Porschist Magazine 62 - Philippines by PorschistMagazine

Magazine for Porsche enthusiasts • year 16 • quarterly • May/June 2020 • 62

PORSCHE 911 TARGA 4/4S PORSCHIST ON THE PHILIPPINES PETER BEARD

TRAVEL PORSCHIST

PORSCHIST REIZEN

Hongkong, Taiwan, the Philippines.

Voyage of discovery tour in Southeast Asia. Major cities and rural villages, skyscrapers and houses on stilts, land excursions and days at sea: our journey in Southeast Asia effortlessly strings extremes together. With as highlight, a visit to just about the most fanatical “classic Porschist” on earth.

text: kathleen van bremdt - photos: kathleen van bremdt & sven hoyaux

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The renowned Peninsula Hotel, Hongkong.

HONG KONG: COSMOPOLITAN GATEWAY TO ASIA Hong Kong is often described as a place where “East meets West” and that is rightly so. Hong Kong is an intriguing mix of cultures and contrasts. Hong Kong fascinatingly combines a modern way of life with traditional Chinese practices. For example, Feng Shui - a 3,000-year-old Chinese teaching that states that the energetic flow in a house determines wellbeing - is taken very seriously in construction projects. The fusion of east and west is also evident in culinary Hong Kong, where dim sum and hot pot are combined with fast food restaurants and haute cuisine. Hong Kong is a special place with countless layers.

THE PENINSULA: GRANDE DAME OF THE FAR EAST The renowned Peninsula is more than a hotel, it is an icon, a legend, a history. When it opened its doors in 1928, it instantly became “The finest Hotel east of Suez”. In an era so much more elegant than the present, the great and the good from across the world came to spend the night, enjoy Sunday concerts, dine in the Rose Room and dance at the countless balls. Charlie Chaplin and Paulette Goddard were at home there. In recent decades, the hotel has been expanded and renovated several times, without ever compromising the original colonial style. The U-shaped facade is as impressive as ever, the lobby exudes grandeur thanks to its marble columns and gold-coloured stucco, and the monumental staircase with artful balustrades evokes images of upper class ladies descending in beautiful evening gowns. Walking through the many corridors, we see how past and present have merged into the world class hotel that the Peninsula is today. Not to be missed is the daily high tea, for many the highlight of the day, and the ideal breakfast for us, given the time difference. Delicate cups of Chinese porcelain, silver coffee and teapots on an immaculate white tablecloth with a richly filled tiered cake stand in the middle: this is how you should imagine it. While a string quartet plays Vivaldi, we indulge in the many delicacies to the rhythm of the Four Seasons: filled sandwiches and mini quiches, scones with strawberry jam and clotted cream and finally brownies, chocolate profiteroles and raspberry tarts. We take our time and in the meantime sip delicious Oolong tea. Those who are hungry can choose from no fewer than seven restaurants in this hotel. French, Swiss, Chinese or Japanese cuisine: there is something for everyone. We especially like the Felix restaurant on the top floor. The interior is designed by Philippe Starck and the chef serves exquisite dishes with a quirky touch. As expected in this top class hotel, our room leaves nothing to be desired either. Eastern elegance in perfect harmony with modern comfort. Stationery with our names engraved on it lies on the antique desk and our initials are also displayed on the linen. These are just a few of the many details that show how the Peninsula Hotel redefines hospitality. It is therefore quite right that the prestigious Forbes Travel Guide assigns the hotel the highest rating.

TRAVEL PORSCHIST A VERY IMPRESSIVE SKYLINE The Peninsula Hotel is located in Victoria Harbour, the heart of Hong Kong. The view from our room on the 18th floor is nothing short of spectacular. Hong Kong is almost a vertical city with an abundance of sky-high tower blocks. The 118-floor International Commerce Centre is currently Hong Kong’s tallest building. When all the lights come on at night, the Hong Kong skyline turns into a sea of bright neon colours. At the stroke of 8 p.m. every day, the Symphony of Lights starts, a sensational multimedia spectacle that sets the harbour alight for ten minutes.

VIEW FROM ABOVE Victoria Peak is the ideal place to get an overview of the metropolis. At an altitude of 552 metres, we have a fantastic panorama of the city, the harbour and the offshore islands. The best and easiest way to go up is with the Peak Tram. The red funicular train has been in use since 1888. The ride is treacherously steep, but the views along the way are breathtaking. The Peak has been a popular place to live since colonial times. Governors and wealthy merchants built their houses there. The neighbourhood is still very much in demand today to escape the oppressive heat of the city. But as in the past, the mountain is only reserved for the rich of the earth, because the land here is among the most expensive in the world.

