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.