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Contests, Clubs and the Hobby
by Jun Villalon |
Modeling has always been a passion with me. I started modeling when I was 14 but then I stopped after a few years. The reason was I thought I was just doing this for the “heck of it”. To many modelers this situation is true. We do models to satisfy our inner desires to build something – and that is it.
A couple of years ago, I returned to modeling. I was asked by my friend and your webmaster, Noel Carpio to join a club to get a feel of how it is to be in a community of modelers so I did… And the rest is history.
I realized when I joined a club that modeling was not a solitary endeavor (like most people believe it is). On the contrary, it is a pursuit of excellence that is shared. Joining a club did that for me but more importantly, joining organized contests did even more.
Contests are a vital element of our craft. It is the arena where you can test your mettle against others in the hobby. It is where you can actually measure objectively (they do have judges you know…) how you fare against the best of the best. When you join a contest you benchmark your work against your peers and try to determine what is needed for you to improve in your chosen craft.
It is a pity though in the Philippines there are only a few clubs and sadly at some are odds with each other. IPMS Manila has, since its inception, endeavored to try to reach out to other modeling clubs (with significant success, I might add). But there are still some clubs that feel that they “own” the hobby, adopt an “elitist” attitude and are not willing to be part of the collective. Personally, I feel that this is a sad state of affairs.
It has always been the wish of IPMS Manila (and mine too) that all the clubs come together as one – not as a single undivided club (as this would be impossible for many reasons) but rather as groups sharing a common ideal, a common goal – that is to improve on the craft and propagate it to the next generation of modelers and perpetuating it for generations to follow.
I see these contests as a great way to do this. IPMS/USA has used this formula and has brought together modelers of all ages, creeds, professions and specialties. To date, IPMS/USA has 290+ clubs under its wing and is still growing. They are all independent clubs with names of their own but they all get together during one event – the IPMS/USA Nationals. How I wish they had one like that here in the Philippines.
Many may argue that the Philippines has “open” competitions held yearly. Honestly, this is true but only in name. To be brutally honest, some of the members of IPMS Manila (yours truly in particular) were not allowed to join these contests for reasons only the organizers of the club can fathom. Situations such as these sadden me so – not because those who have been “banned” from joining have a motive of joining. It is because the move reeks of politics and this has no place in a hobby that is kept alive and strengthened by the bonds of friendship. A truly “OPEN” competition puts no restrictions on joining except that the model should be a plastic scale model and should match the theme of the competition. Other than that, anything goes, right? Though there are rules governing any event such as this (such as ingress, egress, documentation and the like) but they all focus on the subject matter, the model, skill level maybe BUT NEVER THE MODELER AS A PERSON. Once this happens, then the competition not only becomes a total farce but defeats the purpose of the event – camaraderie and skills enhancement.
I may be disheartened about this situation but I am not totally disillusioned. I still foresee a truly Open Competition happening. I still see modelers from all walks of life, creeds, age, sex, professions, etc. coming together to see how they fare against each other. One just has to look at the recently concluded Beijing Olympics to see that it is not impossible – given the right environment.
I am personally putting this challenge to all modelers in the Philippines and elsewhere. Let’s join together to get this going. All we need is a little support. WE CAN DO THIS… BUT ONLY IF WE ALL COOPERATE AS MODELERS, AS FILIPINOS, and more importantly, AS FRIENDS.
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The Presidential Address Dr. Eric Valera President, IPMS Manila
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Congratulations to IPMS-Manila for winning the most prestigious Chapter of the Year Award bestowed by IPMS-USA! This lofty tribute will forever be cherished by its members.
There is no doubt in my mind that the singular raison d'être for this honor can be attributed to our uncanny devotion to modeling. Our diversities were overwhelmed while our adversities were trounced when we focus our unflinching motivation to promote the hobby.
This award is a testament to a remarkable dream of its pioneer members who braved all odds for their love of the hobby. It was this inspiration which guided the club since 2003 from its first group build to its latest mall exhibit. Curiously, the honor was just wishful thinking and was not seriously pondered as a possibility until 2006 when it was conferred Regional Chapter of the Year in 2006 (for Region 11).
Amusingly, our journey mirrors our modeling experiences. During our inception we were both doubtful and excited much like when we bought our first kit. Issues concerning recruitment and membership were similar to acquiring all the tools and materials to build the model. The group builds were like in-vivo instructions. Club improvements were like aftermarket parts while mall exhibits were like display cases. All the while, we were having fun assembling both the club and our models.
There are no indications that the club’s enthusiasm will decelerate. In anything, this award will only solidify the club knowing that our efforts won’t go unnoticed. This early, the club is firmly concentrated in improving all aspects of organizational structure, instructional strategies and marketing while still being guided by our love for modeling.
We would like to thank IPMS-USA for believing in our dream and sharing our motto--
“By modelers, For modelers”.
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Three cheers for IPMS Manila!!! |
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Five years ago, Noel, Tiny, Jun, Frank and I formed this club despite the odds we faced. Coined as a non-club, a little club, and some other expletive-inducing monikers, by some other omnipotent-thinking organization, we still persisted… all for the love of the hobby and the friendships we made with other modelers.
