Your Parallel Self....

I've always wondered how it feels to be on the other side. Meaning say for example you belong to the Honda crowd, you own a Civic, or a Jazz or an Integra, I wonder how awesome it would be to witness a parallel universe but this time, you own a Lancer and you're basically part of the Mitsu Club. People would pay millions to get that feeling or even witness it for just a bit if you translate it to education, relatioships an even business

What if your parallel self owned a Subaru STI instead? Such an amazing feeling that may be, considering you're such a hard core Evo nut, your wall shows it all, you only share Lanevo stuff, videos, pics and documents nothing more and nothing else, you got all the shirts, umbrellas, keychains and your whole room truly is a Mitsu fan's dream come true. And in true Marvel fashion, you're quickly transported to the parallel universe wherein, well, yes, as a Subaru gearhead. So you see yourself joining the Subaru morning funruns, those of which you usually hate seeing as you and your Lanevo friends head back to Manila from Tagaytay, and the Subaru group on the other hand playfully and carelessly heading upwards. You delight because there are more parts for your STI, as against to the struggle Lanevo owners have with their parts wherein it always seem to be a waiting game even for the simplest of parts. I wonder how you'll tackle the build? Will you make your STI a celebration of everthing Perrin and Zerosports or make it as simple as how you built your Lanevo?

To be able to feel how the Toyota boys hang out and run on Friday nights, how their discussions on forums (well if they still exist..), or on Facebook group pages differ from yours, how their tambays at Shell which you only normally pass by with no regard whatsoever are now in full color. Suddenly the Small body, Bigbody and the one-elevens now seem to be a huge part of your daily life. How technical they can be too, and their hard to find parts and prices also rival your Spoons and Mugens.

What if you were to live another parallel life that of a Nissan enthusiasts, something you have never ever seen happening in your life. Seeing yourself, driving out of your garage in a Silvia S13. Surely it is in many ways a dream come true, of being able to handle a true sports-compact in every sense of the word. More importantly, being able to witness what makes these drifters tick? Like for many years you've always worshiped fast laptimes and traction and in the basic-ness of it all, the thriving feeling of making an FF as fast as possible. Now, in a RWD, your smile reaches ear to ear, in joy, in happiness, submerging yourself in that awesome feeling of fluidity, of being in control at the same time of not being "in control, shouting in the air: Rear Wheel Drive Rules!!!. That is drift. Stuff you see in TV, on Videos, now a reality. Ultimately and finally being able to discover and appreciate what makes the sport so famous.

The more you know, the more you spend...

Another case for of "the more you know, the more you spend" is when you're able to afford the more advanced things that you would rather get stuff that are a bit rare that there than the ones that are for normal consumption, someone would rather get Hawkeyes rather than the GVF which is sold widely by Motor image, reason is any rich kid can get hold of that probably asking it from his parents but the Hawkeye is not. Add to the fact that it's has a huge cult following and people deem it as the best looking Impreza. The Mitsubishi Evos are another case wherein real enthusiast go for it because it's harder to find or the build is more rewarding. It's not released by Casa and the parts are harder to find, that is of course in reference once again to the Subaru's and Motorimge. 

How about friends who keep at least 1 CRX for its iconic reputation, that is after a few EGs and an EK9. This reminds me of the younger days when you had a routine of buying all the newest EGM magazines and  clearly you know all the best games and hardware. And automatically that makes you more advanced and you tend to look for things which aren't released here or available here locally. Through that you spend more, because you know more. This applies to the guys who are into stuff like guns, shoes, gaming PCs, expensive bags, toys and the like. Each individual through the information fed by magazines and now, the internet, is now more updated and relevant that ever before. Gone are the times when us in the 3rd world would get left behind by our fellow enthusiasts from the States or Europe, nowadays the internet levels everything, that there is an equal playing field and any item, I mean any, can be purchased online.

Mga bagay na di naman dapat bilhin, binibili, mga piyesa na purong kaartehan lamang, dinadagdag para humaba ang pinagpipitagang "Spec Sheet". Recalling moments when your mom or dad would talk about such things over breakfast or dinner, of taking studies seriously, and preparing for that long test or exam rather than daydreaming of parts, or looking forward to that trackday you and your barkada are joining over the weekend or as simple as browsing over countless SS magazines, relating, laughing, keeping at heart on how Roel Concepcion has perfectly written one's devotion over the 180sx. 

