for example a certain lyric or rhythm that reminds you of the barkadahan, how you and your friends would sit at the corner of the classroom on a rainy July, with the guitar in hand, halfway through lunch break as you would sing to the iconic melodies of Eraser Heads or True Faith. How about that burnt smell of bread, would remind you of your 5:am breakfast, as your mom prepares you a sandwich before heading to school. Or that particular smell from a car’s resonator, which brings you back to the college years as you would often smell such odor as you come home to your girlfriend’s house in Antipolo. The car’s resonator emitting such smell from your uphill sprints, spirited but cautious, enjoyed and appreciated. Or a song from Dave Matthews band, which you were listening non stop as you tried to recover from being busted by your long time crush, trying to move on, trying to move out, understanding and painstakingly trying to reason out with yourself, of why's, where's, of when's and will there ever be.

Certain cars that remind you of the golden age. Of parking your cars at the side of Libis, burger in hand, Walkie Talkie on the left, cheering and waiting. The EKs and EGs, the rare Evo’s from Autoplus and Redline Racing Skyline during that time. Gods of the internet, figures of the talk boards. 

I guess that is what makes us human, literally and figuratively. That we are able to feel the past, present and possibly the future through objects and events that give way to memories and understanding. 

Built to run..

I understand people who really use their cars and give little value to the word preserved and low mileage. I mean, there are two types of enthusiasts. First the one who preserve, then the second wold obviously be the ones who use. It works both ways actually, especially in the second hand car market. Both compliment each other say for example a friend who sold his 95 pristine EG Hatch to another friend who's looking for one. In 1 week, the EG got a new Bseries transplant, a new paint job plus seats, brakes and suspension. The effect is simply phonemonal to say the least.  To receive a well preserved EG and inject the best parts on it is a recipe for success to matter how you look at it. The same goes for the Corollas, the Silvias, Lancers and STI's out there. I've always believed in using a car to the best of its abilities but at the same time pampering. In an ideal world it would be nice to have it sit at the garage for months and weeks but you know cars are built to run, 75% of its purpose is to please the mind and heart, to awaken the senses and to say the least, keep you inspired to work harder and look forward to each day.

Things that stem from this are parts, which we all buy and is a huge industry, the media, the interwebz and traditional print. Do not forget of all things motorsports, that in the end of the day, eveything is centered upon it. As enthusiasts, we buy using the heart first, then the mind. As a shop owner if you put money first instead of putting yourself on the customer's shoes I think that would be defeating rather than nourishing. To oblige yourself rather than waking up in the morning and doing what you love.

Just some random thoughts before getting after a long road trip to the north (and some wilderness). I'm so happy that finally I got my day-off, after like what, 4 months of no weekends and holidays. The recent months have been very exhausting, but I'm very thankful of the blessings.

Why do I write? Because brains. :) More than parts and the flashy cars.

Substance is what makes us human. Priceless and cannot be bought by any amount of money.

Teaching fellow drivers the right way.

In my opinion the best way to teach proper driving manners in Manila is to basically react the right way. Say for example a car is struggling to merge in a lane, using his signal light, you should give way. Its a way of confirming his right move or action of using his signal light. That way, you showed him that if he  acts the right way, he’ll receive the proper reaction. The same goes for thanking people if they give way, a short honk of the horn or a wave would really go a long way in affirming that the driver who gave way made the right move. A sort of reward to him. I've always thought about these things, that the best way to educate a driver or slowly erase the rudeness that we Filipino drivers are known for is to act within ourselves and pave way to a cooler way of driving, that no matter how much cars you didn’t give way to, you cut and overtook, there wouldn’t be a 1-2 hour time difference on your arrival of whatever destination. That at the end of the day, we are part of this unsolvable massive and overpopulated road and we just have to barrel through it. 

At 7:45pm and 8:10pm, I made two quick parts deliveries. In just feels right making these deliveries as I have done years ago. Feels like home, feels natural and no hassle. I remember back in 2008-2009 I would drive as fast as I can to deliver parts while working a day job. At night after work, my schedule is usually busy as I would allocate all deliveries during those hours at various meet up points most often as nearby gas stations. Truly those times were part of the internet revolution/e-commerce. Online sales were skyrocketing and for some reason, people would ride the hype of inquiring to online stores and meeting up their owners and having their parts sent via the local courier. Thats what i thought. I remember back then when I had empty bat on the cellphone and my then GF and I would guess who among the people in front of Shell Select was our buyer. That was something nice to look back to, also various transactions which would occasionally disrupt our dates may it be during dinner, a movie or while shopping. The growing years of business, especially if you’re on your own and no partners whatsoever and have never asked for angel financing is one of the most difficult phases in life. It's always truly rewarding to have gone through all that, on my own was my common adage and independence was deeply rooted in my belief. Walang nang sasarap pa kung ikaw any nagtaguyod sa sarili mo, at wala na iba. 