As the first Membership Director of the club, membership recruitment was a daunting task I had to face. But eventually, if you build the road, people will come; and so they did. We are a bunch of people with diverse thinking and inclinations, a stumbling block to some organization, but a gem to ours. This diversity is the same strength by which the club has capitalized to be successful in its activity.
We have managed this organization to excel in its objectives, being guided by our vision of promoting the hobby to the young. Never did we think of pursuing points for Chapter of the Year. We only did what our vision guided us to. All the activities the club did were centered toward promoting this “dying” hobby. Now, I may say that, this hobby has begun its resurgence in this part of the world. We imagine how deep its impact is in the local modeling community.
This year’s National Chapter of the Year Award given by IPMS USA for excellent organization activities is a big shot in the arm for our club, and the whole plastic scale modeling community in the Philippines. It proves to our naysayers, you just can’t put a good man down. And much less if those good men bunch together, as IPMS Manila!!!
We will continue what we have done and do more to promote this hobby and expand our horizons. Congratulations to the Officers and Members of IPMS Manila!!!
By Modelers, For Modelers.
Mike Jorge
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"Our Love and Passion for the Hobby..."
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Chapter of the Year… Not bad for the New Kid on the Block wouldn’t you say? There were times when I had my doubts but I guess the Guy Upstairs really smiles down on the righteous… Proud words? I should be…
We were the first club in the Philippines to be a chapter of an international modeling club - IPMS/USA. We were the first Non-American Club to win Regional Chapter of the Year two years in a row. We are now the ONLY Non-American club in the history of IPMS/USA to ever win the National Chapter of the Year Award besting 224 clubs comprising the 13 regions of IPMS/USA.
Now, if that isn’t a feat, I do not know what is. There’s no denying that this little club has made it… and we have the objective evidence to prove it!
But seriously now, it is not for us to judge ourselves as “righteous”. As a past President of this club, I had my share of problems and a lot that has happened since Noel, Mike, Tiny and I put up this club five years ago. One thing has never changed – OUR LOVE AND PASSION FOR THE HOBBY AND ALL WHO ARE INVOLVED IN IT!
I only hope that through this award, we can bring all the clubs in the Philippines together as one IPMS… diverse in their cultures and background as individuals but united in a common cause. Now that would be another feat, wouldn’t it?
by Jun Villalon |
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Crises can mean Opportunities!
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I am overwhelmed. Really!!! For about five hours, I could not believe the news. The club that I helped put up more than three years ago is National Chapter of the Year (NCOY) of IPMS USA. I had to write Dick Montgomery, IPMS USA Director for Local Chapters, and double check if it was true. If it was definite. After that long distance call through my cell-phone to Dick, only then did my heart stopped pounding...releasing that fresh flow into my entire system.
Then, I laid down, relaxed and then...."YAHOOOOO!!!!!"
Mike, Jun and I immediately reflected on this. I said, "Just take a look at the club we put up. Who would ever imagine it will turn out this way?". Yes, who would ever imagine that the club who some people predicted would eventually "falter" is this year's NCOY? Who ever would think that the club that some called as "Not Real" will be internationally recognized? These hearsays actually drove me to strive harder. It motivated me to prove them all wrong. It gave me more strength to look to the humble modelers and teach them all I know. It pushed me beyond what I imagined achievable. So to you who turned me down or looked down on us - THANK YOU. BECAUSE OF YOU, HERE WE ARE NOW. You were my opportunities disguised as my crises.
A friend who is not with our club was right about something. He told me to forget about what "others" would say about our club and that we should simply focus on our objectives and continue to build models. And so we did. See where we are now?!
You don't have to be "Big" to be "Great". You don't have to be "Plenty" to be "Successful". You simply have to be a group where most, if not all, are focused on what has to be done and continue to help each other. It is the formula that clubs and even our country should have to be successful. To be excellent in what they do.
As I look on the shiny details of our trophy, I still look back at our humble beginnings. I look back on how hard it was to set up meetings in make-shift work areas. I still look back at minute exhibits that we had. I still must realize that if not for all these experiences and for all the friends and supporters of IPMS Manila who we continue to have, this will never happen. I will welcome more criticisms from a John or Jane Doe and I will again regard them as my "crises" and remember the gifts it brought me today and can bring me tomorrow. And so I am humbled. And so I simply say to all of you...THANK YOU.
Noel Carpio
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Confessions of a Returning Plastic Scale Modeler: The PATTON Experience
By Tito Moises S. Encinas
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I then asked my son to choose a kit that he finds interesting; we were then in the armor section. To my surprise, he pulled out a Tamiya 1/35 scale M48A3 Patton which looked very interesting indeed. When I asked him why of all the kits, he chose this particular model; he bluntly said “Dad, I like the machineguns mounted above the tank.”
Inspired by my son’s choice as well as the support of my wife and elder daughter, I decided to try my patience on building a tank for the first time in my career as a hobbyist. During my college days when I was a freelance modeler, modern aircraft models at scale 1/48 were my subject of interest.
