This Dad And Son Bond Over P25M Vintage Car Collection

Rainier and Clark Salonga may seem like your average father and son, but they have a unique hobby that sets them apart. Together, they own a vintage car collection worth P25 million.

"Mga year 2005, gusto ko na talaga noon magkaroon ng old cars," Rainier tells Summit Media's OG Team, "kasi nakikita ko yung sa mga kaibigan ng tatay ko. Meron silang mga lumang cars, [at] natutuwa ako. So we started in 2005 maghanap [ng vintage cars].

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From playing with toy cars to restoring old cars

Seeing his father tinker with old cars while growing up, Clark naturally developed an interest in them. He went from playing with toy cars to restoring vintage cars.

"Doon nag-start, sa laruan-laruan lang," Clark says. "Tapos noong nakikita kong nagbi-build-build siya, nagre-restore siya, ang galing [pala] ng process niya ng pagre-restore."

Clark remembers the moment he got his first car, a gray 1982 BMW E-21, as if it were just yesterday. His dad was visiting a friend when he spotted the vehicle and decided to give it as a present to Clark. It would also be Clark's first restoration project.

"Nung kinuha namin ni Daddy, sakto, binigay niya sa 'kin," Clark recalls. "Ako na raw [ang] mag-restore."

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An expensive hobby

Just like other people restoring vintage cars, Rainier had to ask for help at first from those who were more experienced at it.

"Later on ka na lang matututong mag-restore by yourself, through experiences do'n sa others na magagaling mag-restore," he says.

It's also an expensive hobby that takes time. Sometimes, it takes Rainier years before he finds his next car. But the wait is worth it, especially as the vehicles' value doubles once they are restored.

It's no surprise that since 2010, Rainier has amassed a collection worth approximately P25 million pesos. "Appreciation siguro before mga P12 million, so mga nakaka-walong milyon na rin kare-restore," Rainier reveals. "Pero ang mga collector kasi at 'yang mga nagre-restore, minsan hindi mo na kasi napapansin yung presyo dahil nag-e-enjoy ka na."

'Pag 'di mo passion, maiinis ka, maiinip ka.

While enthusiasts should relish the experience of restoring cars, Rainier also cautions that they should be realistic and practical.

"'Pag ginawa ninyo 'yan, [dapat] 'wag makaapekto sa real budget ninyo, and enjoy it," he says.

"Always 'yong excess money lang, and don't rush things. Slowly lang. Ang restoration, hindi 'yan mabilisan. Hindi 'yan madalian."

"Kasi 'pag 'di mo passion, maiinis ka, maiinip ka," Clark adds. "Laging sinasabi ni Daddy na 'Hintay ka lang. Tapos 'yong resulta naman magiging happy ka diyan.'

"At sa process hindi nai-i-stress [si Daddy]. Lagi lang siyang chill."

Quality bonding time

More than anything, though, it's the chance Rainier gets to have quality bonding time with Clark. "'Yong pinakamasarap dito na pangyayari is kasama ko yung anak ko," he says. "Minsan lilinisin  lang [namin] 'yong auto and then nagkukuwentuhan na.

"'Yong auto, nagiging isang medium [o] opening ng door sa anak mo [para] maging closer kayo."

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