Classes and Gatherings..

While Tin and I were having dinner at a resto at BGC, we were talking about how she worked in Germany and how she hated her boss and the Filipina blood in her demanded the amount of respect and compassion we Filipinos are accustomed to. That as much as they work like robots, a part of her wanted to break out. How she had shared the traits of both her dad and dad, both professionals. I was telling her about how Malls have thrived and succeeded in the Philippines and in contrast, Germany didn't have as much malls as we have, but rather had a more vibrant club or bar scene. Well since Germans really are the workcaholics that they are, a remainder of their time will be then left for bars as they tackle some drinks before heading home, we on the other hand, or a vast majority of Filipinos, would rather relax a bit, take a breather, and maybe thats why our malls have taken over the Metros. Like how many malls have met the dark fate of closing down recently? Close to none right. At the back of my mind, I could hear my dad, a patriotic Filipino in every sense of the word say, "Marami rin Pinoy ang di mahilig sa mall, mahilig magtrabaho at nasa oras palagi".

Born of the endless debates maybe I have with him, on how great Filipinos are, how we can still make a comeback and how we realistically need 5 Duterte's, 5 BFs and 5 Gordons, on how Filipinos are so well and good with time, late, slightly late, 1 hour late or the famous on the way (but still not on the way) texts and messages. I do think Filipinos are really that way, or maybe its with the upbringing or training, at school, at work or at home, does our blood have anything to do with it, probably our culture or maybe, education has something to do with it. Well either way, as someone who is always around a wide variety of friends, I can say that one of their problems with our society is indecision and not being on time. That's it, beyond that its all good. 

Driving around as we ended some errands around the Metro, she noticed houses, next to really big houses, mansions next to squatters area. And as usual I would explain that's how our country is built, and a testament of the gap between the rich and the poor in our society. I remember gatherings in Malaysia and Thailand, wherein guys with Skylines would have their cars next to a Jazz or a Civic, or a Supra next to a Brio, an M3 next to a Corolla, the amount, the variety and the non-classification of cars caught my attention. I am therefore impressed, by maybe how they consider everyone as equals, and plainly, hanging out with each other. That this guy can talk freely to this guy. Well forgive me for saying this buy that doesn't happen here, often, there is a classification where the Corolla guys would be at that corner, the Supra boys in the corner, or Silva's at the other, and the Lancers at the other end. Never will you see those guys mingle together, side by side, sharing stories, taking pics. I do believe that its not a fault, but simply, how our society is put together or has evolved through time. That there is huge gap between classes that in even manifests itself on gatherings, what people can afford, what they can drive, where they study and where they hang out with or WHO they hang out with. 

A 5 minute blog by yours truly, have a good and relaxing night everyone. Peace. 

Hobbies...

Coming out from a good Sunday lunch almost mirienda with my good friend sir Jay, I recall a conversation we had about his neighbor who for a time had a couple of EGs in their garage, then were replaced by a couple of EVOs and then most recently a set of Vespas whom we all know can easily equal the amount of any car on the road depending on the model. I just thought that sometimes, certain individuals decision on their hobbies and purchases are dictated their peers, or the social circles wherein they belong to. People evolve and their feelings towards what can keep them busy, or probably a source of contentment. Meaning, a guy cannot let go of his toy car, may it be an EK9, couple of EGs or his beloved Sti because he belongs to a group and would dread the feeling of being left out in the barkada or group. that there will always be this toy which you would always have on the side. I think this also applies on parts or collections. It goes the same way.

Then there are other individuals who I call fearless and literally move away from one hobby to the other. That they feel no remorse of any kind or do not care what their peers have to say. Like disposing of cars for a couple of bikes, to the effect gaining friends from this community, then later in a way leaving them, kind of inactive then moving on to the next set who are into bikes. Our hobbies present new roads to us, a new life, a new set of friends, and a different lifestyle. In some cases, our hobbies also influence the way we dress up, probably an altered schedule or the way we treat our work weeks and of course the weekends as we give way to night rides, gatherings, simple inumans and what not. 

The Hangover called: Fit Fest

It was rumored that she was advised not to contact me at FB or through phone as to avoid her from comparing her current BF to me, and feeling sorry about him. Now that's flattering, as if I'm a figure or something naman, just a plain Juan here... I just wanted to get that out of my chest so moving along....

It really pays to have a good relationship with people, especially to clients, suppliers and groups. That is what I call a complete and full investment in our industry wherein one way or another, along this long road of ours, we're bound to meet them, need them and encounter them, quick and in passing, involved or binding. Fit Fest 2016 is finally over and I'm pretty sure a lot of the people here still have a hangover from the event, by the sheer number of cars and the "completeness" or its corporate suave, it impressed a lot of people that's a given, but more importantly, it made a mark on people's minds on what that event truly was about, at core. 

Going back to investing a good relationship, I couldn't imagine how difficult it would be if you had problems with say for example the Core Members of Honda Club or HJCP in the past and there you go, years after, such as event happens. I mean you reap what you sow, that relationship matters and it all boils down to your character and how you moved yourself along that long road to either be avoided, or to be looked down upon or in plain sight, to be fairly treated just like any other person out there. Now, kung may atraso ka, ano kaya ang pakiramdam of not being able to attend such a big and "universal" event. Na halatang halata sa paningin ng iba na iiwas ka, or wala ka magagawa kundi tumiklop at maghanap nalang nang mapagkakaabalahan habang lahat ng kaibigan mo ay nagsasaya, at nakikisalo sa isang kaganapan na minsan lang mangyari. Like a kid who's sick during a children's party, sitting quietly in the room, watching through the window as his friends have a blast. I just thought of that. I know it's a completely different perspective, but it has to be tackled, and I consider it an important facet of "being" in this industry, or in this community. 

That Sunday was really something, I almost got teary eyed as I honked my horn and waved hello to I think 10-12 clients whom I came across the road the whole day as I was still doing my shop errands, all of them, glittery and shiny, ready and committed, as they carefully drove their "gems" to an event called Fit Fest 2016. The selfies and Go Pro shots were flooding my newsfeed, it was truly "trending" as they call it nowadays at the interwebz. I just felt fulfilled, because we are a shop who clearly caters to that market, its not that I got flowery words to lift up the shop or to I'm trying to create an image BUT our Facebook wall and all our pictures, 7 days a week, concretely shows it. That every single day, Jazz' come to the shop and buy our parts or avail of our services. That was the connection I had to Fit Fest, it was kind of defining and the same time fulfilling on my part and the shop's mission from the very start. 

The question is, so what's next? And an immense pressure luring over the next set of guys who'll be in charge next year. But for now, lets bask and pleasure ourselves of this great feeling, of lingering excitement and delight. The hangover ain't over. And that's Fit Fest 2016...