I admit that I was so insecure and lacked confidence to build the Patton. As I familiarized myself with the very clear instructions of the Tamiya kit, I slowly found my way through the stressful experience of following the literature guide to the letter. Of course, as all modelers do, I first had to familiarize myself with the specific tank, where it operated and its accomplishments during the war.
I likewise admit that without the unsolicited advice from my cousin Atty. Manuel P. Salvador III, who once looked up to me for guidance as he started the hobby but is now way ahead in the modeling hobby, I could never have had built my M48A3 Patton tank with least mistakes and frustrations. Manny had unselfishly shared with me the techniques and most importantly the do’s and don’ts in building an acceptable quality model as a returnee.
Bottlenecks I experienced in the process of building the model were as follows in chronological order;
Though I would classify my achievement as an “out-of-the-box” model (except for a few decals I took from an Academy U.S. Machine Gun Set kit and which I applied on the ammunition box next to the 50 cal. machinegun mounted above the turret), I would say that the experience was worth it. As I went along, the stress slowly diminished and I was beginning to enjoy what I was doing. I found the kit reasonably easy to build as a returnee and I would definitely recommend this specific model to beginners. There was so much self fulfillment upon realizing that I still had the patience and enthusiasm for the hobby and I am confident to face the next challenges ahead…
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Scale Model Addict... Good or Not so Good?
by Noel Carpio |
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"After I get that dream kit of mine, that's it. I'm never gonna buy a model for a long while..."
Yeah???...Dream on!!!
Most of us scale modelers say that to our relatives, our friends, our wives and much worse...ourselves! And you can bet your entire stash - it's never gonna happen. We are simply insane over this hobby - aren't we? We buy. Then buy. Then buy! Hoping to build one or two out of the ten new kits that are stacked up on our skeleton closets. And we keep denying that we aren't impulsive shoppers unlike our better-halves. You are not alone - mind you. It happens to all of us. To the best of us. To us who would always want to save on food, gasoline, weekend outings, and what-have-you. But when it comes to new kit releases, we never fail to justify why we MUST get that new kit on the window. Haven't your parents or spouses asked you the question "Why do you keep buying when you have alot in there that aren't even built yet?". For those of you who haven't gotten that question - you must be living alone!!! What is my advice? Control yourself !!! (with that devilish smile from me) If you won't, you and your family will starve!!! (still with that devilish smile from me) As much as I want to tempt you to grab onto that newly release 1/32 aircraft or that "on sale" multi-media kit, you must realize that money nowadays aren't that much. You have to take command over your pockets - much more to yourself. That is why I never go into a hobby shop with money that can buy me more than two bottles of paint. "Nevah-evah!!!". Unless I have some sort of "Congressional Approval" from my better-half to go ahead and spend on a kit I wanted to get months ago. I just have one too many models undone and as much as I want to help the scale model retail industry, my family might throw me out of the window. Much worse - without my models to come with me! Now that would be a living Nightmare.
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The Tower of Babel by: Mike Jorge
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We normally marvel around kits with good fit that need nary a drop of putty, no flashes, hardly any injection mold marks, burrs, creases, ejection pin marks, very fine details indeed….. just put the cutter inside the box, a bottle of glue, some paint, shake the box and there comes out a good scale model! The perfect kit! But there are a lot more kits out there that a normal plastic modeler would utter expletives more than the total number of parts in the kit. L_ntech na Kitech, What the Hell-er, Machado Machakit sa ulo Mach2, Inaccurate fitting Miniature, Very Classic molds of Airframes, and I’m not really Fonderie of this Miniature, What’s so Special about this?, etcetera, etcetera, etcetera. A lot of small manufacturers have kit parts speaking of different languages, some parts speak french, some german, some slavic, others english. And when you start building that kit, you need to introduce each part to another so that they would at least be acquainted. Along the way, you will expect them to be lost in translation, especially with instruction sheets that need to be deciphered like the Rosetta stone. Other instruction sheets come in one page, all jumbled into making the kit as a whole. Some manufacturers may have probably been using technologies a long time ago for reasons of maintaining low cost of production and manufacturing only a limited amount that will eventually sold at a high price! I still wonder why they make the other parts in vacuuform, resin and white metal parts included in one kit, when these parts could be made in styrene and with better details at that.. The models they produce are rare in the market, but if you look at the product, one would wonder “who the heck would want this kind of migraine inducing kit!?” I have an answer…. One who has a lot of mefenamic acid in stock at home! Presently, these manufacturers have a market because the bigger companies, don’t produce the same scale models, but some of these big players, using better technology producing better looking kits, have realized that there is a market for these “ugly” looking scale models. Ugly in a sense that they are not popular before. Soon enough and if not already happening, the big players have these kind of scale models and the small players will be out of business. Remember, the easier the kit is made, the more you can make them! Be that as it may, we still have these multilingual plastic models in the market that we buy and make. The more I make them, the more I get used to them and the less expletives I utter. Just a caveat, they’re not for the novice, but for the experienced modelers and collectors. Have fun……and have in stock a lot of pills for migraine.
