Leave Rice on the Table?

I was browsing through Facebook and some posts and comments with friends and their friends, and some acquaintances who I usually see on my friends request, I chanced upon the comment:

"Leave Rice on the Table"

They were commenting on a picture of a relatively clean looking Honda Civic blessed with just a CF Hood, wheels, some lesser know big brake kits, no seats, they were pointing out if the owner should include a Carbon Fiber Chin or not.

In my opinion, of course it looks better, because it adds contrast and the Carbon Fiber piece is as far as I know, 1 of few brought here for consumption. Fit and Finish is also perfect, a far cry from the local Fabricated Fiber Glass ones being sold for 1/8 the price, no offense meant.

I was curious, and couldn't help but click on the guy who said such statement and there it was, just like a hyped-up resto which you really wanted to eat at and publicized well on paper and TV, and when you finally get to eat their offerings, you end up disappointed. Or the class bully, who everyone is afraid of, finally meeting his parents at a PTC, discovering how loving and loyal he is in front of his folks. Its that kind of feeling. Yes you guessed it, his car is as ordinary as they get.

The theme JDM has so many forms and features as of this time, that one cannot simply be proud or be the guru of such without digging deep into where the scene was really born from, and that has to be Japan. Have you seen those wild old school ZX's with 20Bs and and Nakawatase San's German tank inspired Silvia, or the Corollas with extra long tailipipes and such? Simply said, the scene is evolving that you cannot just simply claim what is rightful JDM or what should be. I think the right word that is probably synonymous to JDM nowadays is variety or creativity, or even crazy, rather than its 90's identity of being "simple".

Check out how Japan has embraced the USDM scene and has incorporated a lot of the elements which are usually found in the grassroots level in the US, then finding their way to top notch Japan builds. Check out the number of strict USDM Honda builds in Japan, with the need to convert to Left Hand drive, the dash, emblems, paint, trims, taillights, all strictly from the US market. And finally to put the nail in the coffin, have you witnessed how Japan has been in love with "stancing"? So how do you contend with that?

I think the real question is, is he using the "Leave Rice o the Table" as an excuse for not being able to buy such part. Or not being able to build that theme? Would he buy it if he had the budget? Is he using such statement as a veil or cover or a defensive tactic?

In my opinion it all boils down to Respect. If you cannot simply afford it, just keep it low. If you can and if it looks good on, go ahead and buy it.

If you're on a budget, just do the best you can and love what you ride, there is no need to bash, claim and write an imaginary JDM bible on your own. :)

Connected more than ever..

Since this 2 hour flight is so boring as we are reportedly 36,000 feet above, I’d like to reflect on how interconnected we are. Earlier this morning, I woke up hearing the news of a new scandal. No its not the pork barrel scandal but the Sex scandal involving Wally Bayola and the Dancer Yosh of Eat Bulaga. We are indeed interconnected, though the web and Facebook as its host. We receive news now at pace or even faster as it is reported on TV. We’re connected in a way that we feel each other, we get updated from each other’s stats and likes, and food places, or where we go during free time, whose Birthday and the like. We're updated on who's hot, or not, who's together and who recently broke up. We stalk our long time crush, only to know that she's isn't as glamorous as she is 20 years after. 

Ive always dreamed of this, of being able to connect with friends of past and staying updated though the simplest way possible. These things have been predicted you know, if you read your daily dose of PC Gamer, PC Magazine and even the editors of EGM. The ultimate question of:  What are they up to nowadays? The internet can be a double edged sword for us Car enthusiasts, fist we can get updated on parts, witness other’s builds, learn from each other or the simple joy of sharing your ride to follow car club members or maybe just a random or huge group of movement who share the same passion as you do. From hi-res pictures, to mods list, to installs and new parts, Facebook has really helped up connect in a way that we thought was not possible years ago. Who uses Cardomain nowadays? I guess no one. 

The bad thing is, well haters. I’ve always been an advocate of being fair and treating people the best way I can, may it be through inquiries, or show-offs, simple questions, purchases and the like. But as you all know it cannot be avoided especially with each other’s rides. I guess that the price we have to pay for such interconnectivity. Through the internet veil as I call it, we are to face a million personalities. Individuals who we could jive with or simply have conflicting views, regardless of what topic, even delving through politics, showbiz, sports and society. Everyone is subject to criticism, and we too admittedly, even in our discreet way, see ourselves judging others. Its just that through Facebook, we get to witness criticism though the most immediate and direct manner. 

I'll be landing soon, and to just let every kid at heart now, I never get tired of take-offs.

Have a good day everyone. 

- Dondie/JDMselect

The Life of a Party.

