Archive for June, 2007
June 27, 2007
“MMDA Art” courtesy of Jun aka Amber / Model: Mario aka WaspUP
There is an uproar within the motorcycle community here in Metro Manila. The reason? MMDA’s plan to require all riders to stick (or worse, paint!) their license plate numbers on both sides of their helmets. Why? Allow me to quote the full text of their press release:
Chairman Bayani Fernando of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), Metro mayors and the Philippine National Police (PNP) are considering enacting a resolution requiring motorcycle riders to paste up their license plate numbers on both sides of their helmets in a bid to curb the spate of snatching, hold-up and robbery cases perpetrated particularly by those riding on these two-wheeled motor bikes in tandem.
At yesterday’s regular Metro Manila Council meeting held at the MMDA office in Makati City, Fernando, together with Mayors Feliciano Belmonte Jr. of QuezonCity, outgoing Pasig City Mayor Vicente Eusebio, Valenzuela’s Sherwin Gatchalian, Las Pinas’ Imelda Aguilar, PNP representatives and other local chief executives, arrived at a consensus to draft a resolution urging local government units (LGUs) to implement the proposed “Dual Motorcycle/Helmet License Plate Numbers” policy for motorcycle riders plying along Metro Manila’s thoroughfares.
Fernando strongly recommended that a common regulation be enacted by the 17 LGUs stipulating that motorcycle riders with no license plate number on their helmets should constitute a criminal offense and not just a mere traffic violation. Read the rest of this entry ?
Posted in Article Quotes, Local Scene, Newsflash!, Rider's Issues | 18 Comments »
June 25, 2007
This morning, I finally got to speak with Dave Magano of SCTRCST.com (that’s read as ’scootercast’). The site is basically a scooter internet radio blog were Dave, who is based in the U.S., comes up with an episode/podcast every week.
Dave has gotten in touch with me last April when he found out about WRAV? through this post in 2strokebuzz.com. He told me he conducts his interviews via free internet phone (Skype) and suggested that we do it in May. Of course I was honored to be picked along with likes of some scooter bloggers like Steve Williams and Bryan Bedell who have gotten very popular with their good work they’ve done in their respective blogs. I knew I wanted to be part of this, but the idea terrifies me. Talking with a foreigner is hard enough with the nuances in the accent and all that; plus the thought that I would make a fool of myself is overpowering. I committed to Dave but for some reason, we have lost touch for a couple of months; which was all good for me since I wanted to delay the interview as much as I could until I could muster the guts.
Fast forward two months later… Read the rest of this entry ?
Posted in Personal, Site Review | 5 Comments »
June 22, 2007
taken during the Visita Iglesia de Vespa ‘07 (photo courtesy of Minggoy)
As reported in the news, the Vatican issued a 36-page document called “Guidelines for the Pastoral Care of the Road” (or what the media dubbed as the “Ten Commandments for Motorists”) last Tuesday.
The “unusual” document warned about the effects of road rage since, it says, driving brings out “primitive” behavior in motorists, including “impoliteness, rude gestures, cursing, blasphemy, loss of sense of responsibility or deliberate infringement of the highway code.”
But the document didn’t just focus on four-wheel drivers. It particularly cited other traffic problems such as “the reckless use of motorbikes and motorcycles.” *ouch!*
A Catholic nation like the Philippines could use these ‘guidelines’ to make driving on our roads feel more like a ‘walk in the park’ than an every-man-for-himself battleground. There’s nothing in the new commandments that a motorist doesn’t know yet, but it sure helps to be reminded of these simple rules and the ‘holy’ association doesn’t hurt either.
Moses weren’t there during the release and the documents were not carved in stones either, but it did come from the church hierarchy and that is ‘good’ enough (pun intended). Here they are…
“The Ten Commandments for Motorists”
Read the rest of this entry ?
Posted in Newsflash!, Rider's Issues, Topic Off-Vespa | 3 Comments »
June 21, 2007
This New York Times story about the rejection of FOX and CBS to air this new Trojan condom commercial in their respective networks reminded me of this Vespa-Trojan promo which somehow suffered the same fate.
The date was February 2003. It was all systems go for the Vespa and Trojan condoms tie-up. Slated was a Vespa-giveaway sweepstakes at Trojan beach tents during the spring break which expected to reach a million young adults ages 18 to 24. They also planned to promote the “Ride Safely” campaign in campuses through brochures, posters and online banner ads. But at the last minute, the campaign was called off. What gives?!
Well, Piaggio USA changed management. Constantino Sambuy became the president-CEO of the company that year. His predecessor, Giancarlo Fantapple, said his successor “doesn’t like these kinds of associations” so the plan was axed.
At first glance, it’s quite hard to see the connection between a scooter and a condom. But the DePlano Group, who produced the proposed ads, managed to link of the ‘rubber’ with– not with the scooter — but with the Vespa helmet. The result are these two posters with double-meaning messages. See them here. Read the rest of this entry ?