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My Hobby. My Legacy.
by Eric Valera, MD
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MY CLUB...
Congratulations to IPMS-Manila for winning back-to-back chapter of the year honors for Region 13! We are eagerly hoping for an improvement from our runner-up finish last year for over-all chapter of the year honors. You know what that means. Way to go!
There is no secret formula for our success, really. For the uninitiated, our club was created for one primary purpose: modeling. Make no mistake about it. IPMS-Manila exists ONLY to have fun making models and improving along the way. Rules change. Acquaintances come and go. Kits upgrade. Prices increase (ouch!) but still, modeling stays.
Our journey has never been without obstacles. Each year presents with unique challenges which conceives new ones. Instinctively the members overcome these crises, emerging stronger than ever with each triumph. MY COMPETITION.
One nagging conundrum since Day One of this club is our rivalry with another modeling club. Personal rifts among members from each camp spill over to other members and sometimes breach diplomacy & civility. Fortunately, cooler heads (aka: Peacemakers) indifferent to the past have contained this conflict for five years and counting. The question is will this ever be resolved. Personally, the answer is a resounding YES.
The enemy of my friend need not be my enemy. Rivalry need not be escalated to an ugly war between two clubs passionately addicted with modeling. The hobby caters to everybody who derives pleasure & pride in building kits.
MY LEGACY...
IPMS-Manila under my administration will never pursue any conflicts in any form WHATEVER HAPPENS. On the contrary, I will strive hard to open and establish channels with any individual or group that will promote the hobby in the country. It is my belief that this ambition WILL exceed any of the club’s achievements so far, BAR NONE.
At the end of the day, I will always aspire for that day that all Filipino modelers would come under one roof to celebrate our love for modeling. This country is swarming with WORLD-CLASS FILIPINO MODELERS. It would be a shame not to share each other’s work benches.
It may not be so easy just to bury the hatchet and just to forgive and to forget especially for grumpy old modelers. But I can sure die trying (and scratch building!)
Eric Valera, MD President IPMS-Manila 2008
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Member Submission of Build-ups and Write-ups ...
A Webmaster's Nightmare
by Noel Carpio
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We all want a fantastic Club-Website! Who doesn't?! In the internet age, you will be surprised by the number of "hits" or visits scale modeling websites get each month due to the publicity that the club undertakes to promote their site. As a webmaster, this is the primary motivation one can have to continue to get that energy to artistically and continually update the website.
As professionals and mostly family-men and women, not all members do have the time or even the interest to put into writing what they have done and how did they do it. Some, despite the availability of expensive camera phones and digital SLR's, never even bother to spend that little time to take shots of their project and email it. Yes! Email it! No need to walk or drive to that distant Post Office to snail-mail your articles or pictures! The worst excuse that I have heard is " I am busy..." - But who isn't?
The word "busy", my friends is a lame excuse not to contribute. It is a lousy word to choose to simply want to get out of that conversation. It only goes to show that you - despite your efforts to get away easy - have a shortage in your vocabulary. We are all busy! We have our families, our jobs, our other interests and we also have a helluva lot of unfinished models on our workbenches. So you - YES...YOU who are reading my whining article - is no different from the rest of your fellow members. You have a responsibility to help this hobby grow by showing to the world your works of art, your inputs and how you care about this beloved hobby of ours. So what if you already contributed an article a millennium ago. So what if your group-build buddies have not even contributed anything to this website of ours? Get your mind out and start writing something or sending some pictures. No matter how bad your grammar is or how that picture you taken seems to be too far-sighted, DO IT! WRITE IT! SEND IT! Your ageing, busy and temperamental webmaster will take care of the rest.
Website contributions has been a point of discussions in many clubs here and abroad. Though we can - AGAIN - make this a lame excuse for being stagnant, we will never permit it to happen. I will definitely keep calling the officers of this club to get your "behinds" up and working so we can ALL have a very informative and colorful website that everybody can enjoy and be proud of.
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WALKING DOWN THE
by: Eric Valera, MD
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Last month, I chanced
upon one of my medical students in a model shop in Cubao. I was totally
surprised as I never suspected someone from his generation was into
modeling. He politely asked for my advise regarding his ideal first kit
after learning that I was already an experienced modeler. I made an
intelligent advice for him to build a "simple" one - an inexpensive
kit which requires little assembly & painting yet will create enough
satisfaction for him to continue the hobby. After a careful rundown of the
numerous kits available, we settled for a 1/72 Academy F4U-4 Corsair. I
convinced him to start with that kit since it's an "easy" build with few
parts & simple painting scheme. I requested him to show the kit to me once
he's done with it.
