[repost] Top Gear Philippines Magazine, ...with the new editor in chief.

[GlennSter]

There is a big lesson that we should learn from this.

As true blooded car enthusiasts, we should take this whole debacle as a wake up call. We have come a long way as a consumer force but there is still a lot of work to do before we, as enthusiasts, get the respect that we deserve.

Many car makers, shops and possibly some old-guard journalists would probably like nothing more than to see our influence minimized, our voice silenced. They can do this by portraying us as the noisy wheel, the loud minority. They can accuse us of being spoiled brats, forever crying “Mommy!” when we don’t get what we want. They can call our knowledge and experience irrelevant to mainstream motoring. And you know what? They can get away with it.

How can they do that? Sadly, we have unwittingly made it easier for them to marginalize us. We are partly to blame.

Consider this - we definitely know much more about cars than the average Joe and so we end up talking like everyone else is an idiot. Ok we don’t really do that, but it is easy for a non-enthusiast eavesdropping on our internet banter to get the impression that we are arrogant, brash, uncouth and overly-opinionated SOBs. You guys know what I mean!

There is also the issue of our modified rides. They can charge that our preoccupation with vroom-vroom and bling-bling makes our opinion irrelevant to the general motoring public. We do love to talk about modifying our rides, but in truth, the vast majority of our ranks drive bone-stock vehicles.

Clearly we need to do something. We need to take our influence to the next level – into the mainstream, not as “deluded car enthusiasts”, but as what we really are, representatives of the majority of car consumers. The car manufacturers want OUR money, and so do the magazines, so it is high time that they listen.

How do we do this?

Here’s a good place to start. Stop being anonymous. If you cannot put your name behind your opinion, then don’t bother venturing one. I realize that as creatures of the internet, we hardly fret about anonymity, but if we want to be respected in the mainstream, then we cannot allow ourselves to be accused of cloaking our identities. Anonymity dilutes our message.

Secondly, support those who support us. There are car makers out there that really do care about what enthusiasts want – if they do listen to us, then we should buy their cars! There are shops and casas that bend over backwards to accommodate us – we should bring our cars to them! There are magazines out there that listen to enthusiasts – if so, then buy their mags! We have to back our words with action.

And lastly, be responsible with the power that we have. We are in a position to cause a lot of harm so we need to be circumspect with our every word and action. By ranting over every issue, big or small, we only discredit ourselves. Unless called for, let us not let loose the dogs of war lest we be accused of crying wolf.

We really did let this all happen by allowing them to marginalize us. Now it is time for us to do something about it.

Mike Black

ayan na nagsalita na ang idol kong si mike black.hehehe..

thanks for still visiting and giving us a piece of your mind, mike.

[Black Sentra]

Hi Glen, I've been away from the forums for quite some time now - its great to be home again.

As for my post, it was not meant as a call to arms, but what I'm trying to say is that if we think we can do better then we should do it. Instead of complaining, it may be more productive if we write our own reviews and show them how it should be done. The reviews should be honest, authoritative and accurate - the kind that people can actually rely on when choosing a car.

By simply complaining and not doing much else, we just perpetuate the status quo.

[OTEP]

With the current quality of TGP, it's no surprise I have Php450.00 to spare for Car and Driver but not Php125 for TGP.

[caloyski5]

from andy of PTP, owner of mr.blue. .

Chill guys!

Here are the facts:

1. I received a text from no less than Sammy Liuson of Concept One this afternoon. The following (marked with ">") are the messages I received from Sam in verbatim.

> "My text to TOP GEAR ...We dont appreciate your magazine poking fun at Protege Tech. They're good people."

I naturally thanked him.

Several minutes later, I got another message from Sam ---

> "From vernon...Boss sammy, this is vernon. I'm truly sorry about that Protege Tech line in our Used Car article. It wasn't the author's fault. Somebody from our editorial staff added that line. Since I wasn't familiar with Protege Tech Phils, i thought nothing of it. Anyway, i already discussed this with the team and you have my word it won't happen again"

> Sam's reply --- "K. I feel for these people who are just there to have fun and promote their club only to be mocked by writers who think they have the right to.

Again, I thanked him, blah, blah --- didn't save a single text to him, sorry. I do recall saying -- Why not have them cover our upcoming car show?! A good way to get to know what PTP is all about.

> I'l introduce you guys to each other

2. Caloy earlier texted me that Auto_Xer (Ferman) in fact had written the article. Which made me wonder why he posted as he did on Tsikot and earlier in this thread. Later, I realized he was a victim as much as PTP was.

> "From vernon...Sige sir, please. Let's do a story on them. Tsaka kelan ka magpapainom?"

