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. 

The Positive Vibe called Christmas.

One of the best things about Christmas is seing an extra smile on everyone's faces, smiles which you wouldn't normally see on a normal day, except that of December. Jeepney drivers give way, tricycle's are exceptionally orderly, so to are less stressed-looking taxi drivers. The old guy who owns a huge house in front of where you live momentarily doesn't call security anymore to complain about your noisy car as you get home at 3am. Manang serves the food like a professional chef well after she receives her bonus. The restaurant staff are more maasikaso, people at the mall, joyous and all, have a positive vibe within each of them, mornings are sweeter and there is always a tendency or urge to suddenly go for an early drive to Tagaytay to grab breakfast, or late nights with the barkada, as you whole heartedly open your house with open arms as they invade it, and completely obliterate whatever there is at the pantry or ref. Long drives, inuman nights, eager kids with their gifts and rewards in mind, late night shopping and sleepless nights of first-Christmas lovers, yearning to see each other, cant put down the phone, oh, what a season indeed.

As I was leaving the shop and heading to Ortigas for a biglaan delivery, I just observed the surroundings at a certain street at QC. I couldn't help but wonder how your neighborhood is? Do you hate them as much as my friend Lawrence who would always wish them bad as the guy revs the hell out of his motorcycle everytime he leaves and arrives? Or Mark who has his own set of parking conflicts? Do you love them because they too got cool cars and Sunday mornings tend to be a boy's discussion of cars when all you catch each other washing each' cars outside the garage? Or probably your escape from maybe cars, or a certain hobby, or the stressful job you have, because they are a breath of fresh air to talk to, completely unrelated to any interest or affiliation you have. Does your street look ghostly or lonely because you only get to see each other once a year when fireworks are lit up the sky on new year's eve? Or is it a love playground, kung saan ang kapusukan sa pagbig bilang kabataan ay dito nasubukan at umusbong ng subukan mo ligawan ang bawat dilag sa 9/10 houses sa street ninyo? Sorry for using tagalog on that one, I just saw it fitting for the message I wanted to convey to you.

Have you possibly taken for granted a huge part of your life which are your neighbors? Literally and figuratively.

Well guys, Merry Christmas, I just want to quickly share that the car I brought home a day ago made the police guy scatch his head on an early 7am Sunday Morning. He practically didn't know what violation to impose nor to blow his whistle but hopefully not fire his gun. Good night guys and take it easy :)

Bong Hilario, sharing his Era...

What a wild year. That's how I would describe it. We got people fighting on Facebook. We have someone who's an enthusiast, loves going to carshows, is part of a group but you know, he actually doesn't have a car. There's also a car blogger who actually doesn't have a car too. Or certain personalities who look so dreamy on Facebook but got such a dark heart. Oh well, the wonders of the internet and modern society. So with that, how's the internet nowadays. Quality diba?

With that out of the way, we move on to the more important stuff such as the loss a great, and that of course is idol Bong Hilario. 

I wish everyone had a deep sense of understanding how Bong moved this world from the night races, to dominating sanctioned races. From the boys who started with SOHC engines, to the highly technical and savvy people who had the Bseries to the K-Engines. When people said H3 only dominated the races, he brought out performance monsters to feed the Transportshow and Autosalon goers. That certain "feel" for such memories cannot be replicated. I wish I had the ability to make everyone feel that, the young generation who now drive modern cars, the STI's, the FD's and Jazz's. I wish I can take you back to arguments and clashes on Autoindustriya and Tsikot, or Kotse.com's old talkboards. I wish I can take you back to the races that take till early in the morning, or being with friends to visit his simple shop at Antipolo back then. The never ending technical discussions with the EGs and EK's being the star. The clashes against the Corolla's. The fear of facing the H3 creations, That certain "feel". I have so much details and memories and I wish I got the time to share them all. Truly an exception, that of which cannot be bought. 

Just imagine what people so close to him could write about. The H3 boys, the family. Just imagine that. I am just so FORTUNATE to share his era, his time, his dominance, his influence. That is enough for me, and through this simple writing is my salute to you Sir Bong Hilario. Thank you for shaping this industry. 

Goodnight and I find myself again closing this coffeeshop...

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.