Another traffic rant...

Finally done with work at 9:32 pm since we had to check and do some adjustments on the Type R kit which we are going to install Tom at 7:00am. The amount of preparation is more than usual since we have one of the most meticulous customers around. We get used to it, and I always consider it a challenge since when a customer goes in our doorstep they expect more from us, or shall I say it's the fact that our image has in the industry. So I guess there none again left for the weekend. The aspirations of doing DIY, or propabably a run at Ateneo, UP or a quick drive up the mountains has then again evaporated. 

Like a seasoned veteran, worn by the daily horrors of a daily "biyaheng" North to South, I say with much exhaustion that traffic in Manila is like a constant struggle to see through the road in such a way that you need to know how it's doing on the way back while you are actually going to your destination. Sometimes, Waze is used not to show you the direction but to estimate the time in traffic and skip to another route which you already know and see if it comes up with something faster. This is the common case for me, or at least I share it with the PUV drivers or messengers of the road, since I need to see through the road for the simple reason of deliveries and errands to and from South. As great at the efforts of the HPG and our hardworking MMDA, the roads are too tight for such a volume of cars. Check the releases by the dealers and surely you will understand why. I usually use sweet spots going to South especially at night which is at 9pm. By that time you should be rolling at Libis. Any earlier and you'll be stuck with the rush, and later on the other hand will be such a joy maneuvering in between large trucks as they come out of the ban.

I just thought that the government always falls short of the things that they need to provide to us. From social services, to proper roads, to traffic management, transportation to health care. As far as the standards accepted worldwide, I'm pretty sure we are and will always be way below standards.

Will we ever see better roads? I think thats far from happening, our good politicians have blessed us with such a good country, that it would be wise to just go to  a far away destination and unleash your beast there. Flat out, windows open, scream as much as you can, take pictures, eat at the carinderias by the side-road, skip from one beach to the other, stay at a cramped hotel and read your books and upload your stuff while in a bed that has 10% the foam of your uber expensive mattress at home.

Understanding Kadiri / Wasto

Well, as you all have known, a lot of people got upset with the page aptly known as Kadiri / Wasto Not surprisingly creations by *** Autoworks were often targeted because of their unusual kit designs and approach to their body kits especially to that of the Civic FD. When the FD became more and more affordable to everyone, of course its only natural that when a lot more people get a hold of it, the more variations of it you’ll see on the road, meaning from subtle, low and simple ones, to that of wild and sometimes overboard ones. A CRZ FD? Well, that has enough steam to power a page such as KW.

To understand KW you have dig deep into the industry, or sometimes, just understand the roots of the people who are possibly behind it. Maybe these guys came from an era, when the EK9s and EG6’s ruled, when there was so much importance given on hard to find and legit parts and an approach that doesn’t scream too much: “LOOK AT ME”, but rather, in classic passing fashion, it simply says: “Check the details”… From Original Spoon SW388s, to Recaro seats, to original RAYS wheels, to Personal and Spoon Steering wheels, to low mileage JDM Gauges, to mint red Type R carpets, Brembo Brakes, Endless to classic blue Spoon Calipers, some old Mugen wheels na kahit mukang tansan, sobrang rare and was even used by the Spoon EF during its Japan one make campaign and more. The list is so long to describe how different these guys are, and how they plan to impose such style on an ever evolving car culture. A culture that sometimes is failing to draw the line anymore. Thats why when you see the comments, if you’ve been long enough in the scene or fortunately connected, you’ll see familiar people commenting on the pics. True enough, when you talk to these people, or know them, its predictable and always inevitable for them to spit out these criticisms, of mockery, or metaphors and sarcasm. Check their background builds, and you’ll understand, their pattern, their view and understanding on how IT should be. 

