Of Apples and Vespas

Blame it on the iPod's "halo effect" of converting longtime PC users to Apple, but it was my scootering on a Vespa that finally convinced me to switch to Mac OS. I've never looked back since.

When I started this blog, what I had in mind was to draw the similarities between Apples and Vespas, of which, there are many. I've since divided this blog into its two parts probably due to braindrain on my part, but here are the points where Apples and Vespas converge:

- industrial design with smooth, clean lines
- ease of use
- reliability and low maintenance
- a "think different" philiosophy

Upon further reading on this topic, I stumbled upon Vespa memorabilia in the form of a 1969 poster which featured the peculiar slogan "chi vespa mangia le mele." He Who Vespas Eats Apples. It would become Vespa's most successful ad campaign ever.

It seemed that when Vespa started on this advertising campaign, what they had in mind was to touch a youthful nerve with a hint of rebelliousness, free love and self-expression that was prevalent at the time, not dissimilar to the serpent's enticement to a clueless Eve: an apple. Was it Eve who owns that famous bite on today's Apple Computer logo? Many claim it is.

Years after the Fall of Man, another apple would spark another revolution of its own when it casually landed on the cranium of a certain Isaac Newton. This fabled incident will lead to what we now call the Law of Gravity - the force that keeps the Universe together and would serve as the original logo of a fledgling garage startup in a town called Cupertino in 1976.

Today, Apple computers are dutifuly meeting the needs of the similarly-themed Vespa Soho store in downtown New York City and they are both writing new history together.

Chi Vespa Mangia Le Mele.

Is the Vespa a Babe Magnet?

Ah, the timeless question.

So does riding a Vespa suddenly make us more attractive to women?

Let me put it this way. Whenever my AMDG big bike buds talk about Vespas, their understanding is that us Vespies always seem to have backrides every time. Someone in our group proffered the theory that since the Vespa is "cute," that girls don't find it intimidating, therefore it won't take them too long to "warm up" to it, and for our sake, us.

On the plus side for big bikes, it's not the case of girls "warming up" to it and the rider. Dames that are drawn to biggies don't need "warming up" anymore - they're already "hot" to begin with. So it could be a case of demography, if you think about it this way.

Or so the argument goes. Heck, if I had a peso for everytime my ride will help seal the deal for me, I'd be a rich man.

But I'm not.

Vespinoy! Reloaded

Philippine Vespies have found a new home on the web.

Promising to feature the latest goings-on and about in the Vespa and scooter scene in the country, Vespinoy! aims to be the premier repository of Vespa knowledge, experience, and tricks of its steadily increasing membership. While certainly not the first popular Vespa forum on local shores, Vespinoy! appears to take a different route and build on a loose and informal association unbound by rules save that of mutual respect and understanding. And no off-topic posts.

It remains to be seen if Vespinoy! will be able to realize its vision of bringing together all Philippine scooter riders, preaching the scootering lifestyle, and advocating safe riding; but it seems to be on the right track.

So take it from Vespinoy! founder Bimbo Isidro: "turn on the choke, kick the engine, put yourself in first gear, and start browsing the forum."

Vespinoy! is a group ride without a fixed roadmap for now, if ever. That's what probably will make it one heck of a ride.

Wear a helmet.

Birds of a Feather

A bunch of Ateneo alumni have started the AMDG Motorcycle Club for all Ateneans who share a passion for motorcycling. All motorized two-wheeled rides of any make, engine displacement and vintage are welcome (I also ride a 400cc Honda CB-1). Non-Ateneans may also apply for membership if endorsed by a member. Rides are aplenty and a lot of activities are being organized in line with UAAP Season 2006, as well as works of charity and mercy.

The group meets every Saturday 7AM at the Ateneo High School and rides to Starbucks Fort at about 8AM to plan for the Sunday out-of-town ride (usually Tagaytay via the SLEX).

Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam.

