Travels

Tania and I would usually find ourselves in the streets may it be at Thailand digging though the tasty street food at 2am in the morning, or in Malaysia, eating such large shrimps while gazing at a metallic blue R35 passing by just a few steps from our table, romantic moonlit dinner, somewhat highlighted by something we both love, and surely what others love too. Vietnam is a different adventure altogether wherein you throw away everything you've know so far or accustomed to with reference to Hongkong and its flashy cars and replace that with a motorcycles, yes, a truckload of them, no, even more, enough for the government to award them their own lane. To put it simply I think every citizen of Vietnam had one. The streets are filled with them and we are now where near their skill handling such by the MM clearances. Our travels to various countries keeps us grounded, that we are nothing and helpless in the middle of a realm we know nothing about. It simply feels refreshing to travel on a backback, somewhere in the middle of the city wherein no one knows you, your background and what have you. In front of you is a world to discover, trying to communicate, doing to your best to understand, digesting the details so you could then appreciate stuff which are, in ways, out of your usual routine and system.

Looking back the cars we had are someone similar or symbolize the relationships we had. That near-track car SIR is like the model girlfriend we had. Quick, fast but very problematic. How about the Accord you had that sat on 19s and stayed low to the ground, beautiful and graceful but lacked excitement that you had to say it's not you, it's me, you simply yearned for something that excited the man in you, or the enthusiast in you. Through the course of our lifetime, our cars have always been part of our lives. When you're eye to eye with your car, there's always a tendency to look back on past experiences, difficulties, losses and triumphs. As if it can readily tell you stories of loved ones, the family, blood, sweat, tears, things and or moments which can never be replicated nor brought back.

Profiling...

Because like everyone, each of us, the enthusiast come from different background. Some were born at a time of convenience where items could be searched easily, brought in easily and there are express shops for performance upgrades. While others lived in an era of motor sports, burnt rubber, with a strong lineage to the balance of handling, lightweightness and power in general. Others are purists, who pattern themselves or rather their builds to its counterparts from Japan. To the Js Racing themes, to the Spoon ones, to the M&Ms of this world, to specific parts such as high end wheels from Rays or Work, to carbon fiber panels quadruple the price of fab ones. How about some hard to find interior pieces, to street cred rooted from having 1/100 or 1/50 in the world. So through these things, we can get a backgrounder why his car or project is built that way. Why he has a Jazz that's clean-built so low to the ground, because he has his roots from staying in the states for a couple of years. That air is the way to go rather than static. Why Ron has a Civic SIR for the weekends, dropped on Coilovers, lightweight RE30s, those gleaming blue brakes which I know you've guessed, Cusco roll cage and all, and CF galore. That pink #64 on his windshield trying it's best not to fade, signifying that these cars only mean business, burning rubber on weekends and trying catch that elusive track record. Joel on his Evo8, with a catalog-full of Tomei parts, his appearances in various magazines is a testament of how well sorted out his parts are, therefore appealing to the JDMU-level purists but making sure the most "picky" enthusiast broke his neck as he would attend and park his car at the posh meets at BGC. How about Gello's EK9, he prides on a clean and pure EK9, only authentic SW388s, Spoon Brakes and his trusty Apexi N1 suspension and nothing else. That he prefers to have a pure build rather than having something that attracts too much attention or as other say it "overdone", "boyoyong" or too much "burloloy".

In our lifetime, I mean in this generation in the advent of newer and more affordable cars, we've sure had our personal battles number one of course with our selves as we talk to ourselves and critic some riced out cars, to the forums and group pages, trying to be as polite as possible by using IMHO, Paps, papi, with all due respect, no offese and what not, educating, teaching, illustrating to the younger generation how builds should at least look like.  

Food is served, and now I'm about to enjoy my late dinner. That was quite a day, as always, thankful. Good night everyone. 

Seller Types

Some people sell to make money and make a living, and some sell for the passion for cars and its numerous facets. Some sellers provide products because they see an opportunity to make it in a very active market while on the other hand some guys draw passion from the makings of being a real car enthusiast, of being lighter and faster on the street. Some people choose to use the word accessories, while others chose not to and rather go for "parts", "performance" or "Go-Fast". Some people choose to go up the stage and some people let their clients head up and feel the limelight. Some are happy with their stocks and a hefty bank account but some keep a stable of cars to fuel their passion, to keep them literally and figuratively awake day to day. Some choose to cross-over to various forms, while others stay true to the compacts. Some had taken opportunity to market cheap yet fast selling stuff, whilst others have chosen to patiently wait and remain loyal to good stuff....

That stuff is what teaches an often young and naive crowd of the interwebs, on FB and IG what really makes the industry. Whats proper, and whats real. Trying to mold them, away from a present industry that praises too much skinny models at 5k/hour, LED, decals and caliper covers. Away from much glam as against function. Away from the stuff that breaks 3 months after your purchase it towards something that last you a lifetime.

Alin sa dalawa ang gusto mo is often a reflection of your car. What you choose is a reflection on how you view the industry as a whole.

Random FB Posts for October.

