For just a brief while, let’s digress from our favorite Philippine Hyundai Getz, and talk very briefly about my first love, the Volkswagen Beetle.

To your left, you can see what my a portion of my desk at my day job looks like. A glass frame features a photo of me and my daughter - the other side of the glass frame shows a photo of me and my son - surrounded by three lovely handpainted classic Volkswagen Beetle magnets. To the right of the frame, a Lipton Get-in-the-Zone mug plays host to four totally adorable Volkswagen New Beetle pens.

(By the way, all these Beetle merchandise can be bought on ebay.ph. Simply click here to visit the user profile of one mandygirl119 who sells Beetle-related merchandise in the Philippines. Products are all Beetle collectibles, and not that expensive; she, on the other hand, is absolutely delightful to talk to, and very easy to do business with.)

I’ve always wanted my own Volkswagen Beetle, ever since I was a little boy. There was something about this scrappy little car that spoke to me. Of course, its reputation as a car that just wouldn’t quit, made me want it even more. It’s fuel-efficient, it can drive through floods - Cathy’s ob-gyn literally drove it through one and it didn’t conk out - with ease, and it’s easy on the eyes. Come on, let’s face it, the Beetle(new or classic) is a cute car! If maintained well, the Beetle will serve you well it runs into the ground.

If one had anything upwards of PHP100,000 to spare, one could find a more-than-decent Bug for sale on Tsikot.com or even ebay.ph. As for me, well, owning my own Beetle will still have to remain a pipe dream. Meanwhile, Gina’s looking suh-weet, and with a chance to smoke her headlights looming in the not-so-distant future, I have to admit life, right now, is as good as it Getz!