Truly there is an evolution to one's being an enthusiast. Starting simple, gaining knowledge, spending years and coming to a point of pure "kaartehan", or being to picky and paying too much attention on how people thing of what you have or what you built. I guess that's it really if you break it down.

Such an expensive hobby, add to the fact that it develops into something even more expensive as one yearns for exclusivity. Buhay! 

Department Store

There are a lot things I learn out of getting stuff for my staff say for example their work clothes, minor equipment, cleaning materials and especially shoes. In the wet market in Marikina or let's just mention the SM department store para naman hindi shocking sa ating mga sosyal na magbabasa and since prices are almost similar testament to how SM is that competitive, I get to buy rubber work shoes as long as 199 pesos, the better designed ones are at 375 from World Balance. I therefore reflect on how that is similar to enthusiasts who have been through the EF EG EK days and being able to walk the streets of Banawe and scour the side streets for cheap useable parts and the like. I've always thought that it makes an enthusiast more complete, and that he values his build more than individuals who didn't do or experience such and just simply had it in one click of a finger courtesy of loving mommy and daddy. 

Maybe another way to complete an enthusiast is to be involved in a form of motor sport such as slalom, circuit or drag. Formal though, sanctioned and safe of course. I am completely humbled by my client who drives a PH16 EG as his daily and his regular competition car for slalom races. Though he may not have the B16, B18, K20, The original Recaros and Bride seats, STIs or the BRZ or the TEs or high priced turbo kits but way deeper and farther than that, he is actually the complete guy. He's probably all greased up works on his car on Saturday nights, details on a Sunday. Second looks on his humble garage before he sleeps and looks forward to a day of surplus shopping on a boring Wednesday. As I stared at them via the CCTV camera, so happy and joyous of the simple original MOMO Prototipo he bought for his EG. He was so drawn unto the whole install process that its almost as if he could have installed it himself without our help. At the back of my mind, is it possible that such breed would become rarer in the coming years? Has the gap created by new, modern and high tech cars continually grow and give way, only naturally to a different breed of enthusiasts. I'm always impressed by guys who take the effort to build older cars. 

Words like fix, repair, frustrate, depressed, finally, fixed, fast, thank you and finish seen in their Facebook posts. I wonder what joy and appreciation shall our future sons and daughters will have if they bring the tune cars of the past and parade them in school, in front of the 2025, 2030 model Civics, STIs, Corollas and the like. 

Wife-material or not..

Our industry has tons of groups, from several ones from the Toyota's, Mitsu's, Honda's and their numerous subgroups and area-based groups winging it out from North to South. As a shop owner I've always been a good listener to clients, may it be personal or car-related. I get that countless times. I was talking to a client of mine, as usual, (I )was all ears with some gripes they had with their group. They wish they had more to do such as charity or voluntary work, or stuff like a plant tour or a seminar. Rather than going just for eats, drinks or basketball. Or EBs at Mcdo, or a gas station and the like. I gave some advice, such as not that it will create any trouble within them, but in summary, just basically gathering everyone for a meeting, hearing out everyone’s opinion and taking note of them. Basically getting their voices out. I have always believed in getting your opinion out, no matter what the cost. I remember being in trouble many times with my EX’s family members by always doing this. I had my opinion on things and I would usually say it at face or through Facebook because I believed it was the right thing to do and it was, on normal-people-standards, absolutely wrong.

In complete contrast, here’s a group that for all expectations and standards has exceeded them. A model group in many ways, an envy of many and treat to existing and would-be sponsors, but deep unto the mechanics of such groups are members who can’t handle such standards, or can’t keep up. Or members who for some reason just simply want to oppose the “leader”. I’ve even witnessed members taking advantage of some loopholes in their established system. I mean are you serious? Here you have a group that’s even better than the Euro clubs, and you can’t contribute in taking care of it? Are Filipinos naturally such? Talaga ba na ang Pilipino are mga natural na aktibista and mga raliista? Its just a simple reflection of taking care of something that's already great, that's all. Or if you see and witness someone who’s obviously way beyond you, or have done such greats, why don’t you just accept the clear fact that he’s better than you, cooperate with him and live your life as you usually do.