Having to fly off to attend a momentous event in other people's lives is such a wonderful experience for me. Being noble enough to cut your busy schedule and pay your own hotel and food expenses is such a backpacker approach to travelling. Yes, did I mention food? That would be on top of the list. I can safely say that though I’m not formally a food blogger, I can run with the best of them, well in terms of the food tasted and the resto's visited. Having a gf who also loves eating comes in handy, and yes, she stays slim. :)

During the celebration, with the huge venue, everything so designed well, as it was approaching its end, the music catering to the newlywed couple and their respective families, people dancing, everyone looks so happy that you can’t help but admire, well, how they celebrate, that is my approach on things. At the back of my mind as I was sitting quietly in the farther table trying to reason with myself of what's left of the food and has it really satisfied me, I can’t help but think of the amount of work that has to be dealt with as I head back to Manila. Or the work that my staff has undergone through the days I was gone, was it enough? Did they please the customer? Did all parts fit well? Questions like that linger in my mind, where online orders sent?. I just couldn't relax; indeed its a curse.

All along I was thinking all these celebrating will be done in a few hours, and come Monday, everybody has to go back to work, just like the rest of the year. No matter how wild you party during the weekend, how good your date was, I always thought of the end, that come Monday, everyone has to go back to their "usual states"

Which brings us to our forms of tuning. Our years are spent on building and fixing cars, we put a nice set of TE37s or some shiny new wheels Work, SSR or Advan, those aggressive stances on our cars, through the process we also put in body kits, show quality paint, a myriad of decals and details usually found for the interior etc. etc, but as the years go by, as we age and so does are our approach to tuning, we see ourselves toning down and concentrating on Performance. If it is not needed, why put it? Does it make the car run faster and handle better? It is really lighter than stock? Will those rare JDM pieces shave lap times of The Clark Speedway?

Just like the life of a party, it has to end, that come Monday, you need to wake up early in the morning and head to work and make a living. The same goes for tuning and building cars, after all the kits, the expensive paint job, huge wheels and rare JDM pieces, later on you'll see yourself toning down and concentrating on what is important. 

That of performance, the real purpose and mission of the “machine" is to tear up the track or on most basic terms, make you smile as you head to Tanay that early Sunday morning, apex upon apex..

Jumping out of that box...

After arriving 30 minutes ahead of time and taking a nap at the nearby parking lot, I quickly fixed up and walked towards Church. To serve some information, this was at GCF at Ortigas, during its 5:30pm Service.

As I was walking leisurely towards the building, a car almost hit me, obviously he was rushing towards the GCF basement parking. No sorry's, no apologies, no short beep beep or whatnot, the guy just headed down to park his car. 

Faith, religion. Yes. No matter how hard you pray, and how attentive you are at Church, during the message, how many times you read the bible and study its true meaning, it will never ever change who you truly are, at heart. Clearly, it goes to show that some people use Faith as a front, some sort of having a "sense" of belonging. Probably a mission or purpose during Sundays? Something to cancel out all their shortcomings or bluntly speaking, their sins throughout the week. To feel intimate or focused at times, to jump the bandwagon of serving a one true God. In the end it will always be the person, on what's inside that heart, what kind of character revolves around that person. We've all been witness to these kinds of individuals, you know that.

Somewhat parallel to this is how we drive. Are we just really selfish cardboard boxes driving around the Metro? Bots, machines and puppets driving around doing about our business. Or had we got time to honk your horn to say thank you for letting you pass. Or waving short hand to the person who gave way. Or signaling some people at the pedestrian to freely pass.

Have you experienced a jeepney driver or taxi driver who looks so clueless and surprised that you actually gave way to him in a busy intersection, with his engine jerking from suddenly accelerating. 

He was surprised, thats just about it. He's so used to the rudeness of Philippine driving, the mind your own business, bumper to bumper kind of driving, that we was left clueless during that "kind and noble" moment of yours.

Have you experienced such? Maybe if we become more "human" with our driving, others may follow suit. 

Hater Mentality

Are you a hater? Do you see yourself hating on other people's rides? Or secretly hating? Not "liking" because you simply think that you can do better? Has this much to do with pride? 

I've recently noticed that on Facebook wherein the common enthusiast turn into haters when shown or showcased of other people's masterpieces. Is it a natural progression for enthusiasts? I've always thought of it as something natural which comes hand in hand to being competitive. I guess its uncontrollable these days since people are cloaked behind the thick vale of laptops / desktops and the mask of a forum handle. 

I think guys should be selfless, they should stop hating may it be though small talk through the internet or even during barkada discussions. Why cant we appreciate rather than hate? Why cant we hold ourselves back and bring back the Starter's enthusiasm towards cars? Do you remember or even see yourself hating when you first started fixing up cars? I don't think so. I assume you would rather be curious and or smiling, rather than picking on the flaws and the trash parts the other car has.

