The recently concluded 6th IPMS Baguio Scale Model Exhibit & Competition was held at the Multi-Purpose Hall of the Baguio Country Club (BCC) February 4 to 6, 2010. Similar to what was experienced during the Nationals, this event was not without surprises. As typhoons Ondoy & Pepeng affected the Nationals, the current Comelec gun-ban affected the participation of the Baguio Airsoft Club (BAC). IPMS Baguio had to go it alone this time & the organizers came through successfully.
With the help of some new members, we were able to fill up all the tables with entries and exhibits. Our brothers from IPMS Philippines Bert Anido came through as well with their entries and exhibits. Thanks guys for your much-needed help!
Ingress went smoothly all day Wednesday, February 3, 2010. Vino “Shrikes” Nañagas traveled up by bus and arrived around 2:00pm and was literally a huge help during set-up. He came up early this time because he couldn’t stay for the whole event, owing to his son’s birthday on Saturday, February 6, 2010. How about that for dedication? Ingress was not very difficult at all, mostly the members’ time was occupied making minor repairs to models damaged enroute to the the display area and then finding an appropriate place on a display table to best admire it. Kudos to the Baguio Country Club Staff for keeping us warm with a seemingly endless supply of coffee and donuts.
The center section of the display was dominated by big kits, including a number of 1:32 scale aircraft, Frank Ching’s 1:200 IJN Yamato and Anthony de Leon’s 1:72 Type VIIC U-Boat and 1/35 Elco Torpedo Boat. This, however, does not mean to say that the smaller scales didn’t make an impression: there were two 1:144 armor kits and a 1:144 scale P-51D, all of which could fit comfortably in the palm of your hand.
The show was inaugurated by Baguio’s Vice-Mayor, Daniel Fariñas, ably assisted by Baguio Country Club General Manager Anthony de Leon & IPMS Baguio Vice-President Atty. Sam Gallardo. The Special Operations Group (SOG) of the BCC & BAC was on hand as honor guard during the ceremonies, all clad in very sharp Class-A uniforms complete with stars over their jump wings, campaign ribbons and even a presidential unit citation.
The event was well covered, both by the broadcast media and print reporters and photographers. Officers of IPMS Baguio were interviewed on what scale modeling was all about & it’s relevance to daily life. These were aired on primetime news on both ABS-CBN Baguio & GMA Northern Luzon. A photo of Anthony de Leon & Vice-Mayor Fariñas going around the exhibit appeared on Philippine Star on February 5, 2010.
Visitors included dignitaries from Baguio, senior officers of the Philippine Military Academy and students from the various schools and universities around Baguio.
Capt. Bing “Stingray” Villena brought up three of his wooden ships, which continued to wow the visitors during the three-day event. Thank you sir!
Our good friend Woody took two tables to show off his die-cast collection featuring the AC Cobra and another table highlighting his die-cast collection of various Batmobile versions and collection of Batman comic books. Well done Woody!
A new addition this year was the Baguio RC Cars group who displayed their racing & drifting expertise. Some of our members who are also into RC racing said they will bring up their RC cars next year so they can have a friendly race with their Baguio compatriots.
A special and very interesting quick-build was held as an additional event. Commencing at 9:00am of Saturday, February 6, 2010, nine members of IPMS Baguio competed amongst themselves to determine who can finish a 1:72 kit by 5:00pm. The model was the 1:72 Hobby Boss Easy Assemby P-51C Mustang, sponsored by Anthony de Leon. Each contestant was given a table, with individual fluorescent lighting & electrical outlets for their air compressors. Judges Mel Silvestre and Jim Gonzales individually inspected all submitted entries by 5:00pm. Seven contestants chose the natural metal finish option of a P-51B flown by Capt. D. Gentile of the 336th FS, 4th FG, USAAF. One competitor chose the RAF P-51C with tail number FZ152, in late-war RAF camouflage with invasion stripes. The last competitor, Mr. Hunter, still had his kit in the box, which prompted Mel “Webster” Silvestre to comment that it was supposed to be an Out Of The Box competition, not Still In The Box. Just goes to show what a slow builder this fellow is. The entry of Chris Banania was adjudged the most complete after 8 hours of building. Congratulations Chris!
Eight Special Awards were given away; Best In Show, Tamiya’s Choice, Hasegawa’s Choice, Trumpeter’s Choice, Italeri’s Choice, Revell’s Choice, Dragon’s Choice, and Hobby Boss’ Choice. Glass trophies with the colorful logos of the manufacturers were handed out to the winners. Congratulations guys!
The show was culminated by the traditional raffle, with kit prizes donated by Mr. Shakespeare Chan of Lil’s Hobby Center. Thanks you sir! Mr. Wrandell “Warden” Selda, ably representing Shakes, presided over the raffle & awarded the kits to the winners. In appreciation of his efforts to promote scale-modeling in Baguio, Anthony de Leon received a surprise, a Trumpeter 1:32 Eurofighter. A well-deserved award Sir Anthony!
Congratulations to all the winners! To our friends and visitors, thank you one and all for your support and participation. We are ever grateful to all our sponsors, Baguio Country Club and Lil’s Hobby Center. A warm Thank You to our judges who took time out from their very busy commitments to share their expertise with us. Salamat po!
See you next year!
