I am Proud of my Lola Car: Stories behind my Daddy's vehicle
"It has been more than 20 years and she is still faithful to me," says Daddy as he lights up his cigar and carefully wipes the dust off this navy blue Toyota Corolla. The faithful one he's talking about is none other than Lola Car, Dad's ever loyal automobile.
The year was 1979 when my Tito Pepito bought a shiny red Corolla for his wife, Tita Portia. Years after, when Mom was about to give birth to my Ate Chloe, Daddy bought the red vehicle from my aunt. Since blue was Daddy's favorite hue, he had Lola Car colored into a deep blue sea shade.
Above all cars that passed the streets of Manila, Lola Car went beyond ordinary miles. "I remember when your sister wasn't born yet," Daddy shares, "Your Mom and I were coming back home to Cavite from work. I had a terrible fatigue at that time when I suddenly lost control of the wheel and the car led us to the cliff. Fortunately I was able to step onto the break and the car didn't take us to the edge...and it didn't even blow up. We were able to come home safe,"Daddy and Lola Car's experiences were unbelievable. Another adventure took place when 
Chloe was born and later celebrated her 3rd birthday. It was an afternoon in the city where traffic was vigorously heavy and Daddy, Ninang Emy (my godmother-to-be) and Chloe were stuck on the road. Suddenly the go signal lighted up, and all vehicles raced like crazy. Daddy was addicted to speed racing too, so he stepped hard onto the gas up to 120 kph. Not later the red light appeared and Daddy had to push the break fast. It was a sudden shift from high speed back to 0 kph so the vehicle screeched like crazy. Daddy thought it was their end, as they were about to hit a jeepney right in front of them and Ninang Emy was screaming hard.
But Lola Car didn't give up. As Daddy put his faith in the break, the car stopped and leaped several feet onto thin air. The innocent Chloe gazed at the window and saw the jeepney down below. Soon the car landed on the ground, just a few inches away the jeepney which was now behind them. Daddy and Ninang were shocked, surprised and amazed. Even the jeepney driver who was now behind them couldn't believe his naked eyes. And as Daddy and Ninang breathed out in exhaust, the people in the streets clapped their hands at them!
Chloe was born and later celebrated her 3rd birthday. It was an afternoon in the city where traffic was vigorously heavy and Daddy, Ninang Emy (my godmother-to-be) and Chloe were stuck on the road. Suddenly the go signal lighted up, and all vehicles raced like crazy. Daddy was addicted to speed racing too, so he stepped hard onto the gas up to 120 kph. Not later the red light appeared and Daddy had to push the break fast. It was a sudden shift from high speed back to 0 kph so the vehicle screeched like crazy. Daddy thought it was their end, as they were about to hit a jeepney right in front of them and Ninang Emy was screaming hard.But Lola Car didn't give up. As Daddy put his faith in the break, the car stopped and leaped several feet onto thin air. The innocent Chloe gazed at the window and saw the jeepney down below. Soon the car landed on the ground, just a few inches away the jeepney which was now behind them. Daddy and Ninang were shocked, surprised and amazed. Even the jeepney driver who was now behind them couldn't believe his naked eyes. And as Daddy and Ninang breathed out in exhaust, the people in the streets clapped their hands at them!
Lola Car seemed to have this 'ability' that no other car had. Built with an incredible speed, outstanding durability and maximum performance, there could be no other man prouder than my Dad. A lot of people still couldn't grasp the fact about Lola Car's powers because no ordinary Toyota could do that. That's true enough. The reason behind the extraordinary strength of Lola Car was because of her customized parts. Daddy replaced the engine with a bigger one, added high quality parts and continuously maintained Lola Car. And because my father is a skilled engineer, he was able to identify the needs of his auto.
It was not long until my Mom rested in peace, Daddy's kids turned to adults and vehicles of Metro Manila evolved. Lola Car had literally turned old, and her color is fading. But Lola Car's engine is still as powerful as ever. There were only a number of 70s Corollas left on the road, about 2 or 3 seen in a year. But there can be no other Retro car that can beat ours. Although nowadays I admit that we couldn't afford much to mantain Lola Car (gas gauge permanently on the "E" even if filled with fuel, speedometer is under repair, car paint scratched and covered with cement), Lola Car never failed to take us home safe. Before, it was only Dad who handled Lola Car; now, the steering wheel is passed on to me and our youngest sibling, Edgie. That's why I called her "Lola Car" (literally meaning "Grandma Car"), because the years made this vehicle old, but endurance lasts longer.
I admit that there are still some people mocking Lola Car because of her appearance and age (even Chloe endlessly made fun of her), but there's no doubt, Lola Car left automobile experts pretty amazed. With the number of years she survived, created extraordinary adventures, lived from extreme accidents (her bumper was totally smashed in 2000 but was repaired like brand new again), perhaps Lola Car can be called as the next Night Rider of all time.
I admit that there are still some people mocking Lola Car because of her appearance and age (even Chloe endlessly made fun of her), but there's no doubt, Lola Car left automobile experts pretty amazed. With the number of years she survived, created extraordinary adventures, lived from extreme accidents (her bumper was totally smashed in 2000 but was repaired like brand new again), perhaps Lola Car can be called as the next Night Rider of all time.*first picture: Daddy's car bought in the 70's
*2nd picture: Chloe and Daddy, 1985
*3rd picture: Lola car today
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