Expecting

Maybe nagkamali ka lang ng sinalihan na show?

Because you might be thinking that your straight JDM that's catalog complete car will win you an award at a second stringer show. That no matter how much hype the supposedly yawnfest of a carshow it is, now matter how big the sponsors are, how wide the coverage or how influential its media partner is, no matter how grand the venue and the judges are, the sweet whispers of the car show model, no matter how many magazine appearances or 20,000 messages of encouragement that you received, remember that you are still subject to the ins and outs of a "small time" carshow. Bakit namin alam? Dahil 10 years na kame sumasali sa ganyan, we won, we lost, we lost respect for the organizer, we made amends, we reconcidled, we considered it as a tool or excercise for our clients, to experience and gain ground, for exposure to a certain segment in the market, to penetrate a certain car group and as we learned as it is more important above all, to be present, kahit paano in the small shows, not being too confident with our paid online marketing, word of mouth or the entity's longevity. For the regular car enthusiast its a different thing ika nga, its either black or white lang, a win or a loss. Masaya or luhaaan ka uuwi.

The pinnacle of shows, if you will allow me to give you my humble and honest opinion is the SMX Shows, Transport Show and Autosalon. Do you believe your car is the best? Feeling mo its the best kept secret ng inyong lugar, town and city? Do people drool over your IG posts that much and gain more than 1k likes every post? Well if you think it deserves the recognition that you kinda expect, then send it to those shows "para may makatapat ka". I think thats the simplest statement to tell someone who yearns for the best and who wants to gain exposure at the big stage. Those SMX shows are in a world of its own, and an experience I wish everyone can have access to. And through that experience, at the end of the day you will then say to yourself...

Kulang pa pala ang tindi nung tumalo sakin... or simply... I finally won, that simple.

Take care guys, safe driving maulan. Your 5 minute blog by yours truly...

Role

I realize that our role in this industry is to serve mostly the current generation of cars. That by looking at my position in the market and the parts that I carry are for the current generation of Civics, Jazz, City, and so and so forth. That as much as I would like to be able to serve the older models, there is no turning back as the only option to reach out to the older market is sell surplus and that is one thing I try to avoid. More and more, parts manufacturers from Japan and the USA, the big name brands have shifted their inventory towards the newer models. Ease of install, sure fire bolt on components, snap on parts are the game and have enabled selling these items easier and faster coupled by walk throughs via Youtube. Searching using the forums ika nga is a thing of the past. 

If there's on thing thats constant, is change and that holds well for wheel and tire sizing. Back in the days cars would be proud in their 14s, but nowadays obviously cars roll out of their dealerships on 18s as default. That's quite a solid and significant example on how cars and parts have evolved. 

The money involved with these new parts and the cars that they cater to is quite huge. Current generation exhausts and intakes from a reputable brand will set you around 25,000 to 100,000. That is the reality that has set upon these cars. Thats quite unheard of in the past, and will often shock a common enthusiast shifting from his Civic EK then now on a Subaru BRZ. Rare parts are a differnt story all together as EG/EK and AE enthusiasts held pride for parts which are very hard to find, and hold a significant value. So paano pa kaya yung mga variable exhausts which you can control through your Phone or Tab? That will set you around 150-500,000, bog brake kits on the other hand as they grow bigger matched by their equally massive wheels will set you around 90,000-400,000 depending on the set and model. 

Its such an awesome time to live if you are a car enthusiasts. Imagine a factory turbo-charged Civic, with tons of parts and tuning potential, thats something one could only dream of 15-20 years ago. With that much excitement, is truly equaled by one's longing for the cars of past. That's why nostalgia is such a powerful thing nowadays. We enjoy today's technology, we are spoon fed and given such ease that as humans, as enthusiasts and hobby masters, long for cars and parts that remind us of the times of was difficult. Times that required a bit more work, thinking and patience. 