On the other hand, there is always room for everyone, yan ang aking paniniwala sa simula’t simula pa. Drawing from each individual’s background, education, likes, passion, perspective, I have always believed that it will always reflect on his car. Thats why its always hard to argue with “My Way” or “ My Style”. Because arguing with that is like trying to argue with an institution, or probably the academe, or to put it simply, a School’s system of merits and demerits, a grading system, or maybe your Golf Club’s Rules and regulations. That a person’s style has and will always be rooted on the very fiber of who he is, how is was brought up, his influences and MOST IMPORTANTLY, how he processed and digested all those childhood/ teen information into being who he is. Good for him is bad for you, cool for you ain’t working for him. Its as simple as that. Because? Magkaiba kayo. Period.

Things like these happen, such as Kadiri / Wasto  The interwebz is a free world for everyone, as much as anyone can have his free will, pages such as WK are bound to either please a lot of people, or a form of release for a lot of purists out there, something they can relate on and comment on, sometimes sa mga pahinang ito lumalabas din any totoong kulay ng mga tao, purely in relation to cars, that no matter they rich they are, or how blessed they are, there is always room for mocking other people. Or sometimes, KW can be a wake up call for a lot of individuals on how to properly set up their car and the education they need. Or a hammer to lay down the law of form and function. Good vs Evil, Evil vs Good. Think of it as a storm guys, a wind of realisation, or a wind of change, trying to knock you out from your comfort zone.

And there you go. My 15 minutes are up. Thank you God for a blessed week. Tired but not out!. No complaints, just thanks to the guy up there. Im going to get my DVD now and enjoy the remaining two hours of whatever weekend has given me since I also work on Sunday. 

I hope this satisfies the people who PMed me on what my take it on this KW thing, I hope you liked what I wrote. If you don’t like it, its ok, I’m pretty sure you can write better than me (wink wink with no hint of sarcasm promise!) Good night. be good. 

Your Parallel Self....

I've always wondered how it feels to be on the other side. Meaning say for example you belong to the Honda crowd, you own a Civic, or a Jazz or an Integra, I wonder how awesome it would be to witness a parallel universe but this time, you own a Lancer and you're basically part of the Mitsu Club. People would pay millions to get that feeling or even witness it for just a bit if you translate it to education, relatioships an even business

What if your parallel self owned a Subaru STI instead? Such an amazing feeling that may be, considering you're such a hard core Evo nut, your wall shows it all, you only share Lanevo stuff, videos, pics and documents nothing more and nothing else, you got all the shirts, umbrellas, keychains and your whole room truly is a Mitsu fan's dream come true. And in true Marvel fashion, you're quickly transported to the parallel universe wherein, well, yes, as a Subaru gearhead. So you see yourself joining the Subaru morning funruns, those of which you usually hate seeing as you and your Lanevo friends head back to Manila from Tagaytay, and the Subaru group on the other hand playfully and carelessly heading upwards. You delight because there are more parts for your STI, as against to the struggle Lanevo owners have with their parts wherein it always seem to be a waiting game even for the simplest of parts. I wonder how you'll tackle the build? Will you make your STI a celebration of everthing Perrin and Zerosports or make it as simple as how you built your Lanevo?

To be able to feel how the Toyota boys hang out and run on Friday nights, how their discussions on forums (well if they still exist..), or on Facebook group pages differ from yours, how their tambays at Shell which you only normally pass by with no regard whatsoever are now in full color. Suddenly the Small body, Bigbody and the one-elevens now seem to be a huge part of your daily life. How technical they can be too, and their hard to find parts and prices also rival your Spoons and Mugens.

What if you were to live another parallel life that of a Nissan enthusiasts, something you have never ever seen happening in your life. Seeing yourself, driving out of your garage in a Silvia S13. Surely it is in many ways a dream come true, of being able to handle a true sports-compact in every sense of the word. More importantly, being able to witness what makes these drifters tick? Like for many years you've always worshiped fast laptimes and traction and in the basic-ness of it all, the thriving feeling of making an FF as fast as possible. Now, in a RWD, your smile reaches ear to ear, in joy, in happiness, submerging yourself in that awesome feeling of fluidity, of being in control at the same time of not being "in control, shouting in the air: Rear Wheel Drive Rules!!!. That is drift. Stuff you see in TV, on Videos, now a reality. Ultimately and finally being able to discover and appreciate what makes the sport so famous.

The more you know, the more you spend...