SHOP 'TILL YOU DROP

Nowhere does this phrase apply as well as in Hong Kong. Even for the most accomplished shopaholic, the offer is sometimes too overwhelming. Hong Kong is a place of shopping entertainment where every wallet, thick or thin, is welcome. Those who are not short of money can indulge themselves in the numerous exclusive shops with expensive designer brands in Central Hong Kong Island, Hong Kong’s business district. Here are the flagship stores belonging to brands such as Rolex, Armani, Prada, Hermès, Versace, Chanel, Gucci and Louis Vuitton. If you are more of a bargain hunter, the Kowloon district is the place to be for you. And if you like to experience some local colour, then the countless markets are just the thing. The Hong Kong Tourism Board calculated that tourists spend about half their budget on shopping.

DOES HONG KONG BELONG TO CHINA OR IS IT AUTONOMOUS? A question that is very topical again with the recent unrest in Hong Kong. Officially, Hong Kong is a Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China. The city-state belongs to China, but has its own government that makes autonomous decisions, except in the field of defence and foreign affairs. It goes without saying that this is a complex situation. The current situation is rooted in history. China and Great Britain fought two wars with each other in the 19th century: the so-called Opium Wars, in which the Chinese always lost out. The Chinese Empire first had to surrender Hong Kong Island to the British, and later also the New Territories, although the term for the second area was limited to 99 years. At the time, it seemed like a great deal, but time moves fast, and as the 99-year deadline came closer, nervousness grew. For under 150 years of British colonial rule, Hong Kong had grown into a prosperous metropolis, and the various regions had amalgamated to such an extent that it was no longer possible to split them up. New negotiations were to bring relief. In 1984 it was finally decided that the United Kingdom would transfer Hong Kong in its entirety to Beijing in 1997, but that the city-state would retain special status for at least 50 years on the principle of "one country, two systems": a one-party communist state in China and a capitalist, democratic constitutional state in Hong Kong. A more extreme spread position is hardly conceivable. The way forward when China continues unification in 2047 is a concern that many Hong Kong people are already worried about today.

Peak Tram, Hongkong.

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AZAMARA QUEST: A FLOATING BOUTIQUE HOTEL Hong Kong is called the gateway to Asia and we make use of it. We embark on the Azamara Quest that will take us to other countries in the South China Sea. We have set our sights on Taiwan and the Philippines. From previous trips we have learned that a cruise is an ideal way to visit various countries in a short period of time, especially when it comes to islands. In addition, it is an extremely comfortable way of travelling. No constant packing and unpacking and time loss at airports or long car journeys. The floating hotel takes us to every new destination in complete comfort. The days at sea, when the ship travels a longer distance, are great for relaxing or preparing the planned land excursions. The Azamara Quest is somewhat bigger than the cruise ships we have travelled on so far. There are eight floors. From the technical data sheet we learn that the ship is 181 metres long, 25 metres wide and can accommodate 694 passengers and 408 crew members. We quickly get used to life on board. At first we barely know which is the front or rear of the gigantic vessel, but soon the ship becomes a second home and we can find everything effortlessly. The passengers become acquaintances and the crew members become firm values.

MOVE BEYOND VERLEG JE HORIZON Vanuit Brussel biedt Cathay Pacific Airways vluchten naar meer dan 200 bestemmingen wereldwijd zoals in Azië, Australië en Nieuw-Zeeland. Met het moderne en zuinige A350-900 vliegtuig, waarbij de Business Class en Premium Economy stoelen zijn ontworpen door Studio FA Porsche, bieden we het neusje van de zalm aan elke passagier.

Boek je volgende reis op www.cathaypacific.be Op dit moment zijn er geen vluchten vanuit Brussel omwille van het virus, onder voorbehoud van de landelijke reisrestricties.

