2000 Honda S2000 THE PHILIPPINES’ HOTTEST S2000

The Philippines? Really? Typically when the Philippines come up in conversation around the office, it’s either about Manny Pacquiao, chicken adobo, Boracay, San Miguel beer or Jofel Tolosa.

But our regular shooter Patrick Lauder took a vacation out there and managed to track down this beautiful S2000 owned by Paolo Enriquez. The aftermarket community, while small in comparison to here, continues to grow in the Philippines. We’ve even seen a handful of other quality builds pop up such as the LS-swapped RWB Porsche featured in the September ’14 issue. While Paolo’s JDM-themed S2000 might not rival some of the builds we have stateside or in Japan, it’s tastefully done with all the right ingredients. We tip our hats to him, and we’ll let him tell you more about the scene there:

How is the tuning scene compared to everywhere else?

We could still use a lot of improvement. Our tuning technology is pretty much far off compared to the  other countries.

Is it harder to build cars in the Philippines?

Yes and no, because it really depends on the connections you have. With regards to getting car parts, yes, it’s hard. I usually wait for months before I get the things that I want for my car. Good labor is sometimes hard to find here, too. You really have to know the people whom your trusting your car to get a perfect outcome, especially for someone like me who’s a bit more meticulous when it comes to my cars.

How’d you get into cars?

When I was young, my dad used to own a 1977 Celica. I would see him modify it little by little. The whole process got me really curious and interested. I actually learned a lot just by watching him.

Why’d you want to build an S2000?

I was watching touge videos online and just saw the J’s Racing S2000. I thought how badass the car is. I knew from that day on, I had to have one. So the journey began… Haha!

[TUNING MENU]
2000 Honda S2000
OWNER PAOLO ENRIQUEZ

LOCATION PHILIPPINES

OCCUPATION TAXI OPERATOR

ENGINE J’s Racing titanium exhaust, radiator hose, spark plug cover, cylinder head cover, carbon-fiber radiator shroud; Skunk2 battery stay; Spoon radiator holder; Hard Race engine support; Mishimoto radiator; Optima battery.

DRIVETRAIN OS Giken twin-plate clutch

FOOTWORK & CHASSIS BC coilovers

BRAKES AP Racing calipers and rotors

WHEELS & TIRES 18x8.5” front, 18x9.5” rear Volk Racing CE28N wheels; 35/40R18 front, 265/35R18 rear Nitto NT555 tires.

EXTERIOR J’s Racing carbon hood, Type S front bumper, carbon canards, carbon chin spoiler, carbon side skirts, fender covers, wide fenders, carbon trunk, rear bumper and carbon 3D GT wing; Craftsquare GT side mirrors; Mugen hardtop.

INTERIOR Bride Cuga seats; Personal steering wheel; J’s Racing shift knob; Works Bell quick-release hub; Personal steering wheel; Pioneer speakers