Here’s a tickled-pink Vespa blogger!
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!
By the way, the review came out in the Lounge 2.0 section where the mag reviews games, movies, TV shows, music and web/blog sites. Here goes…
www.whoridesavespa.com
IT’S BLOG HEADER graphic says it all: the blog author, John Rana, whizzing past along a street at night — on a Vespa, of course. It chronicles not just the author’s adventures on the Mod motor scooter, but everything Vespa, from film and music that features the vehicle, rider groups in the country, Vespa art, and even advertisements. Far from being a self-absorbed personal site, the author has even featured fellow Vespa riders such as ace lensman Jake Verzosa and FM radio deejay Crystal.
Winner in the Sports & Recreation category of this year’s Philippine Blog Awards, readers don’t have to be Vespa enthusiasts to enjoy the blog, as it entertains and educates rather than alienates those who prefer to ride four-wheeled vehicles.
T3
Look, three stars! Not bad. Actually, having my blog featured in this magazine is already a VERY big thing for me (of course, FHM would have been way cooler… hahaha!) Reading such good words about the stuff I do and write here made it all the more special! The other blog reviewed on this issue got a 4-star rating… but that’s Market Manila, man! Really, I couldn’t ask for more. Today is ONE GREAT DAY! 
Thanks very much, T3!
-o-
{▫}
J0HNRANA
john[dot]rana[at]gmail[dot]com
astig! but three stars? you deserve way more than that! congrats!
Ayos na yang three stars. Maganda naman ang sinabi eh. It could’ve gone the other way at naging 2 or 1 star. Buti na lang hindi.
Hey, congratulations John! I’m not a Vespa rider but I love reading your blog. It makes learning about the Vespa fun.
Keep it up! 
Tama si Bong more than 3 stars dapat. Anyways, lots of accolades already considering that your blog is less than a year old. Congrats.
Great john! I’m glad you’re really doing fine in your blog… Congrats bro!!!
tatz naman ako special mention ako,hehehe nagkamali pa instead of T3,FHM ang naiadvice,hehehe at least oe of my fellow Vespa Rider is very much happy for the little help i’ve done,more power to your blog chief…..
God Bless You!!!!!
Nyree: With the feedbacks I get, I’ve learned nga that this blog pala has female readers din so now I make sure what I post here would somehow interest you guys pa din.
Thanks talaga, pare!
Kuya: yeah sobrang nakakatuwa the “exposure” this blog got in that span of time.
Klint: Thanks pare for taking the time visiting me here. Sa uulitin!
bhong08: if it wasn’t for you, I wouldn’t have known about the feature. Sulit din naman yung bili ko sa FHM eh.
nice one john, wow kalevel mo na si market man sa mundo nang blogging. at wagi pa sa phil. blog award, keep up the good work bro.
Hey Cielo! Salamat for dropping by. Now ko lang nalaman na may blogspot account ka pala. Yung friendster blog mo lang ang nabibisita ko before.
yap i have been maitaining it for a year na…parang theme writing sa high-school class natin hehehhe.
grabe friend pang FHM ang beauty mo. akala ko the most sexiest ka…..
medyo out of topic, here’s the link sa reunion us…http://brown-pinay.blogspot.com/2007/04/mcuhs89-reunion-april-9-2007.html
hehehe… sa T3 lumabas yung review, hindi sa FHM. Maski “matipuno” katawan ko, hindi pa rin ako pwede sa “Most Sexiest” dun. That would be creepy!
Read na your entry about our reunion. Thanks for the link!
hi,
i am a big fan of your website and vespa!
just want to know if we have in philippines a local distributor for vespa?
if you have a website, that would be great.
thanks!
taticarpio75@gmail.com
Hi Tati! Are you based here in Manila? The local distributor of Vespa here is 2211 Works. Here’s their contact details:
2211 Leon Guinto Street, Malate, Manila
telephone: (632) 521.9501
telefax: (632) 536.5194
website: http://www.2211works.com
If you’re okay with previously owned units, you may try logging in http://www.vespinoy.com/forum. There have been some great 2nd hand units up for sale the past few days. Check it out.
Congratulations John! I’m a Vespa rider too. I like very much your blog.My blog is Vespalia from Spain
Adios