If only you had a god-hand and mix and match the members for a perfect combination right? I guess that’s how life is. You yearn for something that you still don’t have. You become unsatisfied, bored or want some spice when everything seems too perfect and in order.

You get a girlfriend who’s so white, tall and beautiful and all of a sudden you see yourself crushing on a plain looking morena on a back-pack and torn pants. Or from wife material to completely the opposite. You have a house already and all your cars are parked good and well, and yet you want to buy that condominium in the middle of Makati because you want to feel that certain buzz and chaos which you haven’t felt because all your life you’ve been working for your family business. Or going for a simple motorcycle ride rather than your car, because there is so much freedom and the feeling of air rushing through your face and the varying temperatures in between places are all too priceless to you. How about driving an STI, an Evo or a high end Mustang, and suddenly you just woke up with laptop in face at OLX or FB, looking for a Civic EG or a AE92 Corolla as a new project.

The Higher Road.

Our hero Manny just lost the fight and it truly feels sad. Because primarily this time its a national thing, at a worldwide stage. Sometimes you just need to step out of your comfort zone, those nice rooms, good looking cars and lavish lifestyle and simply be a Filipino at heart. To support your kababayan, even if it doesn't bring any benefit to you. To shout, cheer and rejoice even if there is no gain or exchange. I'm truly amazed by my friends on Facebook who show admiration, camraderie and love for Manny. But at the same time entertained and amused by people who would rather post stuff that makes them so indifferent, so irrelevant, would rather talk about his car, or a trackday/funrun, his job or downplay Manny or the fight. I mean, come on, how one dimensional can you get. Just for one day pwede ba ang attention ay wala muna sa iyo sa halip ay kay Pacquiao muna? Are you truly that in love with yourself? Sometimes kailangan lang natin magpakatao and give our heart for someone who exhibited so much greatness in himself by coming from nothing and being at the pinnacle of everything. I admire him so much because in my own self, I never ever asked capital or cash from my parents as much as others would think of. I just started with 4 digits and a couple of Spoon parts and thankfully I am where I am. Hard work though usually unannounced will always reap the most rewarding benefits.  Our heart goes out to you Manny. Easy 100million dollars for you at least. And that is of course, is and always well deserved. 

"Projects chosen to the point of exclusivity, of not having a local body counterpart. Or something unreleased locally. Projects motivated by importation or a vision of pure track monsters or real garage queens."

Now thats a project isn't it? During the course of a journey of an enthusiast. its always unavoidable to run into an idea of creating or building a project such as that. For car guys its the higher road since you get to experience stuff that usually do not happen on a newer car, you get to learn new skills and data, things you wouldn’t ever get on a modern project. Hard to find parts, plans of making a catalog or replica car from Japan. Slightly illegal cars, or completely illegal. Cars that gain the equal attention of both enthusiast and the highway patrol. Cars that clearly stand out from the lot of tuner cars and have the admiration of real people you look up to. Stuff like that gives me the chills. If you notice I’m not naming any cars because I want you to read between the lines. Im pretty sure you get it and such cars are for keeps. 

Clarkson, Topgear and a wheel called life..

Just a quick reflection during afternoon drive: "With Jeremy Clarkson and Andy Wilman out of Top Gear, I think the soul is out for the show or the franchise' entirety. That whatever attitude our local Top Gear tries to project, or vulgar or brash statements at Top Gear's (Hoy Gising-esque) Facebook page or Magazine, it will appear as half baked, ill-conceived or lacking that unique punch it always had."

I simply had this thought when I was browsing through a display rack, buying cold drink at 711 Tagaytay. I came from delivery at Sta. Rosa and simply urge to just to go up, things you miss perhaps. Fresh from an uphill climb, using our the shop's trusty service car a 2liter Manual FD. I kind of related to how Clarkson narrates each review and test with such passion and enthusiasm, and of course do not forget his eloquence and deep root comparison which is only possible if you got good brains and a healthy record of driving the best cars in the world for how many years already.