Another case for of "the more you know, the more you spend" is when you're able to afford the more advanced things that you would rather get stuff that are a bit rare that there than the ones that are for normal consumption, someone would rather get Hawkeyes rather than the GVF which is sold widely by Motor image, reason is any rich kid can get hold of that probably asking it from his parents but the Hawkeye is not. Add to the fact that it's has a huge cult following and people deem it as the best looking Impreza. The Mitsubishi Evos are another case wherein real enthusiast go for it because it's harder to find or the build is more rewarding. It's not released by Casa and the parts are harder to find, that is of course in reference once again to the Subaru's and Motorimge. 

How about friends who keep at least 1 CRX for its iconic reputation, that is after a few EGs and an EK9. This reminds me of the younger days when you had a routine of buying all the newest EGM magazines and  clearly you know all the best games and hardware. And automatically that makes you more advanced and you tend to look for things which aren't released here or available here locally. Through that you spend more, because you know more. This applies to the guys who are into stuff like guns, shoes, gaming PCs, expensive bags, toys and the like. Each individual through the information fed by magazines and now, the internet, is now more updated and relevant that ever before. Gone are the times when us in the 3rd world would get left behind by our fellow enthusiasts from the States or Europe, nowadays the internet levels everything, that there is an equal playing field and any item, I mean any, can be purchased online.

Mga bagay na di naman dapat bilhin, binibili, mga piyesa na purong kaartehan lamang, dinadagdag para humaba ang pinagpipitagang "Spec Sheet". Recalling moments when your mom or dad would talk about such things over breakfast or dinner, of taking studies seriously, and preparing for that long test or exam rather than daydreaming of parts, or looking forward to that trackday you and your barkada are joining over the weekend or as simple as browsing over countless SS magazines, relating, laughing, keeping at heart on how Roel Concepcion has perfectly written one's devotion over the 180sx. 

Truly there is an evolution to one's being an enthusiast. Starting simple, gaining knowledge, spending years and coming to a point of pure "kaartehan", or being to picky and paying too much attention on how people thing of what you have or what you built. I guess that's it really if you break it down.

Such an expensive hobby, add to the fact that it develops into something even more expensive as one yearns for exclusivity. Buhay! 

Department Store

There are a lot things I learn out of getting stuff for my staff say for example their work clothes, minor equipment, cleaning materials and especially shoes. In the wet market in Marikina or let's just mention the SM department store para naman hindi shocking sa ating mga sosyal na magbabasa and since prices are almost similar testament to how SM is that competitive, I get to buy rubber work shoes as long as 199 pesos, the better designed ones are at 375 from World Balance. I therefore reflect on how that is similar to enthusiasts who have been through the EF EG EK days and being able to walk the streets of Banawe and scour the side streets for cheap useable parts and the like. I've always thought that it makes an enthusiast more complete, and that he values his build more than individuals who didn't do or experience such and just simply had it in one click of a finger courtesy of loving mommy and daddy. 

Maybe another way to complete an enthusiast is to be involved in a form of motor sport such as slalom, circuit or drag. Formal though, sanctioned and safe of course. I am completely humbled by my client who drives a PH16 EG as his daily and his regular competition car for slalom races. Though he may not have the B16, B18, K20, The original Recaros and Bride seats, STIs or the BRZ or the TEs or high priced turbo kits but way deeper and farther than that, he is actually the complete guy. He's probably all greased up works on his car on Saturday nights, details on a Sunday. Second looks on his humble garage before he sleeps and looks forward to a day of surplus shopping on a boring Wednesday. As I stared at them via the CCTV camera, so happy and joyous of the simple original MOMO Prototipo he bought for his EG. He was so drawn unto the whole install process that its almost as if he could have installed it himself without our help. At the back of my mind, is it possible that such breed would become rarer in the coming years? Has the gap created by new, modern and high tech cars continually grow and give way, only naturally to a different breed of enthusiasts. I'm always impressed by guys who take the effort to build older cars. 

Words like fix, repair, frustrate, depressed, finally, fixed, fast, thank you and finish seen in their Facebook posts. I wonder what joy and appreciation shall our future sons and daughters will have if they bring the tune cars of the past and parade them in school, in front of the 2025, 2030 model Civics, STIs, Corollas and the like. 

Wife-material or not..