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IPMS Manila and its Cyber-Library by: Tim Zarco
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At the beginning of this year, Eric Valera the current president of IPMS Manila discussed with me the possibility of establishing a centralized database for modeling related resources such as PDF files, videos and photos that would be helpful to the members of the club. The project was to be called the “Cyber library” since it would be made up mainly of modeling resource material in electronic form. This had been a project that I considered to be of high value due to the key role research material plays in creating historically accurate scale models. Thankfully this was one of the projects that Eric set as one of the club’s priorities for this year. The IPMS Manila Cyber Library shall be the club’s repository of all electronic forms of modeling reference materials. The first phase of its implementation will involve the storage of over 1000+ modeling related titles in acrobat format that will be accessible by members only. This will be followed by the input of other member’s pdf files and books that will be scanned for filing in the library. The second phase of the Cyber-library implementation shall already include videos and Jpeg photos. The possible last phase of the Cyber library implementation shall involve the scanning of decal sheets for members to be able to create custom markings and print decals from existing picture files. With a system that conveniently and efficiently makes research material available it is expected that the cyber library will be able to both heighten the enthusiasm of the members and their ability to make better and more historically accurate models. The first phase of the Cyber library is expected to be implemented in February when the first list of titles shall be released. Hopefully the project shall ultimately be successful with club members now having access to material that they would otherwise have been unable to obtain.
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Holding Public Events by: Noel Carpio
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For more than a decade of being a member of scale modeling clubs, I think that one, if not the most, exciting thing of being a member of a club is getting to join a publicly staged event. It is the chance for a modeler, who are mostly solitary in nature as far as this hobby is concerned, to go out there in the open and show his work to the public. Yes, the PUBLIC. People from different walks of life. Many of whom do not know what on earth you are doing and how did you ever have the sanity to finish those works that you have just displayed. I for one like it better if many of the viewers know what scale modeling is all about and how difficult it is to finish a project. But that's not bound to happen here in the Philippines. You are to meet kids and adults alike wanting to ask questions that range from how you did this...and how you did that... and how the real aircraft or tank was or is being used by the real world. It actually is fun just entertaining their queries. But in every exhibit or contest, modelers will always have their horror stories.
In all of those public events that I have attended or helped organize, there are a couple of incidents that never fail to happen.
1. Models that are not encased in glass will be touched.
This is expected unless you place a guard with an M-16 rifle and card tied around his neck saying "Touch the models and you are dead!!!". I would say that only 1 out of 50 guests in an exhibit held in a mall do know what models are made of. Considering that fact that YOU are able to paint it so realistically, they just couldn't believe that it is made of plastic - not metal. So...they hold it. They roooolllll it. They reach to all its corners. They carry it to feel the weight...and some...break it.
2. Some people will play with your model!
In a recent mall exhibit, we saw a man in his early thirties go inside our exhibit area. He was talking to someone on his cellular phone and suddenly with his other hand grabs that 1/24 scale Focke Wolf and rolls it on the table like it was a die-cast car! What makes us wonder is the fact that there was an 8 1/2 x 11 inches sign right in front of him saying "DON'T TOUCH THE MODELS".
You would expect this from a toddler but not from a person who can read signs and behave properly. So you cannot blame the owners of these fragile works of art to blow their top in the middle of an exhibit.
3. People seldom observe Entrances and Exits
This is the problem of who ever is in charge of Security. People will enter Exits. Some will Exit at the Entrance. Some will go under the cordons, over the barricades and whatever means that would make it easier for them than looking for the Entrance.
4. Some people will leave their trash on the exhibit table
Yes, talk about manners. Unless you strictly implement a "No Food and Drinks Inside" Rule, it is bound to happen. There was one time that I say a woman put her empty soda can on top of one of our glass-cased display.
5. Thieves are always lurking
Glass cases are the only way to go. They are expensive but they will make it hard for thieves to get a piece of your work or the entire model for that matter. Don't laugh. I lost one of my 1/35 scale jeeps in one exhibit. Fortunately, the security agency paid for it at the price I demanded.
You can probably name some more. Some are funny. Some are just utterly irritating. But to sum it all, publicly held events have more benefits to the modeler and to the hobby. Despite its challenges that can only be resolved depending on the budget your club can afford, it is fun to stage them. This helps the hobby to grow by educating the public about the craft. Public exhibits and contests bonds members together because it is a good venue to let it all out - your models and you altogether.
