Bandai Gundam
A History of Mechapinoy
A History of Mechapinoy
As one of the last few active original members, I would like to put down the history of Mechapinoy, if only to make sure that there will be an archived copy of our origins. Some of the details may be inaccurate, but not because of a wish to change fact – rather, this all happened more then 7 years ago, and it can be hard to recall facts from that far back.
Origin (Mechapinoy Mailing List)
The Gundam Mailing List (Mark 1) has been in operation for some time by 1999, and some Filipino members discover each other there. This leads to some greetings and other communications in the native language. One or two of the Filipino members are reminded in private that the lingua franca is English. This prompts the formation of the Mechapinoy Mailing List (MPML) on December 21, 1999.
The original members (the ones who joined in the first year of MPML’s life) were as follows:
Richard Ramos (creator of MPML)
Fed Makabenta
Charles Tan
Gomer Coronel
Garrick Lee
Benj Cabrera
Of the Original Six, the remaining active members of Mechapinoy today are Richard Ramos and Benj Cabrera. Fed Makabenta is still active from time to time, Charles Tan has moved on to other fandom and is busy with work, Gomer Coronel has become silent on the net as pertaining to Mechapinoy, and Garrick is in the same situation as Charles.
The MPML grows slowly, but by 2002, the group is already considerable in size. By this time, MPML is known to regularly meet in the Greenhills Neutral Grounds shop, courtesy of the generosity of Luigi Scarella and other Warhammer enthusiasts who are also into Gundam. Later on, Mechapinoy would find other places where they could meet (primarily either Megamall or Richard Ramos’s house, and for a short time another toy shop in Greenhills), as their growing numbers make meeting in Neutral Grounds inconvenient for all concerned.
Mechapinoy Core Group Mailing List
The MP Core Group Mailing List is created on October 18, 2002 with the following active core group (at the time) as members:
Richard Ramos (creator of MPCML)
Winn Sevilla
Garrick Lee
James Ravelo
Jake de Guzman
The MPCML is built on the concept that there should be a separate ML for those who were, at the time, the leadership of Mechapinoy.
Mechapinoy Forum / Website
On November 1, 2002, The Mechapinoy website goes up. While bare, it sets the stage for a significant transformation within Mechapinoy.
On December 29, 2002, the Mechapinoy Forum goes up, with Garrick at the helm. Gradually, activity on the MPML shifts to the Forum. Garrick, while still active at this point, gradually fades away from active participation, and is now mostly an observer.
Currently, Mechapinoy is defined as the Forum, with the two Mailing Lists serving as a backup for communication among members, just in case the Forum is rendered inaccessible.
Alliances
Mechapinoy is currently allied with the following:
Ban Kee:
Mechapinoy is most closely allied to Ban Kee, which is the official Distributor of Bandai Gundam model kits. The interaction between MP and BK started in September of 2002, with first contact via Arvin Lim (by Del Bohol, then in charge of Gundam for Ban Kee) as far as records can ascertain. To date, MP is still the official fan organization partner of Ban Kee.
IPMS-BAC:
In the world of Scale Models, IPMS-BAC is MP’s ally. Members from both have participated in meetings and builds. As of this writing, some of the key members of MP are also members of IPMS-BAC, or are allied to them also in their individual capacities. Contact was first through Israel Buenaluz in the PEx forums.
New Worlds Alliance:
New Worlds Alliance is a unified set of fan groups for many of the major sci-fi and fantasy franchises (i.e. Star Trek, Star Wars, etc…). Mechapinoy is currently a member of the Alliance, and is known as the first anime-based group within the organization.
About the Author
Bandai MG Gundam RX78-2 Ver. Ka Tutorial 1/2 ep09
|
|
Mobile Suit Gundam Wing Small Tin Lunch Box Mobile Suit Gundam Wing Small Tin Lunch Box. Licensed by Bandai. Manufactured by RIX Products, LLC. 7.75 inches in length, 6.00 inches in height, 3.25 inches in depth. With plastic, metal hinged handle and metal lid clasp…. |
|
|
MOBILE SUIT GUNDAM AGE ORIGINAL SOUNDTRACK VOL.1 $45.82 CD ALBUM… |
|
|
SD GUNDAM SANGOKUDEN BRAVE BATTLE WARRIORS O.S.T. $47.99 CD ALBUM… |
|
|
Mobile Suit Gundam: Ghiren no Yabou: Zeon no Keifu [Japan Import] $164.82 Mobile Suit Gundam: Ghiren no Yabou: Zeon no Keifu Japanese Format (NTSC-J). Box,package,… |
|
|
Gundam Wing the Movie – Endless Waltz (Edited Version) [VHS] $5.67 This three-part OAV adventure picks up one year after the conclusion of the Gundam Wing series. Earth and the Space Colonies have joined to form the Earth Sphere Unified Nation; after a brief reign as Queen, Relena Peacemaker has abdicated and is serving as a government minister. The Gundams have been hidden or sent into an orbit that impacts with the sun. The fragile peace is shattered when th… |
|
|
Mobile Suit Gundam – Movie III (Encounters in Space) [VHS] $9.74 Although it reprises events from episodes 31 to 43 of Yoshiyuki Tomino’s landmark TV series Mobile Suit Gundam (1979), Encounters in Space contains almost 70 percent new animation. Amuro’s “NewType” psychic powers come to the fore as he meets Lalah, a lovely NewType whose powerful abilities are exploited by Zeon captain Char Aznable. The struggles between the space-based Principality of Zeon and t… |
|
|
Gundam BB-358 Gengan Gundam $7.99 The newest SD (super-deformed) Gundam model kit from Bandai is the Genga Gundam. Only 4 runners of parts already molded in colour means that assembly is simple and quick with excellent results. Marking sticker sheet included. |
|
|
Gundam SD-245 Devil Gundam $10.5 Bandai’s “BB Senshi” line of SD Gundam kits (SD stands for “Super Deformed”) are cute little interpretations of machines from the various Gundam anime series. Kits are molded in color and feature easy snap-assembly, suitable for young kids. Stickers are included, too. Finished kit stands about 5-6cm high. |
|
|
Gundam BB-359 Ryoutou Gundam $7.99 Part of the Sangokuden Gaiden, the newest SD (super-deformed) Gundam model kit from Bandai is the Ryoutou Gundam. Only 4 runners of parts already molded in colour means that assembly is simple and quick with excellent results. Marking sticker sheet included. |
|
|
Gundam Seed Destiny MSIA Strike Freedom Gundam Action Figure $41.95 Gundam Seed Destiny MSIA Strike Freedom Gundam Action Figure mesure approx 5" tall made by Bandai |
|
|
Bandai SD Gundam No.366 Wing Gundam EW Model Kit $13.95 The BB version of the Wing Gundam from Endess Waltz in four runners (That's right! Four runners for an SD!) and includes foil marking stickers and even a display stand! |
