WHATTA YEAR (Looking back at 2008)!
IPMS Philippines Bert Anido has once again wrapped another banner year that reaped big dividends for the Club as it celebrated its 40th anniversary this year.
At the start of the year, plans were put in motion on how to celebrate the anniversary of the club. It was decided that the formal celebration of the anniversary shall coincide with the holding of the 6th National Scale Modeling Competition which promised to be the most spectacular event of the club by far. A working committee was formed and these handpicked members buckled down to work. Despite the difficulties that they faced, nobody gave in as all were determined to see that the 6th Nationals will push through and become the best ever.
All that hard work finally paid off when the 6th Nationals lived up to its billing as the biggest and the most extensive thus far with almost 700 entries on display, exceeding all expectations and gaining the respect and admiration of sponsors and friends.
As a footnote to the preparation of the Nationals, the Club has established ties with other notable scale modeling organizations and institutions. These include SAM Publications, which graciously donated several prizes for the raffle during the fellowship night, and Mr. Brett Green of Hyperscale.com, who has graciously granted the Club permission to air his instructional videos during the Nationals.
In addition, Trumpeter and Hobby Boss, two of the main sponsors of this year’s Nationals, accorded the Club very rare treats. To commemorate the Club’s 40th anniversary, Hobby Boss released a limited edition V-150 kit which features an extra turret to model a V-150 used by the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police. Trumpeter produced decal sheets in 1/32 and 1/72 scale for the P-51D Mustang kits of these respective scales to model a Philippine Air Force P-51 Mustang of the 1950’s (The Shark of Zambales).
Besides the Nationals, Mr. Shunsaku Tamiya, Chairman of Tamiya, Inc., visited the country and IPMS Philippines Bert Anido twice. He first came to the Philippines in April and came back once again in November. His presence was considered an honor and a privilege to the lucky members who were able to have pictures taken with him and have their Tamiya kits autographed by the man himself. Mr. Tamiya was also conferred an honorary membership by the Club for the support he has given in previous Nationals.
2008 was also the year when the Club embarked on two of the biggest projects since the Gambier Bay build: The 1/35 Dora and the Thunder Run diorama (also in 1/35 scale). The builders spent a better portion of the year completing their assigned tasks whether singly or as a group. These works were the centerpieces of the 6th Nationals which drew a lot of attention because of their immensity. The Dora incidentally copped this year’s People’s Choice Award, sponsored by Epson.
This year also saw the club’s formation of an IT partnership with Open Axcss Solutions, who took up management of the Club’s website, as well as automation efforts for the 6th Nationals. Their impressive new rendition of the website complements the continued arrival of more new and interesting test shots, whether from IPMSPhilippines.com mainstay Trumpeter or other kit manufacturers.
The Christmas Party served as the culmination of what was a truly spectacular year. In keeping with tradition of a pot luck feast, several members brought the finest food and drinks for everyone, while several model kits and other items were donated by members and subsequently raffled off.
During the party, US-based Eric Salazar (speedlimit) graced the affair, along with new member Michael Barquin, who lead everyone in a toast. In addition, members in good standing were finally able to get their hands on the most coveted kit of the year: the limited edition V-150 (in 1/35 scale) by Hobby Boss. By the time the party was over, everybody went home happy and in high spirits.
Even as the euphoria of 40th Anniversary and 6th Nationals gradually ebb, the morale of the Club has not. Everybody is looking forward to another promising year in 2009 where the challenge of surpassing the 6th Nationals is the main goal when the 7th Nationals comes along.
The Club is likewise looking forward to helping facilitate the annual Tamiya Fair, which will be held in the Philippines in 2009, the first time it will be held outside Japan.
As is the norm, the Club assures everyone, yet again: “You ain’t seen nothin’ yet!”
Happy New Year!