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Being President... an honor to me. by Mitch Doren
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It is almost year-end and Christmas is in the air. It seems like it was only yesterday when my fellow modelers and friends in IPMS Manila voted me to the presidential seat of our club. Now, I am almost in the end of my term and I am definitely ready to turnover leadership to a deserving member. In my term, we had many challenges. It was during these times where challenges are pouring that our friendships in the club are put to test. It is during these times when I am put to test. Truly, being president of a club like IPMS Manila is an honor for me. It also means extra work, less time for scale modeling and more time for planning the activities of the club. In the past years, we have seen IPMS Manila in different exhibits, contests, participate in events organized by other clubs and many more. But I am proud to say that this year, we were able to encourage our younger brothers in Ateneo de Manila Grade School to join us in spreading the hobby to the community. This November 10 and 11, 2007, ,IPMS Manila will join the Ateneo Grade School Hobbycraft Club in putting up an exhibit and contest at the Robinson Galleria. A task like no other in the years that I have been with this fun club of ours. It truly stimulates my senses just imagining what experience it would be for the kids and knowing that I am of part in the planning and implementation of this project makes my tenure as club-president a success story in itself. If not for the assistance of Mr. Jonny Salvador, Headmaster of Student Affairs of Ateneo Manila and Don Salvador, instructor of the Ateneo Grade School Hobbycraft Club, this will never push through. It is through their support for the hobby and their dedication in teaching these children that purely motivates them to stand side-by-side with IPMS Manila in making this project possible. Whatever or where ever this upcoming exhibit brings us as a club, I am sure it will be for the betterment of everybody. I just wish that all modelers in the Philippines realize the importance of bringing this hobby we love to the younger generation. It is now or never. It is not too late and also, it is not too early. We must, in many ways than one, put our own kits down for a while and stay away from our lone workbench and reach out to the kids who will in turn look to us and listen to us. If we get 1 out of 20 kids into this hobby then that would be 100 kids out of 2,000. It is worth the effort. It will be worth our time. We should do our best to settle our differences and look towards the survival of this hobby where most of us are not so young anymore. We must take that lead. Or else, we have just accepted the fact that this hobby will fade in a few years. I also thank the hobby shops that support our feat. If not for them, it will be more difficult to touch base with modelers out there - young and old. It was through these stores that we provide the products to these new recruits and teach them the techniques of the craft. It is through their help that we can make things happen in this hobby. We should never forget that it is a two-way relationship. We help them - they help us. I believe it is both our interest to make this hobby grow in different directions. And lastly, I would like to congratulate the members of IPMS Manila. My friends in Plastic Scale Modeling. The very people who gives me the energy to work for the betterment of the club and of the hobby. The same friends who are there beside me when I need their assistance. These people have spent their time in mentoring kids in the Ateneo Grade School, hold group builds, put up lectures, invite people to lecture for the club, hold workshops and events and give their valued time for the club that we all love so much. It is the same character and culture that I have felt since I have joined this "barkada" and still feel today. When politics rein other organization, it is here in IPMS Manila where you can only tease someone who will be away for a while and be back months later without feeling any regrets or disappointments. We truly are a group of friends who share the same interest - overshadowing the organization politics. Mabuhay ang IPMS Manila! Mabuhay ang Plastic Scale Modeling!!!!
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Plastic Scale Modeling... This is the Golden Age...
by: Jun Villalon
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Making due with stuff is what I grew up with. I started modeling during the time when you could only find a few kits here in Manila and the only places to buy models were the large department stores (like Rustan’s in Makati, Good Earth Emporium in Manila, and COD in Manila and Cubao – all of whom did not carry a staggering variety anyway), National Bookstore in Manila or that little toy shop in the Greenhills Shopping Center called Nova Fontana.
Either way not only was there nothing to choose from in terms of genre, media, brands, types or scales but what is worse is the lack of recognition of what a plastic scale model truly is. During my day it was branded as a TOY. Yup… that is exactly what it was declared, marketed, and for some of us (including me) treated as once it was finished.
Everyone thought of these models as plastic toys that parents (or adult people) give to kids so they can keep their grubby little hands busy while the adults can play mahjong, look at the racing form or tinker with their new accessories for their car or hi-fi system (that was what stereos were called in my day).
I remember when I had to wrack my brain to figure out how to make my models look as nice as the box art (that was my only source of historical information during my fledgling years as a modeler) and most of the time it was just never the same. Adding insult to injury, you were forced to use the glue supplied in the kit and when it was not enough, go to your stash of recommended school adhesives and try to squeeze with all your might on some used, half-dried tube of DUCO Cement.
Now came the problem of trying to attach that clear top on the plane… Ahh… maybe if I just use a little of this glue just in the right place… Then the unthinkable happens. It slips and you have to pick it up. The problem is that you picked it up and forgot that your hands were full of glue because the tube did not come with an applicator. So much for clear canopies…
Now you have to contend with mixing the paint that you could only get from either National Bookstore or Nova Fontana. If I recall, they were enamels and they went by the name of “Pactra”. They had a very limited collection so you have to try to mix the paint as best you can. The problem was I was absent (or was I just not listening) when the teacher taught us how to use the color wheel (I knew that wheel was good for something…) Then came the parts that broke… There was no way my mom was going to spring for another kit just so I can kit-bash it for a single part! Now I have to look for toothpicks and matchsticks and pieces of plastics that would otherwise approximate the damaged part.
So what is my point? Is this another editorial where I reminisce on the “good ‘ol days”? Not in your life! Modeling today has grown by leaps and bounds. In this age of technology, modeling has become more and more sophisticated. In this age of the internet, all you have to do is surf the web and look for an online shop that can ship you either the a full kit, parts, accessories, decals and whatever it is you need or maybe just desire. Nowadays, you have an assortment of so many reasons to build a historically accurate scale model. All you have to do is go to a search engine on the web and “presto!” instant information at the tip of your fingertips. Once you have it you can print it out in full color on your new laser or inkjet printer. Even better is you can play around with the markings, do a little Photoshop magic and “Shazzam!”… Instant decals (of course you have to print it on decal paper).
