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LAST
week, we visited for the first time Kalibo, Caticlan and
the famous Boracay Island.
Yes, it
was our first time in Boracay and it was made a reality
by Isuzu Philippines Corp., which organized the two-day
2008 Isuzu Crosswind Sun & Sand Drive.
It
really was a fabulous event that saw a number of
motoring and lifestyle media testing the very popular
Isuzu Crosswind on the road from Kalibo to Caticlan.
We were
also surprised to see the Isuzu Crosswind Sportivo,
touted as the first SUV to hit the
island of Boracay, tackling the ascent and descent of one of the scenic
mountains on the island during the first day of the
grueling activities.
Traffic
on the island was heavy as vehicles—mostly tricycles and
vans—fight it out on the very narrow roads that snake
from one end of the island to the other. I was amazed to
see how drivers could still go around 50 to 60 kph on
very cramped roads bounded by concrete barriers on both
sides.
I don’t
have a point of comparison since it was my first time in
Boracay but almost all of my colleagues who were there
for the nth time swore that traffic had become worse
since their last visit.
Fortunately, the beach was pristine with, surprisingly,
relatively few visitors as peak season is almost over. I
think that this is the best time to go there if you want
to enjoy Boracay to the fullest.
We
didn’t even get to swim in the waters on our first day,
since we had lots to do upon hitting the island. But it
was all worth it as it resulted in a windfall for our
group that included BusinessWorld’s Ikka de Guzman, Top
Gear Magazine’s Paulo Subido, and Auto Extreme’s Joselu
Romualdez. We finished first runners-up in the field of
four teams.
The
Isuzu chiefs, led by IPC president Keiji Takeda and vice
president Art Balmadrid, really took time to impress to
the whole group with not only the style and capabilities
of their Isuzu Crosswind (yes, we tested all five
available variants such as the Sportivo, XUV, XT, XTi
and the XL) but also the various amenities and comforts
of the island.
What
more could you ask for when you are billeted in a junior
suite at the hip Discovery Shores located at Station
One? The dinner and awarding by the beach was such a
lovely greeting for a first-timer like me.
I really
like the pandan water with lots of ice to boot—a
refreshing drink when coupled with a small cold towel to
freshen up your skin. The suite was so comfy that my
roommate, Dino Directo, spent almost the whole day in
it.
We had a
friendly game of Texas Hold ’em Poker that went on until
2 in the morning with Sunshine TV’s Señor Butch Gamboa,
AutoReview’s Ron de los Reyes, Manila Bulletin’s Anjo
Perez and Manila Standard Today’s Vincent Marrku
Seguerra, Philippine Star’s James Deakin and the grand
champion that night, Jenny Bleza, also of Sunshine TV.
(You should never mess with a lucky woman on a night
like that, huh, Señor Butch?)
The
night was so young, so we headed toward Station Two for
a nightcap (or, is it a morning cap) at Guilly’s
Island where there was dancing and loud music. After a bottle of
beer, we packed it in at around
3 am
with Art Balmadrid and IPC’s Fidel Portillo in tow back
to our hotel.
After a
wakeup call at 6, I was already wallowing in the waters
in a half-hour’s time. I now know why foreign tourists
are really in love with our islands.
Yes, I
really fell for the sand and waters of Boracay which are
truly one-of-a-kind. I’ve been to the beaches of the
Gold Coast in Australia but Boracay is different. After
several hours in the water, I decided to try the popular
shakes at Jonah’s, which is a must when you are there.
After downing a big glass of chocolate peanut rum shake,
another hour of swimming really made my days at Boracay
a very refreshing and recharging one!
I hope
to be back someday with the family and checking in once
again at the lovely Discovery Shores is going to be on
my list of priorities! Thanks to IPC for such a
wonderful experience.
****
ISEWAY
Motors Philippines Inc. recently announced its newest
Extended Warranty Insurance Program wherein customers
are given a five-year or 150,000-km warranty, whichever
comes first, as standard.
The
treat awaits them at all authorized dealerships
nationwide. The extended warranty covers all brand-new
vehicles and among the components covered are the engine
(rocker assembly, inlet and exhaust valves, etc.),
timing belts, gearboxes (manual and automatic), and the
Continuous Variable Transmission (CTX/CVT).
Chery
aims to offer the Filipino market fuel-efficient and
environment-friendly vehicles, exuding innovative
engineering design and manufacturing quality, while
offering excellent customer service and satisfaction.
Call
896-22-22 local 135 or visit any Chery dealership for
more information. |
