My Philippine Hyundai Getz, Gina, may be joined by a new member of the family, if all bodes well.

My mother’s up for a new car, but she’s significantly hampered by budget. I’m trying to convince her to go for the Chery QQ, which is within her budget range and perfect for the budget-conscious woman who travels by herself. The Chery QQ is compact, fuel-efficient, and kinda cute in a girly way. Nothing like my Hyundai Getz, Gina, but it’s either that or the Suzuki Alto, and there’s a Php30,000 difference between the Alto’s MT and the QQ’s AT… in favor of the Chery.

Of course, if my mother buys that car, you can bet I’ll set up a blog for her as well. Lord knows there is NO Chery Philippines information online right now. No website, no price lists, nothing. So there’s a golden PR opportunity right there to bring tons of Chery information to a demanding public. Will we see a “Chery QQ Philippines: Life with QuyQuy” (pronounced ‘kooy kooy’) blog on GannsDeen.com in the not-so-distant future? Maybe. Meanwhile, folks at Chery Philippines, why not give this Philippines Hyundai Getz lover a call and let’s talk, because my mom is thisclose to buying a car from you.

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!