Our industry has tons of groups, from several ones from the Toyota's, Mitsu's, Honda's and their numerous subgroups and area-based groups winging it out from North to South. As a shop owner I've always been a good listener to clients, may it be personal or car-related. I get that countless times. I was talking to a client of mine, as usual, (I )was all ears with some gripes they had with their group. They wish they had more to do such as charity or voluntary work, or stuff like a plant tour or a seminar. Rather than going just for eats, drinks or basketball. Or EBs at Mcdo, or a gas station and the like. I gave some advice, such as not that it will create any trouble within them, but in summary, just basically gathering everyone for a meeting, hearing out everyone’s opinion and taking note of them. Basically getting their voices out. I have always believed in getting your opinion out, no matter what the cost. I remember being in trouble many times with my EX’s family members by always doing this. I had my opinion on things and I would usually say it at face or through Facebook because I believed it was the right thing to do and it was, on normal-people-standards, absolutely wrong.

In complete contrast, here’s a group that for all expectations and standards has exceeded them. A model group in many ways, an envy of many and treat to existing and would-be sponsors, but deep unto the mechanics of such groups are members who can’t handle such standards, or can’t keep up. Or members who for some reason just simply want to oppose the “leader”. I’ve even witnessed members taking advantage of some loopholes in their established system. I mean are you serious? Here you have a group that’s even better than the Euro clubs, and you can’t contribute in taking care of it? Are Filipinos naturally such? Talaga ba na ang Pilipino are mga natural na aktibista and mga raliista? Its just a simple reflection of taking care of something that's already great, that's all. Or if you see and witness someone who’s obviously way beyond you, or have done such greats, why don’t you just accept the clear fact that he’s better than you, cooperate with him and live your life as you usually do.

If only you had a god-hand and mix and match the members for a perfect combination right? I guess that’s how life is. You yearn for something that you still don’t have. You become unsatisfied, bored or want some spice when everything seems too perfect and in order.

You get a girlfriend who’s so white, tall and beautiful and all of a sudden you see yourself crushing on a plain looking morena on a back-pack and torn pants. Or from wife material to completely the opposite. You have a house already and all your cars are parked good and well, and yet you want to buy that condominium in the middle of Makati because you want to feel that certain buzz and chaos which you haven’t felt because all your life you’ve been working for your family business. Or going for a simple motorcycle ride rather than your car, because there is so much freedom and the feeling of air rushing through your face and the varying temperatures in between places are all too priceless to you. How about driving an STI, an Evo or a high end Mustang, and suddenly you just woke up with laptop in face at OLX or FB, looking for a Civic EG or a AE92 Corolla as a new project.

The Higher Road.

Our hero Manny just lost the fight and it truly feels sad. Because primarily this time its a national thing, at a worldwide stage. Sometimes you just need to step out of your comfort zone, those nice rooms, good looking cars and lavish lifestyle and simply be a Filipino at heart. To support your kababayan, even if it doesn't bring any benefit to you. To shout, cheer and rejoice even if there is no gain or exchange. I'm truly amazed by my friends on Facebook who show admiration, camraderie and love for Manny. But at the same time entertained and amused by people who would rather post stuff that makes them so indifferent, so irrelevant, would rather talk about his car, or a trackday/funrun, his job or downplay Manny or the fight. I mean, come on, how one dimensional can you get. Just for one day pwede ba ang attention ay wala muna sa iyo sa halip ay kay Pacquiao muna? Are you truly that in love with yourself? Sometimes kailangan lang natin magpakatao and give our heart for someone who exhibited so much greatness in himself by coming from nothing and being at the pinnacle of everything. I admire him so much because in my own self, I never ever asked capital or cash from my parents as much as others would think of. I just started with 4 digits and a couple of Spoon parts and thankfully I am where I am. Hard work though usually unannounced will always reap the most rewarding benefits.  Our heart goes out to you Manny. Easy 100million dollars for you at least. And that is of course, is and always well deserved. 

"Projects chosen to the point of exclusivity, of not having a local body counterpart. Or something unreleased locally. Projects motivated by importation or a vision of pure track monsters or real garage queens."

Now thats a project isn't it? During the course of a journey of an enthusiast. its always unavoidable to run into an idea of creating or building a project such as that. For car guys its the higher road since you get to experience stuff that usually do not happen on a newer car, you get to learn new skills and data, things you wouldn’t ever get on a modern project. Hard to find parts, plans of making a catalog or replica car from Japan. Slightly illegal cars, or completely illegal. Cars that gain the equal attention of both enthusiast and the highway patrol. Cars that clearly stand out from the lot of tuner cars and have the admiration of real people you look up to. Stuff like that gives me the chills. If you notice I’m not naming any cars because I want you to read between the lines. Im pretty sure you get it and such cars are for keeps. 

Clarkson, Topgear and a wheel called life..