Respect is key, discipline is second. The song by John Legend quickly reminds me of: Who do we think we are?

Are we that great as to be unappreciative of gradual steps? Of budgets, and individuals who don't intend to be purist and Transhow-regulars but rather enjoy the lighter side of tuning?

After all, they guy with the Ferrari may be laughing or mocking secretly on the things which we think are the best. We will never know. 

So relax, appreciate, don't hate. Breath the air of variety and consider it as a painting, an empty canvass, a community, a school, wherein enthusiasts are all in long journey.

Fun Run Barkada or the Solitary Guy?

On one occasion during one of my very busy x100 days, I decided to go to Megamall after some errands in Ortigas. Going to Megamall, on a weekday presents you with the liveliest of occurrences, particularly at the food court.

With an empty tummy only means one thing for me after a long day on the road doing deliveries and such, it means the all time favourite Pinoy Toppings with is huge serving of rice. As I was feasting on the food I carefully scanned around the other tables, I can see different bardkadas, all laughing, having fun, and picking on the usual "tanga" or "funny guy" from the group. As they usually say it, hindi completo ang barkada kung walang tanga or someone to pick on usually.

This scenario directly reflects that of the common fun runs. What better way to enjoy your car than by going to Tanay, Tagaytay, Subic or any driving road with your friends, letting your cars rolls, which is what they're designed for, hanging out for coffee, cake and drunks, 25% car talk and 75% random stuff. Things usually work that way.

I wonder how ultra rich guys do it. Do they stare at their projects all alone at night while sipping on that expensive wine? Wonder in its beauty and power as he goes around the village or compound. All alone with no one to share it with?

Or does it really the way for some solitary kind of guys that they don’t want anyone seeing their projects even with the internet age? I heard the NSX guys in the US are that way.

So which do you prefer? 

Why I Write..

As I was browsing through the internet particularly Honda-tech forums, researching, part-studying the parts of the new Civic and how interchageable it was to the Civic FD, I came across some post by competitor shops at Facebook. Boy, did they evolve into posting parts and installs, similar to what we did and have been doing for the past 6 years. Remember, JDMselect is an online shop and we’ve thrived through the internet even before we formally opened a tangible shop. In our hearts, we will always be an online entity; furthermore, I have even dedicated a separate office for basic inquiries, sending parts Nationwide and demos, that being: JDMselect Kalayaan Avenue.

Posts like: At the ______ Shop, installing this or that, or New Arrivals, or sending tracking numbers of shipments, or pictures of cars with quotes and captions etc etc etc.

I would be lying to myself if I said I wasn’t partly irritated but you know, the internet is a free world, we need to understand that. After all, imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. Maybe my years of posting in such manner sort of influenced them, or maybe they are just evolving, just like the internet, so easy and convenient in sharing such. I just wanted to get it off my chest that’s all, if there’s something you won’t get from me, it’s hating. I’d rather appreciate and reflect than hate.

So here we are, approaching JDMselect’s 6^th year. Please do not forget about us, remember that we’re enthusiasts, not a bunch of greedy guys selling fake parts at original prices, push selling and the like. We sell high quality parts, we educate others by posting and elaborating, we smile when we entertain questions, we text or call the soonest that we can, 12:00midnight is usually allocated for answering the hundreds of questions we get on Facebook (Just click on the message tab right below our Cover Photo at the JDMselect Facebook Page) before heading to sleep. 

Remember us, as the Pioneers of sharing on Multiply and Facebook at least here in the Philippines. Our experiences, our parts, our installs, all our shipments and proof, pics of being annoyed or entertained as we are stuck in traffic, maybe a random shot of the road as I head to the shop on Sunday.  Remember us for these small things, as you wake up early in the morning, seeing our greetings and the never ending parts posts. Remember us for our enthusiasm even for the simplest of cars.

The only thing probably that I can offer you now is this. My writing, my blog, how I narrate such thoughts at a level which is probably so opposite of a typical parts and service guy can provide. It’s easy to pour in captions and all, shallow words which are constantly copied and pasted.

But to write with the heart and mind, these things cannot be bought nor can it be attributed to expensive vices or hobbies.

This blog is a piece of my mind, reminding you that there’s a working brain behind all of this. As much as I can, I write the best way possible, this too is homage to my extra-diligent classmates at the Ateneo, who now are surely very successful in their own fields. To my teachers, professors and mentors.

Pizza is now delivered and it’s time for dinner. Have a great evening everyone. Take it easy.J