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Change of the guard at the National Revolutionary Martyrs' Shrine, Taipei

10 TAIWAN: UNKNOWN MEANS UNLOVED Taiwan is a country we know little about in the West. It hardly makes the news and is not on the bucket list of favourite travel destinations. For us too, the country is a big unknown. After sailing for a day and a night, we moor in Keelung, the port city near Taipei. Distance travelled: 432 nautical miles or 800 kilometres. Loosely translated, Taiwan means “terrace bend”, a reference to the irregular shape of the island. The country is slightly smaller than the Netherlands, but has a lot more inhabitants: 23 million according to the latest count. Almost all of them live on the western coastal plain because two thirds of the island consists of high ridges and dense forests where stunningly beautiful nature dominates.

DOES TAIWAN BELONG TO CHINA OR IS IT AUTONOMOUS? The same question as for Hong Kong and just like Hong Kong, Taiwan has a turbulent relationship with China. To the Chinese leader Xi Jinping, Taiwan is a renegade province that belongs to its People's Republic. Most of the Taiwanese see it completely differently and consider their country to be a sovereign state. And if you look at the history books there is something to be said for that. Although Taiwan belonged to China during

the time of the great empire, this changed when Japan won the First Sino-Japanese War (1894-1895) and China had to surrender Taiwan to its opponent. Four decades later, China and Japan again got into a fight and sparked the Second SinoJapanese War, a war that seamlessly merged into World War II. As if this were not enough, China had also been involved in a civil war fought between communists and nationalists since 1927. Are you still following? The latter aspect is important, however, because this internal conflict situation meant that China was not involved in the international peace talks after World War II. Although in the San Francisco Treaty, signed in 1951, Japan renounces Taiwan, it does not formally state which state would be allowed to take over the island. And so Taiwan ended up in a constitutional vacuum that continues to this day.

An assistant provides some cooling.

11 For Xi Jinping, the return of Taiwan has become a personal prestige project. Beijing does not even allow countries to maintain relationships with China and Taiwan at the same time. The world must therefore choose between a superpower with more than 1.3 billion inhabitants (read: possible consumers) or an island state with a relatively negligible population. Not surprisingly, the majority of foreign powers opt on the side of safety. Even though Taiwan manages to cope very well without formal international recognition. Just think of the information technology that makes the country one of the best in the world. Don’t we all have something that is “Made in Taiwan” at home? In addition because that’s how these things go - a large part of the international community still maintains contacts with Taiwan through so-called legations. The European Union is actually the largest investor in the small country. And Belgium is also doing its bit. Jan De Nul and DEME in particular are well-known names here.

TAIPEI: SURPRISINGLY VERSATILE Taipei has two faces. The east of the city looks modern and international with many high-rise buildings, upscale shopping centres, chic boutiques and trendy restaurants, while the western part of the city is still a real bastion of traditional life with narrow streets and numerous market stalls. The National Revolutionary Martyrs' Shrine is an absolute must-see when visiting Taipei. The memorial was built in 1969 in memory of the 390,000 people who died in the long civil war against the communists. The temple with its vermilion-red columns and extremely detailed carvings contains a shenzhupia for each of them, an elegant wooden board with their name engraved on it. The silver helmets of the ceremonial guard shine in the sun. With their gaze straight ahead, the guards of honour stand motionless. The young boys have to hold on for sixty minutes before they are relieved. An assistant occasionally wipes sweat from their faces and sprays them with a plant sprayer. Funny to see, but vital, because it is extremely hot. The Changing of the Guard is a perfectly rehearsed event performed with a great sense of drama.

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The Chiang Kai-shek Memorial is also a recent building and (again) connected to the Chinese civil war. The imposing memorial hall is a national monument in honour of Chiang Kaishek, the man who ruled China from 1943 to 1948, but had to make way for Mao in 1949 and fled with two million faithful followers from the mainland to Taiwan, where he founded the Republic of China. The memorial complex was opened in 1980, exactly five years after the death of the Generalissimo. The building is enormous with an area of 15,000 m² and a height of about 70 meters. The snow-white walls and the deep blue roof are sharply outlined against the clear sky. The design is full of symbolic references. The roof is octagonal the number eight is associated in Asia with abundance and happiness - and the stairs have 89 steps, equal to the age Chiang reached. Just as we want to walk into the monument, we hear brass band music. On the immense Freedom Square in front of the memorial hall, the dress rehearsal for the parade that will take place the next day, has started. Hundreds of soldiers in flawless uniforms perform – with bayonet in hand - perfectly synchronised movements and steps, effortlessly forming one formation after another. It is choreography of almost cinematic quality and a top-notch spectacle. The conductor stands high above the troops. Colourful flags flutter behind him.