JDM Underground's Yabangan Nights

Of course hindi na maari isuko nung taong taga Batangas yung Yabangan nights ay dahil ginawa na niya itong sariling hanap buhay, at kaalinsunod nito, like in any other provincial government, was easily given recognition and blessing to operate solely or in conjunction with a local fiesta and/or similar event. Such titles, which he claims through plaques and certificates are proof and are real, but it doesn’t automatically translate his Yabangan Nights to be recognized as the real, authentic and transcendent event that has touched the lives of a lot of purist, has challenged norms, and has often slapped you, waking you up, pouring water over your face, telling you throw away those fake parts, put on some real and authentic ones.

Like I said in my blog, a year or so ago, that JDMunderground is the Pioneer of cool. These guys started the year 2008, it was an invite for a run and meet, composed of one of the best looking cars out there, it was undeniable that it was dominated by Hondas. But through the years, we saw more purposeful and brilliant builds by the Nissan, Mitsu, Subbie and of Toyota enthusiasts.

What makes JDM Underground’s YN super untouchable is the quality of cars. Yun lang ang masasabi ko. Maaring isapuso ng taga Lipa ang kanilang Yabangan Nights tuwing fiesta, gawin nila hanap buhay o di kaya parte ng kanilang kultura doon, but at the end of the day, mga kaibigan ko mga taga Batangas, I appeal to you, I invite you to see, though pictures, through live meets, through the SMX shows kung ano ang kaledad ng mga kotse ng JDMU cars at ano ang kaibahan nito sa mga kotse ninyo sa Lipa Yabangan Nights.

Straight catalog Mugen , Feels, Spoon, Js Racing Civics ITRs and Jazz, full on Toms and TRD Corollas, a slew of nasty R35s, Zs and Silvias, couple of RX7s which you might have only driven only in the arcades (hehe I have a soft and kind heart for the RX7s), the boys of AWD Squad joining the fray with their tastily modified and/or restored Evos and WRX/STIs, K20’d Civics na parang normal at walang ka effort effort, loaded modern build facing their counterparts, equally loaded 10-15 -20-25 years apart, cars that make you even think if you can afford one in your lifetime, cars that make you think if you can see through its limited numbers and ever see one or have one in your lifetime, SMX Show-ready cars, the people: owners, enthusiasts, the movers and shakers of the industry all present and supportive, wheels, gauges, brakes, collectors items that can easily buy you a house and a brand new car and a lot more its too much to mention my whole blog session isn’t enough.

I absolutely have no intention to ridicule, to spark a fight or to rally the other side, that’s not my style everyone knows that. I just want to make things clear and to invite our fellow enthusiasts from Lipa Yabangan Nights, to see and witness what makes JDMunderground so damn great. Builds and projects so great that the international media has taken notice even years back. So damn great cars have landed in Magazines and various media outlets, so great they win Best of, Best in, best of at the biggest shows, so damn great that it has taught a lesson to a lot of enthusiasts and has sparked the formation of a clean culture, so damn great nahihiya ang iba pumunta at nagaalinlangan, so damn great that its exclusive, so damn great, yes you guessed it, its not for everyone…..

10 minute blog by yours truly. Good night. :)

Classic.

Bakit kailangan ng lumang proyekto in a sea of new and modern builds which are way faster, stronger and better handling with parts which are easily accessible which just a click of the mouse. Because besides the nostalgia factor and the meet where you can “yabang” its hard to find parts, kailangan natin matuto and tanggapin sa sarili natin that no matter how difficult or seemingly impossible a build is, no matter how complex the mechanicals and the parts behind it or the cars inability to make it to the street corner or even its early morning tantrums, pwede natin ito ayusin and every part has a match, and every difficult task has a corresponding person and skill who is up for the job and the challenge it brings.

