The phone rang last Saturday afternoon (29 June) the New Ole Honda is completed and Sir Paul, you may avail of your car today. Now I have already sent the article in to Sir Bob Martin of Mindanao Bob Fame that morning. So now my friends on LiP must start the week with another unfinished “New Ole Honda” tale.
Because of that and the fact that on Friday I’d been atop Pogue Mountain (The Roof of the Loren Arms Apartments) eating chili dogs and consuming adult beverages with Sir Loren Pogue plus our two lovely brides and I had been slightly over served. Now I was in no mood to venture out into the beginning of a storm to pick up a car that I didn’t need until next week anyway. “But Sir Paul, it’s ready now!” Lolet exclaimed. “So, then it will be ready on Monday also?” I inquired. Yes Sir Paul, of course it will, but don’t you want it now? I replied; “Miss Lolet, for the two months you’ve had my car, I’ve never pushed or complained to have anyone rush to fix it, so two more days is not a problem for me. I’ll see you Monday morning.” “Yes Sir Paul!” She said.
As for Kuya Greg, Elmer (MIC) or Lolet it mattered not a whit to them as to when I come in, but the owner of the shop wanted to see the money in the till Saturday. I can only assume he had a big date planned for Saturday Night. Well I waited 2 months he can wait 2 days. That seemed fair to me, plus the Typhoon was brewing and we were catching the leading edge of it.
The phone rang with the manager from Garbes-Dizon Servitek on the line, and told me that the final cost, parts and labor was PNP 85,327.00 (Or approximately USD 1,984.00) pretty much near what I thought it would cost, and knowing that in the States it would have been over five grand, I was satisfied. But I was still not coming to town to get the car until Monday, that fact saddened him.
Now on Sunday morning I fired up the generator at 5 am and logged on to the interweb thingy, I took my Tattoo Globe Super Stick and connected it to the computer and hung it out the window as I’ve always done. Albeit this was my first time to do it while dealing the fringe of a typhoon. Just so you’ll know, they are not water proof, so after I pick up the car Monday I’ll stop by the mall and pick up a new dry Globe Super Stick. (PNP 2,500.00) My bad, and it’s hard to get angry at myself, but it seems not so difficult for Mayang!
That brings my saga to a close; all is once more as it should be on a mountain top in Bataan. God is in his/her heaven, the New Ole Honda is back in its carport, and Paul is back on line on that interweb thing and now I’ll just sit and wait to see what could possibly happen next.
To all my American friends, I wish a most happy 4th of July to you all, and I request you all follow Mayor Bloomberg’s advice from the big apple who says; “Sparklers can be used by terrorists and should be banned.” So take care, for as that statement proves, you are living among idiots, which unfortunately, are running our country.
It’s been a long haul, Paul, but you made it! Congratulations and enjoy the New New Old Honda!
u r killing me. very funny story
Ace;
Thank you, life in the Philippines can be very funny if one takes to time to notice. And I mean funny in a very good way.
Hi Bob;
I got to drive it home on Monday, and then yesterday Mayang took it to go out shopping with her sister, then my son-in-law… Well you get the picture, but it’s good to see it out front, once in awhile.
So I noticed you don’t like the word epoch?
Ah shucks… you caught me! 😉
Bob;
It was once said that I had a mind like a steel trap, albeit I do have a problem with a tad of rust now.
Glad to see you got the Honda out of the Auto hospital Paul but sad that this epic sage is over. I enjoyed the lighthearted tale of things gone south!
As for the fourth of July celebrations, beside the fireworks displays in the States, traditions dictate A beach picnic day or a tailgate party and BBQ as well. Since I now Have my new old Suzuki, I now have a Tailgate to celebrate with and so I bought a cooler to put in the back to ice down my Beer and though I don’t plan to go to the beach, I will fire up my grill and occasionally check on the BBQ process while sitting in the back of my multicab and enjoying Adult refreshments in my yard! Enjoy your 4th my friend!
