Philippine made cues ...

[chokenstroke]

I just red some posts sbout cues made in the Philippines and got to thinking.
Those people are not dumb and are fully capable of learning the skills required to make very good pool cues. I think in the past that they were using poor equipment and low quality materials and poor methods to make their cues. Things are changing as some American cuemakers are providing equipment and training and the quality is improving rapidly. Using the same materials and methods as the American cuemakers the Philippine cuemaker can produce a quality labor intense cue at one third the price of its American conterpart. Of course the problem is being able to tell what is inside the cue you are looking at and if the materials used were indeed of high quality. I forsee a day that the Philippine made cues will be as well made and valued as anything made today in America. We the cue buying public at large are the ones to benifet the most as we will get a great product at a reasonable price. The downside is that it will drive some American cuemakers out of the cuemaking business but that might not be such a bad thing as there is a cuemaker in just about every pool hall now selling his wares {grin}.

 

[((VH))]

Cuemaking has gone global since pool has become popular around the world and the demand for cues increased.

First and foremost, quality should be of primary importance, anywhere a cue is made. Just be weary of those who come in just for the business side of things. There will be cuemakers and so called cuemakers... unless the person you are talking to is the one who is actually building your cue. IMO, anyone who wants to go into this kind of endeavour should be building their own cues. It protects the sancity and integrity of cuemaking. Otherwise, it's just gonna saturate itself and bring everyone down. Being the boss with the money and having someone or hiring someone to build cues for your name ain't my cup of tea.

ER aka Bandido is from the Philippines and I believe he is the primary exponent in modern cuebuilding in that country. You could check out his cues on the cues page. Great pics.

 

[bandido]

Thank you for the comment ((VH)). It has been a long and hard climb as I have tried teaching since 1996. This went on and off 'til about 2001 since I've been traveling between here, Japan and US during the said period. I am/was considered as an outsider of the cuemaking industry here since I started and practiced the craft in the US and ego and unfamiliarity "What's he talking about?" kinda thing was and still is hard to conquer.

I wouldn't say that the cue prices will be drastically affected if cues from the "locally originated" cuemakers are finally deemed up to par by the international market though. This is because of the cost to produce such level cues require importing raw materials, that are widely accepted by the international market, plus the "proper" equipment do add to "production cost". Should the unusual phenomenon, colonial mentality, be overcome and ceasation(sp) from copying existing designs (bothers me a lot) happen then the advantage that I'm sure that will be appreciated is the handcrafting of the aesthetic part of the cue.
Edwin Reyes

 

[WilleeCue]

Thank you for the comment ((VH)).

He is not the only one that thinks your cues are of the same high quality as any American made cue. I know the high regaurd you have for the craft and anything you produce is quality. The cues you make are highly regarded as some of the best cue work from the best cuemakers alive today. I know you are to humble to say something like that but every now and then it should be said.

No brag ... just fact.

 

[Gerald]

It is apparent from the appearance of your cues that you are extremely creative. Also your recent posts as well as your answers to other cuemakers questions or misstatements and especially your recent x-rays show that there can be no questioning your knowledge and dedication to the integrity of your cues. As for those that find it necessary to copy your designs it is often said that copying is the greatest form of flattery, but it is a greater condemnation of the copiers and their and their lack integrity and creativeness. Keep leading the peck.

 

[bandido]

As Edwin Reyes, I am floored and thank you both for the compliments. As an individual who enjoys the intricacies and appreciates the finer and not so fine points of the craft, I just have to meet the faces behind the names. I sense that it will be highly memorable, enjoyable and educating for me with or without discussing cuecrafting.
Edwin Reyes

 

[parvus1202]

As Edwin Reyes, I am floored and thank you both for the compliments. As an individual who enjoys the intricacies and appreciates the finer and not so fine points of the craft, I just have to meet the faces behind the names. I sense that it will be highly memorable, enjoyable and educating for me with or without discussing cuecrafting.
Edwin Reyes

I will be travelling to the Philppines 13th of July,( for my yearly holiday break ) I want to see your cues. Can you tell me where I can purchase them? Also, is WPC be seen on TV?
Alright mate, see your cues later.

 

[bandido]

I will be travelling to the Philppines 13th of July,( for my yearly holiday break ) I want to see your cues. Can you tell me where I can purchase them? Also, is WPC be seen on TV?
Alright mate, see your cues later.

It's going to be shown here live. Just ask any local in any poolhall here for my number. I'll show you around town when we get together.

 

[parvus1202]

It's going to be shown here live. Just ask any local in any poolhall here for my number. I'll show you around town when we get together.

Can you give an example place? Somewhere in Manila. I don't know that much poolhalls now. So I will just ask for Bandido? Or they know you by Edwin Reyes, the cue maker.

 

[bandido]

Can you give an example place? Somewhere in Manila. I don't know that much poolhalls now. So I will just ask for Bandido? Or they know you by Edwin Reyes, the cue maker.

The later, check your PM.

 

[diablo]

i agree

Thank you for the comment ((VH)).

He is not the only one that thinks your cues are of the same high quality as any American made cue. I know the high regaurd you have for the craft and anything you produce is quality. The cues you make are highly regarded as some of the best cue work from the best cuemakers alive today. I know you are to humble to say something like that but every now and then it should be said.

No brag ... just fact.

hi!

i totally agree with how you look at bandido as a cuemaker and as a person. i for one have his famous cue and i was blown away by the innovation he made and contributed in cuemaking here in out of the philippines when he came out with his famous ER 240 laminated shafts. his ideas are always fresh and well supported by his vast knowledge. sad to say there are some detractors here and abroad who want to put this man down. funny because bandido's vast and advance knowledge sometimes would be the issues which detractors would thrive at to put this man down,gees!
i for one was witness to mr. reyes' humility, accomodation to clients, the knowledge he has that supports his craft. i remember he took me around town the first time we met. played some pool to test the cue i just bought from him, and when i was in town for the 2nd time around, he even invited me for lunch at his house when i was there. which goes to show how he creates a bond with his clients, although he frequents overseas, bandido is very filipino at heart that's where he gets his humility and hospitaltiy, i would say bandido is an epitome of the new generation of cuemakers. period!

 

[CebuanoNiNoy]

Bandido,

I am from Philippines too, but i would like to know if you have
cues on display here in Cebu City. Im from Cebu and would be very
interested and glad to see your cue up close. Secondly how much
would it cost or at least the range of price for your cues on
Philippine pesos.

Thanks in advance.