President's Cup Regatta Photo Ops

For days now, I am being grilled by friends and crewmates to show/send them pictures of the last regatta in Subic. Hence, here are some of them and more on the links below for your viewing pleasure. Watch out for the Russians...have a good feeling they'll be back next year.
Three, Two, One, Go! The countdown to the starting signal is one of the most spectacular sites in a regatta to spectators specially. This is the closest the competitors get to be on the water. After that the boats kinda separate to find their own clean air. Not in our case on the last day though...

The Russians have taken over the regatta...in THONGS! These guys are awesome. Cartwheelin Alex (on the helm) is their skipper with the most outgoing attitude. He's just full of wild antics. Cute daughter too. They came to Subic from the China Sea Race from HK yet before that, 2000+ nautical miles from north eastern Russia. See more thongs here.

Hike Out Guys! One of Frank Pong's big boats, Jelik on port tack in the first day of the regatta. See more awesome shots of the Race Day 1 here.

This huge Maxi is called Boracay and yes, another boat of Hong Kong tycoon Frank Pong. He just loves racing in the Philippines. You the man, Frank. Check out Race Day number 2 here.

Thanks again to Avery for the awesome pics. See race days 3 here and 4 here. To see the parties and awards night, click on this.

Wednesday is the new Tuesday

I went to Metrowalk before Holy Week to meet my friends in High School (Above counter clockwise are; Lilian, Arnel, Joy, Jong and I). To my surprise, also found my good old scooter buddies hanging out on a Wednesday night instead of Tuesday like all the wasps use to do. Here are some of the pics for your perusal...

Enjoying a good hang with Gerry, Carol (fresh from the Hobie Challenge), Manolo, Jason, Charly and Gene. Why, because we had the whole of Metrowalk parking to ourselves. NO BIG BIKES that Wednesday. Maybe it is true...Wednesday is the new Tuesday for wasps and lammies.

Gerry admiring Manolo's Lambretta TV175, faitfully restored. Recently rode to Tagaytay with him...the scoot is fast, Man.

Showdown on Subic Waters

Rockstars and Racer Chasers abound the 14th President's Cup Regatta in Subic Bay last week (18-21 April 06). All the attention went to Centenial and Karakoa on the final day when both boats, tied at four all, had no choice but to engage each other on the water...and ENGAGE they did! (pictured above are Karakoa far left, Drumstick and Madrake both from Hong Kong)

Being a crew of one of the top boats in the IRC division gave me a chance to be at ringside of one of the most spectacular tacking duels in all of the 14 years of the President's Cup. The whole fleet literaly came to a halt to watch us battle it out to the finish. Our skipper Olympic Silver Medalist Steve Benjamin and Centenial's Jamie Wilmot gave everyone an absolutely fantastic final day's race that will surely have a place in this regatta's history books.

It was indeed my priveledge to be on Karakoa. Big thank you to owner Ray Ordovesa for the opportunity. I look forward to see these guys in action again on the water. Check out cool pics and more stories here.


Karakoa on a downwind run with Centenial keeping its pace at the back...not leeting us get away to far to maintain its handicap lead.

Thanks to Avery Avecilla Datol for the officail pics of the 14th President's Cup Regatta. For more awesome action shots, visit this site.

Vespa Rider Hurt in Roxas Blvd caught on Video

12 April 06 - I was tinkering with my video cam last Wednesday while watching the early news on GMA when the anchorman blurted out a "motorcycle accident in Roxas Boulevard involving a pedestrian and a certain, Cocoy Dalupan riding a Vespa... Hey wait! I know that guy! So as they say in the movies... "Keep the cam rolling!"

Let this be a reminder to all Scooteristas that somehow somewhere, there will always be a stupid pedestrian that will jump out from under a bush and cross any street, worse a hi-way with no pedestrian lane, and raise his hand to forcebly stop you even if your running 60 to 70 kph. "Bahala ka, basta tatawid ako kung saan at kelan ko gusto! Tabi dyan!"

For what it's worth, Cocoy showed exemplary manners on tape and showed the viewing public what a responcible rider he truly is. He was clad in proper safety armor, masked and wearing a proper helmet. That's the first thing my wife, Wendy noticed of him on TV. Sad he broke his right shoulder in the crash. But as of Saturday, Cocoy was on high spirits already when I called to check on him and ask for his permission to show this tape. Get well soon, Dude.

Okay! Enough talk, here's the video guys.

And, here are pics of Cocoy and Chocolate (his Vespa) in 2005 MAP Toy Run to EK... Just look for the guy on the Cholocolate PX.

Vespa Manila Historia

Many a nights ago in a street corner somewhere in Manila, a simple and honest man named Julianito Montana, popularly known as "Mang Titing" labored on Lambrettas and Vespas with passion and vigor. His shop was informally named Scooter Center and eventually was moved to Cailles St, Bankal, Makati. The year was 1960 and these are some of his photos...

I can imagine how they marvelled at every new model that comes out in the market those days. Must be the same when we are in awe of the new LX, GT and Catalized PX models.

Fast forward to the millennium, now, today, Dong’s Scooter Center, still unregistered, is thriving in it’s own right. Without advertising campaigns, no email, no text nor forum promotions, this shop has succeeded with regular and loyal costumers despite sometimes, shabby work. Perhaps, it is a Montana charisma that draws scooterists, collectors and even newbies to this “underground layer”. Cheers mate!

See how the shop looks like now here.