I always believed that the best car reviewers are the rich people. Simply because they have insight on a variety of cars in their lifetime. People like Leno and Clarkson are in my opinion the best of the bunch. I won't delve too much on this as not to offend the media people but just ask this to yourself. Who would narrate best? Mr. Soong or that regular at your dad's favorite Sunday Newspaper? That is of course set in an ideal world so no harm done I guess....

Taking him out of Topgear is like the Bulls without MJ, Nintendo without SHigeru Miyamoto. Or Extreme Games without Tony Hawk or as simple as Jolibee without their Langhap Sarap Burger. 

So if you observe, the Topgear post on Facebook aren't that too much vulgar and offensive or even strong anymore. Maybe its because Jeremy is out? Or a shift in how they project themselves? Or just maybe the people behind Top Gear PH's keyboards realize that its pretty much futile and has no impact if they stay the way they are when the real image bearer (Mr. Clarkson) is out of the picture. 

So whatever happened to the Alyzza Agustin stuff, or the 8-Plates, or the Power! cars by the Networking people, or lovers who were either hated or loved because of their couple car shots and all. That in the end tuloy ang ikot ng buhay tulad ng aking pagtakbo sa UP kani-kanina lang. That in the end, we live by phases and there are things which we may be proud of, or things which we regret doing in the past of such phase in our lives. Things we wished we could alter or things which we have done that are simply dictated by the current setting our of lifestyle, or set of friends, our financial status during that time. Phases moved and influenced by media, our mentors, professors, bosses and idols. 

Tayo'y sumasabay lamang sa agos ng panahon, and that is the most perfect Tagalog phrase to describe it.

Rockstar.

I want †o go to Baguio, Bataan or Ilocos in a motorcycle, something I have been contemplating about since last month. One my day-offs which I take once a month since I do not have any sundays or weekends as you call it, I wanna go out and feed the environment and the view straight to my face and there is no other medium in achieving such feat but by riding a bike. Hopefully this year we can achieve that. All I need is a 400cc + Austrian and a utility box behind for my stuff. 

Sunday, what a Sunday. I was blessed with a good Saturday and even more on a Sunday. We got a few glitches here and there with regards to our spring installations but nevertheless we got to fix it and had the job done. Again, our shop is a recipient of a father and son project. I am at awe on how supportive the dad is to his son's aspirations, it kinda left my jaw at the floor. As you know, I am always inspired by such since you would assume that I had the same experience with my dad, but no, he actually despised what I was doing during my online days and he basically hated it. He'd rather see me working under his wing and never have me any form of assistance or financing. Maybe through that that I had a sense of great pride. Of surviving and making it on my own, painfully, surely, gradually.. through the years. I think I can recall every meetup from all the Gas stations, malls and deliveries around the Metro. It was quite a roller coaster ride if you ask me, I then had a girlfriend then who was studying and I would basically budget my time in a pie, juggling my relationship, time on the road, my work under my parents and JDMselect. I would often joke about simply living in Australia and working at a fast food resto or even as a gradeschool teacher, something which I really dream of. I'd discuss how I would rather live in a very organized and orderly country and have just the right amount of pay, than being in the Ph. My parents would hate such brash comments and I can always remember my friend Mark Luna saying "mas maganda pa din sa Pilipinas mabuhay" and narrate its benefits as compared to living in other countries. #rockstar

I just had an attachment with the scene in Australia, or in plain view, the setting. AE86 with SR20 sitting at the garage, cool and cold turbo weather. Nice roads, no humps. right hand drive straight from the motherland. Clean builds, Nissan Skylines and Supra's blasting through the roads with much tone and vigor but easing off to maintain the speed limit #blowoff #wapishh, Such things, of a car culture so distant, so alien to me, but somewhat familiar. An everyday sight, but it clearly leaves a mark. 

So here we go again, its summer. I lack sleep since we have been so busy lately for I think 4 consecutive days and I had to transport a couple of stuff from our Marikina paintshop to the branch at 2am in the morning. A bit later I need to meet a client for our 3rd install of a Jazz GK RS Mugen Kit. I'm glad the paintshop is doing its purpose nicely, all the equipment was worth it. The workforce involved just right, the skill level, always high. 

Thats it for now. Don't forget your sunscreen and barkada. Vacation is a night's sleep away.