Experiencing Ford: Destination Zambales

 

DatelineDavao on the wheel of the NextGen Ford Everest with PR Works' Mafe Barcelo and Brigada's Jhen Solis

Tough. Rugged. 

These words come to mind when you think about what makes a Ford, a Ford. It’s no surprise that the brand has become synonymous with machismo, that insatiable male pride. Imagine how surprised we were, an all-female crew for the Next Gen Ford Ranger and Everest Media Drive, the first time we touched base with these vehicles at the basement of the Swissotel Clark at the Clark Freeport Zone in Pampanga.

(L-R) Lovely Carillo (DatelineDavao/eNews.PH), Doris Mongaya and Christ Gesultura (PR Works) and Julien Guanzon (iNewsPH) during the Ford Media Drive briefing at Swissotel

it turned out that this was no ordinary event because the moment we arrived and settled at the hotel, Ford AVP and Head of Communications EJ Francisco, and PR Works’ Doris Isubal-Mongaya with Chris Gesultura, rushed us to the basement for the first activity dubbed as the “Exercise”. It was no zumba though, because they had a different kind of exercise in mind, the one which left our mouths gaping as we chorused with the oohhs and ahhhs as we experienced first-hand some of the assist features of the Next Gen Ford Everest. 

The NextGen Ford Everest's Reverse Brake Assist is a practical feature as it detects rear hazard and automatically breaks for you

This vehicle is loaded with sensors that can detect hazards behind you. Even if you are an expert in reverse parking, you have to admit that it helps to have an extra eye at the back to take care of those blind spots. With Ford Everest Reverse Brake Assist, your car detects if there is an object, person, or even another vehicle at the rear. And if you don’t react in time, it will automatically brake for you. It also comes with the Active Park Assist feature which comes in handy if parking spaces are tight but you want to squeeze in. While it’s easy to be in awe of the park assist feature, you will find the reverse brake assist more practical.

Ford Philippines Managing Director Michael Breen 

It turned out that the basement rendezvous was just a preview of more exciting things to come for the morrow. We were expecting to do a typical test drive. You know, the one where you maneuver the car out on the street, with a guide in tow, for a few minutes and then head back? But Ford had another thing in mind.

Destination Zambales

The road less traveled. George Ramirez explains the Ford Media Drive route  from Swissotel in Clark, Pampanga to Mapanuepe Lake in Bgy. Aglao, San Marcelino, Zambales 

The final briefing by Team Ramirez gave us the goosebumps. They gave us a glimpse of what awaits us at the end of our journey for the Ford Media Drive—a chance to visit a secluded camping area known as the New Zealand of the Philippines. But to get to paradise, we have to drive for hours and pass through the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEx), onto a long bumpy, narrow, and lahar-laden route. Before the “Ride and Drive” experience we were told to just sit through the ride as passengers if the drive and track were outside our comfort zone.

Team VisMin before the final briefing on D-Day

Team VisMin at the lobby of Swissotel. Ready for the Ford Media Drive

For someone who defines her driving comfort zone as a hatchback, small compact car, there are only two words to describe driving an SUV (Ford NextGen Everest) and a pickup truck (Ford Ranger)—WILDEST DREAMS! I was ready to enjoy the ride as a passenger until circumstances forced me to take the wheel of the sleek, black NextGen Ford Everest. We were car No. 15 which means we were the last one of the 16-car convoy, the last one being the sweep. Steering the SUV out of the basement parking of Swissotel and onto the highway was a breeze, with Jhen Solis of Brigada at the passenger seat trying to operate the radio and listen to the lead’s instructions, and Mafe Barcelo of PR Works at the backseat who kept telling me to put the pedal to the metal. 

Would have loved to explore Subic but we were just passing through as we were  following a tight schedule for the Ford Media Drive. No joy riding here as our lead driver kept telling us to move fast.

Achievement UNLOCKED!
Driving the NextGen Ford Everest from Clark, Pampanga to Subic 

Driving along the SCTEx at a minimum speed of 70 (as instructed by George over the radio), and most often reaching the maximum allowable speed of 100 got our adrenaline going. Was egged on to speed up else we would be left behind by the convoy, since we were already at the expressway and had to deal with big trucks and other vehicles cutting into the convoy. But there’s just no way this Davao-trained driver would break the speed limit. They found it hard to believe that we in Davao, were in fact, following the speed limit. Well, Durianburg has its own share of stupid and reckless drivers who soon enough found out that they were no match for the traffic enforcers’ speed guns.

Lady Ford drivers (l-r) Mafe Barcelo of PR Works, Jhen Solis of Brigada, Lulu Fajardo of Panay News and Juliene Guanzon of iNews

This time with Jhen at the wheel

The road to Subic was uneventful, except for the need to speed up to catch up with the convoy. A toilet break and driver change along the way gave us an opportunity to enjoy the view and the fresh air. First time to see an airconditioned toilet in the middle of nowhere, though. Got on the driver’ seat again from Castillejos to San Marcelino, Zambales. This was the bumpy and edge of cliff ride part, but now more relaxed thanks to Jhen’s playlist. It was easy to sync her phone with the vehicle’s user-friendly 12-inch touchscreen thanks to the Ford Everest’s wireless smartphone integration system. It was at this point when Mafe sounded off at the back since her phone was losing its juice. No problem because it also comes with a wireless charging pad in front and a USB charging port at the second row.

Maneuvering the Everest amid a narrow bumpy road with lots of incoming lahar-hauling trucks was smooth. It was a bit challenging, but bearable thanks to the music playing in the background and a scenic view of a long stretch of lahar land before us. 

The rough road going to Bgy. Aglao in San Marcelino, Zambales was no match for the Next Gen Ford Everest. Unbelievable how this SUV took us for a smooth ride even through the lahar river

We survived the Ford Media Ride and Experience drive from Clark, Pampanga, and arrived safely in Aglao, San Marcelino, Zambales. 

UP NEXT, the road to Rodriguez Ranch, the New Zealand of the Philippines and the eerie Mapanuepe Lake.