Posted with the permission of Mr. Ryan Paul Mojica. (Edits have been made to translate to full English for our international audience)
I remember 6-7 years ago, every afternoon in the office, I make it a point to open the website called “Kotse Audio Club”, otherwise known as “KAC” (handle name iceman16).The site was pretty active then. Members of the site proudly post their creations, audio setups and gears. I remember back then that they enumerate what their gears were. I was like, “what’s this?”
There are others that are students of the audio industry who place their queries in one of the site’s section with audio gurus patiently answering them one by one.
I’m one of those students.
I started as a lurker. Looking at the pictures nang mga oto na mga naka setup sa KAC site. Then I used to see the names of Tita Elco, Master Poying, Mickeys, Jetcar, Project AI, Rockman, MASPRO, Phataudio, C&J, Quest, Candyshop and the like. I told myself, who are these guys? They’re probably really famous.
Years passed, people started upgrading their systems while me, still a lurker. Then finally, a friend of mine gave me an amplifier, a V12 4 channel color blue. He mentioned, “it’s yours if you can get it to work.”
I was really excited with my first audio gear. I immediately went to BF Paranaque to have it tested. The tech told me “sir sorry, this is busted. it went under in a flood.”. I’m like, “really???, sir maybe you can still do something about it.”
To cut the long story short, I went home, i left the amp at the shop to be made a paper weight. In my anger, i just had my car washed instead.
While waiting for my car to be finished, I saw an audio shop nearby.
I asked the seller, “boss, do you have a V12 amplifier, the one with a fan and color red?I was told that the ones with fans put out more power. The one that does 2,000 watts ok?”
The man said, boss yes, i have.
How about that big speaker? What do you call that? The man told me,”that’s a subwoofer.” It’s powerful! 1,000 watts! I’m like ok, can i take a look?
And that is all where it started.
I have a pair of speakers ( separates -Kicker) an amp and sub. I had it installed and tested.
While the installers are creating the sub box, I told myself “I’m going to be able to post on KAC, and I’ll finally get to know them. In my excitement, i left the shop forgeting to pay for my gear and install. Good thing it was traffic and the installer was able to catch up with me. hehehe.
I started taking pictures of my setup assuming that I can have it posted on the KAC page.
Unfortunately, I couldn’t post because of a user restriction. Bad Trip.
After a year using and multiple change of gears, I finally learned where Banawe is. I had my friends stroll around the area to look for good and cheap installers.
Then I came across Candyshop.
I went inside the shop and no one was there. Then there was this lady (the secretary) approached me and said “ yes boss, how can i help you?” I proudly answered “ I’m looking for a package, i like JBL, do you guys have that?” The lady gladly replied “Yes sir, we do.” Then I said how much? She told me the price and said, Ok ma’m, i’ll come back for it.
The lady that I was referring to was Ate Leah.
While we are on our way back to the south, my speakers broke down (i always played them on max volume!). Then my friend told me, “Why don’t you try Candshop?” I told him “Because its expensive.”. He said, “Just ask them.”
We searched Candyshop’s posts on the KAC site to get their number. As soon as we found it, I immediately gave them a call.
“Hello, is this Candyshop?”. The man replied “YEAH this is Candyshop t”.
I said “I want to have speakers done, how much will it cost?” He politely replied with his price. After much discussion, we both agreed on the day and time of meetup at his shop.
Unknowingly, this would be the start of something big, both for me and for the shop.
Of course, the man I’m talking to is the Candyman himself, Noggyrolla.
Fast forward to today, never in my wildest dreams that I would come to this. Being part of the EMMA competition is unimaginable, impossible and unbelievable (I thought only elite participants are welcome hehe).
The competition taught me a lot. The experience is unforgettable.
The quiet and snobbish yet, talented installer has a lot of tricks under his sleeves. This person, who started as my normal installer turned out to be my kumpare (I’m the Godfather to his eldest son), and most importantly a good friend.
Again, what do you expect from a kid who grew up here in the south, without any knowledge on audio systems, just pure admiration on the gears and setups at KAC, having separates and KICKER ES and V12 as my first gears and being inquisitive in asking questions to audio gurus?
Now, I’m an EMMA ESQL Champion. Humbled, happy and blessed.
Arnold Nogs Yang, thank you parekoy for the unending support. I told you we could do it! hehehe our sleepless nights and exhaustion paid off! I only realized now that we’ve been through a lot together.
To the competitors, my hats off to all of you. Until now, I hold you all with high esteem.
To the people that I get to know and some of you became my friends, tem mates and mentors, Many thanks to all of you.
And lastly, all of these will not be achieved without the help and support of my wife, Mapoy. Thank you for choosing my winning song.I’m still a student of music.
This is one for the books. See you all on the second leg!
To the organizers of EMMA Philippines, good job guys. A very well organized respected event.
Oh and yes, the people and shops that I have mentioned above, I’ve became very good friends with them. I still have the same respect as i always have. They are the pioneers of our industry.
Dream big. Focus. Determination. Respect.
