APO Island’s pristine waters were so invigorating and relaxing. --ANDY SEVILLA

I JUST came back from a trip to Oriental Negros (yes, it used to be called Negros Oriental), Dumaguete and Cebu.

It wasn’t a last-ditch effort to catch up on a summer getaway. Although it was great fun, indeed, it was also a grueling four-day discovery of the inherent beauty of our own beloved country made possible by Toyota Motor Philippines (TMP) and held from May 31 to June 3 in those scenic, getaway resort islands.

Entitled the “Toyota Road Trek 3,” the adventure was for the motoring media. The fun and excitement were more than enough for a first-timer to the said event.

It was rather short but very fulfilling, and this writer would really like to thank the organizers for inviting and having us as one of the “road-trek warriors.” The Toyota people really organized it very well—from the event challenges to road travel up to the food and room accommodations. This writer was amazed that there were 42 participants aside from the observers and officials.

Toyota executives who accompanied the group were Santos Guerrero, TMP EVP for marketing; Danny Isla, FVP for marketing; Raymond Rodriguez and Jing Atienza, who are VPs for vehicle sales; Atty. Rommel Gutierrez, VP for management services office and corporate planning group; Motonori Oshima, VP for customers service operations; and Sherwin Chua-Lim, AVP for sales distribution department of the vehicle sales operations. Their support staff were also excellent in the speedy facilitation of our needs from the various event stations up to the airport.

This writer was with his colleague in this publication, Ira Panganiban, and we were bunched with Auto Extreme’s Ardie Lopez and Joselu Romualdez in a team that went head-to-head with nine other quartets in the three-event challenge. The heated dispute involved a kayaking relay race in the scenic and serene waters of the Balinsasayao Twin Lakes in Oriental Negros; rappelling at the Niludhan Falls in the City of Bayawan, also in Oriental Negros; and the snorkeling and diving at the picture-perfect Apo Island in Dumaguete.

To make known that the whole event was really a “wet and wild road trek,” we were ordered to be in our wetsuits as much as possible, even before we boarded the plane for the one-hour trip to Dumaguete airport. Right after embarking, the convoy of various Toyota vehicles, such as Fortuners, Hi-Luxes and Innovas, zoomed ahead for the almost one-hour drive to Balinsasayao National Park.

This writer was really hooked with kayaking on his the first time out on one of the Twin Lakes. The weather was great and the air temperature hovered around 23 to 25 degrees Centigrade, while the water was relatively cool.

Yes, this writer has no experience swimming in deep waters but the allure of immersing oneself was so great that he immediately said “yes” when nominated as one of the three participants from our team. Ira was the one who “shot” videos and photographs from the shore. This writer immediately learned how to handle the paddles “like a feather” and how to push the other side when one side is in the water. This writer was fourth among the 10 kayakers in the first buoy-station where he was replaced by another teammate. Our team placed eighth overall in the said event.

All stomachs were grumbling when we got out of the water and rain started to fall. We were ushered into a nearby clearing where three big tents served as shelter as we partook of a very hearty meal consisting of tinola soup, beef caldereta, fried shrimps and squids.

As I noticed that my sandal was broken—the first casualty of the rigorous initial challenge—the organizer announced that the second stage was coming up within the next two hours while we drove to Bayawan City, where the Niludhan Falls is situated.

That second stage was the most exciting and dangerous of them all. Ira begged off and I seconded the motion, leaving our teammates Ardie and Joselu no other option but to do the rappelling from 180 feet high, where the waters of the falls start, and then jump the remaining 30 feet. Ira and this writer became the “rescuers” and we waited for them in the muddy waters below. We did fairly well in that event.

We did say that it was dangerous, right? Being the rescuers also took a lot of guts as we had to wade in the chocolate-colored water and stay there until we had rescued our two colleagues. The current was so strong that this writer sustained two deep cuts on his right foot from razor-sharp stones while fighting to stay in position. Most of those who rappelled also had gashes on their arms and feet. This writer also had a severe headache, which was earlier mistaken for high blood pressure.

This writer took the wheel of the Fortuner from that place, while three of his battle-weary colleagues slept it out for most of the two-and-a-half-hour trek to the spacious Bahura Resort & Spa back in Dumaguete. After dinner and a welcome program beside the swimming pool, the “warriors” quietly slipped into their rooms for a much-needed body massage to soothe their weary bodies. Those who were really thirsty for the booze and more camaraderie partied up to the wee hours of the morning.

Feeling refreshed and rejuvenated, the “warriors” were ushered into two waiting boats, which brought them to the nearby Apo Island—a 40-minute ride from the shore located off the coast of Dauin and situated in the Mindanao Sea. It is 72 hectares of volcanic rock island, which was converted into a marine sanctuary in 1985 by Silliman University.

Now this writer knows why this is considered the diving mecca of the country and one of the best diving sites in Asia and also “regarded as the second largest in the world.” The group spent more than five hours of stay there, where the third and the easiest challenge took place. It was Joselu who dove for the key of the Innova, which we took from Dumaguete to Cebu via a Roro ship of the Maayo Shipping Line.

Getting the most out of our stay in that island, this writer, Al Mendoza, Ron de los Reyes and several others didn’t go to the nearby fish sanctuary with the main group. We stayed in the water for several hours for snorkeling, kayaking and swimming before another hearty lunch was served near the beach. After eating like hungry wolves, we plunged once more into the inviting waters until we packed up 2 in the afternoon. The Innova was already waiting for us when we got back to Bahura Resort & Spa and we immediately left on a convoy for Cebu.

Yes, it was a long drive but the whole group stayed as one as we cruised the highways at more than 100 kph. We arrived at the Marco Polo Hotel at around 8 in the evening and attended the welcome dinner hosted by Alfred Ty, Toyota vice chairman and top officer of the elegant Marco Polo Hotel. It was there when our editor, Popong Andolong, joined us. A poker game in one of the function rooms punctuated our night before the following morning’s 18-hole golf game at the Cebu Golf & Country Club.

While the whole group of trekkers transferred to Mactan and billeted to the popular Maribago Bluewaters and Resort for the much-needed R&R, that Saturday was a great one for all the golf enthusiasts. Yes, we survived the sweltering heat of the sun but, naaaah, don’t ask me how I did, huh! Popong, this writer, as well as our flight mates Raymond Rodriguez and Atty. Gutierrez, really enjoyed the game and the good company.

The awarding ceremony was conducted later in the evening near the beach and it was one helluva night for all the participants as foods and drinks flowed. As expected, another round of poker punctuated the night, which was won by Mr. Isla.

Talk of “Road Trek 4” has begun as early as now and many are already packing their bags for next year!

WE have a saying that it’s all right to dream because dreams don’t cost you money.  That means that we can dream all we want about the best things in life—most especially about cars.

I JUST came back from a trip to Oriental Negros (yes, it used to be called Negros Oriental), Dumaguete and Cebu.

WHEN the Ford Everest was first introduced in the country not so long ago, it was a sales hit due to the fact that, at that time only, the Blue Oval had the initiative to build a diesel-fed, midsize, mass market-intended SUV.

THEY say everything comes in threes, which is especially great when it comes to the Mazda3! Coinciding with its third anniversary in the Philippines, the New Mazda3 was recently launched, multiplying the thrill with over 100 enhancements that improve driving dynamics, design, craftsmanship, as well as packaging and safety features. 

THE public poll for the 2007 Petron Xtra Unleaded Auto Focus People’s Choice Awards officially closed its three-month run at the end of the Philippine Motor Show and Auto Expo held at the World Trade Center (WTC) from May 24 to 27.