Honda Riding Academy

I just finished the Honda Riding Academy's Basic Motorcycle Safety Riding Course today.

For a scooterista who's been riding almost everyday in Metro Manila and the province, I can definitely say that I'm a much better rider now than I've been for the past four years. After the program, with all these new concepts going around my head while I'm riding, I'm much slower (for now), but safer and more sound on the road.

The program exposed many of my riding mistakes and I hope that they are permanently corrected from now on. No riding school may guarantee your safety and survival on the road, but after this course, I believe that my odds of getting into an accident have significantly decreased, and I can only hope are eliminated.

Many thanks to Sir Angel Rovira and the rest of the guys at HRA for their lively instruction and patience. This is a program that I heartily recommend to all of you, new and veteran riders alike.

Honda Riding Academy
Km. 17 East Service Road
South Super Highway
Paranaque City
8372355 / 8385355

Training fee for the 2-day course is P500 and includes use of protective gear and academy bikes.

The Return of Metrowalk Nights

Mark every month's second and fourth Wednesday a red-letter day on your calendar because Metrowalk Nights are back. Bring your scoot rain or shine for a night of camaraderie, revelry and street-legal inebriation.

And leave some money for the tip.

Here's the schedule:

August 9 & 23 (there are 5 Wednesdays in Aug)
September 13 & 27
October 11 & 25
November 8 & 22 (also 5 Wednesdays in Nov)
December 13 & 27

As If Road Hazards Weren't Bad Enough

What will they think of next?

A friend and fellow scooterista, Joey Dalupan, was a victim to new modus operandi of petty thieves in the Banawe area of Quezon City just the other day. Shocking was the manner in which this new brazen act was committed in broad daylight and in full view of commuters and roadside bystanders.

While motorcyclists everywhere will undoubtedly express righteous anger over this form of lawlessness, I am relieved that the perpetrators seemingly only had petty theft in mind and were dissuaded by Joey from graduating to grand theft or worse. Unfortunately, we may not have seen the last of this disease and only time will tell if this incident will gestate into a chronic syndrome.


Must Read: Beware
by Joey Dalupan

Had the misfortune of being mugged today while riding!

I was on my way to the shop from QC around 11am. I took E. Rodriguez Avenue. Upon reaching Araneta, instead of making a left, I crossed and made a beeline with cars to cross E. Rod towards Sta. Mesa. I was surprised when somebody jumped onto my bike (a loaner scoot). He was saying something I couldn't make out. Before i could react, he told me: "'Wag ka'ng pumalag. Yung kasama ko sa likod, me dalang boga (gun). Magmaneho ka lang kung sa'n kita papupuntahin." I made a cursory glance on my rearview and saw a couple of men without helmets on a red unduro. They were just wearing caps and bandanas. The man had something hard against my back and as we were cruising along Araneta, he began taking my wallet and phone (which were on my jacket's right pocket). I asked if he could just leave my license and remembering that I placed my license in my card holder when I went through a checkpoint last Saturday, I asked for my other IDs. He said, "P***ng ina mo, andami mong hinihingi, ah." He then asked, "Me kambyo ba tong motor mo?" knowing that he intended to swipe the bike, I answered, "Brad, walang plaka 'to. Sigurado huli ka sa checkpoint. (which, at that time, were non-existent. Where the hell are the cops when you need them?!). When we reached the intersection before SM Sta Mesa, he told me to take the outermost lane and before we could make a full stop, he jumped off and ran in the other direction. I flicked my sidestand so I could get a look. But the man and the enduro bike were gone. I just can't remember if the enduro was the same bike which tried to pass me along E. Rod.

I know people will have their opinion about what I could have done under the circumstances. But as per Nani and Simon, since I got to the shop in one piece (and more importantly, unhurt), I did the right thing.

This could be a new M.O. So , you might want to be more aware of your surroundings especially at stops. Obviously, wala na'ng pinipiling victim or oras ang mga holdaper.