Military parade at the Freedom Square in front of the het Chiang Kai-shek Memorial, Taipei.

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Eternal Spring Shrine in Taroko National Park, Taiwan.

BEAUTIFUL NATURE IN THE EAST Blessed as it is with great natural wealth, Taiwan has no fewer than nine national parks. One of the most famous is the Taroko National Park in the east of the country. Rugged natural beauty with endless forests, massive mountain slopes, marble ravine walls and mystical cave tunnels: that is the park described in a nutshell. The park takes its name from the Taroko Gorge, a nineteen kilometre long spectacular gorge created millions of years ago by the pressure of tectonic plates. Normally the water of the fast flowing Liwu River is a clear blue, but today it has a concrete-like colour because of the typhoon that occurred a few days ago. In some places the ravine is so narrow that we only see a small strip of air. The Tunnel of Nine Turns meanders alongside the canyon. It has windows, as it were. After each bend, there is an opening in the wall through which we are presented with a different but equally spectacular view of the cliffs and the river. It's like walking through an old View-Master. High up against the mountainside, the Eternal Spring Shrine glitters, a graceful temple in blue and red. A waterfall flows under the small footbridge.

Taiwan is blessed with great natural wealth.

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16 Dragon and Tiger Pagoda, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.

KAOHSIUNG: TEMPLES, MONASTERIES AND PAGODAS In the extreme southwest of Taiwan lies the city of Kaohsiung. At first this was a not particularly attractive industrial city, but the government has spared no effort to transform the place into a tourist destination. And that has had good results. The Lotus Lake is almost the heart of the city. The lake is surrounded by many parks where children play tag and the elderly relax on benches. Around the lake there are about twenty temples and pagodas in every shape and size. The overall effect is a bit like an amusement park. It’s big, colourful and kitsch. The seven-story Dragon and Tiger Pagoda attracts the most attention. The route we take has great significance: in through the mouth of the dragon and out through the mouth of the tiger. That is supposed to bring good luck. The Spring and Autumn Pavilion is also worth a visit. The Taoist temple, with its yellow walls and dark green rooftiles, resembles an antique pagoda. Just outside the city we look for peace and quiet again. The impressive Fo Guang Shan Monastery is the largest monastery in Taiwan. Fo Guang Shan is an international Buddhist order and new religious movement. From what the guide tells us, we understand that it is a simplified form of traditional Buddhism. “Good do, good speak, good think”, is how he summarises the teaching for us. We can imagine that. We visit the Main Shrine, the architecture of which is absolutely magnificent. The imposing entrance door with artful bronze marquetry is already a masterpiece. Inside, three large statues of Buddha glance down at us affably and compassionately. The memorial hall has a huge surface area of 3570 m2. Yet there is not a single column in sight, so that – regardless of where we stand - we can always view the hall to its full extent. Outside, the absolute eye-catcher is the 32 metre high golden Buddha. Another 480 smaller Buddha statues are placed around the statue. The peace in this spiritual place is almost tangible, the place reduces us to silence.

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Bangka, a traditional Filipino boat.

THE PHILIPPINES: AN INTRIGUING PATCHWORK Promptly at 5pm, The Azamara casts off. This time we have a long trip ahead: 650 nautical miles, or some 1200 kilometres. Destination: the Philippines. The South China Sea is a bit rougher than the weather maps have forecast, but the boat’s stabilisers are doing their job and we hardly notice it. Two nights and one day later, the first islands of the Philippine archipelago emerge. Countless green dots in an endless sea, all different in height, size and shape. A pastel drawing with soft colours due to the hazy air. The Philippines consists of no less than 7107 islands. Twice the number of pairs of shoes in the controversial collection of former first lady Imelda Marcos.

BORACAY: THE PHILIPPINE PARADISE ON EARTH The beautiful, unspoilt coastlines beckon us. The small island of Boracay is one of the most paradisiacal places on earth. A true bounty island surrounded by sparkling white beaches and an azure blue sea. Boracay has been voted one of the world’s most beautiful islands several times. And yet, thanks to sensible management, it hasn’t yet been ruined by tourism. Hallelujah. We go ashore on a bangka, a traditional Filipino boat. The bangkas have long sidecars of bamboo on both sides that provide more stability. They look like big colourful spiders on the water. With a deep sigh, we drop down on one of the sun loungers at the Crimson Resort, a five-star facility where we are guests all day today. There is no shortage of luxury and excellent service. Nor of friendly faces. Filipinos are warm and hospitable by nature and everyone, and we mean everyone, is happy to be photographed. We take a lovely snapshot of a group of children playing on the beach.

