Driving where the road ends Caltex, All-4-Fun 4WD Club medical mission in Sierra Madre

The roaring engines of the 4WD's was enough to bring out the

residents of Barangay Daraitan in Tanay, Quezon, that Labor Day

morning. The sight of 29 big-wheeled road monsters kicking sand into

a fog kept the barrio folk out in the open, to watch a caravan of

strangers who also distributed snacks and candies to the children.

This was the caravan of the All-4-Fun

Manila 4WD Club driving to its planned

destination: Barangay Tatawiran located

in the remote Gen. Nakar area in Quezon

province. In the map, this is placed within

the Tanay-Quezon boundary. From the

Maharlika highway, barangay Tatawiran

was estimated to be only some 30

kilometers away. But the road conditions

- part road, part horse trail, part forest -

made that a long and difficult 30 kms

drive.

Contrary to the club's name, the purpose of this drive was not just "all for fun";

it was a medical mission sponsored by Caltex Delo that will distribute free

medicines and services to the residents of that isolated barangay.

Naturally, for this club of 4WD enthusiasts, such difficult road conditions is a

challenge and a chance to prove the worthiness of their powerful toys.

The off-road units included Mitsubishi Pajeros, a red "Monster" Terrano,

Toyota Land Cruisers, Daihatsu Ferrozas, Suzuki Beavers, Samurais, CJ-7

Jeeps, Vitaras, Range and Land Rovers and a modified owner-type jeep.

Francisco "Kit" Aragon, All-4-Fun

president, briefed the participants on the

do's and don'ts of safe trail blazing.

"No hotdogging, reckless driving or

showboating," Kit warned.

As it turned out, there was no place for

such reckless behavior on a trip like

this. The fresh early morning breeze

from the Sierra Madre mountain range, plus the panorama of greens and

browns was enough to entertain everyone.

The refreshing sight of the country's longest mountain range, though, could not

take our attention from the condition of the Maharlika highway, where some

stretches could spell the end of an ordinary sedan.

The lead car, a 1989 four-cylinder Suzuki Samurai driven by Dindo Bautista,

guided the convoy to better portions of the narrow stretch. A few hours later,

Kit's 4WD Toyota Hilux was stalled after passing through the small Sitio

Alas-Asin. The vehicle's front differential ditched into a berm while Kit was

maneuvering to avoid a spot where he got stalled two weeks ago on an ocular

inspection trip.

It was a time for "people power," and the group got down from their vehicles to

get Kit's vehicle back on the road again.

"This is the paiyakan (tear jerking) portion," Kits said.

After that experience, the convoy snailpaced to avoid the slippery portion that

could send their vehicle down to the deep ravine. Inside the vehicle, I felt like I

was sitting on a huge surf board which was being tossed by the waves.

The steep climbs came next, and of

course, the scary downhill maneuvers

followed soon after. Even if you are with a

caravan out there, you look at the forest

below and the boulders beside you, and

it still feels like no help is in sight should

something go wrong.

Trail guide Rolly Timoteo, a 46-yearold

former Army Scout Ranger, says that

Sierra Madre is known for mountain climbing and trekking. It is also known as

an area populated by the New People's Army rebels. As a matter of fact, we

were told not to use clothes that resembled military uniforms to avoid

intimidating the rebels who may just happen to stray along our path.

After almost four hours of trailblazing ride, Dindo declared that we had hit the

deadend. Although there was still a horse trail, huge boulders prevented the

convoy from going farther. Drivers even attempted to use power tools to roll the

boulders out but their efforts proved futile.

From that point, we had to walk to Barangay Tatawiran, which was only 30

minutes away through rough terrain that explained why the invitation to join

this event specified a "physically fit reporter."

According to the global positioning system reading, we were 178 meters

above sea level. The vehicle's odometer indicated that we had travelled more

than 100 kilometers from Mandaluyong.

Barangay captain Rolando Karabuena said we were the first group to bring

medicines to his isolated barangay.

After giving the medicines to barangay Kagawad Evelyn Magdato, the convoy

retreated to barangay Daraitan, and then proceeded to Sabangan-Alas Asin

River where we broke camp. Like experienced campers, the caravan members

immediately set up the tents and the portable cooking equipment.

With nightfall now surrounding us, someone played the nostalgic music of the

seventies. Then, we found the bottles of beer. And soon, we were enjoying the

company of adventurers.