2013

Like always, for various reasons, this blog has been thoroughly neglected. Hopefully, I will be in better health come the new year, and also less lazy.

Aside from the blog, the diecast collection also suffers from neglect. Mattel (Matchbox and Hotwheels) releasing crappy castings contributes to this. Johnny Lightning still keeps me interested, with all the VW T2s they churn out.

The Kool Kombi is a new HW casting for 2013, and should be on every want list. It is out in other countries now but I have yet to see it locally. (I might not see it on the pegs 'cause of hoarders and speculators.)

Let Them Go

From the toy loving people of the Die-cast Car Collectors of the Philippines:


Fellow collectors,

One of the annual highlights of the 6th Christmas Toy Fair is the donation of toys to the less-fortunate children of our society. The beneficiaries for this year are Kythe Foundation for cancer-stricken children of the National Children's Hospital and ABS-CBN's Larunungan Kalinga Kapamilya Toy Drive for kindergarten students.

Unknown to some, DCPH is a regular contributor to this cause thru some of our kind-hearted members and it will be more special to participate now because we are staging our 1st Philippine Diecast and Custom Car Show during the Toy Fair event. Years ago, on our own, we also gave contributions to BATA Foundation, a charitable institution looking after abandoned street children, and to National Children's Hospital as well.

On behalf of the DCPH Execomm and 1st Philippine Diecast and Custom Car Show organizers, I'd like to ask for your humble contribution to this cause by donating your unused or extra toys to these children. Let's give our share in bringing smiles to these children's faces and make them forget even for a few moments their unfortunate condition. Toys may not necessarily be diecast cars. You may also donate other kinds or cash directly to Kythe Foundation.

For the toy donation, you may bring your items during the swapmeet day, Dec. 18 (Sun) and look for any DCPH Execomm member. The official turnover to them will be in the afternoon.

Thank you in advance for your generous contribution and may it reciprocate happiness to you as well. God bless you all and Merry Christmas, DCPH!

The Perfect Way To Raise Little Pervs

At the recent 2011 Toy Fair and at the CES, Mattel unveiled its latest creation, the Perv Video Racer. A video camera housed in a 1/64 scale car. It has an LCD screen on the chassis and carn record 12 minutes of video at 30fps. The budle has an SRP of $59.99 and comes a case that makes it possible to attach the car to helmets, bikes, skateboards, shampoo bottles, laundry hampers, and maybe even to the pet cat. Also included is a Video Racers software and a USB cord for uploading and editing on a computer so that your little Hayden can make movies with music, effects and transitions.

Photos from Chipchicklets.com.

Snoopy Be Damned

The Red Barons, went out for the first time the other day, my new line, as part of the DCPH-Toy Kingdom-Hotwheels Dino Trick Tracks Exhibit.



















They got a good amount of attention, and a few inquiries. I am quite happy with that. Hopefully, we get to see more of the "not usual" coming up during exhibits.

Oh My God, They Killed The Swapmeet!!

I went to the DCPH Swapmeet. Quite noticeable was the low turn out. Normally the place would be packed hours before the actual start of the event. The online marketplace might have something to do with this. Why attend the swapmeet if you can buy items regularly via DCPH.com? I do not know if the execom sees this the way I do. Or maybe, people had no money just yet, coming off the Christmas season and all that. Anyway, they better start looking at it before the swapmeet becomes a thing of the past.

Top Kombi collector Mr. Boy Mariano.


Children should be the ones buying toys, right?


Managed to dispose some old pieces. Still, too many cheapskates out there. Haggling for an item that goes for $10 on eBay being sold for 100php?! (And there were some that did not register to avoid paying the 150 entrance fee.) My profit went to the single piece I was able to bring home- the Club Car Drag Bus. This is my very first Drag Bus. You might wonder why, seeing that I am a VW Bus collector. Only one reason, I think the DB is a bastardization of the Kombi! I only bought this because part of the proceeds is going to charity, plus it is the club car for 2008.







Philippine flag on fire.

Do Not Touch My Hot Rod

I was looking at some of my diecast cars, the Kombis. It felt like they were unhappy for being neglected. I have not been able to add to this line, my main, for quite some time now. The last piece, a Disney Store exclusive Fillmore, was acquired September of last year. I have actually bought several pieces since then, none of which are Kombis. I have a new "main" line. One that will remain a secret for now. Sorry, no Ferraris here!