Pylon Strip

The Italian Influence regarding Cars

Alain Edbert Dizon — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 15:29:34 +0000

Trivia: My codename Veilside was born out of the film “Fast and the Furious”. In that film Vin Diesel drove a modified Mazda RX-7 with a sticker on the back pasted “Veilside”. Veilside is actually a company focused directly towards performance tuning. The man behind Veilside is Yokomaku Hiranao the name “Maku” meaning veil and “Yoko” meaning side. It was established in September of 1990 in Tokyo, Japan. My fascination with cars started with that movie, well it was just plain fascination simply because cars let alone modifying one was very expensive. I would be contented on surfing the internet for posters of Porsches and Ferraris. In the Philippines I would be fascinated with modified cars most especially ones that were lowered and had unique colors to match. From mag wheels to spoilers I had imagined one day of owning a modified car. Well my limited knowledge on car engines and products for modifying cars did not help…It was simply mere fascination…For now I have to be content on surfing the net for my dream car…In Italy I had a chance of being face to face everyday with cars that were not seen often in the Philippines. From Porsche Audi Lamborghini and Ferrari they were a sight to behold zooming along highways like it was an F1 race. So now connecting my fascination I compiled my top 10 cars that I would like to own someday (that is if I win the lottery 10 times also). So here it is in order…

10. 2005 Porsche 911 Turbo S Cabriolet – The 6 speed manual transmission has a maximum track speed of 190 mph. At a price range of $141,200.00, this car can make heads turn.

9. Nissan Skyline GT-R Z-Tune – The Skyline was designed by NISMO (Nissan Sports Division). Its one helluva kind of a car with a price range of approximately $170,000. Well the drag is even though your filthy rich you have to be quick on the draw as NISMO has only made 20 Z-Tunes available.

8. 2004 Maserati MC12 – Designed for high level road use, it can exceed 330kmh at full throttle, sprinting from 0 to 100kmh in just 3.8 seconds. Price not available.

7. 2006 Dodge Viper SRT 10-Coupe – If you own this one you are in the same league as Tom Cruise. This macho 6 speed manual transmission can go to 0 to 100mph at 8.5 seconds. Although not pricey as the other cars it still definitely good in looks. Price is at $85,995.00

6. 2002 Aston Marin V12 Vanquish – “My name is Bond, James Bond”. I just wish by the saying those magic words I could have this $228,000.00 worth of a car. With a maximum speed of about 190mph (0 to 100mph in 10 seconds), even though you dont have the looks of James Bond you will definitely be Mr. Bond if you own one of these.

5. 2001 Lamborghini Diablo VT 6.0 – The poster of every living souls dream. Coming from a family of out this world super cars(which includes the Murcielago, Gallardo, and the Countach) it is my all time favorite car. At a price of $274,000.00, one can reach 205mph at top speed going 0 to 100mph at 8.8 seconds.

4. 1997 Mclaren F1 – Even at its relatively older year the Mclaren F1 could make everyone heads turn. Reaching a top speed of 231mph this car zooms in at an amazing 7.7 seconds from 0 to 100mph. Amazed at the speed, look at the price at $890,000.00, might as well resigned to the fact that this car will remain a dream.

3. 2002 Mercedes Benz CLK-GTR SuperSport – At a price of an astonishing $1,250,000.00, one can clearly say “in your dreams”. Well for the price you would also be traveling at about 5.5 seconds in 0 to 100mph. You’ll be way ahead of the pack with this car.

2. 2005 Saleen S7 Twin-Turbo – This aerodynamic and top speed performance car is a 5 star in the looks department. Coming out of another world this “super car” boasts of a 6.0 seconds acceleration time from 0 to 100mph. Hey if you can shell out $555,000.00 its all yours.

1. 2003 Ferrari Enzo – Last but not the least, the Enzo Ferrari. Demi Moore had a lot of taste when she drove this vehicle in the action film “Charlies Angels Full Throttle”. The Italian designed super car can go to 0 to 100mph at 6.6 seconds. With a full throttle speed of 218mph. No wonder with a price tag of $643,330.00, the car comes close to being perfect.

Sources:
www.veilside.com
www.fast-autos.net

In Retrospect

Alain Edbert Dizon — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 14:03:27 +0000

