Rider’s Profile – Iskuterista Series: Nani Juarez

By this time, you may have already noticed the popularity of the PX model among Filipino Vespa riders. The three guys in this series all saddle on a PX. The observation of fellow rider, Boo Blanco, sums up why this is so….

The PX-150E is the preferred vintage scooter of our local riding scene and this is not merely due to the lack of availability of other models. The PX offers a superior balance of performance, reliability, convenience and retro-style that can’t be beaten by the rarest vintage scooter and the most advanced motorcycles. It is no wonder that the PX-150E is the largest-selling Vespa in Piaggio’s history and may no easily be found in the shadows of New York’s skyscrapers than in the back-alleys of India and the islands of the Caribbean.

I myself knew I wanted a PX from the start (actually I knew the classic look but didn’t even know what it’s called at that time). At the time I was looking for I ride, it came to a point that I actually emailed Piaggio Asia Pacific out of desperation and asked when would the next batch of PX200 will arrive. My inquiry was then forwarded to their Philippine representative and got a reply from this guy.

Nani (or Dr. Scoot to readers of Scooterista magazine) is actually one of the first people I got to talk with regarding Vespas. He entertained my ‘stupid’ questions over the phone about the PX model since I really knew nothing about it. The only thing I know then is that it was the model I wanted. He told me about their Vespa shop in Leon Guinto, Manila and urged me to visit them soon so I could see the Wasps there and them firsthand. In retrospect, our whole conversation may have sounded like a consultation with a doctor. Later that day, I was able to find a second hand PX and brought it to the shop the next day so Nani could take a look and give me his assessment. The rest, as they say, is history.

Here’s Nani with some of the EuroScoot guys

So what is this ‘doctor’ like after clinic hours? Let’s find out!

rider’s name: Nani Juarez
also known as: Dr.Scoot
ride: Vespa PX200
homebase: 2211Works, Leon Guinto St., Malate, Manila
job: Managing Director / Mechanic – 2211Works/Bluegate; Technical Editor – Scooterista Magazine

more about the rider: With the expert technical advise (and practical riding and safety tips as well) he dispense in every issue of Scooterista mag, Nani is now more known as Dr. Scoot outside the Vespa circles. There is even one amusing anecdote about Nani’s popularity during one of the EuroScoot‘s ride in Laoag, Ilocos Norte where they were escorted by the Road Warriors riders based in the province. Here’s an excerpt of Doc Ding’s account:

“As I was preparing my gear for departure, the Road Warriors approached Nani, who was parked just behind me at the time. They carried with them every issue of Scooterista Magazine ever published to date and they proceeded to ask Nani for an autograph on each issue. We were all caught off guard, including Nani, who eventually relented, signing each issue while we, who were around him, looked on in speechless, open-mouthed wonder. I’ll tell you, Nani was really blushing during the entire event! His ears were really very, very red! Yet, despite that discomfort, you could tell that Dr. Scoot was enjoying the attention. The cult of Nani Juarez, Dr. Scoot himself, was born up in the north. On that day, in that moment, Nani Juarez rose from just being the local scooter expert to the level of superstar and legend. The guys would later call him “apo,” “lakay,” and “alamat,” to best describe his new found social status. Yeyey said is best when he called him, “Nani ti aminianan” or Nani of the North”

Hey wazzup, doc?

-o-
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J0HNRANA

john[dot]rana[at]gmail[dot]com