Just a quick reflection during afternoon drive: "With Jeremy Clarkson and Andy Wilman out of Top Gear, I think the soul is out for the show or the franchise' entirety. That whatever attitude our local Top Gear tries to project, or vulgar or brash statements at Top Gear's (Hoy Gising-esque) Facebook page or Magazine, it will appear as half baked, ill-conceived or lacking that unique punch it always had."

I simply had this thought when I was browsing through a display rack, buying cold drink at 711 Tagaytay. I came from delivery at Sta. Rosa and simply urge to just to go up, things you miss perhaps. Fresh from an uphill climb, using our the shop's trusty service car a 2liter Manual FD. I kind of related to how Clarkson narrates each review and test with such passion and enthusiasm, and of course do not forget his eloquence and deep root comparison which is only possible if you got good brains and a healthy record of driving the best cars in the world for how many years already.

I always believed that the best car reviewers are the rich people. Simply because they have insight on a variety of cars in their lifetime. People like Leno and Clarkson are in my opinion the best of the bunch. I won't delve too much on this as not to offend the media people but just ask this to yourself. Who would narrate best? Mr. Soong or that regular at your dad's favorite Sunday Newspaper? That is of course set in an ideal world so no harm done I guess....

Taking him out of Topgear is like the Bulls without MJ, Nintendo without SHigeru Miyamoto. Or Extreme Games without Tony Hawk or as simple as Jolibee without their Langhap Sarap Burger. 

So if you observe, the Topgear post on Facebook aren't that too much vulgar and offensive or even strong anymore. Maybe its because Jeremy is out? Or a shift in how they project themselves? Or just maybe the people behind Top Gear PH's keyboards realize that its pretty much futile and has no impact if they stay the way they are when the real image bearer (Mr. Clarkson) is out of the picture. 

So whatever happened to the Alyzza Agustin stuff, or the 8-Plates, or the Power! cars by the Networking people, or lovers who were either hated or loved because of their couple car shots and all. That in the end tuloy ang ikot ng buhay tulad ng aking pagtakbo sa UP kani-kanina lang. That in the end, we live by phases and there are things which we may be proud of, or things which we regret doing in the past of such phase in our lives. Things we wished we could alter or things which we have done that are simply dictated by the current setting our of lifestyle, or set of friends, our financial status during that time. Phases moved and influenced by media, our mentors, professors, bosses and idols. 

Tayo'y sumasabay lamang sa agos ng panahon, and that is the most perfect Tagalog phrase to describe it.

Rockstar.

I want †o go to Baguio, Bataan or Ilocos in a motorcycle, something I have been contemplating about since last month. One my day-offs which I take once a month since I do not have any sundays or weekends as you call it, I wanna go out and feed the environment and the view straight to my face and there is no other medium in achieving such feat but by riding a bike. Hopefully this year we can achieve that. All I need is a 400cc + Austrian and a utility box behind for my stuff. 

Sunday, what a Sunday. I was blessed with a good Saturday and even more on a Sunday. We got a few glitches here and there with regards to our spring installations but nevertheless we got to fix it and had the job done. Again, our shop is a recipient of a father and son project. I am at awe on how supportive the dad is to his son's aspirations, it kinda left my jaw at the floor. As you know, I am always inspired by such since you would assume that I had the same experience with my dad, but no, he actually despised what I was doing during my online days and he basically hated it. He'd rather see me working under his wing and never have me any form of assistance or financing. Maybe through that that I had a sense of great pride. Of surviving and making it on my own, painfully, surely, gradually.. through the years. I think I can recall every meetup from all the Gas stations, malls and deliveries around the Metro. It was quite a roller coaster ride if you ask me, I then had a girlfriend then who was studying and I would basically budget my time in a pie, juggling my relationship, time on the road, my work under my parents and JDMselect. I would often joke about simply living in Australia and working at a fast food resto or even as a gradeschool teacher, something which I really dream of. I'd discuss how I would rather live in a very organized and orderly country and have just the right amount of pay, than being in the Ph. My parents would hate such brash comments and I can always remember my friend Mark Luna saying "mas maganda pa din sa Pilipinas mabuhay" and narrate its benefits as compared to living in other countries. #rockstar

I just had an attachment with the scene in Australia, or in plain view, the setting. AE86 with SR20 sitting at the garage, cool and cold turbo weather. Nice roads, no humps. right hand drive straight from the motherland. Clean builds, Nissan Skylines and Supra's blasting through the roads with much tone and vigor but easing off to maintain the speed limit #blowoff #wapishh, Such things, of a car culture so distant, so alien to me, but somewhat familiar. An everyday sight, but it clearly leaves a mark. 