Childhood dreams, facination, I once wanted to become a fireman…yeah that got lots of laugh today…then it graduated to becoming a liar…oh I mean a lawyer…well I dont know what happened to the lawyer and the fireman but it never materialized. Maybe the harsh realities of life caved in or maybe sliding down the pole wasnt as fashionable as today. Trying to start a dream wether a doctor or a policeman is a step towards a vision, a vision of becoming great. I remember in elementary at UPIS Diliman, a kids dream was to become the fastest runner alive, why?, so he can outrun any kid who was playing “agawan base” or “habulang taya”, a game of speed. Having to play these games made me want to be great at anything I want to pursue. As a kid moments were spent at home or a neighbors house usually playing Atari or “sipa” remember pacman and asteroids or watching saturday fun machine. Them were the days. In school deliver the subject english and all my attention was glued to you but replace it with math see me vanish at an instant. I dont know why I have difficulty with numbers maybe I just dont like them. Music was also a big part of my life most especially new wave, Tears for Fears, Depeche Mode, Lotus Eaters, Cure, were the most sought after tunes thanks to my brother and his posse. Slip a tune from the 80s my heart skips a beat reliving memories from the past. Music was like an escape to another world it made me autistic usually I refer to them as my cigarettes a music or a dozen of it calms my nerves. All in all life was downhill so to speak until an untimely death in the family shook everything out of place…
The Big C…Cancer and Change…
Suffice to say that life wasnt all bed of roses some people accepts change as something better for the future, others view them as the chance to start over again. Mine was a trip to Nightmare on Elm Street, (forgive the pun)…and that was just the tip of the iceberg. Change evidently brought a series of falling dominoes. Known to me as a strong woman who held the family line together when my father went abroad, mom was diagnosed with cancer and was receiving chemotherapy for treatment. Still with little knowledge about the situation, I knew something was wrong…(mom was wearing a wig who wouldnt sense something was wrong?)…mom would evidently succumbed to the disease bringing with her the umbilical cord that tied the family together. Financial crisis a trip to various relatives and gloomy perception of life later, my father died of Myocardial Infarction or in laymans terms heart attack…
Reality Bites…A rather painful bite!
I wonder whatever happened to the Japanese Garden near UP Bagiuo…For 2 years in high school I had the opportunity to study in one of our finest institutions in the Philippines unfortunately it didnt work out either I was too lazy to study or I was preoccupied with partying and having a good time (all of the above I guess…) remember Gold Mine Disco at the fallen Hyatt Hotel, hits of that era, Upside Down, Hunger and the Creed by 2 Minds Cracked, Hot in the City by Billy Idol to name a few…those were the years when a cigarette was introduced to me for the first time I puffed 4 Phillip Morris one after the other I felt sick (maybe because what I was doing was insane)…so after being kick out of UP Bagiuo my grandmother sent me to Saint Louis Pacdal, a school known with a stickler for discipline, complete with uniform, haircut and students who have to act like kindergarten kids…a far cry from the freedom I enjoyed at UP. But who says one cant party even in jail, students in private schools have the most amazing transformation outside the 4 walled classroom…a pollyanna goody two shoes girl suddenly can become a smoking sophisticated lady in an instant…well you know what I mean…some of the meanest excursions was done during that time, well we had an L300 van at our disposal anytime. After graduation I went to the University of the Assumptionin San Fernando Pampanga, for my collegiate course I settled for Commerce primarily because I wanted to work in a bank (or maybe because I was lazy to pick a more challenging course…) I tried to be more active in school by joining extra curricular activities and I later joined the school publication organization and held the position of Features Editor. Another facet of my colorful bus load of talent, writing, I guess its automatic together with my emotions I can easily create a bundle of words with significance. With my experience gained at joining various organizations confidence was at its highest thats the time I also met my wife Salyn. College life was mostly meeting different kinds of people in different departments…OPM bands ruled the airwaves Introvoys, Afterimage and True Faith was the in thing in sounds…Life in college went by smoothly the only drag was the death of my father during my 3rd year college but by far very colorful, lots of friendships were forge during that time and up to this time still maintain a line of communication…
Corporate Professionalism
After the rule of books, teachers and thesis I was now facing the future in the corporate world, staring at the skyscrapers in Makati while holding a resume, would I be entitled to the same prestige as other professionals…(with cars and lots of money). First stop Equitable Cardnetwork at Makati, as a Data Encoder nice office period…officemates old, salary unbearable (dont ask how much pls…) 6 months would be enough for me, another job hunting was in the works and I found myself wandering the corridors of Tektite Towers knocking on the door of LG Collins Philippines. I was hired as a Customer Representative complete with headsets, telephone and my own computer, accompanying me was a homo and two girls (talk about 3s company…) sometimes when everything is sailing smoothly I manage to do stupid things to disrupt the flow…unemployed once again…this time together with my wife we waited for the perfect job, we applied and we conquered… Quorum Lanier Philippines specializing in encoding litigation materials a job which I immensley enjoyed, hands down, (it was to be my last company until I left for Italy) this time I didnt do anything stupid company wise (but I did something awful for info ask my wife…)a dozen memories to be cherished especially the basketball tournaments, christmas parties, friends, billiards…Sweet memories cascade one by one with only a flicker now and then but the smile will never fade because of this…

Benvenuti Italia

Alain Edbert Dizon — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 14:01:07 +0000