I was misunderstood as upholding newer models over the old ones, that at the shop we rather cater and service newer car models for its ease of parts, less chances of malfunction and not inheriting any previous problems as a result of wear, tear and age. But in reality I always had this heart for keeping a side project obviously an older car model may it be a Civic or a Corolla. Keeping myself busy, fixing, maintaining and collecting the essential parts for the build. Because like I said, hindi lang tayo nandito just to earn, and blindly talk to clients just to make money out of them. At its core, I am still an enthusiast, and I also build the things that they also build. I know how it feels to buy something which doesn’t show you the performance you expect, or  blown away by price which is dictated by brand not by its use, or the need to get something installed or running as soon as possible, lack of patience, maximum gigil, traits which are painfully common amongst “us”.

Ilan ba sa mga kaibigan ko, cliente at kakilala ang isanabuhay ang pagkakaroon ni Takumi ng isang GDB and still having his trusty AE86. That through owning both the old and the new, one comes to a realization of sorts from response, handling and agility. 

Don’t get me wrong newer models are good, and technology triumphs over any excuse maybe except that clear feeling of Nostaliga but old car projects or its more democratic way of saying it, Classic car projects teach you a lot. It enables you to appreciate the blessings of today’s cars and indulges you to car building and parts sourcing not dictated by money but by passion and attention to every (catalog) detail.

Written and completed overlooking the sunrise by the sea. 

Gold.

The golden age was definitely cool. We had casa fresh SIRs tearing up libis till the wee ours of the morning, we bought burgers at hotshots just to stare at the parked civics whom we have heard have newly transplanted Type R engines. From a distance the original te37s with its tucked Spoon caliper brought a certain and unique feeling amongst enthusiasts. Life in those early years, as we look back, didn't revolve around obligations, targets and payables. Stress level, was in many ways laughable of losing sleep over a certain crush who you couldn't get a consistent conversation even on YM. Or the that Prof who gets in your face too often. Fast and the furious 1 was about to come out. Though probably we were the first to cringe at how they styled the cars, we knew it was the start of something big.

Moments are a familiar territory for enthusiasts, that after witnessing such awe inspiring projects, it prompts him to go to the nearby internet cafe, add a couple of entries and pics to his barkada's PBase account and YM's everyone if they are available on Friday for a quick shoot. On his other window, forums, discussions, the breathing ground of the upcomer, eager to learn, willing to read. He did printouts for this weekend's DIY, obviously he didn't have Youtube by his side. Though different, the intention of the enthusiast and how he operates is similar a good fifteen or so years after. Facebook has changed the landscape of the industry and has brought together a lot of people with common interests in various forms.

I would often joke about how great it was back then, when the industry was represented by the real hardcore enthusiasts, not by two knuckleheads bickering on Facebook why their deal didnt push through on a measely item at their supposed to be meet up place. Item na dati ay halos ipamigay na lamang.

That's it for now. See you around. Be good.

The Online Pyesa Guy

Facebook is the perfect place to post, pose and try to create an illusion for everybody so they can perceive you as you would want them to, or to try to exhibit an image, to be above everyone else, to look cool, intelligent, socially relevant, upscale, athletic and maybe for the simple reason of trying to impress that girl you have been dating. Kotse ng cliente, pinost na parang sa kanya. Mga nabentang motor, pinost in one single pic kahit na alam naman nating pagaari na yan ng mga kaibigan nya. How about your Facebook friend who only posts selfies with pretty models? Pero pag kasama na niya ang mga officemates niya ayaw na nya mag pa picture.

Away-pyesa is something I've witnessed recently on Facebook therefore, in a funny popcornish way, we, as spectators, witness how these people use Facebook to try to sway the crowd to their favor. After the big fight they had online wherein it gained 1267 likes, 456 comments, 20 pop-corn bags and and 19 bottles of Stella Artois, shempre si Online Pyesa guy #1 nagpost bigla ng inventory niya of parts, sharing past posts, sharing (again) his present post, gaining ground by tagging a couple of friends, clients and barkada to gain acknowledgement, to secure credibility. Aba the next day, si Online Pyesa guy #2 medyo palaban, nagpost ng kanyang bagong buo na kotse, ang garahe niya meron 3 spare Type R engines, aba bigla nasa shooting range sya, nag emote selfie pose kasama ng kanyang Glock G43 TFX Pro, bumabaril in slow-mo, may kasamang leadership quote from Winston Churchill, likely sending shivers to his rivals. wow.