Posted in Advertisements, Vespa Tidbits | 4 Comments »
June 19, 2007
There has been a lot of movies in the past where the Vespa scooter figured prominently in the storyline. Some of these flicks you’ll see in my previous post here. And now, on its way to the cinemas are are a couple of upcoming Hollywood releases which got big stars & lead characters riding on Vespas. Watching the trailer and reading the plot summaries, these three films seem to be an interesting watch. See for yourself.
First of the list is Michael Bay’s (Armageddon) much-anticipated, summer blockbuster movie — Transformers. The image above is actually a collateral for the tie-up between Vespa USA and DreamWorks/Paramount Pictures where the former will be giving away a brand-new Vespa in their Vespaweeps promo. But don’t get too excited. There would be no transforming scooter joining Optimus Prime and the Autobots nor will there be one joining the evil forces of the Decepticons.
So what’s the Transformers-Vespa connection then? Here’s what Paolo Timoni, president/CEO of Piaggio Group Americas, has to say…
[from mediapost.com] In the movie, the hero — played by Shia LaBeouf — escapes from one of the protean mechanical horrors on a Vespa, which turns out to be the perfect escape vehicle because it is able to weave in and out of the apocalyptic wreckage of burning cars and rubble. The scooter’s role in “Transformers” will be about Vespa as an American brand. It’s not about Italian good living.
Sounds exciting. I’m actually curious to see how does that translate in the actual movie. Guess we all have to wait for this year’s 4th of July to find out. In the mean time, you can visit the official site at www.transformersmovie.com and see the trailer.
The next two movies are topbilled by Reese Witherspoon; and the other one, by Brad Pitt. Check them out riding their Vespas here. Read the rest of this entry ?
Posted in Article Quotes, Celebrities, Characters, Movies | 2 Comments »
June 17, 2007
Bonding… It used to be malling for us. Just me and my daughter. But since we had bathroom issues (she refuse to go inside the men’s room with me at the early age of three when either of us had to go), that became no longer an option; at least not without my wife. Now, we hardly go malling by our lonesome. My being overly protective (never realized she’ll be okay to go to the girl’s bathroom alone, until my wife told me) and kuripot makes me a very un-ideal malling companion. Besides, female species tend to bond more when we talk of malling which is practically akin to shopping.
So how does a poor father create special moments with his daughter? Well, we do fly a kite whenever we get the chance. In fact, I only learned the pleasure in flying one only when I became a dad. That’s the requisite pressure I put on myself the moment I decided to name my daughter, Kite! Good thing I easily learned it and enjoy the highs in flying one… maybe just a little too much that my daughter hardly gets to hold the string… I’m kidding, of course!
Aside from that, scootering is our other bonding option. It’s readily available and we can do it at the moment we feel like it! I wanted to share a picture of us while riding a scoot to best describe how fun it is to ride with a kid. But I just realized we haven’t got any. So here’s the next best thing…
submitted photo by Mike McWilliams via genuinescooters.com
(thanks Adiran/rastaman for the leads!)
Doesn’t that picture capture a great ‘Kodak moment?’ 
Just looking at it makes me want to drag a photographer, head to the great outdoors, and have my daughter & I ride PYKE just to have a photograph just as cool as that.
So where does my wife figure in all these scooter talk? Read the rest of this entry ?
Posted in My Vespa, Personal, Photos | 3 Comments »
June 15, 2007
While reading today’s newspaper, I saw a press release from the World Health Organization (WHO) about its Road Safety campaign. In it, the organization shared its “Road Marks” campaign series of five posters, created to promote action against the non-use of helmets and seatbelts, drunk-driving, speeding, and visibility among bikers and pedestrians.
The organization urge concerned groups from around the world to reproduce any of these campaign posters to promote road safety; especially among the youth since this age group (age 0 to 25) comprise more than 40% of all road traffic deaths worldwide. So here am I blogging about the campaign to do my little share.
Here’s the poster targeted to motorcycle riders:
[copy] Too late to put on your helmet
Most motorcycle deaths are a resut of head injuries. Wearing a motorcycle helmet correctly can cut the risk of death by almost 40%, and the risk of severe injury by 70%.
Be a part of the solution: wear a helmet.
- - - - - -
So why is the helmet painted on the fallen biker? Well, it’s actually the central ‘theme’ of the whole campaign. See the rest of the posters to better appreciate these witty “paintings.” Read the rest of this entry ?
Posted in Advertisements, Rider's Tips | 17 Comments »
June 13, 2007
I was browsing the previous posts in our private forum at Motorcycle Bloggers International when I encountered a post by Steve Williams of Scooter in the Sticks (a well-known and award-winning Vespa blog) about a short film called “Morning Fall.” I, personally, am not a fan of short films unless they came before a full-length Pixar animations. 
But the film below struck a nerve in me. It’s about a rider who crashed hitting a deer and was left unconscious for a while. When he woke up, it wasn’t clear to him what has transpired until he saw the pieces of the puzzle.