So here we go again, its summer. I lack sleep since we have been so busy lately for I think 4 consecutive days and I had to transport a couple of stuff from our Marikina paintshop to the branch at 2am in the morning. A bit later I need to meet a client for our 3rd install of a Jazz GK RS Mugen Kit. I'm glad the paintshop is doing its purpose nicely, all the equipment was worth it. The workforce involved just right, the skill level, always high. 

Thats it for now. Don't forget your sunscreen and barkada. Vacation is a night's sleep away. 

Hard Core Line.

You have to be clear with what you are basically doing. What your focus on, or your origin. Are you really a shop that sells parts or you just loving hanging out. Do you see yourself taking pictures of models too much, saving them on your computer and even texting them often or are you hardcore and making enough money to feed your hunger to build cars. I think the socializing thing should come naturally to you and it would be too obvious if you were forcing it. It has to be clear you know, because in today's scene, the line gets a little blurred. Just a quick thought as I went home on a tiring Saturday night, got my fries and burger on the way home and proceeded to my garage to work on something with laptop on my side table with the youtube guide, and of course Franco's Soul Adventurer playing.

I do believe today's car scene has created multiple personalities with regards to being an enthusiast. Some hard core, some like the selling side of it, others are into the hard to find parts, some on the other hand lean towards to motor sports side of it, some have evolved into photographers, others enjoy the social side of it if you know what I mean. So in hindsight, in what category do you belong?

I got reminded again of this as I was passing by a JDMU gathering, and greeted a few friends , at the same time more importantly checking out the cars and just seeing how much love and labor is put unto these machines. Never ending discussions online, mini gatherings, parts swapping, saying it straight up what works, what does not work, whats cool and whats a bit overboard. All these done in between and in my opinion the essentials in making everything clean and classy.

In complete contrast, have you seen Jurassic park and the vehicles that they used to tour the turista's? (hint hint). That.

Father Time.

Life can be a routine indeed if you think about it. At a certain time the jeepney barker calls for its share of passengers at the corner signalling and letting you know thats its that part of the day. I guess that's part of life if you think about it. That no matter how you would want to move or stray away from the parallels of life in general, you are still bound by its time. No mater how hard you do the extra curriculars or the stuff that you would proudly exclaim as unconventional or not boring, father time plays its role into sucking the life out of you, thats the feeling I mean, and you find yourself sitting at a corner of a coffee shop or waiting while the stoplight moves as you stare at its counter. I sometimes think that my life is bound even by the stoplight's counter, that even in those 50-60 seconds of wait, I have the sense or urgency or need to answer a few texts or make some calls.

Is idle time so hard to find nowadays?  Does life nowadays really move that fast?

Sunday you were just at Church, and suddenly you find yourself listening to Magic 899’s Friday Madness. I wonder if kids encounter the same phenomenon. I wonder if much weight from the world unto our shoulders would effect how we perceive of time. 

As I am typing this, there are dozens of couples at my right. Starbucks, 12:00am, finishing up with my work, a movie ending and people are heading to their respective parking lots. I’d like to compare how these inter-relationships work out for them, and how this is compared to the various cars and groups which we encounter over our lifetime. Truly there are better relationships, good women, the ones who know how to cook and the ones who don’t. The ones who love you like its the last day on earth and the ones who are cold as stone, the ones who hug you tightly and the ones who text and call in front of you. The ones who text you goodnight and absolutely always beg for your attention and the ones who sneak out to go out with friends at night, and in complete correlation are groups, cars and builds. In our lifetime I’m pretty sure that you’ve encountered groups that are way too organised, that serve as models to other groups to follow as far as venue, organisation and execution is concerned. And don’t forget the sponsors. On the otter hand, we cannot blame other groups that feel like a barkada, comfortable in hanging out, not too grandstanding, steady, enjoyable, and lax. 

How about cars that are built the right way from the start, fast, agile, hassle free, got all the right functional parts and the like. As compared to builds which seem to start with the wrong foot, from purchasing parts then immediately selling them because the owner feel it does not match or a complete incompatibility or wrong judgement. As I’ve always said to my friend Von, Oras lang any Katapat. Time changes everything and through it we learn stuff that makes us better, it makes us decide better may it be parts, or cars, or builds, to purchases to timing.