At this point, I'll keep the identity of the culprit to myself and hope it will be he to cover the PTP show. ;)

My sincerest thanks to Ferman and Sam for being true friends of PTP. Incidentally, Sam/Concept One/Wheel Gallery has been a Major sponsor to all the PTP car shows.

Anyone for CHEESECAKE ala PTP at Lia's Cakes in Season?! :lol:

[ILuvDetailing]

As for my post, it was not meant as a call to arms, but what I'm trying to say is that if we think we can do better then we should do it. Instead of complaining, it may be more productive if we write our own reviews and show them how it should be done. The reviews should be honest, authoritative and accurate - the kind that people can actually rely on when choosing a car.

By simply complaining and not doing much else, we just perpetuate the status quo.

Welcome back sir, point taken. we have very good writers here in tsikot >> mbt, niky, and carlo to name a few. I've read several of their reviews and enjoyed reading them, it was direct to the point and honest, the kind of writing that we (me atleast) are looking for.

I have a question, tho, please don't reply if you find it inappropriate. Why did you leave Top Gear?

[ghosthunter]

I assume it would be a difference in vision or philosophy between Mike Black & Summit Media. Mike would probably want to keep TGP as it was when he was still handling it while Summit Media would like to increase it's sales/distribution so they can command a bigger advertising rating for a "premium" or "leading" magazine title.

[Flagg]

Well said sir Mike!

Kaya ako, puro tsikot lang. Once a year nalang me bumibili ng mag.

[ghosthunter]

Kaya ako, puro tsikot lang. Once a year nalang me bumibili ng mag.

and the mag is Playboy ba? :evillaugh

[ARB]

Eto pa...

What's wrong with Cristina Pecson?? Her two consecutive columns always touched on guys and their powerful/big cars, and how these guys are trying to make up for something. Duh?? Can't help but think if she's talking about her bad experiences.

noticed it too, and for this month she wrote something we all read and hear almost everyday!

but wait she is a very competent journalist, she is an expert. just try to type her name in any search engine and find out why.

pati buyers guide nila copy paste lang sa ibang issue nila mga mali d pinapalitan!

[Drew Asuncion]

Good day sirs, this is Drew Asuncion, TGP Associate Editor and TG2 section editor. With regards to the PTP issue, please allow me to reproduce my post in the PTP forums below:

Good day, sirs of Protege Tech,

This is Drew Asuncion, TGP's associate editor. I'm also in charge of the TG2 section, where this unfortunate error in judgment occured. Before anything else, I'd like to sincerely apologize to all Protege Tech members for that comment. PLEASE do not blame Ferman Lao - the guy loves cars, and that love has extended to him becoming one of the foremost car and tuning experts in the country. He would never do or say something to offend any car enthusiast club.

Since TG2 is my section, I will take responsibility for it. Sometimes, when articles fall short of the needed word count, we, or more often than not I, step in to fill out the open spaces. So while I can't be 100% sure that I wrote that comment, at the very least I should've edited it out, particularly because it was focused on a single group. But at the time it was being proofread, I saw it as a sharply funny comment on the Pinoy's love for car stickers IN GENERAL. We, and I, never meant any malice to your group with that comment. To be honest, I love the Lynx RS, and the 323 hatchback before it, and I was one of the people who kept their fingers crossed that Ford Group Phils. would import the Mazdaspeed suspension tuning and turbo kit for the Lynx enthusiasts here. I've always loved cars, and I love what enthusiasts' ingenuity can do to make them more than factory-fresh.

Again, I would like to sincerely apologize for this mistake. Protege Club officers and website moderators, please feel free to PM me if you'd like my mobile number, so I can apologize to you and even the entire group personally. Rest assured, irresponsible generalizations like this will not happen again on TG2's end, and as much as I personally can do, on TGP's end in its entirety. Again, please do not lay the blame on Ferman, because none of this was his fault. It's my section, it's my responsibility, and it's my mistake. True gentlemen can acknowledge their mistakes, and I speak to you directly because I believe that we are all true gentlemen here, and we can reconcile our differences in a civilized manner. I am personally open to any suggestions as to how I can personally atone for this gaffe. Thank you for your time, and again, my deepest apologies.

Sincerely,
Andrew A. Asuncion
Associate Editor/TG2 section editor
Top Gear Philippines

As for the other criticisms, all I can say is that as a car nut myself, I'm trying to do my own part in making the mag better. And that view is shared by the majority of the staff as well. All critiques, comments, and suggestions from car nuts are welcome. :-)

*Black Sentra - miss ka na namin, po*a ;-)