Thailand, an evolved tuning market.

As I am typing this composition, sitting at a bench in between Thanachart Bank and Phatra Securities somewhere in the middle of Bangkok, I enjoy discovering cities by foot, may it be at our country, the provinces or overseas. Spending some time in Thailand, I can clearly say that Thailand is one emerging market, most notably, their industry is very advanced since it represents a significant part of the manufacturing that being done in Asia. In fairness, they have been manufacturing elevators, walkalators, heavy equipment and the like for a long time already, something which we obviously don't have for a long time coming.

Thailand is a very vivid example of an evolved tuning market. I'm very fond of their industry because not only do they offer a wide variety of JDM parts for the traditional builder from Silvias, to RX7s, to Skylines, but they have opened the market into the common factory released cars offering broad options from wheels, to aero packages for common Yaris', Altis', Civics and the like. They also have a very advanced SUV and Pickup market like sports versions of the Dmax and Hilux. Simply put, cars come out of the dealership pretty much loaded with the standard payment. In the Philippines, you'd have to pay extra for these upgrades as our agents call it. Still remember the Toyota 86 Aero Package Deal with your local Toyota Agent? I hope you didn't have to go through with such a belittling ordeal. 

Obviously they are part of the D1 and they also have numerous Diesel Drag and circuit events where your modified Hilux, Strada and Dmax are raced unconventionally. Thailand has more of an evolved and advanced tuning market in a way that a lot of locally produced tuning parts are sprouting. Shops sell both traditional parts from Spoon, HKS, Tomei, Mugen and such, but they too keep a patriotic inventory of locally manufactured mufflers, coilovers, wheels and aero parts. 

As I sit at the sidewalk, eating my bbq spicy squid with the local bottled juice on hand, I could not help but admire the richness of their local car industry, different models which we don't see at our shores, taxis that look good and are well maintained, VIP Vans, extremely lowered Teana's and Accords and as I was crossing the street making my way to the local coffee shop, a duo of RE Amemiya RX-7s politely gave way  to the pedestrian.

Hey, I forgot to mention that I did some chores on their local bank called Siam. They only had one security guy only armed with a baton. Our local BDO and Metrobank comes with 3 armed guards with heavy rifles. Would that be enough to depict the difference in our societies?

As the CNBC analyst would usually call it, Thailand is something that the Philippines should have been.

Obligatory "LIKE".

As I write this essay inside the plane thousands of feet above ground, I recall walking through Ortigas during a parts delivery after office hours is always a joy for me to do. During these moments do I remember the early days of JDMselect wherein I would deliver parts day in and day out at the same time working a day job. It's even better this time since all the lights and decors are out, its Christmas time by the way, a season which we should savour during its early days. I've always believed that Christmas is best appreciated a month or so before it hits. During this time, we get to enjoy it, the busyness and buzz of everything from traffic to Christmas Shopping and the like. When Christmas day hits, or at least the 26th, we all know its over. Gifts have been opened, the clear realization that work is now looming behind us as the new year starts. 

Going back to Ortigas, I've always enjoyed watching these tall buildings as I oblige myself to park all the way from GCF and take the long walk way to Megamall or Shang. This is to burn more calories by the way. Looking at the buildings and how tall they are, dwarfs every little aspiration or dream I could think of. These big corporations from San Miguel to RCBC to Unionbank are kings of their respective fields. It always feel great to be humbled at the sight of these structures. The feeling of there is something or someone above you, something that you don't necessarily aspire to overcome, but more of to inspire you and keep you levelled. 

This bring us to our industry, cars and tuning. I've observed some individuals who think they know so much, who are extra passionate on things that they end up making enemies and attracting negative attention. They tend to expect other individuals to be as "pure" as they are or deep rooted. In my honest opinion this is depriving other people of their own discovery of things, its also a bit rude of trying to force a certain culture unto people who in the end spend their own money on these expensive parts, may it be classy, pure, JDM or baduy.

People should just take it easy, let people enjoy themselves and their cars. Add the right amount of learning and let them discover for themselves. In the end, these individuals who think so highly of themselves might even be critized by our next door big budgeted neighbours from Japan, Malaysia or Australia. Its a cycle, I've witnessed it time and again, and we can never be so sure. I've always believed in being humble and respecting other's take on tuning or fixing up. Cars and non-car related. I'm fortunate enough to be sensitive to such things or to people's emotions, from my experience to teaching kids, working for the corporate world and operating a business.