Some of my recent Facebook Posts: 

"I actually enjoy the newsfeed and reading each and everyone's analysis on the current situation of the government. No hate, I just appreciate. Because through Facebook can you see a complete transformation on one's self as how you'd know them back in the day. "Ang mga kwela at adik noon, mga analyst na ngayon". That's how Facebook works. You get to recall who they were many years ago, and then get surprised (and appreciate) how they've come to be at present times."

"Clicktivism" has paved way for people to blame "who voted who". I do believe if Mar or Grace won, people too will blame the ones who voted for them even for the smallest mistakes, remember the first big blow to Noy was the Bus hostage of HK tourists. Imagine people hated an individual even if Nanay nya si Cory at Tatay nya si Ninoy and of course kapatid nya si Kris, ikaw pa kaya na normal na indibidual ka lamang. Would the Philippines be way better had Mar or Poe win the election? If Mar or Poe won bigla ba may lilitaw na Benz sa garage mo? or waking up to a bigger house or profits up 300%. Gaganda ba bigla ang imahe ng Pilipinas mula sa pagiging nasyon ng mga OFW? Remember your life at ang iyong kinabubuhay does not depend on who the president is so relax."

"Try to understand the Duterte Haters, even months after the elections at sadyang wala na tayo magagawa. The same way you'd allow and see yourself ranting on Social Media if Mr. Roxas won on his tuwid na daan campaign and pamumunong "Disente". During these times, masarap magmuni-muni, would Mar be also able to eradicate the drug problem as much as Duterte did? Walang issue with the US because clearly Mar is a statesman? Would crime be also be down by at least 50%? Bumaba din kaya ang halaga ng Piso? And lastly, the value of the +6 million vote advantage ni Du30 kay Mar."


"If you drive nice cars and get to "write" about them, remember that you drive, record and observe. Having the means to purchase ultra expensive cars and afford the lifestyle that goes with it is completely different from its free drives and lavish dinners so try to keep your level-headedness. If you count money for a living, sincerely smile and look at people not with a Peso sign on their head, rather as true individuals, who work, live and eat the same way you do. If you sell 9 digit condo units, respect the competing developer and never talk trash to client. Tignan mo muna kung saan ka nakatira and completely understand the workings of being able to afford such prime properties."

Two Dimensional

One of my worst nightmares is ending up as a two dimensional individual. That not everything revolves around cars and parts, motor sports and all. Thats why as much as I can, I do travel abroad when the budget allows, there is also room to learn new stuff from friends from a totally opposite field, or getting to read some books, comics, documentaries and anything totally unrelated to cars and basically experiencing life without the the usual comfort provided to us by our four wheeled machines may it walking or a bike ride to the random places which you've always yearned to go to. Going alone is of a different topic altogether hehe :)

To tell you the truth, I do not want to be known, or at least on Facebook as the person who post nice cars, or gets 200 likes from posting his garage or a nice wide-bodied car with a 6 digit CF wing, I want to be known as a person, well educated, who thinks and works outside the box, that box of course is the industry and the life which we live. I also enjoy blogging, and is something I greatly take pride from as I suppose that writing is one of the greatest liberties we have a humans.

Hanggang saan ka bilang isang tao? Hanggang doon nalng ba sa mahal na mags, magarang damit at masarap na pagkain? Yung date places and resto na paborito ninyong magselfie magkabarkada or habang kasama mo ang mahal mo? Concerened ka pa din sa angulo ng camera dahil mas muka kang maganda kapag galing sa taas ang kuha? "Tumaba", "pumayat", "umitim", "pumuti", "gumanda" at "na-haggard" or "whats up bitch?" pa din ba ang mga salitang unang mo binibigkas kapag binabati mo ang iyong mga kaibigan? In love ka pa din ba sa sarili mo lalo na kapag dala mo ang iyong kotse? Or are you willing to extend yourself with a clear understanding that:

1) You only live once
2) There is more to money and looks
3) Everyday presents a choice for you to make

Back when I was doing voluntary work to provided assistance and education to the less fortunate, I believe that my travels outside Manila are those that shaped me to who I am today. I', a car enthusiasts, yes that is true but I am most alive when I go to the remote places wherein the basics are presented to you. As we set camp on a cliff overlooking a vast mountain range, I feel that there is more to life than what we are currently living on. That there are lives beyond all that we are interested about, expensive stuff that we wear, the newest clubs and restos, who's who in society and the latest gossips and all. That beyond all that we are accustomed in Manila, there is another part of reality way different, odd at times, often opposite but presents to us a window of realisation for a lot of things in our lives. May it with our work, family, friends, our torn and strong relationships, our past, present and future. It is as if when we're out of our usual turf in Manila, "somehow" we can pause, get to passively meditate, think clearly, breathe in & out and basically get a hold of ourselves.

Relationships mold us.