19 MANILA: A CASE APART

Manila is not, and never has been, a typical Asian city.

To conclude the trip, we arrive in Manilla. And what a conclusion it proves to be. Manila is a vibrant, densely populated and demanding metropolis. Not demanding because of the crowds, but demanding because it is so difficult to get a grip on it. Manila is a difficult assembly. What was once one city is now a collection of seventeen separate municipalities. Just like the people are who are walking around like ants, the many contradictions in the city are also inextricably tangled up. Traditional and modern, old and new, Asian and Western, super rich and extremely poor: everything is strewn criss-cross together. Next to a brand new shopping centre you will find an ancient church, on the same street you will encounter chic restaurants and ramshackle food stands, and shady slums lie in the shadow of gleaming skyscrapers. In addition, the city was almost completely razed to the ground during the Second World War and reconstruction is still in full swing. However, the city has not lost all its charm, but to discover it, you need to hire a good guide. David is the perfect man for us. “Manila is not and never has been a typical Asian city”, he starts off. “The city has been in foreign hands too often for that. Chinese, Spaniards, British, Americans and Japanese: they have all passed through here and have left their cultural traces.”

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HISPANIC MANILA Today it may seem hard to believe, but at the end of the 19th century, Manila was well on its way to becoming the Paris of Asia. The Spaniards had already ruled here for three centuries. They built wide boulevards, leafy plazas and beautiful colonial houses. In the historic Intramuros - once the centre of the city - we get a glimpse of the glory of yesteryear. Pieces of the old double city wall are still standing, as well as the remains of a typical Spanish fort, and we take a look at the oldest church in the Philippines, the baroque San Augustin. The adjacent museum is home to an extensive collection of colonial religious art. With a kalesa (horse and cart) that could have been plucked from some Latin American country, we clatter to the Cathedral of Manilla. It is Sunday and the cathedral is packed, because if the Spaniards have done one thing enthusiastically, it is the Christianisation of this country. 90 percent of the population is still Catholic. Nowhere is the Pope received with more enthusiasm than in Manila.

Many Filipino folklore dances clearly show the Spanish influence.

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22 The impressive American Memorial Cemetery in Manila.

THE AMERICAN WAY In the early 1900s, the Americans held sway in the archipelago, a direct result of the Spanish-American war that was fought in 1898. Initially, the Americans supported the Filipino independence fighters, but as so often, it turned out that the Americans had a second agenda. Secret negotiations between the Spaniards and the Americans led to the transfer of the Philippine archipelago to the Americans. The new coloniser took a smart approach by installing people from the top layer of the population in high positions - the so-called illustrados - and investing a lot in education, health care and infrastructure. In the piece of Manila called American Manila, there are many buildings from this period. The American Memorial Cemetery also has a prominent place here. It is an impressive graveyard with countless straight rows of white crosses on a spring green lawn in memory of the fallen soldiers during the Second World War. Our guide proudly points out the Manila Hotel, the city’s oldest and most famous first-class hotel. U.S. General Douglas MacArthur was once headquartered there, the first coup attempt against President Aquino took place here and it has counted numerous heads of state and celebrities among its guests. The most striking remnant of the American presence, however, are the jeepneys: brightly coloured

In the early 1900s, the Americans held sway in the archipelago.

23 Jeepneys, most popular means of public transportation in the Philippines.

mega jeeps with lots of shiny chrome that have become a wide spread symbol of Philippine culture and art. Jeepneys were originally made from U.S. military jeeps left over from World War II and converted by Filipinos into a public utility vehicle. Nowadays the cars are built locally.

A LOOK BACK Our journey in Southeast Asia was one that left us with countless impressions. Of Hong Kong, we will always remember the boisterous vibe we felt there, in Taiwan it was mainly the beautiful nature that enthralled us and the Philippine archipelago surprised us with its enormous diversity. The absolute highlight was our conversation with Jay Aldeguer. We have rarely met a Porsche enthusiast who talked about his cars with so much passion. And Lou - the charming girl on the cover of this magazine - was of course the proverbial icing on the cake.

