Motorcycle Philippines

As reported here last January 20, Weslu (aka Luis Guiang), drummer of JPD was on his way home at the dawn of January 16 (after a Monday night gig at Inihaw Republic at Katipunan Ave.) on the pillion of a Vespa ridden by Glenn Formoso when an Elf truck suddenly cut their lane to make a U-turn in EDSA along Muñoz/Balintawak area. Weslu passed away two days after due to complications sustained from the tragic accident.

Last Friday (Feb. 2), a motorcade was slated as a precursor to “WESLU… a Tribute” — a benefit show held at Center for Arts in Timog Ave. participated in by different bands which Weslu has participated in or has helped in one way or another, including Put3Ska which reunited that night in memory of their original drummer.

I have never met Weslu when he was alive but his untimely death due to an avoidable road mishap is a cause worth stressing out. [ READ MORE...]

January 31st, 2007 was the specified deadline for Art Vespa 2006, a design contest speaheaded by Vespa South Africa. There is one rule that’s foremost on the list which serves as a tip to participants: Break them (except the deadline)!

So that’s what I did exactly. I joined though and tried my luck though I’m not from South Africa. There were six downloadable images of Vespa LX in different colors to serve as ‘canvass’ to the proposed design. The rules also demand that entries should not cover the seats, lights or any unpainted parts of the Vespa. I chose to download the Midnight Blue vespa for my entry.

The entries will be judged by Francesco Maffe, the international designer for Piaggio in Italy. The winning entry will be unveiled in Design Indaba Expo on February 23-25 at the Cape Town International Convention Center. Aside from a trophy, the winner will also recive an actual Vespa LX sporting his/her original design. How cool is that?

Each entry is required to have a title and here’s what I called mine…

They also suggest that the design be simple and practical to execute. Based on last year’s winner — jigsaw-puzzle Art Vespa (see photo inset) – it was indeed the case. As for design of my Art Vespa submision, I tried to keep it as simple as possible. Denim-finish paintjob with familiar Levi’s pocket stitch on the cowls and legshield, some simple graphics on the fender and of course, the Red Tab. Here’s how the scoot looks like.

PUERTO PRINCESA CITY GEARS UP FOR 2007 MOTOCROSS MASTERS OF ASIA

Puerto Princesa City eyes another record high as it gears up for the country’s biggest motorsports event, the 2007 Puerto Princesa City Motocross Masters of Asia FIM-UAM Asian Motocross Championships, set March 4 at the sprawling FIM-compliant permanent motocross racetrack adjacent to the Puerto Princesa City Hall.

This will be the fourth year in a row that Puerto Princesa City will be hosting the said event. Mayor Edward Hagedorn, together with City Administrator Atty. Agustin Rocamora, have mapped out bigger plans and preparations to ensure its bigger success and further boost its tag as the Sports Tourism Capital of the Philippines.
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The Baguio / Highest Point (in Philippine Highway System) Ride was scheduled January 26 to 28 (Friday to Sunday). I knew I wanted to join the ride since it would be quite an experience for me and PYKE. But frankly, I was more anxious than excited not knowing how is it gonna be like when the group’s not riding: spending an entire weekend with a bunch of different people I hardly knew with only our love for Vespa as a common ground.

To make a long story short, I got to Baguio on an eight hour ride on my Vespa. Here’s proof:

photo by direkyey

It was such a GREAT weekend, but not without an incident. I stared the ride with frustration and disappointment from things of my own doing. Read my story….

• PART 1

• PART 2