What makes us human..

As we finished at around 8pm at the Paranaque shop, I gathered my staff for a simple dinner at nearby Jollibee. It was truly a tiring day since it was basically non stop the moment I drove off from the house to QC, the tasks keep piling up that I had to designate a few other tasks to the secretary for us to cover a few request from the nearby clients. Jollibee, for all intents and purposes is the symbol of the working class. When you say Jollibee, its something thats already marked in everyone’s mind as “I love you Sabado”, or the Chicken joy which Aga Muhlach and some kids would bite off effortlessly in front of the camera even though it was basically steaming hot which I do not underhand still now how that is possible. A sort of reward, a light at the end of a dark tunnel and the easiest way to please crying kids. 

Anyways, there are certain things that have made a mark to each of us, especially during our childhood that as it tears and labours through time, it will, and always be an item which enables us to quickly look back and remember the past. The same goes for songs and places, say for example a certain lyric or rhythm that reminds you of the barkadahan, how you and your friends would sit at the corner of the classroom on a rainy July, with the guitar in hand, halfway through lunch break as you would sing to the iconic melodies of Eraser Heads or True Faith. How about that burnt smell of bread, would remind you of your 5:am breakfast, as your mom prepares you a sandwich before heading to school. Or that particular smell from a car’s resonator, which brings you back to the college years as you would often smell such odor as you come home to your girlfriend’s house in Antipolo. The car’s resonator emitting such smell from your uphill sprints, spirited but cautious, enjoyed and appreciated. Or a song from Dave Matthews band, which you were listening non stop as you tried to recover from being busted by your long time crush, trying to move on, trying to move out, understanding and painstakingly trying to reason out with yourself, of why's, where's, of when's and will there ever be.

Certain cars that remind you of the golden age. Of parking your cars at the side of Libis, burger in hand, Walkie Talkie on the left, cheering and waiting. The EKs and EGs, the rare Evo’s from Autoplus and Redline Racing Skyline during that time. Gods of the internet, figures of the talk boards. 

I guess that is what makes us human, literally and figuratively. That we are able to feel the past, present and possibly the future through objects and events that give way to memories and understanding. 

Built to run..

I understand people who really use their cars and give little value to the word preserved and low mileage. I mean, there are two types of enthusiasts. First the one who preserve, then the second wold obviously be the ones who use. It works both ways actually, especially in the second hand car market. Both compliment each other say for example a friend who sold his 95 pristine EG Hatch to another friend who's looking for one. In 1 week, the EG got a new Bseries transplant, a new paint job plus seats, brakes and suspension. The effect is simply phonemonal to say the least.  To receive a well preserved EG and inject the best parts on it is a recipe for success to matter how you look at it. The same goes for the Corollas, the Silvias, Lancers and STI's out there. I've always believed in using a car to the best of its abilities but at the same time pampering. In an ideal world it would be nice to have it sit at the garage for months and weeks but you know cars are built to run, 75% of its purpose is to please the mind and heart, to awaken the senses and to say the least, keep you inspired to work harder and look forward to each day.

Things that stem from this are parts, which we all buy and is a huge industry, the media, the interwebz and traditional print. Do not forget of all things motorsports, that in the end of the day, eveything is centered upon it. As enthusiasts, we buy using the heart first, then the mind. As a shop owner if you put money first instead of putting yourself on the customer's shoes I think that would be defeating rather than nourishing. To oblige yourself rather than waking up in the morning and doing what you love.

Just some random thoughts before getting after a long road trip to the north (and some wilderness). I'm so happy that finally I got my day-off, after like what, 4 months of no weekends and holidays. The recent months have been very exhausting, but I'm very thankful of the blessings.

Why do I write? Because brains. :) More than parts and the flashy cars.

Substance is what makes us human. Priceless and cannot be bought by any amount of money.

Teaching fellow drivers the right way.

In my opinion the best way to teach proper driving manners in Manila is to basically react the right way. Say for example a car is struggling to merge in a lane, using his signal light, you should give way. Its a way of confirming his right move or action of using his signal light. That way, you showed him that if he  acts the right way, he’ll receive the proper reaction. The same goes for thanking people if they give way, a short honk of the horn or a wave would really go a long way in affirming that the driver who gave way made the right move. A sort of reward to him. I've always thought about these things, that the best way to educate a driver or slowly erase the rudeness that we Filipino drivers are known for is to act within ourselves and pave way to a cooler way of driving, that no matter how much cars you didn’t give way to, you cut and overtook, there wouldn’t be a 1-2 hour time difference on your arrival of whatever destination. That at the end of the day, we are part of this unsolvable massive and overpopulated road and we just have to barrel through it. 

At 7:45pm and 8:10pm, I made two quick parts deliveries. In just feels right making these deliveries as I have done years ago. Feels like home, feels natural and no hassle. I remember back in 2008-2009 I would drive as fast as I can to deliver parts while working a day job. At night after work, my schedule is usually busy as I would allocate all deliveries during those hours at various meet up points most often as nearby gas stations. Truly those times were part of the internet revolution/e-commerce. Online sales were skyrocketing and for some reason, people would ride the hype of inquiring to online stores and meeting up their owners and having their parts sent via the local courier. Thats what i thought. I remember back then when I had empty bat on the cellphone and my then GF and I would guess who among the people in front of Shell Select was our buyer. That was something nice to look back to, also various transactions which would occasionally disrupt our dates may it be during dinner, a movie or while shopping. The growing years of business, especially if you’re on your own and no partners whatsoever and have never asked for angel financing is one of the most difficult phases in life. It's always truly rewarding to have gone through all that, on my own was my common adage and independence was deeply rooted in my belief. Walang nang sasarap pa kung ikaw any nagtaguyod sa sarili mo, at wala na iba. 