Thanks to: - Cathay Pacific, www.cathaypacific.com - The Peninsula Hong Kong, Heidi Wong, www.peninsula.com - Montebello Villa Hotel, Cebu, Mr. Luis Alvarez - Egon Leclair, Leonhard's Gallery - Cruise Connection, Mr. Frank Muylle, Koningin Astridlaan 72, 2550 Kontich, Belgium, T. + 32 3 226 43 03 www.cruiseconnection.be

INTERVIEW PORSCHIST

A wealth of

vintage Porsches

on a tropical island.

A stunning collection of unique Porsche classic cars is not something you readily expect in the Philippines. And yet, in the wooded hills of Cebu - the second busiest island in the archipelago – we find the man cave belonging to the sympathetic Jay Aldeguer, a man who has built a top collection of classic Porsches over twenty years. A collection that will make every true enthusiast gasp in wonder. A visit to this man's treasure chamber was both the reason and the highlight of our trip through Southeast Asia.

INTERVIEW PORSCHIST

Jay Aldeguer lives a stone’s throw away from Cebu City, the island’s capital. In the residential area, one beautiful villa nestles alongside another. The gardens are lush with greenery and a pleasant breeze dampens the tropical warmth. The Filipino is already waiting for us. “I’m so honoured by your visit”, he says as he shakes our hands. For us, it is the other way around and we feel very privileged that we are able to get to know this special man and his life’s work.

IMPATIENT AND PASSIONATE

Because as soon as Jay starts talking, we know we have someone in front of us who knows the ropes. Jay was only just 22 when he started his own business. “It couldn’t go fast enough for me”, he says. “I purposely chose the travel sector”. A smart move, because 1992 was the perfect time for it. The international airport at Cebu opened its doors, important hotel chains found their way to the island and the number of tourists grew in their wake. Under the name “The Islands”, Jay marketed quality souvenir items inspired by the beauty of the Philippine archipelago. His souvenir business served him well and grew into a network with more than a hundred points of sale. The entrepreneur then expanded his portfolio under the same brand name. Islands Banca Cruises provides round trips and city trips, Islands Stay Hotels offers budget hotels in the most beautiful places in the Philippines and through Our Islands Foundation, sustainable tourism and ecological projects also receive the necessary attention. Yet despite all his successes, Jay is a man with both feet on the ground.

HIS FIRST PASSION “It may sound corny”, he says, “but actually my greatest passion is life. I consider myself a good “Student of Life”. At the university I chose to study Interdisciplinary Studies. This allowed me to combine a variety of subjects: from sciences and languages to philosophy and art. Most of the students choose one particular direction - doctor or lawyer, just to name something - and stay on the path they took in their youth for the rest of their lives. I didn’t want to commit at a young age. I like the diversity of life. The world has so much to offer, it would be a shame to explore only one or a few facets. My studies gave me an open mind. I looked through a three-dimensional instead of a one-dimensional lens, as it were. I have always assumed that I was an old soul trapped in a young body. When I was asked as a child what I wanted to become when I grew up, I invariably answered: I want to become a father. Really, a normal eleven-year-old wouldn’t say anything like that”.

AND THEN CAME THE CARS With a young family and a newly started business, young Jay had no time for himself. But when he turned 27, he felt that he could allow himself a “toy”. He heard through a friend that the local Mazda dealer had a Miata for sale. He hesitated for a moment, because Cebuanos by nature like to keep a low profile and a Miata is quite a conspicuous car. But after a test drive, he was quickly won over. From that moment, his love for sports cars blossomed completely. “Five months later I bought a BMW Z3. That’s the roadster you see in the James Bond movie GoldenEye starring Pierce Brosnan. But the BMW did not meet my expectations at all. Its performance was below average and I also didn’t like the sound of the engine. Quite soon, I was looking for a replacement. I found it by chance in a friend’s garage. At the very back of his warehouse I discovered a white 911S Targa from 1974. The car had been imported by an American expat and had been abandoned when he left. For me it was love at first sight. I bought it, refurbished it and for the first time discovered what it was like to drive a car that thrilled me. The fantastic driving sensation, the wonderful smell of oil mixed with kerosene, the comfort of the leather seats ... That is when I realised that my real passion was for classic cars”.

'I love to “save” those old beauties and breathe new life into them.'

