Bitten by the Bug
May 11, 2007 | 12:00am
A lot of people have been bitten by this bug  the good ol’ Volkswagen Bug. Also known as the Beetle, it is, without a doubt, a timeless piece of auto ingenuity. In fact, it has already forged its own legacy, one that other cars would find hard to surpass and live up to today. And while production of the original Beetle stopped long ago, its dedicated owners vow to keep the iconic relics on the road for life.
Nito Cruz is one of them. He proudly drives a triple white 1978 Beetle Convertible to this day. There’s also Bing Sison, a man who is still in love with his high school sweetheart  a silver 1953 Super Beetle. Call it passion. Call it love. Whatever it is, just put your hands up for the Bug!
The Beetle traces its history to the early days of the 1930s. And believe it or not, it was Adolf Hitler who had something to do with kicking this car’s production into full gear. He wanted Germany to produce a Volks-Wagen, or "People’s Car," something that could accommodate a family of five, cruise at around 100km/h, and cost no more than 990 reichsmarks.
Hitler also reportedly met with Ferdinand Porsche for this. And during the early days of the "Gesellschaft zur Vorbereitung des Deutschen Volkswagens mbH" company (that’s Volkswagen to you and me), he brought to life a car design that soon earned much attention and worldwide success. As you might have guessed, it went by two famous names: Beetle and Bug. Today (three-quarters of a century later), people still associate this car with quality, durability and universal appeal.
If you think it’s just Nito and Bing driving their Bugs around the country, think again. There must be thousands of them, judging by the crowded lot I came upon one Saturday evening at the "VOKS: Volkswagen Only Kami Sama-Sama" affair.
VOKS is actually more of a Beetle enthusiasts’ club rather than a formal organization. It’s a group of people who share a common love (for the Bug, of course) and who go to great lengths to show it off. And aside from going on various road trips, they also like holding the annual VWoodstock or Volksfest.
The Second VWoodstock was underway all day Saturday last April 28 at the Filinvest Westgate Corporate City in Alabang, Muntinlupa. Rows of sturdy, lovable Beetles were on display for the event, about 40 of which were in contention for several categories: the Volksfest Best of Show Award, Best in Resto-Custom, Best in Superstock, Best in Parking Area and, of course, the People’s Choice Award.
Another treat to avid Beetle fans was the chance to win a Volkswagen Project Car. The car to be awarded still needs some work, but VOKS can assure you that just like their own Beetles, this one is guaranteed to run practically forever.
Overall, Mike Walde was perhaps the grand winner of the evening. His red 1962 Beetle won the People’s Choice Award. At the same time, Mike also took home the much-coveted Project Car, a yellow 1962 Beetle painted by Egay Fernandez, Egai Roxas and Boy Ventura, and sporting a 1,200cc engine under its rear.
Meanwhile, the Volksfest Best of Show Award was given to Rodel Zafra’s 1972 Type 3 Beetle Fastback; the Best in Resto-Custom to Wed Lodriga’s 1968 Beetle; the Best in Superstock to Ding Bernabe’s 1973 Beetle 1303; and the Best Parking Area to Robert Mesa’s 1969 Beetle Convertible.
Throughout the evening, all conversation and attention was on these cars. Bug owners quietly gauged how theirs fared against the rest. But those who didn’t own a Bug were nevertheless thrilled to check out the models. The affair lasted all night, with much food, laughter and music.
The likes of Piledriver, The UST Trio with Ann Alvarez, The Johnnys, Sleepyheads, The Easy Mersey, Edible Smoke Recess, Rikititoy, Skyline and Trend Aka Reunion took to the stage during the all-night fest. They sang and sang some more as the people rolled in.
In the end, the party remained good and loud. And the VOKS, with their Volks, were roaring with pride.
E-mail the author at ravin.facts@yahoo.com.
Nito Cruz is one of them. He proudly drives a triple white 1978 Beetle Convertible to this day. There’s also Bing Sison, a man who is still in love with his high school sweetheart  a silver 1953 Super Beetle. Call it passion. Call it love. Whatever it is, just put your hands up for the Bug!
The Beetle traces its history to the early days of the 1930s. And believe it or not, it was Adolf Hitler who had something to do with kicking this car’s production into full gear. He wanted Germany to produce a Volks-Wagen, or "People’s Car," something that could accommodate a family of five, cruise at around 100km/h, and cost no more than 990 reichsmarks.
Hitler also reportedly met with Ferdinand Porsche for this. And during the early days of the "Gesellschaft zur Vorbereitung des Deutschen Volkswagens mbH" company (that’s Volkswagen to you and me), he brought to life a car design that soon earned much attention and worldwide success. As you might have guessed, it went by two famous names: Beetle and Bug. Today (three-quarters of a century later), people still associate this car with quality, durability and universal appeal.
If you think it’s just Nito and Bing driving their Bugs around the country, think again. There must be thousands of them, judging by the crowded lot I came upon one Saturday evening at the "VOKS: Volkswagen Only Kami Sama-Sama" affair.
VOKS is actually more of a Beetle enthusiasts’ club rather than a formal organization. It’s a group of people who share a common love (for the Bug, of course) and who go to great lengths to show it off. And aside from going on various road trips, they also like holding the annual VWoodstock or Volksfest.
The Second VWoodstock was underway all day Saturday last April 28 at the Filinvest Westgate Corporate City in Alabang, Muntinlupa. Rows of sturdy, lovable Beetles were on display for the event, about 40 of which were in contention for several categories: the Volksfest Best of Show Award, Best in Resto-Custom, Best in Superstock, Best in Parking Area and, of course, the People’s Choice Award.
Another treat to avid Beetle fans was the chance to win a Volkswagen Project Car. The car to be awarded still needs some work, but VOKS can assure you that just like their own Beetles, this one is guaranteed to run practically forever.
Overall, Mike Walde was perhaps the grand winner of the evening. His red 1962 Beetle won the People’s Choice Award. At the same time, Mike also took home the much-coveted Project Car, a yellow 1962 Beetle painted by Egay Fernandez, Egai Roxas and Boy Ventura, and sporting a 1,200cc engine under its rear.
Meanwhile, the Volksfest Best of Show Award was given to Rodel Zafra’s 1972 Type 3 Beetle Fastback; the Best in Resto-Custom to Wed Lodriga’s 1968 Beetle; the Best in Superstock to Ding Bernabe’s 1973 Beetle 1303; and the Best Parking Area to Robert Mesa’s 1969 Beetle Convertible.
Throughout the evening, all conversation and attention was on these cars. Bug owners quietly gauged how theirs fared against the rest. But those who didn’t own a Bug were nevertheless thrilled to check out the models. The affair lasted all night, with much food, laughter and music.
The likes of Piledriver, The UST Trio with Ann Alvarez, The Johnnys, Sleepyheads, The Easy Mersey, Edible Smoke Recess, Rikititoy, Skyline and Trend Aka Reunion took to the stage during the all-night fest. They sang and sang some more as the people rolled in.
In the end, the party remained good and loud. And the VOKS, with their Volks, were roaring with pride.
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