Bohol’s rough off-roads and winding mountain paths tested the power, durability and fuel efficiency of Isuzu D-Max last weekend, where local motoring journalists were feted to a challenging drive amidst the scenic views of this top tourist destination.
Six D-Max units were ferried into Bohol for Isuzu’s "D-MAXimum Drive": four 4x4’s and two 4x2’s, traversing over 150 kms in a South-East-Central-West loop around the island.
The route mapped out by the IPC team featured varying road conditions, from cemented paths, more off-road terrain and a number of tricky bends hugging the coastal and mountain trails. Through these, the D-Max emerged unscathed, proving its durability in negotiating the tough road conditions.
"The terrain of Bohol holds a perfect variety of roads to test D-Max’s power and efficiency. On Manila’s roads, motorists are constricted to test the limits of their vehicles, but in rural areas like this, it’s the perfect opportunity to maximize the D-Max’s reliability in handling stern road conditions," said Arthur Balmadrid, IPC vice president for Corporate Business Division.
From Bohol Tropics Resort in Tagbilaran where the media group was billeted, the convoy’s first stop was at the "Blood Compact Site" in Bgy. Bool where a monument signifies the historic "Sanduguan" between Miguel Lopez de Legazpi and Datu Sikatuna.
From there, the convoy motored to the historic Baclayon Church & Museum (six kms. from Tagbilaran), one of the oldest stone churches in the country which has preserved its ancient edifice and interesting relics.
The cemented paths gradually gave way to the dirt roads and the South East Coast, subjecting the participants to about three hours of rough terrain around the towns of Loay, Lila, Valencia, Jagna, Duero, Mabini, and Pilar.
Lunch was rewarding at the Sagbayan Peak, one of the stops for marveling at the province’s famous Chocolate Hills. After downing halo-halo’s on that humid day and the requisite photo-ops with the green and brown mounds at the backdrop, the convoy was on the road again.
Another side of the famous hills were shown in Carmen town for more photo ops, after which the route passed by other unfamiliar towns: Clarin, Tubigon, Calape, Loon, Maribojoc. The loop ended back in Tagbilaran City.
"This is our third D-Max drive and once again, we have proven to motoring journalists that the D-Max performs well even on the most difficult roads. Throughout our drive in Bohol, it was very stable and responsive, delivering power when you need it," said Timmy Naval, IPC public relations manager.
The motoring media who took part in the event were Mike Black of Top Gear Magazine, Dino Directo of Manila Standard Today, Anjo Perez and this writer for Manila Bulletin and Cruising Magazine; Ulysses Ang of Manila Times; Jennifer Bleza and Butch Gamboa of Motoring Today, Norman Aquino of Business World, Ron and Ronald de los Reyes of Auto Review, Ira Panganiban of ABS-CBN, Lester Dizon of Philippine Star, Tessa Salazar of Philippine Daily Inquirer, Andy Leuterio and JayMar Feliciano of Auto Extreme.
The Cebu press was composed of Gavin Bagares of Cebu Daily News, Lalaine Go of Sun Star and Bon Largo of Freeman.
IPC was meanwhile represented by Balmadrid and Naval; Joseph Bautista (product development department manager); Ronald Baladad (public relations supervisor), Ellen Dizon (corporate sales supervisor), and Ronnie Fabello (new business department manager).
The D-Max units were brought to Bohol with the assistance of Victoriano Go, president of Sulpicio Lines, the event’s official shipping line.