Another traffic rant...

Finally done with work at 9:32 pm since we had to check and do some adjustments on the Type R kit which we are going to install Tom at 7:00am. The amount of preparation is more than usual since we have one of the most meticulous customers around. We get used to it, and I always consider it a challenge since when a customer goes in our doorstep they expect more from us, or shall I say it's the fact that our image has in the industry. So I guess there none again left for the weekend. The aspirations of doing DIY, or propabably a run at Ateneo, UP or a quick drive up the mountains has then again evaporated. 

Like a seasoned veteran, worn by the daily horrors of a daily "biyaheng" North to South, I say with much exhaustion that traffic in Manila is like a constant struggle to see through the road in such a way that you need to know how it's doing on the way back while you are actually going to your destination. Sometimes, Waze is used not to show you the direction but to estimate the time in traffic and skip to another route which you already know and see if it comes up with something faster. This is the common case for me, or at least I share it with the PUV drivers or messengers of the road, since I need to see through the road for the simple reason of deliveries and errands to and from South. As great at the efforts of the HPG and our hardworking MMDA, the roads are too tight for such a volume of cars. Check the releases by the dealers and surely you will understand why. I usually use sweet spots going to South especially at night which is at 9pm. By that time you should be rolling at Libis. Any earlier and you'll be stuck with the rush, and later on the other hand will be such a joy maneuvering in between large trucks as they come out of the ban.

I just thought that the government always falls short of the things that they need to provide to us. From social services, to proper roads, to traffic management, transportation to health care. As far as the standards accepted worldwide, I'm pretty sure we are and will always be way below standards.

Will we ever see better roads? I think thats far from happening, our good politicians have blessed us with such a good country, that it would be wise to just go to  a far away destination and unleash your beast there. Flat out, windows open, scream as much as you can, take pictures, eat at the carinderias by the side-road, skip from one beach to the other, stay at a cramped hotel and read your books and upload your stuff while in a bed that has 10% the foam of your uber expensive mattress at home.

Understanding Kadiri / Wasto

Well, as you all have known, a lot of people got upset with the page aptly known as Kadiri / Wasto Not surprisingly creations by *** Autoworks were often targeted because of their unusual kit designs and approach to their body kits especially to that of the Civic FD. When the FD became more and more affordable to everyone, of course its only natural that when a lot more people get a hold of it, the more variations of it you’ll see on the road, meaning from subtle, low and simple ones, to that of wild and sometimes overboard ones. A CRZ FD? Well, that has enough steam to power a page such as KW.

To understand KW you have dig deep into the industry, or sometimes, just understand the roots of the people who are possibly behind it. Maybe these guys came from an era, when the EK9s and EG6’s ruled, when there was so much importance given on hard to find and legit parts and an approach that doesn’t scream too much: “LOOK AT ME”, but rather, in classic passing fashion, it simply says: “Check the details”… From Original Spoon SW388s, to Recaro seats, to original RAYS wheels, to Personal and Spoon Steering wheels, to low mileage JDM Gauges, to mint red Type R carpets, Brembo Brakes, Endless to classic blue Spoon Calipers, some old Mugen wheels na kahit mukang tansan, sobrang rare and was even used by the Spoon EF during its Japan one make campaign and more. The list is so long to describe how different these guys are, and how they plan to impose such style on an ever evolving car culture. A culture that sometimes is failing to draw the line anymore. Thats why when you see the comments, if you’ve been long enough in the scene or fortunately connected, you’ll see familiar people commenting on the pics. True enough, when you talk to these people, or know them, its predictable and always inevitable for them to spit out these criticisms, of mockery, or metaphors and sarcasm. Check their background builds, and you’ll understand, their pattern, their view and understanding on how IT should be. 

On the other hand, there is always room for everyone, yan ang aking paniniwala sa simula’t simula pa. Drawing from each individual’s background, education, likes, passion, perspective, I have always believed that it will always reflect on his car. Thats why its always hard to argue with “My Way” or “ My Style”. Because arguing with that is like trying to argue with an institution, or probably the academe, or to put it simply, a School’s system of merits and demerits, a grading system, or maybe your Golf Club’s Rules and regulations. That a person’s style has and will always be rooted on the very fiber of who he is, how is was brought up, his influences and MOST IMPORTANTLY, how he processed and digested all those childhood/ teen information into being who he is. Good for him is bad for you, cool for you ain’t working for him. Its as simple as that. Because? Magkaiba kayo. Period.

Things like these happen, such as Kadiri / Wasto  The interwebz is a free world for everyone, as much as anyone can have his free will, pages such as WK are bound to either please a lot of people, or a form of release for a lot of purists out there, something they can relate on and comment on, sometimes sa mga pahinang ito lumalabas din any totoong kulay ng mga tao, purely in relation to cars, that no matter they rich they are, or how blessed they are, there is always room for mocking other people. Or sometimes, KW can be a wake up call for a lot of individuals on how to properly set up their car and the education they need. Or a hammer to lay down the law of form and function. Good vs Evil, Evil vs Good. Think of it as a storm guys, a wind of realisation, or a wind of change, trying to knock you out from your comfort zone.

And there you go. My 15 minutes are up. Thank you God for a blessed week. Tired but not out!. No complaints, just thanks to the guy up there. Im going to get my DVD now and enjoy the remaining two hours of whatever weekend has given me since I also work on Sunday. 

I hope this satisfies the people who PMed me on what my take it on this KW thing, I hope you liked what I wrote. If you don’t like it, its ok, I’m pretty sure you can write better than me (wink wink with no hint of sarcasm promise!) Good night. be good. 

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!