Benvenuti Italia…
New Sights…
The first thing that comes to mind when absorbing the word Italy…Pasta…Pizza…Fashion…Well for me…Work…Yup I was one of the hundred thousands of Filipinos trying to find my luck in a foreign land. Expectations many…As soon as arrived at Naples Central Station my life was on the verge of change(I hope for the better)…The first thing I noticed upon setting foot in Italy was how beautiful the people were. Italian women are very beautiful when it comes to clothes and makeup they rate a very high 4 out 5 in the beauty Richter scale department. And of course blond hair was all over the place. Second before I left the Philippines I was addicted to scooters and…Well Italy is also a well know haven for awesome scooters motorbikes etc. Walking downtown you could see a lot. From Gilera, BMW to big bikes such as MV Augusta, Ducati…Yummy…I would stare at these bikes for over a couple minutes…(well I wouldn’t exceed much I might be mistaken for a would be burglar)…Since I was living in Naples we were close to the Port of Naples and once in a while a big passenger ship docks, and, well, I was never near Pier in Manila so seeing those gigantic ships nearby was also a sight to behold. Landscapes also were a major sight in Italy especially churches(being the center of Catholicism). How about cars…? Well they do have awesome cars here Audi, Porsche, once in a while Lamborghini…But all in all Italians drive miniature cars because roads here are very narrow. Miniature cars that caught my attention, Mini Cooper, the Mercedes designed Smart, etc…
Filipinos Abroad…
Since trying to find a job incorporates the need to fellowship with fellow Filipinos, I found myself in the company one afternoon of…Filipinos…Complete with pulutan and beer…So as I guzzled my bottle…I realized that by bringing in the lifestyles that they left behind is one way of reducing plague that homesickness brings. Even the negative ones like gambling and drugs…I really was surprised how a compound in where I lived would be like, in comparison to Tondo in Manila…So much for that. Filipinos also dabbles in playtime called “Tsismis”(rumor mongering) which is so frequent here that any Filipino wishing to come here would always be subjected to this kind of initiation. I realized that rumor mongering is like a double edge sword (better than beating someone to a pulp) which can make or break a person. I for one am not used to this kind of activity simply because I was not brought up that way. I’m not thrilled in talking about other peoples lives mainly for the fact that I have problems to deal with and have no time for it. Culture shock you might say…Rumor mongering is a disease that has no antidote…Well I came here for one thing and that is work to earn and to secure my future.
Easier said than done…
Ever answered a question with a “yes I can do that” and finding out that it was harder than what you’ve expected. I’ve been faced with a lot of situations here in Italy concerning jobs that were off my league if you know what I mean. The first job I had was with a family of 3, a father, a mother, and their son, the job, cleaning their home. For a lot of Filipinos who want to go to Italy the primary occupation here is cleaning, whether theatres homes or stores Filipinos are called to do the job because of being a stickler for cleanliness. And to the Italians cleaning entails not just sweeping the floor and getting rid of the dirt, it means even the smallest crevices of the house must be clean. And you look at the basic house of an Italian actually its very very clean but they want it spit shining. Not only does it entail the basic cleaning routine but you are also asked to do the laundry, cooking and ironing. Talk about learning everything I never did those things back home. But the one thing I learned here is that with determination and patience I can do everything I need to succeed. Back home the basic interview for a job was peanuts to me I can answer all questions with formality and straightforwardness, here you must know the Italian language before you could muster any good answer. Almost 80 percent of Italians have little knowledge of the English language, so besides the job, learning to communicate was also a drag. The need to adjust at a certain degree was a necessity so as to advance to the next level.
Pink Slip…
Have you ever gotten the “Pink Slip”, in the US a “pink slip” means you are being fired. Here in Italy in can be called a “pink tongue”. And during the course of my stay here I had my shares of “pink tongue”, the most frustrating of all whenever I go to a job prospect I developed a phobia of not getting the job done. So my confidence level went down the pit. And life here was beginning to be hell so to speak. You could feel the frustration everytime you go home you wonder whether you botched up or you did a fine job. All in all the burden of living the Italian dream was sometimes too much to bear. I found myself sometimes in solitary moments asking if I’ve done the right decision in coming to Italy. But once your kick down to the ground the only way to go is up. The need to find the right motivation in order to go on is what I do to get my system in synch, sometimes listening to music breaks the negative air circling above me. But as life goes on you learn that situations, whether good or bad happens for a reason, it may be to strengthen you while you journey along ahead or to enrich the experience you need to advance. Looking back, situations that negated me feeling so alone and helpless, and dealing with the complexities of life abroad you are also dealing with yourself, adds to your maturity level and helps you cope up in taking control of your destiny. The “pink slip” for me no matter how many, was to give the assurance that I could do better, that my abilities were not limited to just white collar jobs that I could do what I want to do and be great at it. Add to the fact that I was actually working for everything I want to achieve and with a little more patience I know I will get what I want and succeed…