Archive for October, 2007

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The Levi’s Fashion Show (I’m too sexy for my backride…)

October 29, 2007

October 11 marked the grand opening of the Levi’s Philippines flagship store in newly opened Trinoma mall. It opened with a bang by staging a very unique fashion show. When the event organizers got in touch with me looking for six Vespa scooters and riders, I didn’t had a hard time finding volunteers — I, being one of them! :grin: Who wouldn’t? It’s a rare chance to parade a scoot in a show, the rider gets to have a gorgeous babe as his backride and he even gets paid for it! Franky, I would’ve agreed even if it was for free! :)

Here’s the complete lineup of the Vespa boys who took part in the show:
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And here are the Brazillian babes who modeled for the brand:
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Check out how these models backride on a Vespa. No two poses are alike, I tell you. Read the rest of this entry ?

Posted in Local Scene, My Vespa, Photos, Rides & Travels | 13 Comments »

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Enter Art Vespa 2007 and win an LX150!

October 27, 2007

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Have the knack for creativity? You may want to join the annual Art Vespa design competition sponsored by Vespa South Africa. Interested to join? Here are the rules: Read the rest of this entry ?

Posted in Art Vespa, Vespa Overeas | 1 Comment »

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Belated Birthday Blabber!

October 24, 2007

I celebrated my 35th birthday on the first day of last month. Yes I know, I don’t look my age but I’m really just in my mid-thirties despite whatever impression my hairline gives you.Weeks leading to that, my wife suggested that I had a party in a bar; hire a band maybe, and invite all my friends. Of course, I initially liked the idea. Having my family, friends from work and high school and even my Vespa buddies gathered in one place sounds like fun. But then again, I remembered the few big birthday parties I’ve had in the past and got reminded of the feeling of being so overwhelmed with all the people. It’s like, time was never enough to chat with all those who came, and I never liked that feeling. I guess, I’m just not a social butterfly. I’m comfortable with a small group, but bring all my friends together in one place, and I clam up.In short, the big party idea was scrapped. What I had were few and separate small gatherings with different sets of friends. My only special request to my wife is that my birthday cake should have my very own caricature figurine riding on a Vespa. I wanted the scooter to be black like PIKE but my wife wanted it to be colorful so I agreed with her suggested yellow. Here’s how it looked like:

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(apologies to Karl for cropping my face out of this picture)

I know it actually look more handsome than the celebrant but the sculptors still based that face on me — in my picture here to be more specific. Check out the hairline! So here’s how wifey put it together… (the cake, not the party!) Read the rest of this entry ?

Posted in Personal, Photos, Shop Talk | 12 Comments »

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VCOP rides to San Pablo City!

October 22, 2007

Approximately 82 kilometers southeast (or is it southwest?) of Manila and about 500 feet above the mean sea level lies San Pablo City – a place known as the “City of Seven Lakes.” Right at it’s heart is a suburban hub bustling with people, commerce and the resulting traffic; but the backroads still possesses the rustic, rural ambiance with cool and fresh winds fanned by the swaying coconut breeze against the backdrop views of Mounts San Cristobal and even Banahaw on a clear day.

Yesterday, the Vespa Club of the Philppines (VCOP) headed to that direction upon the invitation of two of our members (brothers-in-law Enjo & Jojo) who are based there. Ironic as it may sound, it’s actually my first time to join a VCOP out-of-town ride. By car, San Pablo is just a 90-minute drive via the expressway. The VCOP boys took-off past 6AM and took the longer but scenic route of the Sierra Madre foothills (via Famy) which clocked approximately 3 hours to get to our destination riding for 153kms. Just before heading to San Pablo to meet our gracious hosts, we stopped by the Calauan Church to meet-up with our friends from Scoot66 who took a different route and arrived there ahead and patiently waited for us.

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VCOP-Scoot66 Meet-Up. Happy faces, growling tummies (photo courtesy of mini_me)

After a short rest and some chitchat outside the church, we headed to the city and were met by our gracious hosts by the roadside who the led us to this sprawling school property (special thanks to the owners of Blue Danube School) which has a perfect view of Mt. San Cristobal. Read the rest of this entry ?

Posted in Local Scene, Photos, Rides & Travels | 16 Comments »

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Vespinoy in Sctrcst.com Podcast!

October 17, 2007

Bimbo Isidro (aka Vespinoy in the Vespa community) has been interviewed by DaveM of sctrcst.com – the scooter internet radio. They talked about the joys of riding around Manila and in the countryside giving listeners abroad an idea of the pleasures of being a rider in this beautiful tropical country.I did an episode for the same podcast, but mine pales in comparison being so nervous and all the entire time. Bimbo was cool the entire time! Here’s the said episode via sctrcst.com. You can click play and listen to them here directly or download them in your iPod.

If you missed the episode where I was on the ‘hotseat’, you can read about it here.

A big shoutout to DaveM for this chance to promote the riding scene here in the Philippines. We are hoping that more Pinoy riders will be featured in the show in future episodes.

Mabuhay Sctrcst.com!
-o-
{▫}
J0HNRANA

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

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Posted in Newsflash!, Pinoy Iskuterista | 3 Comments »

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Rider’s Profile: Rex Hermogino (a Blog Action Day post)

October 15, 2007

UPDATE: (11/09/07) Rex won the GO GREEN Vespa Video Challenge!  Read more about this great news here.  Congrats Rex! :)

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Bloggers Unite - Blog Action Day Though I’ve committed in today’s Blog Action Day focusing on the topic of environment, I’ve decided not to take the serious and preachy route, but instead veer towards a more fun and and free-spirited mode.

But how can one reconcile in taking care of the environment and the leisures of riding a Vespa? Well this short music video will give you an idea as it entertains.

The guy who wrote and sang that catchy “Vespa Vespa” song is a Filipino and he’s our featured Rider for today. He’s the same guy who won $50,000 in last year’s Yahoo! Talent Show by submitting this home-made video which was even reported in ANC.

The YouTube music video posted above is an entry of his for another contest: the Go Green Vespa Video Challenge which is aimed to spread the Vespanomics message. This early, his entry looks like a strong contender. Let’s get to meet the guy behind the talent. Read the rest of this entry ?

Posted in Music, Pinoy Iskuterista, Rides & Travels, Vespa Tidbits, Videos | 10 Comments »

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Pinoysiklo: a shot for a Guinness World Record!

October 8, 2007

pinoysiklo.pngPinoysiklo is a contraction of the Tagalog words ‘Pinoy’ (Filipino) and ‘motorsiklo’ (motorcycle). In an attempt to set (or break?) a record for the “Most Number of Motorcycles gathered in one place,” organizers is mounting an event called Pinoysiklo which will try to gather 10,000 riders at the Quirino Grandstand on October 20 (Saturday) November 24, 2007 (Saturday).

Here are more details about the event… Read the rest of this entry ?

Posted in Local Scene | 35 Comments »

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Rider’s Profile: Daniel Coquilla and his ‘tingala’ artworks

October 1, 2007

Allow me to start this profile by featuring an artwork of this painter cum rider. In the art circle, his works are easily identifiable for the skyward perspective and split-eyes of his subjects. The artwork below is his self-portrait with his two-tone green Vespa.

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Some talent, huh? Now let’s get to know more of this visual artist. Read the rest of this entry ?

Posted in Art Vespa, Pinoy Iskuterista, Rider's Profile | 9 Comments »