Jerb Sagmit, a circuit racer and a shop owner from Taguig, joined Nabangya Nights to show off his scooter build. He added: “This is where our money goes. For us, this is fun and fulfilling. We build racing scooters because this is our passion. We don’t take it on the streets, but we started to create a scooter community that takes it on the track.”

The ’90s street culture—marked by such colloquialisms as “tropapips” and “lespu”—continues to influence contemporary street culture. Events like “Nabangya Nights” (or “Yabangan Nights”) showcase Filipino creativity and camaraderie in the scooter scene. This cultural heritage remains an integral part of Filipino identity, celebrating self-expression.

The event’s focus on custom scooters highlighted “End Game” builds referring to maxed-out expensive parts put into the scooter. Participants poured their hard-earned money into building unique builds; some may reach nearly a million pesos on parts alone.

Entry-level parts could be found for as low as P30,000 (“budget-meal”), making the hobby accessible to enthusiasts from various backgrounds.

In the heart of Mandaluyong’s Greenfield District, a unique gathering of motorcycle enthusiasts took place at the Mayflower parking lot. The event, centered around circuit racing concept scooters, showcased the thriving subculture of the scooter custom scene. Hundreds of participants—ranging from teenagers to young adults—came together to celebrate their shared passion.

The event featured high-end displays of custom NMax, Aerox, PCX and other popular Japanese scooters, with participants showcasing their individuality.

Brands like Team Graphitee, Ryzen Helmets, HGHMNDS Clothing, and Michelin Tires were among the sponsors, adding to the excitement of the gathering. The atmosphere was lively, with hip-hop music and streetwear-inspired outfits dominating the scene.

Upgrading scooters could be therapeutic. For some people, creating something out of their hard-earned money is pure bliss. Changing something on your vehicle is creating a different experience or enhancing a certain feeling. It could be ridiculously expensive, but sometimes it’s not just the result but the entire process that makes it worthwhile.