VESPA, the Italian transport icon from the mid-1940s rolled out in style during the opening of the Pilipinas Vespa Days 2024 on Saturday morning at the Clark Museum where an exhibit of vintage and new scooters will be held on November 16-24, 2024.
Vespa scooters define “freedom,” according to enthusiast Abet Rana, proud owner of a 1998 PX150 Arcobaleno, which has already made trips in the three main islands of the Philippines. “It’s the wind on your face,” said Rana describing the experience of owning and driving a Vespa scooter. Rana together with members of the Vespa Club of the Philippines had assembled more than 20 vintage and new scooters at the Clark Museum. And more are set to arrive.
At least 500 Vespa owners had signified their intention to participate in the Pilipinas Vespa Days 2024 inside the sprawling Clark Freeport Zone. The Vespa Club of the Philippines has some 2,000 members all over the country.
Among the vintage Vespa scooters currently on display in Clark include a 1951 Faro Basso 125, 1957 GS 150 VS3, 1966 Super150, 1948 Faro Basso “Rod” 125, 1947 Veapa 98, 1950 Faro Basso V30T, to the modern 2024 GTV of MotoItalia Philippines Inc.
Thezzy Chan, National Secretary of Vespa Club of the Phillippines, has described the “thrill” of driving a Vespa scooter. Chan has attended the four-day Vespa World Days in Pontodera, Italy, in commemoration of the 140th Piaggio Group Anniversary, maker of the Vespa scooter which first rolled out in 1946 just after World War II.
Chan together with 30 other Filipino Vespa enthusiasts visited the birthplace of Vespa in Pontodera and rented vintage Vespas to embark in a six-hour tour to various destinations.
Chan has proudly brought with her the Philippines flag which was attached to the Vespa scooter while crisscrossing the streets of Italy.
The Vespa Club of the Philippines has already made their intention to host the Vespa World Days 2027 in Clark Freeport Zone, where the Clark Development Corporation had recently made known its intention to promote “automotive tourism” in the area.
CDC President and CEO Atty Agnes VST Devanadera said she will support the bid of the Vespa Club of the Philippines to host the Vespa World Days in the Clark Freeport Zone which coincides with its 70th anniversary.
Devanadera said the presence of various hotels in Clark and its encompassing areas will be able to accommodate the influx of foreign and local visitors. The last Vespa World Days in Asia was held in Bali, Indonesia.