Power Cruise and Hot Rod Festival on Unang Hirit
May 4, 2007
As a preview for the 1st Shell Power Cruise and Hot Rod Festival, Joey and Nick Montes, drove their Silver-blue Cal Look Bug and I brought My 63 Herbie to Autotechnika at the Fort as representatives of the Volkswagen Club of the Philippines (VWCP)
The meeting was televised on GMA7s Unang Hirit on the morning of May 4, 2007. Along with the VWCP, the Old Schoolers brought along several early Corollas. The Mini Boys brought 3 excellent Minis to the Show, The Muscle Car Gang brought no less than 10 big-engined American V8s. The Lowriders showed off a hydraulic-equipped Ford Continental and a hoppin Nissan Sentra. The BMW Boys brought in a 325 and a 320 E30, and a Z3.
The Volkswagen Club of the Philippines (VWCP) will join in the first ever Power Cruise and Hot Rod Festival to be held in Clark Pampanga on May 6, 2007.
Each participating car club will be assigned a designated Shell Service station, each club will then do a fun run and merge in the Shell Station Pampanga destination. Imagine, various vintage, sports and muscle cars merging in one location.
The Volkswagen Club of the Philippines intends to organize a bug run of VWs from different chapters to meet up with the other car clubs in Pampanga. Designated as the starting and staging area for he Volkswagen Club is the Shell station, Edsa-GMA.where we plan to merge with the Mini Coopers coming from the Pasig area.
Toll Fees will be covered for some of the VWCP MEMBERS, possible fuel discounts and other coupons to be given away during the said event, and the main event, Dynotesting, where you can get to know your car's power.
more pictures in my Photo Album
Two Herbies Meet at VWoodstock2, April 28-29, 2007
May 2, 2007
There were 2 Herbies at the VWoodstock2 event last April 21-22, 2007 at the Westgate, Filinvest, Alabang.
Here are the two Herbies and their proud caretakers. On the left is yours truly and on the right is Jay Cruz. There should have been 3 Herbies at the show as originally planned but Mykel begged off as he was just too busy with the elections. It would have been great to see that many in one place though.
The VWoodstock2 Volksfest had over 250 VWs and over 600 VW fanatics, Hosted by Volkswagen Only Kami Sama-sama (VOKS) and the Volkswagen Club of the Philippines (VWCP) Laguna and Quezon Chapters, the fun started around 8:00 Saturday morning and lasted until 3:00AM Sunday. An impressive display of Vintage Volkswagens were provided by the various VW Clubs who proudly drove, towed, or dragged their prized possessions for everyone to share. I was delighted to see VW fans, no matter what affiliation brave the extremely hot day, just to show off what they have done to their Vdubs.Some of the participating car clubs include: Southside VW, Cavite VW Club (CVWC), The Bugz, the Araneta Boys, the Kuba Klub, the Marikina Boys, the VWCP Chapters (Manila, Laguna, Quezon, Baguio, Pangasinan, and Pampanga). There probably were a lot more clubs that attended, so my apologies for not mentioning you here. I offer my thanks to you and to the many more that attended who did not belong to any group. It made for such a wonderful event.
It wouldn't have been a VWoodstock without a show and this time, the show was hosted by Ms. Gilselle Roque and featured performances by The UST Trio with Ann Alvarez, Sleepyheads, The Easy Mersey, Trend Aka Reunion, Skyline, Piledriver, Rikititoy, Edible Smoke, Recess, and The Johnnys
Of course, such a massive undertaking would not have been as successful if it were not for the sponsors. The Westgate Marketing Group, San Miguel Corporation, Almanza Lumber, Politix for the lights and sounds, NU107, Magic 89.9, Stoplight TV, and RPN 9.
For a lot more pictures, check out my photo album
Herbie Joins Other VWs to G-Strip at Greenhills
March 26, 2007The day started out early enough. TJ and I agreed to meet at Seattle's Best Katipunan to meet up with the other Car Club members at the Pinaglabanan Shrine in San Juan by 8AM.
TJ and I just ordered our coffee when Jappy arrived. After chit-chatting for a short while, we noticed that it was time to go. In reality, I guess we didn't have to rush since I really felt that this was going to be a LOOOONG DAY!
True enough, we arrived at Pinaglabanan on time but there were very few cars there. Sh*t! I felt that this morning was starting bad and going downhill REAL FAST!