THE EMERGENCE OF A BEAUTIFUL COLLECTION And Jay went to town. After the Targa, he added a red Porsche 912 from 1968 and then a black Porsche 964 Carrera 2 from 1991 to his collection. An attractive trio. Jay’s interest in vintage Porsches grew by the day. He came into contact with other enthusiasts of vintage Porsches and learned more every day. He also learned more about the restoration of old-timers and that brought him to his next step. “My first project was the restoration of a black 356C from 1964. I swore, laboured and sweated, but the end result was impressive. Once the first hurdle had been overcome, my confidence grew and I started working on more and more cars. Since then, every vintage Porsche - regardless of its condition - is eligible for repair. I love to “save” those old beauties and breathe new life into them. Half of the cars I work on don’t even drive when I start. Now they all purr away like never before”.

A SOFT SPOT FOR PORSCHE Jay only has Porsches. Naturally, we want to know where his fascination for the German sports car brand comes from. “If you had to mention one common characteristic of all Porsche lovers, it is their wish to stand out from the crowd. And Porsche understood that perfectly. No other car manufacturer can match Porsche. A Porsche is a dream car. An iconic design, solid and reliable due to the excellent technology, a perfect combination of aesthetics, strength, passion and emotion. And for me, the added charm of an air-cooled engine”.

INTERVIEW PORSCHIST

Lou and a beautiful 911S Targa in Irish Green from 1968.

THE GLASS HOUSE The majority of the cars that Jay gives a second life to are not sold, but maintained by himself. That has earned his garage the nickname “The Black Hole”. And to call that garage special would still be an understatement. It is an ultra-modern, brand new building with immense glass sections, so that both the owner and every visitor have a clear view of the impressive collection. Jay lives on the first floor, the ground floor contains his treasures. As the years go by, the car fanatic has become more selective. “At one point, I had six Porsches 356. That’s too much of a good thing. I find diversity more important now. I want the line-up of my cars to be in balance. That is why I distance myself from a car and sell it a little more often now. That keeps it all financially feasible. At the moment I have 14 old-timers and that is a perfect number”.

THE OLDER, THE BETTER Does he have a favourite? “That is a question I am often asked, but it is like with children: you like them all equally. Although I must admit that I am increasingly fond of the oldest generations. I think the models from the 80s, such as my red 911 Turbo Cabriolet from 1989, are a bit too modern, too comfortable. The old Porsches have the power to wrap you up completely, the new ones have that less so, in my view. So much has been optimised following the many safety regulations. Somehow it always comes at the expense of the original aesthetic. I love the very first models, the cars in their purest form. They have an x factor that is impossible to describe. It’s the imperfections that make the cars so irresistible. Like my 1959 silver Porsche 356. That car always puts a smile on my face. Or my yellow 911 from 1966. In addition, that is a car with a special history. It was ordered by the Prince of Bahrain at the time and is one of the very first personalised Porsches. It has numerous options that were unique at the time, such as a full leather interior, two side mirrors and tinted glass. When we talk about the 911, as far as I am concerned, the models that came off the line between 1964 and 1973 - from the 0 model to the F model - are the real 911s. And I prefer the short wheelbase versions. From 1969 onwards, the wheelbase was increased by 57 mm to improve driving comfort. That may not seem like much, but it makes a world of difference. Yes, the car is more stable both on the straight and when cornering, but is much less fun to drive. The Americans, with their many highways, always opt for a long wheelbase, but purists like me love the short wheelbase because of the unparalleled driving sensation. And then there is my beloved 1968 911 Targa in Irish Green, one of my latest restoration projects and an acquisition that I am particularly proud of. It is the version that still had the soft top and a folding rear window made of plastic. Shortly thereafter this was changed to a permanently mounted rear window in safety glass. Only less than 200 copies were made of this model.

MADE FOR DRIVING By the way, Jay completely gets it. “My cars are not garage queens. I use them for what they were made for: to drive them. They take turns alternately. On a working day I drive around in the area for a bit or take a trip into the mountains in the evening. At weekends, when I have more time, I take the ferry for a day trip to one of the surrounding islands”.

PERFECT FOR THE CAMERA To conclude our conversation, we allow plenty of time for a photo shoot of Jay’s showpieces. All those classic pearls in the exotic streets of Cebu: it is a feast for the eyes. It becomes even more exotic when Lou - a renowned model – poses for the camera in all her beauty and elegance. It doesn’t get any more beautiful than this, does it?