Through arts, an individual’s mind wanders off to unfathomable places that bring them happiness. There are plenty of ways to express one’s creativity, but expressing it through building plastic scale models have been the hobby of RonaldAgulto also known as “Isamu.”
For Mr.Agulto, scale modeling is a way for some people to own luxurious cars, though smaller than the original one. Scale modeling is not only limited to building miniature cars, some kits are based on army tanks and planes, and Gundam robots.
He grew up in Baguio city and developed the love for scale modeling when he saw one of his cousins building a scale model. Since then his love for the craft started growing. His first kit was an F104 star fighter jet that did not include paint and the essential tools to properly build the model.
The intricate world of scale modeling is not easy for a rookie, so he often asked help from mentors like Kishu Punjabi, the former owner of Fil-Indian Bazaar, and Meneleo Zamora, one of the pioneers of the International Plastic Modeler’s Society-Baguio (IPMS-Baguio).
One of his most memorable builds was an F-18 fighter jet painted in a Russian splinter camouflage style which took him about 4 months to complete. To him, this was his most detailed work and this particular piece won 1st place at the IPMS national competition at 2012.
Throughout his experience in building plastic scale models, he learned that an individual must have discipline. He said that one must know when to build and when not to build because it may affect the total outcome of a model. Budgeting time and money are also vital in plastic scale modeling. He also learned to stay humble because in this craft there will always be someone better at building so he lets the people notice his works.
Sharing his knowledge with the new generation is one of the most rewarding experience for Mr.Agulto. So he when a learner asks for help, he gladly accepts and often shows them how to properly build. His passion, combined with his competitiveness, drives him to do better each day at his craft and hopefully, we will see Mr.Agulto participate in an international plastic scale modeling competition someday.
By STEPHEN TENEDERO