But being troopers and to set an example for goodwill, we mingled with the early birds while patiently waiting for the others to arrive.
Soon, after justr a few minutes, Joy Asuncion drove up with a very Kool Ovali. The car was pristine. After a while Ej and Ashley came. You have to see the 03 to believe it. The reflection from that newly waxed paint job is quite a site!
By 930Am, people were getting antsy and everybody was eager to get this party started! We amused ourselves by checking out the other car types. It was refreshing to see other restored and cared for cars that were not Vdubs.
The organizers wanted the cars to parade along N Domingo before heading to Greenhills but the VW guys wanted to get a leg up so we decided to head on straight to Greenhills foregoing the parade. Besides, the 1928 Ford developed some problems and had to be pushed to start.
At the G-Strip, the cars started to pile in and confusion arose because the organizers didn't have any marshalls to direct traffic. The Greenhills security were no match for the onslaught of rare and vintage cars and started scratching their heads in dismay!
Luckily, Ding Jose and Cito Beltran orchestrated an impromptu traffic SOS to get everything settled down.
Aside from the heat, my only complaint was that the Old School Club, The Ford Escort Club, The Mini Club, and the Volkswagen Club was "delegated" to the area outside of the main parking. It really looks like we werent part of the show that had the roadsters, muscle cars, sports cars and vintage cars prominently displayed. The boungavilla just covered our cars.
I shouldn't complain but I can't figure out why there were late model Bimmers and Benzes and Tricked out Japanese Riceburners at centerstage in what supposedly was a "Vintage" show? Hmmm. Oh well, at least the VW boys, as usual, showed their support to fellow car ehthusiasts, no matter what club or affiliation they belong to.
As consolation, I'm glad that Doy B went and won the Best German Car beating out the jazzed up and tricked out Benzes and Bimmers. Way to go Doy!
Check out my manilaghia blog for more on the show
Car Clubs Meet at the G-Strip, Greenhills, San Juan, Sunday, March 25, 2007
March 20, 2007The Volkswagen Club of the Philippines will participate in the Car Club's Meet this Sunday.
In celebration of the San Juan Centennial, the San Juan Government and Vintage Car Club of the Philippines is holding a Car Club's Meet on March 25, 2007, Sunday at G-Strip of Greenhills Shopping Center along Ortigas Ave. Various car clubs and private car collectors are invited to display their prized collections.
I will be bringing Herbie as one of the VWCP member rides. Other VWs included will be some from the Karmann Ghia Registry of the Philippines
Program and Schedule
8:00am Formation for motorcade at Pinaglabanan Shrine
8:30am Motorcade along Pinaglabanan, Ortigas Ave., Greenhills Shopping Center (one round arond the center), Park at designated slots at G-Strip
9:00am Preparation of Club Display
10:00am Program:
- Flag ceremony
- Short talks of various car clubs presidents
- Welcome address from Mayor JV Ejercito
- Car Club Meet Opening
- Blowing of horns led by Mayor JV Ejercito
12:00pm Lunch
1:00pm Retro Music (live bands)
3:00pm Judging of cars by municipal officials and VIP's
4:30pm Awarding & presentation of winning entries
6:00pm Egress
*Raffle draw every hour
List of Awards
* Commemorative coins to be distributed to every participant
* Mayor's Cup
1. Best Vintage Car
2. Best Vintage Sports Car
3. Best Modern car
4. Best Modern Sports Car
5. Best Exotic Car
6. Best Classic Car
7. Best Muscle Car
8. Best American Car
9. Best Japanese Car
10. Best German Car
11. Best European Car
12. Best Customized Vintage Car
* Major Awards
1. Best Club Display
2. Most Popular Car
3. Dream Car Award
4. Best of Show
March Madness
March 17, 2007March Madness means something a little different for my family
With over 10 family members celebrating our birthdays in March, we usually get together for our biggest party since New Year
Last Saturday, March 17, 2007, we went to La Veranda in Antipolo for our get together. Last New Years, I brought the Ghia but this time I brought Herbie along. It was a blast to see my nieces and nephews scampering in and about Herbie. Funny how a little car could effect such a reaction.
I only wish that Auntie Del could have lasted a little bit longer to celebrate this event with us just one more time. I miss her.
See the picture gallery for more pictures
