IPMS Philippines Club History
From Humble Beginnings
The hobby of scale modeling began in the Philippines during the American occupation, when American and Filipino hobbyists built plastic and wooden kits. Popular brands like Revell, Monogram, and Aurora were easily found. The Japanese invasion of the market in the 1970s and 1980s, led by companies like Tamiya, Bandai, and Otaki, drastically increased the variety and availability of kits. The hobby grew, but finding supplies like paint and brushes remained difficult.
The idea of starting a scale modeling club was sparked by Bert Anido, a businessman and avid modeler. He had a large collection and was a member of clubs in both the United Kingdom and the USA. Bert met with a group of friends and fellow modelers at his residence to create a formal club. On November 6, 2008, he and a handful of friends founded the club to provide a space for fellow Filipino modelers.
Growth and Legacy
Bert worked hard to make the club more than just an organization; he wanted it to be a family where members could share their skills and improve their craft. The club aimed to show that Filipino modelers were world-class. Even after he was no longer an officer, Bert’s dedication and perseverance kept the club from fading into obscurity.
In 2002, the club decided to hold its first National Scale Modeling Competition, or Nationals for short. It was a huge success, attracting modelers from all over the country and serving as a venue for promoting the hobby. After Bert passed away, the club was renamed IPMS Philippines Bert Anido to honor its founder.
The club is dedicated to its members and continues to foster a sense of camaraderie. In June 2007, they held their 5th Nationals, where they honored Bert by renaming the club to “IPMS Philippines Bert Anido”. Tamiya, a major modeling company, was a sponsor. Vladimir Sulc, the chairman of Eduard Models, was also present and was impressed by the quality of the entries. He donated several Knight’s Crosses to the club’s most dedicated members. The club also conferred honorary memberships and gifted t-shirts to representatives from various manufacturers.
The goal of the Nationals is to build camaraderie among modelers and provide a space for Filipino talent to be showcased. It has become the most anticipated scale modeling event in the country. The club encourages all members to face new challenges and continue to improve, honoring Bert’s legacy.