Hi Joe;
There used to be a very large 4th of July party in the Barrio every year, until it was noticed that it got rained out for 15 years in a row and tended to exclude our friends from OZ, and Briton. We foreigners now have a “Beach Bash” for one week in February that even the Filipino’s love, food. Games, beaches and all kid friendly. So on the 4th we just go to the FRA, the “V” or the American Legion for lunch and a beer or three, as it will rain.
But if you guys down south get a dry day, than fire up the Barbi and have a great day of it.
Congratulations Paul, on getting your car back. Now that’s is fixed, and everything is working and looking good, it would be a good time to sell it, and get that new car you’ve been wanting for so long, hint, hint.
Not to self,,,never stick my Dongle out the window when its raining, its not waterproof!! Sorry, had to say it, Paul.
Hey Billy;
Sell a car with a brand new engine, that still looks good, where is the logic in that? Dave Starr’s article this week is about death and burials, which brought to mind that I want the New Ole Honda in my funeral parade out in front of the Jeepney’s with my car stereo blasting; “I did it my way” by ole Blues Eyes, Frank Sinatra. Then they can sell it!
Or better yet, park it at the bone yard, with me in it and pour cement over it to make a mausoleum out of it.
I am a sick dude!
Maybe you could have the car modified into a really cool coffin! 🙂
Bob;
Set me in the front seat behind the wheel, bring in the cement truck and pour a huge cube around the car. Just don’t dig a hole. Or they could barge me out to sea in the car and roll me into the water, I’ll go out with a splash. (I’ll ouch myself with that comment!) (LOL)
Bob,
That is a great idea, I could already see thye car in his living room with him in it, and all of his friends drinking, and the family doing karaokee all month long…
Dirk;
I told my wife if she has a wake I’ll become a “White Lady” and haunt her. But at the boneyard it would be fine with me.
Might be kind of cool! 🙂
Bob;
It would only be cool if they left the AirCon running! (LOL)
Paul,
I went to said firework stand in PA and purchased many fireworks that go boom and up in the air. I will be using them regardless of the laws in the state that I will be igniting them on!!! Glad you got the good old Honda back. I look forward to the next chapter of your life!!!
Dirk;
As long as you didn’t buy any sparklers as they according to the liberals are more dangerous than an AR-15 in the hands of a 5 year old terrorist.
It’s nice to see the old car in the front yard, where it belongs. New adventures are none stop in the Philippines!
Hi Paul
Good to read that the new old Honda is back where it belongs. I wonder if you may have to take it easy for a while to allow for new enging break-in ?
Next time you find you must dongle in the rain, maybe putting the dongle in a plastic bag and taping the top of it closed might save it from drowning.
Happy 4th of July everyone.
Bob;
I’m under strict orders to not drive fast by Kuya Greg (I guess he knows me better than I thought) and to take it easy and not push it up hills, I tried it Monday and people were gesturing to me as they drove by.
As for the plastic bag, now you’re just adding common sense into my situation. Please refrain from doing that (LOL)
In the picture of the New Old Honda and you it is difficult to tell which is old and which is new. Both are looking good.
Loren;
You’re only being nice because we’re going to Mongolian BBQ Friday night!
Hi Paul – Now that the saga has come to an end, I hope that temporary writer’s block doesn’t find you. 😆
Paul;
The next weeks post came along today, I didn’t have to wait that long at all. And it’s not even about hanging dongles out in the typhoon. (LOL)
Paul,
It’s a great week for everyone. You get your car back, we get 2 funny articles from you and its the 4th of July. All you need is some cold ones to top it off. Enjoy your 4th.
Randy;
And the adventure continues, All I need is beer!, the day I run out is the day I’ll let them cart me away to the home! (lol)
Paul, it looks like the new old Honda looks great! That engine looks clean enough to eat off of. I’m glad you’re fully mobile and able to go somewhere at your own leisure. 🙂
It’s like bringing a loved one home from the hospital, eh?
Enjoy seeing your new old Honda whenever it’s around. Give it a pat every now and again to let it know you’re happy to see it.
Have a great week!
Scott;
I was going to have it detailed inside and out, but the weather is bad and so what’s the point. So every morning I do a little myself, as the carport is dry. But, it’s running great, and everything is working well. It’s almost noon here, on this rainy 3rd of July. I feel a beer is in my future!