As humans I've always believed that we still are evolving. On what we believe in, out attitude and our views and outlook in life. I've always stated that our current relationships is a strong reminder of how it either, sucked in the past, or how better is was in the past. I've had a girlfriend who was Christian years back and I remember going to a Church alien to what I was used to. It was strange but home as the years passed. Though her family and I always had our fights and differences, I could always be honest to myself that I drew the good from that past as I've helped build a Christian Church in Mindoro. It was a personal triumph of mine that deep within, an outsider, a Gaijin of such faith can still make a huge difference. That we can read the bible all we want and site its verses a hundred times but if we never practice what we preach, wala din. That it just takes heart and the character of the person, without that religion translates to only obligation. Second was a girlfriend of mine who loves to cook. Though her job took over her and eventually she built her own resto and then moved to the US, I can say that like all individuals, we get upgraded by simply being with a critic. That we can't settle for less may it be with the quality of the food we eat, or the speed and efficiency on how we work through the morning and the of the day. That we can rule our staff with an iron hand, but still with a forgiving heart. I've also had someone who was Zen-like in many ways. She taught me to be simple and appreciate the afternoons at a local campus, as we dreamt big things as we glanced at the beautiful sun, setting itself beyond the green horizon. In essence she taught me how to appreciate the simple stuff, such as long walks alone, my long drives and the "calm" we draw from which is a figurative symbolism of my happy place such as my dinner at an SM Food Court to immerse yourself to the earl and genuine smiles of the people, or Christmas walks to Cubao as it greatly reminds you of childhood and even traveling as it it something that fills the heart, mind and soul. The other taught me that money affects the very fiber of humanity. That it seems almost magical that the brave become weak, ang suplado ay nagiging mabait, ang maingay any nagiging tahimik and that dignity and honor can easily be melted by such. Money is the true window to ones soul. That, as we all know for sure, if we want to see the true nature of an individual, put him in a tight situation involving money and you will see one's true color. I was also taught that the we join shows and conventions not for competition. Not to raise the bar and bask in recognition and triumph but to be humbled. That in one single event, you meet your match, or in some cases dwarfed by the "other". It can also be a learning experience when entering say fr example an IT, Toy or Gun Show, it just goes to show that there is bigger world around you. A world that you do not have grasp or control over.


I believe that we can always draw some good from our past relationships, thus helping us to be better, or shall I say "stronger" as my bitter friends would say. Same same goes for cars. Our failed installs taught us lessons on on never to be stingy on the important parts. Our past projects showed us that it takes time to build something outstanding and magazine worthy. We learned to be patient with our cars and also never to only depend on ourselves but realize the gold, that is our friends and co-enthusiasts. And that my friends is my 5 minute blog as I wait for diner to be served. Heading to South in a bit, good night. Be good.

GIGIL.

We've all matured. We all know that. From the way we speak, the way we think, the way we treat our friends or how we perceive information around us. We've learned to keep it cool, stay out of trouble, rethink before we speak and never put too much money on the line. I've just observed that sometimes the cars we build can be a reflection of what we've come to be. Or maybe the speed on how we build it is a reflection of how we take life nowadays, and how some priorities in life clearly overtake that our our most precious hobby. Something which you could have never thought of would happen in the past. The past, which as you may recall put motorsports, cars, parts and car groups above else in your life. Never mind food, or time for parents, or the upcoming exams, the reunion or that concert at Araneta, we all know that most of us would rather enjoy speeding through the Zig Zags of Tagaytay, spend hours ogling at our project car, installing parts past midnight or meeting up with our fellow car enthusiasts at Silver City, Metrowalk, Greenhills or Alabang. We are after all car nuts, and during those days, that identity is strongest. That this hobby which we all love takes precedence over everything. Even your highschool sweetheart.

Walang pinagkaiba yan sa dati mong ugali na: "it's now or never". As you and your friends are on your usual inuman, and suddenly there's this super beautiful, tall and charming girl in the area and you have this strong and compelling urge to approach her, talk to her and ultimately get her number because of the plain and obvious reason that there wont be a chance anymore next time or that moment is for you to grab, take over your life and make your own destiny. Ganyan ang mga motto ng kabataan, feisty, hungry, sabik, malakas ang loob at minsan ay KSP.

The talkboards, the selling pages, our who owns and who sells what... GRAB it now! In my opinion thats how we are as young enthusiasts. Get that Caliper, or those rims, or that Gathers interior, or those Recaros, get it while its still there. Relentless, budget-unconscious, limitless and "Gigil" that's how we deal with cars back then. Sometimes, we can also reflect on how were as young enthusiasts. Not only by the way we style our cars, but how we choose the parts, the speed on how we built it, or how in-love we were with that hobby, and the level of enthusiasm we had.

My friend had this line which he often says: "Mabuti pa dati kahit naka-SIR lang ako, I would go to my Lolo's village, take tons of pictures of my car on that same corner, timing it as the sun sets creating a wonderful camera effect, post it on PBASE that same night and link it up at the forums. Ngayon, naka M3 nga ako, tamad na at pagod na para mag pektur at nagagamit ko lang pag Sunday pag bibili ako ng dyaryo."

Goodnight everyone and have a great weekend. Grabbing dinner in a few. Peace. Be good.