Eyeball of Bottle Collectors Philippines at Calvo Memorabilia and Bottle Museum

It was an overcast weather last September 15 when members of Bottle Collectors of the Philippines ( Mga Lumang Bote) FB group have their eyeball and informal meet at the historic Calvo Memorabilia and Bottle Museum within the historic Escolta street in the heart of old downtown Manila.

part of the collection

Halili beer bottle and wine bottle collection

The group had about a thousand members who collects different kinds of bottles ranging from soft drink brands, milk, beer, wine, medicine among others.

Calvo building

historical marker

Eyeball and Meeting

The assembly started around 12:00 noon time when members arrived at the mezzanine area of Calvo Memorabilia and Bottle Museum. This is a private collection from the Teotico family.

members Mr. Joel Bernardo Tempongko, Mr. Miguel Delfin, Mr. Lee Delmo and Mr. Mark Claudio

The informal meeting was presided by Mr. Mark Anthony Kyle Gianan aka Krazy Kyle but more popularly known as “Pinoy Picker“.

Unfortunately some members left before having a group photo. It was a wonderful experience meeting fellow bottle collectors.

photo courtesy of Mga Lumang Bote fb group by Mr. Anthony Kyle Gianan

Note: the author would occasionally conduct heritage tour in this museum as part of the extended postal heritage guided tour.

How to Commute:

1.) via LRT line 1 north bound take off at ( Carriedo station), One can walk toward Escolta street. ( 15 to 20 minute walk)

2.) Blumentritt -Plaza Santa Cruz jeepney

3.) Baclaran to Blumentritt jeepney

4.) Blumentritt to South Pier jeepney route

5.) Malanday, Valenzuela via Avenida Rizal, Plaza Santa Cruz to South Pier jeepney route

6.) San Nicolas to Escolta jeepney route

7.) via Plaza Lawton aka Liwasang Bonifacio – one can take jeep going to Divisoria

Calvo Memorabilia and Bottle Museum ( Mezzanine area)

Address: 266 Escolta Street, Binondo, Manila

Operations: Monday to Saturday

Donation/ Entrance fees: Php 50 general public, Php 30 for students and senior citizens with valid ID’s

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Fashion Accesories and Beauty Bazaar

FAB poster

Fashion  Accessories and Beauty Bazaar or (FAB 2010) was held from October 6 to 10, 2010 at the World Trade Center tent area which caters to the young yuppies out for seeking new fashion trends , but when it is utilized as a tool for world change then it becomes timeless.

Filipino designers aimed for when their works were paraded at the recently-held “The Elite Fashion Show” of the Fashion, Accessories and Beauty Bazaar (FAB).

Held recently at the East Wing Area of the World Trade Center, the fashion shows were part of the bazaar’s activities for the benefit of ABS-CBN Foundation Inc.’s E-Media program—a program that provides alternative education for children in remote provinces.

Fashion dress using ethnic designs exhibited by members of Fashion Institute of the Philippines

One of the creative forces fighting for this cause is featured designer for the finale, Jun Escario, a 32-year old visionary that has helped shape the fashion landscape in his hometown, Cebu. Seen and expected to influence the direction of future Philippine fashion, this designer has gained national recognition for his ideas, original identity, and contribution to Philippine fashion at a young age.

Believing that the youth holds potential to bring change, he has a heart for programs that advocate education for children, especially those in far-flung provinces in order to give them a chance to develop their talents.

Escario hopes to adopt a hometown school as his way of giving back to the community that played an important role in making him who he is today. “I know someday, these children will grow up to be my hometown’s source of pride,” he beamed.

Arnel Papa creation using indigenous materials and designs for his fashion accessories

Arnel Papa creative jewelry works guarantees each and every fashionista the elegance and the stylish look without losing the natural feel of the everybody trend in life today. His masterpieces and collections include stylish accessories and art pieces that prove to be a picture of masterpiece in motion that truly would be an eye cather to everyone!

Other illustrious and passionate designers who showcased their top-notch Filipino artistry were House of Vanita; the Fashion Institute of the Philippines through Anj Calvo, Apple Baltazar, Aram Loe, Argie Salango, Atina Celine, Bernadette Mercado, Daisymae Lopez, Ernest Lingad, Honey Purrugan Hernandez, Jearson Demaviras, Jhoey Saldua, Joel Bagon, Joie Marie Magsayo, Joon Ascano, Miguel Amante, MJ Almenanza, Portia Reantaso, and Shandy Cabase; and renowned designer-stylists like Arnel Papa, and Ruel Rivera.

There were over 100 commercial exhibitors mostly fashion items, accessories , fashion jewelries, toys and among other things. The event had a small fashion show which caters the young and budding talented fashion designers of the country.

Other highlights of the bazaar is an area outside the tent venue were visitors can pose a photograph  session similar to any fashion event for a minimal fee.

organic bath soap and lotion by a Filipino- Chinese entrepreneur of Quezon City , The family of this entrepreneur is said to have a water franchising business outlets all over the country.