Nice to know that you got your new ole Honda back and enjoying its services this rainy season.
Happy Filipino-American Friendship Day on the 4th Paul and to all the American expats!
Jonathan;
Well it is the 4th of July today, so I’m waiting for the rain, it’s quite now, but I have faith. Anyplace I’ve been on this Earth it’s rained on the forth.
Hi Paul: Happy 4th of July from the U.S.! I’ll watch the city’s fireworks from my front yard. I’m fortunate that my front yard faces the ballpark where my city exhibits their fireworks every 4th of July. Your Honda looks wonderful! I have a yellow Honda Civic (1976) that I dearly love to my husband’s exasperation as he truly thinks that I should get a new car given my Honda’s age. He is my mechanic as he was a former Honda technical analyst with a bachelor’s degree in automotive engineering. I drove this Honda in my college years. As long as parts are available and my husband is young enough to maintain the car, I will drive my little Honda until the wheels fall off and parts are no longer available. My college students admire my car as it is “vintage” (as the driver). Yellow cars are back again in style this year. Thanks for sharing your saga.
Roselyn;
Wow a By-centennial Honda, I’m impressed; on July 4th 1976 I was steaming into New York harbor on the USS Kalamazoo (AOR-06) to celebrate the Nations 200th birthday. And after reading about your Honda, the next person who dares to tell me to buy a new car, I’ll refer to your post. I’m so jealous that you have a live in Honda Tech, Mmmm I wonder if Kuya Greg would move into my man cave? What Ball Park, there’s a few I’ve not been to.
Hi Paul: Our fireworks are held in our city’s ballpark (baseball, football, and track areas). It’s not a major league baseball park. I’m in Las Cruces, New Mexico. My Honda has a new engine. I helped my husband placed it in with a rented “cherry picker”. He put me to work. It still looks good with its original paint as we don’t salt our roads during the winter in Las Cruces. We rarely get snow. Anyway, I’m keeping my Honda as long as parts are available.
Roselyn;
A new engine, than you’re good to go for 20 more years of happy motoring. Shameful that Arizona got a ball tem and not New Mexico, but I still liked AA and AAA ball, it’s played with more heart.
I was driving across the states on I-10 years ago and looking out my window in New Mexico and Arizona. Where I’d see a little village, and think to myself; “Did the wagon breakdown, and that’s why they stayed?” But after visiting for awhile, I knew that I like it there. But the Philippines is where I’ll stay.
Hi Paul: Yeah, another 20 years in my Honda is fine with me. We only have local and college baseball teams in my town, but it is well attended. Your line about the wagon breaking down is funny. I forgot my apple pie! Got to run to the supermarket. Got to fly my flag too. Happy 4th of July to you and yours!
Roselyn;
College ball is okay as long as they don’t use aluminum bats; I want to hear thunk not clink. Wow, they let you bake your pies at the Supermarket, what a novel concept. (Just funning’) Your Honda qualifies for “Classic Car” tags in Massachusetts. How about New Mexico? Enjoy the day!
Hi Paul: No classic car tags for my Honda in New Mexico. Classic car tags will probably qualify the donkeys in the small villages that you’ve passed along I-10. The state will tax you for everything, even pet tags. Six dollars for a rescue cat like mine!
Roselyn;
So there I was about 18 years ago, just in from a ship, happy as a Trike driver with a new air con and power steering, when Ymir Thea (Our youngest girl and Mother of my new Grandson) now is holding a kitten in her arms and looking at me with her beautiful brown eyes, saying; “Daddy I want to keep it.” Flash to 2013, she’s back home, 18 years have pasted and that Pusa is still alive and I am responsible for it. Remember I’m a dog kinda’ guy not a cat guy at all. But the teaching of Budda, say that all creatures are important, and that the 18 year old cat that shares our house and can’t for a second get near her 14 month old son, she now has no use for. When she moves to Hawaii, I will go to LBC and ship her the cat she wanted so much.
Paul,
Glad to hear you got the new ole Honda back after all this time, The price seemed to be fair as well.
