Carry-all capability? A gigantic rock seems to be balanced on top of the Ranger.

‘OH, no.  Not another endurance run!” Those were the words that this writer almost uttered after receiving an invitation to participate in the ongoing “Fearless: The Ford Ranger Extreme Drive,” which began on April 17 and will end on May 9.

As fate would have it, this writer was given a slot on the first leg alongside the team composed of Top Gear off-road editor and 4x4 instructor Beeboy Vargas, action photographer Chino Acosta, professional 4x4 drivers JJ Suarez and Paul Suarez, as well as Philippine 4x4 champion Larry Mendiola.  Aside from this writer, Cris Datol of Manila Bulletin and Cruising Magazine, Ogilvy PR’s Karla Tecson, Island Caravan’s Tina Decal and Ruby Fajardo also joined the three-vehicle convoy that took off from the Ford plant in Santa Rosa, Laguna, on April 17.

Ever the skeptic (an attitude that was further bolstered as I had to get up not necessarily bright but definitely early for the sendoff), this writer couldn’t help but ask: “What else could a long trip prove about the new Ranger that hasn’t yet been demonstrated during the launch and a test drive conducted earlier this year?” As it turned out—a lot!

Heed the sign The Ranger rounds a bend in the Quezon National Park.

According to Ford Group Philippines, the Ranger is among the Philippines’ most popular one-ton pickup trucks and the only one equipped with a “Built Ford Tough” DNA and flexibility as a “Can-Do Business” and “Can-Do Lifestyle” vehicle.

The company also says that the “Fearless” long-distance run, which will traverse the entire archipelago, was organized to “demonstrate its [the Ranger’s] best-in-class capabilities, including durability, reliability, fuel efficiency and versatility.” And to prove it, Ford says the vehicle will run for 23 days, encountering all types of terrain and undergoing all kinds of challenges. The Ranger will also make stops at the various dealerships across the country to allow local residents to get familiar with the Ford Ranger.

After the perfunctory photo shoot and words of encouragement from Ford Group Philippines president Richard Baker, marketing and sales vice president Gerry Alejandro and Asean brand manager Tonette Lee, the vehicles and their occupants left Santa Rosa to begin their journey.

Mayon and the machine Our dependable steed poses atop Linon Hill in Albay and with Mayon Volcano in the background.

Day One saw the convoy take a circuitous route through the Southern Tagalog region, where we stopped at several checkpoints for more photo shoots.  Our first rest halt was at the Ford dealership in Damariñas, Cavite, where we received a warm welcome by its personnel. From there, we zipped through Laguna and then onto Tiaong, Quezon, where we stopped for lunch at Ugu’s Pottery Garden, which is run by pottery artist Ugu Bigay, who also whips up delectable and authentic Filipino concoctions. Particularly noteworthy is his kulawo—a lovely salad made from banana shoots that is simply to die for.  After the sumptuous meal, we took a stroll around his cozy abode-cum-restaurant and were fortunate to run into him.  He personally showed us around and even organized a demonstration of pottery making.

After bidding our host goodbye, we motored toward Sariaya, where we took a detour to barangay Sampaloc in Bugo.  There, we loaded coconuts—lots of them—into the flatbeds of the Ranger before snaking through a trail near the slopes of Mount Banahaw that took us through three river crossings. Despite the heavy load, the vehicle rolled over the bumps, potholes, rocks, stones and sand without hesitation.  Ms. Decal told us that only dump trucks used the trails that we were on, which said a lot about the Ranger. 

Before day’s end, we made our way back to the Pan Philippine Highway which took us straight into Tayabas, where another hearty meal awaited us at Mi Casa en Tayabas, a cozy inn owned and managed by former Mayor Dondi Silang, who initiated us into Tagayan, which contrary to popular belief, is actually an ancient ritual of fellowship that follows a strict protocol similar to the Japanese tea ceremony albeit lambanog—an 80-proof liquor produced from coconut—is used.

Unfortunately, the rite, which was a fascinating and enlightening experience, is too lengthy to describe here.  Perhaps this writer will have a chance to devote some space to it in the future.