It was specially poignant to me since in my recent long ride to Quezon Province, it was my first time to see a canine roadkill while scootering. Further in the course of the trip, as I was coming from a bend, I was surprised to see a stray dog about to cross the mountain road. But upon seeing my scoot, it had second thoughts midway and decided to turn back. I almost run it over but thank God, I didn’t! And finally, during a stop in a sari-sari store, the locals decided to chat with me just when my riding buddies were already out of earshot and gearing up for the rest of the journey. They asked me where we’re from and where we’ve been to. Then they wished us a well-meant safe trip, but it wasn’t comforting for me at all. Why? They told me that just three days ago, an out-of-town rider hit a dog just down that road. The dog and the backrider died on the spot. These all happened within a day. Needless to say, these has gotten me so paranoid the rest of the ride that I was overly-anticipating a dog would suddenly run from the side of the road. The ride day ended without any further dog-related encounter.
Binggoy, Boo, me, Bimbo & Tonton at Lamon Bay Pier (pic courtesy of Boo)
Back to the film. The short is very well-made in a level that could affect even non-riders. It’s directed by Edward McGinty and it has actually won the “Best Live Action Short Film” in the 2007 Malibu Film Festival. Though I don’t agree that a fallen rider would first look for a cigarette to light up before looking for his bike; I do understand that the cigarette scene is essential to add to the “frustration” of the character. As the movie was about to end, I blurted out an “OH SHIT!” with what I saw. All these story build-up for ONE GREAT ENDING! Disturbing… yes, but great nonetheless.
There isn’t much dialogue but that didn’t diminish the message it tried to convey. Note that the movie starts with hardly any sound (except for some chirping birds) for almost a full minute. I have to add here that this isn’t a feel-good and entertaining film. It’s actually a downer and downright depressing. So if you’re in a ‘happy-happy, joy-joy’ state right now, better forgo watching at this time. This short will only take about 9 minutes of your time. Sorry for my constant blabbering. Here’s the movie now. Read the rest of this entry ?
Posted in Movies, Personal, Rider's Issues, Rides & Travels, Videos | 17 Comments »
June 7, 2007
If its ever possible for grown man to be giddy about something, then that’s exactly how I’m feeling today!
Two days ago, a fellow Vespinoy (thanks bhong08!) told me that this blog has been featured in this month’s issue of FHM Philppines (Maureen Larrazabal on cover!). Wow, my blog mentioned in FHM… that’s a big thing — I told myself. So I bought the magazine and indeed they featured motorcycles in the Essential June: Vroom section. It even has a Brazilian babe (Wanessa) posing half-naked on top of a Harley. So I said, there’s no mistake about it; this should be the issue where my blog’s suppose to be. But no matter how many times I scan each and every page, I can’t seem to find my site mentioned anywhere. I even asked my wife to double check as she was as excited as me, but there’s really ziltch… nada… wala talaga! Risking sounding exposing myself as over-eager and egotistic, I hesitantly PM’d bhong08 and asked what page exactly did he see the feature. Turns out that it wasn’t FHM but the June ish of T3 magazine where he saw it. He got confused since he read the magazines one after the other. Yippee!!! So there really is a feature after all! So we went out again and asked my wife to buy a copy while I smoked and waited by the roadside parking.
As she went out the bookstore, I think I saw a nervous grin on her face. I asked her why, and she told me what’s in there was a review of my blog — the kind that has star ratings! Naturally, my excitement suddenly turned into anxiety. I wasn’t ready reading about how other writers think of my blog, especially not on a well circulated magazine! So while driving, I asked my wife to read it for me and I was blown away with what I heard. Sobrang proud and SOBRANG GALAK!
Here’s how the page (or half of it) looks like:
Obviously, I made the scan hardly readable so I’ll have the reason to type the entire text here and make this me-myself-and-I post a little longer… bwahaha! Read the rest of this entry ?
Posted in Article Quotes, Personal, Site Review | 14 Comments »
June 6, 2007
My wife is a big Coca-Cola collector. In fact, our collection (I collect everything Simpsons!) has gotten so big that the stuff had to stay displayed in my folk’s attic since we simply got no space in our house. Today being my wife’s birthday, I decided to blog about Coke; but since this is a Vespa territory, if still need to connect it with the scooter somehow.
I thought that was easy. Simply scour the ‘net and look for a pic of the coolest-looking, Coke-themed Vespa. But that proved to be no easy task. There simply isn’t much Coke Vespa images posted online. I’ll be happy to be proven wrong here. But for now, this is the best Coca-Cola-themed Vespa image that I’ve found.
I forgot where I got this picture. If anyone knows, please do let me know so I can give the proper credits
I like how that scoot looks. It got the right Coca-Cola red and the legshield somehow resembles a Coke-in-can already. In fact, there are Coke cans cut and sculptured like a Vespa being sold in Bangkok that looks just like that. I was really keen on buying it for my wife except that they were just so ridiculously expensive!
Anyway, if a Coke-themed Vespa image is hard to come by, I found something rarer and definitely looks more vintage. It’s of a local Coca-Cola poster girl who looks anything but a poster girl. It’s actually sooooo cheesy and baduy that it already looks cool. It’s something like those cool Imelda shirts you see nowadays. If you wear one of those back in the late 80’s, you’ve probably been stoned to death! Can wait to find out who this unlikely Coca-cola poster girl was? Check this out then! Read the rest of this entry ?
Posted in Advertisements, Personal, Photos, Vespa Spottings | 9 Comments »