Wonder how much it would have cost if a person like myself (auto mechanic) would have done it himself would i have saved a lot by me getting my own parts and doing my own labor? Or would i have gotten over charged on the parts and the cost would have ended up the same in the end? have a great day and keep the post coming!
Todd;
I posted a comment here a moment ago, and came back and it was gone. So I’ll try again.
The parts with milling the head cost about PNP 65,000.00. and the rest was labor, even if I had all the tools and knowledge required to do it myself, I would have paid someone the PNP 20,000.00 to do the work for me and I’d have sat watching with a cold beer in my hands. Kuya Greg and Elmer have children, and I won’t take the food out of their mouth by doing it myself. (LOL) Aside from the fact I’ve grown lazy but if you enjoy doing the work and that relaxes you then more power to you.
With you buying the parts, it would cost you more, not because anyone would cheat you, but because you don’t have the years of experience here as to know where to go for the best price, which they do. It’s like going to the market, if I go I pay more than my wife does because I have no idea what I’m doing, whereas she’s done it her whole life and also knows which vendors give the best price.
I should have gone to shop class more often instead of Fenway Park to see a ball dame!
Paul,
I’d say your right on all accounts, I’m thinking even though I can do the work being I was a mechanic for 25 yrs. and still work on my own stuff to save not because I like it but there i think things are different for a American verses a Filipino person like you said your wife gets the better deal than if you would be the one to go. from what my wife has told me and from others i have met, when you go to the market and just about anywhere that the prices change without notice just send them because soon as the merchant see’s you the prices go up at least triple than what it would cost a native there. I think you got a good price considering what was done to the new ole Honda i would have probably did the same. Thanks for the response and would like to meet you someday when me and the family come back there. have a great day!
Todd;
Over the years it has gotten better at the pricing deal, now with the advent of malls and chain stores the price is the same for everyone. But the market is the haggle system, the clothing and jewelry my Wife wears to the market affects the price she’ll pay, so she’ll dress down on market day. Me I don’t even bother to enter as my blue eyes are a curse to good shopping. But what I will do is wander around, and if I spy something I want, I’ll send my wife or daughter to get it for me. A cold beer at the front of the market works well for me.
When your near Olongapo give me a shout
I’m always glad for a happy ending, but that was a long time comin’
Peter;
All good will come to he who waits. But two months, Yikes!.
Hi Paul – 85K is already down payment for a brand new car! Ha ha. You still don’t want to buy a new car? 🙂
Sugar;
And after the down payment, then comes the monthly payments and interest. Something I last did in 1978 for a brand new Lincoln Town Car, and I drove that for 12 years and then gave it to a family member in as good a shape as when I bought it. So if I can’t pay cash I don’t want it. (Built my house for cash in 1999 CASH IS KING)
Hi Paul, Happy 4th of July to you and to all who celebrates this special day. Take it easy with the “Captain” and save some for another rainy day to keep you warm.
Jun;
Thank you for your greeting, today is a non-cocktail say as I’m going out tomorrow night for Mongolian BBQ with friends and family. The CAPTAIN, might be invited then. BTW everyday is a rainy day until October! (LOL)
Hi Paul,
Good to hear that the new old Honda “Phoenix” has risen again, lol.
Chas;
I’ve been cleaning mechanics fingerprints off of every square inch of the car for a week now, they touch things that I didn’t even know were on the car. But tonight I’m motoring to the Barrio with friends and family to eat Mongolian BBQ.
My first club in Puerto Rico (The All Night Carnival) burned down, (It was in a bad location) and I rebuilt on the beach, and it was named the Phoenix, all my friends got the joke.
Hey Paul.
Glad everything worked out well, and a good price too. Once you break it in, Drive it like you stole it!
I was thinking, with a rebuild price like that, Maybe import engines to the Philippines to get rebuilt. I have a Studebaker 289, I think I could fit it into a balikbayan box for $80.
Hudson;
First, where in heck have you been?
Not a bad idea with the engine rebuild, as long as you ship every new part you’ll need as I can’t remember seeing any Studebaker’s zooming through my puroke.
Honda’s are built here so if you close your eyes and hurl a mango over your wall, you’ll hit a Honda or a stray dog.