It's no mistake that Facebook is also a place for people wanting to be real, true and no BS. My friend for many years can be honest, brutal and a jerk, but he is real. He likes a post if its worth liking, and comments on a post if its worth commenting, its that simple.

Oftentimes, posers forget how diligent their friends are. That pictures, quotes and shares can simply perceived by "us" as predictable, kinda expected and simple case of once again trying to climb that social ladder.

We had a lot going in the past weeks as we singlehandedly planned, arranged and executed our wedding. We didn't have organizers or specialists, all we had was “US”, our own money we worked around with and the will to make it work our way, and no other way. We didn't try to please anyone, nor adhere to tradition, we wanted the wedding the to be as what we envisioned it. During such phase we also had multiple events such as trackdays wherein our friends and clients were participating, sactioned races wherein our sponsored cars are racing at gunning for podium finishes, shows which we need to attend to wishing our clients who had planned ahead and well as they gun for the best awards and not 2nd or 3rd. I always remind myself to take things one day at a time and to make the best of what father time has lent us. 

So there you go, medyo 20 minutes ko ito ginawa dahil maingay yung katabi ko dito sa Starbucks, leaving in a while and heading South. Take Care, be good!

Island of the Gods

As Tania and I were riding our trusty scooter all across Bali as we head for the other side of the island, we in many ways bathed in a pool of cultures, attitudes and habits that the Island of the Gods has always been known for. The long motorcycle ride prompted us to do stopovers, talk to commonfolk, get our tea and street food at the roadside or simply stretch and marvel at the view that the unknown. Though we didn't ride a 1000cc machine nor an expensive van to tour us around, we found ourselves shouting in joy and in silent prayer, thanking God for the means to have this "moment", the sheer joy of discovery and simply being outside our comfort zone. It also reminded me of a few things back home, such as a recent experience I had with a friend as he entrusted his car to us. I learned that no matter what you do, explain, present and compare, you can never dictate your style and let him adapt it.

If a person is born out of the stance scene, it would be hard to teach static and impress unto him that a decent and workable drop will do, so as to be ready for sprints or the weekly trackdays. Or of this person has this love affair with huge body kits and wide fenders, its nearly impossible to tell him to keep it simple, low and clean. How about that guy who puts function at the pinnacle of all his car concerns, mahirap din paliwanagan yun to do his project justice by putting in a set of Rays 57 19s and some big brakes from Endless, ang irarason nya, mga 100 pages worth of automotive engineering coupled with his knowledge on Mathematics. Wag kalimutan ang kanyang  digital weighing scale and his knack of researching and weighing the parts before he approves of them. How about the JDM guys who whose love for this game can never be moved or replaced. No meet, fad, event, party, new part, new car, chick or barakada is going to move this persons world. Mahal nya ang kanyang straight TOM's AE101, how its built, the parts in it, yun lang at wala na iba. How about the paint guy who puts utmost importance on paint quality and detail inside and out. Mga 30 minutes ka na nagkkwento kung gaano ka kainis doon sa sandbagger guy who's been corrupting yung bracket niyo sa FORS pero there goes your friend, staring at his car while having it washed at his favorite car wash, in love, in trance, deeply spellbound by the his car's perfect show car finish and of course his perfectly tucked-in and rare burning red Volk Racing CE28RT Limited Edition. 

So that's if for now. By the time you are reading this you might be basking in the afternoon sun, by the beach, bear or wine on hand. Kasama chicks yes? Enjoy the holidays everyone. Be good.