23/07/2026
𝐅𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐚ñ𝐚𝐪𝐮𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐏𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐚
My Vespa World Days Journey
I've been a Vespa enthusiast ever since I bought my very first scooter—or so I thought.
Little did I know that the scooter I bought back in 2018 was actually a 200cc four-stroke LML. Honestly, I didn't even know the difference at the time. To me, it looked just like a Vespa. I found it on Facebook Marketplace and, without much thought, rode it all the way home from Biñan to Parañaque.
I still remember that ride vividly.
I was nervous the entire way, carefully taking every turn and riding painfully slow, afraid of making a mistake. But I also remember how unbelievably cool I felt riding that scooter. Looking back now, that ride unknowingly marked the beginning of a journey that would eventually take me halfway across the world.
Not long after, I attended my very first Vespa meetup at Coffee Project in Posadas Village, Sucat. I met a lot of people that day—many of whom are still riding Vespas today, while others have long since left the scooterist life behind.
Fast forward to today, and I can confidently say I'm a seasoned rider—not an expert, but an experienced Vespisti.
I've gone through the expensive engine builds, countless accessories, premium repaints, and unforgettable long-distance rides across the Philippines—from Manila to Baler, La Union, Boracay, Bacolod, and Dumaguete. The stories are endless, but what has remained constant is the camaraderie. The people I rode with years ago are still friends today, and that, to me, is one of the greatest things Vespa has given me.
Through the years, I've also been fortunate enough to own different Vespas: my LML 200 four-stroke, a fully built 192cc Zelioni Primavera, a mighty 2013 GTS 300, the timeless PX150, and even a Vespa 50 Smallframe.
Today, my stable consists of a 2024 GTV in Tan and Orange, a PX150, and a PX200—my trusted "horses"... or perhaps more fittingly, my loyal "wasps."
Who would've thought that all of this would eventually lead me here—to Europe, to Italy, the birthplace of Vespa, and to the Eternal City of Rome?
There is so much to unpack from this journey, and even more realizations that came with it.
This opportunity came because of Mr. Eugene Buenaventura of Scooter Depot, who invited me to join him for Vespa World Days. Eugene, ever the salesman, convinced us that this would be the grandest and most unforgettable Vespa World Days ever—the 80th Anniversary.
"Otto Decenni!" he kept reminding us.
His reasoning was simple: we're still young enough to survive the relentless schedule, the long rides, the sleepless nights, and everything that comes with the world's biggest Vespa gathering.
Personally, I think he's selling himself short. Judging by how he kept up with everyone throughout the trip, I don't think age is catching him anytime soon.
One of the best parts of this journey was the people I shared it with.
Some were friends I'd ridden with before. Others were people I'd only met through business. Some I had known only briefly. Yet somehow, we all clicked from day one.
It felt as though we were soldiers storming the beaches of Normandy—except this time, our battlefield was Rome, our weapon of choice was a Vespa, and our mission was adventure.
Now that Vespa World Days has officially concluded, I proudly call these people my Vespa brethren:
Martin Lazatin, Martin Buenaventura, Pico Buenaventura, Vino Buenaventura, Noel Batac, Igo Pulido (108 Apollo Garage), Vince Tagle (RideManila), Jeric Delgado, Arvs Alfonso (Piaggio Philippines), Harvey and Rachel Sih (Noli Cycles & Vespa Sta. Cruz).
A special shoutout as well to our friends who couldn't make the trip—Jok Vega and Bunso. You were definitely missed.
Our adventure wasn't limited to Vespa World Days itself.
Outside the official festivities, we explored Italy the best way possible—on our Vespas.
We rode through the historic streets of Rome, visiting the Trevi Fountain, the Pantheon, Piazza Navona, the Colosseum, Janiculum Hill, the Catacombs, and Garibaldi. We carved through winding roads to Lake Albano and Castel Gandolfo, the Pope's summer residence, where every turn reminded us that some of the best destinations are found on two wheels.
But no pilgrimage for a Vespisti would ever be complete without making the journey to Pontedera—the birthplace of Vespa itself.
Walking through the Vespa Museum was surreal. Every scooter, every design evolution, every story on display represented decades of freedom, craftsmanship, and culture. It wasn't just a museum; it was a celebration of an icon that has connected millions of riders around the world.
Then came the moment every Vespisti dreams of: stepping inside the Piaggio Factory.
To witness where generations of Vespas have been designed, assembled, and brought to life was an experience that's difficult to put into words. It felt like visiting sacred ground—a place where history continues to be written every single day.
From Pontedera, we made our way to nearby Pisa.
Standing before the Leaning Tower of Pisa was one of those moments where reality catches up with your imagination. It's one thing to see it in photographs; it's another to stand beneath it after arriving on the very machine whose story began just a few kilometers away. Somehow, the journey from Rome to Pontedera and finally to Pisa felt like the perfect ending to an unforgettable road trip.
And as if the trip couldn't get any better, we had the chance to ride alongside the rockstars of the Vespa world—SIP Scootershop Germany—during the grand parade, proudly waving our Philippine flag through the historic streets of Rome.
It was one of those moments that words simply cannot do justice.
A few realizations after attending Vespa World Days:
If you're a true Vespisti, the two-stroke will always have a special place in your heart.
If you don't own one yet, aspire to.
The cleanest Vespas are usually the ones that get dirty. They're meant to be ridden, not just displayed.
Vespa people are genuinely good people. This isn't just a hobby—it's a community.
If you're attending Vespa World Days, bring lots and lots of stickers, patches, and emblems. Trust me.
You don't need to belong to a national club to experience Vespa World Days. I attended independently and had the time of my life.
If you're a Vespa enthusiast, make it a goal to attend this event at least once in your lifetime. It's made by Vespisti, for Vespisti.
As I sat on the flight home, I found myself thinking about that nervous ride back in 2018—from Biñan to Parañaque—when I barely knew what I was riding.
I thought I was simply buying a scooter.
What I was really buying was a passport to friendships, adventures, countless kilometers of memories, and a community that stretches far beyond borders.
From Parañaque to Pontedera, Vespa has never just been about the machine.
It has always been about the journey.
So the next time I see a fellow Vespisti on the road, I'll do what we've always done.
Throw a V sign.
Ciao! Arrivederci! 🇵🇭🛵🇮🇹
The last photo was the LML I was talking about.