Next morning (4:30 am to be exact), the team rolled off further down south taking the famous Quezon National Park, stopping in Gumaca for breakfast, then Naga in Camarines Norte for lunch, and then all the way to Legaspi, Albay, for a photo session with Mayon Volcano as a backdrop.

From Linon Hill, where the pictures were taken, we traveled to Donsol in Sorsogon province where we bumped into Tourism Secretrary Ace Durano, who took time to peruse the Ranger up close after watching it repeatedly make mincemeat out of the steep inclines in the area for the sake of the camera.  Taking our leave of the energetic secretary, we then drove to the Duana Resort in Gubat for a bonfire dinner on the beach and a much-needed overnight rest after logging close to 500 km on the Ranger’s odometer.

At 4:30 am we rushed off to Matnog where an hour-and-a-half later, we boarded a Roro (roll on, roll off) ship that took the team and its vehicles to the Balwharteco port in Northern Samar, where we had a breakfast of eggs, corned beef and a local delicacy called danggit—a salty, dried fish that goes well with the garlic fried rice. 

While in Samar, the convoy braved the province’s notoriously rough roads that turned the leg into a veritable “shakedown” (pun intended), which is really a pity because Samar has plenty of beautiful sights such as its beaches and hilltops that could make it an excellent motoring destination.  Our guide took us to the growing stone of Allen, which provided a panoramic view of the bay.  Luckily for us, the Ranger’s standard suspension was more than up to the task of withstanding the bone jarring (and coccyx bruising) surfaces. 

A welcome respite from the bad roads came when we arrived at Lavizares. There we were herded into outriggers and taken to Biri Island. A hair-raising ride on habal-habals—motorcycles that serve as taxis and can accommodate three passengers at a time—took all of us to the island’s limestone cliff and rock formations that are a breathtaking sight.

Upon returning to Lavizares, we drove down to the beach for a lunch of fresh king crabs, squid and fish. Absolutely lovely!

The heavy meal served us well as we once again encountered horrible road conditions. Along the way, we chanced upon a side road that allowed us to test the Ranger’s four-wheel drive and vaunted 300 Nm of torque.  In the able hands of Mendiola, who was the driver of the lead vehicle we were riding, the Ranger pirouetted effortlessly in the deep muck every time he swung it into a 360-degree turn without even using the handbrake! The powertrain worked so well in pulling us out of the maneuver, time after time.

It was a fine way to spend the remaining daylight we had for pictures.  A few hours later we were in Catbalogan, where we spent the night.

Next morning, we traveled 104 km to Tacloban, passing the picturesque San Juanico Bridge that links Samar to Leyte. In Tacloban Cruising’s Datol, this writer and Ms. Tecson were relieved by Eggay Quesada, his Stoplight TV crew and Ogilvy PR’s Macy Cruz.

This writer realized several things during his stint in the Fearless Drive.  For one, most owners (especially city slickers) buy pickups for their looks.  In far-flung provinces, where smooth pavement is a rarity, pickups are used as workhorses.  With that in mind, the Ranger would be an excellent choice as it can accomplish its duties in even the most appalling conditions such as those we encountered during the four days.

Another realization is that if you have such a vehicle at your disposal—specifically, one with such remarkable fuel efficiency, reliability, durability and engine performance—you can “fearlessly” embark on a nationwide drive just like Ford is demonstrating in this event. 

Although the end of the event will not be over by the time this piece is published, this writer is certain that the Ranger that is now weaving across the country will check in at the finish on May 9, none the worse from its adventure.

IT was 6 in the morning and we were all required to be at the Portico Restaurant at Serendra in Taguig on a Friday. So, there we were, motoring reporters from different outfits ready and oh-so-willing to go on the ride and drive. After all, it was the first time CATS Motors Philippines was sending four, oh, yes, four, of its precious Mercedes-Benzes for a long-haul drive.

COMMUTERS and even motorists have no choice but to get accustomed to the almost daily traffic that is caused by election campaigning.

‘OH, no.  Not another endurance run!” Those were the words that this writer almost uttered after receiving an invitation to participate in the ongoing “Fearless: The Ford Ranger Extreme Drive,” which began on April 17 and will end on May 9.

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