Update: My 2010 F1 Singapore Grand Prix

Just got word from my good friend in Singapore that she has already secured my 3-day passes for the 2010 F1 Singapore Grand Prix Night Race!

Race weekend is on September 24-26, and I'm so pumped up for this I can't wait till September rolls around!

I purchased the tickets online, then indicated that I'd have someone pick them up at a designated post office in Singapore, so I can save on shipping charges. I'll just get the passes from my friend when I land in SG on Sept. 22nd!

Here's a photo of the F1 passes!



See you there!

Can't Wait for the Singapore F1 GP

Got my F1 tickets online. Booked my flight via Jetstar. Then I'm off to watch the Singapore Formula One Grand Prix in September!

All these years, I've dreamt of witnessing this world-class racing spectacle -- the pinnacle of motorsports competition -- and now that I found an opportunity to do so, I made sure to grab it!


Race weekend is on September 24-26, and it'll be a great three days of practice runs and qualifying sessions culminating on raceday Sunday! Boy, I can't wait!

The last time I experienced a professional international motorsports event was in 2002, at the Spa-Franchorchamps circuit in Spa, Belgium. That was a 24-hour race, with touring cars of different classes. I can't recall exactly how we got there, except that all I know is that we spent all of 72-hours in Europe. Flew in on a Friday and left on a Sunday evening! That was hardly enough time to see any sights, except for a 1-hour stroll around Frankfurt, Germany, waiting for our flight back to Manila.

Previous to that, I was able to watch the 2001 Macau Grand Prix, and we had a lot more leisure time to enjoy the sights on that trip.

Can''t wait to be in Singapore this September. I'm flying alone, without M. and the girls. But I'm meeting up with Nappy there. He's flying with his GF via CebuPac a day after me.

I'm treating this as my reward to myself for a being a "good boy" hehehe. That's one item checked off of my bucket list! I'm glad M. and the girls understand. I'm really a lucky guy!

Can

Wash Your Car, Boy!

Ever since I got the Civic, I've been a little bit OC about keeping it neat and clean. I wasn't exactly like that with my previous car, although I did treat that old Lancer to a regular high-powered car wash every now and then. But with the Civic, I almost always have to have it washed more than once a week, and treated to a high-definition wax job at least once a month.

And my current car wash of choice is Hillsborough Car Spa and Detailers, along Jupiter Street, in Bel-Air, Makati. I've been taking the Civic here regularly ever since I discovered it from a friend early this year. They do a pretty good job with washing and making sure the car is squeaky clean after.

The place is usually busy on weekend mornings, so I bring my car there on the off-hours, usually weekday afternoons or during my lunch break. They've got a high-end clientele that you can tell from the various exotic car models that frequent the place. I realize that they must really do a good job for the owners of these cars to leave their prized possessions here to be detailed.

And the prices are pretty reasonable. Premium wash including vacuum and tire black is P200 (P150 without the vacuum). If you have it waxed, just add P250 more. I've also tried out their new high-definition car wax (P1,200) and this extends the sheen and shine of my car by a couple more days between washing. But they offer more services than the usual, like total paint makeover, Show Car Waxing, Interior detailing, glass watermark removal and engine detailing, among others. You can actually download a copy of their pricelist from the website.

The Hillsborough boys also do a fast job of it, ensuring that you're in and out in no time at all.

Hillsborough is also present in the Eastwood area, so you can try it out there if that is nearer to you. Keep updated with the latest news from Hillsborough by adding their Facebook page. Just search for their name and you'll get there!

In the meantime, safe driving to all!

Travelling on a STAR

First post for 2010! I can't believe I've neglected this blog for a long, long time!

Well, we've done a fair amount of land travel since then: a trip to Clark for work; to Subic for a weekend; and south to the beaches in Batangas.

Driving to Batangas used to be a chore. Its such a big province, and to get from Manila to the best beaches can take a couple of hours or more. We first went to Canyon Cove in Nasugbu, by way of Tagaytay, so this one is relatively near. The beach area is clean and neat, and the resort is just as clean. What we enjoyed about this trip is the stopover in Tagaytay, both for going and coming back. Cutting your trip in half and having lunch in Tagaytay is a good idea when travelling this side of the south.

On another occasion, we took the long drive down to Laiya, in San Juan, Batangas. That was a good 3-hours from Makati. To get to San Juan, you need to pass thru the STAR Tollway. STAR means Southern Tagalog Arterial Road, and it was designed to cut travel time to more than half.



I remember a couple of years back, before the STAR Tollway was created, how long it would take us to get to the Batangas Racing Circuit in Rosario, Batangas. I think it took about 4-hours to get there!

Now, this 42-km stretch of asphalt gives motorists a direct line from Sto. Tomas (the last exit on SLEX) to Batangas City. Its a fast, 6-lane expressway that allows cars to travel an average of 80-90kph. One can go a bit faster than that, but for some reason, I try not to due to the uneven surface.

The tarmac is built on concrete, with some parts in asphalt, but I notice that its not entirely flat. I always recall a colleague's words the first few times we drove on this piece of road. He said that the highway was constructed by nautical engineers, since driving on it is akin to riding a fast boat on a wavy sea. The road gradually inclines up and down, giving you that same sea-sick feeling. In the local language, it's termed as "ma-alon" (wavy).

Anyway, the view on STAR Tollway is terrific. Mostly green fields, a few hills, and a stretch of mountains on the horizon. At night, thought, it can get quite dark due to the distances between lamp posts (if not the absence of some).

But I don't mind, coz overall, the STAR Tollway closes the gap between me and an ideal beach holiday. Plus, motorists like me always take every opportunity to take their cars for a long, therapeutic drive on a dark, deserted highway.

It is for roads like these that we motorists would not think twice of taking a long drive just to get to the beach and other worthy summer destinations!

Car Wash

Ever since I got a new car, I always make sure to have it washed at a reputable place. My choice: Big Bert's.

The first time I needed to bring the car to Big Bert's, I went to their shop at the Ortigas Home Depot. After a couple of months, I started bringing my car to their other shop along Araneta Ave. in Quezon City, which was a nearer location from my house.

What I like about Big Bert's is the extra care that its washers put on each vehicle that they wash. They make sure that the car comes out spotless and clean. And you can also point out specific stains or dirts on the car that they will willingly rub out using a wax or rubbing compound.

I've also tried their waxing service (P500) after which my car comes out sparkingly clean and shiny!

The only bummer deal is whenever the rains come down as soon as you drive out of the carwash! Well, that's usually what happens so better get used to it.

I regularly treat my car to a car wash at least once a week, and a fullbody wax job at least every other month. This ensures that the car's paintjob will last longer.

My Ride

Here's a rare pic of me beside Civ, my 2009 Honda Civic 1.8S!

It's an automatic transmission version, so its not too much of a chore to drive it to the office everyday in EDSA traffic.

Other options I asked from the dealer include the following: rear back-up sensors, leatherette seatcovers, floor mattings, foglamps and ABS.

It's already been a year since I got this car, and I've taken it to many places outside Metro Manila: to Baguio; Subic; Clark; Bataan (Anvaya Cove); San Juan, Batangas; San Mateo, Rizal; among other places.

The family loves it!