WE can’t help but admire how the legendary jeepney has found its way even to the remotest regions of the country.

Take the case of those in the El Nido airport in Palawan where we were taken by Toyota Motor Philippines as part of the Road Trek 4 event last week. The jeepneys that transported us to and from El Nido Resorts and the airport can be compared with those that are plying the Makati loop area.

They were colorful and huge enough to accommodate more than 20 passengers at a given time. Although the air-conditioning system had conked out, you can’t feel the heat inside because of the gusts of wind in the area. You don’t have to crouch when entering the vehicle since the door and roof are so high. Even a tall basketball player can walk inside without having to bow his head.

WITH the way the people at the El Nido Resorts in Palawan manage the conservation of the islands, it’s no wonder that international conservation groups are all praises for their work.

Everywhere you go, guests are reminded of environment conservation. You won’t see any garbage lying around, especially on the beach. At the Miniloc Island, where we stayed for two nights and three days, giant Jack Fish can be seen very near the pier and even swim along with the divers.

All the personnel in the island are well-informed, gracious and attentive. Living on the said island for even three days was like experiencing what it’s like to live in paradise the whole year round. Given the opportunity, I would love to go back to the place again!

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WHAT, a brand-new Toyota Innova or Avanza for less than P200 a day?

That’s what Toyota Motor Philippines is saying as it continues to give motorists a treat in the sizzling heat of summer.

These two multipurpose vehicles (MPV) have been consistent bestsellers in the country. The Innova raked in a whopping 32.7 percent of the MPV sales with 2,512 units sold for March, while the Avanza had 18 percent with 1,385 units sold, based on the reports from the Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines Inc. (Campi).

Toyota now offers all Innova and Avanza variants at affordable rates. For the Innova gas variants, the Toyota Savings Plus (TSP) is worth P50,000 while the diesel variants is P30,000. The TSP can be used for Toyota Financial Services (TFS) financing packages, accessories, chattel mortgage, LTO registration or discounts. Through the TFS financing scheme, one can purchase an Innova for as low as P233.53 a day for 72 months with a 50-percent down payment of P381,500.

The Avanza 1.3 J M/T is available through an affordable TFS financing scheme of only P197.33 a day for 72 months with a 50-percent down payment of P296,000. The promo ends on April 30.

Toyota’s intelligent variable valve-timing system or VVT-i is now standard equipment on the petrol engines on a number of locally built and imported Toyota cars. VVT-i improves the way Toyota’s engines breathe in order to provide optimum fuel economy performance and responsiveness and lower emissions.

VVT-i makes optimum use of two different aspects of a petrol engine’s operation.  When climbing hills, it improves the engine’s volumetric efficiency or the work done from each milliliter of fuel. When the engine is idling, it varies what is called the valve overlap—the period when the exhaust valves are closing and the inlet valves are opening.  The 3.5-liter V6 variant of the Camry is powered by dual VVT-i technology, which enhances driving fun while improving environmental performance. The introduction of this state-of-the-art system in the 2006 2GR-FE engine considerably improves engine performance, provides excellent fuel economy and reduces exhaust emissions.  So, while the Camry’s 3.5-liter engine provides maximum output of 277 ps at 6,200 rpm and maximum torque of 346 Nm at 4,700 rpm, it maximizes petrol usage and remains friendly to the environment.

Toyota’s VVT-i is present in its vehicle lineup, which includes the Yaris, Vios, Camry, the all-new Corolla Altis, Avanza, Previa, RAV4, as well as the gasoline-fed variants of the Innova, Hilux and Fortuner.

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SUMMER road trippers were recently treated to a unique display of vintage cars, courtesy of Magnolia Pure Drinking water. The vehicles toured gas stations along the North and South Luzon Expressways where cool summer items were given away to motorists who purchased the latest quality products from San Miguel Beverages Inc., a subsidiary of San Miguel Corp.

IT is an undeniable truth when one says that the bond between man and machine is almost intimate, especially for those who have the means to turn such a passion into something that reflects one’s personal touch and enthusiasm—an art figure called an automobile.

FINALLY, we found religion. Or as Toyota Motors Philippines’ first vice president Danny Isla said, “If after traveling the Philippine natural wonders one does not become overwhelmed, at least one would believe there is a God.”

Sheer magnificence

IT was one helluva event.

The circuitous but very comfortable ride aboard the all-new Toyota Altis and Toyota Vios during the first of four days was simply an eye-opener for this writer as we traveled the eastern corridor of the metropolis.

4th edition is hardest to surpass

THE recently completed Toyota Road Trek 4 was an event for motoring journalists-dominated media persons that will remain indescribable days—even weeks, I guess—after it ended.

Eyes on the Road: That island paradise

WE can’t help but admire how the legendary jeepney has found its way even to the remotest regions of the country.

Full Tank: Cars, quality and taxes don’t mix in Subic

AGAIN, I just bumped into some interesting items found in the much-respected, US-based Consumer Reports surveys on cars sold in the US.

Extra room for LPG options

ARGUABLY the most cost-effective alternative fuel nowadays is liquefied petroleum gas (LPG). There’s no need to convert sugar or corn into ethanol and no need for complex electrical or hydrogen-powered reciprocating engines.