FAB wouldn’t be called a bazaar without the shopping. Men and women alike stepped into the limelight by availing of clothing, accessories, fashion jewelry, footwear, leather goods, home items, perfumes, bath and body merchandise, beauty products, makeup, and food at the best deals.

Collecticon 2010 update

Last October 3, the author personally went to Robinson’s Place in Manila to visit the Collecticon 2010. Unlike last year were Ondoy’s wrath and the sad stories of collectors who lost their collection from the flood.

There were about 80 commercial stalls and table bourse traders selling   different kinds of collectibles ranging from comics, die-cast toys, action figurine, stamps, bottles, car plate , anime , stuff toys , key chain, accessories among other stuffs.

Traders in anime costume complete with colorful hats

This year’s event was full of life and euphoria as thousands of people from all walks of life ( mostly teenagers, cosplayers  and toys collectors)  went and participated actively in the collecticon 2010.

Coca-cola bottles (unopened / pristine condition ) for collection

Unlike other event , This is open to the public with no entrance fee !

crowd

You can see various collections being exhibited at the lobby and traders selling their goods. Various cos- players also added to the lively atmosphere of the mall. There was a live toy / collectibles auction were  starting bid started at  one  peso and some toys even reached several thousand of pesos !

action figures on sale

Just like any other  trade shows focusing on vintage stuffs , there are some sellers which are selling toys ( ukay-ukay ) .  Some of the toys are previously owned . These toys enjoy high patronage among the crowd with limited budget. Having a limited budget does not deter collectors to acquire toys or any vintage stuffs for their collection.

According to the traders, the organizers of Collecticon 2010 is also the same with the organizers of the much bigger Toy Convention .

Again, until the next event ! Congratulations to the event organizers .

Karmann Ghia Volkswagen 1966 vintage car

I was walking around our place when i saw an interesting  red- colored vintage car , A 1966 Karman Ghia model made by Volkswagen. For a car that is over 40 years -old still  wonderfully maintained and still in use fascinated me.

side view

According to the car owner , In 1950, Karmann approached Volkswagen with a design for a new vehicle. Karmann had a working relationship with Volkswagen that went prior to this project that included the Volkswagen Beetle Cabriolet. The idea was initially rejected by Volkswagen so Karmann approached the coach-building company Carrozzeria Ghia of Turin who built the first prototype of the vehicle, completing in 1953. In November of 1953, Nordhoff, the head of Volkswagen at the time, gave approval for the vehicle to be built by his company. On July 14th in 1955, the vehicle was unveiled to the public.

There were basically three types of the Karmann-Ghia’s built during its life span that included the type 14, type 34, and the TC.

front view with US plate

The type 14 featured a round body-style that received very little modifications through its production life-span, dating from 1955 through 1974. Most of the modifications that did transpire were head and tail light modifications, bumper and side air vent changes.

During which time between  340,000 coupes and 81,000 convertibles were produced in Osnabruck Germany.

There are a lot of car association  in the Philippines which caters to these specialized needs and maintenance of these old cars.  The car had an AAP sticker which means that the owner was a member of the Automobile Association of the Philippines

The Vintage Car Club of the Philippines was organized in 1974. The club is devoted to the hobby of collecting and restoring of vintage cars .

Vintage Cars may be  defined as automobiles 30 years old or older.
Collectible cars with historic or aesthetic value not yet 30 years old are considered special interest vehicles
and are also welcome to the club.

The Vintage Car Club is affiliated with the Automobile Association of the Philippines
and it is the official governing body recognized by the government concerning vintage cars in the Philippines.

Automobile Association of the Philippines , or AAP the membership is open to almost everybody

membership is open to almost everybody including those who are already a member of other automobile clubs such as Volks Wagen Club (VWC) , Vintage Car Club of the Philippines ( VCCP), Vios Car Club, etc.

30th Manila International Book Fair

Poster of the 30th MIBF

Date: September 16 to 20, 2009
Venue:Exhibit Halls 1 – 4, SMX Convention Center, Mall of Asia , Pasay City

Considered as one of the longest running book fairs not only in the Philippines but also in Asia .  MIBF is also considered one of the most accessible venues for showcasing published works.  Several giants in the book retail industry like National Bookstore, Goodwill  Bookstore, Joining or expanding your presence at the MIBF can open your business to an audience of different generations, backgrounds and cultures. Reach out to this ever-growing crowd, dialogue with your customers and engage in a forum with your peers in the publishing industry.

The organizer of the event is Primetrade Asia, Incorporated with partner organizations like Asian Catholic Communicators, Inc, Book Development Association of the Philippines, Philippines Book sellers Association and Publishers’ Representatives Organization of the Philippines.

Here is a short trivia on book collectors and lover of books:
Bibliophilia is the love of books. Accordingly a bibliophile loves books, but especially “for qualities of format.” A bookworm loves books for their content, or otherwise loves reading in general. The practice of loving or collecting books is dubbed bibliophilism, and the adjective form of the term is bibliophilic. Also, a Bibliophile refers to a person who collects books.

Here is the website link of Manila International Book Fair

http://www.manilabookfair.com