Now you’ve got a lot of choices in terms of stores, models, scales, price range, etc. Many stores have opened in the Metro catering to our needs. Stores like JMN in Harrison, Hobbies and Comics in Makati, Lil’s in Megamall, Makati and Trinoma, and Special Toys Center (also known in some areas as Hobbitoi) just about everywhere else. (Note: the sequence is in alphabetical order okay?). They have a wide variety of genre, model types, scales , accessories, parts, and what have you. Some of them even order parts for you if you can’t get them locally. And the nice thing about it is you can get them in two to three weeks – tops! I remember when my cousin sent me a kit which took almost six months to arrive and had to pay a hefty duty at the Post Office Parcel Section to boot! (Thank God for AFTA…)
More than this, you can get materials for just about any kind of scratch-building assignment you’ve got. A long time ago, I use to sand Popsicle sticks to use in balsa boats. Now I can just buy them at Deovir or Joli’s. You need trees? These architectural supplies stores have them in almost every conceivable scale you can imagine. Gone were the days when you had to make them from foam or sugar.
I remember when I used to use thread to make railings for the ships because photo-etched parts were unheard of. Now, all you have to do is email them for the part, give your credit card number and you’ve got your railings. There have been significant strides even in the obscure realm of modeling safety. Now there are safety instructions all around and engineering interventions to ensure you cannot accidentally get yourself hurt (Hooray for the Safety Razor!)
Despite the advances in technology and developments in after market parts and information technology, modeling has remained as it was 30 or so odd years ago – my passion. New challenges still crop up every time I open up a kit, inspect its parts, start painting and building it.
So I say to you new modelers… You’re still where we were before – except that the bar was raised higher because a lot of the things were made easier. But the bottom line is…
IT IS STILL FUN… isn’t it?
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Sharing Plastic Scale Modeling with my Son by Noel Carpio |
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When my son was born years back, I told myself that someday, he will get into plastic scale modeling. One of the best way to enjoy this hobby of ours is when a direct family member starts building with you. And so I waited. When my son got to be able to walk and roam the rooms, that was when I started to train him. He already had his own toys to play and throw around. But when he started to get interested on that ship or aircraft behind a 1/4 inch thick glass shelf, I had to sit down with him. At first, he pointed at each one at awe and he walked and crawled and walked from one end of the glass shelf to the other. Then I told him "Don't touch...look only". I kept telling him that since he was two years old. Well sometimes, a simple "No" with matching finger signs did help. He would get disappointed knowing that he couldn't get his hands on that 1/350 New Jersey Battleship or that 1/48 F4U Corsair. When he got to be four years old, I was surprised one day when his cousins came over to see my scale models too. He said to them "Don't touch...Look only....". And all of them understood. I was proud that my son did understand that my "toys" weren't for him to play with. He continued to grow and now he is seven years old. Though he has so many toys to bother him with, he never fails to want to touch or carry that model I am building in front of him. "Papa, can I hold???". Seeing that kind and innocent look, I just cannot say no. So I reach to him my model saying " careful, don't break it". And he holds it for a few seconds making the sounds that is appropriate for the model itself. Then he slowly returns it to me and goes his way.
The young is the future of this hobby. Yes, it's the kids out there! Not the kid in us anymore. All of us "matured" modelers have a responsibility to keep our beloved hobby alive setting aside the unnecessary issues that gets in between. If we don't, plastic scale modeling will become extinct sooner or later. Start with your sons, your daughters, your nephews and your nieces. Spend a few bucks for simple kits and buy it for them. Build with them. Teach them. Do your part for the hobby. Make them understand why this hobby of ours make us feel complete and sometimes fall to the brink of insanity. Make them want to learn, tell them the history and why these crafts where built. They may still go for their toys and video games or go out to play. But maybe one rainy day, when everybody is in the house, they will go back to you and build with you. And what a fun world it would be for you and for the hobby if this goes on through their young years.. Won't it?