In essence its always sweeter the second time around. The same way we can handle next, past or present relationships better, or our next project better. Information has always been key may it be an emotion-less assignment of building or fixing car, or the difficult and maze-like task knowing how to handle a person.

Time to catch some shut-eye. Good night. be good.

Father and Son reaches Top Gear Level!

Today's highlight is my friend and client making an appearance at Top Gear Magazine. Top Gear of course holds a special place in my heart for various reasons as my close friends will understand hehehe anyways, its a City GM3 that started out from a set of Eibach Springs to various parts from coilovers, strutbars, seats, to a brake kit to various performance parts and neatly painted for show purpose by Autobot. During the cars earlier days, we were keen into providing performance upgrades on a canvass that usually was usually massaged with only exterior and aesthetic upgrades. In hindsight, it was after the goal I had in mind. In summary the parts where countless and each represent a time in progress on how this father and son project bloomed to what it is now. ‪#‎jdmselect‬

Use Facebook to Create a New You!

Facebook and Instagram. Aren’t those two amazing? No I’m not talking about how you get to sell stuff, or promote products and services or maybe how you connect to loves ones and family, and cool stuff such as the pics, videos , music and location services.

No, its about trying to project an image. Making it a totally separate reality. 

We all have the posers and the haters and we;'re pretty fed up with those. Im going to talk about something deeper.

I’m totally entertained when someone suddenly acts like zen-like on Instagram #Ilovetravelling #nodrama #peace #nature #loyal , after she freaki’n cheats on her boyfriend in the most fabulous way possible ala telenovela. Or someone who posts life quotes everyday about doing good with business and making a difference after well, asking for almost 100k from my friend for a website, which for 1 year hasn’t been realised (thats definitely not legit. wink wink). Or maybe someone who had a very bad reputation even before the Facebook era, to fellow suppliers, shops and individuals and you later on encounter him trying to attach himself to a very well known brand from Japan. Yes, his face was printed out and stuck on a wall.

No matter how hard you try to self yourself on Facebook, the quotes and the hashtags, the pics, it will never ever change who you are. It can be a band aid solution actually but people are smart, they know better. I guess some individuals are so absorbed by this social network stuff that they actually fail to realize that there is “real” beyond it, and they had a life before it. 

Kaya mahal ang reputasyon, thats why people die and bleed because of it. People work late hours, go the extra mile, strive for excellence, because of something called “reputation”. It cannot be simply bought, or built by simply having that amount of followers , a thousand likes and some fancy pictures, touching quotes and hashtags. 

Let’s not talk about how God forgive because that is a totally different dimension altogether. 

I’m sorry if this entry is a bit hard, but this is a topic which we must all discuss and expose. Especially in today;s world where we heavily rely on social media and and deep connection with everyday life. 

Na ang panunulat na ito ay nagsisilbing pampagising, taga remind, o di kaya alarm clock. 

Understanding our two-wheeled friends...

As riding a bike and driving a car as part of my daily routine, I think I get to appreciate more than dynamics of both worlds. I do believe that people who usually hate on motorcycles have to actually ride on for an extended period of time, maybe to and from work, or during deliveries or simple errands such I usually do, to better appreciate its dynamics and why these riders act that way. The same goes for riders who oftentimes cannot comprehend how cars act such as not being able to stop on a dime or certain distancing they need when manoeuvring through obstacles. The bottom-line is, before posting hateful comments on our friends from the motoworld, try riding a bike first, making it basically part of your lifestyle so you can understand and appreciate the hardships on being one, especially in our roads and air, well known for its potholes, shitty streets, smoke beltchers and unforgiving traffic. In short, mahirap siya, and you can never ever compare that to simply being inside your car.. cool and comfortable. Ranting, complaining, cursing how hard life is. 

The road is a shared place, its not as if there is life changing effect if you get to go first against that rider on your left or right diba? At the end of the day, both people will still go home to their usual homes and it did not grow twice the size and magically had 5 LED displays and a resto like kitchen, sleep the same time and wake up the same time . The amount of money you have on your wallet will remain the same (it did not multiply life loaves of bread as you would hope to) and the food you eat is still the same (sorry but the cans of Spam inside the pantry did not turn to angus).

Before complaining why your steak doesn’t seem to taste that good at your usual fine dining place, try going heading to the nearest carinderia, dine with the construction workers, the bank people, messengers and MMDA's. Maybe that will blow your mind and change the way you think.