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Monday, November 14, 2005
Diverse fields, one passion
THEY are a diverse lot - professionals, businesspersons, employees and students. But there is one thing that keeps them together - their love for the People's Car, the Volkswagen.
They comprise the Volkswagen Kafer Club of Iloilo Inc and they are numbering to 55 now.
In motion
The idea of forming a club for Volkswagen owners and enthusiasts in Iloilo was made 15 years ago.
This idea came to Nelson Hipe, the founder of the club and the one who single-handedly put the project in motion.
After a challenge issued by the Volkswagen Club of the Philippines in Manila last April 1998, Hipe prepared flyers that contain an intriguing invitation to Volks owners to attend a meeting that would eventually lead to a club.
These flyers were placed on the windshields of the Volks that Hipe saw in one mall and the Western Visayas Medical Center (WMVC). Most of the Volks owners then were budding doctors.
He also placed some at the Acdol Car Restoration and Bugswagen Parts Center.
The ploy was effective as Hipe received many calls. The first was from Dr. Roberto Garcia Jr. It was followed by Gus Alvarez, Joemari and Janelle Moriente. An e-mail from Juvic Ybiernas was received.
Thus came the first meeting at an eatery at the Diversion Road. Although the small number of attendees was discouraging, the intense enthusiasm was felt among those present. They were given the challenge to invite others to join.
In the succeeding meetings, more Volkswagen owners attended.
Incorporation
Sometime in July 1998, a general meeting was held at Punta Villa. There, the board of directors and first set of officers were elected. The Articles of Incorporation and the By-Laws were drafted for registration before the Securities and Exchange Commission.
These were revised many times to suit the needs and purposes of the club.
Many problems were encountered - typical labor pains - but these did not deter the members of the group. They were challenged even more.
Policy-formulation, dues, venues of meetings and membership, among others, were lengthily discussed and later, settled.
On September 2, 1998, the SEC issued a registration for the club, making its existence legal.
Marka Bao
An acquaintance party at Cocogrove, Guimbal was held on September 6, 1998.
It was preceded by a long parade of colorful Volkswagens starting at the Museo Iloilo. It was a day of fun and camaraderie for the members.
Joemari Moriente, events manager of the club and Acdol Car Restoration's Theodore Acdol narrated that while the parade was ongoing, young boys said "marka bao" and salute as the Volkswagens passed by. If a child does not salute, he gets a slap on the head.
"We are still researching on the origins of the 'marka bao' phenomenon,"
Moriente said.
"Only the Volkswagen elicits such reaction from children," Acdol said.
Membership
How to be a member of the club? Moriente said that one has to attend at least three regular meetings before one can be a member.
It is also important that one is an owner of a Volkswagen or planning to own one.
The reason for these rules are that they want to ensure that a member feels comfortable with the club and can relate to the others as this is already a second family to most of them.
Those interested to become members can call Tess Lozanes at (033) 3212191 or 09218296110.
Projects
Moriente said that camaraderie and giving a venue for Volkswagen enthusiasts to share their passion are not the only objectives of the club.
"We are also holding projects," he said.
Acdol added that some of their projects include a clean-up drive in Mandurriao, a medical mission in Pavia, and a first motoring clinic and exhibit held at SM City open ground parking lot area last September 2000.
Their latest project was the volkswagen classic Bug-O-Rama second motoring clinic and exhibit held at the SM City activity center where shoppers were awed with the colorful and sleek Volkswagens beetle that the club members own.
It was not really obvious that some of these cars were already decades old. After extensive restoration and dressing-up, the Volkswagens on display looked like new.
The said exhibit's purpose was to encourage more Volkswagen enthusiasts to join the club as well as promote interest for the said car.
After all, it's the People's Car and a classic at that.
(November 14, 2005 issue)
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