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What to expect from Scale Model Competitions
by: Timothy Zarco
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To be honest, I have always felt a great degree of ambivalence towards Scale model competitions. It is something to look forward to since you discover how your prized plastic creations compare to those of your peers and how they differ in quality, aesthetic style and interpretation and in the process learn something new. However it is also frustrating at times to have your work overlooked, unappreciated or criticized due to judge’s bias, lack of knowledge or simply because of their ignorance of the subject matter. Sometimes it is also disappointing to have worked so hard to build a model, expecting it to be entered in a contest and discovering that the category it belongs to has been closed due to insufficient entries. As a new member joining my first IPMS manila scale model competition in 2004, I was rather skeptical as to how exactly the competition I was joining was to be conducted. As we all know, in most competitions in the Philippines, there are those who WIN and those who were CHEATED –no one loses! Therefore I was expecting the worst given the inherently subjective nature of scale model competitions. To my relief, my first contest experience was a generally positive one and in addition I was pleased that I won third place in a competitive category with the only model that I brought that day. In addition, no one complained about the results –a far cry from how the electoral contest in this country usually ends! However, after the contest I decided to ask the judges and the hosts why the other entries won and what factors affected the contest results. This brings me to what this article is all about –some advice that people participating in scale model competitions should bear in mind to get the best out of this experience. 1. Always find out as much about the organization holding the event –It is important to do some research about the club/organization holding the competition. It would be prudent to find out about: How long has the organization been in existence? How many competitions has it organized?, who wins in their competitions?, are there any prizes involved? Any history of bias, dishonesty or cheating in their previous events? 2. Ask who the judges are –Judging is perhaps one of the most important factors that affects the results of any modeling competition. Judges vary in many ways, such as the level of modeling skill, historical knowledge and research , aesthetic preferences and other factors and biases that may color their perception of your work. However, as a rule of thumb: A. it is more likely that less experienced, knowledgeable and skilled judges will give higher marks to models with higher aesthetic qualities or those models that look “prettier”. B. While the more knowledgeable, skilled and experienced judges look for detail, worksmanship and historical accuracy apart from the overall aesthetic appeal of an entry. Generally speaking, if you want a single approach to building a model for a contest that will address this competition reality it is advisable to commit 65% of your efforts to improving the model’s aesthetics while the 35% be spent on accuracy. Why? Because more often than not, experienced judges are in short supply in most scale model competitions and most judges are likely to be inclined towards more “visually appealing” entries. 3. Choose an interesting model for your entry Since most judging in competitions rewards aesthetically appealing subjects, it is therefore critical that your subject matter gives you the opportunity to apply your skills in detailing, painting and overall creativity. Some tips concerning this would be: 1. Larger kits are generally perceived as more impressive and have more potential for detailing. 2. Choosing a kit that has several vibrant colors –this gives you more opportunities when painting your kit. 3. Kit included figures may add to the appeal of the kit 4. Kits with plenty of small details convey a greater degree of complexity and therefore are more impressive for most judges. 4. After the contest if possible, request the organizers to present the scores for review Reviewing how your entries were scored is helpful since it helps you identify weakness of your work, it could lead you to discover mistakes in judging or scoring, and may be helpful in exposing any form of inconsistency or fraud. If you join a scale model competition and lose, and disagree with the results, this should serve as motivation to identify areas where you could improve and to try again next time. Sour-grapping and accusing others of cheating WITHOUT PROOF is a sign of immaturity as a modeler. In the rare case that the contest is rigged, simply withdraw from the competition since further participation is an exercise in futility! 5. The most important thing to remember is to have fun! Don’t forget after doing everything mentioned above that a scale modeling contest is still in the end, all about fun and sharing with others your work. During a contest, take time to chat with other modelers about how they built their entries and be open to any questions or comments that they may have about your models. It is best to approach a contest as more of a learning experience and a social activity instead of as an actual competitive sport. Though contests make a distinction between those who win and those who don’t, it should be case that ALL modelers participating in a contest ARE WINNERS, simply because of the knowledge and experience that everyone gains from joining. With this I would like to encourage all modelers to join at LEAST ONE scale model competition in their lifetime, simply for the remarkable experience that it gives.
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...In the Best Interest of the Modeler by Noel Carpio
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Plastic Scale Modeling in the Philippines is not as large and as well-sought a hobby as compared to other crafts. There are only a few plastic modelers in this country and most of them are based in Metro Manila. For many years, modelers are dependent on their friends as to where they should buy a newly released kit or a hard-to-find tool or maybe a reference they can use for an ongoing project. Some are just too busy to look around from shop to shop and simply prefer buying what they need from the internet. And after that well-earned and well-saved money is spent, they suddenly realized that they spent it all on a "bad" kit or bought it from a store at a much more expensive price.
Now, IPMS Manila has a more interactive website. This is a site dedicated to the Filipino Modeler and those who are enjoying the hobby in our country. This site will be used to help everybody - not just the members of the club - in getting as much information as they need to better enjoy this hobby. This website will provide build-ups, building tips, kit reviews and yes - even information as to where one can get a kit at a better price with a better service. This site will cater - as much as it can - IN THE BEST INTEREST OF THE MODELERS here and abroad. On top of what you modelers out there have read in our website, our contributors are already posting where they bought their kits, how much they have bought the kit, whatever discounts they received and what ever facts there are to know so that YOU can now best decide where to get your kits and other modeling needs as well. In short, let us give credit to where credit is due!
The kit reviews will be very transparent and the reviewers will be as direct and as specific as they can be about the pros and cons of every kit each of them highlight. I, in my many years of scale modeling, have bought so many models. Only a few of them have been in my "favorite list" as the others had more flaws and brought more head-aches than what my time could offer. With this website as YOUR tool, you will be able to "watch-out" for the imperfections our reviewers come across with so you can decide whether or not to buy that kit that you thought was in your wish-list. And if you ever decide on buying it anyway, you will be able to plan better as to how to approach these challenges and still come out with a masterpiece.
As consumers, we have to protect our modelers and provide them as much information they need. It will be up to them if they will take our reviewers' advice or not. Rest assured that all the reviews that are submitted will be backed-up with factual data, actual experiences and with careful analyses.
As for our motto has always been - BY MODELERS - FOR MODELERS!!!
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Growing up with IPMS Manila by Duane Burdeos
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