I've always had the idea that Facebook has given way for bragging and disrespecting to be somewhat acceptable. Obligatory likes, friendships for "business" and "political" purposes are somewhat common if you ask me. 

The more you know, the more expensive it gets. The more you know, the more critical you are. It's a basic curve which we discover but in the end the most important thing which we should be able to master or handle is respecting others...

That alone and above else :) 

The Rubber Lip Phenomenon..

One the most interesting things that has happened to me or has tickled my brain would be the Rubber Lip Phenomenon, as you all know, its basically a lip that you put under your bumper to either protect it, or to serve as a chin or lip to make the car look lower. 

Out of your capacity, you can purchase it at Amazon, Ebay, Alibaba, Sulit, Ayosdito, hey you can also check this link, its basically sold as a door seal in other countries..

Click:

Rubber Lips are derived from Garage Door Seals.

Click to see Video: Home Depot Rubber Lip

In the meantime, you may get your Rubber Lip at JDMselect and avail of an additional discount, just show us this blog through your Tablet, Phone or Pad. (Shameless Plug).

Basically to keep everyone educated, its a strip of rubber, nothing more, nothing less. We need not debate over it, nor compare since we have countless kinds at the shop and they are all the same and serve the same purpose.

I've even encountered a fanboy who keeps on insisting that this lip is better than that lip, I sorrowfully replied: Sir, its just a piece of rubber, take it easy, buy some milk tea or watch a movie… :) 

I've had a minor as you may say, conflict, with a supplier since I've transferred to another supplier who can provide at a much lower cost for such a very basic item. Such cost enables me to sell to other stores so they can still make additional profit out of it (my biggest motivator), to our customers so I can give them bigger discounts on it yet still maintaining a free install policy and being able to ship these internationally may it be to our customers in Brunei, Malaysia, our good hardworking friends and customers at Qatar, Doha and other far flung places.  

The internet has been helpful to us in providing such a "basic" product to the masses. Those who are warded off by expensive carbon fiber and plastic chins, those who have high and elevated garages and office places take advantage of this rubber lip. We've had weekdays and weekends wherein we had a 5-6 car parking lot waiting for us to serve their lips, we've had Sundays wherein people would still visit the shop not mindful of the strong rains or that big-time boxing or MMA match, to have their installed. We've sent them to Cebu, Davao, Pampanga, CDO and included them as part of their daily purchases. We thank them for that, with utmost sincerity. I've always thought of it as a PRODUCT FOR ALL - thing... 

BUT, when others glorify it and market it as if its going to increase your horsepower by 50%, that's way wrong and overboard. Its like saying that this apple is better than that apple in the middle of a marketplace because it has a plastic or paper wrap unto it. It would also be like saying this pencil is better than that pencil because I bought it in National bookstore rather than Divisoria. In this industry, you cannot make a big fuss out of something, you cannot super-impose something which in truth and form is a very basic item. Its no BOV, its no carbon fiber, its no camshaft, its no mono flex suspension nor it is in the same league as a fiberglass chin beautifuly crafted at Chico street near Anonas. No matter how many many ribbons you put unto its box, how many dedications, special letters, glitters, swarovski crystals, free gummy bears, Marian Rivera and Anne Curtis autographs, you put unto it, it will still be a strip…of…. rubber.. and definitely, the word Authentic is reserved for one-off and beautiful products and masterpieces. Aral ulit ng grade 1 English pag may time... ;)

You know for some reason, while thinking over this essay or topic, I kind of recall college with some very rich batchmates who would ask capital from their parents and build businesses of their own and give it a cool name. To make a name for themselves, to make mommy and daddy proud, to earn respect, to impress their girlfriends.  I on the other hand, would go to school, at the same time work for my parents at below minimum wage, sell soap and detergent to offices and laundry shops in Ortigas and sell Initial D CD's online.

For some strange reason, these rubber lips remind me of a rich, young kid, who woke up one day and decided to take a trip to the market, buy some bananas and decided to resell, and call them: The Best Tasting Bananas in the World.  

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.